Family Health

The basic function of any air or water purification system is to remove unwanted--and many times harmful--particles and substances from these two life necessities. The impetus to use air and...

House paint containing lead was commonly in use until the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned its use in the 1970s. A pregnant woman is advised to steer clear of any projects that...

A doctor's visit is no longer necessary to monitor a patient's weight, blood pressure and heart rate. Nor is it necessary for patients to keep daily diaries of their vital signs. The HomMed...

The development of the X-ray as a useful diagnostic tool allowed doctors to effectively diagnose internal injuries without exploratory surgery. X-rays are not without risk, however, because a form...

A favorite teddy bear may be a big comfort when your child has a miserable cold or the aches and pains of the flu, but that plush fur and soft stuffing is an ideal environment to harbor germs and...

A woman is more likely to drink if she has a family member with an alcohol addiction, a partner who drinks heavily, a history of depression or a history of childhood abuse, according to the...

Hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia and anxiety associated with menopause may leave a sufferer frustrated and exhausted. Hormone replacement therapy may provide relief to women experiencing...

Even a person certified in CPR or first aid may be helpless in the face of an emergency involving a child or infant. Most general CPR classes, even if they provide certification, focus on...

Breastfeeding is a natural and highly recommended method to feed a newborn. When the mother is undergoing medical treatment, however, the medications that she is taking could make her breast milk...

Multiple sclerosis, also referred to as MS, more commonly affects women than men and often first occurs between the ages of 20 and 40, though it can begin at any age, according to Merk Source....

Think twice before you microwave that leftover mac & cheese or your baby's bottle. In a 2008 study by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, products labeled as "microwave safe" were found to release...

A type of microscopic fungi, molds break down organic matter in nature. Outdoors, they pose little to no risk to people; however, they can cause health issues once they begin growing indoors.

A hysterosalpingogram, or uterosalpingogram, is a specialized X-ray procedure designed to allow detailed imaging of the uterus and fallopian tubes. The procedure typically causes only mild pain or...

The ISD is the Information Services Department of Scotland. One of the tasks of the ISD is to gather data on cancer, including cervical cancer, and how it affects people in Scotland. The ISD also...

Learning infant care, whether to care for your own child or someone else's, is an important task and one that many people people assume to be common knowledge. However, good infant care is not...

The world moves quickly today, and both children and adults have multiple commitments tugging for time and attention. However, more people are realizing the need to protect their health and that...

Head lice is not a serious medical condition, though it can be very aggravating and time consuming. Head lice is very hard to see due to its small size; it can be as small as a speck of dirt....

Caring for an aging parent or other loved one is often a challenging endeavor. If they have medical conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, this challenge may be even more difficult. An important...

Autism affects about 1 in 150 American children and the rates of autism are about 10 times higher than in the 1980s, according to the March of Dimes. This is most likely due to increased awareness...

Adhesive bandages are meant to stay put for a while. This naturally means that when you remove them, some adhesive--or even part of the bandage--may remain stuck. This is both unsightly and...

Obesity is an epidemic effecting all social classes and age groups, including children. One in every three children in the United States is clinically obese. Obesity can result in serious health...

An automated external defibrillator is a lightweight, portable machine containing a computer that analyzes a patient's cardiac rhythm, delivering an electrical shock when necessary. The electrical...

Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body. When glucose levels get too low, the body's cells don't function correctly.

VBAC refers to vaginal birth after cesarean, and this is becoming more common as the cesarean rate has risen. Learn about finding a provider who will attend this type of birth with help from a...

HBAC refers to home birth after cesarean, and a woman who chooses to go this route should have a good transport plan in place. Learn about the risks of home birth with help from a certified...

A person with an Rh negative blood type does not have D antigen on their red blood cells, and this can affect subsequent pregnancies. Learn about the use of anti-D during a pregnancy with help...

Options for the placenta after birth include it being discarded as medical waste, taking the placenta home or having it be used in beauty products. Learn about options and cultural influences on...

Lotus birth involves the non-severing of the umbilical cord, and therefore it is left to separate on its own, which can take up to 10 days. Learn about options for giving birth with help from a...

Perineal tears may occur during childbirth, but prevention starts with good nutrition, because tissue that is exposed to a good diet will have more elasticity. Learn about perineal massage...

A challenging birth may be the result of an absent partner, a long labor or perhaps an uncomfortable labor. Find out how to maintain a good support system with help from a certified nurse-midwife...

A birth kit is used by someone who plans on having a home birth, and these are often bought having already been assembled. Learn about buying absorbent chuck pads at the drug store with help from...