The human body contains structures that hold the internal organs in place, including the abdominal wall at the front of the body and the muscular diaphragm that separates the chest and abdominal cavities. During development in the womb, these...
An umbilical hernia looks like a bulge around your child's belly button. The Cleveland Clinic reports that umbilical hernias occur in one of every six children and are most common in African-Americans. If your child was premature or a low birth...
Approximately one infant out of every 2,200 to 5,000 live births has a condition called diaphragmatic hernia, according to MedlinePlus. A diaphragmatic hernia is a type of birth defect that occurs when the diaphragm does not completely form during...
A diaphragmatic hernia is condition that typically arises at birth and occurs when an infant's diaphragm fails to fully develop while the baby is in utero. This type of hernia emerges when a portion of the stomach or intestine pushes up into the...
The transversus abdominis muscle circles the waist like a girdle. It supports the abdominal organs, helps maintain abdominal pressure and assists with exhalation. The transversus abdominis does not move the spine, rather it acts as a stabilizer...
Many people desire a firm, smooth stomach yet are in a constant fight with stubborn belly fat. Fat around the waist comes in two forms, according to Factsaboutfitness.com. Visceral fat is inner fat necessary to protect internal abdominal organs....
The term hernia refers to the protrusion of an organ through an opening in the wall that normally contains it. In a diaphragmatic hernia, a defect in the wall of the diaphragm allows organs from the abdomen to push through. According to the book...
Yoga is a physical and spiritual discipline that originated in ancient India. The practice of yoga has many health benefits and including helping you lose weight. You can do the following twisting exercise to help you lose belly fat at home. This...
While having gas is perfectly natural, too much of it can be embarrassing and very uncomfortable. According to MayoClinic.com, gas is caused by swallowing air that winds up in your lower digestive tract as well as undigested carbohydrates, various...
Proper breathing habits help to normalize your blood pressure and heart rate, which can be beneficial for patients with arrhythmia, angina or heart failure. Unfortunately, stress causes shallow rapid breathing with negative affects on blood...
Ascites is an abnormal collection of fluid in the abdominal cavity. The fluid collects in the spaces between the tissue that lines the abdomen and abdominal organs. Conditions such as cirrhosis of the liver, congestive heart failure and cancer of...
The "female muscles" are the ones anchored to your pelvic floor. These muscles help you control your bladder and keep your abdominal organs in place, but they are also a big part of the cascade of muscle contractions involved in orgasm, according...
Initial treatment for your baby's omphalocele depends on how severe the condition is and whether there are any other associated conditions that take priority. If your child also has a cardiac defect or poor lung development, these conditions may...
A Bochdalek hernia is a condition in newborns in which the abdominal organs, such as the stomach and intestines, migrate into the chest cavity through a weakened portion of the diaphragm. This type of hernia is a type of diaphragmatic hernia,...
Pelvic floor muscles are like small girdles that help hold the abdominal organs in place and improve their functioning. Weak pelvic muscles can lead to conditions such as pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence. In addition to improving...
The pelvis is the bony structure of the hips, specialized to support the spine bones and to protect the abdominal organs. The pelvis consists of the three bones that make up the hips; the sacrum, a fusion of five separate sacral vertebrae; and the...
Constipation prohibits healthy and regular bowel movements. It can also make you experience discomfort during bowel movements. Yoga poses can treat constipation and indigestion as well as stimulate the internal organs for easier digestion. For...
An ancient spiritual practice that originated in India, yoga has become increasingly popular in the West due to its many physical and psychological benefits. Though yoga started as a path to spiritual enlightenment, Westerners today often practice...
Acquiring muscle tone requires weight lifting or other strength training. Muscle weighs more than fat, so toning without weight loss may seem paradoxical at first. However, if you also manage your diet, it is possible to tone your muscles without...
Indigestion is a general term typically used to describe an uncomfortable feeling in your upper abdomen. Indigestion includes heartburn or acid reflux, as well as bloating and gas. Over-the-counter remedies and prescription medications can be...
Losing excess fat in the abdominal area is good for your heart as well as your looks. When you gain fat in the stomach, it can be subcutaneous and visceral. Subcutaneous fat is stored between the skin and muscles and visceral fat is deep inside...
One of the most common concerns for individuals who are trying to lose weight is fat that accumulates around the stomach. This kind of fat comes in two forms. Visceral abdominal fat surrounds the abdominal organs and, according to Harvard...
The transverse abdominis muscle is the muscle you want to exercise if you are after a toned and tight abdominal area. This muscle is the body's natural girdle, running in the horizontal direction from one side of your abdomen to the other, holding...
Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, also known as PPHN, is defined as ongoing high blood pressure within the pulmonary artery. Normally, the pulmonary artery transports blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs, where...
The word congenital comes from the Latin word "congenitus," meaning "born with." A congenital disease is a disease or disorder that a baby is born with. Most people think that the term only refers to diseases that are hereditary. That is not...
Belly fat, also known as abdominal fat, is a common health problem among Americans. According to Harvard Health Publications, abdominal fat, also referred to as abdominal adipose tissue, is biologically active, producing hormones and other...
Fat around the waist is an unwanted physical attribute and contributes to health concerns. Two types of fat surround the waist: visceral and subcutaneous. Subcutaneous fat lies between the skin and abdominal wall, while visceral fat surrounds the...
Belly fat elevates your risk for a host of diseases and conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, sleep apnea, stroke, heart disease, some cancers, and low levels of "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the Mayo...
