Mental problems, otherwise known as mental illnesses, are very common in society, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). There is not one exact cause of mental illness but rather a combination of...
Epilepsy is classified as a brain disorder where there are repeated and spontaneous seizures. Seizures are caused by abnormally excited electrical signals in your brain. During these periods, there is disturbed brain function that results in...
As defined by MayoClinic.com, alcoholism is a chronic disorder that causes physical addiction and certain biochemical changes in the brain so that a person's body becomes dependent on alcohol. Alcoholism is often progressive, detrimental and...
Fetal alcohol effect or fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition that affects newborn children and is a result of alcohol exposure while in the womb. According to the Mayo Clinic, fetal alcohol syndrome can cause mental retardation and learning...
Folic acid is the synthetic version of folate that is necessary for the body to generate new, healthy cells. During pregnancy, it's especially important for the expectant mother to have enough of this nutrient to prevent spinal or brain defects in...
Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps the body produce new and healthy cells. It is also known as Vitamin B9, folacin or folate. All humans need an adequate amount of folic acid, but it is particularly important for pregnant women. Some recent...
Folic acid plays an important role in women's health; it is particularly beneficial during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, recommends that all women between the ages of 15 and 45 consume folic acid every day --...
According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, anything ingested or smoked during pregnancy can affect the baby. The March of Dimes indicates that in the United States, at least 10 percent of pregnant women continue to...
When you become pregnant your doctor will advise you to begin taking prenatal vitamins because they are filled with the nutrients your baby needs to grow. Prenatals can be purchased over the counter at a pharmacy or with a prescription. You may...
Ensuring that you have a strong and healthy child starts with supporting brain growth during pregnancy. To do this, you need to make the right dietary choices for your unborn children throughout his prenatal development. By exploring the dietary...
A prenatal vitamin is a must for women who find out they are pregnant. Your need for many nutrients increases while carrying a baby, and a prenatal vitamin will help you get what you need for a healthy pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins also supply the...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, neural tube defects occur in approximately 3,000 pregnancies per year. Pregnant women can help prevent these birth defects by increasing their folic acid intake. Talk to your doctor if...
Cells within the body communicate with each other to allow proper tissue and organ functioning. One method of communication is through cellular junctions, structures between two neighboring cells that allow signal transmission between the cells....
Prenatal Plus Iron is one of many prenatal vitamins available to help you stay healthy when pregnant. Prenatal vitamins also provide nutrients to your developing baby. You typically start prenatal vitamins about three months before you plan to...
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that nerve cells use to communicate with nearby nerve cells. Neurotransmitters must jump spaces called synapses to reach each other. Once the chemicals have made the jump, they are received by receptors on the other...
Health-conscious individuals know the importance of consuming the right balance of foods to obtain all the necessary vitamins and minerals. However, during different stages in your life, certain vitamins become more important in order for your...
Epilepsy is the term used to describe conditions involving recurring seizures. There are numerous types of seizures, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although all seizures involve unusual electrical activity in your brain that...
If you only eat walnuts at a party or during a sporting event, consider making it a part of your overall eating plan. In the right proportions, walnuts are an important food to add to any healthy diet. Grown in the United States, walnuts are...
Cereals as part of your diet can be very healthy for you -- if you are eating the right types of cereals. Cereals that contain mostly whole grains provide essential vitamins and minerals that deliver health benefits. Healthy cereals are typically...
Eating a nutritious diet throughout a person’s lifetime is beneficial for good health. It is even more important for pregnant women. According to the Mayo Clinic, a healthy pregnancy will promote your baby’s health and development. The...
Excessive consumption of alcohol can wreak havoc on your body. According to the National Institutes of Health, long-time alcoholics face increased risk of cancers in the esophagus, lung, oral cavity, breast, liver and colorectal areas. Vitamin A,...
The 12 cranial nerves control the muscles of the face, receive sensory input from the face, control heart rate and respiration, and transmit the special senses--vision, smell and hearing--to the brain. According to "Harrison's Principles of...
Folic acid is a needed nutrient in pregnant women. Ideally, the intake of this B vitamin should begin preconception or before pregnancy. The benefits are great. Folic acid supplementation reduces the risk for neural tube defects. A woman should...
Parents expecting a new addition to the family have a lot on their plate. With only nine months or less to prepare, getting ready to bring home the new baby can be overwhelming. With proper research, thought and planning, future parents can tame...
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), approximately one-third of adults in the United States take multivitamin and mineral supplements in an effort to ward off disease. Experts at the NIH say that existing scientific research does...
Folic acid and iron are two micronutrients needed in small quantities daily. Folic acid is also known as vitamin B-9. It helps in the synthesis of DNA and the normal growth of cells. Iron is an inorganic mineral that also plays an important...
Approximately 10 million people in the US have tried crystal meth, a form of methamphetamine, at least once, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse Research Report: Methamphetamine Abuse and Addiction. According to data from the...
Proper nutrition is important to any diet, but it is paramount during pregnancy. Knowing what to eat while pregnant can help you make the choices that promote your energy and optimal health for your baby. Do your best to resist cravings for junk...
Any baby born before 37 weeks gestation is considered premature. The typical pregnancy, or gestation period, lasts about 40 weeks. A pre-term baby may require special medical assistance and monitoring but depending on how early she comes, she will...
Spina bifida is a birth defect involving the neural tube, resulting in an incomplete formation of the spine. Get expert tips and advice on treating and understanding spina bifida or split spine in this video.
