Infants can develop constipation, a condition that is characterized by painful bowel movements. If this happens on an occasional basis, it's usually not cause for concern. However, if your infant seems to regularly suffer from hard, dry bowel...
You can have a doctor test your newborn to determine the concentration of sodium and chloride in your baby's sweat. This is the most commonly used screening procedure, and your doctor may recommend waiting until your baby is a few months old...
You or your child can work with a respiratory therapist, who is a specialized medical professional trained in ways to help CF patients breathe better. Cystic fibrosis causes heavy buildups of thick mucus in the lungs, and respiratory therapists...
Sinus pain is a common symptom of sinus infection, seasonal allergies or the common cold. Sinus pain can cause headaches, earaches and toothaches, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sinus pain is not normal. The most typical causes for sinus pain are...
The lungs perform the vital functions of taking in air and exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide with the blood. As the lungs expand air enters the mouth and nose, travels through the trachea to the bronchi--two tubes that lead to the lungs. The...
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease, which means that it is the result of faulty genes being passed from parents to the offspring. Cystic fibrosis is the result of a mutation in a protein that moves chloride (a form of chlorine) throughout the...
It is hard to imagine what inspired anyone to first drink mineral oil. A petroleum by-product, slick in texture with little discernible taste, its therapeutic benefits are anything but obvious. Yet, mineral oil is a time-tested remedy used to...
Keeping the right balance of electrolytes in your body guards against dehydration and ensures an adequate amount of fluid in your body. When electrolytes get too low, your body generally lets you know. Because electrolytes are secreted through the...
Cystic fibrosis (CF), a common genetic disease that causes severe lung disease and other symptoms, has two forms: classic and nonclassic, or atypical. People with the atypical form of cystic fibrosis can have the same symptoms as a person with the...
Cystic fibrosis, which is also referred to as mucoviscidosis, is a genetic disorder that affects the respiratory and digestive tracts. Patients with cystic fibrosis have a gene defect that causes the body to produce excessive amounts of mucus....
The bones in a newborn baby's head aren't tough and fixed like an adult's. Instead, they're soft and able to move around to allow the head to pass through the mother's vagina. Because of this softness, certain lumps and bumps may occur on the...
Vitamin E is an essential nutrient involved in cellular signaling as well as control over dilation of your blood vessels. It is also an antioxidant, helping to protect your body from chemicals linked to cellular aging. A vitamin E deficiency can...
The pancreas is a small organ in your abdominal cavity. Your pancreas produces enzymes that are essential to digestion and delivers these enzymes to your intestines. If your pancreas does not produce these enzymes or is unable to deliver them to...
Cystic fibrosis affects 30,000 children and adults in the U.S., according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. People with cystic fibrosis have a life span of about 30 to 40 years. Data show vitamin K deficiency is common in this group. Dietary...
Vitamin D is found in some food sources, like fortified milk and cereals. The body also produces vitamin D during sun exposure. However, you may need extra vitamin D each day, especially if you have limited sun exposure. If you think you might be...
Mucus is a slippery secretion produced by mucous membranes that protect areas of the body. While normal amounts of mucus support wellness, excessive production can cause adverse effects ranging from mild discomfort to difficulty breathing. Mucus...
Childhood lung diseases include a number of conditions in which the lungs do not function properly and breathing is impaired. Asthma, cystic fibrosis, influenza, pneumonia and other infections are common causes of childhood lung diseases....
Collapsed lung is a collective term used to describe two separate conditions, pneumothorax and atelectasis, that trigger partial or total deflation of your lung's oxygen-carrying structures. If you have an atelectasis, deflation occurs in the tiny...
In the United States, approximately 30,000 people live with cystic fibrosis--a chronic hereditary disease that affects the respiratory and digestive tracts--reports the American Lung Association. This disease most commonly affects Caucasian...
Rectal prolapse most often occurs in elderly people and children ages 6-years-old and younger. A rectal prolapse involves the rectum tissues descending to protrude through the anus. If your child has a rectal prolapse, there are several different...
Corn, broccoli, eggs and green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach are all good sources of lutein. Lutein is an antioxidant. It is one of the carotenoids, similar to beta-carotene, but unlike beta-carotene, your body can't turn it into...
Parents should not ignore any respiratory symptom, in their toddler, no matter how minor it may seem. As small children, especially toddlers, come down with colds and other viruses, some develop wheezing sounds as they breathe. If your child...
If your child is coughing repeatedly or having problems gaining weight, it can certainly be a cause for concern---and it may signify cystic fibrosis. "Every year, a thousand babies in the United States are born with cystic fibrosis (CF), one of...
Although potassium iodide is a salt of potassium, its function in the body differs substantially from supplements designed to prevent potassium deficiencies. Potassium iodide is not a daily supplement but is used short-term for specific purposes....
Excessive mucus, or phlegm, commonly occurs with certain respiratory disorders and is commonly seen in people with emphysema and bronchitis. Cystic fibrosis, an inherited condition that affects more than 30,000 children and teens in the United...
Novamoxin (penicillin) is a medication used to treat a vast amount of bacterial infections. For example, it can treat ear or throat infections and pneumonia, says MedlinePlus. Novamoxin destroys the bacterial cells walls so that its infection...
Seeing a lump or protrusion in your belly while doing situps can be alarming, especially if there are more than one. The most likely cause of the protrusion, or protrusions, is a hernia -- a weakness in the wall of the abdominal tissue. In some...
Disease runs rampant in civilization. Remember the plague? Disease wiped out large populations. When you're ill with a specific disease, your antibodies fight the antigens of that disease. If you survive, cells remember the invaders and don't...
Risk factors are elements that do not cause a disease or illness, but rather seem to be associated in some way with the disease. Risk factors for high blood glucose, or hyperglycemia, increase your overall chances of developing the condition. If...
Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that causes severe lung damage and nutritional deficiencies. Cystic fibrosis affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat, saliva and digestive juices. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and...
Adjusting the diet to deal with cystic fibrosis. Learn how to change your diet to fit your specific health and nutrition needs in this video on grocery shopping.
