The spine--also referred to as the backbone--curves naturally as it extends from the skull to the hips. Kyphosis is a medical term for a condition involving an unnatural curvature of the spine. With kyphosis, the spine causes a bowing of the back....
Quetiapine is an antipsychotic drug sold under the brand name Seroquel. This drug is used to treat psychiatric disorders and can be used safely when the recommended dosage is taken. When someone overdoses on Seroquel, it can cause serious side...
Depression is classified as feelings of sadness, hopeless and despair that last for a prolonged period of time. Everyone experiences periods of sadness and depressive moods, but for individuals with depression the feelings interfere with their...
Thyrolar is a prescription medication that contains the active ingredient liotrix, a type of thyroid agent. This drug is indicated to alleviate symptoms associated with hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland produces unusually low...
The generically named medication bupropion hydrochloride is marketed in the United States under several brand names that include Budeprion SR and Wellbutrin SR, both of which are sustained-release drugs. This means you take the recommended dose...
Strattera is an FDA-approved oral prescription medication for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults, teens and children 6 years and older. ADHD occurs when certain chemicals in the body are disrupted, and...
Poor nutrition affects all areas of a child's growth and development, including performance in the classroom. If your child does not consume adequate amounts of key nutrients, including calcium, potassium and vitamin C, he may be unable to work to...
Babies may begin feeding wide awake and hungry. However, the act of nursing lulls babies to sleep. In the first weeks of life, babies who fall asleep before they have consumed enough milk may be at risk for dehydration and failure to thrive. Some...
Approximately 20 percent of teens will experience depression before they reach adulthood. Adolescent girls are twice as likely as boys to experience depression. While the core symptoms of depression, including feelings of persistent sadness, loss...
In the 2010 edition of "Current Diagnosis and Treatment," Baylor College of Medicine Professor Wayne X. Shandera, M.D. explains that the herpes simplex virus, often abbreviated as HSV, is a common cause of meningitis, especially among women who...
When opting to feed your baby formula or breastfeed while supplementing with formula, it is wise to monitor your child for reactions when changing or starting infant formulas. Some formula allergies can be attributed to certain proteins found in...
If your teen seems to want to sleep more during the day than he used to and tends to stay up late at night, his internal body clock could be to blame. In the early teen years, a child's body clock changes, and it is more difficult for him to wake...
Caffeine serves a variety of functions and is found naturally in beverages, such as coffee, tea and chocolate, as well as an additive to headache medications or cola drinks. The Coffee Science Information Centre notes that caffeine is the most...
Shingles results when the varicella-zoster virus---the same virus that causes chicken pox---awakens within clusters of sensory nerve roots called "dorsal root ganglia." According to the American Academy of Dermatology, about 20 percent of people...
Hormones play numerous roles in your body, regulating functions from growth to mood. If you have a deficiency in one type of hormone, your body may have difficulty performing certain functions such as sleeping or staying awake....
According to the Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media, at KidsHealth.org, jaundice is a common condition in newborns. It refers to the yellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes from a buildup of bilirubin in the blood....
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, estimates that shingles affect 1 million Americans each year. Although the disease is rarely life-threatening and usually resolves on its own without no treatment at all, the CDC recommends...
Fatigue during the day can drain you and make it difficult to get through even the simplest of tasks. Recurrent fatigue can affect your job or personal life. Most cases of fatigue are temporary and are caused from the body trying to slow down and...
Most American adults have consumed caffeine; as one of the most commonly used drugs in the world, it's used regularly by an estimated 90 percent of people in the world, says Brown University Health Services. You've probably downed a cup of coffee...
