A cleft lip and palate is a birth defect that occurs when the facial structures of the fetus do not close completely. This typically occurs between the sixth and tenth week of the pregnancy, according to KidsHealth.org. This birth defect can be...
Pierre Robin syndrome is a birth defect that affects as many as 1 in 8,500 newborns. The main characteristics of this condition are facial malformations. If your baby has Pierre Robin syndrome, he will have a small, underdeveloped jaw...
Pregnancy is a crucial time for the mother to be healthy, as mentioned in KidsHealth. Maintaining a healthy pregnancy can be achieved by having regular prenatal check-ups, sufficient sleep, adequate nutrition and exercise. Throughout the entire...
Each year thousands of Americans undergo jaw surgery, officially known as orthognathic surgery. These operations can be elective or necessitated by injury. Recovery can last for months, and because the patient will likely have difficulty moving...
The purpose of Mohs surgery or Mohs micrographic surgery is to remove cancerous skin tumors while protecting surrounding healthy tissue, according to the Encyclopedia of Surgery. The procedure treats skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma,...
Facial pain can be so painful that it really does hurt to blink. Facial pain can be localized to one spot or it can occur over a large area. Facial pain may feel like it's a burning or searing pain, a throbbing pain like a toothache or it can...
Amniotic fluid is what fills that comfy pool your baby-to-be floats, flips, and lounges around in for nine months. Aside from cushioning him from trauma, it also helps to maintain a constant temperature in the womb, prevents against infection,...
"Birthmark" is the common name for any number of pigmented markings that may appear anywhere on a baby's skin at or soon after birth. Birthmarks may be flat or raised and may be tan, brown, blue, pink, red or purple. Most birthmarks are harmless...
Generally, there are three types of tooth infection: those centered in the gum, the surrounding bone or the inner cavity. Dental infections are not only painful, but dangerous. If the bacteria is allowed to grow unchecked, it can cause tooth loss,...
Drinking and smoking during your pregnancy -- at any time -- may be detrimental to the health of your baby. The first three months are especially critical because all your baby's major body parts and organs are being formed at this time. The...
Chronic sinus issues can manifest themselves in various ways. Some of the most common are postnasal drip, chronic sinusitis and nasal deformities such as nasal polyps or a deviated septum. The Mayo Clinic defines chronic sinusitis as a sinus...
A nasal polyp or cyst is small, tear-shaped growth in the sinus cavity. Minor nasal polyps commonly go unnoticed because they don't cause any symptoms. As they grow, they become more evident due to nasal obstruction and sinus pressure pain....
A broken nose, medically known as a nasal fracture, refers to a crack or break in the bones of the nose, according to the Mayo Clinic. Specific symptoms of a broken nose include nose pain or tenderness, a crooked nose, a runny nose and nosebleeds....
According to Mayoclinic.com, snoring is caused by an obstruction while breathing that creates a hoarse sound while sleeping. A common cause of snoring is sinus complications that prevent someone from breathing normally. Sinus snoring is caused by...
While pregnant, any substance you ingest will cross the placenta and reach the fetus. This is true for oxygen, food, drugs and alcohol. Drug use can cause the fetus to struggle for sufficient nutrients and oxygen, leading to problems with organ...
A cleft lip and palate is a birth defect that affects the structure of patients' mouths. With a cleft lip, patients have a split in their lips that can extend up to the nostril. A cleft palate affects the roof of the mouth. MedlinePlus explains...
Merck.com defines seizure disorders as abnormal brain electrical activity that may result in one or more of the following: convulsions, abnormal jerky movements and loss of consciousness. Seizures are fairly common, according to Merck: about 2...
Maxillofacial surgery, also referred to as oral and maxillofacial surgery, cares for patients with wisdom teeth problems, dental implant needs, facial pain and misaligned jaws. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons also perform cosmetic surgery for...
Cleft lip and cleft palate is a highly common congenital deformity occurring in about 1 in 700 live births. This congenital deformity occurs early in gestation at about 5 weeks. The formation of a cleft lip and cleft palate is the result of a...
The disease of alcoholism (or alcohol dependence) includes four symptoms, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) says. These include a craving or compulsion to drink, loss of control over limiting one's drinking,...
Infants inherit genetic diseases from parents who are "carriers" of diseases. This occurs because people have two copies of every gene, and many genetic diseases require two abnormal genes to have an effect. People with one mutated gene are called...
Beer contains alcohol, which can have devastating effects on the brain when consumed in excessive amounts. According to MedlinePlus, you’re at risk of alcoholism if you consume five or more beers at one sitting once a week, or more often....
Once you decide that you are ready to have a baby, it is tempting to jump right in and start trying to get pregnant. But if you have some old habits that might cause harm to a developing baby, it is better to get rid of those first. Cigarette...
Many people are misdiagnosed for sinus headaches due to allergies or the common cold when in fact the sinus pain is caused by another issue, according to Jackson Sinus. When a person experiences intense sinus pain, it is usually caused by inflamed...
If you're pregnant, prenatal testing may seem like a positive thing, a way to check your baby's health and find out whether you're having a boy or girl. While 97 percent of all prenatal tests deliver good news, according to the University of...
Much of the work of international adoption occurs before you even meet your child. However, in some cases, your child will come home to you with issues that need to be treated. In addition to issues related directly to the adoption, such as...
There is an amazing number of nonprofit organizations that help children. People from cities all over the country are spearheading efforts to ease each others' burdens. Each group began with a courageous person who recognized a need. These...
Alcohol abuse can cause devastating effects on the individual, his family and the society in which he exists. The effects of alcoholism impact the user's health, cause the deterioration of social relationships and can put the brakes on career or...
You already know that when you're pregnant, you're eating for two. That goes for what you drink, as well. Alcohol of any kind---beer, wine, champagne, and liquor---is also ingested by the baby and can cause lifelong, irreversible damage. The...
