Down syndrome is one of the most common genetic birth defects; the condition is found in one out of 800 births. Named after John Down, the first physician to discover the syndrome, the condition causes various levels of mental retardation as well...
Parents-to-be usually receive the option of prenatal testing for genetic defects and genetic counseling to help decipher the results of these tests. Not all pregnant couples choose to undergo these tests, while some couples consider genetic...
For Women Under 35: Triple Screen--This is a blood test that is done between 15 and 20 weeks. The test screens for Down syndrome and spina bifida, two common birth defects. The test is usually covered by insurance, and the results usually return...
Metabolic diseases are caused by genetic birth defects that interrupt the body's metabolism and affect close to one out of 4,000 people, report doctors at the Mayo Clinic. There are thousands of different metabolic disorders that cause a specific...
Radiation is a term usually associated with x-rays, nuclear medicine and nuclear energy. There are two types of radiation, non-ionizing and ionizing radiation, and of the two, ionizing is the type that can produce health consequences over time....
Pregnancy is exciting and terrifying for most expectant mothers and expectant fathers. Suddenly, it's not just about you anymore. The emotional weight of a pregnancy can seem overwhelming, especially if it was an unplanned pregnancy. Confide in...
The dangers of smoking are well-known -- an increased risk of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease and impaired reproduction, among countless other illnesses. However, many women may not be aware of the risks to their unborn infants or young...
The majority of babies are born with their baby, or primary teeth, already lying in wait under the gums. Babies generally start to cut their baby teeth beginning at 6 months, according to the American Dental Association. Primary teeth may continue...
CVS stands for chorionic villus sampling, which is a tissue test performed to detect and diagnose birth defects in unborn fetuses. If you're pregnant, your doctor might recommend a CVS if you have certain risk factors. Some potentially serious...
Kyphosis is the medical term used when there is an abnormal outward curvature of the spine. This is common in the upper back area; however, it can also affect the neck or cervical area. This abnormal curvature can affect posture, cause chronic...
Genetic diseases have a wide spectrum of presentations ranging from mild in individuals unaware of their condition to severe, resulting in death at a young age. Single-gene disorders are caused by mutations that affect individual genes. Examples...
Sucralose has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a general purpose sweetener. Since its approval as a food additive in 1998, sucralose has been used to make carbonated beverages, fruit drinks, yogurt, syrups, ice cream,...
The heart, the hardest-working muscle in the body, pumps blood through the veins to ensure that nutrients and oxygen reach all areas in the body. A variety of cardiac complications may occur when the heart stops functioning as it should....
If you have high blood pressure, or hypertension, eat a healthy diet to ensure you are getting the appropriate nutrients to maintain optimal health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1-in-3 adults in the U.S. has...
How early you can tell the gender of your baby depends on the method of detection you use. You might want to know your baby's gender so that you can choose an appropriate name, or you might need to know if your baby is at increased risk for...
Vitamin C is a very important vitamin that your body uses to build connective tissue, run your nervous system and fight infections. It is an essential vitamin that must be consumed through food and supplement sources each day. However, the Harvard...
How early you know your unborn baby's gender is a matter of what method you use to determine it. From advanced medical techniques to old wives tales, there are many ways to predict whether you'll be bringing a boy or girl into the world. If you...
Most people know that the air and water can be polluted, but many may not know that soil can also be polluted, which can produce negative effects in humans, animals and plants. Soil pollution occurs when chemicals that don't belong or that are in...
The 206 bones of the skeletal system provide a strong framework upon which muscles, tissues and organs can attach. This structure also protects your internal organs and allows your body to move around freely. Like any other body system, however,...
The human eye is a complex organ that transforms light into the things we perceive as reality. Just like every other organ in our bodies, the eye is susceptible to a variety of diseases. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, aside...
A hernia develops when one of your organs bulges through a hole or weak area in a nearby muscle or connective tissue. They can affect your thigh, stomach, groin or surgical scar in your abdomen and may stem from genetic factors, birth defects and...
Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients for growth and development, reproduction, immune system function and energy metabolism. People take vitamin and mineral supplements for many reasons, including to obtain nutrients that they do not get...
Radiation is a form of energy that is capable of knocking an electron loose from an atom. Radiation can come in many forms, including ultraviolet light from the sun, the radiation of a nuclear blast or low-level radiation used for imaging tests....
Black walnut capsules are promoted as effective for resolving many health disorders, including removing parasites. A small number of herbal medicine practitioners say parasites cause cancer. Scientific evidence, however, does not support the...
According to MayoClinic.com, most people shed about 50 to 100 hairs a day. However, when the number of hairs shed exceeds the rate at which the strands of new hair grow, balding can occur. Heredity is one cause of baldness and can affect both the...
Stillbirth refers to the delivery of an infant who died in the uterus. The American Pregnancy Association points out that this term is only used for infant deaths that take place after the 20th week of pregnancy. Only one in 200 pregnancies end...
Symptoms of insecticide poisoning vary from person to person. The level of exposure, the type of chemical involved and the size and health of the person can influence the intensity of the symptoms. Complete avoidance may not be possible for some,...
Coconut juice, sometimes referred to as coconut milk, is the thin, white, milky liquid expressed from raw, shredded coconut meat. Sweet and rich in flavor, coconut juice is frequently used to prepare both sweet and savory dishes, particularly in...
Your adrenal glands maintain numerous metabolic processes and help to control the production of certain hormones. Although adrenal fatigue is a common term, this condition is not a true medical diagnosis, according to MayoClinic.com. Adrenal...
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.
