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...
Hypertonia and spasticity are often used interchangeably to describe a condition in which the arms and legs have excessive muscle tone. The affected limbs are stiff and difficult to move. Spasticity more correctly describes a subset of hypertonia...
The purpose of the inner layer or the endothelium of the cornea is to pump the fluid out of the cornea and keep it clear. When the endothelial cells stop working, the cornea swells; this is called corneal edema. The endothelial cells can be...
Sports drinks provide options for athletes who need to replace body fluids lost during exercise. These drinks play an important role in rehydration and rebalancing your electrolytes during and after strenuous exercise or athletic events. The...
You've probably taken an involuntary swig of saltwater during an unexpected wave at the beach, but saltwater isn't meant for human consumption. Drinking too much saltwater for too long begins the process of dehydration, which, if not corrected,...
Experts such as Dr. Carolyn Dean, author of “The Magnesium Miracle,” hold deficiency of this key mineral responsible for more than half of heart disease cases. She also links low magnesium with insulin resistance, high blood pressure,...
For athletes, staying hydrated is vital. During your workout, your body temperature rises and you produce sweat, which keeps your body cool but causes you to lose water along with sodium and sugars needed for maximum performance and overall...
Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe permanent motor damage. Cerebral palsy does not always indicate intellectual impairment, although two-thirds of people with CP have some mental disability, according to the National Institute of...
Running a race allows you to test your own limits as well as measure yourself against others. It can also be a grueling experience that takes a lot of you, and abdominal cramps can be one result. According to Rice University researchers, running...
Gatorade is a brand name commonly associated with athletes and sports of all kinds. However, other sports drinks have entered the market over the years, giving Gatorade some healthy competition, and choosing what sports drink to consume has become...
The Billroth II procedure is a form of weight-loss surgery that removes part of the stomach in an effort to make it a smaller reservoir, and then the jejunum is connected to the newly formed stomach for drainage. Reducing the size of the stomach...
Children with cerebral palsy have abnormal movements and muscle tone that make it challenging for parents to pull apart the thighs in order to change a diaper. Muscle tone refers to the amount of resistance felt when bending a joint such as the...
From an early age we're told that sports drinks are crucial to our success in the sports we play, and that sports drinks will speed our recovery by replenishing the minerals and nutrients we lose with exertion. But are these statements truthful?...
The general perception of seaweed is that it's nutritious, particularly because it contains several nutrients including vitmains A, E, C and B-12, as well as minerals such as iron, calcium and iodine. Seaweed also contains fiber and amino acids....
Experiencing leg cramps after working out is common, but not healthy. Severe cramps can be debilitating and painful, leading you to give up your workout. However, taking simple precautionary steps before you work out helps prevent many types of...
Gastrointestinal problems after exercise are a common occurrence among many types of athletes. For example, according to Rice University, 40 to 50 percent of all marathoners and triathletes experienced some sort of gastrointestinal disturbances...
Experiencing cramps in the abdominal region while working out is a common experience for many athletes, particularly those who participate in endurance-type activities. Many types of abdominal cramps can be treated with simple preventative...
In an ideal world, everyone would be able to absorb the nutrients they need from eating a well-balanced diet. In practice, however, it's often difficult to achieve that goal. Planning a nutritionally complete diet requires more time and research...
The iliopsoas muscle, one of the largest and most powerful hip flexors, is actually a combination of the iliacus and psoas muscles. The iliopsoas originates on the lumbar spine vertebrae and attaches to the top of the femur. It is a major muscle...
Whether you're suffering from allergy symptoms or staving off a sinus infection, you have a simple, inexpensive option for relief. Sinus irrigation--or rinsing of the sinus cavities--can decrease symptoms such as congestion and pressure, reports...
Weight loss during dieting does not normally provoke dehydration. However, weight loss due to water loss during exercise, illness or exposure to heat does result in dehydration of body tissues. Human bodies contain over 60 percent water, with...
Cramps that occur in the area of the rib cage are referred to as side stitches or stitches, and they are a common phenomenon among runners. According to Rice University, research has shown that up to 50 percent of runners who participated in...
Nicotinamide, also known as niacinamide, is a water-soluble form of vitamin B-3 or niacin. Nicotinamide and niacin are identical in terms of their vitamin value, but the former differs from niacin in toxicity and pharmacological effects. As a...
Infants with very stiff muscles may clench their hands and feet, such as clenching their fingers into a fist or curling their toes, or cross their legs in a scissor-like fashion when picked up. Hypertonia is the medical term for high muscle tone,...
Bloating and gastrointestinal issues are common among runners, so if you are experiencing these frustrating symptoms you are not alone. In fact, some 40 to 50 percent of marathon runners and triathletes experience bloating, flatulence, cramps,...
Stomach cramps are a common experience for most runners, especially those who participate in endurance events such as marathons and triathlons. A variety of conditions can lead to cramping, but taking some preventative steps before you run can...
A cough is a respiratory reaction that helps protect the lungs from irritating or damage substances. Coughing is a reflex action and involves rapid inhalation, closing off of the throat, increase in internal pressure in the chest, and forceful...
According to the National Certification Board of Massage Therapy and Bodyworkers, massage and bodywork affect every system of the body. Massage is an alternative therapy promoting health, preventing injury and illness, and speeding recovery....
Massage involves the manipulation of skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Neck massagers are automated devices designed to focus a massage on common areas of muscle tension in the neck and shoulders. The benefits of a neck massager may include...
