Your genes, also known as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), contribute to defining you as a person. They determine your appearance, your personality and your health condition. Sometimes, environmental or hereditary factors can play a role in...
Genetic diseases or disorders result from a mutation in the genes (DNA). Sometimes, one gene can be mutated or a group of genes become mutated. In fact, some genes are passed within families. These genetic alterations can significantly affect a...
The first 12 weeks of pregnancy, known as the first trimester, abound with changes and growth in your unborn baby. Despite a common misconception, you don't get pregnant the instant semen enters your body. It takes up to two weeks for the process...
According to the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAFP), two to three percent of infants are mentally challenged. Chromosomal abnormities, genetic syndromes, birth injuries and environmental factors can cause mental retardation. In 30 to 50...
With the advent of 3D ultrasound technology for use during pregnancy, parents-to-be and their doctors can view the unborn baby in more detail than ever before. Instead of a flat black-and-white two-dimensional scan, 3D ultrasound provides a...
Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency, or PDCD, is a rare genetic disorder that affects the body's capability to process energy from the food you consume. Linked to sex chromosomes, this disease disrupts the citric acid cycle, depriving the...
Premature ovarian failure, sometimes referred to as premature menopause, refers to the loss of normal ovarian function before the age of 40. Ovarian failure can mean that the body cannot produce eggs or cannot produce the normal amounts of the...
Ribosomes are the structures inside of a cell in which proteins are made. It was once thought that any mutations in the ribosomes would be deadly, but scientists discovered otherwise. In August of 2008, the National Institute of Diabetes and...
Swimmers ear, also known as otitis externa, most commonly occurs in children. Otitis externa is not the same as a middle ear infection. Swimmer's ear results from excess moisture getting trapped in the ear canal causing an ideal environment for...
Many people use cotton applicators to clean the insides of their ears. This is not necessary. In fact, inserting anything into the ear canal to clean your ear can cause major damage, including hearing loss, according to the Hearing Tutor website....
At 15 weeks gestation, your unborn baby measures four inches long from crown to rump. Babycenter states that he also weighs about two and a half ounces. In addition to his small size, his looks are also characterized by some special developing...
Anyone who has ever had a serious earache understands how the pain can reduce a grown man to tears and make a baby scream inconsolably through the night. However, it's good to know there are things you can do to relieve the pain almost instantly....
Your ears have a natural protection against bacteria, dirt and foreign objects---ear wax. When your ears produce too much wax or objects that you use to clean your ear push the wax too far into the ear canal, the ear wax no longer travels to the...
Ear pain after swimming generally will represent one thing: swimmer's ear. This is an infection that develops when bacteria enter the ear canal from the water and may emerge several days after swimming. According the Centers for Disease Control...
Ear wax acts as a natural lubricant, keeping bacteria and debris from getting into your ear canal. Sometimes, ear wax can build up in your ear canal, forming a blockage that inhibits hearing and comfort. Never remove ear wax with a cotton swab or...
Ear infections can occur in one or both ears and be caused by several factors. There may be dull or sharp pain and throbbing, and the person may or may not have a fever. Children often have earaches that arise from being in contact with other sick...
Ear wax, or cerumen, works to protect the inner ear from dust and other objects. Some people develop more ear wax than others, causing a buildup. Many people think using a cotton swab can clean the ear, but it poses a risk of damaging the inner...
While you may not like the way earwax looks, it is a beneficial substance that protects and lubricates your ears. Most of the time, earwax does not need to be removed until it naturally dries and falls to the outer ear, where it can be wiped away....
Swimming introduces water into the ear canal and can cause pain, swelling and infection if the water is not removed. Water from swimming pools, ponds, the ocean and lakes also introduces bacteria into the ear canal that remains in the ear until...
The ears are formed with their own built-in self-cleaning system that keeps them clear of dirt, debris and ear wax that might cause blockages leading to pain or loss of hearing. But every so often, ear wax may build up. This is nothing serious; it...
Earwax is the body's natural way of protecting the ear canal from bacteria, dirt and other harmful substances. Usually, ear wax falls out on its own through washing. However, blockages occur when the wax accumulates, turns hard and cannot escape...
Stop digging into your ear with a cotton swab each time you get out of the shower. Although you may remove a small amount of excess ear wax, you may actually be pushing more wax up against the eardrum, says the Mayo Clinic. If you use cotton swabs...
Even though ear tubes reduce the risk of ear infection under general circumstances, a child with ear tubes in place faces a greater risk of infection if she goes swimming. Ear tubes allow water to enter the middle ear more easily, which could...
Summer fun in the pool or at the beach becomes a little less fun when you get water in your ear that won't seem to budge. While you may think it's harmless to have some water in your ear, it can actually lead to a serious infection casually known...
An earache may occur for many reasons. Possible reasons for pain in the ear include an ear infection, a ruptured eardrum, tooth pain, high altitudes, a sore throat and problems with the jaw. The pain in the ears may cause a dull pain or a sharp,...
Although many people take steps to get rid of it, ear wax, also known as cerumen, is actually beneficial. According to a report by Harvard Medical School, ear wax acts as a natural cleanser, which may even possess antibacterial and antifungal...
Ear wax is produced by glands found in the ear canal. Its main purpose is to clean, moisten and protect the inner ear from outside dirt and other contaminants. The ear canal is a self-cleaning organ, and under normal circumstances, requires no...
When excess wax builds up in the ear, it can cause a feeling of fullness in the ear, partial hearing loss and even earache, reports the National Institutes of Health's MedlinePlus. Inserting a cotton swab into the ear often makes things worse by...
Ear wax is perfectly normal, protecting the ear canal from dust and other small particles. Occasionally, too much wax is produced. The wax can become impacted, causing discomfort and affecting your hearing. If your ears are in good condition and...
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes mental retardation. Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of severe learning disabilities in children. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments of down syndrome in this video.
