Most babies learn to walk when they are around 1 year old. As your baby learns to walk, she will be unsteady on her feet until she gains more strength and muscle control. It is completely normal for young babies to have awkward gaits and fall...
Gait exercises help develop or maintain a functional walking pattern. According to a May 2003 "Clinical Rehabilitation" study led by Hiroyuki Shimada, M.D., of the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, performing gait exercises improved...
Nerve damage can be the result of a variety of conditions such as injuries, diabetic neuropathy, sciatica or a nerve entrapment. These conditions can lead to pain, burning and a feeling of walking on pins and needles in your feet. As a result, you...
The spinal cord lies within your backbone and with all going well performs its functions undisturbed. However, in a condition called spinal stenosis, bony spurs growing from within your backbone gradually compress the spinal cord resulting in a...
Wearing orthopedic boots immobilizes your foot and ankle and can result in your having an uneven gait. Even after you remove the orthopedic boots, your foot and ankle joints, ligaments and muscles will have less flexibility and strength due to...
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a condition in which the brain structures called ventricles are abnormally enlarged. Ventricles are filled with fluid known as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); CSF flows throughout the brain and spinal cord....
Exercise is a foundational piece in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes. Of the 21 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes, 90 percent to 95 percent are diagnosed as type 2 diabetics. Type 2 diabetes is one of the leading...
Callus forms on any body part exposed to incessant pressure, which causes skin cells to multiply and die, creating thick skin on the affected area. Calluses develop on body parts as a defense mechanism. Epidermal skin thickens to protect the...
From 1916 to 1955, an epidemic of the polio virus, or poliomyelitis, occurred in the United States. Twenty to 30 years later, some polio survivors began experiencing a cluster of symptoms, such as new and increased muscle weakness, fatigue and...
Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects many people all around the world. The condition takes on a slightly different appearance in each patient because of individuality, as well as the fact that there are different types of cerebral palsy....
The term vitamin E actually refers to a group of related fat-soluble compounds with different properties. Of these eight forms, only the form alpha-tocopherol fulfills human nutritional requirements, according to the U.S. Office of Dietary...
While it may not exist, parents want perfection for their children when it comes to all aspects of growing up from physical development to learning to social interaction. When a child has a hip or joint abnormality, it can be a trying time for...
Foot drop is a common term for a paralysis or weakness below your knee that leaves you unable to lift the front portion of your foot upward. Depending on the specifics of your situation, this condition has a number of potential anatomical,...
Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a set of chronic medical disorders that cause significant motor coordination and body movement issues in infants and children. The United Cerebral Palsy Foundation estimates that at least 8,000 infants are...
The generically named medicine felbamate is marketed in the United States as the brand-name drug Felbatol. Physicians may prescribe it to help limit and control seizures that may occur in people who suffer from epilepsy. The Mayo Clinic reports...
A severe vitamin deficiency can cause disease. Many times, if a person is deficient in one vitamin, then he or she is probably deficient in several. In modern America, most deficiencies are usually a result of malabsorption, a diet fad, chronic...
Solian, the brand name of amisulpride, is a medication that belongs in the family of atypical antipsychotics, which are used for the treatment of schizophrenia. The National Institutes of Health explains that atypical antipsychotics are...
Levaquin (levofloxacin) is an antibacterial prescription medication indicated for the treatment of infections caused by bacteria within the bladder, kidneys, prostate, sinuses or skin. This medication is available as a tablet, liquid or injection...
Tranylcypromine, known by its brand name Parnate, is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor used in the treatment of depression. It helps to block the chemical monoamine oxidase in the central nervous system, which helps to relieve some forms of...
Cervical stenosis is when the bony spinal canal narrows. Since the spinal cord occupies this space, narrowing may produce pressure against the spinal cord. This can result in symptoms of spinal cord irritation and damage. This condition can be...
The human brain regulates most organ function and is responsible for thought, memory, speech and movement, according to MedlinePlus. There are a number of different conditions that can affect the brain; they can be genetic or acquired, and have...
Calluses can often be unsightly and uncomfortable with every step. In general, calluses are no cause for alarm, but they can lead to more serious conditions such as infections due to ulcerations. Luckily, calluses are easily treated, and you can...
Hallux rigidus is a type of toe pain that occurs in the base of your big toe -- your metatarsophalangeal joint. It is a common type of arthritis can causes your big toe to become stiff and painful. Eventually, hallux rigidus causes the toe joint...
While taking care of your feet is always important, it's particularly important if you have diabetes. Because diabetics often have circulation problems and a decreased ability to fight off infection, foot problems can develop quickly and cause...
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that causes impairments in motor function and in some instances, mental retardation. Individuals with cerebral palsy can have a wide variety of impairments, including spasticity, decreased coordination,...
Numbness in the hands and arms is usually caused by some type of peripheral neuropathy, which is a problem with the peripheral nerves that affects the way sensory information is carried from the central nervous system. Peripheral neuropathy can be...
For all the advances in medicine, a way to change the genes of a living person has not been discovered. As such, genetic syndromes generally have no cure. In some genetic disorders, effective treatments have been developed to ameliorate symptoms,...
Orthopedic devices (orthotics) are foot supports that are used to treat a number of foot disorders and to help lessen discomfort. Some foot inserts are customized (made from scans of your feet) while others are mass produced and are available...
Manganese is an essential trace mineral that functions in several biological processes, including metabolism, maintaining bone health and wound healing. It is also cofactor for enzymes that play a role in reducing oxidative stress. The recommended...