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Acute Spinal Cord Injury What is an acute spinal cord injury (SCI)? The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that carries signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is due to a traumatic injury. The injury may cause a bruise (contusion)

Overview of Sleep Disorders Facts about sleep disorders Loss of sleep can cause problems at home or on the job. It can lead to serious or even fatal accidents. The National Sleep Foundation notes that: Between 50 and 70 million U.S. adults have some type of sleep or wakefulness

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in Children What is toxic epidermal necrolysis in children? Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a life-threatening skin disorder. It causes skin tissue to die, resulting in skin blistering and peeling. It's most often caused by a medicine reaction. A milder

Anencephaly in Children What is anencephaly in children? Anencephaly is a condition that is present at birth (birth defect). It affects the brain and skull bones. With this condition, the brain isn't fully formed. It often lacks part or all of the cerebrum. The cerebrum is the

Folic Acid for a Healthy Baby What is folic acid? Folic acid, or folate, is a B vitamin. The word folate comes from folium, the Latin word for leaf. Folate is found naturally in food, particularly in dark, green leafy vegetables. Folic acid is the synthetic form supplied in

Risks of Pregnancy Over Age 30 Many women wait until later in life to have children. In the U.S., birth rates for women in their 30s are at the highest levels in four decades. But an older mother may be at increased risk for things such as: Miscarriage Birth defects Twins High

Urinary Incontinence What is urinary incontinence? Urinary incontinence (UI) is the loss of urine control. You may not be able to hold your urine until you can reach a restroom. It may be a short-term problem caused by another health issue. Or it may be a long-term problem that

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in Children What is IBS in children? Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a long-term (chronic) disorder that affects the small intestine and large intestine (colon). IBS causes painful belly (abdominal) and bowel symptoms. With IBS, the colon appears

Hydrocephalus What is hydrocephalus in children? A baby with hydrocephalus has extra fluid in and around the brain. This fluid is called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Most CSF is normally found in fluid-filled areas (ventricles) inside the brain. Its purpose is to cushion and

Chronic Liver Disease/Cirrhosis What is cirrhosis? Cirrhosis is when scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. This stops the liver from working normally. Cirrhosis is a long-term (chronic) liver disease. The damage to your liver builds up over time. The liver is your body's