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Allergens: Animals What is an animal allergen? Allergens found in animals are a common cause of allergic reactions. They are caused by the proteins found in an animal's: Skin (dander) Saliva Urine Household pets such as cats and dogs are the most common sources of animal

Maternal and Fetal Testing Overview Most people have healthy pregnancies, and their babies are born without trouble. But people with high-risk pregnancies often need to be closely watched for possible problems. Fortunately, many tests and procedures are available to keep track of

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Multiple Pregnancy What are the symptoms of multiple pregnancy? Each woman may have slightly different symptoms. But the most common symptoms of multiple pregnancy are: Uterus is larger than expected for the dates in pregnancy More morning sickness

Anatomy of the Endocrine System The endocrine system is a complex network of glands and organs. It uses hormones to control and coordinate your body's metabolism, energy level, reproduction, growth and development, and response to injury, stress, and mood. The following are key

Traveling with a Chronic Condition Take care when traveling with a chronic condition Chronic conditions should not prevent you from enjoying travel. As with other medical conditions, if you have a chronic disease, you should see your healthcare provider as early as possible

Birthmarks What are birthmarks? Birthmarks are areas of discolored or raised skin that are seen at birth or within a few weeks of birth. Birthmarks may be made up of malformed pigment cells or blood vessels. Medical experts don’t know what causes birthmarks. But most of them are

Sleeping Positions During Pregnancy As your pregnancy progresses and your uterus gets bigger, you may find it harder to get comfortable in bed. Early on in pregnancy, you can sleep on your stomach. Over time, that position can become uncomfortable. But it's OK to sleep on your

Uniparental Disomy: Prader-Willi Syndrome and Angelman Syndrome What is uniparental disomy? Chromosome pairs affect how our body works. Normally, a baby gets 1 copy of each chromosome pair from each parent. This means 1 copy from the genetic mother, and the other copy from the

Hypnosis What is hypnosis? Hypnosis (hypnotherapy), like sleep, puts the mind in an altered, relaxed state. Under hypnosis, the mind can still reach memories, sensations, and other thoughts. Hypnosis is often used for things such as breaking bad habits, controlling pain, and

Preventing Sports Injuries Exercise is good for the body. And with the correct safety steps, sports injuries can often be prevented. The quality of protective equipment—padding, helmets, shoes, mouth guards—has helped to improve safety in sports. But you can still be at risk of