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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a set of symptoms caused by a problem with a woman’s hormones. It affects the ovaries. These are the small organs that store a woman’s eggs. But it can also affect the

Joint Replacement Surgery What is joint replacement surgery? Joint replacement surgery removes and replaces an arthritic or damaged joint with an artificial joint (prosthesis). It may be considered only after other treatment choices have failed to ease pain or improve function

Persistent Depressive Disorder in Children What is persistent depressive disorder in children? Persistent depressive disorder is a type of depression. Depression affects a child’s body, mood, and thoughts. It can disturb eating, sleeping, or thinking patterns. It's not the same

Appendicitis What is appendicitis? Appendicitis is a medical emergency. It happens when your appendix becomes sore, swollen, and diseased. The appendix is a thin tube that is joined to the large intestine. It sits in the lower right part of your belly (abdomen). The appendix is a

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) What is respiratory distress syndrome? Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common problem in premature babies. It can also happen in some full-term babies. It causes babies to need extra oxygen and help with breathing. The course of

Whooping Cough (Pertussis) in Adults What is whooping cough (pertussis)? Whooping cough (pertussis) is a very contagious respiratory illness. It mainly affects babies and young children, but adults can also get it. Whooping cough caused thousands of deaths in the 1930s and 1940s

Bronchiolitis in Children What is bronchiolitis in children? Bronchiolitis is an infection of the lungs. It’s when your child has swelling in the smaller airways (bronchioles) of the lung. This swelling blocks air in the smaller airways. Bronchiolitis is different than bronchitis

Chronic Bronchitis What is chronic bronchitis? Bronchitis is inflammation of the breathing tubes. These are the airways called bronchi. This inflammation causes too much mucus to be made and other changes. Bronchitis can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Chronic

Pulmonary Emphysema What is emphysema? Emphysema is a progressive chronic lung condition in which the tiny air sacs (alveoli) are damaged or destroyed. When this happens, it causes the tiny air sacs to rupture and create one big air pocket instead of many tiny ones. Air becomes

Car Seat Safety and Distracted Driving How important are seat belts and car seats? According to the CDC, motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death for children in the U.S. Thousands of children are at risk because they are not buckled up. Car seats and seat belts must