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Allergens: Pollen What is pollen? Pollen is the tiny egg-shaped male cells of plants, including trees, grasses, and weeds. Pollen is microscopic in size. It is the most common cause of hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis). Which plants produce pollen that cause allergic

Low-Vision Devices What is low vision? Low vision is a condition that means your vision can't be helped with traditional eyeglasses, contact lenses, intraocular lens implants, or corrective surgery. But in some cases, people with low vision may get help with special visual

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 to break bad habits, control pain, and manage

Back Pain in Pregnancy Why is back pain so common in pregnancy? One of the most common complaints during pregnancy is back pain. In fact, it's estimated that more than half of all pregnant people have some degree of back discomfort. Most back pain is related to the physical

Safer Sex Guidelines What is safe sex? Having sex with only one partner who only has sex with you when neither of you has a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is believed to be safe. But many health care professionals believe that the only way to be truly safe is not to have

Understanding Your Child's Lymphatic System What is the lymphatic system? The lymphatic system is a part of the body’s immune system. It works to fight disease and infection. The lymphatic system goes through many changes during a child's growth. Before birth, a baby is protected

Skin Pigment Disorders What are skin pigment disorders? Skin color is determined by a pigment (melanin) made by specialized cells in the skin (melanocytes). The amount and type of melanin determines a person's skin color. What is the function of melanin? Melanin's role is to

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

Dental Sealants What are dental sealants? Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings that bond to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars and premolars). Sealants help prevent tooth decay (cavities). They work very well on the back teeth. These teeth contain more hard-to

Dialysis in Children What is dialysis? Dialysis is a procedure that is done routinely on people who have acute or chronic kidney (renal) failure. It filters waste and extra fluid from the blood. That is something that would normally be done by the kidneys. Dialysis may also be