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Atherosclerosis What is atherosclerosis? Atherosclerosis is thickening of the walls of the arteries. It is also known as hardening of the arteries. It is caused by a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery. Plaque is made up of deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol

Allergy Overview What are allergies? Allergies are due to a problem with the body's immune system. Most allergic reactions happen when the immune system reacts to a false alarm. Normally the immune system attacks harmful things, such as viruses or bacteria. But sometimes it

Shingles What is shingles? Shingles (herpes zoster) is a common infection of the nerves. It is caused by a virus. Shingles set off a painful rash or small blisters on an area of skin. It can appear anywhere on the body, but it typically appears on only one side of the face or

Mood Disorders in Teens What are mood disorders in teens? Mood disorders are a group of mental health problems. They are sometimes called affective disorders. These are the most common types: Major depression. A teen with this type has a depressed or irritable mood, along with

Osteosarcoma (Osteogenic Sarcoma) in Children What is osteosarcoma in children? Osteosarcoma is very rare, but it's the most common kind of bone cancer in children and teens. It's most common in teens and young adults. Osteosarcoma is cancer that starts in the bone. The cancer

Astrocytoma in Children What is an astrocytoma in children? An astrocytoma is a type of brain tumor. A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in the brain. The brain is part of the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS also includes the spinal cord. The main parts of the

Neurocutaneous Syndromes in Children What are neurocutaneous syndromes in children? Neurocutaneous syndromes are disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord, organs, skin, and bones. The diseases are lifelong conditions that can cause tumors to grow in these areas. They can also

Birth Defects in Children What is a birth defect in a child? A birth defect (congenital anomaly) is a health problem or abnormal physical change that is present when a baby is born. Birth defects can be very mild, where the baby looks and acts like any other baby. Or birth

Sickle Cell Disease in Children What is sickle cell disease in children? Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a blood disorder that a child is born with. It's passed down through a parent’s genes. Children with SCD make an abnormal type of hemoglobin. This is the protein in red blood

Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21) in Children What is Down syndrome in children? Down syndrome is a genetic disorder. It is also called trisomy 21. It includes certain birth defects, learning problems, and facial features. A child with Down syndrome also may have heart defects and