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Varicose Veins What are varicose veins? Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins. They can happen anywhere in the body. But they are more common in the legs. Varicose veins are not considered a serious health problem. But they can be uncomfortable and can lead to more serious

Hemolytic Anemia in Children What is hemolytic anemia in children? Hemolytic anemia is a group of disorders in which the red blood cells are destroyed faster than the bone marrow can make them. The term for destruction of red blood cells is hemolysis. What causes hemolytic anemia

Uterine Fibroids What are uterine fibroids? Fibroids are firm, dense tumors made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue. They develop in the uterus. About 1 in 5 to 1 in 2 women of reproductive age have fibroids, but not all are diagnosed. Fibroids are very common

Precocious Puberty What is precocious puberty? Puberty that happens early is called precocious puberty. This means a child's physical signs of sexual maturity develop too soon. This includes breast growth, pubic hair, and voice changes. These are known as secondary sexual

Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children What is obstructive sleep apnea in children? Obstructive sleep apnea is when a child briefly stops breathing while sleeping. It happens because of a blockage in the upper airway. This is the passages through the nose and mouth to the windpipe

Fever What is a fever? A fever is a body temperature that is higher than normal. It often means there is an abnormal process occurring in the body. Exercise, hot weather, inflammation, infection, vaccines, and many other things can make body temperature rise. What causes a fever

Tongue-Tie (Ankyloglossia) in Children What is tongue-tie in children? Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is a problem with the tongue that is present from birth. It causes speech and eating problems in some children. The lingual frenulum of the tongue is a small fold of tissue that

Meckel Diverticulum What is Meckel diverticulum? Meckel diverticulum is a small pouch in the lower wall of the small intestine. The normal intestine does not have a pouch. It’s near where the small and large intestines meet. The pouch is left over from when your child’s digestive

Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis in Children What are pharyngitis and tonsillitis in children? Pharyngitis is redness, pain, and swelling of the throat (pharynx). Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils. The tonsils are a pair of tissue masses on both sides at the back of the

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