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Ear, Nose, and Throat Facts What is the ear? The ear is the organ of hearing and balance. The ear is made up of: External or outer ear. This includes: Pinna or auricle. This is the outside part of the ear. External auditory canal or tube. This is the tube that connects the outer

Tonsillitis What is tonsillitis? Tonsillitis means that your tonsils are inflamed. Your tonsils are large, fleshy glands at the back of your throat. These glands make antibodies that help fight infection. What causes tonsillitis? Both bacteria and viruses can cause tonsillitis

Air Pollution What is air pollution? Air pollution is when harmful substances are in the air that we breathe. National agencies and organizations report that: Air pollution comes from many sources. Some of these include industrial operations. Other sources are stationary fuel

The Lungs in Pregnancy Respiratory system The respiratory system is made up of the organs involved in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Its main job is to move fresh air (oxygen) into your body and move waste gases (carbon monoxide) out of your body. The system includes

Acne What is acne? Acne is a disorder of the hair follicles and oil glands (sebaceous glands). The oil glands secrete oils (sebum) to keep the skin moist. When the glands get clogged, it can lead to pimples and cysts. Acne is very common. People of all races and ages have acne

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

Postpartum Thyroiditis What is postpartum thyroiditis? Postpartum thyroiditis happens when a person's thyroid gland becomes inflamed within one year of delivering a baby or having a miscarriage or abortion. This condition affects a small percentage of people. The thyroid is a

Complications of Pregnancy What are some of the more common complications of pregnancy? Many pregnancies are uneventful. But sometimes complications happen. Here are some of the more common pregnancy complications. Amniotic fluid complications Too much or too little amniotic

The Risks of Drug Use in Pregnancy Drugs like cocaine and marijuana can cause a lot of harm to a pregnancy. Many people of childbearing age in the United States use some form of drugs. Risks to the pregnant person If you use drugs during pregnancy, you raise your risk for: Anemia

Infertility Risk Factors for Women and Men Many different factors can influence fertility. Women may have problems with getting pregnant or staying pregnant. Men have risk factors, too. Many things can affect the health of their sperm. Gender words are used here to talk about