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The symptoms depend on the cause of the blockage, the person's age, and how much brain tissue has been damaged by the swelling.In infants with hydrocephalus, CSF fluid builds up in the central nervous system, causing the fontanelle(soft spot) to b...
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Hydrocephalus has a variety of causes including the following:.hemorrhage, either into the ventricles or the subarachnoid space.infection of the central nervous system(syphilis, herpes, meningitis, encephalitis, or mumps).Signs and symptoms of ele...
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Signs and symptoms of elevated-pressure hydrocephalus include:.d elay in children achieving developmental milestones.Irritability is the most common sign of hydrocephalus in infants.
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Very few cases(less than 2%) are inherited(X-linked hydrocephalus). The most common causes of hydrocephalus in acquired cases are tumor obstruction, trauma, intracranial hemorrhage, and infection.The two most common adult forms of hydrocephalus ar...
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Signs and symptoms of elevated-pressure hydrocephalus include:.delay in children achieving developmental milestones.Irritability is the most common sign of hydrocephalus in infants.
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Hydrocephalus that is congenital(present at birth) is thought to be caused by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Aqueductal stenosis, an obstruction of the cerebral aqueduct, is the most frequent cause of congenital hydroc...
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Mental retardation(MR) is a developmental disability that first appears in children under the age of 18. It is defined as a level of intellectual functioning(as measured by standard intelligence tests) that is well below average and results in sig...
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Mental retardation(MR) is a developmental disability that first appears in children under the age of 18. It is defined as a level of intellectual functioning(as measured by standard intelligence tests) that is well below average and results in sig...
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Mental retardation is a developmental disability that first appears in children under the age of 18. It is defined as an intellectual functioning level(as measured by standard tests for intelligence quotient) that is well below average and signifi...
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According to the definition in the American Psychiatric Association''s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual(DSM-IV), a mentally retarded person is significantly limited in at least two of the following areas: self-care, communication, home living, soc...
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(Also called sociocultural or cultural-familial retardation).Mild mental retardation attributed to environmental causes and generally involving some degree of psychosocial disadvantage.The majority of persons suffering from mental retardation fall...
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Mental retardation is a developmental disability that first appears in children under the age of 18. It is defined as an intellectual functioning level(as measured by standard tests for intelligence quotient) that is well below average and signifi...
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The term"irritability" is used for infants and young children who, when ill, are especially fussy, whiny, and fretful, despite attempts at comforting and soothing them.Parents are usually very aware of their child''s normal behavior and may pick up...
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Children can become cranky, fussy or irritable for many reasons. Often it's because they're hungry or just tired. But sometimes irritability can be a sign of illness in children.
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One of the best ways to respond to other people's emotions is to "reflect" their mood back to them.
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It is normal to have periods of low energy when one needs to rest and recuperate. However, if low energy persists and a person continually feels sluggish, disinterested in life, and has low energy, the situation should be investigated by a physician.
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Detailed information on the crying patterns of newborns The first cries of a newborn baby are often music to the ears of parents. However, over the next weeks and months this "music" can become grating and painful. This is especially true when all attempts fail to stop the crying.
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All babies cry. They may cry for as long as a few hours each day. Crying is how babies communicate their feelings or needs. Your baby may cry because he has a wet diaper or is hungry. Or it may be that he just wants you to hold him.
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Some babies cry for long stretches at 3 and 12 weeks of age during steps in development when their sleep is less settled.
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Macrocephaly is a condition in which the head is larger than normal.Also called macrocephalia and megalocephaly, macrocephaly is diagnosed when the circumference of the head is more than two standard deviations above average for the child''s age, s...
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A congenital disorder characterized by abnormally large-sized head and brain in relation to the rest of the body.Also called macrocephalia and megalocephaly, macrocephaly is diagnosed when the circumference of the head is more than two standard de...
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Megalencephaly(also called macrencephaly) describes an enlarged brain whose weight exceeds the mean(the average weight for that age and sex) by at least 2.5 standard deviations(a statistical measure of variation). Megalencephaly may also be define...
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Visual impairment or low vision is a severe reduction in vision that can''t be corrected with standard glasses or contact lenses and reduces a person''s ability to function at certain or all tasks. Legal blindness(which is actually a severe visual i...
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When you have low vision, you need more than glasses or contact lenses to see well enough to get around and do day-to-day tasks. Your central or side vision, or both, may be reduced.
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Detailed information on problems with vision in children Eye disorders that affect vision can be divided into two groups, including the following:
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Detailed information on problems with vision in children There are many problems that can affect your child's vision that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview.
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If you have low-vision symptoms, talk to your eye-care professional, who can help you find resources and visual devices to make the most of your remaining vision.
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Using vision aids can help you do the things you need and want to do. There are many kinds of vision aids. Low-vision centers and some doctors sell these aids. They also train you to use your aids. And they will talk with you about proper lighting.
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The number of people losing their vision is growing, yet experts say much of this vision loss could be prevented.
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Detailed information on correcting or improving vision problems With today's advanced technology, there are many different approaches now available to help correct or improve a variety of vision problems. Listed below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview.
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Have you noticed the sudden onset of any of these symptoms: vision loss, seeing double, the feeling of a shade over the eye, lights are surrounded by halos, or light sensitivity?
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Reports of a rare eye condition developing in men after use of Viagra are a reminder that erectile dysfunction medications should be used with the same caution given to other prescription drugs.
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A feeding disorder of infancy or early childhood is the failure of a young child to obtain adequate nutrition, which is reflected by weight loss or a failure to gain weight appropriately for development.Feeding disorders are diagnosed when the inf...
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Detailed information on breastfeeding and plugged milk ducts A plugged duct feels like a tender lump in the breast. Some mothers seem to be more prone to developing them, but usually they occur when a mother goes too long without emptying her breasts, or if insufficient milk is removed during feedings. Review your baby's feeding routine and see if the time between one or more feedings has recently changed for any reason. Sometimes, a mother gets busy again with a task and does not realize feedings are being delayed. Ineffective sucking may contribute to plugged ducts. Also, check that the material of nursing bras or clothing bunched during feedings is not putting pressure on milk ducts in a certain area of the breast.
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Detailed information on breastfeeding and plugged milk ducts A plugged duct feels like a tender lump in the breast. Some mothers seem to be more prone to developing them, but usually they occur when a mother goes too long without emptying her breasts, or if insufficient milk is removed during feedings. Review your baby's feeding routine and see if the time between one or more feedings has recently changed for any reason. Sometimes, a mother gets busy again with a task and does not realize feedings are being delayed. Ineffective sucking may contribute to plugged ducts. Also, check that the material of nursing bras or clothing bunched during feedings is not putting pressure on milk ducts in a certain area of the breast.
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Mental retardation is a condition diagnosed before age 18 that includes below-average general intellectual function, and a lack of the skills necessary for daily living.Mental retardation affects about 1- 3% of the population. There are many cause...
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Uncoordinated movement is muscle control problem or an inability to finely coordinate movements, which results in a jerky, unsteady, to-and-fro motion of the middle of the body(trunk) and unsteady gait(walking style). The condition is called ataxi...
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A bulging fontanelle is an outward curving of an infant''s soft spot(fontanelle).
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Spasticity is stiff or rigid muscles with exaggerated, deep tendon reflexes(for example, a knee-jerk reflex). The condition can interfere with walking, movement, or speech.
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Spasticity is a form of muscle overactivity. A spastic muscle is one in which a muscle resists being stretched out, and the resistance to stretch is greater the faster the muscle is moved.
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Spasticity is an abnormal increase in muscle tone. It may be associated with involuntary muscle spasms, sustained muscle contractions(dystonia), and exaggerated deep tendon reflexes that make movement difficult or uncontrollable.
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Walking abnormalities are unusual and uncontrollable walk patterns, usually caused by diseases or injuries to the legs, feet, brain, spine, or inner ear.The pattern of how a person walks is called their gait. Many different types of walking a...
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Gait or walking is a coordinated action of the neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems. The coordination of muscle contraction, joint movement, and sensory perception allows the human body to move in the environment.
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Gait and balance problems exist when a disease process, trauma, or aging result in the inability to control one''s center of gravity(COG) over the base of support(BOS) in static or dynamic tasks and environments.Any number of factors may contribute...
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Separated sutures are abnormally wide spaces in the bony joints of the skull in an infant.
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A headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Serious causes of headaches are extremely rare.
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A headache is a pain in the head and neck region that may be either a disorder in its own right or a symptom.
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This report helps you identify the cause of your headache and learn what to do about it. Includes the latest treatments, such as new medications and mind/body techniques.
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Detailed information on headaches, including the different types of headaches and statistics relating to headaches
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A headache involves pain in the head which can arise from many disorders or may be a disorder in and of itself.There are three types of primary headaches: tension-type(muscular contraction headache), migraine(vascular headaches), and cluster. Virt...
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About 90 percent of all headaches are harmless episodes that can be treated with over-the-counter painkillers, either alone or together with rest, ice packs or relaxation techniques.
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A headache involves pain in the head that can arise from many disorders or may be a disorder in and of itself.Headaches can be categorized as primary or secondary. Primary headaches occur independently and are not the result of another medical pro...
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Most headaches in kids are caused by tension, not disease. Your pediatrician can determine what kind of headache your child has.
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Headache is a pain in the head and neck region that may be either a disorder in its own right or a symptom of an underlying medical condition or disease. The medical term for headache is cephalalgia.
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When seeking treatment for headaches, start with your primary care provider. Most people who suffer from headaches tell their doctors about their pain only as an afterthought. And 31 percent have never seen a health care provider for their condition, according to the National Headache Foundation (NHF). The result is a lot of needless suffering.
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Youngsters' most common head pain is a tension headache—a dull ache that feels like pressure around the head.
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Detailed information on headaches, including types, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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An old theory about the connection between headache and high blood pressure makes a comeback.
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Can dehydration cause headaches?
Howard LeWine, M.D., is chief editor of Internet Publishing at Harvard Health Publications. He is recognized as an outstanding clinician and teacher and is a recipient of the Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year award at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. LeWine continues to practice Internal Medicine; most recently he became a hospitalist after practicing primary care for over 20 years.
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Detailed information on headaches, including the different types of headaches and statistics relating to headaches
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Vomiting is the forceful discharge of stomach contents through the mouth.Vomiting, also called emesis, is a symptomatic response to any number of harmful triggers. Vomiting is a forceful expulsion, and is different from regurgitation—the eff...
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Although nausea and vomiting can make you feel miserable, it's important to remember that these are not diseases, but rather symptoms of many illnesses.
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Vomiting can deplete you of fluids and electrolytes, so repeated vomiting requires medical treatment if it results in a lasting lightheaded feeling or weakness.
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Nausea with or without vomiting is common in children. Most of the time, the cause is not serious. The symptoms usually go away in a day or two and can be managed at home. However, there are times when you should alert your child's doctor immediately.
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Vomiting is very common in babies. Sometimes it can be entirely normal, like when babies spit up mouthfuls of breastmilk or formula after eating. Sometimes it can be a sign of illness or a blockage somewhere in the intestines. Less commonly, it can even be a sign of accidental poisoning or be caused by a bad bump to the head.
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When should parents be concerned about their child vomiting? If the child, age 5 and a bit overweight, has what the parents think is a stomach bug that causes vomiting, and this happens for a couple days at least every two months or sometimes shorter periods in between, should they have tests done or should they just assume its a virus?
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An angle change of greater than 30 degrees often indicates significant weakness of the muscles and tendons that support the bladder.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Urinary incontinence in women.
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Urinary incontinence is unintentional loss of urine that is sufficient enough in frequency and amount to cause physical and/or emotional distress in the person experiencing it.Approximately 13 million Americans suffer from urinary incontinence. Wo...
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Detailed information on urinary incontinence, including types, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and management
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Collagen implants are injections done to help control urine leakage that is caused by weak sphincters. Sphincters are muscles that allow your body to hold in urine.
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A urodynamics study is a series of tests that gives your doctor a detailed look at the function of your bladder and urethra. These tests can help your doctor evaluate any problems you may be having with storing urine or voiding (eliminating) urine from your body.
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Detailed information on urinary incontinence, including types, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and management
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Placement of tension-free vaginal tape is a procedure to help control stress incontinence, urine leakage that can happen when you laugh, cough, sneeze, lift things, or exercise. The procedure helps close your urethra(the tube that carries urine fr...
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Vaginal sling procedures help control stress incontinence, urine leakage that can happen when you laugh, cough, sneeze, lift things, or exercise. They help close your urethra(the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside) and the bla...
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Detailed information on urinary incontinence, including types, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and management
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Detailed information on urinary incontinence, including types, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and management
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Detailed information on urinary incontinence, including types, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and management
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Incontinence is surprisingly common. Surgery, medications, childbirth, or injury can interfere with urinary and rectal function. But there are a variety of treatments available including exercise programs, medications and surgery.
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Urinary incontinence is unintentional loss of urine that is sufficient enough in frequency and amount to cause physical and/or emotional distress in the person experiencing it.Approximately 13 million Americans suffer from urinary incontinence. Wo...
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Loss of urine or bladder control (also known as incontinence) is a surprisingly common problem, especially in older men. It's estimated that 1.5 to five percent of men under age 65 experience problems with urine control. After age 65 this number increases to between 15 and 30 percent, and up to half of people in nursing homes lose control of their bladder for some or all of the time.
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Several medical problems can cause incontinence, incuding the thinning and drying of women's skin in the vagina or urethra, especially after menopause; men's enlarged prostate glands; and weakened pelvic muscles.
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Millions of other women share your feelings about this problem. Women (and men) are often reluctant to talk with their doctors about it because it is an embarrassing subject. Also many women wrongly believe that this is just part of growing older and nothing can be done. Today many effective treatments are available to help.
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Embarrassment and the belief that incontinence is a normal part of aging prevents most women from getting help, experts say.
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Incontinence after prostate surgery may be treated with medications or medical devices, by behavorial changes or surgery.
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There are several forms of bladder dysfunction. They include: Urinary incontinence. This is a loss of bladder control. There are varying degrees of incontinence. The bladder may leak urine, or a person may have complete lack of control over the bladder.
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Learning about incontinence can give you the courage and understanding needed to bring the subject up with your health care provider.
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Bladder and bowel control are complex processes that involve the brain, spinal cord and muscles of the bladder, bowel and pelvis. Loss of bladder or bowel control can be caused by problems with any of these components.
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A developmental delay is any significant lag in a child''s physical, cognitive, behavioral, emotional, or social development, in comparison with norms.Developmental delay refers to when a child''s development lags behind established normal ranges fo...
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Any delay in a child''s physical, cognitive, behavioral, emotional, or social development, due to any number of reasons.Developmental delay refers to any significant retardation in a child''s physical, cognitive, behavioral, emotional, or social dev...
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Strabismus is a disorder in which the eyes do not line up in the same direction when focusing. The condition is more commonly known as"crossed eyes.".Crossed eyes; Esotropia; Exotropia; Squint; Walleye.Strabismus is caused by a lack of coordinatio...
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Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes do not align in the same direction. It is also called crossed eyes or squint.With normal vision, both eyes focus on the same spot and send the brain the same message.
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Detailed information on strabismus, including cause, symptom, diagnosis, and treatment
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My 6-year-old granddaughter's right eye suddenly crossed, and stayed that way for four hours. This has happened three times in the last week. Can you tell me what could cause this? She is undergoing tests.
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Delayed growth is poor or abnormally slow height or weight gains in a child younger than age 5.Growth- slow(child 0- 5 years); Weight gain- slow(child 0- 5 years); Slow rate of growth; Retarded growth and development.A child should have regular, w...
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When children believe they are different in some way, they feel bad. Whether because of their height or some other characteristic, they are going to be aware of differences.
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Nystagmus refers to rapid involuntary movements of the eyes that may be:.Side to side(horizontal nystagmus) Up and down(vertical nystagmus) Rotary.Depending on the cause, these movements may be in both eyes or in just one eye. The term"dancing eye...
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The to-and-fro motion is generally involuntary. Vertical nystagmus occurs much less frequently than horizontal nystagmus and is often, but not necessarily, a sign of serious brain damage.
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Nystagmus is a condition in which there is involuntary and rhythmic movement or oscillation of the eye. It is often caused by an underlying ocular or neurological disorder.The eye movements associated with nystagmus are varied.
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