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Causes could include:
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Use of certain medications
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Use of Birth Control Pills
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Primary Ovarian Failure
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Ovarian Disorders
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Scarring of uterus
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Female Reproductive System Alteration
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Hormonal changes
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Hypothalamic Diseases
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There are a number of possible causes of amenorrhea:.Pregnancy: An adolescent with amenorrhea most likely does not have a serious underlying medical problem. All teenagers with amenorrhea should seek medical care, and an adolescent who has had sex...
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It is not uncommon for a woman's period to be delayed when she is having problems with school, work, or relationships. A change in environment(the start of college, for example) can also cause a period to be late.Physical stress is a common cause ...
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The normal menstrual cycle depends on cyclic changes in estrogen and progesterone levels, as well as the integrity of the clotting system and the ability of the spiral arterioles in the uterus to constrict. Abnormalities in any of these components...
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Amenorrhea can have many causes. Primary amenorrhea can be the result of hormonal imbalances, psychiatric disorders, eating disorders, malnutrition, excessive thinness or fatness, rapid weight loss, body fat content too low, and excessive physical...
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Obesity is a term used to describe body weight that is much greater than what is considered healthy. If you are obese, you have a much higher amount of body fat than lean muscle mass.Adults with a body mass index(BMI) greater than 25 but less than...
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Weighing too much is harmful, but the location of those extra pounds can worsen the risk.
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With childhood obesity on the rise, should parents worry about the weight of their babies?
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We've all heard warnings, yet many of us keep gaining weight. More than half of American adults are overweight or obese, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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During the last two decades, the percentage of overweight and obese adults and children has been steadily increasing (see Question 2).
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Detailed information on obesity treatment, including obesity medical treatment, obesity surgical treatment, obesity gastric bypass (malabsorptive) surgery, and obesity gastric stapling (restrictive) surgery
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Detailed information on obesity medical treatment, including obesity prescription medications and supplements, obesity behavioral strategies, and psychotherapy for eating disorders
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Detailed information on obesity prevention strategies during infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood
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Individuals with an exercise addiction are characterized by their compulsive exercise behaviors, an overinvolvement in exercise, and the presence of an activity disorder—meaning they exercise at a duration, intensity, and frequency beyond th...
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A person is considered underweight if his or her body mass index(BMI) falls below a certain threshold(body mass index is a measure determined by a person''s age, height, and weight). For infants and children, a BMI below the 10th percentile for a s...
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It produces chemicals(hormones) that help the body control metabolism. Thyroid hormone is also produced in response to another hormone released by the pituitary gland.Hyperthyroidism-- too much thyroid hormone Hypothyroidism-- too little thyroid h...
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Thyroid disorders fall into two general categories:(1) dysfunction of thyroid hormone production; and(2) development of thyroid enlargements, called goiters, which include generalized enlargement of the gland and benign and malignant nodules. Thyr...
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Detailed information on disorders of the thyroid, including hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease, toxic nodular goiter, thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, thyroid tumor, hypothyroidism and pregnancy, postpartum thyroiditis, and thyroid horm
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Detailed information on disorders affecting the thyroid gland, including hyperthyroidism (Graves disease) and hypothyroidism
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Detailed information on thyroid disorders in women The thyroid gland, which plays an important role in the body's metabolism, secretes several hormones: thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and calcitonin. Other functions of the thyroid include regulating body heat and bone growth. The pituitary gland and thyroid gland work hand-in-hand. If the thyroid is emitting below-average levels of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism), the pituitary gland secretes more thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH) to stimulate the thyroid gland.
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Detailed information on thyroid conditions and pregnancy The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck, below the larynx (voice box). The small, two-inch gland consists of two lobes, one on each side of the windpipe, connected by tissue called the isthmus.
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The thyroid gland controls how fast your heart beats, how quickly you digest food, how much you sweat, the speed at which you burn calories, and many other activities.
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Will kelp be harmful to someone with nodules on the thyroid?
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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It doesn't look like much—a small, butterfly-shaped gland, just below your Adam's apple. But your thyroid gland has a big effect on the way your body works. The thyroid controls your body's energy level, and problems with your thyroid gland can interfere with your life. However, these problems can be treated. You and your doctor can discuss how best to handle your thyroid problem.
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What are the symptoms of infant thyroid disorders? My nephew is 14 months old and has not gained weight in the last six months. After testing for failure to thrive, his pediatrician said the baby needs surgery for a thyroid condition. His bones are not growing and his appetite is poor. Can you give us more information on this condition in infants?
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Can a thyroid disorder cause large breasts?
Daniel D. Federman, M.D. is senior dean for Alumni Relations and Clinical Teaching at Harvard Medical School. An endocrinologist by training, he has active clinical practices at Brigham and Women's Hospital and University Health Services. Dr. Federman served as dean for Medical Education from 1989 to June of 2000.
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By consciously learning to be present and mindful, you can transform your inattention to attention and your stress into solutions.
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Stress is a powerful force for good and for ill. It can help us cope with life's challenges, but it can also affect our health by making pre-existing conditions worse or even bringing on new ones.
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During stressful times, your body produces various chemicals, including cortisol, an immune-suppressing hormone. The more cortisol produced, the weaker your immune cells become and the more susceptible you are to illness.
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Detailed information on pituitary gland disorders, including acromegaly, diabetes insipidus, empty sella syndrome, hypopituitarism, and pituitary gland tumors
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Detailed information on anterior pituitary disorders, including hypopituitarism
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Detailed information on disorders affecting the pituitary gland, including posterior anterior disorders and anterior pituitary disorders
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Detailed information on posterior pituitary disorders The posterior (back) lobe of the pituitary gland releases ADH (antidiuretic hormone) and oxytocin (a hormone to contract the uterus during childbirth and stimulate milk production). Antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which is also called vasopressin, helps the kidneys (and body) conserve the right amount of water. For example, when a person becomes dehydrated, more ADH is produced to help the body conserve the water it contains. Lack of ADH leads to too much excretion of water (diabetes insipidus), and too much ADH leads to excessive retention of water by the body (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion).
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Pregnancy is the condition of having a developing embryo or fetus in the body. The union of an egg(ovum) with sperm is called fertilization, or conception, and it is this union that produces the embryo.
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Detailed information on pregnancy and childbirth, including information on birth statistics, pregnancy planning, preconception care, prenatal care, pregnancy discomforts, pregnancy tests, pregnancy risks, pregnancy warning signs, labor and delivery, breas
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A great deal of public health resources is spent on pregnancy. It is clear that prenatal and neonatal health play a large role in determining the health of a population, and in fact, pregnancy outcomes are often used as an indicator of a nation''s ...
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More doctors now suggest a pre-conception checkup and pre-conception counseling before getting serious about having a baby. Many problems that can affect a pregnancy can be avoided if addressed and dealt with before becoming pregnant.
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For most women, this is called the "golden trimester." You're starting to show. And you're starting to glow.
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Detailed information on planning and preparing for a healthy pregnancy If you are planning to become pregnant, taking certain steps can help reduce risks to both you and your baby. Proper health before deciding to become pregnant is almost as important as maintaining a healthy body during pregnancy.
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Detailed information on what to do before (and during) your next pregnancy to reduce the chance for birth defects
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Detailed information on planning a pregnancy, including reducing the risk of pregnancy and delivery complications
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Nutrition during the preconception period, as well as throughout a pregnancy, has a major impact on pregnancy outcome. Among prepregnancy considerations, the prepregnancy Body Mass Index(BMI), folic acid status, and socioeconomic status are the mo...
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Your blood sugar will most likely return to normal after delivery. But gestational diabetes is a warning sign that you are at risk for getting diabetes later in life. You're also more likely to have gestational diabetes with your next pregnancy.
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Detailed information on caring for the mother physically and emotionally following childbirth, including information on postpartum depression
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Detailed information on planning and preparing for a healthy pregnancy If you are planning to become pregnant, taking certain steps can help reduce risks to both you and your baby. Proper health before deciding to become pregnant is almost as important as maintaining a healthy body during pregnancy.
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Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your baby. Only you can decide whether you're ready to quit.
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As your body changes during pregnancy, your back must work in new ways. This can be painful if your back isn't prepared.
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A friend of mine is six months pregnant and says her baby moves all the time. I am also pregnant (five months) and rarely feel the baby -- maybe every other day. Is it abnormal to not feel the baby moving very often? I get regular check-ups and the baby is fine. At what stage does it become a concern when I don't feel the baby throughout the day?
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Learning the proper ways to bend, lift, and carry objects may help relieve back strain. It will also help you protect your back after your baby is born. Remember, if you're having trouble protecting your back, it's okay to ask the people around you for help!
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Did you know that standing, sitting, or lying in certain ways can lead to back pain? To ease pain, use positions that support your body comfortably.
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Detailed information and examples of non-teratogenic agents A non-teratogenic agent is one which does not cause birth defects.
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Detailed information on post-term pregnancy, including causes, diagnosis, and management
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Detailed information on medication use during pregnancy When pregnant, a woman should always check with her physician before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medication. All medications affect the fetus differently, depending on the stage of development, the type and dosage of the medication being taken, and the drug tolerance of the mother-to-be.
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Detailed information on preparing the family for the arrival of a newborn Preparing for your new baby includes helping other family members adjust. A new baby brings new sounds, new schedules, and new ways of coping for everyone. Most families soon find ways to adjust to the changes that take place. But it is helpful to prepare some family members for what is ahead.
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Detailed information on blood types in pregnancy Every person has a blood type, (O, A, B, or AB) and an Rh factor, either positive or negative. The blood type and the Rh factor simply mean that a person's blood has certain specific characteristics. The blood type is found as proteins on red blood cells and in body fluids. The Rh factor is a protein that is found on the covering of the red blood cells. If the Rh factor protein is present on the cells, the person is Rh positive. If there is no Rh factor protein, the person is Rh negative.
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No one can say for sure that a medication is safe to use while you're pregnant. But, avoiding medicines may not be a good idea, either. It may be wiser to treat an illness than ignore it.
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Detailed information on medication use during pregnancy When pregnant, a woman should always check with her physician before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medication. All medications affect the fetus differently, depending on the stage of development, the type and dosage of the medication being taken, and the drug tolerance of the mother-to-be.
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Following these guidelines can help keep you and your developing child healthy in the months to come.
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After week 16, sleep and rest on your side instead of your back. Try different positions.
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My partner and I are now trying to become pregnant. I am a young African-American woman and have heard that the chemicals from hair relaxers or straighteners may be harmful to a healthy pregnancy. Is there any truth to this?
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I am in my second trimester and find it very difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. I am most comfortable on my stomach. How harmful is it to sleep on your stomach in your second trimester?
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During the early stages of pregnancy, can you drink coffee? My partner works nights and drinks a lot of coffee. Are there other, safer alternatives to the caffeine from coffee?
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Does fibromyalgia pain increase when a woman is pregnant?
Robert Shmerling, M.D., is associate physician and clinical chief of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an associate professor in medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is an active teacher in the Internal Medicine Residency Program, serving as the Robinson Firm Chief. He is also a teacher in the Rheumatology Fellowship Program and has been a practicing rheumatologist for over 25 years.
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Exercise can help you keep your blood sugar within a normal range. That's because your body uses more blood sugar when you exercise.
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Planning to have a baby? There are steps you can take before you ever become pregnant to help ensure a smooth pregnancy and a healthy outcome for you and your infant.
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If you're pregnant, it's just as important for you to stay away from lead as it is to protect your children from it.
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The healthy choices you make before and during pregnancy can have a lasting impact on you and your unborn child. Experts say one of the most important things a woman or couple can do is to plan for pregnancies.
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At least 90 days before starting to try to conceive, both men and women should take steps to improve their diet and exercise routines, as well as fine-tune any medications they may be taking.
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Some pregnancy changes are caused by hormones. Others are caused by the pressure and weigh of your growing baby.
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A physical exam and lab tests will show if there are any special concerns. Your health care provider can then plan the care that will help prevent problems later.
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Pregnant women in their second or third trimester during influenza season should be immunized.
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You may see signs that your body is getting ready for labor. Be patient. Within a few more weeks, your baby will be born.
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From conception until after the birth of your child, you and your baby will change every day.
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The weight you gain now is not just extra fat. It is also the weight of your baby. And it is the increased blood and fluids to support the baby.
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From conception (fertilization) until after the birth of your child, you and your baby will change every day. To help you understand what is happening, we've outlined how pregnancy begins and some of the changes you may notice.
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Your health can affect your baby's growth. Here are some ways to stay healthy.It's important to develop healthy eating habits while you are pregnant, for you as well as for your baby. Here are some ways to stay healthy.
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Antidepressants, once considered safe during pregnancy, may cause birth defects. Women are warned of the effects and given alternatives.
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Can I continue to take my asthma medication if I am pregnant?
Diana Post, M.D., is an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
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Can cancer be transferred from mother to child in the womb?
Jeffrey Ecker, M.D. is an Associate Professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he practices maternal-fetal medicine.
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Is there a recommended period of time to wait before getting pregnant again after a C-section birth? If so, what are the risks associated with becoming pregnant again too soon?
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During pregnancy, what can be done to remove abnormal cervical cells?
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I am 23 weeks pregnant and I was just diagnosed with genital warts. Will this affect my baby during delivery?
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My first pregnancy ended at eight weeks in a miscarriage. When I get pregnant again, should I try to see my doctor early in the pregnancy as a precaution? Is there anything else I might do to prevent a miscarriage again?
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Is it safe to swim in a chlorinated pool during pregnancy?
Jeffrey Ecker, M.D. is an Associate Professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he practices maternal-fetal medicine.
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If birth defects can result when a pregnant women takes ACE inhibitors, what can happen to the fetus if the father takes ACE inhibitors?
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I am a little over six months pregnant and already lactating. Is this normal?
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What medication can be taken when a yeast infection develops in the last month of pregnancy?
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I am 24 years old and pregnant with my second child. During my first pregnancy I developed toxemia during my last trimester. During labor I was put on oxygen and magnesium. What are my chances of having this reoccur with my second pregnancy?
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Detailed information on hypothyroidism and pregnancy, including symptoms and treatment and thyroid function screening
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Detailed information for the pregnant mother, including information on hormones during pregnancy, weight gain during pregnancy, nutrition during pregnancy, exercise during pregnancy, work and pregnancy, sex during pregnancy, and sleeping positions during
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Detailed information on sex during pregnancy In most cases, sex during pregnancy is safe. In fact, with your physician's approval, sexual relations can continue until delivery.
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Detailed information on traveling while pregnancy or breastfeeding Although traveling during pregnancy is normal and occurs rather frequently, it is important for pregnant women to consider potential problems that could arise when considering international travel. Pregnant women should also weigh the availability of quality medical care in the countries they are visiting, before traveling abroad. Preconceptual immunizations are preferred over vaccination during pregnancy.
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Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is overactive, and makes too much thyroid hormone(called thyroxine[ T4] and triiodothyronine[ T3]). Hormones are substances that affect and control many important functions in the body.The ...
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Detailed information on hyperthyroidism, including symptoms, types, diagnosis, and treatment
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This small gland can cause a multitude of problems affecting every system in your body. Here's how to tell if your thyroid gland is producing too much or too little hormone and what to do about it.
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Detailed information on hyperthyroidism (Graves disease), including cause, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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When you have hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormone. With hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland produces too much hormone. A goiter is the enlargement of the thyroid gland.
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Detailed information on hyperthyroidism, including symptoms, types, diagnosis, and treatment
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Hyperthyroidism is the condition that reflects excessive concentrations of thyroid hormones, due to any cause. The resulting hypermetabolic state causes increased heat production and accelerates many of the bodies'' processes.
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Hyperthyroidism is the overproduction of thyroid hormones by an overactive thyroid.The term hyperthyroidism covers any disease which results in overabundance of thyroid hormone. Other names for hyperthyroidism, or specific diseases within the cate...
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Hyperthyroidism is the overproduction of thyroid hormones by an overactive thyroid.Located in the front of the neck, the thyroid gland produces the hormones thyroxine(T 4) and triiodothyro-nine(T 3) that regulate the body''s metabolic rate by helpi...
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Hyperthyroidism is the overproduction of thyroid hormones by an overactive thyroid gland.Located in the front of the neck, the thyroid gland produces the hormones thyroxine(T 4) and triiodothyro-nine(T 3) that regulate the body''s metabolic rate by...
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Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that involves limiting the amount of food a person eats. It results in starvation and an inability to stay at the minimum body weight considered healthy for the person''s age and height.Persons with this disor...
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Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by unrealistic fear of weight gain, self-starvation, and conspicuous distortion of body image. The name comes from two Latin words that mean"nervous inability to eat."
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Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that mainly affects young women. It can threaten your health, your well being, and even your life. Much about anorexia isn't fully understood. But it can be treated.
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Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by unrealistic fear of weight gain, self-starvation, and conspicuous distortion of body image. The name comes from two Latin words that mean nervous inability to eat.
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Detailed information on anorexia, including causes, characteristics, types, diagnosis, treatment, complications, and prevention
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Detailed information on anorexia, including causes, characteristics, types, diagnosis, treatment, complications, and prevention
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Detailed information on anorexia, including causes, characteristics, types, diagnosis, treatment, complications, and prevention
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Anorexia nervosa(AN) is an eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and becoming fat. Because of this fear, the affected individual starves herself or himself, and the person''s weight falls to about 85%(or less) of the no...
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Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation, unrealistic fear of weight gain, and conspicuous distortion of body image.The term anorexia nervosa comes from two Latin words that mean"nervous inability to eat." Anorexics ...
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Detailed information on anorexia, including causes, characteristics, types, diagnosis, treatment, complications, and prevention
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More than one quarter of adolescent anorectics will continue to experience anxiety or depression as adults, and one in five will continue to be underweight. Anorexia nervosa has one of the highest suicide rates of any psychiatric disorder.Jablow, ...
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Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an extreme reduction in food intake leading to potentially life-threatening weight loss. This syndrome is marked by an intense, irrational fear of weight gain or excess body fat, accompanied ...
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The eating disorder known as anorexia nervosa is commonly described as"self-starvation." Characteristics of the disorder include a refusal to maintain a minimally normal weight, an intense fear of gaining weight, a disturbed and unrealistic body i...
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Congenital heart disease refers to a problem with the heart''s structure and function due to abnormal heart development before birth. Congenital means present at birth.Congenital heart disease(CHD) can describe a number of different problems affect...
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Congenital heart disease, also called congenital heart defect, includes a variety of malformations of the heart or its major blood vessels that are present at birth.Congenital heart disease occurs when the heart or blood vessels near the heart do ...
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Detailed information on the most common types of congenital heart disorders Nine in 1,000 babies born in the United States have a congenital (present at birth) heart defect - a problem that occurred as the baby's heart was developing during pregnancy, before the baby is born. Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defects.
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Congenital heart disease, also called congenital heart defect, includes a variety of malformations of the heart or its major blood vessels that are present at the birth of a child.Congenital heart disease occurs when the heart or blood vessels nea...
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Congenital heart disease, or congenital heart defect, includes a variety of structural problems of the heart or its major blood vessels, which are present at birth.The heart, which is completely developed about eight weeks after conception, is one...
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Congenital heart disease, also called congenital heart defect, includes a variety of malformations of the heart or its major blood vessels that are present at the birth of a child.Congenital heart disease occurs when the heart or blood vessels nea...
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Detailed information on congenital heart disease, including patent ductus arteriosus, atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, atrioventricular canal, tricuspid atresia, pulmonary atresia, transposition of the great arteries, tetralogy of Fallot, double outlet right ventricle, truncus arteriosus, coarctation of the aorta, aortic stenosis, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome
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Detailed information on diagnosing and evaluating heart disease in children Diagnosing and evaluating heart disease in children can be complex and requires clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below are some means by which heart disease in children is evaluated and diagnosed, for which we have provided a brief overview.
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Detailed information on congenital heart disease, including patent ductus arteriosus, atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, atrioventricular canal, tricuspid atresia, pulmonary atresia, transposition of the great arteries, tetralogy of Fallot, double outlet right ventricle, truncus arteriosus, coarctation of the aorta, aortic stenosis, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome
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Detailed information on congenital heart disease and factors that may have caused the defect
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Detailed information on growth and development of the heart Children with congenital (present at birth) heart disease often grow and develop more slowly than other children. For example:
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Detailed information for children living with a congenital heart disease Living with congenital (present at birth) heart disease requires special care for your child. Listed in the directory below you will find additional information regarding special considerations that will need to be made for your child who is living with congenital heart disease, for which we have provide a brief overview.
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Detailed information on exercise and physical stamina issues surrounding congenital heart disease
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Detailed information on emotional and family issues surrounding congenital heart disease
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Breastfeeding is giving human breast milk to infants to meet their nutritional needs.
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Also known as nursing, the practice of providing an infant or toddler with nutrition from mother''s milk via direct sucking on the breast.Breastfeeding has nutritional, immunological, and developmental benefits for the child, as well as physiologic...
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Your baby is born with an instinct for suckling. But it takes time for you and your baby to learn how to breastfeed. There are steps you can take to support your baby's natural instincts.
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Lactation refers to the formation of milk in the breasts during the period following childbirth. Breastfeeding is the process of the infant obtaining milk by suckling at the breast.Although breast development begins around puberty, development of ...
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Breastfeeding can seem mysterious at first. In fact, mothers and babies are naturally designed for breastfeeding.
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The first weeks of breastfeeding may be the most challenging. It's normal to have fears and questions. Don't worry. The two of you will learn what you need to know together.
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Detailed information on breastfeeding and starting to breastfeeding Nature designed human milk especially for human babies, and it has several advantages over any substitute ever developed. Your milk contains just the right balance of nutrients, and it contains them in a form most easily used by the human baby's immature body systems. Because it was developed for your human baby, your milk also is gentlest on your baby's systems.
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Detailed information on breastfeeding, including information on breast milk, starting breastfeeding, breast milk production, effective breastfeeding, breastfeeding difficulties, sore nipples, insufficient breast milk production, delayed breast milk produc
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Detailed information on effective breastfeeding A baby that breastfeeds effectively cues (shows readiness) for feedings, is in a good feeding position, latches-on (attach) deeply at the breast, and moves milk forward from the breast and into his/her mouth.
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Detailed information of effective breastfeeding During effective, nutritive sucking, your baby uses the structures of his/her mouth to compress the milk sinuses beneath your breast and move milk into the back of his/her throat to swallow. Initially, your baby may seem to suck in rapid bursts to trigger milk let-down (MER). Once let-down occurs, your baby should suck at the rate of about one suck a second, pausing only to take a breath with every few sucks.
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Detailed information on ineffective latch-on or sucking during breastfeeding A baby must be able to effectively remove milk from the breast during breastfeeding if he/she is to obtain enough milk to gain weight and "tell" the breasts to increase or maintain milk production. Therefore, ineffective milk removal can result in poor weight gain due to inadequate intake of milk by the baby, which is then followed by a drop in the amount of milk being produced for the baby.
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Detailed information on breastfeeding, including information on breast milk, starting breastfeeding, breast milk production, effective breastfeeding, breastfeeding difficulties, sore nipples, insufficient breast milk production, delayed breast milk production, low breast milk production, flat nipples, inverted nipples, plugged milk ducts, mastitis, breastfeeding latch-on difficulties, and poor infant weight gain
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Detailed information on effective breastfeeding A baby that breastfeeds effectively cues (shows readiness) for feedings, is in a good feeding position, latches-on (attach) deeply at the breast, and moves milk forward from the breast and into his/her mouth.
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Detailed information on ineffective latch-on or sucking during breastfeeding A baby must be able to effectively remove milk from the breast during breastfeeding if he/she is to obtain enough milk to gain weight and "tell" the breasts to increase or maintain milk production. Therefore, ineffective milk removal can result in poor weight gain due to inadequate intake of milk by the baby, which is then followed by a drop in the amount of milk being produced for the baby.
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Lactation is the medical term for breastfeeding, a natural method of feeding an infant from birth to the time he or she can eat solid food. Human milk contains the ideal amount of nutrients for the infant, and provides important protection from di...
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Detailed information on how breast milk is made for breastfeeding Many mothers find they can appreciate their babies' breastfeeding patterns or the need for frequent feedings when they understand how breast milk is produced. Initially, hormones play a greater role. After the first one or two weeks postpartum (after the baby is born), milk removal has a greater effect on the amount of milk produced.
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Detailed information on how breast milk is made for breastfeeding Many mothers find they can appreciate their babies' breastfeeding patterns or the need for frequent feedings when they understand how breast milk is produced. Initially, hormones play a greater role. After the first one or two weeks postpartum (after the baby is born), milk removal has a greater effect on the amount of milk produced.
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Detailed information of effective breastfeeding During effective, nutritive sucking, your baby uses the structures of his/her mouth to compress the milk sinuses beneath your breast and move milk into the back of his/her throat to swallow. Initially, your baby may seem to suck in rapid bursts to trigger milk let-down (MER). Once let-down occurs, your baby should suck at the rate of about one suck a second, pausing only to take a breath with every few sucks.
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Your baby is born with an instinct for suckling. But it takes time for you and your baby to learn how to breastfeed. There are steps you can take to support your baby's natural instincts.
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Before 1900, most mothers breastfed their infants. Breastfeeding rates declined sharply worldwide after 1920, when evaporated cow''s milk and infant formula became widely available.
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When you have a new little person in your life, it's easy to forget about yourself. There are new demands on your time. But it's important to take care of yourself as well as your baby.
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My daughter is breastfeeding, and her breasts have become very painful. It appears she has mastitis. What can she do at home to relieve the symptoms?
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Detailed information on starting to breastfeed The process of breastfeeding and your milk change as your baby grows and develops. A newborn's feeding routine may be different than that of a breastfeeding 6-month-old. As the baby grows, the nutrients in your milk adapt to your growing baby's needs. The anti-infective properties also increase if you or your baby is exposed to some new bacteria or virus.
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Detailed information on breastfeeding and breastfeeding positions There is no "one size fits all" method for achieving effective breastfeeding with a high-risk baby, because each baby and each situation is different. Give your high-risk baby extra time to learn to breastfeed, and let the baby set the pace for learning. Learning to breastfeed effectively is a process that may take days or weeks for premature and many other high-risk babies. However, you and your baby can become a breastfeeding team if you are patient, persistent, and maintain a healthy perspective.
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Detailed information on starting to breastfeed The process of breastfeeding and your milk change as your baby grows and develops. A newborn's feeding routine may be different than that of a breastfeeding 6-month-old. As the baby grows, the nutrients in your milk adapt to your growing baby's needs. The anti-infective properties also increase if you or your baby is exposed to some new bacteria or virus.
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Detailed information on breastfeeding while at work When you return to work, plan to get up a little earlier than usual to allow time to breastfeed your baby before leaving for work. Many mothers find they maintain milk production more easily if they breastfeed before showering or getting ready for work and then breastfeed again just before leaving the baby with the care provider.
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Work, school, or even a late-night movie can require you to be away from your baby. This doesn't mean you have to give up breastfeeding. You can transfer milk from your breast to a bottle (expressing).
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Detailed information on the benefits of breastfeeding Nature designed human milk especially for human babies, and it has several advantages over any substitute ever developed. Your milk contains just the right balance of nutrients, and it contains them in a form most easily used by the human baby's immature body systems. Because it was developed for your human baby, your milk also is gentlest on your baby's systems.
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Detailed information on breastfeeding while at work For a mother who is breastfeeding and returning to work, special preparation is needed. Listed in the directory are some considerations to make as you return to work, for which we have provided a brief overview.
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Comfort and position are two keys to successful breastfeeding. Learn how to correctly position your baby at the breast. Choose the hold that works best for both of you. You may need to change holds as the baby grows.
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Detailed information on breastfeeding the high-risk newborn Giving birth to a premature or other high-risk baby (or babies) does not mean you cannot breastfeed. Actually, the opposite may be the case. There is even more reason to provide your own milk for, and eventually breastfeed, a premature or a sick newborn. Providing your milk for your baby lets you participate in your baby's healthcare in a very crucial way. Because the benefits of mother's milk are so important to the high-risk newborn, you are able to do something for your baby that no one else can. Many neonatologists and NICU staff members now encourage mothers to provide their own milk for high-risk babies, even if those mothers do not intend to breastfeed later.
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Detailed information on breastfeeding and returning to work About two weeks before you return to work, start pumping or expressing milk for storage to use once you return to work. Initially, pump once a day. Early pumping sessions help your body learn to "let-down" to a pump, allowing you to store milk that the care provider can feed to your baby. Many mothers find the best time to pump is in the morning when milk production tends to be greater.
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Detailed information on breastfeeding and returning to work Employer support will be beneficial to successfully continuing breastfeeding. Discuss your plan to continue to breastfeed, and your need to pump/express breast milk during the workday, with your employer when you are pregnant or before you return to work.
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Detailed information on the benefits of breastfeeding There are many reasons why breast milk is the best milk, including the following:
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Experts agree: Breastfeeding is the healthiest choice for babies during the first year of life and beyond. It's healthy for Mom, too.
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REMEMBER: alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs also affect your breast milk and your baby.
Your body needs fuel to make breast milk, so eat your fill of a variety of foods. Breastfeeding isn't an excuse to eat and drink everything you want, but it's not a reason to avoid favorite foods either.
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Can a type 1 diabetic breastfeed?
Mary Pickett, M.D., is a lecturer for Harvard Medical School and an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. At OHSU, she practices general internal medicine and teaches medical residents and students.
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Is it true that you should not breastfeed after you've had a tattoo?
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Chromosomal abnormalities describe changes in the normal number of chromosomes or structural problems within the chromosomes themselves. These abnormalities occur when an egg or sperm with an incorrect number of chromosomes, or a structurally faul...
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Detailed information on the most common chromosomal abnormalities There are many different types of chromosome abnormalities 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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Chromosomal abnormalities describe changes in the normal number of chromosomes or structural problems within the chromosomes themselves. These abnormalities occur when an egg or sperm with an incorrect number of chromosomes, or a structurally faul...
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Detailed information on mosaicism and the chance that a chromosome abnormality will occur again
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Detailed information on chromosome abnormalities, including trisomies, monosomies, and genetic translocations
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Detailed information on chromosome abnormalities, including how a chromosome is inherited
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Detailed information on the difference between a single gene defect and a chromosome abnormality
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Detailed information on how chromosome abnormalities happen: meiosis, mitosis, maternal age, and environment
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Detailed information on the different types of chromosome abnormality There are many different types of chromosome abnormalities 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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A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland, the part of the brain that regulates the body''s balance of hormones.The pituitary gland is a pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the brain. The pituitary regulates and co...
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Pituitary tumors are abnormal growths in the pituitary gland.Located in the brain, the pituitary gland is often referred to as the"master gland" of the body. This is because it makes and releases(secretes) at least nine distinct hormones(including...
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Expert-reviewed information summary about the treatment of pituitary tumors.Pituitary tumors are tumors found in the pituitary gland, a small organ about the size of a pea in the center of the brain just above the back of the nose. The pituitary gland makes hormones that affect growth and the functions of other glands in the body. Pituitary tumors may be grouped as follows:
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Detailed information on pituitary gland tumors, including symptoms, causes, types, diagnosis, and treatment
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Pituitary tumors rarely spread outside of the skull. In fact, they rarely even spread to nearby tissues in the skull. Usually they grow in their own location and may eventually invade the optic nerves, which affect vision, then nearby parts of the brain. In most instances the symptoms, bring people to a doctor before the tumor spreads.
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There are no standard screening methods used to find pituitary tumors. If a person has MEN1, they should discuss screening with their doctor. For members of a family with the MEN1 syndrome, blood testing may be recommended to look for pituitary hormone levels. These blood tests raise the chances of finding a tumor early so it can be treated.
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Certain factors can make one person more likely to get a pituitary tumor than another person. These are called risk factors. In some cancers, doctors have identified risk factors that can be avoided, such as smoking or sun exposure. With pituitary tumors, doctors are not sure what exactly causes pituitary tumors and only one risk factor has been identified. Most people who get a pituitary tumor have no known risk factors.
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With some kinds of small pituitary tumors, it is possible to use medication to stop the tumor from growing. Sometimes, it is possible to avoid surgery altogether and only be treated with medication. Medications are used to treat pituitary adenomas that secrete prolactin. The medicines commonly used are bromocriptine (Parlodel), octreotide (Sandostatin) and cabergoline (Dostinex). Although the medicine cannot destroy the tumor completely, they can control its hormone production and often can make it smaller.
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Because there are no avoidable risk factors for pituitary tumors, there is no known way at this time, to prevent them from happening. If a person has the known risk factor, they should talk with their doctor.
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People with a benign or cancerous pituitary tumor may have any or all of the following symptoms. These could also be the sign of other problems. A person who has them should see their doctor.
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Any person who is suspected to have a pituitary tumor should have a complete medical evaluation. This includes a completely personal and family medical history. The doctor will find out if anyone in the person's family has had a pituitary tumor, kidney stones, stomach ulcers, low blood sugar, or adrenal gland tumors. The doctor will also do a physical exam including visual testing. These exams will help the doctor decide whether or not to do further testing.
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Pituitary tumors are abnormal growths on the pituitary gland. Some tumors secrete hormones normally made by the pituitary gland.Located in the center of the brain, the pituitary gland manufactures and secretes hormones that regulate growth, sexual...
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Researchers are always finding new treatments for pituitary tumors and improving current treatments. Pituitary tumors are almost never fatal.
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According to the American Cancer Society, each year there are roughly 2,000 pituitary tumors diagnosed in the United States. Most are adenomas and are not cancerous. Pituitary tumors are very rarely fatal.
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