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Pregnancy Learning Center

The first sign of pregnancy is usually a missed menstrual period. A little bleeding or spotting may occur, due to implantation of the fertilized egg. Some women experience no early symptoms of pregnancy during the first few weeks, while others may...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Unintentional weight gain is an increase in body weight that occurs when a person takes in more calories than the body needs or uses.
Source:ADAM
Date:October 18, 2009
The term overweight is used to describe an excess amount of total body weight including all tissues (fat, bone, muscle, etc.) and water. Obesity , in contrast, is an excess amount of body fat. An adult woman or man who has a body-fat percentage ex...
Source:Gale Nutrition and Well-Being A to Z
Nausea is the sensation of having an urge to vomit. Vomiting is forcing the contents of the stomach up through the esophagus and out of the mouth.
Source:ADAM
Date:October 20, 2009
Nausea is the sensation of having a queasy stomach or being about to vomit. Vomiting , or emesis, is the expelling of undigested food through the mouth.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Morning sickness is nausea and vomiting that can actually occur at any time of the day during pregnancy. See also: Hyperemesis gravidarum; Pregnancy care.
Source:ADAM
Date:September 2, 2009
Morning sickness is the nausea and vomiting experienced during pregnancy , particularly in the first trimester. Although it is called morning sickness, it can and usually does occur at any time of the day or night.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Absent menstruation means no menstrual flow, or period. Absent menstruation may be: Primary - no menstruation before age 16; Secondary - menstruation begins at the appropriate age, but later stops for more than 3 cycles or 6 months. Absent menstru...
Source:ADAM
Date:June 26, 2008
Breast pain is any discomfort or pain in the breast.
Source:ADAM
Date:December 31, 2008
Painless swelling of the feet and ankles is a common problem, particularly among older people. Abnormal buildup of fluid in the ankles, feet, and legs is called peripheral edema.
Source:ADAM
Date:December 1, 2009
Amenorrhea is the medical term for the absence of menstruation . There are two types of amenorrhea, primary and secondary. Primary amenorrhea refers to delayed menarche (the first menstrual period) and is defined as any one of three conditions: th...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation. There are two types of amenorrhea, primary and secondary. Primary amenorrhea is delayed menarche (the first menstrual period) and is defined as any one of three conditions: 1.) absence of menarche by age ...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation and is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Primary amenorrhea refers to the absence of the onset of menstruation by age 16 whether or not normal growth and secondary sexual characteristics are present, or the abse...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer
The absence of menstrual periods is called amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea is the failure to start having a period by the age of 16. Secondary amenorrhea is more common and refers to either the temporary or permanent ending of periods in a woman wh...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Abdominal bloating is a condition in which the abdomen (belly) feels full and tight.
Source:ADAM
Date:March 8, 2008
Pain is a universal human experience. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders
Pain, medically termed "nociception," is a response to noxious stimuli that is conveyed to the brain by sensory neurons . The discomfort signals actual or impending injury to the body. However, pain is more than a sensation, or the physical awaren...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Pain is an unpleasant feeling that is conveyed to the brain by sensory neurons. The discomfort signals actual or potential injury to the body. However, pain is more than a sensation, or the physical awareness of pain; it also includes perception, ...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Pain is an unpleasant feeling that is conveyed to the brain by nerves in the body.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
Pain is an unpleasant feeling that is conveyed to the brain by sensory neurons. The discomfort signals actual or potential injury to the body. However, pain is more than a sensation, or the physical awareness of pain; it also includes perception, ...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.
Source:ADAM
Date:August 3, 2009
Fatigue is physical and/or mental exhaustion that can be triggered by stress , medication, overwork, or mental and physical illness or disease.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Fatigue may be defined as a subjective state in which one feels tired or exhausted, and in which the capacity for normal work or activity is reduced. There is, however, no commonly accepted definition of fatigue when it is considered in the contex...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders
Fatigue may be defined as a subjective state in which one feels tired or exhausted, and in which the capacity for normal work or activity is reduced. There is, however, no commonly accepted definition of fatigue when it is considered in the contex...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders
Fatigue is physical and/or mental exhaustion that can be triggered by stress , medication, overwork, or mental and physical illness or disease.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Fatigue is a feeling of exhaustion or loss of strength. The duration of fatigue for a patient with cancer has been found to last from one to two times the length of time between diagnosis and completion of treatment, so it is common for fatigue to...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer
Vomiting is the forceful discharge of stomach contents through the mouth.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Being tired is the familiar aftermath of physical exertion, prolonged labor or lack of sleep. When does being tired become a symptom of a condition? Fatigue, malaise, lassitude, exhaustion are all subtle variations of the same subjective feelings of not having enough energy to meet the demands of one's life.
Source:Healthline
Date:September 30, 2007
Constipation refers to infrequent or hard stools, or difficulty passing stools. Constipation may involve pain during the passage of a bowel movement, inability to pass a bowel movement after straining or pushing for more than 10 minutes, or no bow...
Source:ADAM
Date:August 22, 2008
Constipation is an acute or chronic condition in which bowel movements occur less often than usual or consist of hard, dry stools that are painful or difficult to pass. Bowel habits vary, but an adult who has not had a bowel movement in three days...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Difficulty with producing a bowel movement, or infrequent bowel movements. Constipation, a condition that can affect the human digestive system at any stage of life, is rarely serious or chronic. Because bowel functions vary from individual to ind...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence
Constipation is an acute or chronic condition in which bowel movements occur less often than usual or consist of hard, dry stools that are painful or difficult to pass. Although constipation is a relative term, with normal patterns of bowel moveme...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
Constipation is an acute or chronic condition in which bowel movements occur less often than usual or consist of hard, dry stools that are painful or difficult to pass. Bowel habits vary, but an adult who has not had a bowel movement in three days...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Dizziness is light-headedness, feeling like you might faint, being unsteady, loss of balance, or vertigo (a feeling that you or the room is spinning or moving. Most causes of dizziness are not serious and either quickly get better on their own or ...
Source:ADAM
Date:May 2, 2009
Dizziness is a general term that describes sensations of imbalance and unsteadiness, such as vertigo, mild turning, imbalance, and near fainting or fainting. Feelings of dizziness stem from the vestibular system, which includes the brain and the p...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders
As a disorder, dizziness is classified into three categories—vertigo, syncope, and nonsyncope nonvertigo. Each category has a characteristic set of symptoms, all related to the sense of balance. In general, syncope is defined by a brief loss of co...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
As a disorder, dizziness is classified into three categories: vertigo, syncope, and nonsyncope nonvertigo. Each category has its own set of symptoms, all related to the sense of balance. In general, syncope is defined by a brief loss of consciousn...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
Dizziness is classified into three categories—vertigo, syncope, and nonsyncope nonvertigo. Each category has a characteristic set of symptoms, all related to the sense of balance. In general, syncope is defined by a brief loss of consciousness (fa...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Weakness is a reduction in the strength of one or more muscles.
Source:ADAM
Date:August 8, 2009
Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood flow to the brain. The episode is brief (lasting less than a couple of minutes) and is followed by rapid and complete recovery. You may feel light-headed or dizzy before fainting...
Source:ADAM
Date:May 3, 2009
Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness, weakness of muscles, and inability to stand up, all caused by sudden loss of blood flow to the brain. Fainting is a relatively common symptom caused by a variety of problems relating to changes in blo...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders
Fainting is loss of consciousness caused by a temporary lack of oxygen to the brain. Known by the medical term "syncope," fainting may be preceded by dizziness , nausea, or a feeling of extreme weakness.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Syncope, or fainting, is a temporary loss of consciousness, usually caused by decreased blood flow to the brain . Syncope is a symptom, rather than a disease itself, and has many causes. The vasovagal faint, which usually occurs in young, otherwis...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Vaginal discharge refers to secretions from the vagina. Such discharge can vary in: Consistency (thick, pasty, thin; Color (clear, cloudy, white, yellow, green; Smell (normal, odorless, bad odor.
Source:ADAM
Date:November 1, 2009
Anorexia is characterized by a loss of appetite or lack of desire to eat.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer
Frequent urination means needing to urinate more often than usual. Urgent urination is a sudden, compelling urge to urinate, along with discomfort in your bladder. A frequent need to urinate at night is called nocturia. Most people can sleep for 6...
Source:ADAM
Date:May 22, 2008
Feeling lightheaded is a sensation that may precede syncope or fainting. It is usually experienced when in an upright position (standing or sitting). If
Source:Healthline
Date:September 30, 2007
Cyanosis is a bluish color to the skin or mucus membranes due to a lack of oxygen in the blood.
Source:ADAM
Date:June 12, 2009
Pain felt in your lower back may come from the spine, muscles, nerves, or other nearby structures. It may also be due to problems in your mid or upper back, the testicles or ovaries, or a hernia in the groin.
Source:ADAM
Date:July 10, 2009
Low back pain (LBP) is a common complaint—second only to cold and flu as a reason why patients seek care from their family doctor. It may be a limited musculoskeletal symptom or caused by a variety of diseases and disorders that affect or extend f...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Back pain is one of the most common health complaints. Almost everyone will have back pain at some time in their life. Most of the time, the exact cause of the pain cannot be found. This article discusses long-term (chronic) low back pain. For inf...
Source:ADAM
Date:July 10, 2009
Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal symptom that may be either acute or chronic. It may be caused by a variety of diseases and disorders that affect the lumbar spine. Low back pain is often accompanied by sciatica , which is pain that involv...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Back pain may occur in the upper, middle, or lower back; it is most often experienced in the lower back. It may originate from the bones and ligaments forming the spine, the muscles and tendons supporting the back, the nerves that exit the spinal ...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders
Taste impairment means there is a problem with your sense of taste. Problems range from distorted taste to a complete loss of the sense of taste. However, a complete inability to taste is rare.
Source:ADAM
Date:March 3, 2009
Dysgeusia is a disorder of the sense of taste.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders
A charley horse is the common name for a muscle spasm, especially in the leg. Muscle spasms can occur in any muscle in the body. When a muscle is in spasm, it contracts without your control and does not relax.
Source:ADAM
Date:July 10, 2009
Heartburn is a painful burning sensation in the esophagus, just below or behind the breastbone. The pain often rises in your chest and may radiate to your neck or throat.
Source:ADAM
Date:May 3, 2007
Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that can extend to the neck, throat, and face; it is worsened by bending or lying down. It is the primary symptom of gastroesophageal reflux, which is the movement of stomach acid into the esophagus. O...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that can extend to the neck, throat, and face. It usually occurs after eating and is worsened by bending, lifting, or lying down.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Indigestion is a vague feeling of abdominal discomfort - possibly including belching, heartburn, a feeling of fullness, bloating, and nausea.
Source:ADAM
Date:January 28, 2009
Dyspepsia can be defined as painful, difficult, or disturbed digestion, which may be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and vomiting , heartburn , bloating, and stomach discomfort.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Stomachache is pain or discomfort in the stomach that is a symptom of many different gastrointestinal diseases or conditions.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Indigestion, which is sometimes called dyspepsia, is a general term covering a group of nonspecific symptoms in the digestive tract. It is often described as a feeling of fullness, bloating, nausea, heartburn , or gassy discomfort in the chest or ...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Indigestion, which is sometimes called dyspepsia ,is a general term covering a group of nonspecific symptoms in the digestive tract. It is often described as a feeling of fullness, bloating, nausea, heartburn , or gassy discomfort in the chest or ...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Increased appetite means you have an excess desire for food.
Source:ADAM
Date:November 16, 2008
Gas, also called flatus or flatulence, is air in the intestine that is passed through the rectum. Air that is passed from the digestive tract through the mouth is called belching.
Source:ADAM
Date:February 20, 2008
Gas, or flatus, is produced when naturally occurring bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract begin to break down, or digest, food. When an excess of air builds up in the tract from swallowing air or a disorder that prevents digestion, it is release...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
A swollen abdomen is when your belly area is bigger than usual. See also: Abdominal girth
Source:ADAM
Date:November 16, 2008
Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.
Source:ADAM
Date:October 7, 2009
A food jag is when a child will only eat one food item meal after meal. Some other common childhood eating behaviors that can cause alarm in many parents include fear of new foods and refusal to eat what is served.
Source:ADAM
Date:November 30, 2009
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