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Many parents of typical children refer to their child’s tantrums as “meltdowns.” The word “meltdown,” of course, comes from the catastrophic, dangerous exposure of radioactive material in a nuclear power plant—and few typical temper tantrums rise to that level of intensity. Autistic meltdowns, however, come closer to the euphemistic meaning of the term. In addition, autistic meltdowns have specific qualities that make them different from the average temper tantrum. Qualities of an Autistic Meltdown An autistic meltdown is bigger, more emotional, longer-lasting, and more difficult to manage than the average temper tantrum....

If you’re reading this article, you may have been prescribed ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin) or some other type of fluoroquinolone for the treatment of a bacterial infection (think respiratory or urinary tract infection). Overall, these drugs are safe and effective against a wide array of gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial pathogens making them a good choice for systemic or body-wide treatment. At the core of all fluoroquinolones—including drugs like ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin—are 2 six-member carbon rings attached to a fluoride atom....

Asthma is the most common non-communicable disease among children, with an estimated 6.1 million U.S. children under 18 years affected. While developing asthma can occur due to things that are completely out of our control, like a child’s environment and genetics, there are certain controllable factors that can possibly play a role in risk as well. Key Takeaways Asthma is the most common non-communicable disease in childrenAccording to a recent study, feeding infants heat-treated milk-based products appears to contribute to asthma risk....

If you have asthma, summer can be a difficult season. Heat and humidity can affect your airways and trigger wheezing, shortness of breath, and other symptoms, increasing the likelihood of asthma attacks. This is regardless of the type of asthma you have, but if you happen to have allergic asthma, you may find managing your asthma to be especially challenging, as allergens such as pollen and mold are particularly plentiful in hot, humid weather....

If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your healthcare provider may have recommended that you lose weight with exercise. But starting an exercise program and trying to lose weight while managing hypertension can be confusing. Use this article as a starting point, along with advice from your healthcare provider, to come up with a plan that works for you. Benefits for People Who Have High Blood Pressure One of the greatest benefits of starting an exercise program is weight loss....

Oil pulling is the practice of swishing a type of edible oil around in your mouth to clean and whiten your teeth. According to Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient practice with its roots in India, oil pulling helps to whiten your teeth. It also contributes to overall health, Ayurvedic practitioners say. Performing oil pulling is simple—you just put a tablespoon or so of oil into your mouth, and move it around. To get the benefits, you need to keep the oil moving around your mouth for a long time—five to 20 minutes each day....

Orthodontic headgear, sometimes referred to as extra-oral appliances, are devices that help correct malocclusion—when the teeth do not align properly. Headgear is most often used along with braces. While braces correct the position of teeth, orthodontic headgear—which as the name suggests is worn on the head—is most often added to orthodontic treatment to help alter the alignment of the jaw, although there are some situations in which such an appliance can help move teeth, particularly molars....

Parapsoriasis is an umbrella term for a group of skin disorders characterized by a rash made up of scaly patches (plaques). There are two types of parapsoriasis: small-plaque parapsoriasis and large-plaque parapsoriasis. Parapsoriasis is poorly defined, and its causes are largely unknown. Parapsoriasis isn’t related to psoriasis even though they have similar names. While there is some overlap in symptoms, including the appearance of skin patches, parapsoriasis and psoriasis are two different conditions....

Many families learn about their child’s autism when they enter preschool. Up until then, their child may have seemed quiet, quirky, or sensitive—just a little different. In preschool, though, other issues emerge. The child with autism may have a much tougher time than other kids with new schedules, social engagement, pretend play, and language use. And while parents or guardians may have unconsciously adapted to their child’s differences, preschool teachers expect that children will adapt to new surroundings....

While rare, there exists a link between hair loss and seborrheic dermatitis. Heightened oil production associated with seborrheic dermatitis can create irritation on the scalp, consequently creating intense itchiness. As a result, when a person scratches their scalp, they can damage their hair follicles—obstructing hair growth and causing hair loss. Thankfully, it is usually reversible with over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription treatments. This article will discuss the correlation between hair loss and seborrheic dermatitis....

The serratus anterior is a muscle that attaches your shoulder blade, known as your scapula, to your rib cage. The muscle helps to move your scapula in various directions and is essential for proper shoulder function. Injury to the serratus anterior is rare, but if it happens, you may require rehabilitation to get your shoulder moving and functioning normally again. Anatomy The serratus anterior originates via eight muscular “slips” that attach to the side of your ribs....

Subchondral sclerosis is a thickening of the bone beneath the cartilage in joints. Also known as marginal sclerosis, it is most commonly found in the later stages of osteoarthritis and can be associated with painful joint symptoms and bone spurs. Subchondral sclerosis is often seen in joints of the knee, hip, spine, and foot. Treatment for subchondral sclerosis may include exercise, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications. For severe cases, surgery may be an option....

Tamarind is a pod-like fruit that contains seeds and edible pulp. The pulp takes on a sweet, tangy flavor as the pods ripen. Tamarind is often used to heighten the flavor of sweet and savory cuisines worldwide. Because it is a member of the legume family, which consists of nuts, seeds, and beans, people with legume allergies may have an increased risk of being allergic to tamarind. This article will discuss the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of a tamarind allergy....

Several studies suggest a connection between psoriasis and celiac disease. Both are autoimmune diseases in which the body inexplicably turns its immune defenses on itself. With psoriasis, the primary target is the skin; with celiac disease, the lining of the small intestine is the object of the attack. Although the evidence is far from conclusive, some scientists believe that gluten—the dietary protein in found certain cereal grains—not only triggers celiac disease but may also instigate psoriasis in some people....

There are five major joints, or sutures, that connect the bones in your skull. These flexible joints allow the bones in the skull to accommodate brain growth during infancy. The squamous suture is of particular importance because it connects the parietal bones, which form the roof and sides of the skull, to the temporal bones, which form the side and base of the skull. Anatomy of the Skull An infant’s skull is made up of bony plates, sutures, and fontanelles, which all work together to protect the brain and allow it room to grow....

Your doctor may recommend taking a daily aspirin if you have certain conditions. However, if you would also like to take ibuprofen, a pain reliever under the brand names Motrin and Advil, you may wonder how big the risk is if you take these two medications together. This article covers if it is safe to mix aspirin and ibuprofen. It will also discuss other considerations when taking more than one medication at a time....

The “unhappy triad” refers to a sprain injury that involves three structures of the knee. These structures are the medial collateral ligament, anterior cruciate ligament, and the medial meniscus. The unhappy triad is a severe injury, and it is named such because the athlete who suffers it typically becomes really unhappy. The severity of this injury typically leads to surgery to fully correct. What Causes the Unhappy Triad? The mechanism for the unhappy triad injury occurs when a lateral force to the knee is received while the foot is fixed on the ground....

There are many specialty areas in the field of physical therapy. Although this is well known throughout the profession, it is often overlooked by the general public. Below is a brief description of the five most common specialty areas in physical therapy. Read on to find out what specialty area is most appropriate for you or your family member. Orthopedic Physical Therapy Orthopedic physical therapists diagnose, manage and treat disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system....

Collagen is a protein responsible for holding tissue together. It is abundant in tendons and skin but is also found in various parts of the body. Collagen represents 30% of the body’s protein content. The health and beauty industry has become increasingly fascinated with supplemental collagen for its purported benefits, including younger-looking skin, fewer wrinkles, muscle growth, reduced joint pain, and more. This article will focus on collagen, where it is found, how it works, and why we need it....

The jejunum is the middle portion of the small intestine, connecting the first portion of the small intestine (duodenum) with the last section (ileum). The cells lining the jejunum are responsible for absorbing the nutrients that are released from food during the process of digestion.To help facilitate this process, the surface area of the small intestine is increased many-fold due to the presence of villi, or finger-like projections, that change the appearance of the inside of the intestine from a flat to a very deep-pile carpet....