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Public schools are required to provide free education to all American children, and most children with autism do attend public school. In some cases, a public school can provide appropriate educational and social settings for an autistic child. However, in many cases, local public schools will struggle to find an appropriate setting and provide a meaningful educational program. Is public school likely to be a good match for the child? It all depends on the child, the school district, personal expectations, and a family’s budget....

Heel pain is common in children. While it may be the result of a specific injury, it is also commonly caused by something called Sever’s disease, a type of overuse syndrome similar to shin splints or Osgood-Schlatter disease. Children with Sever’s disease (also known as calcaneal apophysitis) develop microfractures where the Achilles tendon inserts on the calcaneus (the large bone that makes up the heel of the foot). These microfractures can cause pain depending on the type of activity your child is doing....

While a COVID-19 vaccine is being hailed as the light at the end of the pandemic, a team of researchers from NYU is prepping for a plan B. The results from two of their studies published in the journal Cell show that inhibiting specific proteins can prevent the SARS-CoV-2 virus from replicating and ultimately causing COVID-19 infections. Key Takeaways New studies identify 128 molecular targets that could be targeted to stop coronaviruses from spreading to other cells....

Women seem more likely to experience COVID-19 vaccine side effects than men, according to a study published February 26, 2021, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Key Takeaways Women are experiencing more COVID-19 vaccine side effects than men, but it seems to be simply the result of their bodies’ immune response. Common side effects include headaches, fatigue, arm soreness, and dizziness.Future versions of the vaccine or vaccine protocols could be designed to target men and women differently....

On the fence about calling an Uber to get to an appointment? If you must share a car with people from outside of your household at this point in the pandemic, a new study highlights several methods to make it as safe as possible. Key Takeaways Riding in a car with someone outside of your home carries a risk of COVID-19 infection for yourself and others.A new study finds that rolling your windows down is more effective than car ventilation for improving air circulation and reducing airborne transmission of the coronavirus....

According to the National Sleep Foundation, a general range for the optimal room temperature for sleep is between 60 and 67 degrees. But, the best temperature for sleep differs depending on age and other factors. Getting a good night’s sleep on a regular basis is a vital aspect of a person’s overall health and wellness. Sleep hygiene—habits that are favorable to sleeping well on a regular basis—is comprised of many different factors....

We’ve experienced a lot in the last two years of the global COVID-19 pandemic, including a lockdown, constant masking, and social distancing. And while many of the steps we took were in the name of health, other aspects of our health may have suffered. For example, preventive cancer screenings—like mammograms—experienced a decline during the height of the pandemic, and dental visits were lower on average than in previous years. We also moved our bodies less: an observational study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine noted that overall step counts decreased significantly worldwide....

Men have nipples because of the way embryos differentiate during gestation (the period between conception and birth). Basically, all embryos come from the same genetic blueprint and, when they begin to differentiate into males and females during the initial weeks, they already have nipples. Under the influence of the sex hormone testosterone, the male fetus will start to develop sex organs like the penis and testicles, while their nipples and surrounding areolas will generally end up smaller than those of females....

The Klüver-Bucy syndrome was first described by neuropsychologist Heinrich Klüver and neurosurgeon Paul Bucy. The story of this syndrome begins with a cactus. Mescaline is a chemical, derived from a cactus, that causes vivid hallucinations. It was studied (sometimes quite personally) by the psychologist Heinrich Klüver, who noticed that monkeys that were given mescaline often smacked their lips, which reminded him of patients with ​seizures arising from the temporal lobe. To try to find the brain region affected by mescaline, the pair worked with an aggressive monkey named Aurora....

Trigeminal neuralgia is a rare, painful condition caused by irritation of the fifth cranial nerve. It can be experienced by people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and may be one of the first symptoms of the disease. Demyelination—the loss of the myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers—is what triggers this disorder in people with MS. According to a 2017 study, approximately 4 percent of people with MS experience trigeminal neuralgia. People with MS are far more likely than the general population to have an episode of the disorder: in the latter population, the probability is 0....

Weber’s syndrome is a neurological condition caused by an injury to the midbrain, the uppermost section of the brainstem. It’s usually caused by a stroke (infarction), but in rare cases, Weber’s syndrome can also be caused by a brain tumor, a traumatic injury, or infection. The midbrain is already one of the smallest regions of the brain, and Weber’s syndrome affects functions controlled by a small section of this region—eye movement being one....

Overview Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone) is a reversible method of prescription birth control. Also known as DMPA, Depo shot, or the birth control shot, this hormonal contraceptive method is only available by injection. One shot protects against pregnancy for several weeks. How It Works Depo-Provera slowly releases the progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate and protects against pregnancy for a period of 11 to 14 weeks. Depo-Provera works by preventing ovulation and by thickening the cervical mucus, which prevents sperm from entering the fallopian tubes and fertilizing an egg that might have been ovulated....

Over the past few weeks, unvaccinated people have driven the pandemic surge, leading to more hospitalizations and cases nationwide. But even in the face of soaring cases, nearly 40% of the population is still not fully vaccinated. Key Themes From Our Survey More than a quarter of vaccinated survey respondents said they were previously against taking the COVID-19 vaccine.The risks of COVID-19 eventually swayed most vaccine-hesitant people to get the shot....

Oral contraceptives have been around for years and have given women substantial reproductive freedom. In addition to functioning as birth control, oral contraceptives may also be prescribed for the management of certain medical conditions. Overall, they are considered safe, and newer formulations are even safer and easier to use than in the past. But, there is an elevated risk of blood clots with the use of oral contraceptives. Many women wonder how significant those risks are and if the risk of stroke while using oral contraceptives is enough reason to avoid them....

There are lots of possible reasons a girl’s first period might be delayed. In some, it appears that celiac disease might be one of them, although not all studies have confirmed such a link. A delayed start of menstruation doesn’t absolutely indicate celiac disease, but it could be worth considering as a possibility—especially if a girl has other symptoms of celiac or there’s a family history of the condition. How Can Celiac Delay Your First Period?...

Rashes are common problems that many people experience. When rashes are itchy, people often blame the rash on allergies. Usually, people think of food allergies, pet allergies, and medicine allergies⁠—as well as soaps, detergents, perfumes and other toiletries used on the skin. However, people shouldn’t overlook clothing as a possible cause of allergic rashes. Specifically, a variety of chemicals and materials used in clothing can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is a very itchy rash that gradually forms small red bumps or even blisters; rash is typically limited to the site of allergen exposure....

Strokes occur when the blood supply to any region of the brain is interrupted or reduced. They can cause brain damage in the form of long-lasting physical handicaps and difficulty with communication and thinking. The most common symptoms of stroke, including facial drooping, arm or leg numbness or weakness, and speech difficulties, are actually very similar to those of other medical conditions. It’s important to know what conditions have symptoms that mimic those of a stroke to ensure appropriate treatment....

Coping with PCOS is challenging, and it can be complicated. Between the day-to-day symptoms and difficulty conceiving, it’s easy for women with PCOS to feel alone. Because hormonal changes are the hallmark of this condition, so many different health issues can arise. You may have unwanted hair growth, or you may begin losing your hair in a pattern similar to male pattern baldness. PCOS has been linked to a number of health complications, including type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and endometrial cancer....

Sunscreens are designed to protect your skin in the sun, filtering out harmful ultraviolet radiation. They are still the first and best line of defense against premature aging from the sun, but which ones can really be considered anti-aging? Sunscreens can help prevent three types of damage from the sun’s rays: Sunburn Skin cancerPremature aging Whether these creams and lotions can help you avoid wrinkles, age spots, and other symptoms of premature skin aging depend on which type of ultraviolet radiation they block....

Even low levels of exposure to air pollutants could trigger a heart attack within an hour, according to a recent study in China. Key Takeaways Short-term exposure to low-level air pollutants can induce a heart attack in some people, according to a recent study in China.The study highlights the need for more research and reassessment on the immediate health impact of air pollutants in the United States.Masking outdoors is one way to protect against air pollution....