Metabolism Basics Our bodies get the energy they need from food through metabolism, the chemical reactions in the body’s cells that convert the fuel from food into the energy needed to do everything from moving to thinking to growing. Specific proteins in the body control the chemical reactions of metabolism, and …
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Mouth and Teeth
A smile is the facial expression that most engages others. With the help of the teeth — which provide structural support for the face muscles — the mouth also forms a frown and other expressions that show on your face. The mouth also plays a key role in the digestive …
Skin, Hair, and Nails
About Skin, Hair and Nails Skin is our largest organ. If the skin of a typical 150-pound (68-kilogram) adult male were stretched out flat, it would cover about 2 square yards (1.7 square meters) and weigh about 9 pounds (4 kilograms). Our skin protects the network of muscles, bones, nerves, …
Spleen and Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system is an extensive drainage network that helps keep body fluid levels in balance and defends the body against infections. It is made up of a network of lymphatic vessels that carry lymph — a clear, watery fluid that contains protein molecules, salts, glucose, urea, and other substances …
Asthma Basics
About Asthma Asthma is a common lung condition in kids and teens. It causes breathing problems, with symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Anyone can have asthma, even babies, and the tendency to develop it often runs in families. Asthma affects the bronchial tubes, or airways. When someone breathes normally, …
Can Kids and Teens With Asthma Play Sports?
You might remember a time when kids with asthma were discouraged from playing sports and told to take it easy. That’s no longer the case. Being active, working out, and playing sports not only help kids with asthma stay fit, maintain a healthy weight, and have fun but also can strengthen …
Can the Weather Affect My Child’s Asthma?
Weather and Asthma The effect of weather on asthma symptoms isn’t fully understood, but clearly there is a link. Numerous studies have shown a variety of connections, such as increases in asthma-related emergency department visits when certain weather conditions are present. Some people find that their asthma symptoms get worse …
Creating an Asthma-Safe Home
If your child has asthma, you can create the best home environment possible by knowing which asthma triggers are at work and eliminating or minimizing exposure to them. Your doctor can help you identify the triggers, which might include common stuff like dust mites and pollen. Improving Indoor Air Maintaining …
Dealing With Asthma Triggers
Asthma causes chronic inflammation of the airways in the lungs, which is aggravated by asthma triggers that bring on asthma symptoms. Triggers are substances, weather conditions, or activities that are harmless to most people, but can lead to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath in those with asthma. They don’t …
Definition: Exercise-Induced Asthma
Exercise-Induced Asthma Some people have exercise-induced asthma, which means that their asthma symptoms (such as coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath) are triggered by exercise or physical activity. A person may have exercise as his or her only asthma trigger, or it may be one of many triggers. These symptoms …