Progressive mobility is a series of planned movements and exercises to help prevent problems while you’re in the hospital and help you get back to your normal activities. When you’re recovering from an illness, an injury, or surgery, you might...
The doctor placed a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt under your baby’s skin. A VP shunt is made of two thin tubes (catheters) connected by a valve. The shunt drains extra fluid out of your baby’s brain and into their belly. Your baby's body can take...
Learn about exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor.
The gut contains trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Together, they're known as the gut microbiota. They help keep you healthy in several ways. The gut supplies nutrients from food to the cells in your body. It also uses and produces vitamin...
A vaginal polypectomy is a procedure to remove vaginal polyps, or growths, that appear on the cervix. These growths can be different sizes. They appear smooth and red or purple. Polyps most often occur after age 20. They can be caused by infections...
Diastasis recti (say “dy-AS-tuh-sus REK-ty”), or DR, is a condition that happens when there's a gap larger than 2 centimeters (cm) between the two long muscles at the front of the belly (abdomen). These muscles are called the rectus abdominus.
As babies grow and develop, they learn how to sit and balance on their own. Practicing helps them build the motor skills and strength for stable sitting. You can help your baby if they haven't been able to get into this position by the time they're...
Elbow bursitis is a painful swelling of the bursa around the tip of your elbow (called the olecranon). A bursa is a fluid-filled sac. It cushions and protects bones, joints, or tendons. Your elbow bursa can become swollen because of an injury or...
Failure to thrive (FTT) is a term that's used when a person has an ongoing decline in health and daily function. FTT is not a single disease. Instead, it’s a sign that something is affecting the person’s overall well-being, often in more than one...
Post-tussive vomiting happens when you vomit right after an intense coughing fit. For some people, coughing hard can trigger their gag reflex. This can lead to vomiting. Children tend to have a more sensitive gag reflex than adults. But adults can...