Mercedes Thomas

Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of rare genetic diseases that lead to weakened and abnormal muscle function over time. Although the age of diagnosis can vary from infancy to adulthood, the average age of diagnosis is 5 years old. Parents and caregivers usually begin to notice signs of the disease during the second year of life.
This article provides an overview of muscular dystrophy in children and guidance for parents.
Muscular Dystrophy in Children
Muscular dystrophy stems from a lack o...

A doula is a professional trained to support a person emotionally and physically throughout their pregnancy, during and even after childbirth. A doula is also meant to serve as a support person or coach for the person's significant other or family members who are playing an active role in the pregnancy. Doulas are often referred to as birth workers, which is an umbrella term that encompasses other childbirth and perinatal professionals.
This article discusses the role of a doula in the pregna...

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the brain that influences sleeping and waking. The body produces melatonin on its own, but it can also be manufactured and sold as a sleep aid. Melatonin can impact the sleep-wake cycle (or circadian rhythm) and conception. This article will cover the effects of melatonin, the relationship between melatonin and reproductive hormones, and how melatonin affects birth control.
Sleep Effects of Melatonin
The pineal gland in the brain produces melatoni...

Choriocarcinoma is a type of cancerous tumor that originates in the uterus. During fertilization, when a sperm fertilizes an egg, the tumor forms from abnormal cells found in the tissues that make up the uterine wall. In a healthy pregnancy, the cells and tissues in the uterus would eventually become the placenta, an organ that provides nutrients to an unborn fetus.
This article will cover the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of choriocarcinoma.
Types of Choriocarcinoma
Choriocarcin...

Preseptal cellulitis is an infection of the eyelid and the skin around the eyeball. It typically affects children and causes symptoms such as swelling, pain, and redness around the eye.
The condition occurs when bacteria enter the eyelid or surrounding skin. The bacteria infect the area in front of the orbital septum. The orbital septum separates the frontal structures of the eyelid from the back portion, known as the orbit.
Preseptal cellulitis is most common in children under the age of 10 ...

Meningocele is a type of neural tube defect that occurs early in pregnancy when a fluid-filled sac protrudes from an opening in a fetus’s back. Surgeons can repair meningocele prenatally or after birth, but there may be complications that can affect quality of life.
Spina bifida is a condition in which the spinal cord does not develop correctly. Meningocele is one of the most common types of spina bifida. Two of the other more common types of spina bifida include myelomeningocele and spina bi...

A practical guide for new moms and expecting parents to help simplify the process of preparing to welcome their baby and the postpartum fourth trimester ― written by a mother who also happens to be a pediatric nurse practitioner and lactation consultant.
Are you a new or expectant mom trying to figure it all out, and by all, I mean your baby and motherhood?
Have you been wondering what advice you should trust? Are you feeling overwhelmed, scared, and confused?
What if all of your confusion co...

Effects of Tobacco During Pregnancy
People of childbearing age who plan to have a baby may not realize that smoking can make it more difficult to conceive. The good news is that pregnancy is enough for a little over 50% of women to quit smoking. Regardless of when a parent-to-be decides to stop smoking, quitting is a choice that benefits both parent and baby.
Nicotine is a harmful additive in tobacco. It causes the addiction to cigarettes that many people have. When you smoke in pregnancy, th...

Transitioning to the new normal of parenthood can sometimes be quite the adjustment. Not a bad adjustment, but just different. If you feel like your baby spends a lot of time crying, things can seem even more complicated. The good news is that most healthy full-term babies spend several hours a day crying.
You may feel like you've tried everything you could think of, but the crying still seems to be never-ending. You've already ruled out all medical causes with your child's healthcare provide...

Understanding vaccines during your childbearing years can be a little confusing. What vaccines should you be getting, and when? What vaccines are recommended during your pregnancy? Will the vaccines you get cause harm to your unborn baby? Or what vaccines are safe if you’re lactating? Many of these questions may have crossed your mind.
Here are some vaccine facts:
The vaccines that you receive during your pregnancy are generally safe for you and your new baby.
If you get vaccinated during you...

As a parent, you will be responsible for making many decisions for your new baby, like how to decorate the nursery or infant feeding choices. Finally, you'll choose your baby's pediatrician.
Selecting a pediatrician is something that many parents give a lot of thought to. The best time to begin searching for your baby's pediatrician is during your third trimester of pregnancy. Deciding on a pediatrician before your baby is born can make the process less stressful.
No matter what your top prio...

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NordicTrack sells exercise equipment that aims to give people the exercise studio experience from the comfort of their homes. One of its products is the NordicTrack s22i bike, which comes with a free 1-year iFit subscription.
Physical activity, including cycling, can significantly benefit a person’s physical and mental health. Having the option to...

Beltone is an international company that provides a range of hearing aid devices in different styles. It also offers services.
This article discusses Beltone hearing aids, reviews the brand’s reputation, suggests alternative brands, and covers how hearing aids can improve hearing health.
The Beltone brand began in the 1930s when Sam Posen, co-founder, wanted to help a friend with hearing issues with quality personal hearing aid devices.
In the 1940s, Beltone opened its first location in Chica...

Below are some of the best floating bed frames available for purchase.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based.

Memomad makes the Bali bed in the United States, and it is available in king, queen, and twin sizes. The bed frame comes in either caramel or white. The bed does not require a box spring as it has slats to hold the mattress.

The bed comes in four boxes that require home assembly. The queen model fea...