Health and Fitness

Food poisoning Overview Food poisoning, a type of foodborne illness, is a sickness people get from something they ate or drank. The causes are germs or other harmful things in the food or beverage. Symptoms of food poisoning often include upset stomach, diarrhea and vomiting. Symptoms usually start within hours or several days of eating the food. Most people have mild illness and get better without treatment. Sometimes food poisoning causes severe illness or complications. Symptoms Symptoms vary depending on what is causing the illness. They may begin within a few hours or a few weeks depending on the cause. Common symptoms are: Upset stomach. Vomiting. Diarrhea. Diarrhea with bloody stools. Stomach pain and cramps. Fever. Headache. Less often food poisoning affects the nervous system and can cause severe disease. Symptoms may include: Blurred or double vision. Headache. Loss of movement in limbs. Problems with swallowing. Tingling or numbness of skin. Weakness. Changes in sound of the...

Food allergy Overview Food allergy is an immune system reaction that happens soon after eating a certain food. Even a tiny amount of the allergy-causing food can trigger symptoms such as hives, swollen airways and digestive problems. In some people, a food allergy can cause severe symptoms or even a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis. Food allergy affects an estimated 8% of children under age 5 and up to 4% of adults. While there's no cure, some children outgrow their food allergies as they get older. It's easy to confuse a food allergy with a much more common reaction known as food intolerance. While bothersome, food intolerance is a less serious condition that does not involve the immune system. Symptoms For some people, an allergic reaction to a particular food may be uncomfortable but not severe. For other people, a food allergy reaction can be frightening and even life-threatening. Food allergy symptoms usually develop within a few minutes to two hours after ea...

 Fetal alcohol syndrome Overview Fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition in a child that results from alcohol exposure during the mother's pregnancy. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause the child to have disabilities related to behavior, learning and thinking, and physical development. The symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome vary from child to child but are lifelong. Fetal alcohol syndrome is on the severe end of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD is a range of conditions in the child caused by the mother drinking alcohol during pregnancy. There is no amount of alcohol that's known to be safe to drink during pregnancy. If you drink during pregnancy, you place your baby at risk of fetal alcohol syndrome. If you suspect your child has fetal alcohol syndrome, talk to your doctor or other healthcare professional as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment may help lessen some issues. Symptoms The severity of fetal alcohol syndrome symptoms varies. Some childr...

 Globus Sensation Overview Globus sensation (globus pharyngeus, globus hystericus) is feeling like you have a lump in your throat even when there’s nothing there. It’s a symptom of several different conditions, including GERD, postnasal drip and thyroid disease. In many cases, globus sensation resolves on its own. But some people will need treatment to correct it. Globus sensation differs from dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and odynophagia (painful swallowing). Globus sensation isn’t painful. But the lump in your throat can quickly become a source of annoyance, especially if it won’t go away. Though globus sensation can be an annoyance, it’s usually not serious. But it’s important to tell your healthcare provider if it feels like something is stuck in your throat. They can run tests to find out whether you have an underlying condition that needs treatment. Causes The most common cause of globus sensation is acid reflux (conditions like GERD and LPR). When stomach acid flows back...

Febrile seizure Overview A febrile seizure is a convulsion in a child that's caused by a fever. The fever is often from an infection. Febrile seizures occur in young, healthy children who have normal development and haven't had any neurological symptoms before. It can be frightening when your child has a febrile seizure. Fortunately, febrile seizures are usually harmless, only last a few minutes, and typically don't indicate a serious health problem. You can help by keeping your child safe during a febrile seizure and by offering comfort afterward. Call your doctor to have your child evaluated as soon as possible after a febrile seizure. Symptoms Usually, a child having a febrile seizure shakes all over and loses consciousness. Sometimes, the child may get very stiff or twitch in just one area of the body. A child having a febrile seizure may: Have a fever higher than 100.4 F (38.0 C) Lose consciousness Shake or jerk the arms and legs Febrile seizures are classified as simp...