Few things in life are as frustrating and worrisome as watching your child spit out the medicine you gave her to help lower her fever, stop her terrible cough and just make her better. Most parents have been in the same situation, and it never ceases to worry any of them.

The national conversation about weight typically trends toward those who are overweight or obese. Approximately 1.7 percent of adults in the United States are underweight, however, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

It is generally required that you fast for 9 to 12 hours before a cholesterol blood test. Neither eating nor drinking anything but water before the test generally yields the most accurate results.

A pulse oximeter is a medical device that measures heart rate and the oxygen level in the blood, expressed as the percent of oxygen saturation. Pulse oximeters operate by shining light through the skin to the blood vessels below.

Most cases of throat blisters go away on their own, and while you usually can’t shorten the illness that causes them, you can at least ease the pain.

A vaccination or immunization is used to help the body protect itself against specific types of viruses or bacteria. Typically, a vaccine is administered as an injection in the upper portion of the arm.

Dimethyl sulfoxide -- commonly called DMSO -- is a byproduct of the paper-manufacturing process that also is used as a solvent and in manufacturing products such as antifreeze. It also has purported medicinal applications, including as a cancer treatment. Additionally, the U.S.

Pregnancy, whether intentional or otherwise, requires a woman to make a decision about the outcome for herself and her child. Approximately two percent of women between the ages of 15 and 44 years have an abortion in the United States, resulting in termination of almost 25 percent of pregnancies.

Jogging provides an effective workout for your heart and your muscles. Jogging may be more difficult after age 50, however, since your knees, back, hips, ankles and feet will have suffered more than half a century of wear and tear.

Lingzhi, a large woody-looking mushroom also known as Ganoderma lucidum or reishi, is highly revered in Asia. Indeed, lingzhi has been a component of Chinese medicine for more than 4,000 years; today, lingzhi is an ingredient in several weight-loss supplements.

Your body uses vitamin D for maintaining healthy bones and effectively absorbing calcium. Not having enough vitamin D in your system may raise your risk of osteoporosis, bone malformations, cancer, inflammation and suppressed immunity.

The symptom of water retention indicates that fluid is pooling in the tissues of the body. Water retention, also called swelling or edema, occurs for several reasons. Anyone with persistent swelling should seek the advice of a licensed medical professional.