What Is CF? Cystic fibrosis (say: SIS-tik fi-BRO-sus), or CF, is a disease that causes the body to make thick, sticky mucus (say: MYOO-kus). This causes problems in two major areas: the lungs and the digestive system. What Happens in CF? Healthy lungs make mucus, which protects the airways and makes it easier to breathe. To make normal mucus, …
What Is the Thyroid? The thyroid (say: THYE-royd) is a gland, which is an organ that makes special chemicals called hormones (say: HOR-moans). The thyroid is shaped like a little butterfly or bow tie and it sits under the skin in the front of your neck. To find it, touch your throat in the Adam’s apple area with one finger and the …
Cerebral Palsy Say: seh-REE-brel PAWL-zee A condition that can make it hard to walk, talk, or eat. Cerebral palsy (or CP for short) affects the brain and how it communicates with the muscles. Kids with CP have trouble controlling how their muscles move, and some may need to use a wheelchair or crutches.
Bell’s Palsy Say: BELZ POL-zee Bell’s palsy causes problems with the nerves in a person’s face. People who have it might look as if half of their face is frozen or droopy because the nerves and muscles there aren’t working. Bell’s palsy can be caused by an injury (like getting hit really hard in the face); by the flu or …
What do you think about when you hear the word coma? A coma (say: KO-muh) can be difficult to understand, especially because people sometimes jokingly use the word coma to describe people who are sleeping deeply or not paying attention. But a coma is a serious condition that has nothing to do with sleep. What Happens …
What Is Tourette Syndrome? Tourette syndrome is a condition that affects a person’s central nervous system and causes tics (movements or sounds that a person can’t control and that are repeated over and over). There are two kinds of tics — motor tics and vocal tics. Motor tics are twitches or movements a person makes but can’t control. …
Remember that great summer vacation you took last year? When you think back on it, you might see flashes of a day you spent swimming or a night spent watching fireworks explode high in the sky. But how do you store those images, so you can enjoy them later? It’s your memory — and it’s …
What Is Epilepsy? People who have epilepsy (say: EH-puh-lep-see) have seizures. You might also hear a seizure (say: SEE-zhur) called a convulsion, fit, or spell. What’s a Seizure? There are different kinds of seizures, but they all happen because of unusual electrical activity in the brain. Brain cells constantly send electrical signals that travel along nerves to the …
What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder? Autism (say: AW-tiz-um) spectrum disorder is a difference in the way a kid’s brain develops. Kids with autism may have trouble understanding the world around them. What’s It Like to Have Autism Spectrum Disorder? A kid with autism might have trouble: talking and learning the meaning of words making friends …
What Is a Splint? A splint is a support device made of hard material that keeps an injured area from moving. What Do Splints Do? Splints hold bones and joints in place so they can heal after a broken bone, injury, or surgery. Splints also can help with problems that affect the joints (such as arthritis) or …
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