A hole in the wall is not a good thing, unless it’s a window. But no one wants a window or any other kind of hole in the abdominal wall. When the abdominal wall, the thick layer of musculature across the abdomen, does develop a hole in the layers of muscle tissue, things that should stay in—fat, intestines—may begin to pop out, and that’s known as a hernia.

SLU RESEARCHERS SCREEN NEWBORNS FOR RARE GENETIC DISEASES

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are largely considered a ‘female problem,’ but men also develop UTIs and the unpleasant symptoms that accompany them.

There are headaches—and then there are headaches. Migraines are in a category all their own. About 12 percent of Americans suffer from these pounding headaches, according to the National Institutes of Health. A type of vascular headache, migraines are notable for their severity and unique characteristics that some people experience, such as visual disturbances, stomach upset and a notably one-sided quality.

If you are of a certain age, you probably remember the jealousy induced when another young classmate announced he or she was having his tonsils removed. From the vantage point of an elementary-school student, this meant a few days off and lots of post-surgical ice cream. And several decades ago, tonsillectomy seemed a routine part of childhood.

Let’s begin with one of the biggest myths about arthritis: There are two kinds—osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Wrong!

It is considered the most important day of your life—and you don’t want to spend it worrying about tables, décor and dealing with vendors. Brides who want to plan their own festivities often feel overwhelmed by the way things will—or will not—come together on the big day, and St. Louis event organizer Kate & Company offers a unique semi-planning services to help these brides stay blushing, not flustered.

If you’ve ever been through it, you have true sympathy for others. Trying to soothe a colicky baby is one of the greatest initial trials of parenthood. One day your baby starts to cry—and he keeps on crying. For weeks. And then...it stops as mysteriously as it began.

Following graduation from college, I spent four years in medical school, then three years in a pediatric residency. This was long before medical student and resident work hours were restricted, so I spent up to 100 hours each week for many years learning medicine – specifically pediatric medicine. I’ve spent the rest of my life practicing to get it right. After all the time, effort and expense, what have I spent most of my professional time doing? Talking about poop: too much, not enough, too hard, too loose—you name it, some mom, dad or grandma has worried about it, and I’ve discussed it.

New technology is helping Oral Facial Surgery Institute & Implant Center perform cutting-edge dental restoration for patients with the most complex needs.

BLAKE YOUDE has been named executive director of Access Academics, a program that supports at-risk middle school students. Previously, Youde served as deputy superintendent of institutional advancement for the St. Louis Public School District.

Dr. Rajiv Patel is an enthusiast. Yet, though he enjoys a nice glass of red wine, Patel is careful to emphasize that any advice he has to offer is based solely on the data.

Belching is a sign of appreciation for a fine meal in some cultures. But it’s not such a positive thing when it’s accompanied by heartburn, coughing and throat irritation—the classic symptoms of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

I am blessed with five grandchildren; and two of them are blessed—or cursed—with allergies. I’ve previously discussed food allergies; and this month, we talk about springtime environmental allergies. Once again, I called on my colleague, Mercy Clinic pediatric allergist Dr. Laura Esswein, to share her expertise.

We’ve all been on antibiotics at some point in our lives, and most parents have given their children antibiotics by the time they go to school. However, physicians are warning that we can no longer afford to be so cavalier about the drugs we once thought were all but harmless bacteria killers. That’s because more and more bacteria are adapting to evade the effects of antibiotics.

For such a little gland, it can cause some big problems. The thyroid is a small gland in the neck that secretes hormones needed to regulate metabolism. Everything from body temperature to weight to energy are metabolically modulated, so an imbalance in thyroid function can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms.

Physical inactivity literally is killing America. Data indicates that 11 percent of children ages 6 to 11, and 14 percent of those ages 11 to 16, are obese. In addition, more than one-half of adults don’t meet recommended levels of activity, and half of them have no regular physical activity. Sedentary lifestyles lead to increased health risks and higher health care costs. Since this habit of inactivity begins early in life, the promotion of physical activity among children is imperative for their health and for the future of our nation.

Among the most common orthopedic injuries, rotator cuff tears cause shoulder pain and temporary disability for millions of people each year. And while we associate rotator cuff injuries with baseball pitchers who are constantly putting strain on the shoulder, this problem is most often diagnosed in adults age 60 and older.

When speaking with an allergist, there’s a chance you may briefly forget you’re talking with a doctor and imagine you’re chatting with a botanist. These medical specialists can reel off plant names, expected dates of pollination and various pollen attributes.

For those facing illnesses or disabilities, ‘alternative’ therapies—such as laughter, music or animal therapy—can offer a range of benefits. These local programs are doing their parts to make a difference.

About one in seven people experiences a random nosebleed at some point in his or her life, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology. Children and people older than 50 are the most likely to have a sudden nosebleed, and the trigger can be as minor as blowing one’s nose too hard or as serious as a clotting disorder.

Mornings can be madness. With children getting ready for school and grown-ups heading off to work, a sit-down breakfast may not be on the morning agenda. But eating breakfast is known to help improve concentration, creativity and problem-solving in children; and can help adults enhance productivity and control weight.