Author: Fox News (Fox News )

Autism screening and diagnosis overview Diagnosing autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) can be difficult, since there is no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose the disorders. Doctors look at the child’s behavior and development to make a diagnosis. ASDs can sometimes be detected at 18 months or younger. By age 2, a diagnosis by...

What is a food allergy? A food allergy is a condition that causes your immune system to fight against a particular part of food — which is called an allergen. Food allergies can be hereditary — that is, parents can pass the likelihood of developing a food allergy to their children through genes that code...

Sleeping pills are sedatives that may help people who are suffering from transient sleeping troubles. Sleeping pills are sedatives that may help people who are suffering from transient sleeping troubles. These medications are meant to be used for short periods. However, the overuse of sleeping pills has many side effects. It can lead to addiction, which is...

How Often Are Allergy Shots Given? Allergy shots are given regularly (in the upper arm), with gradually increasing doses. When starting immunotherapy, you will need to go to your healthcare provider once or twice a week for several months. The dose is increased each time until the maintenance dose is reached. If the shots are...

Types of hysterectomy A hysterectomy is an invasive, surgical procedure recommended for women who have problems with their uterus. These problems can include a prolapsed uterus, uncontrollable bleeding, fibroid development, and cancer of the uterus or ovaries. But this procedure can cause changes in your hormone levels, so it's important to consider all of its...

Can an optometrist remove foreign bodies? An optometrist can remove a foreign body from the eye under certain circumstances. Some foreign bodies in the eye may be simple and go away on their own, whereas others require removal. Removal of foreign bodies from certain parts of the eye, such as the cornea, eyelid, or conjunctiva – with any appropriate...

A pelvic exam or a vaginal exam cannot reveal with absolute certainty that a woman is a virgin or has been sexually active. A gynecologist can't tell if you are a virgin by doing a physical exam because of the variation in different hymens and the absence of a hymen isn't an indicator of sexual...

Amniocentesis facts Amniocentesis is used to detect genetic defects and conditions in the fetus.  Amniocentesis may be performed for chromosome analysis or the detection of genetic defects and conditions in the fetus. Pregnant women over the age of 35 years are candidates for amniocentesis to detect chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. Amniocentesis can also be...

Although opioids can be safe when taken as prescribed, long-term opioid use carries significant risks. Learn more about how opioids work and how to use them safely Opioids are generally safe when taken as prescribed by a doctor and for a short period of time. However, misuse or long-term use of opioids can lead to...

Gastric bypass or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass operations are reversible, but the reversal procedure is risky. Gastric bypass or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass operations are reversible, but the reversal procedure is risky. The attempt to reverse the bypass to normal anatomy can cause rare but serious complications. The parts of the stomach and small intestine can be...