What Is the Respiratory System? When we breathe, the respiratory system takes in oxygen and sends out carbon dioxide. The cells in our bodies need fresh oxygen to stay alive. As cells do their jobs, ...

If you decide to have sex, it’s important to know about birth control, or contraception, so you can protect against unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). STDs are infections ...

Reproduction is the process by which organisms make more organisms like themselves. But even though the reproductive system is essential to keeping a species alive, unlike other body systems, it's not ...

What Is the Digestive System? The digestive system breaks down the food we eat into tiny parts to give us fuel and the nutrients we need to live. As food breaks down, we get amino acids from protein, ...

Occupational therapy (OT) is a branch of health care that helps people of all ages who have physical, sensory, or cognitive problems. OT can help them regain independence in all areas of their lives.

Everybody knows that some organs in the human body are necessary for survival: you need your brain, your heart, your lungs, your kidneys... KIDNEYS? Absolutely. Even though you won't find a ...

The nervous system controls everything you do, including breathing, walking, thinking, and feeling. This system is made up of your brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves of your body. The brain is the ...

Allergic reactions can be triggered by foods, medicines, pets, insect stings, pollen, and other things. Most allergic reactions aren't serious. But severe reactions can be life-threatening and need ...

What Is Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip? Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a problem with the way a baby's hip joint forms. Sometimes the condition starts before the baby is born, and ...

Parents often associate sexual development with the teen years. But kids develop an emotional and physical foundation for sexuality in many subtle ways from infancy. Physical and emotional changes ...

Coughing is a healthy reflex that helps clear the airways. A severe cough or one that lasts more than a week requires a medical checkup. But many coughs are caused by a virus that just needs to run ...

What Does the Heart Do? The heart is a pump, usually beating about 60 to 100 times per minute. With each heartbeat, the heart sends blood throughout our bodies, carrying oxygen to every cell. After ...