Questions & Answers
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Are Video Games Bad for Me?
You love your video games, but how much is too much? Find out in this article for kids.
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Can Loud Music Hurt My Ears?
Loud music can cause temporary and permanent hearing loss. Learn how to protect your ears so you won't be saying, "Huh? What did you say?"
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Feeling Good About Your Body
Do you wish you could change something about your body? It’s normal to think about it sometimes. Here are tips for kids on feeling good about your body.
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Somebody in My Friend's Family Died. What Should I Do?
Someone important to your friend has died. What do you do?
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What Are Abdominals?
Sometimes called abs, these are the muscles in front of your abdomen, the area below your chest and above your belly button.
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What Are Airways?
The airways in your lungs are like tubes or straws.
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What Are Allergy Shots (Immunotherapy)?
If you sneeze a lot because you're allergic to something, could these things help?
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What Are Antibiotics?
These awesome medicines attack bacteria that make you sick.
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What Are Antihistamines?
Antihistamines are medicines that block allergy symptoms.
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What Are Arteries and Veins?
Your body has a highway system all its own that sends blood to and from your body parts.
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What Are Astringents?
If your skin is oilier than normal, you might want to use an astringent.
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What Are Bacteria?
If you're feeling crummy, it's probably because nasty bacteria or some other germs have gotten into your body and made you sick.
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What Are Beta Cells?
Beta cells make insulin, a hormone that controls the level of glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood.
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What Are Blood Banks?
Blood banks collect and store blood, which healthy people donate.
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What Are Blood Types?
Every person has a blood type.
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What Are Bronchial Tubes?
These tubes, or airways, let air in and out of your lungs, so you can breathe.
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What Are Canker Sores?
Canker sores are small, painful sores found in and around the mouth.
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What Are Carbohydrates?
Like proteins and fats, carbohydrates are one of the three main components of food.
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What Are Cells?
Cells are the smallest building block of all living things, and you have trillions of them in your body.
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What Are Chromosomes?
Your body is made up of billions of cells, which are too small to see without a strong microscope.
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What Are Corticosteroids?
Controller medicine keeps the airways in the lungs open and clear so kids with asthma can breathe.
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What Are Decongestants?
Decongestants are medicines that keep your nose from being stuffy.
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What Are Disinfectants?
Disinfectants are germ busters!
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What Are Dust Mites?
Dust mites are teeny, tiny bugs that live in household dust.
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What Are Ear Canals?
You'll need a mirror to do it, but take a good look at your ear.
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What Are First-Degree Burns?
A first-degree burn is one that only hurts the top layer of skin.
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What Are Freckles?
Do you have freckles or know someone who does? Find out what freckles are in this article.
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What Are Germs?
You know they can hurt you, but what are these invisible creatures? Find out in this article for kids.
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What Are Glands?
You've heard of glands, but what are they? Find out in this article for kids.
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What Are Hormones?
Hormones are special chemicals your body makes to help it do certain things - like grow up!
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What Are Kidney Stones?
Sometimes the stuff in your pee – like calcium – can make little crystals that build up to become hard kidney stones.
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What Are Long-Term Control Medicines?
Many people with asthma need to take medicine every day to control their asthma.
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What Are Migraines?
A migraine is a really bad kind of headache that can make you feel dizzy or even sick to your stomach.
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What Are Palpitations?
Palpitations can make it feel like your heart is racing or fluttering, or that your heart has skipped a beat.
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What Are Quick-Relief Medicines?
Quick-relief medicines are a type of asthma medicine that works quickly.
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What Are Reflexes?
Reflexes help protect your body. Find out what they are in this article for kids.
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What Are Retractions?
Retractions are a sign someone is working hard to breathe.
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What Are Second-Degree Burns?
A second-degree burn is one that hurts the top two layers of skin.
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What Are Sulfites?
Sulfites are food preservatives that can cause breathing problems in some people with asthma.
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What Are Taste Buds?
Without taste buds, life would have less flavor. Find out why in this article for kids.
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What Are Third-Degree Burns?
A third-degree burn is one that damages all the layers of the skin and the tissue beneath the skin.
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What Are Triggers?
With asthma, a trigger is anything that brings on asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, and trouble breathing.
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What Are White Blood Cells?
White blood cells are part of the germ-fighting immune system.
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What Causes Hiccups?
Wonder why hiccups happen? Find out more in this article for kids.
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What Does Alignment Mean?
Alignment means to bring into line.
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What Does Autoimmunity Mean?
Your immune system fights infections and illnesses. But sometimes the immune system makes a mistake and attacks part of the body. This is called autoimmunity.
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What Does Contagious Mean?
There's a good reason your parent tells you to cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough!
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What Does Diagnosis Mean?
The word diagnosis is a fancy name for how doctors figure out what's making you sick.
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What Does Dislocation Mean?
A dislocation is when one or more bones at a joint moves out of place.
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What Is a Coma?
A coma can be difficult to understand, especially because it may look like the person is just sleeping. Find out what a coma is and how people recover from them.
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What Is a Complete Blood Count (CBC)?
Blood is made up of different parts, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
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What Is a Gene?
Why does one kid have green eyes while another kid's eyes are brown? It's all in the genes! Find out how genes work, what happens when there are problems with genes, and more.
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What Is a Lung Function Test?
How well do your lungs function? In other words, how well are you breathing?
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What Is Bone Marrow?
Bone marrow is a thick, spongy kind of jelly inside your bones.
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What Is Bronchoconstriction?
Bronchoconstriction affects the airways in a person's lungs.
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What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism is the word for grinding your teeth, usually during sleep.
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What Is Cancer?
Cancer is a disease that happens when the body makes cells that are not normal.
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What Is Cellulitis?
Cellulitis is a skin infection caused by bacteria entering the skin through a cut or scrape.
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What Is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects the brain and how it talks to the muscles.
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What Is Cerumen?
This word means wax.
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What Is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is the use of special medicines to treat cancer.
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What Is Coxsackievirus?
A coxsackievirus is one of a group of viruses or germs that live in the digestive tract and can make you sick.
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What Is DNA?
DNA is the genetic information inside the cells of the body that helps make people who they are.
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What Is Exercise-Induced Asthma?
Some people have asthma symptoms (such as coughing, wheezing, or trouble breathing) only when they're doing sports or being active.
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What Is GERD?
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is when the stomach's contents flow back up into the esophagus
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What Is Hemophilia?
People with hemophilia have blood that doesn't clot the way it should. That means that they bruise and bleed easily.
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What Is Histamine?
Histamine is a substance in the body that's released during an allergic reaction.
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What Is Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus happens when the fluid that cushions the brain builds up inside the head.
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What Is Kawasaki Disease?
Kawasaki disease is pretty rare. Kids who have it may have a fever for up to 2 weeks.
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What Is Meningitis?
The meninges cover and protect the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis happens when the meninges swell or get irritated.
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What Is Multiple Sclerosis?
When someone has multiple sclerosis, their nerves don't send signals to the brain the way they should.
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What Is Otalgia?
Otalgia means ear pain or an earache.
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What Is Peritonitis?
Peritonitis is when the tissue that covers the inside wall of abdomen gets swollen and irritated, usually due to an infection.
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What Is the Cerebral Cortex?
Also known as gray matter, this term describes the brain's outer layer.
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What Makes Me Sneeze?
If you just sneezed, something was probably irritating or tickling the inside of your nose. Learn more about why you sneeze in this article for kids.
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What Should I Do if My Family Fights?
It's normal for family members to disagree once in a while. Learn how keep your cool during an argument.
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What's a Biopsy?
Sometimes, when doctors are not sure what's wrong with a part of your body, they might decide to do a test called a biopsy.
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What's a Birthmark?
Birthmarks, also known as hemangiomas, get their name for one reason: They are marks on the skin of a lot of newborn babies! Find out more about birthmarks in this article for kids.
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What's a Blackhead?
People with acne may have different types of bumps on their skin.
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What's a Bruise?
Have you ever had a bruise that turned a bunch of different colors before it went away? Find out why in this article for kids.
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What's a Cardiologist?
This kind of doctor knows all about the heart and how it works.
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What's a Cavity?
Cavities are small holes in your teeth that need to be filled. Find out what causes tooth decay and how dentists handle it.
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What's a Cleft Lip?
A cleft lip is a split in the upper lip that some babies are born with.
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What's a Cleft Palate?
A cleft palate is a split in the roof of the mouth that some babies are born with.
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What's a Cough?
A cough is a reflex that helps your body clear your throat and lungs.
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What's a CT Scan/CAT Scan?
Actually, CT scans have nothing to do with cats, except that when people talk about them, they usually say "CAT scan" instead of "CT scan."
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What's a Cyst?
A cyst is a sac filled with air, liquid, or pus that can happen in different parts of the body.
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What's a Dermatologist?
A special doctor called a dermatologist knows a lot about skin.
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What's a Dietitian?
A dietitian knows a lot about food and healthy eating.
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What's a Funny Bone?
You've banged your elbow and it feels tingly and strange. Find out why in this article for kids.
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What's a Microscope?
A microscope is a very powerful magnifying glass.
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What's a Pediatric Endocrinologist?
This type of doctor deals with hormones, those special chemical substances that make things happen all over the body (especially during puberty).
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What's a Pimple?
Your skin has many tiny holes called pores.
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What's a Spacer?
A spacer makes it easier to use an inhaler.
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What's a Spirometer?
A spirometer is an instrument that measures how well your lungs are working.
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What's a Urinalysis?
Here's why doctors sometimes have kids pee in a cup.
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What's a Virus?
Viruses are a type of germ. They're very tiny, and when they get inside your body, they can make you sick.
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What's a Whitehead?
People with acne may have different types of bumps on their skin.
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What's a Yeast Infection?
A yeast infection is a skin infection caused by a fungus called candida. It can cause white spots in the mouth or an itchy, red rash.
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What's Addiction?
An addiction is an urge to do something that is hard to control or stop.
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What's Aerobic Activity?
Aerobic activity is any kind of movement that makes your muscles use oxygen.
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What's an Adam's Apple?
Where's your Adam's apple? Do you even have one? Find out in this article for kids.
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What's an Airway Obstruction?
When something keeps the air from moving in and out of the airways in your lungs, it's called an airway obstruction.
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What's an Allergist?
Allergists are special doctors who help people who are allergic to things like animals, grass, pollen, dust, and even foods.
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What's an Allergy?
Achoo! Many things can trigger allergies, like pollen, certain animals, foods, or a bee sting.
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What's an Asthma Action Plan?
Lots of stuff goes more smoothly when you have a plan - and that includes dealing with asthma.
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What's an Asthma Flare-Up?
When a person has a lot of trouble with wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath, it's called an asthma flare-up, or attack.
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What's an EEG (Electroencephalogram)?
Doctors use electroencephalograms to figure out what's going on in your brain.
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What's an X-Ray?
X-rays are special pictures of the inside of your body.
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What's Anesthesia?
Anesthesia is medicine that doctors give to make people feel comfortable when they're having surgery, stitches, or other things that might be painful.
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What's Animal Dander?
All warm-blooded animals shed tiny flakes from their skin. This is called dander.
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What's Astigmatism?
If you take a good look at your eye, you might barely see your cornea, the clear outer covering of the eye.
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What's Cauliflower Ear?
Have you ever seen someone whose ear looks bumpy and lumpy? It could be cauliflower ear! Find out more in this article for kids.
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What's Cholesterol?
Chances are, you've heard about cholesterol a lot lately, but you might be wondering what it is. Here's your chance to get the lowdown in our article just for kids.
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What's Congestion?
Congestion happens when your nose gets stuffy and makes it hard to breathe.
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What's Constipation?
Sometimes your bowel movements — you know, the stuff inside your intestines we call poop — might be hard and dry.
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What's Dandruff?
Dandruff is flakes of dead skin on your head that come loose all the time, but especially when you scratch your head, brush your hair, or pull a shirt over your head.
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What's Depression?
It's normal to feel sad sometimes, but if you feel that way for a long time, and you never feel happy, it's called depression.
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What's Diarrhea?
If you've ever had a bad time in the bathroom, then you know what this is.
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What's Herpes Zoster?
Herpes zoster, also called shingles, causes a rash with blisters on the body and is very painful.
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What's Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, usually caused by viruses or bacteria.
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What's Pollen?
Pollen is a fine powder produced by certain plants.
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What's Protein?
Protein builds, maintains, and replaces the tissues in your body. You can get it from yummy foods like eggs, nuts, beans, fish, meat, and milk.
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What's the Diaphragm?
Ever get the hiccups? Don't worry — it's just your diaphragm doing something different!
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When Will I Get My Period?
It's normal to be a little worried or anxious about getting your period. Find out more in this article for kids.
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Why Do Eyes Water?
What does it mean when your eyes water? It's not the same as crying - or is it?
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Why Do I Get an Electric Shock?
Zap! You touched the doorknob and got a shock. Why does that happen? Find out in this article for kids.
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Why Do I Have a Belly Button?
A belly button, also called a navel, is something everyone in the world has! You can find out why in our article for kids.
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Why Do I Have Pain?
When your body is injured in some way, your nerves send messages to your brain about what's going on. Your brain then makes you feel pain. Read our pain-free article for kids.
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Why Do I Need to Sleep?
Sleep is vital for giving your body a rest and allowing it to prepare for the next day. This article about sleep will teach you why your brain needs to spend time in bed getting zzzz's!
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Why Do I Need to Wash My Hands?
Washing your hands is the best way to stop germs from spreading. Learn all about the best way to wash your hands in this article for kids.
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Why Do I Yawn?
If you yawn in class, you'll probably notice a few other people will start yawning, too. Why is that?
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Why Does My Foot Fall Asleep?
Is your foot asleep? Find out why in this article for kids.
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Why Does My Nose Run?
You may have heard the old joke: If your nose is running and your feet smell, you must be upside down! But did you ever wonder why your nose runs?
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Why Does My Skin Get Wrinkly in Water?
What happens when you spend a long time in the water? Your skin gets wrinkly! Find out why in this article for kids.
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What Are Scabs?
Just about everyone has had one of these on their knee. Find out how scabs help you heal.
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What Happens to Swallowed Gum?
Gulp. You accidentally swallowed your gum. Will it really stay in your stomach for years?
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What's a Booger?
They're more than just gross. Boogers have a job to do. Find out what it is in this article for kids.
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What's a Fart?
All people fart sometimes, whether they live in France, the Fiji islands, or Fresno, California! Learn more about what gives gas its sass in our article for kids about farts.
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What's Earwax?
Why do our ears make earwax? Find out in this article for kids.
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What's Puke?
Did you ever toss your cookies? That means throw up, or puke. It's gross, but just about everyone has done it. Find out more in this article for kids.
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What's Spit?
Saliva, also known as spit, is a clear liquid that's made in your mouth 24 hours a day, every day. If you want to know more about spit and what it's made of, check out this article for kids.
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What's Sweat?
Everybody sweats. Find out why perspiration happens in this article for kids.
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Why Do Feet Stink?
Your hard-working feet sometimes start stinking. Find out why in this article for kids.
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Why Do I Burp?
A burp - sometimes also called a belch - is nothing but gas. Find out more about burping and what to do if it happens to you in this article for kids.