Precocious puberty means early puberty. It’s the term for puberty that begins much earlier than usual — before age 8 in children assigned female at birth (AFAB) and before age 9 in children assigned male at birth (AMAB). Puberty is the process during which your child has a growth spurt and develops the sexual and physical features of an adult. In your child’s brain, …

Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, is a group of bacteria that normally live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. Most types of E. coli are harmless and even help keep the digestive system healthy. However, some strains can cause serious illness, particularly those that produce toxins affecting the intestines. Harmful E. coli infections are a common …

Persistent depressive disorder (PDD), formerly known as dysthymia or dysthymic disorder, is mild or moderate depression that doesn’t go away. If you have persistent depressive disorder, you may experience low mood, as well as other symptoms, occurring most days without going away. How common is persistent depressive disorder? Researchers estimate that 1.5% of U.S. adults had persistent depressive disorder in …

Heart arrhythmia is a condition in which the heart beats too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm. It occurs when the electrical signals that coordinate heartbeats do not function properly. As a result, the heart may not pump blood efficiently to the body and brain. Some heart arrhythmias are harmless and may not require treatment, while others can …

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a common digestive condition characterized by discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen. It often occurs after eating and may be related to overeating, certain foods, stress, or underlying digestive disorders. Indigestion can be occasional or chronic and affects people of all ages. Symptoms Upper abdominal pain or discomfort Feeling of fullness or bloating …

Pain during sex, or dyspareunia, is persistent or recurring pain just before, during or after sex. Dyspareunia is more common in people assigned female at birth (AFAB), but anyone can experience painful sex. People AFAB can have pain externally in the vulva — to the labia (lips of the vagina) or at the opening of the vagina. Some feel the pain internally in places …

Dyslexia is a specific learning disorder that affects reading, spelling, and language processing. It is a neurological condition that impacts how the brain recognizes and processes written and spoken language. Dyslexia is not related to intelligence and can affect individuals of all ages, often becoming noticeable during early school years. Symptoms Symptoms of dyslexia vary depending on age and severity: …

Dyshidrosis, also known as dyshidrotic eczema, is a skin condition characterized by the sudden appearance of small, fluid-filled blisters on the palms of the hands, sides of the fingers, and soles of the feet. The condition is often recurrent and can cause significant discomfort. It commonly worsens during warm weather or periods of stress. Symptoms Symptoms of dyshidrosis may range …

Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder caused by weakness, paralysis, or poor coordination of the muscles used for speaking. It affects the ability to articulate words clearly, resulting in slurred, slow, or difficult-to-understand speech. Dysarthria can range from mild to severe and is often associated with neurological conditions or injuries. Symptoms Symptoms depend on the underlying cause and the muscles …

Dwarfism is a medical condition characterized by significantly shorter stature than average, typically defined as an adult height of 4 feet 10 inches or less. It results from genetic or medical conditions that affect bone growth, hormone production, or overall development. Dwarfism can be proportionate, where the body parts are in correct proportion, or disproportionate, where some body parts are …