HealthPersonalCare Articles 
Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger
Topic Overview
Ear
pain in children may be a sign of an infection in the space behind the eardrum
(middle
ear). Ear infections (otitis media) most commonly occur when
cold symptoms, such as a runny or stuffy nose and cough, have been present for
a few days.
An ear infection may occur when the
eustachian tube swells and closes and fluid from the
throat accumulates in the middle ear. The combination of fluid and germs (from
bacteria or viruses) creates a perfect environment for an infection. Swelling
from the infection causes pain from increased pressure on the eardrum. The
pressure can cause the
eardrum to rupture (perforate). A single eardrum
rupture is not serious and does not cause hearing loss. Repeated ruptures may
lead to hearing loss.
Middle ear infections are more common in children than in adults.
Young children have short, soft, more horizontal eustachian tubes that are more
easily bloc ...
Tai Chi and Qi Gong
Topic Overview
What are tai chi and qi gong?
Tai chi and qi gong (pronounced “chee goong? are traditional
Chinese exercises. They are based on two ideas:
Energy, called qi or chi, flows through the
body along "energy pathways" called meridians. If the flow of chi is blocked or
unbalanced at any point on a pathway, it is thought that you may become ill.
You do tai chi and qi gong to increase energy (chi or qi) and improve health
through gentle, graceful, repeated movements.
Nature, including the
body, consists of opposing forces called yin and yang. Good health results when
these forces are in balance. You do tai chi and qi gong movements in an attempt
to help restore the body's balance of yin and yang.
Tai chi is a series of movements done either very slowly or very
quickly to move the body's chi. People use tai chi as a way to combine
meditation and movement and to improve and maintain their health.
Qi ...