2 Flu Types = 2 Shots Protect Yourself This Flu Season Protect yourself against the seasonal flu by following the same advice you followed last year: Get vaccinated. Everyone who is at least 6 months old should get a flu ...
5 Ways to Avoid Colds and the Flu 5 Ways to Avoid Colds and the Flu You don't want to spend this winter battling a runny nose, a nagging cough, or a fever. But colds and flu come with the season, right? They don't have to. Try this a...
8 Mistakes Heart Patients Make 8 Mistakes Heart Patients Make If you've already been through one heart attack, you're at increased risk for another, but with a few smart moves you can reduce that risk. Unfortunately, many heart pa...
A Checklist to Help You Spot Hearing Loss A Checklist to Help You Spot Hearing Loss Although most states now have mandatory requirements for hearing tests while a newborn is still in the hospital, some hearing-impaired children slip by the s...
A Closer Look at Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) A Closer Look at Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) IBS is not a disease; it is a disorder that interferes with the normal function of the large intestine (colon) and is characterized by cramping, abdomi...
A Fresh Look at Common Skin Problems A Fresh Look at Common Skin Problems Skin problems such as pimples, blackheads, rashes and oily skin aren't just for teens. They're also common in adults. But you don't necessarily need a dermatologi...
A Kids' Asthma Journal A Kids' Asthma Journal Do you want to gain better control over your asthma? Put it in writing! By following the examples below, you can use a journal to track day-to-day changes in your asthma. This ...
A Red Face Could Signal Rosacea A Red Face Could Signal Rosacea Most of us have seen someone with rosacea, a chronic skin condition that can cause facial redness, bumps, pimples, thick skin, and even bloodshot eyes. But we're often...
A Simple Way to Keep the Flu Away A Simple Way to Keep the Flu Away You can avoid the flu this season by taking one simple step: Get a flu vaccination. Unfortunately, some people think that getting a flu immunization is too much trou...
A Woman's Guide to Beating Heart Disease A Woman's Guide to Beating Heart Disease Surveys show fewer than one in 10 women perceive heart disease as their greatest health threat. But it's the nation's number one killer, and women are its pri...
A Woman's Guide to Cancer Screenings A Woman's Guide to Cancer Screenings You run two miles every other day and lift weights twice a week. You've been trying to eat more fruits and vegetables and less meat. You don't smoke. When it come...
Ability to Concentrate Isn't What It Used to Be Ability to Concentrate Isn't What It Used to Be When you are rolled into the operating room at the hospital, you want to know that the surgeon is ready to concentrate on your procedure. When you boar...
About Balance and Safety About Balance and Safety Having good balance means you’re able to control and maintain your body’s position, whether you’re in motion or remaining still. Learning about the causes of balance problems...
About High Blood Pressure About High Blood Pressure High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition that may not cause any noticeable symptoms for years. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition that may not ...
Action Plan for Osteoarthritis Action Plan for Osteoarthritis Stiff, painful joints are typical symptoms of osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease. Joint pain is caused by a breakdown and destruction of cartilage t...
Acupuncture Can Help Relieve Headache Pain Acupuncture Can Help Relieve Headache Pain A recent study confirms what some migraine sufferers already know: Acupuncture may help relieve chronic headache pain. Acupuncture typically involves insert...
ADHD Drugs Safe, Experts Say ADHD Drugs Safe, Experts Say Parents of kids with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) face a tough choice: whether to medicate their children or not. And this affects a lot of families. E...
AEDs: High-Tech Help for Heart Attacks AEDs: High-Tech Help for Heart Attacks You've seen it time and again on television shows: After someone suffers a sudden heart attack, emergency room doctors grab the paddles and deliver an electric ...
Age and Asthma Age and Asthma Many people think of asthma as a childhood disease, but it often occurs as a new condition in older adults. Asthma in older adults presents some special concerns because the normal eff...
Aging Eyes and Glasses Aging Eyes and Glasses As your eyes age, their lenses become less flexible, and they slowly lose their ability to focus on nearby objects. It's an ongoing, lifelong process called presbyopia, which y...
Air Pollution Can Break Your Heart Air Pollution Can Break Your Heart Most people know air pollution can hurt your lungs and make it tough to breathe. But a growing body of research shows air pollution can be as bad or worse for your ...
All About Age-Related Macular Degeneration All About Age-Related Macular Degeneration Age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in people older than 60. What it is Macular degeneration is ...
All About Aging Eyes All About Aging Eyes Do you know the difference between normal changes in vision that occur with age and abnormal changes caused by age-related eye disease? Here's a look at some common eye problems ...
All About Blood Pressure Medication All About Blood Pressure Medication Your doctor may prescribe antihypertension medication if your blood pressure is high. There are several kinds of medication commonly taken alone or in combination,...
All About Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs All About Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Making healthy lifestyle changes alone is enough to help some people reach the cholesterol goals prescribed by their doctor. Others, however, need to take a chole...
All About Color Blindness All About Color Blindness People often use the term color blind to describe trouble seeing certain colors. The medical term for this problem is color vision deficiency. Most people with color vision ...
All About Gallstones All About Gallstones Gallstones are rocklike substances that form inside the gallbladder, a sac-shaped organ that is on your right side, just under the liver. About 80 percent of gallstones are made ...
All About Hip Replacements All About Hip Replacements If hip pain limits your ability to walk, work, or perform simple activities, you may want to talk to your doctor about a hip replacement. In hip replacement surgery, the di...
All About Kidney Stones All About Kidney Stones A kidney stone is a solid piece of material that forms in the kidney out of substances normally dissolved in the urine. Each year, about 1 million people in the United States ...
All About Muscle Cramps All About Muscle Cramps Most of us have experienced the pain of a muscle cramp. Maybe you called it "charley horse," especially if the cramp was in your calf. Muscle cramps--involuntary muscle contra...
All About Viruses All About Viruses Viruses are familiar from the common diseases they cause: colds and flu, for instance. But what are they, and how do they cause sickness? A virus is a tiny, infectious particle made...
All About Work-Related Asthma All About Work-Related Asthma Occupational asthma is a lung disease in which the airways overreact to dust, vapors, gases, smoke or fumes that exist in the workplace. Occupational asthma is more like...
All About Your Nails All About Your Nails Did you know that fingernails grow faster than toenails? Or, that nails grow faster in the summer than in the winter? Nails are made of a protein called keratin that's also part ...
All Kinds of Problems Beset Your Nails All Kinds of Problems Beset Your Nails Paronychia. Onychomycosis. Surely, these are the names of six-armed Greek monsters that might attack Jason and the Argonauts. In fact, they're microscopic monst...
Allergies on Vacation Allergies on Vacation If you or your child has allergies or asthma, planning can help you keep sneezes, sniffles, wheezing, and attacks under control while you're on vacation. Tips for travel The fol...
Allergies: Nothing to Sneeze At Allergies: Nothing to Sneeze At Like other allergy symptoms, hay fever's watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and itching mean your immune system is overreacting to an otherwise harmless substance you'...
Allergy Medications and Vaccinations for Older Adults Allergy Medications and Immunizations for Older Adults Older adults face more risks than young adults when they take medication. Some of these risks are simply because many older adults have several ...
Allergy Terms to Know Allergy Terms to Know Allergen. A substance, such as pollen, mold, dust mites, or animal dander, that can cause an allergic response. Bronchoconstriction. A tightening of the muscles around the airwa...
Alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous Alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous Although Alcoholics Anonymous and other abstinence-based 12-step programs are the primary form of treatment for alcoholism in the United States, many people are u...
Alzheimer's Disease Quiz What Do You Know About Alzheimer's Disease? Find out more about this degenerative disease of the brain by taking this quiz. 1. Alzheimer's is the most common form of which of these? You didn't answer...
An Rx for RSV An Rx for RSV This cold-like virus hits some infants hard As a child, you probably never heard of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). But today, doctors believe RSV is one of the most common cause of ...
Anemia Quiz What Do You Know About Anemia? Anemia is a condition that affects the number of red blood cells in your body. A number of medical diseases and conditions can cause anemia. Find out more by taking the...
Answers to Questions About HPV Answers to Questions About HPV The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States, with more than 20 million Americans currently infected, acc...
Answers to Questions About Your Child's Mental Health Answers to Questions About Your Child's Mental Health Children can have mental health disorders that interfere with the way they think, feel, and act. Although some behavior problems can be attributed...
Antibiotics Not the Cure for the Common Cold Antibiotics Not the Cure for the Common Cold You can catch a cold at any time during the year. And often, you and your family may find yourselves seeking your health care provider's help in battling ...
Are Feet at Fault for Back, Hip, and Knee Woes? Are Feet at Fault for Back, Hip, and Knee Woes? If you are having problems with back pain, shin splints, knees, or hips, look to your feet. Although these ailments might seem totally unrelated to one...
Arthritis and Exercise: Q and A Answers to Your Questions About Arthritis and Exercise If you have arthritis, you may think you shouldn’t exercise because it could make your condition worse. But doctors and physical therapists insi...
Ascites Ascites Ascites is a condition in which fluid collects in spaces within your abdomen. Although the most common cause of ascites is cirrhosis of the liver, for about 10 percent of people with ascites,...
Asthma on Campus Asthma on Campus College can pose challenges for the student with asthma. New and unfamiliar living quarters, school and social stresses, and other factors can trigger a flare-up. As always, preventi...
Asthma Terms to Know Asthma Terms to Know Stepwise. A “stepwise” approach to managing asthma means stepping up (increasing) or stepping down (decreasing) your number and doses of medicines, based on how well your asthma ...
Asthma: A Worsening of Symptoms Asthma: A Worsening of Symptoms You can do a lot to control your asthma. Avoiding triggers, taking controller medicines, and monitoring your symptoms can help keep problems at bay. Occasionally, thou...
Asthma: Dealing with Your Child's School Asthma: Dealing with Your Child's School If your child has asthma, you probably worry about how he or she copes with asthma at school. Having this disease can have a big impact on your child’s grades...
Asthma: Exercising Indoors Asthma: Exercising Indoors When you have asthma, it’s a good idea to work out inside if the weather turns cold. People tend to breathe through their mouth during vigorous activity. When chilly, dry a...
Asthma: First Doctor Visit for Your Child Asthma: First Doctor Visit for Your Child Your child has been coughing or wheezing, and you’re wondering whether it might be asthma. The first step toward finding out is scheduling a visit to your ch...
Asthma: HFA Inhalers Asthma: HFA Inhalers Hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) inhalers are the only type available today. If you've had asthma for a long time, you may wonder how these compare with your old inhalers. Here's what you...
Asthma: Out of Breath at a Meal Asthma: Out of Breath at a Meal If you have asthma and feel short of breath during meals, take these steps to help catch your breath: Eat when you feel rested and relaxed. Don’t wait until you’re exh...
Asthma: When to Get an Allergy Test Asthma: When to Get an Allergy Test If you often have allergy symptoms—such as itchy, watery eyes; a runny nose; wheezing; sneezing; and hives or itchy skin—an allergy test can help determine what yo...
Attention Deficit Disorder in Adults Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults Restless. Messy. Easily distracted. These are just some of the words used to describe people with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A...
Avoiding Fall Allergy Triggers Avoiding Fall Allergy Triggers Many people associate allergies with springtime, but ragweed pollen and outdoor molds that arrive in the fall bring just as much misery. More than 35 million Americans ...
Babies Need 'Tummy Time' Babies Need 'Tummy Time' Nearly 15 years ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) first recommended that parents put their babies to sleep on their back. That simple piece of advice cut the deat...
Beating an Eating Disorder Beating an Eating Disorder With eating disorders affecting girls at ever-younger ages, a surprisingly simple tactic might help: Dine as a family. Since society has so much influence on adolescents be...
Bed-Wetting: Help Your Child Stay Dry at Night Bed-Wetting: Help Your Child Stay Dry at Night Bed-wetting is a common event in young children. It is normal for a child up to age 6 to wet the bed once in a while. As children get older, they can co...
Beware of Diarrhea Dehydration in Infants, Toddlers Beware of Diarrhea Dehydration in Infants, Toddlers We all dread diarrhea. But when the patient is your infant or toddler, diarrhea can range from a minor annoyance to a medical emergency. The stools...
Beyond Cholesterol Beyond Cholesterol Cholesterol is a household word, synonymous with coronary artery disease. But a growing body of research shows that this fat-like substance in your blood is just the tip of the ice...
Biofeedback: Another Way to Manage Pain Biofeedback: Another Way to Manage Pain You probably don't give much thought to whether your muscles are tense, how fast you're breathing or the number of times your heart beats in a minute. These th...
Blood Pressure Rising Among Children Blood Pressure Rising Among Children The next time you hear folks talking about their blood pressure, take a look. They may be kids. Yes, children can have high blood pressure, and experts say the nu...
Bone Spurs Are a Thorny Problem Bone Spurs Are a Thorny Problem If you wonder what that stabbing pain is in your heel, it may be a bone spur. "Bone spur" is a general term used to describe a knobby, abnormal bone growth. Bone spurs...
Break Through the Alcoholic's Psychological Defenses Break Through the Alcoholic's Psychological Defenses For the millions of Americans who must watch their loved ones struggle with a dependence on alcohol, they wonder: How can family and friends break...
Breaking the Habit: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Breaking the Habit: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder If you've ever caught an episode of the TV series Monk, you know about the strange behavior of Adrian Monk, the Defective Detective. The title charac...
Cancer Caused by Chemotherapy or Radiation Cancer Caused by Chemotherapy or Radiation Fortunately, the likelihood of chemotherapy or radiation treatment causing a second cancer is rare. And in most cases, the potential benefits of the treatme...
Cancer Survivor Tips Cancer Survivor Tips Learning how to take care of your physical and mental health after a cancer diagnosis is the key to living your life to the fullest. These steps from the National Cancer Institut...
Caring for a Child With Type 1 Diabetes When Your Child Has Type 1 Diabetes If your child suddenly grows weak, tired, and nauseated, the youngster probably has the flu or some other virus. But the symptoms could also be warning signs of ty...
Caring for an Ill Loved One Caring for an Ill Loved One Caring for anyone is difficult, even in the best of circumstances. If you’ve been called on to care for a chronically ill loved one, the following recommendations can help...
Caring for Your Sick Child Caring for Your Sick Child Parents know they have choices when their child is sick. They can treat the child at home, make a doctor's appointment, go to the emergency room, or call 911. But at times,...
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: It's All in the Wrist Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: It's All in the Wrist Do you spend your days using a computer, sorting mail, or assembling small parts? If your workplace duties put stress on your wrists, you may be at risk ...
Celiac Disease Can Harm Digestion Celiac Disease Can Harm Digestion Suppose you or a friend has frequent abdominal distress, bloating, and other symptoms that seem to puzzle doctors. Today, experts believe those doctors should consid...
CHF and Physical Activity Heart Failure and Physical Activity If you have heart failure (HF), you may wonder if physical activity is good for you. How could putting more strain on your heart and making it work harder be a goo...
Children and Cholesterol Children and Cholesterol If you, your parents, or your parents' siblings had a heart attack before age 55 and you have a child, this advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) might surpris...
Chlamydia Can Lead to Infertility Chlamydia Can Lead to Infertility A lot of us don't realize that some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can cause no symptoms, meaning you could have an STD and not know it. And some STDs can sile...
Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome The illness was once known as "yuppie flu" and chronic Epstein-Barr syndrome because of its suspected link to that viral disease. But more than 15 year...
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Still a Mystery Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Still a Mystery Imagine feeling bone-tired for months, no matter how much sleep you get. Picture being able to accomplish only half as much each day as you used to--with noth...
Cleft Palates Can Be Repaired, Overcome Cleft Palates Can Be Repaired, Overcome Cleft palates and lips are the most common birth defect in the United States, affecting one in 600 births, according to the Cleft Palate Foundation (CPF). The ...
Clinical Guidelines for Heart Failure Clinical Guidelines for Heart Failure To receive the best care for heart failure, talking frankly with your health care team is a good place to start. It’s also helpful to know about a resource publi...
Cold Sores: A Common Complaint Cold Sores: A Common Complaint Even if you don’t get cold sores, you probably know someone who does. An estimated 50 to 80 percent of people are infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1), the ...
Concussions: Caution Is a No-Brainer Concussions: Caution Is a No-Brainer It's better to miss a game than a whole season. That's the key message of a campaign by the CDC aimed at an underrated health threat: sports-related concussions. ...
COPD Remains Widely Undetected COPD Remains Widely Undetected According to the American College of Chest Physicians, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the world. In the U.S., the ...
COPD: A Quit-Smoking Plan COPD: A Quit-Smoking Plan You’ve probably heard that one of the best ways to manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is to stop smoking. It’s no secret that it’s a tough habit to break. T...
COPD: Boost Your Strength with Exercise COPD: Boost Your Strength with Exercise Regular exercise can make it easier for you to breathe. It strengthens the muscles you use to inhale and exhale. It can also help your body use oxygen more eff...
COPD: Coping with Stress COPD: Coping with Stress Life can be full of stress, especially when you’re managing a health condition such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Just living every day with the symptoms o...
COPD: End-of-Life Care COPD: End-of-Life Care Most people have never talked with their loved ones about how they’d like to be cared for at the end of their life. It’s an important talk to have, especially for those living ...
COPD: Good Nutrition Is Important COPD: Good Nutrition Is Important How much do you know about eating well with COPD? Put your knowledge to the test and see whether you know the answers to these questions. Does sodium intake affect C...
COPD: Heartburn Is Common COPD: Heartburn Is Common Many people have symptoms of heartburn after eating. They may experience nausea, feel as though food is coming back up the throat, or vomit. When these symptoms occur often,...
COPD: Home from the Hospital COPD: Home from the Hospital If you’ve been in the hospital for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) recently, you may have questions about how to care for yourself now that you’re back at ho...
COPD: Managing Sodium and Potassium Intake COPD: Managing Sodium and Potassium Intake When you have COPD, healthy eating habits are critical for feeling your best. Two nutrients you should be aware of are sodium and potassium. Below are the w...
COPD: Medicines for Maintenance COPD: Medicines for Maintenance People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may need to use several types of medicines to control their symptoms. Maintenance medicines work for an extend...
COPD: More of Us Are Out of Breath COPD: More of Us Are Out of Breath The average person takes 12 breaths every minute while at rest. It's a reflex--you don't pay attention unless there's a problem. However, a rising number of us lite...
COPD: Safe Oxygen Tips COPD: Safe Oxygen Tips If you use oxygen to help manage the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), be sure to handle it with care. It’s essential to follow these safety tips: Don’t...
COPD: Tips for Easier Dressing COPD: Tips for Easier Dressing When you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), even getting dressed can sometimes seem like a challenge, especially in the morning when symptoms can be the...
COPD: When Symptoms Get Worse COPD: When Symptoms Get Worse When the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) get worse, it’s important not to ignore them. Your goal is to keep your lungs working as well as possib...
Coping with Chronic Pain Coping with Chronic Pain Chronic pain can be the result of an injury, illness, or medical condition, or its cause may be unknown. Some people with chronic pain can develop emotional problems or physi...
Coping with Dry Mouth During Cancer Therapy Coping with Dry Mouth During Cancer Therapy Dry mouth is a common complaint during some types of cancer treatments. The medical term for dry mouth is xerostomia . Xerostomia is not a disease; it’s a ...
Coping with Hair Loss During Cancer Treatment Coping with Hair Loss During Cancer Treatment Hair loss, known medically as alopecia, is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy, the drugs used to attack the cancer cells in your body. I...
Coping with Miscarriage Coping with Miscarriage Miscarriage is common, but that knowledge may be cold comfort if you’re coping with a recent loss. In fact, many women are surprised by the intensity of their emotions after a...
Coping with PMS Coping with PMS Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of symptoms related to a woman's monthly menstrual cycle, according to the National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC). As many as 85 per...
Could That Stomachache in Your Child Be Appendicitis? Could That Stomachache in Your Child Be Appendicitis? "My tummy hurts!" This common childhood cry can mean almost anything, from anxiety about school to a serious illness. Usually, it's nothing to wo...
Could This Be Perimenopause? Could This Be Perimenopause? A generation ago, hot flashes, irregular periods, and mood swings would have been labeled menopause or “the change of life.” Today, your doctor is more likely to call thi...
Cut Your Cholesterol, Without Drugs Cut Your Cholesterol, Without Drugs Regarding the troublesome fat your body makes called cholesterol: Chances are good that you may not need drugs to keep it in check. True, people with a strong gene...
Dental Implants Can Last a Lifetime Dental Implants Can Last a Lifetime Dental implants have been around a very long time. Anthropologists working at the pyramids have discovered crude implants in Egyptian mummies thousands of years ol...
Depressed Kids Need Help Despite Antidepressant Fear, Depressed Kids Need Help A new label on some antidepressants, a so-called black box warning, cautions that they may make kids feel more suicidal. But that warning shouldn...
Depression Not a Normal Part of Aging Depression Not a Normal Part of Aging Depression is not a natural part of growing old but rather a medical condition that should be treated aggressively. Depression in older adults, or in anyone, sho...
Diabetes and Sensitive Topics Diabetes and Sensitive Topics Diabetes affects every part of your life, and it can create problems that aren't easy to talk about with your health care provider. It's important, however, to bring the...
Diabetes Tops Child Obesity's Health Risks Diabetes Tops Child Obesity's Health Risks According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children who weigh too much face a broad array of health problems, with type 2 diabetes leading the l...
Diabetes: Take Care from Head to Toe Diabetes: Take Care from Head to Toe Most of us could use a head-to-toe checkup now and then. For people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, however, it is important to get a head and toe checkup at lea...
Diabetic Skin Troubles Diabetic Skin Troubles We often take our skin for granted, but if you’ve ever had an itchy rash or a boil, you know how painful even a small skin problem can be. About one-third of people with diabet...
Discovering Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy Discovering Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy Nearly 26 million Americans deal with the challenges of diabetes every day, according to the latest statistics from the CDC. A percentage of people with type...
Diseases from Your Pets, Both Common and Exotic Diseases from Your Pets, Both Common and Exotic Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), monkeypox, and a host of diseases can find their way into people from animals. Truth is, almost any critter c...
Does Ageism Exist in Cancer Care? Does Ageism Exist in Cancer Care? You have many things to enjoy about getting older. Maybe you’re retired and enjoying travel and hobbies and spending time with grandchildren. But you might also have...
Don’t Let Asthma Triggers Dampen Spring Fever Don't Let Asthma Triggers Dampen Spring Fever The arrival of springtime and warm weather means that the time is ripe for asthma triggers, such as pollen or air pollution. But don't let these triggers...
Don't Ignore Dry Eyes Don't Ignore Dry Eyes You might feel a sand-like grittiness in your eyes that can range from mild to severe. People describe the feeling as a lack of lubrication -- and that's exactly what it is. You...
Don't Rule Out Adult-Onset Asthma Don't Rule Out Adult-Onset Asthma Approximately 25 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with asthma as of 2009, according to the CDC. It is often thought of as a childhood condition, but as...
Don't Rush into Cataract Surgery Don't Rush into Cataract Surgery People shouldn't panic and rush into surgery when cataracts are first diagnosed. In most cases, cataracts are something people can live with for a long time after dia...
Don't Sell a Short Kid Short Don't Sell a Short Kid Short Your child seems short next to other children of the same age. Should you worry? The short answer is, maybe. Some children grow more slowly than others. Height in the low...
Ease the Pain of Muscle Cramps Ease the Pain of Muscle Cramps You're on the final leg of your daily run when a cramp strikes your lower leg. Your stride shortens and you begin to limp, hands reaching toward your calf. What causes ...
Eating Disorders in Men Eating Disorders in Men Most people think it is women who believe their bodies must look a certain way because of the body types portrayed on TV, runway models, movie stars, magazines, coaches, paren...
Eczema in Kids: Annoying, but Treatable Eczema in Kids: Annoying, but Treatable A scaly, red, itchy, dry rash can show up in the first weeks of life. It signals a vexing but treatable skin problem called atopic dermatitis (AD), often known...
Emergency Symptoms for People Who Use Insulin Emergency Symptoms for People with Diabetes Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas either produces no insulin (type 1 diabetes) or too little or ineffective insulin (type 2 diabe...
Emphysema and AAT Deficiency Emphysema and AAT Deficiency Emphysema is a lung disease that affects the walls of the alveoli, the small sacs in the lungs that exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide. Emphysema causes the alveolar wall...
End-of-Life Concerns for Cancer Patients End-of-Life Concerns for Cancer Patients In the course of cancer treatment, some cancer patients and their families will face difficult, end-of-life decisions. Many thoughts may race though your mind...
Endometrial Cancer Endometrial Cancer Click Image to Enlarge What is endometrial cancer? The lining of the uterus is called the endometrium. Cancer of the endometrium, the most common cancer of the female reproductive ...
Essential Eye Care for Diabetes Essential Eye Care for Diabetes People with diabetes are at a higher risk for conditions that cause vision loss or blindness than other people, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). I...
Essential Foot Care Essential Foot Care Years of wear and tear can be hard on your feet, as can shoes that don’t fit properly. Injuries and disorders of the feet can affect your mobility. Here are ideas from the America...
Essential Self-Care for Arthritis Essential Self-Care for Arthritis If you have arthritis, taking your medication and following your doctor's recommendations are essential. But self-care can be just as important in your daily and lon...
Evaluating Complementary Cancer Cures Evaluating Complementary Cancer Cures No one wants a cure for cancer more than someone with the disease. Because of this, many people are willing to try treatments outside the mainstream of tradition...
Exercise Can Ease Fatigue of Chemotherapy Exercise Can Ease Fatigue of Chemotherapy If you're diagnosed with cancer, it's normal to have questions, fears, and a feeling of being out of control of your life. Fortunately, there's something you...
Facing Up to Alcohol in the Workplace Facing Up to Alcohol in the Workplace Alcoholism is often called a family disease because it affects the family as well as the individual with alcoholism. However, alcoholism is also a workplace dise...
Facts About Skin Cancer Facts About Skin Cancer Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, with more than two million new cases diagnosed each year. Up to 50 percent of Americans who reach age 65 wi...
Feeling 'Pins and Needles' Is a Circulation Problem Feeling 'Pins and Needles' Is a Circulation Problem A tingling or numb sensation in the muscles is a condition called paresthesia. It's a sign that a nerve is irritated. Think of that pins-and-needle...
Finding the Right Rehab Program for Substance Abuse Finding the Right Rehab Program for Substance Abuse The biggest myth about drug and alcohol rehabilitation is that treatment doesn’t work. And believing that myth may be one reason that finding the r...
For a Smile That Dazzles Think Veneers For a Smile That Dazzles Think Veneers Professional models do it. Actors and actresses do it. Even politicians do it. They're changing their smiles—and they have influenced a growing number of people...
For More Babies, Birth Comes Too Soon For More Babies, Birth Comes Too Soon Full-term babies are born between 37 and 42 completed weeks of pregnancy. Babies born prior to 37 weeks gestation are considered premature. More than half a mill...
For Obese Teens, Surgery Is the Last Resort For Obese Teens, Surgery Is the Last Resort Extreme obesity plagues more than 5 million teens and young adults, experts estimate. These youths tend to be at least 100 pounds or 100 percent above thei...
For Seniors: Is It More Than the Blues? For Seniors: Is It More Than the Blues? Everyone has feelings of sadness or unhappiness now and then. When feelings of sadness or despair don't go away and interfere with daily life, depression may b...
For Young Women, What's Your Stroke Risk? For Young Women, What's Your Stroke Risk? Although most strokes occur in people older than 50, about one in 5,000 women ages 15 to 49 suffers a stroke each year, according to the National Institute o...
Free Your Home of Asthma Triggers Free Your Home of Asthma Triggers Many of the things that trigger asthma symptoms can be found in your home. So the first step to controlling asthma is finding and removing these triggers. This will ...
Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Health Issues Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Health Issues People of any sexual orientation can face health problems. But people who are gay, lesbian, or transgender may be at greater risk for health problems becau...
Genetics and Illness: What's Your Fate? Genetics and Illness: What's Your Fate? If you have a parent or sibling with heart disease, cancer, or some other serious and possibly inherited ailment, does that mean you're doomed to the same fate...
Get Help to Get Around Get Help to Get Around Most of us take walking for granted. But there's a good chance that at some point in your life you'll have trouble walking. The cause may be an injury, an illness, or recovery ...
Get the Right Help for Headaches Get the Right Help for Headaches Most people who suffer from headaches tell their doctors about their pain only as an afterthought. And many sufferers have never even seen a health care provider for ...
Getting Help for Impotence Getting Help for Impotence While nearly all American men experience occasional impotence, millions suffer from chronic impotence. But despite its prevalence, the condition, also called erectile dysfu...
Getting the Better of Back Pain Getting the Better of Back Pain Back pain is a common complaint: Nearly everyone will have low back pain that interferes with work or daily activities at some point in his or her life. Back pain is t...
Getting the Most From Physical Therapy Getting the Most From Physical Therapy Physical therapists teach people recovering from surgery or with injuries, sprains or arthritis how to perform exercises that will help them gain strength and m...
Give Bad Breath the Brush-Off Give Bad Breath the Brush-Off It happens to the best of us. At one time or another, we suffer from bad breath, also called halitosis. While it's rarely a sign of a major medical problem, bad breath c...
Glasses Can Help Even Young Children Glasses Can Help Even Young Children When should a child get his or her first pair of glasses? When he or she needs them -- and that may be as young as a few months of age. Doctors who specialize in ...
Good News for Breast Cancer Detection and Care Good News for Breast Cancer Detection and Care If you think you've been hearing a lot more positive news about breast cancer care and prevention, you're right. And if you support prevention and resea...
Guard Your Baby from Rotavirus Guard Your Baby from Rotavirus A vaccine can protect babies from rotavirus, the most common cause of severe diarrhea in infants. Before the rotavirus vaccine, rotavirus accounted for up to 272,000 em...
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow Many Americans experience some degree of hair loss—alopecia, in medical terms. The results are far from life-threatening. "Hair loss patients are some of my most stressed pa...
Head Lice Are No Reason for Shame Head Lice Are No Reason for Shame Don't panic if your child has head lice. They are common and are more of a nuisance than a health risk. Head lice, also called Pediculus humanus capitis, are parasit...
Healing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Healing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Anyone who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, such as a car accident, military action, a terrorist attack, rape, or some other act of violence, und...
Health Risks of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Health Risks of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Many Americans abuse alcohol and illegal drugs without thinking about the possible risk to their health and well-being. Alcohol Traffic accidents are the number...
Heart Attack Treatment Options Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Heart Attack Not everyone who has had a heart attack needs open-heart surgery, such as a bypass operation. A procedure known as angioplasty can help unblock arteries...
Heart Attacks and Women Heart Attacks and Women According to the American Heart Association, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. Heart attacks and their aftermath tend to be more deadly in women. ...
Heart Disease: Communicating with Several Providers Heart Disease: Communicating with Several Providers If you are like most people with heart disease, you have several providers who each treat you for a different health issue. When a team of provider...
Heart Disease: Considering Cold Relief Heart Disease: Considering Cold Relief Colds and the flu can be serious for people with heart disease. Not only are you at risk for pneumonia, but it’s hard to tell whether your symptoms are a sign o...
Heart Disease: How Disease Management Helps Heart Disease: How Disease Management Helps Regular physical activity and a heart-healthy diet are two essential components of managing heart disease. On some days, though, it may be difficult to kee...
Heart Disease: Keep Your Gums Healthy Heart Disease: Keep Your Gums Healthy People with gum disease are more likely to have heart disease than people with healthy gums. Gum disease occurs when too many bacteria are thriving in the mouth....
Heart Disease: Terms to Know Heart Disease: Terms to Know Diuretic. A medication that helps the body get rid of extra fluid and salt by producing more urine. Sometimes called “water pills,” diuretics reduce fluid buildup in the ...
Heart Failure: Breathe More Easily Heart Failure: Breathe More Easily One of the earliest symptoms of heart failure is shortness of breath. Your heart can't function well enough to pump the blood out of your heart, and this causes blo...
Heartburn Medicine May Put Your Bones at Risk Heartburn Medicine May Put Your Bones at Risk The “purple pill” and its brethren are probably no strangers to your television screen—or your medicine cabinet. These heartburn drugs, called proton pum...
Heed the Warning of Prehypertension Heed the Warning of Prehypertension Your blood pressure isn’t just a reading at your doctor’s office. It can predict your risk for heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. Simply put, the higher your ...
Help for COPD and Depression Help for COPD and Depression Having a chronic condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), can lead to depression. Having depression can keep you from sticking to your disease-man...
Help for Hair Loss Help for Hair Loss Hair loss is a natural part of the cycle of hair growth. Each hair on your head will grow for two to three years before it starts a resting phase. At that time, it begins to fall o...
Help for Heel Pain Help for Heel Pain Heel pain has many possible causes. Learning about the symptoms can help you take care of your heels and prevent problems. Plantar fasciitis This condition occurs when the plantar ...
Help for Inguinal Hernias Help for Inguinal Hernias A hernia doesn't occur overnight. The most common kind is actually set in motion right before you're born. An inguinal hernia is a weak point in the lower abdominal wall. Th...
Help for Tension Headaches Help for Tension Headaches Almost everyone has a tension headache from time to time. These headaches aren’t caused by an underlying disorder. They are so common they are considered to be “garden-vari...
Help Your Children Breathe Easier Help Your Children Breathe Easier Here's something that can take your children's breath away: the air they breathe. Air pollution hurts infants and children more than adults, studies show. Kids' lung...
Help Your Teen Take Charge of Asthma Help Your Teen Take Charge of Asthma Whether your teenager has had asthma for several years or he or she was recently diagnosed, you have a challenging role ahead of you—helping an adolescent cope wi...
Helping Others Understand Your Migraine Helping Others Understand Your Migraine When you have a migraine, you may get mixed reactions from family and friends. Some may be worried; others may get frustrated. You and your loved ones will ben...
Helping Someone with a Mental Illness Helping Someone with a Mental Illness Caring for someone you love who is sick or disabled is never easy. When the illness affects your loved one’s state of mind, the demands placed on you can be espe...
Helping Someone with Memory Loss Helping Someone with Memory Loss Diagnosing memory problems can be confusing. In older people, it's easy to mistake such problems for the everyday forgetfulness that some people experience as they gr...
Helping the Heart Through Cardiac Rehab Helping the Heart Through Cardiac Rehab A rehabilitation program often can help heart patients live better with their disease and recover from medical procedures like surgery and angioplasty. Accordi...
Helping to Prevent a Second Heart Attack Helping to Prevent a Second Heart Attack Most Americans survive a first heart attack but are at increased risk for another one. By taking action, however, they can significantly reduce their chances ...
Hepatitis C: A Threat from the Past Hepatitis C: A Threat from the Past Millions of baby boomers may have a dangerous illness and not know it. The illness is hepatitis C. It affects more than 3 million people in the United States. As m...
Hiccup Remedies Hiccup Remedies Hic. Hic. There it goes again. Hic. Although a momentary nuisance for most people, hiccups have engendered a legion of home remedies, each with its own army of true believers. The bes...
High Blood Pressure Can Damage Kidneys High Blood Pressure Can Damage Kidneys Most people know that high blood pressure puts you at greater risk for heart attack and stroke. But you might be surprised to learn that high blood pressure can...
High Blood Pressure Glossary High Blood Pressure Glossary High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a complicated disease. Studies have shown that people who understand the condition are more likely to stick with their treatment ...
HIV Prevention Is Still Important HIV Prevention Is Still Important True or false: Now that drugs are available to treat HIV infection, AIDS is not much of a threat for most Americans. The answer is false. HIV/AIDS experts worry that...
Hope on the Horizon for Breast Cancer Hope on the Horizon for Breast Cancer Except for nonmelanoma skin cancer, breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. But cancer experts say that women should feel encouraged...
Hospices Offer Comfort at Life's End Hospices Offer Comfort at Life's End It's a subject no one wants to think about, but for each of us, our lives must come to an end. As medical progress prolongs our lives, the end can linger, drainin...
How COPD Affects the Lungs How COPD Affects the Lungs Every breath can be a chore when you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The term COPD includes conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, the Amer...
How Much Do You Know About Kidney Health? How Much Do You Know About Kidney Health? 1. How much blood do your kidneys filter daily? a. 15 gallons b. 25 gallons c. 50 gallons d. 125 gallons 2. Your kidneys are what part of the body? a. centra...
How Much of a Threat Is Bird Influenza? How Much of a Threat Is Bird Influenza? Influenza, with its fever, aches, fatigue and threat of complications, seems a uniquely human illness. But the flu, caused by a virus, can infect animals and b...
How to Assess Your Risk for Chronic Disease How to Assess Your Risk for Chronic Disease It’s good to step back now and then and ask yourself: Are my habits reducing or increasing my health risks? Is there more I could be doing to reduce my ris...
How to Fight Stress-Related Diseases How to Fight Stress-Related Diseases Stress-related health problems can be the basis for many doctor visits. For example, suppose Joe has inherited a predisposition to develop a depressive disorder. ...
How to Keep Your Gums and Teeth Healthy How to Keep Your Gums and Teeth Healthy Brushing and flossing your teeth isn't hard to do, and doing both properly can help prevent gum disease and tooth loss. Gum disease is caused by plaque--a stic...
How to Manage Diabetes During Illness How to Manage Diabetes During Illness Battling a cold, getting over an injury or undergoing surgery is no fun for anyone. For people with diabetes, managing blood sugar is an extra concern. The stres...
How to Manage Prehypertension How to Manage Prehypertension Prehypertension is a new term that alerts people to the very real risk of developing chronic high blood pressure if they don't take timely steps to improve their lifesty...
How to Prevent and Treat Ingrown Hairs How to Prevent and Treat Ingrown Hairs An inflammation or infection of the hair follicles, called folliculitis, can occur anywhere on the skin or scalp. Folliculitis, also known as ingrown hairs, res...
How to Prevent Osteoarthritis How to Prevent Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis (OA), sometimes called degenerative arthritis, is the most common type of arthritis. In OA, the cartilage that covers the bones in a joint thins and, in s...
How to Reduce the Risk for SIDS How to Reduce the Risk for SIDS For more than a decade, pediatricians have urged parents to put babies to sleep on their back. The goal: Reducing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). That strategy se...
How to Soothe Sun-Damaged Skin How to Soothe Sun-Damaged Skin While you were lying on the beach or golfing this summer, your skin was taking a direct hit from the sun. When summer has faded (and with it your tan), it's time for li...
How to Stay Healthy at Work How to Stay Healthy at Work Sick days are no vacation. Because the flu virus spreads from person-to-person, it is possible to catch the virus at work. However, there are measures you can take to prot...
How to Stick With Your Treatment Plan How to Stick With Your Treatment Plan Many Americans suffer from at least one chronic disease, and most rely on regular tests and treatments to be healthier, more comfortable and more productive. But...
How to Take Part in Every Medical Decision How to Take Part in Every Medical Decision In some medical situations, there’s a clear right answer regarding which treatment is best. In other cases, such as breast or prostate cancer, for instance,...
How You Can Beat the Stomach-Ulcer Bug How You Can Beat the Stomach-Ulcer Bug Most peptic ulcers are caused by bacteria called Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ). These bacteria live in the stomach and duodenum (beginning of the small inte...
How Your Child Can Live Well with Asthma How Your Child Can Live Well with Asthma If you have a child with asthma, you know how frightening wheezing, coughing, and other asthma symptoms can be. Some children eventually outgrow asthma, but i...
Hypertension: Children Can Have It, Too Hypertension: Children Can Have It, Too Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects almost one in three adults in the United States. But this serious health condition isn't limited to those ages 18...
Hypothyroidism and Depression Hypothyroidism and Depression Chances are you know the difference between occasional sadness and depression. But here's a fact you may not know: Hypothyroidism, a common thyroid disorder, can cause s...
If Your Child Needs Treatment for Weight Issues If Your Child Needs Treatment for Weight Issues For overweight children, the most successful treatment combines healthy lifestyle changes—improved diet and exercise—with a focus on changing such beha...
In Children: Corticosteroids for Asthma In Children: Corticosteroids for Asthma Daily inhaled corticosteroids are a key part of the treatment for children with mild, moderate, or severe persistent asthma, the National Asthma Education and ...
In Support Groups, You Get (and Give) Help In Support Groups, You Get (and Give) Help What if you were diagnosed with cancer? What if your spouse died and you suddenly found yourself a single parent? What if you were living with an alcoholic ...
Incontinence: A Fairly Common Problem Incontinence: A Fairly Common Problem Millions of Americans suffer from chronic urinary incontinence, according to a study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. A large percentage of tho...
Indoor Air Can Cause Health Problems Indoor Air Can Cause Health Problems Are you worried about the air you breathe? Don't assume you're safe just because you're inside. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that the air within...
Infectious Diseases in the 21st Century Infectious Diseases in the 21st Century Infectious diseases have always caused illness and death, but in the last decade, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) has noticed a disturbing trend: The number of...
Insulin and Type 2 Diabetes Insulin and Type 2 Diabetes If you have type 2 diabetes and your health care provider recently put you on insulin, you may feel disappointed that lifestyle changes and diabetes pills weren’t enough. ...
Is an Insulin Pump for You? Is an Insulin Pump for You? More and more people with diabetes are considering using insulin pumps, hoping the computerized devices will enable them to enjoy a more flexible lifestyle. While pumps ca...
Is Bursitis Busting Up the Joint? Is Bursitis Busting Up the Joint? Pity the poor bursa. We have about 150 of these simple, fluid-filled sacs, but few of us ever hear of them until they start hurting. Known collectively as "bursae," ...
Is It a Milk Allergy or Intolerance? Is It a Milk Allergy or Intolerance? Some young children develop an allergy to milk, with symptoms ranging from swelling of the eyes and face to nausea and difficulty breathing. Other children, as th...
Is It a Virus or a Bacterium? Know the Difference Is It a Virus or a Bacterium? Know the Difference In general, most colds and other respiratory infections are not serious for adults in good health. It's just the hassle of dealing with runny noses, ...
Is It an Allergy or a Cold? Is It an Allergy or a Cold? Seasonal allergies and colds have similar symptoms but some important differences. The following information from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases...
Is It Time for a New Joint? Is It Time for a New Joint? Millions of us struggle with pain and loss of motion because of joint damage caused by arthritis. If other treatments fail to offer relief, you may wonder about turning in...
Is Your Child Too Sick for Day Care or School? Is Your Child Too Sick for Day Care or School? Your 3-year-old is playing listlessly with her oatmeal. "My tummy hurts, Mommy," she says. There's no fever, no vomiting and no diarrhea, but she's not ...
Keep an Eye on These Symptoms Keep an Eye on These Symptoms If you're constantly worried that every headache or spot on your skin means you've been stricken with a dreaded disease, get your facts straight so you can stop panickin...
Keep an Eye on Your Child's Vision Keep an Eye on Your Child's Vision When it comes to vision, you are your child's first line of defense. You notice something, watch it for a while, and call the pediatrician or eye doctor (optometris...
Keep Your Kidneys Working Well Keep Your Kidneys Working Well Your kidneys are your body's filters. They remove waste and excess fluid from your blood. People who have high blood pressure and diabetes are at higher risk for kidney...
Keeping Blood Sugar in Check Keeping Blood Sugar in Check The words "blood" and "sugar" are a single phrase for millions of Americans: "blood sugar." The official term is glucose, and keeping it within a certain range occupies t...
Keeping Depression at Bay Keeping Depression at Bay Some people have only one episode of depression, but many have problems and recurrences that may last a lifetime. Approximately one-third of patients with a single episode o...
Keeping Your Liver Healthy Keeping Your Liver Healthy Some parts of your body provide constant reminders that they're on the job. You can feel your heart beating and your lungs filling with air when you take a breath. One of y...
Kids' Headaches: The Diagnosis Is Difficult Kids' Headaches: The Diagnosis Is Difficult Headaches aren't only for adults. Kids get them, too. By the time children reach high school age, most have experienced at least one headache, according to...
Know Your Family's Health History Know Your Family's Health History You have mom's hair and dad's height. That's great, but genes can also pass down chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Learn your fami...
Know Your Peak Flow Know Your Peak Flow A peak-flow meter is a small device that measures how fast the air is moving out of your lungs when you exhale. You and your health care provider can use information from a peak-f...
Learn About Gestational Diabetes Learn About Gestational Diabetes You’re in your 24 th to 28 th week of pregnancy, and your doctor wants to test you for diabetes. If you feel fine, you may wonder why he or she ordered the test. Abou...
Learning to Live with Heart Disease Learning to Live with Heart Disease Millions of people diagnosed with heart disease enjoy active, satisfying lives. By using your mind to help your body, obtaining appropriate medical care, and makin...
Lifestyle Choices for Cancer Survivors Essential Lifestyle Choices for Cancer Survivors The first question after a cancer diagnosis is usually, "Am I going to die?" The next question might well be, "How should I be living now?" Even if yo...
Live Well with Congestive Heart Failure Live Well with Heart Failure Heart failure (HF) occurs when the heart fails to pump enough blood to the rest of the body. Heart failure is caused by diseases or conditions that damage or overwork the...
Living Better with Low Vision Living Better with Low Vision People with low vision find everyday tasks -- reading mail, shopping, cooking, watching television -- difficult. This is because low vision cannot be improved by standar...
Living With a Chronic Health Condition Living with a Chronic Health Condition Learning you have a chronic disease is frightening. Depending on what it is and the treatment options available, you may feel panicked or sad. But learning abou...
Living with COPD and Asthma Living with COPD and Asthma If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, you know that they cause similar symptoms–coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness...
Living with Eczema Living with Eczema Eczema is an inflammation of the skin that can have a variety of causes. There are acute and chronic forms of eczema. Symptoms Symptoms can vary, but generally, all types of eczema...
Living with Lupus Living with Lupus Systemic lupus erythematosus, often simply called lupus, is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissues. It can cause rashes, joint and muscle pain, and tiredness, as well as di...
Living with Parkinson’s Disease Living with Parkinson's Disease Coping with Parkinson's disease, the motor system disorder, can be frustrating because of its common symptoms—trembling, stiffness (often called rigidity), slow moveme...
Lupus Alert Lupus Alert You feel tired and have a sun-sensitive rash. Or you suffer joint pain and swelling and have trouble taking a deep breath. Do you write these off as minor complaints, or should you discus...
Lupus: The Skinny on Your Skin Lupus: The Skinny on Your Skin Your skin is your body’s largest organ. Sometimes, lupus can affect this big and delicate organ. One of the more common symptoms of lupus is a red rash that appears on ...
Lymphedema After Breast Cancer Lymphedema After Breast Cancer A diagnosis of breast cancer is difficult enough, even with the better outcomes commonly seen today. Yet after you have been successfully treated for breast cancer, you...
Make Sure You Understand Your Treatment Make Sure You Understand Your Treatment For optimum health, you need to understand your health problem and your treatment plan, including how to take prescription medications. These days, however, me...
Make Your Dentist Your Partner Make Your Dentist Your Partner Have you ever walked out of a dentist's office wishing you had asked the dentist or the staff something? Or, maybe you didn't understand something the dentist said, or ...
Male Menopause Male Menopause Male menopause is an informal term used for a condition caused when testosterone levels decrease in aging men. Experts disagree on how widespread the condition is. Some say only around...
Managing a Chronic Condition Managing a Chronic Condition Almost one in two Americans--or 133 million of us—have chronic conditions, according to the CDC. Some conditions, such as heart disease and asthma, are critical or potent...
Managing Adult Acne Managing Adult Acne You're not a teenager anymore, so why is your skin breaking out after all these years? Could it be adult acne? Hormones can lead to acne in adults, just as they do in teenagers. T...
Managing Arthritis with Exercise Managing Arthritis With Exercise Exercise has important health benefits for everyone — regardless of age and physical condition. But if you have arthritis, regular, moderate exercise — within your li...
Managing Midlife Weight Gain Managing Midlife Weight Gain Between the late 30s and late 40s, it's not uncommon for both men and women to gain 10 pounds. The gain may come on relatively suddenly, or more gradually, at a general r...
Managing Prehypertension Without Drugs Managing Prehypertension Without Drugs Keeping your blood pressure below 120/ 80 mm Hg is important to good health. High blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg or greater, and blood pressure between 120/ 80 ...
Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects 1.3 million Americans. Treatment programs are tailored to meet each individual's needs, taking into account the severity of the conditi...
Massage Therapy for Back Pain Massage Therapy for Back Pain Many American adults seek medical treatment for back pain at some point in their lives. In fact, it's estimated that eight out of 10 people will experience back pain and ...
Medication Strategies During Pregnancy Medication Strategies During Pregnancy When you're pregnant, you want to do everything you can to protect your baby. If you have a cold, a headache, or heartburn, is it safe to take an over-the-count...
Medications that Can Treat Alzheimer's Disease Medications that Can Treat Alzheimer's Disease Many people believe that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can't be treated. The truth is that medications are available that may help slow the progression of sy...
Medications to Treat ADHD in Children Medications to Treat ADHD in Children Children who have ADHD are often given medication as part of their treatment plan. The type of medication most often chosen is a psychostimulant, such as methylp...
Men and Depression Men and Depression Women who are depressed often feel sad, guilty, hopeless, and worthless--and many find that their appetites and sleeping habits have changed. Many men with depression may likely ha...
Men Over 50 Need Annual Prostate Exam Men Over 50 Need Annual Prostate Exam Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It affects about 230,000 men each year. It is the number two killer, with 29,200 deaths annually. It makes up m...
Mental Health Glossary Mental Health Glossary Mental health is defined as how a person thinks, feels, and acts when faced with life’s situations. It is how people see themselves, their lives, and the other people in their ...
Mental Health: Finding the Help You Need Mental Health: Finding the Help You Need When your life spins out of control, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. The American Psychological Association recommends you seek the help o...
Metabolic Syndrome and Prediabetes Metabolic Syndrome and Prediabetes One characteristic of metabolic syndrome is an increased level of glucose in the blood. This can also be a sign of prediabetes. When you have prediabetes, your risk...
Metabolic Syndrome and Soft Drink Consumption Metabolic Syndrome and Soft Drink Consumption Regular soft drinks contain sugar, which only adds calories to your diet. Sugary drinks also raise insulin levels, which causes you to put on more viscer...
Metabolic Syndrome Worksheet Metabolic Syndrome Worksheet To help manage your condition, fill in the dates on which you had or will have the following tests or checkups. Lipid profile I had a lipid profile on __________. A lipid...
Metabolic Syndrome: Lowering Your Heart Disease Risk Metabolic Syndrome: Lowering Your Heart Disease Risk For people with metabolic syndrome, the risk of developing heart disease can be a concern. Here’s how you can help keep your heart healthy: Contro...
Metabolic Syndrome: Managing Salt Metabolic Syndrome: Managing Salt A key way to reduce the effects of metabolic syndrome is to lower high blood pressure. Reducing the amount of sodium and salt in your diet is a great start. If you a...
Middle Ear Infections in Children Middle Ear Infections in Children Middle ear infections are the most common cause of earaches in children. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, 75 percen...
Migraines and Auras Migraines and Auras If you are among the one-third of migraine sufferers who experience aura before a migraine, you know how unsettling this phenomenon can be. Auras may include: visual disturbances ...
Migraines and Endometriosis Migraines and Endometriosis Women who have endometriosis may also be more likely to have migraines, according to a recent Italian study. Researchers from the University of Genoa found that women who ...
Migraines: Should You Take Preventive Medication? Migraines: Should You Take Preventive Medication? What if you could stop a migraine before it even started? For some people, taking medication every day can help prevent migraines and make them less ...
Ministrokes Deserve Maximum Attention Ministrokes Deserve Maximum Attention Do you know what a ministroke is? If you do, you're among the minority. A ministroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA), is a brief episode of stroke symptoms c...
Mold Can Affect Your Health Mold Can Affect Your Health Indoor molds can be found where humidity levels are high, such as basements or bathrooms. When mold is present: Walls and ceilings are discolored and show signs of mold gr...
Monster Mites Monster Mites You've seen their ugly photographs on TV and in newspapers and magazines. They loom several inches tall, with eight crooked bony legs, a giant hard-shelled body, short antennas and bead...
More Than Just the Baby Blues More Than Just the Baby Blues The first months of a baby's life should be a time of joy for new parents. But for many new mothers, these months are marked by sadness, fear, anger, or anxiety. It's co...
Morning Sickness Morning Sickness One of the first signs of pregnancy is usually morning sickness—mild nausea and vomiting. The term "morning sickness" is actually a misnomer. That's because the nausea and vomiting o...
MRSA Infections on the Rise MRSA Infections on the Rise Bacteria are everywhere, even on our skin--and most exist without causing any health problems. Staphylococcus aureus --or staph--is one of those common skin bacteria. Stap...
MS and Summer: Coping with Symptom Flareups MS and Summer: Coping with Symptom Flareups Some may like it hot. But for those with multiple sclerosis, life gets more difficult when the temperature rises. More than three-fourths of people with MS...
New Hope for Alzheimer’s Disease New Hope for Alzheimer's Disease No magic spell can prevent the devastating effects of Alzheimer's disease on thinking and memory. And scientists have yet to find a pill that can cure it. But positiv...
New Rules for OTC Cold Relief Rules for Some OTC Cold Relief Medications Some over-the-counter (OTC) remedies you may have used to ease your cold and allergy symptoms in the past are no longer available in the pharmacy aisles at ...
Old Makeup Can Cause Serious Eye Infections Old Makeup Can Cause Serious Eye Infections That mascara wand can do more than just make your lashes longer - it can also give you an eye infection. Every year, many women end up with eye infections ...
Older Adults and the Common Cold Older Adults and the Common Cold Cold and flu season is hard on everyone, but for older adults who may have chronic health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or chronic obstructive pulmo...
On the Road to Recovery On the Road to Recovery Recovering from a serious illness or surgery is hard work. You may need help doing some things that you used to take for granted, such as walking, bathing, getting dressed, or...
Oral Health and Asthma Oral Health and Asthma If you have asthma, does your dentist know? This is important for good oral health, especially if you use a corticosteroid inhaler. Corticosteroid inhalers are medications used...
Osteoporosis: Evaluate Your Risk Osteoporosis: Evaluate Your Risk Osteoporosis is a disease that causes rapid thinning of bones. Over time, this weakens the bones and can make them more likely to break. About 10 million Americans ha...
Overcoming Exercise Barriers With COPD Overcoming Exercise Barriers With COPD Even though many people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) want to exercise, one of the most difficult tasks is getting over barriers that keep t...
Periods, Pregnancy, Menopause—And Sleep Periods, Pregnancy, Menopause--and Sleep Sleep disorders affect men and women differently. Although men apparently suffer more from sleep apnea, women are more likely to report spending their nights ...
Phobias Are Common, But Treatable Phobias Are Common, But Treatable Maybe you’ve had sweaty palms before a first date. Or, you’ve stayed awake worrying all night before a big meeting. Most of us worry or get nervous every now and the...
Planning for End of Life Planning for End-of-Life No one likes to think about the end-of-life, let alone consider questions about how one's final days will be spent. It's important to remember that we have medical choices th...
PMDD: Debilitating but Treatable PMDD: Debilitating but Treatable Up to 75 TO 85 percent of women experience some degree of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), the emotional and physical symptoms tied to their monthly period. PMS symptoms ...
Pneumonia and Influenza Pneumonia and Influenza Flu and pneumonia are respiratory illnesses that should not be taken lightly. In the U.S., pneumonia and the flu combined are the eighth leading cause of death. Older adults a...
Pregnancy and Oral Health Pregnancy and Oral Health Throughout pregnancy, women may worry about their waistlines and fret about food. You take prenatal vitamins, see your doctor frequently, get regular exercise, and avoid alc...
Pregnancy: What’s Normal … and What's Not Pregnancy: What’s Normal … and What's Not No one said there’d be days like this, when your whole body seems out of control. Is this a normal part of pregnancy? Or should you call the doctor? You will...
Prescription Drug Addiction Prescription Drug Addiction Most people take their prescription medications properly—to relieve pain, anxiety, or attention deficit. Increasingly, however, that’s not always the case. Some people cho...
Prevention of Heart Disease Starts in Childhood Prevention of Heart Disease Starts in Childhood You may have heard the old adage: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." It is sage advice when it comes to heart disease. By teaching your...
Prevention of Heart Disease Starts in Childhood Prevention of Heart Disease Starts in Childhood You may think of heart disease as a problem for adults, not your young children. But diet and exercise habits started in childhood can begin a lifetime...
Prostate Cancer: A Range of Treatment Options Prostate Cancer: A Range of Treatment Options If your health care provider has told you that you have prostate cancer, you may soon face a difficult choice of treatment options. Men will often find t...
Protect Yourself Against Chlamydia Protect Yourself Against Chlamydia Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States, according to the CDC. Yet, many people don't know about...
Q and A: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Q and A: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) suffer from recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) or repetitive behaviors (compulsions), which they feel the...
Questions About Asthma Medication Questions About Asthma Medication When you have questions about using your asthma medications or need to help your child with his or her medications, getting the right answers could make a big differ...
Questions for Men About Prostate Cancer Questions for Men About Prostate Cancer Q. What is prostate cancer? A. Prostate cancer is a malignancy that develops from cells of the prostate gland that may eventually spread outside the gland to o...
Real-Life Ways to Manage Diabetes Real-Life Ways to Manage Diabetes It's one thing to know what you should do to control diabetes. It's another thing to actually do it. For people with the disease, too often life seems to get in the ...
Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Range of Treatment Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Range of Treatments Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be a frustrating condition to deal with. It causes painful, tender, swollen joints. These flare-ups of pain can occur at diff...
Rosacea and Adult Acne Rosacea and Adult Acne You survived adolescence, with its pitfalls and pinnacles. You're free of the trials and tribulations of your early 20s. But on the road of life, other hazards loom—rosacea and...
Rules for Managing Asthma Rules for Managing Asthma Some of the practical advice for managing asthma may seem a little extreme: Pull up carpeting in your house and tread instead on clean, bare floors. Change the filters frequ...
SAD: Let the Light In SAD: Let the Light In During the dark days of winter, some people develop signs of depression that are tied to the changing amount of daylight. This type of depression is called seasonal affective di...
Say Goodbye to Dry Skin Say Goodbye to Dry Skin Does your smooth skin head south as soon as winter sets in? The combination of cold, less-humid air outside and artificial heating indoors may leave you dry and itchy. What ca...
Scoliosis Scoliosis Have you ever admired a ballerina's perfectly arched body? Her graceful maneuvers exaggerate the spine's natural curve. Sometimes, however, the spine bends from side to side in an unnatural...
Score an A+ with Your Child’s Asthma Action Plan Score an A+ with Your Child’s Asthma Action Plan When the school bell rings with the start of school, you’ll want the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your child’s asthma is well-managed. T...
Screening for Prostate Cancer Screening for Prostate Cancer More men die each year of prostate cancer (an estimated 28,000 annually) than of any other cancer except lung cancer. But not every man who has this disease (about 240,0...
Second Opinions for Cancer Second Opinions for Cancer Your doctor says you need treatment for cancer. Should you get a second opinion on your treatment options? In many cases, the answer is yes . Whether you’re facing major su...
Secondhand Smoke, Firsthand Problems Secondhand Smoke, Firsthand Problems According to the American Lung Association (ALA), secondhand smoke, also called environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is a serious health problem that causes close t...
Self-Treat? Or See a Doctor? Self-Treat? Or See a Doctor? When you’re sick, knowing whether you should treat yourself at home or see your doctor can save you time and hundreds, possibly thousands, of dollars a year. For example,...
Sensible Use of Sleep Aids Sensible Use of Sleep Aids From time to time, almost everyone has a bad night when sleep is elusive. Short-term insomnia lasts only a few days and usually isn't a cause for concern. But if you can't ...
Seven Proven Treatments for Arthritis Pain Seven Proven Treatments for Arthritis Pain Arthritis is a general term for more than 100 rheumatic diseases. In a CDC survey, more than 46 million Americans reported they had been diagnosed with arth...
Shingles: A Second Strike by the Chickenpox Virus Shingles: A Second Strike by the Chickenpox Virus The virus that caused the illness many of us had as kids lurks for decades. It can strike anew with an itchy, painful rash and fever. If you're like ...
Side Effects of Medicine May Increase With Aging Side Effects of Medicine May Increase With Aging Sometimes medicines can cause side effects. Side effects can be minor or life-threatening. They are more common as people age, so it's important to un...
Six Facts on Obesity Six Facts on Obesity We've all heard warnings, yet many of us keep gaining weight. According to the CDC, more than one-third of U.S. adults, or 35.7 percent, are obese. People who are obese have an a...
Sleep and Your Child Sleep and Your Child A good night's sleep is as important to your child as a hearty breakfast. Without enough shut-eye, children are more likely to struggle with their school studies, do poorly on th...
Smoking Adds Another Wrinkle to Aging Smoking Adds Another Wrinkle to Aging Everybody knows smoking is bad for your health. Now here's something you may not know: Smoking is bad for your looks. It's true. From your rosy cheeks to your pe...
Smoking and Asthma Smoking and Asthma Did you know that smoking cigarettes can make your asthma worse? It also turns your teeth yellow, gives you bad breath, and makes you smell like an ashtray. There are also deadly d...
Smoking and Asthma Don't Mix Smoking and Asthma Don't Mix One of the major triggers for asthma attacks is cigarette smoke. Cigarette, pipe or cigar smoke is especially harmful to people with asthma because it damages the cells i...
Smoking and Gum Disease Smoking and Gum Disease Do you have healthy gums? You may kiss them goodbye if you're a smoker, the American Dental Association (ADA) says. Smoking -- or using any tobacco product -- damages your gum...
Smoking Hurts Your Back Smoking Hurts Your Back Numerous studies show a link between cigarette smoking and back pain. Smoking damages your arteries, and it’s thought that the damaged arteries in the discs and joints in your...
Smoking: Truth and Consequences Smoking: Truth and Consequences Thinking about giving up cigarettes? If you’ve tried before without success, you may feel unsure about whether you can quit for good. You may also wonder how to prepar...
Solving the Breast Cancer Puzzle Solving the Breast Cancer Puzzle Investigators report headway against breast cancer, the disease that worries some women more than any other. The suspects they've identified--from heredity to lifesty...
Some New Information on Alcoholism (Alcohol Dependence) Some New Information on Alcoholism (Alcohol Dependence) Like cancer or heart disease, alcoholism or alcohol dependence is a chronic disease with its own symptoms and causes. The disease is progressiv...
Soothe That Sore Throat Soothe That Sore Throat Sore throats abound in cold, flu, and allergy season. Do you know when you should put up with a sore throat, take a pain reliever, or see a doctor? Most sore throats come from...
Sore Throat: Is It Strep or Viral? Sore Throat: Is It Strep or Viral? Although many people assume that a sore throat means strep throat, most sore throats are not strep. Only about 15 percent of all sore throats are actually caused by...
Sounding Off About Coughs Sounding Off About Coughs Coughs are valuable weapons in your body's self-defense arsenal. Their assignment: Quickly expel intruders from your throat and the airways of your lungs when the normal met...
Special Caution on Concussions Special Caution on Concussions Concussions occur frequently in athletes, but they are the type of sports injury about which we know the least. Experts say that's because of the brain's complexity, as...
Special Foot Care for Diabetes Special Foot Care for Diabetes It's not high blood sugar, heart disease, or stroke that most often puts people with diabetes in the hospital. It's their feet. Foot wounds are the most common diabetes...
Stages of Substance Abuse Stages of Substance Abuse People who become addicted to drugs or alcohol typically go through predictable stages of abuse. Understanding these stages can help you recognize a problem and seek help be...
Stay Healthy After Breast Cancer Stay Healthy After Breast Cancer Thanks to regular screenings and new treatments, more women are beating breast cancer today than ever before. Although about one in eight American women will be diagno...
Staying Ahead of Head Lice Staying Ahead of Head Lice Head lice are tiny parasites that live on a person's scalp, neck and behind the ears. They cause itching and scratching, because the lice live off blood and their bites itc...
Steps Women Can Take to Reduce Their Diabetes Risk Steps Women Can Take to Reduce Their Diabetes Risk Type 2 diabetes can be deadly for women, especially minority women. The prevalence is two to four times higher among women who are African-American,...
Stop the Spread of Germs at Work Stop the Spread of Germs at Work Illnesses such as the flu and colds are caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. They’re usually spread from person to person when an infected perso...
Stopping Blood Pressure Drugs Risks a Stroke Stopping Blood Pressure Drugs Risks a Stroke Medication to control high blood pressure only works if you take it. If you stop taking antihypertensive medication without discussing it with your doctor...
Strategies for Managing Type 2 Diabetes Strategies for Managing Type 2 Diabetes When you have diabetes, the daily management of your condition is critical to your health. You may feel discouraged at times and wonder how you'll keep it up. ...
Strength Training and Heart Disease Strength Training and Heart Disease If you think that you can't begin a strength-training program because you have heart disease, think again. Heart patients who do a strength-training program three ...
Stress and Older Adults Stress and Older Adults Stress is an unavoidable part of life. The quickening of your heartbeat and the heightening of your senses that you experience with normal stress is just your body preparing f...
Stroke Awareness for All Ages Stroke Awareness for All Ages Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease, cancer, and lower respiratory disease. It is also a leading cause of adult disabili...
Stroke Recovery Begins with Rehabilitation Stroke Recovery Begins with Rehabilitation If someone you love has had a stroke, or "brain attack," in which a blood vessel in the brain was blocked or damaged, you may wonder what lies ahead. A stro...
Strokes and Heart Attacks: What's the Difference? Strokes and Heart Attacks: What's the Difference? Although their symptoms and effects can be similar, strokes and heart attacks are two different medical problems. Both are vascular events, meaning t...
Summer Foot Care for Diabetes Summer Foot Care for Diabetes Summer activities, such as swimming or walking on the beach, usually are done while barefoot or wearing sandals. For people with diabetes, though, these simple activitie...
Swimmer's Ear: Not Just for Swimmers Swimmer's Ear: Not Just for Swimmers Swimmer’s ear, also called otitis externa , is an exquisitely painful infection of the ear canal that leads to the ear drum. According to the American Academy of ...
Take Action to Beat Heart Disease Take Action to Beat Heart Disease If you’re at risk for heart disease, we have good news for you. Many people can take steps to significantly reduce their chances of developing it. Even if you alread...
Take Care With Nasal Sprays Take Care With Nasal Sprays Many people turn to a medicated nasal decongestant spray to offer fast relief for a congested and running nose. It can reduce swelling and clear mucus from nasal passages ...
Taking Care of Arthritis Flares Taking Care of Arthritis Flares Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks connective tissues and damages joints. Throughout the course of RA, episodes of w...
Taking Care with Lyme Disease Taking Care with Lyme Disease Lyme disease is a tick-borne bacterial infection that most often targets the skin, joints, brain, and heart, although any part of the body can be affected. Lyme disease ...
Taking OTC Pain Relievers Taking Over-the-counter (OTC) Pain Relievers At first glance, visiting the pain-reliever section of your drugstore might just give you a headache--if you don't already have one. You'll find the shelv...
Taking Steps Against Athlete's Foot Taking Steps Against Athlete's Foot You don't need to play a sport to get athlete's foot. But, having a game plan for preventing this pesky infection can help your feet stay healthy. The cause Athlet...
Teens and Prescription Drugs Teens and Prescription Drugs When taken as directed, prescription drugs can prevent and cure diseases. When used without a prescription, or beyond what a doctor recommends, they can cause serious phy...
The Cluster Headache: Just Like Clockwork The Cluster Headache: Just Like Clockwork Like the ringing of an alarm clock, a cluster headache announces itself every morning or night. If you suffer from cluster headaches, you know that timing is...
The Connection Between Heart Failure and COPD The Connection Between Heart Failure and COPD If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it may be difficult to tell whether you also have heart failure (HF). This is because the two d...
The Facts About Fibroids The Facts About Fibroids Myoma. Leiomyoma. Fibroids. These are names for a common medical condition that affects many women. Fibroid tumors may sound like a serious condition, but for many women who ...
The Good and Bad News About Stomachaches The Good and Bad News About Stomachaches Most stomachaches are nothing more than indigestion or gas. But stomach pain also could be appendicitis, gallstones, or a tubal pregnancy. The characteristics...
The High Cost of Smoking The High Cost of Smoking Most people quit smoking because of the damage it does to their health. But if you need an extra reason to kick the habit, consider that smoking could be costing you as much ...
The Lowdown on High Blood Pressure The Lowdown on High Blood Pressure High blood pressure is called "the silent killer" for a good reason: You can have it and not even know it. And you would not be alone. According to the American Hea...
The Lowdown on Low Blood Pressure The Lowdown on Low Blood Pressure Most people worry about having high blood pressure. For a few people, however, low blood pressure, or hypotension, is a major concern. Current guidelines identify op...
The Many Causes of Insomnia The Many Causes of Insomnia Anxiety and stress are thought to be the most common causes of insomnia. About 35 percent of people with chronic insomnia suffer from depression or anxiety. But sleeplessn...
The Metabolic Syndrome: At Risk for Depression The Metabolic Syndrome: A Risk for Depression Everyone feels a little down now and then. When you have the metabolic syndrome, it’s also common to feel blue about your health concerns once in a while...
The Mystery and Misery of Endometriosis The Mystery and Misery of Endometriosis Pelvic pain, disabling cramps, extreme fatigue, painful sex, or infertility--all can warn of endometriosis. This poorly understood disease devastates millions ...
The Quest for Whiter Teeth The Quest for Whiter Teeth You'd like whiter teeth. It seems a lot of people -- from movie stars to the folks next door -- are whitening their teeth. So, you say, "Why not me too?" The experts say mo...
The Side Effects of Cancer Treatment The Side Effects of Cancer Treatment Chemotherapy and radiation treatments save lives. They also can bring a variety of temporary but unpleasant side effects. Ask your doctors about what side effects...
The 'Soft Teeth' Myth The ‘Soft Teeth’ Myth You Can’t Blame Genes for Tooth Decay in Kids If you think that "soft teeth" are the reason that cavities tend to run in families, you'll be surprised to know the real reason: a...
The Threat of Metabolic Syndrome The Threat of Metabolic Syndrome Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that greatly raises your risk for heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Risk factors If you have three or more o...
The Truth About Triglycerides The Truth About Triglycerides You’ve probably had your blood tested for cholesterol by your health care provider. This lipid, or fat, test measures your total cholesterol, HDL (“good”) cholesterol an...
The Warning Signs of Kidney Disease The Warning Signs of Kidney Disease Kidney disease is a stealth illness. It may often be silent for many years—until it has reached an advanced stage. When you get a checkup, it's important to make s...
The Word on Talk Therapy The Word on Talk Therapy We all need someone to talk with now and then. At times, friends and family will do. But, if you’re struggling with strong emotions, a troubled relationship, depression, or o...
There's Hope for Sciatica There's Hope for Sciatica Pain or discomfort that travels along the sciatic nerve is called sciatica. The sciatic nerves run from your lower back, down through each hip and buttock and into the back ...
This Is the Reason... Fall's a Great Season This Is the Reason... Fall's a Great Season When there's just a bit of a bite in the air, it's time to get energized and have some fun. Here are some ideas for activities this fall that will get your...
Thriving After a Heart Attack Thriving After a Heart Attack If you've had a heart attack, you're probably wondering how your life is going to change. Over the long term, your quality of life is tied to how severe your heart attac...
Thyroid Trouble Is Tough to Pin Down Thyroid Trouble Is Tough to Pin Down "Foot power" is the standard mode of transport for a lot of Manhattan workers. But attorney Diane Wolf grew so tired that walking to the end of a block "felt like...
Tinnitus: Stopping the Sound in Your Head Tinnitus: Stopping the Sound in Your Head In a silence where some people could hear a pin drop, people who suffer from tinnitus will hear a constant ringing in their ears--or, the sound may be a popp...
Tracking Symptoms of Heart Failure Tracking Symptoms of Heart Failure If you have congestive heart failure (CHF), becoming aware of even small changes in your body can help you manage your condition. Here are common symptoms of CHF: F...
Traveling with Asthma Traveling with Asthma Whether you pack a suitcase every week or once a year, you probably know that traveling takes a little extra preparation when you have asthma. Traveling can expose you to pollen...
Traveling? Take Steps to Reduce Your Risk for Infection Traveling? Take Steps to Reduce Your Risk for Infection The demands of work and family don't always allow us to control when or where we have to travel. Being prepared and staying alert can help redu...
Treat Kids' Headaches Seriously Treat Kids' Headaches Seriously "My head hurts." Hearing those words from your child can be alarming, especially if your child has many headaches. But don't assume the worst. You still should take he...
Treating Back Pain Treating Back Pain Millions of Americans suffer from episodes of back pain each year. Back pain is the second most common reason that adults see a doctor, according to the American Association of Neu...
Treating Teen Acne Treating Teen Acne It's a fact of teenage life: When puberty hits, acne often does, too. Just about every teen will find at least one blackhead or whitehead on his or her skin by age 17, and some tee...
Treatment Options for Testicular Cancer Treatment Options for Testicular Cancer Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that commonly occurs in men between the ages of 20 and 35. About half of testicular cancers occur in men in this age rang...
Turning Prediabetes Around Turning Prediabetes Around According to 2011 data from the CDC, more than 28.5 million people, or 8.3 percent of the U.S. population, have diabetes. This puts them at increased risk for heart disease...
Twelve Weeks to a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle Twelve Weeks to a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle Heart disease is a killer, but you can do plenty to reduce your risk and prolong your life. Research shows that making lifestyle changes can decrease your ri...
Twins and Premature Birth Twins and Premature Birth Most births of single babies occur at 39 weeks. But, the average length of a twin pregnancy is 35 weeks. Babies that are low birth weight tend to weigh less than 5 pounds or...
Understanding Atherosclerosis Understanding Atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis is a condition that occurs when the lining of the arteries, the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body, becomes thickened....
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of complex developmental disabilities that affect behavior, communication, and social interactions. The most commo...
Understanding Diuretics Understanding Diuretics Lifestyle changes aren't always enough to lower high blood pressure. If so, prescription medicine may be the next step, according to the Seventh Report of the Joint National C...
Understanding Eating Disorders Understanding Eating Disorders An eating disorder is an unhealthy obsession with food and weight. People with eating disorders eat–or avoid eating–in extreme ways. At least 8 million people in the U....
Understanding Fibromyalgia Understanding Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex, often misunderstood illness. Its symptoms are chronic pain, sleep problems, and fatigue. There is no known cure for the condition, but sympt...
Understanding Joint Pain Understanding Joint Pain Sprained ankles and wrists, arthritic knees and hips, and torn rotator cuffs all have one thing in common: they result in joint pain. The usual causes of joint pain are over ...
Understanding Kidney Disease Understanding Kidney Disease Too often, diabetes leads to kidney disease. But it doesn't have to. When kidney problems are caught early, you can take steps to prevent more serious kidney disease. Tha...
Understanding Prehypertension Understanding Prehypertension Prehypertension is a new term that alerts people to the risk of developing chronic high blood pressure if they don’t take timely steps to improve their lifestyle habits,...
Understanding Status Asthmaticus Understanding Status Asthmaticus Asthma can be unpredictable, but it is important to recognize the difference between a minor flare-up and an attack that could be life-threatening. When symptoms fail...
Understanding Teenage Depression Understanding Teenage Depression The medical community once thought depression affected only adults. The risk for the condition can begin in childhood or the early teens, however, and increases stead...
Understanding the Power of Addiction Understanding the Power of Addiction If a loved one suffers from alcoholism or addiction, you may wonder why the person can't or won't stop using a substance that has such negative and dangerous cons...
Understanding Tonsillitis Understanding Tonsillitis If your child often has a sore throat, you may wonder whether he or she has tonsillitis, or inflamed tonsils. This is a common condition in many children. In the first few y...
Understanding Your Osteoarthritis Medication Understanding Your Osteoarthritis Medications Osteoarthritis treatments aim to relieve pain and reduce stiffness. Osteoarthritis (OA), also called degenerative joint disease, most often affects weigh...
Unlocking the Mystery of Recurrent Miscarriage Unlocking the Mystery of Recurrent Miscarriage A pregnancy that ends before 20 weeks is called a miscarriage. Most miscarriages happen before the end of the first trimester (before 12 weeks). Many oc...
Using a Surgeon's Tools to Erase the Years Using a Surgeon's Tools to Erase the Years It's called plastic surgery, but there's no plastic involved. In this case, "plastic" refers to the ability of the surgeon to reshape the skin, the face, or...
Using Allergy Medications Wisely Using Allergy Medications Wisely Keep these guidelines in mind when looking for allergy relief: Don't nod off Nonprescription antihistamines and decongestants in pill form can help dry and open up yo...
Using Antibiotics Safely and Wisely Using Antibiotics Safely and Wisely Got antibiotics? Many people save leftover medicines to treat the next sore throat or earache in the family. Keeping leftover antibiotics to treat a future illness...
Vaccine Offers Hope for Children’s Earaches Vaccine Offers Hope for Children's Earaches Earaches are common during childhood, but a vaccine can ease the pain for thousands of kids. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, marketed under the brand na...
Varicose Veins Rarely Pose a Threat Varicose Veins Rarely Pose a Threat It's alarming to see them, twisted and bulging, on your legs or feet, but varicose veins usually aren't dangerous. Varicose veins are dark purple or blue in color....
Ways to Take a Bite Out of Your Dental Bills Ways to Take a Bite Out of Your Dental Bills The most effective way to lower your dental bills is to take care of your teeth, and to make sure your children do the same. Every dollar you spend on pre...
What Are Kidney Stones? What Are Kidney Stones? Kidney stones are a common health problem that affects about 15 percent of Americans. A kidney stone is a hard mass that develops when chemicals in the urine crystallize or co...
What Are the Health Effects of Air Pollution? What Are the Health Effects of Air Pollution? Air pollution is the black cloud belching from an industrial smokestack. It's the smog that settles over certain cities, dimming the skyline. It's the sm...
What Do You Know About Birth Defects? What Do You Know About Birth Defects? According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, birth defects are structural or functional abnormalities present at birth that cause p...
What Do You Know About 'Mad Cow' Disease? What Do You Know About 'Mad Cow' Disease? Twenty years ago, few people had heard of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Today, it has made headlines, mostly from its possible association with "mad cow d...
What Do You Know About Mono? What Do You Know About Mono? Often called "mono" for short, mononucleosis is an infection by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), one of the herpes viruses. It is spread through body secretions, usually sal...
What Do You Know About Prostate Health? What Do You Know About Prostate Health? Prostate cancer and other diseases of the prostate are common. Learning about these diseases can help you recognize problems and seek medical treatment early. ...
What Is a Transient Ischemic Attack? What Is a Transient Ischemic Attack? A transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called a ministroke or warning stroke, causes symptoms similar to those of a stroke. The difference is that TIAs don’t cau...
What Is Angioplasty? What Is Angioplasty? The heart is an amazing muscle. It beats an average 100,000 times daily to pump almost 2,000 gallons of blood. As we age, our coronary arteries become lined with fatty material t...
What Is Cardiac Asthma? What Is Cardiac Asthma? Cardiac asthma isn’t true asthma, although it causes similar symptoms. True asthma is triggered by allergies, pollutants, exercise, stress, or lung disease. The small airways ...
What Is Celiac Disease? What Is Celiac Disease? This genetic digestive disorder, also known as celiac sprue or gluten intolerance, causes damage to the small intestine and interferes with the body's ability to absorb nutrie...
What Is Diabetes? What Is Diabetes? Diabetes refers to a group of chronic diseases that involve problems in the regulation of blood sugar. The two most common types of diabetes are, type 1 and type 2. Both forms resul...
What Is Erectile Dysfunction? What Is Erectile Dysfunction? Erectile dysfunction (ED) is typically used to describe the repeated inability to attain and maintain an erection for sexual intercourse. It is normal for men to experie...
What Is Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm? What Is Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm? Exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) used to be called exercise-induced asthma. The term bronchospasm means tightening and narrowing of the tubes that bring air ...
What Is Hemochromatosis? What Is Hemochromatosis? Hemochromatosis is a condition in which too much iron is absorbed from food and retained in the body. This is called iron overload. The excess iron is stored in the critical ...
What Is Motion Sickness? What Is Motion Sickness? The fishing boat wallows in ocean swells. The station wagon lurches around another mountain curve. The commuter airplane bounces through a turbulent sky. And you start to fee...
What Is Nocturnal Asthma? What Is Nocturnal Asthma? Nocturnal asthma, also called sleep-related asthma, can happen at any hour during sleep. Nocturnal asthma commonly occurs in people with asthma, even when their asthma is co...
What Is Periodontal Disease? What Is Periodontal Disease? Q: I hear the words "periodontal disease" from time to time, but what does it really mean? A: Periodontal disease is an infection caused by several different types of bac...
What Is Pertussis? What Is Pertussis? Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious infection of the respiratory tract caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It is transmitted only by humans th...
What Is Post-Traumatic Stress? What Is Post-Traumatic Stress? For some people, frightening memories of a terrible event can resurface months or even years after the ordeal. In reliving the event, people become fearful and unable t...
What Is Rotavirus? What Is Rotavirus? Rotavirus is a viral infection that causes severe diarrhea in children, particularly in youngsters under age 2. It causes up to 10 percent of all cases of diarrhea in children unde...
What Is Scalp Ringworm? What Is Scalp Ringworm? Contrary to what the name might suggest, scalp ringworm isn’t caused by a worm. The infection is the result of a fungus, the same class of organisms (germs) that causes athlet...
What Is Spinal Stenosis? What Is Spinal Stenosis? Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal narrows and pinches the nerves, resulting in back and leg pain. In adults 50 years of age and older, the risk of deve...
What Those Blood Pressure Numbers Mean What Those Blood Pressure Numbers Mean A quick, painless test measures blood pressure: A rubber cuff is wrapped around your arm and inflated; that compresses an artery in your arm and momentarily sto...
What to Do About a Pain in the Neck What to Do About a Pain in the Neck The neck is the most flexible part of the spine, but because it isn’t well-protected by muscles, it’s also easy to injure. Neck pain can result from many different...
What to Do After a Stroke What to Do After a Stroke Strokes occur when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked by a clot or bursts. About 700,000 Americans each year suffer from a stroke. Chan...
What to Do After Your Diagnosis What to Do After Your Diagnosis If you or a family member has been diagnosed with a serious or chronic condition, you likely have a lot of questions about treatment and long-term health. Some conditi...
What to Do When the Doctor Has Bad News What to Do When the Doctor Has Bad News People react to grave health news differently. Some get angry, others shrivel up in self-pity. Some people lose their faith in God, others find it. Some famili...
What to Expect at Your Mammogram What to Expect at Your Mammogram A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. It can find changes in the breast when a lump is too small for you or your doctor to feel. Some women put off getting a mammogr...
What You Must Know About Meningitis What You Must Know About Meningitis Meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the membranes (the meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by a reaction to certain medica...
What You Must Know About Suicide What You Must Know About Suicide In 2007, over 34,000 Americans committed suicide, making it the tenth leading cause of death. At one person every 16 minutes, it’s a national tragedy, but one each of...
What You Need to Know About AIDS What You Need to Know About AIDS Some people are so fearful of infection by HIV, the virus that can cause AIDS, they won't shake hands with someone who is HIV-positive. But you can't get the infectio...
What You Need to Know About Bird Flu What You Need to Know About Avian (Bird) Flu Q: Are there differences between influenza (the flu) and avian influenza (bird flu)? A: Yes. Influenza, or the flu, is a contagious illness caused by infl...
What You Need to Know About Hearing Aids What You Need to Know About Hearing Aids Hearing loss is common, especially as people get older. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, one-third of adults...
What You Need to Know About Hives What You Need to Know About Hives Hives occur when something prompts cells to release histamine, a chemical found in the skin. The histamine causes nearby blood vessels to dilate. Fluid leaks out of ...
What You Need to Know About Mental Illness What You Need to Know About Mental Illness Every year, one in four Americans suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder that interferes with their ability to function at work or school or in their da...
What You Need to Know About STDs What You Need to Know About STDs When it comes to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), you may not have any warning signs. If you are sexually active, find out the facts about STDs, and learn how to...
What You Need to Know About Strep Throat What You Need to Know About Strep Throat Strep throat is a contagious infection caused by bacteria called Group A Streptococcus . These bacteria can cause infections ranging from mild skin infections...
What You Need to Know About Vomiting What You Need to Know About Vomiting Although nausea and vomiting can make you feel miserable, it's important to remember that these are not diseases, but rather symptoms of many illnesses. Nausea is...
What's Up With Sinusitis? What's Up With Sinusitis? Millions of Americans are affected by sinusitis every year. Even so, it's often misdiagnosed and misunderstood by people with the condition. Sinusitis affects the sinuses, w...
When a Child’s Tonsils Need to Come Out When a Child’s Tonsils Need to Come Out It doesn't take long—about 20 to 30 minutes—for an ear, nose and throat specialist like me to remove your child's tonsils. Still, I recommend a tonsillectomy o...
When a Family Member Is in Recovery When a Family Member Is in Recovery Families with a loved one who’s abusing drugs or alcohol long for the time when the person will get help and begin recovery. After the person attains sobriety, fam...
When a Spouse Has Cancer: What to Do and How to Cope When a Spouse Has Cancer: What to Do and How to Cope Being a caregiver for a spouse who has cancer may be the toughest job you’ll ever have. It may also be the most vital and the most rewarding. As t...
When Rest Doesn't Relieve Fatigue When Rest Doesn't Relieve Fatigue Fatigue is often described as being "bone tired" – a feeling of overwhelming weariness and lack of motivation or energy. Everyone feels this way now and then, but th...
When Sadness Is Seasonal When Sadness Is Seasonal If you feel depressed during fall and winter months, you may have a form of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Symptoms of SAD may develop slowly or begin s...
When the Immune System Chooses the Wrong Target When the Immune System Chooses the Wrong Target Your symptoms are vague: a feeling of fatigue; some tingling in arms or legs that comes and goes; aching muscles; perhaps a headache. Are you sick? Or ...
When to Call the Doctor for Childhood Illnesses When to Call the Doctor for Childhood Illnesses Many childhood illnesses, including colds and stomachaches, are mild enough to be treated at home. But what about when the symptoms are more severe? Wh...
When to Call the Doctor for Chronic Disease Problems When to Call the Doctor for Chronic Disease Problems Once you've been diagnosed with a chronic illness, such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes, one of the best things you can do to help keep your ...
When to Get a Colorectal Cancer Check When to Get a Colorectal Cancer Check Excluding skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in both men and women in the U.S. It strikes more than 140,000 Americans and kil...
When to Seek Help for Your Mental Health When to Seek Help for Your Mental Health If you are in good emotional health, you are aware of your thoughts and feelings, generally can control your behaviors, and feel good about yourself. That doe...
When You Have an Eye Allergy When You Have an Eye Allergy Eye allergies affect more than seven in 10 people with allergies. Although not contagious, this type of eye problem can cause discomfort and aggravation to sufferers. An ...
When You’re Taking Heart Medications When You’re Taking Heart Medications Millions of Americans take some kind of heart medication. For some people, this means downing a single daily pill to help lower blood pressure. For others, it may...
When Your Child Has a Fever When Your Child Has a Fever A fever is defined as a temperature above the normal body temperature of 98.6 degrees. Most health care professionals agree that a fever by itself is not an illness, but a...
When Your Child Has Type 1 Diabetes When Your Child Has Type 1 Diabetes Learning that your child has type 1 diabetes can be a shock. Suddenly, your world may seem to revolve around managing the condition. You may feel overwhelmed and u...
Where's the Wisdom in Wisdom Teeth? Where's the Wisdom in Wisdom Teeth? For many people, wisdom teeth may seem to be misnamed. Often these teeth are troublemakers that decide to turn crooked, refuse to grow in completely, or become mis...
Why a Colonoscopy Is Important Why a Colonoscopy Is Important This important examination can find problems and head off deadly cancer. Many people worry about having their large bowel examined with a colonoscope. While anxiety is ...
Why Childhood Immunizations Are Important Why Childhood Immunizations Are Important Childhood vaccines or immunizations can seem overwhelming when you are a new parent. Vaccine schedules recommended by agencies and organizations such as the ...
Why Doctors Remove Cataracts Why Doctors Remove Cataracts Perhaps the first thing you'll notice is a glare from oncoming headlights at night. Usually, a haze surrounds the lights. Then, you're likely to find reading more challen...
Why Leg Pain Can Break Your Heart Why Leg Pain May be a Warning Sign Every day, you start out walking that one-mile loop. But every day when you walk, your legs start to ache. So you sit down on a bench, and the pain goes away. After...
Why Measles Remains a Threat Why Measles Remains a Threat Once an almost inevitable childhood illness for an American child, measles (rubeola) has reached an all-time low in this country. Since the late 1990s, the Centers for Di...
Why the Doctor Gives You an EKG or ECG Why the Doctor Gives You an EKG or ECG An electrocardiogram--abbreviated as either ECG or EKG--is a test that records the heart's electrical activity and turns it into a graph that can be read and an...
Why the Doctor Treats Snoring Seriously Why the Doctor Treats Snoring Seriously The movies and television often depict snoring as funny, even hilarious. But snoring is no joke: It's a medical problem that can have serious health and social...
Why Your Doctor Tests Your Blood Sugar Why Your Doctor Tests Your Blood Sugar If you don’t have diabetes, and your doctor orders a blood sugar test, what is he or she checking? In adults, a screening blood sugar test is generally used to ...
With Diabetes and Insulin, Carbohydrates Count With Diabetes and Insulin, Carbohydrates Count It's easy to settle into a dietary rut when you have diabetes and take insulin. Once you've figured out a few menus that keep your blood glucose in a go...
Women and Depression: Understanding the Gender Gap Women and Depression: Understanding the Gender Gap Everyone feels worried, anxious, or sad from time to time. But when a woman has a true mental health disorder, including depression, she finds it ha...
Women and Substance Abuse Women and Substance Abuse All kinds of American women abuse drugs and alcohol. They may be rich or poor, young or old, urban or rural, professional or homemaker. Addiction-related diseases kill four ...
Women with Asthma Can Have Healthy Babies Women with Asthma Can Have Healthy Babies Pregnant women with asthma are just as likely to have healthy, normal babies as women without asthma, as long as their disease is kept under control. That me...
Work and Cancer: How to Cope Work and Cancer: How to Cope If you are a cancer survivor, you know how important a job can be to your psychological and financial well-being. Following are some tips from the American Cancer Society...
Working with Your Cancer Care Team Working with Your Cancer Care Team It's natural to feel out of control after being diagnosed with cancer. After all, this is a serious condition, and it can bring a lot of fear and uncertainty. Along...
Working with Your Diabetes Health Care Team Working with Your Diabetes Health Care Team If you have diabetes, you have plenty of company. The number of adults diagnosed with diabetes is increasing daily. You should also be keeping company with...
Wound Care Critical for Diabetes Wound Care Critical for Diabetes People with diabetes suffer from a variety of symptoms and complications. Skin infections are one of them. Because of poor blood circulation, wounds of all kinds—incl...
Your Arthritis Health Care Team Your Arthritis Health Care Team Arthritis is a complicated disease that affects many areas of your body. Understanding how to work with different health care specialists can improve your care and qua...
Your Asthma Health Care Team Your Asthma Health Care Team You don't have to go it alone with asthma. An entire team of health care experts is on hand to help people with asthma manage their symptoms and continue to live normal, ...
Your Child's Diabetes Care Team Your Child's Diabetes Care Team Having a child with diabetes can be overwhelming. Fortunately, a team of experts can guide you now and in the years to come. Diabetes care team Your child may see the ...
Your Skin's Worst Enemies Your Skin's Worst Enemies As children, many of us were brought up with the notion that looking good meant lying out in the sun to achieve a tan. Little did we know the dangers of excessive sun exposu...