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Illustration of a woman with heartburn

Feeling the Burn?

… or problems swallowing. Anyone can experience reflux. But reflux two or more times a week for a few weeks may be gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD). GERD affects around 20% of people … off medication when they lose a little bit of weight. And about 50% experience a dramatic improvement in their symptoms.” But medications can still help many people with GERD. They work … procedures for people who need surgery. Pandolfino and other researchers are also looking for better ways to use existing tests to choose treatments. “Reflux is such a mixed bag of symptoms …
Illustration of man holding his stomach in pain while eating a bowl of pasta.

Getting a Grip on Gastroparesis

… After you eat, your stomach breaks down the food before pushing it along. How long it takes for your stomach to empty depends on many factors. Meals that are big, fatty, or high in calories … virus somehow changed the nerve endings in the gut and how they function and sense things.” To better understand and treat gastroparesis, NIH created the Gastroparesis Clinical Research …
Illustration of a patient asking hospital visitor if they washed their hands

Staying in the Hospital?

… people may come in and out of your room. You might have many tests. And while you wait for answers, there can be harmful germs lurking around. These things can raise the chance for medical errors and infections. Being engaged and asking the right questions can help lower … see them do it. It’s also important to talk honestly with your medical team. “Be an open communicator and partner with your health care team,” says Capt. Antoinette Jones, the NIH …
Illustration of people taking the stairs

Healthy Weight Control

… many reasons to maintain a healthy weight all year round. A healthy weight lowers your risk for chronic diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. It can also help you … notes Dr. Laurie Friedman Donze, a clinical psychologist at NIH. “So it’s important to communicate with your support system and let them know what you feel is helpful or unhelpful.” … weight loss and why some are going to find it easier,” says Yanovski. “We hope to come up with better strategies for people who struggle with obesity and to individualize solutions for keeping …
Illustration of a young man and woman holding hands and talking.

Herpes in Hiding

… to others. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) comes in 2 forms. The most common, HSV-1, is best known for causing cold sores or fever blisters on the face, especially on the lips and mouth. But HSV-1 … reliable way to prevent infection is to abstain from sex or to be in a long-term monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner. Condoms can also reduce the risk of transmission, but …
Illustration of a woman sitting on the couch with a dog at a party

Care and Connection

… part of a community helps us thrive. But we sometimes have a hard time making and keeping the relationships that sustain us. Many Americans report feeling lonely for long periods of time. Connections with others are important for your health. Social isolation …
Illustration of a man running looking at a health sensor on his wrist.

Biosensors and Your Health

… many other valuable signals, but requires technology to detect them. Scientists are looking for new ways to track and use your body’s signals to improve your health and manage disease. Physical activity trackers and step counters are now … part of our normal health care routines. New sensor technologies are opening avenues to better health. Researchers are working to develop the biosensors of tomorrow. These could provide …
Illustration of a man working on a laptop computer.

Online Weight Management Gets Personal

… It’s always a good time to resolve to eat better, be more active, and lose weight. For the more than 2 out of 3 Americans who are either …
Illustration of a robot and a doctor analyzing a medical image together.

Artificial Intelligence and Your Health

… between pieces of information. “Computer models and humans can really work well together to improve human health,” explains Dr. Grace C.Y. Peng, an NIH expert on AI in medicine. “Computers … being used daily is medical imaging. Computers help doctors comb through CT and MRI scans for signs of problems like heart disease and cancer. “AI can look at images very closely, in a … cancer treatment based on imaging results that show how breast tumors are responding. AI may better reveal who needs more intensive treatment, like chemotherapy, and who can safely skip it. …
Illustration of a man sitting on a park bench with his hand on his head waiting for an ambulance, with a person comforting him.

Halting Heart Attack and Stroke

… A heart attack or stroke can happen within seconds. Getting treatment fast for these medical emergencies can mean the difference between life and death or disability. But … vessel in the brain that breaks open and bleeds into nearby tissue. “Early treatment is key to improving your chances of survival,” says Dr. Gina Wei, a heart-health expert at NIH. Treatment … treatment. Other health conditions can mimic symptoms of a heart attack and stroke. “But it’s better to be safe than sorry,” Wei says. “Call an ambulance to go to the ER and get checked out.” …