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NIH researchers have been developing a robotic device to help improve the way children with cerebral palsy walk. Cerebral palsy is a brain disorder that affects muscle movement. Children with cerebral palsy have trouble walking, balancing, and standing up straight. One of the most common signs of cerebral palsy is crouch gait, an excessive bending of the knees while walking. Leg braces, muscle…

Losing someone you love can change your world. You miss the person who has died and want them back. You may feel sad, alone, or even angry. You might have trouble concentrating or sleeping. If you were a busy caregiver, you might feel lost when you’re suddenly faced with lots of unscheduled time. These feelings are normal. There’s no right or wrong way to mourn. Scientists have been studying how…, Adapting to Loss , Experts say you should let yourself grieve in your own way and time. People have unique ways of expressing emotions. For example, some might express their feelings by doing things rather than talking about them. They may feel better going on a walk or swimming, or by doing something creative like writing or painting. For others, it may be more helpful to talk with family and friends about the…, Types of Grief , About 10% of bereaved people experience complicated grief, a condition that makes it harder for some people to adapt to the loss of a loved one. People with this prolonged, intense grief tend to get caught up in certain kinds of thinking, says Shear, who studies complicated grief. They may think the death did not have to happen or happen in the way that it did. They also might judge their grief—…, Life Beyond Loss , NIH-funded scientists continue to study different aspects of the grieving process. They hope their findings will suggest new ways to help people cope with the loss of a loved one. Although the death of a loved one can feel overwhelming, many people make it through the grieving process with the support of family and friends. Take care of yourself, accept offers of help from those around you, and…

A tumor in the brain isn’t like tumors in other parts of your body. It has limited room for growth because of the skull. This means that a growing tumor can squeeze vital parts of the brain and lead to serious health problems. Learning about the possible symptoms of brain tumors can help you know when to tell a doctor about them. A tumor is an abnormal mass of cells. When most normal cells grow…

How do you feel after you eat? Satisfied? Too full? Or maybe even guilty? Being too focused on food can sometimes turn into an eating disorder. People with eating disorders have severe, persistent, and unhealthy thoughts and behaviors about food. As a result, they might eat way too little or way too much. Eating disorders are not a lifestyle choice. They are serious illnesses. They affect your…

Many people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) don’t realize they have it. COPD is a serious lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. Shortness of breath, a constant cough, and wheezing can all be symptoms. COPD is very common. It’s a leading cause of death in the United States. There’s a simple breathing test, called spirometry, for COPD. It’s fast and painless. You take a deep…

Your body takes care of countless tasks for you. You might not notice all it’s doing to keep you healthy until something goes wrong. Diabetes is a serious disease that happens when your body has trouble managing and using blood glucose, a sugar that your body uses as fuel. When you have diabetes, you must actively take on this process yourself. New technologies are being tested to make it easier…, Types of Diabetes, How people with diabetes manage their blood glucose levels depends, in part, on the type of diabetes they have. The most common are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. With type 1 diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough of a [qtip:hormone|A substance produced in one part of the body to signal another part to react a certain way.] called insulin. Insulin signals the body’s cells to let…, Blood Glucose Control, Many people with diabetes check their blood glucose with a blood glucose meter. This portable machine measures how much glucose is in the blood. You get a drop of blood by pricking the side of your fingertip with a small, specialized needle. Then you apply the blood to a test strip. The meter shows you how much glucose is in your blood at that moment. People with type 1 diabetes, and some people…, Help From Technology, NIH funded-scientists are testing promising technologies to help people better manage diabetes. For example, “artificial pancreas” systems monitor blood glucose levels and provide insulin, or a combination of insulin and another important hormone, automatically. The devices vary in how easy they are to set up and use. “Our device, called the iLet, is designed to minimize the guesswork and time…

Usually, the wall of the abdomen is strong. The muscles keep your intestine in place. But if there’s a weak spot, the intestine can push through and form a hernia. A person may be born with a weakness there, or the weakness may develop over time later in life. “It’s like when you look at an old tire on a car and you see kind of a bulge on the sidewall of the tire. That’s because there’s a…

Get to know your family better this holiday season by talking about health. Do any health conditions seem to run in your family? For example, have many people in your family had diabetes, cancer, a heart attack, or anything else? Now is the time to find out. Ask about the health history of your grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and the rest. You can share this information with your health…

Is your doctor sending you for an MRI, a CT scan, or other medical scan? Do you know what to expect? Or how the test results can help with making a diagnosis or planning treatment? There’s a free app from NIH to answer your questions. It’s called “Understanding Medical Scans.” You can use it anywhere to help you prepare for a medical scan. The app describes MRI, CT, ultrasound, PET, and X-ray.…

Music has been around since ancient times. It is part of every known culture. It can get your foot tapping, lift your mood, and even help you recall a distant memory. Did you know that music can bring other health benefits? Scientists are exploring the different ways music stimulates healthier bodies and minds. “When you listen to or create music, it affects how you think, feel, move, and more,”…, Your Brain on Music, The brain is a complex processing hub. It’s the control center of your nervous system, the network of nerve cells that carry messages to and from your body and the brain. A healthy brain tries to make sense of the world around you and the constant information it receives, including sound and music. “Sound is an important and profound force in our lives,” explains Northwestern University…, Building Strong Minds, Playing a musical instrument engages many parts of the brain at once. This can especially benefit children and teens, whose brains are still developing. Introducing music to young kids can positively influence their ability to focus, how they act, and language development. Kraus’s research team at Northwestern studies how musical training influences brain development. They found that music has…, Music Therapy, Listening to and making music on your own can bring health benefits. But some people may also benefit from the help of a board-certified music therapist. Music therapists are trained in how to use music to meet the mental, social, and physical needs of people with different health conditions. “Music therapy can take many forms that go beyond listening to music,” explains Dr. Sheri Robb, a music…, Music in Your Life, Music can offer many health benefits, but it may not be helpful for everyone. Traumatic injuries and brain conditions can change the way a person perceives and responds to music. Some people may find some types of music overstimulating. Others may find that certain music brings up emotional or traumatic memories. “It’s important for healthcare providers to identify and understand when music isn’t…