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Accidents happen. A fender bender. A collision while playing sports. Or a fall at home. Many types of accidents can cause a bang to the brain. Each year, more than 2 million people in the U.S. visit an emergency room for a traumatic brain injury. Many others experience a blow to the head but never see a doctor. Brain injuries can range from mild to severe. The most common type of mild brain…, Seek Treatment, Some people may briefly lose consciousness right after a jolt to the head. Later symptoms can include headache, nausea, confusion, dizziness, or memory problems. Some people may also have sensitivity to light or noise, feel groggy or slow, or have changes to their sleep patterns. “No two brain injuries are exactly the same,” says Dr. Dorian McGavern, a brain-injury researcher at NIH. Every person…, Avoid a Second Blow, The brain is more vulnerable to a second blow after a concussion. That’s because a concussion can damage nerve cells in the brain. It can also cause the blood vessels that feed the brain to become leaky. The body usually repairs these blood vessels over a period of several weeks. But in some people, they don’t heal that quickly—or at all. “Some vessels will still have cracks in the seals. This…, Take Time to Heal, After a concussion, the brain needs some rest. Research has shown that both children and adults benefit from reducing their mental and physical activity for a short time and should return to those activities gradually. “Visual and balance problems can make it hard to do things like read, write, use an electronic device, or navigate a busy hallway,” Master explains. “Early recognition and…

You’ve probably heard a lot about vaping lately. You might also know about the recent outbreak of lung injuries and deaths linked to vaping in the U.S. But those aren’t the only risks that come with vaping. Here’s what you need to know. Vaping devices, also known as e-cigarettes, vape pens, and e-hookahs among other terms, come in many shapes and sizes. Some look like traditional cigarettes,…

Are you being treated for cancer? You may be at increased risk of developing serious complications from COVID-19. Learn how to protect yourself from coronavirus and what to do before your next cancer treatment.

A new blood testing technique could help researchers detect Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms start or in its early stages. Alzheimer’s disease is an age-related brain disorder that develops over many years. Toxic changes in the brain slowly destroy memory and thinking skills. The disease involves two proteins called beta-amyloid and tau. Beta-amyloid clumps into plaques, which slowly build up…

Positive relationships with friends and family help us thrive. Without social connections, it’s easy to feel lonely or isolated. Many of us have been spending more time alone in our homes lately. While anyone can feel lonely, certain factors increase your risk. Major life changes or losses can increase feelings of loneliness. Older adults are at greater risk because they’re more likely to live…

Driving a car can give you freedom. But it’s also one of riskiest things you do every day. More than 36,000 people died in car accidents in the U.S. in 2018. Millions more are injured each year. Many things can make driving risky. Speeding, not paying full attention to the road, and driving while tired all increase your chances of a crash. Drinking or using drugs can be especially dangerous.…, Distracted Driving, You’ve likely seen ads reminding you to keep your eyes on the road. With cell phones and screens everywhere, distracted driving has become a major problem. “Because we’re so phone driven, the tendency is when somebody calls us or texts us, we want to respond immediately,” says Dr. Bruce Simons-Morton, an NIH expert on teen driving. To drive safely, we have to overcome that powerful impulse, he…, Teen Drivers, Studies show that teen drivers are at greatest risk for crashes. Crashes are higher among 16- to 19-year-olds than any other age group. That’s because some driving skills get better with experience. Teens are also prone to distraction, especially with friends in the car. “The first six months of driving on their own is the most dangerous,” says Dr. Ginger Yang, a teen driving expert at Nationwide…, Older Drivers, Younger drivers aren’t the only group at greater risk of crashes. As you age, physical and mental changes can make driving more dangerous. “There’s a number of changes that happen in our vision as we grow older,” says Dr. Cynthia Owsley, who studies the impact of aging on vision at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Eye diseases, such as glaucoma, naturally get worse with age. Older adults…, Safer Driving, Whether you’re a new driver or have been driving for decades, it’s important to think about safe driving. The good news is that advances in car design and safety technology are helping protect you behind the wheel. You can also do several things to reduce your risk of an accident. Always stay alert. Resist the urge to text or talk on the phone. For more safe driving tips, see the Wise Choices box.

Language sets humans apart from other species. We use it constantly to tell each other what we feel, think, and need. Losing the ability to communicate can be devastating. But that’s what happens in a condition called aphasia. Aphasia occurs when a part of the brain that helps process language is damaged. The most common cause of aphasia is [qtip: stroke|When normal blood flow to the brain is…

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Some people don’t have symptoms until they have chest pain or a heart attack. A new study found that invasive treatments may not work much better than medication and lifestyle changes alone. The study followed more than 5,000 patients with stable moderate to severe heart disease for about three years. The people were divided into two groups…, Clarification: An earlier version of this story was unclear that medications were used for both treatment groups. The story was updated on 06/02/20.

As we age, our vision changes. Cataracts are one such common  change. A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye. By age 80, most people either have cataracts or have had surgery to remove them. Around age 40, the proteins in the lens of your eye start to break down and clump together. This clumping makes a cloudy area on your lens that gets worse over time. At first, you may not have…

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious lung condition that gets worse over time. Find resources about COPD and how to manage the condition. Start to breathe better by quitting smoking and avoiding exposure to things that irritate your lungs.