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… Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease is life changing. This brain disorder causes slow and rigid body movements. People can experience … with movement. “We don’t know what causes that dopamine loss,” says Dr. Beth-Anne Sieber, an NIH expert on movement disorders. “But when it gets to a certain point, movement-related symptoms … metals, and air pollution may raise your risk for the disease. Sometimes Parkinson’s runs in families. But people who develop the disease don’t usually have a family history of it. In …

… your parents that define features, like eye color or your risk for certain diseases.] found in dogs are also found in humans. Because we share so much, it’s not surprising that … studies of dog biology can lead to better understanding and treatments for people. That’s why NIH supports large-scale projects that aim to learn how aging, genes, and other factors affect … “These are interesting relationships, but it’s important to note that we don’t yet know what is causing what,” Promislow says. Studying dogs over time could help to pinpoint potential …

… relates to health research? Explore the interactive modules, quizzes, and videos created by NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. These tools can help you weigh …

… evidence still shows that the best way to boost the chance of living a long and active life is to follow the advice you likely heard from your parents: eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and stay away from bad habits. People born in the U.S. today can expect to live to an average age of about 79. A century ago, life … increase in lifespan over the last century,” says Dr. Marie Bernard, deputy director of NIH’s National Institute on Aging. “Now if you make it to age 65, the likelihood that you’ll make …

… Chances are, you know someone who has diabetes. It might even be you. Diabetes is one of the most common disorders in the U.S. It affects about 1 in 9 Americans. Diabetes raises your risk for serious health … diabetes, the most common type? Would you give it a try? More than two decades ago, a landmark NIH-supported study, called the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), released its results. It found …

… [qtip:glycemic index|Used to compare the quality of carbs. It shows how equal amounts of carbs in different foods raise blood sugar.] and [qtip:glycemic load|Used to compare how single … diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Some claim it helps with weight loss. The truth is, we don’t know all the answers yet. Here’s what you need to know. The glycemic index and load … lead to better blood sugar control than the more simple sugars,” says Dr. Myrlene Staten, an NIH diabetes expert. Researchers developed the glycemic index to measure the quality of carbs in …

… be thinking about ending that life might be hard for their friends, families, or other people in their community to believe. But the risk of suicide should be on the radar of anyone who interacts with teens, says Dr. Jane Pearson, a mental health expert at NIH. The rate of teen suicide has increased over the last decade. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for teens and young adults in the United States. Experts …

… From our first skinned knee to the headaches, back pain and creaky joints as we age, pain is something we encounter many times. Most pain is acute and goes away quickly. But in some cases, when pain develops slowly or persists for months or even years, then it’s called … from some kind of long-term pain. It’s the leading reason that people miss work. NIH-funded scientists are working to better understand and treat chronic pain. They’re uncovering …

… Getting your period is a fact of life for most women. But every woman’s period is different. So how do you know if … to talk about pelvic pain or bleeding,” says Dr. Lisa Halvorson, a women’s health expert at NIH. “But the menstrual cycle is a critical part of your health.” You can’t know about your … or outside of the wall of the uterus, or womb. Studies estimate that more than 70% of women in the U.S. have at least one fibroid during their lives. But most women who have them don’t have …

… The eyes are more than windows to the soul. With advances in eye health technology, they can also give a unique look into your health. “The eye is a real window into what’s happening in your body,” says NIH eye health expert Dr. Houmam Araj. It’s a convenient way for a doctor to get a clear view of …