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Human beings are social creatures. Feeling like we’re 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 and loneliness can both cause problems. “Isolation is about whether other people are…

A study found that many people treated for a concussion may not receive follow-up care that could improve their health. A concussion is a mild brain injury. It results from a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Most people recover quickly from a concussion, but some have symptoms for weeks or months.  A concussion may give you a headache and make you feel confused, tired, or dizzy. You may have…

Did you ever have chickenpox? If so, you’re at risk for getting a disease called shingles. About 1 out of every 3 people will get shingles at some point in their lives. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus becomes inactive and hides in your body. Shingles is caused by the virus becoming active again, but its symptoms can be much more severe. Burning, itchy rashes and blisters may appear on one…

Even though you can’t see it, the air you breathe can affect your health. Polluted air can cause difficulty breathing, flare-ups of allergy or [qtip:asthma|A chronic lung disease that causes wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and trouble breathing.], and other lung problems. Long-term exposure to air pollution can raise the risk of other diseases, including heart disease and cancer. Some people…, What’s Outside, Several different types of pollutants can affect your health. When the weather is warm, an invisible gas called ozone can make it harder for some people to breathe. This gas is created when sunlight triggers a chemical reaction between oxygen and certain pollutants from cars, factories, and other sources. Ozone can irritate the lining of your airways and lungs. People with asthma and other lung…, Improving Air Indoors, Indoor air pollution can be harmful, too. It can come from many sources. Secondhand tobacco smoke contains tiny particles that can hurt your lungs. Gas stoves and appliances can create harmful gases. Pets and pests (such as mice and cockroaches) can shed substances, called allergens, that cause allergies. Mold and dust mites also produce allergens. Even furniture and cleaning products can release…, Inside Out, One good thing about indoor air pollution is that many causes can be removed or changed. “It’s difficult to change the outdoor environment,” Phipatanakul says, “but indoors is more contained.” A simple tool for many homes is making sure inside air has a chance to escape. “Ventilating your house, such as opening windows, can actually lower the air pollution levels inside, and it really doesn’t…

Did anyone ever tell you that you smell bad? Funky breath or stinky underarms can happen to anyone, at any age. Whether or not you’ve noticed them, some body odors can signal a health problem. But most breath and body odors are normal. “Bad breath is most often caused by bacteria on the teeth and tongue,” explains Dr. Madeleine S. Deming, an internal medicine expert at the NIH Clinical Center. It…

Recent research shows that people who are overweight can reduce their symptoms of knee arthritis by losing at least 20% of their weight. Millions of older adults have stiff, painful knees caused by arthritis. Arthritis causes a breakdown of the cushion of tissue inside the knee joint. Without this cushion, bone can rub against bone. That may cause pain and swelling. Being overweight could make…

Lead is toxic. No amount is safe. The more you have in your body, the worse its effects. Lead is a metal found in nature. It can get into your body in many ways. You might breathe, drink, or eat things that have lead. In the US, lead used to be added to gasoline and paint. Homes built before 1978 may still have lead paint. When the paint peels and cracks, it makes lead dust you may breathe in or…

Most people experience some kind of pain during their lives. Pain serves an important purpose: it warns the body when it’s in danger. Think of when your hand touches a hot stove. But ongoing pain causes distress and affects quality of life. Pain is the number one reason people see a doctor. A class of drugs called opioids is often used to treat pain. One reason, explains NIH pain expert Dr.…, Opioids Not Always Needed, Opioids are often prescribed for acute pain. Acute pain is short-term pain, the kind experienced after an accident or an operation. But other drugs may be just as effective for acute pain, even after surgery, explains Dr. Dena Fischer, a dental health expert at NIH. Some of these drugs, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, don’t require a prescription. People may think that prescription drugs work…, When Pain Is Chronic, Managing chronic pain is more complicated than treating acute pain. More than 25 million people in the U.S. alone live with chronic pain, which is pain that lasts more than three months. Many things can cause chronic pain. For example, Oshinsky says, a muscle that was damaged in an accident may heal relatively quickly. But if a nerve was also hurt, it can continue to send pain signals long after…, Expanding the Options, The alternatives to opioids we have now don’t work for everyone’s pain. More non-opioid, non-addictive treatment options could help reduce the number of opioids prescribed each year. Recently, NIH launched the Helping to End Addiction Long-Term (HEAL) Initiative to address the shortage of effective medications for chronic pain and other issues contributing to the opioid crisis. Some of the…

Want the secret to living a longer and healthier life? Scientists have found ways to prolong the healthy lifespans of worms, mice, and even monkeys. Their work has revealed exciting new clues about the biology of aging. But solid 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,…

Being up all night with a child crying from the pain of an ear infection can be a nightmare. But it’s not uncommon. Most children in developed countries get at least one ear infection by the age of five. Most ear infections happen in the middle ear, the part of the ear behind the eardrum. The middle ear is connected to the upper part of the throat by the eustachian tube. It normally lets fresh…, Haemophilus influenzae, , or, H. influenzae, . These bacteria can cluster together to make a biofilm, a thin, slimy coating that your body has a hard time getting rid of. Even antibiotics can be ineffective against them. Ear infections that keep coming back often involve biofilms. A vaccine introduced in 1987 already prevents ear infections caused by one strain of, H. influenzae, . Researchers are working on developing vaccines to protect against other strains. They’re also looking at what specific nutrients, H. influenzae, needs to grow the biofilms. Restricting those nutrients may be a new way to fight these bacteria. If your child has repeated ear infections or trouble hearing, your doctor may suggest draining your child’s ear with small tubes to help maintain a healthy environment. Ear infections aren’t contagious. But there are things you can do to lower your chances of getting one. See the Wise Choices box for…