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… have found that sex and social factors can make a difference when it comes to your risk for disease, how well you respond to medications, and how often you seek medical care. That’s why … … Defining Differences … — Sex is biological. It’s based on your genetic makeup. Males have one X and one Y [qtip:chromosome|Structure made of genetic material and proteins. Humans normally …

… Getting your period is a fact of life for most women. But every woman’s period is different. So how do you know if yours is causing … to seven days. It’s important for women to get to know their own pattern. What’s normal for one woman may not be for another. The most common menstrual irregularities are not getting your … organs. Many women with endometriosis never have any symptoms. But some have life-altering ones. “Endometriosis probably accounts for at least a third of infertility in women,” Halvorson …

… blood clots, explains Dr. Mitchell Elkind, an expert on stroke at Columbia University. “One is an abnormality in the blood that makes it more likely to clot. For example, [qtip:genetic|Having to do with genes. Genes are stretches of DNA you inherit from …

… Is Healthy? … Every relationship exists on a spectrum from healthy to unhealthy to abusive. One sign of a healthy relationship is feeling good about yourself around your partner, family … you feel. You listen to each other. You feel valued, and you trust each other. “It’s important for people to recognize and be aware of any time where there is a situation in their relationship …

… signals all at once. This surge of brain activity is called a seizure. Any seizure is a cause for concern. Epilepsy is a condition in which you have repeated seizures. But not all seizures … up to hundreds a day. Scientists are still not sure what causes epilepsy in about one-half of people diagnosed with the disorder. NIH researchers are working to find better ways … and focal. Generalized seizures start in both sides of the brain. Focal seizures start on one side but may spread to both sides. Some people have both types of seizures, with no clear …

… You probably don’t give your eyelids much thought. But many conditions can irritate them. One of the most common issues is called blepharitis. Blepharitis is an [qtip: inflammation|Heat, … Most people can keep the condition in check with good eyelid hygiene. See the Wise Choices box for easy tips on eyelid care. “But people have to be consistent and clean their eyes daily,” says …

… should sleep on their back rather than their belly? Research has revealed many risk factors for sudden infant death, and sleep position is the most important one. Each year in the U.S., about 3,500 infants die suddenly and unexpectedly in their sleep. In …

… to know how to recognize the signs of pertussis, and make sure that you and your loved ones are properly vaccinated. Pertussis is caused by bacteria that infect the lungs and airways. … and gentle coughs. A week or two later, a severe coughing phase begins. This phase can last for many weeks. “Pertussis is sometimes called the 100-day cough. The illness can last that … baby,” Edwards says. Today’s pertussis vaccine is given as part of a combination vaccine. The one given to babies is called DTaP, for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. The booster shot for …

… habits that last throughout their lives. Healthy eating and physical activity are essential for children of any age. “Good nutrition and physical activity are important for building strong … the child,” Epstein says. “Even after 10 years, when these kids were 18 to 22 years old, the ones who had the parent working with them had lost more weight and maintained more weight loss … a new food right away, stay positive and keep trying over time. Encouraging kids to take just one bite of a new food can help. But avoid creating conflicts and stress over it. “Trying a new …

… Spaces … Studies show that green spaces, such as parks or woods, seem to affect your health for the better. Dr. Francine Laden, an epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public … found that those who lived near green spaces were less likely to die over an 8-year period. No one knows exactly why living close to green space has this effect. The plants themselves may be … less stressed. Stress increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases. In one NIH-funded study, researchers cleaned up vacant city lots and planted grass and trees. Other …