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… 50 million Americans have a brain or nervous system disorder. That’s 1 out of every 5 people. NIH’s Brain for Life website is a one-stop shop to learn about the brain and the nervous system. You can also …

… bladder or bowel control. Urine can leak out when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or exert yourself in any way. You might need to urinate often or urgently. Weak muscles can also affect the vagina … family history, pregnancy, menopause, weight, and smoking history—can affect your risk for developing a pelvic floor disorder. Dr. Donna Mazloomdoost, a pelvic floor specialist at NIH, says, “Some women are just going to be very prone to these sort of conditions, and others …

… normally or dies. These nerve cells make a chemical called dopamine. Your brain needs dopamine for making smooth, purposeful movements. Loss of dopamine causes problems 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 …

… of DNA you inherit from 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 …

… 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 what you hear and read. …

… 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 … of older adults.] who oversees research on aging and health. “Exercise is especially important for lengthening active life expectancy, which is life without disease and without physical and …

… 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 problems. It can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart, and it is linked … 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 … digestive system changes the carbs you eat into glucose, a type of sugar that your body uses for energy. Simple carbs are more quickly digested and absorbed than complex ones, so simple … 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 …

… often told. The idea that a teen could 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 …

… 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 chronic pain, and it can be tricky to treat. Chronic … 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 …