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If you’re buying a new home, the house may need to be tested for radon, depending on local laws. Although the tests aren’t required everywhere, you should insist on it. You might not be able to see or smell radon, but it can still harm you—slowly, and in ways that you can’t detect. Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of the radioactive chemical…

Had an exhausting day? Think you deserve to kick back and relax? You might want to think again. If you’re like most people nationwide, you’ve spent more than half of your waking hours sitting or inactive for long stretches of time—at work, at school, in the car or watching TV or another type of screen. Maybe it’s time to try standing up instead of putting your feet up. Scientists estimate that…

You’ve probably heard of [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 servings of different foods affect blood sugar. It takes into account both the quality and quantity of carbs in a serving.]. Some studies suggest that sticking to foods with a low glycemic…

Microscopic creatures—including bacteria, fungi and viruses—can make you ill. But what you may not realize is that trillions of microbes are living in and on your body right now. Most don’t harm you at all. In fact, they help you digest food, protect against infection and even maintain your reproductive health. We tend to focus on destroying bad microbes. But taking care of good ones may be even…, Staphylococcus epidermidis, , one of the most common bacteria on human skin. Adding this one species of bacteria boosted immune function in the mouse skin. The mice with, S. epidermidis, were able to defend against a parasite, whereas the bacteria-free mice weren’t. “We often have a sense that the bacteria that live on our skin are harmful,” Segre says. “But in this study we show that these bacteria can play an important role in promoting health by preventing skin infections from becoming more prolonged, pronounced and more serious.” There’s strong evidence that the microbes in…

Scleroderma is a group of diseases that affect the body’s connective tissue, which supports the skin and internal organs. Skin, blood vessels, or other tissues may become hard or thick. Swelling or pain may arise in muscles and joints. NIH recently updated its “ Handout on Health ” about scleroderma, so you can learn more about this unusual disorder. Scleroderma can occur in people of all ages,…

When setting off for kindergarten or first grade, a child may feel prepared with a backpack loaded with crayons, pencils, and paper. But a good start in the classroom depends on more than just school supplies. Healthy hearing, vision, speech, and language are key to success at school. If a child has problems in these areas, the sooner they’re spotted, the better they can be treated. Sometimes…

Most everyone looks forward to summer—time to get away, get outside and have some fun. So what could be more unfair than catching a cold when it’s warm? How can cold symptoms arise when it’s not cold and flu season? Is there any way to dodge the summertime sniffles? Cold symptoms can be caused by more than 200 different viruses. Each can bring the sneezing, scratchy throat and runny nose that can…

In many parts of the country, summer has the worst air quality of any season. When the forecast says it’s a code red day for air quality, what does it mean for your health? If you’ve planned a picnic, a bike ride or even a walk with a friend, should you change your plans? “The answer depends on a lot of factors. There’s no simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer for everyone,” says Dr. Darryl Zeldin, acting…

Endometriosis is linked to pain and infertility for many women. It arises when cells like those that line the uterus (the endometrium) attach to other tissues and grow inside the lower belly. These out-of-place cells may be just the start of a problem that, for some, lasts a lifetime. Endometriosis affects up to 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. The pain it causes can range from extreme to…

Many men develop urinary problems as they get older. They might find it hard to urinate, have a strong and sudden urge to “go,” be unable to hold it in, or wake up often at night to urinate. These symptoms may signal a bladder issue. But they can also be signs of a prostate problem. Identifying the right condition is key for treatment and symptom control. The prostate gland tends to get larger as…