Search

… might arise because of another medical condition, such as swollen sinuses or head injury. In these cases, treating the underlying problem usually relieves headache pain as well. But most … triggers. Once activated, the nerves send messages to the brain, and it can feel like the pain is coming from deep within your head. Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. … such as yoga, stretching, massage, and other tension relievers,” says Dr. Linda Porter, an NIH expert on pain research. Migraines are the second-most common type of headache. They affect …

… scratchy and may hurt when you swallow. What can you do to soothe a sore throat? And when is it a sign of a more serious infection? Most sore throats are caused by viral infections such … To soothe your irritated throat, keep it moist. “Ever notice that a sore throat seems worse in the morning? It’s because your throat gets so dry overnight,” says Dr. Valerie Riddle, an infectious disease expert at NIH. “Having lozenges or hard candies—or anything that stimulates saliva production—will keep …

… 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 men get … tract symptoms related to BPH,” says Dr. Ziya Kirkali, a prostate disorder specialist at NIH. “This number gets to about 90% in men aged 80 years or older.” Some men eventually find …

… health issue you should know about. Nationwide, about 1 out of 6 people between ages 14 and 49 is infected with the herpes simplex virus type 2—the main cause of genital herpes. Surprisingly, … only mild ones, you can still transmit the virus to others. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) comes in 2 forms. The most common, HSV-1, is best known for causing cold sores or fever blisters on the … of their lives,” says Dr. Carolyn Deal, who heads the sexually transmitted diseases branch at NIH. Symptoms may first appear about 2 weeks after infection. After that, the herpes virus goes …

… Summer is a great time to go out and have fun in the water. But recreational waters—including swimming … water that’s released to beach areas is extremely contaminated,” says Dr. Sandra McLellan, an NIH-funded researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her laboratory tracks the sources …

… a yoga mat lately? If so, you’re among many who have taken up yoga to relax and stay fit. One in seven adults in the U.S. has practiced yoga in the past year. Yoga may help bring several … yoga can teach you to direct the mind on a single object,” explains Dr. Pamela Jeter, an NIH expert on yoga research. “It’s practicing being aware and present from moment to moment.” … back pain, among other non-drug treatments. But, Jeter cautions, more high-quality research is needed to confirm yoga’s health benefits. “There’s a lot of research out there for different …

… to say. They’re just unable to say it at the rate they would like,” says Dr. Dennis Drayna, an NIH expert on the genetics of communication disorders. Stuttering often involves speech sounds … are repeated or held for too long—often when starting words or sentences. It affects about 1 in 20 children. Most will outgrow the disorder on their own or with the help of a professional … 20–25% of children who stutter will continue into adulthood,” says Drayna. This condition is known as persistent developmental stuttering. Overall, about 1% of adults stutter, and it’s …

… think, and need. Losing the ability to communicate can be devastating. But that’s what happens in a condition called aphasia. Aphasia occurs when a part of the brain that helps process language is damaged. The most common cause of aphasia is [qtip: stroke|When normal blood flow to the brain … located in just one place in the brain. It’s really distributed,” says Dr. Leora Cherney, an NIH-funded aphasia researcher at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. That’s helpful for recovery because …

… People deal with difficult feelings in all sorts of ways. They may talk with friends, go work out, or listen to music. But some … Harming or thinking about harming yourself doesn’t mean you have a mental disorder. But it is an unhealthy way to cope with strong feelings. Finding new ways to cope can help you get … in non-suicidal self-injuring behaviors are teenagers,” says Dr. Jennifer Muehlenkamp, an NIH-funded psychologist at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Around 2 out of 10 teens and …

… are binge-eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and anorexia nervosa. Binge-eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States. “Binge-eating is not just a lot of overeating,” explains Dr. Cynthia Bulik, … and culture can all influence whether someone develops one of these complex conditions. Some NIH-funded researchers are studying possible genetic causes for eating disorders. Others are …