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… Physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your health, but getting enough of it might not be just about willpower. Your neighborhood … more walkable does not always mean big, costly projects. Simple upgrades like crosswalks, better lighting, and green spaces can help. If your neighborhood needs work, local community …

… the University of California, Los Angeles, who co-leads one of the largest prevention studies for falling. Some people are never able to return to their way of life before an injury. Several … a prevention plan and refer you to other types of providers if needed. The biggest risk factor for being injured from a fall is being age 65 or older. People younger than that may be at … falls. They may encourage you to work with a physical therapist to increase your strength and improve your balance. They can also prescribe devices like special footwear or a walking cane. …

… A hot cup of coffee or tea is a highlight of the morning for some people. It can make you feel awake and alert. Caffeine is the chemical that causes these … If you take away the caffeine, extra adenosine in the body can cause feelings of withdrawal for a while. These include headaches and increased sleepiness. Caffeine also interacts with other … she says. “That contributes to our brain’s ability to retain information. That might lead to improvements in long-term cognitive function.” Her team is exploring new ways to measure the …

… programs. “Some people even require the use of a wheelchair because they can’t stand or walk for long periods.” POTS is an abbreviation for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. Postural means it’s linked to your body’s … beats a minute without a major blood pressure change could signal POTS. Symptoms may quickly improve by lying down. Treatment often involves increasing salt intake and drinking plenty of …

… them apart? Twins are similar in ways you can’t see, too. That makes twins a powerful tool for studying health and disease.  Many health conditions run in families. If your parents or … health history is important for your health. It can help your health care team provide better care for you. Talk to your provider about how to lower your risk for diseases that run in …

… on your skin; they also carry the risk of disease. NIH-funded scientists are working to find better ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent mosquito-borne illnesses. And we can all take simple … blood-sucking insects. Most mosquito bites are relatively harmless. The itchy bumps often last for just a day or 2 after a mosquito has punctured your skin. But if the mosquito is carrying …

… A tumor in the brain isn’t like tumors in other parts of your body. It has limited room for growth because of the skull. This means that a growing tumor can squeeze vital parts of the … about the tumor and remove it more safely. NIH researchers are continuing to look for ways to better detect and treat brain tumors. Treatments differ depending on the type and location of the …

… travels through your bloodstream to reach the cells that need it. Your cells use cholesterol for many important functions, like making hormones and digesting fatty foods. But too much … risk for heart disease and stroke. But recent research suggests that HDL cholesterol works better in some people than others. And clinical trials haven’t found that medicines aimed at …

… against invading viruses, bacteria, and other microscopic threats.] … are at much higher risk for infections that could become serious (see the Wise Choices box). Diagnosing a fungal … as early as possible. “If you’re being treated for a virus or bacteria and you’re not getting better, that might indicate it’s time to ‘think fungus,’” Andes says. …

… of DNA you inherit from your parents that define features, like your risk for certain diseases.]. But in most cases, the cause isn’t known. People with FTD have a buildup … caregiver burnout. Boeve’s team and other NIH-funded researchers are working to develop better tests and treatments for FTD. Recently, a study by Boeve and others found that exercise …