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The Benefits of Slumber
… function at your best. Sleep helps you think more clearly, have quicker reflexes and focus better. “The fact is, when we look at well-rested people, they’re operating at a different level … explains. Tired people tend to be less productive at work. They’re at a much higher risk for traffic accidents. Lack of sleep also influences your mood, which can affect how you interact …
Preparing for Menopause
… less frequent periods and other symptoms at some point during their 40s. But it’s different for every woman. There’s no lab test to predict when in life it will start or how easy it will … to read and then get back into bed to go back to sleep. Exercise can also help women sleep better at night. It’s best to avoid caffeine and alcohol for several hours before bedtime, too. …
Beyond Basic Blood Tests
… from the tissues of the body into the blood. This makes the blood a really good place to look for hints of disease,” says Dr. Lori Minasian, who helps oversee cancer prevention research at … blood. For decades, researchers have been trying to develop blood tests to help diagnose and better treat mental health conditions, explains Dr. John Hsiao, a psychiatrist at NIH. But, this …
Understanding Autoimmune Diseases
… disorder. There are many different autoimmune diseases. Some involve only one type of tissue. For example, in a disease called vasculitis, your immune system attacks your blood vessels. Other … whose disease affects their blood vessels, Grayson says. Researchers are working to develop better treatments. NIH projects are bringing together scientists, nonprofit groups, and drug …
Advances in Childhood Cancer
… of DNA you inherit from your parents that define features, like your risk for certain diseases.] that are passed from parents to their children. But these are rare. The … over the last few decades have led to more children surviving cancer than ever before. And a better understanding of the disease means that more children with cancer are getting personalized …
Addressing Childhood Bullying
… studies child development at the University at Buffalo. “But not all aggression is bullying.” For behavior to be considered bullying, it must feature two things, Ostrov explains. One is a … of the child who is doing the bullying, “that can also escalate problems,” says Ostrov. “It’s better to calmly but assertively report the incidents to the school.” He also recommends …
Blood Clots Explained
… 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 … prevent and treat blood clots for those with the disease. This work will also help researchers better understand how other viruses can affect the blood, Elkind explains. “I think we’re going …
Fighting Fatty Liver
… plant. All worked heavily with a chemical called vinyl chloride. This chemical is mainly used for making the PVC in plastic products. Since then, many more chemicals have been linked to fatty … in an early stage. Often, a doctor will discover fatty liver disease when running blood tests for other reasons. If you have symptoms or are at higher risk, your health care provider may want … Heart disease is the leading cause of death in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Better nutrition can help, too. Try to avoid weight gain and increase your exercise. And limit …
Addressing Childhood Obesity
… or BMI. BMI is a measure that helps determine if your child’s weight is within a healthy range for their height, age, and sex. It’s not a direct measure of body fat. But it’s a useful way for … BMI is high, the doctor can help you plan how to lower it. “The earlier you take action, the better,” says Dr. Leonard Epstein, a psychologist at University at Buffalo. “It’s easier to help …
Your Liver Delivers
… But if it starts to shut down completely—a condition known as liver failure—you can survive for only a day or 2 unless you get emergency treatment. Many things can affect liver function. … from your parents, some are caused by viruses (certain kinds of [qtip:hepatitis|A general term for liver inflammation (damage caused by the body’s protective response to injury or illness).], … says. “In many patients, just a 5-8% reduction in body weight will translate into a large improvement to liver damage.” For people with alcohol-related fatty liver, stopping alcohol use …
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