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Anemia is the most common blood disorder in the U.S. It occurs when your body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells are needed to carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Anemia can leave you feeling tired, weak, dizzy, or short of breath. You may have headaches, pale skin, or cold hands and feet. But mild cases of anemia may not have symptoms. Anemia is…

Life can be stressful. If you are struggling to cope, or the symptoms of your stress or anxiety won’t go away, it could affect your health. Learn to recognize what causes or triggers your stress. Uncover ways to tell the difference between stress and anxiety. Get tips for coping and find ways to get help if you’re struggling.

We all have trouble from time to time managing strong feelings or relationships. But for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD), these are a constant struggle. They cause a lot of distress and can often lead to self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Experts are trying to identify who’s at risk for developing BPD early in life, in the hopes of more effective treatment. “Historically,…

As the U.S. population ages, there’s growing interest in finding ways to protect our physical and mental health. A new study looked at how what we eat in midlife affects our health later on. An NIH-funded team analyzed data from more than 105,000 men and women. Participants were 30 to 75 years old at the start. None had a serious chronic disease, like diabetes or heart disease. Participants…

Medical ultrasound is a noninvasive technique. It uses sound waves to create images to assess or treat certain parts of the body. It’s often used as a diagnostic tool during pregnancy. It can help doctors evaluate fetal growth, heart rate, movements, and more. It can also be used to assess other body parts, such as the kidneys, pelvis, or thyroid. Ultrasound is generally considered safe when it’s…

We each have a unique “healthiest self.” We have different minds, bodies, living situations, and people that help to shape our health and well-being. This website has science-based health tips in five different areas, from your surroundings to your relationships and your feelings. Find checklists of tips to improve your well-being.

What do you think of when you hear the word robot? Is it a human-like assistant with a friendly face, or a large and menacing foe? Generally, a robot is a machine that that’s been built to perform specific tasks. “When most people hear the term ‘robot,’ they think of things made of solid metal and electronics,” says Dr. Ryan Sochol, a mechanical engineer at the University of Maryland. But medical…, Social Robots Help Out, Zhao and others are studying how human-like, interactive robots could help people with dementia and their caregivers. As the U.S. population ages, there’s a growing need for caregivers. Family caregivers often provide countless hours of support. That can lead to a lot of stress. Zhao and his team interviewed patients and caregivers at assisted living facilities, senior centers, and memory clinics…, Robots for Surgery, Other researchers have been developing tiny robotic tools to help surgeons and physicians. Robotic surgery can lead to less pain and blood loss, smaller scars, and quicker recovery. It can have fewer complications compared to traditional surgery. Robotic surgeries usually involve making little openings through the skin and then inserting small 3D cameras and surgical tools. Sochol’s team is…, Wearable Robotics, NIH also funds studies to develop artificial limbs, or prosthetic devices, to replace lost or damaged body parts. Some of these robotic devices connect to the brain and let people control movement of artificial hands, legs, and other limbs. Other researchers are developing battery-powered exoskeletons to help move existing limbs. “Exoskeletons are robots that you wear on your body. They can fit…

Changes to your eyesight are normal with age. You may be less able to see up close without reading glasses. It may take your eyes longer to adjust to changing light levels. These problems can usually be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or improved lighting. But some changes can be a sign of disease. A condition called age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is the leading cause of vision…

Nearly 1 in 4 youth between ages 18 and 25 regularly vape nicotine using e-cigarettes. Vaping puts youth at risk for nicotine addiction. It can also expose them to harmful chemicals. A new study showed that a smoking cessation drug may help youth quit vaping. A drug called varenicline is FDA-approved for smoking cessation in adults. It works by blocking some effects of nicotine in the brain. This…

Scleroderma is a rare disease that affects the body’s connective tissue. Connective tissues support the skin and internal organs. The disease can cause skin, blood vessels, or other tissues to become hard or thick. It can also lead to swelling or pain in your muscles and joints. The exact cause of scleroderma is unknown. It’s thought to be an autoimmune disease, which means the body’s disease-…