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Your body needs omega-3 fatty acids, sometimes called “omega-3s,” to stay healthy. These help to build brain cells and keep your heart and other organs in good working order. Your body can’t make omega-3s itself. They come from the foods you eat or dietary supplements. Fatty fish, like salmon and tuna, are rich in types of omega-3s called DHA and EPA. These healthy fats are also found in…

Have fun learning about health, science, and the world we live in. Kids, parents, and teachers can find engaging and educational information at this NIH website. Solve puzzles, play games, and learn about the environment we all share. See how you can make a difference.

Headaches come in many forms. Where you feel the pain, what other symptoms you have, and how long headaches last can vary. For many people, headaches are an occasional nuisance. For others, they can be chronic and disabling. Some headaches can be prevented with small lifestyle changes. Drinking enough water, avoiding headache triggers, managing stress, or improving sleep can sometimes be enough.…, Types of Headaches, There are many types of headaches. Understanding the type you’re having can help you find the right treatment. The most common is called a tension-type headache. These are often triggered by stress, which causes muscles in the neck, face, scalp, and jaw to tighten. Lack of sleep, dehydration, and poor posture can also lead to a tension-type headache. The pain from a tension-type headache is…, Trying Treatments, You can help take control of your headaches by keeping a headache diary. Track your symptoms, how often they happen, and what alleviates them. “For at least a month, just note down when you have a headache, how you treated it, how long it lasted,” Oshinsky says. You can also include facts like foods or drinks consumed, sleep patterns, stress levels, and changes in daily routines. This can help…, Small Heads, Big Aches, Headaches are common in kids, too. Often, headaches in children and teens can be treated by drinking more water, having a healthier diet, getting enough activity, and solving sleep problems. Always talk to a doctor before giving headache medicines to a child. Sometimes, it can be difficult to figure out what kind of pain a child is feeling. “A very young child with a migraine headache will often…

You’ve probably taken aspirin for pain or a fever. But some people take a low dose of aspirin every day. It can reduce the risk of [qtip:cardiovascular|Related to the heart and the vessels that circulate blood through the body.] events like heart attacks and strokes. Now, scientists are learning that aspirin’s effects differ based on a person’s age and overall health. Aspirin helps prevent heart…

Biologically speaking, some people age faster than others. Your aging rate can affect your health and disease risks. If you knew this rate, you might be able to work with your doctor to slow the aging process. A research team developed a way to measure aging based on a single brain scan. The team drew on their earlier studies, where they devised a way to measure biological aging using blood tests…

A condition called Barrett’s esophagus affects about 5% of adults nationwide. It causes the lining of the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach, to change. This raises the risk for getting cancer of the esophagus. Doctors don’t yet know what causes Barrett’s esophagus. But some people are at increased risk. The condition is more common in the U.S. than in other…

Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S. It affects about 100,000 Americans. Get tips for managing the disease and creating a healthy lifestyle. Learn about treatments. Read inspiring stories from people living with sickle cell disease.

Do you tend to look on the sunny side, or do you see a future filled with dark, stormy skies? A growing body of research suggests that having a positive outlook can benefit your physical health. NIH-funded scientists are working to better understand the links between your attitude and your body. They’re finding some evidence that emotional wellness can be improved by developing certain skills.…

Can you imagine a world where antibiotics didn’t work anymore? You shouldn’t have to. But over the past few decades, they’ve been losing their punch. Bacterial strains that are resistant to many types of antibiotics are called superbugs. Sadly, our excessive use of antibiotics is partly to blame. A new video from NIH,, Fighting Superbugs, , can help you learn more about what you can do to help win this battle. Superbugs infect over 2 million people across the U.S. each year and kill more than 23,000. Common forms of superbugs include types of tuberculosis, staph infections like MRSA, and gonorrhea. You can help in the fight against superbugs. First, there’s prevention. Try not to spread infectious bacteria. Wash your hands often.…

As you age, you may notice you have less muscle and energy and more fat. Carrying those extra pounds may be harming your health. It’s easy to be confused by advice about diet and exercise, but they’re key to avoiding weight gain as you get older. As you move through your 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond, you can take steps to help fight the flab that can come with age. Your [qtip:metabolism|Chemical…