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Many people take aspirin every day to prevent a heart attack or stroke. But daily aspirin isn’t advised for everyone. A survey found that about 29 million adults without heart disease take low-dose aspirin for prevention. But many of them shouldn’t under new guidelines. Aspirin works by thinning the blood and preventing clots. But taking a daily aspirin can also increase the risk of bleeding. New…

Do your kids know how to keep their eyes healthy? Do they know what to do if their eye is injured or they get something in it? It’s important for kids to learn how to take care of their eyes and know what to do if they’re injured, so they can act fast and get help. One of the most common eye injuries for kids is getting hit in the eye with an object, like a ball, rock, or an elbow. If that…

Have you ever had to get an X-ray, MRI, or other medical scan? Do you know what these tests involve? Or what they can do? Medical scans help doctors diagnose everything from head trauma to foot pain. There are many different types of imaging technologies. Each works differently. Some types of imaging tests use radiation. Others use sound waves, radio waves, or magnets. Learning about how medical…, X-Rays, The first revolution in seeing into the body came with X-rays. They have been used in the clinic for more than 120 years. “X-rays are still used every day because they can do a lot,” says Dr. Kris Kandarpa, an imaging expert at NIH. They’re useful for looking at bones and finding problems in certain types of tissues, like pneumonia in the lungs. X-ray imaging works by passing an energy beam…, CT Scans, CT scans also use X-ray beams. But the beams rotate around your entire body to create a 3D picture. These images contain more information than a regular X-ray. The scan can be done in less than a minute. That makes it especially useful in places like the emergency department. There, doctors need to know immediately if a patient has a life-threatening condition. Because CT scans use more X-ray…, MRI, MRI works in a very different way. It doesn’t use X-rays. Instead, it uses strong magnets and radio waves to affect atoms in the water molecules within your body’s tissues. When the radio waves are turned off, the atoms release energy that’s detected by the MRI machine. Atoms in different tissue types go back to normal at different speeds and release different amounts of energy. MRI software uses…, Other Scans, Another commonly used imaging method is called ultrasound. It sends sound waves into the body. Different types of tissue reflect sound waves differently. These differences can be picked up by an ultrasound machine and turned into a picture. Ultrasound is helpful for looking at the heart and other organs, or a developing baby. Doctors also use tests called nuclear imaging. These tests use a tiny…

Have you rolled out 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 health and wellness benefits. Based in Indian philosophy, yoga involves both the body and mind. It began as a spiritual practice. Modern yoga focuses more on physical poses, breathing…

Peanut is one of the most common food allergies. Some studies show oral immunotherapy (OIT) can prevent life-threatening allergic reactions. But a new study shows that OIT’s protection doesn’t always last if it is stopped or reduced. Peanut allergy is caused by your immune system (the body’s defense system) mistakenly treating peanut proteins as harmful. OIT involves eating small amounts of…

Healthy eating is one of the best ways to prevent or delay health problems. What you eat helps shape how you feel and how your body performs. But how do you eat best for your health? Learn about how to reach your healthy eating goals in, NIH News in Health’s, special issue on healthy eating. Eating well, along with getting enough physical activity, can help you lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other health problems. But our scientific understanding of what’s healthy to eat and drink is continuously evolving. These changes can be confusing. Still, the basic ideas have been consistent over time. Healthy eating means getting a…

Having a health problem can be scary. Add in a visit to the hospital, and it can become overwhelming. But there are things you can do to make your stay safer and more comfortable. Hospitals are busy places. Different people may come in and out of your room. You might have many tests. And while you wait for answers, there can be harmful germs lurking around. These things can raise the chance for…

Everyone knows they should eat more vegetables. But only about 10% of Americans eat the recommended number of veggies per day. A recent study found that tasty descriptions can encourage people to make healthier choices. Researchers tested whether food labels on vegetables served in dining halls affected college students’ food choices. They tested three types of labels at five universities across…

Staying active is key for good health. No matter your age or fitness level, getting more physical activity will help support your body and mind. That’s why experts recommend getting at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week. Staying safe while being active is equally important. You want to avoid getting hurt, which can throw you and your fitness goals off-track. NIH has a series…

You’ve broken out in a red, itchy rash. You’re likely wondering where it came from—and, most importantly, how to make it go away. Unfortunately, your mystery rash could have many causes. Maybe you switched to a new detergent or accidentally brushed against poison ivy. Maybe it came from a virus or fungus. It can be hard to pinpoint the cause. Red, uncomfortable skin rashes are called dermatitis…, Eczema, Many people are familiar with atopic dermatitis—the red, itchy rash commonly called eczema. “It affects up to 30% of people, particularly in childhood, and it tends to run in families,” explains Dr. Heidi Kong, a dermatologist at NIH. While some children may outgrow eczema, others will have the disease for life. The cause of eczema is unknown. But skin microbes—bacteria, fungi, and viruses—may…, Other Rashes, Not all rashes are mysterious. Some have a very clear cause. If your skin touches something you’re allergic to, it’s bound to get red and itchy. Common triggers include fragrances in soaps, lotions, and cosmetics. Some people are sensitive to nickel, which is often found in jewelry. Your doctor may recommend a “patch test.” Small amounts of different substances are applied to your skin to see if…, Itch Relief, For a long time, people questioned whether itch was even its own unique sensation. They thought it might be a mild form of pain. But scientists have discovered that itch has its own pathway in the brain. That was the starting point for developing new treatments for chronic itch. Now researchers are focusing on finding drugs to help fight itch. If you’re a little itchy, it’s okay to start with…