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More than 25 million people in the U.S. live with chronic pain. This is pain that lasts for more than three months. The most common type of chronic pain is chronic back pain. Often, no physical cause for this pain can be found. In these cases, it may stem from brain changes that persist after an injury healed. These brain changes provide a warning for you to restrict your movement and let the…

Your thyroid is a small gland in the front of your neck. It releases hormones that control how your body uses energy. These keep your organs running properly. But some people’s thyroids can be underactive or overactive and cause health problems. When your thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones to meet your body’s needs, it’s called hypothyroidism. This condition affects about 5 in 100 people age…

The When To Test calculator helps guide you on COVID-19 testing. The tool considers the level of disease in your area, vaccine status, and personal habits. The website also includes tools to help organizations plan for and develop testing strategies.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among American women. Breast cancer death rates have been falling over the past 30 years. But nearly 13% of women are still diagnosed in their lifetime. Men can get breast cancer too, although it’s rare. Cancer is caused by changes to [qtip:genes|Stretches of DNA you inherit from your parents that defines features, like your risk for certain diseases…, Unraveling The Risks, “Breast cancer is caused by a combination of factors,” says Dr. Montserrat García-Closas, a cancer researcher at NIH. Your genes, lifestyle, and environment all contribute to your risk. Researchers are trying to better understand how each plays a role. People with a family history of breast cancer are at increased risk for the disease. Some are born with rare versions of certain genes that put…, BRCA1, and, BRCA2, . “But the vast majority of patients have no known family history and no known gene that causes cancer,” explains Dr. Margaret Gatti-Mays, a breast cancer treatment specialist at The Ohio State University. So researchers are also searching for combinations of genes that may lead to breast cancer. “Women can inherit hundreds or thousands of common versions of genes that each have tiny effects, but…, Staying Ahead of Breast Cancer, Another study, called the Wisdom Study, is exploring how to best personalize breast cancer screening. Screening tests look for signs of a disease before symptoms appear. Finding cancer early may increase the chance that it can be treated and cured. If you’re at high risk for breast cancer, your doctor may advise you to get screenings at an earlier age than most, or more often. “Women from 40 to…, Fighting Back, When breast cancer is found, treatment depends on the type of tumor. Surgery and radiation are common. Chemotherapy may also be used. Doctors might recommend other treatments as well, depending on the type of breast cancer. “There are three main types of breast cancer,” Gatti-Mays says. “The subtype is determined by the presence or absence of three [qtip:receptors|Molecules that receive and…

“Screen time” used to mean sitting around and watching TV. For kids, too much time in front of the TV is linked to obesity, as well as trouble in school. But screen time doesn’t refer just to television anymore. Smartphones, tablets, and other handheld devices are now everywhere. These new screens pose new challenges for parents, says Dr. Jenny Radesky, a pediatrician at the University of…

Night shift work increases the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. It disrupts the body’s circadian rhythms—the 24-hour internal “clock” that controls when you sleep and wake. Studies have shown that eating at night alters the body’s metabolism. Specifically, it impairs your ability to process blood sugar, or glucose. Now, a study suggests there may be a way to combat these…

Some vision problems can’t be fixed with glasses, contact lenses, or even surgery. This is known as low vision. It can make everyday tasks difficult. Your low vision may make it hard to read or drive. You might have trouble recognizing people’s faces or telling colors apart. Low vision is more common in older adults. It can be caused by many different eye conditions. One of the most common causes…

Testing is important to stop the spread of COVID-19. PCR tests for COVID-19 are very accurate. They make many copies of the virus’ genetic material in a sample. That lets the test detect very low levels of virus. Learn more about how PCR testing works.

About 20% of Americans live in rural parts of the country. Rural areas have more space, fewer people, and scenic landscapes. Residents often have a common sense of community. But living in a rural area can also bring challenges for staying healthy. Studies have found that rural Americans are more likely to die prematurely from the leading causes of death in the U.S. These include heart disease,…, Geography and Healthy Living, How does where you live affect your health? The answer is complicated. Different places have different resources. Access to housing, education, jobs, health care, and healthy foods varies across America. And all can impact your health. “Poverty, unemployment, low education, and inadequate transportation are all known to contribute to poorer health,” says Dr. Brian Rivers, a cancer care expert at…, Care in Rural Areas, Another major obstacle can be finding a doctor. In many rural communities, there is a shortage of doctors. “It’s more difficult to provide many types of health care services in rural communities simply because there’s a lower availability of health care professionals,” says Dr. Ty Borders, an expert on rural health at the University of Kentucky. This can make it hard to get specialty care for…, The Role of Telehealth, Virtual visits may be one option for rural patients. Telehealth—delivering care on the phone or computer—has been expanding in recent years. Physicians can monitor patients with chronic conditions without the need for them to come into the office. This is critical for certain health conditions where providers are scarce. Someone with diabetes, for example, can take a blood sugar reading during a…, Tips for Rural Residents, If you live in a rural area and are looking to improve your health, Rivers suggests first identifying your health needs. Then figure out your obstacles. Is it transportation? Distance? Cost? Look for resources available in your community to help. Local faith-based organizations, social service agencies, and libraries are good places to start. “See if there are community health workers or health…

Medications are one of our most powerful weapons against germs and diseases. But sometimes when people take medications, they can have an allergic reaction. That’s when a drug causes the body’s [qtip:immune system|The system that protects your body from invading viruses, bacteria, and other microscopic threats.] to overreact. When that happens, they may not be able to use the drug again without…