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Experts suggest that children ages 6 to 12 get at least nine hours of sleep each day. But many don’t get that much. A new NIH-funded study shows that getting enough sleep may be especially important for preteen brains. Researchers identified more than 4,000 children, ages 9 or 10, who got at least nine hours of sleep per day, according to their parents. This group was compared to a similar number…

When fall arrives, many of us know it’s time to get the annual flu, or influenza, shot. It’s also a good time to consider what other vaccines or boosters to get to protect your health. Staying up to date on vaccines is especially important for older adults. Our immune system helps the body fight infection, but it gets weaker as we age. Vaccines help to strengthen the immune system. Other vaccines…

Nearly half of U.S. adults ages 60 to 69 say they have hearing loss. Find helpful information on age-related hearing loss and where to turn for help. Get details about hearing aids and assistive devices. Learn how to prevent noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus.

It’s normal to feel sad, down, or low at times. But these feelings can sometimes linger. They can get worse, too, eventually making it hard to do basic daily tasks. If you’ve had a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in most activities for at least two weeks, you may be experiencing depression. Depression is a serious disorder. “It’s not something that you can just ‘push through,’ or…, Treatment Options, Depression can look different for different people. But there are some common symptoms (see the Wise Choices box). If you think you may be depressed, talk with your health care provider. Some infections or medical conditions can cause similar symptoms. Your provider can perform a physical exam and blood tests to look for possible causes. If you have mild depression, your provider may recommend…, Persistent Depression, For certain people, depression persists despite counseling and medication. This is called treatment-resistant depression. Brain stimulation therapies may help some people with treatment-resistant depression. These use electricity or magnets to directly change brain activity. For people who don’t feel better after trying at least two standard drugs, a drug called ketamine may be an option.…, Testing New Therapies, Researchers have also been working on new types of talk therapy for depression. Craske’s team is testing a type of therapy designed to help people focus on joy, excitement, and other positive moods. “Standard treatments are better at reducing negative emotions than increasing positive emotions,” she says. But people with depression often have the most trouble feeling positive things. “We’re…

Exhaustion seems to be on the rise. Fatigue is one of the symptoms most often reported by people with COVID-19, and their tiredness can linger. Add this to the many other causes of fatigue that existed before the pandemic—such as lack of sleep, mental health concerns, and health conditions like [qtip:anemia|A condition caused by low levels of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood. It can…

Getting enough physical activity is vital for your health at any age. Guidelines recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes (or two and a half hours) of moderate exercise each week. But does it matter what types of activities you do? A team of researchers asked this question about older adults. They looked at data from more than 250,000 participants in a national survey. People answered…

Ear infections are a common reason for bringing kids to see a health care provider. The infections can strike at any age, but children are much more likely to get them than adults. In fact, five out of six children will have at least one ear infection by the time they’re 3 years old. Ear infections are usually caused by bacteria, or sometimes a virus. They often arise after a sore throat, cold,…

Sleep is essential to health and well-being, but many of us don’t get the sleep we need. Learn about the science of sleep, read tips for getting good sleep, and watch videos explaining common sleep disorders. You can also find out about the latest research.

Keeping off weight during the holiday season can be tough. But there are many reasons to maintain a healthy weight all year round. A healthy weight lowers your risk for chronic diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. It can also help you stay more mobile as you age. Excess weight comes from taking in more energy, or calories, than your body needs. Some extra energy may be…, Calculating a Healthy Weight, The definitions of overweight and obesity are based on body mass index, or BMI. BMI is based on your height and weight. Overweight for adults is a BMI between 25 and 29.9. Obesity is a BMI of 30 or greater. NIH has a tool to help you calculate your BMI . “BMI is quick and easy to obtain, but it’s not perfect,” Yanovski says. A high BMI is usually caused by extra body fat. But it can also come…, Cutting Down Calories, To lose weight, experts suggest taking in about 500 fewer calories than you burn per day. This should get you to about one pound per week of weight loss, Yanovski says. The NIH Body Weight Planner can help you calculate exactly how many calories you need for your weight loss goals. The tool takes your age, sex, and level of physical activity into account. Experts recommend limiting less healthy…, Getting More Activity, Physical activity helps you burn off the calories you consume. Studies have found that it’s critical for maintaining a stable weight. Experts recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. Aerobic activity is anything that gets your heart rate up and gets you breathing harder. Examples of moderate-intensity activities include brisk walking (faster…, Staying on Track, Creating new habits can help you lose and maintain your weight. Weigh yourself regularly to see if you’re meeting your weekly goals. You can use an app or journal to track your physical activity and food intake. Some devices can automatically track and record your activity. Calculate whether you’re burning more calories than you’re taking in. Getting social support can help keep you motivated.…

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a serious [qtip:respiratory disease|A type of disease that affects body parts that help you breathe, including your nose, throat, and lungs.] that easily spreads between people. It can cause rapid and strong coughing fits that may be followed by a “whooping” sound as the person tries to breathe in. Pertussis can affect people of all ages. But babies…