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Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones. It’s often thought of as a disease that affects women since it’s more common in women than men. But men can also develop osteoporosis, especially when they reach age 65 and older. Osteoporosis is a “silent” disease. It often has no symptoms until it is so severe that you break a bone. It is one of the major causes of bone fractures in older men.…

Endometriosis is one of the most common diseases of the female reproductive system. Its main symptoms include pain and infertility. It arises when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other places in the body. There is no cure, but treatments can reduce pain and infertility.

Your senses let you experience the world. Sight, hearing, taste, or even smell may be the first sense to spring to mind*. But don’t forget touch. Your sense of touch helps keep you safe from physical threats and can strengthen social bonds. It can also be altered by many health conditions. “Your skin is your largest sensory organ by far,” says Dr. Alexander Chesler, a touch researcher at NIH. “It…, From Pleasure to Pain, Nerve cells in your skin are the first to sense when you touch something. They send electrical impulses to your spinal cord, which then passes the signal on to your brain. Each nerve cell can respond with a different level of sensitivity to different types of sensations. Some nerve cells in the skin sense things that hurt, like a pinch or a sharp object. Others pick up sensations like hot, cold,…, From Skin to the Brain, Once sensations from touch leave the nerve cells in the skin, they can be altered in different ways before they reach the brain. Understanding how this happens is just as important as understanding what happens in the skin, Chesler explains. “If we can understand these basic principles about how touch and pain work, we can find new ways to intervene to stop pain,” he says. “We also want to know:…, Solving Touch Problems, Certain physical and mental health conditions can affect a person’s sense of touch. “A lot of neurologic disorders, like stroke or autism, can affect the way we process sensory information,” Chen explains. After a stroke, some people may become less able to process touch. A person with autism, on the other hand, may feel overwhelmed by touch. “If we can pinpoint certain nodes in the touch network…, *Editor's note: This statement contained an error and was updated following publication.

The appendix is a finger-like pouch that branches off from your large intestine. No one is sure what it does or why it evolved. But when something goes wrong, it can be dangerous. “We do know that it causes problems,” says Dr. Nicole Wilson, a pediatric surgeon at the University of Rochester. “And we do know that people do just fine without it.” Some studies suggest that your appendix may help…, [qtip:inflammation|Heat, swelling, and redness caused by the body’s protective response to injury or infection.], of the appendix. This can happen for different reasons. Sometimes the tiny opening that leads from the appendix to the large intestine gets blocked by stool. Other times an infection can be the cause. Swelling from inflammation can lead to pain in your abdomen, the cavity that holds your organs. “The classic symptoms of appendicitis are pain that starts around the belly button and kind of…

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer for men in the United States. Luckily, most men with prostate cancer will still be alive 15 years after diagnosis. Men with prostate cancer that hasn’t spread outside the gland have several treatment choices. These include surgery, radiation therapy, and active surveillance, where treatment is delayed until a cancer starts to grow. Men live a similar…

Acne is a common skin condition that causes pimples. These bumps usually arise on your face. Acne can also appear on your back, chest, or shoulders. Anyone can get acne. But it is most common in teens and young adults. For most people, acne goes away by about age 30. Acne usually pops up when hair follicles under the skin become clogged with oil or other substances. This can lead to swelling and…

Some teens get severe headaches known as migraines. This free app from NIH can help teens figure out what’s triggering their migraines. Understanding migraine triggers can help them take control to manage their pain. The app also lets them share a headache log with their health care provider.

Physical activity has many benefits. Walking, running, biking, swimming, lifting weights, playing sports, and moving more can add years to your life. Physical activity can improve your health, mood, and energy levels. But sometimes, the inspiration to get moving may be lacking. That’s when friends, family, and other social connections can help. Research has shown that connecting with others,…, The More the Merrier, Social support can make physical activity more fun and inviting. And being active is an important goal for just about everyone. Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of serious health conditions. These include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Activity can boost brain health, improve sleep, and more. Yet most American adults do not get the recommended amounts of physical…, Plan Together, Making a plan with someone and sticking to it can be especially helpful. Agree to meet at certain times to get active together. Or agree to check in with each other regularly at specific times. You can share successes and struggles. “If you make a plan to be active with a friend or family member, you’re more likely to keep that commitment. You’ll meet with them as promised,” Donze says. “It helps…, Overcoming Obstacles, “Certain groups of people have specific barriers that can keep them from getting active,” Rice explains. “For instance, older adults who’ve had a major health event like a heart attack may have anxiety or concerns about being physically active. Yet activity is so important for their health and recovery.” Some researchers have been studying how mindful practices, like tai chi, can help people with…

Bacteria and viruses are well-known causes of illness. But did you know that certain types of fungi can also make you sick? Most fungi are harmless to people. We even eat some, like mushrooms. But some fungi can cause skin problems, lung infections, and other diseases. Fungi typically live in soil and on plants. But they can also thrive indoors. They can float through the air just like other…, [qtip: immune system|The body’s defenses against invading viruses, bacteria, and other microscopic threats.], are at much higher risk for infections that could become serious (see the Wise Choices box). Diagnosing a fungal infection inside the body can be tricky. “Many symptoms aren’t specific to a fungus or a virus or bacteria,” Andes explains. “So it can be very hard to tell them apart.” Symptoms of a serious fungal infection can include a fever, cough, trouble breathing, chills, headache, chest pain,…

Pregnant women who have anxiety before childbirth are at increased risk for mental health concerns after the baby is born. Anxiety during pregnancy is more common in areas where mental health resources are scarce. A recent study showed that counseling given by non-specialists could help. The study enrolled more than 750 pregnant women in Pakistan. All the women had symptoms of anxiety but not…