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Do you wonder if Alzheimer’s disease runs in your family? If a grandparent, parent, aunt, or uncle has had Alzheimer’s, will you have it, too? NIH’s new easy-to-read booklet,, Understanding Alzheimer’s Genes: Know Your Family History, , can help you answer these and other questions. The publication describes what genes are, how they relate to Alzheimer’s disease, and what it means if you have a family history of the disease. Genes contain information passed down from your parents. They affect many aspects of your health, including your likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s. Your chance of getting the disease may be higher if…

With the winter holidays upon us, you’ll likely be surrounded by family, friends and plenty of good food. Many of these foods, though, can be high in fat. Learn which fats are naughty and which are nice to your health. Then you can make smarter food choices. We need a certain amount of fat in our diets to stay healthy. Fats provide needed energy in the form of calories. Fats help our bodies…

We’ve all heard that exercise is good for you. Did you know that it’s as true for older people as it is for any age group? You’re never too old to get moving, get stronger and improve your health. Fitting exercise and physical activity into your day can enhance your life in so many ways. Regular physical activity can improve your balance and boost or maintain your strength and fitness. It may…, Go4Life., “Older adults can exercise safely, even those who have physical limitations,” Hodes says. “, Go4Life, is based on studies showing the benefits of exercise and physical activity for older people, including those with chronic health conditions.”, Go4Life, exercises are designed to be done safely at home without special equipment or clothing. The free book, Exercise & Physical Activity: Your Everyday Guide from the National Institute on Aging, is the core resource for the campaign. Other free materials, such as an exercise DVD and tip sheets, are also available., Workout to Go, , a mini exercise guide, shows you how you can be active anytime, anywhere. To learn more, visit the, Go4Life, website. You’ll find exercises, success stories and tips to help you stay motivated. Or call 1-800-222-2225, or e-mail niaic@nia.nih.gov .

Anxiety is an uneasy feeling that something may harm you or a loved one. This feeling can be normal and sometimes even helpful. If you’re starting a new job or taking a test, it might make you more alert and ready for action. But sometimes anxiety can linger or become overwhelming. When it gets in the way of good health and peace of mind, it’s called an anxiety disorder. If you have an anxiety…, Phobias., Intense, irrational fears triggered by things that pose little or no real danger, such as heights, dogs or spiders. Among the anxiety disorders, specific phobias are the most common., Social anxiety disorder., Leads to extreme anxiety and self-consciousness in everyday social situations. Also known as social phobia., Post-traumatic stress disorder., Caused by trauma. This condition leads to flashbacks, nightmares and insomnia. Often accompanied by depression or substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder can occur at any age, including childhood., Generalized anxiety disorder., Excessive worry about a variety of everyday problems., Panic disorder., Sudden attacks of terror accompanied by physical symptoms that may include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress. Panic disorder is one of the most treatable of anxiety disorders., Obsessive-compulsive disorder., Persistent, upsetting thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive rituals (compulsions), like hand washing, counting, checking or cleaning. These behaviors are done in the hope of preventing the thoughts or making them go away. Treatment for anxiety disorders usually includes both medication and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a form of talk therapy. It helps people change both the thinking…

Parents know that kids are vulnerable to a host of infectious diseases. Research supported by NIH and others proves that the benefits of vaccines in preventing illness and death greatly outweigh the risks. The list of childhood diseases can be overwhelming: measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, meningitis, influenza and rotavirus. In the era before vaccines, many children in the…, Haemophilus influenzae, type b (Hib, which can cause meningitis) lowered the risk of disease in the whole population. Before the vaccine, Hib struck about 1 in 200 children younger than age 5. It killed many and often left survivors with permanent brain damage. After the Hib vaccine was introduced in the mid-1980s, the incidence of Hib dropped by 99%. “Infectious disease eradication is possible,” says Lipsitch. Even…

Tinnitus is commonly described as a ringing in the ears, but some people also hear it as a roaring, clicking, hissing or buzzing. It may be soft or loud, and it might affect both of your ears or only one. For some people, it’s a minor annoyance. For others, it can interfere with sleep and grow to be a source of mental and emotional anguish. Each year about 1 in 10 adults nationwide has an episode…

A new study suggests that it’s a good idea to tell your doctor if close family members develop cancer. It might affect the types of cancer screening tests your doctor recommends. Your family’s medical history is one of the best tools for predicting your risk for developing cancer and other disorders. That’s why doctors usually ask about your family’s health the first time you visit. NIH-funded…

Do you struggle to lose weight? Being overweight or obese increases your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, fatty liver disease, kidney disease, and other health issues. Discover tips and tools to help you lose weight and keep it off.

Fat is an essential nutrient for our bodies. It provides energy. It helps our guts absorb certain vitamins from foods. But what types of fat should you be eating? Are there any you should avoid? Recommendations about dietary fat have shifted over the last two decades. From the 1970s through the 1990s, nutrition researchers emphasized eating a low-fat diet. This was largely because of concerns…, Healthy Fats, Research has shown that unsaturated fats are good for you. These fats come mostly from plant sources. Cooking oils that are liquid at room temperature, such as canola, peanut, safflower, soybean, and olive oil, contain mostly unsaturated fat. Nuts, seeds, and avocados are also good sources. Fatty fish—such as salmon, sardines, and herring—are rich in unsaturated fats, too. Large studies have…, Replacing ‘Bad’ Fats, So are there fats you should avoid? Only a few years ago, doctors still had to advise people to avoid so-called trans fats in their diets. These largely manufactured fats could be found in things like margarine and many processed foods. They have been shown to raise the risk of heart disease. Since 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has taken steps to remove artificial trans fats from…, Individual Needs, Researchers know that there are big differences in how people’s bodies react to different types and amounts of fat. But they still don’t know why. Studies have found that genes aren’t likely responsible, Sacks explains. Lichtenstein and Krauss are both studying how the microbes that live in the gut interact with dietary fats. The makeup of the microbiome—all the microorganisms that normally live…

How often do you feel thankful for the good things in your life? Studies suggest that making a habit of noticing what’s going well in your life could have health benefits. Taking the time to feel gratitude may improve your emotional well-being by helping you cope with stress. Early research suggests that a daily practice of gratitude could affect the body, too. For example, one study found that…