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Millions of Americans are living with visual impairments. These are vision problems that can’t be fixed with glasses, contacts, or other standard treatments. Learn how to locate services that can help with daily activities and improve your quality of life.

Our bodies are held together by structures called connective tissue. Connective tissues make up the ligaments and tendons that help your joints move. They also provide structure and flexibility for body parts, such as your skin and blood vessels. Damage to your connective tissue can cause serious health issues. Normal wear and tear from aging can start to erode connective tissues. So can certain, [qtip:autoimmune diseases|Conditions in which the body’s disease fighting system mistakenly attacks and destroys the body’s own cells.], , like lupus, and specific connective tissue disorders. The effects of these conditions can range from mild to severe. Researchers are looking for better ways to diagnose and treat conditions that lead to connective tissue damage. Getting treatment may help improve a person’s quality of life. But connective tissue disorders can be hard to recognize., Connecting the Dots, Connective tissue disorders aren’t common. Several can be passed down genetically. Those tend to run in families. Each disorder affects different body parts. One condition, known as Marfan syndrome, can lead to balloon-like bulges called aneurysms in blood vessels. These bulges are especially dangerous when they occur in the body’s largest blood vessel, the aorta, which carries blood to the heart…, Finding the Cause, Sometimes, having a connective tissue disorder in the family can delay diagnosis, Gensemer explains. “People can get accustomed to thinking that something painful is normal,” she says. “You might say something to your mom and dad, and their answer might be ‘Oh, that happens to me all the time.’” But you can’t always be sure what’s causing your symptoms. So it’s important to talk with your doctor…, Living With Connective Tissue Disorders, Researchers hope that a better understanding of the causes of these disorders will eventually lead to a cure. Currently, treatments for connective tissue disorders focus on managing symptoms. Both Marfan syndrome and hEDS can affect your blood vessels, which makes them vulnerable to tearing. People with these conditions often need frequent monitoring. Some may eventually need surgery to make sure…, [qtip:stem cells|Cells that have the ability develop into many different cell types in the body.], from patients’ skin, fixing the broken gene, and then returning repaired cells to the body. They’re testing whether these cells can heal blisters that arise in people with EB and prevent new ones from forming. “The skin is visible, so we can just look to see whether this works,” Bruckner explains. “If it does, then we have the potential to change the stem cells into other types of cells that…

Are your eyes tired, dry, or achy? Many factors can contribute to these types of symptoms. But a big culprit can be intense use of your eyes. Spending too much time looking at screens and held devices, like smartphones, can strain your eyes. So can normal aging. What can you do to find relief? One major cause of eye discomfort is not blinking enough. “When we focus on tasks like reading or…

Migraine headaches can last for days. Some people have what’s called an aura before migraine pain sets in. Aura can include visual disturbances, such as seeing flashing lights. And it can include other sensory changes, like numbness or tingling. Scientists have known that aura is caused by a disruption of electrical activity within the brain. But they hadn’t yet figured out how the aura might…

Periodontal, or gum, disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It usually arises because of poor brushing and flossing habits. This can lead to a sticky film of bacteria called plaque, which builds up and hardens on teeth. The hard buildup, called tartar, can only be removed by a dentist or dental hygienist. If not treated, gum disease can spread to the bones around…

Want to know what the science says about popular herbs used for health purposes? Find some answers in the palm of your hand by downloading the free HerbList app to your phone or tablet. Get clear info about over 50 herbs, such as aloe, turmeric, and chamomile.

Catching chronic health conditions early—even before you have symptoms—seems like a great idea. That’s what screening tests are designed to do. Some screenings can reduce your risk of dying from the disease. But sometimes, experts say, a test may cause more harm than good. Before you get a test, talk with your doctor about the possible benefits and harms to help you decide what’s best for your…

Microbes live all over your body. These include bacteria, fungi, and viruses. People with COVID-19 often have an imbalance in their gut’s microbes. In hospitalized patients, this can lead to serious infections in the blood, called secondary infections. A new study showed that COVID-19 can disrupt the gut’s microbes and allow harmful bacteria into the bloodstream. The researchers first studied…

Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the U.S. for both men and women. But you can take steps to protect your heart and stay healthy. To start, you can learn and keep track of some important heart health numbers, like your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose (blood sugar). Then take action to improve your numbers. One key number to know is your body mass index, or BMI.…

Meet Jane the Brain. She’s a super smart and friendly animated character. Like many of us, Jane has big feelings such as sadness, stress, and frustration. And she has tips to help kids cope with these emotions. Watch these brief videos and get other mental health educational resources for students and educators.