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We each have a unique “healthiest self.” We have different minds, bodies, living situations, and people that help to shape our health and well-being. This website has science-based health tips in five different areas, from your surroundings to your relationships and your feelings. Find checklists of tips to improve your well-being.

Scleroderma is a rare disease that affects the body’s connective tissue. Connective tissues support the skin and internal organs. The disease can cause skin, blood vessels, or other tissues to become hard or thick. It can also lead to swelling or pain in your muscles and joints. The exact cause of scleroderma is unknown. It’s thought to be an autoimmune disease, which means the body’s disease-…

Arthritis causes pain, swelling, and stiffness of your joints, the connections between bones. Arthritis is most common in adults. But it can also affect children. This is called juvenile arthritis. “Arthritis is particularly a problem for children because their bones and joints are developing and growing,” says Dr. Michael Ombrello, who specializes in treating joint diseases at NIH. There are…

Changes to your eyesight are normal with age. You may be less able to see up close without reading glasses. It may take your eyes longer to adjust to changing light levels. These problems can usually be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or improved lighting. But some changes can be a sign of disease. A condition called age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is the leading cause of vision…

What do you think of when you hear the word robot? Is it a human-like assistant with a friendly face, or a large and menacing foe? Generally, a robot is a machine that that’s been built to perform specific tasks. “When most people hear the term ‘robot,’ they think of things made of solid metal and electronics,” says Dr. Ryan Sochol, a mechanical engineer at the University of Maryland. But medical…, Social Robots Help Out, Zhao and others are studying how human-like, interactive robots could help people with dementia and their caregivers. As the U.S. population ages, there’s a growing need for caregivers. Family caregivers often provide countless hours of support. That can lead to a lot of stress. Zhao and his team interviewed patients and caregivers at assisted living facilities, senior centers, and memory clinics…, Robots for Surgery, Other researchers have been developing tiny robotic tools to help surgeons and physicians. Robotic surgery can lead to less pain and blood loss, smaller scars, and quicker recovery. It can have fewer complications compared to traditional surgery. Robotic surgeries usually involve making little openings through the skin and then inserting small 3D cameras and surgical tools. Sochol’s team is…, Wearable Robotics, NIH also funds studies to develop artificial limbs, or prosthetic devices, to replace lost or damaged body parts. Some of these robotic devices connect to the brain and let people control movement of artificial hands, legs, and other limbs. Other researchers are developing battery-powered exoskeletons to help move existing limbs. “Exoskeletons are robots that you wear on your body. They can fit…