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For over 30 years, doctors have recommended the DASH diet to help people reduce high blood pressure. Studies have repeatedly shown that the DASH eating plan can improve heart health. The DASH diet seems to have other health benefits. But its effects on blood glucose, also called blood sugar, in people with type 2 diabetes were unclear. The DASH diet encourages eating fruits, vegetables, whole…

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, causes swelling and redness inside your eyelid and the white part of your eye. Your eye may also feel itchy and painful. The condition is common and can sometimes spread very easily. Anyone can get pink eye. It’s usually caused by a virus or bacteria. You can also get it from allergies irritating your eyes. Symptoms include pain in your eye, a very red eye, and a lot…

Developmental language disorder, or DLD, affects about 1 in 14 children who are in kindergarten. DLD is a communication disorder. It can cause problems with learning, understanding, and language. Early treatment during preschool years can improve the skills of many kids with language delays. Visit the website to learn more.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest types of cancer. Part of why it’s so deadly is that doctors usually don’t find it until it has spread to other parts of the body. After cancer has spread, treatment is less likely to work. Currently, there are no screening tests to find pancreatic cancer at its early stages. A recent study tested new ways to detect early-stage pancreatic cancer.…

Some medications affect your brain and nervous system. Side effects can include an increased risk of confusion, falls, and hospitalization. This risk is higher for people with dementia—a brain disorder that causes memory loss and difficulty thinking clearly. A new study showed that many people with dementia are taking medicines that may not be safe for them. Researchers studied medical records of…

Find clinical research studies taking place at NIH’s Clinical Center. The Clinical Center hosts a wide range of studies from rare diseases to chronic health conditions. Volunteers are needed for conditions being studied and healthy volunteers. Search by diagnosis, sign, or symptom.

Your kidneys function as your body’s filters. These two organs clear out toxins and compounds that would otherwise build up in your blood. This keeps the rest of your body running smoothly. Your kidneys filter around 150 quarts of blood each day. This blood is circulated around your entire body. “So when the kidneys aren’t working well, every cell and every organ in the body can be affected,”…, Detecting Kidney Dysfunction, The most common causes of CKD are diabetes, high blood pressure, and [qtip:cardiovascular disease|Related to the heart and the vessels that circulate blood through the body.]. These health conditions can damage the kidneys over time. Treating them as early as possible can reduce your risk of related kidney problems. Genetics and a family history of kidney diseases can also raise your risk for…, Dietary Changes, One important thing that people with CKD can do to stay healthy longer is make certain changes to their diet. “Dietary changes are a fundamental aspect of managing chronic kidney disease,” says Dr. Meryl Waldman, who studies nutrition and kidney health at NIH. Avoiding foods and drinks high in certain nutrients may prevent or delay some health problems for people with CKD. These include foods…, Getting Treatment, Other lifestyle changes, like getting more exercise and sleep, reducing stress, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco also help your body and organs work better together, Waldman adds. Medications are a vital part of managing CKD, too. Some drugs to help manage CKD treat the underlying conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. “But in the last 10 years, there have been remarkable advances…

Outbreaks of a contagious “stomach bug” called norovirus can spread quickly. It often crops up in cruise ships, nursing homes, and other crowded places. People of any age can become infected with a norovirus. But the very old and young children are more likely to become very sick. Noroviruses can affect your stomach and intestines. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain.…

More than 1 out of 3 older adults in the U.S. have chronic low back pain. Pain is considered chronic when it lasts more than three months. Some find relief with pain medications or physical therapy. But others need more options. A new study looked at how much acupuncture might help older adults with chronic back pain. Acupuncture uses thin metal needles to stimulate specific points on the body.…

Many Americans don’t get enough exercise. A lack of physical activity can increase the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. A new study suggests that your neighborhood’s design can affect how many steps you get in a day. Walking provides many health benefits. But some neighborhoods aren’t as easy to get around on foot. They may lack sidewalks, parks, or nearby…