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Everything in your body has its proper place. Muscles and other internal structures help keep your organs where they should be. But sometimes they’re not strong enough to do that. In that case, a piece of tissue or organ can slip through a gap in the weakened structures around it. The result is a condition called a hernia. Most hernias occur in the abdomen. But they can happen in other places,…

Find in-depth stories covering NIH’s cutting-edge biomedical research. Learn about the current state of research for many fields and where they may be heading., NIH Research in Context, comes out quarterly. Read the latest story on early-life nutrition.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S. Screening tests can check for signs of breast cancer before symptoms start. If cancer is found early, it increases the chance that it can be treated more effectively. Doctors generally recommend mammogram screening based on a woman’s age. A new study shows that it’s safe for breast cancer screenings to be based on women’s risk…

Home is where we eat, sleep, relax, and spend time with family. It’s where children grow and develop. Because we spend so much time there, scientists say the home is one of the most important places to think about health. Over the past decade, researchers have learned much more about the harms we’re exposed to indoors. They have also learned how to reduce some of these risks. The science has…, Chemicals in Everyday Products, Many everyday products in our homes contain chemicals that can be slowly released into the air or settle into dust over time. These include flame retardants in electronics and furniture, plastic additives, pesticides, dyes in fabrics, and PFAS. PFAS stands for a group of chemicals called perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. “As building materials have evolved and we’ve shifted to newer…, Air, Dust, and Mold, One key way chemicals move through a home is by attaching to dust. “They’re very sticky,” Stapleton explains. “They’re going to stick to particles that are in the air or in settled dust. So dust becomes a sink for these chemicals.” Dust can especially affect children’s health. Kids spend more time close to the floor. They touch surfaces and often put their hands in their mouths, increasing…, Water Quality, Water quality is another important part of a healthy home. “It’s something that people are consuming frequently and directly, across the lifespan,” says Dr. Abby Fleisch, a pediatrician and environmental health researcher at MaineHealth. Most public water systems in the U.S. are regulated and monitored for some contaminants like lead, arsenic, and pesticides, but not all. Drinking water levels of…, Build a Healthier Home, Experts say that you don’t need to make drastic changes all at once. Small steps, taken over time, can create a healthier home. Fleisch points to an encouraging finding from her own NIH-supported research. In a large study, she looked at adults at risk for diabetes. People with higher PFAS levels were more likely to gain weight and develop high cholesterol or diabetes over time. But people who…

A new study showed that a blood test can estimate when someone will begin to show Alzheimer’s symptoms. This could help researchers better design approaches to prevent or treat symptoms. Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. It’s the most common form of dementia. There is no cure, but there are treatments. People with Alzheimer’s disease have…

A stroke can change your life in an instant. Symptoms come on suddenly. Facial drooping, arm weakness, or slurred speech can all signal that a stroke is happening. A stroke can take away the ability to walk, talk, or do other daily activities. But survivors can often relearn skills affected by the stroke and overcome losses in ability. Strokes happen when the brain doesn’t get enough blood flow.…, Benefits of Rehab, Rehab can help survivors build back skills they have lost after a stroke. It uses exercises and other therapies to help restore physical function. It also provides strategies to handle remaining problems. For example, a stroke survivor may no longer be able to grasp things with one hand. Rehab can help them learn to use their other hand. Rehab usually starts at the hospital within 48 hours of a…, Restoring Muscle Use, After a stroke, survivors can have trouble moving certain muscles. Muscles can become weak, uncontrollable, or paralyzed. Rehab programs can help address these issues. But some survivors have difficulty finding a provider in their area or getting to a clinic. Dr. Steven Cramer, a stroke neurologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, wants to make rehab easier to access. He’s designed…, Restoring Language, Strokes can also damage the part of the brain that controls language. At least one out of every four stroke survivors have a condition called “aphasia.” It affects speaking, reading, writing, and/or understanding language. Not all stroke survivors recover from aphasia, even with speech-language therapy. They often have chronic (long-lasting) problems with language. Dr. Julius Fridriksson, a…

Burns can affect anyone. The consequences can range from mild skin damage to permanent scarring or even death. That’s why it’s important for everyone to know how to prevent burns. Most burn injuries occur at home. Kitchen fires or other household accidents are common causes. For children, scalds are the leading cause of burn injury. These are caused by steam or boiling water. Treatment depends on…

Uncontrolled hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the leading cause of death in the U.S. It develops when the force of the blood pushing against the walls of arteries becomes too high. This puts more pressure on the heart and arteries, which puts you at risk for heart disease. Hypertension is more common in low-income populations. Studies have found that people are better at lowering their…

Scientists found that babies exposed to high levels of metals were more likely to have brain and mental health problems later in childhood. Metals can get into the body by eating or drinking, touching surfaces, or breathing in fumes. While the body needs certain metals, too much of them can be harmful. Some metals, like lead, are harmful in any amount. Babies and children have a higher risk from…

Wildfires can be sparked by human activity or natural events. Over the past few decades, they have become increasingly common. The flames can destroy buildings and endanger people in the immediate vicinity. But wildfires can harm people even if no one is nearby. This is mainly because of the smoke they create. “We sometimes see smoke in the air hundreds of miles away from a wildfire,” says Dr.…