Search

… germs like bacteria, fungi, and viruses.]. Together, all the microbes living in your mouth are known as the oral microbiome. Scientists believe the oral microbiome can … these microbes living in your mouth,” says Dr. Christian Abnet, an oral cancer researcher at NIH. “Even people with good oral hygiene have a thriving microbiome in their mouth.” The set of … usually doesn’t change much over time, at least in adults. When it does change, it can be bad news. “People tend to have certain microbes in specific proportions,” says Dr. Akintunde Emiola, …

… Do you know what’s in your mouth? It’s home to about 700 species of [qtip:microbes|Microscopic germs like bacteria, … fungus, and more. “Everybody has these microbes in their mouth,” says Dr. Robert Palmer, an NIH expert on oral microbes. Some microbes are helpful. Others can cause problems like tooth … microbe. There are several different types of microbes in the plaque that make acid. The good news is that limiting sweets and brushing and flossing regularly can help prevent bad microbes …

… thinking skills and ability to perform everyday tasks. It’s common to experience some decline in cognitive function as you get older. That may mean occasionally losing things, forgetting … as a computer disk for memory and thinking,” explains Dr. Marie Bernard, an aging expert at NIH. “As you get older it gets fuller and fuller. So, it can get more difficult to retrieve data … who didn’t drink. This was true even if they started misusing alcohol later in life. The good news, she explains, is that some problems with thinking or memory caused by medications or …

… freedom. But it’s also one of riskiest things you do every day. More than 36,000 people died in car accidents in the U.S. in 2018. Millions more are injured each year. Many things can make … calls us or texts us, we want to respond immediately,” says Dr. Bruce Simons-Morton, an NIH expert on teen driving. To drive safely, we have to overcome that powerful impulse, he … driver or have been driving for decades, it’s important to think about safe driving. The good news is that advances in car design and safety technology are helping protect you behind the …

… to experience setbacks when you’re trying to make healthy changes and reach a goal,” says NIH behavior change expert Dr. Susan Czajkowski. “The good news is that decades of research show that change is possible, and there are proven strategies … up for success.” Lots of things you do impact your health and quality of life, now and in the future. You can reduce your risk for the most common, costly, and preventable health …

… twice a week. But only about 20% of Americans meet these physical activity goals. The good news is that any physical activity is better than none. And getting active has both immediate and … actions that people of all ages can take to improve their health,” explains Dr. Kong Chen, an NIH expert who studies how the body uses energy. For older adults, physical activity can lower … diabetes from pregnancy. It also helps lessen symptoms of depression after giving birth. In short, being physically active is recommended for nearly everyone. … How to Move More … …

… helpful and harmful effects. … Use Your Time Wisely … Logging into social media can lead you in many directions. Actively engaging and connecting with others online can help build your … to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. But it’s not always clear which comes first: Is more time online causing the symptoms or a result of the symptoms? Depression or anxiety can … online. … Seek Out Help … Social media can be a tool to improve your mental health. You can search for health information, hear about others’ experiences, or find treatment options. “We …

… Everyone has pain or discomfort in their gut occasionally. Maybe you ate something that didn’t agree with you. Or you had an … to treat when they first develop. … Potential Causes … One of the most serious gut disorders is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), although it’s not very common. IBD occurs when [qtip:immune … may get these drugs first now, he explains. … Looking for Better Treatments … Researchers are searching for new ways to prevent and manage gut disorders. Lembo, for example, is testing …

… Many people start to feel pain and stiffness in their joints as they get older, often when they’re 45 to 50. It’s called arthritis, and it’s … strides in developing effective new treatments for many forms of the disease. What exactly is arthritis? “Arthr” means joint, and “itis” means inflammation—heat, swelling and redness. But … for certain immune system activity can confirm whether you have rheumatoid arthritis. The good news is that now there are medications not only to control pain and inflammation, but to actually …

… overweight or obese, there’s now a free, research-based tool to help you reach your goals: the NIH Body Weight Planner .   “A lot of people want to change their lifestyle to lose weight and … says Dr. Kevin Hall, a senior NIH researcher who created the Planner. “The Body Weight Planner is the first tool of its kind. It uses specific information about the diet and physical activity … calorie and physical activity targets to achieve your goal and maintain it over time. “In the past, people have relied on simple rules of thumb, such as cutting 500 calories per day to …