At some point in life, most people think about changing or improving some part of their life. For some people, it might be quitting smoking or drinking less. For others, it's eating better or getting more exercise. Only you know when you're ready. Maybe you're fine with the way your life is going right now. Or maybe the...

Briefly discusses breast changes during puberty, noncancerous breast changes, and when problems may need follow-up care. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Briefly discusses how the heart works and what might cause minor or serious heartbeat changes. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

What is child care? Child care is short-term care by someone other than a parent. There are two basic types of child care: individual and group. Individual providers. These providers care for only your child or children. The provider may be a family member or friend, a nanny, an au pair, or a babysitter. Group...

In most healthy adults, pleasure and interest in sex remain as they age. Age alone is no reason to change the sexual practices that you have enjoyed throughout your life. But you may have to make a few minor adjustments to accommodate any physical limitations you may have or the effects of certain illnesses or...

Covers the basics of obesity. Discusses health risks such as hypertension related to having excess body fat. Focuses on lifestyle changes you can make, like healthy eating and exercise. Includes information on weight-loss medicines and surgery and on creating a long-term plan with your doctor.

Covers how you can start eating healthier. Looks at making small changes toward healthier eating habits. Offers advice on dealing with barriers to healthy eating. Includes how healthy eating can help lower your risk for disease.

Has info on female and male genital problems, birth control, and STI testing. Also links to topics on exposure to STIs and sexuality/physical changes with aging.

Provides links to information about high blood pressure. Describes what blood pressure is, high blood pressure's effect on health, and how high blood pressure is treated. Has links to lifestyle changes and medications used to treat high blood pressure.

What is an abnormal Pap test? A Pap test, or Pap smear, is done to look for changes in the cells of the cervix. If your test is abnormal, it means it found some cells on your cervix that don't look normal. Having an abnormal test doesn't mean you have cancer. The chances that you have cancer are very small. What causes...

Genes determine what you inherit from your parents, from blood type and hair color to certain diseases. Changes in genes or chromosomes may cause health problems. We have hundreds of topics to answer your questions about genetic conditions. Maybe you're wondering about your baby's risk for disease or how to care for a...

Discusses symptoms of bipolar disorder in children and teens. Covers frequent and extreme mood swings ranging from being overly energetic to depression. Covers treatment with counseling and medicines.

Learn what to think about and plan for when you're getting ready to quit using tobacco.

HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine can prevent infection with some types of human papillomavirus. HPV infections can cause certain types of cancers, including: cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in women penile cancer in men anal cancers in both men and women cancers of tonsils, base of tongue...

Looks at forming a partnership with your doctor to manage your care. Suggests taking an active role by asking questions about treatment choices and costs, learning on your own, and prepping for office visits. Offers questions to ask when choosing a doctor.

COVID-19 vaccine can prevent COVID-19 disease. Vaccination can help reduce the severity of COVID-19 disease if you get sick. COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 that spreads easily from person to person.

Recombinant zoster (shingles) vaccine can prevent shingles. Shingles (also called herpes zoster, or just zoster) is a painful skin rash, usually with blisters. In addition to the rash, shingles can cause fever, headache, chills, or upset stomach. Rarely, shingles can lead to complications...