Health Article description.X-rays are a form of radiation, like light or radio waves, that can be focused into a beam, much like a flashlight beam. Unlike a beam of light, though, X-rays can pass through most objects, including the human body. When X-rays strike a piece of photographic film, they can produce a picture. Dense tissues in the body...

Health Article description.Discusses cancer pain management. Discusses causes such as tumor pressing on bones or nerves. Covers types of cancer pain. Discusses treatment with medicine, surgery, radiation, and other treatments.

Health Article description.Explores how healthy thinking habits can help with negative thoughts and behaviors. Explains the three parts of healthy thinking: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), gratitude, and optimism. Outlines how CBT uses thought reframing and techniques for calming the body and mind. Provides links for learning thought...

Health Article description.Anesthesia is the use of medicines to control pain and keep a person comfortable. Anesthetics are used to numb a specific area of the body (local and regional anesthesia). Or they can cause a person to be unconscious and not have pain during a procedure such as surgery (general anesthesia). The types of anesthesia...

Health Article description.What is anorexia? Anorexia is a type of eating disorder. People who have anorexia usually have a very low body weight because of an intense fear of gaining weight. They may not eat enough food because of this fear. Some people with anorexia make themselves vomit to avoid weight gain. Sometimes they exercise too much...

Health Article description.Briefly discusses various sleep problems of those 12 and older. Covers insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Health Article description.Briefly discusses common causes of skin rashes in those 12 and older. Covers allergies, chronic skin problems like eczema, and contact with poisonous plants like poison oak. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Health Article description.Covers causes and symptoms of osteoporosis in women. Looks at treatment with medicine. Includes steps to slow bone loss with exercise, eating healthy foods, and quitting smoking. Covers protecting yourself from falling to prevent broken bones.

Health Article description.Briefly discusses respiratory problems that babies and children can have. Covers viral and bacterial infections, allergies, and asthma. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Health Article description.Briefly discusses the symptoms that can occur from insect or spider bites. Covers skin reactions, allergic reactions, and toxic reactions. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Health Article description.Many teens try substances like alcohol or drugs. Some try them only a few times and stop. Teens who keep using substances may form a strong need for them. This can lead to substance use disorder. Substances teens may try include tobacco, alcohol,

Health Article description.Briefly discusses diarrhea in those 11 and younger. Covers causes such as infection and inflammatory bowel disease. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Health Article description.Briefly discusses symptoms and possible causes of abdominal pain, such as peptic ulcer disease, indigestion, appendicitis, and stomach flu. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Health Article description.Briefly discusses respiratory problems that older children and adults can have. Covers viral and bacterial infections, allergies, and asthma. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Health Article description.Hospitals can be big, confusing places, especially if you've never been a patient in one before. But by taking the time to learn about how hospitals work and what you can expect, you may be able to lower your stress and concentrate on what's important: feeling better.

Health Article description.Covers causes and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Looks at how treatment can help and steps you can take. Discusses most effective treatments—counseling and antidepressant medicines. Includes stories from others in their own words.

Health Article description.Discusses problems falling asleep or staying asleep. Covers causes such as stress, depression, lack of exercise. Discusses other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. Covers treatment and includes alternative medicines like melatonin.

Health Article description.Lead poisoning occurs when you absorb too much lead by breathing or swallowing a substance with lead in it, such as paint, dust, water, or food. Lead can damage almost every organ system. In children, too much lead in the body can cause lasting...

Health Article description.Briefly discusses male genital problems and injuries. Looks at testicle, penis, and scrotum symptoms. Covers rashes and infections. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Health Article description.Discusses allergic rhinitis. Covers common immediate and chronic symptoms. Looks at what increases risk. Covers treatment options. Offers prevention and treatment tips.

Health Article description.The best way to stay healthy on your trip is to plan ahead. If you are planning to travel to another country, see a doctor several months before you leave so you will have enough time to get the vaccines you need. Also ask your doctor if there are...

Health Article description.Helping someone with personal care involves many daily tasks. If it's been awhile since you did day-to-day caregiving—or if you've never done it—you might not know all the things you need to do and how to do them.

Health Article description.Explains ergonomics, common office injuries due to poor ergonomics, and how to help prevent injuries, including setting up your workstation. Gives self-care tips for relieving muscle aches and provides step-by-step instructions for stretches to relieve aches.

Health Article description.Briefly discusses substance use behaviors. Covers alcohol use, recreational and illegal drug use, and prescription and nonprescription medicine use. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers tips on how to get help.

Health Article description.Electrolytes are minerals found naturally in the body, such as potassium, calcium, sodium, and magnesium. Electrolytes are needed to keep the body's balance of fluids at the proper level and to maintain normal functions, such as heart rhythm, muscle contraction, and brain function. If the body's electrolytes are not in...