An allergy is when your immune system overreacts to an otherwise benign trigger, like pollen or pet dander. If you encounter one of these triggers — called an allergen — you may experience a range of symptoms, from sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, or a runny nose to rashes, hives, asthma attacks, or severe trouble breathing….

It’s never too early to protect yourself from heart disease — the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. That’s because heart disease and the conditions that lead to it, such as diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure, can happen at any age but are on the rise in adults aged…

The term preventive care may sound familiar to you. But you may not know exactly why it matters to your health. Preventive care is an umbrella term for healthcare strategies to prevent and detect chronic (ongoing) diseases early before they can occur or get worse. Your doctor may call it routine or regular care. Preventive…

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), approximately 1.4 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes each year. Nearly 6% of those newly diagnosed patients will have type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks the cells that make insulin, a special hormone that helps to convert the carbohydrates from food into energy. Individuals…

On average, women in the U.S. can expect to live just over 79 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s six years longer than the average for men. But certain female-specific cancers can shorten a woman’s life. And other female health conditions can decrease a woman’s quality of life. Here are…

Every year, about 8% of people in the U.S. get the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although the flu can make anyone sick regardless of their age or health, some people are more at risk of serious flu complications. Getting the seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to…

As people age, so do their immune systems. This decline in immune function makes older adults more susceptible to illnesses — and serious complications from those illnesses. They may also not build the same level of immunity in response to vaccines as they did when they were younger. That’s why the CDC recommends several vaccines…

It happens to everyone. You forget to take your medicine at the right time, or don’t remember to take it at all. It may not sound like a big deal, but it may be if it happens too often. Taking your medications as prescribed is one of the most important things you can do to…

Caring for someone with dementia can be challenging. That’s because dementia doesn’t just lead people to be forgetful. They may also have trouble with speaking, understanding written and spoken language, problem solving, and paying attention. As a result, they may have trouble carrying out basic daily tasks, like cooking, cleaning, bathing, or taking medication. People…

You may think your teen’s mental health is okay, but some teens with mental health issues may be struggling silently, unsure of how to reach out for help. In 2019, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) declared mental health problems facing teens and children a national emergency that requires action and treatment. And suicide is…