A wearable blood pressure monitor may be in our future
More and more consumers are using health monitors they can wear. These wearables make it easier for patients to track their own health on a daily basis and stay motivated.Read More
Category Archives: Healthcare
Restoring beneficial gut bacteria in cancer patients
Could our own bacteria be helpful in cancer treatment? Maybe, say researchers sponsored in part by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Antibiotics are essential to preventRead More
Most women with early-stage breast cancer don’t need chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is one of the cornerstones of modern-day cancer treatment. But in some cases, it may not be essential to treatment success. New research funded in part by the NationalRead More
NIH-Kennedy Center initiative explores ‘Music and the Mind’
[Introduction] Can music help us learn? Can it ease chronic pain? Can it improve your health in general? These are important questions being studied by the National Institutes of HealthRead More
Here’s a health tip: Sign up for NIH MedlinePlus articles
Check your inbox for new articles from MedlinePlus and the National Library of Medicine (a National Institutes of Health institute). My MedlinePlus articles feature information on diseases and conditions, tipsRead More
Study offers clues for improving seasonal flu vaccine
The 2017-2018 flu season was rougher than most. During peak flu activity in February, more than 10 percent of deaths in the U.S. were attributed to the flu or pneumonia,Read More
Updated blood pressure guidelines: Lifestyle changes are key
Nearly 86 million people in the U.S. have high blood pressure. (Blood pressure over 140/90 is traditionally defined as high blood pressure.) The condition, also known as hypertension, puts additionalRead More
New blood pressure guidelines: What you need to know
[Introduction] Making sense of your blood pressure reading can be tricky, but we’ve broken it down to help you better understand what the numbers mean. Understanding your blood pressure readingRead More
Extending cancer survival in young patients
Early results from a clinical trial show that a new drug may extend survival for cancer patients with a specific type of cancer. The cancer occurs in 1,000 people eachRead More
Fighting cancer: Ins and outs of immunotherapy
[Introduction] Cancer can play a cat and mouse game with our immune systems, hiding cells and making it harder to fight off the disease. One treatment to help combat thisRead More
DASH: Eat your way to lower blood pressure
What is DASH? DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. This eating plan is based on research studies sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. It canRead More
Translating music into hope
[Introduction] Grammy Award winning musician Jimmy Luis Gomez, better known as Taboo, has been thrilling audiences for years as a member of the hit music group Black Eyed Peas. HeRead More
Finding better and more personalized ways to diagnose cancer at NIH
[Introduction] Cancer treatment is constantly evolving and so are the detection tools that help diagnose it. The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Cancer Diagnosis Program focuses on creating newer and betterRead More
Cholesterol: The good, the bad, and the unhealthy
We hear about cholesterol in the news, in diets, and on advertisements. But what exactly is it? Cholesterol is a type of fat in our bodies. It helps us doRead More
Racing against lung cancer
In early 2016, Rhode Island resident Ted Simon had a tickle in his throat that wouldn’t go away. When the tickle turned into a cough, he went to see hisRead More
Caregiving: It takes a village
[Introduction] Do you remind a family member or friend to take a life-saving medication each day? Do you spend time helping a disabled neighbor with chores? You may not realizeRead More
Eyes may be ‘windows to the brain’ in stroke patients
Our eyes can tell us a lot about our health. They can help health care providers diagnose things like diabetes, genetic disorders, and cancer. Our eyes may also help giveRead More
A couple’s caregiving journey
[Introduction] David Kaye never thought anything could hurt him. He spent 25 years in the Army as a Green Beret and served three tours of duty in Vietnam. But afterRead More
Brain scan technology extends treatment window for stroke
Some stroke patients may be able to receive effective treatment later than originally thought—up to 16 hours after a stroke happens—thanks to brain imaging technology. But researchers emphasize that strokeRead More
Advance care plan: A checklist for the future
Do you and your loved ones have an advance care plan? An advance care plan spells out decisions you’d like to make if you can’t speak for yourself due toRead More
Fighting the flu with a universal vaccine
After a serious 2017–2018 flu season, development of a universal vaccine has become more important than ever. Seasonal flu (or influenza) vaccines are made each year to best match theRead More
Caregiving isn’t a solo sport
[Introduction] Leeza Gibbons is a leading TV talk show host, entertainment reporter, and best-selling author, but she has another role: caregiver. Gibbons cared for both her mother and father duringRead More
Can potassium help your heart?
Potassium is a mineral in your body that helps your nerves and muscles work. A recent study provides early evidence that increased potassium may help prevent hardening of the arteries,Read More
Achoo! cold, flu, or something else?
[Introduction] Winter and early spring typically bring colds, the flu, and allergies—though they can occur at any time of the year. Determining what you have can be challenging. All threeRead More
Gum disease by the numbers
[Introduction] Gum (or periodontal) disease is one of the leading threats to dental health. It’s typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—toRead More