Prevention

The basics of wellness -- eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and practicing healthful habits -- can help you live a longer, healthier life. Adopting even one of the following components of good health and better self-care can improve your well-being. Embracing all of them will yield significant benefits.

Did you wash your hands this morning? Bravo! Washing your hands helps prevent the spread of potentially dangerous germs.

Your skin contains oil that protects it from drying out and from extreme temperatures, but your lips do not.

Having a pet can be a boon to body and soul—especially as we age. Pets can relieve stress—which may help explain why studies have found that pet owners have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Did you know that electrical currents flow throughout your body? Because the strongest of these travels through your heart, doctors are able to monitor your heart by placing electrical sensors on the surface of your skin. They do this by giving you an electrocardiogram -- abbreviated either ECG or EKG (from the original German spelling of the word).

If you're not eating right, you may be at risk for problems with your teeth and mouth. Bad eating habits can cause tooth decay and gum disease.

Anxiety and stress are the most common causes of insomnia. But sleeplessness can also be caused by a variety of medical conditions, medications and environmental factors.

Folliculitis, or ingrown hairs, can occur anywhere on the skin or scalp. It resembles pimple-like eruptions or crusty sores.

The 911 emergency response system, a hospital emergency room, and your doctor are your choices when you need prompt medical help.

No need to search for a secret formula to erase the effects of getting older. You already have the power to keep yourself feeling young for years.

Here are some helpful tips for understanding the air in your house and the air-quality appliances that can alter it.

If you want to be fully informed, you should read the fine print connected with any drug that you intend to use.

Time takes its toll on a body, but you don't have to sit back and let the effects of aging take place without a fight.

A person's ability to drive isn't based on age alone. Age-related changes in vision, physical fitness and reflexes, however, may be reasons to reevaluate your abilities behind the wheel.

If you're confused by the numbers and types of sunscreen, welcome to the club. Many Americans, it seems, are so confused by sunscreens that they don't even use them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that only about 30 percent of adults regularly use sunscreen.

Today's pharmacists counsel you on how to use your medicine correctly and help protect you against overdoses and dangerous drug interactions.

Medicine has advanced more rapidly in the past two centuries than in all its prior history.

Your body continues to change after delivery. Coping with these changes while you adjust to caring for a new baby can present a challenge.

Although most insects are just nuisances, some can threaten our health.

Anyone who doesn't dress warmly enough or gets overheated then chilled while outside risks developing hypothermia.

What's more relaxing that a good soak in a hot tub? Hot water sure makes you feel great, but hot tubs and whirlpools can sometimes be dangerous -- and even deadly.

Earaches are common during childhood, but a vaccine can ease the pain for thousands of kids.

Every year, thousands of Americans injure their eyes or damage their vision. Follow these guidelines to help protect yourself and your family.

Knowing how to prepare for a storm, and what to do during and after one, can help keep you and your family safe.

You can't stop the aging clock, but research shows you can at least slow it down.

Immunizations aren't just for children. Adults need immunizations, too. Ask your doctor which of the following shots you may need.

If you set professional goals for yourself at the beginning of the year, don't forget to take a look at what you have and haven't accomplished as the year progresses.

Staying healthy mentally and physically isn't simply a matter of good genes. It's a proactive project that lasts your entire life.

Bringing a new life into this world is a big responsibility. Even seemingly simple things—like soaking in a hot tub or being around people who are painting—could affect your baby.

The less unnecessary stress you put on your joints, the less likely they are to wear out prematurely.

Good posture can help your body function at its best. It promotes movement, efficiency and endurance, and contributes to an overall sense of well-being. It can also help prevent chronic aches and pains that can require medical attention.

Doing sit-ups or crunches can strengthen your abdominal muscles. But you have to do them correctly to achieve good results.

Just as simple things can upset your digestive system, simple changes can help. The following tips can help prevent or relieve digestive ills.

For long-lasting health and well being, stay physically active, challenge your mind and stay involved with others.

Active thinking pumps extra blood into your brain. Getting more blood to the brain is an important way to counteract the effects of aging.

Good posture can enhance your appearance, confidence and self-esteem. It also relieves overcrowding of internal organs caused by slouching.

Selecting toothpaste is largely a matter of personal preference, but all adults should use toothpaste containing fluoride.

Good mental health is just as important as good physical health. But we all face changes in life that can challenge our emotional well being.

If you're pregnant, it's just as important for you to stay away from lead as it is to protect your children from it.

Your body usually tells you when you are in danger -- your heart races, you breathe hard, your palms sweat. But when it comes to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), you may not have any warning signs.

Your heart is a vital organ that keeps your body functioning. Unfortunately, many people don't treat it that way. They may not realize that their daily habits and lifestyle can overwork and damage their heart. So, take care of your heart and yourself. Start by making the following lifestyle changes.

Atherosclerosis can be devastating, causing strokes, heart attacks and death. The good news is that you can take steps to protect yourself from this disease.

Strokes occur when something interferes with the normal flow of blood to the central nervous system. Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease and cancer.

Whether you're headed for the beach, the outback or the big city for your summer vacation, you should add a few more items to your to-do list.

How can you ensure you'll get the medical services you need in the future? Gather what documents you might need to get those services now. It helps to have a record of the names and addresses of your health care providers, the dates of your office visits, and hospitalizations.

Skin cancer can strike at any age, but it is more common in older people because they've had more years of sun exposure. Fortunately, you can take steps to reduce your chance of getting skin cancer, even if you haven't been careful about the sun before.

Which is more important to you -- being able to wear the jeans you wore five years ago, or being able to move better, have more energy and improve your health?

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could look and feel years younger just by taking a supplement? The makers of "anti-aging" hormone supplements would like you to believe that this is possible. But before you accept their claims and open your wallet, see what medical researchers say.

Where can you as a parent turn to for the facts about vaccine safety? The first place to go is your child's doctor.

Heart disease is a killer, but you can do plenty to reduce your risk and prolong your life. Research shows that making lifestyle changes can decrease your risk of cardiovascular heart disease and help you control it if you already have it.

These tips will help you reduce your risk of being ripped off and putting your health in danger.

Often, people with vision problems wait far longer than necessary or sensible before getting an eye examination. Everyone should have a regular exam every year or two.

The fact is that most women in their 30s and 40s have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. To ensure a healthy pregnancy, you should do what any woman should do: Prepare for your baby with healthy lifestyle choices. Talk with your doctor about your risk factors and learn what you can do to prevent potential problems.

Brushing twice a day will help get rid of plaque, the main cause of tooth decay and gum disease.

No packaging system is completely safe, so it's important that you check for signs of tampering whenever you buy or use a medicine.

Drug-drug interactions occur when one drug interacts or interferes with another drug. Such interactions are dangerous because they can alter the way one or both of the drugs act in the body. They can also cause unexpected side effects. The following information can help you avoid drug-drug interactions.

Every year, thousands of Americans die because of medical errors. Such errors can occur anywhere in the health-care system and can involve medicines, surgery, diagnosis, equipment and lab reports.

Although colds cannot be prevented -- or cured -- you can take precautions to reduce the chance of infection.

Men who think they're too "macho" to seek medical help could end up making more trips to the doctor's office in the long run.

If you're scheduled for an X-ray or imaging test, here are some things you should know about various procedures, what they're used for and any risks involved.

Even if you're fairly well conditioned, overdoing it may lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heatstroke, causing the body to lose its ability to sweat.

With drinking water, it's important to consider not just the water itself, but how that water gets to you.

Get a jump on the rest of your life by committing yourself to making the following changes in your lifestyle today.

Knowing whether your infection is caused by a virus or a bacterium makes a difference in how it is treated.

The good news is that being screened for cancer doesn't have to be a traumatic experience for anyone.

Many myths are associated with donating and receiving blood, including the threat of catching HIV, hepatitis, and other communicable diseases.

High cholesterol contributes to heart disease, which kills more Americans than all cancers combined.

Antibiotics are not necessary for the majority of infections seen in the pediatrician's office.

Your health habits may play a role in helping to reduce your risk for this serious disease, and they're particularly important as you get older.

Mental stress does more than diminish your sense of well-being. It also can increase your risk for heart disease.

Many products seek to prevent bug bites, but products containing DEET (usually listed on labels as N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) are quite effective.

If you're looking for a safe way to tan, a tanning booth or salon is not the answer, experts say.

The ACL is most often stretched or torn (or both) by a sudden twisting motion -- when, for example, your feet are planted one way and your knees are turned another.

Each fall you hear that the flu threatens senior citizens and folks with chronic ailments. But the rate of hospital stays is highest in another group—young children.

In recent years, an increasing amount of scientific evidence has supported the idea that people can do quite a lot on their own to lengthen their life span and to enhance the quality of life as they age. Here are five steps to take every day that can promote healthy aging and boost longevity.

Many older people fall because of unsafe surroundings at home. Use these suggestions to safeguard against some likely household hazards.

Shunning milk and the sun is more and more common for children, and the result is a lack of vitamin D.

A stress fracture occurs when you increase the length or intensity of your workout too quickly.

Women often perceive heart disease as an older person's disease that need not concern them until menopause.

Prehypertension is a new term that alerts people to the very real risk of developing chronic high blood pressure if they don't take timely steps to improve their lifestyle habits.

Domestic violence is behavior someone uses to control a spouse, partner, date or elderly relative through fear and intimidation.

Type 2 diabetes can be especially deadly for women. Of the nearly 16 million Americans with diabetes, more than half are female.

A medical error can occur when something that was planned for medical care doesn't work, or when the wrong plan was used in the first place.

There's a lot you can do to head off eye problems, including following a healthy diet and getting regular eye checkups.

Cocaine use ranges from occasional to compulsive. There is no safe way to use the drug.

Although it's impossible to prevent all falls, you can help keep yourself safe by improving your balance and employing "fall-proofing" behaviors.

The millions of Americans diagnosed with heart and cardiovascular diseases can benefit from making healthy choices in their day-to-day lives.

Many people are unaware they have osteoporosis until they have advanced symptoms, which may include a broken hip or wrist, low back pain or a hunched back.

Women can't always stay healthy and prevent disease. But by having certain screening tests and practicing healthful behaviors, they are more likely to live long, healthy lives.

This low-dose X-ray produces an image of the inner structures of the breast. It can detect tiny calcium deposits or microcalcifications that are too small to feel.

You can help prevent osteoporosis by including enough calcium in your diet and exercising regularly.

Using sunscreen, covering up and wearing sunglasses that block UV rays will help you enjoy the sunshine safely.

For some people, taking medication every day can help prevent migraines and make them less painful when they occur.

Here's food for thought on dietary changes that can help you prevent several serious conditions.

Neither Olympians nor weekend warriors are immune to tendonitis, ankle sprains, low back problems, and knee pain.

Here are nutrients that women are often deficient in, either because they lose too much of a nutrient, don't get enough of a nutrient, or both.

This guide can help you determine if you need to be immunized. Talk with your health care provider to be sure your immunizations are up to date.

The right amount of calcium in your diet helps maintain your bone strength, reducing your risk for osteoporosis.

If you're a woman of childbearing age, one of the B vitamins -- folate -- is especially critical.

Influenza, with its fever, aches, fatigue and threat of complications, seems a uniquely human illness. But the flu, caused by a virus, can infect animals and birds, as well.

Walking is one of the best and easiest exercises someone can do.

Dogs are responsible for 85 to 90 percent of all animal bites. But, many incidents can be avoided.

When you're behind the wheel, you may believe that you can stop yourself from falling asleep, but you can’t. You may not even know you’ve dozed off.

Older adults may have dental concerns that can’t be totally taken care of with just brushing and flossing.

If you are the parent of a young child, you may be confused about the safety of immunizations.

Even if you already have atherosclerosis or have had a heart attack, there’s a lot you can do to prevent future heart problems.

Common asthma triggers are dust mites, pets and pet dander, cockroaches, mold, tobacco smoke and pollen.

In recent years, scientists have conducted tests on tea to better understand what its health benefits may be.

Now that you've retired, what are you going to do with all that spare time?

Waiting until you are ill before you see your health care provider can put your health in jeopardy.

Putting babies to sleep on their backs has dramatically reduced the incidence of SIDS. One unexpected side effect: Many infants now have a flattened head.

Stingers occur when the shoulder and head go in opposite directions, the head is moved quickly to one side, or the area above the collarbone is hit.

If you have asthma, does your dentist know? This is important for good oral health, especially if you use a corticosteroid inhaler.

Common injuries include a twisted ankle, sprained wrist, overextended elbow and damaged knee ligaments. Fortunately, you can take steps to help prevent joint damage.

Your kidneys are your body's filters. They remove waste and excess fluid from your blood.

The extent of alcohol's effect on the central nervous system depends upon how much is in your blood and how much blood you have.

Learning about HPV can help you avoid infection and seek treatment, if necessary.

Senior centers enrich the lives of older adults with a range of opportunities for socialization, learning, travel, volunteerism, and physical and mental challenges.

Air pollution hurts infants and children more than adults, studies show. Kids' lungs are still developing, they breathe faster and they spend more time outdoors.

Every day, injuries send 25,000 children to emergency rooms. Simple precautions could head off most of those trips.

Without enough shut-eye, children are more likely to struggle with their school studies, do poorly on the playing field, and suffer depression.

Most people know air pollution can hurt your lungs and make it tough to breathe. But a growing body of research shows air pollution can be as bad or worse for your heart.

In the United States, 78 percent of all mothers with kids ages 6 to 17 work in paid jobs. Most—including married working moms—also are responsible for child care and housework.

Researchers have found that cooking muscle meats -- beef, pork, poultry and fish -- at high temperatures may pose a risk for cancer.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that greatly raises your risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

After age 65, your body can't adjust to changes in air temperature -- especially heat -- as quickly as it did when you were younger. That puts you at risk for heat-related illnesses.

The liver is a multitasking organ, with many functions. Nearly all the blood that leaves the stomach and intestines passes through the liver for processing.

Many people think using smokeless tobacco is safer than smoking. Just because there's no smoke, doesn't mean it's safe.

The more sedentary you are, the more likely you are to lose flexibility, endurance, strength, balance and coordination, which in turn will affect every aspect of your life.

Here are ways to help you fine-tune your lifestyle to promote optimum health.

The most effective way to lower your dental bills is to take care of your teeth, and to make sure your children do the same.

For a woman who wants to plan when she becomes pregnant, there are many choices.

If allergies bother you in the fall, you’re most likely sensitive to one or more molds, weeds, trees or grasses.

Physical violence is just one form of domestic abuse. If you have a partner who verbally humiliates you, demands all your attention, blames you for everything that goes wrong or threatens to harm you or your children, you’re also being abused.

You don't want to spend this winter battling a runny nose, a nagging cough or a fever. Here's what to do.

To find out what your family risks are, ask people on both sides of your family. Start with your parents, siblings and children.

Knowing the definitions of terms your doctor may use when talking with you about your blood pressure is important.

Prehypertension is a new term that alerts people to the risk of developing chronic high blood pressure if they don’t take timely steps to improve their lifestyle habits.

It is important to control the portion size of even nutrient-rich foods to avoid consuming too many calories. Most people need fewer calories as they grow older and their activity level decreases.

Experts say today's small music players pose a big risk of hearing loss. One reason: The "earbuds" used with iPods and other MP3 players fit into the ears, not over them.

Here are suggestions on how to prevent most types of burns.

Illnesses such as the flu and colds are caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. They’re usually spread from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Omega-3s are a beneficial and essential form of fat, one that your body needs but can't make.

Any trip requires advance planning so you can be comfortable and lower your risk for worsening symptoms.

Evidence is mounting that people with periodontal (gum) disease may be more at risk for heart disease and stroke.

Getting the flu can be serious business for people with asthma. That’s why it’s important to take steps to prevent it.

Maintaining a healthy diet is one of the best weapons for fighting cardiovascular disease and other heart conditions.

To keep stress at a minimum and reduce its effects on your life, you need to find and practice healthy ways to manage it.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tracks five major air pollutants that cause significant health effects: ground-level ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide and microscopic particles called particulate matter.

Experts say you should pay close attention to what is, by far, the most useful genetic knowledge—your family medical history.

Mosquitoes can be more than a nuisance -- they can ruin your outdoor plans and threaten your health. So it’s a good idea to protect yourself and your family as the weather heats up.

A vaccine can protect babies from rotavirus, the most common cause of severe diarrhea in infants.

A good night’s sleep is as important to your health as eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. As we age, however, it can become more difficult to get deep sleep.

Each year, two out of every three deaths in the United States are caused by cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. That figure could be significantly reduced if Americans made healthier food choices, got more exercise, and stopped smoking.

Lyme disease is a tick-borne bacterial infection that most often targets the skin, joints, brain, and heart, although any part of the body can be affected.

People who work in certain occupations, such as nursing, are likely to have back pain. But so can folks who work in an office every day if they don’t take proactive steps to protect their backs.

Sports injury rates could be reduced by 25 percent if all athletes — professionals and amateurs — followed essential safety, conditioning, and preventive strategies.

New drug treatments can delay the effects of AIDS and are helping patients live longer. But the reality is that no medicine can cure AIDS or the virus that causes it, HIV. Once inside the body, HIV destroys immune system cells, making it difficult to fight off illness.

Chances are you know you need minerals such as calcium and iron. But five lesser-known minerals also deserve your attention.

Getting too little vitamin B12 may leave you feeling fuzzy in your thinking and lead to numbness or tingling in your hands and feet.

Pitchers ages 10 and under can throw no more than 75 pitches a game. After that, they can't pitch until they rest for four days.

Are you one of those people who don't floss because you find it awkward to maneuver the floss between your teeth? If so, a number of products can help you get the job done.

Digital technology has spread to the dentist's office. Somewhere between 10 to 30 percent of dentists have forgone film, choosing instead digital X-rays that come with a number of advantages.

If you are what you eat, that's particularly true for your teeth and gums. When you drink and munch starchy foods, you're not only feeding yourself, you're feeding the plaque that can cause havoc in your mouth.

Most eye injuries can be prevented by wearing the proper protective eyewear.

Having prediabetes means that you are likely to develop full-blown diabetes within 10 years. But lifestyle changes can prevent that from happening.

The number of people losing their vision is growing, yet experts say much of this vision loss could be prevented.

For safety's sake, look through your home often. Keep an eye out for not-so-obvious hazards.

In many cases of suicide or attempted suicide, undiagnosed and untreated mental illness—especially depression—is to blame.

You can avoid the flu this season by taking one simple step: Get a flu vaccination.

Although most medications are safe when you take them the right way, some drugs can cause dizziness, loss of consciousness, bleeding, irregular heartbeats, and other side effects in some cases.

Americans consume two to three times more salt or sodium than is healthy.

In your quest to reduce your cancer risk, don't overlook the obvious: Improving your diet can play a substantial role in preventing the disease.

Although aspirin is a common over-the-counter medication, it’s not appropriate for everyone.

The leading causes of death for American men are heart disease and cancer—two diseases that can largely be prevented by adopting a few essential healthy habits.

The way we gauge the peril a given disorder poses is called risk perception.

People with asthma, allergies, or other breathing conditions may be more sensitive to mold.

The most important antioxidants are vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids, including beta carotene.

Although inheriting certain genes might boost your chances of contracting a disease, it's rarely a sure thing. Often, your lifestyle and environment can join with disease-prone genes to make a potential disease a reality.

For parents of a newborn, first-time parents, or any anxious mom or dad, it may be hard to tell a true health threat that needs a doctor's attention from a frightening, yet simple, illness that doesn't require medical treatment. Most sniffles, sneezes, and stomachaches don't need medical attention. But how do you know when it's time to call the doctor?

Overall, cosmetics and personal care items are considered safe. But that doesn't mean that there aren't risks associated with their use, particularly if you don't use them correctly.

Exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) used to be called exercise-induced asthma. The term bronchospasm means tightening and narrowing of the tubes that bring air in and out of your lungs.

Moving your child from the crib to a first bed is a milestone event. But more than the bittersweet emotional concerns, your priorities will be safety and a healthy sleep routine.

With the right asthma action plan, most children with asthma can live full and active lives.

You may think of heart disease as a problem for adults, not your young children. But diet and exercise habits started in childhood can begin a lifetime of heart health, or a lifetime of heart damage.

Many older Americans lead healthy, interesting, and productive lives well into their later years. But that’s not what we usually hear about.

Finding ways to get exercise as you get older is a smart and easy way to stay fit and improve your health.

Vaccinations not only protect your child from deadly diseases such as polio, tetanus, and diphtheria, but they also keep other children safe by eliminating or greatly decreasing dangerous diseases that used to spread from child to child.

Answer this one: How far in advance of your overseas trip should you visit your doctor for vaccinations?

Evidence is mounting that a healthful diet can help protect you from some diseases. What you eat -- or don't eat -- may help prevent heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes.

Some symptoms may indicate the possibility of a serious condition and should be evaluated immediately by a health care provider.

When should you have your cholesterol checked? Be screened for colorectal cancer? Here's a timeline for screenings and checkups.

It’s important to be aware of a number of signs that can alert you to a serious health problem. Check out these symptoms that shouldn't be ignored.

Can cranberry juice help prevent a urinary tract infection? How about cucumbers for puffy eyes? Read on to find out more about home remedies.