Vaccine Safety: MedlinePlus

Vaccine Safety: MedlinePlus

What are vaccines? Vaccines play an important role in keeping us healthy. They protect us from serious and sometimes deadly diseases. Vaccines are injections (shots), liquids, pills, or nasal sprays that you take to teach your body’s immune system to recognize and defend against harmful germs. The germs could be viruses, bacteria, or parasites. Vaccines … Read more

Tips for talking to your teen about vaping | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

Tips for talking to your teen about vaping | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

Vaping nicotine or marijuana can cause long-lasting health problems for your child. So, it’s important to talk with your young or teenage children about the potential dangers of vaping. Here are some helpful tips: Know the facts. Be ready to answer questions your teen may have. Ask for help from your health care provider on … Read more

Diets rich in fish and vegetables may boost your brain power | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

Diets rich in fish and vegetables may boost your brain power | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

Kale and salmon, anyone? The foods you choose for meals and snacks may help you build a stronger body and help preserve brain function. Scientists at the National Eye Institute studied how plant-based foods of the Mediterranean diets could affect our eyes as we age. The study tracked 4,000 participants over a 10-year period, checking … Read more

Bad sleep patterns could up the risk of heart disease in older adults | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

Bad sleep patterns could up the risk of heart disease in older adults | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

Getting different amounts of sleep each night or sleeping during the day instead of at night is called irregular sleep or having an irregular sleep schedule. People who work night shifts or whose work shifts change over time may be at higher risk for this condition. Irregular sleep had already been linked to diseases such as obesity … Read more

Breastfeeding and pregnancy could lower risk of early menopause | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

Breastfeeding and pregnancy could lower risk of early menopause | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

Breastfeeding can offer many health benefits for women and their babies. Now there’s another potential one. A recent study found that women who breastfeed may have a lower risk of early menopause. Early menopause—menopause before age 45— can lead to faster bone loss, cognitive decline, and heart disease. The study, funded by the National Institutes of … Read more

Bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL): MedlinePlus Medical Test

Bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL): MedlinePlus Medical Test

What are bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)? Bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows a health care provider to look at your lungs. It uses a thin, lighted tube called a bronchoscope. The tube is put through the mouth or nose and moved down the throat and into the airways. It helps diagnose and treat certain … Read more