Diseases and Conditions
Know how to prevent, treat and control the symptoms of various diseases and medical conditions. We explain what's happening in your body when disease strikes, and what you can do to feel better faster.
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Scurvy: The Scourge of the High Seas Remains at Large Today
Although the disease is associated with sailors of yore, it can affect anyone lacking vitamin C. And it still impacts some people today.
Ethylene Oxide Is a Carcinogen You Need to Know About
The EPA deemed ethylene oxide a carcinogen in 2016, yet there are many cities across the country being polluted with the invisible gas.
4 Signs You're Infected with a Parasite
If you have a gut feeling something is off in your physical or mental well-being, a parasite could be the culprit.
Getting a Grip on Lyme Disease
There's been a steady uptick in Lyme disease across the United States since 1997, but the news isn't all bad.
Can Pollen Allergies Make You Tired?
Spring is here and suddenly your allergies kick in and you feel tired and sleepy. Could pollen have something to do with it?
The Science Behind the Pollen Count
Spring may be beautiful, but it's a tough time of year for anybody with allergies. That's why they rely on the daily pollen count for relief.
Crazy Common Things People Swallow (That They Shouldn’t)
Ever had that sinking feeling when you bite down on a sandwich and accidentally encounter a foreign object like a toothpick or a piece of plastic? If you spot it in time, you can spit it out. But what if you don't?
Why There Is So Much Confusion About Who Has Food Allergies
A new study showed that about 10 percent of Americans who thought they had food allergies actually had food intolerance issues. So what's the difference?
The 1918 Spanish Flu Killed Millions — and Experts Fear It Could Happen Again
The Spanish flu was the deadliest disease outbreak in modern history. How did it start and despite all our healthcare advances, why could it happen again?
Will an EpiPen Still Work if It Freezes?
If you have to carry an EpiPen, you might leave one in your car. But what if it freezes during the colder months? Is it still good in case of emergency?
How You Can Eat a Slug and Die of Rat Lungworm
Thinking about eating one? Think twice.
Can the Change in Temperature Really Make You Sick?
Weather-driven sickness is a thing, but it isn't always the temperature that is the direct cause of the resulting illness.
Spike in U.S. Cases of Acute Flaccid Myelitis: What's the Deal?
Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) affects the nervous system and can cause paralysis. The Centers for Disease Control has seen an increase in cases since 2014 but aren't sure why.
Why Severe Allergies Can Suddenly Pop Up in Adulthood
Your body never freaked out before when you were stung by a bee. And yet one day, you have an anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting. What's the deal?
The Milk and Mucus Myth, Busted
The long-standing cultural belief that milk products generate phlegm is a myth, according to a 2018 literature review.
Could Dog Flu Make the Jump to Humans?
Influenza can jump from pigs to dogs and is becoming more diverse in canines, increasing the possibility that it could eventually evolve to endanger humans.
Are Meat Sweats a Real Thing?
People who consume massive quantities of animal protein report experiencing the meat sweats, a sensation of feeling flushed and fatigued, accompanied by profuse perspiration.
Tick- and Mosquito-borne Diseases on the Rise
Since 2004, cases of diseases spread by ticks and mosquitoes have tripled in the U.S.
People With Asthma, Hay Fever May Have Higher Risk of Psychiatric Disorders
A large study from Taiwan showed that people who had asthma and/or hay fever had a higher risk of developing a mental illness than those who didn't.
How Many People Could Use the Same Kidney?
For those on the list waiting for a kidney donation, it could be years before their name comes up. One doctor is hoping to shorten this wait by retransplanting already donated kidneys.
Why Diabulimia Is So Dangerous
Many people with Type 1 diabetes are deliberately skipping or manipulating their insulin doses in order to lose weight. But this can have very serious consequences.
Quiz: What's the difference between flu and a cold?
With so many germs flying about this time of year it can be tricky to figure out what ails you. Take this quiz to test your cold versus flu IQ!
Can Humans Catch 'Zombie Deer Disease'?
So far there have been no reports of people contracting zombie deer disease, but could it make the jump from animal to human?
U.S. Cancer Death Rate Continues Decades-Long Drop
Good news, for a change: The cancer death rate in America has declined 26 percent since 1991. Here's why.
The Sarco Suicide Pod: Controversial or Compassionate?
It's kind of like the suicide booth on 'Futurama,' and its inventor says the Sarco should be available in 2018.
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