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.

Topics to Explore

Are stomach ulcers caused by stress?

Foods That Claim to Lower Cholesterol

How is GERD diagnosed?

How could I have CHD and have no symptoms?

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What Is Coronavirus?

There are many types of coronaviruses but a new strain has emerged in China and is rapidly spreading across the globe. What is it and are you at risk?

By Sarah Gleim Diseases & Conditions / Respiratory Conditions

Permanent Hair Dye, Straighteners Linked to Higher Breast Cancer Risk

A study from the National Institutes of Health found women who regularly use permanent hair dye and chemical hair straighteners are at a higher risk of breast cancer. The risk increases significantly — more than six times — for black women.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Dec 11, 2019 Cancer / Breast Cancer

The Curse of Brewing Beer in Your Own Belly

It's called auto-brewery syndrome and, for some folks, it's a fact of life.

By Laurie L. Dove Nov 7, 2019 Digestive Health / Other Digestive Problems

Is the BRAT Diet Still Beneficial?

A bland diet consisting of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast was a standard remedy for children with diarrhea and other stomach issues. But not any more. What happened to the BRAT diet?

By Alia Hoyt Oct 31, 2019 Digestive Health / Other Digestive Problems

Why Is Pancreatic Cancer So Deadly?

Just 9 percent of Americans with pancreatic cancer survive for at least five years. Why is the outlook so grim and what can be done about it?

By Alia Hoyt Oct 21, 2019 Cancer / General Cancer Facts

Male Breast Cancer Is Rare, But Real

Although it's far more common in women, men get breast cancer too. And they have a much higher fatality rate. Why is this and what can be done?

By Alia Hoyt Oct 17, 2019 Cancer / Breast Cancer

No Joke: Dead Butt Syndrome Is a Real Pain

We know science rarely says anything good about sitting all day. But did you know that if spend too much time on your bum, you could end up killing it?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler Oct 16, 2019 Diseases & Conditions / Musculoskeletal Conditions

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.

By Mark Mancini Sep 5, 2019 Diseases & Conditions / Rare Diseases

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.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Aug 16, 2019 Cancer / General Cancer Facts

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.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Jul 31, 2019 Diseases & Conditions / Rare Diseases

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.

By John Donovan Jul 10, 2019 Diseases & Conditions / Infectious Diseases

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?

By Kathryn Whitbourne Allergies / Outdoor Allergies

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.

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D. Mar 28, 2019 Allergies / Outdoor Allergies

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?

By Alia Hoyt Feb 26, 2019 Digestive Health / Other Digestive Problems

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?

By Dave Roos Jan 18, 2019 Food Allergies / Food Allergy Information

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?

By Alia Hoyt Dec 10, 2018 Diseases & Conditions / Cold & Flu

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?

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Nov 26, 2018 Allergies / Allergy Treatments

How You Can Eat a Slug and Die of Rat Lungworm

Thinking about eating one? Think twice.

By Jesslyn Shields Nov 15, 2018 Diseases & Conditions / Rare Diseases

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.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Oct 26, 2018 Diseases & Conditions / Cold & Flu

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.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Oct 24, 2018 Diseases & Conditions / Rare Diseases

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?

By Jesslyn Shields Sep 28, 2018 Allergies / Allergy Basics

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.

By Jesslyn Shields Sep 19, 2018 Diseases & Conditions / Respiratory Conditions

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.

By Patrick J. Kiger Jun 20, 2018 Diseases & Conditions / Cold & Flu

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.

By Patrick J. Kiger Jun 19, 2018 Digestive Health / Other Digestive Problems