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"CHRONIC ILLNESS" results
  • doctor with laptop counsels a young female patient at a desk

    Self-management: Taking Charge of Your Health

    One of the best ways to cope with a chronic illness is to take part in managing it. This can… to monitor my chronic illness? Should I also see a specialist for my chronic illness? Can you recommend a support group? What books or websites…

  • Family doctor using a stethoscope to examine a little girl in the arms of her mother.

    Choosing a Family Doctor

    A family doctor is trained in all areas of medicine to take care of your whole family. Choosing the right… understand how to help you make good decisions about your health. Your family doctor is responsible for diagnosing and treating acute and chronic illnesses. They…

  • older couple stretching before exercise in a park

    Exercise and Seniors

    Some form of regular exercise is important for older adults… function (how your brain works). It is safe for most adults over 65 years old to exercise. Even most patients who have chronic illnesses can exercise safely. These include heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis. Many of these conditions…

  • allergy food

    Food Allergies

    A food allergy is an abnormal reaction by your immune system to a food. It is usually treated with antihistamines… bad is going to happen. They may have pale skin (because of low blood pressure) or lose consciousness. They may also have chronic illnesses. Eczema (skin disorder)…

  • A group of teenagers laugh and give thumbs up in a park. A healthy lifestyle for teens includes more than just physical health. It involves mental and social well-being, too.

    Teenagers: How to Stay Healthy

    Developing healthy habits when you’re a teenager will help you as you grow into an adult. Learn tips for staying… Children and teenagers with obesity are more likely to have obesity as an adult. They are also at higher risk for other chronic illnesses, depression,…

  • Senior mother and daughter making healthy breakfast together in kitchen.

    Preventing Malnutrition in Older Adults

    Older adults are more vulnerable to malnutrition. Learn ways to prevent it… problems that cause a loss of appetite or make it hard to eat. This could include conditions such as dementia and other chronic illnesses. They may be on restricted diets that make foods…

  • A lab technician holding a blood sample

    Hepatitis C

    Hepatitis C is a serious virus that causes inflammation of the liver. It is spread from person to person through… viral infections such as mononucleosis or cytomegalovirus can cause hepatitis. There are 2 main kinds of hepatitis: acute hepatitis (short-lived) and chronic hepatitis (lasting at least 6 months). Most people get…

  • A young woman with depression looks out her car window on a rainy day.

    Depression

    Depression is a mood disorder that affects people of all ages and is different for everyone. A person who has… What is depression? Depression is a serious medical illness of the brain. It is not a feeling of sadness or feeling “blue.” Someone who has…

  • sweaty girl drinking water from a bottle outside

    Dehydration

    Dehydration is when your body doesn’t have enough fluids to work properly. It happens when you lose more fluids than… Dehydration is when your body doesn’t have enough fluids to work properly. It happens when you lose more fluids than you take in. This…

  • Prescription and OTC Drug Misuse

    There are important steps you or a family member can take to reduce the risk of prescription and OTC drug… Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drug misuse is at epidemic levels. The two represent what a doctor prescribes (prescription medicine) and what you can buy without…

  • senior african american woman exercising in park

    Getting Motivated to Work Out

    Making a habit of working out is difficult to start, but beneficial to your mental and physical health… The hardest part of working out is getting started. We all know we need to do it. Often, we’re glad we did. We feel energized and better…

  • close-up of an elderly man’s hands on top of a cane with a caregiver’s hand on top

    Parkinson’s Disease

    Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder that affects the nervous system and causes tremors, slowed movements and stiff muscles… What is Parkinson’s disease? Parkinson’s disease is a kind of movement disorder. It affects the nervous system and causes problems with muscle movement. It is…

  • Group B Strep Infection

    Group B strep is a common kind of bacteria that can sicken newborns who are exposed to it during… What is group B strep? Group B streptococcus, or group B strep for short, is a common kind of bacteria (germ). It can live in…

  • Hydrocodone prescription bottle

    Opioid Addiction

    An opioid addiction is a powerful urge to use opioids. These are medicines that are prescribed to relieve pain, such… What is opioid addiction? An addiction is a strong craving to do something. In this case, it’s a strong craving to use opioids. Addiction…

  • Mountain climber using mini portable oxygen cylinder to avoid and treat high-altitude illness

    High-Altitude Illness

    High-altitude illness can occur when you travel to altitudes higher than 8,000 feet. It happens when your body doesn’t get… What is high-altitude illness? High-altitude illness, or sickness, is a condition that can occur when you travel to a high altitude, such as the…

  • Safe Use, Storage, and Disposal of Opioid Drugs

    It’s important to take opioids exactly as prescribed by your doctor. You should also take care storing and disposing of… Opioids are addictive. They are prescribed by some doctors as a powerful pain reliever to manage severe acute or chronic pain. Most opioids come…

  • Nurse providing care to elderly man at home in bed

    Palliative Care

    Palliative care is designed to improve the quality of care for a person who has a serious or life-threatening… Palliative care is designed to help people who have a serious illness. The illness may chronic (ongoing) or life-threatening. This includes a form of cancer that…

  • Teenage girl sitting across from counselor

    Therapy and Counseling

    Professional therapy and counseling can improve your mental wellness… Professional therapy and counseling can improve your mental wellness. This therapy can help people who are experiencing emotional or behavioral problems. Also, it can help people who have a mental health disorder. Therapy is sometimes called…