The National Institutes of Health notes that maintaining a healthy weight may reduce the risk for the following: type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney disease, fatty liver disease, pregnancy difficulties, and some types of cancer. National Institutes of Health, April 2020

The American Academy of Dermatology reports that many Americans don’t take proper precautions to protect themselves from the sun. To reduce the risk for skin cancer, the academy recommends the following: seek shade when the sun’s rays are the strongest, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; wear sun-protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, a…

For the most part, the causes of hoarseness—a raspy or strained voice—are not serious and usually resolve within a few weeks. The Cleveland Clinic offers these probable causes of hoarseness: a common cold or an upper respiratory infection, using your voice too much or too loudly, gastroesophageal reflux, smoking, allergies, thyroid problems, and trauma to…

To prevent, reduce, or eliminate a flea infestation, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends the following: check carpets, cushioned furniture, and cracks and crevices daily; steam clean carpets regularly and pay extra attention to areas where pets sleep; wash all pet bedding and family bedding every two weeks; use a flea comb on your pet to…

Common household items such as paint and cleaning supplies can contain toxic chemicals. The Cleveland Clinic recommends the following safety tips: wear an apron, gloves, and goggles when working with oven cleaners; ensure that the area you’re using chemicals in is well ventilated; wear latex dishwashing gloves when using antibacterial cleaners; wash your hands immediately…

National Women’s Health Resource Center notes that incorrectly brushing your hair can result in strand damage, which can lead to splits and tangles. The organization recommends the following tips to properly brush your hair: find a brush that is right for your hair type, brush your hair gently each day, brush your hair down from…

Obesity during childhood has been linked with several negative health outcomes that can persist and worsen in adulthood. Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles notes that minor changes can help a child maintain a healthy weight: reduce or eliminate sweetened beverages, including soda; add more vegetables to family meals; make sure your family is eating a…

People can experience allergic reactions to things such as animal dander, bee stings, chemicals, and foods, which can result in hives, itching, rash and other symptoms. The National Library of Medicine recommends these first aid steps for mild-to-moderate reactions: calm and reassure the person having the reaction; try to identify the allergen and have the…

Symptoms of a cough can often be treated or remedied by doing the following: stay hydrated to help thin mucus; inhale steam; use a humidifier to loosen mucus; use cough drops or lozenges; gargle with saltwater; use an extra pillow to elevated your head at night; don’t smoke or inhale secondhand smoke; avoid irritants such…

The Chronic Kidney Disease Prognosis Consortium has developed a new risk calculator tool that can predict how likely you are to develop chronic kidney disease within five years based on variables such as age, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose levels. When caught early, kidney disease progression can be slowed or stopped with proper treatments…