A health care agent is a person you choose to make medical decisions for you if a severe illness or injury makes it impossible for you to speak or decide for yourself. The document that grants this decision-making power to the person you select is called a medical power of attorney. A health care agent may also be...
Food makers can make health claims about certain nutrients, such as calcium, fiber, and fat, that are found naturally in foods. The health claims must be balanced and based on current, reliable scientific studies. And the claims must be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Health claims may be...
Related Topics Drug Content Contributors Food & Diet Content Contributors Journals Reviewed by Our Editorial Team Overseen by Chief Medical Editor, Alan R. Gaby, MD, the Aisle7 editorial team utilizes information from experts in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, nursing, naturopathy, public health, and chiropractic...
How obesity affects your health depends on many things, including your age, your sex, where you carry your body fat, and how physically active you are. Obesity raises your risk for many conditions, including: Gallstones. Type 2 diabetes. High blood pressure. High cholesterol and triglycerides. Coronary artery disease...
Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include: Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker. Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain...
Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include: Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker. Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain...
Smokeless tobacco products are addictive. They are not risk-free alternatives to smoking. And they are harmful to your body. They can lead to: White patches or red sores in your mouth, called leukoplakia. They can turn into mouth cancer (oral cancer) involving the lip, tongue, or cheek. Tooth loss and other dental...
Covers screening tests, diagnostic tests, and medical exams used to find a disease or determine risk for certain health problems. Covers well-child visits. Includes links to info on routine tests for men, for women, and at various stages of life.
Guides you through the decision about whether to use a commercial health screening package. Explains what commercial screening is and how it differs from screening with a doctor. Lists benefits and risks. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.
This page contains printable checklists, diaries, charts, plans, and self-tests to help you keep track of your health. Use the sleep diary to find out more about what affects your sleep patterns. Print off a form that can help you monitor your blood sugar. Take a quiz to get a better idea of how well you cope with...
Offers process to help you assess when to seek care for minor symptoms. Includes series of questions that cover when problem started, symptoms, vital signs, and whether problem is getting worse.
What is healthy aging? Healthy aging means different things to different people. For many people it is being healthy enough to keep doing what they enjoy. How healthy you are as you get older depends on many things. These include your relationships and your family health history. If members of your family have health...
Guides through decision to stop driving because of age. Discusses how aging affects the ability to drive and when it is time to stop driving. Offers other transportation options. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.
There are many ways that adults can help children and teens develop a healthy approach to food and exercise. Avoid punishing or rewarding your children with food. Be a good role model for healthy eating and exercising. Be a good role model by having a positive view of yourself, regardless of your body shape and size. If...
Osteoporosis is a progressive disease that causes bones to become thin and porous, significantly increasing the risk for spinal and hip fractures. Osteoporosis usually does not have an effect on people until they are 60 or older.
Related Topics Find Health Condition Information Find Drug Interaction Information “No man can be wise on an empty stomach.” - George Eliot The foundation of a healthy diet: It’s not hard to figure out how to eat a healthy diet; it just requires a little planning. Fortunately, there are some valuable tools available to...
Provides links to topics on how to eat well. Topics cover nutrition. Offers healthy eating and physical activity tips. Includes info on healthy weight and healthy eating for children.
Covers how you can start eating healthier. Looks at making small changes toward healthier eating habits. Offers advice on dealing with barriers to healthy eating. Includes how healthy eating can help lower your risk for disease.
What makes a healthy diet? Learn what’s right for you and your family. Select a topic: About Food Additives Ask Chef Steve: Oils Ask Chef Steve: Sugar Choices Ask Chef Steve: High-Fiber Foods Ask Chef Steve: Grilling Pans Ask Chef Steve: Steaming Food Ask Chef Steve: Meat Substitutes Best Foods to Add Fiber in the Diet...
Good nutrition is important for older adults to help them stay strong and reduce the risk of disease. But as you get older, it can be harder to eat in healthy ways. If you have health problems or can't be active, you may not feel as hungry as you used to. You may not plan and make meals as often. Here are common...
You may not feel like you have the time or energy to think about healthy eating when you are experiencing stress. But healthy eating is a way to take care of yourself. These tips focus on easy things you can do. Make time to eat. Try not to skip meals. Coping with stress can be harder if you're very hungry. It may help...
Learn how to build healthy meals throughout the day.
Discover some cooking methods as well as tips for how to use each method.
Covers eating a variety of foods so that your child gets the nutrients needed for normal growth. Looks at how much food is good for your child and how you can help your child eat well and be healthy. Explains how to help a child who is overweight.
Children with poor eating habits don't get the amounts of nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. This can lead to being underweight or overweight. Children who are poorly nourished tend to have weaker immune systems, which increases their chances of illness. They are more likely to develop certain...
Children may develop poor eating habits for several reasons, including: Available food choices. If candy and soft drinks are available, most children will choose these rather than healthier foods. Fast foods and processed foods are widely available. But they usually contain few or no fruits or vegetables, and they often...
Provides tips for making healthy changes to eating habits over time. Briefly discusses benefits of healthy eating.
Offers tips for reducing unhealthy fats (saturated fats and trans fats) and choosing healthier options. Briefly covers why cutting unhealthy fats matters.
Offers tips for choosing foods based on the basics of a heart-healthy diet, including adding fruits, vegetables, and fiber and limiting sodium and unhealthy fats. Explains how to make small changes to get started.
Provides tips for how to limit sodium (salt) for better health. Covers food labels, high- and low-sodium foods, and cooking with less sodium. Addresses keeping a sodium record, checking medicines, and letting others know that you're limiting sodium.
