Health Topics A-Z

Cooking with Pulses

Using beans, lentils, chickpeas and dried peas as a main protein source.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: long-term airflow limitation, usually caused by smoking.

Core Strength

The endurance and control of the trunk muscles that stabilize the spine.

Cortisol and Stress Hormones

The adrenal hormones released in response to stress, and the rare conditions affecting them.

COVID-19

A respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, ranging from a mild cold-like illness to severe pneumonia.

CPR and Defibrillation

Keeping blood moving until a defibrillator (AED) or emergency medical services arrive.

Dementia Risk Reduction

The changeable factors linked to a lower risk of developing dementia.

Dental Checkups

Routine examination of teeth, gums and soft tissues by a dentist.

Diabetes and Driving

The rules and precautions that apply to driving with diabetes, particularly on insulin.

Diabetes and the Kidneys

Kidney damage caused by long-standing high blood glucose, called diabetic kidney disease.

Diabetes Remission

Blood glucose returning to non-diabetic levels without glucose-lowering medication.

Diabetes Sick Day Rules

What to do about diabetes medicines and monitoring when you are unwell.

Diabetic Eye Screening

A dilated eye exam or retinal photographs to detect changes caused by diabetes before vision is affected.

Diabetic Foot Care

Daily checking and protection of the feet in anyone with diabetes.

Diarrhea

Passing loose or watery stools more frequently than is normal for you.

Diet and Eye Health

The dietary factors with reasonable evidence for supporting vision and eye disease risk.

Diet and Kidney Disease

Dietary adjustments in kidney disease, which differ sharply by stage.

Dietary Fiber

The parts of plant food the small intestine cannot digest, which pass through to the colon.

Dietary Protein

The macronutrient supplying the amino acids used to build and repair tissue.

Dietary Salt

Sodium chloride, most of which reaches the American diet already added to packaged and restaurant food.

Dizziness and Balance

Vertigo and unsteadiness, often originating in the inner ear.

Dog Bite Prevention

Teaching children and adults how to behave around dogs, and what to do if a bite happens.

Drinking Water and Private Wells

The safety of household drinking water, especially for homes that rely on a private well rather than a public water system.

Drowning Prevention

Layers of protection that keep children and adults safe in and around pools, bathtubs, lakes and the ocean.

Drug Allergy

An immune reaction to a medicine, distinct from a predictable side effect.

Drug Interactions

One medicine changing the effect of another, or of food or a supplement.

Dry Eye

Insufficient or poor-quality tear film, causing grittiness, burning and, paradoxically, watering.

Dry Mouth

Reduced saliva, causing discomfort, difficulty speaking and eating, and a higher risk of decay.

Dry Skin

Skin that has lost water and oils from its outer barrier, becoming rough, tight or flaky.

Dual Eligibility

Having both Medicare and Medicaid, which together can cover most health costs for people with limited income.

Ear Anatomy and How Hearing Works

How sound travels from the air to the nerve signals the brain interprets.

Ear Infections

Infection of the outer or middle ear.

Ear Wax

Naturally produced wax that occasionally builds up enough to block the ear canal.

Eating Out

Managing restaurant and takeout meals without abandoning a plan.

Eczema

A chronic inflammatory skin condition causing dry, itchy, inflamed skin.

Eczema and Allergy

The relationship between atopic dermatitis (eczema) and food and environmental allergy.

Eggs and Salmonella

How to buy, store and cook eggs to lower the risk of Salmonella, bacteria that can be present inside eggs that look normal.

End of Life Caring

Supporting someone in the last months, weeks or days of life.

Energy Balance

The relationship between energy taken in as food and energy used by the body.

Epilepsy

A tendency to have recurrent seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.