NIH-funded researchers are trying to make chemotherapy more effective for pancreatic cancer.

New pancreatic cancer research may improve detection and treatment

About 1.7% of people in the United States will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at some point in their lives. Despite being the 10th most common type in the United States, pancreatic cancer is the third most common cause of cancer deaths. Pancreatic cancer may not cause any signs or symptoms at first, making itRead More

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Pancreatic cancer forms when cells grow out of control and create a tumor. It is hard to spot early because it may not cause any signs or symptoms.

Pancreatic cancer: What you need to know

The pancreas is a gland behind your stomach and in front of your spine. It produces enzymes that help break down food and hormones that control blood sugar levels. Pancreatic cancer usually begins in these cells. It forms when cells grow out of control and create a tumor. Tumors may be malignant (cancerous) or benignRead More

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TV host, actress, and podcaster Maria Menounos was diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer in 2023.

After pancreatic cancer, Maria Menounos makes health her focus

Maria Menounos has held many jobs and many titles. She is an Emmy Award-winning TV host, reporter, author, podcaster, and sometimes professional wrestler. You may recognize her as host of Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, and E! News and as a reporter for The Today Show. Menounos has faced two major health challenges in recent years:Read More

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Adults ages 65 and older are at increased risk for RSV infection.

A new vaccine is here to protect you and your loved ones from RSV this winter

December and January are peak months for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. While anyone can get RSV, severe infections are more common in young children and older adults. Fortunately, new vaccine approvals by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mean there are more options to avoid getting sick this winter. In the spring ofRead More

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Shingles is a painful rash on the skin that comes from the same virus that causes chickenpox.

What’s the most effective way to prevent shingles? Getting vaccinated

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful, often debilitating rash that affects roughly 1 million people each year. Fortunately, the current shingles vaccine, known by the brand name Shingrix, is highly effective at preventing shingles and its side effects. What is shingles?  Shingles is a painful rash or blisters on the skin. ItRead More

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Kristin Nannetti is the Palliative Care Coordinator for VHC Health in Virginia.

What is palliative care? We asked a professional

People with serious or terminal illnesses have to make difficult choices. It can be hard to understand all the information they get from their doctors. It can also be an emotional rollercoaster for them and their loved ones. What if there was someone to help them make decisions? That’s where Kristin Nannetti, MSN, RN, CCRN,Read More

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My mammogram was ‘abnormal’—what do I do next?

First, thank yourself for getting a mammogram! Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women the United States, and a mammogram, which is an x-ray of the breast, is one of the best ways to detect it. Getting mammograms at recommended times, even if you don’t have symptoms, is key to findingRead More

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Rebecca Rose Vassy (right) with her partner Sean (left).

‘Nothing important went unsaid’

Over the course of their relationship, Rebecca Rose Vassy supported her long-term partner Sean in managing multiple chronic health conditions. Then a cascade of medical complications caused Sean’s health to decline rapidly, and Rebecca’s role shifted dramatically. She became a full-time caregiver, providing 24/7 support at home and later at the hospital, until Sean’s passingRead More

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Caring for yourself while caring for others

Are you helping a loved one with daily tasks, medical care, or emotional support? If so, you’re a caregiver…and you’re not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 in 5 adults in the United States are now caregivers, and the number is growing as the population ages. Caregiving can beRead More

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End-of-life care: What to expect and how to plan

When older adults and people with terminal illnesses are dying, they may need a lot of care. This care can last from days to months, and it will look different for everyone depending on their needs. End-of-life care can be medical and physical, but it can also look like emotional or spiritual support. It oftenRead More

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Headshot of Steve Guttenberg.

‘Look for joy and happiness in little things’

Steve Guttenberg has made audiences laugh and smile with his starring roles in hit comedies such as Police Academy and Three Men and a Baby. In 2019, he took on a new and unexpected role as caregiver to his aging father, Stanley. He would drive hundreds of miles back and forth every week to helpRead More

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Home sweet home: Supporting a loved one aging in place

Many older adults prefer to stay in their own homes as they age. This is called “aging in place.” Here are some things to consider so you can help your loved one stay safe, healthy, and comfortable at home. What your loved one might need support with Personal care. Friends, relatives, or a professional aideRead More

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Helping from miles away: Strategies for long-distance caregiving

Millions of people act as long-distance caregivers, supporting loved ones who are aging or coping with an illness or disability. This role can include managing a loved one’s finances, organizing their medical appointments and care, coordinating with their other caregivers, and offering emotional support. Whether you are already a caregiver or may become one inRead More

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Text equivalent of “AgriSafe Year in Review 2023”

Our Impact Protecting the People Who Feed the World: Our mission is to support a growing network of trained agricultural health and safety professionals who assure access to preventative services for farm families and the agricultural community. Trainings Talking: Total Farmer Health Digital Footprint AgriSafe Nurse Scholar AgriSafe in Action Avian Flu Outbreak Rapid ResponseRead More

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Caregiving 101: Worksheets, resources, and suggestions from the National Institute on Aging

Being a caregiver or care partner is a big undertaking. Caregivers don’t just manage someone else’s health care, daily tasks, financial decisions, and other logistics. They also have their own schedules and responsibilities to balance. It can be hard to know where to begin! Whether you’re new to caregiving or have been doing it for aRead More

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According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, 2 mg of fentanyl (which can fit on the tip of a pencil) can be enough to kill the average American.

Fentanyl 101

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic (lab-made) opioid. Prescription fentanyl is FDA -approved to treat severe pain related to surgery or complex pain conditions. Over the past decade, fentanyl that is made and distributed illegally has become increasingly common in the illegal drug supply and has contributed to a surge in drug overdose deaths. People sometimesRead More

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A better way to say that: Stigmatizing language affects how we treat addiction

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are chronic, treatable conditions that people can recover from, but stigma around them makes it hard to seek treatment. SUDs are very common and can affect anyone, but the disorders are often misunderstood. In 2023, an estimated 16% of people with SUDs reported that they did not seek treatment because theyRead More

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How naloxone reverses opioid overdoses (and why it’s important to have on hand!)

Naloxone is a powerful tool for preventing deaths from opioid overdoses. First responders and health care providers use this medication in their day-to-day work, but anyone can keep it on hand and save lives, too. What is naloxone and how does it work? Naloxone is an “opioid antagonist” medicine. It attaches to opioid receptors inRead More

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‘I choose to climb instead of fall’

Rachel George is in recovery for opioid use disorder (OUD). Now she’s sharing her story with NIH MedlinePlus Magazine to let others with OUD know they are not alone and there are people who want to support them. A participant in OUD-related clinical trials at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in Baltimore, Maryland,Read More

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Text equivalent of “Take Five”

[Introduction] Next time you visit your health care provider, Take Five Minutes to talk about your farm work. If your health care provider wasn’t raised on a farm, chances are they know very little about your agricultural risks and occupational exposures. Educate your health care provider on what tasks you perform on the farm. TheRead More

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6 ways to manage your fibromyalgia

If you’re living with fibromyalgia, it’s important to make time for self-care. It’s a chronic (long-lasting) condition that causes muscle pain and tenderness all over the body. This can make it hard to move, relax, or sleep, and it can cause mood and memory problems, too. NIH MedlinePlus Magazine asked two top fibromyalgia experts (andRead More

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Can bacteria in your gut make you want to exercise?

Have you ever wondered why some people enjoy exercise while others find it unbearable? New research hints at a surprising connection: the gut microbiome! You read that right—the trillions of tiny organisms, or microbes, that live in our digestive system may play a role in whether we feel like exercising. We know that the bacteriaRead More

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