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Making the Home Environment Safe What's involved in making the home environment safe? When caring at home for an ill, aging, or disabled person of any age, it's important to think about home safety. Print out this helpful checklist. Then use it to check for safety issues around

Blood Donations and Blood Banking What is blood banking? A blood bank is a place where blood is collected and stored before it is used for transfusions. Blood banking takes place in the lab. This is to make sure that donated blood and blood products are safe before they are used

Oral Health and Dental Specialists What is a general dentist (DDS or DMD)? To become a general dentist, a person must graduate from dental school and have either a DDS or a DMD degree: DDS. Doctor of dental surgery DMD. Doctor of dental medicine There is no difference between the

Watching Your Weight Why do you need to watch your weight? According to the CDC, more than 7 in 10 U.S. adults older than age 20 are either overweight or obese. Why is excess weight a concern? It may cause new health problems or worsen ones you already have. Staying at a healthy

Breast Cancer: Introduction What is cancer? Cancer starts when cells in the body change (mutate) and grow out of control. Your body is made up of tiny building blocks called cells. Normal cells grow when your body needs them, and die when your body doesn't need them any longer

Fibrocystic Breast Changes What are some common fibrocystic breast changes? Fibrocystic breast changes are symptoms you may feel in your breasts right before your period. Your breasts may feel lumpy, swollen, or sore. This is a very common condition. It is not a disease. It is

Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Children, Adolescents and Teens What is generalized anxiety disorder? Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is defined as chronic, excessive worry and fear that seems to have no real cause. Children or adolescents with generalized anxiety disorder

Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes You've probably heard that people with diabetes are at risk for multiple health complications. These include cardiovascular disease. As it turns out, cardiovascular disease is especially common among people with diabetes. Most people with type

Polycystic Kidney Disease What is polycystic kidney disease (PKD)? Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a rare genetic disorder. It causes many cysts filled with fluid to grow in the kidneys. PKD cysts can impair how the kidneys work. It can lead to kidney failure. PKD is the

Breast Cancer: Diagnosis How is breast cancer diagnosed? If your health care provider thinks you might have breast cancer, you will need certain exams and tests to make sure. Diagnosing breast cancer starts with your provider asking you questions. They will ask about your health