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Pulmonary Emphysema What is emphysema? Emphysema is a progressive chronic lung condition in which the tiny air sacs (alveoli) are damaged or destroyed. When this happens, it causes the tiny air sacs to rupture and create one big air pocket instead of many tiny ones. Air becomes

Coronary Heart Disease What is coronary heart disease? Coronary heart disease happens when the innermost layer of the coronary arteries becomes inflamed and narrowed. This is caused by a buildup of fatty deposits called plaque. These deposits may start in childhood and continue

Atherosclerosis What is atherosclerosis? Atherosclerosis is thickening of the walls of the arteries. It is also known as hardening of the arteries. It is caused by a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery. Plaque is made up of deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol

Healthy Sleep Habits in Children What is normal sleep? The total amount of sleep your child needs varies depending on their age. Age Recommended hours of sleep per day Newborn to 3 months 14 to 17 hours 4 to 12 months 12 to 16 hours (often sleeps through the night) 1 to 2 years

When You Have a Multiple Pregnancy How is a multiple pregnancy managed? Your healthcare provider or midwife will talk with you about your care with you based on your pregnancy, overall health, and health history. Care will also be based on the number of fetuses you are carrying

The Digestive System: An Overview What is digestion? Food and drink must be changed into smaller molecules of nutrients to be absorbed into the blood and carried to cells throughout the body. Digestion is the process by which food and liquid are broken down into smaller parts

Staying Healthy After Menopause The key to staying youthful and active after menopause is good nutrition and regular physical activity. Nutrition after menopause As you age, your nutritional needs change. Before menopause, you should have about 1,000 mg of calcium daily. After

Older Adults: Preventing Falls Every year, millions of older adults fall, leading to injuries and emergency room visits. Many of these falls and injuries can be prevented. Most falls happen at home. Taking certain safety measures can prevent many falls. Facts about falls Here are

Exercise for Cancer Prevention People who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of getting certain cancers. This includes cancers of the: Breast (for people past menopause). Endometrium. Ovary. Kidney. Liver. Rectum. Esophagus. Colon. Pancreas. Stomach. Thyroid. Gallbladder

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