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Overview of Obesity Facts about obesity Overweight and obesity together make up one of the leading preventable causes of death in the U.S. Obesity is a chronic disease that can seriously affect your health. Overweight means that you have extra body weight. Obesity means having a

Scars What is a scar? A scar is the body's natural way of healing and replacing lost or damaged skin. It's often made of fibrous tissue. Scars may form due to infections, surgery, injuries, or inflammation of tissue. They may appear anywhere on the body. A scar may look flat

Tests to Diagnose a Stroke How is a stroke diagnosed? Your doctor will ask you about your health history. They will give you a physical exam. You may also have these tests to diagnose a stroke. Imaging tests of the brain CT scan. This test uses X-rays and a computer to make

Household Safety Checklist To protect you and your family, do a thorough safety check of every room in your home on a regular basis. You can prevent unintentional accidents, injuries, and nontraumatic emergencies. Your family will be healthier and safer when you practice a little

Labor What is labor? Labor is when the uterus contracts again and again to help the cervix open (dilate) and to thin (efface). The contractions get stronger with time. This causes the baby to move through the birth canal. Labor usually starts 2 weeks before or after the estimated

Viral Hepatitis Overview What is hepatitis? Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. The liver is located in the upper right part of the belly (abdomen). Hepatitis can be caused by a virus that leads to damage of liver cells. Hepatitis has 2 types: Acute hepatitis. This type

Congenital Heart Disease According to the American Heart Association, about 9 of every 1,000 babies born in the U.S. have a congenital heart defect. This is a problem that occurs as the baby's heart is developing during pregnancy, before the baby is born. Congenital heart defects

Common Symptoms of Liver Disease What are some common liver disease symptoms? When diagnosing liver disease, your health care provider looks at your symptoms and does a physical exam. Some common signs and symptoms of liver disease include: A yellowing of the skin and eyes

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) What are sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? STIs are infections passed from person to person through sexual contact. They may also be called STDs for sexually transmitted diseases. Millions of new cases are diagnosed every year in the U

Talking to Your Child About Gun Violence at School A child’s safety is the top priority for every caregiver. The news of a school shooting can trigger strong feelings in both adults and children. Even if your child hasn’t heard about gun violence on the news or through people