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Preventing Obesity in Children, Teens, and Adults Facts about obesity Obesity is a long-term (chronic) health condition that can affect people at any age, including children, teens, and adults. It develops over time and is influenced by more than just day-to-day choices. Body

Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome and Cancer Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a rare, inherited condition. It's passed to a child from a parent. PJS is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder. This means you need only one copy of the altered (mutated) gene to have PJS. About 3 out of every 4

Allergy Overview What are allergies? Allergies are due to a problem with the body's immune system. Most allergic reactions happen when the immune system reacts to a false alarm. Normally the immune system attacks harmful things, such as viruses or bacteria. But sometimes it

Cancer Overview What is cancer? Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells. The whole body is made of cells that act and grow in controlled ways as the body needs them. Cells are controlled by genes. The genes in any cell in the body can be damaged. Then the cell can grow out of

Endometriosis What is endometriosis? The tissue that lines the uterus is called the endometrium. Normally, if a woman doesn’t get pregnant, this tissue is shed each month during her period. In endometriosis, tissue that looks and acts like endometrial tissue implants outside the

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) What is premenstrual syndrome (PMS)? Premenstrual syndrome or PMS is a group of physical and emotional symptoms many people may have in the days before their period starts. Symptoms usually stop when the period starts or shortly after. It’s thought to

Handwashing What is the best way to wash your hands? At home or work, wash your hands often—and correctly: Use clean, running water. The water can be warm or cold; either works well. Wet your hands before applying soap. Rub your soapy hands together for at least 20 seconds. Wash

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

For Parents: Bicycle, In-Line Skating, Skateboard, and Scooter Safety Safety statistics Bikes, in-line skating, skateboarding, and scooters are very popular among children between ages 5 and 14. These activities are a great form of exercise. But without protective gear, they can

Dehydration What is dehydration? Dehydration means that you don’t have enough water in your body. The human body normally contains a lot of water. In fact, 50% to 60% of your body weight comes from water. It helps keep your body healthy and working well. Mild dehydration can