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Contact Dermatitis What is contact dermatitis? Contact dermatitis is a reaction that happens after your skin comes in direct contact with certain substances. The substances may be: Irritants. These cause direct skin irritation and inflammation. They are the most common cause of

Benign Skin Growths What are benign skin growths? Skin changes as you grow older and are exposed to sunlight, health conditions, trauma, and other environmental changes. Most people have some skin marks, such as freckles and moles. These may multiply or darken over time. Benign

Psoriasis What is psoriasis? Psoriasis is a long-term (chronic) skin condition. It causes inflamed, red, raised areas of skin (plaques). The plaques itch and can be painful. The condition most often occurs on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. What causes psoriasis

Scars What is a scar? A scar is the body's natural way of healing and replacing lost or damaged skin. A scar is often made of fibrous tissue. Scars may be formed for many different reasons. They may be due to infections, surgery, injuries, or inflammation of tissue. Scars may

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

Components of Food If you are trying to make heart-healthy changes to your lifestyle and diet, it's helpful to know some basics about nutrition, starting with the components of food. Facts about calories You need enough calories to give you energy, but no more than you can burn

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

Diet to Help Prevent Heart Disease Eating a healthy diet can help prevent a number of problems, such as high cholesterol and heart disease. But knowing exactly what a healthy diet looks like can be a challenge. The USDA and the U.S. Department of Health teamed up to create an

Exercise: Before Starting an Exercise Program Talk with your provider It’s always important to talk with your healthcare provider before starting an exercise program. This is especially true if you currently have, or have had, any of the following: Diabetes Chest pain or pain in

Health Risks of Not Being Physically Active Not being physically active is a risk factor for health problems. If you aren't physically active, you are at higher risk for: Cardiovascular disease High blood pressure Type 2 diabetes Anxiety and depression Some kinds of cancer Facts