https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/ en NIH MedlinePlus Magazine Copyright 2019 2019-04-02T19:22:00+00:00 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/untreated-sleep-apnea-can-lead-to-high-blood-pressure-in-african-americans https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/untreated-sleep-apnea-can-lead-to-high-blood-pressure-in-african-americans#When:17:31:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/sleep-apnea-african-americans.png Getting restful sleep is often hard. Sleep apnea can make it even harder. New NIH-supported research finds that African Americans with more severe forms of sleep apnea are at greater risk of high blood pressure. An estimated one in four African Americans in the U.S. have a moderate or severe case of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea happens when there is airflow reduction during sleep. Common signs are snoring or gasping. The study researchers say that screening groups at high risk for sleep apnea can help reduce their risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Untreated sleep apnea can]]> Sat, 06 Apr 2019 13:31:00 -0400 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/the-abcs-of-cbd-separating-fact-from-fiction https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/the-abcs-of-cbd-separating-fact-from-fiction#When:17:25:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/abcsofcbd.jpg CBD. Cannabidiol. No matter what you call it, you may have heard health claims about this little-known part of the marijuana plant, which comes from the plant's flowers. Some say it treats muscle aches, anxiety, sleeping troubles, chronic pain, and more. But what does the science say? We spoke to NIH expert Susan Weiss, Ph.D., to learn more and find out why consumers should be careful. Dr. Weiss is the director of the division of extramural research at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). What is CBD? CBD (or cannabidiol) comes from the cannabis (or marijuana) plant. ]]> Sat, 06 Apr 2019 13:25:00 -0400 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/spotting-skin-cancer-tips-from-the-national-cancer-institute https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/spotting-skin-cancer-tips-from-the-national-cancer-institute#When:17:40:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/spottingskincancer-sp19.jpg Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. It's also largely preventable. Here is information from the National Cancer Institute about common risk factors and types of skin cancer. What causes it: The disease forms in tissues of the skin and is usually caused by the sun or ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV rays are an invisible type of radiation that comes from the sun, tanning beds, and sun lamps. The rays can change skin cells if you are exposed to them too much. Risk factors: Being exposed to natural or fake sunlight over long]]> Fri, 05 Apr 2019 13:40:00 -0400 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/lifestyle-changes-key-to-delaying-or-preventing-type-2-diabetes https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/lifestyle-changes-key-to-delaying-or-preventing-type-2-diabetes#When:16:39:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/lifestylechangeskey-sp19.jpg In the U.S., about 10 percent of the population has type 2 diabetes. Even more surprising? Nearly one in four people living with diabetes don't even know they have it. These and other facts are included in a new report from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The third "Diabetes in America" report, released last summer, has information for everyone. Do you think you or a family member could have type 2 diabetes? Read our overview below for information and lifestyle tips from  the report and MedlinePlus. Overview Diabetes is a serious disease that occurs when]]> Fri, 05 Apr 2019 12:39:00 -0400 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/young-woman-fights-melanoma-and-gives-back https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/young-woman-fights-melanoma-and-gives-back#When:15:51:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/youngwomanfights-sp19.jpg In May 2012, 22-year-old new college graduate Heather Quintal was excited to begin a career at an accounting firm in Boston. But two weeks after graduation, before starting her job, Heather was diagnosed with advanced stage melanoma, the deadliest of all skin cancers. "My dad was walking by my room one night and noticed I had a mole on my back," she says. After her dad noticed the mole, he and Heather went to the dermatologist (a doctor who focuses on skin). Her dermatologist removed the mole and had it examined. A few days later, the dermatologist called and told]]> Fri, 05 Apr 2019 11:51:00 -0400 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/one-step-at-a-time-dc-resident-walks-for-health-and-community https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/one-step-at-a-time-dc-resident-walks-for-health-and-community#When:15:37:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/walking-exercise.png For Washington, D.C., resident Deborah Nix, walking connects her to the community and gives her confidence. "A friend of mine saw me out walking recently, and said, ‘Girl, you're looking good!" Deborah says. Walking has also helped Deborah and her fellow community members get healthier. Walking with NIH "People, including me, have noticed that walking has lowered their blood pressure, their weight has dropped, and they have more energy." - Deborah Nix Deborah helps lead a community walking group as part of the Washington, D.C. Cardiovascular (CV) Health and Needs Assessment study. The program is]]> Fri, 05 Apr 2019 11:37:00 -0400 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/researching-melanoma-at-nih-whats-new https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/researching-melanoma-at-nih-whats-new#When:15:12:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/researchingmelanoma-sp19.jpg More than 1 million people in the U.S. live with melanoma, a type of skin cancer. While there is no cure for melanoma, there are ways to treat it if caught early enough—and many ways to prevent it. NIH MedlinePlus magazine spoke with Larissa Korde, M.D., of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). She oversees clinical trials on melanoma research through NCI's Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, part of the division of cancer treatment and diagnosis. Why is melanoma so important right now? Over the past few years, we've made significant progress in researching and treating melanoma—but there is]]> Fri, 05 Apr 2019 11:12:00 -0400 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/putting-health-first https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/putting-health-first#When:14:24:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/puttinghealthfirst-sp19.jpg Emmy award-winning journalist Norah O'Donnell has spent decades reporting on major events on national TV networks. The "CBS This Morning" anchor and soon-to-be "CBS Evening News" anchor also wears another hat—cancer survivor. She recently spoke with NIH MedlinePlus magazine about her melanoma and the importance of early detection, healthy living, and trusted health information. What was your reaction to getting diagnosed with melanoma? I never thought I would hear the words—"You have melanoma"—the deadliest form of skin cancer. I admit, the first thing I did was cry. It took some time, but eventually I realized that as a wife]]> Fri, 05 Apr 2019 10:24:00 -0400 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/a-doctors-perspective-living-with-dry-eye https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/a-doctors-perspective-living-with-dry-eye#When:13:50:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/adoctorsperspective-sp19.jpg Dry eye can be frustrating and uncomfortable. Untreated, it can turn into a chronic condition. For Dr. Todd Telle, the onset was quick. The symptoms and complications were challenging for this San Diego resident who loves playing tennis, learning the guitar, and traveling abroad. When I moved from Boston to San Diego five years ago, I noticed that my eyes were more tired in this drier environment. Although I had suffered from dry eye before, I didn't notice any complications until recently. About a year ago, I woke up one morning and saw that the inner portion of my]]> Fri, 05 Apr 2019 09:50:00 -0400 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/finding-skin-cancer-why-routine-checkups-can-make-all-the-difference https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/finding-skin-cancer-why-routine-checkups-can-make-all-the-difference#When:06:37:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/fightingskincancer-sp19.jpg In 2006, architect Eric Ward had a mole examined on his face by a dermatologist, or doctor who treats the skin. At the time, he was told the mole was not cancerous and he didn't think anything more of it. But a few months later, Eric noticed he had swollen lymph nodes. "I just thought that was part of a head cold," he says, "so I waited a month or so, thinking it would go away," he said. The cold went away, but his lymph nodes were still swollen. When Eric finally went to the melanoma clinic at]]> Fri, 05 Apr 2019 02:37:00 -0400