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If you like to follow the latest trends, here's one you should skip: More Americans are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This serious disease already affects nearly 26 million people in the U.S. Fortunately, you can do a lot to protect yourself.

Here’s a heart-stuttering statistic: Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. dies from heart disease. Many of those deaths could be prevented. How? Start with being better informed about what it takes to keep your heart healthy.

Suffering a heart attack is often a life-changing event. For a survivor, it may mean a lifestyle overhaul, such as exercising more and eating better. These changes can be hard to make – but are often crucial.

Since the commercial success of drugs such as Viagra and Cialis, more men feel comfortable talking with their doctors about erectile dysfunction (ED). That’s particularly good news for their hearts.

Over the last decade, more Americans have been dismissing cancer screenings, including mammograms. Why? Experts suspect this drop may partly be because of the confusion surrounding screening guidelines.

Do antibiotics cure the common cold? If you answered yes, you've got good company. A recent poll found that many Americans don’t know enough about antibiotics and their proper use.

A pill packed with lots of nutrients—a multivitamin—may seem like the perfect shortcut to healthy living. Chances are, though, you’re already getting all the vitamins and minerals you need from the foods you eat.

Asthma continues to be a major health problem in the U.S., with the rate of new asthma cases increasing by almost 15 percent between 2001 and 2010, the CDC says in a new report.

Children just learning to walk (or run) can sustain an injury if they fall with a pacifier, bottle, or sippy cup in hand. According to nationwide survey, most injuries are cuts to the mouth.

A simple glass of milk can do a lot for your health. Thanks to the "Got Milk" campaign, many women know that it packs a healthy punch of calcium and vitamin D – two nutrients critical for strong bones.

Many women drink alcohol – whether it’s to celebrate a special event or maybe to relax with friends. An occasional drink usually isn’t a concern. Moderate amounts of alcohol may even protect against coronary heart disease.

Many men may rank heart disease as a top health concern. Focused on their tickers, they may ignore or not realize how important bone health is, too. Osteoporosis—a disease that weakens and breaks bones—affects upward of 9 million men in the U.S.

Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate. Women of all ages, races, and ethnicities – men, too – can develop it. For some women, though – in particular, African-Americans – breast cancer can be more deadly. Many factors play a role in this disparity.

Even though men using hormone treatment for prostate cancer are at risk for osteoporosis, taking supplements may boost their risk for heart disease and aggressive prostate cancer.

People who have schizophrenia or bipolar disorder appear to have more than a two-fold higher risk for cancer.

Parents of young athletes may expect the occasional bruise, scrape, or pulled muscle. But an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) may seem a more likely concern for a professional running back or a slam-dunking hoop star.

Women today have more birth control options than ever before. The condom, the pill, the patch—to name just a few. In fact, more than three-quarters of sexually active women in the U.S. have tried at least three different methods of contraception.

Fewer Americans with diabetes are dying from heart disease and stroke, according to a new government report. The lower death rates are the result of healthier lifestyles and better disease management.

Hair loss is a topic most men don’t want to discuss. Yet it affects more than two-thirds of them by age 35. Nearly 85 percent of men will have thinning hair by age 50.

How you feel physically can certainly influence how you feel mentally – and vice-versa. A prime example of that connection is diabetes and depression. Ongoing research suggests that people with either health condition are at higher risk of developing

About 70 percent of people with prediabetes will go on to develop type 2 diabetes. But researchers say that making lifestyle changes and taking medication can do a lot to stop that progression.

Every family passes something down – your grandmother’s wedding band, Uncle Joe’s lucky tackle box, an older brother’s clothes. Did you know you can even pass down a tendency to develop diabetes?

Women who give birth to large infants may be 2.5 times more likely to develop breast cancer than women who give birth to the smallest babies.

Many people detest bugs, especially when they find them in their homes. Keeping bugs at bay may prompt you to try just about anything—maybe even ultrasonic bug repellent devices. But do they work?

Women who go through menopause before age 46 may double their risk for heart disease and stroke, new research says.

Visiting your doctor may not always be the most pleasant experience, especially if you need to have a digital rectal exam, or DRE. Like the Pap test for women, a DRE makes many men feel uncomfortable or embarrassed.

If you have type 2 diabetes, you probably already know that you need to keep a close eye on what you eat. Certain foods can affect how well you manage your condition. A recent study suggests people with diabetes should try adding more legumes to their diets.

Anyone who has tried to quit smoking knows it can entail herculean efforts. Withdrawal symptoms from nicotine and constant cravings for a cigarette cause many smokers to quit on quitting.

They're labeled with compelling names, such as Monster Energy and Rockstar. X-Game athletes sport their brands on jackets and hats. Energy drinks exude an ethos that attracts many children and young adults. Although these beverages may be considered

Your child probably loves pizza. And how about hot dogs, lunch meat, or cheese? In addition to being many children's favorites, these foods are high in sodium. They contribute to a startling fact: Many children eat as much sodium as adults in the U.S

The FDA has officially banned bisphenol A (BPA) from baby bottles and sippy cups, which should help ease parents’ worries about the controversial chemical.

Women diagnosed with breast cancer today have more treatment options available to them than ever before. And scientists continue to make advancements.

The family's well-worn couch. Grandpa's favorite old chair. Of all the things parents may worry about, these items probably don’t make the list. But according to a new study, maybe they should, particularly if they contain flame retardants.

Eating a nutritious diet is important when you have diabetes. Piling your plate with certain foods—such as fruits and vegetables, beans, and whole grains—can help you better control blood sugar levels. Enter the Mediterranean diet.

How a man cooks his dinner may affect his risk for prostate cancer. Pan-frying red meat at high temperatures creates cancer-causing chemicals, something that doesn’t happen when meat is broiled or grilled.

Genetics can play a role in whether you develop certain diseases. Think heart disease. Your risk for this condition is higher if you have a family history of it. A new study suggests that genetics may also up the risk for chronic pancreatitis in some

Keeping your child active may not always be easy. Children may be more interested in video games, YouTube videos, or the latest episode of American Idol.

As your body's largest organ, your skin is a master multitasker. It keeps fluids in, preventing dehydration. It regulates body temperature. It senses external stimuli, such as pain. It produces vitamin D from sunlight.

A healthy vagina depends on the right balance of microorganisms – but new research has found that this balance differs from woman to woman. This may help tailor treatment for vaginal infections.

As an ethnic group, Hispanic/Latino Americans are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes. Researchers have found one reason: Hispanic/Latino Americans are more likely to store fat in their pancreas but less able to produce more insulin to compensate for

Women who use birth control products that contain a combination of estrogen and progestin may double their risk for heart attack and stroke.

A home should be a haven—a place where you rest and enjoy time with family—a place of safety and security. But that isn't always the case.

Finding out you are pregnant may prompt you to make some lifestyle changes, particularly in your diet. You may decide to eat more fruits and vegetables and less high-fat foods. Another change you may want to consider: cutting back on coffee.

A lengthy to-do list, a fast-approaching deadline, conflict with a colleague—many people struggle with such on-the-job stressors. When constant and overwhelming, this stress can lead to job burnout.

Many more CT and MRI scans are done these days, greatly boosting the amount of radiation that patients receive and raising questions about overuse of these imaging methods, a new analysis concludes.

People with a "spare tire" around their middle are at increased odds for sudden cardiac death, especially if they are obese.

Kindergarteners whose parents fight with each other frequently and harshly are more likely to struggle with depression, anxiety, and behavior issues by middle school, a new study says.

For older women, the benefits of getting a mammogram every two years outweigh potential harms, researchers say.

A new study found that despite AAP guidelines on car safety, few youngsters are placed in the proper safety seats after age 1, and that many over age 6 sit in the front passenger seat.

Nearly half of people with type 2 diabetes say they live with acute and chronic pain, and about a third have nerve damage, fatigue, and depression. A new study suggests that palliative care should be a normal part of diabetes management.

Half of people in the hospital for a heart attack or heart failure make a mistake with their medications within a month of going home. This is true even among people who get counseling and guidance from a pharmacist.

A common-held belief is that weight gain during menopause is inevitable. New research suggests otherwise. A recent review of available data on this life change found that menopause doesn’t cause weight gain. But it may move fat to your middle.

Alcohol can be both a benefit and a danger to women, according to two recent studies. The key seems to be in knowing when it’s appropriate to drink and how much alcohol is considered safe.

When it comes to your heart, you can do a lot to keep it healthy. For instance, you can stop smoking and exercise more.

More than 240,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. Newer treatment options are improving care. But they have risks, too.

You may pay more attention to your physical health than how you feel mentally. Like any physical ailment, though, conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse can tax your body.

Talking with your child about drug abuse is important. It helps to keep him or her healthy. But did you know you should cover prescription painkillers in that chat? A new study points to why.

Researchers are looking closer at a blood test that assesses a certain gene's DNA. The test may one day be able to predict who’s at risk for breast cancer years before it develops.

Millions of Americans end up in the ER each year with chest pain, and doctors need to know as soon as possible if that chest pain means a heart attack. A common blood test may be able to provide a definitive answer within an hour.

More and more Americans are becoming obese. A wider waist increases their risk for heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers. A new government report found this obesity epidemic is also tied to another troubling health trend.

Most men still think that sun exposure is good for their health and don’t bother with UV protection. But that behavior puts them at risk for melanoma as they grow older.

Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers after a heart attack may raise your risk for a second heart attack, even several years afterward, a new study says.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) says that older women should not take low doses of calcium and vitamin D supplements to help prevent fractures. The panel is still weighing what to recommend on higher supplement doses.

Early diagnosis is crucial in fighting breast cancer. It often leads to faster treatment and a better chance of survival. That’s where a service called "patient navigation" may fit in. A recent study shows this service may shorten the time to diagnos

The teen years can be an exciting and anxious time for your child – and you. One of the more nerve-wracking moments may be your child’s dating. It’s natural for a parent to worry. You want to keep your child safe.

It can be hard to discuss money matters with older family members. Many of us may prefer to avoid such a sticky subject entirely. This reluctance can make it easy to overlook a potentially serious problem: financial abuse.

An expert panel says that men with a life expectancy of more than 10 years should talk with their doctor about getting a PSA test for prostate cancer. This recommendation comes in response to a federal group’s recent advice against PSA screening.

A traumatic event, such as a natural disaster or a severe car accident, can trigger feelings of anxiety and distress—maybe even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). So, too, can a breast cancer diagnosis. Recent research shows that approximately 25

Girls who get radiation therapy to the chest to treat cancer are at higher risk for breast cancer by the time they turn 50, a new study says.

You're likely familiar with the changes your body goes through each menstrual cycle. Estrogen levels rise as your body prepares for ovulation. Then they fall before your period. This flux in hormones can trigger fatigue, breast tenderness, and other

If you read food labels while you shop for groceries, you may have taken an important step toward maintaining a healthy weight. A new study found that people – especially women – who check food labels at the supermarket are thinner than people who did not.

The old adage "You should never judge a book by its cover" may not hold up when it comes to your heart. Researchers recently reported that people with certain physical features related to aging, such as a receding hairline, may have unhealthier heart

If you have high cholesterol, chances are your doctor has prescribed you a type of medication called a statin. By lowering cholesterol, these pills help prevent heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S.

Learning you have breast cancer can be overwhelming. Many women face hard decisions about their care. A new study indicates that having a strong social network may help women better cope with a breast cancer diagnosis.

An older woman who has radiation therapy after a lumpectomy may lower her need for a mastectomy later on, a new study says. Yet current guidelines recommend that older breast cancer patients not have radiation.

The sweet strawberry, the perfect bite-sized blueberry, the luscious raspberry—these palate-pleasing fruits are bursting with flavor. And something more: They contain anthocyanin—a potential heart-protecting chemical.

Many Americans realize that obesity is more than a cosmetic concern. A recent poll found that 78 percent knew that obesity can raise the risk for heart disease. Seventy percent recognized a link with diabetes. But what about high blood pressure? Canc

If you spend a lot of time sitting every day, you may be harming your health, even if you exercise. A recent review of 18 studies with nearly 800,000 participants found a link between sedentary living and overall health.

Younger men who have sleep apnea often also have erectile dysfunction. But researchers say that treating the sleep disorder has a side benefit: It may boost sexual performance.

The average child or teen in the U.S. consumes nearly 3,400 mg of sodium each day – or more than 1,000 mg above the recommended maximum. Some researchers say that high salt intake is what's driving an increase in high blood pressure among kids.

Newfangled devices make it easier than ever to monitor blood sugar, but an analysis of more than 30 studies suggests that newer isn’t necessarily better in terms of blood sugar control.

Folk wisdom links cold hands and feet with a warm heart. But that wisdom also refers to the natural process in which the body slows or reduces circulation to the hands and feet in order to boost blood flow and warmth for the internal organs.

Working full time seems to boost both mental and physical health for women who are mothers, compared with women who stay at home or work part time.

As you grow older, your chance of developing breast cancer increases. In fact, two-thirds of cases occur in women ages 55 and older. Still, younger women can develop the disease.