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Bones, Joints, and Muscles - What You Need to Know About Rheumatoid Arthritis
Format: Fact Sheet
Institute: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects the joints. It causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. If one knee or hand has rheumatoid arthritis, usually the other does too. This disease often occurs in more than one joint and can affect any joint in the body. People with this disease may feel sick and tired, and they sometimes get fevers.
Anyone can get this disease, though it occurs more often in women. Rheumatoid arthritis often starts in middle age and is most common in older people. But children and young adults can also be affected.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis? is one of a series of easy-to-read fact sheets launched by NIAMS. Known as the “Fast Facts” series, these sheets use everyday language to describe a wide variety of problems affecting bone, muscle, joints, and skin. They include basic information about each condition and facts on how to minimize symptoms, what treatment options are available, and details about current NIAMS research on each subject. More Next Steps
You can view the fact sheet on rheumatoid arthritis by visiting www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/arthritis/ffrheumatoid.htm.
Communication Disorders - America’s Five-Year Hearing Check-up: How We Fared
Format: Online Newsletter
Institute: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)In January 2000, Healthy Hearing 2010 was initiated to help reduce problems caused by hearing loss in Americans. In October 2004—nearly five years after the program's start—we have received our first report card. More Next Steps
You can read the new issue of Inside by visiting www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/inside.
Community Outreach - Toolkit Helps You Protect Your Family From Kidney Disease
Format: Fact Sheet
Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)Make a difference at your family reunion this summer! Did you know that kidney disease is a growing epidemic and African Americans are affected more than other groups? Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes, but many people with these conditions don’t know they are at risk for kidney disease.
The Kidney Connection Toolkit, developed by the National Kidney Disease Education Program, provides everything you need to share this important information with your family. The Toolkit provides three different guides to help you make the kidney connection. Options include:
• Having a 15-minute “Make the Kidney Connection” health discussion.
• Having one-on-one talks with family members at risk.
• Distributing a brochure or fact sheet to family members.
More Next Steps
Visit www.nkdep.nih.gov/familyreunion for more information and to download the free toolkit, or you may contact the NKDEP at 1-800-891-5388. - Bilingual Recipe and Meal Planner Helps Diabetics Stay Healthy
Format: Brochure
Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)Eating healthily and staying fit can often help manage diabetes. As an aid in the planning of nutritious meals, NIDDK has produced the Recipe and Meal Planner Guide (Recetas y Plan de Comidas), available in both English and Spanish. This guide is a spiral-bound booklet that offers seven recipes for every day of the week along with tips to help control diabetes deliciously. It includes a diabetes food pyramid and appetizing photographs of the dishes. This meal planner’s practical design and wealth of nutritional information make it a terrific addition to any kitchen. Next Steps
You may download the English or Spanish Recipe and Meal Planner Guide from www.ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/MealPlanner/index.htm, or order your free copy by calling the National Diabetes Education Program’s clearinghouse at 1-800-438-5383.
- Online Exhibit Spotlights Contributions of Women to Medicine
Format: Web Site
Institute: National Library of Medicine (NLM)Women physicians have excelled in many diverse medical careers. They have made important contributions to clinical care, research, and public health and administration. Some have advanced medical practice by developing innovative procedures or drugs. Others have reemphasized the art of healing and the roles of culture and spirituality in medicine. Many have brought new attention to the health and well-being of neglected groups.
You can explore the stories of more than 300 women in a new exhibition at the NLM, from 19th-century pioneers who had to fight for their education, to those who are advancing the frontiers of medicine today. The women profiled are from different backgrounds and worked in a variety of medical specialties. Many are first-person accounts of how these women not only confronted the obstacles, but excelled in a profession that had previously excluded them.
Discover the many ways that women have made their mark on the practice of medicine by visiting the NLM’s exhibition, Changing the Face of Medicine: Celebrating America's Women Physicians, on the NIH campus or online. The Web site allows you to search by home state, specialty, ethnic background, or school, and includes the opportunity for young people to explore careers in medicine as well as a detailed reading list. You can even post your own story of an exceptional woman physician, either on the Web site or in the “activity zone” in the exhibition hall. More Next Steps
You can explore this exhibition online and learn more about women physicians by visiting www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/changingthefaceofmedicine/index.html.
If you are visiting the exhibit on the NIH campus, a free 40-minute guided tour starts from the NLM lobby at 2 PM, Monday through Friday. Free tours can be arranged for schools, professional groups, and others. Visitors to the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, should bring a photo ID and allow additional time for security procedures. Call 301-496-1776 for more information, or visit the Web site at www.nih.gov/about/visitor/index.htm.
For more details, including exhibit hours, consult the Web site at www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/changingthefaceofmedicine/visit. If you would like more information about NLM exhibition programs, call 301-594-1947.
Ear, Nose, and Throat - America’s Five-Year Hearing Check-up: How We Fared
Format: Online Newsletter
Institute: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)In January 2000, Healthy Hearing 2010 was initiated to help reduce problems caused by hearing loss in Americans. In October 2004—nearly five years after the program's start—we have received our first report card. More Next Steps
You can read the new issue of Inside by visiting www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/inside.
Environmental Health - What is Environmental Health?
Format: Fact Sheet
Institute: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)Environmental Health is the field of science that studies how the environment influences human health and disease. This fact sheet lists the components that make up "environment," describes how environmental factors affect health, and lists ways that NIEHS promotes human health and prevents disease. Next Steps
The fact sheet can be accessed via the internet at www.niehs.nih.gov/oc/factsheets/pdf/e-health.pdf. - Lead Poisoning Is Dramatically Reduced
Format: Fact Sheet
Institute: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)Lead poisoning in American children has decreased by about 86% since the late 1970s! Much of this success is due to research supported by the NIEHS and others, which helped identify and reduce the health effects of lead poisoning in children and adults. Next Steps
This fact sheet may be accessed via the internet at www.niehs.nih.gov/oc/factsheets/pdf/lead.pdf. - Obesity and the Environment
Format: Fact Sheet
Institute: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)Obesity—one of the nation’s most serious health trends—has contributing environmental factors. NIEHS supports research that seeks to understand the many causes of excess weight and to identify ways to address them.
Obesity and the Environment, an updated fact sheet, explores environmental factors thought to contribute to this national problem. These factors include community designs that discourage physical activity, lifestyles that rely on convenience foods, and chemicals in the environment. Next Steps
You can download this fact sheet by visiting www.niehs.nih.gov/oc/factsheets/pdf/obesity.pdf
Food, Nutrition and Metabolism - Toolkit Helps You Protect Your Family From Kidney Disease
Format: Fact Sheet
Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)Make a difference at your family reunion this summer! Did you know that kidney disease is a growing epidemic and African Americans are affected more than other groups? Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes, but many people with these conditions don’t know they are at risk for kidney disease.
The Kidney Connection Toolkit, developed by the National Kidney Disease Education Program, provides everything you need to share this important information with your family. The Toolkit provides three different guides to help you make the kidney connection. Options include:
• Having a 15-minute “Make the Kidney Connection” health discussion.
• Having one-on-one talks with family members at risk.
• Distributing a brochure or fact sheet to family members.
More Next Steps
Visit www.nkdep.nih.gov/familyreunion for more information and to download the free toolkit, or you may contact the NKDEP at 1-800-891-5388. - Bilingual Recipe and Meal Planner Helps Diabetics Stay Healthy
Format: Brochure
Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)Eating healthily and staying fit can often help manage diabetes. As an aid in the planning of nutritious meals, NIDDK has produced the Recipe and Meal Planner Guide (Recetas y Plan de Comidas), available in both English and Spanish. This guide is a spiral-bound booklet that offers seven recipes for every day of the week along with tips to help control diabetes deliciously. It includes a diabetes food pyramid and appetizing photographs of the dishes. This meal planner’s practical design and wealth of nutritional information make it a terrific addition to any kitchen. Next Steps
You may download the English or Spanish Recipe and Meal Planner Guide from www.ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/MealPlanner/index.htm, or order your free copy by calling the National Diabetes Education Program’s clearinghouse at 1-800-438-5383.
Immune System - Get the "Fast Facts" About Psoriasis
Format: Fact Sheet
Institute: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)Psoriasis is a skin disease characterized by scaling and swelling. It begins in the immune system, mainly with a type of white blood cell called a T cell.
Human skin cells grow deep in the skin and slowly rise to the surface. With psoriasis, the cells rise too fast and pile up on the surface, which is what causes the scaling and swelling. Anyone can get psoriasis, but it occurs more often in adults.
What Is Psoriasis? is one of a series of easy-to-read fact sheets launched by NIAMS. Known as the “Fast Facts” series, these sheets use everyday language to describe a wide variety of problems affecting bone, muscle, joints, and skin. They include basic information about each condition and facts on how to minimize symptoms, what treatment options are available, and details about current NIAMS research on each subject. More Next Steps
You can view the fact sheet on psoriasis by visiting www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/psoriasis/ffpsoriasis.htm. - Wegener’s Granulomatosis Fact Sheet Available
Format: Fact Sheet
Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)Wegener’s granulomatosis is an uncommon disease—with vague upper respiratory tract symptoms, joint pain, weakness, and tiredness—that mainly affects the respiratory tract and kidneys. The disease causes inflammation that limits blood flow to these organs, and the tissue dies.
To find out more about the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and current research for this disease, go to the updated NIAID fact sheet, Wegener's Granulomatosis. More Next Steps
You can read the updated fact sheet on Wegener’s granulomatosis by visiting www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/wegeners.htm. - What You Need to Know About Rheumatoid Arthritis
Format: Fact Sheet
Institute: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects the joints. It causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. If one knee or hand has rheumatoid arthritis, usually the other does too. This disease often occurs in more than one joint and can affect any joint in the body. People with this disease may feel sick and tired, and they sometimes get fevers.
Anyone can get this disease, though it occurs more often in women. Rheumatoid arthritis often starts in middle age and is most common in older people. But children and young adults can also be affected.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis? is one of a series of easy-to-read fact sheets launched by NIAMS. Known as the “Fast Facts” series, these sheets use everyday language to describe a wide variety of problems affecting bone, muscle, joints, and skin. They include basic information about each condition and facts on how to minimize symptoms, what treatment options are available, and details about current NIAMS research on each subject. More Next Steps
You can view the fact sheet on rheumatoid arthritis by visiting www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/arthritis/ffrheumatoid.htm.
Infectious Diseases - The Plague Is Still a Killer, Even in the United States
Format: Fact Sheet
Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)Approximately 10 to 20 people in the United States develop plague each year and about 1 in 7 of those will die from the disease. The disease is spread by rodent or flea bites, and can be treated with antibiotics.
Even though the United States does not currently expect a plague attack, it is possible the bacterium that causes plague could be used to wage biological warfare.
For further information on the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of plague, and on recent research efforts, go to the updated NIAID fact sheet, Plague. More Next Steps
You can read the updated fact sheet on plague by visiting
www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/plague.htm.
Seniors' Health - Senior-Friendly Web Site Offers Information on Eye Health
Format: Web Site
Institute: National Institute on Aging (NIA)Eye diseases and conditions leading to vision loss increase significantly with age, and the number of people with vision loss is expected to rise as the population ages. To help older adults learn more about these conditions and vision loss, the NIHSeniorHealth Web site has added five new topics on vision: glaucoma, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and low vision.
NIHSeniorHealth.gov is a senior-friendly Web site that is tailored to meet the cognitive and visual requirements of adults 60 and older. Special features of the Web site include videos, quizzes, a talking function, a text sizing function, and personal exercise stories and photos. There are currently 20 health related topics on the Web site. The Web site is a collaborative effort between NIA and NLM with contributions from many of the 28 Institutes at NIH. Next Steps
Visit the updated Web site at www.NIHSeniorHealth.gov to learn more about your vision and many other health topics. - Free Book Explores the Link Between Aging and Heart Disease
Format: Brochure
Institute: National Institute on Aging (NIA)Scientists now know that some changes in the structure and function of the aging heart and arteries can greatly increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Aging Hearts & Arteries: A Scientific Quest describes research progress, details important findings, and gives readers a sense of what lies ahead. Using colorful and informative illustrations to make concepts clear, this booklet is ideal as a scientific introduction to the biological processes involved in the aging cardiovascular system. The free, 64-page booklet is divided into five sections answering the questions: - How does the heart work?
- What have scientists learned about changes occurring in the heart and arteries over time?
- How do cardiac cells change as they age?
- How do these changes make older adults more susceptible to heart disease?
- Where should we go from here?
MoreNext Steps
Order your free copy of Aging Hearts & Arteries: A Scientific Quest by calling the NIA Information Center at 1-800-222-2225 or writing to P.O. Box 8057, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057. You may also view the booklet online at www.niapublications.org/pubs/hearts/aginghearts.asp. - Brochure Helps Spanish-Speaking Seniors Talk to Their Doctors
Format: Brochure
Institute: National Institute on Aging (NIA)How well you and your doctor talk to each other is one of the most important parts of getting good health care. As we get older, it becomes even more important to talk often and comfortably with the doctor. Unfortunately, talking to your doctor isn't always easy. It takes time and effort on your part as well as your doctor's. A new publication from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) can help older adults learn to communicate effectively with their doctors.
Conversando con su Médico is a cultural adaptation of the NIA publication Talking with Your Doctor. This Spanish-language version of the popular book includes information to help you: - Choose a doctor,
- Communicate effectively with the doctor and other healthcare providers,
- Work with an interpreter,
- Discuss sensitive issues such as incontinence and sexuality, and
- Find additional health information in Spanish.
Next Steps
Order your free copy of Conversando con su Médico by calling the NIA Information Center at 1-800-222-2225 or writing to P.O. Box 8057, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057. You can also view the booklet and other Spanish-language materials online at
www.niapublications.org/pubs/conversando/index.asp.
Skin, Hair, and Nails - Get the "Fast Facts" About Psoriasis
Format: Fact Sheet
Institute: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)Psoriasis is a skin disease characterized by scaling and swelling. It begins in the immune system, mainly with a type of white blood cell called a T cell.
Human skin cells grow deep in the skin and slowly rise to the surface. With psoriasis, the cells rise too fast and pile up on the surface, which is what causes the scaling and swelling. Anyone can get psoriasis, but it occurs more often in adults.
What Is Psoriasis? is one of a series of easy-to-read fact sheets launched by NIAMS. Known as the “Fast Facts” series, these sheets use everyday language to describe a wide variety of problems affecting bone, muscle, joints, and skin. They include basic information about each condition and facts on how to minimize symptoms, what treatment options are available, and details about current NIAMS research on each subject. More Next Steps
You can view the fact sheet on psoriasis by visiting www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/psoriasis/ffpsoriasis.htm.
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