Hypertension affects up to 50% of American adults. Blood pressure is the force of blood in the arteries.Too much force leads to injured and weakened blood vessels. MoMo Productions / Getty Images 1. MoMo Productions / Getty Images CVD is a leading cause of death in the United States. Hypertension can affect the heart in the following ways: 2. Strokes can cause severe brain damage and are fatal in some instances....

Kristal Hartman / Verywell Kristal Hartmanis an accomplished health professional and passionate advocate for obesity awareness. My journey withobesitybegan in my teens, a period marked by the physical and emotional changes puberty brings. Painful periods and hormonal issues led me to start using birth control. Kristal Hartman / Verywell While it helped manage my symptoms, it also resulted in significant weight gain. This discovery led to a diagnosis ofhypothyroidismand, soon after,polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)....

Flexibility is vital for maintaining your ability to perform daily tasks and move with ease. In addition to improving your range of motion, being flexible can decrease your risk of injury and falls. Flexibility exercises (stretches) are essential for all age groups and can easily be incorporated into your day. Oscar Wong / Getty Images Oscar Wong / Getty Images So Flexibility Is Important, But Why? Flexibility isn’t just about bending over and touching your toes....

Ironically, these are the very cells that HIV targets for infection. Finally, the eradication of HIV is thwarted by the virus ability to hide from the bodys immune defenses. Once inside these cells, HIV is shielded from detection. International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Among them is a subset of specialized defensive proteins known as broadly neutralizing antibodies (or bNAbs). Antibodies defend the body against a specific disease-causing agent (pathogen). Most are non-broadly neutralizing antibodies, meaning that they kill only one or several pathogen types....

Over time, this inflammation can lead to scarring, liver failure, or even cancer. Nearly 15 million people in the United States have MASH, but the condition is likely underdiagnosed. Until then, physicians primarily relied on lifestyle changessuch as weight loss and regular exerciseto manage the condition. Photo Illustration by Amelia Manley for Verywell Health; Getty Images While Rezdiffra marks an important advancement in MASH treatment, its not effective for everyone, Shetty said....

People who still feel groggy for a while after they get up may be experiencing sleepinertia. This article explains what sleep inertia is. Symptoms of Sleep Inertia Sleep inertia leads tosleepinessthat you’re slow to shake off. Dornveek Markkstyrn / Getty Images You may have trouble thinking straight or understanding information right after you wake up. Sleep inertia was first identified among U.S. Air Force pilots during the 1950s. For example, it may be difficult to drive a car safely right after you awaken....

This article provides an overview of the evidence showing left-sided breast cancer to be more common. Even though these organs are a pair, the tissue structures in each can be different. This is why many people get breast cancer in just one breast. simon2579 / Getty Images That’s because of the location of left-side tumoron the sidewhere the heart is located. Location of Breast Tumors Breast cancer is a key in of cancer that starts in the breast....

Weight loss can pose a challenge for a variety of reasons. Certain medical conditions can also play a role in slowing down or preventing weight loss. Race and Ethnicity Racial and ethnic differences have been observed in various aspects ofweight gainand loss. Johner Images / Getty Images Hormones Hormonal fluctuations can affect your hunger, metabolism, cravings, and body-fat distribution. For example, changes inestrogen, often duringperimenopauseandmenopause, are a common cause of unwanted weight gain....

The reason why lung cancer is increasing in non-smokers and never-smokers isn’t entirely clear. How Common Is Lung Cancer in Never-Smokers? Surgeon General first linked cigarettes to cancer). Verywell / Luyi Wang Who Is at Risk of Lung Cancer Among Never-Smokers? Studies have shown that two groups of never-smokers are especially vulnerable to lung cancer: females and Asian people. Statistically, female never-smokers are more than twice as likely as male never-smokers to get lung cancer....

The medical term for popping in a joint is “crepitus.” In addition to popping, crepitus can cause a cracking sound or a clunking or snapping sensation. This article discusses possible causes of ankle popping and treatment for conditions when it is problematic. Dimensions / Getty Images Dimensions / Getty Images What Causes Ankle Popping? Anklepopping can occur for various reasons. Inside the capsule is a liquid calledsynovial fluid, which helps keep the joints lubricated and moving smoothly....

Smoking, age, and weight can also contribute to high cholesterol levels. It can be hard to tell if you have high cholesterol because it doesn’t always come withsymptoms. Having high cholesterol levels can increase your risk ofheart attack, stroke, and other conditions. What Is High Cholesterol? Cholesterolis a fatty molecule that your cells need to function. Why Is My Cholesterol High? High cholesterol can be triggered by your diet. If you’re eating healthy, other factors may be impacting yourcholesterol levels....

Popping sensations in your collarbone (clavicle) are fairly common. You may feel it when you reach certain directions or move your arm and shoulder. You may hear a “pop” or “click.” It may or may not be painful. Verywell / Laura Porter Causes Knowing some basicshoulder anatomycan help you understand why your collarbone pops. What’s called the “shoulder complex” is made up of three bones and four joints. The bones are:...

Lip twitching happens when your upper or bottom lip shakes, trembles, or quivers uncontrollably. This article looks at 13 different causes of facial twitching along with possible treatments. Westend61 / Getty Images Why Is My Lip Twitching? Westend61 / Getty Images These disruptions are often triggered by the excessive or impaired release of chemical messengers calledneurotransmittersthat regulate muscle movements. One example isgamma-aminobutyricacid (GABA)which prevents the overexcitability of nerve transmissions. If GABA is low, parts of the brain can be overstimulated and trigger a sudden twitch....