From daily habits to nutrition and sleep, explore informational guides on living a healthier life — backed by research and written for real people.
West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne illness that can cause anything from no symptoms at all to a serious infection of the brain and nervous system. It is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States, though most people who are infected never get sick. The virus is spread through the bite … Read more
Your bladder is a muscle, and like any muscle, it responds to training. Strengthening your bladder for better control starts with two things: retraining your pelvic floor muscles and retraining your bathroom habits. The pelvic floor muscles support your bladder and help hold urine in. When they are weak, leaks happen. When they are tight … Read more
Alcohol and diarrhea are a common pair. If you have ever woken up after a night of drinking with an urgent need to use the bathroom, you are not imagining things. Drinking alcohol can directly cause diarrhea, both during the night and for a day or two afterward. This happens because alcohol irritates the digestive … Read more
A battery cell is the basic building block that stores and releases electrical energy through chemical reactions. Every battery you use — from the AA in a remote to the pack in an electric vehicle — is made of one or more cells. Understanding how a battery cell works comes down to three parts: two … Read more
Hot tub folliculitis is a skin infection caused by bacteria. It happens after sitting in a poorly maintained hot tub or spa. The bacteria, usually Pseudomonas aeruginosa, thrive in warm water. When the water is not properly treated, the bacteria multiply and infect your hair follicles. You will often see an itchy rash with red … Read more
Most colds and mild respiratory infections clear up within 7 to 10 days. If you are still sick after a week, it usually means one of three things: your immune system is fighting a virus that simply takes longer to run its course, a secondary bacterial infection has moved in, or your symptoms are not … Read more
Learning Tai Chi at home for free as a beginner is completely possible. You need a clear online course, enough space to stretch your arms, and about 15 minutes a day. The key is to start with the fundamentals—like posture and weight shifting—before you worry about memorizing long forms. What Do You Actually Need To … Read more
You step out of a hot bath expecting to feel relaxed, but instead you feel dizzy, nauseous, or lightheaded. This is a common experience, and it usually comes down to how your body handles heat. When you soak in hot water, your core temperature rises quickly, and your body works hard to cool itself down. … Read more
Sweating right after drinking water is a real and fairly common experience, but it is not a normal response for most people. In most cases, it points to a specific physical trigger, such as the temperature of the water, how fast you drank it, or an underlying sensitivity in your nervous system. If you drink … Read more
Diarrhea is contagious through touch, not through the air. The viruses, bacteria, and parasites that cause infectious diarrhea spread when tiny amounts of infected stool get onto hands, objects, or food and then enter the mouth. You cannot catch diarrhea by breathing the same air as someone who is sick, but you can catch it … Read more