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Evidence-based health information written and reviewed by medical professionals. Browse 1,476+ articles to find answers to your health questions.

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What actually sets off an autoimmune disease?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Most autoimmune diseases start when a person with genetic susceptibility encounters an environmental trigger—often an infection, hormonal shift, toxin, or medication—that disturbs immune tolerance. The confused immune system then attacks normal tissues, and the process is reinforced by gut barrier leaks, chronic stress, and dysregulated hormones. The exact mix varies by disease, but research consistently shows a gene‒environment interaction rather than a single cause.

What really causes endometriosis and what you can do about it

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Endometriosis starts when cells similar to the uterine lining implant outside the uterus—most often because menstrual tissue escapes the womb through the fallopian tubes (retrograde menstruation), survives the immune system’s clean-up, and then grows under the influence of estrogen. Genetics, immune dysfunction, and exposure to high estrogen in early life raise the odds. The result is chronic inflammation that causes pain, scar tissue, and sometimes infertility.

What Causes Health Maintenance Needs and How You Can Stay Ahead

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Health-maintenance needs arise whenever normal aging, lifestyle risks, family history, or existing medical conditions increase the chance of preventable disease. The main drivers are age-related wear-and-tear, exposure to unhealthy behaviors (smoking, poor diet, inactivity), genetic predispositions, chronic illnesses, and gaps in routine screening. Tackling these factors early with evidence-based preventive care sharply lowers future complications and costs.

What causes lifestyle diseases and how can you stop them?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Lifestyle diseases—such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, fatty-liver disease, and many cancers—are driven mainly by five modifiable factors: poor diet high in ultra-processed food, physical inactivity, chronic stress, inadequate sleep, and use of tobacco or excess alcohol. These behaviors trigger insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation, hormonal imbalance, and arterial damage. Changing even one of these habits can cut your lifetime risk of lifestyle disease by 20–40 percent.

What causes multiple sclerosis and why does the immune system turn on the brain?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Multiple sclerosis (MS) begins when mis-directed immune cells cross the blood–brain barrier and attack the myelin insulation around nerve fibers. Genetics supply roughly 30% of the risk, while viral exposures—especially Epstein–Barr virus—vitamin D deficiency, smoking, obesity in adolescence, and female sex hormones provide environmental triggers that flip the switch. The process is autoimmune, chronic, and heterogenous, but it always starts with this immune–myelin collision.

What causes premature death and what you can do right now to avoid it

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Four out of every five premature deaths are tied to eight modifiable factors: smoking, high blood pressure, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, high blood sugar, alcohol misuse, elevated LDL-cholesterol, and air pollution. Tackling these risks with screening, lifestyle changes, and appropriate treatment can delay death by 10–15 years, even if changes start in mid-life.

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Sleep & Insomnia

What actually causes sleep apnea and why it happens to some people but not others

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway repeatedly narrows or collapses during sleep, usually because of a mix of anatomical crowding, weakened throat muscles, weight-related fat deposits, and disrupted breathing control from the brain. Central sleep apnea is less common and stems from the brain failing to send steady signals to breathe. Medications, alcohol, neuromuscular disease, and heart failure can all amplify either form.

Pain Management

What does it really mean when you’re told you have Chronic Pain Syndrome?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Chronic Pain Syndrome (CPS) means your nervous system continues sending pain signals for at least 12 weeks—even after the original injury or illness has healed—and those signals have begun to affect your sleep, mood, and daily function. It is a distinct medical condition involving changes in pain pathways, stress hormones, and the brain’s emotional centers, and it often needs a multi-modal treatment plan instead of a single pill or surgery.

What does it really mean when a doctor says you have chronic kidney disease?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) means your kidneys have lost some of their long-term filtering power and will not fully recover. Doctors confirm CKD when the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) stays below 60 mL/min/1.73 m² or urine albumin stays above 30 mg/day for at least three months. The lower the eGFR or the higher the urine protein, the faster toxins build up, raising risks of high blood pressure, bone disease, anemia, heart attack and early death.

What does it really mean when you’re told you have fibromyalgia?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder in which the brain and spinal cord amplify normal nerve signals, causing widespread aching, fatigue, and sleep problems despite no ongoing tissue damage. It is diagnosed by clinical criteria, not a single test, and often co-exists with irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, and depression. While it is lifelong, symptoms can be controlled through exercise, good sleep hygiene, cognitive therapy, and carefully selected medication.

What does it mean when you have risk factors? A plain-language guide to understanding and lowering your odds of disease

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Having a “risk factor” means you carry a proven characteristic—such as high blood pressure, smoking or a family history—that increases the statistical chance you will develop a specific disease compared with people who do not have that characteristic. Every additional risk factor stacks the odds higher, but most can be modified, tracked, or treated, so identifying them early lets you act before illness strikes.

What does it mean when you set clear wellness goals for your health?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Having wellness goals means translating broad hopes—like “I want to feel better”—into measurable health targets such as walking 8,000 steps a day, eating five cups of vegetables, or lowering resting blood pressure to under 120/80 mm Hg. Good goals are specific, evidence-based, time-bound, and tailored to your medical risks and lifestyle. They provide a roadmap for daily decisions, make progress trackable, and allow you and your care team to adjust plans before small problems become chronic disease.

What does it really mean when you’re told you have celiac disease?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which eating even tiny amounts of gluten (a protein in wheat, barley and rye) prompts your immune system to attack and flatten the villi that line your small intestine. This damage blocks nutrient absorption, causing symptoms from bloating to osteoporosis. The only effective treatment is a lifelong, strictly gluten-free diet verified by repeat antibody tests and, when needed, small-bowel biopsy.

Why am I feeling Crohn’s disease symptoms right now?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Crohn’s symptoms usually surface when a mix of genes, an over-reactive immune system, and environmental triggers inflame the digestive tract. Flares can be set off by infections, stress, certain foods, non-steroidal painkillers, smoking, or simply stopping your maintenance medication. Pinpointing which trigger is acting on you right now—and treating the inflammation quickly—usually calms the pain, diarrhea, and fatigue.

Why do I have chronic fatigue syndrome?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Scientists link chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS / ME) to a mix of immune over-activation, impaired energy metabolism, past viral infections, and genetic risk. No single trigger explains every case, but research shows that 3 of 4 patients develop CFS after a flu-like illness, many have low blood flow to the brain on tilt-table testing, and twin studies confirm a heritable component. Understanding your personal combination of factors guides targeted care.

Why do I have irritable bowel syndrome? The concrete reasons doctors look for

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) develops when the gut–brain nerve network misfires, changing how the colon squeezes and how pain signals are felt. Genetics, past infections, stress chemistry, hormonal shifts, diet fermentable carbs, and altered gut bacteria all interact. No single cause explains every case, so clinicians piece together personal risk factors through symptom patterns, labs, and response to therapy.

Why am I suddenly showing lupus symptoms and what should I do?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Lupus symptoms—such as joint pain, fatigue, and rashes—develop when your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Genetics, female hormones, certain infections, ultraviolet light, and some medications can trigger this attack. A detailed medical history, specific antibody tests, and prompt treatment can prevent organ damage, so see a clinician as soon as you notice persistent lupus-like signs.

Why do I have migraine disorder? A clear look at causes, triggers, and risks

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Most people develop migraine because they inherit a brain that is overly sensitive to certain internal and external changes—genes explain up to 60 % of risk. Hormone fluctuations, shifts in brainstem pain circuits, and blood-vessel inflammation then set off attacks. Day-to-day triggers such as lack of sleep, skipped meals, barometric pressure, and specific foods load the gun, but biology pulls the trigger.

Why are my legs so restless at night and what can I do about it?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) usually happens when low brain-iron levels disturb dopamine signaling in the spinal cord, making your legs feel like they must move. Genetics, kidney disease, pregnancy, certain medications and evening caffeine can all lower dopamine or aggravate nerve pathways. A simple ferritin blood test, stopping aggravating drugs and targeted movement or iron therapy often quiet the symptoms, but red-flag signs need medical review.

Pain Management

Why did my body develop rheumatoid arthritis in the first place?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) starts when your immune system mistakenly attacks the thin lining of your joints. Genetics load the gun—70 % of patients carry risk genes like HLA-DRB1—but smoking, periodontal bacteria, female hormones, and viral infections pull the trigger. The result is chronic, symmetrical joint inflammation that can begin years before the first swollen knuckle.

Why do I Really Need Disease Prevention, and What Happens If I Skip It?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

You need disease prevention because it lowers your lifetime risk of heart attack, cancer, stroke, diabetes, dementia, and infectious diseases by as much as 50-80 %, saves thousands in medical bills, and keeps you active and independent longer. Skipping prevention means silent conditions go undetected until they become emergencies that are harder—and costlier—to treat.

Why do I need preventive care, and what exactly should I do?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Preventive care lowers your risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, infection, and fractures—conditions that together cause 7 in 10 U.S. deaths. Getting age-appropriate screenings, staying up-to-date on vaccines, and managing lifestyle risks can cut your chance of an avoidable hospital stay by up to 40 %. Preventive visits also save money: every dollar spent on immunization returns about 13 dollars in avoided medical bills.

Why do I need regular check-ups and how often should I get them?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Regular check-ups catch silent problems like high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, and early cancers before symptoms appear, allowing treatment when it works best. They also track vaccines, update medications, and help you set realistic health goals. Adults under 50 usually benefit from a yearly visit; people over 50, pregnant women, and anyone with chronic disease may need visits every 3–6 months, tailored by their clinician.

Why do I need health screenings in the first place?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Regular health screenings catch silent diseases early, lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, cancer death and disability, and guide proven prevention steps like vaccination and lifestyle changes. Missing just one recommended colonoscopy can triple colon-cancer risk; catching high blood pressure early cuts stroke risk by 35 %. Screenings pair population science with your personal risk factors so you get targeted care instead of one-size-fits-all advice.

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