Seasonal Allergies at a Glance
If you have an allergy, your immune system reacts to something that doesn’t bother most other people. People with seasonal allergies (also called hay fever or allergic rhinitis) react to pollen from plants. Symptoms may include sneezing, coughing, a runny or stuffy nose, and itching in the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat. This page discusses […]
Safety Guidelines: After a Hurricane or Other Tropical Storm
KEY POINTS The storm might be over, but that doesn’t mean the danger is. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe after the storm by following our safety tips. Protect yourself from hazards outside Always follow warnings about flooded roads. Stay out of floodwater. Always follow warnings about flooded roads. Don’t drive in flooded areas—cars […]
What to Expect When You Visit an Urgent Care Center
Urgent care centers are a great option for people who need medical care but don’t need to go to the emergency room. They are typically open seven days a week and offer a variety of services, including: Treatment for minor illnesses and injuries X-rays and other diagnostic tests Prescription medications Referrals to specialists If you’re […]
Allergens and Pollen
WHAT TO KNOW Pollen is an airborne allergen. Climate change may increase pollen concentrations and extend pollen seasons, heightening health effects for more people. Pollen and climate change Pollen is an airborne allergen that can affect our health. Pollen grains are tiny “seeds” dispersed from flowering plants, trees, grass, and weeds. The amount and type […]
About Asthma
KEY POINTS Asthma is a disease that affects your lungs. It is one of the most common long-term diseases of children, but adults can have asthma, too. Asthma causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing at night or early in the morning. Symptoms Asthma causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing at night or early […]
Flu and People with Asthma
AT A GLANCE Asthma is a lung disease that is caused by chronic inflammation of the airways. People with asthma are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, even if their asthma is mild or their symptoms are well-controlled by medication. Flu vaccination is especially important for people with asthma because they are at […]
The Benefits of Slumber
Why You Need a Good Night’s Sleep En español Send us your comments (link sends e-mail) We have so many demands on our time—jobs, family, errands—not to mention finding some time to relax. To fit everything in, we often sacrifice sleep. But sleep affects both mental and physical health. It’s vital to your well-being. Of […]
Clinical Guidance for Asthma, Other Respiratory Conditions, and/or Mold Allergy After a Severe Weather Event
PURPOSE This information is intended to complement, not replace, standard, guidelines-based medical care (e.g., ensuring patients are taking the appropriate medications correctly). Key Points Patients with asthma and other lung conditions should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled, even if they do not have an […]
Pet Dogs to the Rescue! Furry Friends Can Help Human Health
En español Send us your comments (link sends e-mail) Dogs share our homes and environments. They grow up with us and grow old with us. And as they age, dogs tend to get many of the same health problems that we do—conditions like obesity, heart problems, cancer, and mental decline. Most of the genes found […]
Is It Flu, COVID-19, Allergies, or a Cold?
Staying Healthy This Winter En español Send us your comments (link sends e-mail) Feeling sick can be especially concerning these days. Could your sniffles be caused by COVID-19? Or the flu? A cold? Or maybe allergies? Determining the cause of an illness can be tricky because many share some symptoms. They can leave you sniffling, […]