A strange symptom at midnight. A headline about a new treatment. A friend’s advice that sounds a little too simple. This health and wellness section helps you make sense of questions like these. We explain common symptoms, digestion, sleep, strength and aging in everyday language, and we tell you when it is time to call a professional. Everything here is general information, not medical advice. Your own doctor or clinician knows your history, so please use these stories to prepare for that conversation, not to replace it.
General information only. Content in this section does not diagnose, treat or replace care from a qualified clinician. Do not start, stop or change a medicine based on what you read here.
In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Health advice changes, but the basics are steady. Most reliable guidance comes back to a few familiar habits. None of them is exciting, and that is partly why they work: they are possible to keep doing.
If you take medicine or have a long-term condition, check with your care team before you make a big change to your diet or exercise.
Some popular advice sounds healthier than it is. Extreme diets, long detox plans and expensive supplements often promise more than the evidence supports. A supplement can also interact with medicine, so mention it to your doctor or pharmacist. Our article on wellness habits that backfire goes into this further.
Health headlines tend to sound more certain than the science behind them. When a story catches your eye, ask a few questions.
Personal stories are valuable too, as they can help people feel seen. They show what one person went through, though, and not what will happen to everyone.
If you are worried about a symptom, that alone is a good reason to call. It is especially important to get checked if something is new, is getting worse, does not go away or is getting in the way of daily life.
Call 911 or your local emergency number for possible signs of a heart attack or stroke, such as chest pain, sudden weakness on one side, trouble speaking or severe trouble breathing. If you or someone you know may be thinking about suicide, call or text 988 in the US to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
A little preparation helps, especially when visits are short.
No. Our health news and guides are general information. Only a clinician who knows your history can give you advice about your own care.
Start with regular movement, consistent sleep, a varied diet and routine checkups. Choose one area to work on, as small habits are easier to keep up than a big overhaul.
Wellness usually refers to daily choices that support your physical and mental health, such as sleep, food, movement and connection. It adds to medical care, but it does not replace it.
Some are harmless and others are not. Check a reliable health source, and talk to a clinician first if you are pregnant, take medicine or have a health condition.
Each article names its writer. You can read our editor notes for how we approach health content. Health articles are not currently reviewed by a clinician.