Diseases & Conditions Archive

Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive condition triggered by gluten, a sticky protein found in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. Celiac disease is typically diagnosed later in life, and occurs more often in women. Symptoms include intestinal distress, weight loss, rashes, fatigue, and nutrient deficiencies. Celiac patients must adopt a strictly gluten-free diet, which can be challenging after decades of eating gluten. Helpful strategies include creating gluten-free kitchen areas, buying naturally gluten-free items, and examining food labels.

Toasted skin syndrome is a rash that develops in a fishnet-like pattern from direct, chronic, low-level exposure to heat sources such as laptops, electric blankets, heating pads, and heated car seats. The heat dilates superficial blood vessels under the skin, causing the rash.

Inflammaging is chronic, low-grade inflammation throughout the body that occurs with aging. It is believed to accelerate aging and contribute to more than half of all deaths worldwide by driving various age-related diseases such as arthritis, autoimmune conditions, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. People can combat inflammaging through healthy lifestyle measures such as exercising, eating healthfully, controlling weight, managing stress, prioritizing sleep, and limiting alcohol and smoking.

Science has made astonishing progress in the past 60 years in many areas. Examples include the ability to repair certain defective genes, use stem cells to treat certain diseases, detect and fight many cancers, fight viruses with medications, make organ transplants work, and prevent disease with vaccines and lifestyle changes. Thanks to technological advances, doctors can also see clearly inside the body and use artificial intelligence to speed the development of new medications.

In a 2025 study, people who followed a Mediterranean diet, reduced their calorie intake, exercised at least 150 minutes a week, and received weight-loss support lowered their diabetes risk and lost more weight than those who only followed a Mediterranean diet.

A 2025 study found that in brain MRI scans, people with any evidence of gum disease were more likely to have higher amounts of a marker for disease in the brain’s small blood vessels, compared to people without gum disease.

Daily nasal irrigation (also called nasal rinses) may reduce symptom severity and the duration of a cold. It can also relieve the congestion caused by sinus infections and allergies. It is unclear whether it can prevent colds. By means of a squeeze bottle, neti pot, or battery-powered system, saline (salt water) is inserted into one nostril and flows out the other. It’s important to always use sterile water, meaning distilled or cooled boiled water. The rinse helps wash away mucus and some inflammatory chemicals, reducing the swelling that’s responsible for congestion.