Body

Articles In This Section

• What’s a “Well-Woman Visit” and Why Do I Need One?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Taking Charge of Your Medical Care

  Like learning to drive, figuring out health care is part of becoming an independent adult. Here are tips for teens on what that involves, and how to choose your own doctor.

• Head Lice

  Lice aren't dangerous, but they do spread from person to person easily. They can also be hard to get rid of. Find out how to prevent lice -- and what to do if someone you know has them.

• Go, Slow, and Whoa! A Quick Guide to Healthy Eating

  Looking for an easy way to eat healthier? This article provides tips on choosing the right foods - and an easy-to-follow chart to guide you.

• What Should I Do if a Medicine Gives Me Side Effects Like a Fast Heartbeat?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Earbuds

  Earbuds are basically a tiny pair of speakers that go inside the ears. They're fine at low volumes, but they can cause permanent hearing loss if not used properly. Find out what's safe (and not) in this article for teens.

• Cuts, Scratches, and Scrapes

  Most small cuts, scrapes, or abrasions heal on their own. Here are tips for teens on how to treat cuts at home - and when to get medical help.

• Wound Healing and Care

  How well a wound heals depends on where it is on the body and what caused it – as well as how well someone cares for the wound at home. Find out what to do in this article for teens.

• It Looks Like There’s Dirt on My Skin That Won’t Wash Off. What’s Going On?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• How Do I Get Rid of Eczema Scars?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Blisters, Calluses, and Corns

  Blisters, calluses, and corns can be uncomfortable, but they're also pretty common and easy to prevent. Find out what to do in this article for teens.

• I Got Blisters From a Sunburn. What Should I Do?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Hives (Urticaria)

  Hives cause raised red bumps or welts on the skin. They're pretty common and usually not serious. Find out what to do about hives in this article for teens.

• What to Expect When Your Cast Comes Off

  You probably can't wait to get back to your normal activities, but it takes a while for a limb that's been in a cast to finish healing. Here's what to expect.

• Ears

  Hearing is their main job, but it's not all your ears do. Find out all about them in this body basics article for teens.

• Radiation Sickness

  Radiation can be good in the right amounts -- like in cancer treatments. But too much of it can make people (and other living things) very sick. Find out about radiation sickness in this article for teens.

• Getting Rid of Old Medicines

  Medicines can cause problems if they get into the water supply or the wrong hands. Find out how to dispose of old or unused meds safely in this article for teens.

• Dandruff

  If you're worried about dandruff, you're not alone. Dandruff can start in puberty, and lots of teens and adults live with it. Learn how to control it in this article for teens.

• Electronic Health Records

  Because EHRs improve how well your doctors talk to each other and coordinate your treatment, they can enhance your overall care. This article gives the facts on electronic health records.

• Managing Your Medical Care

  Visit our center on managing your medical care for advice on how to get involved in taking charge of your health and choosing the right health care providers.

• Health Care: What Do You Know?

  How much do you know about taking charge of your health care? Take our quiz and find out!

• Donating Blood

  There's a 97% chance that someone you know will need a blood transfusion. Blood donors — especially donors with certain blood types — are always in demand. Find out what's involved in this article for teens.

• Blood Types

  Blood might look the same and do the same job, but tiny cell markers mean one person's body can reject another person's blood. Find out how blood types work in this article for teens.

• Technology: 5 Ways To Reboot Yourself

  Sending and receiving messages late at night can disrupt your sleep and leave you tired and unfocused when it's time for school.

• Finding Low-Cost Medical Care

  If you need medical care but don't think you can afford it, you're not alone. Get tips on finding low-cost or free care in this article for teens.

• 5 Ways to Fight the Flu

  Get tips for fending off the flu in this article for teens.

• Finding Low-Cost Mental Health Care

  If you need mental health care but don't think you can afford it, you're not alone. Get tips on finding low-cost or free mental health care in this article for teens.

• Molluscum Contagiosum

  The name sounds dramatic, like a Harry Potter spell. Luckily, molluscum contagiosum isn't a big deal. Find out what to do about it in this article for teens.

• Why Do Doctors Press on Your Stomach During a Checkup?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Why Do I Faint After Getting a Shot?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Acanthosis Nigricans

  Acanthosis nigricans, or AN, is a darkening and thickening of the skin that can be a sign of certain other medical conditions. Find out more.

• Choosing Your Own Doctor

  We all deserve a doc who helps us feel comfortable and understood – and who can guide our medical care in a way we need. Get tips on finding the best doctor for you.

• Primary Care Doctors: Who’s Who

  A primary care physician is your first stop for medical care. Find out more about the primary care doctors who treat teens.

• 5 Tips for Surviving Shots

  If you're afraid of shots, you're not alone. Next time your doc asks you to roll up your sleeve, try these tips.

• Stop Smoking: Your Personal Plan

  This interactive feature helps you come up with a plan to stop smoking.

• Your Medical Records

  Each time you hop up on a doctor's exam table, somebody makes a note in your medical records. There may come a time when you need your medical information, so find out how to get it and how it's protected.

• Vitiligo

  Vitiligo is a loss of skin pigment that causes white spots or patches to appear on the skin. It's not medically dangerous, but it can affect a person's appearance. Find out more.

• Skin Biopsy

  In a skin biopsy, a doctor removes a tiny piece of skin tissue from a person's body so a lab can analyze it.

• Adolescent Medicine Specialists

  Adolescent medicine doctors are specialists who have extra training in the medical and emotional issues that many teens face.

• How to Fill a Prescription

  Taking responsibility for your own health care means understanding things like prescriptions. Read our tips for teens on filling a prescription.

• Refilling a Prescription

  Tips and advice for teens on refilling a prescription.

• Health Insurance: Cracking the Code

  Health insurance has a language all its own. This article for teens explains what some key terms mean.

• Health Insurance Basics

  Taking charge of your own health care is a big step, and it can be a little overwhelming. Here's a quick crash course on insurance for teens.

• IV (Video)

  This video shows what it's like to get an IV.

• Medical Tests: What to Expect (Video)

  Need to get a blood test? An MRI? These videos show what happens in 10 of the most common medical tests.

• Who’s Who in the Hospital

  There are so many different medical specialties that it's easy to feel confused. Here's a guide to some of the experts who care for you in the hospital.

• Melanoma

  Melanoma is different from other skin cancers because it can spread if it's not caught early. Find out how to lower your risk of getting melanoma and how doctors treat it.

• What’s the Difference Between Infectious and Contagious?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• 5 Ideas for Better Sleep

  Insomnia can be a big problem for teens. Read our tips on getting a good night's sleep.

• Easy Exercises for Teens

  Finding it hard to fit in fitness? Try these easy exercises for teens.

• Is Tanning Making Me Itch?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Allergy Testing

  Doctors use several different types of allergy tests, depending on what a person may be allergic to. Find out what to expect from allergy tests.

• Secondhand Smoke

  Experts now know that breathing in someone else's secondhand smoke is hazardous to our health. Find out what you can do about it.

• The 5-Second Rule

  Almost everyone has dropped food on the floor and still wanted to eat it. Does the 5-second rule give you the excuse you need? Or is it just a myth?

• Staying at a Healthy Weight

  Here are some practical, everyday tips on making exercise and healthy eating work for you instead of feeling like it's the other way around.

• Tampons, Pads, and Other Period Supplies

  When it comes to pads and tampons, there are lots of choices. It may take some experimenting before you find what works best for you. Here are some tips.

• What’s the Difference Between a Treatment and a Cure?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Ingrown Toenails

  A toenail is ingrown when it begins to break through and grow into the soft skin of the toe. Find out more about ingrown toenails.

• A Guy’s Guide to Body Image

  Many people think of guys as being carefree when it comes to appearance. But guys spend plenty of time in front of the mirror. And some worry just as much as girls do about their looks.

• Indoor Tanning

  Tanning beds are no safer than the sun -- and may be even more dangerous. Read this article to get the details, and to find out what is safe when it comes to getting that golden glow.

• Fainting

  Fainting is pretty common in teens. The good news is that most of the time it's not a sign of something serious.

• Figuring Out Health News

  News reports on health and medicine can be confusing —and sometimes downright scary. How do you know what is important and accurate?

• Anesthesia Basics

  Knowing the basics of anesthesia may help answer your questions and ease some concerns.

• Types of Anesthesia

  Here's a basic look at what each kind of anesthesia does.

• Anesthesia – What to Expect

  Here's a quick look at what may happen before, during, and after an operation or procedure.

• Hand Washing

  Did you know that the most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands? If you don't wash your hands frequently, you can pick up germs from other sources and then infect yourself.

• Brain and Nervous System

  If the brain is a central computer that controls all the functions of the body, then the nervous system is like a network that relays messages back and forth to different parts of the body. Find out how they work in this Body Basics article.

• Help! Is This My Body?

  Your body's changing - and if you've ever felt out of step with it, you're not alone. Find out how to deal with body changes and feelings in this article.

• Can I Pierce My Own Eyebrow?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Taking Care of Your Hair

  It can be your shining glory or the bane of your existence. However you feel about your hair, chances are you want it to be healthy. Find out how to keep hair looking good in this article.

• Metabolism

  Your body gets the energy it needs from food through a process called metabolism. Get all the facts on metabolism in this article.

• Immunizations

  Missing out on shots puts you at more serious risk than you might think. That one little "ouch" moment protects you from some major health problems.

• Backpack Basics

  Backpacks help you to stay organized. They're also better for carrying school supplies than messenger or other shoulder bags. But can they cause health problems?

• Eyes

  Although your eyes are small, their structure is incredibly complex. Find out how they work in this body basics article.

• Male Reproductive System

  What makes up a guy's reproductive system and how does it develop? Can anything go wrong? Find the answers to these questions and more in this article.

• Physical Therapy

  Physical therapy helps people get back to full strength and movement - and manage pain - in key parts of the body after an illness or injury.

• Questions to Ask Your Doctor

  You're probably used to answering your doctor's questions - not asking your own. But it's your body, so you should be able to ask your doctor questions about anything you'd like. Here are some ideas to get you started.

• Female Reproductive System

  Why do girls get periods? What goes on when a woman gets pregnant? What can go wrong with the female reproductive system? Find the answers to these questions and more in this article for teens.

• Shaving

  Follow these shaving tips for guys and get a quick, easy, and painless shave.

• Lungs and Respiratory System

  Each day you breathe about 20,000 times. Find out more about the lungs and breathing process.

• Heart and Circulatory System

  The heart and circulatory system (also called the cardiovascular system) make up the network that delivers blood to the body's tissues.

• Cold Sores (HSV-1)

  Cold sores (also known as fever blisters) are pretty common and lots of people get them. So what causes them and what can you do?

• Should I Gain Weight?

  People want to gain weight for all sorts of reasons like playing their favorite sports or keeping up with friends who are filling out. So what's the skinny on weight gain? Find out here.

• Bruises

  This article is all about bruises, including why they happen, how to make them go away faster, and why they turn all those funny colors.

• Why Do I Get Acne?

  Almost every teen gets acne at some point. This article addresses common questions and concerns about acne and tells you what you can do about it.

• Finding the Right Bra

  Bras not only minimize jiggling and shape the appearance of a girl's breasts, they're also helpful from a health standpoint.

• Hair Removal

  You can buy dozens of products for getting rid of unwanted hair. How do they work? And how do you use them?

• Chemotherapy

  Chemotherapy, or chemo, is the use of medications to treat cancer. This article explains how chemo works and what to expect when getting treatment.

• About the Body Basics Library

  Did you ever wonder what all those complex body systems do? Use this medical library to find out about basic human anatomy, how it all functions, and what happens when things go wrong.

• Understanding Medications and What They Do

  Medicines can cure, stop, or prevent disease; ease symptoms; or help in the diagnosis of certain illnesses. This article describes different types of medications and offers tips on taking them.

• Complementary and Alternative Medicine

  People used to consider practices like acupuncture or herbal medicine outside the mainstream. But today more doctors are open to trying them. Get the facts on alternative medicine.

• Spleen and Lymphatic System

  The lymphatic system is an extensive drainage network that helps keep bodily fluid levels in balance and defends the body against infections.

• Myths About Acne

  You may be surprised that some of the things you've heard about acne - like what causes it and how to deal with it - aren't true.

• Skin, Hair, and Nails

  Our skin protects the network of tissues, muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and everything else inside our bodies. Hair and nails are actually modified types of skin.

• Tips for Taking Care of Your Skin

  Sometimes it may seem like your skin is impossible to manage, especially when you find a huge zit on your nose or a cold sore at the corner of your mouth. Here are ways to prevent and treat common skin problems.

• Hygiene Basics

  Puberty causes all kinds of changes in your body - and some may not make you feel very desirable. Read this article for information on dealing with greasy hair, perspiration, and body hair.

• Warts

  Most warts are easy to treat and are rarely cause for alarm. Read this article for more information on warts and how to get rid of them.

• Kidneys and Urinary Tract

  The kidneys perform several functions that are essential to health, the most important of which are to filter blood and produce urine.

• Mouth and Teeth

  Did you know that your mouth is the first step in the body's digestive process? Or that the mouth and teeth are essential for speech? Learn about the many roles your mouth and teeth play.

• Immune System

  The immune system is made up of special cells, proteins, tissues, and organs that defend people against germs and microorganisms. It's the body's defense against organisms and substances that invade our systems and cause disease.

• Digestive System

  Most people think digestion begins when you first put food in your mouth. But the digestive process actually starts even before the food hits your taste buds.

• Blood

  Without blood, our organs couldn't get the oxygen and nutrients they need, we couldn't keep warm or cool off, we couldn't fight infections, and we couldn't get rid of our own waste products. Find out about the mysterious, life-sustaining fluid called blood.

• Endocrine System

  The endocrine system influences almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies. It is instrumental in regulating mood, growth and development, metabolism, and sexual function, among other things.

• Bones, Muscles, and Joints

  Our bones, muscles, and joints form our musculoskeletal system and enable us to do everyday physical activities.

• Blood Transfusions

  About 5 million people a year get blood transfusions in the United States. This article explains why people need them and who donates the blood used.

• The Basics on Genes and Genetic Disorders

  Genes play an important role in how we look and act, and even in whether we get sick. This article gives the lowdown on genes, genetic disorders, and new research into gene therapy.

• Stretch Marks

  Your skin is usually fairly elastic, but when you grow or gain weight really quickly (like during puberty), you may get fine lines on your body called stretch marks.

• Eczema

  Eczema is a common skin problem among teens. If you have eczema, read this article to find out more about it and how you can deal with the skin stress.

• Body Piercing

  Wondering whether you should pierce one of your precious parts? Read about what to expect.

• The Flu Vaccine

  Doctors recommend that all teens get vaccinated against the flu. The good news is, it doesn't have to be a shot. Here are the facts on flu vaccines.

• What Causes Bad Breath?

  Bad breath, or halitosis, can be a major problem, especially when you're about to snuggle with your sweetie or whisper a joke to your friend. The good news is that bad breath often can be easily prevented.

• Tanning

  The sun can do a lot more than just give you a warm summer glow. Get the facts on sun and skin damage - and what you can do to protect yourself and still look tan.

• Talking to Your Doctor

  Your best resource for health information and advice is your doctor - the person who knows you, your medical history, and accurate medical information to answer your questions.

• Cellulite

  Cellulite, the lumpy substance resembling cottage cheese that is commonly found on the thighs, stomach, and butt, is actually a fancy name for collections of fat that push against the connective tissue beneath your skin.

• Tattoos

  What's the safest way to get a tattoo? Does it hurt? What can go wrong? Knowing the facts will help you decide whether a tattoo is a good idea for you.

• What’s It Like to Stay in the Hospital?

  Scheduled for a hospital stay? Knowing what to expect can make it a little easier.

• What’s It Like to Have Surgery?

  Knowing what to expect with surgery before you get to the hospital can make you less anxious about your surgical experience - and less stress helps a person recover faster.

• Plastic Surgery

  Lots of images may come to mind when you think of plastic surgery. This special type of surgery involves a person's appearance and ability to function.

• Taking Care of Your Vision

  Even if you're lucky enough to have perfect vision, taking care of and protecting your eyes is vital to keeping your peepers perfect. Learn all about how to take care of your baby blues (or browns or greens) in this article.

• Can Acne Scars Be Removed?

  Scars from acne can seem like double punishment - first you had to suffer through the pimples, now you have marks to remind you. Is there anything you can do?

• Taking Care of Your Teeth

  There's a lot more to taking care of your teeth than breath mints and mouth sprays. Read this article to learn the facts on flossing, how to give plaque the brush-off, and much more.

• Why Should I Care About Germs?

  Germs are tiny organisms that can cause disease - and they're so small that they can creep into your system without you noticing. Find out how to protect yourself.

• Why Exercise Is Wise

  Getting the right amount of exercise can rev up your energy levels and even help you to feel better emotionally. Find out why.

• Why Do I Sweat So Much?

  Are you worried that you may sweat too much? Find out why sweating is normal - and what you can do about it.

• Common Sleep Problems

  Sleep problems can keep some teens awake at night even when they want to sleep. If that sounds like you, find out what you can do.

• Gyn Checkups

  Girls should get their first gynecological checkup between ages 13 and 15. Find out what happens during a yearly gyn visit -- and why most girls don't get internal exams.

• All About Orthodontia

  Just getting braces and have no idea what to expect? Had braces for a while but wonder what's going on in there? Whatever your situation is, you're not alone: millions of teens have braces.

• Can I Prevent Acne?

  Although there is no surefire way to prevent acne, there are several ways to help reduce the number and severity of your breakouts. Read this article to find out more.

• How Much Sleep Do I Need?

  Teens need about 8-1/2 to more than 9 hours of sleep each night. But you might not be getting it. Here's why - and tips for getting more shut-eye.

• Testicular Exams

  If you're a guy, you may be wondering why the doctor needs to do a testicular exam. Find out in this article.