Diseases & Conditions Archive

A bird flu strain that began circulating in 2020 continues to evolve globally and locally within the United States. If you're wondering what this means, understanding the basics — what bird flu is, how it spreads, whether foods are safe, and prevention tips — can help.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) affects up to a million Americans, more than three-quarters of whom are women. A main feature of POTS is an intolerance to being upright. Symptoms include heart rate spikes, palpitations, dizziness, and fatigue. Risk factors include recent viral infection, surgery, concussion, or a long period of inactivity. POTS symptoms can be managed through exercising, drinking more fluids, increasing salt intake, wearing compression garments, and using counter-pulsation poses.

Headaches happen to people every day, and about 4% of Americans report being bothered a great deal by them in the past three months. Only a tiny percentage of headaches indicate a serious underlying problem. Red-flag signs include headaches occurring with other symptoms; new headaches in people over 50; headaches that get worse with exercise, sex, coughing, or lying down; and "thunderclap" headaches that involve rapidly worsening head pain. People experiencing these signs should seek prompt medical attention.

Nosebleeds are common, and dry air is the most prevalent cause. Other triggers include allergies, blood-thinning medications, or a deviated septum. People with frequent, heavy nosebleeds may need evaluation for a more serious underlying condition.

A 2025 study suggested that people with sedentary jobs are at higher risk of developing insomnia, which can persist for many years.