Four words that parents in the classroom group chat dread to read: ‘My kid has lice.’

Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are parasites that primarily infest children in childcare, preschool or elementary school. Having lice doesn’t indicate poor hygiene, despite a longstanding misconception driven by stigma, and lice don’t ...Read more

When many people think of an average lung cancer patient, they often imagine an older man smoking. But the face of lung cancer has changed. Over the past 15 years, more women, never smokers and younger people are being diagnosed with lung cancer.

In fact, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women, and more women die...Read more

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Having no family history does not mean that someone can’t still get breast cancer, nor does having a double mastectomy.

While widespread awareness of breast cancer has helped save lives, persistent myths about the disease continue to cause dangerous delays in screening, treatment and follow-up. From misjudging age-...Read more

Enrolling in Medicare Part D isn’t a “one-and-done” decision. Leaving your plan on autopilot during open enrollment (Oct. 15-Dec. 7) could cost you hundreds in unexpected premiums and out-of-pocket fees. A different plan might offer a much better deal — especially if you’ve started new medications or your current drugs have ...Read more

Raisins are the most popular dried fruit in the U.S., beloved as a naturally sweet treat that’s also rich in important nutrients.

The folklore

Grapes have been dried into the tiny wrinkled gems we call raisins as early as 2,000 B.C. Raisins were not only revered as a delicious food, they were used as decor at feasts and religious ceremonies,...Read more

Q: I have a major dental procedure coming up. Do I need to stop taking any of my medications?

A: That’s an answer only your healthcare team can provide, and it depends on several factors, including the type of dental work you’re having and the specific drugs (and supplements) you take. But you’re not alone in wondering.

Many people find ...Read more

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I know that diabetes can take a real toll on your body, but I didn’t know that it includes your eyes. How are they affected by this disease?

ANSWER: While eye care and regular eye exams are important for everyone, they’re particularly vital for people with diabetes.

Diabetes is a prevalent condition worldwide, affecting ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — As swiftly as Barry Manilow returned to the stage following a health-related hiatus, he has stepped away.

On Friday, Manilow cut his concert short just two songs after it began. The 83-year-old crooner abruptly told the crowd to talk among themselves as he walked off stage, according to concertgoers who detailed the incident on ...Read more

Brightly colored packaging, promises of better sexual performance and names like “Rhino,” “Anaconda” and “Magnum” make sexual enhancement products difficult to miss. They can be found online, in convenience stores and at gas stations, and some can even be ordered through delivery services.

But what’s inside the package ...Read more

“Do you smoke cigarettes?” I asked my patient succinctly in a recent clinic appointment.

He matter-of-factly responded, “Not anymore, I use Zyn pouches now.”

As with any patient, I gauged his readiness – or reluctance, in some instances – to disrupt his use of nicotine.

I asked about his interest in trying ...Read more

What doctors can't see can make glioblastoma especially difficult to treat.

This aggressive brain cancer can extend beyond what's visible on a standard MRI, making it difficult to precisely target treatment. Just 5% to 7% of patients survive five years after diagnosis.

Mayo Clinic researchers are studying advanced imaging techniques designed ...Read more

As Americans grow increasingly frustrated with their healthcare system, a proposal that has long been kicked around on the Democratic periphery is showing up in debates and on political platforms: “Medicare for All.”

According to a 2025 Economist-YouGov poll, nearly 60% of Americans favor a system of Medicare for All, while 85% of Democrats...Read more

When Lori Baute first learned about precautionary full-body MRI scans, she dismissed the idea.

“ I heard Kim Kardashian got one, and some other wealthy people,” Baute said. But at 59, she was worried about her long-term health. She has a family history of cancer, and she’s a critical caregiver for her aging mom and her adult brother ...Read more

A new California law will bar hospitals and doctors’ offices from using artificial intelligence to independently perform medical tasks that require a professional license, such as prescribing medications or ordering tests.

Assembly Bill 1979, signed last week by Gov. Gavin Newsom and taking effect Jan. 1, requires healthcare facilities to ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — A 39-year-old woman in Franklin County died after contracting measles, the county’s coroner reported Monday, the sixth report of a death linked to Pennsylvania’s worst measles outbreak in decades.

The woman had “several underlying conditions, including a past diagnosis of measles with treatment,” Coroner Jordan Conner ...Read more

Mr. V felt tightness across his chest. His deepest breaths felt shallow. He sought help at an emergency department, where a resident physician found several worrying signs, including swelling of his hands and legs as well as heart enlargement on a chest X-ray.

Everything seemed to point to one diagnosis: heart failure, where the heart...Read more

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have a friend who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, but she didn't have any obvious symptoms. What are some signs or symptoms women should pay attention to and get checked out?

ANSWER: Unfortunately, ovarian cancer can be a difficult-to-detect disease early on because its symptoms often are vague and easily mistaken for ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Every Tuesday, Naman Shah sees tuberculosis patients at a small public clinic in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. Shah, a physician and epidemiologist at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, pores over images of battered lungs, listens to labored breathing, and checks medications.

It’s part of an initiative ...Read more

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have a friend who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, but she didn't have any obvious symptoms. What are some signs or symptoms women should pay attention to and get checked out?

ANSWER: Unfortunately, ovarian cancer can be a difficult-to-detect disease early on because its symptoms often are vague and easily mistaken for ...Read more