Stacker-Health

  Measles was surging in West Texas as Nancy Churnin eagerly awaited the birth of two grandchildren. She was sure she had been vaccinated decades ago, but she wanted to confirm she was still protected. She didn’t want to risk spreading the highly contagious disease to vulnerable newborns, so she got a simple blood test

  Travel creates conditions the brain finds highly rewarding: novel environments, varied sensory input, social engagement, freedom from habitual demands, and a disrupted relationship with time. When vacation ends, the return to familiar, predictable routines entails the simultaneous loss of all these stimulating conditions. The contrast is the key mechanism. The brain does not evaluate

  That familiar, maddening itch after a mosquito bite is one of summer’s most annoying experiences. The science behind why mosquito bites itch involves a complex interaction between mosquito saliva and the human immune system. Understanding this process helps explain why some people react more severely than others and what actually works to stop the

  That painful red glow after a day outdoors is more than just discomfort. It signals real cellular damage happening beneath the skin’s surface. The good news is that dermatologist-approved treatments can significantly reduce pain, speed healing, and prevent long-term damage when applied correctly. Many people reach for whatever lotion is nearby, but not all

  For multigenerational families and roommates navigating escalating housing costs, consolidating into a single shared home is increasingly a financial necessity. But pushing a property’s capacity past its intended structural limits introduces severe, often overlooked physical hazards. Rather than just a loss of privacy, occupying a home beyond its design capacity triggers a chain reaction

  Those little brown marks on the skin confuse many people. Both involve excess pigment in the skin, but they arise from different causes and behave differently. Freckles often bring back memories of summer days as a kid, while sunspots can signal that the skin has been exposed to too much sun over the years.

  When you’re comparing health plans, knowing which medications are covered, how they’re covered, and how much they’ll cost can save you a lot of frustration and money. That’s why a health plan’s formulary is important. It’s an essential component of an insurance plan. You should review it to confirm that the coverage fits both

  About 14 years ago, Chrissi Kelly lost her sense of smell. She had traveled to the Czech Republic to visit family and caught some virus. Months later, when she still couldn’t smell, she made the rounds to doctors, including her general practitioner and an ear, nose and throat specialist, trying to find answers. She

  If you’ve ever used an online pharmacy platform to get a prescription filled, you’re in good company. Millions of people do it, and trust in these platforms has been growing steadily. In fact, 62% of users of online pharmacy platforms say they trust some or all online pharmacies more now than they did in

  For years, smartwatches have helped us monitor our health. From tracking how many steps we take each day to measuring our heart rate, our watches have helped us stay healthy. More recently, many smartwatches can measure our blood pressure, letting the user take a reading as and when they need to. But now, thanks

SmartAsset reports Utah and Colorado are the healthiest states, while West Virginia ranks the lowest in health metrics.

Doctronic reports that stress can cause temporary hair loss by disrupting growth cycles. 

GoodRx reports 2026 will see higher health insurance premiums, Medicare changes, and many opting out of coverage due to increased costs.