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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Just as professional sports stars need medical care to keep them playing their best, so do student athletes. That's why it's important to get a sports physical.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Therapy is part of the treatment for most people diagnosed with ADHD. This article is for teens who want to know what to expect from therapy and how it works for ADHD.

Most teens with diabetes should switch to an adult health care provider when they're between 18 and 21. Here's how you can do that.

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.

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

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.

If you have diabetes, you can use this printable sheet to record what you eat over a 3-day period.

Use this printable sheet to help manage your asthma.

Use this weekly diary to keep a record of your asthma symptoms, peak flows, and the amount of medicine taken.

If you have diabetes, you can use this printable sheet to record your blood glucose levels.

A food journal can help us track our eating as well as see connections between our feelings and food.

Use our printable breakfast planning sheet to select healthy foods that satisfy your taste buds and meet your time constraints.

Anyone who has tried to lose weight knows it can be a struggle. The best way to lose weight is to focus on making small, specific changes that are easy to stick with in the long run. Use our plan to get there!

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Medicine doesn’t cure ADHD. But it does help boost a person's ability to pay attention, slow down, and have more self-control. This article for teens has details on how ADHD medicines help.

A bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are performed to examine bone marrow, the spongy liquid part of the bone where blood cells are made.

Before you consider having sex, you need to know how to protect yourself. Learn what the birth control patch is, how well it works, and more.

Before you consider having sex, you need to know how to protect yourself. Read this article to learn what birth control pills are, how well they work, and more.

A woman places the birth control ring in her vagina where it slowly releases hormones into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy.

Before you consider having sex, you need to know how to protect yourself. Read this article about the birth control shot and find out how it works - and how well.

A basic metabolic panel (BMP) is a group of blood tests that provide doctors with clues about how the body is working. Find out why doctors do this and what's involved for teens.

This common blood test helps doctors gather information about a person's blood cells and how they're working. Find out why doctors do this test and what's involved for teens.

This group of blood tests provides doctors with clues about how the body is working. Find out why doctors do these tests and what's involved for teens.

This test measures the speed at which red blood cells fall to the bottom of an upright glass test tube. Find out why doctors do it and what's involved for teens.

If your liver isn't working properly, it can affect your overall health. Find out why doctors do liver function tests and what's involved for teens.

A magnesium test looks at levels of the mineral magnesium in a person's blood. Find out why doctors do this test and what's involved for teens.

A phosphorus test looks at levels of phosphorus in a person's blood. Find out why doctors do this test and what's involved for teens.

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.

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

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.

Find out what you can do if you think you or a friend has a drug or alcohol addiction - from recognizing the warning signs to suggestions to help you stay clean.

Emergency contraception is a way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex; for example, if a condom breaks or slips off during sex. It is also available to teens who are forced to have unprotected sex.

Get the basics on how flu spreads and how to protect yourself.

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.

Getting help with emotions or stress is the same as getting help with a medical problem like asthma or diabetes. This article explains how therapy works and how it can help with problems.

Two different types of medicines are used to treat asthma: long-term control medicines and quick-relief medicines. Read about how they work, and why people might need to take them.

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

The HPV vaccine can help protect against the virus that causes genital warts and may lead to some kinds of cancer. Find out more in this article for teens.

Find out what the experts have to say

An MRI is a painless test that produces detailed pictures of the body's organs and structures. This article for teens explains how it works and why you might need one.

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

There's a lot to remember when it comes to taking medications. How much do you know? Take our quiz and find out.

Taking medicines is a major part of staying healthy if you have diabetes because they help you keep your blood sugar levels under control.

Find out what the experts have to say.

This medical treatment helps people with kidney failure. It can be done at home, often overnight, to take over the kidneys' job of filtering blood. Find out more in this article for teens.

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.

More than half of all people with cancer are treated with radiation therapy. Get the facts on radiation therapy, including what it is, what to expect, and how to cope with side effects.

Tips and advice for teens on refilling a prescription.

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

A spinal tap (also called a lumbar puncture) is a medical test that involves taking a small sample of cerebrospinal fluid for examination. Find out what's involved in this article for teens.

A splint is a support device that keeps an injured area from moving. Doctors often use splints to hold bones and joints in place so they can heal after a fracture.

If your doctor prescribed steroids as part of your treatment for an illness, don't worry. It's not the illegal, doping scandal kind of steroid. Get the details in this article for teens.

Opioids are very good at controlling pain, but there are risks to taking them. If you've been prescribed a medicine that contains an opioid, find out how to use it safely.

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

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.

If your doctor moves, can you ask for a copy of your medical records? Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Kayla lost her hair, but that didn't stop her from winning beauty pageants. Read how the winner of the Miss Delaware crown relied on confidence and leadership to stand above the crowd.

Rachel developed an anxiety disorder during her junior and year of high school. Today she's in college and enjoying life. Read her story.

Visit our Asthma Center for information and advice on managing and living with asthma.

Monica, 17 developed asthma when she was 14. In this video, she talks about how she adapted to life with asthma.

Atrial septal defect, or ASD, is a heart defect that some people are born with. Most ASDs are diagnosed and treated successfully with few or no complications.

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.

Visit our Cancer Center for teens to get information and advice on treating and coping with cancer.

People who have celiac disease, a disorder that makes their bodies react to gluten, can't eat certain kinds of foods. Find out more - including what foods are safe and where to find them.

Cerebral palsy is one of the most common developmental disabilities in the United States. It affects a person's ability to move and coordinate body movements.

Keith has cerebral palsy. This is his story about life in high school, dating, sports, and taking chances.

When someone has coarctation of the aorta, that person's aorta (the major blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the body) is narrowed at some point.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease that causes the body to produce mucus that's extremely thick and sticky. It mainly affects the lungs and the pancreas, causing serious breathing and digestive problems.

If you suffer from a chronic illness, you know it can be anything but fun. But you can become better informed and more involved in your care. Here are tips to help you deal.

Our Diabetes Center provides information and advice for teens about treating and living with diabetes.

DJ has type 2 diabetes. In this video, he talks about how he adjusted and what's working when it comes to taking care of himself.

Marco, 18, was diagnosed with diabetes 2 years ago. He talks about adjusting to life with diabetes and preparing to go to college.

A dwarf is a short-statured person whose adult height is 4 feet 10 inches or under. Find out what happens when a person has dwarfism and why some people are born with it.

Emily was adopted from Russia, where she was born with a type of dwarfism. In this video, she talks about her life philosophy and how she overcame the many hurdles she faced.

Seizures are a common symptom of epilepsy, a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Learn all about epilepsy, including what to do if you see someone having a seizure.

Hearing impairment occurs when there's a problem with or damage to one or more parts of the ear. Find out its causes and what can be done to help correct it.

Hemodialysis is the type of kidney dialysis that doctors use most to take over the kidneys' job of filtering the blood. Find out more in this article for teens.

A person who has hemophilia has a tendency to bleed a lot. With new treatments, most people with hemophilia live pretty normal lives.

There is no cure for AIDS, which is why prevention is so important. Get the facts on HIV/AIDS, as well as how it affects the body and is treated, in this article.

Inflammatory bowel disease is an ongoing illness caused by an inflammation of the intestines. There are two kinds of IBD: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Sometimes, the kidneys aren't able to do their job properly. Other than kidney infections, the two most common kidney conditions among teens are nephritis and nephrosis.

Lupus is a disease that affects the immune system. Learn how lupus is treated, signs and symptoms, how to support a friend who has it, and more.

Marfan syndrome affects the body's connective tissue and can cause problems in the eyes, joints, and heart. But teens with Marfan syndrome can live normal lives. Find out how in this article.

Muscular dystrophy is a disorder that weakens a person's muscles over time. People who have the disease can gradually lose the ability to do everyday tasks.

This medical treatment helps people with kidney failure. It can be done at home, often overnight, to take over the kidneys' job of filtering blood. Find out more in this article for teens.

In polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the ovaries produce higher than normal amounts of certain hormones, which can interfere with egg development and release. Learn how doctors diagnose and treat PCOS.

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.

Sickle cell crisis is when sickled cells clog small blood vessels, causing extreme pain and other symptoms. Learn more, including how to help prevent a crisis and what to do if one does happen.

Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder that makes red blood cells change shape and cause health problems. Find out more in this article for teens.

Steven was diagnosed with SMA when he was 3. Here's a look at his life today and why he says, "When someone tells you you can't do something, don't be afraid to try something new."

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.

Tourette syndrome affects the body's brain and nervous system by causing tics - repeated, uncontrollable movements or involuntary vocal sounds.

At a certain point, you'll no longer be able to see your childhood doctor. Here are tips for teens on making a smooth switch to adult sickle cell care.

Turner syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects about 1 in every 2,500 girls. Learn more about the condition and how doctors treat it.

Ventricular septal defect, or VSD, is a heart condition that a few teens can have. Find out what it is, how it happens, and what doctors do to correct it.

When one or more parts of the eye or brain that are needed to process images become diseased or damaged, severe or total loss of vision can occur. Read all about visual impairment.

Visit our Asthma Center for information and advice on managing and living with asthma.

What makes people happy? How can you boost your own happiness? This site has information and activities based on the science of positive psychology to help you succeed, make a difference, handle difficult emotions, and build good relationship skills.

Visit our Cancer Center for teens to get information and advice on treating and coping with cancer.

Our Diabetes Center provides information and advice for teens about treating and living with diabetes.

Get the basics on how flu spreads and how to protect yourself.

Visit our nutrition and fitness center for teens to get information and advice on food, exercise, and sports.

This site has tips on things like preparing for a new season, handling sports pressure, staying motivated, and dealing with injuries.

Visit our stress and coping center for advice on how to handle stress, including different stressful situations.