Know your health risks

Learn about risk factors, signs and symptoms, and preventive care

Here's what you need to know to prevent or manage some of the most common health problems and chronic diseases around. Get proactive about keeping your family healthy, starting now!

Jump down the page to:

Asthma	Breast cancer	Cervical cancer	Chlamydia	Colorectal cancer	Depression, major
Diabetes	Eating disorders	Falls	Heart disease	Lead poisoning	Obesity
Osteoarthritis	Prostate cancer	Substance abuse & dependence	Tobacco use	Unintended pregnancy

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Asthma
Asthma risk factors	Asthma signs & symptoms	Asthma preventive tips
Family or personal health history Tobacco use Secondhand smoke, especially around children. Children continue to develop and have higher breathing rates than adults. Allergies or sensitivity to pollen, dust mites, smoke, perfume, pollution, feather pillows, food additives, candles, animal hair, burning wood Exercise; cold air or changes in the weather Viral infections	Wheezing Tight chest Feeling of suffocation Shortness of breath (unable to even say name) Life-threatening respiratory failure Cough not relieved by drink of water, cough drops Scratchy throat, sneeze, headache, hoarse voice Children - look for fatigue and breathlessness; complaints of chest hurting or being too tight	Stop tobacco use Avoid secondhand smoke, especially with children Limit use of fireplaces, wood-burning stoves Choose a smoke-free childcare provider Get tested for allergies Take medication as directed by your doctor Know your triggers Know how to use a spacer and inhaler Use anti-inflammatory or long-term control drugs to control your asthma Use bronchodilators or "quick relief drugs" for temporary control of symptoms
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer risk factors	Breast cancer signs & symptoms	Breast cancer preventive tips
Family history (mother, sister) Tobacco use or secondhand smoke High-fat diet Stress Age (women 45 years and older, or if premenopausal) Long menses (more than 5 days) Early onset of menses (before 12); late menopause Positive test for genetic mutations (BRCA1) No pregnancies or first child after age 30 Estrogen use (on birth control pills more than 5 years) Alcohol use Exposure to radiation Alcohol use (more than 1 drink /day) Caucasian women are at more risk than black, Hispanic or Asian women.  However, black women more likely to die from cancer because they do not seek early treatment.	Lump in breast (pea size or bigger) Change in nipple or skin such as thickening, scaly skin or dimpling, puffiness Change in size of breast Bleeding from nipple Breast pain	Do a breast self-exam each month Get a yearly clinical breast exam by your doctor Get a mammogram every two years if over the age of 40 Eat a low-fat diet Exercise every day Stop tobacco use Ask your dentist for a lead apron to cover your body for x-rays Limit alcohol use
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer risk factors	Cervical cancer signs & symptoms	Cervical cancer preventive tips
Having a Human Papillomavirus Virus (HPV) infection Tobacco use Having HIV Chlamydia infections High-fat diet Family history or personal health history Multiple births Not having routine Pap tests Being overweight African-American women Sexual intercourse at an early age Many sexual partners (unprotected sex)	Unusual discharge Bleeding or pain after sexual intercourse May have no symptoms	Stop tobacco use Treat all infections Eat more fruits and vegetables Use a condom Limit the number of sexual partners Get a yearly Pap test Lose weight
Chlamydia
Chlamydia risk factors	Chlamydia signs & symptoms	Chlamydia preventive tips
Multiple partners Unprotected sex Teens and young adults Previous sexually transmitted infection Having sex at a young age Pregnant mother who is infected can pass to baby	75% of women have no symptoms and 50% of men have no symptoms Males: Burning when urinating Discharge from the penis Testicular tenderness, pain Rectal pain or discharge Females: Vaginal discharge Burning when urinating Painful sexual intercourse Symptoms of PID (pelvic inflammatory disease: low back or abdominal pain, abnormal vaginal discharge) Rectal pain or discharge	Use a latex condom Abstain from sex Be in a mutually exclusive relationship with an uninfected partner If you are sexually active, get tested (there is a urine screening test)
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer risk factors	Colorectal cancer signs & symptoms	Colorectal cancer preventive tips
Age (over 40 years old) History of ulcerative colitis Family history of polyps Diseases of the digestive tract High fat diet Excess intake of saturated animal fat	Change in bowel habits Black, tarry stools (BM) Bleeding from the rectum Diarrhea, weight loss Stomach cramps or pressure May have no symptoms	Limit alcohol use Complete a colorectal screening at age 50: Fecal occult blood testing annually or Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or Double contrast barium enema every 5 years or Colonoscopy every 10 years Eat fiber foods such as nuts, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, oranges, bran, oats, apples Eat a low fat, low carbohydrate (starch) diet Get a physical exam every 1-2 years Stop tobacco use
Depression, major
Depression risk factors	Depression signs & symptoms	Depression preventive tips
Stress Low self-esteem in children and adults Seasonal disorders Gender (female) Hormonal factors due to pregnancy or menopause Medical conditions that affect mental health (i.e., diabetes, heart problems, asthma, chronic pain, cancer) Drug abuse; alcohol, some prescription drugs Family history of major depression or bipolar disorder Personal loss: death, divorce, loss of job, retirement, or birth of a baby (postpartum depression) Child’s loss: divorce of parents, relocation, peer pressure Gender identity and issues for teens	Symptoms last more than two weeks Weight loss or gain Sleeping more, wake up too early Stopping seeing friends and family Lack of interest in sex Cannot think or concentrate Unable to make up your mind Loss of interest in hobbies, work, school Feeling guilty, nervous, worthless Thoughts about suicide or death	Talk about feelings and problems with a friend, spouse or counselor Exercise (changes brain chemistry) Do not use drugs Limit alcohol use Keep a journal, meditate, take quiet time Keep a positive attitude Eat a balanced diet; limit sugars Make sure your doctor knows about all herbs, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs you are taking You may not be able to prevent depression, but you can recognize the signs in children and adults and get help early Stay on your medication even when feeling better
Diabetes
Diabetes risk factors	Diabetes signs & symptoms	Diabetes preventive tips
Age (40-74 years old) (Type 2 diabetes) Obesity, high BMI (Type 2 diabetes) 30% of kids born in 2000 will develop diabetes due to obesity Ethnic groups: Black, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian, Pacific Islander Pregnancy or having a baby of 9 lbs or more Gestational diabetes High blood pressure (greater than 140/90) High cholesterol levels.  A normal cholesterol level is below 200 mg per decaliter of blood, with an HDL ("good" cholesterol) level of 35 mg/dl or higher and an LDL ("bad" cholesterol) level of less than 130 mg/dl. History of polycystic ovary syndrome Previous blood sugar showing impaired glucose (sugar) tolerance Lack of exercise (Type 2 diabetes) Viral infections (Type 1 diabetes) Medications (water pills, birth control pills) Pre-diabetes (when blood sugar levels in the body are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes) Metabolic Syndrome, also known as insulin resistance: Waist circumference 102 cm in men and 88 cm in women; triglycerides greater than 150 mg/dL; low HDL (see above); and blood pressure of 130/80 or higher.	Increased hunger, thirst, weight loss Dizzy, weak, feeling tired all the time Needing to urinate all the time, constipation Children may have trouble going to sleep, thirst, become irritable, and show no weight gain.	Exercise: 30 minutes of exercise each day along with a 5-10% reduction in body weight can lower your risk and your child’s risk for diabetes Eat a low-fat, low-carbohydrate (starch) diet Lose weight Get a physical exam every 1 – 2 years Eat five fruits and vegetables each day Stay on doctor-ordered medication even when you're feeling better If you have heart disease, you should be screened every 3 years after age 45
Eating disorders
Eating disorder risk factors	Eating disorder signs & symptoms	Eating disorder preventive tips
Females are more likely than males Teens & young adults in early 20’s Family influences- parents or siblings are critical or tease about appearance Frequent dieters Life changes especially ones out of a person’s control People whose work, sports or artistic activities demand a certain appearance Media and society that promote being thin	Anorexia Nervosa Avoid food and meals Eat a few foods in a small amounts Weigh and/or count the calories of everything they eat May exercise excessively Brittle hair and nails Thin appearance Soft, downy hair covering body Irregular periods Skips meals or makes excuses for not eating Bulimia Nervosa Eat large amounts of food and then throw up, use laxatives or water pills to get rid of food Damaged teeth and gums Sores in the mouth or throat Dehydrated Dry skin Scars, sores or calluses on the hands/knuckles Go to the bathroom immediately after eating or during meal Constant dieting Irregular periods Depression or anxiety Binge Eating Eat to the point of discomfort or pain Frequently eating alone Hoarding food Hiding empty containers Feeling depressed, upset or disgusted over the amount eaten Depression or anxiety	Eat family meals together and encourage healthy eating Reinforce healthy body image If child is depressed, anxious, or has other mood disorders, seek help Promote respect and acceptance of everyone
Falls
Fall risk factors	Fall signs & symptoms	Fall preventive tips
Arthritis Not standing upright Poor gait or muscle strength Depression (feeling sad, having no hope or feeling of worth) Poor hearing or eyesight Poor muscle strength Use of 4 or more prescription drugs Use of drugs for the heart or seizures Age (falls are the main cause of injury in children under the age of 15 and older adults) Have trouble seeing at night	Feel dizzy Feel tired	Exercise (makes muscles strong) Having your hearing and vision checked Turn on lights Keep paths clear Ask about your medications (some can make you dizzy) Add grab bars and slip mats in the tub Buy rugs with rubber backs
Heart Disease
Heart disease risk factors	Heart disease signs & symptoms	Heart disease preventive tips
Family or personal health history Hispanics and African-Americans Overweight parents (having one overweight parent results in a 40% risk of the child being overweight) Age: 40-70 years old. However, overweight and obese children are showing signs of heart disease and diabetes. Gender (males) Diabetes or pre-diabetes Obesity or high Body Mass Index (BMI) for an adult or for children, above the 95th percentile for height and weight. Lack of daily exercise High cholesterol levels.  A normal cholesterol level is below 200 mg per decaliter of blood, with an HDL ("good" cholesterol) level of 35 mg/dl or higher and an LDL ("bad" cholesterol) level of less than 130 mg/dl. High triglyceride levels Metabolic syndrome High blood pressure (greater than 140/90) Tobacco use, secondhand smoke High fat diet and salt use Type A personality (aggressive)	Heart Attack: An uncomfortable feeling of pressure, fullness or pain in the chest. Pain lasts more than a few minutes. May have shortness of breath Pain in jaw, left arm, shoulders, back, or neck Dizzy or light headed, nausea, anxious Stroke: Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms or legs; usually one side of the body Suddenly cannot speak or understand Trouble seeing Sudden loss of balance, dizziness Sudden severe headache Trouble smiling or sticking out the tongue Transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mini-stroke: Same signs & symptoms as a stroke, but usually does not cause permanent brain damage; last less than 24 hours TIA is a serious warning sign of a stroke Take immediate action by calling 911 Heart Failure: Sudden weight gain (3 or more pounds in 1 day, 5 or more pounds in 1 week) Shortness of breath (not related to exercise or hard work) Swelling in legs or ankles Swelling or pain in the stomach Trouble sleeping (waking up short of breath, using more pillows) Frequent dry, hacking cough Increasing fatigue	Exercise, get your children involved Eat a low fat diet. Talk to your children about choosing healthy foods Eat a low salt diet Lose weight Stop tobacco use, avoid secondhand smoke Control blood pressure Stay on doctor ordered medication even when feeling better Know your cholesterol level.  Keep it below 200
Lead Poisoning
Lead poisoning risk factors	Lead poisoning signs & symptoms	Lead poisoning preventive tips
Infants; children up to age 3 (children put everything in their mouths) Living in a home built before 1950 (used lead in paint) Living with an adult whose job or hobby involves lead A daycare or preschool building remodeled in the past year Dishes made with lead paint Lead pipes in the home Home remedies that may contain lead Some medals found in quarter toy machines Hot tap water (use cold tap water for drinking, cooking and making bottles with baby formula, since hot tap water is likely to contain higher levels of lead) Some jewelry, including toy jewelry, may contain lead	Upset stomach Tiredness Loss of appetite, weight loss Hyperactivity Difficulty sleeping Hearing problems Constipation	Keep dust and dirt off floors, windowsills, furniture Take shoes off at the door (limits tracked in dirt, dust) Wash hands often Wash baby toys and pacifiers often Block access to windowsills with peeling paint or chips Make sure your child gets an assessment and/or lead poisoning test between 6, 12 and 24 months
Obesity
Obesity risk factors	Obesity signs & symptoms	Obesity preventive tips
"Couch potato" activity level High-fat diet Family history Being a minority (often Hispanic or African- American heritage) Eating too much Low metabolism Food and other allergies Being sad, mad or bored (may use food to cope) Having an overweight parent Children who are not active	Adults: Body Mass Index of 25-29.9 (overweight)  or 30+ (obese) Children: a BMI above the 95th percentile for height and weight Note: BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It is a number used to measure the degree of obesity. A BMI of greater than 18 and less than 25 is considered normal weight.	Be active for 30 minutes a day, 60 minutes for weight loss Take part in family activities that get you moving Make play time active for kids Limit high-fat foods Eat smaller portions Lose weight Eat more fruits Help your child choose healthy snacks Limit fast foods and pop Limit eating while you watch TV
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis risk factors	Osteoarthritis signs & symptoms	Osteoarthritis preventive tips
Age (over 40 years old) History of traumatic injury Family history (possibly) Diabetes Metabolic disorders Male and females (same risk) Congenital abnormalities Obesity	Aching joints Stiffness, especially in the morning and after exercise Loss of range of motion Headaches Bony enlargements at the joint site Sandpaper sound and feel of the joint when moving Pain relieved by rest	Exercise (flexibility and strengthening) Maintain a normal weight Eat a low fat, low carbohydrate (starch) diet Prevent diabetes (see Diabetes) Protect your joints with knee and elbow pads
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer risk factors	Prostate cancer signs & symptoms	Prostate cancer preventive tips
Age (over age 55) Family history African-American men (Less common in other minority groups) High-fat diet	Passing urine often Problems in starting or holding back urine Weak flow of urine Pain or burning while urinating Problems with erection Pain during ejaculation Blood or semen in urine Pain or stiffness in upper back, thighs or hips	Eat five fruits and vegetables every day Eat a low fat, low carbohydrate (starch) diet After age 50, ask your doctor if a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is right for you
Substance Abuse & Dependence
Substance abuse risk factors	Substance abuse signs & symptoms	Substance abuse preventive tips
Males (risk takers) Teens (experimental age) History of depression History of abuse Family history Low socioeconomic status Peer pressure Low self-esteem Lack of coping skills, support	Mood swings, anxiety Impaired memory, thought disorders Problems sleeping Slurred speech, depression Flashbacks Nausea, vomiting Drooping eyelids Constricted or dilated pupils of the eye Needle marks or tracks Violent behavior, uncooperative Heavy sweating In children, look for: Loss of interest in school Falling grades in school Withdrawal from family and friends Changes in behavior; staying in room for hours for no reason Pink eyes, listless, poor memory, change in appearance	Build up self-esteem and confidence in your children Build a social network of friends Stay away from people who use drugs Talk to your children about drugs Be a good role model and set rules Get your children involved in sports activities
Tobacco Use
Tobacco use risk factors		Tobacco use preventive tips
Parents who smoke (the second leading cause of teens becoming smokers). If you smoke, your children will think it is OK, and that it is a healthy behavior. Peer pressure for kids to be "cool," social pressure for adults Depression Lower socioeconomic status Did not complete high school Gender (29% boys, 28% girls)		Stop smoking and/or using tobacco products Stay away from smokers and secondhand smoke
Unintended pregnancy
Unintended pregnancy risk factors
Teens (more likely to not use condoms) Binge drinking / alcohol use Multiple partners Having sex at a young age Non-consensual sex during first sexual experience Less than a high school education Low socioeconomic status Abusive family life (physical, mental, sexual) Not married