Health Information Updates
Health information for the public in English and Spanish
By Ben Dedman
Did you know that the NIDDK website features health information written for the public on topics such as diabetes and endocrine diseases, digestive diseases and nutrition, liver diseases, and kidney disease? Each health topic is based on scientific evidence and reviewed by experts at NIH and across the country. Many of our health information topics are available in both English and Spanish.
Graves’ Disease / Enfermedad de Graves
The thyroid is a small gland in your neck that makes thyroid hormones.
NIDDK’s newly revised content about Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that can cause hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, describes the disease and the role of the thyroid. With Graves’ disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to make more thyroid hormones than the body needs. As a result, many of the body’s functions speed up.
The Spanish language version of this health information topic, Enfermedad de Graves, is also available.
Artificial Pancreas / Páncreas artificial
An artificial pancreas system uses a continuous glucose monitor, an insulin pump, and a program stored on the pump or a smartphone.
This new health topic on the artificial pancreas describes several innovative technologies that work together to mimic how a healthy pancreas controls blood glucose in the body. An artificial pancreas automatically monitors the blood glucose level of a person with diabetes, calculates the amount of insulin they need at different points during the day, and delivers it. Our health information explains how the artificial pancreas works, how it benefits people with diabetes, and how NIDDK supports research on these rapidly changing technologies.
The Spanish language version of this health information topic, Páncreas artificial, is also available.
Appendicitis / Apendicitis
Your appendix is in the lower-right area of your abdomen, near where the small intestine attaches to the large intestine.
This health topic features a suite of articles about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of appendicitis. Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a finger-like pouch attached to the large intestine. It is the most common cause of acute abdominal pain requiring surgery and, if untreated, can lead to serious complications such as peritonitis or an abscess.
The Spanish language version of this health information topic, Apendicitis, is also available.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and NASH / Enfermedad del hígado graso no alcohólica (EHGNA) y esteatohepatitis no alcohólica (EHNA)
Losing weight can help prevent or improve nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
This suite of articles examines nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition in which fat builds up in the liver. Nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are types of NAFLD. NASH is inflammation and liver damage, along with fat in the liver. Usually, NAFLD is a silent disease with few or no symptoms. Certain health conditions—including obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes—make it more likely to develop NAFLD.
The Spanish language version of this health information topic, Enfermedad del hígado graso no alcohólica (EHGNA) y esteatohepatitis no alcohólica (EHNA), is also available.
Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease / Anemia en la enfermedad renal crónica
Fatigue can be a symptom of anemia.
This recently revised health information explains how anemia can affect people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Anemia is a condition in which blood has a lower-than-normal amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin. With fewer red blood cells or less hemoglobin, tissues and organs—such as the heart and brain—may not get enough oxygen to work properly. CKD means that the kidneys are damaged, which can cause wastes and fluid to build up in the body.
The Spanish language version of this health information topic, Anemia en la enfermedad renal crónica, is also available.