Sepsis arises when the body overreacts to an infection, and blood vessels throughout the body become leaky. Researchers now estimate that about 11 million people worldwide died with sepsis in 2017 alone — that's about 20% of all deaths. Medic Image/Universal Images Gr/Getty Images hide caption
Teri Hines says she had a bout of depression during the lead up to menopause in her mid-40s. For many women, the lead-up to menopause can trigger mood issues. Hannah Yoon for NPR hide caption
Kratom products are legal in most states and are widely available. But the federal Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration worry that kratom carries the risk of physical and psychological dependency and, in some people, addiction. Catie Dull/NPR hide caption
Running and other moderate exercise can protect against lifestyle disease. A new study shows training for a marathon slows cardiovascular aging. RichVintage/Getty Images hide caption
Making art is fun. But there's a lot more to it. It might serve an evolutionary purpose — and emerging research shows that it can help us feel happy and relaxed. Meredith Rizzo/NPR hide caption
Declines in smoking contributed to a drop in lung cancer death rates that helped drive down overall cancer death rates in the U.S., according to the latest analysis of trends by the American Cancer Society. VIEW press/Corbis via Getty Images hide caption
In a new book The Joy of Movement: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection, and Courage, author Kelly McGonigal argues that we should look beyond weight loss to the many social and emotional benefits of exercise. Boris Austin/Getty Images hide caption
We all struggle with healthy habits — including experts. They just have science-tested tips to get them back on track. Michael Driver for NPR hide caption
Scientists tested high-traffic areas of an airport to find out where germs are most likely to thrive. Getty Images hide caption
When Alexa Kasdan's sore throat lingered for more than a week, she went to her doctor. The doctor sent her throat swab and blood draw to an out-of-network lab for sophisticated DNA tests, resulting in a $28,395.50 bill. Shelby Knowles for Kaiser Health News hide caption
The CDC is still trying to understand the mechanism by which Vitamin E acetate, an additive in some vapes, injures lung tissue. It may interfere with a natural fluid in the lung called surfactant, which helps make lung tissue stretchy. Or a byproduct may be a toxic chemical. Jelacic Valentina/EyeEm/Getty Images hide caption
It's still pretty early in the flu season, but some states, including Texas and North Carolina, are already reporting the first influenza deaths, including at least 10 children. Most kids each year who die from the flu had not been vaccinated. SDI Productions/Getty Images hide caption
Russell Ledet, a second-year medical student (top row, third from left) organized an outing for 14 of his fellow African American classmates to a former plantation that had slave quarters. Ledet says he would caption this photo "Our Moment of Resiliency." Brian Washington Jr. hide caption
Using e-cigarettes doesn't seem to be as risky as smoking tobacco. But both activities can cause long-term lung problems, research finds — and the effect seems to be additive for people who do both. Steve Helber/AP hide caption
A study finds some evidence that a cancer drug, nilotinib, may help people with Parkinson's disease, a nervous system disorder that causes movement problems. It possibly works by raising levels of dopamine, the brain chemical that is lacking in people with the disease. GJLP/Science Source hide caption
Students in Alice Henshaw's Wilderness Medical Associates CPR training courses can practice on a Womanikin, designed to help trainees understand that compressions should be performed the same way on women's bodies as men's. Alice Henshaw hide caption
A progesterone pill held between a woman's fingers. Photo Researchers, Inc./Science Source hide caption
Hair dyes and straighteners contain chemicals that are being studied for their health effects. Srdjanpav/Getty Images hide caption
Years ago, Portia Smith (center) was afraid to seek care for her postpartum depression because she feared child welfare involvement. She and her daughters Shanell Smith (right), 19, and Najai Jones Smith (left), 15, pose for a selfie in February after makeup artist Najai made up everyone as they were getting ready at home to go to a movie together. Tom Gralish/Philadelphia Inquirer hide caption
We're tethered to our brothers and sisters as adults far longer than we are as children; our sibling relationships, in fact, are the longest-lasting family ties we have. Katherine Streeter for NPR hide caption
