Most trips start with the fun stuff: daydreaming about where to go, where to stay, and what to see.

That early planning usually doesn’t usually include finding out if your destination has a measles outbreak or not—but if you’re leaving the country, that sort of thing should be on your radar. Certain rare diseases, like measles, pose a greater elsewhere than they do here in the United States.

That’s why—after you renew your passport but before you start packing—it’s time to think about travel vaccines (and immunization boosters) as well as other essential to-dos to make sure your health is protected while you’re abroad.

Keep reading to get specific tips for planning a healthy vacation.

Ever wonder why your doctor recommended that you see a radiologist to get a diagnostic imaging exam? Providers order these procedures whenever they want to understand better what is happening inside a patient’s body—without doing surgery.

If your physician thinks that you might have a specific condition, disease, or injury, sometimes they can use your imaging results to strengthen their diagnosis. With this added information, your care team can provide a more personalized treatment plan to help you.

The type of imaging exam that most people are familiar with is an X-ray, but there are many other varieties, and each is used for different purposes.

Read on to find out more about X-rays and other common types of imaging exams. Plus, learn the typical reasons why doctors order them.

A fresh-picked apple, a side of apple sauce, a mug of hot apple cider, a bowl of Applejacks, and a slice of apple pie—each of these foods might appeal to an apple-lover, but some are healthier foods for fueling your body than others.

Eating right can be challenging, especially when you lead a busy life. Confusing labels on food packaging doesn’t make it any easier to find the best foods either.

Thinking of food as “fuel”

No one eats ideal foods at every meal, but when you find yourself making more poor food choices than healthy ones, it’s easy for your weight to creep up. Though resetting can be tricky, don’t lose hope. The body is a remarkable machine. Give it what it needs, and it will repair itself.

Read on for general guidelines on how to adjust your eating habits and make food swaps that will make your body run better.

As we enter the holiday season, it’s easy to come up with reasons to put off thinking about your health.

The hustle and bustle might be distracting, but focusing on how you can improve your health is the best gift you can give yourself—at Christmas or any other time of the year.

Today is a perfect day to start. No need to make a big plan or delay until the time feels right. Even if you are juggling a lot with work or family commitments right now, there are changes that you can make which will add up over time and make a difference in your health, fitness, and how you feel.

Go easy on yourself and remember that, no matter your age, there are always little changes you can make to feel stronger, support your heart, get better sleep, and even grow your endurance.

Keep reading for some specific examples of tiny steps you can take to improve your health.

Congratulations on your decision to become an ex-smoker! It’s a big deal when you put out your last cigarette and decide to quit smoking.