Vitamin D can have powerful effects on several systems in the body. The nutrient helps your body absorb calcium—essential for bone strength—and has a role in your nervous, muscle, and immune systems. Unfortunately, vitamin D deficiencies are common; it’s estimated that about 1 billion people worldwide have low levels of…
Cayla Bamberger
Writer
Cayla Bamberger is a student at Emory University with double majors in English and Film & Media Studies. She is a native of New York and can usually be found reorganizing her room, promoting gender equality, or talking about her (self-proclaimed) amazing taste in music.
Twitter: @caylabam1
Entries Cayla Bamberger
Potassium is important for your muscles, nerves and cardiovascular system. A majority of the potassium in your body (about 98 percent of it) can be found in your cells, where it allows your nerves and muscles communicate, transports nutrients, helps your kidneys function and regulates levels of sodium. …
Sciatica is a term for pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Typically, the condition only affects one side of your body at a time. Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated…
There are many things that lots of women do “down there” on a daily basis that could actually be making them more susceptible to problems. Even products that are marketed to be used in and around the vaginal area can sometimes do more harm than good. To combat the problematic…
There are many nutrients that are paramount for general health. It is possible to get most of them from balanced eating, but the typical modern diet lacks several very important nutrients. If you’re up to date with our articles, you might’ve already seen the signs that you’re lacking essential vitamins.…
A good cry can feel totally therapeutic. But sometimes, it can be so awful (and not just because of its root cause). Never mind the emotional drainage, but on top of that, you might also get a pounding headache. What did you do to deserve the extra pain? There are…
Are you experiencing upper back and shoulder pain? Or is your body just feeling… off? Chances are, posture might have something to do with it. Posture mistakes are one of the most common causes of general bodily discomfort in people of all ages. Part of that is due to the…
Every cell in the human body contains magnesium. The mineral is actually involved in more than 600 reactions in your body, including energy creation, muscle movement and nervous system regulation. Because of magnesium’s many functions within the body, it can play a major role in disease prevention and overall health. Be…
Empaths are people who are high on the empathic spectrum and can actually feel what is happening in the lives of others in their own bodies. As a result, empaths are extremely compassionate—sometimes to a fault. Empaths tend to get exhausted from feeling “too much,” unless they develop strategies to…
I hate to break the news, but you may be harming your immune system without even knowing it. Fortunately, some lifestyle changes and new habits can help you rebuild your body’s defenses against illness, infections and disease. Read through the most common ways that people make their immune systems weaker—and…
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that develops when your immune system begins to attack your own tissues and organs. The resulting inflammation can cause damage throughout the body, including in the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1.5 million Americans,…
Lung diseases refer to any problems of the lungs that prevent them from functioning optimally. There are three main types of lung disease, which include conditions related to the airways, to the lung tissue and to the blood vessels in the lungs. The most common lung diseases include asthma, collapse…
There are billions of nerves in your body. You read that right: Billions. Your peripheral nerves, which make up the majority of all your nerves, branch out all over your body and transmit messages back to your brain and spinal cord. When your nervous system is functioning correctly, the brain…
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation, and can sometimes lead to serious liver damage. In 2010, there were an estimated 3.5 million people in the United States with chronic hepatitis C. The hepatitis C virus spreads through contaminated blood. Today, most people become infected with the…
Recent research from the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute has found that rates of lung cancer are higher in women than in men amongst white and Hispanic people born since 1965. The study was published on May 23rd in the New England Journal of Medicine. The results…
Instead of acknowledging, processing and releasing unpleasant feelings, the societal trend these days seems to be to bottle them up. We think that we always have to keep moving; that to take time for ourselves is to be weak. We think that we are better off ignoring our emotions; that…
Psoriasis is a common skin condition that speeds up the life cycle of skin cells and causes them to grow out of control. The result is that cells build up rapidly on the surface of the skin. These extra skin cells can form scales and red patches that are itchy…
Vitamin D can have powerful effects on several systems in the body. The nutrient is sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin” because it’s produced in the skin in response to sun exposure. You can also get vitamin D through certain foods and supplements to ensure adequate levels in the bloodstream. To…
Diabetes refers to a group of different diseases that affect how your body uses blood sugar, or “glucose.” Glucose is vital to your health: It’s an important energy source for the brain and for the cells in the muscles and tissues. Chronic forms include type 1 diabetes (when the body…
Dry eye syndrome is a condition in which a person lacks enough tears to lubricate and sustain the eyes. This can become a problem because we need the wetness from tears to maintain clear vision and healthy surfaces of the eyes. The condition is common and often chronic, particularly in…
Are you an aromatherapy skeptic? I don’t blame you. The concept is really weird: So you smell something, and suddenly all your problems are solved? Seems unlikely. If you’ve never heard of it, aromatherapy is the practice of inhaling the scent of essential oils to improve your well-being. This works…
If you’re getting too little or poor sleep, it could actually signal something significant about your health. In fact, certain sleep habits, even some that are relatively common, could be signs of an underlying medical condition. Night sweats If you wake up in the night soaking wet in sweat, it…
Your smile can light up any room. With a grin as contagious as yours, it would be a shame to hide it away from the world. That’s why yellow teeth can be your worst enemy. If you’re keeping your mouth closed all the time for fear of exposing your not-so-pearly-whites,…
Our bodies need protein for pretty much everything. It’s the building block of all the cells in our bodies—skin, muscles, bones, cartilage, hair and so much more. Getting enough is essential for our bodies to repair damaged cells and to create new ones to replace what we lose. When you…
Amongst people that know me, I’m considered to be something of a small talk fiend. OK, maybe that just means that I talk too much, but I take it as a compliment. I haven’t always been this way, and if you don’t believe me, know that my ninth grade English…
Is it possible that there is one beginner’s technique to incorporate into your makeup routine that could take years off of your appearance? Science says: YES! According to a recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology, researchers have found a link between high contrast in the face and a more…
Most people experience back pain at some point in their lives. Luckily, about 90 percent of episodes resolve themselves on their own within six weeks. But in the meantime, or in the worst cases, the discomfort can be very distressing. Back pain treatments can range from straightforward to complicated, and…
Although often dismissed as a minor problem, researchers are increasingly more alarmed about a mysterious type of heart attack, particularly common in women. The condition is called myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries, or “MINOCA,” and we won’t be surprised if you’ve never heard of it. What is MINOCA? MINOCA…
This isn’t the first time you’ve heard it, and it won’t be the last, either: You need to stand up straighter. Most of us have been told to maintain good posture so many times (it’s almost nauseating), and at least for me, it has always seemed like just another way…
Phlegm is a version of liquid mucus that is secreted in the chest. The body always makes mucus, producing about 1 to 1.5 liters of phlegm every day, even when you’re healthy. Still, phlegm usually goes unnoticed, unless you are sick with a cold or have some other underlying medical…
Newly updated guidelines can help women decide when to have their bone density tested to determine their risk of fracture—and to potentially get the treatment needed to lessen those chances. A bone density test measures how many grams of calcium and other minerals are present in a segment of bone.…
Your diet hasn’t changed. Your workout regimen hasn’t changed. It seems like almost everything about your lifestyle has stayed the same. So… why is the number on your scale skyrocketing? There’s nothing more frustrating than packing on the pounds—and having no idea why. If you’re experiencing unexplained weight gain, you…
We’re all too familiar with the pain of the dreaded headache. But even though we tend to use one umbrella term to describe them all, did you know there are actually several different types? Although the Mayo Clinic defines headaches as “pain in any region of the head,” the cause,…
Even though no one wants to talk about it, constipation is actually an incredibly common problem. It’s thought to affect around 20 percent of Americans, resulting in approximately 8 million doctor visits each year. Constipation is characterized by less than three bowel movements per week. However, it can also involve…
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Alzheimer’s accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all dementia cases. The most common early symptom of Alzheimer’s is difficulty remembering newly learned information. Effects of the disease usually develop slowly and get worse over…
Your skin faces potential sun damage every time you go outside without protection—but that damage doesn’t always show up until many years later, and might make some women insecure about their appearance. Due to UV radiation from the sun, the actual DNA of your skin cells can be altered, causing…
Vitamin B has recently received a lot of attention within the world of skin care, with numerous experts explaining how the inclusion of the nutrient can be a key component of your daily regimen. In fact, research has revealed that vitamin B can benefit the skin both when ingested and…
If your libido is low, you’re definitely not alone. Research shows that nearly a third of women lack the desire to have regular sex. But there are things you can do to reboot your sex life; one major lifestyle change that’s been proven effective is exercise. Studies have shown that…
Too much of the time, we talk about food being “healthy” or “unhealthy” in relation to how it affects our weight. We call dessert “fattening,” and deem salad “beneficial to weight loss.” And although there is no denying that maintaining a healthy weight is an important part of any meal…
Think that stress is all in your head? Think again. Truth is stress shows. When we’re feeling extra tense or in danger, our bodies can react in ways that are more than mental. In fact, we as human beings have what’s called “a fight-or-flight” response to all real or perceived…
Can't figure out why you just can't seem to lose that belly fat? Recent studies have found that vitamin D might protect against heart failure, diabetes, and cancer, and that deficiencies in the nutrient can cause hair loss. But now, there might be yet another reason to up your intake:…
A new treatment for pain caused by endometriosis was approved yesterday by United States regulators at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is the first new medication for endometriosis that has been released in more than a decade. Endometriosis, which affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, occurs…
Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by musculoskeletal pain throughout the body and often accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers don’t know the exact cause, but fibromyalgia seems to occur when the body’s central nervous system fails to process pain properly. While it may feel like it’s stemming…
Joints form the connections between bones, providing bodily support and helping you navigate the world. Because of this, damage to the joints can interfere with your everyday movements and cause a lot of pain. In one recent national survey, approximately one-third of adults reported having joint pain within the past…
Water is so important for countless everyday processes in the human body. When dehydrated, the body and its organs will fail to function properly. You may have heard before that the recommended amount of water human beings need to drink per day is approximately eight 8-ounce glasses. However, just how…
You might’ve heard everyone talking about gluten for the past decade, but what is it, really? Gluten is a type of protein found in grains including wheat, barley, spelt and rye. It’s found in tons of foods, and it wouldn’t be a problem if it weren’t for widespread intolerances to…
Sounds too good to be true? Keep reading… There is a slew of simple lifestyle changes that can help you lose weight—many of which have zero to do with more typical diet and exercise plans. Unfortunately, nothing on this list is going to completely remake your life, or have you…
Recent research suggests that people who eat dinner before 9 p.m.—or at least two hours before going to sleep—have a 20 percent lower risk of breast cancer than those who eat after 10 p.m.—or go to bed shortly after their final meal. The study, published on June 17 in the International…
When a blood clot (also called a “thrombus”) forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, usually in the legs, an extremely dangerous condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can develop. DVT can cause leg pain or swelling, but it can also occur without any symptoms—meaning…
Water retention, also known as fluid retention or edema, occurs when excessive amounts of fluid build up inside the body. It can occur in the circulatory system or within tissues and cavities throughout the body. The result is swelling in the hands, feet, ankles and legs. There are several possible…
Estrogen is an essential hormone in multiple processes, including pregnancy, growth and development. Although men produce small amounts, estrogen is best known as a female hormone because it’s primarily produced in the ovaries and gives women their feminine characteristics (think: breasts and menstruation). Despite its crucial roles, having too much…
Couples who sleep in the same bed may live longer and be in better health than individuals who sleep by themselves. In fact, some scientists believe that despite the interruptions that come from sharing a bed with another person, sleeping with a partner may be a major factor in explaining…
Is it difficult for you to go to bed or stay asleep through the night? Do you wake up tired or feel exhausted through the day, even when you’ve spent enough time in bed? You might have a sleep disorder. Sleep is a basic human need that’s essential to maintaining…
There are numerous surprising things that can provoke eczema breakouts, and sometimes it has nothing to do with how you are treating your skin from the outside. Knowing these less obvious triggers can help you manage your eczema more comprehensively. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition…
Foot pain is shockingly common: According to research by the American Podiatric Medical Association, approximately 77 percent of people in the United States report that they have experienced significant foot pain. But at the same time, just a third of those surveyed say that they would actually seek medical care…
Our frontal lobes help us to pay attention, store and retrieve information, and organize our memories. But older frontal lobes tend to break down with age, making it harder to concentrate, learn or recall information. Because the difference between normal and abnormal memory loss is most often related to the…
Ovarian cancer attacks one or both of your ovaries: the reproductive organs that store eggs and produce estrogen and other hormones. It’s developed when the DNA in a cell stops working properly and begins to create abnormal cells that grow out of control. These cancer cells can form tumors that…
Spending a lot of time at your desk is no excuse to miss out on getting the stomach you want. In fact, you can still strengthen and tone your abs by doing belly-blasting workouts in your chair. Try these exercises in the chair you’re sitting in right now! Vertical…
When it comes to our health, there are some problems that are easier to recognize than others. Unfortunately, overwhelming numbers of people worldwide tend to overlook the well-being of their eyes. But there are some odd issues with the eyes that should never be ignored because they could signal a…
Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) exhibit an inflated sense of self-importance and a lack of ability to empathize with others. People with this condition are frequently described as arrogant, self-centered, manipulative and demanding. But at the same time, narcissists have a deep need for admiration and are extremely vulnerable…
You might be making huge mistakes about your ‘summer bod diet.’ In fact, some foods that are marketed as healthy choices for your ideal body might actually be doing you more harm than good. If you’ve been working for the body you want, but aren’t seeing any results, read through…
The list of good reasons to be physically active is never-ending. To name a few, it can reduce the odds of developing terrible conditions (including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes), help you lose weight, lower your blood pressure and prevent depression. But according to recent research, there’s another benefit to…
Exposure to severe or prolonged amounts of heat without relief or adequate fluid intake can cause various forms of heat-related illness. In normal circumstances, the body usually cools itself by sweating. But in very hot weather, especially when it’s humid as well, sweating cannot do enough to cool you off.…
Sciatica is a term for pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Typically, the condition only affects one side of your body at a time. Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated…
Have you ever wondered what makes you more attracted to one person over another? What if I told you it’s about more than just your personal preference? In fact, your romantic inclinations might actually be rooted in science and natural selection. Seductiveness. Allure. Magnetism. All of these qualities are based…
Many people think of fat in terms of where on your body it is, when in fact, it might be more productive to consider the type of fat that it is. Throughout the past few years, various researchers have revealed distinct types of fat, each with unique molecular properties and…
A new survey finds that people who sit the most are more likely to die from a smorgasbord of different diseases. “Risk was significantly higher for 14 of the 22 specific causes of death examined, and importantly, for eight of the top 10 leading causes of death in the U.S.,”…
A new study shows that waking up and anticipating stressful things can actually impact your memory and cognitive function throughout the rest of the day. Researchers at Pennsylvania State University found that when participants woke up feeling like the day ahead would be stressful, their working memory—which helps people learn…
Many parts of the world are experiencing extreme heat waves right now, and some people are having trouble sleeping as a result. In fact, researchers have shown that the temperature of your surroundings is one of the most important factors in getting a good night’s sleep. Scientists are especially interested…
More times than not, menstrual irregularities are nothing to worry about. In most instances, simple lifestyle tweaks, such as gaining or losing weight, or toning down the amount you exercise, can solve the problems with your period. But in other cases, there may be an underlying medical condition that’s affecting…
Yeast is a fungus, which means it behaves like one too. So like all other fungi, yeast will flourish in dark, moist places. That’s why summertime—the season of not only sunshine and pools but also of profuse sweating and wet bathing suit bottoms—is the term of choice for irksome and…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that someone is “infertile” if they are unable to conceive after a year of trying for a child. And even though 10 to 15 percent of couples in the United States are infertile, most people still have very limited knowledge on the…
Using heat or cold therapy to address pain can be extremely effective for many different conditions and injuries. The difficult part is knowing what situations call for hot, and what call for cold. Heat therapy Think: heating pads, saunas, steamed towels and hot baths. Heat therapy improves circulation and blood…
If you’re unhappy with physical signs of aging, and you’re looking for something that can really make a difference in your appearance, skip the drugstore and consider upping your intake of anti-aging nutrients. As we get older, telomeres—the ends of chromosomes—shorten, and DNA regeneration slows down. This process leads to…
Are you taking a trip this July 4th weekend? Heading to the beach? Visiting family? You’ve probably already begun thinking about packing for your vacation. Maybe you’ve picked out the perfect outfit to rep the red, white, and blue on Wednesday. Or perhaps you’ve found the ultimate recipe for a…
You’ve probably heard the expression “you are what you eat” a number of times before. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that if you eat apple pie for every meal, you’ll actually turn into a scrumptious slice of the fruity tart—Sorry! Instead, the phrase is meant to suggest that the food you…
Gynecologic, or pelvic cancer, refers to a variety of cancers involving the female reproductive organs. In America, every six minutes a woman is diagnosed with gynecologic cancer. Nearly 1 in 20 women are affected by the disease, and it’s estimated that there will be 91,730 new cases diagnosed in the…
Escherichia coli (most commonly abbreviated to E. coli) are bacteria found in the environment, foods and intestines of people and animals. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, others can get you sick. E. coli is most likely to be found in the summer, from June to September, so it’s…
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system that impedes the flow of information. This is because the immune system attacks the protective covers of nerves and causes communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. Eventually, the disease can cause the nerves themselves…
The longest total lunar eclipse of the entire 21st century is coming to a sky near you later this month! To get you ready for this breathtaking astronomical event, here’s everything that you need to know about the upcoming 2018 Blood Moon eclipse. Gimme the basics. On July 27th, the…
Colon cancer is abnormal cell growth in the large intestine (the colon)—the final part of the digestive tract. It’s the third most common type of cancer in the United States, as well as the third most widespread cause of cancer-related death. Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is…
Fresh blueberries are a popular snack in the summer. Not only do they taste delicious, but they’re also super nutritious. A type of flavonoid called anthocyanin gives blueberries both their blue color and many of their health benefits. Flavonoids are plant compounds that often have a powerful antioxidant effect. Because…
It seems like all everyone ever talks about is “the miracle of childbirth.” From the messages we hear on TV and in the movies, pregnancy and bearing children is supposed to be a time of pure joy and delight. It’s as though the experience is purely positive—happy, benevolent, cheerful, and…
Does “the urge” strike you more than usual? Are you constantly running to the bathroom? Urologists, which are doctors that specialize in the urinary system, consider going to the loo more than eight times in 24 hours to be frequent urination. Recurrent trips to the bathroom could be totally normal—or…
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. The condition affects approximately 20 million adults in the U.S., with an estimated 80 percent of cases going undiagnosed. The main types of sleep apnea are obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea and complex sleep…
Mononucleosis, known colloquially as “mono,” is a contagious illness that’s caused by the common Epstein-Barr virus. Nicknamed the “kissing disease” because Epstein-Barr is transmitted through the saliva, symptoms include extreme fatigue, fever, sore throat, head and body aches, swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits, swollen liver and/or spleen…
Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure—the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels. This depends on work done by the heart and resistance of the blood vessels. High blood pressure can have severe complications, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and death.…
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that’s best known for taking a toll on your joints. The condition affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. In some people, rheumatoid arthritis can also damage other body systems,…
Body language refers to the nonverbal signals that we use to communicate with other people. Through conscious or unconscious gestures and movements, we’re constantly disclosing our thoughts and emotions by way of our bodies. These nonverbal signals make up a significant portion of our everyday communication. The information we impart…
Hormonal changes during menopause may cause your body to look larger than usual, particularly in the stomach. But during this period of your life, you may be unable to determine whether you’re gaining weight or actually experiencing bloating. Bloating causes uncomfortable feelings of extreme fullness, tightness or swelling in the…
Although the ovaries are not usually discernable, many women experience pain or discomfort in the area intermittently. The ovaries are female reproductive organs situated on either side of the lower pelvis. The glands play a vital role in reproduction, the menstrual cycle and the development of sexual characteristics in women.…
In just the United States, it’s estimated that 20 million women have or have suffered from an eating disorder at some point in their lives. People with eating disorders can have a variety of symptoms, but most include the severe restriction of food, food binges, or taking inappropriate measures to…
Heart disease, or cardiovascular disease, refers to a series of problems that affect the heart. In the United States, 1 in 3 women die from heart disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), despite increases in awareness over the past decade, only 54 percent of women…
Magnesium deficiency—a condition known as hypomagnesemia—is a common health problem that often gets overlooked. Because the obvious signs don’t appear until your levels become severely low, deficiencies tend to be underdiagnosed. The causes of magnesium deficiency vary: They may be caused by inadequate dietary intake, or the loss of magnesium…
Hearing loss that occurs gradually as you age (the medical term is “presbycusis”) is highly common. About a quarter of the United States population between the ages of 55 and 64 have some degree of hearing loss. For people older than 65, the number soars to almost one in every…
Smoothies are the perfect breakfast when you’re trying to lose weight. They’re packed with nutrition and can add fresh produce to your diet. Not to mention they’re fast to make and easy to clean up afterward. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite weight-loss smoothies below. These simple drinks are…
Swimming works your whole body: It’s good for the heart, strengthens muscles, maximizes endurance, betters posture, and increases flexibility—all at the same time! One of the primary benefits of swimming is that it won’t take a toll on the body. That’s because the sport improves your body’s use of oxygen,…
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder (present in 10 to 15 percent of the adult population) that affects the large intestine. Signs and symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea and/or constipation. IBS is a chronic condition that needs to be managed long-term. Only a small…
Perimenopause refers to the time during which your body transitions to menopause, marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years. Women begin perimenopause at different ages. According to the Cleveland Clinic, women enter the stage about 8 to 10 years before menopause. Although many people notice early signs of perimenopause,…
Women suffer from brain aneurysms at a ratio of three women to every two men. According to the Mayo Clinic, a brain aneurysm is a bulge or “ballooning” of a blood vessel in the brain that develops as a result of thinning artery walls. Aneurysms often form at branches in…
Headphones and earbuds are all over the place—but that doesn’t mean they’re always safe to use. Using earbuds and headphones can cause serious damage if you aren’t careful about your listening habits. To learn more about what your headphones might be doing to your body, check out the list below.…
The food you’re eating might be sabotaging your workout. But good news: There’s no need to cut out all of your favorite foods completely. In fact, some of the most delicious meals and snacks have nutrients and hormones that can actually help you drop the weight. Read on for the…
Did you know that sometimes being overweight has nothing to do with calorie intake or lack of exercise? It seems too good to be true, but it’s a fact! For a large number of people who struggle with weight gain, the problem is actually due to nagging little hormones. The…
In the United States, more than 25 million people are diagnosed with diabetes. About 75 percent of these cases are type II diabetes, which is linked to obesity or being overweight. Researchers predict that the prevalence of diabetes will only escalate, anticipating that 1 in 3 Americans will have diabetes…
Behavior is said to be self-sabotaging when it interferes with our primary goals. These acts may seem reasonable in the moment, but they ultimately undermine us and our objectives. And when we take these counterproductive measures, again and again, we only breed the problems in our lives. Self-sabotage is…
Sociopaths account for about 4 percent of the U.S. population, which is 1 in every 25 people. Like most mental health conditions, sociopathy—or antisocial personality disorder (ASP)—exists across a spectrum, so then not all sociopath are serial killers. This is good (of course) because it suggests that there are less…
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world, especially amongst children and pregnant women. And that’s a big problem because our bodies use the mineral in numerous important roles every day. Iron produces the hemoglobin in red blood cells, which then carry oxygen throughout the body––from our…
It’s long been suspected that chronic social isolation has debilitating effects on mental health. “Being connected to others socially is widely considered a fundamental human need—crucial to both well-being and survival,” said Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Brigham Young University. “Yet an increasing portion of the U.S. population…
In the social world that we live in, one person’s depression rarely ever exists in a vacuum. When a loved one is in need of support, family members and friends tend to feel helpless, not knowing how to reach out or what to do to help. Because depression is so…
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. The resulting inflammation can affect many different body parts—including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1.5 million Americans, and at least five…
Bones have many important functions in the body—providing structure, protecting vital organs, anchoring muscles and storing calcium—so it should come as no surprise that it’s paramount to take good care of bone health. But how can we know whether our bones are healthy or not when they’re neither visible nor…
Our bodies rely on H2O. Water protects and hydrates our organs, stabilizes our body temperature, filters waste products, transports nutrients to our cells, balances levels of electrolytes, and helps us stay energized and mentally sharp—just to name a few! That’s why it’s so important to stay hydrated, especially as summer…
There’s a lot to love about the summer: the warm weather, the extra hours of sunlight and the perfect excuse for an ice cream treat (“I don’t want to eat this ice cream, but I must because it’s so hot outside”). But there’s one downside to all this—OK, maybe two…
Some nights, dinner just doesn’t do it, and you need a little extra food to make it through the night. The bedtime snack gets a bad reputation: It’s constantly blamed for sleeplessness and weight gain. But there are some snacks that will not only stop your stomach from growling but…
A diet lacking in essential vitamins can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms. These symptoms are your body’s way of communicating potential nutrient deficiencies, and recognizing them can help you adjust your diet accordingly. Symptoms are usually the first clue that you are low in one or more important vitamins…
Unfortunately, the summer months are filled with creepy-crawly critters. Most bites and stings will only cause minor discomfort, but some can be lethal, especially if you have severe allergies to insect venom. One of the first steps to deciding if your bug bite or sting might be something more serious…
You can learn a lot about what’s going on inside your body by looking at what it releases externally. Human urine can be a useful tool in the process of diagnosis. The color of urine can reveal a lot about the state of our health, from levels of hydration to…
Most coughs go away on their own without medical attention in a few days or a couple of weeks. But some coughs can linger, persisting for a month or even longer, and might be cause for concern. Fortunately, a lengthy cough can usually be attributed to post-nasal drip from allergies,…
Even though you may feel the same as you did in your 20s, the food and drink choices that you make might have a greater effect on your health. The human body changes as we age, and it only becomes more difficult to lose weight and stay healthy. If you’re…
Busy schedules can keep you from exercising, but these easy workouts are about to change that. An important part of your health is strengthening your abdominal and core muscles, so use times you’re sitting down to work your abs. Strengthening your core muscles can improve your balance, coordination and stability,…
Can’t fall asleep at night? You’re not alone. Insomnia is exceedingly common in the U.S., with 30 to 40 percent of American adults having problems sleeping each year. Commonly, a lack of sleep can result in a series of problems with mental health and happiness, and vice versa. If you’ve…
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for women in the United States. The disease accounts for almost twice as many deaths as breast cancer. Recent studies suggest that estrogen may promote the growth of lung tumors, which may account for the earlier age of lung cancer diagnosis…
The liver is the body’s primary filtration system, converting toxins into waste products, purifying your blood, and metabolizing nutrients and medications. As such a fundamental part of the body’s regulation processes, it’s highly important to keep your liver healthy and well-maintained. When not handled with care, the liver can get…
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common and chronic disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (referred to as “obsessions”) and behaviors (referred to as “compulsions”) that she feels the urge to repeat. The symptoms can interfere with all facets of life, including work, school and personal relationships. It…
Have you ever needed a burger so badly that you would travel to the end of the earth? Or you are tempted to trade your most prized possession for a bag of chips? Cravings get a bad reputation for things that must be avoided at all costs. But studies have…
Summer is the season for Lyme disease—a condition caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi that is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. The Center for Disease Control suggests that the number of people diagnosed with Lyme disease each year in the United States is around 300,000.…
Breast cancer is the result of cells in the breast growing out of control. These cells usually form a tumor that is visible on an x-ray or felt as a lump. The tumor is cancerous if the cells invade tissues or spread throughout the body. Although it can appear in…
Since we spend one-third of our lives asleep, getting a good night’s rest is crucial for our long-term health. From our physical bodies to our moods, the time we spend in bed can have a significant effect on our overall well-being. While the sheer quantity of hours we get to…
Congratulations! You’ve taken the first step and you’ve made it to the gym. Now that you’ve worked so hard, you deserve the best results out of your workout. In order to finish right, it’s important that you consume the best nutrients after you exercise. While working out, your muscles use…
“Human beings need to trust,” explains Steven Stosny, Ph.D. “In contrast, distrust is fraught with anxiety and resentment. No loneliness is lonelier than distrust.” Trust is always a risk, and nothing hurts more than when someone you love lets you down. Medical professionals report that the most common forms of…
About 70 percent of cases of low back pain will get better on their own within just a few days. Even more extreme back pain gradually improves with home treatment and self-care, or by taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, usually within two weeks. However, in very rare cases, back pain can…
Just about everyone knows the feeling of fatigue—and knows it all too well. But for some people (and four times as many women as men), extreme exhaustion stems from a much larger medical issue. A poorly understood condition, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complicated disorder characterized by persistent, debilitating…
Bloating is the condition of your stomach feeling swollen after eating. It is usually caused by excess gas production or other disturbances in the digestive system. Bloating can cause increased pressure and discomfort, and can sometimes make the belly temporarily look bigger. Although bloating is sometimes caused by medical conditions,…
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in all cells. The body requires cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D and digestive substances. The human body makes all cholesterol necessary to function. But when there is too much cholesterol in the blood, it can combine with other substances and form plaque…
People have pondered the meaning of dreams for centuries. Dreams can be detailed or vague, cheerful or frightening, realistic or implausible. So while we all dream, what do psychologists have to say about why we dream? What purpose do dreams really serve? While many theories have been proposed, no single…
Vertigo is a condition characterized by a sense of “the spins.” A person with vertigo will feel that their head, or their surrounding environment, is moving or revolving. Whereas dizziness describes feelings of lightheadedness, vertigo makes the room feel like it is spinning. The feeling may be subtle, or it…
Although it can be tempting to attribute ill humor to bad days, it’s important to recognize that a loved one could be suffering from something more severe. Sometimes mood problems may be due not to an unyielding personality, but rather to a mood disorder. Mental Health America defines mood disorders…
Summertime is here—which means that the season of barbecues, picnics, camping trips and outdoor seating has finally arrived. Although there are endless health benefits of warm weather and time spent outdoors, these pleasures come with one great risk: food poisoning. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, foodborne illness,…
