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If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s worth fighting with your child over the amount of time they spend in front of their phone, tablet, or television, the answer, according to recent studies, is a resounding “yes.” While certain types of technology can enhance the way children learn and socialize, excessive screen use can take a toll on their bodies, minds, and relationships. Less social media and gaming mean kids can spend more time interacting with friends and family, going outside, getting some exercise, or reading a book....

Maternal health care in the United States has caused great concern in recent years. The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate of developed nations. Minority and low-income communities tend to be the most affected, and many of them are on Medicaid. But there is help. Pregnant people in some states are able to use Medicaid to pay for doula services. Key takeaways Medicaid coverage of doulas in New York, California, and Florida improved birthing outcomes, study shows....

Contraline, a Virginia-based biotech firm, announced their first patients were successfully implanted in a male contraceptive study. The hydrogel, called ADAM, is delivered by injection, prevents sperm flow through the vas deferens, and degrades over time. This is in contrast to a vasectomy, which is a permanent contraceptive solution, or condoms, which are single-use contraceptives. This could be a potential breakthrough in contraceptive options. Key Takeaways ADAM, a non-hormonal injectable form of male birth control, is now in human trials....

More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers are still learning about the disease and its impact on the body. Although it is primarily classified as a respiratory virus, scientists now know that COVID-19 can impact other body systems to cause a variety of effects—including neurological symptoms. Key Takeaways A new study shows that COVID-19 can spread throughout the central nervous system, impacting the brain and spinal cord.This could explain the neurological symptoms some people who contract COVID-19 develop, including the long-term neurological symptoms of some “long-haul” sufferers who didn’t experience respiratory symptoms....

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced last week an expansion in police and emergency workers’ ability to involuntarily remove homeless individuals presenting with mental health conditions and hospitalize them. Currently, New York State law allows for people to be forcibly removed from the street if there is a potential for them to cause “serious harm” personally or to others. Key Takeaways New York City Mayor Eric Adams has rolled out a plan to allow police officers and emergency workers to involuntarily hospitalize homeless people who are mentally ill....

On published schedules of 12-step meetings, some are designated as open meetings, while others are shown as closed meetings. Open meetings are open to the public, while closed meetings are for members only—however, each program’s guidelines define who counts as a member. This article discusses the differences between an open AA meeting and a closed AA meeting (and similar 12-step groups). It also explores how to determine which type of meeting might be right for you....

Although treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) usually entails consulting with a qualified mental health professional, there are a number of OCD self-help strategies that you can start using right now to help cope with your OCD symptoms. Get the Facts About OCD Perhaps the most important OCD self-help strategy is to learn as much as you possibly can about your illness. OCD is a chronic illness that requires day-to-day management of symptoms instead of focusing on an ultimate cure....

Expecting parents are faced with a lot of important decisions before their baby is born. These include the basics, such as what to name the baby, which pediatrician to go to, breastfeeding vs. formula feeding, etc. And more and more, they are having to consider the issue of whether or not to bank their baby’s umbilical cord blood. From ads in parenting magazines, direct mailings, and flyers in their obstetrician’s office, expecting parents are repeatedly told of their ‘once-in-a-lifetime chance’ to save their baby’s umbilical cord blood for possible use later to save his life....

Jumping rope burns calories, strengthens muscles and is a good cardio workout that the whole family can enjoy. Anyone can benefit from adding a jump rope workout to their weekly exercise regimen. Jump ropes are very portable and low-tech so they’re easy to use and can improve your balance and agility. It might be a simple piece of fitness equipment, but finding the right jump rope can make all the difference in your routine....

If you’re looking to maintain your fitness, reduce your risk of heart disease and other conditions, or ease joint pain, going on a walk can be a great way to improve or maintain your health and overall fitness. It’s a low-impact activity that can be done on a treadmill or outside and requires minimal equipment or training. The best walking shoes are properly fitted, made from durable materials, and provide ample support....

Insect bites and stings are very common in children, especially during the spring and summer months. Among the arthropods that often bite and sting are spiders, ticks, mites, mosquitoes, flies, fleas, ants, bees, and wasps. While most insect bites only result in mild local reactions, they can cause more serious conditions, such as anaphylactic reactions and Lyme disease. Knowing how to prevent and treat common insect bites and stings, and knowing when not to overreact, can help keep your kids safe and healthy....

Bingeing and purging involves eating much larger amounts than normal (bingeing), then attempting to compensate by removing the food consumed from the body (purging). A binge consists of eating larger portions than normal, quickly, in a short period of time, and feeling a loss of control. Types of Bingeing People can binge on any type of food, although typically high-fat and high-carbohydrate foods are used, both because of their “forbidden” nature, particularly to those who are concerned about their body weight, and because of the concern they cause when eaten....

Anthropophobia, or the fear of people, is a commonly misunderstood phobia. It often resembles social phobia but is not precisely the same fear. Depending on the severity, anthropophobia may cause a phobic reaction even when in the company of only one other person. In extreme cases, those with anthropophobia may withdraw altogether, communicating with others only through snail mail or electronic means such as e-mail or text messaging. Fear of People vs....

Most people who are or are trying to become pregnant would do anything to increase their chances of having a healthy baby and pregnancy. As it happens, there are pills you can pop for precisely this purpose: prenatal vitamins. Healthcare providers typically recommend them for people who are trying to conceive, are already pregnant, or are breastfeeding. They ensure these patients get ample amounts of the vitamins and minerals that are essential to pregnancy and the postpartum period....

Social work is an exciting career area that is highly related to psychology. Are you looking for a career that is rewarding yet challenging? Do you want to contribute to society by helping people overcome difficulties and improve their lives? Social work fits this description, which is why many psychology undergraduates opt to pursue it. While many individuals who work in this field start by earning an undergraduate degree in social work before moving on to graduate school, some psychology majors opt to switch to a social work master’s program after earning their degrees....

Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States. It is a psychiatric condition that requires treatment, says Janet Lydecker, PhD, director of the Program for Obesity, Weight, and Eating Research (POWER) at Yale School of Medicine. While most people occasionally overeat or find comfort in food, that doesn’t necessarily mean they have binge eating disorder. A healthcare professional can evaluate you and determine whether you have this condition....

The decision to have surgery while pregnant can be a difficult one and is often made out of necessity rather than desire. There are two patients to consider (or even more if the person is pregnant with multiples). In general, surgical risks are greater when a patient is pregnant because of the changes that take place in the body during that time. There are some cases when surgery can be avoided if a patient is pregnant, but this is not always the case....

A Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) takes the observations made in a Functional Behavioral Assessment and turns them into a concrete plan of action for managing a student’s behavior. A BIP may include ways to change the environment to help prevent the behavior from starting in the first place, provide positive reinforcement to promote good behavior, employ planned ignoring to avoid reinforcing bad behavior, and provide support needed so that the student will not be driven to act out due to frustration or fatigue....

A beyond-use date is a date placed on a prescription by a pharmacy for compounded medications they prepare, noting when that prescription should no longer be used. It will often say “discard after …” or “do not use after …” How the Beyond-Use Date Is Determined This date is determined by the pharmacy when they prepare a compound prescription based on different factors, including: The type of drug and how fast it degradesThe dosage of the medicationThe type of container being usedThe storage conditions the medication is expected to be inHow long the medication will be takenHow likely it is that there will be any sort of contamination while the prescription is being filled Is Beyond-Use Different From Expiration?...

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that can cause dramatic mood swings. Someone with bipolar disorder may experience highs and lows, known as mania and depression respectively, that are far more pronounced than the ups and downs most people typically experience. It is estimated that 4.4% of adults in the United States experience bipolar disorder at some point in their lives. If you or a loved one have bipolar disorder, you may wonder whether the condition can be cured or how you can find relief from the symptoms....