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Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid that works like codeine to relieve moderate pain. It is often prescribed in combination with other compounds in products like Vicodin or Lortab, which contain hydrocodone and acetaminophen. It is the most widely available opioid in the United States, which means that it is inexpensive and easy to come by. Many victims of the current opioid epidemic got their start with hydrocodone. Hydrocodone prescriptions have decreased in recent years, from 136....

Having an irregular period during puberty is normal and something that parents shouldn’t be too concerned about if their teen is not showing any other signs of health problems, headaches, or pain. At this age, menstruation can start and stop for many reasons, one of them being the start of puberty and growth spurts. If your child is experiencing irregular periods, learn what you can do to help and when you should consult a health professional....

Major depression is one of the most common mental health conditions, affecting an estimated 21 million U.S. adults. The condition can lead to a range of symptoms, including low mood, irritability, and fatigue. It also isn’t uncommon for people to wonder if depression might be connected to violence. While depression can increase the risk for adverse outcomes, this does not mean that people with depression are violent. Instead, mental health conditions along with other risk factors such as substance use, trauma, stress, and domestic violence may increase the risk of violent behavior....

Keeping a fertility calendar or fertility chart allows you to record your menstrual cycles and fertility signs. Some people think fertility calendars are only for those charting their body basal temperature (BBT), but that isn’t necessarily so. Fertility calendars can be as simple or as detailed as you like. What form your fertility calendar will take depends on what fertility signs you are tracking. If you’re going to track your BBT, then you’ll need a graph style chart, which you can make by hand, with computer software, or by signing up with one of many online fertility charting websites....

Weight gain was one of many unwanted byproducts of the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent survey found that 42% of adults gained extra weight during the lockdown period. Now a new study shows that children also dealt with the unanticipated gain. Key Takeaways A new study shows that children experienced weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.Kids ages 5 to 11 had the most significant weight increase.When discussing weight, it’s important to remember that adolescents develop differently, and to not put undue pressure on children....

The name Luna means “moon” in Latin and in several languages with Latin roots, including Spanish and Italian. In ancient Roman mythology, Luna was the moon goddess. Also referred to as Diana, she is often depicted in Roman art driving a white chariot drawn by horses or oxen. The ancient Romans adapted the their moon Goddess from that of the ancient Greeks, Selena. Her attributes are a crescent moon and a biga, the chariot she drives....

While all forms of childbirth are beautiful and natural, historically, the term “natural birth” has referred to vaginal childbirth without pharmaceutical pain relief and other medical interventions. If you are considering a natural, unmedicated birth, you are not alone. About 40% of women who deliver singletons vaginally opt not to have epidural anesthesia. Some of these women planned for a natural birth while others have gone this route simply because there was no time for an epidural....

On December 14, 2020, the world watched as Sandra Lindsay became the first person in the United States to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Lindsay sat straight-faced as Dr. Michelle Chester administered the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, then clapped along with the crowd after receiving the dose. The moment became a defining before and after, filled with hope for a safer, healthier future after over nine months of fear and despair. Key Takeaways...

As you watch your newborn develop, it’s important to know about all of the involuntary movements babies exhibit, including the fencing reflex. This motion causes babies to assume the “fencing position” when placed on their backs. Your baby may look like he is challenging an opponent “en garde” with an invisible foil. Learn more about why babies have this reflex. Test It Out To test the fencing reflex, place your baby on their back and turn their head to the right....

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for children aged 5 to 11. On October 26, 2021, the FDA advisory committee voted to recommend the vaccine. Soon after, on October 29, the FDA authorized the vaccine under emergency use authorization (EUA). Now that the CDC has recommended the vaccine, children can begin receiving the shot. UPDATE: December 2022 In June 2022, the FDA approved the use of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in children between 6 months and 4 years old....

Right after you learn that you’re having a baby, you learn that babies seem to need a lot of stuff! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry. This list will help you figure out what to buy for baby. There are millions of products available for purchase, but the following products are the most common needs or wants for newborns. Basic Layette and Clothing Baby clothes are cuter than ever, and you could easily blow your entire baby budget on sweet little socks and tiny rompers....

People with mental illness and other psychiatric concerns sometimes need help in different aspects of their lives—including work, living, social, and learning environments. One approach that can help these individuals manage symptoms and improve functioning is known as psychosocial rehabilitation. Psychosocial rehabilitation is a treatment approach designed to help improve the lives of people with mental illness. Its goal is to teach them emotional, cognitive, and social skills to help them live and work in their communities as independently as possible....

It can be hard to know what and how much to eat during pregnancy. You’ve probably heard the old adage of “eating for two.” However, you don’t actually need to double your nutrients to fuel your growing baby and body. Instead, your increased nutrient needs can be met by following your appetite, taking a prenatal multivitamin, and adding an extra snack or two each day, as needed. Consuming nutrient-rich foods in your meals and snacks is important, too....

Whether you’re looking at prenatal care, delivery, maternal mortality, or postnatal care, the problem is clear: There is a significant issue with treatment and outcomes based on racial inequality. And it will require changes not just in reproductive healthcare systems, but also from legislators, medical schools, community advocacy groups, and at the individual level. Key Takeaways There are significant racial disparities when it comes to maternal health and maternal mortality.The reasons for these differences are complex, ranging from inherent bias to systemic racism to false beliefs about biological differences....

Buying a used baby crib at a garage sale or thrift shop, or from a neighbor, is one way to save money on your baby’s nursery. Cribs tend to be used fairly gently for only a few years, so you might find a gorgeous used baby crib that looks new for a fraction of the cost. However, older cribs, and even newer ones, that have been misused or not maintained well can be a safety hazard....

Strictly speaking, suicidal ideation means wanting to take your own life or thinking about suicide. However, there are two kinds of suicidal ideation: passive and active. Passive suicidal ideation occurs when you wish you were dead or that you could die, but you do not formulate a plan to die by suicide. Information presented in this article may be triggering to some people. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor....

Energy gels, chews, and bars are designed to provide energy during long durations of endurance exercise. These products typically contain a mix of carbohydrate sources—whether from natural sources like fruit and honey or from added simple sugars like fructose and glucose—that are known to enhance performance and reduce time to exhaustion. Some products also contain electrolytes that can help replenish losses through sweat, but these must be consumed in combination with fluids to prevent dehydration while running for prolonged periods....

One in three adults in the United States doesn’t get enough sleep. In many cases, it’s not for want of trying but because they struggle with falling asleep at night. Over time, people have developed several self-help tricks to help you fall asleep and get better quality sleep. One of the self-help tricks you might not have considered if you’ve been finding it difficult to fall asleep is listening to a podcast....

Toddlers and screen time is a contentious topic. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies younger than 18 months get no screen time at all and that children ages 18 to 24 months are exposed only to high-quality digital media in the company of their parent or caregiver. Key Takeaways A new study from Vanderbilt University examined how toddlers learn—or don’t—from screens.Researchers found that young kids don’t learn from screens alone and that in-person interaction with adults is a crucial component of learning....

Healthy Stress Can Be Good for You Stress is a universal occurrence and a normal experience. Everyday stressors can range from positive to negative levels. Toxic Stress Stress is a biological response to external or internal pressures. If the stressors are ongoing, persistent, and feel threatening, these temporary stressors can convert into toxic stress. When Does Stress Become ‘Toxic’? To face stress, the nervous system responds by releasing hormones and neurotransmitters to increase the individual’s heart rate and blood pressure to face the perceived danger....