Puberty can be a confusing time for a tween, and for parents. As a child changes, so does his mood, body, interests, and even family dynamics can change. While you may prefer that your child remain little forever, puberty is coming, and that means you have to prepare. Here’s what parents should know before their child hits puberty. And don’t worry, talking with your tween about puberty doesn’t have to be uncomfortable, as long as you’re prepared....
Taking too much vitamin D can lead to an excess of calcium in the blood, resulting in physical symptoms such as frequent urination, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Vitamin D toxicity also can lead to kidney or bone problems such as kidney stones. About 40% of Americans may be deficient in vitamin D, with Black and Hispanic adults facing the highest risk of deficiency. Many people can benefit from increasing their vitamin D intake to sufficient levels through sun exposure, diet changes, or—if needed—supplementation as recommended by a physician....
Tramadol is a synthetic opioid. Unlike other synthetic opioids you may have heard about, like fentanyl, tramadol is far weaker than a traditional opioid. Its effects are mild enough that doctors often consider it a safer alternative to other opioid painkillers. But in recent years, many reports of tramadol-related emergency room visits have been reported. More and more doctors are reporting tramadol-dependent patients. And the list of potential tramadol withdrawal symptoms has continued to grow....
Some research shows that using 5-HTP for depression may help improve depressive symptoms. 5-HTP, or 5-hydroxytryptophan, is an amino acid that our bodies produce from a dietary amino acid called l-tryptophan. It can be converted into the mood-regulating neurotransmitter called serotonin, which can then be converted to the sleep-inducing hormone known as melatonin. 5-HTP may also be synthesized in the laboratory by extracting it from the seeds of the plant Griffonia simplicifolia....
A direct correlation has been found between a child’s IQ and their parent’s vitamin D levels in pregnancy. It is understood that vitamin D is necessary for fetal brain development, but researchers have now extended research to look at the cognitive development of offspring when they reach early childhood. Key Takeaways Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy may impact the cognitive development of your child.People with darker skin tones are more at risk of vitamin D deficiency....
Child support can be a polarizing topic. Although mothers can pay child support to custodial fathers, in the majority of cases, mothers are the custodial parents and non-custodial fathers pay child support. Here’s an overview of how the child support system works and what you need to know to manage your obligations. How Long Child Support Lasts Generally, the law requires that the person paying child support continues to make those payments until any of the following circumstances apply:...
What Is Bipolar Disorder? Bipolar disorder is marked by periods of extreme mood swings, including manic or hypomanic episodes, and often involves periods of depression. Although having a parent or sibling with bipolar disorder does not guarantee that someone will develop these symptoms, there is a strong genetic component to this diagnosis. Bipolar disorder is a treatable condition, and some therapies and medications can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life....
When you’re depressed, unsupportive friends and family can prove trying. It’s very important to have people in your life who either understand your condition or are willing to try. If friends and family are unsupportive—blaming you for the symptoms of your illness or making thoughtless remarks—it can make you feel really discouraged. What can you do if the people who should be your greatest supporters aren’t? Lack of support from people in your social network can be tough, but there are things that you can do to find the support and understanding that you need....
We rarely hear people say, “I’m really feeling stressed. Isn’t that great?” But if we didn’t have some stress in our lives—the “good stress” variety—we’d feel rudderless and unhappy. If we define stress as anything that alters our homeostasis, then good stress, in its many forms, is vital for a healthy life. Bad stress can even turn into good stress, and vice versa. Good Stress vs. Bad Stress “Good stress,” or what psychologists refer to as “eustress,” is the type of stress we feel when we are excited....
After experiencing a miscarriage or a stillbirth, it is not uncommon for parents to develop symptoms of depression or anxiety. While many of us have a pretty good understanding of what depression is, anxiety is something that many people assume to mean “being on edge.” But it is actually more than that. Like depression, anxiety can severely interfere with a person’s ability to function and often requires treatment and counseling to fully resolve the underlying trauma....
Whether or not to become a stay-at-home parent is a big decision. Making it all the more difficult is that there is no right or wrong answer—only what works best for you and your family. But if you’re on the fence about making the transition from working parent to stay-at-home parent, there are some key factors to consider. Weigh the pros and cons to decide which role is right for you....
Researchers in China found that 1 in 5 children showed signs of depression during quarantine, according to a recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics. In addition to an increase in depression, anxiety also rose in children during quarantine. Key Takeaways A recent survey conducted in China revealed 1 in 5 children showed signs of depression during quarantine.19% of study participants also reported symptoms of anxiety.These results should inform American parents as they look for ways to prevent childhood depression during the pandemic....
If you’re thinking about naming your baby something that starts with the letter “T,” you have plenty of options to choose from. Looking for a name that’s been popular for decades? “T” has those. Prefer to think out of the box a bit? “T” has more unique options as well. But one thing is for sure: Any name you love will be the right name for your new little one. Get inspired by one of these names that starts with the letter “T”....
Adequate iodine intake during pregnancy is essential for the baby’s intellectual development, but a recent study published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that a growing number of young women have low levels of this important mineral. Key Takeaways Iodine is crucial for healthy thyroid function. During pregnancy, adequate iodine levels contribute to the baby’s intellectual development.A recent study found that many women of reproductive age are lacking iodine....
There are several reasons you might want to quit caffeine. It could be giving you bothersome side effects, or maybe those specialty coffees from coffee shops are just costing too much. But as soon as you quit caffeine, you may experience uncomfortable caffeine withdrawal symptoms, which include: Dizziness or light-headednessFatigueHeadacheIrritabilityMental fogginessNausea and vomitingNegative mood Caffeine withdrawal occurs when someone who has been consuming caffeine regularly stops. Most people who regularly consume caffeinated beverages are familiar with at least some caffeine withdrawal symptoms....
The CHILD-1 diet is the first stage of the Cardiovascular Health Integrated Lifestyle Diet and it can help you get your child’s health on a better track. It is recommended for children with certain health conditions—the diet can be a good idea for all kids since it promotes healthy eating and a healthy weight. The diet was designed in mind for kids: With high cholesterol levels (dyslipidemia)Who are overweightWith high blood pressureWith high-risk medical conditions, such as having type 1 or type 2 diabetes, having had a kidney transplant or heart transplant, chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease, or Kawasaki disease and still having coronary artery aneurysmsWith a family history of early cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia (high cholesterol levels), obesity, primary hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or exposure to smoking in the home....
It’s difficult to determine which documents are important to bring to a child custody hearing. If you’re confused about what to take with you, too much documentation is always better than too little. (It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.) But knowing how to distinguish irrelevant from relevant documents makes all the difference. Although a consultation with an attorney should give you some solid ideas, this list might help as well....
When it comes to solving problems, are two (or more) heads really better than one? Solving problems on your own can have its own strengths and weaknesses, but what influence does group size have on the process? Learn more about some of the research on group problem solving, including how the size of the group may influence problem-solving effectiveness. Group Vs. Solo Problem Solving Whether or not a problem is best solved individually or as a group can depend on the situation, but research suggests that small groups do better than even the best-performing individuals....
Imagine this: you’re playing with your little one and all of the sudden, they start touching their thumb to their chin with their hand wide open. It’s the milestone you are most excited about—your baby just signed “mama” for the first time! Key Takeaways Deaf and hard of hearing children often face developmental delays.New research confirms that early language exposure is key in cognitive development.Sign language is equally as supportive as spoken language....
Kids and adults alike need vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to maintain a healthy, functioning body. For kids, these nutrients are also used for vital growth and development. Just like other important nutrients for growth and development (such as vitamin D, iron, and calcium) kids need omega-3 fatty acids. ALA is found in plant oils. Foods like walnuts, soybeans, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, and chia seeds are good sources of ALA. EPA and DHA are primarily found in fatty fish, but you can also get them from eating other seafood and even some algae....
