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Serum blood level describes the amount of a given medication present in your blood at the time of testing. Many medications used to treat bipolar disorder have what is known as a small “therapeutic window” meaning the difference between a therapeutic level and toxic level can be small in some individuals. The only way to test these levels for a certain medication is to test a person’s serum blood levels. By doing so, that window can be assessed and the proper dosage for a certain medication can be given....

The decision to offer one breast or both breasts at each feeding is a matter of preference. As long as your baby is getting enough breast milk and growing at a healthy, consistent pace, it doesn’t matter if you nurse from one breast or both breasts at each feeding. You should choose the method that is the easiest, most comfortable, and most convenient for you and your baby. What Professionals Recommend In the first few weeks after your baby is born, it’s better to breastfeed from both sides at each feeding....

This year has been quite a struggle for many people throughout the world as we grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For months, it has often felt like there was no end in sight. Key Takeaways COVID-19 vaccines are on the horizon, but it will be months before they are widely available.COVID fatigue has many people challenging the restrictions meant to prevent widespread infection.With a plan, it is possible to stay strong and safe until a vaccine is widely available....

If you go hiking every weekend (or even just periodically), you undoubtedly understand what a difference the right pair of hiking boots can make. The best hiking boots are properly fitted and durable enough to protect you from the elements. To keep yourself protected and prioritize your foot health, you should look out for a wide toe box, and quality, breathable materials that suit a variety of terrain. You should also consider traction, waterproofness, cushion, support, and price when you are shopping for a pair of hiking boots....

Finding the perfect present for your health-nut friend can seem like a broad and daunting task. The athlete or self-care aficionado in your life could surely benefit from some new accessories to upgrade their healthy regimen or new gadgets to try out. But with so many health products out there, it’s hard to sift through to find the ones that are truly valuable. “Do your research and look for something that fits their lifestyle," Michelle Triolo, certified personal trainer and owner of Greenwich Fitness, says....

Cold weather and snowstorms can make outdoor cycling less than comfortable but with winter cycling apparel, shoes, and accessories, a ride on your two-wheeler will be just as fun as during warmer months. “Riders need to factor in precipitation, temperature, wind, and more to find a combination that keeps them warm and dry inside and out,” says Zach Levy, manager of digital marketing at Velocio, a cycling apparel company. We reviewed top products from several different companies after researching their product details and reading through customer reviews....

Both IVF treatment and the two-week wait afterward are stressful. You may be hyper-aware of everything going on in your body, worrying about every cramp or odd twinge you feel. You’re also likely to have many questions. Are cramps after an embryo transfer a good sign or a bad sign? What about spotting? Are there IVF early pregnancy symptoms to know about? We’ve got answers to these common questions. Cramping After Embryo Transfer Cramping can strike fear in the hearts of some IVFers and hope in others....

You may have heard that you should never wake a sleeping baby, but that’s not always the case. While some newborns will wake up ready to eat without any help, others may be sleepy and need some encouragement. You may find that there are times when you have to wake your baby up for feedings. Your breastfeeding newborn should eat approximately every one to three hours around the clock. By breastfeeding your baby very often, they will be able to get enough breast milk, and you will be able to stimulate your body to make a healthy breast milk supply....

Pregnancy tests are supposed to be foolproof these days. In many ways they are foolproof. Though even though the tests have gotten easier to take, they still involve a component that we can’t quite control—our emotions. Anyone who has ever sat over a small white disk filled with their urine, praying for a certain result will tell you, emotions play a big part in pregnancy testing. Here are some tips to help you deal with reading the test, regardless of your emotions....

It’s common knowledge that exercise has lots of psychological benefits, but how much is too much? A recent study has suggested that intense workouts could be detrimental to mental health and memory. Key Takeaways Intense workouts might be detrimental to mental health, new research has suggested.Memory might also be affected by more intense exercise.Exercise has many benefits, but there’s no one-size-fits-all approach—a personalized exercise routine is best. Researchers at Dartmouth University found that, while exercise can have a positive effect on mental health, not all forms and intensities of exercise will be equally effective....

12-step recovery programs are celebrated for the community, support, and effectiveness provided to those healing from addiction. The most prominent 12-step program is Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as AA. AA is a peer-run group with rotating leadership. Acts of service are an integral part of the program and are performed through taking on commitments at meetings and guiding others in their sobriety journeys. Spirituality is another foundational aspect of this group....

The trait theory of personality suggests that people have certain basic traits and it is the strength and intensity of those traits that account for personality differences. The way psychologists have thought about personality-defining traits has evolved over time. What Is a Trait? A trait is a personality characteristic that meets three criteria: it must be consistent, stable, and vary from person to person. Based on this definition, a trait can be thought of as a relatively stable characteristic that causes individuals to behave in certain ways....

You’re probably familiar with the characteristics of the Type A personality (hard-driving, ambitious, perfectionist), but you might not be as familiar with its counterpart, the Type B personality. People with a Type B personality are often described as easygoing, relaxed, and highly flexible. The type B personality is basically the opposite of the type A. People with a type A personality are meticulous, whereas type B people tend to take a much more casual, carefree approach....

Few things are cuter than a hearty baby with those adorable rolls, which people often affectionately call “baby fat.” Having noticeable baby fat is often associated with being well-nourished, happy, and healthy. But many people may wonder what exactly “baby fat” is and what function it serves. Essentially, baby fat provides crucial warmth and sustenance for babies and toddlers, explains Mollie Greves Grow, MD, MPH, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Hospital....

Psychiatric hospitals are also commonly referred to as psychiatric wards or psych wards. These facilities are dedicated solely to mental healthcare and often provide treatment for patients with serious conditions such as psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and others. Psychiatric hospitals can offer a wide range of care, from inpatient to outpatient and day-treatment programs. The focus is on treating mental illness by providing psychiatric assessments, prescribing medications, and offering therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), supportive psychotherapy, and family therapy....

Object permanence describes a child’s ability to know that objects continue to exist even though they can no longer be seen or heard. If you have ever played a game of “peek-a-boo” with a very young child, then you probably understand how this works. When an object is hidden from sight, infants under a certain age often become upset that the item has vanished. This is because they are too young to understand that the object continues to exist even though it cannot be seen....

Anger is an emotion that nearly everyone will experience at some point in their lifetime. In fact, anger is a necessary emotion to feel because it acts as a form of protection from a possible threat. However, if you find yourself developing telltale signs of rage frequently, you might have a short temper. Maybe you’re frustrated at a server who got your order wrong, or at the car in front of you refusing to move quickly enough, or perhaps even losing it at your favorite sports team for blowing a lead—this may be pointing to something a little different, and more severe....

Alejandra Aguinaga enjoyed her job at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital. She felt a sense of accomplishment and purpose when she delivered food trays to hospital patients. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and suddenly being face-to-face with the patients she served brought a level of fear and apprehension she hadn’t experienced before. “I was always paranoid [about getting sick], especially at the beginning,” Aguinaga acknowledges. Now promoted to Nutrition Services Supervisor at Northwestern, she helps to ensure that patients’ dietary needs are met....

Childhood is an important period of social development, particularly in the formation of social identity, or a person’s sense of who they are based upon group affiliations. For some children, the way they feel about themselves and their social identities may contribute to their vulnerability to depression. Depression is a complex condition influenced by a range of factors, but there is evidence that social factors can play a critical role....

Climacophobia, or the fear of the act of climbing, is a relatively unusual phobia. It is known as a specific phobia, just like acrophobia, a fear of heights, as well as bathmophobia, a fear of stairs and slopes. Causes A wide variety of factors may cause this anxiety disorder, but the primary impetus is a previous negative experience. You may be more prone to developing climacophobia if you: have fallen down a flight of stairs had difficulty completing a climb had a panic attack while climbing This negative experience doesn’t have to directly happen to you....