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The body’s hormones work together in a finely coordinated and complex system to keep us healthy and functioning. Alcohol can interfere with the operation of the hormone system and cause serious medical consequences. The Effect of Alcohol on Hormones Hormones act as chemical messengers to control and coordinate the functions of the body’s tissues and organs. When the hormone system is working properly, the exact amount of hormone is released at exactly the right time and the tissues of the body accurately respond to those messages....

We’ve all heard the popular saying, “Laughter is the best medicine.” But does that type of thinking apply to something as serious as a global pandemic? Most psychologists would say yes. Humor helps people take back their sense of power in a powerless situation and it helps them connect with others—two things we have lost during this pandemic. Key Takeaways Studies show that humor has the power to reduce fear and anxiety, resolve conflicts, and help weather disappointments....

Congratulations! You’ve noticed that your child has exhibited certain potty train signs—like waking up from their naps or nighttime slumber dry or telling you they need to go—and you’ve decided they’re ready to start potty training. And so far it’s been going pretty well—maybe they urinate consistently in the toilet or will even use a potty that isn’t their own—but they’re still hitting some stumbling blocks. No matter how many stickers you reward them with, they just can’t seem to get over some of these hurdles....

How do you feed two babies at the same time when you only have two hands? The logistics of meeting the needs of two same-age children is one of the biggest challenges for parents of twins. Many manage by having help. But there are times when there is only one parent, and both babies need to be fed at the same time. Many families find that life is much easier when they keep their babies on a similar schedule, and identical twins, especially, often have similar metabolisms that make them hungry at the same time....

Loneliness is a common problem among college students, especially those who are beginning their first year. But that does not make it any easier to cope with. “Loneliness is among the most compromising feelings a person can experience,” explains Matt Glowiak, PhD, LCPC, a licensed professional counselor in Illinois who is an expert in depression, anxiety, mental health in adolescents, family support, self-care, and more. “Because many negative feelings associated with it are internalized, many students do not readily speak to the issue, as they feel embarrassed or ashamed....

Nearly everyone lies from time to time, and lying out of consideration may even help protect someone else’s feelings or keep stability in your relationship. However, excessive or destructive lying can irreparably harm your relationship with your spouse. So, how can you tell if and when your spouse is lying? Detecting a lie isn’t easy. Your own suspicions can get in the way of getting to the truth. Know the signs that you are being lied to, and what you can do if you think your spouse is lying to you....

Today’s diet-obsessed culture has caused many people to develop an unhealthy preoccupation with their bodies. While making mindful food choices and ramping up your exercise routine can be healthy, an all-consuming obsession with calorie restriction and body image could signify an eating disorder, such as anorexia nervosa. Individuals with anorexia nervosa continuously challenge their bodies to reach a lower weight through unhealthy means. This weight loss is often a result of calorie restriction or self-purging mechanisms....

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the second most common cause of jaundice in pregnancy. It may also be called obstetric cholestasis. The condition involves a build-up of bile acids in the bloodstream and skin which causes intense itching. It is thought to be caused by a combination of hormonal, genetic, and environmental factors, and usually, occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy. Prevalence The prevalence of ICP varies significantly from country to country....

Years ago, when two children were born within 12 months of each other, people often referred to them as “Irish twins.” And when three children were born to the same mother within three years, they were called “Irish triplets.” But today these phrases are considered outdated and are less frequently used, particularly because their origins come from a derogatory stereotype of poor Irish Catholic families having lots of kids close together....

When it comes to pregnancy, there are many over-the-counter medications that are off-limits. But, the good news is that for most pregnant women, milk of magnesia is not one of them. Although you should always check with your doctor first before taking anything—even over-the-counter medications—most research indicates that short-term use of milk of magnesia is usually not harmful to you or your growing baby. The keywords, of course, are short-term use....

Online therapy, also known as teletherapy, virtual therapy, or internet/online counseling, among other names, rapidly expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it continues to grow. Because online therapy involves communication via computers or mobile devices, it has security issues that are different from face-to-face therapy. Additionally, some ethical and legal concerns become more complicated with teletherapy. If you are getting started with online therapy, it’s important to understand how a therapist or digital platform will keep your private information safe and follow all of the appropriate protocols....

Negative thoughts play a major role in causing and worsening social anxiety disorder (SAD). Such thoughts can contribute to feelings of panic in social and performance situations because they start a cycle of catastrophic thinking. These thoughts are often self-defeating and irrational. They tend to magnify a person’s feelings that they will not be accepted by others or that they will embarrass themselves in social situations. Treatments for social anxiety often focus on helping people learn to identify these negative thoughts, challenge their accuracy, and replace them with more helpful ones....

A recent study published in JAMA  conducted by the Harvard T. Chan School of Public Health found that, when post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) coexists with depressive symptoms in women, it drastically increases their risk of mortality from multiple causes, compared with women who experience neither of these conditions. Key Takeaways PTSD and chronic responses to stress increase risk of disease.Women have higher rates of exposure to stress.Chronic stressors have a direct link to early death....

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) can be useful to address treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder, etc. A recently published article in The American Journal of Psychiatry demonstrates how essential ECT services are, given the negative impacts of COVID-19 treatment disruption. Key Takeaways Access to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was limited by precautionary measures to limit exposure to the COVID-19 virus.70% of ECT treatment centers reported that this resulted in decompensation and hospitalization of patients.80% of institutions reported the need for new acute courses of ECT for patients whose maintenance ECT was disrupted....

Losing a baby to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a parent’s nightmare. There are precautions that you can take to protect your baby against SIDS, such as putting them to sleep on their back in a bare crib, room sharing, breastfeeding, and giving your baby a pacifier at night. Key Takeaways A new study found a biomarker that could predict a baby’s vulnerability to SIDS. The research is promising, but not conclusive....

Getting people the care they need after a stint in the intensive care unit (ICU) is of increasing importance, given the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to new research, while the recovery period is known to include a range of lingering symptoms, like muscle weakness, fatigue, and pain, it may also be linked to an increased risk of suicide and self-harm. Key Takeaways New research found that people who spent time in the ICU faced higher risks of self-harm and suicide than people who were admitted elsewhere in the hospital....

You may have heard the word schema as it relates to coding, where it refers to how a database is structured. While a schema in psychology still refers to how information is organized, it focuses on how the human mind does it. However, these mental frameworks also cause us to exclude pertinent information to focus instead only on things that confirm our pre-existing beliefs and ideas. Schemas can contribute to stereotypes and make it difficult to retain new information that does not conform to our established ideas about the world....

Sunglasses help runners protect their eyes from the sun’s harmful rays no matter what season it is. Wearing running sunglasses can help with sun protection, and safeguard your eyes from wind, sand, dust, bugs, and other debris. Sunglasses can also keep you from squinting and can provide high contrast so you can see and avoid obstacles. Sunglasses that come with interchangeable lenses for different light conditions are a good choice if you run in all types of weather....

Quitting drinking isn’t always easy, especially if you’ve been misusing alcohol for years. However, there are many benefits of taking the steps needed to stop alcohol use, both mental and physical. Here we discuss a few of these benefits, helping to provide additional motivation to quit alcohol for good. Health Risks of Heavy Drinking Before you learn the benefits of quitting alcohol, it’s helpful to understand the risks of higher levels of alcohol use....

There are many herbal supplements available that claim to help breastfeeding women to make more breast milk. One of the more popular supplements is called goat’s rue. But, is goat’s rue safe for breastfeeding moms and children? Does it actually work? Here you find some information about goats rue along with tips for using this herbal breastfeeding supplement. What Is Goat’s Rue? Goat’s rue (Galega officinalis) is a plant native to Europe and the Middle East....