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If your days begin and end with pain at the bottom of your heel, then it’s possible you’re struggling with persistent plantar fasciitis. A type of inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament on the bottom of the foot, plantar fasciitis affects approximately 2 million people every year. “Activities such as sports, running, or standing for extended periods of time put strain on the heel, all of which can cause plantar fasciitis,” says William Spielfogel, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist and medical advisor to The Good Feet Store....

Probiotics are live microorganisms or microbes (small, living things) that may provide health benefits. They may help regulate the community of microorganisms living in our lower digestive tract, known as our microbiome. However, the research on the benefits of probiotics is still emerging, and there are only certain health conditions where probiotic supplements have proven benefits. Our microbiome functions best when it has a variety of microorganisms living in harmony. However, when the variety or balance of microbes changes, it can be more difficult for these microbes to do their jobs....

It’s been proven that Hispanics and Latino Americans are one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States. However, this certainly hasn’t mitigated the stereotypes and instances of racial discrimination that these individuals experience by and large throughout this country. Read on to learn how racism impacts the health of those who belong to the Latinx community. Impact on Mental and Physical Health Like many marginalized groups, many Hispanics and Latin Americans deal with racism from childhood well into adulthood....

The debate over whether students should wear school uniforms has been going on for more than a decade. Some people argue that uniforms have a positive impact on the school environment by promoting inclusivity, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Others fear that school uniforms prevent kids from expressing themselves through their clothing choices. The research on school uniforms is often mixed. While some schools have found uniforms to be beneficial, other research has found that they have little effect....

Play therapy is a form of counseling or psychotherapy that uses play to assess, prevent, or treat psychosocial challenges. Although play therapy can be used with adults, it’s most commonly used with children. From the outside, play therapy looks like it’s just about having fun with toys. However, research shows play therapy is effective in treating a variety of mental health issues and behavior disorders. Why It’s Used Children lack the cognitive and verbal skills to talk about some issues....

What Is the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale? The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a screening instrument that is frequently used to identify women who might be experiencing depression during pregnancy and after giving birth. Postpartum depression (PDD) is a mood disorder that can occur after childbirth and is characterized by symptoms including sadness, irritability, insomnia, appetite changes, and difficulty bonding with the baby. It is a common but serious condition, so it is important to be able to detect mood disorders accurately in order to ensure that women receive appropriate and effective treatment....

No one said that liking your partner’s friends would be easy. In fact, it can be downright impossible sometimes. But if you find yourself in a situation where you don’t see eye-to-eye with your partner’s friends, you’ll likely want to know what to do about it. The first step is to try and see things from their perspective. It’s possible that you’re simply misunderstanding their friends or that you’re seeing them in a negative light because you’re feeling insecure about your relationship....

Why do some people experience depression while others don’t—even when under the same circumstances? Figuring out what makes someone more prone to clinical depression continues to be one of the most pressing questions for researchers and mental health professionals. Although researchers don’t have an exact answer as to why some people are more prone to depression than others, there’s likely more than one causative factor. Research has implicated everything from physical and chemical differences in the brain to social and environmental risk factors....

A common question when you are facing the possibility of cesarean birth is: What will I feel during a cesarean section? During any type of cesarean section (c-section) where you have regional anesthesia like epidural anesthesia, you will still feel some sensations during the birth. You should never feel pain. Though it may come as a surprise to many mothers that during the actual birth most women report feeling something. Here are the sensations you may feel....

For many single parents, dating is exciting and scary at the same time. On one hand, you can hardly contain your enthusiasm for your new love interest. Yet, you may be plagued with questions about when and how to introduce your kids. Before you take that all-important step, consider this advice for dating with children. Introducing Your Date to Your Kids A lot of single parents ask, “When should I introduce my kids to the person I’m dating?...

What are the effects of premenstrual symptoms (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) on bipolar disorder? Let’s take a look at what studies tell us about premenstrual symptoms superimposed on bipolar disorder, how these symptoms can be distinguished from one another, some testimonies from women who have experienced this dreaded double duo of symptoms, and what can be done to manage the symptoms. As a final question, is the diagnosis of bipolar disorder ever missed, and the symptoms mistakenly attributed to premenstrual dysphoric disorder?...

ENFJ, also known as the giver or protagonist personality, is one of the 16 personality types identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). ENFJ stands for extraverted, intuitive, feeling, and judging, with each component representing different MBTI categories. People with ENFJ personality type are often described as warm, outgoing, loyal, and sensitive. Some other types are known by the acronyms ESFJ, ENFP, INFP, ISFJ, and INTP. Of all the personality types, the ENFJ is often perceived as being the strongest “people person....

Once you think you are pregnant, you typically want to know for sure right away. The trouble is, store-bought pregnancy tests, while less expensive than a doctor’s visit, can still cost more than you have in your wallet. A free pregnancy test is not hard to come by in many cities. You have a few locations to try. The vast majority do urine pregnancy tests. Places to Get a Free Pregnancy Test Some obstetrics or family medicine practices offer free pregnancy tests to prospective new patients....

A communication board is a board with symbols or pictures that is used to facilitate communication for children with limited expressive language ability. Children communicate using the board by pointing and gesturing or gazing at the various symbols and pictures. If your child has a disability that limits her ability to express herself, find out if a communication board can be included in her classrooms at school. Communication Boards and Disabled Children If your child has either an individualized education plan (IEP) or a 504 plan, the need for a communication board can be included in the list of tools that the student requires functioning effectively in the classroom....

Embracing your role as aunt—whether to a biological niece or nephew or to a close friend’s child—is one way to get involved in the life of a child. Of course, if and when you do have your own children, you can still continue your Awesome Aunt role. Your children will likely have close cousins or “Mini-Aunties,” depending on their age, to grow up with. That said, embracing the role of aunt isn’t always easy, especially for women who cannot conceive....

How can you be more thoughtful when you have social anxiety? People who are thoughtful think about the happiness and well-being of others. They anticipate what other people need and have the ability to see things from their perspective. One of the difficulties those with social anxiety disorder (SAD) face is the tendency towards being self-conscious and inwardly focused. If you are receiving treatment for SAD, one avenue for broadening your focus is to learn to become more thoughtful of others....

Mageirocophobia, or fear of cooking, can take many forms. Some people are only afraid of cooking for large groups, while others are afraid of whipping up scrambled eggs for themselves. Mageirocophobia is extremely common, although it is only considered a phobia when it is severe enough to interfere with daily life. Types Most people with a fear of cooking are actually afraid of one or more elements or possible outcomes of the cooking process....

What Is Problem-Solving Therapy? Problem-solving therapy is a form of therapy that provides patients with tools to identify and solve problems that arise from life stressors, both big and small. Its aim is to improve your overall quality of life and reduce the negative impact of psychological and physical illness. Problem-solving therapy can be used to treat depression, among other conditions. It can be administered by a doctor or mental health professional and may be combined with other treatment approaches....

Virtual health services have become more commonplace over the last decade. Even from the confines of our homes, we have access to one-on-one conversations with medical doctors, dermatologists, and therapists. This article discusses how a couples therapy session might differ from in-person counseling, the benefits of couples therapy, and potential drawbacks. It also includes guidance on how to find the best therapist for you. While most telehealth services focus on individual care, online couples therapy is also available, either through a therapist or counselor with an online practice, or one of a number of subscription-based programs that provide access to therapy through text, email, or chat....

An estimated 17.3 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in 2017, according to data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Standard depression treatment options include a variety of anti-depressant medications, but in the future, there could be another way to treat the illness: the psychedelic substance psilocybin. Key Takeaways Psilocybin is a psychedelic substance found in “magic mushrooms.“A small study of adults with major depression found that psilocybin led to significant improvements in participants’ mental health....