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The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of health care, with a growing number of doctors and patients using telemedicine to diagnose and treat non-urgent conditions. But telehealth goes beyond routine check-ins; people living with addiction and substance use disorders can also seek help virtually, without going to the doctor’s office or rehab center. Oar, a new platform launched on January 24, is the latest in the world of online mental health support....

If your baby was born premature, they might be eligible to receive social security benefits. Though it’s usually modest, this monthly stipend may help defray some of the added costs of having a preemie, including your baby’s hospital stay, other medical bills, and child care once home. The type of social security benefits that premature babies can receive is called supplemental security income, or SSI. The Social Security Administration provides SSI benefits for any child with disabilities, and some preemies with low birth weight or developmental delays are eligible....

Hemp protein powder is a nutrient-dense and allergy-friendly plant-based protein powder. In addition to providing all essential amino acids, it’s a great source of fiber, heart-healthy fats, and minerals like iron, magnesium, and zinc. It can be a beneficial addition to the diet for people looking to increase their fiber and protein intake, particularly those with increased protein needs, such as vegetarian and vegan athletes or active individuals, and those that have difficulty meeting their protein needs from food alone....

A torn meniscus is a tear in the cartilages between the femur and tibia, often caused by movements like sudden twisting, pivoting, and stopping. While not a substitute for surgery or physical therapy, braces can support and stabilize the knee. It’s helpful if a brace is not too loose or tight, according to Kevin D. Walter, MD, program director of Pediatric and Adolescent Sports Medicine at Children’s Wisconsin. When looking for a brace for a torn meniscus, look for one that offers compression....

Although the medical use of fentanyl has declined recently, illicit fentanyl and its analogs and derivatives have become a significant part of the larger opioid crisis which has spread across the United States and Canada, as well as many other countries. The fentanyl crisis is claiming the lives of hundreds of people each month. What Is Fentanyl? Fentanyl is a high potency synthetic narcotic, sometimes called synthetic heroin. The drug also has street names including “white heroin,” “Perc-O‐Pops,” or “Chiclets....

Your child is doing poorly in school, and you want to know why. They’re not lazy—in fact, they work hard—but they just can’t seem to understand the concepts or score well on tests. If this describes your situation, there’s a good chance that your child has a learning disability, and it makes sense to have your child evaluated. Who Conducts Learning Tests People who assess children for learning disabilities are usually experts in education, speech and language, audiology, or psychology....

Vulnerable child syndrome is a medical condition that affects children and their parents. It develops when a child has a potentially life-threatening issue during infancy such as prematurity, a birth problem, or an illness that causes parents to have overwhelming feelings of anxiety and fear about their child’s health even if the child is doing well and growing in a normal, healthy way. Vulnerable child syndrome is an extreme response where parents feel they must watch over and protect their child more carefully than other “healthy” children....

The antidepressant Wellbutrin (bupropion) can cause hair loss, also called alopecia. This side effect can occur with other other antidepressants as well. If you are concerned about Wellbutrin hair loss, it’s important to find out more about why this happens and what you can do about it. The type of hair loss experienced by some people on Wellbutrin and other antidepressants is called telogen effluvium. It is characterized by widespread thinning of the hair....

Looking for games for a kids’ party? Balance out the cake and ice cream with these fun, fast-paced, outdoor games. Most are easily adaptable for kids of different ages and skill levels. You can customize an outdoor party game with simple props or word choices. Try inventing a version of tag or a relay race that matches your party’s theme. Dragon Tag, Tails, or Sock Tag There are many versions of tag and most can easily be turned into a great party game....

Emotional dysregulation is one of the more overlooked symptoms of ADHD, and one of the reasons people with ADHD are still misdiagnosed. Strong symptoms of emotional dysregulation can mimic other disorders like depression, bipolar, borderline personality, and even posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ADHD Symptom Spotlight is a series that dives deep into a hallmark or overlooked symptom of ADHD each week. This series is written by experts who also share their tips on managing these symptoms based on firsthand experience and research-backed insights....

If you’re looking for a name that is rising in popularity, and comes from a variety of cultural sources, Amara is a name you should consider. The name Amara is found in multiple languages and has different meanings in African, Indian, and European cultures. In Italian, the word “amara” means “bitter.” In the Igbo language, which is spoken in Nigeria and other parts of Africa, the name means “grace.” And in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India, Amara means “deathless” or “immortal....

“I can do it” may take on a new meaning when it comes to mental health. People who believe they can do things in their daily life to improve their mental well-being have better mental health than those who don’t, according to a survey of over 3,000 Danish adults that was published in Mental Health and Social Inclusion. Key Takeaways New research shows that those who believe they could do things in their daily life to improve their mental well-being actually had better mental health than those who did not....

There is a lot that most people don’t know about the reality of childhood depression, and it needs to be better understood. A recently published study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry found that depression in childhood and adolescence was associated with higher levels of anxiety in adulthood. Key Takeaways Depression in childhood and adolescence is linked to higher levels of anxiety, substance use, worse health and social functioning, fewer financial and educational accomplishments, and increased criminality in adulthood....

Feeling some jitters before a romantic date is totally normal. Maybe you’re meeting the person for the first time and you’re wondering if you’ll get along. But usually those feelings subside once the conversation starts flowing and you’re feeling more comfortable. Key Takeaways Research shows that people who are more appearance-oriented experience greater anxiety in dating scenarios.Body image concerns can have deep roots, but social media seems to be exacerbating self-esteem issues....

From the outside, Alexandria Gilleo’s career looked luxe. The make-up artist would spend her workdays on photoshoot sets in Manhattan, getting celebrities like Adriana Lima and Paul Rudd camera-ready. Once the sun went down, she’d rush across the city to attend product launch events for some networking. She’d take a late-night train home, catch some shut-eye, then repeat it all over again the next day. “At the time, I really enjoyed it,” says the 31-year-old....

It’s time to bring nature into our everyday life. While we know intuitively that seeing the birds and squirrels in the local park seems to have a calming effect on us and makes us feel good, empirical evidence is mounting about the benefits of nature therapy. This article explains what nature therapy involves, how nature therapy can benefit your mental health, and how you can bring nature to your if you happen to be stuck inside....

Down syndrome can make it challenging for a child to articulate their words and it can affect their ability to hear and understand. Early language intervention via speech and language therapy can make a life-changing difference. What Is Down Syndrome? Down syndrome, also called trisomy 21, occurs when a baby is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21. There are three types of Down syndrome: Complete trisomy 21Mosaic trisomy 21Translocation trisomy 21 Similar developmental differences exist at varying degrees between the three types....

I don’t think I’ve ever actively wanted to die. Care and Trigger Warning This article contains content about suicide. If reading this brings up uncomfortable feelings for you, you can speak confidentially with trained advocates for free. Contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database....

We don’t have to tell you that merely having children is an expensive endeavor. There’s food to buy, health costs to cover, everyday necessities such as bedding and school supplies to pick up, and of course clothes and shoes that feel like they need to be replaced every six months as your kids grow, grow, grow. All these expenses are in addition to the cost of gifts given throughout the year, be they birthday, surprise, or holiday-related presents....

PTSD triggers may be all around you. Even though it may sometimes feel like PTSD symptoms come out of the blue, PTSD symptoms rarely spontaneously occur. PTSD Trigger: A post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) trigger can include any sound, sight, smell, thought, or another reminder of a traumatic event. Such triggers are sometimes apparent, but they can also be subtle and more challenging to identify. Instead, whether you are aware of it or not, PTSD symptoms are often triggered or cued by something in our internal (anything that happens within your body such as thoughts or feelings) or external (anything that happens outside your body, such as a stressful situation) environment....