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Plenty of scenarios might prompt you to wonder, “How much sleep do I need? No, seriously, exactly how many hours are required for me to be fully functioning but also not spend my whole life in bed?” Maybe this thought arises as you start yet another true crime documentary when you should already be sleeping. […]
Is cellulitis contagious? Answer From Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D. Cellulitis isn't usually spread from person to person. Cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers of the skin most commonly caused by bacteria that normally live on the skin's surface. You have an increased risk of developing cellulitis if you: Have an injury, such as […]
It’s a non-negotiable fact of life: Everyone has bad days sometimes. We all have different ideas of what constitutes a crappy day and different reasons for having one, but it’s comforting to know that nobody is immune from having a rotten, awful, stinkin’ day at least once in a while. That includes psychologists, some of […]
My dentist suggested I have my wisdom teeth removed, but they're not causing problems. Is wisdom teeth removal necessary? Answer From Thomas J. Salinas, D.D.S. Wisdom teeth—the third molars in the very back of your mouth—may not need to be removed if they are: Healthy Grown in completely (fully erupted) Positioned correctly and biting properly […]
Following backlash from patients with chronic pain and people in the disability community, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday found herself backpedaling on her recently introduced legislation to put a time limit on opioid prescriptions. The 2020 presidential contender sought to help “end the opioid epidemic” with legislation she introduced with Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) […]
In the days after Shea Oakes gave birth to her first daughter 15 years ago, she could not stop weeping. Oakes’ OB-GYN told her to let her know if she was not feeling better in three days. She wasn’t, so her doctor diagnosed her with postpartum depression and wrote a prescription for an SSRI, the […]
The idea of fairytale romance didn’t quite work for Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard. But they still managed to find their own version of happily ever after — it just sounds like it took a whole lot of work. In an interview with People published Wednesday, the married actors — who have been outspoken advocates […]
Is hyperinsulinemia a form of diabetes? Answer From M. Regina Castro, M.D. Hyperinsulinemia (hi-pur-in-suh-lih-NEE-me-uh) means the amount of insulin in your blood is higher than what's considered normal. Alone, it isn't diabetes. But hyperinsulinemia is often associated with type 2 diabetes. Insulin is a hormone that's normally produced by your pancreas, which helps regulate blood […]
If you find it hard to get any real work done at your desk, it may not just mean you lack the ability to focus. It could also be your office’s fault. Office design can influence how much productive work you get done in a day. If you regularly find yourself listlessly staring at your […]
Entrepreneur and political newcomer Andrew Yang is finding new ways to stand out from the dozen or so other people who’ve officially announced they are running to be the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee. Yang first attracted attention by calling for a universal basic income for all Americans. Now, he may be the first candidate to speak out […]
"Leaky gut syndrome" doesn't sound like the kind of thing anyone wants to have, yet we're hearing about it a lot lately. If you look across the vast plains of the internet, you'll find that all kinds of blogs and alternative health sites warn about "leaky gut syndrome," which is often described as a condition […]
Depression. Autism. Breast cancer. Alcoholism. Type 1 diabetes. Heart disease. What do these supposedly have in common? Many alternative health websites like to talk about a supposed link between these conditions and a gene called MTHFR—but there's no indisputable evidence that the link really exists. If you’re unfamiliar with the MTHFR gene, it stands for […]
For years, academics across the world have studied the effects fast food advertising has had on children and adolescents. With nearly 1-in-5 school-aged children in the United States qualifying as obese, these studies aim to figure out how TV commercials, product placement and the new frontier of digital marketing are leading to unhealthy lifestyles. But […]
I’m no stranger to hearing my friends warn that I’m “breaking the seal” as I hurry to the bar bathroom. As someone who tends to drink a lot of water, I’m pretty used to constantly having to relieve myself. That need can feel even more urgent after adding alcohol to the mix. This raises the […]
The symptoms of restless legs syndrome sound like the plot of a horror movie. If you have this condition, you might sink into bed at the end of each day aching for a good night’s sleep. Then it begins. An irresistible urge to move your legs won’t allow you any peace. You feel creeping, crawling, […]