Mental illnesses are health conditions that can cause changes in thinking, emotional states, and/or behavior. Such changes affect daily lives and the ability to function in private, social, family, and work settings. Nevertheless, mental illnesses, like other health conditions, can be managed with appropriate medical intervention, guidance, and care. Further, early diagnosis can help with management. Here are a few other things one should know about mental health conditions: 1. Mental disorders are common Close to a billion people around the world live with a diagnosable mental disorder. Further, 1 in 5 people in the country may have a mental illness. While the prevalence of mental disorders varies with gender and age, anxiety and depressive disorders are the most common in both males and females. 2. Mental health exists on a scale Living with mental health conditions does not mean one is mentally ill or healthy. Mental health exists on a complex continuum, with experiences ranging from an optimal state of well-being to mental and emotional distress. So, it is not defined by the presence or absence of a mental disorder. While those with mental health conditions are more likely to experience lower levels of mental well-being, this is not always the case.

Over the last few years, telehealth has become quite popular for those who would like remote access to quality healthcare services. This includes access to mental health care. Online psychiatrist platforms offer a convenient way to look for board-certified psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs). One can get consultations and diagnoses from the comfort of a private space. Here are some of the top ones for those looking for popular online psychiatrist platforms: 1. Brightside Brightside is an online platform that specializes in the treatment of anxiety and depression. It offers psychotherapy and psychiatry services in addition to providing streamlined and coordinated treatment plans. Besides, it is known for focusing on seamless tracking of patient progress, which ensures improvement of symptoms over time. This is done by asking patients to fill out surveys frequently. With this, medical providers on Brightside are also able to adjust the treatment and management plans.  Also, the plans are quite affordable, at $95 a month, which gives access to one 15-minute psychiatric appointment, prescription delivery, and continual provider support. With Brightside accepting most major insurance plans, out-of-pocket costs can go lower. 2. Teladoc Health Teladoc Health is one of the leading online psychiatrist platforms with a highly intuitive and easy-to-use interface.

Most blood cancers start in the bone marrow, a spongy and soft material that forms the center of the bone. These make stem cells, which mature over time to become platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells. Blood cancer starts in the bone marrow, affecting the blood cells’ production and impairing their function. As a result, several symptoms start to develop. So, here are some common warning signs of different types. Leukemia Leukemia is a type of cancer that originates in the bone marrow. It causes an abnormal increase in white blood cells, which live longer than they should. However, these excess cells do not function properly to fight off infections, leading to a weakened immune system and feelings of illness. The severity of symptoms depends on the rate at which the disease progresses. Sometimes, leukemia progresses quite quickly. In such cases, the first warning signs often include a sudden feeling of sickness, similar to coming down with the flu. Other times, leukemia may take years to cause any symptoms to occur. In either case, the first signs of the cancer are often apparent when a routine blood test shows abnormal results. Over time, the cancerous cells start to disrupt the growth and functioning of the healthy blood cells.

Gummies are chewable supplements that may help in improving various aspects of health. They often contain vitamins and minerals, giving the body another source of essential nutrients in addition to daily meals. Gummies can also help in achieving specific health goals. For example, certain gummies may help burn fat, allowing one to reach their fitness goals faster. But when opting for such supplements, one should avoid the following common mistakes: 1. Skipping research With many brands selling and advertising health gummies today, it can be hard to distinguish between genuine and false claims. Brands may use all tools, from influencer marketing and social media posts to innovative designs and clickbait, to sell their products. So, without adequate research, it may be easy to fall for the claims and buy the wrong product. That’s why one should be careful about the brands they choose. Further, one should be wary of the brand if it promises miraculous results within a few days of taking the gummies. It is important to choose a brand that is transparent about what goes into its product and shares substantial evidence that supports any health-related claims. 2. Not consulting a doctor As one does not need a doctor’s prescription to buy gummies, one may decide not to consult a doctor while choosing a product.

In medical terms, thyroid eye disease (TED) is also called Graves’ eye disease or Graves’ ophthalmopathy. It causes swelling in the eye muscles and affects the connective and fatty tissues behind or around the eyes, making the eye appear bulged or reddened. As the name suggests, TED occurs due to an overactive thyroid gland. There are several risks, early signs, and causes that one should be aware of to receive timely treatment for the condition. What is TED? It is an autoimmune eye disorder often triggered by thyroid dysfunction, wherein a person’s immune system targets and attacks the thyroid gland, prompting it to release excessive thyroid hormone. As a result, the thyroid gland enlarges. One usually experiences two phases of the condition. First, an individual may experience an active phase where the inflammation peaks and symptoms worsen, which can last up to three years, followed by the stable phase. Warning signs of TED The warning signs of TED may affect both or even a single eye. Here are some of the common signs to look out for: 1. Changes in eye structure The eyes may bulge out or just generally look out of line. This can also lead to double vision or even blindness in some cases due to the constant pressure of the swelling on the delicate eye nerves at the back.

Lymph nodes are integral in the immune system and are present throughout the body. The cancer that starts here is known as lymphoma. Often, it has already spread to other parts of the body by the time it is diagnosed in children and adolescents, making it difficult to treat. That is why it is important to watch for any silent signs of lymphoma in children. Here are some common signs: 1. Enlarged lymph nodes As lymphoma grows and spreads, it can cause the lymph nodes to expand. These feel like lumps under the skin but do not cause pain. They can often be spotted on the sides of the neck, around the underarms, above the collarbone, or in the groin area. However, it is important to note that enlarged lymph nodes are generally a result of infections, such as a cold, an ear infection, or a sore throat, and not a direct indicator of lymphoma. These are known as reactive or hyperplastic nodes and tend to be tender to the touch. 2. Low blood cell counts Lymphoma can also spread inside the bone marrow and crowd the healthy blood cells. This can increase one’s risk of infections (due to a low white blood cell count), may cause easy bruising or bleeding (as a result of dwindling platelet count), and can make the child appear pale and tired (due to a low red blood cell count).

It is essential to have a routine medical checkup at least once a year. This helps one take measures to ensure problems do not become serious or unmanageable. And while visiting a doctor for these annual checkups can be a bit stressful, it is crucial to do so and have open communication with them. Asking important questions during routine checkups can help get the right care at the right time. Questions to ask Here are a few questions to ask one’s doctor: 1. Do the vital signs look good? Whether one is visiting the doctor for a normal annual physical exam or to begin treatment, the first thing that is done is taking the vital signs. These include heart rate, respiratory (breathing) rate, temperature, and blood pressure. However, the doctor doesn’t need to check all four. They may simply measure the pulse and blood pressure if it is a general health check-up. Ideally, a doctor should inform the patient outright if any vital signs cause concern. They do not usually say anything if the signs are healthy. Yet, it can be useful to ask the doctor whether the vital signs look okay to ensure one is in better health. 2.

Thyroid eye disease (TED), also known as thyroid-related ophthalmopathy (TRO), is an autoimmune condition that triggers the immune system. As a result, inflammation occurs in the socket of the eyes, which affects the muscles responsible for eye movement. The fatty tissues behind the eyes are also affected, leading to other complications. So, the eyes are pushed forward (forming a bulge), leading to symptoms like double vision, decreased vision, red eyelids, and eye irritation. Symptoms of thyroid eye disease The signs and symptoms of TED differ from person to person. Besides, the intensity of the symptoms can range from mild to highly severe. Sometimes, the symptoms can cause pain and disfigurement of the eye socket, which can eventually lead to loss of eyesight over time. Aside from this, the symptoms do not change substantially over the years for some people. While for others, the symptoms may become worse or even improve as years go by. In some cases, a person with TED may experience recurring episodes of worsening symptoms followed by a period of improvement or remission. Some of the most common symptoms of TED to watch out for include the following. Bags under the eyes Blurred or double vision Change in the appearance of the eye – bulging or as if one is staring continuously Difficulty in moving the eyes Dry or watery eyes Gritty feeling in the eyes Low tolerance to bright lights Pain inside or behind the eye, especially when looking up, down, or sideways Redness of the lids and eyes Swelling or fullness in one or both upper eyelids Sometimes, thyroid eye disease can become quite severe and cause the following symptoms.

Quality sleep is one of the most important factors in maintaining one’s health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a sleep duration of around seven hours or more per night is recommended for most adults. When one fails to get this required snooze, it is called sleep deprivation. This can be a short-term issue affecting one over a few days or a chronic condition lasting weeks and months. Warning signs of sleep deprivation Sleep deprivation can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as work stress, new parenthood, lifestyle, sleep disorders, health conditions, or environmental factors. Even 24 hours of missed sleep could impact one’s motor functioning and response times. There are various other warning signs of sleep deprivation to be aware of. Acne breakouts Some studies have shown a close relationship between lack of sleep and increased acne breakouts. This occurs because sleep deprivation can enhance the body’s cortisol levels, which increases inflammation and production of sebum, causing breakouts. Puffy eyes During the deep sleep stages, the body regulates hormones and works on tissue and muscle repair. Without adequate sleep, this becomes an issue, causing redness and/or puffiness around the eyes, dark circles, and deep eye bags.

The start of menopause indicates the end of menstruation. The menopausal phase begins after one hasn’t had a period for 12 months straight. While the phase can begin in the 40s or 50s, many experience menopause when they turn 51. It is a natural biological process, the onset of which brings several changes in the body and issues like hot flashes, sleep disruption, and lethargy. But, these symptoms can be managed. 1. Make better food choices It has been observed that once those who menstruate reach their mid-40s, they develop a near deficiency of many essential nutrients, like magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, essential fatty acids, vitamin D, and B vitamins. As a result, they tend to feel tired and lethargic most of the time. Also, many menopause symptoms are the result of hormonal changes. The balance of hormones can be directly affected by the levels of essential nutrients in the body. So, increasing the intake of these minerals and vitamins can help with managing menopause and its symptoms. This approach is also useful in maintaining overall health, once the initial symptoms of menopause have passed. Here are some nutrients one should add to their meal plans: Magnesium-rich foods: If one increases the intake of magnesium-rich foods along with those containing B vitamins, Vitamin D, calcium, zinc, and fatty acids, these can have a positive effect on brain function and hormonal balance.