Every healthy woman of childbearing age usually contends with the monthly annoyances of the human menstrual cycle. However, up to 40 percent of menstruating women experience an even more uncomfortable problem known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

If you deal with especially disruptive, debilitating physical and emotional issues in the days preceding your period, you may want to educate yourself on PMS, from its common symptoms and degrees of severity to helpful remedies that can soothe your discomfort. Check out these frequently asked PMS questions.

Why Do Women Suffer From PMS?

Doctors can’t explain exactly why some women suffer from PMS and others don’t. However, they believe that unusually extreme changes in the levels of hormones such as serotonin, estrogen, and progesterone can produce the disorder, just as they play a role in governing menstruation and other reproductive functions.

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Water accounts for most of a human body’s contents by weight, ranging from 55 percent of seniors’ body weight to 75 percent of children’s body weight. When people don’t get as much water as they need or lose excessive amounts of water, they can experience serious health consequences.

You can help sustain your family’s wellness more successfully once you understand the role of water in human health, sensible ways of getting that water on a daily basis, and the ways medical professionals can deal with dehydration issues. Start by absorbing the following questions and answers.

1. Why Does the Body Need Water?

Water plays multiple functions in the body. Perhaps most obviously, it helps the kidneys filter toxins out of the blood, with the resulting waste expelled as urine. This same process can also help balance electrolytes and other substances that help maintain blood pressure, joint lubrication, saliva production, and healthy digestion.

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How your child’s mind works plays a crucial role in how they feel about themselves. Their mental health dictates a lot about their lives – from how they cope with life’s challenges to how they perceive the world around them.

And just like their physical wellbeing, good mental health has a massive impact on their growth and development. Children can develop practical communication skills, proper behavior, and social intelligence earlier in their lives. Such skills become more important as they transition into adulthood.

Although you might not be able to prevent all mental health problems, there are things you can do to give them a boost as they go on to discover themselves with age. Here are three ways that can help boost your child’s mental wellbeing.

1. Establish Trust

Any solid connection begins with trust. Your relationship with your child forms a pathway for how they relate with other people as they grow older. When your child trusts you, they can communicate what they feel and express themselves using words. Good communication skills will be a huge advantage for them going forward. (more…)

As summer temperatures rise and people start enjoying more time outdoors, many kids can’t wait to jump into their local pool, lake, or swimming hole. However, this favorite form of recreation can pose certain risks that parents should know about and protect their children against.

The more thoroughly you understand how water sources, ultraviolet (UV) exposure, and heat or humidity can affect your children’s well-being, the more easily you can provide safety measures that let them swim in safety. Follow these four summertime water safety tips the next time you and your family hit the pool.

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What is preeclampsia and what does it have to do with your pregnancy? Whether your OB recently diagnosed you with this pregnancy-related condition or you just want to learn more about preeclampsia, take a look at the top questions patients have.

Is Preeclampsia Something Only Pregnant Women Need to Watch Out For?

Simply stated — yes. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related condition or complication. Women who aren’t pregnant or were not recently pregnant cannot have preeclampsia. Some women do develop postpartum preeclampsia. Even though this complication typically happens within 48 hours of giving birth, you can develop postpartum preeclampsia several weeks after having a baby.

What Are the Primary Symptoms of Preeclampsia?

The three primary signs of preeclampsia are elevated blood pressure, protein in your urine, and edema (swelling). Other than swelling, you may not notice the other symptoms — until you visit the doctor. (more…)

If you have ever known someone who suffered from gallbladder disease or had to have gallbladder surgery, you may wonder why and how this small digestive organ can cause so much trouble. Fortunately, most people enjoy good gallbladder function as long as they follow some smart dietary and lifestyle practices.

Know something about what this small digestive organ does, why its functions might get disrupted, and what you can do to avoid uncomfortable, potentially serious gallbladder disorders. Consider the following five points about your gallbladder’s health and wellness.

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Most people don’t love going to the doctor, so going when you aren’t even sick can seem like a huge headache. However, preventative medicine is incredibly important to stay healthy and catch problems before they arise. If you would like to learn more about well-woman exams, then keep reading to learn what you can expect at these appointments.

Health Screening

Regardless of gender, there are some general tests most providers offer during annual exams. For women of any age, your provider will check blood pressure, pulse and breathing. They will also check for any signs of current illness. As you get older, however, you face more risks, so more tests may be recommended. (more…)

Although the arrival of a new family member offers plenty of cause for celebration, it can also present some potential health complications for expectant mothers. One such issue, diabetes, may grow harder to manage during pregnancy or even develop in women who have never experienced the condition before.

If you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, you need to understand the delicate relationship between pregnancy and diabetes, from its causes and effects to smart strategies for keeping it under control. Start by examining the answers to these frequently asked questions on the topic. (more…)

The new year is the perfect time to reflect upon your life and think about the positive changes you’d like to make. One area of your life you’ll want to focus on is your health. “The healthier you are, the better chance you have of staving off certain viruses and diseases,” says Kari Fabian, MD, internal medicine at Stellis Health. “Small changes in your daily habits and routines can lead to a healthier lifestyle.” Plus, a healthier lifestyle means you’ll be around longer to enjoy your kids, grandchildren, and loved ones.

If your schedule is already full, you may find it a challenge to dedicate some time to your health. The good news is, there are some simple things you can do to improve your health.

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Minnesota and cold weather just naturally go together in the minds of most Americans — and not without reason. No matter how long you’ve lived in this part of the country or how accustomed to the cold you may feel, plunging temperatures can pose some serious health risks for you and your loved ones.

Fortunately, you can take steps to safeguard your family against cold weather’s potential effects on body and mind. Take the following four tips to heart as you watch the mercury drop. (more…)