A 2007 study focused on mental health issues revealed that people who have body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) tend to have increased levels of anger and hostility. Sufferers also have lower levels of self-esteem and higher levels of perfectionism. The authors add that there is a 33 percent higher rate of childhood trauma and abuse in people with body dysmorphic disorder when seeking treatment.

Signs of Body Dysmorphic Disorder

When someone has body dysmorphic disorder, they may experience social isolation and avoid friends and family. When going out in public, those with BDD may wear oversized clothing or an excessive amount of makeup to hide perceived flaws. Sufferers may show signs of extreme anxiety, such as restlessness, constant hair pulling or touching, skin picking, and excessive grooming behaviors. They may also comment about feeling insecure about their self-perceived flaws and seek continuous reassurance from loved ones. Men and women with BDD may also refuse to be in photographs and may exhibit an obsession with comparing themselves to those they deem as “perfect.”

People with BDD often spend a chunk of their time obsessing about physical characteristics they regard as ugly or unattractive. The most common body features people obsess about include the face, hair, skin and vein appearance, breast size, muscle size, and genitalia.

Eating Disorders

Distorted body image, also called negative body image, is a shared characteristic of body dysmorphic disorders and eating disorders. According to researchers at Brown Medical School, those who have anorexia (an eating disorder) develop obsessive body concerns similar to those who have BDD. They also believe cosmetic surgery can correct their perceived flaws.

Cosmetic Surgery Obsession

Each year, the United States spends a staggering 15 billion dollars on cosmetic surgery. The top five procedures in 2016 were:

• Breast Augmentations
• Breast Lifts
• Liposuctions
• Tummy Tucks
• Eyelid Surgery

For many who have BDD, they struggle with shame, embarrassment, and self-hatred. Eating disorders and cosmetic procedures are a standard way to manage symptoms of BDD, which can sadly turn into a vicious cycle. One study notes that cosmetic surgery can increase a sufferer’s self-loathing and distorted body image, leading to multiple cosmetic enhancements that result in regret.

How They All Connect

Negative body image is the bridge connecting body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and cosmetic surgery obsessions. Those who struggle to accept areas of their body may have BDD, an eating disorder, or both, causing them to seek cosmetic surgery at an attempt to solve their issue.

The problem is, however, that cosmetic surgery will not correct the problem of either BDD or the eating disorder. As mentioned, it can exacerbate the issue even more. Undergoing treatments that include psychiatric management, nutritional consultation, therapy, and group support is the recommended solution. Through this pathway, the sufferer can rebuild and improve their belief structure, behaviors, and emotions that trigger the disorders and move towards recovery.

February 25th to March 3rd is National Eating Disorders Awareness and Screening Week. If you or someone you love is struggling with body dysmorphia, an eating disorder, or a combination of the two, seek help. Many treatment centers can help you break free of the torment.

As a parent, you want nothing more than to see your children succeed. Having teens who experiment with drugs is disappointing, especially since they put their health, safety, and future at risk. Although teens’ use of illegal drugs (other than marijuana and inhalants) is now the lowest in history, 24 percent of young men and women still use them for recreational purposes.

Why do teens abuse drugs?

Several factors contribute to teen drug abuse. Insecurity and longing for social acceptance are among the most common reasons. Look at it this way: we ourselves were once teenagers who often felt invincible and almost never considered the consequences of our actions. Our teens are living and breathing the same mindset, which leads some of them to take dangerous risks — such as using legal or illegal drugs.

What are the common risk factors for teen drug abuse?

A teenager has higher chances of abusing drugs if he or she has:

• A family history of substance abuse
• Difficulties with feelings of social rejection
• A history of impulsive behavior
• Low self-esteem
• A mental or behavioral health condition, including depression, anxiety or attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• An account of traumatic events, such as being a victim of abuse or experiencing a life-changing accident

What are the consequences of teen drug abuse?

The negative effects of teen drug abuse might include:

• A weakened immune system
• Serious health problems, such as heart failure, respiratory distress, and seizures
• Nausea and abdominal pain, which can lead to changes in appetite and weight loss
• Impaired driving that may lead to accidents
• Increased sexual activity and practice of unsafe sex
• Concentration problems, mental confusion, and brain damage
• Complete drug dependence causing psychotic behavior

How do I talk to my teen about drug abuse?

The best time to sit your teen down and discuss drug abuse is when interruptions are unlikely. Then:

• Ask for his or her views on drugs. Avoid lectures and listen to your teen’s opinions about harmful medications. Assure them they can be honest with you.
• Discuss reasons not to use drugs. Avoid scare tactics. Instead, emphasize how drug use can affect and destroy important things to your teen, such as their appearance, ability to drive, do sports, date, and live a healthy life.
• Talk about ways to resist peer pressure. Discuss with your teen how they can turn down drug offers from peers.
• Be ready to share your own experience with drugs. Consider how you’ll respond if your teen asks about your history with drug use. If you never abused drugs, explain why. If you had used drugs, be open about what the experience taught you and how you managed to change for the better.

What are the preventive strategies?

Consider these ways to prevent teen drug abuse or a possible relapse:

• Be on top of your teen’s activities
• Establish strict rules and consequences for using drugs
• Keep an eye on any prescription drugs he or she may have or need
• Know your teen’s friends and be mindful of bad influences
• Set a good example and don’t abuse drugs yourself
• Give your support at all cost

Teen Drug Abuse: Moving Forward

If your teenager admits to abusing drugs, let them know you’re disappointed and enforce the consequences you’ve established. Speak calmly and show you are coming from a place of worry. Share concrete details to back up your suspicions, which will make it difficult for your teen to deny the situation. Remember, assure them they can be 100 percent honest with you. And going forward, spend more time with your teen and keep a watchful eye on his or her whereabouts and activities.
When your son or daughter is ready to make a change and seek treatment, help them locate a doctor, therapist, treatment program, or support group. Call 1–800–662–HELP to find the care and assistance your child needs.

Folic acid is an essential form of vitamin B9. It plays a role in planning for a healthy pregnancy, particularly since congenital disorders (birth defects or neural tube defects) of the brain and spine can be thwarted if women of childbearing age consume folic acid.

What types of birth defect affect babies?

Anencephaly is a fatal birth defect in which parts of a baby’s skull and brain do not form correctly. Infants born with the condition cannot survive. “Of affected babies born by c-section, 53% died within 24 hours, 30% lived up to 5 days, and 13% lived longer than 6 days,” according to Anencephaly.Info.

Spina bifida is another serious birth defect, but this time concerning the spine and spinal cord. A newborn with this condition suffers from underdeveloped vertebrae, which manifest in severe physical disabilities.

When should you take folic acid?

You should begin taking folic acid before getting pregnant. When your pregnancy test comes out positive and you have not been taking folic acid, start immediately to help prevent any neural tube defects in the first three months of pregnancy.

Most times, neural tube defects emerge during the first 28 days of gestation. And even if you are not trying to conceive, it is still important to consume folic acid as it helps your body produce and preserve new cells, and prevent changes to DNA that may lead to cancer.

What foods contain folic acid?

Medical professionals advice all women of reproductive age to get at least 400 mcg of folic acid each day. Also, it is crucial for a conceiving woman or expectant mother to eat food with folate to help prevent congenital disorders.

The following are excellent sources of folic acid:

• Leafy green vegetables, such as spinach
• Citrus fruits, such as oranges
• Bread
• Pasta
• Rice
• Cereals
• Beans

Your doctor may suggest the intake of vitamins with folic acid since the foods listed above may not contain enough folic acid to meet the daily requirement. If taking multivitamins upsets your stomach, take it with a full glass of water alongside meals or before bedtime.

What are the risk factors of having a baby with neural tube defects?

Your chances of bearing a child with congenital disorders are higher if you have had a previous pregnancy that involved a birth defect. Your chances are likewise greater if you do not eat a balanced diet that includes folic acid.

How can you prevent the likelihood of having a baby with birth defects?

Anyone who wants to become a mother should commit to healthy choices to prevent heartbreaking birth defects. The best way to stop congenital disorders from affecting your baby is to take the recommended 400 to 800 micrograms (0.4 – 0.8 milligrams) of folic acid daily for a month before conception and throughout the first 90 days (three months) of pregnancy.

As a final word, your daily amount should not exceed 1000 micrograms (1.0 milligrams). If you take vitamins, take note that folic acid should only be used as a supplement with proper guidance from your healthcare provider. Overdosing on folic acid might cause many symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal cramps,  gas, nausea, stomachaches, skin rashes, seizures, sleep disorders, behavioral changes, and other side effects.

Eating fruits and vegetables, exercising, and drinking plenty of water are common practices that help boost your immune system. But do you ever wonder if there are exciting ways to stay healthy? To strengthen your immune system and fight off frequent infections, start adopting these fun habits.

Laugh More

Laughing and giggling can improve your immune system along with your mood. It raises the level of antibodies in the blood, which attacks and kills trespassing bacteria and viruses. Enjoying a good laugh also increases the antibodies inside the nose and respiratory passages, which are the main entry points for many germs.

Sing in the Shower

A group of researchers from London reported a boost in immune system activity in cancer patients and caregivers who sang for an hour in a choir. After singing their hearts out, their saliva samples revealed a significant reduction in stress hormones and an increase in immune activity.

Hug Someone You Love

It may not seem as effective as taking your daily multivitamins, but a study from Carnegie Mellon University shows that hugs play a role in improving your immune system. According to the authors, those who gave and received more hugs daily were less affected by a virus.

Pet an Animal

From keeping you company to providing unconditional love, pets are a wonderful source of joy and happiness. The simple act of petting an animal — may it be a dog, cat, or hamster — can even relieve stress. Illness or flu often result from prolonged feelings of stress. This is because stress hormones suppress the body’s immune system, making the human body vulnerable to pathogen invaders.

Maintain a Positive Outlook

The University of Kentucky found that optimists have stronger cell-mediated immunity than pessimists. The study highlights how the immune cells of positive people are more efficient in fighting off a surge of invasion by foreign bacteria and viruses.

Express Yourself in Speech or Writing

When the going gets tough, we all tend to bottle up our feelings. However, it is not healthy and only contributes to high levels of stress. In contrast, expressing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences give your immunity a considerable boost.

Talking to close friends and family help you relax, unwind, and forget your worries for a while. If showing vulnerability makes you uncomfortable, you can always try other forms of creative expression. For example, writing about your feelings — whether in a journal or computer — for about 15 to 20 minutes a day can enhance the activity of natural killer cells and T-cells. These microscopic organisms are crucial for fighting off infection, cancer, and other diseases.

Takeaway

Practicing prevention is always better than finding a cure. If you boost and strengthen your immune system, you increase your chances of preventing sickness naturally.

Try these fun and surprising habits to spice up your immune-boosting routine. Although adding new habits may not completely change your immune system, attempting to maintain a balance of as many as you can will help you jump on the healthwagon.

December celebrates the world’s most popular holidays — Christmas and the coming of a new year. The month of giving also sheds light on National Safe Toys and Gifts Month, which fosters the confidence of American families as they prepare to shop for toys this season.

Why Is Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month Important?

According to SafeKids.org, about 188,400 children under the age of 15 were sent to the emergency room for toy-related injuries in 2011. Over a third of those injured were children 5 and below. Some kids accidentally choked on a small piece of toy, magnet, or battery. Others suffered from poisoning due to harmful chemicals in plastic toys.

Whether it’s the holiday season or a child’s birthday, avoiding accidental harm entails being aware of the gifts you’re giving. Below are five tips and tricks on how you can purchase safe toys for the children in your life.

1. Inspect the age range

The age range on a toy’s packaging lets you know if your child is old enough to play with it. If you consider a toy that is beyond the age range of your son or daughter, there could be small bits and pieces that may harm them.

2. Check for choking hazards

Speaking of small bits and pieces, toys such as jigsaw puzzles, plastic construction toys, and DIY accessories present choking hazards to young boys and girls. Here is a good rule to follow from HealthTradition.com: If a toy can fit inside a toilet paper roll, it is not suitable for kids under age three. Also, avoid giving your toddlers any playthings with magnets or batteries, as young children tend to put small things in their mouth.

3. Look for the “ATSM” label

Finding the “ATSM” tag on your child’s toys is crucial to their safety. The label suggests that the item has passed a rigorous safety inspection and has met the guidelines of the American Society for Testing and Materials.

4. Purchase safety gears along with any sports equipment

Sports equipment, such as bikes, roller skates, scooters, and skateboards put your child at high risk of cuts and broken bones. If your son or daughter wants anything sports-related for Christmas or their birthdays, make sure to buy the appropriate safety gear to prevent serious injuries. In addition, make sure that their safety equipment, including helmets and guards for the elbows and knees, fit them properly.

5. Examine gifts from friends and family before giving them to children

Not everyone knows the potential harm a toy or gift may present to a child. As an added step of precaution, inspect all toys before handing them to your kids. Some things to be wary of are broken pieces of plastic, the presence of lead, and toxicity in crayons (only give your kids non-toxic art supplies).

We hope that whatever it is you’re celebrating turns out safe and healthy for everyone. Should you or your family members become ill during this time of year, do not hesitate to contact your primary care provider and make an appointment.

Did you know very few people around the world use soap when washing their hands? According to a 2014 study, the estimated global rates of handwashing after using the toilet are only 19 percent.

We know what you’re thinking — “Gross!” And if you’re still not in absolute disgust, research from the University of Colorado Boulder confirms that our hands carry an average of 3,200 bacteria from 150 different species.

How Do Germs Spread?

Germs can reach our hands and enter our bodies in many ways, including:

• When touching dirty objects, including toys, doorknobs, and floors
• Eating and drinking with unwashed hands
• Having close contact with a sick person
• Through droplets in the air containing infectious agents

When children come into contact with germs, these disease-causing microorganisms can enter their system just by touching the eyes, nose, or mouth. The same problem arises in adults with reduced immune function. Once a child or adult is infected, it is only a matter of time before the whole family comes down with the same illness.

What Is the Proper Way to Wash Hands?

It is always a good idea to wash your hands with your kids. Your guidance can help them understand the importance of this healthy habit.

Here is a quick guide on how to scrub microscopic germs away:

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water.
2. Apply a trusted brand of antibacterial soap and lather up for at least 20 seconds.
3. Rub and massage your hands together.
4. Get in between your fingers, the wrists, on the backs of hands, and under the nails.
5. Rinse thoroughly and dry your hands with a clean cloth or paper towel.

When Is the Best Time to Wash Hands?

Regular hand washing should be a rule for everyone in your household. It is especially important:

• After going to the bathroom
• Before and after eating
• Before and after cooking, especially when handling raw produce
• After cleaning the house
• After an arts and crafts session
• After outdoor activities, such as gardening and sports
• Before and after visiting or caring for someone sick
• After coughing, sneezing, rubbing the eye, or blowing one’s nose
• After playing with animals, including family pets

Further, access to clean water and soap in other locations, such as schools, offices, and public restrooms can help reduce the rate of many diseases.

Are Children Dying from Low Hand Hygiene?

Another reason to bring awareness to the simple act of handwashing is that about 1.8 million boys and girls under 5 years old die from pneumonia and diarrheal diseases each year.

Research suggests that proper handwashing could protect about 1 out of every 3 children who get sick with diarrhea, as well as almost 1 out of 5 young children with respiratory infections like pneumonia. Handwashing also prevents illnesses in adults and limits the spread of infection to others.

Takeaway

Never underestimate the power of hand washing! Provide each bathroom with accessible hand soaps and give each family member their personal towel for drying. Think of it this way: the few minutes you spend at the sink could save you and your child an expensive trip to the doctor’s office.