https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/ en NIH MedlinePlus Magazine Copyright 2019 2019-11-21T18:38:00+00:00 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/5-types-of-common-anxiety-disorders https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/5-types-of-common-anxiety-disorders#When:18:38:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/mental-health-fivetypesanxiety.jpg Anxiety affects millions of people in the U.S. More than 25 million to be exact. But not all kinds of anxiety or anxiety disorders are the same. The types of anxiety vary based on symptoms and triggers, but all interfere with daily activities. Here's a closer look at five common anxiety disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) People with GAD feel excessive anxiety or worry on most days for at least six straight months. They may feel restless, on edge, or easily tired. They may also experience concentration problems, irritability, muscle tension, or sleep issues. Panic Disorder People with panic]]> Thu, 21 Nov 2019 13:38:00 -0500 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/8-health-questions-to-ask-your-family-members https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/8-health-questions-to-ask-your-family-members#When:15:37:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/family-history.jpg It's the time of year when many families gather for the holidays, which means it's also a great time to learn about your family health history. Discussing medical conditions or diseases among family members may help determine if you have a high risk for a disease. That’s because our genes, which we inherit from our birth mother and father, are important in determining our health. For example, sickle cell disease—a blood disorder—is caused by gene mutations that come from a parent. But just because your parents or other family members have a condition doesn’t mean you have it]]> Thu, 21 Nov 2019 10:37:00 -0500 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/how-to-help-someone-with-anxiety https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/how-to-help-someone-with-anxiety#When:12:52:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/mental-health-howtohelp.jpg Wondering how you can help a friend, family member, or co-worker who is overwhelmed by anxiety? We spoke to David Sommers, Ph.D., of NIH's National Institute of Mental Health for some suggestions on how to approach and support a person who might need help. Remember that while some anxiety is normal, anxiety that interferes with a person's daily life for long periods of time may be serious. Here are some things to keep in mind: Consider your approach. How you reach out to a friend or co-worker will differ from how you approach a conversation with a]]> Wed, 20 Nov 2019 07:52:00 -0500 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/the-411-on-common-lab-tests https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/the-411-on-common-lab-tests#When:20:58:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/common-lab-test-info.jpg October marked Health Literacy Month, which focuses on better understanding and managing our individual health. In recognition of Health Literacy Month, we’ve put together an overview of common lab tests with information from MedlinePlus and NIH. What is a lab test? When you see your health care provider, they may order a lab test. This test could be a small sample of your blood, urine, body fluids, or body tissues (like cells) to see if you have any health conditions or diseases. In general, health care providers perform blood or urine lab tests to either help find out if you do or]]> Tue, 19 Nov 2019 15:58:00 -0500 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/tips-for-helping-a-child-who-stutters https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/tips-for-helping-a-child-who-stutters#When:13:17:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/stuttering-tips-for-kids.jpg Although there is currently no cure for stuttering, there are treatments that can be customized to a child’s age and other factors. Seeking early treatment is important. It may prevent developmental stuttering (when a child is young) from becoming a lifelong problem. Health professionals generally recommend that a child be evaluated if he or she has stuttered for three to six months. They also recommend an evaluation if there is a family history of stuttering or related communication disorders. Treatment often involves teaching parents ways to support their child as they develop their language skills. Parents are often encouraged to: ]]> Mon, 18 Nov 2019 08:17:00 -0500 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/speaking-up-about-stuttering https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/speaking-up-about-stuttering#When:16:49:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/stuttering-dr-drayna.jpg "Stuttering gets no respect as a disorder," says stuttering expert Dennis Drayna, Ph.D. "People think of it as a mild condition. They don't see that it can have a profound negative impact on the lives of those who have it."   He should know. Stuttering runs in his own family, including his sons, brother, and uncle. As a senior researcher with NIH’s National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, he spent more than two decades researching this puzzling condition and identifying mutations in several genes that are linked to it. Stuttering, a speech condition that]]> Thu, 14 Nov 2019 11:49:00 -0500 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/why-do-so-many-of-my-family-members-stutter https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/why-do-so-many-of-my-family-members-stutter#When:14:01:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/stuttering-in-families-fll19.jpg Joe Lukong had a simple question. The answer he got would change his life. What Joe wanted to know was, why did he and so many members of his large, extended west African family all stutter? Siblings, aunts, uncles, nephews, cousins: the list went on and on. "Is it possible there could be a genetic link?" he wondered. As it turned out, there definitely was a link. The genetic information gathered from Joe’s family allowed NIH researchers to discover another gene linked to stuttering. Searching for answers It was 2002, when Joe, then 37, was living in a small rural town]]> Wed, 13 Nov 2019 09:01:00 -0500 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/4-common-myths-and-facts-about-stuttering https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/4-common-myths-and-facts-about-stuttering#When:21:58:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/stutter-myths.jpg "There's a great deal of misunderstanding about stuttering," says Dennis Drayna, Ph.D., a scientist emeritus with NIH’s National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and an expert on the genetics of stuttering. Here are some common misconceptions and facts: Myth: It’s a psychological problem caused by anxiety, stress, or nervousness. Truth: While anxiety or stress may worsen stuttering, it doesn’t cause it. Stuttering often starts in childhood. As children grow older, many become anxious and ashamed after they experience negative reactions from people around them. Treatment for stuttering often includes counseling to help deal with other]]> Tue, 12 Nov 2019 16:58:00 -0500 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/stuttering-what-you-need-to-know https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/stuttering-what-you-need-to-know#When:21:56:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/stuttering-wyntk-draft.jpg Stuttering is a complex speech condition that can cause a person to get stuck trying to say certain sounds, syllables, or words. People who stutter know exactly what they want to say, but they have trouble producing a normal flow of speech. Sometimes they repeat certain sounds. They may also experience an interruption, called a block, when they can’t say the word or sound they want to use. How many people stutter? About 3 million Americans stutter, and stuttering affects four times as many males as females. When does it happen? Developmental stuttering is most common. It occurs in children between]]> Mon, 11 Nov 2019 16:56:00 -0500 https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/removing-the-stigma-from-mens-mental-health https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/site/removing-the-stigma-from-mens-mental-health#When:17:10:00Z https://magazine.medlineplus.gov//images/uploads/main_images/mental-health-kevin-delano.jpg When 46-year-old Kevin Delano was in his early teens, he knew he was different. He was depressed. He constantly had racing thoughts in his head. Kevin describes his depression or "down cycles" as wearing a heavy piece of clothing. "It's as if you're wearing a big, woolen cape that's been soaked in water," Kevin says. "It's warm, heavy, and holds you down." "I think a lot of men think that if they tell someone they have a mental health issue, it's a sign of weakness." - Kevin Delano Kevin experienced "up cycles"]]> Thu, 07 Nov 2019 12:10:00 -0500