What Pregnancy Does to Your Health

The typical and not so usual

Expecting a baby can make you more prone to some diseases—but it can protect you from others.

More common: Diabetes
Gestational diabetes affects about 5% of pregnancies.

5 Perimenopause Symptoms Every Woman Should Know

Before reaching menopause, women go through a transitional period called perimenopause. Here's how to tell if you're entering this stage.

8 Factors That Could Be Keeping You Awake at Night

When sleep disturbances persist for longer than a month, it's important to identify any underlying causes. Consider whether these common triggers could be contributing to your restless nights.

Pain

In one study, 15% of Americans reported suffering from chronic pain, and two-thirds also reported having sleep problems. Back pain, headaches, and temporomandibular joint syndrome (problems with the jaw muscles) are the main causes of pain-related sleep loss.

Not Sleeping Well?

There May Be a Medical Cause

People who feel they sleep perfectly well may still be troubled by excessive daytime sleepiness because of a variety of underlying medical illnesses. A sleep disturbance may be a symptom of a health issue or an adverse effect of therapy to treat the problem. The stress of chronic illness can also cause insomnia and daytime drowsiness.

'I Lost 40 Pounds So I Could Donate My Kidney to My Friend'

Doctors told her she was too heavy to be an organ donor—so Rebekah Ceidro, 33, launched a weight-loss journey that's since gone viral and inspired others.

I hadn't heard from my friend Chris in over three years when a post from him showed up in my Facebook feed last autumn: he needed a new kidney to live.

I could hardly believe it. When we worked together as restaurant servers 10 years ago outside of Pittsburgh, Chris played softball and volleyball. In his late 20s then, he was the picture of good health. Since that time, his health had gone downhill due to a potentially fatal condition called chronic kidney disease—which causes the kidneys to stop filtering blood as efficiently as they should. The only cure is a transplant.

9 Life Hacks To Help Avoid (And Get Rid Of) Acne Now And Forever

There’s nothing worse (well, almost nothing) than waking up to a big zit on your face.When you have acne or even when you just have a once-in-a-while breakout, it can make you feel self-conscious and uncomfortable.

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Ways to help yourself feel less anxious

Did you know anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in America, affecting roughly 18 percent of the U.S. population? In addition, women are 60 percent more likely than men to experience an anxiety disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

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Alcohol and Drug Problems - Topic Overview

The overuse or abuse of alcohol (alcoholism) or other drugs is called substance abuse. It can cause or worsen many medical problems and can destroy families and lives.

Pregnancy Symptoms

Are you wondering if you might be pregnant? The only way to know for sure is by taking a pregnancy test.

But there are early symptoms of pregnancy that may point to the possibility. Here's what to look for.

Menopause symptoms no one has prepared you for

The commercials for menopause medications and hormone replacement are pretty terrifying. (Ok, so, I'll be experiencing hot flashes and night sweats…maybe some weight gain too, just for fun?) It sounds like our lives as we know them are going to end, and we'll never be the same. "Beyond hot flashes, women may experience night sweats, weight gain, skin and hair changes, mood changes, pain in their joints, decreased vaginal lubrication and elasticity leading to painful intercourse and more vaginal infections, and decreases in sexual desire," Advanced Practice pharmacist Sally Rafie  told me.

Fortunately for all of us, the experts I spoke with shared tips and inspiration for how to navigate the big change, as well as some other symptoms to be aware of. Ladies, let's do this.

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