Mental Health
Mental Health
Mental Health
Healthy living involves more than physical health, it also includes emotional or mental
health. The following are some ways people can support their mental health and well-being.
Tips:
Get enough sleep daily; the CDC recommends the following by age group (naps inclusive);
12-18 hours from birth to 2 months, 14-15 hours from 3-11 months of age, 12-18 hours for
1-3 years of age, 11-13 hours for 3-5 years of age, 10-11 hours for 5-10 years of age, 8.5-9.5
hours for 10-17 years of age and those 18 and above need 7-9 hours of sleep. Elderly people
need about 7-9 hours but do not sleep as deeply and may awaken at night or wake early, so
naps (like kids need) allow them to accumulate the total of 7-9 hours of sleep.
Take a walk and reflect on what you see and hear at least several times per week.
Try something new and often (eat a new food, try a different route to work, go to a new
museum display).
Try to focus on a process intensely and complete a segment of it over 1 to several hours,
then take a break and do something relaxing (walk, exercise, short nap).
Plan to spend some time talking with other people about different subjects.
Try to make some leisure time to do some things that interest you every week (hobby,
sport).
Learn ways to say "no" when something occurs that you do not want to do or be involved
with.
Have fun (go on a trip with someone you love, go shopping, go fishing; do not let vacation
Let yourself be pleased with your achievements, both big and small (develop contentment).
Have a network of friends; those with strong social support systems lead healthier lives.
Seek help and advice early if you feel depressed, have suicidal thoughts, or consider
medications, no matter how "well" they feel, until they have discussed their situation with
Avoidance behavior is another key to wellness. Below are described some of the major items
to avoid if a person is seeking a healthy lifestyle.
Trending on MedicineNet
Hydroxychloroquine
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Facts
West Nile Virus
HDL vs. LDL Cholesterol
Hemoglobin
Tip:
Stop smoking tobacco; start to stop today (it takes about 15 years of nonsmoking behavior
to achieve a "normal" risk level for heart disease for those that smoke).
Tobacco use causes or contributes to a large number of cancers in the U.S. In men, 90%
of lung cancer deaths are attributable to smoking; 80% in women. Tobacco use causes
cancers of the lung, mouth, lip, tongue, esophagus, kidney, and bladder. It also further
increases the risk of bladder cancer in subjects occupationally exposed to certain organic
chemicals found in the textile, leather, rubber, dye, paint, and other organic chemical
industries, and further increases the risk of lung cancer among subjects exposed
to asbestos.
arteries) that can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and lack of blood flow to the lower
extremities. Tobacco use causes an estimated 20%-30% of coronary heart disease in the U.S.
It also further increases the risk of heart attacks among subjects with elevated cholesterol,
Tobacco use causes an estimated 20% of chronic lung diseases in the U.S., such as chronic
CDC, in 2011, estimated that 90% of deaths from chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD)
Pregnant women who smoke are more likely to deliver babies with low birth weight.
lung cancer.
Some smokers can quit "cold turkey," but for most, quitting smoking requires a serious life-
Quitting smoking efforts may include behavior modification, counseling, use of nicotine
chewing gum (Nicorette Gum), nicotine skin patches (Transderm Nicotine), or oral
SLIDESHOW
Alcohol accounts for 40%-50% of deaths from automobile accidents in the U.S.
Alcohol use is a significant cause of injury and death from home accidents, drowning,
and burns.
There are many treatments for alcoholism. But the crucial first step to recovery is for the
individual to admit there is a problem and make a commitment to address the alcoholism
issue. The 12-step-style self-help programs, pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous, can be one
effective treatment. Psychologists and related professionals have developed programs to help
individuals better handle emotional stresses and avoid behaviors that can lead to excess
drinking. Support and understanding from family members are often critical for sustained
recovery. Medication can be useful for the prevention of relapses and for withdrawal
symptoms following acute or prolonged intoxication.
o Intravenous drug use
(chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes)
Transmission of human papilloma virus (HPV), which can cause genital warts and anogenital
Unplanned pregnancy
Recommendations (tips):
Avoid unprotected sex (sex without barriers such as a condom) outside an established,
If you plan to have sex and are unsure of your partner's health status, use a condom.
From
Nutrition and Healthy Eating Resources
Featured Centers
7000
Video: Emotional Resilience
Smoking in bed
Firearms and guns account for a significant proportion of deaths among adolescents due to
male suicide and homicide.
Recommendations (tips):
When driving, use seat restraints on all passengers, both front and rear seats.
Avoid unnecessary distractions and focus on the road and traffic while driving (avoid texting,
Use helmets while riding bicycles and motorcycles. Helmet use reduces deaths from
Obtain proper training in the use and storage of guns and ammunition.
Recommendation (tips):
Avoid sunburns and sun exposure by using adequate skin protection; use brimmed hats,
Sunscreens have undergone changes, and the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
published new requirements that sunscreens needed to meet starting in 2012. Currently, the
FDA suggests an effective sunscreen is rated as SPF 30 or higher and has both UVA and
UVB protection (protection against ultraviolet waves of types A and B). In most instances,
sunscreen needs to be applied every 2 hours and each time after a person has gone swimming.
Men's Secrets
What do men really want you to know about them? For better intimacy, learn these 18 secrets guys wish you
Knew about sex, love, and marriage.
What foods are heart healthy? Learn what foods help protect your cardiovascular system from heart attack,
coronary heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. Plus, find easy meal recipes and menu ideas for
more everyday heart benefit.
Cancer
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different
diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that
destroy cancer cells.
Dehydration
Dehydration is the excessive loss of body water. There are a number of causes of dehydration including heat
exposure, prolonged vigorous exercise, and some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of
dehydration include headache, lightheadedness, constipation, and bad breath. Treatment for dehydration is to
replace lost fluids and electrolytes.
It may seem healthy, but is it really? Many food frauds masquerade as diet food. See 23 foods that seem
healthy but can be shockingly high in fat, sugar, and calories. Our tips offer better options that still taste great.
Learn about healthy dieting myths and facts. Can't tell fact from fiction about weight loss and healthy eating?
Discover the truth behind some of the most common diet and weight loss myths.
A bacteria called Clostridium tetani causes tetanus (lockjaw). Tetanus causes symptoms and signs that include
severe muscle spasms and an inability to open the mouth. The tetanus vaccine is a toxoid that is 100%
effective against tetanus. The DTaP vaccine is part of a child's routine immunization schedule. Doctors
recommend the Tdap for children at their 11-year checkup. People should get a tetanus booster vaccination
every 10 years.
Muscle Spasms
Muscle spasms are involuntary muscle contractions that come on suddenly and are usually quite painful.
Dehydration, doing strenuous exercise in a hot environment, prolonged muscle use, and certain diseases of
the nervous system may cause muscle spasms. Symptoms and signs of a muscle spasm include an acute onset
of pain and a possible bulge seen or felt beneath the skin where the muscle is located. Gently stretching the
muscle usually resolves a muscle spasm.
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a slowly progressive neurological disease characterized by a fixed inexpressive face, a
tremor at rest, slowing of voluntary movements, a gait with short accelerating steps, peculiar posture and
muscle weakness, caused by degeneration of an area of the brain called the basal ganglia, and by low
production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Most patients are over 50, but at least 10 percent are under 40.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is the most common and serious complication of sexually transmitted
diseases (STDs), aside from AIDS, among women. The signs and symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease
include: fever, vaginal discharge with a foul odor, abdominal pain, including pain during intercourse, and
irregular vaginal bleeding. Pelvic inflammatory disease can scar the Fallopian tubes, ovaries, and related
structures and lead to ectopic pregnancies, infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and other serious consequences.
Pelvic inflammatory disease treatment includes several types of antibiotics.
Male sexual dysfunction can be caused by physical or psychological problems. Common sexual problems in
men include erectile dysfunction (impotence or ED), premature ejaculation, and loss of libido. Treatment for
sexual dysfunction in men may involve medication, hormone therapy, psychological therapy, and the use of
mechanical aids.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are among the most common infectious diseases in the United States.
STDs can be spread through any type of sexual activity involving the sex organs, the anus or mouth, or through
contact with blood during sexual activity. Examples of STDs include, chancroid, chlamydia, gonorrhea,
granuloma inguinale, lymphogranuloma venereum, syphilis, genital herpes, genital warts, trichomoniasis,
pubic lice (crabs), and scabies. Treatment is generally with antibiotics; however, some STDs that go untreated
can lead to death.
STDs in Men
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections transmitted during sexual contact. They may be caused by
viruses, bacteria, or parasites. STDs in men cause no symptoms or symptoms like genital burning, itching,
sores, rashes, or discharge. Common infections that are sexually transmitted in men include gonorrhea,
chlamydia, syphilis, hepatitis C and B, genital warts, human papillomavirus (HPV), and genital herpes. Some
STDs in men are treatable while others are not. STDs are diagnosed with tests that identify proteins or genetic
material of the organisms causing the infection. The prognosis of an STD depends on whether the infection is
treatable or not. Use of latex condoms can help reduce the risk of contracting an STD but it does not eliminate
the risk entirely.
Featured Slideshows
Respiratory Illnesses13 Types of Lung Infections
Heart DiseaseCauses of a Heart Attack