Health Information

Contact lens waste presents a serious and growing environmental challenge. Most contact lens waste is improperly disposed of and ends up flushed in drains, like toilets and sinks, or filtered out with standard recycling to end up in landfills. To put the environmental impact in perspective:

• Up to 3 billion contacts are flushed in drains and collected in wastewater treatment plants each year, becoming microplastics in our waterways that can harm marine life and enter the human food supply.

Whether you’re expecting soon or have just had a newborn, you’re in for a very exciting time. In the beginning, everything your baby does will feel just as new for you as it is for them. If you’re not sure exactly what to expect (and you’re somewhat exhausted), you’re in the same boat as pretty much every new parent.

Although all the newness can feel daunting, your first visits with your pediatrician are a perfect time to ask any questions you may have.

We’ve all been there. You had a terrible night’s sleep, but you have a big presentation in the morning. Or maybe you have a paper due and you need to power through a late night. So, you turn to caffeine. Caffeine is the most common stimulant in the world, with about 90% of adults consuming it every day.

As energy drinks become increasingly popular, many choose them as an alternative to their daily coffee or tea.

Growing up, many of us were taught the importance of being outside in the sun to get our “daily dose” of vitamin D. But what exactly is vitamin D, what’s the best way to get it, and why is it important?

Vitamin D, or “calciferol,” is both a nutrient we ingest and a hormone our bodies make. Vitamin D helps retain calcium and phosphorus in the body, two vital nutrients in building bone.

As our population ages, more and more people are taking multiple medications. According to a 2019 Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll, nearly 89% of adults 65 and older, 75% of 50-64-year-olds, and 51% of 30-49-year-olds reported taking prescription medication.

Adverse drug events are a significant cause of emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Understanding why you’re taking a particular medication, what dose to take, how often you should take it, and what time of day are just some of the keys to ensuring you stay safe.

Premenstrual syndrome, more commonly known as PMS, is a combination of physical and emotional symptoms that menstruating people experience after ovulation and before the start of their period.

Research shows that up to 90 percent of menstruating people experience PMS symptoms from time to time, making it a common issue. While the cause of PMS is unclear, researchers believe it’s related to the changing hormone levels of the menstrual cycle.

Symptoms of PMS

Many menstruating people experience painful and inconvenient symptoms before the start of their period.

Having a child is a wonderful and busy time full of adjustments. You may wonder how you can help your body adapt to life after having a baby. I previously shared some of my best tips for activity while pregnant, and I’m back with more information for recovery and activity after childbirth.

The First Six Weeks Postpartum

During the first six weeks after childbirth, you will focus on healing and recovery.

If you are struggling with infertility, you are not alone. It’s estimated that nearly one in six couples in the United States who are trying to conceive will encounter fertility challenges. At Atrius Health, our dedicated reproductive endocrinologists are here to help you find the answers you need to begin your journey to becoming a parent.

First, it’s helpful to understand what a diagnosis of infertility means. Infertility is a condition in which a couple is unable to conceive or maintain a pregnancy and it affects both men and women.

The popularity of plant-based, vegetarian, and vegan diets has risen tremendously over the past decade. Many people might have various motivations for changing their diet, including personal, religious, environmental, or financial reasons. And while these diets seem similar, they have distinct differences. Learning more about each type can help you find the right choice for your lifestyle and long-term health.

What is vegetarianism?

A vegetarian diet eliminates meat, such as poultry,

Being pregnant is an exciting time, and it’s also a time when you’ll experience significant changes in your body. As a physical therapist and a mom, I want to share some general tips that I found helpful and that I share with my pregnant patients.

Posture and Standing

As your pregnancy progresses and your belly grows, you will have an increase in the arch in your low back to compensate for any weakness that you may have in your abdominal muscles.