Lindsay Knake

• Online depression tests can offer insight into symptoms but are not a substitute for a professional diagnosis.
• Online depression tests can offer insight into symptoms but are not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. Reputable screenings, such as those from Mental Health America and the Child Mind Institute, are more reliable than unverified sources.
• Online depression tests can offer insight into symptoms but are not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. Reputable screenings, such as those from Mental Health America and the Child Mind Institute, are more reliable than unverified sources. Only trained health care providers can diagnose and treat depression, and immediate help is available through crisis lines and behavioral health access numbers.

• Up to 90% of women experience premenstrual symptoms, including mood changes.
• Hormonal shifts during the menstrual cycle, especially post-ovulation drops in estrogen, progesterone and serotonin, can contribute to mental health symptoms such as depression and anxiety.
• Lifestyle changes, medications and mental health support can help manage PMS and PMDD, but it may require time to find the right treatment.

• Addiction is a complex, chronic disease characterized by compulsive behaviors or substance use despite negative consequences.
• Certain traits, such as poor self-esteem, thrill-seeking and difficulty with emotional self-regulation, can increase a person's risk of developing an addiction when combined with genetic and environmental factors.
• If substance use or behaviors are interfering with daily life, relationships, work or finances, individuals can seek help from a primary care provider or mental health professional.

• Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in women, making early detection crucial.
• Common symptoms of ovarian cancer include bloating, pelvic pain and frequent urination, but these symptoms can be difficult to diagnose.
• Women can discuss preventive measures such as birth control and genetic testing with their primary care provider, especially if they have a high risk of developing the disease.

• A new study found that lifestyle changes, including regular exercise and a healthy diet, can slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia in older adults.
• Engaging in moderate to high-intensity exercise, such as walking or tai chi, for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week, can help improve cognitive function and reduce dementia risk.
• Adopting a brain-healthy lifestyle, including socializing, cognitive training and good sleep hygiene, can also help delay the onset of dementia and promote overall health as people age.

• Adults can help maintain strong bones by consuming 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium and 600 to 800 IU of vitamin D daily, depending on age and health.
• Regular exercise, including strength training and body-weight exercises like walking and running, can help stimulate bone growth and improve bone density.
• Maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption and quitting smoking can also help reduce the risk of bone loss and fractures.

• Women in their 40s may experience perimenopause, a transition to menopause, marked by symptoms such as night sweats, irritability and irregular periods.
• Perimenopause typically lasts three to four years and can cause a range of symptoms, including hot flashes and mood changes, which can be managed with medication or lifestyle changes.
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise and adequate sleep, can help ease perimenopause symptoms, and women should consult their primary care provider if symptoms are severe or interfere with daily life.

• A new study published in Nature Medicine found a potential link between the gut microbiome and Type 2 diabetes, with certain microbial species associated with an increased risk of the disease.
• Researchers say a diet rich in prebiotics and probiotics, found in foods like fruits, vegetables and fermented items, can support a healthy gut microbiome and lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
• To promote a healthy gut microbiome, experts recommend eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, limiting added sugars and getting regular exercise and health screenings to reduce the risk of chronic health conditions.

• Developing a positive self-relationship can improve mental health resilience by fostering self-confidence and self-worth, while a negative self-relationship can lead to increased stress, anxiety and depression.
• Practicing self-awareness and self-compassion can help you overcome self-sabotaging behaviors, such as procrastination and perfectionism, by acknowledging and reframing negative self-talk and emotions.
• Embracing your natural habits and providing yourself with a routine you'll follow can reduce stress and increase productivity.

• The Southeast Michigan Perinatal Quality Improvement Coalition is working to improve maternal mental health by training healthcare providers to recognize and treat postpartum depression and anxiety disorders.
• Up to one in seven mothers experience serious mood disorders, such as postpartum depression, which can have severe symptoms including anxiety and thoughts of self-harm.
• The coalition has provided scholarships for specialized training in perinatal mental health and plans to offer more scholarships this year to continue supporting maternal mental health care in the region.

• Lyme disease cases in Michigan have surged 168% since 2020, with 1,215 recorded cases in 2024.
• Blacklegged ticks, which carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, are found in all 83 Michigan counties.
• To prevent tick bites, individuals can take precautions such as wearing permethrin-treated clothing, using EPA-approved insect repellents and performing regular tick checks.

• Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious conditions that can occur when the body loses too much water and sodium during intense physical activity in the heat.
• If left untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, a life-threatening condition characterized by an inability to sweat, fainting and seizures.
• To prevent heat illnesses, individuals should drink plenty of water, take regular breaks and avoid intense outdoor work or exercise during the hottest part of the day.

• High-functioning depression is a colloquial term referring to depression in which individuals manage daily life and responsibilities despite feeling underlying fatigue, loss of interest or irritability.
• Signs of high-functioning depression can include masking emotions and hidden dysfunction, such as taking more energy to complete tasks or sleeping in late on weekends.
• Depression is treatable with counseling, lifestyle changes and medication.

• Heart disease deaths have decreased by 66% in the past 50 years, with heart attack deaths dropping by 89%, according to a new American Heart Association study.
• Despite this decline, deaths from chronic heart conditions such as heart failure, arrhythmias and hypertensive heart disease have increased significantly since 1970, with arrhythmias rising by 450%.
• To reduce the risk of heart disease, eat a nutritious diet, get regular exercise, maintain a healthy weight and get annual physicals.

• Choosing the right care location can significantly reduce health care expenses as an emergency room visit is five times more expensive than a visit to a primary care provider.
• Staying in-network with providers and using generic drugs can help lower medical costs.
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet exercise and preventive care can help reduce the risk of chronic conditions and lower health care expenses in the long run.

• Small amounts of heavy metals like arsenic and cadmium can be found in foods such as rice, fruit juice and seafood, posing health risks, especially to children.
• The FDA advises eating a varied diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meat to limit exposure to heavy metals.
• Heavy metal detoxes are not backed by research, and individuals concerned about exposure should talk to their primary care provider.

Medically Reviewed by: Shanthi Appelö

• A new study found mental health among American mothers has declined during the past several years.
• Declining mental health is linked to physical health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
• Blue Cross is working to improve access to mental health care through crisis services, virtual visits and embedded behavioral health professionals in primary care offices.

• On average, women in the United States live about five years longer than men.
• Men are more likely to die from certain health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes, and are less likely to seek preventive care.
• To improve their health and reduce the risk of chronic conditions, men can take steps such as seeking preventive care, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and building relationships.

• The Thumb Area Community Health Partnership has received a grant to improve website accessibility for people with disabilities.
• The grant provide workshops to help health agencies make their websites more accessible.
• The project aims to empower individuals with disabilities by providing equal access to critical health information and services, improving overall health outcomes in the Thumb.

Medically Reviewed by: Jennifer Wulff, M.D.

Medically Reviewed by: Michael Kobernick, M.D.

Medically Reviewed by: Gregory Scherle, M.D.

Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Kristyn Gregory, D.O.

Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Patricia Ferguson, M.D.

Medically Reviewed by: Michael Kobernick, M.D.

Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Kristyn Gregory, D.O.

Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Kristyn Gregory, D.O.

Medically Reviewed by: Jessica Huhn, M.D.

Medically Reviewed by: Shanthi Appelö

Medically Reviewed by: Dr. William Beecroft, M.D.

Medically Reviewed by: James Grant, M.D.