Dogs and cats are curious creatures and will often stick their nose where it doesn’t belong. If you’ve got a pet who likes to dig, explore dark spaces or get in amongst the bush, chances are at some point they’ll meet an insect who takes a dislike to them and will react with a sting or bite. How will you know and what do you need to do?

When you think of stress relief, you may be imagining a day at the spa, a relaxing weekend getaway, or just an evening to yourself to unwind in the tub. But de-stressing doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming — and often when you need it the most is when you only have a minute or two to spare.

I think we all agree that a dog is the best training buddy you can ever have. This is the animal which will always be eager and excited to spend more time with you, who never complains, and who makes sure that your time spent together will never be boring. However, even if your buddy does not complain, the workout can still be a little intense, so you should always remain cautious.

Before you put a leash and take your dog out for running and training, always acknowledge that your activities should be fun and productive instead of tiring and stressful.

A pet prescription can remedy all sorts of problems. Spending time around animals, such as going bird watching, enjoying the company of a therapy dog, or even playing with your pet spider can be beneficial to your well-being.
Spending just 15-30 minutes with your dog can help you feel more calm and relaxed, reducing stress and increasing happiness. Playing with your pup increases your brain’s levels of dopamine and serotonin, both of which are neurotransmitters associated with pleasure and tranquility.

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the United States, affecting more than 16 million men and women (almost 6.7 percent of the adult population) and 3.1 million adolescents.

It is a serious mental illness in which feelings of sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest, anger, frustration, or other negative emotions like irritability (especially in adolescents) last for weeks or years and interfere with daily life.

All people experience moments when they feel sad or blue, but these feelings usually pass within a couple of days and are not indicative of depression.

Depression can cause deep emotional pain both to the person experiencing it and, often, to that person’s close family and friends.

Depression is a significant public-health issue. It is the leading cause of disability in the United States for people between ages 15 and 44 and is the number one cause of injury or illness for men and women around the world. People with depression are more likely to die from suicide as well as from other illnesses, such as heart disease.

The human foot is a marvel of biomechanical engineering that most of us take for granted until the system fails or breaks down. The average person will walk the equivalent of twice around the world in a lifetime, which is a long time on your feet.

Podiatrists who are part of the UCLA Medical Group offer the following tips for helping maintain healthy feet and avoiding complications. The physicians are board-certified, provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of all foot and ankle conditions, and also have expertise in the management of diabetic foot problems and sports injuries.