Nicky Lowney

It’s wonderful to be a kind and helpful friend, family member, and work colleague. But if you tend to spend most of your time and energy taking care of others and doing constant favors, you may be a “people-pleaser.” Read on to learn the signs and pitfalls of being a people-pleaser, and tips for how to change your ways.

Maintaining a healthy marriage or long-term partnership is not always easy. There are so many stresses that manage to creep in and damage relationships over time, like money, childcare, and the division of labor around the house.

Hearing aid technology has advanced rapidly, with better speech‑in‑noise performance, simpler controls, and smarter connectivity. Modern devices automatically adapt to changing sound environments and offer smartphone‑style extras such as activity tracking and remote care. Below are ten innovations to consider when comparing today’s hearing aids.

It’s no secret that teenagers can be very self-conscious. Teeth that are crooked or misaligned can cause embarrassment and bring down your teen’s self-esteem. Problems with teeth can also lead to serious health issues later in life, such as bite problems, jaw issues, and tooth erosion.

These relative newcomers to the hearing aid market are best for people with mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss. They have silicone tips that keep the devices suspended in the ear canal. Most models include an app, and ongoing customer support includes phone, email, and video access. Eargo hearing aids are pricier than other direct-to-consumer devices, and the rechargeable batteries begin to lose power after 1,000 charges.

Online therapy provides individuals seeking guidance from licensed therapists with a convenient and flexible alternative to traditional in-person sessions. One crucial aspect to consider when choosing an online therapy provider is insurance coverage, which makes mental health services more affordable for many individuals.

Compare the 10 best online doctor and telehealth services below and sign up today for access to online doctors 24/7 from any device and save hundreds of dollars per visit.Online doctor services have reshaped the medical care industry. With increased access and decreased cost for patients, telehealth—aka online healthcare services—is revolutionizing the way you can receive medical treatment. Studies have found that telehealth services not only increase the quality of care for patients, but also make healthcare obtainable to more people.With so many online doctor services available, it’s important to consider a range of factors before choosing the right one for you. In this guide, we’ve reviewed the best online doctor services available today. Our comparison examines factors such as pricing, modes of communication, and services offered by the provider to help you make a more informed decision.

Thanks to quickly advancing technologies, hearing aids have become more sophisticated, capable, and discreet in recent years. About 37.5 million adults in the United States have hearing loss to some degree and would benefit from wearing hearing aids, but only 1 in 5 does so.Research shows that helping to restore a person’s hearing can greatly improve their overall well-being and help them participate in everyday life with greater confidence and happiness. Picking the right hearing aid for your needs is no easy feat. To find the best hearing aids, we scored each brand according to their average price, range of models, features on offer and comfort. Our reviews will provide you with all the information you need to find the right hearing aid for you.

Smartwatch technology is changing rapidly to keep up with what people need - more complex messaging tools, advanced entertainment, and of course, health and safety. Smartwatches are small devices with enormous power; they can do anything from helping you meet your fitness goals to alerting authorities in an emergency. You can use them to improve your health on a day-to-day basis too.

If you think that having a straight, beautiful smile requires a year or two of braces, think again. In the past, your only choice for straighter teeth was to spend a year or two in expensive, inconvenient, and sometimes painful braces. You’d have to contend with a mouth full of metal, avoid certain foods, and visit the orthodontist every month or two to get your wires tightened.These days, there are easier ways to achieve that perfect smile. Teeth straightening kits are a high-tech and effective alternative to braces that are delivered directly to your door. These “invisible braces”—also known as teeth aligners—move your teeth into their optimal position, often in less than half the time of traditional braces. You can remove them to eat and brush your teeth, and most brands replace orthodontist office visits with virtual telehealth appointments.If you are a candidate for treatment with teeth aligners, going through a direct-to-consumer company can also save you money compared to visiting the orthodontist. Braces and aligners sold through an orthodontist’s office are marked up to the consumer, while companies that sell direct to the consumer skip the middleman and the markup.When it comes to choosing a brand of invisible aligners, you have choices in how to get started, methods of checking in with doctors, and what kind of extras are included in your kit. In this article, we highlight the top brands of invisible braces. We also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about aligners, and how to determine if they are a good choice for you.

MDHearing devices are affordable hearing aids for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. These hearing aids have a simple behind-the-ear design, and advanced models offer a choice of rechargeability or smartphone connectivity. The company has in-house audiologists to help consumers customize their settings and offers an online hearing test and a 45-day trial period.

We all know that the teenage years are challenging. Combine the hormones of puberty with social and academic pressures, along with a heaping dose of social media, and it’s no surprise that many adolescents today suffer from low self-esteem and a lack of confidence.

Restful sleep is one of life’s best simple pleasures. After a good night’s rest, we start the day better prepared to handle whatever comes our way. For many of us, though, sleep is elusive. Our minds spin and the hours tick away. The next day, we feel cranky and off our game.

Your therapist may be a wonderful person with great qualifications, but you need to watch for signs that their work style, personality, or attitudes may not jive with yours. Whether you are new to therapy or have been with the same therapist for years, it’s important to take stock of the relationship and make sure that they are meeting your needs.

When most people think of attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD), they tend to picture children—especially boys—who are restless and fidgety in school. ADHD is often considered a condition of childhood, but the effects can last well into the adult years.

JustAnswer is not your typical online medical care service. It offers a platform to ask questions of thousands of board-certified medical professionals, experts in their fields. Pay for a membership to ask unlimited questions and get unlimited interactions with a doctor. “Premium Services” include video and phone chats that are charged at a higher rate.

Teladoc is a more convenient and affordable way for Americans to get the medical treatment they need. Available online or via a mobile app, Teladoc connects patients with licensed doctors and therapists to help them with physical and mental ailments. What’s more, Teladoc sessions are a fraction of the price of traditional doctor’s appointments, and many are covered by your insurance policy.

My Virtual Doctor is a telemedicine service like no other. It includes unlimited virtual appointments with your doctor, available 24/7 directly online. My Virtual Doctor also offers additional services, including discount cards for medications, medical bill advocacy, and 40% savings on medical equipment. Upgraded plans include care coordination, appointment scheduling, finding hospitals and specialists, and medication management.

Doctor on Demand is a new telehealth service that is redefining the way you access healthcare services. For a flat rate, you can get urgent care or regular medical care for many of the most common ailments, including sinus infections, colds, and allergies. Doctor on Demand is available 24/7 and works with or without insurance. Plus, you get the added perk of being able to choose your own doctor.

Futura Genetics is one of the most advanced genetic testing services that exists. With state of the art technology, a robust security and privacy network in place, and extensive testing tools, Futura Genetics provides in-depth genetic information about your predisposition to 28 of the most commonly found diseases.

23andMe offers outstanding options for DNA testing. The basic report gives ethnicity estimates and relative matches, like other brands, but it adds ancient haplogroups and Neanderthal DNA analysis. You’ll also get fun facts on physical and other traits linked to your DNA. An upgrade to Ancestry+Health gives you insights into certain diseases. 23andMe does not have historical records for genealogy research, however.

LivingDNA is a relative newcomer to the DNA testing market. You may want to check out their unique offerings, like subregional analyses for certain regions like Europe, Africa, and the British Isles. You’ll get less detailed information for other regions. Their wellness report provides interesting tips on lifestyle improvements but does not give risk assessments for hereditary diseases.

AncestryDNA is one of the leading DNA testing services in the industry. They have a DNA database of 15 million people and more than 20 billion historical records. For $59 per kit, you will get ethnicity estimates across more than 1,500 global regions. You will also see a list of possible relatives, along with the percentage of the DNA you share with them.