Going to the Gynecologist: What to Expect by Jessie This guide contains answers to the following questions: - When should I start to see a gynecologist? - What should I expect during my first visit? (A step-by-step discussion on what happens before, during, and after the exam room.) - How do I choose the right doctor? - What do I do, if I’m not insured?

Dangers of Teen Vaping Teenagers are often in a hurry to grow up and tend to do things to make them look and feel older, and some teenagers do things they shouldn't feel like they belong. For decades, teens have stated that these were the reasons they started smoking cigarettes. Today, vaping has taken the place of smoking among teens as a supposedly safer alternative. What is Vaping? Vaping involves inhaling vapor created by an e-cigarette or a vape pen. Vaping devices contain...
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What is Albinism? By Hollie (Everglow.) Albinism is a genetic condition caused by a lack of pigment called melanin in the skin, eyes and hair. As a result of this, people who have albinism may appear paler, and may have very light hair and eyes. Albinism can affect people of any nationality or skin colour, and also occurs in the animal world! Albino animals are very light in colour, and will often have red or pink eyes - a trait that can also be sometimes seen in people under certain light...
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What is Sanfilippo syndrome? Brittany (.Brittany.) Also referred to as childhood dementia, Sanfilippo syndrome is a rare, genetic, metabolic disorder that currently has no cure. Sanfilippo syndrome only happens if a child gets a defective gene from both parents. When both parents have the defective gene, they have a 1 in 4 chance of having a child born with Sanfilippo syndrome. As a result, 1 in every 70,000 children born in America is born with Sanfilippo (Source). Sanfilippo syndrome...
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Article featured in Avatar - Volume 2, Issue 12 (June 2009). Communicating With Your Doctor By drowningangel The following article contains tips and answers on:

How to incorporate more steps into your daily routine By Cassie (cynefin) Ten thousand steps per day is considered the 'golden rule' for some. However, many of us have difficulty reaching that amount, especially if we have specific conditions or sedentary lifestyles such as spending a lot of time in school or the office. Below are a few ways to add some extra steps to your routine. To begin with, it may help to figure out the amount if steps you already take each day. Many devices such...
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Signs you might be autistic (and not know it) By Holly (Celyn) Many people go through their life without knowing they might be autistic. This might be because family members, teachers and friends might not know much about autism or might only know about the autistic stereotype (usually a boy, who has few friends, isn’t particularly verbal and is ‘obsessed’ with particular topics for example, trains) and therefore might not see you as being autistic. This is especially true if you are...
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Understanding and coping with migraines By Dez (Ennui.) and Emmie (Arabesque- golfing girl.) What are migraines and who gets them? Migraines are a type of severe headache which can affect anyone at any age. Sometimes you can feel them coming on (known as an aura), and other times you will wake up to them and it takes a while for them to go away. Migraines can cause symptoms such as sensitivity to light and sound, nausea and vomiting, pain, and more. According to the American Migraine...
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Use a lip balm or a body lotion. Lip balms, skin lotions and facial moisturizers help to provide moisture and then lock it in. Consider using lotions after showering, or before you go to bed. If you are using a particularly thick or greasy hand lotion, consider wearing a pair of gloves after applying the lotion. This helps keep the lotion contained and it allows you to have functionality of your hands. Keep in mind that different brands of lotion work for different people so it may take some...
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Article featured in Avatar - Volume 3, Issue 12 (June 2010). Scoliosis by Briana June marks Scoliosis Awareness Month. Scoliosis is the curving of the spinal cord and is a genetic disorder that can affect both females and males between the ages of six and fourteen. However, this disorder is more common in females. A person without scoliosis may have zero to fifteen degrees of a curve in their spinal cord, whereas someone who has scoliosis will have a curve between thirty and...
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Visual impairment: An interview By Christina (Kakorrhaphiophobia) and Robin (PSY) This month, the Articles Team decided to do something different. Instead of presenting a typical article, we wanted to give the TeenHelp community a unique perspective on what it's like to be visually impaired. Christina has been serving as a Staff member for quite some time, and you may have noticed her work as the Disabilities Forum Moderator... but did you know that she can't actually "see" what she's doing...

Coping with the Covid-19 pandemic By Hollie (Everglow.) Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic began at the end of 2019, the world as we know it has changed drastically. Globally, we have endured lockdowns, isolation, and a continuous stream of unsettling statistics and news stories, all of which have made adjusting and coping with the situation a challenge. It is very natural to be struggling with this seemingly endless pandemic, so here are five top-tips for coping with the on-going pandemic. ...
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