Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by symptoms such as trouble concentrating, headaches, sleep problems, and irritability. Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately 19 million American adults. Treatment for anxiety may incorporate medications and psychotherapy.

Anxiolytics (anti-anxiety, anti-panic) is a group of drug classes (for example, antidepressants, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines) that are prescribed for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Anxiolytics work (mechanism of action) depending upon to which drug class it belongs. Anxiety disorder drugs cause similar side effects, for example:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Stomach upset
• Headache
• Constipation
• Weight gain

More serious side effects of anti-anxiety drugs include:

• Suicidal thoughts
• Dry mouth
• Elevated blood pressure
• Blurred vision
• Abnormal heartbeat
• Low blood pressure when standing (orthostatic hypotension)

Some natural herbal products and supplements like St. John's wort, ginkgo biloba, valerian, lemon balm, and chamomile may be helpful in reducing anxiety. Talk with your doctor about taking herbal or other supplement products.

Anxiolytics have several drug interactions. This type of drug is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Symptoms of genital herpes include painful blisters and often fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes for first time infection. Genital herpes is diagnosed with lab tests to test for the presence of the virus. Treatment for genital herpes includes antiviral medications to shorten the duration of the outbreak or reduce the risk of future outbreaks. There is no cure for genital herpes. Condoms may help prevent the spread of genital herpes.

Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of difficulty falling asleep; waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep; waking up too early in the morning; or unrefreshing sleep. Secondary insomnia is the most common type of insomnia. Treatment for insomnia include lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication.

Gas (intestinal gas) means different things to different people. Everyone has gas and eliminates it by belching, burping, or farting (flatulence). Bloating or abdominal distension is a subjective feeling that the stomach is larger or fuller than normal. Belching or burping occurs when gas is expelled from the stomach out through the mouth. Flatulence or farting occurs when intestinal gas is passed from the anus.

Causes of belching or burping include

• drinking too rapidly,
• anxiety,
• carbonated drinks,
• habit, and
• swallowing air.

Causes of bloating or distension include

• tumors,
• ascites,
• fluid within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and
• obesity.

Causes of gas or flatulence are diseases such as

• sugary foods and drinks,
• fruits and vegetables,
• starches (wheat, oats, corn, and potatoes),
• lactose intolerance,
• untreated celiac disease, and
• SIBO.

Treatment for excessive intestinal gas depends on the cause.

Sexual health information including birth control, impotence, herpes, sexually transmitted diseases, staying healthy, women's sexual health concerns, and men's sexual health concerns. Learn about the most common sexual conditions affecting men and women.

Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure, including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and the sharing of sexual devices, such as vibrators. Women can contract all of the STDs, but may have no symptoms, or have different symptoms than men do. Common STDs in women are:

• Gonorrhea
• Chlamydia
• Zika virus
• Genital herpes
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Pubic lice
• Scabies
• Genital warts

Treatment for STDs depends upon the type.

When you are pregnant, many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be especially harmful to you and your baby. These STDs include herpes, HIV/AIDS, genital warts (HPV), hepatitis B, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Symptoms include bumps, sores, warts, swelling, itching, or redness in the genital region. Treatment of STDs while pregnant depends on how far along you are in the pregnancy and the progression of the infection.

A number of vital tasks carried out during sleep help maintain good health and enable people to function at their best. Sleep needs vary from individual to individual and change throughout your life. The National Institutes of Health recommend about 7-9 hours of sleep each night for older, school-aged children, teens, and most average adults; 10-12 for preschool-aged children; and 16-18 hours for newborns. There are two stages of sleep; 1) REM sleep (rapid-eye movement), and 2) NREM sleep (non-rapid-eye movement). The side effects of lack of sleep or insomnia include:

• Irritability
• Tiredness
• Feeling sleepy during the day
• Concentration or memory problems

Lack of sleep and insomnia can be caused by medical conditions or diseases, medications, stress, or pain. The treatment for lack of sleep and insomnia depends upon the cause.

Insomnia is difficulty in falling or staying asleep, the absence of restful sleep, or poor quality of sleep. Insomnia is a symptom and not a disease. The most common causes of insomnia are medications, psychological conditions, environmental changes and stressful events. Treatments may include non-drug treatments, over-the-counter medicines, and/or prescription medications.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections transmitted during sexual contact. They may be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. STDs in men cause no symptoms or symptoms like

• burning,
• itching,
• sores,
• rashes, or
• discharge.

Common STDs in men include:

• Gonorrhea
• Chlamydia
• Syphilis
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Genital warts
• Genital herpes

Some STDs in men are treatable while others are not. STDs are diagnosed with tests that identify proteins or genetic material of the organisms causing the infection. The prognosis of an STD depends on whether the infection is treatable or not. Use of latex condoms can help reduce the risk of contracting an STD but it does not eliminate the risk entirely.

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