Giving birth can be an experience that initiates numerous emotions from overjoyed to anxiety. But it can also bring a feeling no new mother wants to have, and that is depression. One source of depression is postpartum depression, which is a serious condition that occurs during the first year of a woman giving birth. Postpartum depression affects both mother and child, which can cause the mother to be unable to take care of or bond with her baby.

A woman’s risk for depression rises when she reaches mid-life and enters the menopausal phase. There are many reasons why a woman’s mental health becomes vulnerable at this time in her life. Estrogen deficiency, which occurs in menopause, can have a tremendous impact on a woman’s moods and her cognitive function.

Stevia is a safe, nonglycemic sweetener that can be sprinkled on fruits, stirred into iced tea or coffee or used in baking in place of refined sugar. Approved by the FDA in 1996 as a food supplement, instead of a food additive, it is commonly found in certain commercial cookies, cakes and other foods. Using stevia at home is matter of knowing the conversion. For example, you could use six packets of stevia powder in place of ¼ cup of refined sugar. It is safe to consume from the packet, or in baked or cooked foods.

Osteoporosis is a medical condition that occurs when bones become weaker and extremely brittle. Bones affected by osteoporosis are easily fractured. Osteoporosis is most often the result of deficiencies in calcium and phosphorus. In women, osteoporosis can also occur as a result of bone loss associated with menopause. Osteoporosis can affect both men and women; however, women are more likely to suffer from fractures. Individuals with osteoporosis may experience back pain and fractures of the hips, vertebrae and wrists.

Colitis, also commonly called ulcerative colitis, is a disease that affects the bowels. Colitis results in inflammation of the lining of the large intestine, the colon and the rectum in the majority of cases. Symptoms include abdominal pain from severe cramping, blood in the stool (which can become very loose) and loss of weight. The medications used to treat colitis focus on improving the symptoms, as there is no cure.

Lead poisoning can pose serious problems in both children and adults, but children younger than 6 are the most vulnerable to the effects of lead, which may cause problems with physical and mental development. Lead poisoning occurs over time as lead builds up during repeated exposures. Lead can be found in lead-based paint and in dust present in old buildings. Also, lead may contaminate water, air and soil. In addition, some toys and cosmetics contain lead. According to the Mayo Clinic, the use of lead in toys and paint was banned in the U.S. in 1978 but the paint may still be present in older homes and toys from overseas may have lead in them. Symptoms of lead poisoning usually do not become obvious until lead levels in the body are already dangerously high. Lead poisoning can be detected with a blood test.