What You Need to Know About Body Fat

Written by Christine Yu

Reviewed by Carol DerSarkissian, MD on October 25, 2022

When you think about fat, you might picture it as your body’s insulation layer or storage for extra calories. But fat plays a much bigger role in the body. And if you assume that all fat is unhealthy, it's time to update your thinking.

Fat is found throughout the body: inside your nerves and bones, around your heart and blood vessels, and even behind your eyeballs. We need it to function and survive. “Think of fat as a mastermind in our bodies,” says Silvia Corvera, MD, a professor at the UMass Chan Medical School. “When things affect fat, it affects our entire body.”

The Function of Fat

Body fat, or adipose tissue, is a complex organ. It contains fat cells, nerves, immune cells, and connective tissue. Its main job is to store and release energy, depending on the body’s needs, says Susan K. Fried, PhD, a professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Fat responds to signals like the hormone insulin, which tells adipose tissue to store fat. “There are also nerves that go from your brain to your fat and say, ‘Hey, we don’t have enough energy here. Can you liberate some fat because other cells in the body need it?’ ” Fried says.

Fat tissue is also a major maker of hormones, chemical messengers that communicate with tissues and organs throughout the body. “It’s a classic endocrine organ, the biggest one in the body,” Fried says.

You have to have healthy adipose tissue to be healthy in all other aspects of your physical and mental health.

Silvia Corvera, MD

Hormones produced by adipose tissue regulate metabolism and insulin sensitivity. They help the body use nutrients efficiently. For example, it’s the primary producer of adiponectin. This hormone increases insulin sensitivity – a good thing for keeping blood glucose levels in check – and decreases inflammation. Too little adiponectin can lead to type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

Another hormone is leptin, which controls appetite. “If you have no adipocytes [fat cells], you have no leptin. You feel like you have no energy stores and get ravenously hungry,” Corvera says. Fat tissue also releases other substances that influence inflammation and immune function.

Different Types of Fat Cells

While all fat cells might look alike from the outside, they can have different functions, depending on their type. There are three main types of fat cells.

White fat: These are the body’s main type of fat cells. They store energy and produce hormones like leptin and adiponectin. They are largely found in the chest, belly, and legs.

Brown fat: What’s unique about brown, or thermogenic, fat is that it burns energy and produces heat in certain conditions, like cold weather. People with more brown fat tend to be leaner and healthier, compared to those with less brown fat. Studies show that brown fat improves metabolism and reduces the risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and high blood pressure. It’s found in the neck, upper chest, shoulder, and stomach.

Beige fat: In some cases, white fat transforms into “beige” or “brite” fat cells. Like brown fat, it burns energy to produce heat.

Researchers are studying whether they can harness the positive traits of brown and beige fat and use them to treat obesity.

Location Matters

Fat also behaves differently depending on where it’s located: the belly, thigh, or near your organs. When it comes to health, location matters.

Visceral fat: Fat stored deep in the belly and around organs has a major impact on the liver, an organ critical to metabolism. It’s also linked to diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, asthma, and dementia. Blood that leaves visceral fat goes directly to the liver and brings with it anything made by the fat tissue, including fatty acids, hormones, and pro-inflammatory chemicals. We build up more visceral fat with age. Fat storage shifts from the lower body to the belly, especially in women.

Subcutaneous fat: The fat just under the skin is the most plentiful in the body. This type of fat acts differently depending on where it's located, according to Fried. Subcutaneous belly fat makes more fatty acids, which can increase insulin resistance and the risk of metabolic disease. Subcutaneous fat in the lower body, on the other hand, takes up and stores fat efficiently. It’s considered protective against disease.

How Much Is Too Much?

Fat is an essential part of our bodies. Too little or too much fat is unhealthy. “You have to have the right amount,” says Fried, but the right amount varies from person to person.

Did You Know?

The chances of health problems related to obesity are higher for men with a waist of more than 40 inches, and for a woman (who’s not pregnant) with a waist circumference of more than 35 inches, according to the CDC.

An important consideration is how much tissue you have available to store fat, which can depend on your genes. “If you don’t have the capacity to make a lot of fat, you won’t have enough space to store extra calories,” Corvera says. “It will spill over into your liver, muscles, and heart. That’s what gives rise to metabolic disease.”

Rather than thinking about weight or percentage of body fat, consider your waist-to-hip ratio. Research suggests that the way fat is distributed across the body matters more than the amount of body fat when it comes to overall health.

To get your waist-to-hip ratio, use a tape measure to measure your waist and hips in centimeters. Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. The World Health Organization says that the risk of health issues is greater for men who have a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.90 or higher, and for women with a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.85 centimeters or higher.

You can also just check your waist circumference. The chances of health problems related to obesity are higher for men with a waist of more than 40 inches, and for a woman (who’s not pregnant) with a waist circumference of more than 35 inches, according to the CDC.

“People realized that waist size is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, other chronic disease, and even premature death,” Fried says. Conversely, having more body fat in your lower body may help protect your health.

Research also suggests that fat behaves differently in women and men. In one study, higher muscle mass seemed to protect women and men from cardiovascular disease. But women with higher fat, regardless of muscle mass, were less likely to die of heart disease – but only if their blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol were under control. (Whether they were taking hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms also mattered.).

Body fat isn’t just about your size or how you look. “What matters is how it affects your health,” Corvera says. “You have to have healthy adipose tissue to be healthy in all other aspects of your physical and mental health.”

© 2022 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

Weight Loss Benefits Persist Even After Regaining Some Pounds

 

Written by Lisa O’Mary

March 28, 2023 – A new analysis gives a promising answer to the weight loss question: Is it better to have lost and gained, than never to have lost at all?

People who lost weight but regained some of it experienced sustained health improvements for at least 5 years after the initial weight loss, a new study says. The prolonged benefits included lowered risks of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

“Many doctors and patients recognize that weight loss is often followed by weight regain, and they fear that this renders an attempt to lose weight pointless,” said University of Oxford professor and researcher Susan A. Jebb, PhD, in a statement. “This concept has become a barrier to offering support to people to lose weight. For people with overweight or obesity issues, losing weight is an effective way to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”

The results were published on Tuesday in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. The researchers analyzed data from 124 previously published studies in which people lost weight in what are called “behavioral weight loss programs.” Those programs focus on lifestyle and behavior changes such as eating healthy foods and increasing physical activity.

The average participant was 51 years old and considered obese based on body mass index (a measure that combines weight and height). On average, people lost between 5 and 10 pounds and typically regained less than 1 pound per year.

Watch Out for These Weight Loss Myths

Should you steer clear of carbs? Do smaller, frequent meals keep the pounds off? What’s the secret to shedding pounds?

People who participated in the most intensive programs had significant long-lasting benefits, compared to people in less intensive programs or who followed no formal weight loss program at all. Programs that were considered intensive had features such as partial or total meal replacement, intermittent fasting, or financial incentives contingent on weight loss.

Specific average benefits included:

Systolic blood pressure was decreased by 1.5 points one year after program participation, and by 0.4 points lower at 5 years.

The level of HbA1c, a protein in red blood cells used to test for diabetes, saw a sustained 5-year reduction.

A cholesterol measure that compares total cholesterol to “good” or HDL cholesterol was 1.5 points lower at the 1-year and 5-year marks after participation in an intensive program.

The benefits of weight loss did diminish as people regained more and more weight, the researchers found.

Obesity affects 42% of U.S. adults, according to the CDC, and is known to increase the risk of many dangerous health conditions, including heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Obesity is defined as a body mass index of 30 or higher.

The new findings could play a particularly important role in addressing weight gain that often happens after people stop taking weight loss medications, wrote Vishal N. Rao, MD, MPH, and Neha J. Pagidipati, MD, MPH, both of the Duke University School of Medicine, in a letter published alongside the new study. They called the reported risk reductions “favorable, although modest,” and said data showing longer-term results are needed.

© 2023 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

U.S. Autism Diagnoses Trending Upward

Written by Lisa O’Mary

March 24, 2023 -- The upward trend of autism diagnoses in children continues, with 1 in 36 U.S. 8-year-olds identified as having the disorder in 2020, according to newly released CDC data.

That’s up from a rate of 1 in 44 among 8-year-olds in 2018, and up from 1 in 88 in 2008.

The data comes from a snapshot of 11 American communities and apply to diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder, which is characterized by developmental delays as well as by behavior, communication, interaction, and learning styles that differ from most people. The term “spectrum” refers to the wide range of symptoms.

What Are the Types of Autism Spectrum Disorders?

WebMD explains autism spectrum disorders, including Asperger's syndrome, Rett syndrome, PDD-NOS, and childhood disintegrative disorder.

Often a lifetime disorder, autism begins before the age of 3, and sometimes symptoms are evident before the age of 12 months.

Overall, 2.8% of 8-year-old children in the study had an autism diagnosis in 2020. Researchers and outside experts said the increase may stem from increased awareness and increased screening.

“I have a feeling that this is just more discovery,” UCLA psychiatry professor Catherine Lord, PhD, told The New York Times. She was not involved in the research.

“The question is what’s happening next to these kids, and are they getting services?” she said.

This latest report from the CDC shows that autism continues to disproportionately affect boys, who were almost four times more likely to have autism than girls. For the first time, though, the rate of autism among girls was more than 1% (more than 1 in 100 girls).

Also for the first time, children who are Asian, Black, or Hispanic were more likely to be identified as having autism, compared to children who are white.

“These shifts may reflect improved screening, awareness, and access to services among historically under-served groups,” the CDC explained in a news release.

The CDC also reported that evaluations of 4-year-olds for autism had declined during the pandemic.

“Disruptions due to the pandemic in the timely evaluation of children and delays in connecting children to the services and support they need could have long-lasting effects,” Karen Remley, MD, MPH, director of the CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, said in a statement.

The advocacy group Autism Speaks reacted to the CDC report by suggesting that pandemic impacts may have limited data collection and therefore the report may under-represent the true prevalence of autism.

The causes of autism remain unclear. Some people with autism may have a genetic condition. The leading theory is that “there are multiple causes of [autism spectrum disorder] that act together to change the most common ways people develop,” according to the CDC.

While the disorder is often diagnosed when children are young, the challenges that the disorder presents become more apparent as development continues.

“As children with ASD become adolescents and young adults, they may have difficulties developing and maintaining friendships, communicating with peers and adults, or understanding what behaviors are expected in school or on the job,” the CDC explains. “They may come to the attention of healthcare providers because they also have conditions such as anxiety, depression, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, which occur more often in people with ASD than in people without ASD.”

© 2023 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

15 Cancer Symptoms to Know

 

Changes in Your Skin

A new spot on your skin or one that changes size, shape, or color could be a sign of skin cancer. Another is a spot that doesn't look the same as all the others on your body. If you have any unusual marks, have your doctor check your skin. They will do an exam and may remove a small piece (called a biopsy) to take a closer look for cancer cells.

Nagging Cough

If you don't smoke, there's very little chance a nagging cough is a sign of cancer. Usually, it's caused by postnasal drip, asthma, acid reflux, or an infection. But if yours doesn't go away or you cough up blood -- especially if you are a smoker -- see your doctor. They may test mucus from your lungs or do a chest X-ray to check for lung cancer.

Breast Changes

Most breast changes are not cancer. It's still important, though, to tell your doctor about them and check them out. Let them know about any lumps, nipple changes or discharge, redness or thickening, or pain in your breasts. They'll do an exam and may suggest a mammogram, MRI, or maybe a biopsy.

Bloating

You may have a full, bloated feeling because of your diet or even stress. But if it doesn't get better or you also have fatigue, weight loss, or back pain, have it checked out. Constant bloating in women may be a sign of ovarian cancer. Your doctor can do a pelvic exam to look for the cause.

Problems When You Pee

Many men have urinary issues as they get older, like the need to go more often, leaks, or a weak stream. Usually, these are signs of an enlarged prostate, but they could also mean prostate cancer. See your doctor for an exam and maybe a special blood test called a PSA test.

Swollen Lymph Nodes

You have these small, bean-shaped glands in your neck, armpits, and other places in your body. When they're swollen, it often means you're fighting an infection like a cold or strep throat. Some cancers like lymphoma and leukemia can also cause this kind of swelling. Talk to your doctor to pinpoint the cause.

Blood When You Use the Bathroom

If you see blood in the toilet after you go, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor. Bloody stool is likely to come from swollen, inflamed veins called hemorrhoids, but there's a chance it could be colon cancer. Blood in your pee could be a problem like a urinary tract infection, but it may be kidney or bladder cancer.

Testicle Changes

If you notice a lump or swelling in your testicles, you need to see your doctor right away. A painless lump is the most common sign of testicular cancer. Sometimes though, men may just have a heavy feeling in their lower belly or scrotum or think their testicles feel larger. Your doctor will do a physical exam of the area and may use an ultrasound scan to see if there is a tumor or another problem.

Trouble Swallowing

The common cold, acid reflux, or even some medicine can make it hard to swallow once in a while. If it doesn’t get better with time or with antacids, see your doctor. Trouble swallowing can also be a sign of cancer in your throat or the pipe between your mouth and stomach, called the esophagus. Your doctor will do an exam and some tests like a barium X-ray, in which you swallow a chalky fluid to show your throat more clearly on the image.

Unusual Vaginal Bleeding

Bleeding that's not part of your usual period can have many causes, like fibroids or even some types of birth control. But tell your doctor if you're bleeding between periods, after sex, or have bloody discharge. They'll want to rule out cancer of the uterus, cervix, or vagina. Be sure to let them know if you are bleeding after menopause. That's not normal and should be checked out right away.

Mouth Issues

From bad breath to canker sores, most changes in your mouth aren't serious. But if you have white or red patches or sores in your mouth that don't heal after a couple of weeks -- especially if you smoke -- see your doctor. It may be a sign of oral cancer. Other things to look for: a lump in your cheek, trouble moving your jaw, or mouth pain.

Weight Loss

Of course you can slim down when you change the way you eat or exercise. It can also happen if you have other issues, like stress or a thyroid problem. But it’s not normal to lose 10 pounds or more without trying. There's a chance it could be a first sign of cancer of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, lung, or other type of cancer.

Fever

A fever isn't usually a bad thing. Sometimes it's just a sign that your body is fighting an infection. It can also be a side effect of some medicines. But one that won't go away and doesn't have an obvious cause could be a sign of a blood cancer like leukemia or lymphoma.

Heartburn or Indigestion

Almost everyone has this burning feeling sometimes, often because of their diet or stress. If lifestyle changes don't work and your indigestion doesn't stop, your doctor may want to do some tests to look for a cause. It could be a sign of stomach cancer.

Fatigue

A lot of things can make you very tired, and most of them aren’t serious. But fatigue is one early sign of some cancers, like leukemia. Some colon and stomach cancers can cause blood loss that you can't see, which can make you feel very tired. If you're wiped out all the time and rest doesn't help, talk to your doctor.

Is Glucosamine Good for Joint Pain?

 

Written by R. Morgan Griffin

Medically Reviewed by Nayana Ambardekar, MD on September 18, 2022

If you're looking for a supplement that may ease your joint pain, glucosamine might be worth a try. Some studies show it gives relief for mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, and it may work for other joints, too.

What Is It?

Glucosamine is a natural chemical compound in your body. But it also comes in the form of a supplement. There are two main types: hydrochloride and sulfate.

What Does It Do?

The glucosamine in your body helps keep up the health of your cartilage -- the rubbery tissue that cushions bones at your joints. But as you get older, your levels of this compound begin to drop, which leads to the gradual breakdown of the joint.

There's some evidence that glucosamine sulfate supplements help counteract this effect, although experts aren't sure how.

Some people have also used glucosamine to try to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, allergies, chronic venous insufficiency, sports injuries, temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ), and long-term low back pain. So far, though, there's not much scientific evidence that it works for those problems.

How much glucosamine should you take?

In most studies on treating osteoarthritis, the typical dose was 500 milligrams of glucosamine sulfate, three times a day. Ask your doctor what they recommend for you. Some experts suggest you take it with meals to prevent an upset stomach.

Can you get glucosamine naturally from foods?

Although glucosamine sulfate supplements are often manufactured from the shells of shellfish, there aren't any natural food sources of glucosamine.

What are the risks of taking glucosamine?

On the whole, glucosamine seems to be a fairly safe supplement. Side effects are generally mild. You're more likely to get them if you take high doses. They may include things like:

Upset stomach

Heartburn

Drowsiness

Headache

Risks. If you have a shellfish allergy, be cautious about using glucosamine because you could have a reaction. Also, check with your doctor before taking supplements if you have diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, bleeding disorders, or high blood pressure.

Interactions. Check with your doctor before you use glucosamine if you take other medicines, including heart drugs, blood thinners, and diabetes drugs. Also, glucosamine isn't recommended for children or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, because there isn't enough evidence yet about whether it's safe for those groups.

© 2020 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

Health Benefits of Glucosamine

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Reviewed by Dany Paul Baby, MD on November 28, 2922

Glucosamine is a compound that’s naturally produced by your body. Most commonly, it exists in your cartilage and helps create the proteins and fats that repair your cartilage when it’s damaged.

Glucosamine isn’t commonly found in foods, but it is often sold as a supplement in drops, capsules, or topical forms. Supplements can be made from the shells of shellfish or be produced artificially. Taking glucosamine supplements may offer health benefits, particularly for joint pain such as arthritis.

Health Benefits

Glucosamine supplements can provide some important health benefits. Early trials suggest that glucosamine may have some antioxidant effects that can improve your eye health — which is particularly helpful for people with conditions like glaucoma.

In addition, glucosamine can provide benefits like:

Reduced Joint Pain

Studies around the world have shown that glucosamine appears to reduce joint pain, especially among people with osteoarthritis. In fact, the scientific support for glucosamine is so strong that the compound is available as a medicinal substance — not just as a supplement — in the U.K. and other areas of Europe.

Supplements of combined glucosamine and chondroitin — a related compound also found in cartilage — have been shown to be as effective as osteoarthritis medications such as celecoxib (CeleBREX). For people who do not react well to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like celecoxib, glucosamine supplements may be a safe and effective way to reduce symptoms of arthritis.

May Reduce Inflammation

Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements may also help reduce chronic inflammation, which is linked to a number of potential health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. This may be part of the reason why glucosamine reduces arthritis pain. Studies have linked regular consumption of glucosamine supplements with lower levels of inflammation. Regularly taking the supplements can help lower your risk of a number of chronic conditions.

May Improve Bone Health

While more research needs to be done, early studies suggest that glucosamine supplements may help prevent the progression of osteoporosis post-menopause. Glucosamine appears to help reduce the weakening of bones by supporting healthy bone growth. This makes the supplements especially helpful for people who are at risk of developing osteoporosis as they age.

Health Risks

Although glucosamine offers many health benefits and can improve your body’s overall function, consuming supplements does carry some risk. Some people experience an upset stomach, bloating, or insomnia, although these symptoms are mild and generally go away after supplementing your diet for a few weeks.

May Trigger Shellfish Allergies

Since many glucosamine supplements are made from shellfish shell extracts, it’s possible that these supplements could trigger shellfish allergies. If you have a shellfish allergy, be careful when choosing a glucosamine supplement, and check the source of the compound before taking it. Look for supplements that are vegan, since these will not include any animal components.

May Affect Blood Sugar

Some studies suggest that glucosamine supplements may negatively affect insulin resistance. If you have diabetes, talk with your doctor before adding these supplements to your routine.

May Affect Liver Function

In several case studies, people who took supplements that included glucosamine developed significant liver damage. However, these supplements contained several other active ingredients, and specific amounts of glucosamine in the supplements were not available. Supplements containing only glucosamine, or glucosamine and chondroitin, have not been linked to these problems.

Amounts and Dosage

The currently studied dosage for oral glucosamine supplementation is 1,500 milligrams daily. This can be taken in one dose or as several doses over the course of the day.

Different studies disagree when it comes to how much supplemental glucosamine the body actually absorbs and uses in the joints, but most suggest that up to 90% of glucosamine that you take at least makes it to your liver. Some trials suggest that higher doses than 1,500 milligrams may be more effective at treating osteoarthritis, but these higher doses have not been tested for safety yet.

© 2022 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

6 Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

 

Written by Mary Jo DiLonardo

Medically Reviewed by James Beckerman, MD, FACC on December 05, 2022

Most aches and pains are rarely a big deal. But there are a few critical symptoms that you should have checked out as soon as possible. See your doctor if you have any of these things.

Weakness in Your Arms and Legs

If you get numb or weak in your leg, arm, or face, it could be a sign of a stroke. It's especially important if it's on one side of your body or if it comes on without warning.

You could also be having a stroke if you feel dizzy, can't keep your balance, or find it hard to walk. You may also have a sudden bad headache, can't see well, or have problems talking or understanding.

Don't wait to see if symptoms stop. Get emergency help right away, because every moment counts. If you get a drug to break up the clot within 4.5 hours after symptoms start, you'll lower your chances of long-term problems.

If you have heart-related issues like high blood pressure or atrial fibrillation, pay close attention to these symptoms. If you have these conditions, you’re more likely to have a stroke. Learn more about how some arm problems can be related to your heart.

Chest Pain

We've all felt chest pain in some form, whether it's a dull throb or a sharp stab. Because it can be a sign of a serious problem, it's important to get medical help right away. Chest pain or pressure can be a sign of a heart attack or heart disease, especially if it happens when you’re active.

People who've had heart-related pain describe it as a burning, full, or tight feeling in the chest. It's sometimes a searing sensation in one or both arms that can move up into the neck, jaw, and shoulders. The discomfort can last for more than a few minutes, get worse when you're active, go away, and then come back.

Often, chest pain doesn't have anything to do with your heart. It could be due to things like heartburn or other digestive issues.

Don't try to tough it out or wait for it to go away. See a doctor right away if you have new or unexplained pain in your chest. Learn more about other causes of chest pain.

Tenderness and Pain in the Back of Your Lower Leg

This can be a sign of a blood clot in your leg. It's called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It can happen when you have a condition that affects how your blood clots. You can also get one if you’ve been sitting or confined to bed for a long time. Pregnancy, using birth control pills, smoking, and being overweight also can make it more likely.

If you have a clot, you might feel pain or tenderness. The area might be swollen. Your skin might feel warm, or it could look red.

It isn’t uncommon to be sore after exercise, but get medical help if you notice swelling, warmth, and redness. DVT can be serious. Blood clots in your legs can break off, travel through your bloodstream, and block blood flow to your lungs. Doctors call this a pulmonary embolism, and it can be deadly. Learn more about blood clot symptoms and how to tell if you have one.

Blood in Your Urine

There are several reasons you might see blood when you pee.

If you have kidney stones, blood can make your urine pink or reddish. These small crystals that form in your urine can cause a lot of pain in your side or your back.

Your doctor may take a CT scan or do an ultrasound to see them. Some kidney stones will pass on their own, but the wait can be painful. You might need a procedure to break up larger ones.

If you see blood in your urine, have to pee more often, or have a burning sensation when you go, you may have a urinary tract infection in your bladder or kidney. Get help right away. This condition can lead to kidney damage and more serious problems.

Blood in your urine can sometimes also be a sign of other illnesses, including bladder or kidney cancer. Learn more about bladder cancer symptoms.

Wheezing

If you hear a whistling sound when you breathe, contact your doctor. Wheezing could be a sign of asthma, a lung disease, a severe allergic reaction, or exposure to chemicals. It could also signal pneumonia or bronchitis.

Treatment depends on the cause. For example, if asthma’s to blame, an inhaler could be part of your treatment plan to stop flare-ups. Learn more about the causes of wheezing.

Suicidal Thoughts

If you feel hopeless, like there's no way to solve your problems, reach out for help right away. It can make you feel better to talk to a trained counselor.

Call 911 or a suicide hotline number. In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255). It's free and available 24 hours a day. It's private, so you can feel comfortable talking about how you feel.

You can also walk into an emergency room or walk-in clinic and ask for help. A doctor or counselor can refer you to a professional who can help. Learn more about the warning signs of suicide.

© 2022 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.