‘I’ve had patients take their own teeth out’: dental anxiety and the treatments that can help

Almost half of adults in the UK fear the dentist, and some refuse to see one. Thankfully, there are some increasingly effective remedies, but they come at a cost

Cardiovascular disease risk greater in people prone to insomnia – study

People genetically predisposed to sleep problems have greater risk of heart failure and stroke, say researchers

I’m angry, sore, and bloated. Is this the menopause? The more I read, the less I know

If women do begin ‘delaying’ menopause, it will be to avoid the tedious, draining, open-ended confusion of the years between 38 and 60

‘I love staring at one spot for six hours!’ Life models on the secrets of disrobing

What sort of person would stand naked and still for hours, often in agony? Nude models talk about how tough yet life-changing the work can be, even when posing for hen parties

Afternoon delight: how to have a successful nap

If you are sleep-deprived, and need a healthy siesta, careful planning is key

Chlamydia vaccine moves a step closer

Pioneering clinical trial raises hopes of cure for ‘hidden’ sexually transmitted infection

‘No food should be taboo’: how to tackle your child’s weight – without giving them a complex

A third of children are overweight or obese by the time they leave primary school. Here’s how parents can help them forge good habits and avoid creating lifelong insecurities

Do we have a right to know if we could have the Huntington’s disease gene?

Not telling your child that this hereditary condition is in the family can be devastating later on

‘We were burying 10 children a year’: how toilets are saving lives in Madagascar

One village in the country has seen the tragic consequences of poor sanitation. Now it has come together to turn things around

From ball pits to water slides: the designer who changed children’s playgrounds for ever

The long read: Eric McMillan revolutionised playground design in the 1970s. Why has the spirit of experimental play that he championed been lost? By Nicholas Hune-Brown