Health Content Notice

Wolfe & Lois writes about everyday health: sleep, movement, food, teeth, life stages and the conversations people have with health professionals. We take that responsibility seriously, and part of doing so is being clear about the limits of what a journal like ours can offer.

General information, not personal advice

Every article describes what is generally true for many people. None of it is tailored to you. We do not know your age, history, medicines, allergies or the symptoms you may be living with, and those details often change the right answer completely. Please treat what you read here as background to help you understand a topic, never as a diagnosis, a treatment plan or a reason to change something a professional has told you.

Who writes the articles

Our two writers use pen names and have no medical, dental, nursing, pharmacy or dietetic qualifications. We read official health guidance and reputable sources carefully, and every article is checked by the second writer, but we are not clinicians and do not claim to be. You can read about our process on How We Keep It Honest.

What we deliberately leave out

• doses, schedules or instructions for taking medicines or supplements
• ways to diagnose yourself from a list of symptoms
• promises that a habit, food or product will cure or prevent anything
• figures or studies we cannot point back to a reliable source

Topics that need extra care

Some pages discuss subjects where personal advice is especially important, including menopause, men's sexual health and self-image, smoking and vaping, and dental treatment. Articles about vaping are written for adults who already smoke and are looking at ways to stop; they are not an encouragement for anyone else to start. Stop-smoking services, pharmacists and GPs can help you choose an approach that suits you. Pieces that mention specific products, devices or clinics are informational, and a mention is not a personal recommendation.

When to seek help

Please contact a professional rather than relying on an article if:

• a symptom is new, severe, getting worse or not going away
• you are pregnant, breastfeeding, caring for a baby or child, or managing a long-term condition
• you take regular medicines and are considering a supplement, remedy or change in diet
• you feel low, anxious or unsafe

A pharmacist is often the quickest place to start for minor problems and questions about medicines. Your GP or dentist can examine you and arrange further care. If you think someone's life is at risk, for example with chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke or thoughts of self-harm, call the emergency number for your country immediately.

Corrections

If you spot something that looks wrong, out of date or unclear, we genuinely want to know. Write to us through the contact page and we will look at it promptly. The wider terms of using the site are on Conditions for Readers.