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A Safety Checklist for Parents
A Safety Checklist for Parents You can help keep your children safe by following these precautions and using common sense. General steps Encourage your children to wash their hands frequently throughout the day, particularly after using the bathroom -- and always before eating. Keep their immunizations up to date. Be sure you know where they are, who they're with, and what they're doing when out of your presence. Check the references of baby sitters or care givers carefully. In the home Thousands of chi...
All About Muscle Cramps
All About Muscle Cramps Most of us have experienced the pain of a muscle cramp. Maybe you called it "charley horse," especially if the cramp was in your calf. Muscle cramps--involuntary muscle contractions--are common. But even though they can be quite painful, they don't usually cause damage. Any muscle can cramp, but the muscles of the calf, back of the thigh and front of the thigh are most commonly affected, says the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Cramps are also common in the feet,...
Anger Can Raise Cholesterol Levels
Anger Can Raise Cholesterol Levels When someone cuts you off on a busy highway, do you pound the steering wheel in fury and shout at the driver? Or do you swallow your anger and dwell on it later? Either way, you're not being kind to your heart, researchers say. If you respond to every anger-inducing situation by blowing your stack or by holding it in, you could be setting yourself up for serious heart problems. Why? It's simple. According to Ohio State University researchers, there's evidence that peop...
Be in the Know When on the Go in Winter
Be in the Know When on the Go in Winter If you live in an area where winter brings snow, slush and ice, the best advice about driving in these conditions is not to drive in such conditions. But if you must venture out, be prepared. Many newer vehicles have added safety features that can take some of the hazard out of winter driving. But it is important to know how to use optional equipment such as an anti-lock brake system (ABS). Give yourself a brake In slippery conditions, using the proper emergency b...
Celiac Disease Can Harm Digestion
Celiac Disease Can Harm Digestion Suppose you or a friend has frequent abdominal distress, bloating, and other symptoms that seem to puzzle doctors. Today, experts believe those doctors should consider celiac disease. Also known as celiac sprue, this illness can cause a range of symptoms and problems. Among them: diarrhea, constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, fatigue, irritability, infertility in women, depression, and anemia. Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and...
Diabetes and Sensitive Topics
Diabetes and Sensitive Topics Diabetes affects every part of your life, and it can create problems that aren't easy to talk about with your health care provider. It's important, however, to bring them up, because most problems are treatable. And though you might feel embarrassed, it may help to know that providers see these problems every day. Here are some common sensitive topics that people with diabetes deal with and suggestions for how to talk about them. Depression Depression refers to feelings of ...
Diabetic Skin Troubles
Diabetic Skin Troubles We often take our skin for granted, but if you’ve ever had an itchy rash or a boil, you know how painful even a small skin problem can be. About one-third of people with diabetes get a skin problem sooner or later. Fortunately, most problems can be prevented or easily treated. Here are three common problems and how to prevent them. Dry, itchy skin When blood glucose is high, your body loses fluid. Diabetic nerve damage can also decrease sweating. Both can lead to dry skin. To prev...
Dress for Success--and Your Health
Dress for Success—and Your Health Are you a slave to fashion? You might be doing damage to more than just your pocketbook. For women, ill-fitting, irritating, or otherwise inappropriate clothing and accessories could contribute to health issues ranging from back pain to crooked toes to eye infections. Avoid these faux pas by shopping smarter—and healthier. What lies beneath First things first: Good undergarments are the foundation of any look. Given their important functions and their close proximity to...
Ease the Pain of Muscle Cramps
Ease the Pain of Muscle Cramps You're on the final leg of your daily run when a cramp strikes your lower leg. Your stride shortens and you begin to limp, hands reaching toward your calf. What causes this painful problem that's sometimes called a Charley Horse? Experts aren't exactly sure. Cramps can occur during exercise when a muscle becomes tired from repeated activity and when there's a salt/fluid imbalance. The muscle suddenly contracts, often causing a very tight ball or knot. Some cramps occur at ...
Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Health Issues
Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Health Issues People of any sexual orientation can face health problems. But people who are gay, lesbian, or transgender may be at greater risk for health problems because they don't always see a health care provider when they need to. This may be because they feel embarrassed, have had a bad experience, fear judgment, or have a health care provider who is uninformed. Here are some health issues you should be aware of and talk about with your health care provider. Hormone i...
Get the Right Help for Headaches
Get the Right Help for Headaches Most people who suffer from headaches tell their doctors about their pain only as an afterthought. And many sufferers have never even seen a health care provider for their condition, according to the National Headache Foundation. The result is a lot of needless suffering. If headaches disrupt your work, social life, or home life, it's time to make an appointment for a medical evaluation. When seeking treatment for headaches, start with your primary care provider. Discuss...
Help Your Babysitter Prepare for Anything
Help Your Babysitter Prepare for Anything Everyday activities keep many parents so busy that they can't take their children with them everywhere. That makes it crucial to find the right babysitter and make sure that the sitter can be entrusted with your child. When you're looking for a babysitter, give yourself enough time to be selective. You should: Look for a sitter within your circle of friends, church, or community. Look for someone who already works with children. Always check references. Safe Sit...
How to Manage Diabetes During Illness
How to Manage Diabetes During Illness Battling a cold, getting over an injury or undergoing surgery is no fun for anyone. For people with diabetes, managing blood sugar is an extra concern. The stress of illness or injury can cause blood sugar to rise and make insulin less effective. This can lead to serious problems, including diabetic coma. That’s why it’s important to know what to do when illness strikes. Manage medication When you’re sick, your blood sugar can be high even if you’re not eating much....
How to Map Out a Safe Vacation
How to Map Out a Safe Vacation If you're going on vacation—whether to cruise the Greek islands or visit your grandchildren in Maine—a little planning goes a long way. Although we all enjoy a bit of excitement on vacation, most of us don't like unexpected surprises. By thinking ahead and planning for your vacation before you go, the only surprises you'll encounter are the nice ones, such as finding a deserted beach or hearing your grandchild's first words. Health matters When getting ready to leave, you ...
International Travel Quiz
How Much Do You Know About International Travel and Health? Test your knowledge of how to stay healthy when traveling abroad. 1. International travel may require prophylactic medicines and vaccines. How long before departure should you see your doctor? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Some vaccines must be given in a series over several days or weeks. You should see your doctor as early as possible before your departure to find out what medications or vaccines are reco...
Is It a Virus or a Bacterium? Know the Difference
Is It a Virus or a Bacterium? Know the Difference In general, most colds and other respiratory infections are not serious for adults in good health. It's just the hassle of dealing with runny noses, coughing, sneezing, fever, headaches, aching muscles, and fitful sleeping. But knowing whether your infection is caused by a virus or a bacterium makes a difference in how it is treated. Which is it? Bacteria are one-celled organisms that multiply by simple division. They are linked to such respiratory infec...
Label Lesson: Flavored Rice Mixes
Label Lesson: Flavored Rice Mixes Put plain rice on the menu, and your family make just turn up its nose. Instead, try one of the many flavored rice mixes now on the market. Although the mixes are relatively low in fat, they can be high in sodium. Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for rice mixes: Some mixes contain more than 1,000 mg. of sodium per serving. Look for those that contain lower amounts. A surprise ingredient in some mixes is sugar. To avoid it, look on the nutritional and ...
Men and Mental Illness
Men and Mental Illness Mental illness is a difficult challenge for anyone to face, and it can affect men and women of any age. But because mental illness can cause different symptoms in men than in women, some disorders in men may be harder to recognize. Men who are depressed, for example, may appear angry and irritable rather than sad and withdrawn. It also may be more difficult for men suffering from depression to seek help because some may see it as a sign of weakness rather than a treatable illness....
Mental Health: Finding the Help You Need
Mental Health: Finding the Help You Need When your life spins out of control, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. The American Psychological Association recommends you seek the help of a trained mental health professional if: You constantly worry. You feel trapped. You aren't getting any better with self-help. You feel as if you can't handle things alone. Your feelings are affecting your job, relationships, or sleep or eating habits. Other reasons to seek help: Someone who knows you wel...
Metabolic Syndrome and Soft Drink Consumption
Metabolic Syndrome and Soft Drink Consumption Regular soft drinks contain sugar, which only adds calories to your diet. Sugary drinks also raise insulin levels, which causes you to put on more visceral fat—fat deep inside, around the abdomen and other organs. Too much visceral fat can raise certain blood proteins, and that can lead to metabolic syndrome. When insulin is high after a sugary drink, it may increase hunger. That hunger may lead to overeating. You might even reach for another soda, thus cont...
Metabolic Syndrome: Lowering Your Heart Disease Risk
Metabolic Syndrome: Lowering Your Heart Disease Risk For people with metabolic syndrome, the risk of developing heart disease can be a concern. Here’s how you can help keep your heart healthy: Control high blood pressure. One characteristic of metabolic syndrome in adults is when one or both blood pressure numbers are higher than 130/85 mm Hg. According to the American Heart Association, blood pressure numbers of 140/90 mm Hg or higher are considered high blood pressure, or hypertension. To keep your nu...
Metabolism's Weighty Role
Metabolism's Weighty Role You would give up just about anything to be the same weight you were when you were younger, right? Believe it or not, you need not give up too much. But you do need to make some changes, which may actually be easy to do. Other factors Although metabolism plays a large role in controlling weight, it can't take all the blame. Genetics play a role, too. But genetics are predetermined, and cannot be changed. Lifestyle is not predetermined and can be modified. Metabolism is the amou...
Over-the-Counter Medication Quiz
What Do You Really Know About Over-the-Counter Medications? Just because a drug is available without a prescription doesn't mean it's safe to take, the FDA says. Take this quiz and learn the ins and outs of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. 1. How are prescription drugs different from OTC ones? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Prescription drugs require a doctor or other health care provider to monitor their effects. A. They contain higher amounts of active ingredients...
Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome
Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome Shaken Baby Syndrome is a form of child abuse and is the most common cause for inflicted brain injury in the first two years of life. Shaking infants and toddlers can have dangerous consequences because of their large heads and immature brains. A baby's neck muscles can't support the stress of vigorous shaking; when the baby is shaken, its head moves in a sudden whiplash motion that can cause bleeding inside the head and increased pressure on the brain. Shaking a baby can ca...
Primer: What You Need to Know About Ecstasy
Primer: What You Need to Know About Ecstasy Many young people abuse a so-called club drug known as Ecstasy. Learning about the drug can help you explain its dangers to your children and help them avoid the sometimes fatal consequences of taking it. What is Ecstasy? Ecstasy, or MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine)—called "Adam," "E," "Ecstasy," "X," or "XTC" on the street—is a synthetic, psychoactive (mind-altering) drug with hallucinogenic and amphetamine-like properties. It is chemically similar to...
Q and A: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Q and A: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) suffer from recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) or repetitive behaviors (compulsions), which they feel they cannot control. Rituals such as hand-washing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed in hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these rituals, however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety. Left untreated, obsession...
Smoking and Asthma
Smoking and Asthma Did you know that smoking cigarettes can make your asthma worse? It also turns your teeth yellow, gives you bad breath, and makes you smell like an ashtray. There are also deadly diseases like cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, and heart disease that are directly linked to smoking. You have lots of good reasons never to start smoking or to quit smoking if you already smoke. Effect on airways When you have asthma, your air tubes (bronchial tubes) react to things tha...
The Metabolic Syndrome: At Risk for Depression
The Metabolic Syndrome: A Risk for Depression Everyone feels a little down now and then. When you have the metabolic syndrome, it’s also common to feel blue about your health concerns once in a while. But when the mood lingers, it could be a sign of depression. If left untreated, depression can make it hard to function at home, work, or school. Fortunately, treatment is available. The link between the metabolic syndrome and depression goes both ways. Managing various health problems can cause stress, an...
The 'Soft Teeth' Myth
The ‘Soft Teeth’ Myth You Can’t Blame Genes for Tooth Decay in Kids If you think that "soft teeth" are the reason that cavities tend to run in families, you'll be surprised to know the real reason: an infection. The infection is usually transmitted from mothers to babies during the first year of life. "Women of childbearing age who have cavities or have had a lot of fillings are at the greatest risk to infect their newborns with cavity producing bacteria," says Dr. Peter Domoto, chair of the Department ...
The Trouble with Bullies
The Trouble with Bullies Physical or emotional differences make children targets for bullies. Being a bully or a victim of a bully puts children at risk for engaging in violent behaviors, such as frequent fighting and carrying a weapon, according to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Bullying comes in different forms. It is commonly thought of as an actual or threatened act of physical violence. But name calling, spreading rumors, unrelenting teasing, and deliberately excludin...
Traveling With a Chronic Condition
Traveling With a Chronic Condition Any trip requires advance planning so you can be comfortable and lower your risk for worsening symptoms. Use this checklist to create a smart travel plan for a safe and enjoyable trip. Bon voyage! Involve your health care providers Arrange a consultation with your doctor at least 4 to 6 weeks before traveling. Get written instructions for how to handle problems while away. If you are crossing time zones, be sure to ask your doctor how to take your medicines on schedule...
Understanding Eating Disorders
Understanding Eating Disorders An eating disorder is an unhealthy obsession with food and weight. People with eating disorders eat – or avoid eating – in extreme ways. At least 8 million people in the U.S. are living with an eating disorder. The overwhelming majority – about 90% – are female. These are the 3 main types of eating disorders: Anorexia nervosa. People with anorexia severely restrict calories to the point of starvation. They are obsessed with being thin and have an unhealthy and distorted bo...
What Do You Know About Birth Defects?
What Do You Know About Birth Defects? According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, birth defects are structural or functional abnormalities present at birth that cause physical or mental disability. Some may be fatal. Several thousand different birth defects have been identified. Birth defects are the leading cause of death in the first year of life. 1. What percentage of U.S. infants are born with birth defects annually? a. 1 percent b. 3 percent c. 5 percent d. 10 percent...
What Do You Know About Prostate Health?
What Do You Know About Prostate Health? Prostate cancer and other diseases of the prostate are common. Learning about these diseases can help you recognize problems and seek medical treatment early. Mark each statement true or false. 1. The prostate is located beneath the bladder and consists of glands and ducts embedded in muscle fibers. True False 2. Prostate cancer is always fatal. True False 3. Most prostate cancers cause symptoms such as a weak stream of urine; pain while urinating; frequent urinat...
What Is Cardiac Asthma?
What Is Cardiac Asthma? Cardiac asthma is not the same as bronchial asthma, although it causes similar symptoms. Bronchial asthma is triggered by allergies, pollutants, exercise, stress, or lung disease. The small airways in the lungs become irritated and inflamed due to these triggers. This inflammation results in wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Cardiac asthma can produce similar symptoms, but cardiac asthma is caused by the backup of fluid in the left side of the heart. This fluid backup ...
When Rest Doesn't Relieve Fatigue
When Rest Doesn't Relieve Fatigue Fatigue is often described as being "bone tired" – a feeling of overwhelming weariness and lack of motivation or energy. Everyone feels this way now and then, but this kind of fatigue is usually short-lived and can be eased by getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and making changes to your eating and exercise habits. Sometimes, though, those common cures just won't work, or you have other symptoms in addition to fatigue. That's when you need to talk with your health c...
You Can Choose to Have a Healthy Life
You Can Choose a Healthy Life Each year, two out of every three deaths in the United States are caused by cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. That figure could be significantly reduced if Americans made healthier food choices, got more exercise, and stopped smoking, according to the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, and American Heart Association. In fact, these organizations feel so strongly about the importance of everyday choices that they have sponsored a joint initiati...
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