10 interesting vegetarian facts
Thought you knew everything there is to know about the vegetarian diet? These few facts may surprise you:
1. Vegetarianism has traditionally been linked to the people of ancient India. Even today, Indians make up more than 70 percent of the world's vegetarian population.
2. The first Vegetarian Society was formed in 1847 in England. The main aim of the members was to dispel the common belief that it's not possible to lead a healthy life without eating meat.
3. There are varying degrees of vegetarianism. The strictest of vegetarians not only steer clear of all forms of meat, they also avoid all animal products, including honey (bees are often killed in the production of honey), and foods which might contain traces of animal products, such as bread baked in buttered tins and sugar to which bone charcoal has been added (to make it white).
4. You might recall the scene in Notting Hill where William Thacker (Hugh Grant) goes on a blind date with a slightly off-the-wall "fruitarian". Fruitarianism is a very real form of vegetarianism, where the diet consists of fruit, nuts, seeds and other plant material that can be gathered without killing the plant (e.g. pears can be picked without killing the plant, carrots cannot).
5. Many vegetarians follow a meat-free diet in an attempt to lower the pressure meat production places on the environment. According to Wikipedia.org, growing crops for farm animals requires nearly half of the United States' water supply and 80% of its agricultural land.
6. Other people go the vegetarian route for religious reasons. Some of the denominations that actively advocate vegetarianism include the Hare Krishna and Rastafarian movements.
7. British research shows that a child's IQ predicts his likelihood of becoming a vegetarian as a young adult. You guessed it: the smarter the child, the more likely he'll eventually shun meat.
8. While veggie eating holds many health benefits, it also has other interesting effects on the body: research shows that avoiding red meat improves the sex appeal of male body odour.
9. The list of famous vegetarians includes Sir Paul McCartney, Ozzy Osborne, Sinead O'Connor, Brad Pitt, Albert Einstein, Henry Ford and Leonardo da Vinci.
10. And then, of course, it's believed that Adolf Hitler was a vegetarian during the latter part of his life. In fact, it's said that he predicted that the world of the future would be vegetarian. Records show that Hitler amused himself by telling grim stories of slaughterhouses while entertaining meat-eating guests. When they were put off their food, he would mock them for their hypocrisy. On one such occasion, he remarked: "That shows how cowardly people are. They can't face doing certain horrible things themselves, but they enjoy the benefits without a pang of conscience.”
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Avoid Medical Mistakes
20 Tips to Avoid Medical Mistakes
Last fall the Institute of Medicine (IOM) published an alarming report. "To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System" revealed that 44,000 to 98,000 Americans die each year as the result of preventable medical errors. Using the IOM's more conservative figure of 44,000 deaths demonstrates the severity of this finding: medical errors rank as the eighth leading cause of death killing more Americans than motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer, or AIDS. The report emphasized that many of these errors are system failures, not just human errors, and they are therefore capable of being corrected.
Take charge of your health care. The U.S. government's Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recommends that patients do the following to reduce their risk of becoming the victim of medical mistakes:
1) Be an active member of your health care team: This is THE biggest predictor of getting the best health care results. Ask questions. Take part in every decision about your health care.
2) Make sure your doctor knows every prescription, over-the-counter medication, and dietary supplements, such as vitamins and herbs, you are taking.
3) Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines.
4) When your doctor writes you a prescription, make sure you can read it. If you can't read it, your pharmacist probably can't either.
5) Ask questions of your doctor and pharmacist about your prescription. What is it for? How am I supposed to take it and for how long? What side effects are likely? What do I do if they occur? If this medicine safe to take with other medicines or dietary supplements I am taking? What food, drink, or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine?
6)When you pick up your prescription, verify that it is the correct drug prescribed. A study the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences found that 88 percent of medicine errors involved the wrong drug or wrong dose.
7) Clarify your understanding of the dosage instructions with the pharmacist. For example, does four doses daily mean taking a dose every 6 hours round the clock, or just during regular waking hours?
8)Ask for instructions on measuring liquid medicines. A household teaspoon may not accurately measure a liquid teaspoon; a syringe or other device will probably provide more accuracy.
9) Ask the pharmacist for written side effects your medicine may cause.
10) If you are having a procedure or surgery done at a hospital, choose a hospital with a lot of experience with your condition.
11) Consider asking all health care workers who have direct contact with you in a hospital whether they have washed their hands.
12) When you are being discharged from a hospital ask your doctor to explain about the medications you will be taking, and the activities you may safely engage in, at home.
13) If you are having surgery, make sure that you, your doctor, and your surgeon agree on exactly what and where the surgery will be performed. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons urges its members to sign their initials directly on the site to be operated on before the surgery, for example on the left knee.
14) If you have questions or concerns, speak up.
15) Make sure that one person, such as your personal doctor, is in charge of your care. This is especially important if you have many health problems, or are in a hospital.
16) Make sure that all health professionals involved in your care have important health information about you.
17) Ask a family member or friend to be there with you and to be your advocate: pick someone who will help get things done for you and speak up for you when you can't.
18) Know that "more" is not always better. Find out why a test or treatment is needed and how it can help you.
19) Ask about the results of all tests. Don't assume that no news is good news.
20) Learn about your condition and treatments by asking your doctor and nurse and by using other reliable sources. Treatment recommendations based on the latest scientific evidence are available.
Last fall the Institute of Medicine (IOM) published an alarming report. "To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System" revealed that 44,000 to 98,000 Americans die each year as the result of preventable medical errors. Using the IOM's more conservative figure of 44,000 deaths demonstrates the severity of this finding: medical errors rank as the eighth leading cause of death killing more Americans than motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer, or AIDS. The report emphasized that many of these errors are system failures, not just human errors, and they are therefore capable of being corrected.
Take charge of your health care. The U.S. government's Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recommends that patients do the following to reduce their risk of becoming the victim of medical mistakes:
1) Be an active member of your health care team: This is THE biggest predictor of getting the best health care results. Ask questions. Take part in every decision about your health care.
2) Make sure your doctor knows every prescription, over-the-counter medication, and dietary supplements, such as vitamins and herbs, you are taking.
3) Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines.
4) When your doctor writes you a prescription, make sure you can read it. If you can't read it, your pharmacist probably can't either.
5) Ask questions of your doctor and pharmacist about your prescription. What is it for? How am I supposed to take it and for how long? What side effects are likely? What do I do if they occur? If this medicine safe to take with other medicines or dietary supplements I am taking? What food, drink, or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine?
6)When you pick up your prescription, verify that it is the correct drug prescribed. A study the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences found that 88 percent of medicine errors involved the wrong drug or wrong dose.
7) Clarify your understanding of the dosage instructions with the pharmacist. For example, does four doses daily mean taking a dose every 6 hours round the clock, or just during regular waking hours?
8)Ask for instructions on measuring liquid medicines. A household teaspoon may not accurately measure a liquid teaspoon; a syringe or other device will probably provide more accuracy.
9) Ask the pharmacist for written side effects your medicine may cause.
10) If you are having a procedure or surgery done at a hospital, choose a hospital with a lot of experience with your condition.
11) Consider asking all health care workers who have direct contact with you in a hospital whether they have washed their hands.
12) When you are being discharged from a hospital ask your doctor to explain about the medications you will be taking, and the activities you may safely engage in, at home.
13) If you are having surgery, make sure that you, your doctor, and your surgeon agree on exactly what and where the surgery will be performed. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons urges its members to sign their initials directly on the site to be operated on before the surgery, for example on the left knee.
14) If you have questions or concerns, speak up.
15) Make sure that one person, such as your personal doctor, is in charge of your care. This is especially important if you have many health problems, or are in a hospital.
16) Make sure that all health professionals involved in your care have important health information about you.
17) Ask a family member or friend to be there with you and to be your advocate: pick someone who will help get things done for you and speak up for you when you can't.
18) Know that "more" is not always better. Find out why a test or treatment is needed and how it can help you.
19) Ask about the results of all tests. Don't assume that no news is good news.
20) Learn about your condition and treatments by asking your doctor and nurse and by using other reliable sources. Treatment recommendations based on the latest scientific evidence are available.
10 HEALTH TIPS
10- Essential Health Tips (The Basics to Practice Every Day)
"He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything." -Arabian Proverb
1. Move MoreMake it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!
2. Cut FatAvoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!
3. Quit Smoking The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.
4. Reduce Stress Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.
5. Protect Yourself from Pollution If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.
6. Wear Your Seat BeltStatistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.
7. Floss Your TeethRecent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body's boss.8. Avoid Excessive Drinking While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.
9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can't be unhappy when you're smiling or singing.
10. Choose Your Parents Well The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Sleeping is Better for Health
Too little sleep affects our work, our activities, even our sex lives. These tips can help you sleep like a baby at night. Check back for more tips next month!
It's Sleep Week!
Don't build up a sleep debt. Ongoing sleep deprivation can impair you as much as a six-pack of beer.
Power Your Day
Take a nap. A 40-minute snooze in the middle of a work day can pump up your energy.
Pregnant Pause
Sleep safe during pregnancy. Lying on your left side gives you and your baby the best blood flow.
The Better Sleep Diet
Don't gorge before bed. Good shut-eye foods: milk, tuna, eggs, and peaches.
Sleep Rituals
Cue your body that it's time for sleep with a relaxing ritual. Try a hot bath, aromatherapy, or meditation.
Room for Sleep
Make your bedroom a sleep haven. Keep temperatures moderate, use blinds or shades for blocking light, and remove the laptop or TV.
Tired People Eat More
Cut 6% of your daily calorie intake by sleeping eight hours a night instead of seven.
Smoke Out
Restrict smoking before bedtime. Cigarettes wake you up just like caffeine. Better yet, quit.
Heartburn Help
A wedge pillow can keep your head elevated and bring sweet relief from nighttime heartburn.
Take a Bed Break
Get out of bed if you can't sleep -don't stare at the clock. Read or watch TV until you feel tired.
Nightcap No-No
A bottle of wine may conk you out, but your sleep won't be restful. Finish imbibing three hours before bed for a satisfying snooze.
Guard Your Heart
Get a full 8 hours of sleep. Catching only 6 hours of sleep ups your risk of high blood pressure by 70%.
Plan Early
And sleep better at night. Make your next day's to-do list in the afternoon so worries don't creep into bed.
Talk Yourself to Sleep
Try talk therapy to fight insomnia. It gets better results than sleeping pills.
Boost Your Sex Drive
Take a nap. Tired people have lower libido. Want more sex? Get more sleep.
Dream Diet
Sleep controls appetite hormones. Get to bed and start your diet.
Do Not Disturb
Put traveler's insomnia to rest. Pack a tiny battery-operated fan -- to create white noise.
CHILDS SLEEP
Safe Sports, Safe Kids
More kids than ever are getting sports injuries at younger ages. Quiz your child's coach on avoiding and treating injuries.
Feeding Frenzy
Don't make dinner a battle. Let your children decide when they're full, and don't comment on the bites they take.
Have a Family Affair
Exercise together for your kids' health. Plan a hiking trip, bike to school, or play hopscotch together.
It's Diabetes Alert Day
Protect your kids. Serve 1½ cups of fruit and 2 cups of vegetables a day. And get them outdoors for plenty of play.
Nite-Nite, Baby
Leave the children's room when they're drowsy but not asleep. If you stay until they're asleep they may be startled if they wake up to find you gone.
A Mother's Massage
Massage helps calm wired kids. Give your kids a 10-minute massage before bed to help them sleep.
Bedtime Cures
Read a bedtime story aloud. When a child has a cold, TLC (tender loving care) is often the best remedy.
Believe It
Kids get headaches, even migraines. Take them seriously. Talk to your doctor.
Show Your Love
At least twice a day, give your child hugs, praise, even a wink or a smile. That's how parents boost kids' self-esteem.
Risky Business
Teens often get injured on the job. How safe is your teen's work environment?
Baby, Why Cry?
Babies cry for every reason -- diaper, bottle, ear infection, cuddling. Tune into your baby's cry.
Growing Pains
Active kids often have painful legs at night. That's from growing pains.
Breakfast for Mom
Make it fun and keep it simple. Add a flower or two. Mom deserves to be pampered!
Brat Pact
Tantrums? Turn things around: send clear messages, set ultimatums, and stick to your guns.
Tooth Truth
Knocked-out teeth. Chipped teeth. If you've got kids, put your dentist on speed dial.
Face Time
Kids need a heads-up on etiquette. Teach them about good eye contact. It builds trust.
Home Alone
Prepare for emergencies before they happen. Teach your child to use 9-1-1.
Want a Smart Baby?
Forget videos. Talking, playing, paying attention to baby -- that's what optimizes brain wiring.
Sick Kids
Diarrhea and vomiting are the route to dehydration. Kids need liquids (no milk) every few minutes.
CHILD CARE
Flu or Cold?
Knocked out by fever and fatigue suddenly? It's probably the flu. Get anti-flu drugs within 48 hours for maximum effectiveness.
Cold Care
Grandma's chicken soup will help keep you hydrated through a cold. The steam can also relieve a clogged nose.
Health at the Mall
Don't touch the escalator handrail at malls and stores. It's a germ factory.
Spring Sneezes
Use paper tissues instead of handkerchiefs. This helps keep your cold from spreading.
Pamper Your Nose
A dab of mentholated salve under your nose helps open breathing passages.
Don't Fight a Fever
Fever helps germ-killing proteins circulate in your blood faster. Let a slight fever of 102 F. or less run its course. You may get well faster.
Color Your Plate
Colorful vegetables are rich in antioxidants that strengthen natural immunity.
Coughing Hurts
A lozenge helps. Keep sugar-free cough drops or hard candy nearby to calm a tickle in your throat.
Sip a Cuppa
Hot tea soothes inflamed membranes that line nose and throat. Make sure it's herbal tea. Caffeine may dehydrate you.
Born to Run?
During allergy season, try to avoid irritants. If the pollen count is high, head for the gym instead.
Your Pillow
A cure for the common cold? "Get plenty of rest" tops the list of treatment tips for cold and flu.
Sore Throat?
Gargling helps. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt into 8 fluid ounces of warm water. Gargle hourly to relieve discomfort.
Starve a Cold?
That's a myth. Good nutrition helps your body heal. Start with citrus. Vitamin C still rules.
Clean Sweep
Cold and flu viruses cling to every surface -- for hours. Pump up protection with hand sanitizers.
Pack Some Heat
Relieve inflamed, painful sinuses with a moist, hot towel or gel pack.
Moist Air Medicine
Keep a humidifier running if you're prone to sinusitis. Dry air irritates sinuses.
Beware of Antibiotics
You can recover from some sinus infections without antibiotics. Warm compresses and decongestants can lead to relief.
No Fooling
Eucalyptus oil soothes sinuses. Add 4-5 drops of oil to a sink filled with steaming water. Put a towel over your head. Breathe deeply.
Home Health
Use a humidifier at home to avoid dry sinuses. Cold air -- and your home heating system -- dries out the air.
Taste a Spicy Curry
Pungent spices act as a natural decongestant. You breathe better after eating spicy, peppery food.
The Chicken Soup Cure
Research proves it. Hot chicken soup helps thin mucus in the mouth, throat, and lungs.
Breathe the Salty Spray
Ocean air clears sinuses. So does saline spray. Salt water nasal rinses may help reduce the risk of sinus infections.
Pollution Is Trouble
Pollution particles irritate sinus linings. Don't exercise outside during peak pollution hours.
Your Shower Spa
Ahhh, a steamy shower helps open clogged sinuses.
Flowers Need Watering
So do your sinuses. Drink up to keep your sinus membranes hydrated.
Plagued by Pollen?
A simple skin test will help you uncover your allergy triggers. Avoiding your triggers may prevent sinusitis.
Dust Mite Makeover
Want to cut allergens in your home? Rip out wall-to-wall carpets. Tear out drapes. That's a start!
Congested Airways
Got a cold or sinus infection? Air travel will be agonizing. A decongestant helps.
Tails of Fluffy and Fido
Humans and critters can live in harmony despite allergies. Learn to love housework.
Men and Migraines
Men, don't John Wayne your migraine. Seek treatment, relieve pain, and feel better.
Think Pain-Free
Try relaxation techniques or hypnosis for back pain. Relaxation often beats traditional medicine.
Avoid Hangover Headaches
Have a glass of water between each drink on St. Patrick's Day. Even a few drinks can trigger headaches.
Take a Pain Break
Schedule time for rest, exercise, and relaxation to help relieve persistent pain.
Drive Away Pain
Reduce back pain. Adjust your car seat so you don't have to reach for the steering wheel.
Record the Pain
Keep a record of your symptoms for a few weeks. It will help you understand your pain - and help your doctor treat it.
Got a Toothache?
Don't suffer the pain. A root canal can help save that tooth. April 3 launches Root Canal Awareness Week.
Chill the Pain
Grab a cold pack -- or a bag of frozen peas. Apply around your sore muscle or inflamed area for pain relief.
No Pain, No Gain?
No way. Let your body rest. Your body repairs muscle when you rest between workouts.
Kiss the IRS Off
Stressed by taxes? Smooch a little with the one you love. Kissing helps release endorphins -- the chemicals that counteract stress and pain.
Sensible Scents
Perfume stinks if it causes headaches. Strong odors can trigger the nerve system linked with headache pain.
Try Tai Chi
This gentle exercise improves balance and increases flexibility. Health organizations, including the Arthritis Foundation, advise tai chi for pain relief.
Mind Over Pain
Write it down. Talk it out. Laugh if off. Expressing your feelings relieves tension and helps ease pain.
Think About Pain
It's not "all in your head." But stress makes pain worse. Repeat a favorite word, sound, or prayer to bring on your body's 'relaxation response.'
Double Dipping
Take a dip. Take two. Water exercise helps ease joint pain and muscle stiffness.
Ticked Off
Nature's great, but beware Lyme-disease-carrying deer ticks. Wear sleeves, pants, and repellant.
May 5 Is Cinco de Mayo!
If you partied too hard at the fiesta, try a fruit smoothie the next morning. Food provides electrolytes that replenish a hung-over body.
Relax. Release.
Massage, meditation. As the body relaxes, muscle tightness and pain seep away.
Music as Medicine
If pain drags you down, turn to music. Music lifts and distracts. Maybe it's time for an iPod.
Dance Dance Dance
Take the work out of working out. Try dancing lessons. Make friends and relieve joint pain, too.
Retail Therapy
Old exercise shoes hurt feet and knees. New shoes are priceless protection. Need new shoes?
Core Your Apple
Got an apple shape? Peel it with Pilates. Pilates strengthens core muscles -- and also relieves pain.
Headache Du Jour
It's a made-to-order migraine: turkey and cheddar sandwich, diet soda, and dark chocolate. Certain foods contain chemicals that can trigger migraines.
Pins and Needles
Don't wince. Acupuncture helps arthritis pain, even joint movement -- and is NIH-approved.
Stroke Signals
After a stroke, pain and depression may follow. Look for signs. Reach out to help.
Bad Back
Back pain is bad enough. Anger, stress, and depression make it worse. Counseling helps a bad back.
Got Pain?
Rein in your thoughts. Staying positive fuels the immune system -- as well as natural painkillers.
It's Sleep Week!
Don't build up a sleep debt. Ongoing sleep deprivation can impair you as much as a six-pack of beer.
Power Your Day
Take a nap. A 40-minute snooze in the middle of a work day can pump up your energy.
Pregnant Pause
Sleep safe during pregnancy. Lying on your left side gives you and your baby the best blood flow.
The Better Sleep Diet
Don't gorge before bed. Good shut-eye foods: milk, tuna, eggs, and peaches.
Sleep Rituals
Cue your body that it's time for sleep with a relaxing ritual. Try a hot bath, aromatherapy, or meditation.
Room for Sleep
Make your bedroom a sleep haven. Keep temperatures moderate, use blinds or shades for blocking light, and remove the laptop or TV.
Tired People Eat More
Cut 6% of your daily calorie intake by sleeping eight hours a night instead of seven.
Smoke Out
Restrict smoking before bedtime. Cigarettes wake you up just like caffeine. Better yet, quit.
Heartburn Help
A wedge pillow can keep your head elevated and bring sweet relief from nighttime heartburn.
Take a Bed Break
Get out of bed if you can't sleep -don't stare at the clock. Read or watch TV until you feel tired.
Nightcap No-No
A bottle of wine may conk you out, but your sleep won't be restful. Finish imbibing three hours before bed for a satisfying snooze.
Guard Your Heart
Get a full 8 hours of sleep. Catching only 6 hours of sleep ups your risk of high blood pressure by 70%.
Plan Early
And sleep better at night. Make your next day's to-do list in the afternoon so worries don't creep into bed.
Talk Yourself to Sleep
Try talk therapy to fight insomnia. It gets better results than sleeping pills.
Boost Your Sex Drive
Take a nap. Tired people have lower libido. Want more sex? Get more sleep.
Dream Diet
Sleep controls appetite hormones. Get to bed and start your diet.
Do Not Disturb
Put traveler's insomnia to rest. Pack a tiny battery-operated fan -- to create white noise.
Safe Sports, Safe Kids
More kids than ever are getting sports injuries at younger ages. Quiz your child's coach on avoiding and treating injuries.
Feeding Frenzy
Don't make dinner a battle. Let your children decide when they're full, and don't comment on the bites they take.
Have a Family Affair
Exercise together for your kids' health. Plan a hiking trip, bike to school, or play hopscotch together.
It's Diabetes Alert Day
Protect your kids. Serve 1½ cups of fruit and 2 cups of vegetables a day. And get them outdoors for plenty of play.
Nite-Nite, Baby
Leave the children's room when they're drowsy but not asleep. If you stay until they're asleep they may be startled if they wake up to find you gone.
A Mother's Massage
Massage helps calm wired kids. Give your kids a 10-minute massage before bed to help them sleep.
Bedtime Cures
Read a bedtime story aloud. When a child has a cold, TLC (tender loving care) is often the best remedy.
Believe It
Kids get headaches, even migraines. Take them seriously. Talk to your doctor.
Show Your Love
At least twice a day, give your child hugs, praise, even a wink or a smile. That's how parents boost kids' self-esteem.
Risky Business
Teens often get injured on the job. How safe is your teen's work environment?
Baby, Why Cry?
Babies cry for every reason -- diaper, bottle, ear infection, cuddling. Tune into your baby's cry.
Growing Pains
Active kids often have painful legs at night. That's from growing pains.
Breakfast for Mom
Make it fun and keep it simple. Add a flower or two. Mom deserves to be pampered!
Brat Pact
Tantrums? Turn things around: send clear messages, set ultimatums, and stick to your guns.
Tooth Truth
Knocked-out teeth. Chipped teeth. If you've got kids, put your dentist on speed dial.
Face Time
Kids need a heads-up on etiquette. Teach them about good eye contact. It builds trust.
Home Alone
Prepare for emergencies before they happen. Teach your child to use 9-1-1.
Want a Smart Baby?
Forget videos. Talking, playing, paying attention to baby -- that's what optimizes brain wiring.
Sick Kids
Diarrhea and vomiting are the route to dehydration. Kids need liquids (no milk) every few minutes.
Child Care
Keeping Kids Happy Despite Allergy Symptoms
Perk up kids with these simple home treatments for seasonal allergies.
Do seasonal allergy symptoms have your kids down for the count? The runny nose, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion can leave even the most even-tempered kid tired and out of sorts.
The next time seasonal allergic rhinitis -- the term allergists use for the symptoms we call hay fever -- has your children feeling bad, you’ve got the tools to make them feel better: These simple tips gathered by WebMD from allergists and others can help you soothe kids’ allergy symptoms in no time.
16 Tips to Help Kids Cope With Allergy Symptoms
Managing allergies starts with a medical assessment, says Rod Moser, PA, PhD, in his All Ears blog for WebMD. So before you treat symptoms you think are allergies, be sure that’s what they are with a visit to an allergist. Once you know seasonal allergies are what you’re child is dealing with, these quick tips can offer kids much-needed symptom relief.
- Stay Inside. The best way to treat allergy symptoms is to avoid allergens to begin with, say the experts at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI). So when pollen counts soar, keep kids indoors as much as possible. Pollen is usually at its peak mid-morning, early evening, and when the wind is blowing.
- Use Saltwater. Nasal congestion can be one of the most exhausting symptoms for children with allergies. For relief, older children might want to try nasal irrigation with a saline solution, one of the “best home remedy of all,” says Alan Goldsobel, MD, a California physician and spokesman for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. You can buy saline at the drugstore or make your own by mixing in a squirt bottle eight ounces of water to one teaspoon non-iodized salt.
- Stay Hydrated. All that sneezing and blowing can leave a child parched. Keep a water bottle full and close to hand and encourage your children to stay well-hydrated.
- Warm It Up. A hot shower or bath seems to offer allergy symptom relief for some, says Asriani Chiu, MD, associate professor of pediatrics and medicine at the College of Wisconsin, so encourage kids to enjoy a little tub time.
- Keep It Cool. To keep pollen out when the weather’s hot, air condition your car and home and keep windows closed.
- Deal With Dry Air. A little moisture in the air makes breathing easier for most, so if you suspect the air in your house is dry, you may want to turn on a humidifier. But be careful: Humidity over 40% can encourage the growth of indoor allergens like mold and dust mites.
- Go Cold. When itchy eyes are driving your kid crazy, try a cold compress, says Chiu, which may help reduce the itch and inflammation.
- Keep Your Hands to Yourself. And encourage kids to avoid rubbing their itchy eyes. Rubbing will only irritate them -- and could make the itchiness even worse.
- Spice It Up. If your kids enjoy spicy foods, a piquant dish made with cayenne pepper, hot ginger, fenugreek, onions, or garlic may help thin mucus and clear nasal passages.
- Use Top Tissues. When kids’ allergies are at their peak, tender noses can get sore pretty fast. Look for tissues with lotion or other soothing additives.
- Rub Jelly On It. And if your child’s nose is raw and red from blowing, you can soothe their sniffer with a dab of petroleum jelly.
- Gargle to Relieve Sore Throats . If postnasal drip leaves your child with a sore throat, gargling with warm salt water made of 1-2 tablespoons of table salt in 8 ounces of water may ease the pain.
- Drink Warm Tea . Drinking more fluids can also help sooth tender throats. Try a weak tea with honey and lemon. Bonus: The steam from a piping hot cup may relieve sinus congestion, too.
- Get Face Time. Warm compresses applied to the face may also help soothe a child’s sinus pressure and pain.
- Avoid Milk. Some folks may find milk can make mucus worse, though “that’s not a proven concept,” says Goldsobel. If in doubt, it may be a good idea to steer clear of milky goodies when kids are coping with allergy symptoms.
- Avoid Certain Foods . If your child is allergic to ragweed, they may also have an allergic sensitivity to certain foods. Symptom-provoking foods to avoid may include bananas, melons, chamomile tea, sunflower seeds, and cucumbers.
The best allergy symptoms are the ones that never occur. Here are a few tips to help you prevent symptoms before they take hold.
- Go Take a Shower! If the kids were outdoors, they almost certainly brought allergens back inside on their clothes and hair. That’s why it’s a great idea for them to take a shower or bath and change their clothes when they come back inside, suggests Chiu.
- Wash Your Hands . If the kids pop in and out during high pollen days, the very least they should do is wash their hands often, suggests the ACAAI, a prime way to remove clinging pollen.
- Protect the Eyes . Encourage your kids to wear glasses or sunglasses when outdoors to minimize pollen getting into their eyes.
- Clean Up . We all track in allergens, on our shoes, clothes, hands, and hair. To keep them at bay, try to keep floors clean with a damp rag or mop rather than dry dusting or sweeping; vacuum rugs and carpets often; and change bedding frequently.
- Get Better Bedding. To help control allergies, Goldsobel recommends looking into special bedding designed to be less permeable to allergens.
- Keep Laundry Indoors. If you’ve got kids susceptible to outdoor allergens, don’t hang sheets or clothes outside to dry. They make excellent pollen and mold collectors.
- Keep an Eye on Indoor Plants. An abundance of overwatered plants inside the house can encourage mold growth. So manage your green menagerie: avoid sopping wet soil and don’t collect too many plants.
- Talk to Your Child’s Doctor . There are over-the-counter and prescription medications and eye drops to help treat children with allergies. Talk to your child’s allergist or pediatrician to find out which medicines are best for your child’s allergy symptoms.
- Be Faithful -- and Smart -- With Medication . Don’t forget to encourage kids to take the medications prescribed by their doctor -- but remember more medicine doesn’t mean fewer symptoms. Take only as much as recommended.
- Get Teary . If recommended by your child’s doctor, eye drops/artificial tears can help flush allergens out of kids’ eyes.
It’s not always easy, but with a little time and effort you can help your kids manage -- and avoid -- allergy symptoms all year, every year.
TEN ways to health life
0 Essential Health Tips
(The Basics to Practice Every Day) "He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything."
1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!
2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!
3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.
4. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.
5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.
6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.
7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body's boss.
8. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.
9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can't be unhappy when you're smiling or singing.
10. Choose Your Parents Well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.
(The Basics to Practice Every Day) "He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything."
1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!
2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!
3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.
4. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.
5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.
6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.
7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body's boss.
8. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.
9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can't be unhappy when you're smiling or singing.
10. Choose Your Parents Well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.
 |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)