HealthyLife Articles

Category: Family Life

  • Killer Household Products

    Home Safety

    Harmful drugs could be right under your nose.

    Spray paint, gasoline, glue, hair spray, and cleaning products become drugs when their vapors are inhaled on purpose to get “high.” Inhalants are easy to get and are among the most popular and deadly substances that teens abuse.

    The highs and lows

    At first, the effects of sniffing or snorting fumes are like drinking alcohol. But feeling giddy and less inhibited lasts only a few minutes. Continued use of the inhalant is needed to feel “high” longer. Breathing in chemical fumes replaces oxygen in the lungs. As a result, repeated use can cause:

    *  Death (even from one session of repeated use of the inhalant)

    *  Liver, kidney, and bone marrow problems

    *  Heart rhythm problems and heart failure

    *  Headaches

    *  Dizziness

    *  Confusion

    *  Delusions

    Also, the use of inhalants over time can cause health problems that cannot be reversed:

    *  Hearing loss

    *  Problems with learning and memory

    *  Muscle spasms

    Signs of inhalant use:

    *  Chemical smell on clothing or breath

    *  Drunk, dazed, or dizzy look

    *  Slurred speech

    *  Sores around the nose or mouth

    *  Paint or other chemical stains on fingers

    *  Empty spray paint bottles or rags hidden in closets

    If you suspect that a family member is using inhalants, get medical help without delay.

    Action Step

    Talk to your kids about the dangers of inhalants. Find out more fromwww.inhalants.drugabuse.gov.

    Ways to Well-Being book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Parenting

    PARENTING

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Create A Family Mission Statement

    FAMILY LIFE

    Family sitting together talking.

    A family mission statement defines your core values & priorities. It’s a useful tool to bind your family together for a common purpose.

    Gather as a family to talk about what you value most. Brainstorm words that best describe your family dynamics and priorities.

    Ask good questions

    *  What is our family’s purpose?

    *  What do we love to do together?

    *  What makes our family unique?

    *  What legacy do we hope to leave?

    Create a draft

    Identify themes from your conversations together and write a mission statement. The statement can be a paragraph, bullet points, or phrases that capture your family.

    Reflect & refine

    Take time to reflect on your first draft and see if it fits your family. Talk about what you’ve put together and get feedback. Adjust and refine as needed.

    Finalize & display

    Your mission statement doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should accurately reflect your family’s core values and goals. Display it somewhere visible.

    Update

    As your family grows and changes, your mission statement should change, too. Your values and goals will naturally evolve over time.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Prevent  Overscheduling

    FAMILY LIFE

    Mother on phone while using computer with 2 young children next to her.

    If you feel like you are running from one thing to the next without enough time to catch your breath, you may be overscheduled. Even if all the items on your calendar are things you love, being too busy isn’t good for you.

    Everyone needs a bit of margin in their life. Having time to relax and rest is essential for good health.

    To prevent overscheduling, be proactive and have a plan. Try these tips:

    *  Know your priorities. You can’t do everything, nor should you! Decide what matters most so you can make time for it.

    *  Use the answer “let me get back to you on that” to buy yourself time. Sometimes it’s easier to say no after reflecting.

    *  Put downtime on your calendar. Perhaps it is one evening a week where you rest and don’t commit to anything.

    *  Practice saying no. When you say no to something, it leaves space for you to say yes to what you truly care about.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Infant Safety

    Child Safety

    Young baby wearing blue hat and wrapped in blue blanket.

    Infants depend on their families to keep them safe. While all babies are unique, there are some safety issues that apply to all infants.

    Never leave a baby or young child alone near any water, such as a bathtub, a toilet, a bucket with water, etc., not even to answer a telephone or the door.

    Do not leave a baby alone on a changing table, bed, sofa or chair.

    Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death among babies between 1 month and 1 year old. To reduce the risk, place a baby to sleep on its back with a wearable blanket on a flat, sleep surface, covered only with a fitted sheet. Do not use a blanket, pillow, or add toys.

    From infancy on, ask your child’s doctor to check your child’s vision at regular exams. In general, children should start getting vision screening exams starting at age 3.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Burglarproof Your Home

    Home Safety

    Don’t be an easy target for thieves.

    Most home burglaries are the work of amateurs who are looking for a quick in and out. Make it look like someone is at home, especially while you are away.

    Dos:

    *  Inspect all locks on exterior doors. If they can be opened with a screwdriver or a credit card, replace them with single cylinder deadbolt locks.

    *  Install outside lighting with motion sensors around the house and garage.

    *  Consider installing an alarm system. Make sure the sign for it can be easily seen from the street.

    *  Close and lock windows. Put a metal or wooden rod between windows and frames, especially in door walls.

    *  Keep shrubs in front of windows no higher than three feet tall. This makes it hard for a burglar to hide in them.

    *  Engrave a personal contact code on your TV and other valuables to make them harder to sell and easier to trace.

    *  Join or start a neighborhood watch group.

    If your home will be vacant for several days or longer:

    *  Ask a relative or a neighbor you trust to watch your house. Consider leaving a key with one of them and ask them to do a periodic walk-through.

    *  Put a stop on delivery of mail and newspapers.

    *  Arrange for someone to mow the lawn or clear snow from the driveway and sidewalk. Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway.

    *  Preset automatic light timers to keep the house   well-lit during the evening and make it look like someone is home.

    *  Keep a radio on while you are gone. Set it to a 24-hour news or talk station.

    *  Find out if your local police department keeps a “vacant house list.” This alerts police to drive by and check on your house if you are gone for a week or longer.

    Action Step

    Store valuable items in places not easily seen. As an extra preventive measure, put valuable jewelry in a bank safety deposit box.

    Ways to Well-Being book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Only You Can Prevent Christmas Tree Fires

    Home Safety

    Image of Christmas tress in front of fire place.

    Every Christmas season, many families tragically lose their homes because of Christmas tree fires. Here’s how to prevent them.

    To choose a tree:

    *  Pick the freshest tree you can find. Hold the tree by the trunk and tap it against the ground. If needles drop profusely, look for another tree.

    *  Keep the tree outdoors with the trunk in water as long as possible. Once you bring the tree into a heated building, it will dry out more quickly.

    *  Indoors, keep the trunk in water. Check the water level daily, and refill when needed.

    *  Don’t stand the tree near a fireplace, wood stove, heat register, or electrical wires.

    To decorate the tree:

    *  Purchase only tree lights bearing a UL label from Underwriters Laboratory, which shows they meet safety standards.

    *  Check for broken bulbs, worn-out insulation, and damaged sockets. Replace or repair as necessary.

    *  Never attach electrical lights to an artificial, metal tree. Don’t overload extension cords.

    *  Discourage children from touching a decorated tree-it may tip over.

    *  To discourage pets from attacking the tree, avoid shiny decorations, and don’t place tinsel or ornaments on the lower branches.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Children Dental Health

    Pediatric Care

    Young child smiling while holding toothbrush.

    Children need to brush and floss their teeth every day.

    Begin tooth brushing after your child gets his or her first tooth. Clean and massage gums in toothless areas with clean gauze, too. Begin flossing when all of the baby teeth have come in.

    Sticky, chewy, sugary foods and drinks promote tooth decay. It is better to eat these foods with (not between) meals.

    A baby can get tooth decay from falling asleep with a bottle of formula, milk, juice, sugar water, or soft drinks.

    Instead of a bottle that has a liquid with any source of sugar, give your child a clean pacifier between feedings, at naptime, or at night. Don’t dip the pacifier in sugar or honey.

    Fluoride is a mineral that helps make teeth strong and prevents tooth decay. If your water supply does not have enough fluoride, your child’s doctor may prescribe it in drops or pills. Give it as advised. Too much can cause spots on your child’s teeth.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Dating After Divorce

    FAMILY LIFE

    Couple on a date.

    If you’re a divorced parent with kids, you may be wondering how to handle future relationships. Kids often need some time to adjust to their parents’ separation.

    If you’re ready to begin a new romantic relationship after a divorce, keep these tips in mind:

    *  Consider waiting at least six months to help kids adjust to the divorce.

    *  Your child doesn’t need to meet everyone you date. Introduce them only if your relationship is becoming serious.

    *  Prepare for the first meeting with your significant other and child. Don’t expect the first meeting to be perfect.

    *  Help your child deal with negative feelings. Children often hold out hope that their parents will get back together. Seeing a new significant other in your life can be difficult for them. Be sure to tell them that you and your ex-spouse are not getting back together, but that you still love them and will be their parents no matter what.

    *  Understand if your child simply doesn’t like your new partner as much as their other parent. This is normal. With time, your child may develop their own special relationship with this person.

    *  Don’t ask them to keep secrets from their other parent. If you are dating, you may need to tell your ex-spouse about the person in case your child brings it up with them. Your child should not feel uncomfortable when they talk about it with your ex-spouse.

    *  Remember that your child is always watching. Be cautious about your behavior in front of your child, whether it’s public affection or things you say.

    Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Signs Of Childhood Anxiety

    FAMILY LIFE

    Young boy laying on floor with hands on top of head.

    It’s normal for kids to experience short-lived fears, such as fear of storms, the dark, animals, or strangers. But, for some kids, fear and worry become excessive and may impact their well-being.

    Being alert for signs of anxiety in your child can help you identify it early and provide immediate support.

    What is childhood anxiety?

    When a child does not outgrow normal childhood fears, or those fears begin to interfere with daily life, they may have an anxiety disorder.

    *  Separation anxiety: fear of being apart from parents

    *  Phobias: extreme fear of a specific situation or thing, such as an animal or activity

    *  Social anxiety: fear of situations surrounded by other people, such as at school

    *  General anxiety: fear of the future and general worry about what might happen

    *  Panic disorder: recurrent attacks of intense fear combined with sweating, dizziness, increased heart rate, and shaking

    Symptoms

    Anxiety can show up in many different ways and often starts with subtle behaviors you may not identify as fear.

    Knowing when something is a problem and not just a childhood “phase” can be challenging. Watch for these common symptoms:

    *  Trouble sleeping

    *  Recurrent tummy aches or other physical complaints

    *  Becoming clingy towards parents or caregivers

    *  Avoidance of specific situations

    *  Difficulty focusing

    *  Trouble sitting still/being fidgety

    *  Emotional outbursts

    *  Mood swings

    When to seek help

    Anxiety is unlikely to go away on its own. If you notice any of the symptoms or have concerns about your child’s mental health, talk to your doctor right away.

    Common treatments include:

    *  Behavior therapy that may include both child and family therapy

    *  Extra support at school

    *  Training for parents to aid their child in managing anxiety

    *  Lifestyle supports such as a healthy diet, adequate sleep, physical activity, and social support

    *  Medication in some cases

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine