Category: Well-Being

Just like the average coach airplane seat is uncomfortable for most people, office chairs and desks may not fit you either. Arrange your laptop, computer, and tablet so they fit you, urges Dr. Erik Peper, professor at San Francisco State University’s Institute for Holistic Health Studies. Don’t let an incorrectly adjusted chair or table height force you to work in an awkward body position.

For working at a computer:Sit in a chair with your feet on the floor. Keep your elbows bent at 90 degrees with your hands, wrists, and forearms straight, in line, and roughly parallel to the floor so that your hands can be on the keyboard while the top of the monitor is level with your eyebrow.

For working with a laptop:You will always compromise body position. If the screen is at eye level, you have to bring your arms and hands up to the keyboard, or, more commonly, you will look down at the screen while at the same time raising your hands to reach the keyboard. The solution is to use an external keyboard so that the keyboard can be at your waist position and the laptop screen eye level.

For working with tablets and smartphones.You have little choice. You either look down or reach up to touch the screen. As much as possible tilt and raise the tablet so that you do not have to slouch to see the screen.

Although children will lose many of their first teeth as they are replaced with permanent adult teeth, the “baby” teeth are still important. Cavities and decay, even in those first teeth, can lead to speech and eating problems and crooked adult teeth, says the American Dental Association (ADA). Follow these tips to keep your child’s teeth in the best possible condition:

*  Don’t let baby go to bed with a bottle. Even milk contains natural sugars that can sit on the teeth and cause cavities.

*  If you have an infant, gently wipe his or her teeth daily with a soft cloth or a toothbrush designed for babies. No toothpaste is necessary at this age.

*  Toddlers will need help brushing with a small, soft toothbrush. Just water is fine – no toothpaste is needed yet.

*  Once your child reaches age 3, they should be brushing twice daily with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. You should supervise brushing until age 7 to ensure they are reaching all sides of the teeth.

*  Teach your child to floss. There are easy-to-grip flossers designed for kids that may help them get used to the habit.

*  Take your child to the dentist. The ADA recommends you start when your child is 1 year old, and every six months after that. This is a good time to discuss dental care, examine your child’s teeth, and get them familiar with seeing the dentist.

Help your child adopt healthy habits now, and they’ll thank you with a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime.

High winds and storms can cause power lines to fall. Be alert and always assume all fallen lines are energized, says MidAmerican Energy. Stay away from anything that is touching the line, such as a tree, fence, or vehicle.

*  Do not touch someone who is being shocked by a fallen power line.

*  Report the downed line to 911.

*  Shuffle, don’t run, from a fallen line. Shuffle with your feet together and on the ground. Warn others not to run. When a live wire touches the ground, electricity travels through the ground in all directions. If you run or take large steps, you increase the chance you could be shocked.

*  Stay safe inside your car if a line comes down on or near your vehicle. Don’t touch metal parts of the car such as the radio. Wait until electrical workers turn off the power and tell you it’s safe to leave the vehicle.

Dr. Michael Huckabee, professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, offers 3 not-so-well-known possible causes:

Night cramps

A sudden, intense pain in the calf from a muscle spasm can awake you from a dead sleep. Night cramps may occur once a year or less often, but some people have several a night.

Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, nerve or muscle disorders and medication side effects can cause night cramps. So can working the muscles hard earlier in the day. If you can find out the cause, treatment might be as simple as drinking plenty of water or stretching your legs before you go to bed. If leg cramps disturb your sleep often, visit your doctor for help.

Restless legs

Do you get a powerful urge to move your legs? Do they feel uncomfortable when you sit or lie down? They may also have a creeping, crawling, tingling, or burning sensation. These can be symptoms of restless leg syndrome (RLS).

Sometimes, RLS is due to a health condition, such as anemia or to a side effect of some medications. In most cases, though, there is no known cause and it tends to run in families. Daytime exercise, relaxation techniques and other lifestyle changes can help. See your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Sleep paralysis

While fading off to sleep or waking up, you may experience a complete paralysis, unable to move or speak. You could also have a vivid nightmare or hallucination when your consciousness is drifting  between sleep and waking.

The exact cause of sleep paralysis is unknown but it may be related to an imbalance or overlapping of the stages of sleep. Stress, erratic sleep schedules and some medications may also be factors, and there is likely a genetic component. Despite how frightening it is, there are no serious health problems with sleep paralysis. A variety of treatments, from simple home exercises to prescription medications, have been shown to be effective.

Chilly weather can be hard on feet. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons offers 5 tips to healthy feet.

1.If the shoe fits, wear it-Narrow shoes, overly-high heels or shoes that aren’t worn very often, such as dress shoes, can irritate feet and lead to blisters, calluses, swelling, and even severe ankle injuries. Choose a shoe that has a low heel and fits your foot in length, width, and depth while you are standing.

2.Don’t overindulge– Did you know your feet can feel the effects if you eat too much of certain foods and beverages high in purines. Shellfish, red meat, red wine, and beer can trigger extremely painful gout attacks, a condition when uric acid builds up and crystallizes in and around your joints. Uric acid is sensitive to temperature changes (so gout can start in the big toe, which is the coldest part of the body).

3.Be pedicure-safety conscious-Nail salons can be a breeding ground for bacteria. To reduce your risk of infection, choose a salon that follows proper sanitation practices and is licensed by the state. Consider also purchasing your own pedicure instruments to bring to your appointment.

4.Watch for ice and snow-Use caution when traveling outdoors. Watch for ice or snow patches along your trail. The ankle joint can be more prone to serious injury from falling on ice. If you fall, use R.I.C.E. therapy (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) to help reduce the pain and control swelling around the injury until you see a doctor.

5.“Listen” to your feet-Inspect your feet regularly for any sign of ingrown toenails, bruising, swelling, blisters, dry skin, or calluses, especially if you have diabetes.