HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Family Life

  • Advocate Against Domestic Violence

    FAMILY LIFE

    Back of women, wind blowing her hair as she hugs herself.

    Domestic violence is a serious issue that requires immediate action. It occurs when an individual suffers abuse at the hands of a family member or partner.

    Abuse can come in many forms:

    *  Physical abuse

    *  Emotional abuse

    *  Economic abuse

    *  Sexual violence

    *  Stalking

    Whether the individual is a spouse, child, or older relative, everyone deserves a life free from violence and abuse.

    Recognizing the signs

    Domestic violence is a challenging topic to talk about and often involves feelings of shame and worthlessness. Keep an eye out for these signs of abuse:

    *  Unexplained cuts or bruises

    *  Avoidance of close relationships or family activities

    *  Discomfort or fear around a partner

    *  A partner or family member who is controlling and makes all the decisions

    *  A partner or family member who threatens to hurt themself if the partner wants to break up.

    Preventing violence & abuse

    Domestic violence relies on an environment of isolation and secrecy. People with high self-esteem and strong social support are less likely to become victims.

    To advocate against domestic violence, consider getting involved in programs that work to support strong communities. Many successful domestic violence prevention programs focus on:

    *  Investing in healthy relationships

    *  Advocating for accessible community resources

    *  Social programs aimed at reducing poverty

    *  Increased educational opportunities

    Confronting domestic violence

    If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, seek help. Call 911 if you are in a dangerous situation, or reach out to the domestic violence hotline at 800-799-SAFE.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Avoiding Chemicals In The Home

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of variety of cleaning supplies.

    Many common household items contain chemicals. Not all chemicals are bad for your health, but some can be harmful. To keep yourself and your family healthy, it’s best to take steps to reduce or avoid chemicals that could be unsafe.

    Did you know possible toxic substances can be found in cleaning products, furniture, carpet and shower curtains? Here’s how to avoid unsafe levels of toxins:

    *Read labels carefully.Many cleaning products have warnings and directions for how to use them. Follow these carefully. For instance, if it says, “use in a well-ventilated area,” you should be sure to open a window to the outside.

    *Be aware of odors.If something gives you a headache, sore throat or makes you cough, this may be a sign that you shouldn’t use it anymore.

    *Protect your skin.Wear gloves when using cleaning products and wash your hands after cleaning. Don’t let children use products with any chemicals in them like bleach, ammonia or strong cleaning ingredients.

    *Get checked for lead.If you live in a home built before 1980, ask your local health department how you can get your home and water checked for lead. You can’t see, smell or taste lead. Lead is harmful to the brain and affects children’s development. Find out if your home is at risk and take steps to get it removed, if needed.

    *Avoid pesticides whenever possible.Contact professional pest control companies for insect problems.

    *Choose fragrance-free products when possible.Many fragrances contain chemicals that disrupt hormone functions in the body. Also, some people are sensitive to fragrances.

    *Replace old nonstick pans that look worn or scratched.They may contain chemicals that can get into your food.

    *Look for cleaning products that have the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Safer Choice” label.For more information, visitwww.epa.gov/saferchoice/products.

    If someone in your home may have ingested a poisonous product, call The American Association of Poison Control Centers at (800) 222-1222.

    Remove dust for a healthier home

    Did you know household dust often contains chemicals and toxins from your home? A good way to reduce your exposure to them is to keep dust down. Try these tips:

    *  Choose non-toxic or “Safer Choice” cleaning products. White vinegar is an effective non-toxic cleaner for many surfaces.

    *  Use a damp rag without chemicals to dust.

    *  Clean floors with a damp mop or a steam-only mop.

    *  Vacuum floors regularly and use a vacuum with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.

    *  Open windows to bring in fresh air whenever possible.

    *  Change furnace and air filters regularly.

    *  Wash hands often.

    Source: National Institutes of Health, Environmental Protection Agency

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Crowd Control

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of a crowd of people.

    Wherever there are crowds, such as at football games, conventions, or music concerts, there are germs. Mayo Clinic infectious diseases expert Dr. Gregory Poland tells how you can avoid illness when you’re in a large throng of people, even in subways and on airplanes.

    Whenever you’re in a venue with hundreds or thousands of people gathering, you automatically run increased risk for getting “something.” The people around you may not have the same immunization programs or the same standards of personal cleanliness or food safety, he said, especially if you’re in an international group.

    Besides illnesses such as whooping cough, measles, mumps, colds and flu, other heightened dangers in places with large numbers of people passing through include respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis; vermin such as head lice and bedbugs; food-borne sickness such as E. coli, salmonella, hepatitis A and traveler’s diarrhea; and skin conditions including athlete’s foot and staph infections.

    Dr. Poland offers these tips for sidestepping illness:

    *  Keep your vaccines up to date: The most important ones include the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella; the seasonal flu shot; and a relatively new vaccine called Tdap, for tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough.

    *  Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

    *  Dine carefully: If it’s not cooked well, boiled or peeled, forget it. Make sure food that is supposed to be hot is served hot and food that is supposed to be cold is served cold, and make sure dishes and utensils are clean.

    *  Wear shower/pool shoes when using the shower or pool in public places.

    *  Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, or whirlpools unless you are certain they are properly maintained, and it’s hard to tell.

    *  Don’t smoke: It raises the odds you’ll get Legionnaires’ disease if you’re exposed to the legionella bacteria and can also make you more susceptible to respiratory illnesses in general.

    *  Don’t try on hats in stores to minimize the risk of getting head lice. If you buy a hat, seal it in a plastic bag to carry it home, then freeze it for several days or launder it before wearing.

    *  Scout for bedbugs in a hotel room, and once in a room, only place your luggage on wooden surfaces or in the bathtub, not on the floor, bed, chair or couch until you determine whether bedbugs are present.

    *  Be an advocate for your health: If someone near you is obviously ill, move away if you can, or ask to be reseated.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Ipad Pain

    WELL-BEING

    Image of man using a tablet.

    When your iPad or other tablet causes pain in the neck and shoulders –

    *  Use a case that positions the device at a comfortable viewing angle.

    *  Routinely shift hands and weight. Stand up if seated, or sit down if standing.

    When using a laptop or desktop computer, follow the same tips for a tablet plus:

    *  Use an external keyboard.

    *  Keep shoulders relaxed and elbows close to the body.

    *  Keep hands, wrists, forearms, and thighs parallel to the floor.

    *  Take a break and change position every 15 minutes.

    Holding a tablet computer too low, say on the lap, forces the neck to bend forward too much, straining and possibly even injuring muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, or spinal discs. Simply placing a tablet on a table propped at an angle in a tablet case can reduce neck strain and potential pain, according to research conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Politics & Family: Agree To Disagree

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of family around the dinner table.

    Politics can be hard to discuss. Often, the conversations turn into arguments or people getting upset because the other person doesn’t agree. When we feel strongly about something, it’s normal to want others to see our side of things.

    Family gatherings are common during the holidays. And, sometimes politics or touchy subjects come up, even when we try to avoid them. How do you handle it when you’re trying to keep the peace?

    *Find common ground.Even if you disagree about something, there’s probably areas where you both agree. For instance, you may have different opinions on gun control. But, you both agree you want your kids to be safe.

    *Don’t attack.Using insults or strong language can damage relationships. Remember that words have the power to harm others. State your point without hurting the other person or showing disrespect by calling them names.

    *Be prepared.If you know that Uncle Tim always says something that offends you, be ready. Think about how you can take deep breaths before responding. Sometimes, it’s better to walk away or change the subject, rather than argue.

    *Know that you probably won’t change the other person’s mind.When we care about something, we want others to agree. We want them to support our views. But, it may be best to accept that no matter how good your argument is, the other person may not change their view.

    *Think about a positive goal.Use disagreements to learn how others feel about something. Be open-minded and listen to their side.

    *Find other things to do.Remember that family gatherings are supposed to bring people together. Plan a fun family game or activity. This can keep people away from having tense discussions.

    *Be okay with different views.You can care about someone and have different views from them. Tell yourself it is okay to agree to disagree.

    *End the discussion when needed.Sometimes, people keep arguing because they’re trying to find a resolution. But, a resolution isn’t always possible. Instead, tell the person you appreciate their views, but you think it’s best to move on. Ask them about their personal interests or job. Share a funny story. Do something to break the tension and stop talking about the disagreement.

    Source: American Psychological Association

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Still No Flu Shot? It’s Not Too Late

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of fingers crossed with smiling faces drawn in them.

    The flu causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s a serious disease that is especially dangerous for babies, the elderly and those with health conditions, such as heart disease.

    Get your flu shot if you haven’t done so yet. You may be wondering if getting a shot now will be helpful, and the answer is “yes!” Here’s why:

    *  Getting the shot now means you could be protected before the peak of the holiday season. It takes about 2 weeks to get the full immunity from a flu shot.

    *  Flu season usually continues until March or even April of each year. Getting the shot now means months of protection!

    *  As long as the flu keeps spreading, the flu shot can keep you from getting sick.

    *  If you do get sick, your illness will probably be much milder.

    *  No one likes to have a fever, chills, cough, headache, sore throat, body aches, nausea or vomiting. Getting the flu shot now means you reduce your risk of getting all these symptoms from the flu this season. The flu is much more serious than a cold.

    Top flu shot myths busted

    Many people have heard myths about the flu shot and may wonder if it’s safe and effective. Check out these common misconceptions and the truth about the flu shot:

    Myth: You can get sick from the flu shot.

    Fact:The flu shot cannot make you sick with the flu. It contains inactivated (killed) viruses. Some people have mild side effects that last only a day or so that include aches, soreness and a low fever. These side effects are much shorter and milder than getting the flu.

    Myth: I got the flu shot last year, so I don’t need a new one.

    Fact:The flu shot changes each year based on what flu viruses are going around. Experts choose several viruses that are most likely to make people sick and include them in the vaccine. Last year’s vaccine may not offer protection against this year’s viruses.

    Myth: It’s better to just get the flu and get immunity that way.

    Fact:While most healthy people will recover from the flu without problems, this is a dangerous risk to take. Anyone who gets the flu can be at risk of having serious problems. And, there is a high risk of spreading it to loved ones, especially babies, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Too Sick For School?

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of sick boy in bed.

    Colds? Flu? What to do? Sending a sick child to school can make matters worse and spread the illness to others. Follow these guidelines from pediatrician Dr. Jacqueline Kaari, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, who said, “Parents need to be able to quickly assess their child and determine if he or she is well enough to go to school or needs to stay home, or if it’s time to call the pediatrician. Sometimes, parents will guess wrong, but if there’s one rule of thumb, it should be to always err on the side of caution.”

    Colds.What to do: Use over-the-counter saline nose drops or spray and a cool mist humidifier to relieve symptoms. Because colds are caused by viruses, antibiotics are not effective. Instead, the cold just needs to run its course until the child recovers. Contact your child’s doctor if a cough suddenly worsens or a fever develops.

    Fever.What to do: Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fevers. Encourage the child to drink lots of fluids and avoid fatty or fried foods that are hard to digest because fevers decrease stomach activity. Keep children at home if their fever is above 100.4ºF. Call a doctor if a high fever lasts more than 24 hours or does not respond to medication, or if the child’s condition worsens.

    Flu.Striking more suddenly and more intensely than a cold, the flu causes a sudden, high fever with body aches. What to do: Have your child vaccinated early in the flu season to protect against this illness. A child who comes down with the flu should stay home for several days, rest, and drink lots of fluids.

    Conjunctivitis (“pink eye”).A red, weeping eye(s) with a thick discharge that could become crusty when sleeping. What to do: Contact your child’s doctor for treatment, which may include antibiotic eye drops. Conjunctivitis can be highly contagious. Follow the doctor’s advice. Children can usually return to school 24 to 48 hours after treatment begins. Check with the school’s policy.

    Head lice.Tiny, crawling bugs that live on the scalp and feed on blood. Itching and sores on the scalp can be signs of head lice. The insects cannot jump or fly and are spread by human contact. What to do. Under bright light, check the entire scalp closely for lice or tiny white eggs (called nits), starting at the upper neck and behind the ears. Lotions and shampoos that can kill the lice are available at the drug store. Keep the child home from school until the lice have completely gone away.

    Sore throat.What to do: Have the child drink a few sips of water. If that relieves the symptoms, you are likely dealing with, at worst, a viral infection that will go away with a few days of rest, plenty of liquids, and pain relievers. If you suspect strep throat, follow the fever guidelines and contact your child’s doctor.

    Stomach ache.What to do: Keep children who have been vomiting home from school. Wait an hour after the child vomits and encourage small drinks of water. Gradually introduce clear liquids and bland foods throughout the day. Contact your doctor if vomiting lasts beyond 24 hours, occurs with worsening pain at the belly button or lower right abdomen, or if the child vomits blood or green or yellow matter.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Babies, Pacifiers & Thumb Sucking

    FAMILY LIFE

    Baby sucking his thumb as father holds him.

    Many babies use pacifiers or their fingers to soothe themselves. But which is best and when should they stop?

    The thumb and finger habit

    Many babies will suck on a favorite thumb or finger. This is normal. There are some good things about this habit:

    *  You don’t have to buy a pacifier. And, you don’t have to worry about it falling on the floor and getting dirty.

    *  A baby always has it when they need it.

    There are some downsides to this habit, including:

    *  Babies may touch things and get germs on their hands. Then, these germs get in their mouth.

    *  Thumb sucking may increase the risk of ear infections.

    *  You can’t take it away when you want them to quit the habit!

    Using a pacifier

    Many babies get pacifiers right after birth and use them for months or years. They can be helpful because they:

    *  Can reduce pain during shots or blood draws.

    *  They may reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

    *  You can take them away when you want them to stop using it.

    Pacifiers aren’t always good. They can:

    *  Cause problems with breastfeeding.

    *  Get lost or fall on a dirty floor or surface.

    *  Increase the risk of ear infections.

    *  Cause dental problems with long-term use (longer than 6 months).

    Your child’s needs

    Many parents find that they need to allow their baby to soothe with fingers or a pacifier. Without it, their baby may be fussy or may not sleep well. Keep these things in mind when weighing the pros and cons:

    *  It’s best to use pacifiers in babies under 6 months. After 1 year of age, babies should start to wean off the pacifier.

    *  Don’t put honey or anything else on a pacifier. Wash it often and especially after it touches the floor or dirty objects.

    *  Thumb and finger sucking can be hard to stop. If your child doesn’t stop by age 4, talk to their doctor.

    If you have questions about pacifier use or thumb sucking, talk to your child’s pediatrician.

    Source: American Academy of Family Physicians

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine