HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Family Life

  • Helping Kids Make Health Decisions

    FAMILY LIFE

    Couple with young daughter.

    Children can learn how to be a part of their own health care. This can start when children are young, but it’s never too late. Here are some ways to empower them to make medical decisions.

    From ages 5 to 10 years old, kids can talk with the doctor at their appointments.

    Your child’s doctor should talk to your child when it’s appropriate. They can use language the child will understand.

    Once your child is 11 years old, let them do most of the talking at the doctor’s office.

    Ask your child if they want you in the room during appointments. Encourage them to ask the doctor questions about their health.

    Teenagers can take the lead in their doctor appointments. Talk with them about their health conditions and medications so they can discuss them with their doctor.

    Teach your teen how to schedule a doctor’s appointment and call for a medication refill. These are skills they will need when they leave home.

    © 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

  • Child Safety

    Child Safety

    Do This, Not That

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

    *  Injuries are the leading cause of death in children and teens.

    *  Each year, nearly 9 million children aged 0 to 19 years are seen in emergency departments for injuries. More than 9,000 children die as a result of being injured.

    *  Injury treatment is the leading cause of medical spending for children.

    The leading causes of injury death differed by age group.

    *  For children less than 1 year of age, 2/3rds of injury deaths were due to suffocation.

    *  Drowning was the leading cause of injury death for those 1 to 4 years of age.

    *  For children 5 to 19 years of age, the most injury-related deaths were due to being an occupant in a motor vehicle traffic crash.

    Most child injures are preventable. Use the tips in this section to keep your children safe at home.

    General Guidelines

    Safe at Home - Do This, Not That Book. Published by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 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

  • The Keys To Physical Well-Being Are Healthy Habits

    Personal Safety

    Couple eating watermelon.

    *  Eat nutritious foods.

    *  Get to and maintain a healthy weight.

    *  Be physically active.

    *  Get enough sleep and rest.

    *  See that you and all family members age 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine. It is the single best way to prevent getting seasonal flu.

    Dos

    *  Balance work and play.

    *  Wash your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer containing 60% alcohol.

    *  Avoid secondhand smoke.

    Don’ts

    *  Don’t be a workaholic.

    *  Don’t be around people who have the flu.

    *  Don’t use tobacco in any form.

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

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Baby Teeth

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of baby at the doctor's office.

    The ideal time for a child to visit the dentist is 6 months after the child’s first teeth appear. During this initial visit, a dentist will be able to examine the development of the child’s mouth.

    Babies may have dental problems, such as teething irritations, gum disease, and prolonged thumb or pacifier sucking.

    The sooner the child visits a dentist, the better, says the Academy of General Dentistry in offering these other tips:

    *  Clean your infant’s gums with a clean, damp cloth twice a day.

    *  Ask your dentist when you may begin to rub a tiny dab of toothpaste on your child’s gums. Doing so will help your child become accustomed to the flavor of toothpaste.

    *  As soon as the first teeth come in, begin brushing them with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste.

    *  Help a young child brush at night. This is the most important time to brush, due to lower salivary flow during sleep and higher risk for cavities and plaque.

    *  By about age 5, your child can learn to brush his or her teeth with proper help from an adult.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • The Dangers Of Distracted Driving

    WELL-BEING

    Image of women driving while looking at her phone about to hit a pedestrian.

    Though driving a car may seem like a simple task, it requires quick reflexes, concentration and reasoning. When a driver is distracted, some – or all – of these important skills can be lost.

    Distracted driving means the driver is doing something other than focusing on the road ahead. It can be anything that takes the driver’s mind off of driving, hands off the wheel or eyes off the road. In the age of smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices, it’s easy to get distracted when driving – even for just a second.

    Though it seems harmless, a quick glance at a phone to read a text can be dangerous or even deadly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. That’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed if you’re going 55 miles per hour. In that amount of time, a driver can hit a pedestrian, run a red light or stop sign, or crash into another vehicle.

    The NHTSA says nearly 3,500 people died and almost 400,000 were injured in 2015 due to distracted driving crashes. Here’s what we can do to help stop distracted driving:

    *  Never use a phone while driving. Put it in the back seat or out of reach to reduce the urge to look at it “just for a second.”

    *  Talk with your teens about distracted driving and tell them that the texts can wait. Lead by example.

    *  Sign a pledge to not drive distracted and stick to it. Ask family members and friends to sign it too. The “It Can Wait” pledge is available atitcanwait.usaa.com.

    Did you know?

    There are laws that prohibit distracted driving. Talking on a hand-held cellphone while driving is banned in 15 states and the District of Columbia. Text messaging is banned for all drivers in 47 states and the District of Columbia.

    To learn about your state laws, go towww.iihs.org/iihs/topics/laws/cellphonelaws.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Is 3D As Dangerous As The Warnings?

    WELL-BEING

    Illustration of a TV with wild animlas appearing to come out of the television set.

    Have you read the warnings on a 3D TV or gaming system? Can 3D actually cause altered vision, lightheadedness, twitching, nausea, disorientation, especially for children and the elderly?

    Through these disclaimers, companies may have been scaring away the customers they seek, but medical evidence does not back up the claims.

    Professional eye photographer Timothy Bennett of Penn State Hershey Eye Center said there are no health issues associated with 3D imaging. Some people experience headaches or dizziness, but these are temporary. The images may be disorienting, but as soon as you stop looking at 3D, the feelings clear up.

    He recommends sitting far from the screen, especially if you are sensitive, and take breaks from gaming or watching 3D TV.

    Some people experience headaches or dizziness, but these are temporary.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Power Down At Night

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of family playing a game of chess.

    Make the hour before bed a no-electronics zone, said Dr. Jill Creighton, pediatrician at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. Powering down makes bedtime easier because kids need to relax before going to sleep.

    Most school-age kids (ages 6 to 17) have at least one device; a smartphone, video games, iPad or computer in their bedrooms while sleeping, according to a National Sleep Foundation survey. And children who leave those devices on at night sleep less-up to one hour less on average per night. Dr. Creighton makes a few more observations for your kids (and maybe for you as well):

    *  Ban hand-held devices from the bedroom. “The burst of light from a phone (even if it’s just to check the time) can break a sleep cycle,” she said. “A regular alarm clock is best.”

    *  If your child has a slight addiction to technology and is resistant about turning off a device, try dialing down the screen time. “Reduce screen time by 30 minutes or more each week until you reach your goal,” said Dr. Creighton. “A good rule of thumb is try to limit recreational screen time to 60 minutes every day. And for every 30 minutes of screen time, make sure your kids get 30 minutes of physical activity.”

    *  Try to replace screen time with an activity. “It’s sometimes hard to get kids off the couch and get them moving,” said Dr. Creighton. “Parents, get creative and make moving fun for kids.” Some ideas: a 20-minute family walk, 20 minutes of shooting hoops outside, walking the dog, going bike riding and doing chores (with the promise of an allowance) such as vacuuming, putting away laundry, raking leaves, shoveling snow and helping with the garbage/recycling.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Stranded In A Storm?

    WELL-BEING

    Image of young women looking out the car window.

    Whether you’re stuck in your car or at home or elsewhere, know how to extend your cell phone’s battery life, advises the Auto Club Group.

    In an emergency, do this:

    *  Turn the phone off. Only turn it on when you are expecting or making a call.

    *  If you’re in an area with no reception, turn off the phone to prevent it from constantly searching for service. Even with automatic power-save features, this function can take up to 30 minutes and it is depleting your battery.

    *  Limit use of the vibrate function on your phone. Use a ring tone because it uses less of the battery’s power.

    *  Don’t use extra features such as the Internet, WiFi, GPS, a camera, and a hands-free device.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine