Preparing for a doctor’s appointment doesn’t have to be an undue burden. The U.S. National Institute on Aging suggests how to make the most of your time at the doctor’s office: Do not lie to your doctor when he or she asks about your diet, exercise plan or alcohol use. Come up with a few… read on >
Your home is chock full of things that could harm your pet. The U.S. Food and Drug Association urges pet owners to avoid exposing Fluffy or Fido to: Unprotected treats — If pets eat too many treats at once, they may become difficult to digest. Moreover, unchewed treats can get stuck in the windpipe, stomach… read on >
Excess drinking on New Year’s Eve can lead to a painful morning after, with no sure-fire cure available. But helpful strategies for treating a hangover do exist. Hangover symptoms — headache, nausea and dizziness — occur when the body withdraws from alcohol and a chemical called acetaldehyde is produced, Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician… read on >
What would New Year’s be without resolutions? But the way you approach change can make the difference between reaching successful milestones and abandoning your resolutions faster than you can say Valentine’s Day chocolates. It helps to do some advance planning. First, decide on the goals you’d like to achieve. Grab a calendar and spread them… read on >
Using a TV, computer or smartphone just before bed is a bad idea. These and similar gadgets emit blue light, which can harm sleep quality, the National Sleep Foundation says. Studies show blue light delays release of sleep-inducingmelatonin and resets the body’s internal clock to a later time. This can leave parents with children who… read on >
Playing at the playground is a rite of passage, but it doesn’t come without risks. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says hospital emergency departments see more than 20,000 children aged 14 and younger for playground-relatedtraumatic brain injurieseach year. The National Safety Council offers these suggestions for evaluating a playground: Check out ground… read on >
Physical activity is good for the body and the brain, but what about people with thinking and memory difficulties? A new recommendation from the American Academy of Neurology suggests that exercise is indeed helpful for people with mild cognitive impairment. The condition, in which thinking and memory skills deteriorate, often occurs as people age. Mild… read on >
The millions of Americans caught in the grip of an addiction to opioids — prescription painkillers or heroin — remained the leading health news story of the past year. The scourge is now so widespread that, just last week, research suggested that deaths from opioid overdoses may be the biggest factor driving a decline in… read on >
Homework may not be the number one priority when your child is being treated for cancer. But school shouldn’t be forgotten. Many children with cancer consider school and spending time with other kids as a sign of normalcy, the American Cancer Society says. The society offers these suggestions for keeping up with school during treatment:… read on >
Window blind cords are potential choking and safety hazards for young children. Nearly 17,000 children under age 6 were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for window blind-related injuries from 1990 through 2015, data published recently in the journal Pediatrics found. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these suggestions to help keep kids safer: Blinds with… read on >
