Aaron Jencks

(HealthDay News) — Refrigeration can help keep food safe from germs and prevent food-borne illnesses.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests these refrigeration tips:

• • Marinate food in the refrigerator instead of at room temperature. Bacteria can multiply rapidly at room temperature.
  • Never reuse marinating liquid unless you bring it to a rapid boil first to kill any germs.
  • Clean the refrigerator often and wipe spills immediately to reduce the growth of bacteria.
  • Prevent drips from thawing meat that can allow germs from one food to spread to another.
  • Cover foods in the refrigerator.
  • Check leftovers daily for spoilage.
  • Store eggs in the carton in the refrigerator itself rather than on the door, where the temperature is warmer.
  • Always check expiration dates.
  • If food looks at all questionable or is past its expiration date, throw it out.

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(HealthDay News) — Rotavirus causes diarrhea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain. It is highly contagious, especially among young children with weaker immune systems, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
Children can become dehydrated and may require hospitalization. Symptoms of dehydration include decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up and crying with few or no tears.

The CDC suggests these ways to prevent illness from rotavirus:

• • Wash well after changing a diaper.
  • Protect those at greatest risk of rotavirus illness by getting the rotavirus vaccine.
  • Up to 98 percent of children who get rotavirus vaccine will be protected from severe rotavirus disease, the CDC says.

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FRIDAY, Jan. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — If the fun is often missing from your social activities or play feels like work, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have an explanation: You’re probably overplanning. With so many demands on your time, precise scheduling might be the only way to accomplish everything you want. But while that can help at work and with family responsibilities, applying it to leisure time takes away spontaneity and, in turn, much of the enjoyment. Researchers conducted 13 studies that examined how scheduling affects the way people experience a variety of leisure activities, like meeting for coffee and going to the movies. They found that assigning a specific date and time for an activity can undermine its fun factor and make it feel like a chore or even work. Scheduling lessened both the happy anticipation of an event and the fun when doing it. But...

(HealthDay News) — A key to successful dieting is to enjoy your food more, while eating less, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says.
Your meals should include all of the food groups while limiting sugar, salt and saturated fat, the agency says.

The USDA offers these additional suggestions:

• • Learn the ingredients in all foods and beverages you consume, which will help you make healthier choices.
  • Eat slowly, enjoy the taste and texture of your food and pay attention to how you feel.
  • Use a smaller plate.
  • Chose healthier options if you eat out.
  • Feed your sweet tooth with fruit, instead of choices with added sugar.
  • Eat more vegetables, fruit and whole grains.
  • Opt for calorie-free beverages, such as water, unsweetened tea or sparkling water, over soda and alcoholic drinks.
  • Make sweets a once-in-a-while treat. It’s OK to indulge occasionally, not daily.

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WEDNESDAY, Jan. 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Not every budding musician will become a rock star, but studying music has brain bonuses for kids, even those who don’t take up an instrument until their teen years. There’s no doubt that participation in in-school music programs boosts motivation. Mastering an instrument or performing with a group brings a sense of accomplishment and is a wonderful creative outlet. What’s more, it can enhance other types of learning, research has revealed. Scientists compared the brain gains among high schoolers involved in band classes for two or three hours a week to those participating in a fitness program. The young musicians showed faster maturation in the brain’s response to sound and in sensitivity to sound details. Both are important for language skills and, in turn, academic success. The students developed what’s called learning to learn. (This isn’t to say that kids should ignore exercise...

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A study of nearly 200 poor women living in the St. Louis area found that two out of three had to go without feminine hygiene products at least once over the prior year, due to cost. About one-fifth — 21 percent — said this happened on a monthly basis, and nearly half said they often had to make tough choices between buying food or period-related products. The findings add fuel to demands by women’s groups across the United States to ban sales taxes on feminine hygiene products. There are also calls to make such products available through programs such as the federal Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC). “Adequate menstrual hygiene management is not a luxury,” according to researchers led by Anne Sebert Kuhlmann, of Saint Louis University. “It is a basic need for all women and should be regarded as a basic...

(HealthDay News) — Mold exposure can trigger health problems including asthma, respiratory infections and allergic reactions. Mold can grow on virtually any moist surface and should never be ignored.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests how to prevent mold and how to get rid of an existing problem:

• • Fix plumbing leaks and other water issues as soon as possible. Dry all surfaces completely.
  • Scrub mold from hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely.
  • Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy.
  • Clean up any mold and dry surfaces thoroughly before painting. Paint applied over moldy surfaces is likely to peel.
  • If you are unsure about how to clean mold off an item of special value, consult a specialist.

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TUESDAY, Jan. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Take a stand for a longer life. Researchers say even a few extra minutes off the sofa each day can add years to your life span. “If you have a job or lifestyle that involves a lot of sitting, you can lower your risk of early death by moving more often, for as long as you want and as your ability allows — whether that means taking an hour-long high-intensity spin class or choosing lower-intensity activities, like walking,” said study lead author Keith Diaz. He’s assistant professor of behavioral medicine at Columbia University in New York City. The new study involved nearly 8,000 American adults, aged 45 and older. Each wore physical activity monitors for at least four days as part of research conducted between 2009 and 2013. The investigators then tracked deaths among the participants until 2017. The results: People who replaced...

(HealthDay News) — Teens typically have a significant increase in appetite around the age of 10 in girls and 12 in boys, the American Academy of Pediatrics says.
During adolescence, boys require an average of 2,800 calories per day and girls an average of 2,200 calories per day. Hunger typically starts to subside once teens stop growing, the academy adds.

But taller teens and those who play sports may require more calories into late adolescense, the doctor’s group says.

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(HealthDay News) — Stress is a function of the demands placed on people and their ability to meet them, the Nemours Foundation says.
Stress affects anyone who feels overwhelmed, including children. Signs of a stressed child include mood swings, acting out, changes in sleep patterns or bedwetting, the foundation says. Additional signs may be stomachache, headache, trouble concentrating or appearing withdrawn.

Nemours suggests how to help your child manage stress:

• • Make sure the child gets enough sleep and eats a nutritious diet.
  • Set aside time each day to speak with your child.
  • Don’t force a child to talk about what’s bothersome.
  • Anticipate and prepare the child for stressful situations.
  • Use a character in your child’s favorite book to identify a stressful situation and to learn how the character worked things out.

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FRIDAY, Jan. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — If one of your resolutions for 2019 is to improve your health, reducing your risk of cancer should be part of that goal, a cancer expert says. While cancer risk factors such as family history and aging can’t be controlled, lifestyle changes such as eating right, staying active and not smoking can lower your risk, said Dr. Elias Obeid. He is director of breast, ovarian and prostate cancer risk assessment at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Cancer screening is also important because it can detect the disease at an early and more treatable stage. “Getting regular recommended cancer screenings is just as important as modifying your lifestyle to reduce your risk,” Obeid said in a Fox Chase news release. “Regular screenings can greatly increase your chances of detecting cancers early, when they’re most likely to be curable and before you begin having...

TUESDAY, Jan. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Families of nursing home residents are more likely to be satisfied with facilities that have higher staffing levels and are nonprofits, a new study finds. “The findings show that facility-level factors associated with higher family satisfaction are rather similar to the ones we already know predict resident satisfaction as well,” said study leader Tetyana Shippee. She is an associate professor in the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health, in Minneapolis. “This report reinforces that the role of family members is so important, as residents often can’t advocate for themselves, especially those with dementia and cognitive impairment, who are at highest risk for injury and premature death,” Shippee added in a university news release. It also shows that family members can “help keep watch on nursing homes and ensure quality of care for residents,” Shippee noted. In the study, the researchers compared federal...