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TUESDAY, Jan. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Whether it’s infiltrating a cruise ship, a restaurant or a college dorm, the norovirus is often in the news. It’s the leading cause of illness from contaminated food in the United States. While food can be tainted at its source, food workers who acquire the infection can unintentionally cause outbreaks as well, often by touching food with bare hands before serving it. The virus causes gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and/or intestines. Symptoms like stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting typically start within 48 hours of exposure. Though most people get better in a few days, norovirus can be serious in youngsters and older adults, because it can lead to dehydration. Norovirus is very contagious. You can get it from sharing a fork with an infected person, eating contaminated food, or simply touching a contaminated surface. It’s also easily passed through an...

TUESDAY, Jan. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — To strengthen your back — the most commonly injured part of the body — it’s important to condition both the muscles in it and the ones that support it, notably the abs. Here are four moves to boost back fitness: For the bird dog, start on your hands and knees. Tighten your abs and simultaneously lift your right arm and your left leg until they’re in line with your back. Keep them straight as you hold for 15 seconds, then gently return to the start position. Do 10 reps, then switch sides and repeat. The plank works your back, abs and glutes. Lying on your stomach, bend your elbows to support your upper body on your forearms. Tighten your abs and glutes and turn your toes under, then lift your body off the ground. Keeping your back straight, hold for a count of...

(HealthDay News) — Uncontrolled high blood pressure is dangerous and could even lead to death, the American Heart Association says.
The AHA offers these suggestions for controlling high blood pressure:

• • Know your numbers and identity your target blood pressure range.
  • Work with your doctor to develop a plan to lower your pressure.
  • Make lifestyle changes — such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, consuming less salt, getting regular exercise and limiting alcohol.
  • Keep track of your blood pressure at home.
  • Take any blood pressure medication your doctor prescribes.

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(HealthDay News) — The amount of sleep a child needs varies at different ages, the American Academy of Pediatrics says.
While different kids of the same age may require different amounts, there are science-based guidelines of suggested sleep amounts for each age, the academy says.

Here are the guidelines:

• • Infants: (4 to 12 months): 12 to 16 hours per day/night.
  • Toddlers: (1 to 2 years) 11 to 14 hours.
  • Preschoolers: (3 to 5 years) 10 to 13 hours.
  • Grade schoolers: (6 to 12 years): 9 to 12 hours.
  • Teens:(13 to 18 years): 8 to 12 hours.

Copyright © 2018 HealthDay. All Rights Reserved.

(HealthDay News) — Doing CPR on someone in cardiac arrest can double the chances of survival, the American Heart Association says.
The AARP recommends these steps for administering CPR:

• • Do not wait. A person’s chances for survival fall up to 10 percent for every minute of delay.
  • Send someone to look for an Automated External Defibrillator.
  • Push up to two inches downward into the body.
  • Push faster. If compressions are faster, they are more likely to be more effective.

Copyright © 2018 HealthDay. All Rights Reserved.

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) — 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.

Copyright © 2018 HealthDay. All Rights Reserved.

(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.

Copyright © 2018 HealthDay. All Rights Reserved.

(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.

Copyright © 2018 HealthDay. All Rights Reserved.

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...

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...

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...