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(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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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...

(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 Additional signs may be stomachache, headache, trouble concentrating or appearing withdrawn.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.

Copyright © 2018 HealthDay. All Rights Reserved.

(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.

Copyright © 2018 HealthDay. All Rights Reserved.

TUESDAY, Jan. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Over the past 25 years, the number of Americans who have died from cancer has dropped dramatically, though racial and economic disparities persist, a new study reveals. Between 1991 and 2016, deaths from cancer dropped 27 percent. In real numbers, that’s almost 2.6 million fewer cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. “The decline in deaths is largely driven by reductions in smoking and improved treatment, as well as earlier detection for some cancers,” said lead researcher Rebecca Siegel, scientific director of surveillance research at the cancer society. This is especially true for the most common cancers, including breast, colon, lung and prostate. But although the racial gap in cancer deaths is slowly narrowing, socioeconomic disparities are growing, she said. Poor counties in particular lag behind, and for some cancers the gap is widening, Siegel noted. “The largest gaps are for the...

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...

(HealthDay News) — Some decorations sold for use on birthday cakes may not be what parents wish for, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. Some decorative glitters and dusts may contain ingredients that shouldn’t be eaten, the agency says. They’re marketed as luster dust, disco dust, twinkle dust, sparkle dust highlighter, shimmer powder, pearl dust and petal dust. The FDA offers these suggestions before deciding on how to decorate a cake: Carefully check the label of any decorative product. Edible glitters and dusts are required by law to include a full list of ingredients on the label. Look for ingredients such as sugar, acacia, maltodextrinornstarch and color additives specifically approved for food use. Most edible glitters and dusts state “edible” on the label. If the label simply says “non-toxic” or “for decorative purposes only” and does not include an ingredients list, you should not use the product on foods....

FRIDAY, Jan. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The number of weekly recommended workout sessions can really add up. With five or more periods of cardio, and two or three each of strength training, flexibility and motor skills for balance and agility, it’s inevitable that you’ll need to do more than one type of exercise on any given day. To make the most of every session, know the right sequence to follow. A Western Colorado University study sponsored by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) tested the variables and found definitive results. First, on days when you’re doing cardio, you should typically start with this workout, whatever aerobic activity you choose. You’ll not only get the maximum benefits by doing it first, but you’ll also warm up your body for the second exercise. If strength training is also part of that day’s plan, do it next. If you’re piggy-backing all types...

FRIDAY, Jan. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Missing out on needed sleep can bring a host of health woes, including diabetes because a lack of sleep affects insulin levels. It also leaves you less alert and less able to focus. And get only four or five hours of sleep a night, and problems can develop even if your sleep loss is short-term. A number of studies have been done to evaluate the benefits of “catch-up” sleep — sleeping late on weekends to make up for missing sleep during the week. Research at the University of Chicago found that two nights of extra sleep reversed the insulin changes seen in participants, a small group of healthy young men who were sleep deprived for a few nights. But because the men went through this process only once, it’s not known if the results would be the same over a long-term “loss and...

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For many, the start of the new year signals the start of a new diet. But what’s the best way to eat if you want to lose weight? For overall healthy eating, the best diet plan is the Mediterranean diet, according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual diet review. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet was ranked second on the magazine’s overall Best Diets 2019 list, followed by the Flexitarian plan. All three plans focus on eating a mostly plant-based diet (veggies, fruits and whole grains), healthy fats and lean protein sources. “I hope these rankings steer people in the direction of doing something healthful,” said nutritionist Samantha Heller of NYU Langone Health in New York City. “I wish though, that we weren’t so obsessed with weight loss and diets, per se. I wish the focus was on adopting a...

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Don’t wait until you get sick to see a doctor — wellness visits for women can catch problems before they become serious, as well as make sure you’re taking all the right steps for good health. A well-woman checkup focuses on preventive care. It may include immunizations, screenings to check your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and other health markers, and advice for setting wellness goals. Your health-care provider will document your health habits and health history and give you a physical exam. Depending on your age, he or she may do a breast exam. Your age and lifestyle will determine when you need a pelvic exam. Be prepared to answer questions about: Your personal medical history, such as any illnesses and/or surgeries you’ve had. Your family’s health history, including illnesses your siblings, parents and grandparents have had. Your use of alcohol, tobacco and...

(HealthDay News) — A hysterectomy may be recommended for cases of uterine fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic support problems, abnormal uterine bleeding, chronic pelvic pain and gynecologic cancer, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says.
Hysterectomies can be done vaginally, abdominally or laparoscopically. Vaginal hysterectomies tend to cause the fewest complications, the college says.

The procedure does carry potential risks, the college adds, including:

• • Fever and infection.
  • Heavy bleeding during or after surgery.
  • Injury to the urinary tract or nearby organs.
  • Blood clots in the leg that can travel to the lungs.
  • Breathing or heart problems related to anesthesia.

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