Seasons

FRIDAY, Jan. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — While one in five kids may have a learning disability that requires one-on-one intervention, others may simply need to develop good study habits to improve their grades. But good study habits don’t always come easily or naturally. You can help your ‘tween or teen develop them with a few easy steps, and save both of you hours of stress and arguments. Organization is key. Using a paper calendar, the calendar program on your child’s computer or one offered through the school’s online system, have your child plot the dates of all upcoming tests and assignments. Use a different color for each class to avoid confusion and enable your child to see requirements for each one at a glance. Then break down how to prepare for each test or report by week and by month — this may involve specifics like due dates for...

THURSDAY, Jan. 24, 2019 (American Heart Association) — The start of a new year is a ripe time to branch out — and try those fruits and vegetables you may have noticed but keeping passing by at the supermarket. Perhaps the finger-like appendages of a Buddha’s hand have called out. Or you’ve been curious about that one vegetable you don’t know how to pronounce, much less prepare for consumption. Go ahead — give it a try. Food experts say diversifying your diet can even help you stick to your weight control plan, if that’s among your New Year’s resolutions. “More variety helps keep things interesting,” said Jo Ann Carson, a registered dietitian and nutritionist. “And adding interest when it comes to fruits and vegetables, rather than relying on a variety of desserts, will help us stick to keeping healthier items on our plate.” Carson, a professor of clinical nutrition at...

(HealthDay News) — Talking with your baby helps the child’s language development, the Nemours Foundation says. Researchers have found that the number of words a parent said to a child was strongly associated with the depth of the child’s vocabulary at the age of 3. And when parents used different words and sentences in conversation, their children had higher rates of vocabulary growth, vocabulary use and IQ scores at age 3, the foundation added. Nemours suggests these approaches in each phase of your child’s life: In the first five months of life, use “tummy time” as an opportunity to describe out loud what you can see, smell and hear from your baby’s point of view. From ages 6 to 11 months, talk through your actions with your baby during everyday tasks, such as baths. From 12 to 17 months, use finger movements when sharing nursery rhymes to encourage the child...

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Just a few exercise breaks — or “snacks” — a day can provide significant benefits, a new study says. Specifically, it found that short sessions of intense stair climbing spaced throughout the day can improve heart and lung (cardiorespiratory) fitness. “The findings make it even easier for people to incorporate ‘exercise snacks’ into their day,” said study senior author Martin Gibala. He’s a professor of kinesiology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. “Those who work in office towers or live in apartment buildings can vigorously climb a few flights of stairs in the morning, at lunch and in the evening and know they are getting an effective workout,” Gibala said in a university news release. Other studies have found that short bouts of vigorous exercise — sprint interval training (SIT) — are beneficial when done in a single 10-minute session, with a...

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For many, a microwave is indispensable, but questions remain about the safety of containers used to cook and reheat food in it. Most of the controversy surrounds the chemicals used to make plastic containers soft or clear, like BPA and phthalates. These chemicals are called endocrine disrupters, because they can mimic hormones such as estrogen in a bad way. The chemicals can leach into your food, especially when containers are heated. According to the nonprofit Environmental Working Group, other chemicals, even replacements for BPA, haven’t been tested enough to know if they’re truly safe. Some experts recommend not using any plastic container in the microwave, even if it is stamped “microwave safe.” Microwaves heat unevenly and can create hot spots where plastic is more likely to break down. Instead, use ceramics or glass labeled microwaveable. Also, rather than covering even a glass dish...

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.

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(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.

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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) — 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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