Indoor Playgrounds: A Cool Spot Fun in the Summer
But don’t forget to watch for some common hazards It’s already 95 degrees in the shade nearly every day now. The humidity is enough to permanently frizz my usually flat-ironed bob. So, indoor air-conditioned playgrounds can be a great place to let kids burn off steam during the hottest summer afternoons. If you decide to visit your favorite “Ball Pit/Jumpy Town”, the U.S.... Read More
A Mom Under Pressure!
Combating high blood pressure for health and family “I was barely 30 years old and already pre-hypertensive,” says 35-year-old Orlando resident, Ilene Sakal. “My doctor told me that I needed to immediately focus on lowering my blood pressure, or I’d be facing a medication regimen. It was a scary wake-up call. I needed to take control of my health for me, as well as for my... Read More
Difficult or Delightful: Six reasons to appreciate your mother-in-law
Immediately upon walking out of the church on my wedding day, my mother-in-law burst into tears. While she claimed they were “tears of joy,” I know it was very hard for her to hand over her son to another woman. Mothers-in-law often get a bad rap. Mother-in-law jokes abound and somewhere right now there’s a group of women chatting over coffee with at least one of them complaining... Read More
Protect Your Young Athlete’s Vision
Every 13 minutes, a child goes to the emergency room for a sports-related eye injury, accounting for 42,000 sports related eye injuries each year. While playing sports is an important and enjoyable part of a child’s life that helps to improve and develop motor, visual and social skills, it’s very important that parents ensure their children’s eyes are protected when they are... Read More
Pregnancy and Fifth Disease
Mommies-to-be: learn about an infection that could hurt your unborn baby As any Kindergarten teacher can attest, a day at work involves being exposed to perfect little petri dishes (students) who are blissfully unaware that they are sharing a multitude of germs and bacteria: Little hands reach out regularly to be held, frequently after rubbing their mouths and noses. Faces often... Read More
Compounding Medications – Caters to Individual Needs
In the early years of medicine, prescriptions were individualized potions usually prepared for each patient by the town’s apothecary. Today, doctor-prescribed medications are primarily purchased in the one-size-fits-all category from the local chain pharmacy. Taking a cue from a growing demand for personalized customer service, savvy independent pharmacies are going back to “compounding,”... Read More
Alternative Medicine
The phrase “alternative medicine” might make you think of pungent herbal teas, poultices, chanting, or meditation. In fact, both herbal remedies and meditation, as well as dozens of other treatments, fall under the heading of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Although there is no strict definition of alternative medicine, it generally includes any healing... Read More
Dental Health Month – What Parents Want To Know…
The good news is that parents today are increasingly interested in promoting good dental health for their children. The bad news is there are so many things to worry about, from what’s the best toothpaste to when to expect the first baby tooth, that it can be overwhelming. Let’s take a look at a couple of hot topics that parents frequently ask about when it comes to their child’s... Read More
Time to Tango with the Tooth Fairy?
It seems like just days ago that I waited patiently for my son’s first little biters to erupt in his infant mouth. Those days somehow melted magically into years and before I knew it, I could hear the Tooth Fairy fluttering about. So I wondered: what is developmentally normal when it comes to baby tooth loss, how does the tooth-obsessed fairy collect her pearly prizes, and what... Read More
Relief for Colicky Babies and Stressed-out Parents
If your newborn’s colic makes you want to scream, try these five calming techniques In many ways newborns are not quite ready for the world at birth. They need a “fourth trimester” of gentle holding, stroking, shushing and wrapping, according to Harvey Karp, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at UCLA School of Medicine. Colicky babies are particularly in need of such... Read More
Cord for Life: A Cord Blood Bank with a Mission to Save Lives
Each year thousands of people are diagnosed with life-threatening diseases such as leukemia and sickle cell disease, which can be treated with the stem cells extracted from the blood contained in the umbilical cord of newborns. As with bone marrow transplants, doctors can match cord blood to a patient and then transplant it to potentially save his or her life. If not suitable... Read More
A New Year Pantry Makeover!
Your Mission, Should Your Accept this Assignment, is Not Impossible. Is your kitchen stocked with plenty of healthy food choices? Or are your cupboards overloaded with temptations that lead your family’s diet off-course no matter which meal you’re serving? In the spirit of new beginnings and a New Year, we invite you to take a good look inside your refrigerator, pantry, and... Read More
Nursery Essentials for the New Baby
By It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the amount of nursery accessory choices available before your baby arrives. Granted, the major cuteness factor of all things baby makes it extremely tempting to buy anything that strikes a doting parent’s fancy. But, before you break your bank account, here’s some basic tips to get you started equipping your nursery. Remember, your... Read More
New Dads and Depression
Experts tell us that it’s not unusual to feel depressed before or after your little one is born. Don’t ignore your feelings, Dad. Get the help you need to cope with the anxiety. Whether for a first-timer or a seasoned dad, fatherhood can be a roller coaster ride of emotional upheaval. It’s supposed to be a time of gurgles, coos, and teddy bears, but the combination of a colicky... Read More
Diabetes Alert Dogs are “Dog gone” Amazing!
The nose knows…Special dogs and, in some cases, even the family pet, can be trained to use their powerful sense of smell to detect a particular change in body chemistry that occurs when there is a drop in a diabetic’s blood sugar level. With specialized training, man’s best friend can become an important ally in alleviating the worry associated with monitoring and coping... Read More
Playing It Safe to Prevent Concussions
Every year, thousands of children sustain head injuries playing sports, in car and bicycle accidents, fights, and even minor falls. Most childhood head injuries are not serious and affect only the outside of the head; however, children may experience a temporary loss of brain function known as a concussion. Although some accidents can’t be avoided, simple safety precautions... Read More
Is Your Pet Safe?
What you may not know can harm your pet. Here are a few quick tips to keep Fluffy purring and Fido frisky… Most people know that chocolate can be toxic to pets and that certain plants can make them sick. However, there are many easily-swallowed, dangerous items found in the home and certain hazardous issues that pet owners should consider when providing a safe environment for... Read More
The Power of Pink
Courageous cancer survivors make a fashion statement to save lives! Some might say that a visible bra strap is a major fashion faux pas. And, certainly, wearing a bra as a top would be downright risqué! Well, how about wearing a pink bra on top of your shirt? You won’t see this curious fashion statement on New York’s Fashion Week runways. However, during October, you will see... Read More
Real Estate Savvy – The Truth about Short Sales…
By now we have all heard the term “short sale,” but few know what it is and what it involves. If you are a buyer, you likely think that you are going to get a great deal, but if you are a seller, you probably have a more negative, uncertain view. So, instead of guessing what this process involves, let’s take a look at the facts. A short sale occurs when a seller sells... Read More
Alzheimer’s: How to Talk to Your Children about It
When a grandparent or other loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it can be the children of the family who are most affected. Here’s how to address their concerns and give them a meaningful role in the support process. When Jill Ormachea’s father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2008, she had already prepared herself for the worst. After all, things hadn’t... Read More
New Hope for Infants with Vascular Birthmarks
A new Mom shares her initial worries and the latest information on some common infant conditions. “Come here and take a look at this,” my son’s pediatrician said, as he motioned to two nurses standing outside of the exam room. Roughly one week earlier, I had discovered a small, flat, red line on the corner of my son’s lower left lip. He was a voracious nurser, so I believed... Read More
