Cascia Talbert's Blog, page 14

Tips To Keep Your Children Healthy After Winter Break

by Tim Werth

The holiday season is here, which means kids are home from school and enjoying this fun, exciting time of year. However, that also means in just a few weeks, they’ll have to go back to school, which almost inevitably means they’ll catch yet another cold from one of their classmates.

Kids get sick all the time, as just about any parent knows, but it can be surprising just how often they get sick. In fact, the average child catches between six and ten colds every year. If you want to reduce the amount of time your kids spend sick at home once they go back to school, use these tips to keep them happy and healthy for the remainder of the winter.

Make sure they get sleep: If your child is showing signs of coming down with a cold or other illness, make sure they’re getting enough sleep. School stress and pressure to succeed can cause kids to stay up for longer than they should to begin with, and this only is made worse when illness is involved. Young children should be getting as much as 10 to 13 hours of sleep per night, with teenagers needing between 8.5 and 9.5 hours.Practice good hygiene: This next tip is crucial for both you and your child. Washing your hands properly and frequently can prevent the spread of illnesses from you to your child, and vice versa. Additionally, if you wash your hands well, it models healthy behaviors for your child to replicate, which can help keep them healthy.Focus on nutrition: Picky eaters might be even fussier after the tons of tasty food and sweets from the holiday season, but keeping your child eating healthy meals is important. Again, modeling good behavior here can help keep your child healthy. Additionally, be sure to keep introducing new foods to your child’s diet, and avoid using sweets with empty, nutritionless calories as a reward.Schedule regular check-ups: Regular visits to the doctor might seem like a hassle, but it’s well worth it to keep your child healthy. Don’t forget to visit the dentist as well; the Center for Health and Health Care in Schools warns that 51 million school hours are lost each year due to a dental -related illness. Doctors and dentists will be able to spot symptoms of illness you might overlook.

As the new semester and year picks up again, make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your child as healthy as possible. Your child is sure to thank you, and these tips will keep them in school and learning as much as they can.

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The article Tips To Keep Your Children Healthy After Winter Break by Tim Werth appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

3 Tips to Enjoy the Holidays AND Maintain Healthy Food Habits

by LouAnn Moss

Staying healthy and caring for your body is a year-long endeavor. However, some parts of the year make maintaining healthy habits much more challenging. As the year draws to a close and the holiday season approaches, many health-conscious individuals find it harder and harder to keep on track.

Not only are holiday foods tempting, but social expectations also pose unique challenges for during this time of year. We all have family members who might say “oh, have a cookie, it’s the holidays!” or “why are you even bothering to diet in December?”. Facing these attitudes is frustrating and sometimes downright embarrassing.

Luckily, there are ways to manage temptations, deal with naysayers, and protect your health goals even through wintertime celebrations. Stay on track and feeling good with these three healthy holiday tips:

Celebrate the Holiday, Not the Season

While stores may put out holiday decorations as early as October, the holiday itself only occupies a handful of days. Don’t fall into the trap of eating holiday foods from November through January. Instead, let yourself indulge on the specific occasion alone. Astonishingly, of U.S. households indulge in sweet treats like ice cream regularly. Remember that a treat should be a treat, and not a habit, even during this season. When temptation knocks, remind yourself how good your body feels when you eat well and exercise. If anyone asks why you aren’t prematurely indulging in eggnog or mashed potatoes, simply tell them you’re saving room for the actual holiday.

Skip the Lame Party

Part of the difficulty of holiday health comes from the huge number of events you’re expected to attend. Between gatherings with friends, immediate family, extended family, co-workers, and in-laws, one rarely gets time to sleep, let alone eat well!

Even though holiday parties are fun, skipping one or two likely won’t ruin the season. Protect your time and health by learning which events to politely decline. For example, a recent survey from OfficeTeam found that only 36% of professionals enjoy company holiday parties; 35% actually gave them a negative “thumbs-down” response. If you know an event won’t be a great time, skip it! You’ll be able to avoid the temptation of unhealthy food and drink, and you’ll be able to spend that time doing something more enjoyable. If you do attend the party, try to snack before the event with healthy nuts or veggies, so you don’t overeat junk food.

Treat Yourself in Other Ways

During the holidays, it’s normal to want to unwind and let loose. You want to celebrate another successful year, and show your favorite people how much you appreciate them. Instead of celebrating with unhealthy foods or pastimes, try finding more constructive ways to enjoy the season. The typical American household spends $1,800 on clothing every year, so why not use some of that budget for your healthy wish list by asking for workout clothes? Health-conscious gifts make staying in shape feel more like a fun lifestyle and less like a chore.

Healthy choices can extend to pastimes as well. Instead of having the family over for dinner, spend an evening ice skating or walking the neighborhood to view decorations together. When it comes to gifting, skip sending cookies and try sharing gift cards or homemade crafts. Though you may be used to celebrating with calories, these healthier alternatives can make your holiday even more memorable!

The holidays are fun, but they don’t last. Remember to balance short-term enjoyment with long-term health benefits. Use the tips above to protect your time, prioritize your health, and to still enjoy the season. Happy holidays!

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The article 3 Tips to Enjoy the Holidays AND Maintain Healthy Food Habits by LouAnn Moss appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

6 Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season for Those with Autoimmune Disease

by Dr. Chad Larson

Holiday indulgences aren’t always autoimmune friendly. A healthy diet, adequate amount of rest and an overall balanced lifestyle are recommended for all of us. But for those living with autoimmune disease, a season marked by decadent meals and running around visiting family and friends can make getting through each day a physical and mental challenge far superior to that of an average healthy person. The most common holiday rituals can be the crux of falling victim to this.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine points out that there are over 80 different autoimmune diseases and the American Autoimmune Diseases Association puts the number at more than 100. Yet there is one common denominator when it comes to the symptoms of most of them: inflammation. The body can fluctuate between flare-ups, where symptoms get worse, and remission, where the symptoms get better or go away. The state of an autoimmune disease can be affected by inflammation, which can cause redness, heat, pain and swelling.

So, what is causing the inflammation that aggravates the symptoms of their autoimmune disease? You guessed it – the wrong food choices, inadequate sleep and elevated stress, to name a few. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season, with all its joys and guilty pleasures, comes with physical consequences that can be especially detrimental to anyone living with autoimmune disease.

However, in my years of treating patients with autoimmune disease around the holidays, I’ve found there are some general steps and guidelines for navigating the holiday season with an autoimmune disease. With this in mind, the following six tips will help those with autoimmune disease to enjoy a healthier, more feel-good holiday season:

Get adequate rest and sleep. This can be easier said than done during the hustle and bustle of the holidays but it’s important as fatigue is one of the most common side effects of autoimmune disease. If you don’t listen to your body when you’re tired you can exacerbate your condition. Losing sleep can trigger the key cellular pathway that produces tissue-damaging inflammation. Make it a point to set limits for gatherings. You don’t need to be the last one at the party and don’t over-commit yourself.

 

Keep your stress at bay. Chronic stress alters the gene activity of immune cells before they enter the bloodstream so that they’re ready to fight infection or trauma – even when there is no infection or trauma to fight. This leads to increased inflammation. So again, set limits for yourself and communicate them to your friends and family. We often set high expectations for ourselves that we can’t always realize. Your loved ones will understand. Health and happiness come before having the best-decorated house, the most presents under the tree, or attending the most festivities. Pace yourself!

 

Embrace the delicious holiday fare…carefully. Don’t eat anything that you know you’re going to have an adverse reaction to but try to not limit yourself unnecessarily because of your condition either. Try keeping a record of everything you eat so that if you do feel any symptoms after a big holiday feast you can try to narrow down and identify the offending item. Dairy, gluten, sugar, refined starches and grains, saturated fats and alcohol are inflammatory and should be avoided. At the very least, eat them in moderation.

 

Keep an eye on your kids. Autoimmune diseases are often hereditary so if you have an autoimmune condition your kids are likely at a higher risk for developing one as well. Keep on alert to any behavioral or physical ailments that your kids may display when indulging in holiday treats.

 

See your doctor. Have you been formally diagnosed with an autoimmune condition or are you just guessing? Make sure you and your doctor are on the same page in terms of diagnosis/treatment options so you can properly game plan the holiday season. There are great testing facilities out there like Cyrex Laboratories that offer test panels designed to evaluate your immune reactions using proprietary, advanced technology.

 

Get to know your triggers. Is there a specific food that triggers your condition? Do you know if you are consuming any cross-reactive foods? Are you better off consuming a food in raw, cooked or modified form? Again, there are tests, like those available through Cyrex Laboratories, that can help you identify these things. The Array 10 – Multiple Food Immune Reactivity Screening tests for early detection of dietary-related triggers of autoimmune reactivity.

It is important to consult with your doctor if you have or suspect you may have autoimmune related issues. Good communication, awareness and professional medical guidance are key to good health and feeling your best, especially as we approach the holiday season. Making time for you and your well being is always a worthy investment. Happy Holidays!

 

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The article 6 Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season for Those with Autoimmune Disease by Dr. Chad Larson appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

How Do You Know If Your Child Has Pneumonia?

by Cascia Talbert

Pneumonia is a common infection that affects more than three million people in the US each year. It’s a scary disease that mothers commonly worry about when their little ones get a fever or start wheezing. Luckily, it’s a treatable infection.

If you know what to look for and how to detect the signs of pneumonia, you can ensure that your child gets fast treatment.

What Is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a lung infection that may affect one or both lungs. It’s spread through bacteria, fungi, parasites, or viruses. Viruses act as the leading cause of pneumonia for children.

After some research, I was surprised to find that pneumonia often starts after an infection in the nose or throat. The lungs collect the infected fluids, leading to a lung infection. That is why kids are more prone to pneumonia when they’re already sick.

Pneumonia often starts two or three days after the start of an upper respiratory tract infection. It then progresses to the lungs, resulting in pneumonia.

Bacterial pneumonia typically spreads quickly. You may notice that your child suddenly has a fever and begins to breathe fast. Viral pneumonia spreads slowly and it may take a little while before you notice some of the symptoms.
There are also several things that can increase your child’s risk for pneumonia. A weakened immune system, premature birth, asthma, heart defects, poor nutrition, and even secondhand smoke all increase the risk factors for pneumonia.

Most Common Symptoms of Pneumonia in Children

One of the most obvious signs of pneumonia is difficulty breathing. As pneumonia is a lung infection, it affects the lungs. Your child may have shortness of breath or chest pain when he or she breathes deeply.

It’s not always easy to determine if a child is having trouble breathing. Sometimes he or she may simply be about to spit up or start coughing. However, there are a few signs that you can look for:

● The nostrils tend to open wider when inhaling.
● He or she may start to wheeze when he or she breathes.
● He or she takes short, fast breaths.

Along with difficulty breathing, there are other symptoms of pneumonia. However, the severity and occurrence of these symptoms may depend on the age of your child and the type of pneumonia.

If you suspect that pneumonia is the cause of your child’s suffering, pay attention to the following potential signs:

● Coughing
● Wheezing
● Shortness of breath
● Fever and chills
● Chest pain
● Abdominal pain
● Lack of appetite
● Bluish extremities

Your child may also cry more than usual or become irritable easily. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to separate some of these symptoms from normal fluctuations in your child’s mood.

Any kid can be extra fussy or irritable without explanation. He or she may simply be tired, confused, or hungry. However, when you notice a combination of these symptoms, you should schedule a trip to the doctor immediately.

When Should You Seek Treatment for Pneumonia?

Child health specialists recommend that take your child to the doctor as soon as you can if you suspect that he or she is ill. Difficulty breathing, wheezing, and coughing are a few of the most common signs of pneumonia. However, the common cold may also produce similar symptoms.

You should never attempt to diagnose your own child. As mothers, we always suspect the worst. It’s better to reserve your personal diagnosis. Call your pediatric care clinic immediately and schedule an appointment. In most cases, your pediatrician should be able to squeeze you in within the next 24 hours.

If the symptoms are severe and your child cannot rest at all, a trip to the emergency room may be necessary. Do not ignore a high fever or bluish skin. When in doubt, emergency services are the best option.

Other reasons to seek immediate treatment include severe dehydration and wheezing or if your child is less than three months old and experiencing some of the symptoms described.

You can also take your child’s temperature using a home thermometer. For children over the age of six months, a temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher is a fever. For children younger than six months, 100.4 degrees is the cutoff.

With fast treatment, pneumonia may not pose a major health risk. However, children have little bodies and tiny lungs. These infections are serious matters. Do not hesitate to contact your family physician or child’s pediatrician.

How Do Doctors Diagnose Pneumonia in Children?

When you take your child to the doctor, he or she may need to perform a series of tests to diagnose pneumonia. The exam typically starts with a check of your child’s lungs. The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to his or her breathing.

Sometimes this quick exam may verify the presence of pneumonia. However, the pediatrician may perform a few additional tests to confirm the diagnosis, such as:

● Blood tests
● Chest x-rays
● Mucus sample

A blood test can help uncover the presence of bacteria or an infection, confirming or denying pneumonia. Chest x-rays also help look for signs of potential infection in the lungs. The mucus sample may help determine which medicine is best suited for treating the specific infection.

Typical Treatments for Pneumonia in Children

If your doctor diagnoses your child with pneumonia, your child may need to stay at the hospital. The treatment depends on the age of the child and the severity of the illness.

When your child experiences severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing and a high fever, doctors often recommend inpatient treatment. Pneumonia can result in a depletion of oxygen in the blood. If your child’s blood oxygen levels are low, he or she may need extra oxygen. In these cases, doctors almost always recommend inpatient treatment.

With bacterial pneumonia, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacterial infection.

Your doctor may prescribe additional medication to deal with the fever, pain, and swelling. For example, he or she may recommend NSAIDs for children over six months of age. He or she may also prescribe acetaminophen for the fever and pain. However, you should always review these medications, especially if your child already takes medications.

Make sure that you tell your doctor about any existing health conditions or medications that your child takes. It’s essential that you avoid negative interactions between medications.

With proper treatment, doctors may cure your child’s bacterial pneumonia within one to two weeks. Viral pneumonia sometimes takes longer. You may wait four to six weeks before the symptoms completely clear.

Treating Your Child’s Pneumonia at Home

If your pediatrician doesn’t recommend inpatient treatment, he or she will send you home with a series of instructions. Along with medications, the pediatrician may suggest plenty of liquids and rest.

Ask about the types of liquids and how much liquid your child should drink. Typically, doctors recommend plenty of water. However, they may also recommend popsicles, broth, or apple juice.

Liquids are necessary for helping to loosen mucus, which aids the process of clearing the lungs of infected mucus. Using a cool mist humidifier may also help with this process.

Your child also needs plenty of rest for a speedy recovery. Allow your child to get all the rest that he or she needs for the next few weeks.

How to Reduce the Risk of Pneumonia

You may also want to know how to keep your little one from catching pneumonia in the first place. The first tip is to make sure that you keep your child away from secondhand smoke. Do not let anyone smoke around your child.
Washing hands is also important, not only for preventing pneumonia but for keeping other diseases at bay as well. You should wash both your hands and your child’s hands frequently. Hand washing is especially important when you get home from running errands, play dates, or trips to the park.

In fact, I take sanitizing wipes and sanitizer everywhere I go. It’s easy to pack these items in your purse or baby bag. They’re also handy when you need to quickly wipe off your child’s favorite toy after it falls on the ground.
If other children are sick, it’s best to keep your kid away. This also applies to your own child. If one child in the family is sick, try to let the other children know that they should avoid physical contact. While this is easier said than done, it may help prevent having to deal with a sick household.

Conclusion: Dealing with Pneumonia in Children

Any time that a child is sick, it’s common for mothers to worry. It’s our job. While any sickness can be scary, mothers often fear pneumonia more than most other illnesses.

If you notice any of the signs of pneumonia, do not hesitate to call your pediatrician or family physician. Even if you don’t think that it’s an emergency, most offices can fit you in within the next day or two.

If the symptoms are severe, you may not want to wait for a scheduled appointment. When your child’s hands, lips, or nails turn blue or he or she has trouble breathing, visit the emergency room as soon as you can.

As a final tip for dealing with pneumonia and family health, keep your sick child away from others. While pneumonia itself is rarely contagious, the infection that led to pneumonia may spread. Follow the same precautions as you would for any illness, such as a cold. Everyone needs to wash his or her hands frequently and avoid sharing utensils and drinking glasses.

With the right precautions, you can reduce the risk of your child catching pneumonia. However, if your child does come down with one of these infections, fast treatment is the best option.

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The article How Do You Know If Your Child Has Pneumonia? by Cascia Talbert appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Are Sound Machines OK for Babies?

by Cascia Talbert

The biggest thing that parents of newborns complain about is lack of sleep.  Your baby might be past the waking up to eat every few hours phase, but he may still have trouble falling and staying asleep throughout the night.

Most pediatricians recommend soothing activities before bed such as warm baths, rocking and baby massage to help newborns sleep through the night.  If these techniques don’t work parents may turn to alternatives like using a sound machine to soothe their colicky baby to sleep.

Are Sound Machines OK for Babies?

Are sound machines safe for infants? Several studies suggest that sound machines may do more harm to your baby than good. Although, one study conducted in January of 1990 and published in the Archives of Diseases in Childhood concluded that sound machines may help mothers settle difficult babies.  The scientists found that 80 percent fell asleep within five minutes while using the sound machine compared to only 25 percent in the controlled group (without the sound machine).

Using a Sound Machine Can Block Out Background Noise

If your baby is having trouble falling asleep due to noise from older siblings a sound machine might help. Sound machines produce white noise which can cover up household noise.  White noise is the sound you hear when all the audible frequencies of sound are played at the same time at the same volume. Some examples of white noise include, fans, hair dryers, or running water. Sound machines are soothing and may include a heartbeat setting mimicking the mother.

Other benefits of using sound machines to help your baby sleep include:

1. The sounds help reduce stress.

The stimuli babies get every day can be overwhelming.  They are exposed to bright lights, new faces, new sounds and sensations. Repetitive sound can make babies feel safe by shutting out background sounds.

2. Sound Machines Help Babies Sleep.

Background noise can prevent your baby from falling asleep. Things that are familiar can help infants nod off quicker.  You can incorporate the following into your nursery to help your baby sleep better:  dim the lights,  use a favorite blanket or a toy, pacifier, nursing and a sound machine. Repetitive sound causes them fall back asleep after waking that happens each 20-45 minutes during sleep time.

3. Children Cry Less When Exposed to White Noise

The shushing sound that you use to quiet down a crying child is really background noise. It is like the whooshing clamor made by blood coursing through the veins around the uterus. Utilizing the shushing static clamor of radio can likewise quiet down infants to help them sleep.

4. Sound Machines Reduce the Risk of SIDS

One ongoing investigation demonstrates that a running fan in the room essentially brought down the danger of SIDS in children.  Fan circle the air well producing a repetitive sound. Using background noise from a sound machine will help your baby sleep lighter reducing the risk of SIDS.  If a sleeping individual isn’t getting enough oxygen it is important to be woken quickly.  Being slow to respond to this loss of oxygen makes babies at a higher risk of SIDS.

5. Background noise Helps You Sleep Better

Background noise can calm your infant to sleep and parents are also known to rest better with it. As children regularly wake up from sleep each night, parents can also have trouble getting back to sleep. Repetitive sounds help adults get to sleep faster as well.

6. Children can Wean Off of Sound Machines as They Grow

The best time to stop using a sound machine for your baby is after the first year.  By this time your child should have developed good sleep habits. You should be able to reduce the amount of time and frequency you use the sound machine. If your child sleeps through the night a sound machine may no longer be necessary.

Safety Tips for Using a Sound Machine to Help Your Baby Sleep

Many parenting websites and blogs encourage the use of sound machines to help babies sleep.  Even Dr. Harvey Karp author of “The Happiest Baby on the Block,” states that, “White noise is a great tool to soothe fussing and boost sleep.”  Parents must take precautions to make sure the noise level is safe for their baby.

In a study published in Pediatrics, the Official Journal of the Academy of Pediatrics on January 21, 2014, the doctors measured the maximum sound level outputs of infant sound machines.  They concluded that many of these devices are capable of producing levels that may be damaging to infant hearing and may be detrimental to auditory development. Hospitals and nurseries recommend a noise level limit of 50 A-weighted dB.

The doctors tested the the maximum noise levels of 65 sounds in 14 different infant sleep machines. They were placed in 3 different distances: 30 centimeters (to simulate placement on a crib rail), 100 centimeters (simulating placement near a crib), and 200 centimeters (to simulate placement across the room). All 14 machines exceeded 50 dBA, the current recommended noise limit for infants in hospital nurseries, and all but one exceeded the recommended noise limit even from 200 centimeters away. The findings also determined that regular exposure to white noise through an infant sleep machine on a nightly basis can affect hearing, speech, and language development.

Below are the safety tips the authors of the study suggest for parents who use infant sound machines.

Place the sound machine as far away as possible from the infant and never in the crib rail.Play the sound machine at a low volume.Operate the sound machine for a short duration of time.Healthy Moms Mag Recommended Sound Machines for Infant Sleep

Sound machines do help babies sleep better as long as parents use them safely and know when to ween their child off.  Here are a few sound machines that we endorse.  Some of them are simple, free and can be found in every household.  Others are high tech. We have also found an inexpensive small sound machine that may suit your needs better.

Ceiling fans.  Most homes have ceiling fans installed in every bedroom.  They provide a nice cool breeze and a repetitive swooshing sound that is soothing to babies.  Make sure your fan has a decibel level of 50 or less.Alexa Sleep Sounds. If you have an Alexa enabled device this skill plays calming sound loops to help you fall asleep faster, sleep better, relax, meditate, or drown out distracting noises. By default, Sleep Sounds will play your selected sound until you say “Alexa, stop”, but you can set a custom timer while a sound is playing by saying “Alexa, stop in 3 hours” or any other time duration. Sleep sounds has 45 different sounds you can choose from.Baby Snooze App. Available for Apple devices only, this app is a sleep inducer created with totally authentic womb sounds, to help ease the transition from the calm & peaceful neonatal world to the relatively noisy, chaotic world outside the womb.The Galaxy Clock. This clock is more than just a sound machine.  It includes a relaxing star projector, seven calming nature and white noise sounds, high quality audio with volume control, alarm clock and temperature monitor.Infant Sleep Soothing Machine. Several different brands sell and market this device on Amazon. We counted six different companies marketing this product. After some research we also learned that anyone can purchase this soothing machine wholesale and customize it with their brand name.   An infant sleep soother[image error] is designed to help your baby fall asleep using different sounds.  You can adjust the volume and there is a built in 30 minute timer.  This sound machine includes six different sounds: lullaby, shush, fetal heartbeat, rain, white noise, ocean. It is compact and easy to use.  This sound machine also has a small cord with a hook so parents can fasten it to car seats, strollers or cribs. It also includes a port for USB charging which eliminates the need for replacement batteries. Fully charged baby shhh machine can last about 10 hours continuous playing.

Conclusion

Sound machines can help babies fall asleep quicker.  They reduce stress on both the infant and parents.  White noise blocks out background noise from other household members and activities.  After the first year it is recommended that parents stop using a sound machine for their baby.  Make sure you are using safety precautions to avoid hearing damage when using sound machines. Decibels higher than 50 is harmful for infants. If you believe that your baby’s hearing might have been affected you can always have a hearing test performed. Keep your sound machine’s volume at a low setting or place it further away from where your baby is sleeping.  Baby soothing apps can also help your baby sleep better.

Did you find this article helpful? Leave us a comment.

 

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The article Are Sound Machines OK for Babies? by Cascia Talbert appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

5 Suspected Health Benefits of Drinking More Hot Tea

by LouAnn Moss

About 30% of the U.S. population drinks coffee regularly, but around the world, many people prefer hot tea to a morning cup of coffee or espresso. For centuries, different cultures around the world have been steeping tea and other herbs in hot water for both a delicious beverage and a health boost. From green and black tea to herbal varieties like peppermint or hibiscus, each different type of tea is associated with unique health benefits. Some teas aid sleep, some help with memory, and some teas have even been rumored to lower blood pressure.

While scientists still haven’t confirmed or debunked every health perk tea makers may claim, researchers have linked tea-drinking with some overall health benefits. Researchers attribute health benefits to the antioxidants found in tea, called flavonoids. If you’re a tea lover, check out the following list of health benefits your favorite warm drink might bestow:

1. Weight Management

Many teas have been shown to help individuals manage their weight. Tea naturally contains zero calories, and increasing overall water intake helps individuals eat less at meals. In fact, one new study found that drinking 16 ounces of water or a similar low-calorie beverage before meals leads to more weight loss.

However, the weight-loss benefits of tea drinking go beyond a lack of calories. Rose hip tea has been associated with BMI reduction, and Pu-erh tea has shown promising results for reducing the weight gain of animals in research trials.

2. Clearer Skin

Tea-drinking has also been associated with clearing skin blemishes, including dryness, redness, inflammation, and acne. Lemon balm tea in particular has demonstrated unique ability to promote skin elasticity, and rose hip tea has anti-aging effects. Just about any green tea variety is loaded with antioxidants, which can help reduce the inflammation and redness associated with acne. Over 85% of people have experienced acne in their lifetime, but tea might be an easy, widespread solution that doesn’t require harsh chemical scrubs or a trip to the dermatologist.

3. Energy and Focus

It’s no secret that tea contains caffeine, a stimulant which brings tea drinkers a nice energy boost. Green tea, for example, contains about 20 to 45 milligrams of caffeine for an 8-ounce cup, which promotes alertness. However, caffeine is not the only way that tea can bring a healthy boost in focus. Sage tea offers many brain-healthy benefits, including increased cognitive function and even memory improvement.

4. Cardiovascular Health

Somewhat surprisingly, tea can even improve your overall heart health. Studies have found that drinking black tea reduces the risk for stroke or a heart attack. Additionally, lemon balm tea boosts the elasticity of arteries, which reduces risk for clotting.

5. Emotional and Mental Health

Perhaps less surprisingly, tea is lauded for many mental and emotional health perks. Why? Drinking tea is just a nice thing to do! Pleasing smells, tastes, and the sense of treating yourself all contribute to a boost in overall contentedness and feelings of wellbeing. Again, sage tea and lemon tea excel when it comes to mood-boosting ability, perhaps due to their pleasant aroma and their capacity to improve mental focus.

Without a doubt, drinking tea can bring impressive health benefits. Drinking tea without sweeteners like sugar certainly causes less harm than other beverage options, like soda or even fruit juice. If you’re hoping to lose weight, improve your memory, or if you’re searching for nearly any other health benefit, there’s probably a tasty tea that can help you! Do a little research to find the perfect tea for your body’s unique needs.

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The article 5 Suspected Health Benefits of Drinking More Hot Tea by LouAnn Moss appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Swedish Study Finds an Increased Risk of Heart Attacks on Christmas Eve

by LouAnn Moss

The holiday season is a time to spend with family and friends. Unfortunately, it’s also the time of year when heart problems increase. According to a new study from Sweden, the risk of suffering a heart attack increases almost 40% on Christmas Eve.

While the study did not prove that the holiday season was a direct cause of the increased risk of heart problems, there did seem to be a strong correlation. Between 1889 and 2013, researchers look at 283,014 heart attacks that were reported to the Swedish coronary care unit registry. After analyzing the data, the research showed that not only was there a 40% increased risk on Christmas Eve, but the most heart attacks occurred around 10:00 pm on Christmas Eve. On Christmas day, the heart attack rate increases 29% higher than normal and even remains high on the day after Christmas, which is also known as Boxing Day.

Fortunately, today’s medicine offers better care for heart concerns, like cardiac catheterization, which is valuable in diagnosing and treating heart disease. But even for those without previous heart concerns showed an increase in heart attacks around the holidays.

According to study senior author Dr. David Erlinge, head of the office of cardiology at Skane University Hospital in Lund, “Traditional holidays were associated with an increased risk of heart attack. The risk overall during Christmas/New Year’s was 15% higher than a regular December day.”

Unfortunately, looking at the data, there is no known cause of the increased risk of heart problems. While there was no drastic increase around other holidays like New Year’s Eve or Easter, there was an increased risk on Midsummer, which is a June holiday celebrated in Sweden.

There could be a few possible causes of the increased risk of heart problems around the holidays — the financial stress, drinking and eating too much, or being stressed from being surrounded by too many people could all contribute to the heightened stress bodied often feel this time of the year.

So, what should you do to keep your heart healthy this holiday season? Make sure you see a doctor regularly to ensure your heart is in good shape. If you notice any symptoms of heart conditions, make sure to see a doctor as soon as possible. And while the holiday treats are often too good to resist, 75% of people are chronically dehydrated, so make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. And do your best to remain calm and as stress-free as possible.

While this time of the year has a heavy focus on showing your love and appreciation for others, make sure to take care of yourself, too.

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The article Swedish Study Finds an Increased Risk of Heart Attacks on Christmas Eve by LouAnn Moss appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Residential Rodents: How To Protect Your Home From a Verminvasion

by Tim Werth

Caring for a home involves a number of responsibilities; there are the monthly bills, the upkeep and maintenance, and then there are the unplanned (sometimes horrific) surprises. If you’ve ever heard soft scratching at night, found chewed-through cardboard boxes, or had the supremely upsetting discovery of rat or mice droppings (and trust us, you’ll know the difference) in your pantry, you know exactly what we’re talking about.

Rats are incredibly prolific: if left in an ideal environment, a single pair can become a hoard of 482 million in just three years! Since they are so good at breeding, action needs to be taken at the first sign of invasion. With the proper attention, dedication, and know-how, you can eradicate the furry fiends before they cause any serious damage.

The Risks Of Residential Rodents

Rats and rodents are more than just nuisances: they wreak havoc on the physical state of the home and the emotional state of its residents. They gnaw on wood and drywall, tunnel through and build their nests in insulation, and can even start house fires by chewing through wires. Worst of all, this damage almost always remains unseen: it’s in the attic that only gets used for storage, the basement that no one ever ventures into, or the walls themselves. As a result, it’s extremely common for the pests to proliferate without any awareness on the end of the homeowner, making the final discovery much more daunting and unsettling, CLEAN ATTIC & CRAWL can help you cleaning your attic to prevent the unwanted rats and rodents.

Despite how common pest infestations are, insurance companies don’t offer financial protection against the damage they cause. If they do offer coverage, it’s usually part of a more expensive package. Since the damage tends to go unnoticed for an extended period of time, the resulting recovery can be costly and disruptive. The best thing to do is prevent the problem from ever becoming a problem to begin with. However, if you’re already seeing or hearing signs of rat infestation, do not hesitate to call a residential or commercial pest control company immediately.

Prevention And Protection

Rats and mice are notoriously good at survival. As their expansion rate proves, they can withstand an exceptional amount of stress before finally being purged from the home. There are three main ways to protect your home from this “verminvasion.”

Seal the floors. Around 27% of rodent infestations occur in the basement. Since mice and rats can squeeze through holes that are a fraction of their size, sealing off any potential doorways for the critters is an excellent way to prevent their entrance. Epoxy coatings (as well as fillers for large cracks) are a good choice because they’re waterproof and durable, though they generally take between six and eight hours to cure. Epoxy floor coatings also guard against insects as an added bonus. Consider getting a rodent treatment for your floors and your basement.Install spray-foam insulation. Insulation is a favorite for rodents; cellulose insulation is made from recycled materials, such as newspaper, that encourages nesting and even acts a food supply in some cases. Additionally, fiberglass insulation is loosely packed, allowing plenty of room for the determined pests to make their way inside. Spray foam insulation, on the other hand, expands during application, immediately sealing spaces between walls and floorboards. It cannot be used as a source of food, either. The right rodent control services can help install these for you.Cover vulnerable furniture. If you’re like most homeowners, you’ve got more furniture than space. If you have an attic and a basement, you are well within your right to take advantage of the extra square footage they offer; however, most rodents favor the attic and the basement, so if you’re going to put your high quality and durable sofa in storage, make sure it’s covered in plastic sheeting or an extremely strong slipcover. This will prevent little baby mice and rats from turning your expensive couch into a home of their own.

Whether you’ve experienced this blight or not, you should know that rodent invasions come with a price that lasts long after they’re eradicated: the average home sold for $249,000 in 2017, but a history (or evidence) of infestation can drop the selling price by nearly 9% and extend its time on the market. Don’t lose out because your home isn’t prepared for the creepy critters; ensure you’re protected from their wrath ahead of time.

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The article Residential Rodents: How To Protect Your Home From a Verminvasion by Tim Werth appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Glo Makes Online Yoga More Appealing Than Ever

by Guest Author

Glo Meets Yoga Enthusiasts Where They Are—Literally

For many people, the idea of attending a yoga class can be rather intimidating. After all, not everyone is totally thrilled with the way they look in yoga pants—or how difficult it can be to pull off some of the more difficult yoga moves. With Glo, though, all of these concerns are a thing of the past. Users can feel confident and peaceful in their own homes or offices. This is yoga for the people, and the world definitely needs something so convenient and fun right now!

Receiving Praise from Multiple Outlets

For those who are seeking streaming workouts, it can be difficult to find the right one. But Glo has received an extraordinary amount of accolades from respected outlets. For instance, Gwyneth Paltrow’s brand Goop has highlighted Glo’s brilliance. Other groups that have written favorably about Glo include ESPN, Oprah’s website,
Self, and Time. All this praise is buzzing around because workout enthusiasts actually enjoy taking time out of their day and committing to some Glo workouts.

Offering a 15-Day Trial for Those Who Want to Try Online Yoga

Because the team behind Glo are confident in its ability to help individuals meet their personal goals, they even offer a free 15-day trial. This allows new users to see how they might incorporate their online yoga routine into everyday life. At the beginning of the questionnaire, users are asked what kind of workouts they’re looking for; afterwards, they receive a customized plan that is tailored to meet their specific goals.

Advanced Training for Teachers, Too

For yoga teachers who want to brush up on their skills, there are even some classes that are geared towards them. Members of Glo can download the app on their tablet or other devices, allowing them to truly take advantage of the classes wherever they are in the world. If a yoga enthusiast travels a lot and wants to take these classes with them on their trips, they will probably find that they’re a lot more refreshed than usual.

Classes That May Pique Your Curiosity

If you’ve ever wondered about the history of yoga or wanted to explore issues unique to women, then Glo is the spot to get your daily dose of online yoga. From The Anatomy of the Chakras to Self-Care Through Yoga and Ayurveda, all seekers will be able to find something enlightening to brighten their days. Furthermore, online yoga enthusiasts using Glo will be able to track their progress as they take classes. The ability to follow a teacher permits members to see whenever their favorite teacher has a new class uploaded to the platform. For many people, this is an invaluable resource. After all, many of us have our favorite teachers at the gym or yoga studio; this allows us to have the same experience in the comfort and convenience of our own homes.

Prenatal Yoga Programs for Moms-to-Be

For new moms who are seeking something exceptional to help them keep in shape during pregnancy—and beyond—Glo is really the answer. In addition to workouts, Glo even offers meditations for those who are about to give birth or even people who are already parents. It’s difficult to find a place online where similar resources would be offered, so it’s easy to see why so many new moms have flocked to Glo for pregnancy support. With something for every type of yoga fan, this platform is exceptional.

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The article Glo Makes Online Yoga More Appealing Than Ever by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

How Wearable Tech Can Help You Achieve Your 2019 Health Goals

by LouAnn Moss

In the digital age, we rely on our electronics for just about everything. The manufacturers who create multilayer printed circuit boards (which typically come in layers of four, six, eight, or 10) have been forced to create even smaller products so that we can use and even wear the newest forms of technology. Wearable tech can empower and connect us in new ways — and if you use them correctly, they can help you achieve your health resolutions for 2019.

Fitness trackers like the Apple Watch and Fitbit can help you start the new year off on the right foot. Currently, less than 5% of adults participate in 30 minutes of physical activity on a daily basis. But if you’re armed with a fitness tracker, you’ll be much more aware of your inactivity. A national survey conducted by the Pew Research Center and Smithsonian Magazine found that 59% of Americans believe technological advances will improve their quality of life, with 37% of respondents saying that wearing implants and other monitoring devices could change their lives for the better.

That idea may not be far-fetched, either. Adults who do more than seven hours of physical activity per week actually have a longer life expectancy, so it’s entirely possible that wearing a device that can remind you to move or keep you informed of your activity levels could serve as a major source of overall improvement and longevity.

It’s no surprise, then, that wearable technology was predicted to be the most popular fitness trend for 2019 by the American College of Sports Medicine. Wearables are now more accurate than they used to be, which allows for more meaningful monitoring.

As survey author Dr. Walter R. Thompson noted in the published report, “Technology is a must-have in our daily lives, and wearable tech can be an invaluable tool for those looking to get and stay physically active… We can easily monitor heart rate, count steps, track calories and create plans. The data collected by wearable technology can be used to inform the user and their health care team about important daily health metrics like physical activity, and it encourages healthier lifestyle choices.”

Fitness trackers are now so popular that some insurance companies are offering discounts to encourage people to become more active. This past year alone, approximately 6 million global employees were able to receive fitness trackers as a component of their workplace wellness programs. Many of those programs provide these wearables for free or at a discounted price in exchange for decreased insurance premiums or other financial incentives. Since healthy people help both insurers and employers save money, the benefits are pretty clear for all involved.

And while millennials are thought to be the most likely consumers to wear fitness trackers, it looks like wearables may be becoming much more popular with older generations. Smart watch growth is expected to surge by 15% among people aged 55 and above next year. Awareness about the benefits of wearables is increasing, to be sure, but devices like Fitbit and Apple Watch now come with heart monitoring technology that may have particular appeal among senior consumers. Increased physical activity can certainly lower cardiac disease risk — for example, cycling 20 miles per week can reduce coronary heart disease by 50% — so investing in a fitness tracker with heart monitoring capabilities may prove especially helpful for those who want to reduce their risk factors and experience all the other benefits of a more active lifestyle.

Whether your goal is to shed some pounds, embrace a more active lifestyle, or to keep your ticker in check, wearable technology can take a lot of the guess work out of the process. And if you can get some financial incentive or some style points out of it, even better.

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The article How Wearable Tech Can Help You Achieve Your 2019 Health Goals by LouAnn Moss appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.