Protect Your Baby From CMV

CMV is the most common congenital (present at birth) infection in the U.S. Each year about 5,500 (1 in 750) children in this country are born with or develop permanent problems that can result in disabilities from congenital CMV infection.

READ MORE

Everyone Needs Fat, Right?

As with carbohydrates in recent years, fats have been wrongly accused of being “bad.” Too much fat can be a bad thing, but fat is an essential nutrient and some are definitely better than others. Certain kinds of fat are actually good for us and are an important part of a healthy diet. READ MORE

Vacationing With Diabetes

Getting out of the routine is part of the fun of traveling. But if you have diabetes, there’s one routine you need to take with you: your care routine.READ MORE

Cancer and Men

More men in the United States die from lung cancer than any other kind of cancer, and cigarette smoking causes most cases. Smoking also causes cancers of the esophagus, larynx (voice box), mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, pancreas, stomach, and acute myeloid leukemia. Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their lung cancer risk by 20%–30%. Concentrations of many cancer-causing and toxic chemicals are higher in secondhand smoke than in the smoke inhaled by smokers. READ MORE

Necrotizing Fasciitis (Flesh-Eating Infection)

Necrotizing fasciitis is a serious bacterial infection that spreads rapidly and destroys the body’s soft tissue. Commonly called a “flesh-eating infection” by the media, this very rare disease can be caused by more than one type of bacteria. These include group A Streptococcus (group A strep), Klebsiella, Clostridium, E. coli,Staphylococcus aureus, and Aeromonas hydrophila, among others. Group A strep is considered the most common cause of necrotizing fasciitis.  READ MORE

Exercise-Induced Asthma

Up to 80% of kids with asthma have symptoms when they exercise. It makes sense that cigarette smoke and pollen could trigger asthma symptoms, but why exercise? READ MORE

Are You Teaching Tolerance?

America is the great “melting pot,” a rich blend of cultural traditions from all over the world. Many American families can trace their histories to immigrant ancestors who traveled great distances, enduring risk and hardship, to make a home where they would be guaranteed basic freedoms. And for many American families these freedoms came with a struggle. Their parents and grandparents were denied the basic rights we value.

READ MORE

Vegetarianism and Your Family

Vegetarianism is a popular choice for many individuals and families. But parents may wonder if kids can safely follow a vegetarian diet and still get all necessary nutrients. Most dietary and medical experts agree that a well-planned vegetarian diet can actually be a very healthy way to eat.

READ MORE

What if Your Child Does Not Like Sports?

Team sports can boost kids’ self-esteem, coordination, and general fitness, and help them learn how to work with other kids and adults. READ MORE

Starting an Allowance

An allowance can be a great way to teach kids money management skills and help them learn how to make decisions, deal with limited resources, and understand the benefits of saving and charitable giving. READ MORE

Tick Check Please!

Gardening, camping, hiking, and playing outdoors – when enjoying these activities, don’t forget to take steps to prevent bites from ticks that share the outdoors. Ticks can infect humans with bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause serious illness.  Diseases that you can get from a tick bite include (listed alphabetically): 
READ MORE

Learn How to Reduce Your Risk of Drowning

When you’re spending the day splashing around at the pool, beach or lake, drowning may not be the first thing on your mind. Yet drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States and kills more toddlers 1-4 years old than anything but birth defects. About ten people die every day from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children 14 or younger. The good news is that most of these deaths are predictable and preventable. Being aware of the risks and taking safety precautions are proven ways to prevent drowning injuries and deaths. Learn the facts and take action to protect yourself and the ones you love from drowning. 

READ MORE