General Health Articles

In the News Blood Cancer Awareness Month – Part I

Blood Cancer Awareness Month has been helping to raise awareness of blood cancer since 2010, but when asked in a recent survey only 1 in 3 adults remember blood cancer when asked to name a type of cancer.

During the month of September advocates help to build an understanding and recognition of blood cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and the many other subtypes of blood cancer.

Everyday children and adults are diagnosed with blood cancer. The cause of blood cancers is unknown. These diseases can strike anyone, of any age, at any time, without warning. Immediate treatment may be necessary, and that treatment can go on for months or even years.

Here we discuss three common types of blood cancers.

Leukemia –

Leukemia is the name given to a group of cancers that develop in the bone marrow. Under normal conditions the bone marrow contains a small number of healthy, immature blood cells, sometimes called blast cells. These immature blood cells mature and develop into red cells, white cells and platelets, which are eventually released into the blood stream. Leukemia originates in developing blood cells which have undergone a change. Instead of mature properly, these cells grow and multiply in an uncontrolled fashion and interfere with normal blood cell production in the bone marrow. 

There are several different types of leukemia. And while both children and adults can develop leukemia, certain types are common in different age groups.

(continued in Part II…)

Healthy Living Laugh Your Way to a Healthier You

We have all heard that “laughter is the best medicine”, right? But have you ever wondered what that saying means? Sure, people laugh during good and happy times, but sometimes you will notice that even to get through tough or tragic times, people start to laugh.

So, what are the benefits of laughing? Laughter helps you to: 

• Reduce negative emotions – feelings of stress, anxiety, anger, and sadness don’t feel as intense when you are laughing.
• Relax and discharge negative energy – stress is reduced by the action of laughing and pushed away from the body.
• Change how you think and feel about a situation – laughing can help you see the situation in a different light and feel less overwhelmed about that situation.
• Give you the power to cope – as your perspective changes about a situation, you might find that you are better able to distance yourself from a situation. In doing so, you may find yourself stronger and able to take on challenges.
• Become closer to those around you – because laughter is contagious, once you find the humor amongst the darkness, it is likely that others will, too. That’s why “sharing a joke” is a great way to bond as well.
• Feel physically healthier – some of the physical benefits of laughing are a stronger immune system, lower blood pressure and better sleep.

So, laugh as if your life depended on it… because it helps!

In the News Back to School Health Tips – Part II

(continued from Part I…) 

play time, sport activities, and sleepovers.

Scoliosis – watch for uneven shoulders or hips, and make sure your child gets regular scoliosis check-ups. Early diagnosis is key.

Bullying – Only 17% of children seek help after being bullied. Don’t miss the early signs: changes in behavior, academic problems, anxiety, depression and self-harm. 

Poor Vision – Squinting, tilting the head, and holding handheld devices too closely are just some of the signs your child may have a vision problem.

Make sleep a priority.

Children (and adults) lose sleep due to overuse of electronic devices.

Sleep is equally important as diet and exercise.

Most healthy children need 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night.

Establish a sleep ritual by:

• Putting away electronic devices at least an hour before bed
• Encourage your child to read a book before bed
• Aoid exercise before bed instead take a warm bath or a hot shower
• A light snack can be beneficial but avoid caffeine.

Be a partner in your child’s education.

Start the conversation by talking to your child’s teacher about their likes and dislikes, strengths and struggles, preferred learning styles, and any issues that may affect them at School.

In the News Back to School Health Tips – Part I

Going back to School can be a stressful time for children, but also for parents. After a long, fun break from School, even getting back into regular routines, can be unnerving.

As a parent though, there may be additional stresses that you deal with – like your child’s academic performance, their health and their relationship with their peers and teachers.

While you can’t be with them all day long while they are at School, you can encourage healthy habits that will carry over throughout their School Day.

Here are some ways that you can support your child’s health from preschool to graduation.

Focus on your child’s nutrition.

Statistics show that 17% of children aged two to 19 in the United States are obese. 

Forty percent of daily calories for two- to 18-year-olds are empty calories from added sugars and solid fats. 

If you have a picky eater, follow these tips:

• Continue introducing new foods.
• Be a role model for a healthy diet.
• Don’t use food as a reward. 

Know the risks your school-aged children could face. 

Head lice – the most common way to get lice is by head-to-head contact that often happens during 

(continued in Part II…)

Healthy Living Snore-free Night’s Sleep

Studies show that 30 to 40 percent of the general population snores… which means there are an awful lot of people out there not getting a good night’s sleep.  Whether you snore, or your partner, there are some easy ways to alleviate snoring and catch some zzzz’s before you know it.

Tongue exercises – believe it or not there are exercises that you can do with your tongue that will help “train” your tongue where to stay in your mouth while you are sleeping to prevent snoring.  One good tongue exercise to practice is making the “t-t-t-t-t” sound – sort of like you are scolding someone.  This strengthens the tip of the tongue.  You can also let your tongue hang out relaxed, then tense your tongue by pointing it and holding this position for three seconds. 

Buy a mouthpiece – one of the most effective anti-snoring techniques is using a “boil and bite” mouthpiece.  These mouthpieces form to your upper and lower teeth and pull your lower jaw and the back of your tongue forward.  This process allows your airway to be opened and you to breathe easier.

Wear an air mask – commonly used for severe sleep apnea, a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) mask pushes air into the nasal passages and throat, allowing the airways to be opened.  Unfortunately, only 50 percent of users use their machine correctly, as they cannot keep a mask on throughout the night. 

Sleep with a tennis ball – say what? Hear us out on this one… because most people snore while sleeping on their back if you provide a barrier between your body and your back while you are sleeping you will be less likely to sleep on your back throughout the night… thereby reducing your snoring.  Some people suggest putting a tennis ball in a pocket T-shirt then sleeping with the T-shirt on backwards.  You can also put the tennis ball in a fanny pack and then wear that backwards.  If you happen to turn onto your back during the night, the ball, whether it is in your shirt or in your fanny pack, will cause discomfort and you will roll onto your side.