General Health Articles

In the News Fall Wellness Tips – Part I

Transitioning from those long, summer nights to shorter, fall evenings can be quite stressful on your physical and mental health. 

To help ease the change, here we offer you these fall wellness tips. 

Start taking a Vitamin D supplement. We get most of our Vitamin D from the sun, so our intake decreases when the weather is colder since we spend most of our time inside during the fall/winter seasons. If you find you are not getting outside much, a Vitamin D supplement can boost your mood and immune system! 

Take some time to yourself. Autumn and winter are the Earth’s way of telling us to slow down. Start a journal or track your moods to get more in touch with how you are feeling.

Get your flu shot and yearly check-up. Self-explanatory! No one likes sniffling and aching and sneezing and coughing getting in the way of life.

Boost your immune system. You can do this by drinking plenty of water, washing your hands often to prevent sickness, and eating nutritious foods.

Get yourself ready for Daylight Savings Time. Go to bed earlier when you can, especially the week before the clocks change. Longer periods of darkness = longer periods of sleep!

Make some plans for the cold months. In the winter, we tend to hibernate if we don’t have things to keep us busy.

(Continued in Part II…)

In the News Blood Cancer Awareness Month – Part II

(continued from Part I…)

Lymphoma –

Lymphoma is the general term for cancers that develop in the lymphatic system. Lymphoma originates in developing B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes, which have undergone a malignant (cancerous) change. This means that they multiply without any proper order forming tumors, which are collections of cancer cells. These tumors cause swelling in the lymph nodes and other parts of the body. Over time, malignant lymphocytes (called lymphoma cells) crowd out normal lymphocytes and eventually the immune system becomes weakened and can no longer function properly. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes more than 40 different types of Lymphoma.

Myeloma –  

Myeloma, also known as multiple myeloma or plasma cell myeloma, is a cancer of plasma cells (mature B-lymphocytes) that usually arises in the bone marrow. Myeloma develops when plasma cells undergo a malignant (cancerous) change and become myeloma cells. These myeloma cells multiply without any proper order, forming collections known as tumors that accumulate in different parts of the body, most commonly in the bone marrow and on the surfaces of different bones in the body.

Myeloma cells secrete chemicals that stimulate other bone marrow cells to remove calcium from the bone. As a result, bones can become weaker, more brittle and break more easily.

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.