Is my child’s behavior a side effect of medication?
“Dust mite allergy,” the allergist told John and Tamara, consulting with them about their constantly scratching 10 year old who now had constant red marks on his arms and the backs of his hands, “You’ll have to wash everything, buy hypoallergenic covers, it’ll take a lot of housecleaning.” This sounded like a perfectly reasonable explanation to the couple, and so they cleaned. “I actually clogged my dryer vent with lint because of the number of loads of bed linens I washed.”
But there was another culprit that the couple had never thought of; a medication side effect.
Take a Hike – Family-Friendly Walking Tips
A lot of emphasis is being placed on family fitness these days, and getting together for a walk or hike is a popular way to get everybody out and moving. Get on board with your family! Here are some tips… Continue reading
Vaccines Myths and Facts
Vaccines are one of the main reasons why we enjoy a relatively disease-free and extended life span. The others are the creation of antiseptics and antibiotics. Before the invention of vaccines, people died of diseases such as Pertussis, Tetanus, Measles, and were crippled by Polio. Widespread epidemics would kill millions of people and wipe out entire towns or villages. Fears about vaccines come from mistrust of authority figures (physicians), governmental agencies (CDC), and “big business” (pharmaceutical industry). This mistrust comes from the belief that an individual’s interest is overlooked for governmental or monetary interests. This mistrust is magnified when there is a lack of understanding of diseases, our immune systems, how vaccines are produced and tested, and vaccine side effects.
Food Allergies
More people are getting food allergies. From 1997 to 2007, 18% more children under 18 years were reported of having food allergies. Any food can cause an allergic reaction, but the most common for children are cow’s milk, egg, peanut, soy, wheat, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. Common adult allergens are peanut, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. About 80% of children outgrow milk and egg allergies, but recent studies suggest that children now need more time to outgrow them than in the past. The reason why more people are making antibodies for harmless food proteins is not fully understood. One well-known hypothesis is the hygiene hypothesis: our improved hygiene has taken the burden off our immune systems, which are prepared to fight diseases or parasites, so instead begin to fight off harmless proteins. Since more people are getting food allergies, it’s important to know how to prevent and treat them.
Outdoor Winter Activities for the Whole Family
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean the outdoor activities have to stop! Help the family stay fit and have fun with winter activities for the whole family this season. Here are some ideas.
Sledding/Coasting/Tubing Whatever you call it, sliding downhill in the snow is fun for all ages. You can use inexpensive plastic snow disks, toboggans, inner tubes, or just plastic bags. You can do this in your own neighborhood, or go to a local park. Make sure you bundle up and dress in layers, and wear heavy boots.
Benefits of Family Meals
It is well known that family meals are important and beneficial. But with new studies, family meals are becoming more recognized for their vital impact on children and the family. Family meals, in particular, have a major influence on children nutrition, education, and communication.
Better Nutrition, Less Chance of doing Drugs and Alcohol, and Better Eating Habits
According to Pediatrics 2011, children and adolescents who have family meals 3 or more times per week are more likely to have a normal weight and eat healthier than those who had less than 3 family meals.
Overweight- decreased by 12%
Eating unhealthy foods- decreased by 20%
Disordered eating (such as anorexia nervosa)- decreased 35%
Eating healthy foods- increase 24%
How to Inspire Kids to Embrace Exercise
As a parent, you want what’s best for your children. You want them to be healthy and happy. One way to ensure they’re healthy is to inspire them to embrace exercise. If they learn to love to exercise as a child, they’ll be more likely to continue into adulthood.
Very young children seem to be a ball of perpetual motion. However, the older they get the less likely they are to stay active. Part of the reason children aren’t as active when they are growing up is that schools don’t stress physical education the way they once did. Parents also don’t feel allowing their child to play in the neighborhood is as safe as it once was.
How to Shape Up Your Family This Summer
It can be fun to get into shape over the summer. Some say it’s easier because the weather just seems to coax everyone outdoors and into fun activities. If you want to shape up your family this summer, here are some ideas.
Super Foods for Kids and How to Serve Them
When you hear the words “super foods,” many people assume that kids won’t like whatever the super food is. We tend to think of super foods as unpleasant tasting, or the sort of thing you have to eat to be healthy. But really, almost any healthy food can be a super food, and they can be made appealing to children. However, there are some super foods that may really help children’s health.
Here are some of these super foods, and how to serve them to kids.
Summer Safety Tips: Sun and Heat
Summer is a time for pool parties, beach parties, and sun bathing. However, with the suns rays growing ever stronger, you should take precautions to prevent overheating and dehydration. Here are some summer safety tips as you spend your days… Continue reading
