Tooth decay isn’t just a problem for children. It can happen as long as you have natural teeth. Dental plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, can build up on teeth. Plaque produces acids that, over time, eat away at the tooth’s hard outer surface and create a cavity. Even teeth that already have fillings are at risk. Plaque can build [...]
A bone-density test helps determine if you have osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to become more fragile and more likely to break. In the past, osteoporosis could be detected only after you broke a bone. By that time, however, your bones could be quite weak. A bone density test enhances the accuracy of calculating your risk of breaking bones. [...]
The best way to prevent poisoning at home is to think about it and take precautions before an emergency occurs. That includes talking with your family. • Never call medicine “candy.” This can be confusing to children. • Remind family members that certain everyday products, such as household cleaning solutions, can be poisonous. • Explain that some poisons, such as [...]
If you have insomnia, developing healthy sleep habits can make a big difference. These guidelines are especially important for people who can’t fall asleep or stay asleep regularly. These simple tips can improve sleep. • Stick to the same bedtime and wakeup time, even on the weekends. This helps to regulate your body’s clock and could help you fall asleep [...]
In celebration of Foot Health Awareness Month, check your feet and ankles at home using these simple steps: • Skin: Check each foot for calluses, blisters or irritation. Now put your hand inside your shoe. Are there seams, tacks or rough places in the shoe that correspond to the areas of irritation, calluses or blisters? • Flexibility: To test ankle [...]
For people with arthritis, participating in joint-friendly physical activity can improve pain levels, function, mood and quality of life. These physical activities are low-impact, which means they put less stress on the body, reducing the risk of injury. Examples include walking, biking and swimming. Being physically active can also delay the onset of arthritis-related disability and can help people with [...]
As humans, we have a built-in desire to connect and build relationships with others. The benefits are many: • Less stress. Being in a committed relationship is linked to a lower production of cortisol, a stress hormone. This suggests that the social and emotional support that comes with having a partner can be a great buffer against stress. • Better [...]
Need to shed 15 or 25 pounds? Try this trick: Pick up a 15- or 25-pound turkey in the grocery store (or a bag of soil at the nursery). Then carry it around for a few minutes. Did you find it tough to do? Extra pounds take a toll, don’t they? But weight gain is often such a gradual process that [...]
What happens when your kid doesn’t get enough sleep? Does he turn into Oscar the Grouch? Not a surprise, really. But moodiness isn’t the only downside of a lack of shuteye. Sleep is critical for mental and physical development. In fact, a lack of sleep can lead to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, injuries, diabetes, and obesity [...]
Did you know that skin cancer rates are on the rise in the U.S., where it is the most common type of cancer?1 It’s no wonder. Just in the past year alone, one-third of the adult population has been sunburned at least once. And that lobster-red look is a clear sign of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays—a known cause of skin [...]
