AUTISM

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Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex and it is unclear whether ASD is explained more by rare mutations, or by rare combinations of common genetic variants. In rare cases, autism is strongly associated with agents that cause birth defects. Controversies surround other proposed environmental causes, such as heavy metals, pesticides or childhood vaccines; the vaccine hypotheses are biologically implausible and lack convincing scientific evidence. The prevalence of autism is about 1–2 per 1,000 people worldwide; however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an approximate of 9 per 1,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with ASD. The number of people diagnosed with autism has increased dramatically since the 1980s, partly due to changes in diagnostic practice; the question of whether actual prevalence has increased is unresolved.

Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child's life. The signs usually develop gradually, but some autistic children first develop more normally and then regress. Although there is no known cure, early behavioral or cognitive intervention can help autistic children gain self-care, social, and communication skills.Not many children with autism live independently after reaching adulthood, though some become successful  An autistic culture has developed, with some individuals seeking a cure and others believing autism should be accepted as a difference and not treated as a disorder.
From Wikipedia

Definition

By Mayo Clinic staffAutism is one of a group of serious developmental problems called autism spectrum disorders (ASD) that appear in early childhood — usually before age 3. Though symptoms and severity vary, all autism disorders affect a child's ability to communicate and interact with others.

The number of children diagnosed with autism appears to be rising. It's not clear whether this is due to better detection and reporting of autism, a real increase in the number of cases, or both.

While there is no cure for autism, intensive, early treatment can

Here are some common signs

Social skills

• Fails to respond to his or her name
• Has poor eye contact
• Appears not to hear you at times
• Resists cuddling and holding
• Appears unaware of others' feelings
• Seems to prefer playing alone — retreats into his or her "own world"

Language

• Starts talking later than age 2, and has other developmental delays by 30 months
• Loses previously acquired ability to say words or sentences
• Doesn't make eye contact when making requests
• Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm — may use a singsong voice or robot-like speech
• Can't start a conversation or keep one going
• May repeat words or phrases verbatim, but doesn't understand how to use them

Behavior

• Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning or hand-flapping
• Develops specific routines or rituals
• Becomes disturbed at the slightest change in routines or rituals
• Moves constantly
• May be fascinated by parts of an object, such as the spinning wheels of a toy car
• May be unusually sensitive to light, sound and touch and yet oblivious to pain

What is Autism? What Causes Autism?

Autism is known as a complex developmental disability. Experts believe that Autism presents itself during the first three years of a person's life. The condition is the result of a neurological disorder that has an effect on normal brain function, affecting development of the person's communication and social interaction skills.

People with autism have issues with non-verbal communication, a wide range of social interactions, and activities that include an element of play and/or banter.

What is ASD?

ASD stands for Autism Spectrum Disorder and can sometimes be referred to as Autistic Spectrum Disorder. In this text Autism and ASD mean the same. ASDs are any developmental disabilities that have been caused by a brain abnormality. A person with an ASD typically has difficulty with social and communication skills.
A person with ASD will typically also prefer to stick to a set of behaviors and will resist any major (and many minor) changes to daily activities. Several relatives and friends of people with ASDs have commented that if the person knows a change is coming in advance, and has time to prepare for it; the resistance to the change is either gone completely or is much lower.

Autism is a wide-spectrum disorder

Autism (or ASD) is a wide-spectrum disorder. This means that no two people with autism will have exactly the same symptoms. As well as experiencing varying combinations of symptoms, some people will have mild symptoms while others will have severe ones. Below is a list of the most commonly found characteristics identified among people with an ASD.


Autism remains a challenging condition for children and their families, but the outlook today is much better than it was a generation ago. At that time, most people with autism were placed in institutions.
Today, with the right therapy, many of the symptoms of autism can be improved, though most people will have some symptoms throughout their lives. Most people with autism are able to live with their families or in the community.

The outlook depends on the severity of the autism and the level of therapy the person receives.

Information provided by Medical News Today




AUTISM SOCIETY
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer

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What is Thyroid?

Image via Wikipedia

What is Thyroid and is this important to my overall health

In vertebrate anatomy, the thyroid gland or simply, the thyroid, is one of the largest endocrine glands in the body, and is not to be confused with the parathyroid glands. The thyroid gland is found in the neck, inferior to (below) the thyroid cartilage (also known as the Adam's Apple) and at approximately the same level as thecricoid cartilage. The thyroid controls how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins, and controls how sensitive the body should be to other hormones.

The thyroid gland participates in these processes by producing thyroid hormones, the principal ones being triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones regulate the rate of metabolism and affect the growth and rate of function of many other systems in the body. T3 and T4 are synthesized utilizing both iodine andtyrosine. The thyroid gland also produces calcitonin, which plays a role in calcium homeostasis.

The thyroid gland is controlled by the hypothalamus and pituitary (to be specific, the anterior pituitary). The thyroid gland gets its name from the Greek word for "shield", after the shape of the related thyroid cartilage. The most common problems of the thyroid gland consist of an over-active thyroid gland, referred to as 'hyperthyroidism', and an under-active thyroid gland, referred to as 'hypothyroidism

The thyroid gland influences almost all of the metabolic processes in your body Thyroid disorders can range from a small, harmless goiter (enlarged gland) that needs no treatment to life-threatening cancer. The most common thyroid problems involve abnormal production of thyroid hormones. Too much of these vital body chemicals results in a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Insufficient hormone production leads to hypothyroidism.  

Diseases of the thyroid gland can result in either production of too much (overactive thyroid disease or hyperthyroidism), too little (underactive thyroid disease orhypothyroidism) thyroid hormone,thyroid nodules, and/or goiter. All types of thyroid problems in women are much more common than thyroid problems in men.

A person with too little secretion of thyroid hormone, called hypothyroidism, has general symptoms of slowing down - coldness, sluggishness, dry skin and scanty hair growth. In more serious cases, there is a characteristic thickening of the skin, a condition called myxedema.

Sometimes a child is born without a thyroid gland. Recognizing and treating this defect early is extremely important to prevent serious problems with both physical and mental development.

Fortunately, deficient production of thyroid hormone in either a child or an adult can be simply and effectively treated by replacing the normal amounts of this chemical the body requires.

At the opposite extreme, the person with an overactive thyroid gland, calledhyperthyroidism, may have an increase in body metabolism, which results in weight loss in spite of an increased appetite, excessive warmth and sweating, noticeably trembling hands, pounding of the heart and, in some cases, bulging eyes. Along with these symptoms, the thyroid gland may swell. This swelling is called a goiter.

Medication is effective in slowing down an overactive thyroid. Because improvement may be only temporary, the physician may decide on more permanent measures, such as eradicating it with radioactive iodine or, less often, surgical removal of the overactive thyroid tissue.

My friend was diagnosed with thyroid disease and she would tell me how this effected her and how awful she would feel tired all the time and so sick and her weight would go up and down. But she was able to get everything in order by seeing her doctor regularly and taking her prescriptions. But at first before she was diagnosed with thyroid disease she was feeling so sick and tired and was just going out of her mind because it was over looked by several doctors, she didn't gain weight so they never thought of looking at her thyroid but after several visits they were able to give her the correct diagnose and actually save her life. If you feel that you might have this condition seek medical advice as soon as possible don't go undiagnosed.

Over 300 million people world wide experience problems with their thyroid, although over half are presumed to be unaware of their condition.

Resources

WebMD

E medicine health

Ultrawellness

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Working out for the fuller figure

Model Credit Bridgette Thomason

Loving our curves is wonderful but when our health is getting worse we must rethink what would be best for us.

If you are carrying a few extra pounds or overweight, you may be hesitant to join a gym because every-time you go there you just see fit people. Don't be afraid and go in, that is what I did and did not care about the stares, actually when they looked at me I would just rub my belly and go yummy yes hehehe. And of course they would just look amazed for a while then smile and go back to there workout and others would just not know were to put there face. 

So if walking into a club for the first time maybe intimidating don't worry just consider this, there are some good reasons you'll have access personal trainers who can help you get started the right way and you also have access to workout machines and aerobics classes, which can make exercise a easier. If the thought of joining a club makes you break out into hives and a panic attack then consider the YMCA or a community center, which may have a friendlier atmosphere.

Model Credit Shelly Raihala

Plus there are a lot of things you can do out of the gym, dancing is always fun. It’s easy moving the body when dancing and you’ll burn loads of calories and you don't have to have a degree just willing to have a good time and even if you are unable to stand for long periods of time you can still dance. Just waving your hands and move your hips in the seat. Its all about getting the body to move, I speak from experience because of health reasons I was unable to stand for too long so I would just sit and dance and move my arms and always kept my spirits up.

And if dancing is a bit too much right now that is ok you can schedule in walking after dinner or lunch with a walking buddy a family member. Find a friend / family member who is enthusiastic in being your walking buddy and schedule in walking after lunch or dinner. And go at a pace that is comfortable for you and make sure that you ask your doctor before doing any exercise . I state this because my own doctor told me to hold off on any exercise for a while until I my health was much better.

Image by Old Shoe Woman via FlickrAlso think about water aerobics water exercise, also referred to as aquatics, is a low-impact form of exercise that can provide an effective workout and are one of the best non-weight bearing exercises that are completed in the water. 

Water workouts helps flexibility because you can bend and move your body in water much easier. Water aerobics also reduces risk of injury since water makes your body float. This keeps your joints from being pounded or jarred and helps prevent sore muscles and injury no pressure is placed on joints and the spinal column.  And stress on bones and joints are reduced by as much as 90 percent.

Walking and kicking in place or while holding on to the side of the pool can build lower-body muscles. Remain hydrated by drinking water or sports drinks to avoid muscle cramps while doing water workouts.

Water exercises also keep you refreshed. You can keep cool in water, even when you are working hard. You do not need to know how to swim to work out in water, you can do shallow water or deep water exercises without needing to swim.

Water Exercise Tips

1.Water depth should be about chest high. There is more impact on your joints if you are standing in shallower water. Losing your balance and correct form will result if the water is too deep.

2.Exercising against the water can stress joints. Maintain proper form and don't over-exert your joints.

3.Stretch your muscles with a warm up before active exercise and a cool down afterward. Each stretching session should last 8-10 minutes.

4.Wear water shoes to improve your footing and protect your feet.

5.Don't attempt to do too much too soon. If the movement hurts, don't do it. Water exercise should be painless.

6.Workout with a friend for safety and encouragement.

7.Keep yourself hydrated before, during and after your workout by drinking plenty of water.

8.Use the Rate of Perceived Exertion to determine your intensity level during your exercise routine. These are your feelings of exertion, ranging from none to maximum effort. The "Talk Test" is even simpler - you should be able to talk with another person during your aquatic workout. If you can't, then you are working too hard and should slow down. 

9. Depending on your condition, you can exercise as slow or as fast as you desire.

10.Music is helpful to set your pace, to motivate, to avoid boredom or to soothe and calm.

Resource 

Water Wellness Workouts

.A doctor's guidance is advised before you start an exercise program

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Xtreme Eating 2010

Image by revrev via FlickrXtreme Eating 2010

Here is a list of some of the restaurants you may want to see there menu and find out if they have any healthy alternative. Please follow the link above 

You can also download there article from the June issue of Nutrition Action Health Letter.

Nutrition Action Health Letter

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Alzheimer's

Image by Alyssa L. Miller via FlickrAlzheimer's disease (AD), also called Alzheimer disease, senile dementia of the Alzheimer type, primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer's type, or simply Alzheimer's, is the most common form of dementia. This incurable, degenerative, and terminal disease was first described by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was named after him. Most often, it is diagnosed in people over 65 years of age, although the less-prevalent early-onset Alzheimer's can occur much earlier. In 2006, there were 26.6 million sufferers worldwide. Alzheimer's is predicted to affect 1 in 85 people globally by 2050. To be honset this is so scarey to have so many people affect with this disease.



Symptoms
Symptoms of Alzheimer's
Is it Alzheimer's or just normal aging? We all forget things as we age. Mild forgetfulness is normal. More serious memory problems can make independent living difficult. Read about the steps you can take to help your memory.

Warning Signs
7 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s
These early signs may hint that a person has AD. They DON'T mean a person definitely has Alzheimer's. If someone you love shows several of these signs, they should be examined by a health care professional.

Types
Alzheimer's Types
There are several types of Alzheimer's disease.


Web MD

April 19, 2011 -- Alzheimer's disease should be diagnosed early, before a person develops severe, late-stage dementia, new guidelines suggest.

It's been 27 years since guidelines for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease were laid out. Since 1984, research has shown Alzheimer's to be a disease that begins decades before dementia appears.

Now panels from the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association have split Alzheimer's disease into three stages:

Dementia, including mental impairments not as severe as those previously required for an Alzheimer's diagnosis.
Mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease. This new category of Alzheimer's disease includes patients with changes in memory and thinking ability that do not keep them from performing everyday functions, but which strongly suggest that a patient will develop Alzheimer's dementia.
Preclinical Alzheimer's disease. The new guidelines recognize that the Alzheimer's disease process begins before there are any symptoms. But for now, there aren't good enough tests to tell whether a person has this stage of Alzheimer's.

The Mayo Clinic Staff state:
Current Alzheimer's disease medications and management strategies can temporarily improve symptoms, maximize function and maintain independence. It's also important to seek social services and tap into your support network to make life better. Research efforts aim to discover treatments that prevent Alzheimer's or slow its progression.

Resources:
Web MD
Mayo Clinic
Wikipedia

Related articles

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Menopause Weight Gain

Image by marsmet461 via FlickrMost women gain weight as they age, but excess pounds aren't inevitable. In fact, the most profound weight gain in a woman's life tends to happen during the years leading up to menopause. In all honesty I personally wasn't aware of this and was so happy to find out as now I can take of this before hand.

The hormonal changes of menopause may make you more likely to gain weight around your abdomen, rather than your hips and thighs. Hormonal changes alone don't necessarily trigger weight gain after menopause, however. Instead, the weight gain is usually related to a variety of lifestyle and genetic factors.

The Mayo Clinic staff states:
Menopausal women tend to exercise less than other women, which can lead to weight gain. In addition, muscle mass naturally diminishes with age. If you don't do anything to replace the lean muscle you lose, your body composition will shift to more fat and less muscle — which slows down the rate at which you burn calories. If you continue to eat as you always have, you're likely to gain weight.

For many women, genetic factors play a role in weight gain after menopause. If your parents or other close relatives carry extra weight around the abdomen, you're likely to do the same. Sometimes, factors such as children leaving — or returning — home, divorce, the death of a spouse or other life changes may contribute to weight gain after menopause. For others, a sense of contentment or simply letting go leads to weight gain.


Is it risky weight gain after menopause?
(Web MD) Informs us that:


Weight gain after menopause can have serious implications for your health. Excess weight increases the risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. In turn, these conditions increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Excess weight also increases the risk of various types of cancer, including colorectal cancer and breast cancer. In fact, some research suggests that gaining as little as 4.4 pounds (2 kilograms) at age 50 or later could increase the risk of breast cancer by 30 percent.

There's really no magic formula for preventing or even reversing  weight gain after menopause. We just have to follow some simple rules

More Magazine Give Us Some Examples:

Set aside 15 minutes: Go for brisk walks, practice your yoga poses, or drop and see how many push-ups you can do.

Take the long way: Use the stairs instead of the elevator, park your car at the far end of the parking lot, and walk whenever possible.

Be active on weekends: Do something physical for one hour each weekend day, such as gardening, raking leaves, or riding your bike.

Seek support: Talk to your friends and family about becoming more active. Join forces to motivate each other by planning activities together.

Keep it simple: Create an exercise-friendly environment by keeping walking shoes at work or an exercise bag in the car. Continue the activities you are doing now but do them more often.

Seek assistance: Your healthcare provider can help you determine the initial level of exercise appropriate for you. Increase the duration and intensity as you adjust to the new lifestyle.

Once your initial goals have been accomplished, work on a long-term plan.

The Benefits of Walking

Image via WikipediaWalking is a safe, simple, low-impact form of exercise accessible to just about everybody unless you have an injury that may prevent or limit the length or distance you are able to walk. In this case you can try walking in the pool which will have less impact on your joints, please seek advice from your doctor if this or any other actives you are able to participate in. Not only can it help you stay strong and fit, it can lower your blood pressure, reduce your risk of diabetes  or help manage it  and improve your mood.

The Journal of the American Medical Association reports that pedometer users increased their amount of physical activity by nearly 27 percent and decreased their body mass index.
Independence Blue Cross


Walking is a form of aerobic exercise and is one of the easiest ways to increase your physical activity and improve your health. Physical activity increases your heart rate, strengthens your heart, and increases blood circulation through your body, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to your organs. Exercise also increases your lungs' ability to take in oxygen, lowers blood pressure, helps to reduce body fat, and improves blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Web MD states that, A recent study shows that if you have heart problems, a home walking program may be as beneficial as participating in a hospital- or clinic-based cardiac rehabilitation program.2 This can be important for people who don't have access to organized cardiac rehab.


A new study shows that even a little bit of weekly exercise is enough to lower blood pressure and improve overall fitness. The results showed that 30 minutes of walking three times a week -- even if it was broken into 10-minute walks throughout the day -- was enough to have a healthy effect on blood pressure as well as measurements around the waist and hip.

Types of Exercise for my Body Shape (Pear)

Image via WikipediaPear Shape Body
A pear shape body normally holds most of their Bodyweight at the bottom half of their Bodies. As a pear you would be looking to achieve a good proportion between the top half and the larger bottom half of your body.

As a result, your work out routines should follow a combined approach of losing weight around the lower extremities and build some size to the shoulder, chest and back.

To achieve this, focus on aerobic activities that will provide you with a great leg workout, and workout routines for upper body that will build your upper body.

Use light weights and perform high repetitions of exercises. Some great activities include:

    Walking
    Cycling (with low resistance)
    Cross training
    Push ups, pull-up bars, and shoulder presses

Intensity of Exercise

Pear Body Shape

Cardio for fat burning follow the same format of apple Body Shapes as seen above.

An Upper body work out would look like so;

Exercise                                                      Sets x reps

Shoulder presses                                              4 x 12

Dumbbell press                                                 3 x 10

Lateral raises                                                    3 x 10

Dumbbell row                                                    3 x 10

Duration and Frequency of Workouts

Apples & Pears

A prolonged low to moderate intensity Cardio a approximately 70% max effort should be completed for 30-60 minutes 4-6 times per week.
If HIIT takes your fancy then aim for 30 minutes 4-5 times per week.

When should I undertake my Exercise

Pears & Rulers

Pear Body Shape require both Cardio and resistance training in their gym routines so the only place to complete this is in the gym.

Please remember before starting any diets or exercise please consult your physician 

Resource: Body 2 Shape

Is Soda Really Bad For Us

We have heard the many different studies on soft drinks and what it does to our bodies and the health benefits of not drinking it but what is really soda and why do we love it so much?

Well lets start with some history of Soda or Pop:

In 1767, the first drinkable, man made glass of carbonated water was created by Englishmen, Dr. Joseph Priestley. Three years later, the Swedish chemist, Torbern Bergman, invented a generating apparatus that made carbonated water from chalk by the use of sulfuric acid. Bergman's apparatus allowed imitation mineral water to be produced in large amounts.

To read more on the Soda History

A soft drink (also called soda, pop, coke, soda pop, or carbonated beverage) is a non-alcoholic beverage that typically contains carbonated water, a sweetening agent, and a flavoring agent. The sweetening agent may be sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or a sugar substitute (in the case of diet drinks). A soft drink may also contain caffeine or fruit juice.

Products such as energy drinks, Kool-Aid, and pure juice are not considered to be soft drinks. Other beverages not considered to be soft drinks are hot chocolate, hot tea, coffee, milk, milkshakes, and schorle.

Soft drinks are called "soft" in contrast to "hard drinks" (alcoholic beverages). Small amounts of alcohol may be present in a soft drink, but the alcohol content must be less than 0.5% of the total volume if the drink is to be considered non-alcoholic.

Widely sold soft drink flavors are cola, lemon-lime, root beer, orange, grape, vanilla, ginger ale, fruit punch, sparkling lemonade, squash, and flavored water.

Soda is made up of carbonated water, fructose corn syrup, artificial sweetener or sugar and flavor mixes.

Web MD states:

In 2006, a panel of experts assembled by Popkin developed the first Healthy Beverage Guidelines, which recommended people should drink more water and limit or eliminate high-calorie beverages with little or no nutritional value. 

Feb. 28, 2011 -- New research suggests that drinking sodas and other sugar-sweetened beverages every day may raise blood pressure, but a beverage industry trade group calls the study significantly flawed.

Sugar-sweetened beverages are the No. 1 source of added sugars in the American diet, and the research is among the first to link them to higher blood pressure.

The study found that the more sugary sodas and other sugar-sweetened beverages people drank, the higher their blood pressures tended to be.

Every extra sugar-sweetened beverage drank per day was associated with a 1.6 point rise in systolic blood pressure (the upper number) and a 1 point rise in diastolic pressure (the lower number).

The highest blood pressures were seen in study participants who drank the most sugar-sweetened beverages and also had the most added salt in their diets, study co-author Ian J. Brown, PhD, tells WebMD.

“We know that salt is a risk factor for high blood pressure,” Brown says. “But our findings suggest that sugar and salt together may be worse than salt alone.”

To read the Web MD Article click here

Risks Of Drinking Soda 

• Soda has been known to comprise certain chemicals that make you feel dehydrated. This is the reason why, even after drinking lots of soda, you continue to feel thirsty.
• Every can of soda contains carbonic acid, which is a highly corrosive material. Hence, regular and frequent consumption of drinking soda can cause unimaginable damage to the human body.
• One of the prime side effects associated with the consumption of soda is that it is high in sugar content. This leads to the development of a number of health problems, like obesity and oral decay. Consumption of any form of aerated drink containing soda means that there is consumption of empty calories, which results in weight gain.
• There is high sugar content and too much fructose corn syrup in soda. Too much consumption of the drink can easily make you put on excessive weight..
• Excessive consumption of soda can result in high blood sugar, which can lead to faintness, rapid heart rate, and dehydration.
• Since soda contains too much sugar and acid, it can play havoc with your oral health. Not only does it dissolve the calcium out of tooth enamel, but can also cause a lot of cavities.
• Soda is also loaded with caffeine, which is a stimulant, the reason why it develops into an addiction soon. Consumption of excess of caffeine can cause irritability and restlessness.
• Caffeine removes calcium from our bodies. So, if you are drinking too much soda, you are also ingesting too much calcium, which ultimately will affect the strength of your bones.
• Irritability, restlessness, tension, insomnia, excitement and gastrointestinal disturbance are some other side effects of caffeine, which often result from high consumption of soda.

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Water safety Tips Part One

Know that we are approaching summer we must be very careful when going swimming at the pool or at the beach. We always hear of all the accidents that occur so it is always good to prepare and to learn to swim and have our children also learn.

"On a personal note a good friend of mine was just injured while at the beach he dived into the ocean and hit his head in a way that he became partial paralyzed and is now in recovery. Yes this was a mishap but he was one of the lucky ones he told me as he is here today to still be with his family and friends." So please lets all have fun this summer and be careful below are some helpful tips from the Red Cross and others.


Swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard.

Read and obey all rules and posted signs.

Children or inexperienced swimmers should take precautions, such as wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) when around the water.

Watch out for the dangerous “too’s” – too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.

Set water safety rules for the whole family based on swimming abilities (for example, inexperienced swimmers should stay in water less than chest deep).

Be knowledgeable of the water environment you are in and its potential hazards, such as deep and shallow areas, currents, depth changes, obstructions and where the entry and exit points are located. The more informed you are, the more aware you will be of hazards and safe practices.

Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.

Use a feet-first entry when entering the water.

Enter headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.

Do not mix alcohol with swimming, diving or boating. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body's ability to stay warm.

Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies.


Resources: Red Cross, Safety Kids,

Water Safety Tips Part two

Beach Safety
Protect your skin: Sunlight contains two kinds of UV rays -- UVA increases the risk of skin cancer, skin aging, and other skin diseases. UVB causes sunburn and can lead to skin cancer. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and wear a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15.


Drink plenty of water regularly and often even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool.

Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly but make the heat's effects on your body worse. This is especially true with beer, which dehydrates the body.

Watch for signs of heat stroke: Heat stroke is life-threatening. The person's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working.
The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.

Signals of heat stroke include 
Hot, red, and usually dry skin, but in some cases such as during athletic activity while wearing a helmet, the skin may be moist
Changes in consciousness
Rapid, weak pulse, and
Rapid, shallow breathing.
Call 9-1-1 or your local EMS number.
Move the person to a cooler place.




Quickly cool the body by wrapping wet sheets around the body and fan it. If you have ice packs or cold packs, place them on each of the victim's wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the large blood vessels.

Watch for signals of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear.
Keep the person lying down.
Wear eye protection

Sunglasses are like sunscreen for your eyes and protect against damage that can occur from UV rays.
Be sure to wear sunglasses with labels that indicate that they absorb at least 90 percent of UV sunlight.
Wear foot protection. Many times, people's feet can get burned from the sand or cut from glass in the sand.

To read more on Water Safety please visit:
Red Cross

Allergy Capitals

Allergy season is here and for some of us it is the most miserable time one can have, because of the pollen count and all the other symptoms that occur with allergies. And if you suffer for any upper respiratory problems this is a very problematic and even dangerous . There is no place safe from allergies in America, and some cities are more problematic than others, as stated by the Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)

 The Allergy Capitals is an annual research project of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) to identify “the 100 most challenging places to live with allergies” in the spring and fall seasons each year. The rankings are based on scientific analysis of 3 factors for the 100 largest metro areas in the U.S. The data measured and compared each year includes:

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• Pollen scores (airborne grass/tree/weed pollen and mold spores)
• Number of allergy medications used per patient
• Number of allergy specialists per patient

The link to the PDF file is below:
Allergy Capitals

Allergies are diseases of the immune system that cause an overreaction to substances called "allergens." Allergies are grouped by the kind of trigger, time of year or where symptoms appear on the body: indoor and outdoor  allergies (also called "hay fever," "seasonal," "perennial" or "nasal" allergies), food allergies, latex allergies, insect  allergies, skin  allergies and eye  allergies. People who have allergies can live healthy and active lives.


Know exactly what you are allergic to. See an allergist and have testing done to determine which pollens or other items (molds, pets, etc.) that you are allergic to. Specifically knowing what you are allergic to can help your allergist tailor your treatment plan.

See your doctor to know when you should start your allergy medications, Whether you take nasal sprays and/or oral medication begin taking your allergy medications now before your symptoms start. Beginning those medications now can help lessen the severity of your symptoms later.

Web MD gives several tips fighting spring allergies:


Tips for Fighting Spring Allergies
With spring rains, there's more mold growth inside and outside your home. Flowers, trees, weeds, and grasses also begin to blossom. And spring cleaning will stir up dust mites throughout the house.

• Keep pollen under control.

• Wash bedding every week in hot water. Wash your hair and shower before going to bed, since pollen can accumulate in hair.

• Clean every surface.
• Wear a mask and gloves when cleaning, vacuuming, or painting to limit dust and chemical exposure. 

• Vacuum twice a week.
• Wash rugs.
• Limit throw rugs to reduce dust and mold. If you do have rugs, make sure they are washable

• Keep indoor air clean.
• Keep windows closed to reduce pollen entering the house. Change filters in air conditioning units and vents frequently this time of year.
• Consider allergy medicine.

Talk to your doctor about a seasonal allergy drug that may be appropriate for your symptoms.


Resources: physorg.com,WebMD