September is known as Baby Safety Month. Most new moms and dads are aware of the importance in baby-proofing their home, but they may not know about some hidden dangers around the house. TV tip-overs are a common accident that injure an estimated 47 children each day. In fact, pediatric injuries resulting from TV tip-overs have increased by more than 30% over the past decade. The majority of these injuries occur in children ages 5 and under. Read on →

Did you know that September 29 is National Coffee Day? If you’ve been feeling a bit guilty about your addiction to this caffeinated beverage, check out these reasons it might not be so bad! Diabetes Many experts believe that coffee consumption might help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. That’s partly because researchers have discovered that drinking coffee increases plasma levels of SHBG, a globulin that controls the biological activity of testosterone and estrogen, which play a role in the development of the disease. Read on →

If you have diabetes, you know that it’s important to make smart food choices to better balance your blood sugar. Proper hydration is a big part of good nutrition, but drinking plain water can get boring. Check out these ideas to indulge in an occasional diabetic-friendly treat. Milks Regular milk–even the plain stuff–can easily bring you over your sugar and carbohydrate budget due to the naturally occurring sugars in milk. Opting for an unsweetened almond milk or reduced-sugar milk can help keep your numbers in check. Read on →

August is here and that means getting ready for a new school year with supply shopping, immunizations, physicals and school orientations. But have you also made an appointment to get your children’s eyes examined? As a part of Child Eye Health and Safety Month, parents are reminded each August to include eye examinations in your back-to-school checklist. As much as 80% of your child’s classroom education is visually taught. If kids can’t see clearly, it negatively impacts academic and athletic performance, as well as self-esteem. Read on →

Did you know that skin cancer is the most common cancer? About 3.3 million Americans are diagnosed each year. Melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer, will account for more than 76,000 cases of skin cancer by the end of 2016. What are the risk factors for skin cancer? Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight or tanning beds and lamps Pale skin which is easily sunburned and doesn’t tan much or at all, as well as naturally red or blond hair Overexposure to coal tar, paraffin, and arsenic compounds—often on the job A family history of skin cancer Having multiple or unusual moles Experiencing a severe sunburn in the past Having a weakened immune system What are the signs and symptoms of skin cancer? Read on →

It’s true that when most people hear arthritis, they consider it an older person’s disease. However, there are many forms of arthritis that affect children and teens, and July is regarded as Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month. According to the CDC, there are nearly 300,000 children in the US diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), also called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is one prevalent form that impacts 50,000 children in the US. Read on →

Did you know that June is commemorated as men’s health month? Men’s health issues don’t just affect men—they impact everyone around them. Since women often pay better attention to their health than men, they are in a unique position to help the men in their lives adopt healthier habits. Women can save the lives of men they love by watching for and recognizing the signs of common health problems, like diabetes and heart disease. Read on →

No parent wants to think about the reality of prescription drug abuse among their kids, yet it’s a reality parents must face if they desire to protect their family. There are several steps a parent can take to help prevent abuse among their kids. Always keep medications in a safe place where you can monitor the inventory. Promptly and properly dispose of old or unused medications. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about the community resources available for the education and prevention of prescription drug abuse. Read on →

Lupus is a chronic and complex autoimmune disease that affects more than 1.5 million people across America. It is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can come and go or mimic other diseases, and there is no single laboratory test to definitively identify the illness. Each May, the medical community seeks to raise better awareness of this prevalent disease because early detection and treatment is key to a better health outcome for people with lupus. Read on →

May is ALS Awareness Month. How much do you know about this rare disease? ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells within the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms of ALS The initial symptoms of ALS vary widely. It typically displays a gradual onset and could include difficulty in grasping an object or a change in vocal pitch when speaking. Symptoms can begin in the muscles that control speech and swallowing or in the extremities. Read on →