HEALTH & WELLNESS S P E C I A L S E C T I O N
embarrassing. Some of the most common are:
• Food Intolerance – Often confused with food
allergy, food intolerance likely allows you to eat
a small amount of an offending food without
any issues (while a food allergy could be life-
threatening). Causes of intolerance include celiac
disease, sensitivity to food additives, food toxins,
and absence of an enzyme needed to fully digest
a food.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
– A chronic digestive disease, GERD is defined
as experiencing acid reflux and heartburn
at least twice a week. It affects 20 percent of
Americans and can cause persistent bad breath,
tooth erosion, nausea, and pain in the chest or
upper abdomen, or it can make swallowing and
breathing hard to do.
• Hemorrhoids – Hemorrhoids are inflamed
blood vessels found at the end of your digestive
tract. Often painful and itchy, they are caused by
chronic constipation, diarrhea, or a lack of fiber in
your diet. Seventy-five percent of Americans over
the age of 45 suffer from hemorrhoids. Staying
hydrated, eating more fiber, or over-the-counter
creams may provide relief from hemorrhoids.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – Affecting
15 percent of Americans, IBS is characterized by
stomach pain or discomfort at least three times
a month for several months. Symptoms vary
widely with IBS, making it hard to determine the
exact cause. Treatment focuses mostly on diet,
eliminating common trigger foods such as dairy,
alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners and beans.
Doctors also recommend a diet high in fiber and
consumption of probiotics found in yogurt.
Skin
Most likely, if you are unhealthy on the inside, it
will show on the outside. Your skin often mirrors
Continued on page 25 >
Kids’
Health
• Stop the spread of germs – Sanitizing frequently touched surfaces (door
handles, sinks, countertops) and handwashing can help combat the spread
of germs to other family members. Providing sick children with a comfy
space to recover, away from other children, can help prevent contamination
of highly trafficked areas of the home.
• Stay moisturized in dry weather – Try limiting bath time and make sure
the water isn’t too hot. Follow your bathtime routine with an ointment or
cream, instead of lotion. Most lotions have added ingredients, including
fragrances and alcohols, which can cause skin irritation. Opt for something
as simple as petroleum jelly or a mineral oil to lock in moisture throughout
the day.
• Keep up with vitamin D – Vitamin D helps the body take in calcium and
build strong bones as well as fight infection, and plays a role in heart health.
But, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a majority of the
population is vitamin D deficient. Wintertime can bring on less outdoor play
(meaning less exposure to sunlight) and most don’t receive enough vitamin
D through diet alone. Talk to your child’s health care provider for proper
supplement dosage amounts.
• Keep moving – Bundle up to go outside and sled ride or go for a walk.
Blowing bubbles isn’t just for the summertime, and if it’s cold enough,
they will freeze! You can also set up activities inside the house to keep kids
occupied, or look to your local community center for fun indoor activities.
• Stay hydrated – According to a study published by Medicine and Science in
Sports and Exercise, exposure to cold temperatures can lessen your body’s
response to thirst. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches, and make
children more susceptible to illness. Serve warm drinks such as soup broths
or warm cider after being in the cold, and always have water available.
• Dress in layers – Babies and children should be dressed in one more layer
of clothing than an adult. Packing on too many additional layers can cause
sweating, making your child colder! Start with a moisture-wicking base
layer, followed by wool, down, or fleece and a water/wind-resistant outer
layer for optimal warmth.
• Get some Zzs – An adequate amount of sleep is important for everyone,
especially when you’re sick. Offer quiet activities such as books, puzzles,
coloring, or a movie to allow for some much-needed downtime. Encourage
naps when possible to increase resting time.
• Skip sharing (food and drinks) – Encourage your kids to wash their hands
before lunch to limit germs spreading to food. Also, remind your children
to keep their hands from touching their face and the faces of
others.
• Elbow trick – Teach kids to turn
their heads to sneeze or cough
into a tissue or into their elbow to
limit the spread of germs.
• Know when outdoor play is
safe. Green Zone: 30 degrees or
higher – Safe to play outside with
layers, but come inside to warm
up every 40 minutes. Yellow
Zone: 20-30 degrees – Take caution
to monitor children for signs of
shivering and come inside every
20-30 minutes. Red Zone:
Below 20 degrees – Stay
inside!
CHARTIERS VALLEY ❘
WINTER 2018
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