HEALTH & WELLNESS S P E C I A L S E C T I O N
• 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 your body’s true
overall health, so a healthy diet, exercise, and drinking lots of
water will do wonders. But keep in mind: there are other ways
to make your skin shine bright!
• Wear sunscreen.
• Get a full night’s sleep.
• Exfoliate to shrink pores.
• Hydrate your face, neck, and chest.
• Always wash off dirt and makeup before bed.
• Keep shower water warm, not hot.
• Apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp.
• Keep your hands off your face.
• Sanitize your cell phone.
Bones
Bones are an important part of your body but often
forgotten. They protect vital organs and provide structure
to your body. Building and maintaining strong bones is
important from childhood to adulthood. There are many
factors that determine bone health, the most common being
age. Bones become thinner as we age, with women at greater
risk of osteoporosis because they have less bone tissue than
men. Genetics and race also play a large role. Those who are
white or of Asian descent are at a greater risk, as are those
with a family history of osteoporosis. Too much of the
thyroid hormone can cause bone loss, and women are likely
to experience increased bone loss during menopause due
to a decrease in estrogen levels. With long-term use, some
medications may also cause bone loss.
It is important to ensure proper health and nutrition for
bones to stay strong throughout your life. Adequate calcium
intake and physical activity can help keep bones healthy.
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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!