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| Athletes risk skin diseases by skipping the shower, wearing unlaundered workout clothes
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The season for high school and college sports returns with new worries about infectious skin diseases.
Athletes at all levels can pass on dangerous germs like MRSA (a drug-resistant staphylococcus infection), viruses such as herpes or various fungal infections by not cleaning equipment or sharing personal items like towels, gear or razors.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
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| Gardening is all-around health-promotion activity |
You may not make the connection immediately, but the following information on gardening comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov). Gardening? Yes, gardening can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors, get physical activity, beautify the community, and grow nutritious fruits and vegetables. It is a health-promotion activity any way you look at it.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
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| Prescriptions: Take them only as directed
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Without question, prescription drugs help millions of people live healthier lives, but only when they are taken as prescribed. Taking too little of a prescribed medication, or not taking it at all, can lead to serious health problems.
A recent report in The New England Journal of Medicine noted that patients who fail to take their prescription drugs cost $100 billion annually in preventable hospital stays. The report also stated that 89,000 deaths each year from high blood pressure could be avoided if patients took their medications as directed.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
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| Sleeplessness can fuel alcoholism and vice versa |
Dear Dr. Rosenberg:
Is it true that poor sleep in teenagers can predict alcoholism? I'm worried about my 16-year-old son. He has trouble getting to sleep and lately we suspect he is drinking at night.
A: Yes. Several studies have shown that poor sleep, especially an inability to fall asleep, may result in adolescent alcoholism. The reasoning behind this is twofold. First, some teenagers use the alcohol to help them fall asleep.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
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| Hospital to break ground on breast
cancer center
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Yavapai Regional Medical Center will be breaking ground in October on a breast cancer center at its east campus in Prescott Valley.
The new center is expected to open its doors to serve women in October 2011.
The breast cancer center is the next step in creating a comprehensive women's health center, after the birthing center that opened in May, said John Amos, chief operating officer for Yavapai Regional Medical Center's east campus.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
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| Kids between ages of 1 and 6 should get 10-12 hours of sleep |
Dear Dr. Rosenberg:
My husband and I are first-time parents. Our son is three years old. We have heard several recommendations on how much sleep a child his age is supposed to get. What do you think?
Saturday, August 21, 2010
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| Local support is available for those with low vision |
Millions of Americans lose some of their vision every year. Irreversible vision loss is most common among people over age 65, according to the National Eye Institute, a division of the National Institutes of Health. "Low vision" means that even with regular glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery, people find everyday tasks difficult to do.
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Saturday, August 21, 2010
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| No bones about it: calcium counts |
Did you know that calcium is the most plentiful mineral found in the human body?
It's also one of the most important, because it is essential for healthy teeth and bones. Calcium also helps support blood clotting, the nervous system and the release of certain hormones. Your body even needs calcium to produce a healthy heartbeat.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
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| Column: 'Constructive worry' helps neutralize fretful thoughts at bedtime |
Dear Dr. Rosenberg: I have a great deal of trouble falling asleep. When I get into bed, I start worrying and my mind races. Is there anything, I can do for this?
Saturday, August 14, 2010
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| The benefits of breastfeeding your baby |
One of the most important decisions a new mother can make involves how she will feed and nourish her baby. The U.S. Surgeon General recommends feeding babies only breast milk for the first six months of life, and it is even better if mothers can breastfeed their infants for an entire year or more.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
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| Involved parenting key to successful school year |
Most of the parents reading this Counselor's Column have done it successfully. Done what?
Saturday, August 14, 2010
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| Local DDS sinks teeth into new technique
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Dr. Sergio Montes extolled the virtues of biomimetic dentistry during a recent talk at New Frontiers Natural Foods.
Montes, of Prescott Dentistry, described the minimally invasive process as a breakthrough that mimics natural teeth, preserving more of the exterior enamel than traditional dental procedures.
Saturday, August 07, 2010
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| Taking folic acid before and during pregnancy helps prevent birth defects
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Women considering pregnancy should add folic acid to their diets or their vitamin regimens. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends women begin taking 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day at least one month before getting pregnant and during pregnancy, too.
Saturday, August 07, 2010
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| Older sleep medications can worsen sleep apnea |
Dear Dr. Rosenberg:
Is it true that sleeping pills make sleep apnea worse?
A: Yes, this is the case with some medications. The older sleeping pills called Benzodiazapenes definitely have this effect. They not only induce sleep, but also serve as muscle relaxants. This tends to cause the airway to collapse more easily. Examples of older sleep aids include Diazepam (Valium), Temazepam (Restoril) and Lorazepam (Ativan). The newer sleep aids such as Lunesta (Eszopiclone) and Ambien (Zolpidem) act specifically on the sleep center of the brain and do not have muscle-relaxing properties, and therefore do not worsen sleep apnea.
Saturday, August 07, 2010
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| Our kids can teach us a thing or two |
Not surprisingly, the Arizona Department of Health Services provides handouts and information on the health topic of obesity. We have heard lots lately about obesity in America, from campaigns that are intended to get us moving, to efforts that bring more fresh fruits and vegetables to underserved communities. But what does the Arizona Health Department information offer that might be unique as we confront the problem of obesity? Well, look at this twist on a familiar message:
Saturday, August 07, 2010
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| ASHLine helps smokers quit
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When Maureen Swain of Prescott decided to quit smoking, she said the free assistance and encouragement she received from Arizona Smokers' Helpline made the difference.
When smokers call the Arizona Department of Health Services' ASHLine at 1-800-556- 6222, expert coaches guide them through the quitting process, help them set goals, and develop a smoking cessation plan, said Laurie Thomas, public relations manager for the Bureau of Tobacco and Chronic Disease.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
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| It's your turn to give advice
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For more than 20 years, the Daily Courier and the Counselor's Column have been bringing you information, tips and research regarding a wealth of topics. We've reviewed the biology of depression. We've offered tips to parents dealing with children who wet their beds. We've shared strategies for helping children who have witnessed a death or other tragedy. And we've reminded you that exercise and good mental health go hand in hand.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
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| Treating sleep apnea can help control seizures |
Dear Dr. Rosenberg:
I have epilepsy. Currently, I am on three drugs for my seizures, but I'm still having them. My neurologist wants me to have a sleep study. I snore at times, but my wife has never seen me stop breathing. Do you think this test is necessary?
Saturday, July 31, 2010
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| Healthy and tasty snacking for children |
Snacks can play an important role in the diets of children, providing much-needed nutrients and energy between meals, whether children are at home or on the go. However, left to their own devices, children may gravitate to less-than-healthy snacks. Growing children need adult guidance in order to develop healthy snack habits that will promote their growth and development.
Just as with regular meal planning, it's important to consider fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy products when selecting snacks.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
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| Treating sleep apnea can improve sex life |
Dear Dr. Rosenberg:
My husband has lost interest in having sexual relations with me. He is always tired and snores loudly. I reported this to our health care provider and she recommended a sleep study. She says that if he has treatable sleep apnea, it might have some positive effects on our sex life. Is this true?
Saturday, July 24, 2010
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