Parents of infants beware: Whooping Cough, or pertussis, an illness long thought conquered, has resurfaced across the country. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently warned that this bacterial infection is threatening young children, especially in California.
The CDC explains that “…the illness is most severe for babies; more than half of infants younger than 1 year of age who get the disease must be hospitalized. About 1 in 5 infants with pertussis get pneumonia (lung infection), and about 1 in 100 will have convulsions. In rare cases (1 in 100), pertussis can be deadly, especially in infants.â€
In order
Coughs in Babies Can Be Deadly
by Lori Sciame February 4th, 2011 | Children's Health, Illness Read More
The Fountain of Youth Found – It’s Exercise!
by Lori Sciame January 28th, 2011 | Exercise
Imagine life when you are 80. Do you see yourself sitting in a chair, watching television or doing a crossword puzzle? Or do you picture yourself outside, enjoying the day…gardening or playing golf?
The fact is, many Americans now live well into their 80’s and beyond. Gone are the days when old age automatically means inactivity. Of course there are people who have health complications that prohibit vigorous exercise, but the vast majority of us can continue exercising to ensure we remain active for years to come.
Take my dad for example. He is 75-years-old, and
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The fact is, many Americans now live well into their 80’s and beyond. Gone are the days when old age automatically means inactivity. Of course there are people who have health complications that prohibit vigorous exercise, but the vast majority of us can continue exercising to ensure we remain active for years to come.
Take my dad for example. He is 75-years-old, and
Schizophrenia: What It Is and Isn’t
by Jane Wangersky January 24th, 2011 | Mental Health
The word "schizophrenia" was in the news frequently after the fatal shootings in Tucson, Arizona, on January 8th. Though the suspect had not been diagnosed, several mental health professionals said he had appeared schizophrenic. For many, it served as an explanation for something they couldn't understand (as "political rhetoric" or "gun laws" served the same purpose for others).
What is schizophrenia, and how does it cause someone to do the unthinkable? Is violence typical schizophrenic behavior?
The word means literally "splitting of the mind" in Greek, according to the Online Etymology Dictionary. This causes many people (including some in
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What is schizophrenia, and how does it cause someone to do the unthinkable? Is violence typical schizophrenic behavior?
The word means literally "splitting of the mind" in Greek, according to the Online Etymology Dictionary. This causes many people (including some in
Pill Peril
by Lori Sciame January 21st, 2011 | Drugs, Medication
Everyone knows that medications benefit society in many ways -- they can help fight cancer, they can take away pain, and they can lift depressed spirits. In fact, with the dizzying array of pharmaceuticals available for use when we get sick, we can rest assured that “there’s a pill for that!â€
But there are a few responsibilities that consumers need to understand when choosing to medicate their ills with these wonder drugs.
First, medications need to be kept out of the hands of children. Most people remember to do this when they have little ones at home. They
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But there are a few responsibilities that consumers need to understand when choosing to medicate their ills with these wonder drugs.
First, medications need to be kept out of the hands of children. Most people remember to do this when they have little ones at home. They
Sodium
by Louise January 17th, 2011 | Diet, Nutrition
Did you hear about the proposed salt ban in New York City? About a year ago, State Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, a Brooklyn Democrat, introduced a bill that would ban the use of salt in NYC restaurants. Violaters would face up to a $1,000 fine! Naturally, all of the chefs in the city opposed this idea. Who would come to the restaurants if their recipes didn't include salt? Americans love salt; we're addicted. This bill never passed, but could we be seeing more proposals like this in the future?
The benefits of salt: When we talk about salt with regard to nutrition, we should technically
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The benefits of salt: When we talk about salt with regard to nutrition, we should technically