Staying Healthy – Tips for Women

Screening Tests: What You Need and When

Screening tests, such as mammograms and Pap smears, can find diseases early when they are easier to treat. Some women need certain screening tests earlier, or more often, than others. Talk to your doctor about which of the tests listed below are right for you, when you should have them, and how often.

The Task Force has made the following recommendations, based on scientific…

Preventing nose bleeds during cold weather

With the cold weather, some people get frequent nose bleeds. What can be done to prevent them, and how should they be handled when they do occur?

Many people gets scared whenever blood appears, but a little knowledge can go a long way here, in helping one to prevent these frequent episodes. Most nosebleeds are without serious consequences particularly in children. There are two types: Anterior, where the bleeding…

Fish Oil Supplementation for Heart Protection: How Much?

There have been many claims for benefits of fish oil (which contains omega-3 fatty acids) in multiple disease conditions. Todate, the strongest evidence of benefit is in the area of cardiovascular health, particularly the two longchain omega-3 fatty acids – Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The American Heart Association recently issued guidelines for the intake of omega-3 oils.

What are Good Dietary sources?

EPA and DHA…

Eating Disorders: Facts About Eating Disorders and the Search for Solutions

Eating is controlled by many factors, including appetite, food availability, family, peer, and cultural practices, and attempts at voluntary control. Dieting to a body weight leaner than needed for health is highly promoted by current fashion trends, sales campaigns for special foods, and in some activities and professions. Eating disorders involve serious disturbances in eating behavior, such as extreme and unhealthy reduction of food intake or severe overeating, as…

Child care – Observation checklist

Visit the child care settings that you are seriously considering for your child. As you observe, consider the following questions:

Are there enough adults to meet the children’s needs? Do the caregivers seem to enjoy caring for the children? Are there joyful interactions between the children and caregivers? Do the adults and the children often talk with each other? Are children encouraged to talk with each other? Do the children in…

Child Care – Choosing the best care for your family

The child care that you choose for your family will play a key role in your child’s health and development. Finding high-quality child care is very important, but not always easy. You will need to consider many questions. But you are not alone — an increasing number of parents rely on quality child care so that they can work or attend school. The following information may help you in…

Child care – In-Home Care

Having a caregiver come to or live in your home can be very convenient. In-home caregivers often can arrange their schedules to match your needs. Your child stays at home and does not have to adjust to a new setting. Your child will not be exposed to many seasonal illnesses because he will not be with groups of children. Your child may receive more individual attention, especially if the…

Child care – Family child care

This type of care takes place in the caregiver’s home. Many family child care providers have young children of their own. They may care for children who are the same age as their own children or for children of different ages. Carefully review the program, policies, caregiver’s qualifications and condition of the home. Ask about children, teenagers or other adults who live in the home. Who are they, what…

Child Care – Center-based care

Center-based care has many names — child care center, preschool, nursery school or learning center. Center-based care also may have different sponsors, including churches, schools, colleges, universities, social service agencies, Head Start, independent owners and chains, and employers.

Regardless of what type of center-based care you choose, there are some basic things to consider. Centers should be licensed and inspected regularly for health, safety, cleanliness, staffing and program content. (Some…

Preparing your child for Child care

Most young infants, up to seven months, adapt to caring adults and seldom have problems adjusting to good child care. Older infants may be upset when left with strangers. They may feel separation anxiety, which is a normal part of development for some children. They will need extra time and your support to “get to know” the caregiver.

Some children show changes in behavior when they start child care. Toddlers…