|
|
Ned Gonzalez Profile and Articles
|
Display by:
Popularity |
Title |
1). America’s Top Health Concerns
If you suffer from high cholesterol, joint discomfort or low mood, you’re not alone. Half of all Americans have high cholesterol levels (more than 200 mg/dL). Nearly 70 million Americans have joint problems, and most Americans will battle low mood at some point in their lives.
Fortunately, you can help keep your heart healthy, your joints flexible and your mood high by fueling your body with the proper nutrients.
2). Make Healthier Living a Team Game
Joe Montana is teaming up with his wife Jennifer, cardiologist James M. Rippe, MD, nutritionist Heidi Skolnik, MS, and fitness expert, Liz Neporent, MA, to bring you a new valuable book for staying heart-healthy: “Joe Montana’s Family Playbook for Managing High Blood Pressure.”
The four-time Super Bowl champion may be one-of-a-kind on the football field, but Montana is just an “average Joe” when it comes to high blood pressure.
3). Bedroom Fire Safety Tips Protect your Family
Every year more than 700 lives are lost and 5,000 people are injured in bedroom blazes, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Unprotected mattresses are not designed to help control the outbreak from open-flame fire sources such as candles, matches, and sparks from electrical outlets and lighters.
In less than five minutes, most mattresses, when ignited, can reach what fire officials call “flashover” temperatures (around 900 degrees F).
4). Safety in the Sun
Everyone has heard about proper sun protection for the skin, but don’t forget about protecting your eyes during the summer months. Since Americans spend a considerable amount of time outdoors, whether at the beach or simply catching some rays while exercising or doing errands, their health may pay a price. Too much sun exposure can increase your chances for serious eye damage.
5). Relief from Indoor Allergies
Sneezing season has returned, and allergy and asthma sufferers are once again facing the challenges that the change of season brings. Runny noses, itchy eyes, coughing and sneezing afflict millions of Americans each year. But it’s not just seasonal allergies that cause problems; perennial allergies triggered by dust, dust mites, animal dander, mold spores and flea eggs afflict 50 million Americans.
6). Separating Fat from Fiction: Fat is No Foe
Saturated fat is the Rodney Dangerfield of the fat world. Not only do saturated fats not get any respect, they’ve been maligned by the health community for decades. The Food and Drug Administration put one type of saturated fat -- trans fat -- front and center earlier this year by requiring that packaged foods carry the amount of these manmade partially or fully hydrogenated oils on their labels.
7). Hurricane Preparedness More Crucial Than Ever
Despite the increase in force and numbers of hurricanes, the popularity of owning a second home near the waterfront is increasing. Properly protecting your home, whether it’s your primary residence or a vacation home, may be one of the most important precautions you take this hurricane season.
Most hurricane home damage comes from wind or water, but can be avoided by taking the time to adequately prepare your home.
8). How to Make Your Septic Tank Environmentally Friendly
The National Water Quality Inventory Report to Congress stated, “. . . poorly maintained septic systems are believed to cause substantial and widespread nutrient and microbial contamination to ground water.” Poorly maintained septic systems are “the second most frequently cited contamination source [of ground water].”
To address these concerns, Jelmar, the manufacturers and distributors of the CLR brand of products announced a new addition to its home care line, CLR Septic System Treatment.
9). Teaching Safety is Important Year-Round
Shirts and shoes, tablets and pens - the back-to-school shopping list keeps growing. As families head to the mall to prepare for school days, it's important to keep safety in mind.
Escalators transport more than 245 million people in North America daily, with some 33,000 escalators filling busy shopping malls and office buildings. From big cities to suburban commercial centers, passengers busily ride up and down these mechanical wonders – often without even knowing that unsafe behavior puts them at risk of injury.
10). Take Measures to Protect Your Family’s Health in the Event of a Natural Disaster
Survivors of hurricanes Rita and Katrina will tell you -- advance preparation for severe weather is important. Take your family, your pets and your wallet or purse, right? But they’ll also tell you what you don’t expect to hear -- it’s critical to consider health information when planning ahead for a natural disaster. If you have to flee your home, you’ll need contact information for your doctors, as well as information on your health coverage and medical history to maintain your health and financial security.
11). Powerful Partnerships Take On Hospital Infections
The statistics are staggering. The end result often is heartbreaking; but patient safety advocates say there is hope. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that each year more than two million patients suffer and more than 90,000 of them actually die from hospital acquired infections. In addition, the CDC estimates that these infections cost more than $5 billion annually.
12). Revealing the Healthy Secrets of Fruit
Summer has officially arrived and Americans are including more anti-oxidant rich food in their daily diets and taking it along on weekend trips. One source of anti-oxidant rich food is simple everyday fruit.
Studies show eating fruit can assist in enjoying a healthy lifestyle. In fact, the U.S.D.A. has increased the recommended daily servings of fruit and vegetables to five to nine servings per day.
13). Backyard Play Equipment Harbors Harmful Grime and Dirt
One of the most overlooked, yet most needed cleaning chores in your home is probably right in your own back yard – outdoor play equipment. When outdoor play equipment -- activity gyms, swing sets, sandboxes, playhouses, little red wagons and even doghouses come out for the summer, it can be a staging area for bacteria-laden dirt and grime.
When the air turned cool, most backyard equipment was consigned, like the lawnmower, to the back of the garage, an unused corner of the basement or storage shed.
14). Protect Your Home and Your Family From Fire Ants
For people who enjoy the warm months outdoors, few things are as frustrating as the presence of fire ants in the yard. After all, it’s your yard and not being able to let your pets out or have the kids play in the back yard without being stung can be maddening.
The pests first arrived in Mobile, Ala., unnoticed on a shipment from South America in the 1930s.
15). New Weapon for Fighting Ear Infections
Ear infections are a familiar – and unpleasant - wintertime reality for many children. Whether a child is simply tugging at their ears or screaming with ear pain, it’s important for parents to recognize the signs and symptoms of an ear infection and to take the appropriate steps, working with their physician, to determine whether it is an ear infection or another disorder.
16). New Juices Capture the Essence of the Pomegranate
One of the trendiest and most popular juice drinks comes from a fruit that many people don’t know much about – the pomegranate. Since 2003, pomegranates, which are best described as between an orange and a grapefruit in size with a thick reddish skin and many seeds, have become a key ingredient in more than 12 beverages available to consumers today.
17). Must-Have Products for Surviving Hurricane Season
If you live in a hurricane-prone part of the country, you know that being prepared for a big storm makes a world of difference between being safe or sorry. You probably also know that the National Hurricane Center is predicting a very active 2006 hurricane season.
That means your hurricane supplies should be sitting in your house right now, as May through November is peak hurricane season.
18). Consumer-Guided Health Insurance Plans
More than half of the 45 million Americans who lack health insurance are self-employed or work at small businesses. Most simply cannot afford the sky-high premiums associated with traditional health insurance policies.
Consumer-guided health plans offer an affordable alternative. The best plans, such as those powered by HealthMarkets, allow consumers to shop online for a doctor or hospital with powerful, user-friendly tools.
19). Peanuts Go Great with Other Produce
There are many good reasons why Americans eat more than 600 million pounds of peanuts and more than 700 million pounds of peanut butter each year. Not only are they great for ballpark snacks and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, they’re key ingredients in some of today’s most innovative dishes -- from soups and sauces to tarts and cookies.
20). How to Work More Fruits and Vegetables into Your Diet
Remember that resolution you made at the beginning of the year to eat better? Chances are you’ve forgotten all about it and are snacking on chips or a candy bar right now. If that’s the case, put down your non-healthy snack and pick up some food for thought.
When the USDA released its revised Dietary Guidelines in January 2005, the recommended number of servings of fruits and vegetables increased dramatically.
21). Nutrition Tips for Breastfeeding Moms
Celebrity moms seem to effortlessly bounce back to pre-baby weight immediately after giving birth. Here in the real world, however, real women know that battling the baby bulge is not so easy.
In fact, weight loss shouldn’t be the focus for new moms, especially if they plan on breastfeeding. Now is not the time to go on a crash diet or reach for diet pills.
22). Most Visually Impaired Americans Don’t Wear Needed Glasses or Contacts
While most Americans see well, about 14 million are visually impaired, according to a National Institutes of Health (NIH) study. Of those, more than 11 million have an uncorrected condition, such as nearsightedness, that could be treated with eyeglasses or contact lenses.
“This is the first national survey on vision since the mid-1970s, and it confirms that uncorrected visual impairment is a major public health problem,” says Elias A.
23). Recent and Historic Disasters Remind Us All to Be Prepared
From the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire to Hurricane Katrina, natural disasters are startling reminders that disaster can strike at anytime, with little or no warning, resulting in millions of dollars of damage. However, a recent survey by the Insurance Information Network of California and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company found that only 22 percent of those surveyed consider themselves prepared for disasters.
24). Snoring: Just Annoying or a Sign of Dangerous Sleep Apnea?
Yes, it’s loud and disruptive. But did you know that heavy snoring can actually be a sign of a dangerous health problem called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? This condition is more common than most people realize; studies indicate that as many as one in four Americans may suffer from it.
According to the American Medical Association (AMA), obstructive sleep apnea is caused by a momentary blockage or obstruction in the throat or upper airway.
25). Sleep Better, Despite Your Better Half
Four out of five people with sleeping partners can point to at least one thing their partner does that prevents them from sleeping, according to a survey conducted by Select Comfort and Radisson Hotels & Resorts. Room temperature is the hardest issue to compromise on, the survey says. So if you routinely don wool socks and long underwear to bed while your mate is overheating under the down comforter, you are not alone.
26). You Don’t Need Traps to Get Rid of Mice
This time last year, Joanne Medved’s phone was ringing off the hook. She owns a 16 unit apartment building in Agoura Hills Calif., and her tenants were having problems with mice.
They had taken up residence in the building’s laundry room and storage areas. Knowing that mice are instinctively drawn to places where they can hide, Medved set up traps in the cabinets, under appliances and in closets, but she just couldn’t get rid of them.
27). Don’t Keep the Kids In: Safety Tips to Make the Remaining Summer Days a Success
With summer’s end in sight and the sun going down a little earlier each night, kids want to maximize their long summer days outside. But for many parents, a lack of safe outdoor activities and health concerns such as sunburn, insect bites and late summer heat may keep the family indoors. According to experts, that is the last thing you want to do.
28). New Jersey Doctor Making a Difference for Stroke Victims
He decided to go to medical school for the same reason as most of his peers – to make a difference and save lives. What sets Dr. Ron Benitez, 37, a neurosurgeon from New Jersey apart from the rest is his determination to go above and beyond to help stroke victims.
Frustrated by the results he saw in patients who received the standard treatment for stroke, the clot-busting drug, Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), he decided to try out a new procedure he had heard about, and was amazed by the results.
29). Check School Safety Records When Shopping Colleges
The next time you’re scouting out a prospective college, you might want to stop and ask about the school’s fire safety program. While most schools are only too happy to tout their academic performance and athletic achievements, very few openly talk about their fire protection policies.
That’s because, unfortunately, most student housing is not sufficiently protected from a fire mishap.
30). Seven Smart Strategies to Dust-Proof Your Home
It’s a common complaint. Just a few days after a thorough house cleaning, that unsightly dust is back, settling on every surface in your house. Dust can also contribute to respiratory allergy suffering. Although the visible dust is most obvious, health scientists now say it is the very small invisible particulates and noxious gases we should be most worried about.
31). Make the Move to More Deep, Restorative Sleep
Nearly half of all residential moves (48 percent) take place during the four months of June through September, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. If you are among the millions of people planning a move to a new home this summer, now is the perfect time to purge all of your old, outdated things: throw away broken, dusty knickknacks, give the clothes you haven't worn in a year to charity, and put your tattered issues of People magazine in the recycling bin.
32). Recipe for Food Safety Inside and Outside the Kitchen
As the summer heats up, so do backyard grills. Food safety is essential all year round and only becomes more crucial as meals are moved outside to the park, the beach or the backyard. This is an important time to take a closer look at your food preparation habits to see if you are actually following the food safety techniques you think you are when cooking for friends and family in order to prevent food-borne illness.
33). Medicine Offers Hope to African Americans with Heart Failure
Although heart failure affects approximately 5 million Americans, the black community is hit particularly hard. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more than 700,000 African Americans suffer from heart failure, with an expected increase to nearly 900,000 by 2010.
Not only are blacks 50 percent more likely to develop heart failure compared with white Americans, but according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, blacks tend to develop heart failure at an earlier age than other Americans.
34). Tick-Borne Diseases on the Rise -- Protect Your Pet and Your Family
Summertime is tick time, as people and their pets take to the great outdoors, enjoying camping, hiking, parks or even their own backyards. After spending time outdoors, it’s important to check both your family and your dog for ticks.
Ticks are known to spread Lyme disease, but are also capable of carrying multiple tick-borne diseases, including canine Anaplasmosis found in the black-legged tick.
35). Make Healthy Choices for Your Kids at the Grocery Store
The juice aisle of the grocery store should be an easy trip for parents looking for healthy drinks for their children. However, shelved right alongside nutritious juices are various fruit “ades,” “cocktails” and “drinks” that look healthy, but contain little juice and lots of added sugar.
It’s important to know how to tell the difference because, while the packaging may look similar, the drinks can differ considerably in nutritional value.
36). Make Healthy Choices for Your Kids at the Grocery Store
The juice aisle of the grocery store should be an easy trip for parents looking for healthy drinks for their children. However, shelved right alongside nutritious juices are various fruit “ades,” “cocktails” and “drinks” that look healthy, but contain little juice and lots of added sugar.
It’s important to know how to tell the difference because, while the packaging may look similar, the drinks can differ considerably in nutritional value.
37). Breathe Easier with a Whole-House Air Filtration System
For millions of Americans, warmer, humid weather means allergy and asthma flare-ups. But did you know that it’s not just the air outside you should be concerned about, but also the air you and your family are breathing inside your home?
In fact, a typical home naturally generates about 40 pounds of dust per year for every 1,500 square feet of space, according to the U.
38). Summer Allergies? An Indoor Air Cleaner May be Part of the Solution
During summer allergy season, many of us start thinking about the quality of the air we breathe outdoors. But are we considering indoor air quality as well? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air may be four to five times more polluted than outdoor air. And with Americans spending nearly 90 percent of our time inside, we often take indoor air quality for granted.
39). Why You Need a Personal Health Record
Now more than ever before individuals are taking a greater interest in their health and healthcare. Eating healthy, taking vitamins and herbal supplements, and exercising have become more commonplace, and often what was once left up to the doctor to decide is now being balanced by the desire to be more proactive.
With this in mind, keeping a personal health record (a PHR) can be one of the most healthful things you can do for yourself or for a loved one.
40). What Do Kids Need? More Fruit, Please!
Fruit offers a rainbow of gorgeous colors, from blueberry blue to apple red and grape green. And, with their kid-friendly flavors, it’s easy to prepare fruit in ways that are nearly irresistible. Is that true only in the summer? No way! Fruit is available every day of the year, whether it’s fresh, frozen, canned, dried or juice.
When you.
41). Shake Sodium Off the Menu
Now more than ever Americans are beginning to understand the dietary hazards associated with sodium, and are focusing on reducing their intake to meet recommended levels. Unfortunately, consumers can’t just measure the amount of sodium they’re taking in by the amount they’re shaking out of a salt shaker. Experts say restaurant-goers and grocery-shopping consumers who are pinched for time need to be conscious of the hidden salts lurking in both packaged and prepared food.
42). How Effective are Alternative and Complementary Medicines?
Every year, more and more Americans use alternative or complementary medicines to help them stay healthy and treat specific ailments. In the past it was often difficult to determine if these methods worked. But because of a new federal policy directing agencies to expand their research about complementary and alternative medicine, studies have emerged that show some of the most popular alternative medicines aren’t as effective as people think.
43). Advance Care Plan Puts You in Control
Being in control of your life is the American way – we are self-made, self-reliant people who covet our independence. But age or illness can rob us of the chance to make our own choices about healthcare.
Without explicit directions about how you want healthcare and end of life issues handled, if you are incapacitated and unable to make your choices known, the burden of these decisions will fall to your family.
44). How to Have Mosquito Free Backyard Parties
Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance – they are carriers of West Nile Virus and other diseases. Mild cases of West Nile infections may cause a slight fever or headache. More severe infections are marked by a rapid onset of a high fever with head and body aches, disorientation, tremors, convulsions and, in the most severe cases, paralysis or death.
45). Break the Cycle of Bad Bone Health
Imagine having bones so fragile that everyday activities like bending over, lifting a vacuum cleaner or even coughing can cause a fracture. Unfortunately, this may become a reality in the future for 44 million Americans – 80 percent of them women – threatened by osteoporosis, the “brittle bone” disease. In the United States, 10 million people already have this disease, and 34 million more have low bone density, placing them at increased risk for developing osteoporosis and getting bone fractures.
46). Summer Storm Safety Tips
Lightning strikes, power outages and electrical hazards in the aftermath of storms are top concerns during warm weather, and often cause injuries and death, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International. Most of these deaths could be avoided with an increased awareness of electrical safety.
In recognition of National Electrical Safety month, Square D, the flagship brand of electrical distribution equipment for Schneider Electric's North American Operating Division, is offering advice and tips to keep homeowners safe.
47). Good Communication Vital to Auto Repairs
When their car is in need of routine maintenance and repair, who is most likely to take it in to the shop? A poll of ASE-certified automotive technicians indicated that drivers over 60 were among the most conscientious when it comes to taking care of their vehicles. The experts at the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence remind these consumers that good communication between shop and customer can help make the repair process go smoothly.
48). Find the Right Doctor Right Now
Last time you needed to find a healthcare provider, how did you do it? Did you head to the Yellow Pages and call around until you found the earliest appointment? Maybe you thumbed through the booklet from your insurance company for an office close to home or work. Or perhaps you checked with friends or family to see if they could recommend someone.
But choosing a doctor from the pages of a directory doesn’t give you much information about the provider beyond their name, phone number and location.
49). Discover the Fountain of Youth at Your Faucet
It makes your skin supple and younger looking. It keeps you alert and allows your major organs to function at their peak capacity. What is this amazing wonder drug? Water – that simple and clear beverage that costs just pennies a day and is available right at your sink.
While you may know that water is one of the building blocks for life, you might not realize how Americans short-change themselves in the water department.
50). Heart Failure Doesn’t Mean What You Think It Does
Although the term "heart failure" sounds ominous, it does not mean that the heart has stopped or is about to stop suddenly. Heart failure means that the heart is not pumping blood as well as it should through its chambers to the rest of the body. It is a common condition that can be caused by a heart attack, long-term high blood pressure, a heart valve abnormality, a viral infection of the heart or a genetic condition that runs in families.
Browse Pages: 1 [2]
|
|
|
