Seeing the Light Ever see something drifting across the sky – then discover it’s actually drifting across your eye? That would be a "floater." Floaters are bits of debris in the interior of your eye that appear when you look at something white or very bright. “People describe them as cobwebs, spiderwebs, bubbles or even ‘tadpoles’,” says Arun Singh, MD, of Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute. Dr. Singh, an ophthalmologist, or physician specializing in eye disorders, sees patients with…

Animation and Competition Encourage Kids to Stay Healthy New fitness equipment, expanded play areas and environmental program enhancements are just a few of the ways schools are benefiting from Clever Crazes for Kids (CCK), an online wellness program for children – ages 6 to 12 – that uses animated characters, competitive games and educational challenges to encourage students to adopt healthy lifestyles. Through its incentive competition, the program has awarded $70,000 to schools so far, to…

Who is at Risk for Colorectal Cancer? Every one of us is at risk for colorectal cancer. The lifetime risk is 1 in 18 people or about 6 percent of American men and women. Most people who develop colorectal cancer have no particular risk factors. Although the exact cause for the development of pre-cancerous colon polyps that lead to colorectal cancer is not known, there are some factors that increase a person’s risk of developing colorectal polyps and cancer. These risk factors…

Comfort food at its finest! A bowl of yummy whipped potatoes can warm anyone, even in the coldest of temperatures. The cream cheese flavor sends your taste buds soaring.

By Margaret McKenzie, MD There are few life events that can compare to the 280 or so-day journey called pregnancy. The roller-coaster ride of excitement and anxiety, combined with the vast changes going on in a woman’s body can be overwhelming. But a positive experience with pregnancy is well within your reach. It’s important to understand the myriad of changes going on in your body during pregnancy. The first thing that develops when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall is the…

What are the steps to successful aging? As we age, we make choices about our lifestyle, health care, personal pursuits, and our plans for old age. A few "steps to successful aging" will help guide us to healthy and active golden years. 1) Adopt and maintain healthy habits and positive lifestyles: Avoid cigarette smoking Have no more than one alcoholic beverage in a 24-hour period Exercise regularly, maintaining the triad of weight bearing, aerobic, and balance activities Maintain a…

Explore how breastfeeding your child can lower your breast cancer risk even if you have a family history of breast cancer.

Diet affects more than just your weight. Discover how women who use the DASH Diet and eat whole grains, low-fat milk, fruits and vegetables are 37 percent less likely to have heart failure.

The Self-Esteem Link A direct connection exists between your physical health and your self-esteem. By becoming a role model for your daughter (and your son), you can help her live a healthier life. In addition, a mother’s weight, body image, attitude and health habits are strong indicators of whether her daughter is overweight, satisfied with her body and physically active. Girls look to their mothers for advice on healthy living. Boys look to their mother as how to interact with someone from…

There are many alterations you can make to your daily life to lead a healthy lifestyle. Consider adopting these tips to live a heart healthy life. 1. Exercise Increasing your daily activity is a great and effective way to get heart healthy. Incorporate the ideas below into your daily routine: Lack of exercise is a proven risk factor for heart disease. Physical activity helps maintain weight, blood pressure and diabetes – all risk factors for heart disease. A woman should exercise at…

Cells in the body normally divide (reproduce) only when new cells are needed. Sometimes, cells in a part of the body grow and divide out of control, which creates a mass of tissue called a tumor. If the cells that are growing out of control are normal cells, the tumor is called benign (not cancerous). If, however, the cells that are growing out of control are abnormal and don't function like the body's normal cells, the tumor is called malignant (cancerous). Cancers are named after the part of…

Healthy eating for diabetics includes eating a wide variety of foods, including vegetables, whole grains, fruits, non-fat dairy products, beans, lean meats, poultry and fish. There is not one perfect food so including a variety of different foods and watching portion sizes is key to a healthy diet. Also, make sure your choices from each food group provide the highest quality nutrients you can find. In other words, pick foods rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber over those that are…

Cervical Cancer & Human Papillomavirus Cervical cancer is caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical cancer is not considered to be hereditary, and for the majority of women who have HPV, the body's defenses are enough to clear the virus. But for women who don’t clear certain types of the virus, cervical cancer can develop later in life. There are more than 100 types of HPV, and most strains of HPV are relatively harmless. About 30 types can affect the genital area,…

6 Healthy Vision Tips Sun Protection: UV rays can damage eyes. Wear sunglasses regularly and wear a hat on sunny days. Contact Lens Care: Wearing unclean lenses can contribute to bacterial infections. Follow manufacturer's directions for proper cleaning and storage. Safety: Wear goggles and protective eye shields when working in hazardous conditions and when playing sports. Eat Right: Studies suggest that foods rich in antioxidants and green leafy vegetables can support eye…

Something as simple as kicking around a soccer ball in the afternoon with your daughter can expose your skin to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. The good news is that you can protect your skin by understanding how UV rays work and the proper use of sunscreen. Set-Up Time Did you know sunscreen needs time to "set?" For maximum protection, apply sunscreen to bare, dry skin at least 20, and preferably 30, minutes before venturing into the sun. Remember to reapply every two hours and…

Personal Safety Tips Traveling this year? Hit the road with our 10 Personal Safety Tips! When signing into a hotel, use your first initial and last name only Do not display your room key in public. Examine your room key in private Monitor your alcohol consumption, expecially when alone or in a city with which you are not familiar Before you open the door for room service, ask the attendant to slide the bill under the door Make sure your door locks work properly. If not, request…

Tips for a Simple Skincare Routine Did you know that your skin is the body's largest organ? It comprises 15 to 20 percent of your total weight. As the largest organ and one that everyone can see, it's important that it is cared for properly. It’s essential to develop a skincare routine that is simple and realistic. Beautiful skin is healthy skin. Make sure to always stick to a skincare routine, such as: Cleanse Tone Moisturize Protect Keeping Skin Healthy With Age As we age, our…

10 Tips on how to start a healthy relationship with yourself and others It is never too late to start a healthy relationship with yourself and others. Visit the listing below for tips on how to make your deep desires and dreams a reality. First, and above all, begin with self-love. It's okay to "toot your own horn" a bit. This isn't a selfish act, but more a "selfish" act of appreciation, joy and respect. When you really like who you are, you can effectively share your wholesome self with…

Just as the beginning of menstruation is a transition for young girls, the end of menstruation is a normal transition in a woman’s life. Contrary to what many believe, menopause is not a disease or an illness to be dealt with. It is, for many, a challenge. For some women, the symptoms experienced prior to and during menopausal years can diminish their vitality and well-being. What’s happening is that during menopause, a woman’s body slowly makes less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.…

Coughs and Colds Colds are caused by dozens of viruses. Therefore, there are no effective cold vaccines. However, the easiest way to stay healthy in cold season is prevention. This can be tricky with curious children. Follow these steps to keep you and your family from getting coughs and colds this season. Good habits can prevent the transfer of germs to other children or family members. Six Good Habits To Prevent The Transfer of Germs Stop bacteria and viruses in their tracks. When you…