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12 JAN

Six Simple Steps to Avoid Food-borne Illness

If you are a vegetarian, the thought of having a food-borne illness probably never crosses your mind. After all, everyone knows that E. coli makes its home in raw beef, and Salmonella breeds rapidly in undercooked chicken or pork.

Well, it’s time to rethink your past beliefs about food-borne illness, as fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, lentils, and dairy products can also play host to a variety of deleterious bacteria, including E. coli and Salmonella. In fact, some of the most common carriers of food-borne germs include basil, cantaloupe, lettuce, potatoes, raspberries, scallions, strawberries, and tomatoes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), food-borne diseases cause an estimated 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and 5,200 deaths in the United States each year. Not only are the symptoms uncomfortable; food-borne illnesses can lead to secondary long-term illnesses. For example, there are some strains of E. coli that can cause kidney failure in young children, while Salmonella can lead to reactive arthritis and serious infections. For pregnant women, the Listeria bacteria (commonly found in soft cheeses such as brie and feta) can cause meningitis and stillbirths.

12 JAN

6 Smart Stress Stoppers

Stress. We all live with it. Yet did you know that there are easy ways to stop stress before it causes harm to your body, mind, and spirit?

Let’s think about the stressors that hit us daily-mortgage and utility payments, crowded freeways, traffic jams, rising interest rates, declining mutual funds, increased taxes, upgrading, downsizing, child care, self-care, elder care, health care … and who cares! Is it any wonder that most of us feel as if we need stronger, made-to-order defense mechanisms just to make it through the day?

12 JAN

What to Tell Your Kids About AIDS

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) continues to pose a significant threat to humanity. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 11.7 million people have already died from AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic, and 30.6 million more are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the agent known to cause AIDS. In the United States as of June 1997, a total of 612,078 cases of AIDS had been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

12 JAN

Money Conflicts

Four of the most sensitive subjects in marriage are sexual intimacy, in-laws, parenting, and money. Ironically, it is the last one that is often the least talked about aspect of a relationship, but the one that causes many couples the greatest problems. In fact, a survey conducted by Citibank indicates that 57 percent of divorced couples said financial disputes were the primary reason they didn’t get along. Furthermore, a study of 2,000 men and women by Roper Starch Worldwide confirms that money, more than issues of sexuality, parenting, or in-laws, is the most common source of conflict for today’s married couples.

Such studies verify this observation made at the turn of the century by spiritual writer Oswald Chambers: “Money and marriage are the two things that make men and women devils or saints.” Here are 10 smart ways to avoid money conflicts and keep them from sabotaging your relationship.

Get Closer to Your Kids

A young woman named Cynthia vividly recalls one of the high points in her life. It took place when she was 12 years old. Her father promised to take her with him on a business trip to San Francisco. For months the two of them talked about the trip.
Read more about Get Closer to Your Kids …

12 JAN

5 Easy Ways to Sneak Soy Into Your Diet

The first written record of the soybean was found in Chinese books dating back to 2838 B.C. It has been the primary protein source for people in Asia for centuries. Americans have used it for little more than oil and livestock feed. But things have changed.
The humble soybean has captured the attention of health-conscious consumers everywhere–with good reason. Research has shown that incorporating soy protein into the diet provides numerous health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease and reducing the levels of LDL, or “bad cholesterol,” in the bloodstream. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a recommendation for consumers to integrate 25 grams of soy protein per day into their diets.

12 JAN

Cancer risks during each decade of life – Men

The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 1.3 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the United States this year (excluding skin cancers). More than 1,500 people die every day because of cancer. It is our second-leading cause of death, surpassed only by heart disease.

12 JAN

How to Care for Your Aging Parents…

Marie is an accountant in the Boston area. Each week she struggles to squeeze in a few hours to make telephone calls, because she handles her widowed mother’s finances, Medicare forms, and makes certain all bills are paid on time.

12 JAN

Unresolved Stress: Calm Behind The Storm

Scott had recently turned 45 years of age and was the owner of a prosperous retail business he had spent the past 20 years building. Then, seemingly without warning, Scott sold his retail business and the night before their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary informed his wife that he wanted to live as a single man.

12 JAN

Medical Resources on the Internet

No matter what your condition, you can find a vast amount of information on the Internet. There are online versions of medical journals, government sites such as the National Library of Medicine, Centers for Disease Control, or the Food and Drug Administration, and sites sponsored by medical schools.

Patients who take time to do research on their condition are more informed and have a better understanding of their disease. By going online, they can read articles by experts from all over the world. Internet-savvy doctors can provide patients with lists of sites containing relevant information.