HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM ALL OF US AT HARBOR HEALTH HOME CARE

A DENTIST'S FIVE TRICKS FOR ENJOYING HALLOWEEN TREATS

As fall sets in, football is in full swing, leaves have begun to change colors and kids eagerly pick out Halloween costumes in anticipation of bags of sugary candy. While little ghosts and goblins look forward to this haunted holiday, many parents may be concerned about the oral health hazards associated with Halloween. By following the five tips outlined below, parents can help prevent cavities for little trick-or-treaters while instilling lessons for proper life-long oral health habits.

1. CHOOSE WISELY: Not all candy is equally scary. Encourage kids to eat candy that melts quickly and can be eaten easily - even better if it's made with Xylitol, a natural sweetener that prevents bacteria from producing acids that cause tooth decay. Try to avoid gooey and chewy candy, like caramels, that linger on the teeth and allow the bacteria in the mouth to produce more acid, which causes tooth decay After enjoying any sugary treat, encourage kids to brush their teeth or at least swish with water. Offer a new, brightly colored toothbrush as a final Halloween "goodie."

2. MAKE A SECRET STASH: Dont' leave candy around the house after Halloween. Store it in a hidden place out of kids' reach.

3. AVOID GRAZING: Don't allow unsupervised grazing on candy, which lengthens the time sugars are in contact with tooth enamel. Instead, consider providing a treat with or after a meal, followed by a thorough tooth brushing.

4. SET A TIME LIMIT ON THE TREATS: Time is of the essence when it comes to teeth and sugar. If not removed by brushing, swishing, or some other method, sugar from any source like sodas, regular gum, mints, cough drops, etc, in the mouth can increase the likelihood of cavities. Get rid of the post-Halloween stash as soon as possible.

5. EAT THIS, NOT THAT: Try to ensure children eat a good, hearty meal prior to trick-or-treating, so there will be less etmptation to gorge on candy.





source: http://www.columbian.com/

RED RIBBON WEEK OCTOBER 23-31

Red Ribbon Week is the nation's oldest and largest drug prevention program reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October every year. By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug-free life.

source: http://www.justice.gov/

FOOD DAY

Food day will be October 24 - in 2011 and in years to come. Food Day seeks to bring together Americans from all walks of life - parents, teachers, and students; health professionals, community organizers, and local officials; chefs, school lunch providers, and eaters of all stripes - to push for healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way.

Food Day's Goals:

1. Reduce diet-related disease by promoting safe, healthy foods

2. Support sustainable farms & limit subsidies to big agribusiness

3. Expand access to food and alleviate hunger

4. Protect the environment & animals by reforming factory farms

5. Promote health by curbing junk-food marketing to kids

6. Support fair conditions for food and farm workers

source: www.foodday.org

TIPS FOR MAINTAINING EYE HEALTH

Every day we expose our eyes to dust, sunlight and other environmental factors which may, over a period of time, affect our vision. Working professionals, in particular, should take extra care to combat the effect of countless hours spent in front of computers. Moreover, associated conditions like headache, concentration problems and vision related learning problems are causes for concern as well. To avoid this, it is important to follow some basic guidelines for maintaining eye health.

1. BALANCED DIET: Maintaining a nutritious diet program packed with vital fruits and vegetables is a key factor in promoting good eye health. Use foods that have high levels of vitamins A, C and E.

2. IMPROVE YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM: Boost your immune system by avoiding adverse lifestyle habits like smoking or alcohol.

3. ROUTINE EYE CHECK: Besides improving your overall immune response and diet habits, it is mandatory t go for a comprehensive eye examination. Many times, we are not even aware of any underlying eye condition and may attribute those frequent headaches to overwork or stress. Also, certain eye diseases like diabetic eye disease or age-associated macular degeneration do not have any warning signs and the only way to detect them is by undergoing such eye tests.

4. EYE EXERCISES: There are certain eye exercises that can help you improve your eye muscles and relieve stress. This is particularly important for those who suffer from eye strain problems associated with long working hours in front of the computer.

5. KNOW YOUR FAMILY EYE HISTORY: There are certain eye condition s that are hereditary. Thus, knowing your family history of any eye disease or condition is a must to take precautionary measures and improve your eye health.

6. PROTECTIVE EYE WEAR: While performing any kind of sports activity, make it a point to use protective goggles or eye wear.

7. GET ENOUGH REST: Like the rest or your body, it is equally important to give proper rest to your eyes to prevent them from eye strain and fatigue.

source: http://www.timesofindia.com/

10 REASONS TO EAT AN APPLE A DAY

The old adage "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" may be a silly rhyme you heard as a kid, but you might be surprised to learn of apples' serious health benefits.

HEALTH BENEFITS:

1. Apples are filled with soluble fiber. This fiber has been shown to reduce intestinal disorders, including diverticulitis, hemorrhoids and possibly some types of cancer. It helps control insulin levels by releasing sugar slowly into the bloodstream. It cleanses and detoxifies, which helps eliminate heavy metals, such as lead and mercury.

2. Apple pectin helps reduce cholesterol levels by lowering insulin secretion.

3. In tow studies researchers found that eating five apples a week lowered the risk for respiratory diseases like asthma.

4. According to Chinese medicine: Apples strengthen the heart, quench thirst, lubricate the lungs, decrease mucous and increase body fluids.

5. Apple cider venegar can help prevent the formation of kidney stones.

6. Studies indicate that eating apples daily can reduce skin diseases.

7. According to a Brazilian study, eating an apple before a meal helped women lose 33 percent more weight than those who didn't.

8. An apple has only 50-80 calories and has no fat or sodium.

9. Apples are packed with vitamins C, A, and flavonoids and with smaller amounts of phosphorus, iron and calcium.

10. Apples provide a source of potassium which may promote heart health.

So...there you have it. Lots of good reasons why it is good for you to eat an apple a day!





source: http://www.mnn.com/

COLD OR ALLERGIES: WHICH IS IT?

A runny or stuffy nose, and non-stop sneezing, can leave people feeling miserable - but is it a cold or allergies taking a toll? Finding out whether symptoms are caused by a cold or allergy is the first step to finding relief.

Colds are contagious, and are caused by one of more than 200 viruses. People can't "catch" allergies, however, which are triggered by allergens, prompting immune systems to overreact.

There are many possible known allergens, from pollen to pet dander. And while fall sneezing might be due to a cold, high levels of weed pollens and mold spores cause misery this time of year for the 60 million Americans who suffer from allergic rhinitis, often called hay fever.

Here are some general guidelines for comparing fall colds versus fall allergies:

1. HOW DOES THE SUFFERING START: Colds evolve, usually starting with a stuffy nose, sore throat, and low grade fever. Next comes the sneezing and a runny nose, with thickening mucus that often turns yellow or green. Common allergy symptoms include itchy eyes and nose, as well as sneezing, but the mucus is typically clear.

2. CAN'T SHAKE YOUR SYMPTOMS: Allergy symptoms hang on or even increase as long as you are exposed to the allergen that is triggering your symptoms. For fall allergies, that may mean six to eight weeks or more.

3. HAVE A FEVER: If you are achy and feverish, you most likely have a cold.

4. DO YOUR EYES HAVE IT: Itchy eyes strongly suggest allergies, although eye discomfort can occur with a cold,too.

5. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SAY AHHH: Although a sore throat and cough can occur with allergies, those symptoms more likely suggest you have a cold. Coughing, however, can be a sign of asthma, especially in children. A persistent cough should be evaluated by an allergist as other diseases can have this symptom, too.





source: http://www.eureka-wildwood.patch.com/