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As a new mother, it can be hard to find your footing. According to the Pew Research Center, 45 percent of moms with kids younger than 6 years say parenting is tiring all or most of the time. How can you make the adjustment easier? You took breastfeeding and prenatal classes, read every book you could get your hands on, and soaked up all the advice you could get from friends and family. However, all of that pales in comparison to the reality of caring for a newborn. How can you handle this new world of m...
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Most spring allergies are caused by pollen. Though pollen is harmless, your body can mistake it for a threat and release histamines. In an attempt to repel the “invader,” histamines cause your eyes, nose and throat to swell, itch and produce mucus. Even if you know all about pollen, you may not know the best ways to combat it. Avoid these common spring allergy mistakes that can prolong suffering or even make symptoms worse. Mistake No. 1: Waiting too long to medicate. For best results, allergy medicine ...
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You’re going about your day, working, exercising or spending time with family, when all of a sudden you feel a sharp, stabbing pain in your abdomen. You’ve been nauseated and haven’t had much of an appetite all day. If you’ve ever felt this way, don’t just dismiss it as something simple as overeating.These are all signs that you have appendicitis or inflammation of the appendix. Appendicitis occurs due to infection, parasites or when the tube that joins your large intestine and appendix is blocked by tr...
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What’s That Sound? Clicking, cracking, grinding, popping, snapping — these are all common and generally harmless sounds our joints can make. It’s a natural part of aging, and the sound could be the result of one of these conditions: As cartilage wears away, your bones grind or rub each other. This causes the sound you are hearing. Tight muscles and tendons can make sounds when moving over bone or as it returns to its original position. When you pop or crack a joint like your knuckles, you’re releasing n...
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Whether it’s a springtime ritual, a way to remove pet hair or your toddler colored on the wall, cleaning is a good idea. However, what you’re using to get out that carpet stain or kill germs could pose a breathing risk to your or your family—especially if someone is asthmatic. Here’s what you can do instead. Avoid VOCs. Many cleaning supplies release chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that irritate the throat and eyes, spark headaches and are linked to cancer. According to the American L...
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Whether you’re a professional athlete or an amateur, one wrong move can cause an injury that throws your fitness regimen off track. It’s important to protect yourself, but when you can’t, here are some ways to identify common injuries. Common Injuries There are three common types of injuries— sprains, strains and tendonitis. Sprains – The stretching or tearing of ligaments in joints results in a sprain, such as an ankle. Symptoms include bruising, hearing a “pop” sound at the time of injury, limited mob...
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When you think of a typical heart attack patient, there’s a good chance the person who comes to mind is an older man in his 50s or 60s, clutching his chest in sudden pain. That doesn’t always align with reality, however. Which of these people do you think is most at risk for a heart attack? SCENARIO #1: A 65-year-old woman with a family history of heart disease is overweight but gets a moderate amount of exercise and tries to follow a healthy diet. She is aware that her weight and family history put her...
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The metaphor of a broken heart to describe intense emotional pain has been a favorite among poets and jilted lovers since the beginning of time. In 1990, Japanese scientists discovered that the hurt felt after a messy breakup or the loss of a loved one affects the heart—but it doesn't necessarily break it. Sudden turmoil temporarily enlarges a part of the heart and prevents it from pumping efficiently, yet the rest of your heart maintains normal function. The Cleveland Clinic reports that Takotsubo card...
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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for men and women worldwide. In honor of American Heart Month, now is the perfect time to reflect on what can be done to prevent CVD from affecting your family. Every year, the United States spends more than $300 billion on CVD, including health services, medications and lost productivity. According to the World Health Organization, CVD kills an estimated 17.3 million people every year, and it is projected to remain the leading cause of death un...
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Whether you suffer a cut, scratch or other small wound, there are three basic steps for at-home treatment. Stop the bleeding. Use firm pressure to apply a cloth or bandage on the minor wound for 20 to 30 minutes. Clean the injury with cool, running water. Use soap to clean the skin around the wound (not the wound itself ). If you see splinters, gravel or other small objects in the laceration, rinse them gently away or use tweezers to remove. Spread an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment onto the wound....
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