The Sodium Reduction Plan

There are dozens of so-called health initiatives in this country and it seems every day another medical issue is placed in front of the public eye, but some of these projects clearly have more potential impact than others. An example, the American Medical Association announced they plan to begin education programs to help cut the nation’s sodium intake in over the next decade. Now there is good reason, sodium or salt, is a growing problem in this country, and high-sodium foods are everywhere…especially in pre-processed foods.

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Childproofing Your Home

One of the toughest things a parent can do is childproof the house. It takes a lot of work, but what doctors often recommend is that you talk to someone who has children already. Let them go over with you what they have done to childproof their own house. You can find a lot of key steps. The other thing you can find, which is very important, is the ability to be able to get professional assistance in childproofing. You can also find a friend or acquaintance who now has older children because they might be able to give you some of the things they’ve used since their children have now outgrown that stage.  It can make a big difference!

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What is Heartburn?

Heartburn is a health problem that is annoying. Basically, here’s what happens in heartburn. The esophagus is a tube that goes from the mouth down into the stomach. When acid escapes from the stomach, it goes into the esophagus. The esophagus lining is not meant for acid. It can’t buffer it the way the stomach can. As a result, a person feels the pain, and with that pain of the heartburn comes an irritation. That gastric irritation can be extremely painful at night.

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Long-Distance Walking Results in Successful Weight Loss in Cardiac Rehab Patients

Daily long-distance walking results in twice as much weight loss as standard cardiac rehabilitation exercises that involve walking short distances at a brisk pace.  That's what a new report from the journal Circulation and the University of Vermont College of Medicine finds.  They studied 71 overweight patients in cardiac rehab who were randomly assigned to standard rehab exercises that burned 700 to 800 calories per week or intensive rehab exercises involving long walks that burned 3,000 to 3,500 calories a week.  After five months, the group walking 45 to 60 minutes a day most days a week had greater improvements in 10 risk factors including blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and cardio-respiratory fitness.  They all also lost 18 pounds compared to 8 pounds in the control group.  It really shows the importance of getting out there and walking.

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Surprising Study of Nicotine Levels in Smokers’ Cars Versus Bars

There's new information in the journal Tobacco Control and it's reported from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health that nicotine levels in smokers' cars are almost twice of those in bars.  Researchers placed passive nicotine samplers in the cars of smokers, one in the front passenger seat and one in the back seat.  The estimate is that the nicotine concentrations were twice as high in smokers' cars and other public or private places that allow smoking like bars.  While opening the windows of the car certainly made a difference, it did not eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke.  So, with many restaurants and bars not allowing cigarette smoking, it could be your own car that is the most dangerous place, and to the tune of twice as much nicotine.  

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A Fascinating New Test for Suspicious Moles

It is a fascinating test. According to researchers at the annual meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology, applying a simple tape to a suspicious mole or freckle and pulling off the RNA for genetic analysis can actually help determine if the mole is malignant melanoma or a less serious problem. This is important information for women concerned about biopsies and scars. The initial reports are good and suggest that basically, these tests could work, but they were only a 50 sample taken. Despite the fact this is early, it does send a clear message.

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When Do Babies Develop Teeth?

A lot of parents are concerned about when their children will get their first teeth.  Really, it does vary, but systematically across the board, it's usually the first tooth at six months and another tooth every month thereafter.  It’s important that parents not put pressure on themselves as they watch for their baby’s development.  Most children, if not all, about 99.99%, develop teeth and their teeth grow, and they grow fine.  So you don't want to be over that stressful barrel where you're telling yourself that it's not going to happen, because it will. 

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