Caring for children and family can often be more than a full time job. It pays to be organized. But are you as organized about your own healthcare needs. The number one killer of women today is heart disease and few women know their risks. Do you know the signs of a heart attack in men or women? Symptoms vary but having baseline EKG at your well visit will help pick up on abnormalities early-and maybe save your life. Only 30% of women survive their first heart attack. Often there…

Spring has given us some warm, sunny weather. It is nice to have sunny days and more opportunities to be outside. Even if it is just laying on a park lawn, the fresh air helps rejuvenate after a long winter. Maybe hiking, biking, climbing, running and outdoor sports are on your weekend agenda. Getting active it is great. But take precautions, too. Now that we have had weather over 60/62 degrees for many days, the bugs will come. With the flies and mosquitos, there will also be ticks. Just walking through a…

Many people feel overwhelmed by the diet and nutrition information that abounds in type and online. If you are always trying to lose weight this time of year–let’s all get ready for summer!–then you have probably tried many different weight-loss plans over the years. How about your kids? Have some of your diet successes and failures trickled down to them?

You know showing your children how to eat healthy is necessary, but buying fresh fruit for a change is only a part of it. Many children, both boys and girls, begin developing food issues,…

There is a trend in obesity research that suggests we may be going about correcting this healthcare issue in the wrong way. Recent research shows that caloric intake in obese adolescents is less than their fit peers. This and many other research expresses concern that addressing diet is only a small part of the problem. Younger children were also studied and found that caloric intake did impact weight overall. So now what?  Time to exercise and incorporate healthier habits has always been proven in the adult population to be of…

Once upon a time there were children who played all day. There was no television, computer, or electronics keeping them inside. Duck, Duck, Goose, and Ring-Around-the-Rosie were sung and played by every preschooler around. Parents would join in and the fun would begin. Imagination and creativity would abound with stick ball, street hockey and baseball. A bicycle was had by everyone and was used everyday. We read books about adventure and we made our own adventures. We were action heroes and we did not play the action hero with our…

We all find moments that are worth celebrating. My favorite memory of this year’s London Olympics actually occurred seconds after the 400 meter semifinal had ended. The winner of the race Kirani James in a show of respect approached Oscar Pistorius who had finished 8^th and requested to exchange their official uniform name tags.

You might be wondering why so much attention was given to an athlete who didn’t win a medal? Oscar is a double amputee and uses prosthetic legs to race against some of the world’s fastest runners. His journey to…

Staying active can be as simple as going out for a walk. That’s right, there’s no expensive equipment to buy or gym contract to sign. If that’s not enough incentive, here are some benefits of daily walking.

• According to a recent NY Times Magazine article, scientists have found that routine exercise which includes walking can improve cognitive flexibility and resist physical shrinkage in the brain
• Walking works out all your major muscle groups and can help prevent physical decline

Follow these easy steps reap the benefits of an outdoor walking routine.

Dress your feet

Reduce your…

Rising summer temperatures are right around the corner, which means the elderly need to take certain precautions prior to heading outdoors. Older adults can continue to enjoy outdoor activities and prevent heat related illnesses by following these easy steps.

1) Avoid walking between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — generally the hottest time of the day.

2) Begin your daily walk at a slower pace to prevent exhaustion and retreat to a cool place if you start to feel uncomfortable.

3) Wear light colored and loose fitting clothing.

4) Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids to remain adequately…

Photo by Simon Howden

One of the best ways to enjoy spring is to make walking outdoors a part of your routine. Often I advise my seniors to take regular walks, since it works out all the major muscles groups, can help prevent physical decline and does not require any expensive equipment.

After enduring a very harsh winter, warmer weather has finally arrived, so follow these easy steps before you head outdoors for some fresh air and exercise.

1) Dress your feet properly

Wearing comfortable sneakers or shoes that fit well and provide good traction will help reduce…

Many of us know people who say they want to increase their physical activity or eat better, and at times you may see a change. But for the most part, those eye-opening moments occur when you’re seeing someone for the first time in a while .

Recently, I saw a gentleman at a store who I had as a patient a few months ago. It is not common that I get to see someone again out of the home, so it was a surprise. What was more surprising however, was the weight Mr.…