(ARA) – Staying on track with your weight is difficult. You might be tempted to skip breakfast as a way to save calories, but this plan usually backfires. Bypass breakfast and you’ll end up being ravenous and unable to make smart eating decisions at lunch.

“Skipping breakfast only delays hunger, and often leads to overeating later in the day,” explains Bob Greene, an exercise physiologist, personal trainer to Oprah Winfrey and author of ‘The Best Life Diet Cookbook.” “But not just any breakfast will do. Some standard options like Danishes or doughnuts are simply empty calories. Instead, choose a balanced, nutritious dish.”

That means your breakfast should include all three “macronutrients”: carbohydrates, such as whole-grain toast; healthy fats like nuts or nut butters; and lean protein (such as egg whites and nonfat or 1 percent dairy). This combination offers a wealth of nutritious ingredients, but is also the most satisfying for the calories and will keep your hunger in check until lunch, Greene explains.

Protein — especially high-quality protein, such as eggs — helps quell appetite. Greene recommends Crystal Farms AllWhites and Better’n Eggs as a convenient way to add lean, high-quality protein to your morning meal. Made from real eggs — but with no fat, no cholesterol and half the calories — AllWhites and Better’n Eggs are optimal sources of protein. Both products come in easy-to-pour cartons and can be found in the dairy case of your local grocery store.

“We all have busy lives, but it couldn’t be easier to add lean protein to your breakfast,” Greene says. “From traditional scrambled eggs to increasing the protein in a smoothie recipe, egg alternatives bring healthy convenience right into your fridge.”

For an on-the-go breakfast option packed with protein, Greene recommends this makeover of the traditional greasy breakfast sandwich. Prepared in just 10 minutes, the Spicy Bacon and Cheese Eggwich combines high-protein egg substitutes with cheddar cheese and lean turkey bacon in a whole-wheat English muffin. With 17 grams of protein, this sandwich also includes good sources of fiber and calcium — two other essential nutrients that are often lacking from morning meals.

Spicy Bacon and Cheese Eggwich
Time to Table: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
1 cup (8 ounces) Better’n Eggs
1/4 teaspoon cayenne hot pepper sauce
1/8 cup (1/2 ounce) shredded Cheddar cheese
2 slices turkey bacon, cut in half crosswise
2 whole-wheat English muffins, split

Directions:
Spray 10-inch nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over medium heat. Add Better’n Eggs and stir in hot pepper sauce. As egg substitute starts to set use spatula to lift edge of eggs, letting uncooked eggs flow to bottom of skillet. Cook until egg substitute is set but still moist. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top and then fold over the egg substitute so the cheese melts in the middle.

Place turkey bacon on microwave safe plate. Cover with paper towel. Microwave on high for 30 to 40 seconds or until warmed.

Toast each half English muffin in toaster. Spoon about 1/2 cup mixture on top of two toasted muffins. Top each with one piece cooked bacon. Top with remaining toasted muffins.

Makes two servings. Nutrition per serving: 226 calories, 54 from fat; 6 grams total fat; 2.5 grams saturated fat; 15 mg cholesterol; 534 mg sodium; 27 grams total carbohydrates; 5 grams dietary fiber; 17 grams protein.

For more healthy on-the-go recipes, visit www.betterneggs.com and Bob Greene’s Web site, www.TheBestLife.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Obesity is a mounting health problem locally and worldwide. More than 1 billion adults globally are overweight, and at least 300 million are obese, according to the World Health Organization.

Obesity not only takes a toll on personal health, it can inflict a huge monetary cost on individuals as well as the economy in general:

• When compared with their healthy-weight counterparts, healthcare spending among the obese is 37 percent higher, reports The Policy Journal of the Health Spheres.
• The rise in obesity contributed to the increase in spending related to diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Fortunately, a sustained 10 percent weight loss may reduce an overweight person’s lifetime medical costs by $2,200 to $5,300 by lowering costs related to hypertension and high cholesterol, among many other related illnesses. Additionally, sustaining a 5 to 10 percent weight loss over six months or longer has been shown to improve health by helping to:

• Lower the risk of heart disease.
• Reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Reduce the risk of some kinds of cancer.
• Reduce the strain on joints.

So if weight loss is your resolution this year, or you want to make an important investment in your health, consider an approach that is not just designed to take weight off, but to help you change your behavior.

Just in time for the new year, Weight Watchers has introduced the Momentum program which encourages smarter food and lifestyle choices. Your weight loss plans can absolutely stay on track in 2009, but it’s important to choose a weight-loss plan that truly teaches you how to make healthy, sustainable changes.

Here are Weight Watchers 10 Tips for a healthy 2009:

* Look for low-calorie substitutions that don’t sacrifice taste. For example, switching from mayo to mustard can add to big calorie savings over time.

* Losing weight with a friend or group of friends really helps with weight-loss success.

* Ounce for ounce, the nutrition in fruits and vegetables can’t be beat. To get the best blend of nutrients, include as many colors as possible.

* Put a napkin over your plate as soon as you’re satisfied — it’s like turning off a light switch.

* Purge unhealthy food from your pantry, freezer and fridge.

* Make physical activity as convenient as possible. Keep your sneakers and jacket ready and nearby for short, frequent walks.

* Try creating a new favorite dish. Visit www.weightwatchers.com for delicious recipe ideas.

* Wear something you feel fabulous in — a compliment goes a long way in sustaining motivation.

* Set new goals to keep yourself motivated. Goals do not have to be weight related.

* Know what you’re doing. Write down what you’re eating each and every day to keep you on target.

To find out more, visit a Weight Watchers Meeting for free or go to www.weightwatchers.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Budget-minded families are looking to cut expenses that seem like a luxury, or even just frivolous — including gym memberships. Yet mounting evidence suggests that cutting out the gym may be exactly the wrong move for even the most cash-strapped family.

In its just-released report of annual health spending figures, published in the journal Health Affairs, the federal government confirmed that chronic illness accounts for 75 percent of all health spending. Yet exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight can significantly reduce your risks for chronic illness and your medical bills.

“To put that in financial terms, for every dollar you spend on wellness, you can save as much as five dollars or more on illness,” says Dr. Richard Kreider, director of the exercise and sport nutrition laboratory at Texas A&M University. He has studied the effectiveness of the Curves women’s fitness program for the past five years.

“The women in our studies have been able to lose weight, gain muscle strength, raise metabolism, and make significant medical improvements in blood pressure, resting heart rate and aerobic fitness,” Kreider says. “Many of them no longer suffer from the chronic conditions that cost them so much money for medications and doctor visits.”

This can add up to a bundle of savings. The Health Affairs report shows that the average annual out-of-pocket expense for someone with cancer is $8,411, but the good news is that regular exercise can help you avoid the disease and the costs associated with it. A major report by the American Institute for Cancer Research published in 2007 found that obesity plays a key role in increasing the risk for many cancers — including breast cancer — by as much as 60 percent. And a study just published in the journal Cancer found that obesity increased women’s risk for ovarian cancer by a whopping 80 percent.

The benefits go beyond reducing the risk of cancer. A recent landmark study by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota found that people who went to the gym at least eight times a month had significantly lower healthcare costs than those who did not. These frequent gym attendees had:

• 39 percent fewer emergency room visits
• 41 percent fewer hospital admissions
• 18 percent lower overall claims costs

The research, then, is clear. “Exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight can save not only your life, but your money as well,” says Kreider. “Your health is your most precious asset, and not taking care of it is going to cost you more in the long run.”

So how can you get to the gym without breaking the bank? Many clubs are offering great deals on memberships because of the economy. Also, check with your health insurance provider to see if they have a wellness program that offers rebates on dues and membership fees. Some fitness centers, like Curves, have partnered with major health insurance and third-party providers, including Healthways SilverSneakers, AARP and Blue Cross Blue Shield, to make the cost of membership even more affordable. To learn more, visit www.curves.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

In fact, a new study shows that in the past year three out of four parents faced at least one situation in which they were not entirely sure whether or not to keep their child home from school when he or she had a cold.

The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) and Triaminic developed “Sick Day Guidelines” to provide parents with the key signs that they should consider keeping their children home from school, including:

• A fever of 100.4 degrees or higher
• Vomiting
• Symptoms that prevent him or her from participating in school, such as excessive tiredness or lack of appetite; productive coughing or sneezing; headache, body aches or earache and a sore throat

Parents should keep their child home until his or her fever has been gone for 24 hours without medication. Colds can be contagious for at least 48 hours. Returning to school too soon may slow the recovery process and expose others unnecessarily to illness.

The Sick Day Guidelines, which also provide tips for helping to prevent colds and relieve cough and cold symptoms, are available to approximately 14,000 NASN members who reach 16 million children and their families across the country.

Parents may also be unsure about how best to relieve their child’s cough and cold symptoms following recent news about changes to children’s over-the-counter cough and cold product labeling and the new recommendation to not use these products in children under the age of 4 in the United States.

“The mission of school nurses is to support the health and educational success of children,” says Amy Garcia, executive director of the National Association of School Nurses. “Our members often get questions from parents who are confused about how best to handle their child’s cold. That’s why we felt compelled to extend our support to the home and provide parents with a resource that can help them make confident decisions when their child is sick.”

To view the complete Sick Day Guidelines or learn more about the campaign and helpful reminders on using children’s cough and cold medicines appropriately, visit www.nasn.org or www.triaminic.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Want to lower your risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease? Managing your cholesterol can help.

But cholesterol, a type of fat in your blood, can be confusing. For example, one kind of cholesterol clogs your arteries. Another kind helps remove the bad cholesterol from your body. What do you really need to know to protect your health?

• Lower your bad cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the bad cholesterol that blocks your blood vessels. Try to keep your LDL cholesterol below 100 mg/dl.
• Raise your good cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the good cholesterol that helps remove deposits from your blood vessels. Aim to raise your HDL above 60 mg/dl.
• Triglycerides raise your chances for a heart attack or stroke if your levels are too high. Aim for triglycerides lower than 150 mg/dl. Your doctor may also give you a “total” cholesterol number. A good total cholesterol goal is less than 200 mg/dl.

Why is managing cholesterol important? “Dyslipidemia, or abnormal cholesterol levels, is a key risk factor for both type 2 diabetes and heart disease,” says Dr. Michael Davidson, Director, Preventive Cardiology at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine. “Keeping your cholesterol levels in check can lower your risk for both of these deadly diseases and help you live a longer, healthier life.”

Your doctor can do a simple blood test to measure all your cholesterol numbers. If your levels are off, you’re not alone: about one in four American adults face the same challenge. But many others have learned to achieve a healthy cholesterol balance—and you can, too. Their secret?

“The key is simple,” Davidson says. “Healthy lifestyle changes lower LDL and raise HDL at the same time. Combining lifestyle changes with medicines, if necessary, is your best bet to manage cholesterol so you can live a longer, healthier life.”

Here are five tips to help you manage your cholesterol:

1. Eat Smart. One simple way to lower your bad cholesterol is to eat fewer trans fats and high-cholesterol foods like egg yolks, fatty meats, butter and whole milk. You can also help your body absorb less bad cholesterol by eating foods that contain soluble fiber, such as oatmeal, kidney beans, yams and apples.

Other cholesterol-smart foods are salmon, walnuts and olive oil. Eating as many vegetables, whole grains and fruits as you can will help you feel fuller longer and cut your cravings for less healthy snacks. Always check the “Nutrition Facts” labels on foods before you buy to see how they might help or hurt your cholesterol-lowering efforts.

2. Stay Active. You can raise your good cholesterol and lower the bad at the same time with exercise. To get this powerful benefit, exercise for 30 minutes a day, five days a week. And don’t worry about going to the gym—walking briskly is just as effective. And you can head to the mall and walk there when the weather is bad. Or do house work or work in the yard. The key is to get your heart pumping.

This week, why not start with just 10 minutes? Take a 10-minute walk around the block every day during your lunch break or after dinner. Or choose another time that works for you. Then continue to add one lap each week until you’re walking briskly for 30 minutes.

3. Drop a Few Pounds. Being overweight raises your bad cholesterol. At the same time, it lowers your good cholesterol. But eating smart and staying active will help you lose weight—and dropping just a few pounds can raise your HDL. Maintaining a healthy weight will help you keep your cholesterol in balance.

4. Quit Smoking. It’s no surprise that smoking lowers your good cholesterol. If you smoke, quitting can help your HDL jump as much as 10 percent. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can help. Options include the nicotine patch, gum, lozenge, inhaler or nasal spray. Prescription medicines are another option. Talk with your health care provider about which options are best for you. And visit SmokeFree.gov to learn more about how to quit.

5. Consider Cholesterol Medicines. Ask your doctor if medicines such as statins, fibrates and niacin can help you lower LDL while raising HDL levels.

To learn more about how managing cholesterol can lower your risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease, call the American Diabetes Association at (800)-DIABETES (800-342-2383), e-mail AskADA@diabetes.org or visit www.CheckUpAmerica.org. Be sure to ask for your copy of “What You Need to Know: Cholesterol.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – If it seems like your ears ring constantly, it’s probably not your imagination or the economy . . . and you’re not alone. You may have tinnitus, an inner ear ailment that affects 25 million to 50 million Americans — with about 12 million people experiencing such severe symptoms it affects their daily lives.

The good news is treatment, including hearing aids, can offer relief to some suffering the persistent ringing, buzzing or humming associated with tinnitus, says the Better Hearing Institute.

Tinnitus can be intermittent or constant. Causes range from ear infections and over-exposure to extremely loud noises, to underlying health problems like allergies or heart and blood pressure problems. Often, sufferers are unable to pinpoint the cause of their tinnitus.

“Tinnitus can have a direct impact on a person’s emotional well-being,” says Dr. Sergei Kochkin, BHI’s executive director. “Not only can their hearing be affected but also their ability to sleep and to concentrate.”

Kochkin and Dr. Richard Tyler, a professor in the University of Iowa’s otolaryngology and communication sciences and disorders departments and editor of “The Consumer Handbook on Tinnitus” (Auricle Ink, 2008), published an article in the December 2008 “Hearing Review” on their survey of 230 hearing health professionals in the United States and Canada. Their survey found that six out of 10 patients reported some tinnitus relief when using hearing aids and two out of 10 reported major relief.

The symptoms of tinnitus “influence basic life functions such as socialization and relaxation,” the duo wrote. “In severe cases it can interfere with the individual’s ability to perform adequately on the job, or contribute to psychological disorders such as depression, suicide ideation, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and anger.”

Although tinnitus is actually common and can cause major life disruptions, the number of sufferers who seek treatment for the problem is relatively small. One reason may be that they mistakenly believe their condition is untreatable. Unfortunately, many doctors are also unaware of the latest treatment option, BHI says. Patients may think they simply have to learn to live with the noise.

“No one should ever ignore persistent tinnitus,” Kochkin says. “Not only is every individual entitled to a chance to regain his or her quality of life, but in rare cases tinnitus also can be a symptom of a more serious health issue that could demand medical intervention. What’s more, nearly everyone with tinnitus has hearing loss as well.”

In a recent large-scale survey by the Better Hearing Institute of the American hearing- impaired population, 39 percent (more than 9 million adult Americans) indicated they had not sought help for their hearing loss specifically because they also had tinnitus.
“Research shows that untreated hearing loss has its own negative social, psychological, cognitive and health effects on the individual suffering from it,” Kochkin adds. “So the individual with both untreated tinnitus and untreated hearing loss suffers an even more diminished quality of life than individuals with just tinnitus or just hearing loss.”

While hearing aids are not a cure for tinnitus, they may be able to help tinnitus patients by:

• Improving communication and reducing stress, which makes it easier to cope with the condition.
• Amplifying background sounds, which can make tinnitus seem less loud and prominent.

A new type of hearing aid, called the open fit hearing aid, may be particularly useful in alleviating tinnitus. The open fit hearing aid can reduce the effects of the tinnitus ringing sensation while still allowing sounds from the outside to pass into the ear.

If you think you have tinnitus, have your hearing evaluated by a hearing health professional and explore the use of hearing aids to alleviate tinnitus. The American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO-HNS) and the American Tinnitus Association recommend these additional tips for minimizing the effects of tinnitus on your health:

• Avoid exposure to loud sounds and noises.
• Get your blood pressure checked. If it is high, get your doctor’s help to control it.
• Decrease your intake of salt. Salt impairs blood circulation.
• Avoid stimulants such as coffee, tea, cola, and tobacco.
• Exercise daily to improve your circulation.
• Get adequate rest and avoid fatigue.
• Eliminate or reduce some stress in different parts of your life; stress often makes tinnitus worse.
• Experiment by eliminating other possible sources of tinnitus aggravation, such as artificial sweeteners, sugar, alcohol, prescription or over-the-counter medications. Do not stop taking medications without consulting with your health care professional about the possible ototoxic impact of your medications.

The Better Hearing Institute recommends that in addition to the practical tips above (which apply to a healthy lifestyle for all people) people with tinnitus may receive benefit by simply understanding the causes, myths and facts about tinnitus through either counseling or self-help books.

“We believe that if hearing health professionals can provide effective treatment for tinnitus, they also can be instrumental in motivating people to concurrently treat their hearing loss,” Kochkin says. “This would have a double impact in improving the quality of life for millions of Americans.”

To learn more, visit www.betterhearing.org or call the Better Hearing Institute hotline at (800) EAR-WELL (800-327-9355).

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – You clean your windows and vacuum your rugs for spring cleaning. But have you looked inside your fridge and pantry lately? They’re begging for a spring cleaning, too.

“Your refrigerator and pantry are important allies in the food safety fight,” explains Dr. Don Schaffner, a microbiologist and spokesperson for the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a non-profit society of food scientists. “They store and protect your family’s food. And when it comes to health and safety at home, the refrigerator and kitchen pantry are crucial. If not cleaned properly, refrigerators and pantries can harbor bacteria, which can lead to food-borne illnesses.”

Bacteria are invisible enemies, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), because you can’t see, taste or smell them. Under the right conditions, bacteria can grow rapidly. Controlling temperature is a critical factor in controlling bacteria in food. Refrigeration slows bacterial growth in food. For safety, foods must be held at proper cold temperatures in refrigerators or freezers. Here are some food safety tips to keep in mind, from the USDA:

* A refrigerator set at 40 F or below will protect most foods. Avoid setting the refrigerator so low that some food items freeze, because this can lower food quality and shelf life.

* Frozen food will hold its top quality for the longest possible time when the freezer maintains zero degrees.

* Maintain proper refrigerator temperature by using an appliance thermometer. It’s specially designed to measure the temperature of the air in either the refrigerator or freezer. Most appliance thermometers are either liquid-filled or bimetallic-coil thermometers.

* Most refrigerators and freezers can be easily adjusted to run colder or warmer. The temperature control is usually accessible in the refrigerator part of the appliance. Check the owner’s manual for specific details on adjusting the temperature. An adjustment period is often required when changing the temperature.

* Pantries should be cool and dry. High temperatures or humidity may reduce storage time.

Once your refrigerator and pantry are at the proper temperature, keep them clean using these tips:

* Wipe up spills immediately.

* To keep the refrigerator or pantry smelling fresh, place an opened box of baking soda on a shelf.

* Clean refrigerator surfaces thoroughly with hot, soapy water and then rinse. You can also wipe inside the unit with equal parts vinegar and water. Vinegar provides acid, which destroys mildew. Carefully remove and wash refrigerator shelves and drawers.

* Generally, the limit for storing cooked food is four days. For raw poultry and ground meats, the limit is one to two days. Refer to the cold storage chart for storage of meat, poultry and egg products in the home refrigerator.

* Throw out leaking, bulging, rusting or badly dented cans, cracked jars or any container that spurts when opened, or which seems to have lost its vacuum seal.

* Avoid using solvent cleaning agents, abrasives and all cleansers that may impart taste to food or ice cubes, or cause damage to the interior finish of your refrigerator. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

The front grill of the refrigerator should be kept free of dust and lint to permit free air flow to the condenser. The condenser coil should be cleaned several times a year with a brush or vacuum cleaner to remove dirt, lint or other accumulations.

“Like fresh foods, pantry foods have storage time limits for best quality,” says Schaffner.

* Know the product dating terms. “Sell By” tells the store how long to display the product. The “Best if Used By” date is recommended for best flavor or quality, and “Use By” is the last date recommended to use the product at its peak quality.

* In general, high-acid canned foods such as tomatoes, grapefruit and pineapple can be stored from 12 to 18 months.

* Low-acid canned foods like meat, poultry, fish and most vegetables will keep two to five years, if the can is in good condition and is stored in a cool, clean, dry place.

“If you don’t see a ‘Use By’ date on a container of food, just note the date you purchased the food yourself, using a permanent marker. This will help you practice good ‘stock rotation,’” . Schaffner says.

“These simple spring cleaning steps for your refrigerator and pantry will help assure that you and your family have an enjoyable and healthy spring and summer,” Schaffner says.

For more food news you can use, visit www.IFTFoodFacts.org.

Visit the USDA Web site for more information on safe food handling, including refrigeration and food safety.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – West Nile virus arrived on the east coast of the United States in 2000, drawing plenty of media attention. Since then, the virus has gradually migrated west to the Pacific coast, and human cases have been documented in nearly all of the 48 continental states.

While the disease is no longer grabbing the same volume of national headlines it did upon its first arrival and during the most severe outbreaks, it remains a threat worthy of serious consideration, thought and preventative action. In 2008, reported human cases and West Nile-related deaths were both down nationally to the lowest levels seen since 2001, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), however, certain areas saw an increase in overall West Nile activity. The state of Washington, for example, saw a re-emergence of documented human cases after reporting no human West Nile infections throughout all of 2007.

“The weather plays a big role in determining where mosquito populations are going to be the most severe, which makes knowing where West Nile virus will pose the most serious risks in the coming year unpredictable,” says Allen James, president of RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment), a national organization representing the manufacturers, formulators and distributors of pesticide and fertilizer products. “Total human cases in the United States have been on the decline for the past few years, but almost 1,400 confirmed cases were reported in 2008, and that is a substantial number that we can work to reduce even further.”

The numbers of documented human West Nile virus infections hit a peak in 2003, with almost 10,000 reported cases, and have gradually declined since as municipalities and communities across the country have adopted effective measures to manage troublesome mosquito populations. Still, since 2005, the CDC has reported over 12,000 people in the country diagnosed with West Nile virus infections, resulting in nearly 500 documented deaths.

“Unfortunately, West Nile virus is here to stay and it’s something that Americans are going to have to be cognizant of every year moving forward,” James says. “Especially within more susceptible populations like young children and the elderly with weaker immune systems, this disease represents a very real and potentially deadly threat. It’s important to help minimize this risk by reducing mosquito populations where we can.”

West Nile virus is a vector-borne disease transmitted to humans almost exclusively through the bites of carrying mosquitoes. The best way to prevent an outbreak of the disease, according to the CDC, is through the use of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach to control both adult mosquitoes and their larvae before they can hatch and mature.

“There is no single magic bullet that works to effectively control mosquitoes,” James says. “It takes an integrated approach where citizens and public officials work together to remove breeding grounds, monitor mosquito activity, use biological and chemical controls, and educate their friends and neighbors about proper prevention measures.”

Support for community mosquito reduction and education programs, combined with the use of proven larvicide and adulticide products, is the most effective action communities can take to prevent West Nile virus from becoming a major public health risk. Larvicides are approved pesticide products applied to mosquito breeding grounds to eliminate developing mosquito larvae before they have the chance to become adults. Similarly, adulticides are another type of pesticide product, most often applied as ultra-low volume (ULV) mist or fog that kills adult mosquitoes on contact. These products represent a prudent and cost-effective way to manage large, problematic mosquito populations and have been deemed by the CDC and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be the harmless to people, children, pets and the environment when applied correctly by trained personnel.

Around home, individuals and families can follow a few simple steps to help reduce the risk of mosquito bites and eliminate potential breeding grounds on their own property. The easiest and most important preventative action to take is to apply an approved insect repellant to all exposed skin when going outdoors for any period of time. Remember that mosquitoes are most active in the morning and evening, so adults and children should all take additional care to reduce the amount of exposed skin susceptible to a mosquito bite when outside, especially at these times.

Also, take the time to eliminate all areas of standing water around the home. Mosquitoes lay their eggs on the surface of calm, stagnant water, and reducing the prevalence of these potential breeding grounds can greatly impact the number of mosquitoes immediately around homes and properties. Drain low-lying areas, clean out clogged gutters, drain birdbaths and turn over any miscellaneous containers like unused buckets and flower pots that may have the potential to hold rainwater. These simple actions, in addition to the support of other local mosquito-control efforts, can help to significantly reduce the risk of West Nile and other mosquito-borne illnesses in many areas.

While it may not be a fixture on the front page every day anymore, West Nile virus still poses a serious risk that warrants considerable attention from local groups across the nation. It is not a problem that is ever going to disappear completely, but through the use of an IPM approach, education programs and proper mosquito-control products, the threats posed by this potentially deadly disease can be substantially reduced.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Proper Inspection, Protection and Detection Can Safeguard Your Family from the ‘Silent Killer’

(ARA) – Bitter cold weather can bring more than just frosty mornings and runny noses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the odorless predator — carbon monoxide, also known as CO — sends more than 15,000 people to the hospital each year.

Because you can not see it, smell it or taste it, you or your loved ones could be exposed to CO without even knowing it. The symptoms — headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness and shortness of breath — are often mistaken for the flu.

“Each day, first responders are called upon to help people who have unknowingly been exposed to carbon monoxide and are suffering from CO poisoning,” says James Shannon, president and chief executive officer of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). “It is vital for people to learn how to keep themselves and their families safe from CO before they are exposed to it. When it reaches a dangerous level, its effects may leave them unable to make that life-saving call for help.”

Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an independent product safety certification organization, and the NFPA urge families to INSPECT, PROTECT and DETECT when it comes to CO safety this winter:

1. Have a qualified technician INSPECT fuel-burning appliances once a year.

* Fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, hot water heaters and stoves require yearly maintenance. Over time, components can become damaged or deteriorate. A qualified technician can identify and repair problems with your fuel-burning appliances.

2. PROTECT your home by purchasing and installing a CO alarm.

* Purchase and install UL-Listed CO alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement and any other locations required by applicable laws; be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before installing the alarm.

*If you already have CO alarms installed in your home, make sure to test them monthly and replace the battery at least once a year.

3. Be prepared should your CO alarm DETECT a problem.

*If your alarm sounds, immediately open windows and doors for ventilation.

*If anyone in the home is experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning, immediately evacuate the house, call the fire department and seek medical attention.

*Be alert to some of the danger signs that signal a CO problem. This includes: Streaks of carbon or soot around the service door of your fuel-burning appliances, moisture collecting on the windows and walls of furnace rooms and fallen soot from the fireplace or small amounts of water leaking from the base of the chimney.

“A CO alarm should not be confused with a smoke alarm,” says John Drengenberg, manager of Consumer Affairs for UL. “A smoke alarm tells you to get out immediately. A CO alarm warns of a potential poisoning risk, usually long before symptoms are apparent, which allows you adequate time to get help. You need both life-safety devices in your home.

To learn more about the potential dangers of CO and how to keep your family safe, visit: www.ul.com/newsroom.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – With the economy taking a nose dive, Americans are cutting back on spending — from food and travel to even medical treatments. Both health care and dental care are taking a back seat to more urgent needs.

According to a recent survey by Cigna, a leading provider of health benefits, 41 percent of Americans are taking worse care of their health because of the economy. In fact, nearly half of Americans report that someone in their household has skipped necessary health care in the past year due to the cost, according to a recent Kaiser Foundation Poll. A recent study published in “Health Services Research” found that an increase in unemployment may be associated with fewer preventive care visits.

Even though times are tough, it is still important to take care of your body, particularly your oral health. With 92 percent of adults ages 20 to 64 experiencing dental caries — which can lead to cavities — in their permanent teeth at some point in their lives, proper oral care routines and preventive dental care visits are more essential than ever for achieving a cleaner, healthier mouth.

New York-based dentist Dr. Gregg Lituchy advises “include a fluoride rinse in your daily oral care routine to help protect your teeth against cavities. I recommend my patients use an anti-cavity fluoride rinse that delivers multiple benefits, such as Listerine Total Care Anticavity Mouthwash from the makers of Listerine Antiseptic, a product that has been trusted for more than 100 years and has more than 50 clinical studies supporting its safety and efficacy.”

Dr. Lituchy offers four easy tips to help reduce the risk of oral care problems and maintain a beautiful smile — without hurting your wallet:

• Multitask. Rinse your mouth with an anti-cavity mouthwash while you’re washing your face.
• Avoid sticky situations. Foods that stick to your teeth create an environment for bacteria to thrive, so the best strategy is to brush your teeth after meals and snacks.
• Don’t skip your dental check-ups. Visiting your dental professional at least twice a year is the best way to maintain good oral health and detect problems early on that could cause you more economic pain in the future.
• Technique matters. Learn the proper way to brush and floss. Ask your dental professional or visit the American Dental Association Web site, www.ada.org, which offers educational tutorial videos.

Courtesy of ARAcontent