Healthcare Reveal » Healthy Children http://azhealth247.com health care reform - health insurance - health care information Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:43:19 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 Herbal Supplements for Acid Reflux in Babies http://azhealth247.com/herbal-supplements-for-acid-reflux-in-babies/ http://azhealth247.com/herbal-supplements-for-acid-reflux-in-babies/#comments Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:55:23 +0000 admin http://azhealth247.com/herbal-supplements-for-acid-reflux-in-babies/ Overview You may have heard that spitting up is a sign of acid reflux in your baby, and if you’re interested in trying to avoid pharmaceutical treatments, might want to try to use herbal remedies. Acid reflux can be hard to diagnose, however, and there aren’t herbal treatments known to be effective in infants. Acid [...] Related posts:
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Overview

You may have heard that spitting up is a sign of acid reflux in your baby, and if you’re interested in trying to avoid pharmaceutical treatments, might want to try to use herbal remedies. Acid reflux can be hard to diagnose, however, and there aren’t herbal treatments known to be effective in infants.

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is common in both adults and babies. It’s the result a loose cardiac sphincter, a ring of muscle that normally prevents acid from leaving the stomach and entering the esophagus. If you have acid reflux, you experience the sensation of heartburn or pressure in the chest. While adults generally treat the condition with antacids or pharmaceuticals, these aren’t necessarily appropriate for infants.

Acid Reflux in Babies

Particularly common in premature babies, who have especially underdeveloped gastrointestinal systems, acid reflux in infants is the result of a weak cardiac sphincter that will tighten up with time. Almost all babies spit up occasionally after eating, but in some, stomach acid accompanies the spit-up and leads to discomfort. If your baby spits up and appears uncomfortable after eating, talk to your pediatrician about whether your baby might have acid reflux.

Herbals

There aren’t any herbal remedies that have been proved safe and effective for use in babies for acid reflux. While it may seem as though herbs are a safe alternative to pharmaceuticals, they’re actually regulated differently by the FDA, and don’t have to meet the rigorous safety standards to which pharmaceuticals are held. In fact, manufacturers don’t have to prove that herbals are either safe or effective before marketing them, meaning you may want to avoid herbals unless you’ve talked to your doctor first.

Treatments

The best treatment for acid reflux in babies is time — as your baby’s digestive tract matures, the acid reflux will resolve. In the meantime, you can try to keep your baby more upright during feedings and maintain the upright position for half an hour afterward to allow gravity to help keep acid in the stomach. For very severe cases of acid reflux in infants, your pediatrician may recommend a pharmaceutical treatment.

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]]> http://azhealth247.com/herbal-supplements-for-acid-reflux-in-babies/feed/ 0 Homeopathic Baby Teething Gels http://azhealth247.com/homeopathic-baby-teething-gels/ http://azhealth247.com/homeopathic-baby-teething-gels/#comments Sun, 03 Apr 2011 07:54:41 +0000 admin http://azhealth247.com/homeopathic-baby-teething-gels/ Video Transcript In my last clip I covered homeopathic teething tablets, in this clip I’m going to talk about, other types of homeopathic relief for babies, from teething. The first one I’m going to start with is the homeopathic teething gel. This one’s different, from the other ones, on the market, because it doesn’t necessarily [...] Related posts:
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Video Transcript

In my last clip I covered homeopathic teething tablets, in this clip I’m going to talk about, other types of homeopathic relief for babies, from teething. The first one I’m going to start with is the homeopathic teething gel. This one’s different, from the other ones, on the market, because it doesn’t necessarily numb your baby’s mouth. What happens, with those traditional ones, is that, if you put them on your finger or the Q-tip and you’re putting them in the baby’s mouth, inevitably they’re going to move their tongue, to whatever you’re putting in their mouth and their tongue goes numb and then it spreads it all over their mouth, so the whole mouth gets numb. That’s not a very comfortable feeling for adults, much less babies, and they don’t understand what’s going on so it probably actually makes them unhappy. I like the teething gel because it has natural products, in it, that just ease the discomfort, it doesn’t make their whole mouth numb. You can use this in two ways. You can either use your finger or a Q-tip and what you’re going to do is use about one quarter inch, little strip, on your finger tip, you can also use a Q-tip and I’ll show that, in just a minute. You just come in and you put it in the baby’s mouth and rub it on the gums or, wherever the baby’s teething. If you’re not sure, you can put it all over their gums. This is nice because they will start to calm down and if they’ve been really fussy and unhappy, they may even fall asleep and take a nap or eat, if they have been refusing to eat. When you use a Q-tip, it’s basically the same thing. You just take your Q-tip out, put a little dab, on the end of the Q-tip and then put the Q-tip in the baby’s mouth and wipe it around on their gums, with the Q-tip. Other remedies, that I like, are the teething relief. This one is by Natural Bio and I really like it because it’s a liquid, it seems to act really quickly and we’ve gotten great feedback from parents on this, as well. It’s very easy to administer and because it is liquid, you’re going to give them point five millimeters, of the medicine. You’re just going to fill up the whole syringe and then squeeze it down to the point five millimeter line and then that’s how much you’re going to give the baby. When you give it to them, you don’t want to put it straight into their mouth, like this, because when you release the medicine, you don’t want them to choke on it. You want to put it towards either one of their cheeks and release it into their cheek and that way it kind of floats around in their mouth and then they can naturally just swallow it. Another nice one is Grape Water. People are familiar with this from using it with their young babies for colic but it’s also really good for teething, as well. This is a liquid, as well, and it comes with a syringe for administering, which makes it really easy, two. Either one of these, any of these, are really great for helping the baby to ease their discomfort, from teething, and distract them, a little bit, from it as well.

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]]> http://azhealth247.com/homeopathic-baby-teething-gels/feed/ 0 Benefits of Drinking Water for Children http://azhealth247.com/benefits-of-drinking-water-for-children/ http://azhealth247.com/benefits-of-drinking-water-for-children/#comments Sun, 03 Apr 2011 01:54:42 +0000 admin http://azhealth247.com/benefits-of-drinking-water-for-children/ Overview Water is crucial for survival. Human beings need to drink several glasses of water each day to keep their body working properly. MayoClinic.com reports that the human body is made of 60 percent water so drinking adequate amounts is important. Your child needs access to clean drinking water throughout the day to help maintain [...] Related posts:
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Overview

Water is crucial for survival. Human beings need to drink several glasses of water each day to keep their body working properly. MayoClinic.com reports that the human body is made of 60 percent water so drinking adequate amounts is important. Your child needs access to clean drinking water throughout the day to help maintain her health. When your child drinks plenty of water, she is also reaping several protective benefits.

Fluoride

Many water municipalities add fluoride to the water supply so that when your child drinks tap water he is consuming some of this additive, which is beneficial for his oral health. KidsHealth reports that fluoride may help prevent dental cavities and may also reverse tooth decay in the early stages of the disease. As your child consumes fluoride from drinking water, his teeth absorb it so that they can form and maintain their strength. Fluoride also helps protect the surface of your child’s teeth from foods, such as sugar, that can lead to cavities and tooth decay. Most bottled water does not supply fluoride so your child should drink some tap water each day.

Reduces Consumption of Sugary Beverages

The rate of soda consumption among children continues to increase, which means that many children drink more sugary drinks than water. Sharron Dalton reports in her book, “Our Overweight Children,” that making water readily available to your children may reduce how many sugary drinks she consumes. Provide your child with a refillable water bottle that she is only allowed to drink water from. Encourage her to fill it up several times a day and she will be quenching her thirst with healthy water rather than sugar-filled drinks. Restrict sugary drinks for occasional treats.

Prevents Dehydration

Your child’s body needs a constant supply of water to ensure that his body is able to carry out all of the functions that allow him to learn, grow and be physically active. When your child does not drink enough water, he may experience mild dehydration, which can cause him to feel tired and leave him without any energy. KidsHealth adds that if your child is dehydrated, he may also exhibit symptoms like dry mouth and a lack of urination. Offer your child water throughout the day and increase how much he drinks when he is playing hard, exercising or otherwise being physically active.

Flushes Out Toxins and Carries Nutrients

Water plays many roles in your child’s body, and getting rid of toxins that can lead to illness is one of the most important. When your child supplies her body with a steady stream of water, it will help flush out her organs so that toxins are not able to cause damage. MayoClinic.com adds that when your child supplies her body with water, the nutrients she consumes from her food are more likely to be efficiently transported to all of her internal organs.

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]]> http://azhealth247.com/benefits-of-drinking-water-for-children/feed/ 0 Miralax or Psyllium With Pain Meds http://azhealth247.com/miralax-or-psyllium-with-pain-meds/ http://azhealth247.com/miralax-or-psyllium-with-pain-meds/#comments Sun, 03 Apr 2011 01:54:41 +0000 admin http://azhealth247.com/miralax-or-psyllium-with-pain-meds/ Overview Opioids, or narcotics, are among the most commonly prescribed analgesic medications in America. They are effective painkillers, but they possess side effects that can significantly impact your quality of life. The risks of habituation and addiction from long-term use of narcotics are well-known and highly publicized, but other, more mundane problems are more likely [...] Related posts:
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Overview

Opioids, or narcotics, are among the most commonly prescribed analgesic medications in America. They are effective painkillers, but they possess side effects that can significantly impact your quality of life. The risks of habituation and addiction from long-term use of narcotics are well-known and highly publicized, but other, more mundane problems are more likely to accompany your use of these medications. Sedation, impaired judgment and slowed reflexes may limit your ability to drive or work, and constipation could have you reaching for a laxative.

Narcotics and Constipation

According to the October 2006 “American Family Physician,” constipation is the most common adverse effect associated with opioid use. Opioids decrease the muscular activity in your intestine, which slows the movement of material through your gastrointestinal tract. This allows your gut to reabsorb more water from your stool than it normally would, which decreases the fluidity of the stool and makes it more difficult to eliminate.

Pain Reduces Mobility

Increasing your intake of fluid and fiber sometimes helps to alleviate constipation, no matter what the underlying cause might be. Physical activity is also helpful, as it tends to increase gastrointestinal motility. However, if you are taking pain medications, your activity level has probably already decreased due to your underlying condition. Furthermore, the deleterious effects of opioids on balance and reflexes could impair your ability to exercise or even walk safely.

Miralax

Miralax, or polyethylene glycol, is an osmotic laxative. It acts like a chemical sponge that draws water into your gut, increases the fluidity of your stool and accelerates the movement of material through your gastrointestinal tract. It can cause bloating, cramping, flatulence and diarrhea. According to RxList, no interactions between Miralax and other drugs have been identified. However, this laxative could hasten the movement of pain medications through your intestine, thereby decreasing their absorption.

Psyllium

Psyllium husks are a bulk-forming, soluble fiber. By absorbing water in your intestine, psyllium increases the bulk of your stool. This, in turn, stimulates intestinal movement and improved elimination. Psyllium’s major side effects are bloating and flatulence. RxList cites several psyllium-drug interactions, including carbamazepine, warfarin and diabetes medications. Because psyllium is a fiber, it binds to these agents and prevents their absorption. Pain medications could conceivably suffer this same fate.

Considerations

Constipation is a common side effect of opioid pain medications. Miralax and psyllium are both reasonable approaches to constipation caused by opioids, but experts at the National Institute of Pain note that most patients taking pain medications are unsatisfied with their bowel function, even when laxatives are used. Miralax should be used conservatively to avoid diarrhea, and psyllium should be taken at least two hours apart from your pain medications to avoid interference with absorption. If you are taking pain medications, ask your doctor about the best way to deal with constipation.

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]]> http://azhealth247.com/miralax-or-psyllium-with-pain-meds/feed/ 0 How Good Nutrition & Exercise Help Children’s Physical Development http://azhealth247.com/how-good-nutrition-exercise-help-childrens-physical-development/ http://azhealth247.com/how-good-nutrition-exercise-help-childrens-physical-development/#comments Sun, 03 Apr 2011 01:54:41 +0000 admin http://azhealth247.com/how-good-nutrition-exercise-help-childrens-physical-development/ Overview Establishing patterns of healthy eating and exercise through both structured programs and recreational activities builds the foundation for a healthy and disease-free life for the generations of tomorrow. An estimated 1 in 3 children are overweight, and 1 in 6 are obese, according to the American Psychological Association. These statistics are tracking children as [...] Related posts:
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Overview

Establishing patterns of healthy eating and exercise through both structured programs and recreational activities builds the foundation for a healthy and disease-free life for the generations of tomorrow. An estimated 1 in 3 children are overweight, and 1 in 6 are obese, according to the American Psychological Association. These statistics are tracking children as young as 6 years old into their late teens, predisposing this age group to serious health risks, including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, high cholesterol, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Illustrating to youth the importance of making healthy choices early on will help them live a higher quality of life and reach optimum physical development.

Behavorial Benefits

Proper nutritional intake includes a variety of whole-food sources coming from complex carbohydrates, lean proteins and healthy fats, which provide the necessary fuel for your body to process foods and break them down for energy. This allows your body to pump oxygen-rich blood throughout your body, including to your brain. According to the American Heart Association, 10 percent of adolescents ages 12 to 19 have cholesterol levels exceeding 200 mg/dl. Implementing a healthy diet is imperative for cognitive development and critical learning. Exercise also helps children feel more positively about their bodies and what they are capable of doing physically, while helping them to deal with emotions they may not have experienced before during their development. These emotions might include anxiety, sadness or stress resulting from new relationships with friends, or obstacles in the classroom.

Building a Better Body

Healthy eating and exercise also aids in building a strong immune system, which is imperative during the years of development to protect the body from various illnesses and equip it to deal with them in the future. Building strong, solid muscles and bones is also important from a functional fitness standpoint, because it makes the daily activities of life much less stressful on the body. Also, keeping body fat to a minimum is something that should be maintained for life, and if this is something that is monitored during early development, it makes the maintenance of it much simpler as the body grows and ages, and alleviates many of the illness mentioned. It also aids in eliminating excess stress on the muscles, joints and bone structure. This also helps alleviate postural problems that can occur during development.

Avoidance of Eating Disorders

Establishing healthy eating patterns and experiencing positive emotions resulting from exercise and recreational activities can help combat insecurities about the body’s appearance, especially in young girls. Understanding portion control and making whole, healthy food choices can help eliminate the dangerous cycle of starvation diets, using diet pills or laxatives and in serious cases becoming anorexic or bulimic. These conditions can result in extreme malnutrition and iron deficiencies, which can stunt healthy growth and development and in some cases lead to death.

Implementing Physical Activity

The American Heart Association recommends that children receive a minimum of 20 minutes of exercise per day. After a long day sitting at a desk, children should stay active after school instead of coming home and sitting in front of the television. Children spend an average of three hours in front of the television when they return home from school, so keeping them involved after school provides a healthy dose of activity. Involving them in sports they enjoy not only provides them with exercise but also helps establish team work and a sense of belonging. Implementing chores around the house that are functional in nature such as mowing the lawn, raking the leaves or scrubbing the floor help to build coordination, maturity and strength while also teaching them responsibility, all important factors for healthy growth and development.

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]]> http://azhealth247.com/how-good-nutrition-exercise-help-childrens-physical-development/feed/ 1 Healthy Diet for Constipation http://azhealth247.com/healthy-diet-for-constipation/ http://azhealth247.com/healthy-diet-for-constipation/#comments Sun, 03 Apr 2011 01:54:40 +0000 admin http://azhealth247.com/healthy-diet-for-constipation/ Overview Constipation is defined as infrequent or difficult bowel movements. Regular movements vary among individuals. For some, bowel movements are daily; for others, they may be three to four times per week. According to MayoClinic.com, fewer than three bowel movements per week may require treatment. Constipation can result from poor diet, inadequate water consumption and [...] Related posts:
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Overview

Constipation is defined as infrequent or difficult bowel movements. Regular movements vary among individuals. For some, bowel movements are daily; for others, they may be three to four times per week. According to MayoClinic.com, fewer than three bowel movements per week may require treatment. Constipation can result from poor diet, inadequate water consumption and even stress. Consult your healthcare provider if you experience constipation. He or she may recommend simple dietary changes.

Water

Water is essential for all life to function properly. Requirements for daily water intake depend on your gender and level of activity. Replenishing water lost through sweat, respiration and excretion provides the minimum amount needed. This can range from 1.5 to 2.5 liters per day. One common formula is 8 cups, or 64 oz. per day, which is a little less than 2 liters. However, if you suffer from sluggish bowels, you may want to consider increasing the amount of water you drink on a daily basis above the minimum requirement. MayoClinic.com recommends consuming as much as 13 cups per day for men and 9 cups per day for women.

Fiber

The two kinds of fiber are soluble and insoluble. Both are found in the various plants we consume. Soluble fiber helps absorb cholesterol during digestion. Insoluble fiber cannot be absorbed and provides bulk in the intestines. Both kinds are important for digestion and elimination. Not consuming enough dietary fiber can lead to constipation. A healthy diet should have anywhere from 20 to 35 g of fiber daily. Examples of high-fiber foods include whole-wheat spaghetti, with 6.2 g per cup; oatmeal, with 4 g per cup; baked beans, with 10.4 g per cup; peas, with 8.8 g per cup; and black beans, with 15 g per cup.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fresh fruits and vegetables are not only a great source of fiber, but they also contain additional water. Include a good portion of raw fruits and vegetables in your diet, as water and soluble fiber may be lost during cooking. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food pyramid, adults require 2 1/2 to 3 cups of vegetables and 1 1/2 to 2 cups of fruit each day. Examples of high-fiber, vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables include: one medium pear, with 5.5 g of fiber; one medium apple, with 4.4 g; 1 cup of raspberries, with 8 g; one medium artichoke, with 10.3 g; and broccoli, with 5.1 g per cup.

Exercise

Regular exercise helps stimulate intestinal activity. Exercise has the added benefit of controlling your weight and helping to relieve stress. At least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise should be done each day. However, this does not mean you have to go to the gym on a daily basis to treat constipation. The key is to keep the body moving and stay active. Some obvious examples of exercise include jogging, biking, hiking, swimming, aerobics and weight training. However, do not discount yard work such as gardening and mowing the lawn, housework or practicing an active hobby or favorite sport.

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]]> http://azhealth247.com/healthy-diet-for-constipation/feed/ 0 Creative Movement Activities for Toddlers http://azhealth247.com/creative-movement-activities-for-toddlers/ http://azhealth247.com/creative-movement-activities-for-toddlers/#comments Sun, 03 Apr 2011 01:54:39 +0000 admin http://azhealth247.com/creative-movement-activities-for-toddlers/ Overview Creative movement allows toddlers to have fun, enjoy the freedom of physical activity and use their creativity in ways that builds self-esteem. Creative movement also has a more practical use since carefully selected activities that target specific learning goals help toddlers develop motor skills, reach educational milestones and learn about communication and problem-solving. Creative [...] Related posts:
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Overview

Creative movement allows toddlers to have fun, enjoy the freedom of physical activity and use their creativity in ways that builds self-esteem. Creative movement also has a more practical use since carefully selected activities that target specific learning goals help toddlers develop motor skills, reach educational milestones and learn about communication and problem-solving. Creative movement activities appeal to the whole child by connecting movement to self-expression and learning.

Large Muscle Development

Creative movement activities can focus on large muscle development while allowing your toddler to express his unique personality through role playing and other games of pretend and make-believe. Follow the Leader allows each toddler to take a turn leading the group. The leader pretends to be different kinds of animals, such as a duck or a horse, or parts of nature like leaves and snowflakes or just go through a series of movements like jumping, hopping and skipping. The rest of the group follows and imitates the leader. The Guess What I Am activity requires your toddlers to take turns acting out an animal or a person, such as a fireman, while the other children try to answer the question.

Following Directions

Combine singing with physical activity to help your toddler learn new words and improve her ability to follow directions. Teach new songs by making up new lyrics to familiar tunes. For instance, use the tune “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush” with words that describe activities performed, such as “This is the way we pick up our toys” or “This is the way we set the table.” Add the names of the toddlers to verses in the song, such as “This is the way Steve stacks the blocks,” to add to the fun and interest.

Music and Rhythm

An activity using music can teach toddlers about concepts such as rhythm, fast and slow while allowing them to move, dance and contribute to the sound. Play music while your toddlers march or dance in place and teach them to clap or stomp their feet to the beat. Demonstrate fast beats, slow beats and double beats. Encourage your toddlers to perform jumping jacks to the beat of the music or create their own dance moves to interpret the music. Extend this activity to another day by having the toddlers make their own rhythm noise-makers with arts and craft items and interpreting the music again.

Fine Motor Skills

Engage your toddlers in a creative movement activity that only requires finger play and learning to recite or interpret simple poems, such as “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Teach your toddlers the finger movements to go with the poems or allow them to make up their own finger movements to the short poem “There Was a Little Turtle,” the text of which is available on the Productive Parenting website. This activity improves fine motor skills and language skills.

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]]> http://azhealth247.com/creative-movement-activities-for-toddlers/feed/ 0 Preschool Large Muscle Movement Exercises http://azhealth247.com/preschool-large-muscle-movement-exercises/ http://azhealth247.com/preschool-large-muscle-movement-exercises/#comments Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:01:08 +0000 admin http://azhealth247.com/preschool-large-muscle-movement-exercises/ Overview Exercise keeps preschoolers healthy and develops gross motor skills, or those involving the large muscles of the body. Activities such as jumping, hopping, climbing, catching and kicking all involve large muscle movement and develop strength and coordination in young bodies. These exercises need to be kept fun, capturing preschoolers’ imaginations to keep them engaged [...] Related posts:
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Overview

Exercise keeps preschoolers healthy and develops gross motor skills, or those involving the large muscles of the body. Activities such as jumping, hopping, climbing, catching and kicking all involve large muscle movement and develop strength and coordination in young bodies. These exercises need to be kept fun, capturing preschoolers’ imaginations to keep them engaged and excited.

Jumping Exercises

Preschoolers love to move. Jumping exercises are great for strengthening the large muscles in their lower body. Place colored dots on the floor, and have the kids jump from one dot to the next with both feet. Next, have them jump backward and then sideways. For another exercise, lay a towel folded in half lengthwise out on the sidewalk. The preschooler should try to jump over the “brook” without falling in. The towel can be unfolded and later two towels can be used to make it more challenging.

Hopping, Flying and Climbing

Acting like an animal is part of a child’s imagination games, and such imitations can be incorporated into exercise. Have the preschoolers hop on both feet around the room like a bunny and then hop on one leg. Or you can have them make some lily pads and hop from one lily pad to the next like a frog. For another animal-base exercise, have the preschoolers pick their favorite bird and flap their “wings” around the backyard.

Take preschoolers to the park for a fun climbing adventure, having them imitate an animal that climbs, like a monkey or squirrel. Most playgrounds have a separate area for preschoolers. This area is usually equipped with child-sized climbing equipment for them to play on. Climbing builds strength in their upper and lower bodies.

Catching and Kicking

Throwing and kicking balls are exercises that preschoolers enjoy. The preschoolers can sit cross-legged, tossing a soft ball up and then catching it. Make sure they watch the ball and give it a big hug when it lands in their hands. Playing catch with a partner works on their throwing and catching skills, developing hand-eye coordination and strength in the upper body. Preschoolers can also grab a friend and kick a ball back and forth to each other.

Games

Games are a great way for preschoolers to enjoy exercise and strengthen their large muscles. Duck, Duck Goose; tag; Hula-Hoop games; jump rope drills; and wheelbarrow races are exciting games that allow preschoolers to exercise and have fun. Playing basketball, football, T-ball and kickball are fun games that strengthen large muscles and improve a preschooler’s coordination.

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]]> http://azhealth247.com/preschool-large-muscle-movement-exercises/feed/ 0 Fluoride & Bone Cancer http://azhealth247.com/fluoride-bone-cancer/ http://azhealth247.com/fluoride-bone-cancer/#comments Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:01:07 +0000 admin http://azhealth247.com/fluoride-bone-cancer/ Overview Fluoride can be beneficial in the prevention of cavities. You drink fluoridated water, use fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash, and have your teeth coated with fluoride at the dentist office. Many people don’t realize, however, that consuming fluoride poses some health/” title=”health” class=”stronglinks”>health risks. Conditions such as bone cancer in men have been associated with [...] Related posts:
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Overview

Fluoride can be beneficial in the prevention of cavities. You drink fluoridated water, use fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash, and have your teeth coated with fluoride at the dentist office. Many people don’t realize, however, that consuming fluoride poses some health/” title=”health” class=”stronglinks”>health risks. Conditions such as bone cancer in men have been associated with fluoride use.

Fluoride and Bone Cancer

A study published in the May 2006 issue of “Cancer Causes and Control” showed a correlation between osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, in males and fluoride exposure in drinking water during childhood. Bone cancer incidence was not consistent among females. The researchers concluded, however, that further studies are required to support or disprove these results.

Possible Mechanism

Most of the fluoride you consume is stored in your bones, especially during times of rapid bone growth. Fluoride can be a mutagen, causing the formation of irregular bone cells and leading to bone cancer, according to the Fluoride Action Network. Since boys get bone cancer more often than girls and the condition is relatively rare, the difference fluoride can make is more obvious for this population.

Considerations

The National Cancer Institute claims that there isn’t sufficient evidence that fluoride increases bone cancer risk. The research that they list on their statement regarding fluoridated water, however, only includes studies conducted up to 1999. More research is needed to determine whether there is a connection between bone cancer in males and fluoridation.

Need for Fluoridated Water

The reasoning behind fluoridated water is to reduce cavities. Fluoride, however, works best for this purpose when applied to the surface of the teeth, not when ingested. The prevalence of cavities has gone down since the start of water fluoridation both in areas where water is fluoridated and areas where it is not, according to the Fluoride Action Network. This calls into question whether fluoridation of water is worth the potential health risks.

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]]> http://azhealth247.com/fluoride-bone-cancer/feed/ 0 Does Aerobic Exercise Increase IQ? http://azhealth247.com/does-aerobic-exercise-increase-iq/ http://azhealth247.com/does-aerobic-exercise-increase-iq/#comments Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:01:07 +0000 admin http://azhealth247.com/does-aerobic-exercise-increase-iq/ Overview IQ stands for intelligence quotient, and IQ tests aim to measure a person’s intelligence. It consists of different areas including but not limited to reasoning, induction, spatial visualization and verbal comprehension. Its earliest uses were employed to identify students with reduced mental capacity. While scientific research supports the idea that intelligence is largely an [...] Related posts:
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Overview

IQ stands for intelligence quotient, and IQ tests aim to measure a person’s intelligence. It consists of different areas including but not limited to reasoning, induction, spatial visualization and verbal comprehension. Its earliest uses were employed to identify students with reduced mental capacity. While scientific research supports the idea that intelligence is largely an inherited trait, certain outside factors, such as increased physical exercise, have been shown to increase IQ.

Exercise and Brain health

Exercise increases the amount of blood, oxygen and glucose — the body’s primary energy source — that reaches the brain. Psychologist Richard E. Nesbitt, who authored a book on increasing intelligence, says physical activity involving the large muscle groups increases the production of neurons, which are brain cells that process and transmit information.

Children’s IQ and Exercise

A study conducted at Georgia health/” title=”health” class=”stronglinks”>health Sciences University, the findings of which were published in the January 2011 issue of “health Psychology,” sought to examine the effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive function and academic achievement. Gwen Dewar PhD, who reviewed the study, says increases in IQ were modest but statistically significant. The more exercise the better it seems — the group that exercised the longest had greater increases.

Young Adult’s IQ and Exercise

A Swedish study published in a 2009 issue of “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” compiled data of over 1.2 million Swedish men in the military to examine possible links between fitness and intelligence. Researchers examined results of IQ and fitness tests at the time the men enrolled and found a strong link between high levels of fitness and higher IQ scores. These men scored particularly strong in aspects of the test dealing with logical thinking and verbal comprehension.

Pre-Natal Exercise and Children’s IQ

For women currently expecting a child or planning to become pregnant, your level of physical activity during pregnancy could influence your child’s intelligence. According to Nesbitt, children whose mothers exercised about 30 minutes a day during pregnancy scored about eight points higher on IQ tests compared to those whose mothers did not exercise. If you add breastfeeding for at least six months into the mix, your child’s IQ could go up an additional six points.

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