FitSugar

Healthy To-Do: Check Your Skin

FitSugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:30:00 -0700

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Today, take some time out to check your skin for suspicious moles and markings, which could lead to skin cancer.

Put yourself in front of a mirror, naked, and scan your entire body, especially body parts you don't see on a regular basis, like your back. If you'd like a trained eye to examine your skin, the Skin Cancer Foundation is offering free screenings at locations around the country now through September with its Road to Healthy Skin Tour; it is veritable mobile dermatologist office. Check this calendar that has the events listed by state - it will visit more than 80 locations.

If you're not sure what you are looking for, check out these four warning signs for skin cancer, with visual representations of healthy moles versus questionable ones.

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Healthy To-Do: Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

FitSugar — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0800

At the beginning of the year, it's a great idea to check all the smoke detectors in your home, and replace batteries as necessary. That's not the only detector you need though. Aside from a fire, carbon monoxide (CO) is something else to think about. This gas is colorless, tasteless, odorless, and is lethal in high concentrations. CO is produced by many of your household appliances, and if they aren't working properly or aren't properly ventilated, CO can build up in the air leading to carbon monoxide poisoning. This can cause symptoms similar to the flu, including headaches, nausea, and fatigue, and prolonged exposure may result in brain damage and even death. Since it's the number one cause of accidental deaths in the US (500 a year), it's important to know if the CO levels in your home are safe.

To be sure, install carbon monoxide detectors in your home. You can get one that plugs into an outlet ($49), or they also make Combo Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors ($48). If you're only installing one, put it where the majority of you sleep. If you can afford it, put one on every level for added safety. I am curious if you have a CO detector in your home. Tell me in the comments section below.

Healthy To-Do: Just Say No to TV

FitSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:00 -0800

I will admit after a long day of working and mothering, sitting on the couch, remote in hand, always sounds like the perfect way to wind down and decompress. But I am here to say, don't give into the new opiate of the masses, turn off the boob tube and do something else - it could make you happy.

Watching TV is pleasurable, I am not arguing with that, but a newly released long-term study from the University of Maryland found that those who watch more TV are less happy. The 34-year-long study, involving over 45,000 participants, found that watching TV made viewers happy in the short term, but had no long-term benefits, leaving people a little dissatisfied with their choice to veg on the coach. Watching TV interferes with activities that might be less enjoyable in the moment, but provide long-term satisfaction. The study cited socializing, reading book, and sex as activities happy people did about 30 percent more than the unhappy TV watchers.

We all know that there are surprising health benefits associated with getting it on, but another activity that leaves folks feeling relaxed and pleased with themselves is exercise. Hey, I am FitSugar; so of course I am going to argue the benefits of choosing working out over TV.

So instead of watching an hour of television tonight, try just a 30 minutes. Then do so some yoga, call a friend, get it on with your partner, or read a book. It just might help you become the healthy, happy you.

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Healthy To-Do: Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:00:00 -0800

Whether we like it or not, cold and flu season is officially upon us. We do everything we can to strengthen our immune system and take care of our bodies with plenty of sleep and healthful food, but the germs often find their way in no matter how hard we try to keep them out. If you were lucky to dodge seasonal sicknesses last Winter than you probably have stale meds in your cabinet from the last time you were ill.

Take five minutes to go through your medicine cabinet and check the expiration date on every bottle or box. If you do happen to get sick, you won't waste your time or money going to the pharmacy to buy something you already have. Take this tip one step further by jotting down your medicine inventory on an index card so you're not forced to jog your memory in the midst of a killer cold headache.

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Healthy To-Do: Volunteer For a Cause You Love

FitSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:00:45 -0700

Doing community service is good for the world, but did you know it can also be good for your health? Giving your time to a worthy cause can increase your overall happiness.

Fittingly, I learned this while reading a story in Woman's Day entitled "What Doctors Wish You'd Do" - while waiting for a doctor's appointment. According to the article, volunteers who donated just 40 hours of their time per year lived longer than the average person. Plus, it gets you out and socializing with other people, which has been shown to help reduce the risk of depression and Alzheimer's.

Take a tip from Mia Hamm, shown here teaching kids about flu vaccines and soccer, and pick a cause that gets you moving. Plant a community garden, work at a local food bank, or coach a youth sports team. What healthy causes do you devote your time to?

Healthy To-Do: Get Your Eyes Checked

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Suffering from dry eyes and blurry vision, major league baseball player Brain McCann, catcher for the Atlanta Braves, was recently outfitted for glasses after having his eyes checked.

While most of us don't depend on our peepers to track incoming curve balls, we all rely on our eyes for just about everything. This is why it is important to have your eyes checked regularly. The American Optometric Association recommends that adults have their eyes checked at least every two years. Early detection with vision problems means corrective action is easier to make, and the health of your eyes can be an early warning sign of diabetes. If you are one of the 81 percent of Americans who wear corrective lenses, be they glass or contacts, make an appointment to have your eyes checked. Your eyes may have changed and correcting your prescription can save you a lot of headaches, and I mean that literally.

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Healthy To-Do: Make a Summer Safety Kit

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:30:00 -0700

I recently attended my first outdoor concert of the Summer and was dismayed, after a trip to the portapotty, to find that I had no hand sanitizer in my bag. I usually make it a point to carry antibacterial wipes or spray for all of my Summer hiking, camping, walking, and concert excursions.

Inspired by my newly updated first aid kit, I decided to assemble a Summer safety kit to toss in my backpack. In addition to a small bottle of hand sanitizer, I included a few handiwipes, a small can of bug spray, a travel tube of sunscreen, and a few Band-aids to treat any potential blisters on long walks or hikes. I'll make sure to keep it stocked throughout the season, so I'll always be prepared.

Is there anything else you think I should add?

Healthy To-Do: Call Your Doc For Test Results

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:00:32 -0700

If you listen to the news at all, then you know our healthcare system is a mess. Doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants - they're all overworked. If you recently had a medical test, be it a cholesterol screening or pap smear, you should follow up with your doc and to find out the test results. We like to think that no news is good news, but that is not always the case. A recent study found one out of 14 times medical offices failed to notify patients of abnormal test results and lab work. Do yourself a healthy favor and ring your doctor's office if you haven't heard about your latest test results.

Healthy To-Do: Update Your First Aid Kit

FitSugar — Sun, 17 May 2009 03:30:00 -0700

I recently cut myself pretty badly while chopping veggies and when I went to my first aid kit to get some Neosporin, I realized I was all out.

So learn from my mistake and take some time this weekend to update your first aid kit and medicine cabinet. Throw out expired products and make sure you're stocked up on the necessities. I made a little checklist of some things you may need in case you get sick or hurt so read more.

Antiseptic solution or towelettes
Cotton balls
Antibiotic cream such as Neosporin
Bandages including band-aids and gauze
Adhesive tape
Latex gloves
Instant ice packs
Tweezers and a sterile needle
Sterile eyewash, such as a saline solution
Thermometer
Anti-diarrhea medication such as Pepto-Bismol
Anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen
Pain reliever such as Tylenol
Hydrocortisone cream

Healthy To-Do: Toss Expired Food From Your Cupboards

FitSugar — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Now that Spring is on its way, I'm sure you'll be enjoying all the fresh fruits and veggies in the produce section, which means you'll be eating less wintry foods. So this weekend, take some time to go through your cupboards and pantry to check the expiration dates on cans of soup, veggies, beans, and other items. It's not healthy to eat food that is past its prime, and you can make room for new food once you ditch the old stuff. If a food is almost expired, now is your chance to use it up before it expires and your money goes to waste.