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You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

is probiotics in all yogurts? . i'm just wondering since yogurts have "live active cultures". and there's a new market for "probiotic" items. do all yogurts have these "probiotics" in them?

probiotics are live microorganisms that preliminary research suggests might have a useful effect on your health. your body’s digestive system already contains hundreds of different types of bacteria beneficial and necessary for the digestion process. probiotics are specific bacteria that are thought to help regulate the digestive system by managing certain gastrointestinal conditions like diarrhea constipation or inflammatory bowel disease. not all yogurts contain probiotics however. to ensure that the specific brand of yogurt that you’re looking to purchase contains probiotics make sure that the label says that it contains “live active cultures”. you can also read the ingredient list to determine which bacteria specifically since different types of bacteria are thought to promote different health benefits. for example the probiotic bacterium specifically promoted by dannon activia yogurt is bifidus regularis which among other claims is suggested to help alleviate constipation to keep you regular. it’s important to keep in mind that in order to continually see any of these suggested health benefits that you would need to regularly consume these products. yogurt with or without probiotics can provide many great health benefits. check out this webmd article for more information: <link>.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

should i continue exercise if i have a cold or bronchitis? . i developed sinus pressure and chest congestion. i continued my running. when my symptoms didn't improve after 3 weeks i went to a doctor who gave me a steroid and an antibiotic but said it was okay to keep running. i recovered mostly though i still felt the symptoms a little. last night i developed a dry cough which feels again to be in my chest and i have a little sinus pressure again. my exercise helps me mentally but is it the cause of my prolonged problem?

deciding to exercise while you’re sick can depend a lot on your illness and your symptoms. to be honest the answer to your question often depends on who you’re asking since there really doesn’t seem to be a clear consensus or agreement. i personally feel more often than not that it’s best to take time to rest and recover from your illness before continuing with exercise. my rationale comes from a physiological standpoint. basically exercise can put a lot of stress on your body and your immune system is the only way that your body fights infections and pathogens that make you sick. when you exercise you’re devoting some of your body’s resources towards recovery from exercise instead of recovery from illness. in some instances exercise may even make you sicker or even prolong your illness. you also have to consider how comfortable you would feel while exercising with some of your various symptoms. medication may help alleviate some symptoms but otherwise how would you feel trying to go for a run if you’re congested or have a persistent cough? if you choose to exercise while sick you should consider decreasing your exercise intensity frequency or duration until you fully recover. please be considerate by following proper gym etiquette if you choose to work out in a gym. check out this webmd article for more input and guidance: <link>. i have the same symptoms. i feel its closer to the bronchitis side of things because of the clear mucus i cough when i am not riding. i am able to comfortably take my heart rate over 160 but i still have a cough which lasts for weeks after an upper respiratory tract infection (generally also involving the sinuses. i also get the odd drainage from my sinuses after/during a hot shower for example which seems to clear them. my explanation is as follows: when i am riding outdoors in the summer i breath a lot of pollens (i am not in the city) a little exhaust and this will tend to exacerbate an existing irritation. corticosteroids have limited effect to reduce the irritation but can reduce an acute irritation to the point where it is no longer chronic and my body's defenses can make a difference. thus its a combination of factors which typically plays out in the following order 1. bad cold/urt infection (5 days) 2. chronic cough (1 week to 8 weeks) but lungs good enough to exercise. 3. clear 2-8 months managing the level 2 is what this is all about. on occasions where i have been at the coast swimming in the sea often clears things up much faster. (which supports the sinus/allergen/irritant theory).

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

why do i yawn after 30-40 minutes of exercising?

it doesn’t seem like anyone really knows exactly why some people yawn during or after exercise but there are some theories. one thought is that you may be trying to get more oxygen. think about what a yawn actually is; a long deep breath of air. this deep breath may serve as a means to get more oxygen into your body which makes sense because exercise can make your body oxygen-deprived. yawning can also increase heart rate and blood pressure helping to increase the cardiac output that your heart might need during exercise. some research suggests that yawning could actually provide a cooling effect as a way to regulate your core body temperature after exercise as well. of course you may just be yawning because you’re fatigued or sleep deprived or it could be a side effect of some medications too. there really isn’t one single answer as to why we yawn during or after exercise. excessive yawning may be the sign of an underlying health condition however so please consult your doctor for further guidance. iron deficiency

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what's best of day to check your blood pressure. my pressure changes all the time when i check it at different times. i'm 74 and a active person. thomas

keep in mind that your blood pressure can vary naturally throughout the course of a day. exercise or physical activity has a tendency to raise blood pressure so refrain from taking a reading afterwards. stress can influence blood pressure too. in fact white coat hypertension is a phenomenon where the anxiety of visiting with a doctor can raise blood pressure where it wouldn’t be elevated otherwise. make sure that you are measuring your blood pressure on a regular basis and at the same time of day controlling for as many confounding variables as possible. for these reasons measuring your blood pressure first thing in the morning works well for some people. also because your blood pressure can vary it’s important to obtain many readings to observe a trend or pattern. the best way to check your blood pressure is manually through trained medical personnel. the accuracy of automated electronic blood pressure machines can vary depending on the quality of the device. some machines may need occasional calibration or maintenance too. to determine the accuracy of your home device take it with you the next time you go to the doctor and have a trained medical person measure your blood pressure manually and then compare it with your device. it is normal for blood pressure to change nearly every time you take it regardless of the time of day. the most important reading would then be the average reading so just take your bp a few times a day and write it down. as long as your average blood pressures are in the normal range minor daily fluctuations are usually not that important. my moms blood pressure is 56 over 40 what

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what should i do if i need more help to quit smoking?

there are many great resources available if you are looking to quit smoking. here's just a few of them: • webmd’s smoking cessation health center – lots of good information tools and resources to help you quit smoking. <link> • a list of other websites organizations and quitlines available to help with smoking cessation as well. <link> • webmd’s smoking cessation community – speak with other people going through the same process. <link> • try browsing webmd answers for similar questions that have already been answered by other experts searching for words like "cigarette" or "smoking cessation". • ask a human resource person if your place of employment or insurance company offers any tobacco cessation benefits. of course it's always recommended to speak with your doctor for more insight or information too. get individual group or telephone counseling to help you quit smoking. the more counseling you get the better your chances are of quitting for good. programs are given at local hospitals and health centers. call your local health department for information about programs in your area. also talk with your doctor or other health care provider. if you are finding it difficult to quit smoking then please do not hesitate to take help. you can take help from a counselor so some family members you can help you to quit. also you could enroll in programs to do so.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

if your doctor refuses to test you for something you think you have should you switch doctors? . i've been reading about my symptoms on the internet and i'm pretty sure i may have adult sids but my doctor refuses to run tests for it. how can i make him run the tests without making him mad? i want to do it tactfully. i feel like he's not listening. he just looks at me like i'm crazy when i express my concerns. should i switch doctors?

you should always have the final say with what goes on with your health and your body. if you believe you have a health condition you did a good thing to express your concerns with your doctor. unfortunately your doctor doesn’t seem to be legitimizing or validating your concerns. your doctor may have good reason however to not support your claims. think back to the explanation that your doctor provided for you – is there any possibility that he or she could be right? research online is great but medical advice from a doctor is of course very credible as well. your doctor may have limited exposure to the condition though so maybe you could find a specialist in the area. it’s important to consider the source of your information. another point to consider is that maybe you didn’t express yourself well enough. print out some of the research that you’ve found and try talking to your doctor about what could be causing some of the specific symptoms. in general it’s also important to consider the test itself too. how accurate and reliable is it? is it invasive or are there risks to having it done? what are the pros and cons of doing the testing? there’s no harm in getting a second opinion. just as different people may have different political views; doctors may have differing medical views as well. maybe you can find a different doctor that will better support your views or help you to understand why testing may not be in your best interest. you always have the right to change doctors especially if you have one who will not listen to your concerns. maybe he is not familiar with this condition called sads. <link>

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

if i have my undiagnosed hypertension diagnosed it will become a preexisting condition. why should i have it diagnosed? . in late 20s always around 160-170 lbs at 5'11. semi-active. havent had a checkup in over 10 years. hypertension has lessened some of what i could do but otherwise i've lived with it just fine. plus i have other medical issues that are more intrusive to my quality of life which will never go away. if i have hypertension diagnosed then it will become a preexisting condition and will cost me 10s if not 100s of thousands of dollars in added medical costs during my life.

i think this represents a very dangerous way of thinking. some of hypertension’s negative effects on the body if left untreated include stroke aneurysm heart attack congestive heart failure coronary artery disease nerve damage eye problems kidney damage or damage to your arteries (just to name a few). is it really worth gambling your health to potentially save money? consider this how much will your health insurance costs go up if you end up having a stroke or any one of those conditions from untreated hypertension? for some people hypertension can be managed through modifiable lifestyle behaviors (such as diet exercise stress management or weight management) while others simply have a genetic predisposition towards having high blood pressure. the bottom line is that although things like diet and exercise are always encouraged they alone may not be enough for you to properly manage your high blood pressure. meet with your doctor to discuss treatment and management options. i'm not sure what you mean by hypertension or what method you are using to determine you have it. however untreated high blood pressure is a dangerous disease with consequences that can reduce your quality of life cause serious chronic disease or kill you. it has been implicated in altzheimer's disease as well. if you are not diagnosed you will not be able to receive treatment. you are very young and deserve to have a beautiful life--don't risk it by not taking care of yourself.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

does 2 or 2 1/2 glasses of wine a day caues high blood preasure?

although consuming a moderate amount of alcohol can have some potential health benefits drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure. a moderate amount of alcohol consumption per day is considered 2 servings for men (under 65 years old) and 1 serving for women and men over 65 years old. a serving is considered: 12 ounces of beer 5 ounces of wine or 1. 5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits so the answer to your question depends on if you’re male or female how old you are and whether you’re having an appropriate serving size. if you’re already an alcohol drinker small amounts of alcohol may actually lower your blood pressure but this isn’t to suggest that you start drinking if you don’t already. the potential benefits of alcohol need to be weighed against the possible detrimental health effects since consuming alcohol can lead to other health problems too. this would be an area to discuss further with your doctor. drinking too much alcohol in one sitting can temporarily raise your blood pressure and drinking too much on a regular basis can cause long term blood pressure problems. keep in mind that consuming excess alcohol can also increase calorie consumption which could possibly lead to weight gain another risk factor for hypertension. it’s typically not recommended to start drinking alcohol if you don’t already and it’s important to limit alcohol consumption to moderate amounts if you already consume alcohol. no yes yes if its a women.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

how can i encourage my family to eat fruit?

if you put beautiful apples out in plain sight people will eat them. one well-known hotel chain found this to be true. my daughter and i stayed at the marriott in long beach calif. every day the hotel has a basket filled with red apples and another filled with green apples on their front desk. it’s a visual cue to eat a crisp refreshing apple as a snack. all i can say is i saw people (teens especially) eating apples on the elevator and while walking out of the hotel. apples apples everywhere. i personally enjoyed one every single day that we stayed there. i had to ask: which was more popular … the red or the green? according to the front desk staffer at my hotel red is the winner but green apples appeal to plenty of people too (myself included). i call it the fruit basket phenomenon. it’s the opposite of “out of sight out of mind. ” if fruit is in view where you work and/or live you’re likely to eat more of it. so if you want to eat more fruit (and let’s hope you do) try putting fresh fruit out in plain view at home or at the office. the first step in encouraging your family to eat more fruit is to talk with them about it and problem solve it together. tell your family why you want them to get more fruit and ask them what’s keeping them from eating more. it’ll be important to get your family involved in this process so here are some ideas: • take them shopping with you and have them pick out fruits that they would be more likely to eat • experiment with unique or exotic fruits – who knows what you may end up liking • if you have kids encourage them to cook and prepare food with you – they may be more inclined to eat healthy food if they were involved in the process. • find creative ways to incorporate fruit – try making smoothies or to find dessert recipes centered around fruit • combine fruit with things that they’re already eating like cereal oatmeal yogurt salad or dessert remember you can’t expect your family to eat more fruit if it’s not readily available at home. one of the keys to success will be keeping healthy options like fruits readily accessible while keeping the unhealthy alternatives less available. given a choice between the two people often choose the less healthy option so make it convenient for them by cutting up fruit ahead of time and keep it in plain sight rather than hidden away in a crisper drawer. making an effort to incorporate fruits with each meal or as part of a snack will go a long way but it can be important to get them involved in the process. keep in mind that depending on their age and gender the usda recommends 1 to 2 cups of fruit per day.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

can taking protein supplements (to increase muscle mass) increase blood pressure? . i am a health coach at an organization that deals with worksite wellness. some participants who work out and take protein supplements creatine for example sometimes have a higher blood pressure. can taking these supplements increase blood pressure? or is there not any correlation at all?

it’s difficult to determine causation/correlation in this instance. some studies have shown that there may be a correlation between creatine and high blood pressure but there may not be enough evidence yet to support causation. a function of creatine is that it can withhold water in your muscles; and having more water in your body can raise blood pressure. for this reason diuretics (water pills) for example are commonly prescribed to alleviate high blood pressure by eliminating excess water and sodium from your body. accordingly it makes sense to think that creatine could raise blood pressure. i would encourage the individuals that you speak with to discontinue supplement use while monitoring any changes in their blood pressure. there can be many factors that influence blood pressure but if they discontinue supplement use and don’t notice any change in blood pressure after some time then creatine may not be the culprit. regardless if they already have high blood pressure supplementation is not recommended because both creatine and high blood pressure can cause kidney problems. excess protein in your diet can also cause kidney problems as well. it may just be prudent to discontinue supplement use altogether as long as their blood pressure isn't within normal limits. of course i would always encourage that you suggest that they speak with their doctor first before taking any supplements. my response is also just for learning purposes and is not meant to replace medical advice from a physician. read more about creatine here.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

quit smoking 8 days ago how long before the nicotine is out of my system. i am also taking chantix i have been taking it for seventeen day s now and feeling very good.

nicotine levels in your body will drop significantly between 8 to 12 hours after your last cigarette. your body won’t be completely nicotine-free until 24 to 72 hours afterwards however. do an internet search for “smoking cessation timeline” if you’re curious about some of the other benefits that you’ll notice by becoming smoke free. for example after 24 hours your risk of having a heart attack decreases dramatically and your ability to smell and taste will be enhanced after 48 hours. after years of having quit smoking your risk of developing cancer having a heart attack or having a stroke decrease significantly. quitting smoking is one of the most important things that you can do for your health. keep up the great work! my understanding is that the nicotine is out of your system within 24 hours.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

why does fiber makes me constipated? . i drink plenty of fluids and only started because i am over 50 and md suggested because of one internal hemorrhoid and one diverticulitis . i have always had the opposite. loose stools since a kid specially under stress lol. i have never had to use a laxative in my life. so whats the scoop? why since i have increased my fiber to more than 10 grams a day (additional) i have stools that wont move are are harder to pass? do i not need fiber and this is my bodies way of telling me?

fiber is typically beneficial in alleviating constipation but too much without enough water can actually cause constipation. keep in mind that there are two types of fiber soluble and insoluble. soluble fiber slows digestion and helps you absorb nutrients from food where insoluble fiber adds bulk to your stool helping it to pass more quickly through the intestines. most plant foods contain some of each but insoluble fiber is more common in wheat bran whole grains cereals seeds and the skins of many fruits and vegetables. you may have added too much fiber too soon. it might be beneficial to temporarily decrease your fiber intake for now so that you can slowly and gradually reintroduce it back into your diet allowing your body time to adjust to it better. you’re correct in drinking plenty of fluids since water is necessary to help fiber move stool out of your body. if you eat too much fiber without enough water you can become constipated so it may be worthwhile to also drink more water even if you feel as though you’re getting enough. according to the academy of nutrition and dietetics women should aim for 25 grams of fiber per day and men should aim for 38 grams per day. after the age of 50 the recommendations for fiber drop to 21 grams per day for women and 30 grams per day for men. you and your doctor may discuss different needs based on your current health conditions. another idea may be to try to incorporate foods that might have a natural laxative effect such as prunes psyllium seed husk bran and methylcellulose to alleviate your constipation. some people just respond poorly to increases in fiber so it may be beneficial to discuss this further with your doctor. thanks for your answer doctor. i have stopped the fiber. it was metamucil. so it was psyillium. and now i am back to normal. i was also drinking double up on the water and my stomach doubled in size with the bloating. i may try to do just one of the wafers a day instead of the 4 i worked my way up to but then again since my pain stopped and my stools resumed to normal i do not understand the need. i also do eat fruit and vegetables already as well. i think i will listen to my body rather than the "you need to do this" type of advise we are getting over all. i can say in my case fiber is not the answer to life lol

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what can i do if my adhd medication is unavailable for refill?

when someone has adhd it can take several weeks and sometimes even months for a physician to determine the correct type (class) of medication dose and treatment schedule to effectively reduce that patient’s adhd symptoms while at the same time limiting potential side effects. if you can’t get your medication there are several things you can do to try to get by until your medication is available again. substituting like-for-like is the best alternative. if a generic version of your medication is available try that first (example: methylphenidate for ritalin). talk to your physician about trying the short-acting version of the same medication you are on but take it more frequently. let people know that you are not able to take your medication and ask for their help and understanding. (parents be sure to send a note to school to inform your child’s teacher and ask for help). give yourself more time to accomplish a task. this might mean getting up earlier in the morning or asking for an extension on an assignment. if you tend to act impulsively put off making an important decision until you are back on your medication or at the very least sleep on it overnight. use tools to keep on task. set an alarm and check that you are doing what you are suppose to be doing. ask for more supervision or have someone check in with you more frequently. do the hardest tasks first or earlier in the morning when you are not as tired. get plenty of rest and exercise. exercise can decrease hyperactivity and that feeling of restlessness. take frequent breaks. get up and walk around and come back to a task after a few minutes to refocus. try to keep to the same routine. make lists and use lots of reminders. send yourself an email or voice mail or write on your hand if you need to. if driving is a problem ask someone else for a ride or take public transportation. forgive yourself and ask others to be more patient with you. don’t make excuses but do make a sincere effort to avoid problem situations or discussions that you know may get out of hand. don’t forget to eat. start your medication again as soon as it is available. plan ahead and keep a few pills in reserve for the next time that there is a shortage!

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

my weight has hit a plateau. what do i do?

there are several reasons why your weight can hit a plateau including: losing weight too quickly. when this happens your metabolism (the rate at which your body burns calories) can slow down because your body senses it is starving. rapid or large amounts of weight loss can slow your metabolism by as much as 40% in six months. losing muscle. when you lose weight up to 25% can come from muscle tissue. and since muscle is the engine in your body that burns calories and helps maintain your metabolism losing it can hinder weight loss. weightlifting can help preserve and build muscle. reaching your body's particular set point -- the weight and metabolic rate your body is genetically programmed to be. once you reach that point it's much harder to lose weight and even if you do you're likely to regain it. if you're at a weight at which you've hit a plateau in the past if your body generally seems to gravitate toward that weight and you're within a bmi (body-mass index) range of 20 to 25 then you may be at your set point. decreasing your physical activity and/or increasing your caloric intake. people lose weight all the time by reducing their caloric intake without doing any exercise but it's almost impossible to keep weight off without exercising. many scientists agree that physical activity is the single best predictor of whether a person will maintain a weight loss. other health factors including thyroid or adrenal gland problems; medications like antidepressants; quitting smoking; menopause; and pregnancy. even with any of the above factors the bottom line to losing weight is eating fewer calories than you burn. studies show that people almost always underestimate how many calories they're eating. so if you're struggling with weight loss you're still exercising and you've ruled out any of the above reasons for weight plateaus look at your calorie intake. as for exercise and weight plateaus sometimes a change in routine can help. instead of the treadmill try the bike or the stepper. instead of a dance class try a stretch and tone class. if you're not weight lifting this would be a good time to start. if you already do aerobic exercise try adding intervals (short bursts of higher-intensity exercise) to your aerobic workouts. and keep reminding yourself that if you maintain an active lifestyle and continue with healthy eating you will reach your goals. it can be frustrating when you’re putting so much hard work into losing weight only to hit a plateau. don’t be discouraged; a few simple changes may be all that you need. for exercise consider the f. i. t. t. principle: f – frequency – how often or how many days you exercise i – intensity – how hard you work during your exercise t – time – how long or how many minutes you spend per session. t – type – the type of activity that you are doing making adjustments in one of these areas could help you break through your plateau. of course the more that you do with your exercise the greater the benefits you should see from it. for example let’s say that your current exercise routine is walking three times per week for thirty minutes at a moderate intensity. you could add more days per week or spend more time per session to expend more calories and hopefully further boost your metabolism to promote weight loss. try increasing the intensity by walking at a quicker pace or incorporating intermittent bouts of jogging. you could also try carrying arm weights having a weighted backpack or incorporating more hills or inclines to challenge yourself further. your body may have just become accustomed to your exercise routine so sometimes it can also be helpful to change the type of activity as well. try different forms of cardiovascular exercise or try doing strength-building exercise if you’re not already. with nutrition try reassessing your dietary intake. in what ways can you eat healthier? can you eat out less often or drink less soda? what about having less chips pastries or candy? can you increase your fruit or vegetable intake? try food journaling to track and monitor your dietary intake so that you can better recognize areas for improvement. don’t forget to reevaluate your calorie needs as you continue to lose weight. keep working at it! often times the best way to break through a plateau is simply persistence! stay calm and don't worry about it the more you worry the worst its going to get how low do my carbs need to be to lose weight

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what are some easy excersises to do at work? . i work in a call center. i am in desperate need for some light activity through out the day. i try to get out and walk on my breaks but is there anything i can do at my desk to not only keep me active but to keep me awake as well?

sitting all day at a sedentary desk job can increase your risk for heart attack or stroke and can increase your risk of developing many other different health conditions. therefore it’s important to incorporate as much physical activity as possible throughout the day. first discuss your concerns with your employer to see how they may be able to help address your concerns. if your employer allows try setting up your desk so that you can occasionally stand while performing your normal work functions as some studies have demonstrated standing to be more favorable compared to sitting. although expensive some employers have been willing to equip their office with a treadmill desk that their employees can sign-up for and take turns using throughout the day. also set regular intervals to get up and walk around the office for five to ten minutes. frequent small breaks can help break up the prolonged sitting that is so detrimental to your health. try using a restroom or break room on an opposite side of the building or on a different floor altogether. try doing desk exercises as well. check out this article from webmd for ideas on how to incorporate stretching and exercise at your desk. stay active on a lunch break by taking advantage of any on-site or nearby fitness centers or even dedicating some time to go for a walk. remember every little bit counts. walking on your breaks is an excellent choice. however you might also want to work in some strengthening and stretching exercises as well. strengthening exercises (begin with one set of 10-15 repetitions and increase up to 3 sets of 15 repetitions for each exercise) 1. sit to stand: just like it says stand up then sit down. 2. body weight squat: with your feet shoulder width apart squat down as far as comfortable and then stand back up. 3. push-ups: yes just like you did in pe class back in the day. if you can't do them on the floor do standing push-ups standing an arms length from a wall bring your arms to chest level and lean into the wall so your hands are touching the wall then perform push-ups just like you would if you were lying on the floor. 4. floor crunches: lie on the floor with your feet flat knees bent and your hands clasped behind your head slowly lift your upper back off the floor pause and then lower down to the starting position. for some additional suggestions click on the links below the bonus is they are videos so you can see how to perform the exercise with perfect form decreasing the chance of injury. <link> <link> don't forget to stretch sitting hunched over in front of a computer day after day is a sure fire recipe for low back shoulder and neck pain. repeat each stretch 3 times 1. half moon stretch: seated at your desk sit up straight with both feet flat on the floor raise your arms over your head with your fingers pointing to the ceiling lift your torso up and then gently bend at the waist to one side (hold for a count of 10-15) return to the middle then repeat on the other side 2. chest stretch: sitting up straight in a chair with both feet flat on the floor and your back unsupported move your arms behind you then if you can clasp your hands. next gently raise your arms or hands to the ceiling while keeping your back straight. (hold for a count of 10-15 seconds) 3. neck rotation: sitting straight in your chair slowly turn your head to look over your shoulder hold for a count of 5 then turn your head back to the center and turn to the other side. for some more stretching ideas click on the link below: <link> try these and see how they work. however if its been a long time since you've exercised or if you have a history of illness or injury be sure to check with you doctor before starting.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

how do i know how much weight to lift?

when you first begin a strength training routine it’s always best that you start out with a much lower weight than you think necessary and progress until you reach an appropriate level. most people aim for 8-12 or 12-15 repetitions per set but don’t just stop your set because you reached some arbitrary number. it’s important to keep working your muscles until you reach muscular fatigue. if you find that you are doing an excessive amount of repetitions per set then it may be beneficial to increase the weight further to bring that number down to a more manageable number. if you’re doing too few repetitions consider decreasing the weight to bring the number up a bit since it may be too heavy of a weight for you. remember to always reevaluate what you’re doing while strength training. you want to be continually challenging yourself and progressing. try occasionally increasing the weight by small increments adding more repetitions to your set or adding more sets to your workout. if it might help some people will write down and keep a log of the weight number of sets and number of repetitions for each exercise that they do if you can’t recall off the top of your head. trial and error is the way to determine how much weight to lift. select a weight that looks close to what you think you can lift based on your goals. if general conditioning is your goal then select a weight you think you can lift eight to 12 reps (or 12-15 reps for beginners). if you can lift it 25 times with ease then it's too light and if you can lift it only four times then it's too heavy. there are no formulas to calculate this. simply decide what your goal is so you know how many reps to lift take a guess by looking at the weights and then give it a try. you'll get good at this quickly. find the ones you are most comfotable with the more comfortable you get the better they are

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

how important is it to maintain proper form when weight lifting?

most people agree that "proper form" during lifting is important but data to prove that proper form will prevent injuries or improve performance does not exist. in the american college of sports medicine position statement "progression models in resistance training for healthy adults " it is written "it is important to note that proper technique is used for any exercise velocity in order to reduce any risk of injury " but no research is provided to back up this statement. there's another factor to consider when thinking about form. that is if proper form were to be proven effective for injury prevention and performance improvement what would the form look like? for instance during biceps curls you're supposed to stand up straight and keep your shoulders back and weightlifting books contain suggestions like sitting up straight and relaxing your shoulders when doing leg extensions but so little of this advice is evidence-based that it's questionable if it should be recommended universally. perhaps more important is the fact that we all have different anatomy and biomechanics and so our bodies move differently when doing all sorts of activities. no one not even professional athletes throws a baseball exactly the same or swings a golf club the same or serves a tennis ball the same and so why should weightlifting be any different? this is not to say that one should be reckless when lifting but perhaps there is more to injury prevention than just proper form. the consensus amongst strength-training professionals is that many weightlifting injuries are due directly to individuals who lift aggressively with weight that is too heavy for their musculoskeletal system and that improper form is only indirectly the culprit. for instance if an individual is performing biceps curls with weight that is so heavy that they must lean way back to cheat the dumbbells up then they might put tremendous strain on the lower back and end up injuring a vertebral disc or straining a lumbar muscle. the poor form may have put the body in a position of weakness and vulnerability but it was the excess weight that was the root of the problem. here are some simple tips to keep in mind when weightlifting: for beginners: 1. select weights that you can comfortably lift 12-15 times to fatigue. as the months go by and you get stronger you can progress to heavier weights and fewer reps (8 to 12). 2. select simple exercises that target specific muscle groups and require less skill and coordination than complex multi-joint exercises like squats lunges power lifts and dead lifts. for example seated leg extensions might be a better choice than giant lunges across the gym until you feel comfortable with your skill. for everyone: 1. stop lifting if you feel strain in a joint. burning in the belly (middle) of the muscle is okay. 2. listen to your body. this is critical. focus on the muscle group that you are working and make sure you feel it there and not everywhere else. if you don't feel it in the muscle then adjust the angle of your arms or legs or hands until you do feel it. if you need help doing this then ask an experienced lifter to help or hire a trainer to instruct you. after all if you're going to spend time lifting you might as well maximize your workout. in summary if you (a) take your time and lift mindfully and (b) feel it in the belly of the muscle you're trying to work and not in the joints and (c) you select weights that your body can handle without having to cheat or force the weight up then the chances of injury are probably going to be reduced. proper form helps to ensure two things that you’re working the intended muscle and that you’re helping to minimize your risk of injury. basic strength training is designed to isolate a target muscle or muscle group through a set range of motion or action meant to improve muscular strength and endurance or to improve athletic performance. in other words not following proper form may leave you with less than desired results since you may not be working the specific muscle as intended. as for proper form helping to prevent injury there really isn’t much research to prove that claim necessarily. common sense however would suggest that performing high risk behaviors may increase your chances for injury. twisting jerking excessively forceful or high impact motions or movements may increase the risk for injury in an unconditioned person as will perhaps using muscles other than were intended for certain exercises. proper form alone or as part of series of actions can help to control your movement and technique to prevent injury.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

im 314lbs and trying to lose weight. i cant excercise 2 min before im gasping for air. how can i get a work out in?

first congratulations on taking this important first step in reducing your weight to a healthy level! i salute you. second be sure you've received the ok from your health care provider to undertake a diet and exercise program. if your doctor has cleared you to exercise then your shortness of breath may be normal simply due to your current size. don't let this discourage you. it may not be realistic for you to expect to perform say 20 minutes of aerobic activity at this point. that time will come. right now 2 minutes might actually be more realistic for you. i'd suggest you start with simply walking. if you can manage to walk for 2 minutes 10 times a day there's your 20 minutes. do that every day and you'll gradually build up stamina. if you've been watching one of those television shows where 300+ pound people engage in vigorous workouts and lose dramatic amounts of weight quickly i'd suggest you stop watching. in my opinion those programs do not depict a realistic vision of exercise for people who weigh over 300 pounds. the workouts shown on those programs are closely monitored by an entire medical team and can be dangerous for the average unsupervised exerciser. again i can't stress how much i admire you for your determination. try checking out webmd's diet community for support and access to experts who can help you on your journey. be patient. it may take you quite some time to lose all the weight you want to lose. remember to set intermediate goals and rewards along the way to stay motivated. best wishes to you! don’t give up! although you may not be able to exercise for long now you should expect to see less shortness of breath and better cardiovascular endurance the longer you stay consistent with your exercise routine. be sure that you’re not trying to do too much with your exercise. it may be best to start out with a low intensity level of exercise and expanding upon it as tolerated. it may not seem like a lot at first but you can slowly and gradually build up the duration and intensity of your exercise the more that you are able to adhere to it. remember your exercise doesn’t have to be done all in one session. divide it up and takes breaks to rest and recover if you need to and then pick it back up later. you may be able to continually shorten the amount of rest that you take in between sessions to eventually spend more time in a single session. also try building in more opportunities to incorporate more physically activity within your daily routine. try taking the stairs instead of the elevator or park further away. making a habit out of incorporating small opportunities like these can ultimately lead to becoming better conditioned for exercise. if exercise remains to be too difficult i’d still encourage you to continue to do what you can but i’d suggest placing more of an emphasis on your nutrition to lose enough weight until you’re at the point that you can exercise more comfortably. keep up the great work! remember to always consult your doctor before beginning an exercise routine or weight loss plan. please keep one thing in mind. you did not gain the weight over a few months so don't expect it to magically fall off in a few months; there are no shortcuts just dedication and the will power you will need to get your butt off the couch and head outside (or treadmill) and walk everyday. at first just do what you can but make a training schedule and follow it - you are accountable to no one but yourself so don't let yourself down! i will not do you any favors by lying to you or telling you loosing weight is easy. as you know it is not. it is a long hard journey to loose the weight but if your mindset is right and your willpower is strong (do it for no one but yourself). then you are on your way to a successful weight loss journey! good luck! btw. before putting something in your mouth ask yourself if you are really hungry if you are not - ask yourself why you are eating. congrats on this big step in life! you can do it! however to safely do it i would go to your local ymca and have a professional check you out( your heart rate ect. ) they will put you on a plan that fits you!

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

when i’m ready to increase the amount of weight i’m lifting how much more weight should i add?

how much weight you should increase by can depend on the particular exercise or the muscles involved. nonetheless the best course of action would be to increase the weight slowly and gradually. this may involve some trial and error but keep in mind that in some cases you can increase by 2. 5 - 5 pound increments. besides increasing weight consider adding more repetitions to your set at the current weight you’re at. try alternating between using machines and free weights for the same exercise as well or just try working the same muscle in a different fashion to promote further results. be sure to have someone supervise or “spot” you while you lift. unlike aerobic conditioning where duration and intensity is increased by 10% increases in the weight you lift aren't prescribed with such precision partly because muscle groups vary so much in size and strength and partly because of the practical matter of the weights available at the gym. typically you increase to whatever dumbbell is next on the rack (or plate on a weight machine) so if you're lifting 12 pounds with biceps curls then the next dumbbell available is usually 15 pounds. there is an option to increase in smaller increments with dumbbells by using an accessory called a donut a magnetic 1¼ pound weight that attaches to the end of the dumbbell (they come in other weights besides 1¼ pounds as well). weight machines have half weights for the same purpose. ask your gym manager to purchase donuts if they don't have them.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

is it best to exercise first and then eat a full meal or eat a full meal first?

there's no "best" way to do it. generally if you get hungry during or after exercise or you feel your energy is running low during the workout then have a snack 30 minutes before the workout. carbs and protein like in an energy bar are good. if you feel okay during the workout not eating then it's okay. some people can eat a full meal before working out but for the most part too much food in the gut will make you feel uncomfortable during the workout. again if you run low on energy without food during exercise then have something to eat. it’s often recommended to not have a full meal at least two hours before exercise though three to four hours is better. the reason for this is called blood shunting. to put it in simple terms blood shunting is a process where your body diverts more blood to certain areas that need it. we have a set amount of blood in our body but the amount that certain areas of your body receive can change at different times. the theory is that not eating close to when you exercise will allow for more blood to be delivered to your muscles instead of being partially diverted towards digestion. this will allow your body to work more efficiently during exercise to help you get the most out of it. you can eat something small right before exercise but be sure to not eat too much. if you’re exercising in the morning try to have something like a glass of juice a piece of fruit or a slice of toast before exercising so that you have some energy and aren’t exercising on a completely empty stomach. also there is the possibility that eating a heavy meal before exercise may cause you to feel uncomfortable while doing exercise or it may lead to cramps. check out this article for more formation.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

will running help me lose weight?

running certainly does burn lots of calories and if you're running regularly you might decide not to eat as much figuring why do it if you're putting all that energy into running. but even if you ran a marathon every day you wouldn't lose weight unless you consumed fewer calories than you burned. the bottom line to losing weight is burning more calories than you consume no matter how much exercise you do. running is a great way to expend calories and boost your metabolism to promote weight loss. however i would recommend slowly and gradually building up your exercise routine to jogging. start out by walking and then gradually add more days per week or time per session. you can also try walking with intermittent bouts of jogging. eventually you can build up to where you are doing mostly jogging instead of walking. from there you can work on increasing how long you jog or your speed while jogging. a couch to 5k program might provide good direction on how to gradually transition from walking to jogging. it’s important to start a routine in this slow and gradual fashion to allow your body time to acclimate and adjust to your exercise routine and to avoid any injury. if you are considerably overweight it might be best to refrain from jogging altogether until you lose weight. the extra weight can put a high demand on your joints while jogging since it is more of a high impact exercise.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

i'm dieting to lose weight. should i worry about falling short on key nutrients?

when you reduce your calories to lose weight you run the risk of falling short on key nutrients. that's why choosing nutrient-rich foods is particularly important when you're dieting. fortunately some of the foods richest in nutrition -- fruits vegetables and whole grains -- also happen to be low in fat and calories. they also tend to be higher in fiber. so they help fill you up even when you're eating less to lose weight. even on the healthiest diet however you may fall short on nutrients over time. the nutrients that are most often in short supply are iron and calcium. but if you're dieting to lose weight over an extended time you may run a risk of falling short on other nutrients. taking a multivitamin can help ensure that you meet your basic needs while you try to lose weight. but remember a pill is no substitute for a healthy nutrient-rich diet. “dieting” typically entails food restriction in both the amount of food as well as the type of food that you consume both of which could potentially lead to malnourishment if done incorrectly. the good thing is that the types of food that you should be restricting on a healthy diet typically don’t offer you much nutritional value anyways which is why you would want to restrict them in the first place. you shouldn’t have to worry about nutritional deficiencies when dieting so long as you’re eating a balanced diet with a variety of different foods and as long as you’re not following a very low calorie diet. be wary however of some diet plans that severely restrict certain foods or food groups altogether. some of these diets may have varying degrees of merit but it’s best to consult with a dietitian or doctor before undergoing major dietary changes to help distinguish between helpful and harmful dietary practices.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

my granddaughter has to have a gluton free diet what can i feed her? . she has stomach pain alot and she has a cousin (her aunts child) that is allergic to gluten so they want to put her my granddaughter on a gluten free diet to see if this helps her. i need to know what i can and cant feed her and what i can substitute so she still gets nutrients she needs. with out it costing me an arm and a leg im on a rather small income but want to do whats best for her.

gluten is a protein found in wheat and grain products. people on a gluten-free diet often avoid wheat rye and barley; though there is also debate on whether to avoid oats as well. a gluten-free diet allows for fresh fruits vegetables meat/poultry/fish and many dairy products. unprocessed beans and nuts are also acceptable as well as products made with rice corn and soy. if not buying fresh food it’s important to always read food labels to look for foods specifically labeled as gluten-free. for example foods like cereal bread and lunch meat may or may not contain gluten so the only way to know for sure is to check the packaging. the food industry can use gluten in many products that don't seem like they would contain gluten so it's important to always read the label first. having a family history of food allergies could mean that your granddaughter may have a genetic predisposition to having food allergies as well. it may be beneficial for her to try an elimination diet to identify any food allergies sensitivities or intolerances that she may have. the basic premise of this eating plan is to initially restrict eating to very basic foods and then to gradually reincorporate more foods. the person doing this can then better discern which foods trigger a negative response when added back into their diet. review this webmd article for more information on elimination diets and also consult with a doctor or registered dietitian before implementing drastic dietary changes. well she has celiacs disease (non life threatning disease) but she can not have wheat so feed her corn based products like ( some chex mix cerals corn tortillas some soups any thing that says gluten free on the label

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

is fast food really getting healthier?

my bottom line is "buyer beware. " i think that it's good the companies are at least offering better options relatively speaking. i'd buy something there if i had no other choice. and if you have to eat there remember it's like walking into a mine field. stay focused and don't be tempted by their typical high-fat high-carb fare. some fast food restaurants are making an increased effort to offer healthier alternatives to meet a growing demand for healthy food. you still need to be very careful with your food choices when eating out since some items that may look healthy may actually be a poor nutritional decision. the only true way to determine which foods are healthy is to examine the nutritional information. some fast food restaurants are beginning to put calorie information on their menu but it’s probably still best to do research ahead of time. most restaurants have the nutritional information for their menu online so it may be good to examine the menus for places that you frequently visit ahead of time to pick out a few of their healthiest options. this way you will know ahead of time and will be able to make an informed decision. also keep in mind that portion sizes are typically skewed towards being larger than necessary at fast food restaurants. so be conscious of how much you’re eating and try to refrain from getting your order as a “meal” which usually comes with fries and a soda. instead try bringing your own water and a piece of fruit to complement your meal. it'll be healthier and it may even be cheaper.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

does it matter what time of day a person works out to promote the most weight loss? . i usually work out 30 min. before breakfast but wonder if i should do this before dinner since that is my largest meal to help rev up my metabolism to better promote weight loss. i don't see much weight loss now with my current regimen.

there doesn’t seem to be a definitive answer in regards to what time of day will provide the most weight loss benefit from exercise. for you the best time of day is going to be whatever helps you in establishing a consistent routine. it helps to make exercise as convenient and enjoyable as possible for yourself so that it’s easier for you to stay on track. i would suggest experimenting with doing exercise at different times of day to see what works best for you. are you enough of a morning person to commit to waking up early? early morning exercise is great but it may not be good for you if you end up sleep deprived or if you’re prone to hitting the snooze button and end up skipping exercise sessions. is it possible to exercise during a lunch break for a mid-afternoon energy boost? what about after work or are you too tired from a long hard day of work and just want to relax? late-afternoon or early evening exercise works well for some but may be a challenge if you have other after-work obligations or commitments that might interfere. does exercising too late in the evening affect your sleep or cause you to have insomnia? ultimately the best time of day for you to exercise is going to be specific to what meets your needs and what works best with your schedule and lifestyle. the best thing to do is to find a time that helps to establish a consistent exercise routine. different people lives and schedules = different workout times. one thing i always make sure to do is exercise before i eat a meal. not after. sometimes i work out in the morning sometimes in the afternoon. this is largely based on my sleep/rest. as long as i get my own personal needs of eight hours of sleep a night i will get up and exercise early in the morning. my two big points here. are get enough rest and exercise if possible before eating meal or make sure to put something in your body after. i find the mornings before breakfast to be the best. here's what happens. you're exercising on an empty stomach so your blood has to pull energy from your fat reserves. then after exercising don't eat anything for at least 30 minutes. this allows your blood to stabilize to catch up to its normal state again from fat. this gives plenty of time to shower and otherwise get ready for work. then have a good breakfast. if you eat immediately after exercising your blood will replenish from that instead of your fat and you'll have less weight loss. and you've revved up your metabolizm to burn your breakfast instead of store it. i just wanted the answer to the question about the different time of day about a beneficial workout - could not seem to figure out where to get the answer - should it be this complicated? i myself walk for 30 minutes on my lunch hour before i eat my lunch. i used to when i was younger work out after work. i have heard that working out early morning is great i couldn't do it and before dinner now i'm too tired.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

husband's acl and meniscus in right knee are tore. i need some ab exercises he can do without moving his legs please. he is in the military and will have to continue doing pt which includes sit-ups pushups and running after the surgery and recovery. he needs some exercises he can do before and after the surgery to keep his abs as well as arm strength up.

the first thing to do is to make sure that your husband has medical clearance for exercise before initiating a program after surgery or during his recovery. your husband’s doctor or physical therapist should be able to provide example exercises but ace fitness also has a pretty comprehensive exercise library with a wide assortment of exercises as well. my recommended course of action would be to print out some of these exercises that seem tolerable to him and show them to his doctor or physical therapist to gain his or her approval on those specific exercises. practice caution when initiating an exercise routine so that your husband doesn’t aggravate his current condition or cause further injury. slow and gradual progression might be best. visit the ace exercise library located here: <link> i too have a torn acl and a bad meniscus. i find that the best ab exercises for me are regular crunches six inches planks and leg lifts. i would stay away from the bicycle crunches but that's the only ab exercise that has caused me knee pain.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

my nephew has adhd. his mother feeds him junk food on visits and it makes him hyper. can he use a blood glucose meter?

how would a glucose meter help your nephew? i suggest that it would be better for your brother to discuss the connection of what he eats and how it affects his behavior with your nephew. he could then politely refuse what his mother offers or suggest that he would like something else to eat. if this doesn't work it will be important to make sure that he gets some exercise and space as well as nutritious food after he returns from his visits with his mother.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what are a few common mistakes parents make in dealing with a colicky or fussy baby?

i don’t know that i see many parents making mistakes but i like to let parents know it’s completely normal to feel helpless and frustrated and at your wits' end when a baby keeps crying. when you feel like that it may be time to call for help and hand the baby over to grandparents or friends. and it’s ok after awhile to allow your baby to learn to soothe themselves. i’ve had parents come in with an 8-month-old baby and they say “i can’t put her down or she’ll cry. ” but by about 6 or 8 months you need to let babies learn how to be alone and soothe themselves. don’t be afraid to put crying babies down -- as long as you know they’re safe the crying’s not going to hurt them. finally never shake a baby. this is a form of child abuse and it’s very dangerous to the baby. when you’re frustrated and don’t know what to do -- when you get to that point give yourself a break.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what do i do if my baby cries so hard he seems to stop breathing?

crying is not dangerous to your baby. it’s not going to cause brain damage and they’re not going to stop breathing. there is however something called breath-holding spells where a baby may cry so hard that they stop breathing for a moment or two and then start breathing again. if this happens you do want to see your pediatrician to see if there’s something going on but a breath-holding spell is all it usually is. if they really seem to stop breathing or turn blue call your pediatrician but it could also be that the baby just cried so hard that mucus got stuck in the throat and he or she didn’t know how to clear it for a moment.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

when should i let my baby "cry it out"?

it depends on the age of the baby you’re talking about. in the first two or three months of life you just can’t spoil infants so by all means pick them up walk with them calm them down. after that you do want to let them start learning how to soothe themselves. if you know they’re not wet they’re not hungry and nothing else is wrong you can let them cry awhile and blow off steam. it’s ok to put them down and leave the room and relax yourself -- it’s ok to leave them and give yourself a break. just leave them in a safe place and take a break and give them a little time.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what should i do when my baby starts teething and cries a lot?

a teething baby often likes to suck chew and gnaw on things. teething rings can help or often i’ll have parents get a washcloth wet then twist it or roll it up and put it in the freezer or fridge and once it’s cold let the baby chew on that. or you can try freezing a mini-bagel and let them chew on it -- but depending on how young they are you have to be careful keeping an eye on baby so that they don’t bite off a big piece. sometimes i’ll have a parent give a teething baby an appropriate dose of acetaminophen at night which helps soothe the baby and minimize the pain so the baby can sleep longer. i will say to be careful with topical solutions; be careful that you don’t overdo them. i’d recommend checking with your physician before you use them. try a refrigerated pacifier or teether. don't store the teether in the freezer because when frozen it can get hard enough to damage a baby's gums. there are a variety of refrigerated teethers including some with plastic handles so your baby's hands won't get cold. if nothing is working and your baby needs relief your doctor might recommend trying an over-the-counter painkiller like acetaminophen. (note: don't give new medicines to a baby without first checking with a doctor. ask the doctor for the proper dosage whenever giving acetaminophen to a child younger than 2. ) your baby is teething when his or her first set of teeth called primary teeth break through the gums. when does teething typically start? teething usually begins around 6 months of age. but it is normal for teething to start at any time between 3 months and 12 months of age. also find a good dental clinic which consists of experienced pediatricians who will help to give your child proper oral care. there are some great dental clinics which consists of services not only in child dentistry but also in other dental areas like cerec restoration dental implants neuromuscular dentistry and many more.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what colic remedies work?

of course every baby is different but there are several things parents can try to soothe a colicky baby: for younger infants a good tight swaddle often helps. being swaddled makes them feel secure and can calm them. babies also tend to like loud repetitive sounds like radio static or the sound of washing machines so if you go shhhh-shhhh in your baby’s ear that can work as well. but you do have to do the "shhhing" loud enough to be heard over the baby’s crying. the reason they like sounds like this is that they remind the baby of the sound of their mother’s heartbeat. another thing i like to try is singing; some babies really respond well to their parents’ voice. you can also try turning babies on their the sides when you’re holding them and giving them something to suck on like a pacifier or your finger. or try taking the baby out in a stroller.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

i’m recently diagnosed with add. my doctor prescribed straterra but i see it’s used for adhd. is this right for me?

strattera can be used for both add and adhd. the mostimportant aspect of treatment during a medication trial is to set targetsymptoms and to see if the medication chosen reduces those symptoms withminimal side effects. if you are concerned you should go back to your prescribingphysician and inquire as to why she chose strattera.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

after every meal i get a really uncomfortable bloated feeling gasy and feeling extremely tired. what may cause this? . i took a pregnancy test and am not pregnant. . i thought it was a lactose intolerance but have found that isn't it after doing a lactose free diet.

when you look at your dietary intake be conscious of both quantity and quality of the foods that you eat. my initial thoughts are that your feelings of being uncomfortable and bloated might be because you’re eating too fast or too much at one time. the first thing i would suggest that you try is to cut back on how much you eat in one sitting making sure that you eat your food slowly and chew thoroughly. try eating a small portion of a meal waiting 15 minutes and then consuming more of your meal if you’re still hungry. you could also try to eat 5-6 smaller more frequent meals throughout the entire day as well. also important to consider is the type of foods that you’re eating. you may notice some of these symptoms if you’re not eating healthy in general. i would recommend food journaling your dietary intake so that you can begin to notice trends between what you’re eating and when you feel this way. some foods may cause you to feel more bloated and to have more gas naturally but you may also have a food intolerance sensitivity or allergy. you can meet with your doctor to have an allergy test but those aren’t always 100% accurate. registered dietitians will often recommend an elimination diet to help determine if there are certain foods that your body will not tolerate. an elimination diet begins by being very restrictive with your food intake followed by gradually reintroducing more food into your diet. once you notice symptoms returning you can begin to better identify which foods are causing the problems you are experiencing. please meet with your doctor or a registered dietitian for more guidance. i feel full and bloated all the time now for the past two months. i eat very healthy and am not on any medications. my sister now has the same symptoms. i am 30 and she is 40. we are not pregnant but as you did we also took tests because it felt similar to when we were pregnant. did you go to the doctor? are you still bloated? i cannot believe how long it is lasting. i was checking my hormone levels too. i fill up with gas for no reason - like it is in the air or something. please answer back if you had any resolutions to your problem.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

i have type ii diabetes. what is the best form of exercise for my condition? . i take metformin twice a day and insulin in the evening. i would like a recommendation on a good exercise program especially since i have a busy and sometimes inconsistant schedule.

most helpful answer the easy answer would be any exercise. find an activity that you like. it can be as simple as walking (aerobic) or even taking up a sport like tennis. the best exercise program is really one that you will do on a regular consistent basis at least three or more times per week. find a partner - it is easier to exercise with a friend. having type 2 diabetes means you need to make the time. having a busy schedule is the norm for everyone. the insulin you take daily makes up for the little insulin that you produce. metformin helps sensitizes your body and muscles to insulin. in people with diabetes the only way to break and improve insulin resistance and reduce your risk of heart disease and other complications is by using muscles. most any type of regularly performed physical activity will do. find something you like it helps increase the chance that you will stick to it. a buddy system for exercise also helps make you more accountable and less likely to miss out on the social mental and physical benefits of exercise. a combination of aerobic type exercise and weights targeting core muscles is something to aim for. find an endocrinologist that is passionate about working with people that have type 2 diabetes. the surgeon general recommends 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity most days per week. for individuals with diabetes it’s recommended that there should not be more than two consecutive days without aerobic physical activity because the benefit of increased insulin sensitivity gained from exercise generally doesn’t last longer than 48-72 hours. moreover high-intensity physical activity will tend to enhance insulin sensitivity more than low-intensity physical activity. also a greater duration spent on exercise appears to more effective than a lesser duration. with both intensity and duration however the benefits appear to be a result of more energy being expended. exercise can significantly lower a1c levels and can even help glycemic control during times when not exercising. both resistance training and aerobic exercise have helpful effects on insulin and can help with diabetes management. do not exercise if your blood sugar is too low and stop exercise if you feel faint have chest tightness or are extremely short of breath. i generally recommend a combination of both aerobic exercise and some resistance exercise in most of my patients. and the good news is that most people can do low-impact exercise (like walking) and still see a benefit. you should talk to your doctor about your own specific exercise prescription. and while you're asking see if your doctor is exercising too! walking is the best exercise for everything! if you don't seem to have time to go and walk park as far from the door at work grocery store drug store anywhere you go as possible. then walk briskly while going in and out and if possible while you are shopping. this will help some and hopefully make you want to walk more and get into a routine! you can always find 30 min 3 times a week to walk!

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what are some healthy and satisfying snacks for the 7:30-8pm munchies that wont wreck my diet? . i'm a very picky eater. while i'm working to make myself eat them i'm not a big fan of most vegetables. i have tried a variety of things that have been suggested to me such as downing a couple glasses of water low/reduced fat snacks (reduced fat cheese sticks etc) cottage cheese yogurt low-fat deli chicken and cheese "roll ups" and other such things. i cannot conquer the evening munchies and feel that i need to if i am going to reach my weight loss and life style changing goals.

all of your choices are good ones. have you tried trail mix eg almonds dried fruit walnuts. nuts are full of nutrients but have protein as well so that just a few can be 'filling'. also a fiber based cereal with low fat milk is a snack that i often have when i have the munchies. here's a great article <link> also remember that sometimes if a person is stressed or tired he or she may think they are hungry but really it is a stress response. additionally if you are not drinking enough water during the day you may be thirsty and this may feel like hunger. in any case drinking 6-8 glasses of water is key to be healthy. glad you're doing so well with healthy eating. keep up the good work! it seems like this is a tough time for everyone but these are some of my go to snacks 1. plain greek yogurt: it's high in protein and really fills you up. i sweeten it with a little bit of fruit or 1 packet of splenda. 2. a bowl of steel cut oats withs almonds cranberries and honey. these take about 20 minutes to prepare but are well worth the wait. 3. no calorie sparkling water. i don't know why but it tastes good and somehow seems to help quell my hunger. 4. peanut butter or almond butter and banana sandwich on whole wheat. it's a great treat. if my belts a little tigt i'll only have half a sandwich. make sure you measrue your peanut butter serving (1 to 2 tablespoons) 5. 2 slices center cut bacon and apple slices. i don't eat this alot because of the saturated fat in bacon but it definitely fills you up. 6. trail mix: almonds pecans raisins with mini-chocolate chips be sure to measure your serving and pair with some raw veggies to fill it out 7. sliced apple with 1-2 tablespoons of peanut or almond butter 8. string cheese almonds and a serving of fruit 9. my all time favorite is paleo granola. it's very high in calories so you have to keep your servings small but it's delicious. i'll also add a cut up banana to it as well. the recipe below makes 14 servings which comes out to about 300 calories/serving ingredients almonds walnuts and pecans 2 cup ground sunflower seeds without salt 1 cup hulled pumpkin seeds 1 cup coconut flake unsweetened 3 oz canola oil 1/4 cup honey 1/4 cup vanilla extract 2 tsp cinnamon ground 1 tsp raisins or dried cranberries 1/4 cup packed directions: 1. grind nuts and seeds and add to a large bowl 2. spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray 3. add 1/4 of cup canola oil and 1/4 of cup honey to small pan and heat 4. add vanilla extract and cinnamon to pan and bring mixture to boil. 5. remove from heat and pour over nuts and seed mixture in bowl 6. mix well and pour onto cookie sheet 7. bake in oven for 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees (watch closely) 8. take out of oven add coconut flakes and dried fruit. sometimes i'll also add some chocolate to the recipe as well. friends have told me they like it better with 1/3 cup of oil and honey. but that will increase the calories. this is not an original recipe but one i got of the internet and modified to suit my taste. late night snacking is difficult for many people. before having a snack i always suggest that you first analyze whether you’re actually hungry or just eating out of boredom. there’s nothing wrong with late night eating as long as it’s a mindful deliberate snack instead of mindless eating. try not to eat too much food before you go to bed. your last full meal of the day should be no less than 2 hours before you go to sleep. eating too much before going to bed may cause indigestion acid reflux or could lead to insomnia and trouble sleeping. make sure that if you do snack that you’re only eating at most between 100 to 300 calories shortly before going to bed. for many people late night snacks often tend to not be very healthy. be sure to keep healthy alternatives readily accessible so that you can make the right choices. check out this article for some great low calorie snack ideas from a dietitian: <link>. hi and thanks so much for your question. sounds like you're a nocturnal eater like so many people out there. here are some thoughts and recommendations: look beyond your eating: what time are you going to bed each night? the later you stay up the more likely you are to be wandering into the kitchen and munching away. try to get to bed no later than 11 and get a full 7-8 hours of sleep each night. it really helps. are you doing things at night that cue you to eat like watching tv and then being enticed by the ads? you have to rein in all cues to eat. these trigger you to knee jerk into your default bad habits. watch out for stress at night as stress overeating is yet another cue. eating throughout the day: try to eat every 3-4 hours starting with breakfast. that means you'll need to have a satisfying mid-afternoon snack like a protein smoothie (fresh or frozen fruit 1-2 scoops of protein powder water/skim milk) or some combo of protein and fiber like peanut butter and apple slices or hummus and carrots. if you mind that mid-afternoon snack this helps control your dinner portions. this is important because nocturnal eating can happen when you come home way to hungry and/or when you eat too much refined sugar and fat at dinner further stimulating your appetite for more food. lean protein serving of grain like quinoa and veggies that you like really help. night eating: if you're truly feeling some hunger a nifty trick is to drink warm water--- like tea--- along with a tsp of some nut butter like peanut or almond butter. it's a great balance of fat sugar and carb. finally stay away from the kitchen after dinner when at all possible. get to the other side of the house and keep your bedroom sacrosanct with no food allowed. good luck! dr peeke i think cottage cheese tastes so gross! so i feel your pain. i like dips like hummus and guacamole which you can eat with veggies like carrots or celery or cucumber. you can buy hummus made with garlic or red peppers it tastes really good! i've also been eating a lot of almonds lately for snacks. there are some almonds at the store that are flavored with wasabi that are amazing. this slideshow has a bunch more ideas for low calorie snacks: <link>

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

im 29 295 lbs working out 5 days a week. what calorie intake should i be at to lose weight? . i started working out and eating better about 3 months ago when i was 315lbs. but for the last three weeks i havent lost any weight at all. i work out 5 days a week now. eliptical some days with row and running. then weight training. do i need to push myself further in the gym? i feel like from eating once a day and not working out to now working out 5 days a week and eating healthier more meals and spreading it out i should be seeing more results.

it’s estimated that 3 500 calories is the theoretical amount necessary to lose 1 pound of fat. to put this in perspective you will need to create a deficit of 500 calories per day to lose 1 pound per week (again theoretically). this deficit can come from either eating less expending calories through exercise or a combination of both. a healthy weight loss rate is 1 to 2 pounds per week; or 10% of your body weight over the course of 6 months. a common mistake that people make is to not continually recalculate their calorie needs. keep in mind that as you lose weight you will need to readjust your calorie intake accordingly. do not go below 1 200 calories per day however without medical supervision. if you hit a plateau and aren’t seeing weight loss adjust your calorie intake or be more stringent with eating healthier. changes in the gym that can help break through a plateau include: • increasing the amount of time you spend per exercise session • increasing the number of days per week you exercise • increasing the intensity level of the exercise • changing the type of exercise altogether it’s always best to consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian when making changes to your diet or beginning an exercise routine. there are lots of websites and phone apps available to help you calculate your calorie needs and to use for food/exercise journaling though. i recommend the food and fitness planner on webmd available here: <link>. before undergoing any drastic weight loss program (i am assuming that you would eventually like to lose over a hundred pounds) it would be best to see your medical provider. some baseline lab work can be important. with that said the amount of calorie restriction would depend on how fast you would like to lose that weight. a good weight loss would be about two pound per week. that would add up to nearly a hundred pounds in a year. a reasonable and achievable goal at this point. find out what you are eating now (the number of calories) determined by a honest food diary for a week. reduce those calories by about a 1000 a day. i am guessing but i suspect you are ingesting well over 2500 to 3000 calories a day right now based on your weight and the fact that it appears to be stable. keep exercising. this is very important and i am so proud that you are doing it. the body does not give up weight easily but if you are consistently eating less than your body needs to maintain weight your weight will drop and continue to drop until you stop dieting. it may not drop every day. or every week. but at the end of each month you should be considerably less than the weight you started with at the first of the month. if not something is amiss so you may need to see a nutritionist/dietician or your primary care medical provider to help. the first and most important step is getting started. and you have done that on your own. i have little doubt that you will succeed. weight loss free training go to : <link>

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

how long does it take for food to pass through the stomach and small intestine to the large intestine?

the transit time is quite variable in all people. there are no set times. food can remain in the stomach for two hours or so then progressively travel into the intestinal tract where it may process for several hours. or days. in babies the transit time is surprisingly rapid. babies often poop while you are feeding them! in some adults the transit time can be days especially in older people or people prone to constipation. transit time can be influenced by the type of food ingested the volume/size of meal the amount of water/fluids and the amount of fiber/solids. spicy food may be faster than you anticipated. a heavy thanksgiving dinner may bloat you for a day or more. this is a very interesting question. there are several factors that determine how long it takes for food to pass through your digestive system. to start the type of food matters. some foods are more complex requiring our body to work harder and to take more time to break them down and digest them. on the other hand other foods won’t have to go through such a rigorous process and may be digested and metabolized relatively quickly. fiber for example has a decreased intestinal transit time which means that it spends less time in your intestines and may be passed through faster than something else. the answer also could depend on other factors like age ethnicity and gender. you have to consider that people’s digestive systems can be different or work in slightly different ways. did you know that some people have longer intestines than other people? certainly that might influence how long it takes for food to digest. also individuals may have different levels of microbes present in their intestines that can influence how food is digested too. how long it takes food to digest depends on a lot of different factors. dosent it only takes 30 mins?

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what does it mean if a food product is labeled “light ” “low ” “reduced ” or “fat-free? ”

the fda sets rules for what food manufacturers can call "light " "low " "reduced " "free " and other food terms. here's the low-down on these terms: "healthy" food must be low in fat with limited cholesterol and sodium. anything labeled "free" must only contain tiny amounts of the ingredient in each serving. for example "trans-fat free" or "fat-free" products can have only 0. 5 mg of trans fats or fat; "cholesterol-free" foods can only have two milligrams of cholesterol and two grams of saturated fat. a serving of food labeled "low sodium" can have a maximum of 140 milligrams of sodium. a serving of "low cholesterol" food can have a maximum of 20 milligrams of cholesterol and two grams of saturated fat. one serving of a "low-fat" food can have a maximum of three grams of fat. a serving of a "low-calorie" food can have a maximum of 40 calories. a serving of a food labeled "reduced" must have 25% less of the ingredient than a serving of the regular version. one serving of a "light" food must have 50% less fat or 1/3 fewer calories than the regular version. the food and drug administration (fda) regulates what claims a product can make. the following are a few examples to answer your question: - free. this term means that a product contains no amount of or only trivial or "physiologically inconsequential" amounts of one or more of these components: fat saturated fat cholesterol sodium sugars and calories. - low. this term can be used on foods that can be eaten frequently without exceeding dietary guidelines for one or more of these components: fat saturated fat cholesterol sodium and calories. - low-fat : 3 g or less per serving - low-saturated fat : 1 g or less per serving - low-sodium : 140 mg or less per serving - very low sodium : 35 mg or less per serving - low-calorie : 40 calories or less per serving. - low-cholesterol : 20 mg or less and 2 g or less of saturated fat per serving - reduced. this term means that a nutritionally altered product contains at least 25 percent less of a nutrient or of calories than the regular or reference product. however a reduced claim can't be made on a product if its reference food already meets the requirement for a "low" claim. - light. this descriptor can mean two things: - that a nutritionally altered product contains one-third fewer calories or half the fat of the reference food. - that the sodium content of a low-calorie low-fat food has been reduced by 50 percent.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

does aerobic exercise interfere with muscle gains from weightlifting?

your body prefers not to use amino acids the building blocks of muscle as an energy source unless it has to because it’s simply not the most efficient way for your body to get the energy it needs. your body will typically use the more efficient means of attaining energy first. weight lifting and aerobic exercise can complement each other well but if you have concerns with not being able to gain muscle mass keep the aerobic exercise at a moderate amount. it might be best to refrain from doing overly excessive endurance aerobic events. try doing high intensity interval training. interval training involves coupling short bursts of high intensity exercise with less intense recovery periods. for example you could run on a treadmill for 1 minute at 8mph and then jog for 30 seconds at 6mph repeating for a total of 10 to 15 minutes. this is just an example to illustrate the point; you can do different intensity levels and different work to rest ratios. consider also doing circuit training which is a workout regimen involving resistance training with very little rest in between exercise sets. this form of exercise is high intensity and helps keep your heart rate elevated so that it can function as aerobic exercise while providing a foundation for muscular strength and endurance. lastly make sure that you are getting enough protein in your diet. the essential amino acids necessary for muscular growth and development can only be obtained through dietary intake. if you’re not getting enough protein you won’t be building muscle regardless of your activity. if you're training for an endurance event like a marathon when you might run 60 miles or more per week you'll almost always see a decrease in your muscle mass. for most of us who do more moderate amounts of physical activity there will be minimal if any loss in muscle mass from aerobic exercise -- so there's nothing to worry about. if you do plan on lots of aerobic exercise and are concerned about losing muscle try starting with 20-30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise (at 50% to 70% of your maximum heart rate) two to three days per week and see how it goes.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what are the advantages of strength training for weight loss?

strength training is another form of exercise that helps you burn calories to lose weight. strength training also has the added benefit of helping you preserve muscle as well. if you lose weight while only doing cardiovascular exercise some of the weight loss may come from muscle as well as body fat. we want to preserve that muscle because it can help to boost metabolism since muscle burns calories at a higher rate than fat. strength training can also help to promote a more “toned” appearance another added benefit for you. the surgeon general recommends that you strength train all major muscle groups two or more days per week.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

should i hold off on weight training until i lose weight?

absolutely not. lifting weights will not only help you lose weight but maintain the loss. here's why: muscle keeps your metabolism revved up burning calories fat and glucose (sugar). when you lose weight up to 25% of the loss may come from muscle resulting in a slower metabolism. weight lifting will help preserve or rebuild any muscle you lose by dieting. muscle helps you with aerobic exercise. the stronger you are the better you will be at any aerobic activity. weight training improves your body's muscle-to-fat ratio (you end up with less body fat and more muscle) which improves both your health and your fitness level. gaining muscle will help you look better as you define and tone your physique. building strength helps you feel good about yourself. although the scale may show a slight weight gain when you start lifting weights (usually five pounds or less) you probably won't look heavier because the gain is in muscle and your clothes may even fit more loosely. strength training along with cardiovascular exercise can boost your metabolism and can help you expend calories to lose weight. strength training however also has the added benefit of helping you to preserve muscle as well. if you lose weight while only doing cardiovascular exercise some of the weight loss may come from body fat as well as muscle. you want to preserve muscle because it can help to keep your metabolism elevated since muscle burns calories at a higher rate than fat. strength training can also help to promote a more “toned” appearance which would be another added benefit to you as well. the surgeon general recommends that you strength train all major muscle groups two or more days per week. consult your doctor before starting an exercise routine. no you should remaind that it's a continuous process. if you stop it your weight will start increasing.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

how do i become a better runner as someone with moderate experience running?

don’t get stuck constantly doing the same thing. challenge your current routine by experimenting with different types of runs. for example incorporate long runs to build endurance intervals to increase speed or hills to increase strength. you might find that experimenting with these different types of runs can add to the enjoyment you experience while running and can help to promote better running performance. next consider occasionally doing cross-training which in this case means doing exercise other than running. for example try adding swimming biking or strength training to your current exercise routine. cross-training helps to prevent burnout whether physical or mental and can help prevent overuse injuries. sometimes repeatedly doing the same exercise can be monotonous and redundant and you might get bored and want to discontinue with your exercise. adding variety to your routine can help keep exercise enjoyable for you. finally allow yourself time to rest and recover. over-training can hurt your progress and lead to injury such as stress fractures. resting is as important as the time you dedicate towards running.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

is it better to apply heat or cold to sore muscles after stenuous exercise?

most helpful answer everything i have read says cold. if there is tissue damage the cold constricts blood flow which reduces spread of cellular components which can cause rupture of nearby cells making the injury worse and longer to heal. heat is not usually applied to an injury until 72 hours have passed. this is to increase circulation and promote healing. more recent research shows movement of skeletal muscles produces hormone-like substances that promote and speed healing of damaged or inflamed tissues throughout the body. so if you can move do. lastly a small meal of four parts carbs and one part protein within 90 minutes of exercise will help speed muscle recovery. the body will use that energy and protein to quickly try to re-construct those damaged tissues. this information is from exercise physiology. ice is typically among the first thing to do in the recovery process after strenuous exercise. icing your muscles helps to reduce pain and decrease swelling and inflammation. ice causes your blood vessels to narrow which will reduce your blood flow to the muscle or injured area. never place ice directly on your skin however. wrap an ice pack around a thin cloth and place on the affected muscle for ten minutes at a time. you can use ice multiple times per day for a few days after exercise but make sure to allow for your skin to return to room temperature before icing after each 10 minute interval. heat is typically applied to uscles or injuries that do not have swelling or inflammation. heat will cause your blood vessels to expand which improves circulation and allows more blood to go to the affected area. heat can be useful for chronic injuries and muscle soreness or it can be used before exercise to stimulate blood flow and help prepare the muscle for exercise. heat should also not be directly applied to skin and should be used for short 10-15 minute intervals. always check with your doctor before starting treatment of an injury especially if the condition worsens or fails to improve. within the first few days of an injury ice can help the process of healing. applying ice to injured tissue can cause blood vessels to shrink and this makes them less capable of releasing chemicals that lead to swelling inflammation and pain. after a few days it probably best to apply heat to sore muscles. this makes muscle spasms less likely and relaxes injured muscles. however because the events behind every injury are different speak with your doctor first. i have just spent the last 6 weeks in physical therapy. they always apply heat or have me get on a bike to heat up my muscles for 15 minutes before i go through any table massage work. next i do all my exercises then they end the session with 10 minutes of ice. somtimes what contributes to soreness is 1) lack of warm-up so insuffcicient oxygen was available to fuel the work. and 2) lack of cooldown which will help the muscles recover by completing any partial combustion of sugars for energy leaving residual metabolites such as one feels with the muscle burn of working beyond anerobic threshold. anerobic threshold can be increased through more careful training. i can exercise well beyond my predicted 100% of age heart rate for periods of 10 20 and 30 minutes or more

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

how long does colic last?

colic typically starts when a baby is about 3 weeks old and usually ends at about 3 months so babies do typically outgrow it.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

does using an elliptical machine at the gym burn more calories than running on the street or bike riding?

running will burn more calories than the elliptical although it's pretty close (about 100 calories per hour difference). some of the difference is due to the pounding of running and the fact that you propel your body through the air so that both feet are off the ground simultaneously. this kind of movement takes lots of energy. both the elliptical and running burn substantially more calories than the bike at the same level of perceived exertion (about 200-240 calories per hour more). in a classic study comparing energy expenditure of exercise machines the order of calories burned from highest to lowest is posted below. (the elliptical was not studied in this research but it would fit between rowing and cross-country skiing. it should be noted that rowing the elliptical and cross-country skiing are all very close in calorie expenditure with probably not more than 100-125 calories per hour difference among them. ) treadmill walking/running stair stepping rowing cross-country skiing biking (stationary) now this is not to say that exercises that burn the fewest calories are all bad. to the contrary you can get a great workout and burn lots of calories doing any of them. you'd be hard pressed to say that lance armstrong isn't fit. he's one of the fittest human beings alive and he did it by biking. the point is that if you work hard enough on any of the exercise machines and you work up a sweat and you get your heart rate into your training zone then your heart lungs and muscles aren't going to know the difference. bottom line is that you'll get fit and healthy using any of the machines if you use them consistently and with sufficient intensity. one final note: there is error in estimating energy expenditure on most if not all exercise machines. in some cases it can be as high as 25 percent (the machine overestimates how many calories you burn). there are simply too many variables for the machine to give you an accurate number and so you need to keep that in mind during weight-loss efforts if you are calculating how many calories to eat based on your energy expenditure. the answer depends on many different things since your weight the type of exercise how intense you are doing each exercise and how long you do each exercise will all influence how many calories you burn. simply put however i would say that you have the potential to burn the most calories by running followed by biking and lastly by using the elliptical. one way to measure how many calories you burn during exercise is to look at metabolic equivalents (mets). mets are a way to measure and gauge the amount of energy you burn during physical activity with 1 met being equal to the energy you burn simply being at rest. for instance running at a 10 minute mile pace is roughly the equivalent of 10 mets or ten times the calories you burn at rest. unfortunately there really is no good answer for how many mets you burn while using an elliptical. a study entitled “2011 compendium of physical activities: a second update of codes and met values” only lists using an elliptical at a moderate intensity which was the equivalent of 5 mets. for comparison bicycling with a moderate effort (12-13. 9mph) is 8 mets. you can find a comprehensive list of mets by doing an internet search for “compendium of physical activities tracking guide”. websites utilizing a formula involving these met values for each type of exercise along with your weight and the duration can help to estimate how many calories you will burn during exercise. keep in mind that these are just based off of averages but one such site is: <link>. play around with the types of activities and the duration of the activity to see what can provide you with the most calories burned.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what is colic?

colic is when a baby for no apparent reason is really fussy and cries for hours at a time often at the same time every day. some parents call it their baby’s witching hour because they just don’t know why their baby cries at this time.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what is the difference between night terrors and nightmares?

night terrors and nightmares are very different. night terrors usually occur in the first third of the night. the typical scenario is a child wakes up a few hours after going to sleep acting like she is possessed. she may scream shake point at things and call out "no! no! i can't! " she may not be comforted by you and may not even recognize that you are in the room. reassure her "you're ok. mommy is here. " keep lights dim and speak softly. she should easily go back to sleep after the episode. the next morning she won't remember the event although everyone else in the house will. what can you do to break the cycle? since night terrors generally occur around the same time every night try waking your child up about 15 to 30 minutes prior to the episode. this will break her sleep cycle and her body will jump into the next stage of sleep when the terrors don't occur. also make sure your child is not over-tired. stress and tiredness can contribute to night terrors. put her to bed a little earlier at night or make sure she gets a nap if she still needs one. most children outgrow night terrors as they get older. nightmares typically happen during the second half of the night. almost everyone has had a nightmare at some point. you're riding your bike at the beach and then all of the sudden a large wave is crashing down on you…. you thrash around in your bed trying to get some air until you wake up scared or somebody comforts you. a child with nightmares will wake up fully and respond to parental comforting. he may remember the dream even the next day. reassurance helps this resolve. talk to him about the dreams and explain that they are not real. take a look at his environment (school home etc. ) and see if there is anything bothering him. stress from the day school or sports life changes such as moving or divorce can all cause stress that leads to nightmares. scary books movies stories from friends or on-line can also contribute. to help prevent nightmares get into a healthy sleep routine. put your child or teen to bed about the same time every night. avoid eating exercise watching tv surfing the internet reading scary books or watching movies right before bed. have your child sleep with a stuffed toy or favorite blanket as this may help them feel more secure. this works for teens too! turn on a night light and keep his door open. talk to your pediatrician if the nightmares persist.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

how can i encourage my children to brush their teeth?

until your child can shower and wash her own hair she still needs help with her oral hygiene. to prevent brushing battles here are some age-appropriate tips i've learned from patients parents and my own two boys. toddler: make tooth brushing a game. sing a silly song. get 3 toothbrushes so your toddler can hold one in each hand while you brush your child's teeth with the third brush. preschool: let him choose between two flavors of toothpaste or which brush he wants to use. after he brushes for the count of 10 it's your turn for 10. go back and forth a few times. kindergarten: allow her to do the morning brushing solo but use an egg timer so she knows how long to brush. at bedtime you get to help or at least take a turn after she finishes. elementary school: children this age should be able to brush their own teeth but you may have to remind them. ask the hygienist to give your child a personal lesson to make sure he's on track with his skills. middle/high school: there may be times when your preteen or teen takes a vacation from brushing. dental check-ups are crucial to let her know if she needs to ramp up her brushing and flossing. if all else fails you can always point out that skipping out on the twice a day regime may result in bad breath -- a sure way to keep friends and companions away. don't forget to take a fun trip to the pediatric dentist every 6 months. .

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

when should my child's sickness keep her home and when can i send her to school?

generally speaking she can be around other kids once her fever has been gone for 24 hours and she is feeling better. if your child has been placed on an antibiotic for any reason she should receive the medication for at least 24 hours before being around other children. if you kept your child home every time he had the sniffles he'd never be in school. and the older he gets the harder it is to make up missed schoolwork. so if he feels okay and doesn't have a fever he should be in school. but if your child has a fever (temperature over 100. 3) is vomiting having bad diarrhea coughing up a storm has pain interfering with activity or really isn't feeling well keep him at home until these symptoms are under control. often it's the milder symptoms (such as slight runny nose and cough) that leave parents wondering what to do. only you can make that game-day decision but be considerate of others. before you take him out think to yourself would i want another child with the same symptoms around my son? you can always check with your child care or preschool. they may have specific guidelines for when previously sick children can return. you know your child best so if you think something is wrong don't send him to school. if you're concerned call your pediatrician.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

i have a hard time fighting my urge to snack at night. what is a good late-night snack to help kill my hunger?

first consider whether or not you're eating enough for dinner. what time do you eat dinner in relation to when you go to sleep? your urge to snack at night may be because you are still hungry from not eating enough for dinner. revisit how much you are consuming for dinner and make sure it’s a balanced meal including lean protein whole grains and vegetables. if you are still hungry for a snack at night try a cup of soothing chamomile tea with an oatmeal cookie (serving size not to exceed 100 calories). the tea will help you sleep and the cookies can be a good source of healthy fiber. or look for calorie-controlled non-fat frozen dairy desserts with servings that contain no more than 100 calories.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what if i don’t have time to exercise 60 minutes a day?

the 60-minute suggestion is based on the national academy of science's recommendation for people who are trying to prevent weight gain or keep themselves from regaining after weight loss -- not for people who are trying to increase or maintain their cardio-respiratory fitness or health. there's plenty of research to show that 30 minutes of physical activity a day will help you gain lots of health and fitness benefits. remember that you don't have to do all your exercise in one session. if you already exercise vigorously at the gym several times a week there's no reason to quit. but if 60 minutes seems like too much for you try 30 minutes a day as a starting goal. the most important thing is that you do something. do what you can! it’s still beneficial for you to do as much exercise as you can even if you’re not meeting the recommended amount. keep in mind that you can break up your physical activity into as little as 10 minute sessions throughout the day which may be more mindful of your time constraints. build more physical activity into your daily routine naturally by parking further away taking the stairs instead of the elevator or using a break room or restroom on an opposite side of the building or on a different floor at work. consider finding a different mode of transportation to work or while running errands. you may live close enough to be able to walk or bike to some of the places that you need to go. if you take the bus try getting off at an earlier stop and walking a bit more. find ways to be active with your family like going for a walk or bike ride and set up a regular routine with it. fit in exercise while you’re watching tv by doing body weight exercises during commercials or use exercise equipment like a treadmill elliptical or stationary bike that you may have at home to do activity while you watch your shows. lastly write down your entire weekly schedule. this can help you to better visualize your schedule so that you can better see opportunities where you can incorporate more physical activity or perhaps you can move things around to create an opening for exercise. you may not be able to meet a recommended amount but do what you can!

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

where do i start if i have never exercised?

if you're new to exercise or have struggled with it in the past talk with your doctor about your exercise plans. after that start by incorporating more activity into your daily life. for instance: if you always take the elevator try the stairs. if you try to park next to the door of wherever you're going park farther away and walk. if your habit is to eat at your desk take a 10- to 20-minute walk first then have your lunch (or take a walk after you eat). instead of watching tv all day saturday and sunday plan active weekends. go to the park take a walking tour ride your bike or row a boat. whichever plan you decide on it's a good idea to set weekly goals: write down what activity you plan to do on what day of the week for how long and at what time of day. be as specific and realistic as possible. for instance write down "tuesday: walk for 20 minutes at 7 p. m. to the park and back. " at the end of each week review your goals and set new ones for the upcoming week. research shows that setting goals will help you stick to your program. it will clarify what you're supposed to do and let you track your progress. if you hit a roadblock later on you can refer back to what has worked in the past or use your accomplishments to re-energize yourself. first make sure that your doctor clears you for exercise before beginning. he or she may ask you to fill out the physical activity readiness questionnaire (par-q) to ensure that there is no reason for you not to exercise. i would then recommend setting personal goals using the s. m. a. r. t. acronym which stands for: s – specific m – measureable a – attainable r – realistic t – time-oriented here’s a sample goal keeping these principles in mind: “between january 1st and february 1st walk three days per week for twenty minutes per session to aid in weight loss. ” set up short term goals to help you meet your long term goals (6 months or more). think about what you want to achieve by beginning an exercise routine. do you want to lose weight lower your blood pressure or help manage diabetes? do you want to run a race such as a 5k? what do you hope to gain from starting exercise? the biggest problem that people have is that they overwhelm themselves by doing too much exercise too soon. it can be hard to sustain a drastic change like that long term. instead slowly and gradually progress with exercise to make for an easier transition and to allow your body to comfortably adjust. start out doing low impact exercise like walking or riding a bike then gradually increase the time intensity level or number of days per week that you exercise. if you’re new to strength training get help from a personal trainer to make sure that you are using the equipment properly. make a plan and stick to it.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

how can i gain weight?

eat more! that’s what nearly all weight gain strategies come down to although it’s not always quite that simple. people with certain health conditions are at risk for poor nutrition: celiac disease inflammatory bowel disease cystic fibrosis cancer chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd) human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) infection many others. people who are losing weight with these conditions should ask their doctor for a referral to a nutritionist. a low appetite is often part of the illness and eating higher-calorie foods is advised. some of these illnesses can also cause poor absorption of nutrients and testing and treatment can address this. in any medical condition if muscle mass has been lost it’s important to include protein in the diet to help rebuild muscles. healthy young men and teenage boys often want to gain weight usually in the form of muscle. their challenge is usually eating enough to keep up with the calories they’re burning in their active lifestyles. to gain weight by building muscle it’s necessary to eat a lot of protein. weight-training athletes may require 75 to 100 grams of protein or more daily. healthy lean protein sources include chicken eggs fish and beans. whey protein supplements can be mixed in with drinks soups or sauces. soy protein supplements are not advised except in small amounts because some of the soy may be converted to estrogen in the body. it’s best to talk to your doctor or a nutritionist before starting a high protein diet if you have any health conditions especially liver or kidney disease. gaining weight can be just as difficult as losing weight for some people. an essential component of weight gain is eating enough calories each day. a registered dietitian will be able to calculate and estimate your calorie needs using the harris-benedict equation or there are also websites available to help you do this on your own. in order to gain weight theoretically you need to eat more calories than what would normally be necessary for you to maintain your current weight. keep in mind it’s still important to eat healthy and make the right food choices. don’t use this as an excuse to eat whatever you want because you’ll end up gaining fat that way. you’ll need to exercise too especially by incorporating strength-building exercise which will help to build muscle mass to add to your weight. the surgeon general recommends at least two days per week of strength training exercising each major muscle group. of course the more exercise that you do the greater the benefits you should notice. keep in mind however that you do need rest to allow your muscles to recover. make sure that you’re getting enough protein in your diet as well. only protein has the essential amino acids necessary for muscle growth and development. a registered dietitian can also help you to determine your protein requirements. ask your doctor before taking protein supplements or beginning a high protein diet. i’ve recommended a good article for more information: <link>

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what kind of snacks would you recommend for people who are diabetic?

a diet to help control diabetes is often individually prescribed -- based on body weight and lifestyle -- to help keep blood sugar levels in control. the best snacks for diabetics will contain some protein and some fiber to help slow down food absorption and therefore help control blood sugar levels and prevent spiking. avoid simple sugars such as in cookies and candies and choose whole grain crackers low-fat cheeses maybe a slice of turkey or leftover chicken. and pair these foods with a small amount of fruit if desired. know that fruit while healthy can be high in natural sugars that will spike blood sugar levels unless combined with a protein source to slow down their absorption in your body.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what kind of snacks could help speed up my metabolism?

none. the only way to speed up your metabolism is through exercise specifically muscle-training exercises to increase lean muscle mass which burns more calories than body fat.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what kinds of vegetables are good for heart health?

just about all vegetables help support a healthy cardiovascular system. veggies which contain deep dark pigments -- winter squash dark leafy greens broccoli kale tomatoes red peppers and carrots -- are good sources for antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin a and vitamin c and folate. these nutrients help protect the body's cells including cells in our heart and arteries. even white-colored vegetables such as onions and garlic contain important nutrients for heart health including a flavonoid called quercetin. most vegetables are also a good source of dietary fiber which is important for digestive health. one word of caution: dark green leafy vegetables such as collards kale and spinach are an excellent source of vitamin k which is important for the blood clotting mechanism. but if you're taking drugs such as coumadin or warfarin to prevent blood clots your doctor may advise you to avoid these kinds of vegetables. there are many vegetable which are good for heart such as carrot for vitamin a and a powerful antioxidants bell peppers which reduce homocysteine onions a rich source of sulphur-containing phytochemicals leafy greens are an better source of magnesium and many more.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

i need a list of foods that would be helpful with lowering my triglycerides and cholesterol. any suggestions?

a healthy diet that follows the myplate. gov guidelines is a good start. fill half of your plate with fruit and vegetable servings one quarter with a serving of whole grains such as brown rice or whole grain bread and the other quarter with a serving of lean proteins such as chicken breast fish turkey or sirloin steak. choose fat free or 1% fat dairy products. avoid sugary soft drinks and other pre-sweetened beverages. limit your consumption of solid fats such as butter or vegetable shortenings and the foods they're made with.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

are all pastas high in cholesterol?

pastas are generally made from wheat and do not contain any cholesterol. some pastas are made with eggs and therefore contain a small amount of cholesterol. choose whole grain pastas. enjoy them with a variety of vegetables and avoid sauces made with cheese or cream. toss in a little olive oil fresh tomatoes fresh basil and perhaps a sprinkling of grated parmesan cheese to enjoy pasta dishes in more healthy ways.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

we eat vegetables after cooking them in oil. is this good for your heart or should we consume only raw veggies?

cooking oil can actually help some of the vitamins in vegetables be better absorbed by the body. fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin a e and k are found in many vegetables. make sure to choose healthy oils such as canola or olive oil to get the heart-healthy benefits of monounsaturated fats. use oils sparingly when cooking because a little goes a long way. remember that every tablespoon of oil -- whether heart-healthy or not -- contains about 100 calories. some people like to cook with a vegetable oil spray. you can make your own by putting olive oil or canola oil in a spray bottle. raw veggies are great of course. but cooked veggies are too! they both contain the same amount of fiber. avoid overcooking vegetables and boiling too long. or you will lose some of the water-soluble vitamins that are heat sensitive including vitamin c.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

could eating red yeast rice every day help to lower my cholesterol?

it depends on what else you are eating. adding one healthy food to an otherwise lousy diet won't help in the long run. oatmeal helps lower cholesterol but it won't help if you’re sprinkling it on top of prime rib. if red yeast rice is your choice for a grain you are adding more fiber to your diet which could help lower your bad cholesterol. but don't weigh it down with a whole stick of butter. yes

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what should i eat in order to have a normal lipid profile?

visit your health care provider to get your numbers for the good cholesterol (hdl) and the bad (ldl). keeping track of these numbers is important for managing risk factors for heart disease. if your physician tells you that your ldl is too high there are several dietary changes you can make to lower that number. you may have heard that eating oatmeal is healthy for good cholesterol. this is because the soluble fiber found in oatmeal can grab onto dietary cholesterol in your body and remove it through waste elimination. other foods that contain soluble fibers include apples okra and just about all other fruits and vegetables. eating more fish can help too. the usda's myplate. gov dietary recommendations advise us all to eat at least two servings of fish per week. fatty fish such as salmon sardines and tuna are especially good sources of the fish oils that are associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. and not only can they help lower ldl levels but they actually help increase hdl levels. lastly be sure to avoid foods that are high in saturated fats which can raise ldl levels. these include cream butter fatty meats and whole milk. fish and fiber

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

how can the salt content in my husband's diet affect his blood pressure and cholesterol levels?

the sodium in sodium chloride (salt) can have an effect on your blood pressure. this is why health care providers advise people with high blood pressure to reduce their salt intake. the american heart association recommends sodium intake of less than 1500 milligrams per day. look for the sodium content on the nutrition facts label of your packaged foods.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

does it matter if i drink something or eat something as a snack?

yes it matters. beverages that contain protein are more filling over the long run such as fat-free milk. and studies have shown that a piece of whole fruit is more satisfying than drinking fruit juice.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what are triglycerides in your body?

triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood that your body uses for energy. while you need some triglycerides for good health high triglyceride levels are not healthy. a fasting blood test can be used to measure your triglyceride levels. you can make diet and lifestyle changes to help lower your triglyceride levels. stay at a healthy weight limit fat and sugar intake be more active do not smoke and limit your alcohol consumption.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

is maintaining a vegan diet healthier for your heart?

vegan diets -- which exclude dairy foods meats fish and eggs -- are low in cholesterol and saturated fats. this helps reduce a person's risk for heart disease. because they are predominantly made up of plant foods vegan diets are also higher in dietary fiber which can also help reduce your risk of heart disease. but because vegan diets exclude fish and seafood you could be missing out on the protective effects of fish oils that are also associated with a decreased risk of heart disease.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

should people with serious heart problems avoid fast food all together?

just because a food is "fast" doesn’t mean it's automatically unhealthy. many quick-service restaurants today offer whole wheat buns grilled chicken cuts salads and reduced-fat dressings on their menus. when eating out avoid fried items and sugary soft drinks. ask for more lettuce tomatoes onions or whatever kinds of veggies the restaurant has. at sub and sandwich places go for lean proteins such as turkey or roast beef. ask for mustard instead of mayo. avoid adding cheese to sandwiches which can contain about 100 calories per slice as well as saturated fats which should be limited for a more heart-healthy diet.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

how rapidly can you lose weight and still be considered healthy?

it's generally recommended that losing no more than 2 pounds a week is a safe and effective way to lose weight and keep it off. it may not sound like much but 2 pounds a week for 5 weeks is 10 pounds! often when beginning a weight loss and exercise program you can lose more weight during the first week -- especially if you are considerably overweight. but don't be discouraged if the weight loss tapers to one or two pounds per week. you are still moving in the right direction.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what is salmonella and how can i prevent getting it?

salmonella (specifically salmonella enteritidis) is the most common form of bacterial food poisoning. within 12 hours to three days after an exposure people develop nasty diarrhea vomiting fever and stomach cramps. unlike the watery diarrhea one typically sees with a stomach virus salmonella usually causes diarrhea mixed with mucus and/or blood. and this infection lasts up to a week. . the good news is that most people fully recover without needing any special treatment or medication. some unlucky people can get dehydrated and end up being hospitalized. and a few very unlucky people can become seriously ill from this infection. that includes young infants people with weakened immune systems and the elderly. . so how do you avoid getting salmonella and other forms of food poisoning? make sure to thoroughly wash countertops sinks and cutting boards with soap and water when preparing foods with eggs raw meat or poultry. only prepare fully cooked eggs. make sure hamburger/ground beef is cooked completely until it is brown. yes pink makes a juicier burger but it also makes a germ-filled one. use pasteurized eggs in recipes that call for raw eggs (like caesar salad dressing). keep eggs meat and poultry properly refrigerated. keep all baby bottles pacifiers and breast pump supplies away from food preparation areas. keep pet iguanas or turtles out of the kitchen counter area. (you think i am joking… i had a patient get salmonella this way). make sure to wash hands thoroughly after handling. buy only pasteurized apple cider and other juice products. wash hands thoroughly after visiting a petting zoo. take-home tip: if you or a family member develops diarrhea that is bloody or mucousy it’s time to call your doctor.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what are your top ten parenting tips?

1. be a good role model. if you want your child to eat healthfully exercise regularly and limit time in front of the tv or computer… start by doing these things yourself. 2. do a preconception visit. pre-pregnancy health affects your pregnancy and your growing baby. see your health practitioner before you are pregnant. aim for your ideal body weight (bmi) before pregnancy. 3. know your bmi. it stands for body mass index. and it tells you if you are at risk for health-related consequences of obesity. check yours and your child’s. make lifestyle changes if that number is too high. i know it is easier to say than to do. 4. trust yourself. you have the skills to be a good parent. really. 5. happy parents have happy children. take time for yourself and for your marriage. you’ll be amazed by the results. 6. vaccines are safe. they protect your child from diseases you don’t want her to have. seriously. get your child vaccinated. i wouldn’t do anything different with my own kids. 7. you are planting the seeds of discipline. do not expect a tree to grow overnight. it will take months or even years to see the results of your calm and consistent discipline techniques. don’t give up. 8. sleep is underrated. it rejuvenates the body and mind. make it a priority for you and your child. establish a healthy sleep routine and stick to it. let your baby self-soothe when he is old enough to do so (around 4-6 months of age). it’s a critical life skill. 9. it takes a family. you don’t have to do-it-all to win parent of the year. share responsibilities between your partner and your kids (as they become old enough to help out). remember happy parents have happy children. 10. floss.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

how can i prevent salmonella in my kitchen -- and my life?

eggs have been making the news lately with three major nationwide recalls due to potential contamination with the bacteria salmonella. the recalls involve eggs from wright county and hillandale farms in iowa. but what’s the big cluck about it? well if you handle these eggs or eat them partially cooked (a. k. a. poached or soft boiled) you can potentially get pretty sick. salmonella (specifically salmonella enteriditis) is the most common form of bacterial food poisoning. within 12 hours to 3 days after an exposure people develop nasty diarrhea vomiting fever and stomach cramps. unlike the watery diarrhea one typically sees with a stomach virus salmonella usually causes diarrhea mixed with mucus and/or blood. and this lovely infection lasts up to a week. ugh. the good news is that most people fully recover without needing any special treatment or medication. some unlucky people can get dehydrated and end up being hospitalized. and a few very unlucky people can be seriously ill from this infection. that includes young infants people with weakened immune systems and the elderly. besides this iowa egg issue there are other ways to get this bug. so how do you avoid getting salmonella and other forms of food poisoning? 1. make sure to thoroughly wash countertops sinks and cutting boards with soap and water when preparing foods with eggs raw meat or poultry. 2. only prepare fully cooked eggs. 3. make sure hamburger/ground beef is cooked completely until it is brown. yes pink makes a juicier burger but it also makes a germ-filled one. 4. use pasteurized eggs in recipes that call for raw eggs (like caesar salad dressing). 5. keep eggs meat and poultry properly refrigerated. 6. keep all baby bottles pacifiers and breast pump supplies away from food preparation areas. 7. keep pet iguanas or turtles out of the kitchen counter area. (you think i am joking… i had a patient get salmonella this way). make sure to wash hands thoroughly after handling. 8. buy only pasteurized apple cider and other juice products. 9. wash hands thoroughly after visiting a petting zoo. take home tip: if you or a family develops diarrhea that is bloody or mucousy it’s time to call your doctor.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

as school begins how can i help my child succeed?

self-discipline: have a conversation about personal responsibility. as a parent it’s our inclination to rescue our kids… which sometimes means making a special trip up to school to drop off the homework that got left on the kitchen table. but school gives children an opportunity to practice their life skills in a safe environment. let your child forget his homework and let him see the consequence of being disorganized. these are teaching moments. confidence: talk about making good decisions and sticking to them. a child with good self-esteem will to cave to peer pressure. she will lead and not follow. remember those words every exasperated parent has shouted: “if everyone else was jumping off of a bridge would you? ! ” make your child feel good about her reasoning and judgment. then you won’t have to worry that she will blindly follow others. exercise: if your child plays a sport exercise time is automatically part of his schedule. but many tweens and teens don’t exercise on a regular basis if they aren’t involved in a team sport. make physical activity part of your child’s daily routine. kids spend several hours a day sitting at a desk and then a few hours (or more) sitting down to do their homework. make exercise a priority and a mental health break. set media limits: twitter facebook cell phones text messaging video games tv shows and surfing the web… need i go on? as if school homework and after-school activities aren’t enough electronic communications and screen time can take up the rest of a child’s waking hours. make a family plan to spend time together without disruption from a tv or a friend who is calling or texting your child during dinner. turn off the electronics completely or set a curfew for them. sleep: sleep is powerful and underrated. with so many things on your child’s plate she may sacrifice sleep to cram for a math test or have a text conversation with her best friend. remind your child how much better she will feel (and how much better she will perform on that math test) if she gets the sleep her body needs. set a reasonable bedtime and try to enforce it as much as possible.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

how can i make sure my child eats a healthy lunch at school?

school lunch programs are designed to provide nutritious lunches right? in theory that’s true. in reality it just doesn’t happen. having my own two kids attend public schools i have seen the menus and eaten at the school cafeterias. i’m sorry but i would really like to see the nutrition facts for the salisbury steak or the beef enchilada plate sometime. color me skeptical. and it’s no surprise to me that kids who eat school lunches are more likely to be overweight. according to a 2010 study from the university of michigan school lunch buyers eat more fatty meat drink sugary beverages and eat fewer fruits and veggies than kids who pack their lunch. the problem: healthy food choices may be in the lunch line but that’s not what the kids are selecting. so our job as parents is to a) make sure kids make healthy food choices in the lunch line and/or b) pack a healthy lunch for them. better yet let your child help pack his lunch. and when you pack that lunch aim for fresh food instead of prepackaged stuff. pack up an apple or banana instead of fruit cocktail or mandarin oranges. offer raw carrots and lowfat ranch dressing instead of a side of chips with that sandwich. and give a water bottle or lowfat milk as a drink. trust me it can be done. yes it takes some planning and grocery shopping. and yes we are all very busy people. but it takes less than 10 minutes before bedtime to pack a nutritious lunch.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

how can you tell a child has strep?

when your child has a sore throat it’s important to find out if it’s strep throat or not. ever wonder why? strep (officially called group a streptococcus) is a bacterial infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics. and all the other sore throats caused by the virus of the week just need time and tlc to resolve. why does strep need to be treated? while many people clear the throat infection on their own untreated strep can do some pretty serious damage in other body parts. untreated strep can infect the heart brain and joints. that’s called rheumatic fever. and it’s why we need to know if that sore throat is due to strep bacteria. doctors have always known that strep prefers to infect school-aged kids instead of babies toddlers or preschoolers. but a recent study in the journal pediatrics confirmed this. about 37% of school-aged children who see their docs for a sore throat will have a strep infection. but only 24% of children under five years of age have strep when they have a throat infection. bottom line: little kids usually get viral sore throats big kids are more likely to have strep. so how do docs know when it’s strep throat (besides doing a strep test of course). here are 10 things that make me think of strep: 1. 5 years of age or older? 2. sore throat without runny nose or cough? 3. sore throat with headache and/or stomachache? 4. sore throat and fine pinpoint sandpapery/rough feeling rash (called “scarlet fever”)? 5. sore throat and raised dots on the tongue (called “strawberry tongue”)? 6. sore throat and a persistent fever for more than a couple of days? 7. (for girls) sore throat and a really red vaginal area? 8. sore throat and really red skin around his/her anus? 9. strep going around your child’s school childcare or your house (late fall winter spring)? 10. a history of getting strep throat before? if you think your child has strep don’t panic. even if your child has had the illness for a few days antibiotics will do the trick to clear the infection and prevent rheumatic fever. just make an appointment to see your child’s doctor!

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

are mosquito bites dangerous?

for the most part no. but it is possible to get west nile virus infection from a mosquito bite. the majority of the time the local allergic reaction they cause are more of an itchy nuisance than a health hazard.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

do mosquitoes like some people more than others?

yes. mosquitoes are attracted to things that put out heat. so watch out if you are hot and sweaty. they also prefer people who exhale more carbon dioxide with each breath. pregnant women are particularly attractive because by definition they are always hot and breathing a bit heavier than their non-pregnant state.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

when does a cut need stitches?

do you know what to do next time your child gets a nasty cut or scrape? (and yes it will happen to you! ) rule #1: stitches need to be placed within 12 hours of the injury. otherwise closing the wound increases the risk of infection. so you’ve got to decide before the office opens the next morning. rule #2: if you cannot get the bleeding under control or you can see fat or bone (usually deeper than 1/4 inch) you need to seek medical attention. rule #3: cuts to the eyebrows and lip/skin lines usually need stitches for the best cosmetic result. since both areas have a definite line you want the two sides of the wound to have the best chance of finding each other. rule #4: injuries to the mouth and lips bleed like stink but rarely need stitches. all that blood flow to the area also allows the wounds to heal very quickly. rule #5: if the wound is due to a human or cat bite it needs to be cleaned really well and might require antibiotics. but these wounds usually do not get stitches. rule #6: wounds that are getting red tender or are draining need to be seen by a medical provider. rule #7: if your child is up to date on his shots he probably won’t need another tetanus shot. but check with your doc to be sure. rule #8: sometimes staples or dermabond (human superglue substance) can be used instead of stitches. but regardless of which method is used all wounds need to be kept clean. rule #9: stitches and staples need to be removed but the length of time depends on the location of the injury. the person who places them will give you specific instructions for follow-up. rule #10: don’t freak out. your child will do better with a calm parent at the helm!

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

does my child have adhd?

does your child have trouble sitting still? does he or she have trouble focusing and completing a task? you may be wondering if your child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd). for starters a diagnosis of adhd is based on a combination of inattentive impulsive and hyperactive behaviors that are inappropriate for the age of the child. and most of the time adhd is not diagnosed until a child enters school. why? because virtually all preschoolers have trouble paying attention and sitting still! so don’t book a consultation with your child’s doctor because your preschooler doesn’t want to sit around during storytime. here’s what you need to know about adhd: q. is adhd hereditary? yes. interestingly add [attention deficit disorder] and adhd tends to run in families. often a parent realizes he or she has the disorder when his or her child is going through the evaluation process. q. what signs should i be looking for in my child? * hyperactivity: a child will constantly fidget with his hands or body. he may seem like he is always on the go. he may have trouble sitting in his seat or playing quietly. and he may talk incessantly. * impulsivity: a child will have trouble taking turns in play. he may blurt out answers in the classroom or interrupt other children’s activities. as a result he may be rejected by his peers. * inattention: a child may be very disorganized and have trouble completing tasks even ones that are fun. he may be forgetful and gloss over details. q. what is the difference between add and adhd? the “h” stands for hyperactivity. kids with add are not fidgety or loud and so they have fewer behavior problems in the classroom. thus they often are diagnosed later — often a child will be eight or nine before add kids are identified. q. if i am worried about add/adhd who should i turn to for help? start with your child’s teacher. he or she can fill out a checklist that demonstrates your child’s successes and challenges in a classroom setting. you will also be asked to do an assessment of your child in your home setting as well. the next step is to discuss the finding with your child’s doctor. the doctor may conduct the complete evaluation and treatment process himself or he may refer your child for additional evaluations and potentially treatment with a specialist. yes. my child is in 7th grade this year we have never had issues with grades or her not keeping up with assignments. she is never still she talks consistently she has been having problems sleeping. she will lay in bed for hours before falling asleep. we have tried different things to help her settle down at night but still no improvement. her grades have fallen really low. her sister has adhd who is 16 years old is on medication. once we started her on meds her whole life became better. i have always suspected my 7th grader having it also but have tried to handle it with the same modifications we did with our 16 yr old. i am not sure where to start with her the doctor we used for testing with our oldest is no longer here in our town. my main concern is the lack of sleep she is getting. also she is always being told to calm down and that she does not always have to be talking. does it sound like i should get her tested? yes

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

should my child's cholesterol be checked?

should every child be screened for high cholesterol? that’s an issue currently up for debate. the current recommendations from the american academy of pediatrics say no. as it stands right now there are only certain children who are screened. those include: * children who have a parent or grandparent diagnosed with heart disease at or under 55 years of age. * children who have a parent or grandparent who have had a heart attack heart-related chest pain vascular disease or sudden cardiac death at or under 55 years of age. * children who have a parent with an elevated blood cholesterol level of 240 mg/dl or higher. * children who are diagnosed with obesity. but a recent study questions if practitioners are missing a significant number of children who might be identified with elevated cholesterol levels. having that awareness might encourage families to be stricter about enforcing a healthy diet and exercise routine. and some kids might actually need to be treated with cholesterol-lowering medications. the study found that almost 10 percent of kids who would not be tested under the current guidelines have elevated levels of ldl cholesterol. bottom line: just relying on a family’s history of high cholesterol may be an insufficient screening tool to determine who needs a blood cholesterol level drawn. but even if your child has not been diagnosed with high cholesterol it’s a good idea for everyone to follow the advice of the american heart association — maintain a low-fat diet for all kids ages two and up. and encourage your whole family to take time for exercise every day.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

should i try to prevent my child from getting bitten by mosquitoes?

yes. besides the potential for west nile virus kids have less patience and are less likely to resist the urge to scratch the heck out of insect bites. it’s possible to open the skin by scratching leaving the area susceptible to bacterial infection. and again there’s that nuisance thing — 20 bug bites can make it hard for a kid to comfortably fall asleep!

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

can adults get croup?

the smaller your airway is to begin with the smaller it will be when it is swollen from a viral croup infection. your airway gets larger as you age. kids under age three are the most affected. and adults (yes like you) are the least affected. so a baby might have trouble catching his breath with croup and an adult might just have a hoarse voice (or “laryngitis”). can adults get croup from kids this is the question i've heared quite much and when you search on google you can find that its. so do you know what is croup croup speard through by which way and can adults get croup from kids? read more: <link>

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

how can i make a food allergic friend feel comfortable eating at our home?

prepare foods from scratch so you can guarantee it is okay or purchase prepared foods that list the allergy facts on the label. the good news: with increased demand even traditional grocery store chains stock cake mixes to make a tasty gluten and dairy free birthday cake!

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what foods have the highest levels of pesticides?

here is a list of the "dirty dozen " according to the environmental working group: peaches strawberries apples nectarines pears cherries red raspberries imported grapes spinach celery potatoes sweet bell peppers

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

if a child is peanut-allergic can he have other nuts?

yes. . peanuts are not really nuts. they are legumes. they grow in the soil. treenuts like walnuts pecans or cashews grow in trees -- hence the name. peanuts and treenuts are completely different types of allergies. but there are some food allergies that do go hand in hand. for instance a person who is allergic to cashews might also be allergic to mangos and pistachios.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

if a child is allergic to milk can he have lactose-free milk or lactaid?

no. . people are allergic to the cow's milk protein. lactose is the sugar found in milk so lactose-free cow's milk still contains cow's milk protein. some people have an intolerance to the milk sugar (lactose) which can cause gas and bloating. but a "lactose intolerance" does not cause lip swelling hives eczema or any other serious allergic reaction.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

is it safe to use an insect repellent on myself and my child?

yes. pregnancy: if you are pregnant the epa deems the most popular active ingredients (deet picaridin oil of lemon eucalyptus) safe during pregnancy. there is no increased risk of birth defects preterm labor or growth restriction. newborns: picaridin-based products are safe for newborns. even better buy some insect netting at your local baby goods store and cover the stroller for a evening stroll. babies and toddlers: deet-based products are safe for kids over 2 months of age. be sure to only apply once a day and wash it off afterward. oil of lemon eucalyptus is safe for kids over 3 years of age.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

will buying exclusively organic produce protect your child from pesticides?

unfortunately no. it will reduce exposures but not eliminate them. pesticide residue remains in the soil for decades. but if you opt for buying organic it makes sense to spend your food dollars on organic produce instead of traditional produce that has the highest level of pesticides

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

why do new dads get depressed?

you’d think any new parent would be elated to hold a precious newborn in their arms. although guys can’t blame it on their hormones sleep deprivation has a major impact on someone’s view of life. spend two (or more) months with three-hour stretches of sleep and see how you feel! some dads also get stressed about 50/50 shared parenting responsibilities. (although they are happy to help many of them don’t have their own dads as role models. ) dads’ depression symptoms often go unnoticed. that’s because men don’t cry. depressed men may act angry withdrawn or even abusive. it’s important for friends family and health care providers to identify dads with postpartum depression and encourage them to seek help.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what are some ways i can cut back on my family's salt intake?

1. taking the time to cook your family’s meals is probably the most important step to cutting back on the salt. processed and prepared foods usually contain substantially more salt than you’d ever add to your home prepared meals. 2. buy fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. if you buy canned look for “no salt added” on the label. 3. choose alternate seasonings to flavor your food. if you use a seasoning blend select one that is salt-free. 4. be a label reader. salt will be listed as “sodium. ” select items that contain 5% of less of your daily salt intake. steer clear of food items that contain 20% or more of your daily salt intake! 5. look for hidden sources of salt: salad dressing canned soup/broth and packaged mixes. 6. love sushi? pick low-salt soy sauce (it usually has a green top). 7. avoid or limit high-salt meats - those that are smoked cured or processed. 8. don’t put the salt shaker on the kitchen table.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what are the best types of tools you would recommend i have to make sure my portion sizes are correct?

i recommend starting with a small kitchen scale in order to get more familiar with what certain sizes of food look like. for instance 1 serving of lean meat should be about the size of a deck of cards and you should be able to hold it in the palm of your hand.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

how many ear infections are too many?

here's what i suggest: four infections in peak cold and flu season (winter=october through april). three infections in non-peak season (summer). three months of persistent residual fluid behind the eardrum. three back-to-back courses of antibiotics for the same ear infection. if your child fits into one of these categories ask your child's doctor about a specialist referral.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what can i do to stay satiated longer?

the most important thing you can do to stay fuller longer is to include a good source of protein in all your snacks and meals.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what kind of fast-food options do you think are the healthiest [. ] for the middle of a busy day?

just because food is "fast" doesn't make it unhealthy. many sandwich shops offer whole-grain breads and rolls and you can build your own sandwich with plenty of vegetables and lean meats -- turkey chicken and roast beef for example. enjoy your sandwiches with mustards that are calorie free. go easy on the mayo or other types of sauces. if you’re going to a burger place choose a single-sized burger and load up on the lettuce tomato pickles and onion garnishes. skip the cheese and save yourself 100 calories. chicken breast sandwiches can also be a good choice. choose the grilled chicken and load up on garnishes. be sure to stay hydrated since you are working so hard possibly in the heat at times. choose water or unsweetened ice teas. and if you want a bit of sweetness add some lemonade or sweet tea to the mix.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

how can i know if my diet is healthy enough to provide me with all the nutrients i need for my busy weekdays?

the usda's myplate is a great place to start. the site provides straightforward tips on eating a balanced diet that provides all of the nutrients you need. the idea is to create a meal plate that consists of 1/2 fruits and/or vegetables of various colors 1/4 lean protein and 1/4 grains (at least half of your grains should be whole grains). myplate also advices people to consume three servings of low-fat or nonfat dairy per day such as milk in your cereal in the morning a cup of milk for a snack or during lunch and a cup of low-fat or nonfat yogurt as a snack or dessert.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

can i really lower my risk of diabetes with exercise and a healthy diet?

if your family members have type 2 diabetes which used to be called adult-onset diabetes there is a lot you can do to lower your risk. the most important thing is to maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise. stay active to help keep your weight under control and be careful not to consume more calories than you need per day.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

am i short-changing myself by exercising early in the morning before i've eaten anything?

you need some fuel to get you going and help you feel good about your workout. so if you grab a banana a whole-grain english muffin or a carton of low-fat yogurt on your way to the gym you will likely have a far more enjoyable workout be able to work harder and be less hungry when you're finished. if you do not eat something "you may become light-headed dizzy and wishing you were not exercising " says nancy clark ms rd author of nancy clark’s sports nutrition guidebook.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what is in buttery-tasting pan sprays that make them taste like butter but without all the fat?

because you only spray on a thin layer cooking sprays are great for sautéing vegetables and lean meats with a small amount of oil. if you check the ingredients label you will see the primary ingredient is vegetable oil. while some are flavored to taste like butter others are flavored to taste like olive oil and may even contain some olive oil. here is an example list of ingredients in one brand of butter-flavored pan spray: soybean oil (adds a very small amount of fat) soy lecithin natural flavors dimethyl silicone (for anti-foaming) beta-carotene (for color) propellant. keep in mind that even cooking sprays labeled as "zero calories" can actually contain less than 1 calorie per serving. so they're not completely calorie free. you can actually make your own cooking spray by buying a spray bottle and filling it with healthy oil such as canola or olive oil.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

in addition to changing my exercise routine what kind of diet should i maintain to get a slimmer physique?

i say focus on the total calories in your diet and the company they keep! limit foods that are high in sugar saturated fat and salt (sodium) such as frozen desserts frozen pizzas pre-packaged entrees chips cookies bottled salad dressings pre-seasoned boxed rice or pasta mixes. go for meals with a foundation of fresh fruits vegetables lean meats whole grains and low-fat or nonfat dairy. read the nutrition facts labels to find healthy foods all over your local grocery store such as canned beans whole-grain pastas and frozen vegetables.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

could a gluten-free diet be supportive enough to fuel my 40 minutes five-days-a-week swimming routine?

many gluten-free foods are good fuel choices for exercise. fruits vegetables beans lean protein and low-fat dairy foods (milk yogurts and cheeses) are all naturally gluten-free as are rice potatoes sweet potatoes and corn. you might want to try gluten-free products such as brown rice pasta or oatmeal that is made in gluten-free production facilities. although there are many options in today's supermarket be cautious. "gluten free" does not always mean "healthier. " just because a bag of chocolate chip cookies says "gluten free" doesn’t mean it's calorie free. many gluten-free products are made with quite a bit of sugar and/or fat.

You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics.

what is your professional opinion on meal supplement bars?

i don't like the idea of "meal replacement" because i think you should eat an actual meal not a bar. but many meal replacement bars are really good choices for taming hunger and giving you the energy you need as a snack. always check the calorie content on the nutrition facts label. a good calorie count for a snack is 150 calories or less. if you are using it to replace a meal make sure the bar contains a decent amount of protein -- at least 10 grams.