RSS Feedhttps:// RSS Feeden{DACEE6EB-DE88-4202-9CC2-9D5C4065A4CD} Physician Restores Man&#39;s Hearing After 10 Years <p>​​​​​​​​​Imagine being a teenager and losing your hearing and not even realizing it.&nbsp;That's what ​happened to Ogden resident David Bingham whose hearing loss was so gradual that initially he didn't notice anything was wrong. At first his parents didn't notice either and though​t perhaps he was ignoring them sometimes&nbsp;and attributed it to "being a teenager."</p> <p>By the time David went to the doctor around the eighth grade, he had lost 50 percent hearing in his right ear and about 20 percent in his left ear. Something had to be done, but it wasn't clear how the hearing loss had occurred.&nbsp;</p> <p>"I had a lot of ear infections as a kid and the doctors thought that maybe those infections caused scar tissue to form," says David. But even after a couple surgeries, including removing scar tissue and putting tubes in his ears to see if it was a drainage problem, the hearing loss stayed the same.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="David-sidebar" src="/~/media/Images/Modules/Blog/Posts/2017/07/David-sidebar.jpg?h=374&amp;w=250" style="height: 374px; width: 250px;" /></p> <p><strong>The only accident David had been involved in was an ATV rollover when he was 12 years old,&nbsp;</strong>but the injuries were not significant. In that accident, he'd hit his head and broke his arm, but otherwise was fine. No one thought anything about his ears or the&nbsp;hearing loss being connected to that accident.</p> <p><strong>The diagnosis: otosclerosis</strong></p> <p>That was until David met with <a href="">Michael Scheuller, MD</a>, a McKay-Dee Hospital ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physician who provides medical and surgical care. By then David, who is now 25,&nbsp;had been wearing hearing aids for almost a decade, pretty much all through his teens and early 20s. "I really didn't think anything would fix it at this point," David&nbsp;says. He was used to the&nbsp;inconveniences for hearing aids, including the constant need for repair and having to remove them while swimming or taking a shower.</p> <p">Dr. Scheuller&nbsp;came highly recommended by a relative who encouraged David&nbsp;to meet with him. "Dr. Scheuller&nbsp;pretty much looked at my medical records, knew exactly what was wrong, and knew what we could do to fix it as soon as he walked into the room."</p"> <div> <p"></p"> </div> <div> <p">The diagnosis: A disease called <a href="">otosclerosis</a> that&nbsp;causes the stapes bone in the ear &mdash; the tiniest bone in the body &mdash;to stop working properly. All the nerves in David's ear were healthy, but the stapes bone wasn't able to vibrate and carry sound. Dr. Scheuller​&nbsp;explained that if you hit your head, such as in the ATV crash, it can speed up the disease, which can be caused by genetics. <p><strong>A life-changing procedure</strong></p> <p>Outpatient surgery, called a stapedectomy, was recommended, as David was a good candidate for it. The procedure removes the stapes bone and implants a prosthetic device in its place that permits sound waves to pass through the&nbsp;ear. The surgery was scheduled for a month later.​​</p> <p><strong>"The results of the surgery were life-changing,"</strong>&nbsp;says David, who explains that he had to wait a week afterward to experience the results. "It was like putting on glasses for the first time where you can see shapes and definition. I could hear the wind going past my ears, a piano playing down the hall, the buzz of the refrigerator running."</p> <p">David has since recovered all of his hearing thanks to this sound (excuse the pun) treatment, which included surgery on both ears. He is currently in his junior year at Weber State University studying athletic therapy and eventually plans to work in healthcare and become a physician assistant (PA).&nbsp;</p"> &nbsp;</p"> <div> <p"> <p"><strong><br /> </strong></p"> </p"> </div> <div> <p"> <p"><strong>Reach a&nbsp;specialist</strong></p"> </p"> <p><a href="">Find an ear, nose, and throat physician at Intermountain Healthcare<strong>.</strong></a></p> <div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 15px; background: #f2f2f2; width: 100%; font-weight: bold; border-left: 4px solid #004499; display: block; padding-left: 10px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif;"> <p> Recommended for you: <a href="">How Loud is too Loud?</a></p> </div> </div> </div>Fri, 28 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0600{91DFEBB5-8E66-4756-BD62-79A94D7593B4} Made More Comfortable With Prenatal Massage<p>A host of discomforts can come with pregnancy &mdash; headaches, body aches, fatigue, sore feet, just to name a few. But moms-to-be can rejoice because a prenatal massage may be just the thing to kick those aches and pains to the curb so you can spend less time focusing on your aching back and more time deciding what color to paint the nursery.</p> <h2>What are the benefits of prenatal massage?</h2> <p>&ldquo;Prenatal massage can relieve a number of everyday pregnancy symptoms,&rdquo; says Judy Bishop, a licensed massage therapist with the <a href="">LiVe Well Center</a> in Park City, Utah, who is specially trained in prenatal massage. &ldquo;Our goal is to help moms relax and relieve their symptoms through a very gentle therapeutic massage.&rdquo;</p> <h3>Prenatal massage can help:</h3> <ul> <li>Reduce stress and promote relaxation</li> <li>Increase blood flow and improve circulation</li> <li>Reduce musculoskeletal strain and pain</li> <li>Enhance flexibility and kinesthetic awareness</li> <li>Foster a nurturing maternal touch and healthy bonding</li> </ul> <p>&ldquo;Prenatal massage can provide a great bond between mom and baby,&rdquo; says Bishop, &ldquo;When you incorporate touch therapeutically, baby can feel the effects of mom relaxing, breathing deeper, and bringing more awareness and connection to her baby.&rdquo; </p> <h3>How is a prenatal massage different from a regular massage?</h3> <p>In addition to gentle strokes, a pregnant woman is positioned on her side to minimize discomfort.</p> <p>It&rsquo;s important to seek out a massage therapist who is specifically trained and certified in prenatal massage. </p> <p>&ldquo;Those of us who are certified in prenatal massage have received advanced training and understand how to position a pregnant woman to help maximize massage strokes so she&rsquo;ll receive the most benefit,&rdquo; says Bishop. &ldquo;We also have additional tools, like wedges and pillows, to help minimize discomfort and allow mom to more deeply relax.&rdquo;</p> <h3>Is prenatal massage safe?</h3> <p>While prenatal massage is generally considered safe, if you have questions about whether it&rsquo;s safe for you, talk with your healthcare provider. </p> <p><strong>Use your HSA or FSA to pay for prenatal massage.</strong></p> <p>Under IRS guidelines, prenatal massage can be a qualified medical expense using a Healthcare Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) if your healthcare provider recommends it with a written prescription. To find out more, talk with your HSA or FSA administrator and your healthcare provider.</p>Thu, 27 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0600{6CC7378F-6959-466A-A211-C1365895CAD5} Connect Care Right for My Child?<div style="margin-bottom: 15px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; width: 100%; background: #f2f2f2; float: left; padding-left: 10px; border-left: #88bb00 6px solid; display: block;"> <p><strong><a href="" target="_blank">Download Connect Care</a></strong> for a video appointment now, or check out below to see if Connect Care is right for you!</p> </div> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">More serious situations are often best treated with an in-person visit. If this happens, your Connect Care provider will refer you to the appropriate facility, and you will not be charged for the Connect Care visit.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Connect Care also works to reduce the over prescription of antibiotics. Though antibiotics are sometimes effective in sinus infection treatment, it&rsquo;s often unnecessary and can contribute to the issue. An examination by a Connect Care provider can determine the suitability of antibiotic treatment.</p> <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">Common Cold</h2> <h1 style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;"></h1> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Children&rsquo;s participation in childcare, school, and sports make them susceptible to the common cold. It can occur at any time of the year and is often a miserable experience for parents and children alike. With Connect Care, parents can easily and efficiently receive an evaluation of their child&rsquo;s symptoms.</p> <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">Cough</h2> <p style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">While often a symptom of the common cold, a cough can also be related to serious illnesses including croup, asthma, or pneumonia. Through Connect Care, parents can determine the nature of their child&rsquo;s cough and receive appropriate treatment.</p> <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">Sinus Pain and Pressure</h2> <p style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">Connect Care offers excellent support for children experiencing sinus pain, pressure and discharge. Through a video examination and evaluation of the history of the illness, providers can provide a diagnosis and determine the best treatment.</p> <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;">Connect Care is not right for your child if:</h2> <p style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt;"><b>They&rsquo;re experiencing emergency symptoms:</b> Connect Care is not intended for treatment of emergency medical problems. The American College of Emergency Physicians identifies <a href="">several symptoms</a> that should lead to evaluation in the closest emergency department. If your child is experiencing any of the following, please call 911 or go to the ER: </p> <ul> <li>Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath</li> <li>Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure lasting two minutes or more</li> <li>Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness</li> <li>Changes in vision</li> <li>Difficulty speaking</li> <li>Changes in mental status: unusual behavior, difficulty walking</li> <li>Any sudden or severe pain</li> <li>Uncontrolled bleeding</li> <li>Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea</li> <li>Coughing or vomiting blood</li> <li>Signs of dehydration &ndash; decreased wet diapers, dry mucus membranes, cool extremities</li> <li>Recent dental procedures</li> <li>Suspected broken bones</li> <li>Suicidal or homicidal feelings</li> <li>Unusual abdominal pain</li> </ul> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b>Your child is an infant (age 0-90 days):</b> All infants are required to have an in-person evaluation</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b>Your child is a young baby (age 3 months- 12 months):</b> The symptoms of young babies are often misleading and serious illnesses can develop quickly. Patients will typically be referred to an in-patient examination.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b>Your child&rsquo;s fever temperature is above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38.0 degrees Celsius)</b></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b>Your child&rsquo;s symptoms have lasted more than 10 days</b></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><strong></strong></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><strong></strong></p> <div style="margin-bottom: 15px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; width: 100%; background: #f2f2f2; float: left; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; padding-left: 10px; clear: both; border-left: #ffbb22 5px solid; display: block;"> <p>The symptoms above should be treated in an emergency room or urgent care clinic:&nbsp;<span style="font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, HelveticaNeue, Helvetica-Neue, Helvetica, &quot;BBAlpha Sans&quot;, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;">Any emergency symptom such as severe pain, difficulty breathing, chest pain, uncontrolled bleeding, behavioral health issues, mental state changes, and unusual abdominal pain.</span></p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 15px; border-top: #3388dd 3px solid; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; width: 100%; background: #d7e7f7; border-bottom: #aaccee 2px solid; float: left; font-weight: bold; padding-left: 10px; display: block;"> <p>SEE ALSO: <a href="">One Year Later, Connect Care Keeps Getting Better</a></p> </div>Thu, 27 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0600{047F638F-AD3A-4A5E-ABEA-F40575B9929E} Summer Vacation When You&#39;re Pregnant<p>Summer is prime time for vacations, traveling, soaking up the sun and enjoying the great outdoors. But if you&rsquo;re pregnant you may wonder whether it&rsquo;s safe to hop on an airplane or slather on mosquito repellant and sunscreen.</p> <p>Edwin England, DO, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Intermountain Riverton Hospital recommends these tips to keep pregnant women safe in the summer:</p> <h3>Pregnant and flying?</h3> <p>Pregnant women with these conditions shouldn&rsquo;t travel on an airplane:</p> <ul> <li>If you&rsquo;re more than 36 weeks along</li> <li>If you&rsquo;re at risk of pre-term labor</li> <li>If you have pre-eclampsia (symptoms include high blood pressure and excessive swelling).</li> <li>If you have placenta previa (placenta covers all or part of the cervix)</li> <li>If your water has broken</li> </ul> <p>&ldquo;If your pregnancy is low-risk and you&rsquo;re less than 36 weeks along, it&rsquo;s generally safe to fly on an airplane, but always check with your doctor in advance about your travel plans,&rdquo; says Dr. England. &ldquo;Get an aisle seat if possible, so you&rsquo;re able to move around every couple of hours, which helps reduce the risk of blood clots, especially on longer flights. If you&rsquo;re traveling by car, you should also stop every two hours to move around.&rdquo;</p> <h3>If I'm pregnant, should I use mosquito repellant?</h3> <p>If you&rsquo;re going to a place with lots of mosquitoes, whether it&rsquo;s just camping in the woods or to a destination where mosquito-borne illnesses such as the Zika virus or malaria are prevalent, pregnant women should use mosquito repellant. Repellants with DEET are most effective. </p> <p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s safe for pregnant women to use repellants with up to 30 percent DEET,&rdquo; says Dr. England.</p> <ul> <li>Avoid exposure to mosquitoes by staying indoors near dawn and dusk</li> <li>If you get mosquito bites and experience a fever, chills or a rash, contact your doctor</li> </ul> <h3>Are pregnant women more at risk for sunburn?</h3> <p>&ldquo;During pregnancy, the body produces more melanocytes, which are specialized skin cells that produce the skin-darkening pigment melanin,&rdquo; says Dr. England. That means pregnant women have a higher risk of exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. </p> <p>If you&rsquo;re pregnant:</p> <ul> <li>Avoid prolonged sun exposure</li> <li>Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher</li> <li>Re-apply sunscreen every two hours</li> </ul> <p><strong>RELATED: <a href="" target="_self">Skin Care Tips for Summer</a></strong></p> <h3>Are pregnant women more likely to get dehydrated in the heat?</h3> <p>&ldquo;Staying hydrated is especially important for women in the third trimester of pregnancy when there&rsquo;s a higher risk for pre-term labor,&rdquo; says Dr. England. To help prevent dehydration, pregnant women should:</p> <ul> <li>Drink 64 ounces of water per day</li> <li>Drink small amounts and sip frequently</li> <li>Reduce sun exposure, especially during the hottest time of day</li> <li>Wear loose, lightweight clothing</li> </ul> <p>Exercise in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler.</p> <p><strong>RELATED: <a href="" target="_self">How Infused Water Can Help You Stay Hydrated</a></strong></p>Wed, 26 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0600{124831DD-B449-40E8-95A6-B3A05C58AD01} a Vasectomy Right for You?<p>For men who no longer want to have children, a <a href="">vasectomy</a> &ndash; also called male sterilization &ndash; is a very effective, permanent form of contraception. </p> <h3>Dr. Matern answers questions about vasectomy:</h3> <br /> <iframe width="560" height="315" src=";showinfo=0" frameborder="0"></iframe> <h2>What is a Vasectomy?</h2> <p>A vasectomy is a procedure that prevents sperm from leaving the testicles. As a result of the procedure, the tubes (vas deferens) that deliver sperm from the testicle are disconnected or blocked surgically.</p> <h3>How to Prepare for a Vasectomy? </h3> <p>Having vasectomy is a serious decision to make. You and your partner will want to discuss the procedure to make sure you&rsquo;re both on the same page. You&rsquo;ll also want to have a discussion with a urologist about the procedure and the risks and benefits. </p> <h3>Are Vasectomies Effective? </h3> <p>Vasectomies are a very effective contraception, resulting in a less than a 1% chance of pregnancy. You and your partner don&rsquo;t need to worry about using other forms of birth control once sperm is clear from the reproductive tract (about six weeks after the procedure), which makes preventing pregnancy much easier. </p> <h3>Are there Scalpeless Options for Vasectomy?</h3> <p>A no-scalpel vasectomy can be done. The procedure uses local anesthetic and results in a smaller wound than conventional vasectomy. The benefits are less pain, quicker recovery time, and less bleeding and complications.</p> <p>Different doctors use different techniques, but all are designed to ensure the two ends of the cut tubes remain separate.</p> <h3>How Long is the Procedure?</h3> <p>The procedure typically only takes about 15 minutes. What many people don&rsquo;t realize is that most procedures take place in a doctor&rsquo;s office or outpatient setting, not an operating room. The recovery process may take a bit longer. It&rsquo;s usually recommended that you take it easy for a few days following the procedure.</p> <h3>Is a Vasectomy Reversible?</h3> <p>Yes, a vasectomy can sometimes be reversed. Typically, insurance doesn&rsquo;t pay for a reversal, which can be difficult and expensive.</p>Wed, 26 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0600{E05D9CF1-8D7E-4038-B8F7-76971DF163ED} Outside and Play! The Benefits of Parks for Kids<p>Your local park is a great way to get the kids outside and improve their mental and physical health!</p> <p>Parks are great places to bond with your kids and get outside. Playing around at a local park gives your family a great workout, and it's fun &ndash; also free!</p> <h2>Health Benefits of Going to the Park</h2> <ul> <li>It's a great place for discovery and growth.</li> <li>Growing up, your imagination is at its peak. From building a fort to exploring uncharted territory, kids can discover the world around them and let their imagination run wild. Parks are a great place for kids to discover nature and exercise their imagination!</li> <li>Connecting with family.</li> <li>While kids may feel connected with nature at a park, it also brings quality family time. Families can connect with one another without the distraction of TV's or crazy to-do lists.</li> <li>Providing a sense of adventure.</li> </ul> <p>Every trip to the park brings new things to see and discover. While kids play, they may gain a sense of accomplishment from challenges met outdoors, which can lead to greater self-confidence and self-worth. Developing a sense for wildlife, natural resources and open spaces can come from a successful adventure in your local park.</p> <div style="margin-bottom: 15px; border-top: #38d 3px solid; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; width: 100%; background: #d7e7f7; border-bottom: #ace 2px solid; float: left; font-weight: bold; padding-left: 10px; display: block;"> <p>RELATED: <a href="">Family Fitness: Get Moving!</a></p> </div> <h2>Must Visit Utah Parks</h2> <ul> <li><a href="">Sugarhouse Park</a> &ndash; This park is perfect for family gatherings and great exercise. There is a duck pond, plenty of green grass to run around on and they have the perfect sledding hills in the winter!</li> <li><a href="">City Creek Park</a> &ndash; This smaller park has a beautiful stream, a good amount of shade and is a great place to hang out and relax with family. Located in Downtown Salt Lake City, it's a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and discover nature.</li> <li><a href="">Murray Park</a> &ndash; Murray Park is large park in the heart of Salt Lake City. With big pavilions, it's a great place to pack a picnic for the whole family. There are hills to roll down, a river, playgrounds and huge trees, perfect place for a family adventure!</li> <li><a href="">Orem Community Park</a> &ndash; Between the baseball fields, the tennis courts and the playgrounds, it's hard to get bored at this park. Large spaces for family gatherings and grills at the pavilions if you want to BBQ.</li> <li><a href="">South Ogden City Friendship Park</a> &ndash; This park has large open areas for running around, playing soccer or throwing a Frisbee. Great place to gather for summertime events and to get outside with the family.</li> </ul> <p>For more information about parks near you, visit <a href=""></a></p> <p>Hiking more your thing? Try one of these <a href="">LiVe Well Healthy Hikes</a>!</p>Wed, 26 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0600{D33EB7A2-5080-4DFB-9165-03259A39A0B6} to a Pause: Improving Care Through Safety Moments and Our Zero Harm Initiative<h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">What are safety moments?</h2> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">One of the techniques we use is &ldquo;safety moments.&rdquo; These pauses in process empower our caregivers to openly discuss potential safety concerns or to question anything that seems out of the ordinary. Our <b><i>commitment to a pause</i> </b>has resulted in prevented errors and the identification of protocol flaws that are then resolved almost immediately.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">But, safety moments aren&rsquo;t just for caregivers; they&rsquo;re for patients too. We encourage our patients to ask all their questions and express all their concerns about the care being provided to them. Each of your questions is one more potential safety moment that helps our caregivers pause and resolve problems of safety or quality.</p> <h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">How do they improve patient safety?</h2> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">As part of our Zero Harm initiative, safety moments allow us to improve patient safety by consistently applying best practices no matter the care setting. Our best practices are based on the science of high reliability and they&rsquo;ve been proven to improve safety in other high-risk industries. Zero Harm focuses our attention on the prevention, detection, and correction of safety issues and events. Safety&rsquo;s not just a program at Intermountain; it&rsquo;s part of our culture.</p> <h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">How do we discuss and improve safety?</h2> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Our teams gather in huddles at predetermined times and locations to look at the activities of the day. Together they discuss things like which patients are on the schedule, what equipment is needed in the care setting, and any additional services they can provide to patients. Huddles allow our caregivers to follow up on safety goals and opportunities for improvement. They also allow issues to be escalated and resolved more quickly.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Our commitment to a pause is part of our commitment to the patients we serve.</p> <div style="margin-bottom: 15px; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; width: 100%; background: #f2f2f2; float: left; font-weight: bold; padding-left: 10px; border-left: #049 4px solid; display: block;"> <p>Recommended for you: <a href="">Intermountain Healthcare Recently Awarded a Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Research Grant</a></p> </div>Wed, 26 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0600{BE244D4B-F5B8-4214-A80F-90B0178EF965} for ChildrenThe stressful situations are building as anxiety and depression rates has been increasing among adolescents and toddlers. <p>Katrina Jensen, registered nurse for Intermountain Moms, appeared on KUTV to talk about this topic. One culprit of increased anxiety could be technology and electronic could be a culprit to some of the anxiety cases rise. Jensen said to consider that the before when you watched a TV show, when it ended, you turned off the television. </p> <p>&ldquo;And now we can binge watch Netflix. We can do the same with all these shows &ndash; it just never ends,&rdquo; Jensen said. &ldquo;So the anxiety and the tension for children is really becoming an issue.&rdquo;</p> <p><strong>Anxiety Symptoms:</strong></p> <p>In addition to the primary symptoms of irrational and excessive fear and worry, other common emotional symptoms of anxiety include:</p> <ul> <li>Feelings of apprehension or dread</li> <li>Trouble concentrating</li> <li>Feeling tense and jumpy</li> <li>Anticipating the worst</li> <li>Irritability</li> <li>Restlessness</li> <li>Watching for signs of danger</li> </ul> <p><strong>RELATED</strong>: <a href="" target="_blank">The Physical Side of Anxiety</a></p> <p>One mindfulness exercise is belly breathing. Place your hands on your stomach and take deep, slow breaths in and then out to expand the stomach and hands outwards. The focus become on the breath and instead of all the worries that can weigh an adult, or child, down.</p> <p>&ldquo;It forces you to be present. So two or three times, several times a day, if kids are anxious at school, getting ready for a test, if they are having a stressful experience, that&rsquo;s just one of the simple things,&rdquo; Jensen said.</p> <p>Here are some recommendations for how long to have practice belly breathing:</p> <ul> <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Preschool age</span>: A few minutes per day</li> <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Grade school age</span>: 3-10 minutes twice per day</li> <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Teens</span>: 5-45 minutes per day</li> </ul> <p>There is also the same formal meditation and yoga that kids can use to help ease their minds.</p> <p>Watch Katrina Jensen speaking about these tips on Check Your Health on KUTV.</p> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="" frameborder="0"></iframe> <p>For more information, visit <a href="" target="_blank">KUTV's Baby Your Baby</a> site.</p>Wed, 26 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0600{3BB6C970-6298-4A26-9823-314AF1B1A642} Healthy Summer Screen Time Limits for Kids<p>The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents and caregivers develop a family media plan that balances the health, education, and entertainment needs of each child as well as the whole family.</p> <h2>How Much Screen Time is Appropriate?</h2> <p>New guidelines released by the American Academy of Pediatrics last fall show <a href="" target="_self">varying recommendations of screen time by age</a>. </p> <ul> <li>Under 18 months: Avoid use of screen time other than video chatting</li> <li>18-24 months: Introduce high-quality, educational programming and watch with them</li> <li>Ages 2-5: Less than one hour per day of high-quality programs. </li> <li>Ages 6 plus: Place consistent limits on screen time and make sure it doesn&rsquo;t take the place of exercise and other healthy activities. </li> </ul> <p>For grade school children and teens, the point of limiting screen time is to make sure it doesn&rsquo;t interfere with important activities such as physical activity, quality family time, unstructured down time, and sleep. That will enhance their social skills, problem-solving abilities, and healthy habits for the future. </p> <h3>Quantity <em>And</em> Quality Matters </h3> <p>In addition to placing time limits on media, it&rsquo;s also important to monitor the quality of screen time your kids are getting. </p> <ul> <li>Research age-appropriate, high-quality programming</li> <li>View content with your children</li> <li>Have an ongoing dialogue with kids about safety and respectful behavior on- and offline</li> </ul> <p>In addition to these guidelines, it&rsquo;s also important to enjoy quality time together that doesn&rsquo;t involve TV, online games, or apps. Designate media-free times and spaces in the house to help create this boundary for both you and your kids.</p> <br /> <iframe width="560" height="315" src=";showinfo=0" frameborder="0"></iframe>Tue, 25 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0600{7A217218-AFBC-4631-A6CA-0AD966EFCCB3} Adults Take Gummy Vitamins<p>You&rsquo;ve probably seen gummy versions of many different food supplements, including vitamins, at the grocery story. And you&rsquo;ve probably realized gummies are offered to kids <em>and</em> adults. The popularity and growth of both child and adult gummy vitamins, which are part of the $41 billion food supplement industry in the United States, can be traced to several causes: </p> <ul> <li>Many&nbsp;<a href="" target="_self" style="display: inline !important;">adults suffer from pill fatigue</a>&nbsp;and find it difficult to add anything else to their daily pill regimen. According to a 2005 AARP study,&nbsp;<a href="" target="_self" style="display: inline !important;">adults 45 and older take an average of 4 different pill prescriptions daily.</a></li> <li>Vitamins can upset the stomach, and sometimes the smell of vitamins can add to pill aversion.</li> <li>Gummies taste great and seem more like a candy. </li> </ul> <p>Despite these realities, here are few facts to chew on before you jump on the gummy vitamin train: </p> <ol> <li>Gummy vitamins can contain quite a bit of sugar &mdash; <a href="" target="_self">anywhere from 2 to 8 grams of sugar per serving.</a> The average serving size is one gummy. </li> <li>The fillers and flavoring needed to create a gummy supplement make it difficult to have enough of each nutrient to have a real impact. Additionally, manufacturers are unable to add as many nutrients as pill or chewable versions.</li> <li>Gummies are typically more expensive. To get all the nutrients offered by pill and chewable forms, you&rsquo;d have to buy several different types of gummies. Results from a recent purchase:</li> <ul> <li>Centrum Women in the pill form contains 30 nutrients. The bottle contains 120 tablets and sells for $10.99 (which means you&rsquo;re paying 9 cents for the recommended dose of one pill).</li> <li>Centrum Multi-Gummies for women contain 11 different nutrients. The bottle contains 70 gummies and sells for $9.99 (or 29 cents per recommended dose of two gummies, more than three times the cost of the pill form). </li> <li>Centrum Silver Chewable for adults 50+ contains 27 different nutrients. The bottle contains 60 tablets and costs $15.99 (or 27 cents per recommended dose of one chewable tablet).</li> </ul> <li>Gummies taste like candy, but be careful of eating too many. <a href="" target="_self">Over-consuming any nutrient</a> can be detrimental. </li> <li>Gummy vitamins can add to dental cavities because of the high sugar content.</li> </ol> <p>In general, the benefits of gummy vitamins versus the cost is something everyone should consider for themselves. It takes a lot of gummies to match the pill or chewable versions on the market. The cost may not seem like much for one bottle, but over time it&rsquo;s a significant investment. </p> <p>The scientific concern with all supplements is that it&rsquo;s difficult to evaluate the effect of any nutrient when it&rsquo;s taken out of actual food. A nutrient may not provide the same benefits as it would in wholesome foods, where it works in concert with other nutrients. The best way to get all your essential vitamins and minerals is to have a well-balanced diet, which includes lots of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.</p>Tue, 25 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0600