Gastroesophageal Reflux and Disease In Children and Adolescents Part 1 of a Series
Information provided by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases What is GER? Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) occurs when stomach contents flow back up into the esophagus—the muscular tube that carries food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach. GER is also called acid reflux or acid regurgitation because the stomach’s digestive […]
Difficult, Dramatic, and Complicated
By Bonnie Harken NCLC, Founder and CEO of Crossroads Programs for Women A“difficult” relationship is not one that is going through the usual periods of disagreement and disappointment that are inevitable when two individuals come together. Healthy relationships are built on equality and respect. Unhealthy relationships are based on power and control. There are many […]
The Future of Health Insurance
By Steven Buttice, Founder and President, Living By Your Design, Inc. In February, Bloomberg News reported “Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini said he has ‘serious concerns’ about whether the ACA health insurance exchanges are sustainable, echoing remarks from other top insurers. Bloomberg adds that Aetna is one of the biggest insurers under ObamaCare and, like its […]
Accident Changes, Redefines Life
By Dave Tompkins There are several significant birthdays—18, 21, 65, and turning 25 is one of them. This milestone marks a point when you are really considered an adult by others, when your career decisions become more serious, and other life choices (marriage, buying a home, etc.) become more important. For Abby Segal, her 25th […]
Sleep Is a Powerful Medicine
By Lori Lovely March signals the imminent arrival of spring, the season when Nature seems to awaken from months of winter sleep to bloom and grow again. People also feel the rousing effects of the changing season. To take advantage of this awakening, as the days grow longer with extended hours of daylight, in most […]
Savor the Flavor of Eating Right
By Dee McCaffrey, Director of Nutrition, Processed-Free America We eat every day, several times a day. But in our fast paced culture, more often than not we are eating on the run, grabbing a toaster pastry and a cup of coffee to gulp down in the car on the way to work. We grab fast […]
Special Pals Offer Comfort and Support
Submitted by Peoria County Animal Protection Service Pet Therapy (PTA) or Animal Assisted Activities (AAA): Opportunities for motivational, educational, recreational, and/or therapeutic benefits to enhance quality of life. PTA or AAA are delivered in a variety of environments by specially trained professionals, paraprofessionals, and/or volunteers, in association with animals that meet specific criteria. (From Standards […]
Don’t Let Your Baggage Weigh You Down Downsize Before You Need To!
By Laurie Pearl Cain You know who you are, with the closets filled to the gills, and basement with towers of boxes you haven’t looked at in years. Bring on the purge! It’s time to Downsize! You have no plans on moving? No worries! Downsizing can be synonymous with “Spring Cleaning” with a little more […]
Deep Vein Thrombosis Can Be a Varicose Vein Disease Complication
Submitted by The Vein Specialists Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body. It can be a complication of varicose veins. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling, but may occur without any symptoms. DVT can also develop if you […]
A Full Plate What’s on YOUR Plate?
By Donata Finley-Boykin, Certified Health Education Specialist, Hult Center for Healthy Living Does the saying, “I have a full plate!” sound familiar? Many individuals use this idiom to describe a busy life schedule. But in June 2011, when dietary guidelines introduced MyPlate, a visual reminder to Americans of a full healthy plate during mealtime, it […]