lifestyle

What do you think of when you hear “self-esteem”? I’m sure we all have an idea of what this means. Simply stated, it is what we think, feel and believe about ourselves. However, it really isn’t as simple as that. An important thing to know is that there are many factors that influence self-esteem at any given time in your life and it can fluctuate throughout your lifetime. The things that lower self-esteem can be different for everyone. Difficult life experiences, such as abuse as a child or an adult, relationship problems, inability to work/financial issues, physical health problems, can typically be a factor. How you treat yourself can also influence your self-esteem. How you talk to yourself (self-talk), criticizing yourself, seeing yourself as “not important” are all influences on self-esteem. Many of us in the mental health field see individuals that are experiencing low self-esteem. It is possible to build your self-esteem and to have a healthy sense of who you are. You...

It’s that time of year again! If you are the parent of a student athlete, you’re probably already thinking about your child’s sports physical for next school year. The Ohio High School Athletic Association requires all athletes to receive a pre-participation physical evaluation (PPE) and return the PPE form in order to participate in competitive sports. PPEs help detect any risks or limitations an athlete might have before they begin the sports season. Many medical societies, including the American Academy Pediatrics and the American College of Sports Medicine, recommend athletes receive a thorough examination from their primary care physicians prior to their participation in sports. Your child’s primary care physician is the best person to complete a thorough sports physical for your child. Your well-established and trusted relationship with your primary care physician enables him/her to catch issues that may have otherwise been missed. They have access to medical record...

Exercise is vital in keeping your heart healthy. Your heart is a muscle and like other muscles, it’s strengthened through regular physical activity. This spring, make it a priority to stay active and take care of your heart with regular exercise. There are lots of health benefits associated with exercise. It helps your brain and memory, boosts your immune system, is good for your muscles and bones, helps maintain a healthy weight, decreases your risk of chronic disease, and can even help you sleep better. Most importantly though, it is a key component in keeping your heart healthy. Here are some of the biggest heart benefits from regular exercise: Your heart becomes more efficient. It’s able to better pump blood throughout your body by pushing out more blood with each beat. This allows your heart to beat slower and keep your blood pressure under control. Your body’s tissue—including your heart—is better able to pull oxygen from your blood. When your heart is able to get ox...

The warmer weather of Spring reminds us that Summer is just around the corner! While Spring and Summer are full of fun and excitement, it can also mean injuries and illness resulting visits to the doctor and ER. The Fisher-Titus Emergency Department staff would like to remind you of the following safety tips so that you can prepare to avoid them and keep our warm weather seasons fun and injury free! YARD WORK With warmer weather, Spring showers, and the return of sunshine comes the return of yard work and landscaping. There are many hazards that can accompany yard work so make sure you take these precautions: When mowing, keep young children inside. Never let children ride on mowers or in carts towed by mowers. Children under 12 should not operate a push mower and those under 16 shouldn’t drive a riding mower. Pick up any large debris before mowing to avoid it becoming a projectile that could cause injury to yourself or others in the area. If you need to get off a rid...

May is Stroke Awareness Month. Once an individual has a stroke, the risk of another stroke increases. One way individuals can help manage that risk is by changing their diet. After you have a stroke, you are at a higher risk of poor nutrition due to the following factors: Swallowing problems (called dysphagia) Problems with arm/hand movements causing difficulty using a knife and fork Problems with memory and thinking resulting in forgetting to eat Loss of appetite If you are not getting enough nutrients from what you are eating and drinking, you may lose weight and your recovery can slow down. Eating a variety of healthy foods every day will provide your body with the nutrients it needs to recover and stay healthy. These foods include: Fruits and vegetables Whole grains. Whole grain breads and cereals contain important fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Lean protein. Low-fat meats or choosing other proteins, such as beans and legumes, helps limit the amount of cholesterol y...

With temperatures now well above 80° with high humidity, plenty of us are probably looking for ways to cool down. Review these safety tips and always remain alert when near water. Although enjoying the water is a great summer activity, we want to make sure you are doing so safely. Remember the Basics Whether you plan on entering the water or not, there are certain precautions you should always take. Never swim alone. Always make sure there is a lifeguard or other people in your group that can look out for each other. Pay close attention to children or less-experienced swimmers. Designate someone to supervise the water and regularly do a head-count to make sure you can see everyone. This person should not be on their phone as it only takes moments for drowning to occur and it often happens silently. Swim sober. Have a phone handy in case you need to call for help. Know your abilities One of the most important things in any type of swimming situation is knowing your...

Autumn is well under way! Did you know that many of your favorite fall foods have additional health benefits as well? Learn more about these autumn ingredients and work them into your meals while they’re still in season! Pumpkin It’s not just for carving, or making pie! Pumpkin can be roasted or added to salads, soups, oatmeal, and baked goods. Pumpkin provides a good source of fiber and contains beta-carotene. Within the body beta-carotene converts into Vitamin A, which is beneficial for your skin and eye health. And don’t throw away the seeds after you scoop out the pumpkin for carving! . Pumpkin seeds provide protein (7g per 1 ounce serving) and are a good source of fiber and poly- and monounsaturated fatty acids (the heart healthy fats!). Spaghetti Squash Due to the yellow strands this squash provides, it is a popular alternative to grain-based spaghetti pasta. It is naturally lower in calories and gluten free! Simply cut the squash in half, scoop out the ...

No one likes the feeling, and we’ve all felt it. The hot, burning acid creeping up your throat, putting pressure on your chest. But for those who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, it becomes incredibly bothersome, impacting your lifestyle. But before you rush to your local pharmacy, there are natural GERD home remedy solutions you can try to alleviate the unwanted side effects of this uncomfortable problem. Here are seven natural GERD home remedy solutions to help reduce the frequency of symptoms. Baking Soda : A teaspoon of baking soda (a base substance) neutralizes stomach acid so that even if it comes up, you won’t feel that burning sensation. Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 8 ounces of water and drink all of it. Repeat as needed, but don’t exceed seven doses in one day. Avoid using this GERD home remedy for more than a week, due to its high salt content and other side effects like swelling or nausea. Chew Gum : People experiencing GERD can get so...

The No. 1 killer on the planet is heart disease, which accounts for one in four deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What makes heart disease so deadly is the progressive buildup of plaque in the arteries, which narrows the inner walls, restricting and ultimately blocking the flow of blood. Arteries are the blood vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood from the heart to different tissues in the body. When plaque builds up and blood flow becomes inhibited, these clogged or blocked arteries can lead to more serious problems such as heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. So what can you do to keep your arteries healthy and free of blockage? Food can be used as a natural remedy to regress blockage and prevent further damage to your arteries.  Here are 10 of the best foods you can eat to free your arteries of build-up. 1. Asparagus Asparagus is one of the best foods to cleanse your arteries. Full of fiber and minerals...

The liver is the organ that filters, processes and breaks down what passes through your body. It’s responsible for filtering your blood and helping it to clot, breaking down any chemicals, alcohol and drugs you take in while producing glucose and bile, two important substances you need to stay healthy. When the liver becomes overwhelmed with toxins and pollutants, its natural working cycle slows down. Besides alcohol, drugs and other taxing chemicals, we tend to overload our livers with processed and fried foods, especially when consumed in large quantities. But what foods cleanse your liver? The good news is there are many foods you’re probably already eating that can help to cleanse your liver naturally. These delicious options stimulate the liver’s natural ability to expel toxins from the body. Here are 10 foods you can add to your diet to cleanse your liver. Garlic:  Garlic contains selenium , a mineral that helps to detoxify the liver. It also has the abilit...

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the colon or large intestine. This causes inflammation and leads to the growth of open sores or ulcers. It is a form of inflammatory bowel disease, which affects 1.3 percent of adults in the United States. As ulcerative colitis affects the digestive system, it may cause constipation. Constipation is a common problem that has many different causes, including low-fiber diets, a lack of physical activity, certain medications, and health conditions. Ulcerative colitis and constipation Ulcerative colitis is most often associated with diarrhea and bloody, frequent stools. However, for some individuals with ulcerative colitis, constipation is also a problem. Many people think they need to have at least one bowel movement each day, and a failure to do so means they are constipated. However, the normal frequency for bowel movements ranges from th...

Constipation occurs when someone experiences difficulty while passing stools. Karo is a brand of corn syrup that serves as a popular home remedy for constipation. However, is it safe and effective? In this article, we examine the use of Karo syrup as a  constipation  remedy for adults and children. There are a few different types of Karo syrup, but the main type in this article is regular corn syrup rather than light or dark corn syrup. Karo syrup and constipation People mainly use Karo syrup in recipes to keep food moist and prevent sugar crystallization. Karo syrup is a commercial corn syrup derived from the starch of maize. Corn syrup is an old home remedy for constipation. It has a laxative effect due to the action of corn syrup in the intestines. Certain sugar proteins in corn syrup help to lock moisture into stools. Dietitians recommend including soluble fiber in the diet for similar reasons. This moisture keeps stools from drying out and compacting. T...