Tag Archives: symptoms

Online Symptom Checkers

Not sure if your current health issue is worth a trip to the doctor? An online symptom checker can help you decide. My favorite online symptom checker is at www.WebMD.com — I tend to go there first with most of my health questions. However, lots of sites have similar programs that can help you decide whether or not you need a doctor. I was browsing through the one on MSN.com just the other day. Why use an online symptom checker? There are some times when you know you have a medical emergency on your hands — severe bleeding, broken bones, … Continue reading →

Three Dreaded Letters: PMS

It’s not a subject most people like to discuss, but PMS or Pre Menstrual Syndrome can wreak havoc on relationships, especially when it is not recognized. Despite what many people seem to think, hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman’s cycle can be as hard on her as they seem to be on the people in her life. Yes, PMS is Real Too often people see PMS as being “all in her head,” but it’s not. Hormonal changes can cause everything from cravings and fatigue to mild discomfort or a good deal of pain. There is often bloating and irritability, and a … Continue reading →

When to See Your Doctor About Crying

We have talked about the fussy baby and the baby that cries and why they cry and what it means when they cry and how you can comfort for their crying. For parents of infants, crying is a simple fact of life. Babies cry for a variety of reasons and there are many ways that we can bring comfort to our babies, but how do you know when the crying is something more than usual? When is it time to see your pediatrician about the baby crying? Is it a Medical Problem? If you notice a change in your baby’s … Continue reading →

Day 5: My Throat Hurts and My Sinuses Hate Me

But I am doing moderately well in the cravings department. I saw someone having a cigarette last night and I didn’t want it. That actually surprised me – and what surprised me even more was that I didn’t feel the urge to light up and it never came the whole time I was standing there. Now I’ll grant you, at one point yesterday, I looked at my husband and I said – “Well, I’m not dying for a cigarette.” And he said, “Nope, you’re just dying.” He wasn’t far wrong. I was so congested yesterday I felt like I had … Continue reading →

Exercise With Caution: The Heat Can Kill

The last few weeks, the temperatures here have soared above the 100-degree mark. In fact, between the heat and the humidity, walking outside is like a one-two punch to the face. The scary part is, even at 6 in the morning, with temperatures exceeding 85 degrees and the rising humidity – normal activities like walking to school can leave you dripping sweat. Exercise + Extreme Heat = Tragedy Every year, you hear about it and you think why did they keep going? Football players collapsing from dehydration and heat stroke; athletes getting sick and the even sadder stories of the … Continue reading →

Agonizing Journey: The Undiagnosed Child

When a child is born with (or develops) physical problems, parents experience a sense of panic: What is wrong with our baby? The anomalies might be obvious or subtle. Sometimes it is only a parent’s “gut feeling” indicating that something just isn’t right. There are few things as frightening as having a baby or child with an unknown medical condition. When Parents Become Medical Researchers Many parents find their feet set upon this difficult, frustrating path. They become their child’s own medical researcher, trying to find a diagnosis that matches the baffling symptoms. Along this mysterious journey, their child might … Continue reading →

Superficially Engaging

It’s been interesting talking with my neighbor about Reactive Attachment Disorder, maybe because during the past four-years I have had to learn everything as I went along. Most of my support system lost track of where we were at with whatever we were trying to do to help our daughter. It’s been nice to have someone new to share with–now that we are used to this reality and not in a state of panic or despair. Reactive attachment disorder is more then the set of Symptoms and Diagnostic Criteria RAD is a condition in which a child has difficulty forming … Continue reading →

Anorexia – Symptoms and Treatment

Anorexia affects two out of every 100 teenage girls, although the disorder does occur less frequently in other age groups and occasionally in males. Signs and symptoms of anorexia include dry skin, brittle hair and nails, and an intolerance of cold temperatures. The appearance of lanugo, or downy hair on the face and body is common. Chronic low blood pressure and a slowed heart rate are also typical. Cardiac, kidney, and electrolyte imbalances are common and are often the cause of death. Of course, by far the most obvious sign of anorexia is weight loss. To be medically classified with … Continue reading →

Teen Choking Game – A Potentially Deadly High Pt 2

By Nicole Allard Other Names Used for the Choking Game: Other names have been used for this game by teens, and some include Space Monkey, Fainting, Pass Out Game, Black Out Game, American Dream, Flatliner, Space Cowboy, Knock Out, Gasp, Rising Sun, Airplaning. There could, and probably are many more. Why do Kids do this? They do it because it gives them a high, which they can become addicted to. They also may think it’s cool. To them, it’s risky and fun. Maybe many of their other friends do it too. Remember what it felt like to be a teen? … Continue reading →

Merry Christmas and Happy Decorating

Since Christmas will be here in just a few days, I thought I’d include a few last minute decorating ideas. These are handy for people who don’t have much time for decorating or who will be traveling during the holidays but would still like to add some festive touches to their homes. Spruce up your dining table, sideboard, and even your coffee table with these simple centerpieces. These projects are fun to make, using candles and a few extra touches. They are also quick and easy to disassemble and to put away. Candle Collection Place an assortment of white candles … Continue reading →