wellness

ExpertQA

• What’s the best way to treat a beesting?

  The best way to treat a bee sting is to avoid bees in the first place, so stay away from hives or other areas that you know shelter bees.

• My son gets frequent headache pain located in his nose and forehead. What’s the cause?

  Headache pain in the neck and forehead can be attributed to a variety of factors. A common trigger is allergies, which are usually accompanied by itchy, watery eyes and a runny nose with clear mucus.

• What’s the risk of getting sick from eating food prepared or delivered by sick restaurant staff? Can I ensure that my family doesn’t eat contaminated food?

  Basic food safety and handling procedures can and do prevent the spread of germs and illness.

• How can I get my child to eat the fruits and veggies I put in her lunch? How much is enough?

  It’s common for kids to dislike or refuse to eat some fruits and vegetables.

• What should I do if my child tells me that one of his classmates has bedbugs in her home?

  Be cautious and keep in mind that everyone has the potential to be visited by bedbugs. A bedbug infestation has nothing to do with the cleanliness of your home.

• Can my child catch the seasonal flu or H1N1 from Halloween candy?

  Perhaps, but the chances are very slim

• Is it safe to get the flu shot at a retailer?

  Yes, it’s safe to get your flu shot at a retailer -- particularly if you go to a pharmacy where you’ve already established a relationship. Pharmacists are licensed health care professionals concerned about your well-being.

• Is it true you should feed a cold and starve a fever?

  Feed a cold, starve a fever: Most people may be tempted to dismiss this classic proverb as folklore. However, the saying could hold some truth.

• What medicines should I stock up on for the back-to-school season?

  You can’t prepare for every single product your child might need to use during the school year. You’re better off purchasing any special-situation ones as needed.

• We weren’t able to get the H1N1 shot for my children until early this year (late January). Are they still protected?

  Don’t count on it. The shots you got for the last flu season could provide you with some lingering immunity against this year’s flu viruses, but there’s no guarantee.

• Is exercise good or bad for kids with asthma?

  Exercise is good for everyone, including children with asthma! At the same time, running around is a potential trigger for wheezing, so if your child suffers from the condition and is struggling to keep up playing sports, talk to your pediatrician.

• I recently heard that eating burgers can cause asthma in kids. Is this true?

  Burgers don’t necessarily cause asthma. You’re referring to a recent study in which children who ate three or more burgers a week were found to be at a higher lifetime risk of asthma and wheezing.

• I always put sunscreen on my kids before they head to summer school, but I know they won’t reapply throughout the day. If I put sunscreen on my kids in the morning, will it last through lunch break?

  Your kids need to reapply sunscreen depending on the type of summer school program they’re attending and the amount of time they’re in the sun.

• Are prescription allergy meds safe for young kids?

  Yes, prescription allergy medications are very safe for kids. Some can even be prescribed to children as young as 2 years.

• Over-the-counter allergy medications don’t seem to be helping me as much as they used to. What should I do?

  While it’s true that sometimes drugs become less effective after you take them for a long period of time, in many cases just changing the type of medication and when you take it can help.

• I’ve heard that giving my kids multivitamins can help prevent allergies. Is this true?

  Unfortunately, the answer is no.

• Can taking vitamin D really help prevent the flu in children?

  There’s no definite answer here, since the issue is still debated.

• Does the cost of prescription drugs differ from pharmacy to pharmacy? Should I compare prices or are they all about the same?

  Just like any other product, prescription prices may differ from one pharmacy to another, so if you are paying for your medicine out of pocket, it makes sense to shop around.

• If I take a multivitamin every day, will it help me avoid getting sick?

  It can, but remember that a multivitamin isn’t a magic pill.

• Why are some medicines delivered in tablet form and others by capsule or liquid? What is the difference?

• Can a child who had the H1N1 vaccine and remains well still be a carrier and pass the illness to others?

• Can chicken soup really relieve the symptoms of a cold?

• When your child says “I don’t feel well,” how do you determine if she’s actually sick or not?

• What’s the difference between an antiviral and an antibiotic?

  Simply put, antivirals kill viruses, and antibiotics kill bacteria. Both of these medicines are called antimicrobials.

• Our family medicine cabinet is filled with old medicines. How do I get rid of them safely?

Feature

• Top 4 Seasonal Allergy Mistakes

  Spring often brings sneezing, sniffling, itchy eyes and congestion. Soothe your seasonal allergies by avoiding these common mistakes.

• Secrets to Breathing Better With Allergies

  You can’t totally get rid of the allergens that cause your little one to sniffle, sneeze and cough. But armed with these tips, you can take action to greatly decrease your child’s suffering.

• Moms: Stop Fears Before They Start

  Does your heart race when your child coughs? Fear is natural, but it can be managed. Here's how to find calm.

• The Scent of Happiness

  Whiffing certain smells can create warm, comforting memories for your kids -- and you!

• Finding Hidden Moments for Me-time

  You take pride in being there for others, but every once in a while you need to be there for yourself. Here’s how to find time and the best way to spend it.

• 7 Yoga Stretches That Improve Your Health

  Research shows that yoga helps ease stress and may even fend off sniffles. Here, a 15-minute daily routine that will get results.

• The Healing Power of Touch

  A simple hug or massage can help your children sleep better, breathe easier and fight off colds. Our experts show you how.

• Fast-track Your Morning Routine

  If you’re a working mom, getting yourself out of the house in the morning isn’t always an easy task. Here’s how to simplify your morning routine -- and get out of the door in 10 minutes flat.

• 5 Habits to Help You Get Enough Sleep

  Changing a few simple daytime routines can ensure a better night’s rest.

• Why It’s OK to Indulge Yourself

  “Me time” really is what the doctor ordered. Why -- and when -- you need more.

• Is Your Indoor Air Clean Enough?

  Dry winter air promotes viruses, while wet air breeds bacteria. Get the right humidifier for your home to keep indoor air clean.

• 7 Healthy Habits in 7 Weeks

  A simple week-by-week plan with the seven most important habits to make over your health.

• Healthy Lunches Your Kids Will Love

  20 tasty, healthy school-lunch ideas (and we’re not talking PB&J).

• Teach Your Kids to Stress Less

  A recent survey found that one in three kids worries a lot. Here, five tips to keep stress from taking a toll on your child’s well-being.

• Stress-busting Walking Workout

  Try our easy four-week walking workout plan: Every step you take leads to a slimmer, less-stressed you.

• 5 Foods to Reduce Allergy and Asthma Symptoms in Kids

  Find out the top five foods that can help reduce the severity of your children’s allergy and asthma symptoms.

• Enjoy Breakfast as a Family

  Mornings are hectic. Here’s how to be sure you and your kids fit in a healthy breakfast.

• Good Friends, Good Health

  Maintaining strong friendships is one of the keys to staying healthy. These tips will help you strengthen and nurture your personal relationships.

• Streamline Your Daily Life

  Keep your day-to-day life running smoothly with these five easy-to-use Internet tools.

• Have a Healthy Vacation

  A few simple steps will keep your family well while traveling this summer.

• Bouncing Back After Being Sick

  Catching a bug can really catch you off guard. Here’s how to get back into the swing of things once you’re feeling better -- without overdoing it.

• How to Rush-proof Your Morning Routine

  Are your mornings rushed and chaotic? Check out these mom-tested strategies to get everyone in your family ready and out the door on time and happy.

• Mom’s Best Backup Plan

  When you’re down for the count, who steps in to take care of the kids? If you don’t have a reliable backup plan already, here’s how to create one so you can rest and recover when you really need to.

• Bad Eating Habits Can Be Broken

  If unhealthy eating habits are keeping you from feeling your best, check out these easy strategies and start a new and healthy way of eating.

• Is the Inside of Your Car Making You Sick?

  It’s time to grab the disinfectant and head out to the car. Illness-causing germs can build up inside a car’s interior faster than you can say “achoo!” Here’s your car-cleaning guide to stopping the spread of germs on steering wheels, baby seats, cup holders, door handles and more.

• Stay Positive in Stressful Times

  Keeping a positive attitude isn't easy, especially when challenges mount. Check out these 10 tricks to staying focused on the positive, even when you’re knee-deep in stress.

• Immune-boosting Foods You’ll Love

  Fight off illness this cold and flu season by eating more foods known to rev up your immune system. Here’s your master list of immune boosters.

• Real Change Begins With You

  Want to know the trick to making a new year’s resolution stick? Think small. Check out these strategies and change your life for good.

• Keeping Houseguests Healthy and Happy

  Don’t let cold and flu germs crash your holiday festivities this year. Here’s how to keep your guests healthy and make them feel right at home.

• Giggling Really Is Good for You

  Did you know that laughter can boost your mood and immune system? Find out how it works and then check out the latest LOL YouTube videos.

• Be a Master Multitasker

  Until there are more hours in each day, moms will keep on juggling three things at once -- or four or five. Check out these tricks for successful multitasking and save yourself time and peace of mind.

Blog

• How to Eat to Fight Fatigue

  Work and home life wearing you down? Our registered dietician shares nutrition tips that really energize -- including the best foods to fuel your busy days.