Community Magazine Februafy 2009

106 Community magazine MOREMILK ANDWATER FOR KIDS Children can decrease their risk of cavities and ensure good oral health by drinking only milk or water between meals. The American Academy of Pediatrics released a statement in the journal Pediatrics urging parents to give their children no more than 4 ounces of fruit juice per day; avoid serving children carbonated beverages and juice drinks; and encourage eating patterns consistent with the recommendations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Kids should drink nutrient-rich low-fat or fat-free milk. The National Dairy Council is trying to educate the public about the new guidelines. AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS ASTHMA AWAY Pregnant mothers can help protect their children against asthma and allergies by eating well. In a study of over 1,200 children, Dutch researchers found that expectant moms who ate more than four apples a week had children who were 53 percent less likely to be diagnosed with asthma than kids whose mothers didn’t eat any apples. Researchers suggest that the flavonoids and other antioxidants in apples may protect fetuses from this disorder. A link was also found between pre-natal fish consumption and lower likelihood of the infant having the skin condition eczema. VICKS VAPORUBCANHARMKIDSUNDER 2 Vicks VapoRub , an over the counter cold remedy, has been found to possibly set off breathing irritation when applied under the nose in children under 2, U.S. researchers said in the journal Chest. The study said that this common cold remedy could cause a child’s airways to swell and fill withmucus, and eventually result in breathing difficulty. Children have much more constricted airways than those of an adult, and any increase in mucus or swelling could narrow the airways to severe levels. Researchers added that some similar products, including generic versions, could also cause the same side effects in young children. SMOKING IS STILL DANGEROUSLY COMMON Smoking exponentially increases the risk of developing lung cancer, emphysema and chronic bronchitis, as well as other cancers such as mouth, throat, and stomach. Smoking also elevates the risk of cardio- vascular disease, stroke and insulin resistance. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 43.4 million Americans (20 percent of the population) smoke. About 90 percent of heavy smokers start in high school. The younger the smoker is when he begins smoking, the greater the likelihood that he will be a heavy smoker as an adult. According to the American Cancer Society, each day more than 3,500 youths under the age of 18 try their first cigarette, and 1,100 others become regular daily smokers. About one-third of these kids will eventually die from a smoking-related disease. SPIRITUAL KIDS =HAPPY KIDS Previous research has established a link between spirituality and happiness in teens and adults, and new research shows the same for kids: spiritual kids tend to be happier. Other research has shown that religious kids are on average more well-adjusted and well- behaved. A study of 320 children showed that the relationship between spirituality and happiness remained strong even when temperament was taken into account. The research was published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, the Journal of Pediatrics and the Journal of Adolescent Health . Another research project found that spirituality helped children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cope with their condition. TREATING ECZEMA NATURALLY Safe andnatural treatmentsmay relieve eczema itching at least as well as steroids, while avoiding the adverse side affects, according to the Baby Eczema Awareness and Relief (B.E.A.R) orga- nization. Eczema, also known as Seborrhea or Atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition characterized by extreme dry- ness of the skin, rashes, redness, itching, cracking, oozing and bleeding. It is often triggered by certain foods, stress, harsh climates, and non-cotton fabrics such as wool and polyester. Eczema patches appear mostly on elbow bends, backs of knees and hands, but in some severe cases they spread from head to toe in infants. It is commonly described as the “ itch that rashes , rather than the rash that itches . ” The disorder begins as an itch which, when scratched, cre- ates an itch-scratch-rash cycle that can lead to an even worse rash, and ultimately to bleeding, exposing the body to infection. Although there is no known cure for Eczema, proper treatment can significantly relieve the discomfort. Most doctors advise the use of conventional treatments such as topical steroids or cortisones, which temporarily reduce the inflammation. But these remedies generally provide only short-term relief, and can have permanent side effects such as thinning, discoloration, and wrinkling of the skin. Drawing on personal experiences, the family behind B.E.A.R. advocates safe and natural treatments such as the Clear Cream lotion, produced in Israel, which has no known side effects. B.E.A.R offers support, tips, advice, and safe treatments for parents who are currently dealing with the grueling challenge of an “eczema baby”. For more information, visit the website www.BEAReczema.com , or send an email to: help@BEAReczema.com. To • junior's • Health