Best Children’s Hospital

The U.S. News and World Report has come out with their yearly survey for this year ranking the best children’s hospital throughout the United States in a number of different specialties. The magazine requested information from 170 pediatric centers and used the results of surveys taken from thousands of physicians in 10 different pediatric specialties who were asked to which hospitals they would send their sickest children. The combined results list 62 different hospitals which ranked in at least one of those specialties, and there are eight hospitals which rank for all 10.
The honor roll for 2010- 2011 include:
• Children’s Hospital in Boston
• Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
• Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
• Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
• New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Komansky Children’s Hospital
• St. Louis Children’s Hospital-Washington University
• Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston

New “No Smoking” Message

Apparently the no-smoking message which the public has been bombarded with for decades is not strong enough. New, graphic images will begin appearing on the packaging of cigarettes as a powerful warning for consumers to stay away from cigarettes.

There are 36 newly proposed warning labels, illustrating in morbid clarity the dangers of smoking. One illustration portrays a mother blowing smoke on her baby; another is of a corpse lying in his coffin; and yet another shows smoke coming out of a tracheotomy hole in a smoker’s throat. Accompanying the illustrations are statements like: “Cigarettes cause strokes and heart disease;” “Warning: Cigarettes are Addictive;” and “Warning: Cigarettes cause fatal lung disease.” Continue reading New “No Smoking” Message

The Importance of Sunlight

In today’s world, everyone knows about the potential risks involved with too much sun. Talk of sunburn, skin cancer, premature wrinkles and other conditions are very common. It is true that over-exposure can result in serious problems, but what people seem to be forgetting is that sunlight is a completely necessary part of our lives; both long-term and on a daily basis. A moderate amount of sunlight can actually be incredibly beneficial for your skin.

Aside from giving your skin a healthy complexion, regular sun exposure can actually help your skin develop a natural resistance to ultra-violet light. This is usually seen as what we call a tan. A tan is a result of increased production of melanin in the skin. Melanin is a pigment which the body produces to defend itself from harmful rays.

The dangerous ultraviolet rays are not only harmful to humans; they can kill viruses, bacteria, molds, fungi and mites in the water, air and even on your skin. The exposure to the rays in the sun can improve skin diseases like acne, boils, athletes foot, diaper rash, psoriasis and eczema.
Sunlight can also stimulate your appetite as well as improve digestion, elimination and metabolism. Regular doses of sunlight can be good for your immune system as well. It can increase the number and performance of white blood cells in the body, as well as improve circulation.
Sunlight also has psychological effects. Studies have shown that sunlight can improve a person’s mood. This is even more apparent in the winter month when sunlight is scarce. The natural light of the day also increases melatonin production in the body. Melatonin is a hormone that enhances sleep.
Last but not least, sunlight helps the body produce Vitamin D, a substance that lowers cholesterol levels.

To Sleep In or Not to Sleep In?

Scientific studies in the past have supported the common knowledge that sleeping in on the weekend will just make it that much more difficult to get up on time for work or school. However, a new scientific study seems to actually give credence to the urge most of us have to use the weekend as a chance to catch up for insufficient sleep during the week.

A study published in the journal Sleep indicated that catching up on sleep during the weekend can in fact help to restore your normal performance levels for the week to come. Getting enough sleep is what’s most important, rather than precisely what sleep routine is used. “The bottom line,” stated Dr. David Dinges, chief of the Division of Sleep and Chronobiology at the University of Pennsylvania, “is that adequate recovery is important for coping with the effects of chronic sleep restriction on the brain.”

So here’s to a great weekend sleep!

The Numerous Benefits of Cranberries

CranberryCranberries are tiny fruits with enormous benefits. Most people are familiar with these sweet red berries, but are unaware of how healthy they really are.

First of all, cranberries are rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants, which strengthen the immune system, as well as prevent problems in the cardiovascular system and possibly even cancer. The proanthocyanidin minerals in cranberries cleanse the urinary tract, digestive and reproductive systems from waste and harmful bacteria, minimizing the risk of infections. There is also a theory that the quinic acid in the fruit can also prevent the formation of kidney stones.  Last, but not least, cranberry juice is incredibly healthy for teeth and gums. It keeps the mouth free of plaque-causing bacteria in a natural way.

Cranberry juice is a sweet, delicious drink that most children enjoy. Try serving it at meals instead of carbonated drinks or even other juices, especially during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, to ensure that your children reap the incomparable benefits of cranberries.