http://www.blounttoday.com/news/columnists/blount-memorial-health-column/?partner=RSSblounttoday.com Stories: Blount Memorial Health Columnen-uscolumnists/blount-memorial-health-columnhttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/oct/05/dont-fall-short-hydration/?partner=RSSHopefully, you are finding yourself more active since the blazing summer heat is finally coming to an end. When it comes to hydrating for your favorite fall activities, what drink will you reach for? Water is typically the best choice, but all too often it is deemed “boring,” and many have a hard time accepting it as their main beverage source. Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:23:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19214-734415columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnHeather Pierce, RDMaryville, TNDon’t fall short on hydrationblounttoday.comdont-fall-short-hydrationurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19214-734415Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/sep/28/baby-steps-walking-more/?partner=RSSOne of my favorite tools to suggest that people use to increase their daily physical activity is the pedometer, a simple device that clips to your belt or your waistband and tracks your daily steps. There are a variety of pedometers available, from freebies that may work okay for a while but aren’t always completely reliable, to decent pedometers sold for $10 to $15 at discount stores, to a very reliable, scientific pedometer sold for $25 to $40 at the Wellness Center at Springbrook. Wed, 28 Sep 2011 19:04:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19189-734408columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnAngie Tillman, RD, LDN, CDEMaryville, TNBaby steps to walking moreblounttoday.combaby-steps-walking-moreurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19189-734408Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/sep/21/put-your-best-foot-forward-exercising/?partner=RSSI see success stories every day with our bariatric surgery patients, and it is truly amazing to watch their lives and health completely transform for the better. However, it is important to remember bariatric surgery is just a tool. Lifestyle changes also must occur for the procedure to be successful in the long term. To ensure a healthier life, these changes can be made with non-surgical patients as well. Changes such as making healthy eating choices and becoming more active on a daily basis are those that must occur, and remain consistent for the long term, in order for the surgery to maintain its successful transformation. Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:53:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19161-734401columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnDana Bradley, RN, BSN, CBNMaryville, TNPut your best foot forward by exercisingblounttoday.comput-your-best-foot-forward-exercisingurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19161-734401Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/sep/14/remembering-hope-possible/?partner=RSSHave you ever felt hopeless and beaten down, unsure if you can survive or make it one more day? If so, you are not alone as many people have experienced these feelings connected to their struggles with addiction or mental health issues. September is National Alcohol and Drug Recovery month, a public awareness campaign aimed at promoting the awareness of substance abuse and mental health issues. It also strives to encourage the understanding that help is possible and to remind everyone that many people struggle with addiction or mental health issues that can destroy lives, and create pain and suffering. Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:18:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19146-734394columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnAndy SchriverMaryville, TNRemembering that hope is possibleblounttoday.comremembering-hope-possibleurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19146-734394Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/sep/07/retailer-training-key-preventing-youth-alcohol-use/?partner=RSSForty-six percent of 6th to 12th graders in Blount County drank more than a few sips of alcohol before the age of 15, according to the 2007 Strategic Prevention Framework - State Incentive Grant (SPF-SIG) Student Survey. When asked who had consumed alcohol in the last 30 days, 29 percent of these kids confirmed they had. Also, 19 percent of these 6th to 12th graders had, on at least one occasion in the previous two weeks, consumed five or more alcoholic beverages in a row. Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:05:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19113-734387columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnJessica StithMaryville, TNRetailer training key to preventing youth alcohol useblounttoday.comretailer-training-key-preventing-youth-alcohol-useurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19113-734387Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/aug/31/resolutions-co-morbidities-after-weight-loss-surge/?partner=RSSIt is estimated that 40 million Americans are overweight and 11.5 million are morbidly obese. More than 25 percent of Americans are obese, and on top of our obesity problem comes a plethora of other health issues. Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat, based on the height and weight of an adult man or woman. Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19085-734380columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnDr. Jonathan Ray, FACSMaryville, TNResolutions of co-morbidities after weight loss surgeryblounttoday.comresolutions-co-morbidities-after-weight-loss-surgeurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19085-734380Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/aug/24/help-predict-your-heart-disease-risk/?partner=RSSSome surprises are good – and in some cases, they’re even welcome. Others, however, aren’t – especially those that indicate the potential for or even early warning signs of heart health issues, including coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease is a leading cause of heart attacks and generally occurs when plaque builds up, narrowing the arteries. The plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol and calcium. Wed, 24 Aug 2011 19:20:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19057-734373columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnDr. Jane SoutherMaryville, TNHelp predict your heart disease riskblounttoday.comhelp-predict-your-heart-disease-riskurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19057-734373Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/aug/17/text--tip-helps-thwart-high-school-dangers/?partner=RSSAs you’re making sure your teen child has all of the right supplies, clothing and study habits to get them back in the groove of a new school year - think about making sure he or she is equipped with ways of dealing with any potential dangers while away from your care. Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:35:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19024-734366columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnJessica StithMaryville, TNText-A-Tip helps thwart high school dangersblounttoday.comtext--tip-helps-thwart-high-school-dangersurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19024-734366Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/aug/10/adult-immunizations-something-you-never-outgrow/?partner=RSSSome adults incorrectly assume that the vaccines they received as children will protect them for the rest of their lives. Generally this is true, but there are some exceptions to the rule. First, some adults never were vaccinated as children. Additionally, as times have changed, so has the availability of vaccines - we now have vaccines that weren’t available when some adults were children. Wed, 10 Aug 2011 17:10:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19001-734359columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnJanet GilsonMaryville, TNAdult immunizations: Something you never outgrowblounttoday.comadult-immunizations-something-you-never-outgrowurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19001-734359Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/aug/03/breast-pain-its-common-so-talk-about-it/?partner=RSSBreast pain is one of the most common breast problems. It’s not a disease, and it doesn’t always indicate cancer. In fact, up to 70 percent of women feel some type of breast pain at some point throughout life. The amount they might experience and the severity of it varies, and it may appear in only one breast, in both breasts or even in the armpit area. There are three types of breast pain women experience. One type is cyclical breast pain, and it’s responsible for 75 percent of all the breast pain that’s reported. It can be felt with or without lumpiness of the breast. Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:58:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18975-734352columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnDr. Kristen CarverMaryville, TNBreast Pain: It’s common, so talk about itblounttoday.combreast-pain-its-common-so-talk-about-iturn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18975-734352Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/jul/27/wellness-center-spinners-can-hop-bike-burn-calorie/?partner=RSSIf you are looking to burn calories, then hop on a bicycle - in the gym. The Blount Memorial Wellness Center at Springbrook recently was recognized as an Official Spinning Center by The Spinning® Program, a program that offers energizing, cycling-inspired rides combining solid training principles, inspirational music and a unique mind/body philosophy. Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:41:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18946-734345columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnLindsey BartholomewMaryville, TNAt Wellness Center, Spinners can hop on a bike to burn caloriesblounttoday.comwellness-center-spinners-can-hop-bike-burn-calorieurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18946-734345Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/jul/20/preventable-syndrome-because-children-are-precious/?partner=RSSStatistically, more weddings occur in June than any other month. However, the remaining summer months also are popular months for couples to “tie the knot.” You may be wondering what “tying the knot” and a preventable syndrome have in common - and I’ll get to that. But, right now, when you see engagement/marriage announcements in the newspaper or the mailbox, you see and think of young people who are happy and in love. These individuals have their whole life in front of them and are at the beginning stages of being a family. Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:35:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18922-734338columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnTom Schlitt, PT, DPT, PCSMaryville, TNThe preventable syndrome, because children are preciousblounttoday.compreventable-syndrome-because-children-are-preciousurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18922-734338Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/jul/13/your-child-binge-drinker/?partner=RSSWhen you picture a young person taking shots of liquor or guzzling beers, you’re likely to think of a young adult, maybe of college age. But children are now drinking heavier amounts of alcohol at a younger age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two out three high school students who drink, binge drink. In fact, the CDC states that about 90 percent of the alcohol consumed by youth under the age of 21 in the United States is in the form of binge drinking. The proportion of current drinkers that binge drink is highest in the 18- to 20-year-old age range at 51 percent. Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:08:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18896-734331columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnJessica StithMaryville, TNIs your child a binge drinker?blounttoday.comyour-child-binge-drinkerurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18896-734331Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/jul/06/children-and-medication-safety-part-iii/?partner=RSSOver the past two article of this series, you have learned that medication errors do occur among children, and you’ve learned how to help protect children from this. But, if a medication error, adverse effect or poisoning does occur, here is what you should do: Wed, 06 Jul 2011 20:04:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18873-734324columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnBarbara Kahn, D.Ph.Maryville, TNChildren and medication safety: Part IIIblounttoday.comchildren-and-medication-safety-part-iiiurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18873-734324Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/jun/29/children-and-medication-safety-part-ii/?partner=RSSWhen it comes to children and medication safety, one of the most important factors to remember is to keep all medications out of the reach of children. Pediatric deaths caused by some drugs used by adults are raising the question, “Just how toxic are some drugs in young children - even in small doses?” A cough medicine, benzonatate, comes in a little capsule that looks like candy to young children. Just one or two capsules can cause seizures, heart attacks and coma in kids under age 2. Wed, 29 Jun 2011 21:10:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18847-734317columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnBarbara Kahn, D.Ph.Maryville, TNChildren and medication safety: Part IIblounttoday.comchildren-and-medication-safety-part-iiurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18847-734317Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/jun/22/children-and-medication-safety-part-i/?partner=RSSWhen it comes to medicine, children are not just “little adults.” Among children, potentially dangerous medication errors occur at three times the rate seen in adults, and outpatient errors in dosage are common because most medication doses should be based on a child’s weight, not on a child’s age. Furthermore, all medications can have side effects or be toxic in the wrong dose. How serious are these problems? What kinds of problems occur? What can you do to help keep your child safe? Wed, 22 Jun 2011 20:03:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18826-734310columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnBarbara Kahn, D.Ph.Maryville, TNChildren and medication safety: Part Iblounttoday.comchildren-and-medication-safety-part-iurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18826-734310Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/jun/15/your-health-risk/?partner=RSSHow is your health? You might answer this question with “good” if you are fortunate enough not to have any major health problems. However, you also might want to consider your weight before answering this question, since being overweight increases your health risks. Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:10:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18792-734303columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnBarbie Haas, RN, CDEMaryville, TNIs your health at risk?blounttoday.comyour-health-riskurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18792-734303Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/jun/08/whats-mens-sexual-health-supplements/?partner=RSSMany men do not have erectile dysfunction on an ongoing basis, so they do not feel a need to buy a prescription medication such as Cialis or Viagra. But, they may have other issues they would like to address. In these cases, men might consider taking an herbal supplement that is cheaper, one that does not require a prescription and one that they hope causes fewer side effects. Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:45:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18763-734296columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnBarbara Kahn, D.Ph.Maryville, TNWhat’s up with men’s sexual health supplements?blounttoday.comwhats-mens-sexual-health-supplementsurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18763-734296Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/may/25/emotional-aspects-weight-loss/?partner=RSSWeight loss is about much more than dropping pounds. Just ask anyone who once was on a successful journey of losing weight, and then finding themselves fighting those pounds later on. Clearly, the nuts and bolts of weight loss are eating habits and exercise, and both require a physical commitment. But lasting, successful weight loss involves powerful emotional support, as well. Wed, 25 May 2011 20:50:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18707-734282columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnDana Bradley, RN, CDEMaryville, TNThe emotional aspects of weight lossblounttoday.comemotional-aspects-weight-lossurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18707-734282Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/may/18/fueling-your-body-fitness/?partner=RSSMay is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. What a great reminder that we all need to focus on moving more. The council recommends that all adults need at least 30 minutes of activity five days a week, and children need 60 minutes of daily active play. Wed, 18 May 2011 18:08:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18682-734275columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnAngie Tillman, RD, CDEMaryville, TNFueling your body for fitnessblounttoday.comfueling-your-body-fitnessurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18682-734275Change0Usable