Health Tips for Signs of a Herniated Disk

HealthNFitness Tips: Disks in the spinal column are soft, rubbery pads wedged between the bones of the spine. They help the spine bend and flex. When a disk ruptures (herniated), the contents can press against or irritate nearby nerves, causing pain and discomfort.

The Symptoms of a herniated disk:

• Weakness that affects one leg or one arm.
• A numb or tingling sensation in one arm, one leg or one side of the buttocks.
• In less frequent cases, loss of bowel or bladder control.
• A burning pain in the neck, an arm or a shoulder.

Health Tips for Kids to prevent from Asthma

HealthNFitness Tips: When the weather heats up and ozone infiltrates the air, kids with asthma should limit their time outside.

HealthNFitness Tips for the parents of asthmatic children when the air quality is poor:

• Run the air conditioner, and don't let your child spend too much time outside.
• If your kids participate in outdoor activities, limit them to the early morning hours and away from high-traffic areas.
• Talk to your child's sports coach about practicing in an indoor, air conditioned environment on very hot days. Send your child to practice with a rescue inhaler, just in case.
• Ensure that your home is well-ventilated, use an air purifier and avoid wood-burning fires inside the home.
• Discuss your child's asthma action plan with the pediatrician.

Good Sleep Can Sharpen Your Memory

HealthNFitness Tips: External stimulation during sleep can help strengthen memory. The critical difference is that memory is strengthened for something you've already learned.

• Deep sleep is linked to storing memories.
• External stimulation during sleep can influence a complex skill.
• Electrophysiological signals measuring the brain events produce memory improvement during sleep.
• Sleep-based memory-processing involving other types of skills, habits and behaviors.

Health Tips to Walk at Work

HealthNFitness Tips: There are plenty of ways to squeeze in exercise and some social time at work without sacrificing productivity.

The suggestions are:

• Skip the coffee/smoke break and ask a co-worker to join you for a 15-minute walk.
• If you have a regular one-to-one meeting with a co-worker, make it a walking meeting.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator, and see how many co-workers will join you.
• Start up a workplace walking group to walk on breaks, during lunch and after work.
• Visit a bookstore, gallery or museum for a stroll.

Health Tips for Gardening Triggers Back Pain

HealthNFitness News: Gardening is a great form of exercise, but it can also leave you with a painful backache.

How to maintain garden without hurting yourself:

• Use correct posture and form.
• Warm up before you garden with a 10-minute walk.
• Make sure all of your movements are smooth and steady.
• Keep your abdominal muscles taut.
• Lift with your legs (never your back).
• Don't twist your back while digging.
• Breathe regularly. Exhale when you lift, and inhale as you lower a heavy load.

Health Tips to Store Insulin Properly

HealthNFitness Tips: Insulin is a lifesaver for many people with diabetes, but it must be stored correctly when not in use.

The proper guidelines for the storage of insulin:

• Insulin typically is stored in the refrigerator, but it may be more painful when injected this way. Insulin stored at room temperature will last about a month.
• Don't keep your insulin in extremely hot or extremely cold temperatures.
• Never keep insulin in the car, in direct sunlight or in the freezer.
• Check the bottle's expiration date, and discard any insulin that's expired.
• Inspect the bottle before inserting the syringe to make sure the insulin looks as it should.
• Don't use insulin that has formed any crystals or clumps.

Health Tips to Make TV Time Exercise Time

HealthNFitness Tips: You don't have to give up television watching just to lead a more active lifestyle.

Ways to Exercise while you're watching TV:

• Don't use your remote. Instead, get up off the couch to change the channel.
• During commercial breaks, walk up and down the stairs, or walk around the room.
• Work out using a resistance band.
• Invest in a treadmill, so you can work out while you watch.
• Iron your clothes while watching.
• Instead of lounging on the couch, sit on a stability ball.