Warm weather relaxing or playing in the snow? Tips for planning your winter travels
The winter months offer the perfect excuse to plan a fabulous getaway, and you don't have to travel far to find something that fits your vacation expectations.

Three key steps for weight loss in the new year
It's the time of year when we are inundated with holiday treats and rich, high-calorie foods. Enjoying celebratory meals is a big part of the season, but after New Year's Day, it's time to cut back and shed the pounds.

Tips to tackle the allergens hiding in your house
If sneezing, sniffling and coughing are frequent sounds in your house, don't worry, you're not alone in trying to find ways to stop them. An estimated 50 million people suffer from indoor and outdoor allergies in the United States, costing Americans nearly seven billion dollars annually, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). But removing the allergens from your house can have you feeling a lot better.

How to keep flu from thriving in your home
It's prime flu season, and each year we hear the same advice: get your flu shot, wash your hands frequently and cover your mouth when you sneeze. Flu particles can linger in the air and on the surfaces we touch day in and day out, from computer keyboards and TV remotes to the kitchen sink or refrigerator door handle. With flu top of mind this year, there has also been increased interest in the science behind how the flu virus lives, and history may hold the answers.

Blueberries add flavorful flair to salads
A colorful side salad can round out a meal. A bountiful salad can be the meal! Any time of year, salads are a great way to get your fruits and vegetables and, with a little creativity, you can make great-tasting salads your family will enjoy every day.

Winter skin care - even tougher with acne? What to look for in your treatment
Winter brings its own set of skin challenges. Although you might associate breakouts with summer months when your skin produces sweat and excess oil, acne can be just as troublesome in the winter.

Enjoy life pain free
Millions of people live with pain every day. Whether the pain is the result of exercising, playing sports, picking up children or just living busy lives, it can affect your day-to-day lifestyle and become a burden. However, with innovative and advanced therapies, we are now changing the way patients are treated - without surgery.

Tips for staying safe through the winter season
The best way to face down winter and all its challenges is to think ahead and be prepared. A few simple solutions will make winter much safer - and more enjoyable - for you and any guests you might invite over.

Healthy hints for active living in 2010
As Americans age, staying healthy and as independent as possible is a big goal. Whether you suffer from a chronic ailment or the usual aches and pains brought about by the stresses of everyday life, there are plenty of health and wellness options to consider this year.

Simple steps to reduce pet dander and dust mite allergens in the home and classroom
Now that school is in full swing, children are spending less time on the playground and more time indoors with each other. With the constant interaction of classroom projects, gym class and story time, one important concern that is often overlooked is indoor allergens from pet dander and dust mites.

Ten tips for living more sustainably in 2010
The beginning of a new year - and a new decade - is the time many people pledge to live differently. For many, that change means living a more sustainable lifestyle. Sustainability, once only a buzz word, is now fast becoming the way to live consciously.

How to keep your fitness resolutions strong through the new year
Some of the most popular resolutions with each new year are to get fit, get in shape and lose weight. Though plenty of people jump into new programs in pursuit of those goals, many aren't able stay fit, in shape and keep the weight off.

How to make your New Year's resolution last
Failed New Year's resolutions are a dime a dozen. That promise to go to the gym every day dwindles to three days a week, then two days a week, before falling into "whenever I can make it" territory. Diet and weight loss resolutions are among the most common, year after year, which says a lot about what kind of results people are getting from the promises they make to themselves.

Rediscovering the joys of shared meals
Having a family meal isn't easily accomplished these days. Busy schedules, long work hours and even technology make it feel easier to simply grab a meal and go, rather than take the time to sit everyone down together around the table. But American families really do miss coming together around the table. Americans who eat with others more frequently are more satisfied with every aspect of their own lives, including their relationships, their physical and mental health and their level of achievement in life.

Help available for people living with diabetes
It's a long drive out to the rural diabetes clinic where she makes her educational presentations, but Janie Burmester knows that the work she's doing can have a huge impact on people's lives. Burmester is one of about 15,000 Certified Diabetes Educators in the United States. CDEs are health professionals, certified by the National Certification Board of Diabetes Educators, who teach self-management techniques to patients diagnosed with diabetes.

When an irregular heartbeat should send you to the doctor
You may chalk up that flutter in your chest to too much rich food during the holidays, or think that your heart skips a beat here or there in response to the upcoming tax season. For most people, those occasional irregularities are harmless. But if your irregular heart rhythms are combined with a diagnosis of heart failure, they can be serious - and ignoring them may make your condition worse.

Tips to relieve winter's achy knees
The temperatures drop, the skies cloud over and your knees are aching. As the winter months settle in, so can osteoarthritis (OA) pain in your knees.

Home security means swine flu prevention too
The statistics are startling, the symptoms are unpleasant and the illness can be deadly. So what's the average person to do when it comes to preventing swine flu? Start at home.

With multiple strains this year, don't be confused about flu prevention
With the emergence of the 2009 H1N1 virus and the presence of annual seasonal flu, health experts are concerned that this flu season could be more confusing than ever for families. Recent studies point to misunderstandings about what families should do to help prevent the spread of these viruses.

How to dodge or deal with winter aches and pains
Whether you suffer from chronic ailments like arthritis or fibromyalgia, or simply experience the aches, pains and stiffness associated with past injuries or with aging, winter's cold and dampness can exacerbate these problems. Here is some simple advice to minimize winter's impact on chronic pain and avoid new pains from injuries.

Help your kids learn healthy habits for life
Teaching kids healthy habits can be tough. From learning how to apply sunscreen to knowing how often to bathe, kids need help from mom and dad on caring for their bodies - including their skin, hair and nails.

Ladies who lunch with satisfaction
Active and busy women may find it difficult to create and choose healthy, low calorie lunches that are convenient yet still taste delicious. Stay on track throughout the day, even well after the lunch hour.

Spring break for grownups
Remember when your spring break was a hedonistic ritual that focused on excesses of sun, wild parties and alcohol? Now that you've outgrown that, you don't have to give up the spring ritual of getting away from it all. Whether you are able to travel to a warm, sunny location for a vacation, or simply need a stay-at-home break to escape from work, school or daily stress, there's a physically and mentally healthy alternative.

Easy home improvement stops flu virus
Frequent hand washing, covering your mouth when you cough and avoiding others who are ill - you probably already know the basics of protecting your health during cold and flu season. But you may not be aware of the important role proper humidity in the home and workplace plays in preventing the transmission of viruses.

Americans earn failing grade on diabetes
It's a disease so common it strikes every 20 seconds, yet Americans earn a failing grade when it comes to basic knowledge about diabetes, according to a recent Harris Interactive survey conducted on behalf of the American Diabetes Association.

Food safety: Protect your family's health this year
Every January people make New Year's resolutions that focus on exercise, diet or other ways to stay healthy. But the best resolution to keep the entire family healthy is food safety in the kitchen.

Chemicals in schools: Is safety part of the equation?
When it comes to school safety and student health, our kids deserve the best protection possible. These days, schools have programs related to everything from gun violence to obesity prevention; but how safe are our nation's schools when it comes to protecting kids from dangerous chemicals?

Keep an eye on 'silent killers' in the golden years
Getting older is not easy, especially when it comes to making sure your body is healthy. Doctors probably have you watching your weight, your cholesterol and other health vitals in every effort to make sure you have a happy and full life. But there are conditions that many times do not get mentioned during visits to the doctor because they often don't exhibit any symptoms until it's too late. One such "silent killer" is an abdominal aortic aneurysm (also known as "AAA").

Actress Debi Mazar speaks out about her family's ordeal with bipolar depression
An estimated 8 million American adults may be affected by bipolar disorder, a complex mental illness in which people experience extreme mood swings from highs (bipolar mania) to lows (bipolar depression). Episodes of bipolar depression can include symptoms of prolonged periods of sadness, loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, and feelings of worthlessness. These symptoms can interfere with a person's ability to handle everyday tasks, such as those related to work or family life. Most people with bipolar disorder when ill or when symptomatic experience more depressive moods (lows) than elevated moods (highs).

Give your wardrobe an eco-chic update
For many, the new year is synonymous with a new wardrobe, with closets stocked with the fruits of holiday sales. But with the economy struggling, many people are forgoing the new duds this year. Still, there are ways to refresh your wardrobe without breaking the bank. A thrifty, environmentally conscious and fun new trend may provide the perfect answer.

Tips to manage the silent emotional and physical stress of caring for a loved one
More than 34 million people are caring for an aging parent in the United States today. It is estimated one in two of these caregivers are baby boomers, adults in the "sandwich generation," caught between caring for their aging parents while raising families of their own.

Cloth vs. disposable: Modern moms switching back to cloth
More modern moms are rediscovering the benefits of cloth diapers.

Pain meds can cause serious side effects
Karen Woolery has struggled with arthritis in her hands for the past 12 years, making her job as director of a day care physically difficult. The arthritis made even the simplest movements painful. To relieve the pain, she often took medications like ibuprofen, never realizing they could potentially cause her harm. Her doctors soon discovered Karen had a big problem - she had ulcers.

Preventive maintenance is important ... for your heart and your vehicle
What do your heart and your vehicle have in common? More than you may think - both require regular maintenance and preventive care to function properly. And when both are properly cared for, it can make a direct and significant impact on long-term health.

Families can protect themselves from rising medical costs
All the attention on health care reform and soaring costs leaves many wondering how they will face health challenges in the future. While the debate rages on in Washington, there are steps individuals and families can take right now to help protect themselves against spending a fortune on medical costs. With seven of 2008's top 10 most expensive conditions (the majority of which are chronic) known to occur because of obesity, it's no secret that being at an unhealthy weight increases the costs of health care.

Daily probiotic supplement just for women has been shown to promote vaginal health
Bacteria isn't always as bad as you might think. Unwanted or pathogenic bacteria can make you sick, but beneficial bacteria or probiotics can help keep your body balanced, by helping you break down food, aiding your immune system and supplementing your health in important ways that keep you at your best.

Home, safe home, with some simple updates
Ninety percent of homeowners plan to stay in their homes for as long as their health permits, according to "Kitchen and Bath Business" magazine. And, as the place that you spend a majority of your time, your home can play a big role in your health and happiness.

Is it a cold or the flu? Here's how to tell
"My body aches and my head is throbbing. Do I have the flu or is it just because I'm stressed or tired? Do I need a flu shot? Do I need the H1N1 vaccine, too?" Millions of Americans will be asking themselves these and more questions this winter as news reports and health care providers continue to warn about seasonal influenza and novel H1N1 influenza, otherwise known as swine flu.

Therapy animals prove 'man's best friends' hold healing power
Therapy animals can make a tremendous difference in the lives of seniors, children and the disabled.

Treatments to help children with cerebral palsy live easier lives
A diagnosis of cerebral palsy can fill parents with fear about their child's quality of life and confusion about how to treat this complex neurological disorder. Cerebral palsy can't be cured, but treatment does help many people with this condition live easier, better quality lives.

The lean protein that can help you fulfill forgotten resolutions to eat better
The new year is well under way - do you remember your resolution to live a balanced lifestyle in 2010? Are you making progress toward that goal? Or has the resolution drifted away as the calendar pages turned? It's not too late to get a fresh start at keeping that promise to yourself.

Protect yourself from the H1N1 virus this flu season
(ARA) - While the words "swine flu" and "pandemic flu" are enough to scare adults and children, experts from Everest College's nursing programs explain what H1N1 is, and offer some advice for how to protect yourself and your children from it.

The benefits of dieting: not just weight loss
It's that time of year again. When most people make a New Year's resolution to lose weight, they're thinking about looking more attractive and having their clothes fit better. Both are admirable goals, but right-sizing yourself provides a number of other equally important benefits.

Smell your way to an energetic or calming ambiance
With household chores, family gatherings, school events and work activities, life can get a little hectic this time of year. So, when you actually have time at home, you either want to unwind and relax or use the free moments to bolster more energy and finish the day's to-dos.

Spring is around the corner, so keep healthy the remainder of winter
In many areas of the country, the snow and wintry conditions will linger into spring. And yes, the risk of contracting colds, especially those "change-of-season" colds, will arise. When cold weather hits, you prepare your house by checking the furnace and making sure your car has the proper fluids. "Winterization" applies to your car, your house and your body. To ward off those winter to springtime change-of-season sniffles, think back to what your mom told you - eat right, go to bed early and to stop touching everything.

Start the new year with a healthy approach to eating
If you're overweight and have been fighting a losing battle to manage your weight, perhaps you need to change your approach to weight loss and practice something called "mindful eating." Being a mindful eater means being aware of, consciously choosing and enjoying what you're eating.

A primer for parenting during pregnancy
(ARA) - Congratulations, you're pregnant! If you've been hoping for this wonderful event for a while, you may feel eager to begin being a parent. Or, if your pregnancy is a surprise, you may feel you need to make the most of the next nine months to prepare for the demands of parenthood. Fortunately, you don't have to wait to get started on the important work of being a parent.Your primary parenting task while pregnant will be to take care of yourself and your growing baby. Here are some tools and tips for parenting during pregnancy.

A veterinarian's top 10 tips for keeping pets healthy in winter
Jack Frost is nipping at your pet's nose. Winter is here again, and cold weather can be uncomfortable and dangerous to your pet.

Soccer star moms line up against seasonal flu
Seasonal flu will face new opponents this year. Soccer legends and moms Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain are teaming up with Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) to make seasonal flu vaccination a higher priority.

Simple steps to help your heart stay healthy
Americans know what they need to do to keep their hearts healthy. But is their heart really in the effort? A new survey seems to indicate many of us aren't as diligent about making heart healthy choices as we know we should be.

Resolve to be regular: New years tips to get your digestive system 'back on tract'
If you haven't been kind to your body over the holidays, you'll definitely feel it by the start of the new year. Activities like jetting cross-country to see friends and family, overdoing it on eggnog, and generally being a couch potato can cause digestive discomfort. If you wake up on January 1st feeling bloated, constipated, or crampy, rest assured you are not alone.

Show your holiday hospitality with a sleep-friendly guest room
With so much going on this season, the one thing you shouldn't have to worry about is your guest room. You want to feel confident that your company will have a comfortable and pleasant stay at your house.

At last - a livable diet program worth keeping
Mayo Clinic, a leading authority on health and nutrition, has developed and published a diet for the first time in history.

How to help when family or friends fall ill - keep them connected
When you learn that a friend, family member, coworker or neighbor is seriously ill or recovering from injuries or surgery, do you wonder how you can best show your support? It depends upon the situation. Sometimes the best way to show your support is to just stay in touch, but other times, it's to provide help that your friend or loved one needs.

What a heart failure diagnosis really means for you
Hearing the words "heart failure" from your doctor is a frightening thing. If that is your diagnosis, you're not alone - more than 5 million Americans are affected by heart failure. But while it is certainly serious, it is not quite as ominous as it sounds. The good news is that there have been tremendous strides in heart care treatment in recent years, which enables patients with the disease to live full, active, normal lives.

Spotlight on HIV/AIDS: Barriers still keep thousands from HIV care and treatment
Today, almost three decades into the HIV/AIDS epidemic, there are 1.1 million people currently living with HIV in the United States. While strides have been made in the fight against this disease, there are an estimated 640,000 people with HIV in the U.S. who, for a myriad of reasons, are either undiagnosed, not in medical care, or not receiving HIV treatment.

Need help paying for that hearing aid? Here's how to get it
"No one should go without a needed hearing aid because of an inability to pay," says Dr. Sergei Kochkin, executive director of the Better Hearing Institute (BHI). Here's advice on how you can get assistance paying for a hearing aid.

Tips to beat in-home allergies this winter
Allergy sufferers often pay the greatest price during the winter months when the cold weather forces us indoors. Even though ragweed season has passed, there is something else that can trigger allergy symptoms without warning - the allergens that lurk inside your home.

The surprising, rewarding path many career changers are following
Trust in ever-resourceful and adaptable Americans to create opportunities to improve their own lives, and the lives of others, from the shambles of the economy. With unemployment rates still making news, many Americans are finding new ways to make a living, turning layoffs into launch pads for new careers.

Healthy eating year round for head-to-toe beauty
From award shows to a simple coffee run, movie and television stars are known for looking photo-ready at any moment. While their appearances may seem difficult to maintain, experts behind the scenes say achieving head-to-toe beauty simply starts with the foods we eat.

New puppy? Learn how to prepare your home for a furry friend
Anyone who's welcomed a new pet into the home can tell you how important it is to prepare for that four-legged friend. Whether it's moving furniture to accommodate a dog cage or learning to host a puppy play-date with the bulldog next door, becoming a pet owner can be a definite learning process.

Wholesome cooking at home
We all want to eat a nutritious diet that helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases and manage cholesterol levels. The same holds true for diabetics; in fact, many of the guidelines for a balanced diabetic diet are useful for anyone who wants to stick to a healthful diet.

Mood-boosting foods: Tips to jump-start your body and your brain
If you're determined to eat right to lose weight or improve your health, the foods you choose could also make you happier. We've all heard the old adage "You are what you eat," and the importance of eating for physical health. But did you know that at the same time you could also be eating to improve your mental sharpness, energy and inner peace?

Pregnant women need to prioritize flu protection this flu season
Pregnant women have a lot on their to-do list, but rarely does it seem that flu protection is part of their prenatal health plan. This year, the flu presents an added threat to pregnant women and their newborns because of the new H1N1 (swine) flu virus. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and women's health experts have identified pregnant women as a priority group for seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccination.

Good health keeps your pet smiling pretty
Our pets tend to eat the same way we do, which means - unfortunately - more cats and dogs suffer from unbalanced diets, obesity, food allergies and other health problems related to nutrition. You can keep your playful dog in excellent shape and your cute and cuddly kitty lean and trim with some helpful nutrition tips.

10 reasons to fall in love with potatoes
Want to do something good for your heart? Find new ways to increase your intake of potassium. This nutrient may help reduce the risk of high blood pressure and promote heart health. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that diets containing foods that are a good source of potassium and that are low in sodium may help reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.

Wondering about nutritional supplements? How to choose
Few people, including you, actually get all the nutrients they need from the food they eat - hence the major market for nutritional supplements. But how do you sift through the plethora of information out there to choose the right supplement from the thousands on the market? Here are some things to consider when evaluating a supplement.

Make sure your indoor air is healthy this spring
As soon as the temperatures warm up, you open up the doors and windows and let the "fresh" air in. You want to get rid of winter's stale, indoor air and replace it with the clean, outdoor air. You also go on a cleaning spree, vacuuming, dusting and getting rid of all the dust bunnies hiding under furniture. With a fresh, clean house, you assume you'll be breathing much easier. Think again. Air pollution is a very serious concern indoors.

Like patients in pain, Olympic athletes turn to doctors of chiropractic
You might not think you have anything in common with the world-class athletes competing in this year's Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, but if you're seeing a chiropractor for aches and pains from shoveling snow, training for a local marathon or lifting your grandchild, you're more alike than you think.

Maintaining a strong, intimate relationship despite health issues
Maintaining the spark in a years-long relationship has its challenges. Particularly in this day and age, spouses sometimes only see each other for a few hours a day between work, meetings, kids and other obligations.

Have a good hair day every day - without paying the price
Having a good hair day could mean spending money on salon appointments and several products to look as good as you did when you left the salon. But dermatologists say having healthy, beautiful hair doesn't have to break the bank.

How to get the most out of your health benefits this year
It's the New Year and like millions of other Americans, you may be thinking about your New Year's resolutions. One resolution that many people may not consider is making the most of their new health benefits plan. By fully maximizing your benefits and learning the ins and outs of your plan, you could save yourself hundreds of dollars this year.

Volunteering can be powerful 'medicine'
Some research suggests volunteering can have a positive effect on overall health and well-being - and may help improve your disease. Many Americans who suffer from chronic conditions can get involved with volunteering to stay active.

Human tissue and evolving medicine save lives
Amidst the constantly changing world of medicine, innovative research from some of the world's leading surgeons is finding new ways to use donated human tissue to treat a host of medical conditions.

Tips for choosing the right aid for your hearing loss
More than 31 million Americans of all ages live with some level of hearing loss, according to the Better Hearing Institute. Our increasingly noisy society has, unfortunately, ensured hearing problems are no longer an exclusive affliction of age; while people 55 to 64 make up the largest group with hearing loss, the second largest segment are people who are just 45 to 54, a time when many of us are in our prime financially, socially and professionally.

Be party smart - simple rules to avoid calories
With the abundance of parties this time of year - from the holidays to Mardi Gras - it can be easy to over-indulge and see the result in your waistline. Even so, it's possible to enjoy party favorites with the right approach.

Replacing household products can keep you safe
While people take all manner of precautions to ensure the safety and health of their families, some household products may need more attention and maintenance to keep loved ones and the home environment as safe as possible. A recent study shows that many Americans are unknowingly at risk of illness, injury or worse due to living with and using products that have not been properly maintained or replaced.

Top 5 spring allergy mistakes to avoid this season
Do you sneeze and wheeze all spring long? If so, you may be making common mistakes that keep you from preventing spring allergies. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) alerts allergy sufferers to avoid these five common mistakes.

Get the most out of your health care benefits
In these tough economic times, everyone is looking to save more. While you may have already found ways to save on everyday household expenses, you may be overlooking important tools from your employer that can go a long way in helping you save and pay for health care needs.

Children with special needs face uncertain financial future
Many parents may be putting their children with disabilities at risk without even knowing it. Because families are so overwhelmed with the daily demands of childcare, they fail to plan for the financial future of their children. But many companies have developed programs and expertise to address this issue.

Make a limitless resolution to get fit
Many of us make grandiose New Year's resolutions that we mean to follow through on and never do. Sometimes we might know that what we're doing isn't sustainable over a year, and other times, we underestimate exactly what we need to stick to a resolution. You often need more than just will power to really see results, especially when it comes to the popular resolution to get fit.

Tips for starting and maintaining a fitness program
Let's face it - if New Year resolutions actually worked, we wouldn't be making the same ones year after year, and largely, we do. In fact, more than 40 percent of the population makes resolutions, and on a grand scale, the top 10 resolutions are the same from year to year, with two of them consistently involving exercise and getting fit. Here are some tips for creating an effective plan for a healthy lifestyle change.

Easy meals for under $10 get you back into fall routines
With the departure of summer barbecues and the approach of the busy holiday season, more than one family will rethink that familiar question ... "What's for dinner?"

An active life begins with healthy joints
The new year often means resolutions like being healthier or exercising more often. What many people don't know is that our joints are the critical part of the body that allows us to be active and do the activities we most enjoy.

Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar inspires fellow patients with chronic myeloid leukemia to take charge of their disease
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, known for his unblockable signature "skyhook" shot, was diagnosed late last year with a rare type of blood cancer known as Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML). Now, he is partnering with Novartis Oncology and has a message for fellow patients with Ph+ CML - work closely with your doctors and take all the necessary steps to actively manage your disease for the best possible outcomes.

Millions of Americans have a sleep debt to repay - Do you?
You're paying down your credit cards and making smart decisions about your home and auto loans. But are you overlooking the most important kind of "debt," a debt that you owe yourself to pay off in order to maintain good health? This is one kind of debt that will have a huge impact on your life if ignored, but is easy to pay off with minimal effort.

New Year's resolution: slim down that fat cat or dog
To his owners, Moby, a 4-year-old Australian Shepherd, was a very healthy, spry dog, so when his veterinarian told them that beneath his thick, reddish-brown coat he had a weight problem, they were a bit shocked.

Surprising secrets of sea salt
Does the word "sea" invoke romantic images of voyages to distant, foreign lands? If so, it's probably no surprise that Americans' renewed fascination with the glamour of exotic cuisine has vastly expanded the market for sea salt.

Four easy 'sanity savers' for moms on the go
Whether it be to the grocery store, the doctor's office or a play date at the park, moms today are constantly on the go. Juggling the ever-changing needs of a child while out and about can be challenging, stressful and sometimes expensive. Here are some quick and easy "sanity savers" to help keep both mom and child happy while out and about.

How ICE on your cell phone, iPhone or iPod can help save your life - and possibly someone else's
It keeps you in touch with friends, family and business contacts. It's a source of entertainment, whether you play games on it or surf the Web. But did you know your cell phone can help save your life or the lives of others in an emergency situation, even if you're in no condition to use it to call for help?

Farmers should make a skin check a priority
Farming has plenty of challenges, but probably one of the hazards that farmers worry about the least is the danger from working in the sun year-round. Even as they start preparing for the 2010 crop season, farmers should pay attention to the condition of their skin.

How to help your newborn 'sleep like a baby'
Whoever coined the phrase "sleeping like a baby" probably never had the frustrating task of trying to get an infant to fall - and stay - asleep. Most parents know good rest is as vital as good nutrition for the health of their newborns - even if they can only dream about getting a good night's sleep themselves.

Salt central to a healthy Mediterranean diet
In the diet craze that has captured our attention over the last four decades, the one plan that stands out from the rest is the Mediterranean Diet. Since the Mediterranean embraces more than 20 countries, each with its own cuisine, the diet is really a fusion of the many foods consumed by the nations bordering the sea.

Allergy season: How to get relief
As the winter snow melts, the long-awaited sun seems to shine a little longer and that's when the buds-to-blossom routine begins. For many allergy sufferers, however, the beauty of spring means running immediately to the nearest drugstore to pick up a few extra boxes of tissues and maybe a box of antihistamines.

Improve your health - for free
Is it possible for your entire life to change in one afternoon? Jonathan Cottom believes so. He attended the American Diabetes Association EXPO in Pittsburgh, Pa. and came away a completely new outlook on the disease he has had for 31 years.

COPD patients: It's important to stay active
A diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) often results in a patient feeling helpless and depressed about not being able to maintain a normal, active lifestyle. However, with a chronic lung disease like COPD, it's particularly important, and tremendously beneficial, for patients to exercise and stay active.

Immunity secret: balance is the key
Now more than ever, Americans are taking personal responsibility for their health by practicing preventative health care, and one of the most proactive ways to stay healthy is by maintaining a healthy immune system. But did you know that your immune system functions optimally when it is balanced? That's right, balanced. Research shows that balancing - not just boosting or suppressing - is key to a strong immune system.

Dry mouth? Sensitive teeth? You are not alone
The flare-up of pain as you sip from your coffee cup might raise your eyebrow for just a moment, but then the pain disappears and you forget about it. Across the aisle, your coworker is filling his water bottle for the third time this morning, trying to keep his mouth wet enough to talk on the phone. These two oral health conditions might not bother a person enough to schedule an appointment with a dentist, but ignoring them could lead to much more serious issues.

Living with ALS can be easier
While a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, is extremely frightening for patients, there is ongoing research, new technology and medications to help make life easier.

Beat the 'winter bulge' by making smart nutritional decisions
The winter temptations of hot chocolate, mashed potatoes, warm pumpkin pie and other enticing treats can launch you into a comfort zone. But they can also make your New Year's getting-in-shape resolutions harder to achieve. This year, get ahead of the "winter bulge" by making smart, healthy and nutritional decisions.

How lawyers can help women fighting breast cancer
When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, many of her most important questions can't be answered by a doctor. What if my insurance won't cover a new treatment? Do I risk losing my benefits if I am not working full time? Will my boss let me take time off for treatment?

How to create your own motivation - and reward - for a new you in 2010
If you're like many people, you might have a history of unmet New Year's resolutions. It's common to set big goals and then disappoint yourself by falling short. A wise and more positive approach is to set a series of small, realistic goals that deliver easy successes and quick rewards.

Reaching beyond toothpaste: New survey, product reveal hope for oral health
Americans feel toothpaste could do more to remove bacteria, according to a recent survey. Similarly, only 52 percent feel that their current oral health care routine is very effective at removing bacteria.

Stop colon cancer now: screening equals prevention
Colon cancer is the second-deadliest form of cancer in the U.S., yet it doesn't have to be. More than 90 percent of colon cancer cases are curable if caught in their early stages.

Keeping diabetes in check between doctor visits
Americans are taking a closer look at their own personal health and assessing changes they can make, as the topic of health care remains front and center. More and more, people are paying attention to the cost of prevention and care for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, as they have a high risk for health complications.

Fun, tasty ways to get fit in 2010
If you resolved to get healthier this year, you've probably started evaluating exercise programs and healthy foods to eat. But don't forget to include fun and enjoyment in your resolution, because that is the best way to keep it going all year long.

Simple tips on how you can beat the flu this winter
Now that the flu season is well underway you want to protect your family and yourself as much as possible, especially when your children's classmates continue to miss school and your co-workers are still calling in sick.

Preparing for a domestic attack: What families can do today
With recent arrests in suspected domestic terrorism plots in Colorado and New York and almost daily news reports of international terrorism incidents, Americans need to remain vigilant and be prepared for the unknown. The good news is there are things we can do to be prepared and take responsibility for the safety and security of ourselves and our families.

Powerful advice for mothers: Help girls accept themselves through your example
Some of you are mothers; all of you had one. What did you learn about food, eating and weight from your own mother and what is your daughter learning from you? How and why do you eat the way you do and how can you prevent your daughter from repeating your mistakes? Mothers can become healthy examples of self-acceptance to their daughters.

Visiting a senior? Keep the flu germs at bay
Schools with only a third of the students sitting in chairs, offices sending out notices to employees asking anyone with a fever or cough to please stay home, and hand sanitizer stations popping up everywhere; the signs are very visible this year that flu season has arrived.

Tips to reduce the sodium in your diet without losing the taste
Heart failure, high blood pressure and many other common health conditions all have one thing in common - reducing the amount of sodium in your diet. But the problem is that salt is everywhere in foods, even if you personally don't add it to anything served. There are ways to reduce this ingredient so you can follow your doctor's orders.

Eat healthy - even while on the go
Busy schedules and holiday activities can keep you on the run, making it hard to eat healthy at this time of year. There are times when you miss a meal and over-indulge at a later hour, but with a little snack preparation, you can stay on schedule and on track with healthful eating habits.

You say you want a resolution . . . here's one for healthier food habits
All the gravy has been ladled. The cookies have crumbled. The red and green candies are on the clearance rack. That can only mean one thing: people all over the country are resolving to eat better, if not less often. The start of the New Year - and with it, a new decade - means that consumers are focusing on their resolutions to live a healthier lifestyle for themselves, their loved ones, and, for that matter, the planet.