Every parent wants their child to be happy and healthy. They want to see their child playing with buddies and laughing about something silly that happened at school. They want their kid to be carefree. Unfortunately, for children and adolescents who suffer from depression, that isn’t always possible.

Today, May 9, is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day and a perfect opportunity for parents to speak to their children about emotional and behavioral health.

“From birth, we are developing skills to regulate our emotions and behaviors,” said Kari Welch, a licensed clinical professional counselor with the Children’s MOSAIC Project, a program of The Children’s Center. “As a parent, it is critical to respond to an upset child without judgment or criticism for what they are feeling, and help them recognize healthy ways to express uncomfortable emotions.” Read the rest of this entry »

Many women mistakenly think that heart disease primarily affects men. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. According to the National Institutes of Health, one in four women in the United States dies of heart disease, while one in 30 dies of breast cancer, and an astonishing 80 percent of women ages 40 to 60 have one or more risk factors for heart disease.

“Early identification and management of risk factors for heart disease through a healthy diet, weight management, exercise and stress management, can greatly reduce a woman’s risk for heart disease,” said Paula Harwood, RN, BSN, and manager of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and heart failure at Memorial Medical Center.

 Harwood suggests women take these steps to reduce their chances of developing heart disease: Read the rest of this entry »

Summer is approaching, which means warm weather, lots of physical activity and paying more attention to keeping your body hydrated.

“Water is the body’s fluid of choice,” said Christina Rollins, a registered dietitian at Memorial Medical Center and spokesperson for the Illinois Dietetic Association. “But other beverages—and foods, too—also can help you meet your daily needs. All beverages supply fluid, though some may come loaded with calories or caffeine.”

How much fluid do you need? An average adult needs about 2 ½ quarts (10 cups) daily to keep the body running smoothly and to replace fluids lost throughout the day. If you lose more water, such as through heavy perspiration, you’ll need even more. You can meet your needs by drinking water and other beverages, and you can also get water from foods such as fruits and vegetables.

Rollins offers these tips for making smart beverage choices to get in the flow of good health: Read the rest of this entry »

Are you or someone you know struggling with unemployment? You aren’t alone. During the past year, the unemployment rate throughout central Illinois, including Springfield, Decatur and Peoria, has increased.

Losing a job can lead to challenging times for many people. The loss of an income is significant, but unemployment can also cause stress, which can bring about emotional and physical problems.

 “Unemployment can cause a sudden shift in roles within a family, and that can have a negative impact on someone psychologically,” said Trish Fehr, a licensed clinical professional counselor with Memorial Counseling Associates. “When someone who saw themselves as an employee and wage earner suddenly finds themselves standing in the unemployment line, it’s common for a grief process to begin because of the loss of employment status and their loss of status within their family and society.” Read the rest of this entry »

The first time Gabe Stinson learned about a Tough Mudder race from a friend, he was intrigued. And once he participated in his first – he was hooked.

 Whether it’s a Warrior Dash, Tough Mudder  or Spartan Race, they’re gaining in popularity,” said Stinson, MS, a certified performance enhancement specialist with Memorial SportsCare.

Though more people are participating, these competitive events —  which combine off-road running through fields or rough terrain and challenging obstacles — are not for everyone, Stinson cautioned. Training is very different from training for a traditional road race. Read the rest of this entry »

Eating out seems like the easiest choice for a family meal after a busy day at work, but getting your kids to help in the kitchen is a great way to make it seem like less work, said Virginia Dolan, MD, a pediatrician with Koke Mill Medical Associates, part of Memorial Physician Services.

But how do you get them involved?

Though popping a meal in the microwave might seem like the easiest option, it’s not always the best one, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Pre-prepared, microwavable or heat-and-serve entrees are often higher in sodium, fat and calories than freshly prepared meals.

Here are some tips from the academy: Read the rest of this entry »

The theme for National Nutrition Month — “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day” — encourages us to eat right, but just how do we do that on a daily basis? Gayle Jennings, a registered dietitian with Memorial Medical Center, shares these four ideas to incorporate into your quest to eat right: Read the rest of this entry »

How would you like to decrease your risk of stroke more than twofold?

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends consuming only 1,500 milligrams of sodium each day, yet the average American consumes more than 4,000 mg of sodium per day. That is nearly 2 teaspoons of salt. 

Researchers who published a study in the journal Stroke in April followed more than 2,600 participants over a 10-year period reviewing their health, including any hospitalizations, medication changes or changes in stroke risk factors, such as smoking. Only 12 percent of the participants were meeting the AHA recommendation of less than 1,500 mg of sodium per day. Read the rest of this entry »

March is National Nutrition Month, and Memorial Medical Center’s registered dietitians are sharing tips and recipes throughout the month that focus on this year’s theme, “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day.”

One of the best ways to be sure you are eating nutritiously is to “shop smart” by reading food labels. The Nutrition Facts panel found on most food labels will help you:

• Find out which foods are good sources of fiber, calcium, iron and vitamin C;
• Compare similar foods to find out which is lower in fat and calories;
• Search for low-sodium foods;
• Look for foods that are low in saturated fat and trans fat. Read the rest of this entry »

Have you been hibernating the past few months? Oversleeping? Withdrawing from family, friends and social activities?

If your answers are yes, it’s possible that you are suffering from seasonal affective disorder, a common type of depression during the fall and winter months. Often referred to as SAD, seasonal affective disorder negatively affects a person’s energy levels, which can lead to depression, anxiety and feelings of hopelessness.

Though spring will be here in another month, there’s still time to make a few lifestyle changes that can help alleviate symptoms of SAD.

Here are a few recommendations from Lois McConomy, a licensed clinical social worker at Memorial Counseling Associates: Read the rest of this entry »