New budget-friendly ways to work out from home
So many things have changed during the past year, including how and where we work out. Some gyms are still closed and sales of home exercise equipment has soared. With so much gear being sold with promises about fitness, Consumer Reports reveals which ones are actually worth your money and your sweat.
Florida father pushes for CPR mandate in high schools
Itโs a promise Sima made when his daughter collapsed while running on a treadmill in a gym near their Melbourne home. โShe was flying through the air off that treadmill and thatโs when the clock started ticking.โAt the time, Simaโs 16-year-old daughter, Lexi, was the picture of health. Their story was so powerful, they convinced State Sen. Dennis Baxley to sponsor a bill that would make CPR training mandatory for high school seniors to graduate. โIt could be during a health class, physical education, sports,โ he said, adding that the new mandate would not require any additional school funding but would instead draw from community programs that offer CPR training for free. For Sima, an Air Force veteran who now works as an orthopedic physicianโs assistant, CPR training has become a mission: education as many people about the life-saving skill as possible.
Superfoods to supercharge your new year
Now for 2021, we have some superfoods to keep your diet supercharged for the new year. Coconut oil, matcha, chia seeds, quinoa -- the list of fad superfoods to come in and out of fashion over the last couple of years goes on and on. Some other superfoods: oily fish, like salmon, trout and sardines, which have high levels of omega-3, can reduce inflammation and decrease your risk for heart disease. Beans, peas and lentils boast high levels of fiber, iron, zinc and vitamin B. A study out of Harvard has found that blueberries may be able to slow cognitive decline by 2 ยฝ years.
Smart watch for a healthy new year
If itโs time for you to get into shape, Consumer Reports recommends the best smart watches and fitness trackers that can help. The new Apple Watch Series 6 Steel Case (GPS & Cellular) is no different, but itโs on the pricey side at $750. For a less expensive option, consider the Apple Watch SE (GPS) for $280, which is near the top of CRโs ratings. Just in time for the new year, Apple has launched its new fitness streaming subscription, Apple Fitness Plus. The service is designed for people with an Apple Watch and offers guided workouts on demand that can be streamed across Apple devices.
Pandemic + new baby = anxiety overload for new moms
There is an entire spectrum of mood swings, called peripartum mood disorders, that impacts women before and after delivery. Peripartum mood disorders can start after a woman first learns she is pregnant. Once the baby is born, new moms can suffer postpartum anxiety -- excessively worrying and being terrified of hurting the baby. Brittany worked through her fears with talk therapy and is now enjoying her new baby boy Coleson -- born healthy, happy and absolutely perfect. While medication is an option to treat peripartum mood disorders, many expectant and new moms can be treated with talk therapy, psychotherapy and behavioral therapy.
Risk of heart attack peaks on Christmas Eve, study shows
The risk of heart attack peaks at 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, especially for older and sicker people, according to a study in the British Medical Journal. Researchers found a 37% higher risk of heart attacks on the holiday, as well as increased risk on News Yearโs Day and Christmas Day. These activities can raise blood pressure and set off a โfight or flightโ response in the body thatโs hard on the heart. Signs of a heart attack include:Chest painDiscomfort in other parts of the body like arms, back, neck, jaw or stomachShortness of breathNauseaCold sweatLightheadednessItโs very important to not ignore these symptoms when they happen. If you experience any heart attack warning signs, donโt ignore them.
How to subdue ADHD symptoms in adults
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Nine million U.S. adults deal with ADHD, but 85% of them donโt know they have it! While it develops during childhood, some people donโt know they have until they are adults. โI definitely felt overwhelmed a lot,โ said Maria Edwards, an adult with ADHD. And since 80% of adults with ADHD have trouble sleeping, wind down by turning any lights off 90 minutes before bed. While the true cause is not clear, it is possible ADHD runs in families, so genes may play a role.
Doctor: โIt is critically important to get the flu vaccine this yearโ
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ As we head into winter, one of the biggest concerns is the collision between seasonal flu and the coronavirus. No one likes to get a shot, but getting vaccinated against the seasonal flu is vital. โIt is critically important to get the flu vaccine this year as much as any other year, mainly because we want to keep people out of the hospital,โ Joshi said. And thatโs, ultimately, the goal, is to not let that happen.โIf you start getting flu-like symptoms, you might not know if you have the flu or if you have COVID-19. โFor these folks, getting the flu vaccine may be cost-prohibitive, and so we want to minimize that as much as possible,โ he said.
Expert panel recommends colon cancer screening at age 45
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Research shows colorectal cancer in younger adults is on the rise. Now, that data has prompted an expert panel to recommend colon cancer screening start at age 45 โ instead of 50. The task force said colorectal cancer screening saves lives and that adults ages 45 to 75 should be screened to reduce risk of dying from the disease. Draft recommendations are typically posted for public comment for about a month before final guidelines are issued.
CDC labels Halloween trick-or-treating a high-risk activity for COVID-19
Check out these DIY Halloween craftsโMany traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses,โ the CDC said. A costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesnโt leave gaps around the face. Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Lower your risk by following CDCโs recommendations on hosting gatherings or cook-outsLower risk activitiesThese lower-risk activities can be safe alternatives:
How to spot subtle signs of heart failure
Unlike a heart attack that hits fast and hard, heart failure can be a gradual process. Some signs and symptoms of heart failure can be dangerously mistaken for something else. So how can you spot heart failure? Heartburn can feel like youโre having a heart attack which may lead to heart failure, but unlike heartburn, which causes a burning sensation, a heart attack will feel like a tight, constricting pressure. There are about 550,000 new cases of congestive heart failure in the U.S every year and more than half the people who develop heart failure die within five years of diagnosis.
Masks 101: Everything from mistakes to avoid to how to store your face covering
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. In order for a face mask to be effective, it must cover the mouth and nose period. We have seen people frequently wearing their face covering over their mouth but below their nose. When wearing it or removing it, Rolle said, you need to avoid touching the inside where that virus could be trapped so you dont spread it. To avoid contaminating their masks, Rolle demonstrated how the mask should be stored. Dont wear the same mask every day if it has not been washed, and make sure you change the filter, as well, Rolle explained.
Psychologist breaks down dealing with back-to-school stress
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Faced with the coronavirus pandemic and worried about their childrens safety, mothers and fathers are under a lot of stress. Below youll find a brief Q&A (you can watch the full segment above):How do parents emotionally reconcile things? And thats the idea that if you as a parent are feeling worried or anxiety or stress, dont transmit that or communicate it to your child. If they say, You know, Im really worried about X, well, ask them right away, Can you change that? Children who do experience stress and worry will transfer that into a physical symptom.
Coronavirus pandemic taking toll on teens & families
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The cumulative effect of the coronavirus pandemic weighs heavily on just about everyone. A recent national study shows nearly two-thirds of 1,500 teenagers surveyed believe the anxiety associated with the pandemic will have a lasting effect on their lives. Im concerned that the parents are more concerned about the kids than they are about themselves, Dr. Halbert said. Halbert said nows a good time to discuss with children how life can be unfair at times. And if we do this together as a team, these kids will not stay traumatized.
Youre exposed to someone with COVID-19. Now what?
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. We know many people have questions about COVID-19. One way to get answers to those questions is through the Baptist Health hotline, which is staffed by nurses Monday through Friday. Perhaps the most frequently asked question is: what should you do if theyre exposed to someone who has the virus? Another commonly asked question: if the results of an antibody test are positive for exposure to the virus, should you feel assured that you wont get COVID-19 again? Meaning, if youre positive and youve been exposed that thats going to last, so there are many uncertainties to the antibody test.The bottom line, its too soon for doctors to know about about coronavirus antibodies to tell anyone they are completely immune to getting COVID-19 again, even if they test positive for its antibodies.
How pets support mental health
How pets support mental healthPublished: June 2, 2020, 8:55 amWith social interactions limited right now, the bond between humans and their pets, and the emotional and mental benefits that come with it, can be a powerful partner in keeping you healthy. The American Heart Association says pets can do more than reduce work-related stress.
Road trip safety
Road trip safetyPublished: June 1, 2020, 8:52 amWith Summer Break officially here, and many states starting to lift travel restrictions, some families may be thinking about a vacation. Bruce Hamilton shares some basic guidelines offered by AAA that families should follow when planning a road trip.
Negative health effects of stress from COVID-19
Negative health effects of stress from COVID-19Published: May 30, 2020, 8:24 amDr. Alex Crean from Memorial Hospital joins us on The Morning Show to discuss the negative impacts caused by the stress from COVID-19, that can cause health problems, including hemorrhoid flare-ups.
The importance of water safety this summer
The importance of water safety this summerPublished: May 29, 2020, 8:37 amNow that some pools will begin opening, we want to remind you about the number one killer of young children, which is drowning. Cindy Dennis with Safe Kids Northeast Florida joins us on The Morning Show to talk about water safety this summer.
Antibody Testing in the River City
Antibody Testing in the River CityPublished: May 13, 2020, 8:35 amMany of you have been asking the health department about antibody testing and testing available for people who are disabled or homebound. We wanted to get those answers to the publicโฆalong with important information for parents about protecting your kids from covid-19 considering the latest research which suggests children are developing a dangerous side effect from the virus.
Thanking medical workers with healthy meals
Thanking medical workers with healthy mealsPublished: April 27, 2020, 9:13 amThe owners of Lean Impact Nutrition are teaming up with the Jacksonville Automobile Dealers Association to expand their mission in helping others. They are repaying medical workers for their sacrifices by delivering meals to local hospitals.