Health Briefs TV Explores Mental Health

Mental health is making the news this week as the UK’s popular Duchess and the US’ First Lady publish online articles to raise awareness of the topic. Health Briefs TV explores some of the issues concerning mental health.

Even talking about mental health in a casual setting can invoke a negative stigma. No one wants to bring the topic up. Yet, millions of people manage every day live with depression, anxiety, nervousness, PTSD, and other afflictions of the brain and mind.  But no one is really talking about it.  Until now.

One in five Americans live with a diagnosable mental health illness today.

Many mental health problems can be treated with medication or therapy. Meditation and yoga are well-known to help calm an anxious mind, and come without the side effects of often prescribed drugs.  People from every background and age group live with depression and anxiety. Young and old, poor or wealthy, Veteran or civilian, executive or staff worker – anyone can battle through the symptoms silently, afraid of others finding out and thinking less of them.  The stigma can be almost as debilitating as the mental illness.

Health Briefs TV asks readers to learn and recognize the five signs of someone struggling through a mental health problem. If any of these signs are familiar, talk to the person privately about them. Learn more about it from changedirection.com.

1. Personality change
2. Agitation
3. Withdrawn from others
4. Change in personal care
5. Feeling hopeless

Every person in our lives matters. It’s easy to see when someone is feeling physically unwell. It is much more difficult to see when someone is feeling mentally not well.  Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone and ask them. It could save their life.

Health Briefs TV on Teen Health News

Teens. We all used to be one. Some of us still are. The one thing we all have in common is the need to pay attention to our health.

Health Briefs TV takes note of some of the cool health-related news for teens.

New studies found that the more fruits and vegetables teens consume, the better chance they have of not developing cancer when older. Also, reducing the amount of soda teens drink lessens the chance of developing kidney stones and diabetes.

There are some easy ways to pack more fiber into everyday eating habits: take an apple to school to snack on, choose whole wheat bread instead of white, ask the family cook to replace white pasta and white rice with whole grains varieties. Add broccoli to it to kick up the amount of fiber in the meal. Drink water with every meal, and add a few more glasses or bottles of it during the day and right before bed.

Teens, male and female, might find that even though eating healthful foods may not be cool, it does lower the chance of getting breast cancer and other cancers, reduces the development of obesity and high blood pressure. The Health Briefs TV show producers suggest packing some whole fruit in school backpacks. If getting lunch from the school is part of the plan, choose the fresher options instead of popular ones.

There is nothing cool about being sick, and especially not with a terminal illness. It is not fashionable to test blood sugar once a day at school. It is hard to participate in activities when even a few steps can wind you. Teen health is important. Step up your health game.

Health TV Reviews Healthy Living Tips

Healthy living is more than just eating well and getting daily activity. It is a well-rounded balance of everything that makes us function optimally. Health Briefs TV reviews healthy living tips for the whole family.

From infants to grandparents, there are great ways to live a healthier and longer life. Everyone in the family should be consuming several servings of vegetables, fruits and grains every day. These include dark leafy greens like spinach, and starchy vegetables like small potatoes. The grouping also includes whole fruits and whole grains. A combination of these keeps bodies working smoothly, provides energy and tastes good. Fat-free or low-fat dairy items are also good since they are good sources of calcium and protein, long-known for strengthening bones and providing stamina. More good sources of include fish, chicken and lean red meat and soy. Healthy oils such as safflower, olive, and canola oils (think two teaspoons per day) are not only tasty but boost good health.

Along with these suggestions, the Health Briefs TV show encourages readers to limit sugar from their daily diets. We should consume less than 10 percent every day. Prepare and cook as many meals at home as possible to reduce sugar. Other things to limit daily are: saturated fat, (less than 10%), sodium (2,300 mm per day) and cholesterol. Healthy living is easy start, affordable to maintain, and benefits everyone – young and old. 

Health Briefs TV Shares Good Hydration Tips for Teens

Children are active. As they become older, they tend to be more active. Too much activity and not enough good hydration can lead to nausea, dizziness and the development of kidney stones. Health Briefs TV shares some good hydration tips for teens.

The nutritional labels on sodas and caffeine drinks list the amount of water contained in each serving. Most of the time, it is not a significant amount to properly keep teens hydrated.  A study conducted by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found that poor water intake can increase the chance of developing kidney stones.

Schools, athletic locker rooms and athletic stadiums should be equipped with working water fountains that produce clean, cold, drinkable water. When fountains don’t work or produce warm, unclear water, chances are no one will want to use it. In addition, it can be difficult to find a vending machine that sells bottled water, or one that sells it at a reasonable price. Teens are often left finding other ways to hydrate, or not hydrating enough.

U.S. federal law requires schools to have one water fountain per floor. Some schools also have water fountains near bathrooms which can relay the water is recycled from the bathroom. This is often one reason why the fountains located there are not used.

Health Briefs TV encourages teens, parents, coaches and teachers to be sure all students stay hydrated during the day and when participating in school activities. Avoid sugar-laden sodas and fruit drinks as the water in them is not sufficient for good hydration.  Perhaps invest in a smart wrist device or app that records the amount of hydration taken. A well-hydrated teen is one that will be alert, feel well and be fully functional.

Health Briefs TV Reviews Sleep Deficiency in Children and Teens

A good night’s rest is needed by everyone and more so for children and teens. But getting enough sleep is usually not the case for America’s kids. Health Briefs TV reviews the causes and solutions in sleep deficiency.

Many parents let their children go to bed later than normal and sleep later than they should. Kids should be getting 10 to 11 hours of rest per night, but are falling short at sleeping for less than 9 hours. Lack of sleep can cause behavior problems, learning problems, eating problems and overall poor health. When children are tired in school they are not learning as well as they could be. Children from ages six to 12 who go to bed after 9 PM take longer to fall asleep, wake up more often during the night, and therefore, get less rest.  Teens also need to get enough rest.

Recommendations by health professionals suggest:

Insisting children and teenagers go to bed at the same time every night and rise at the same time every morning.

Leave digital devices in another room so to not distract from a restful sleep.

Reduce any caffeinated beverages two hours before bedtime.

Be sure homework and after school activities are completed and over early in the evening so kids are forced to study into regular bedtimes.

Health Briefs TV recommends adults set a good example for children of all ages by following the same guidelines.

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Why We Need the Turn the Volume Down from Health Briefs TV

Turn the volume down

Nothing sounds better than listening to a favorite song with ear buds or head phones on. Keep in mind though that we don’t have to amp up the volume.

The World Health Organization estimates that 1 billion people could possibly lose their hearing and most of those between the ages of 12 and 35. This is mostly due to cranking the volume up with ear buds in the ears or head phone use.  Forty percent of the above are likely to lose experience some level of hearing loss due to being in venues where the decibel levels are very high, such as concerts. And hearing loss is forever.

Below are some steps to prevent premature hearing loss:

Curtail listening to loud music from ear buds or head phones to no more than one hour per day.

Don’t spend more than eight hours per day in a job where the inside noise decibel is more than 85 decibels. These jobs are usually in bars, nightclubs or sporting venues.

Turn the TV volume to a reasonable listening level.

Watch children and teens to be sure they are not blasting music or games in their ears with buds or head phones. Headphones can be cranked up to 110 decibels.

The Health Briefs TV show reminds readers that hearing loss is permanent. There are no quick fixes. And hearing aid devices, no matter what the cost, do not restore hearing one hundred percent. In fact, hearing aids amplify ALL sound including background noise. Protect the ears always. 

Health Briefs TV Warns Readers about E-Cigarette Dangers

Quitting smoking is one of the most difficult things to do. Breaking that nicotine habit is hell. There is no other way to describe it. Today, there are nicotine patches, nicotine lozenges and e-cigarettes to help people who want to quit smoking. As many could guess, some of these helpers are not all that good for you.  Health Briefs looks at the dangers of e-cigarettes.

Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are a popular option for people who are trying to quit smoking. Shaped like a long cigarette, the item can be loaded with flavored vapors and a heavy dose of nicotine. Newer models of the e-cig allow the user to adjust the level of nicotine they get. But along with that comes a higher amount of formaldehyde, which is a probable human carcinogen. Health Briefs TV notes that cigarettes also contain formaldehyde. Researchers found that the higher the voltage chosen on the e-cigarette, the higher amount of formaldehyde. They also note that people who vaped three milliliters of e-liquid per day would inhale 14.4 milligrams of formaldehyde. This can possibility increase the risk of cancer up to 15 times.

While there are many options today to help the smoker kick the nicotine habit, our best suggestion is to ask a doctor. Most of the products on store shelves are expensive. But quitting sure beats the high cost of healthcare that a cancer diagnoses will eventually bring.

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Health Briefs TV Shares News on Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Not cool at all.

The number of teens who smoke, drink, or use drugs has gone down significantly from 2002 to 2013, according to a new study. This is good news and Health Briefs reviews more information from this research.

Alcohol, binge drinking and tobacco use are also reduced for teens age 12 to 17 in the same time period. Illegal drug use is down also. Teens that have a substance dependence problem or abuse problems also went down. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also reports that in 2013, rates of illegal drug abuse fell among teens to just under nine percent. Alcohol abuse dropped to 11.6 percent from 13 percent in 2012. And binge drinking rates, one of the most dangerous forms of alcohol abuse, fell only one percent during the same time period. The Health Briefs TV show learns that the rate of preteens and teens that drove under the influence dropped three percent.

While these statistics are encouraging and positive, preteens and teens must learn from the adults in their lives that there is nothing cool about alcohol use or illegal substance abuse. Drinking and drunk driving are not normal teen activities and can lead to injury, death and jail time. Substance abuse ruins lives immediately.  Please help America’s preteens and teens get the help they need to kick an addiction before it kicks them.

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Health Briefs Reports on How Dieting Affects Women Later

(healthy lifestyle changes made with friends are better)

Teens and young adult women are usually quite aware when they gain even a small amount of weight. This leads to going on fad diets and diets which promise quick weight loss. Health Briefs looks at how this kind of dieting later affects the women.

Health and medical experts agree that in order for a young woman to stay healthy and remain healthy, she needs to make lifestyle changes instead of going on a fad diet. A study followed women for ten years who reported started to diet early in youth. The researchers found that 10 years after they were graduated from college, the women indulged in extreme weight-control behaviors, more alcohol consumption and misuse, and had a greater chance of being overweight or obese.

Health Briefs encourages teen girls and young women to seek the advice of a medical expert before starting any weight loss program. The key to any successful and long-lasting weight control is to make positive lifestyle changes. Healthy weight maintenance can be obtained with self control, lifestyle changes and support from parents, friends and healthcare professionals. Let’s all work together to give women of all ages the support they need to life a healthy lifestyle and maintain a positive self image into adulthood.

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Health Briefs Asks: Are We Overdosing on Caffeine?

The recommended daily amount of caffeine we should consume is between 200 to 300 milligrams per day. This is the equivalent of two to four cups of coffee. Health Briefs learns that we can easily overdose on caffeine in one day. Here’s how to cut back.

Caffeine asks as a stimulant in humans. It can be found in seeds, leaves and the fruit of plants such as coffee or kola nuts. But we are not ones to chew on kola nuts. Instead, we drink coffee by the pot, energy drinks by the giant can and spend too much money on specialty java at local coffee shops.  Nutritionists inform us that energy drinks can contain about 80 milligrams of caffeine in an eight-ounce can and the 16 ounce cans may contain up to 240 milligrams. Those extra large cups of coffee and have up to 300 milligrams of caffeine in them. All of this adds up to a monster caffeine overdose.

If one feels overly shaky, Health Briefs suggests drinking several large glasses of water to dilute the caffeine in the body. Stay away from foods with coffee flavoring.  People who feel tired and feel they need to wake up before driving or going to work should be mindful of how much caffeine they really need in order to be more alert. One eight ounce cup of coffee will do the job. One small can of an energy drink will also help the sleepy one wake up.

Parents of young adults should caution children that caffeine powders, energy drinks and excessive coffee drinking has adverse affects on their health. There is no logical reason why any teen should buy and take caffeine powder or drink more than one highly-caffeinated energy drink per day. A healthy lifestyle will circumvent any need for overdosing on caffeine. 

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