It's five in the morning and your alarm clock is still ringing in your ears. You can barely open your eyes, much less put together a work-appropriate outfit and walk outside to greet a new day. You shuffle to the kitchen to grab a cup of – what? What hot breakfast drink will wake you up while preserving your health? Around the world, tea is often the beverage of choice. In America, coffee predominantly rules. As a health-conscious person, you have to know: which is better for you? The answer is a resounding "it depends."

Coffee vs. Black Tea
The most popular type of tea is definitely black tea, and although it does contain less caffeine than your average cup of Joe, coffee is actually the healthier choice in this scenario. A moderate consumption of coffee promotes healthy blood flow and brain functioning. Coffee possesses more antioxidants than black tea, and it decreases your risk of cancer, Parkinson's disease, arthritis, and diabetes. Coffee can also lower your blood pressure and prevent heart disease. While black tea contains many of the same nutrients and benefits, coffee provides a more potent amount.

Other Types of Tea
While coffee is preferable to black tea, other types of tea, such as green or herbal mixtures, are usually a better choice than coffee. Green tea is linked with the prevention of many diseases, including cancer, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. It differs from black tea, keeping more of its nutrients, because there is less processing involved when preparing green tea. Herbal teas also tend to have many beneficial nutrients, but they do not carry any caffeine.

You Can Make Anything Unhealthy
Although coffee is actually a healthier food staple than many people believe, anything can become unhealthy when overused or filled with sweeteners. Watch the amount of sugar you mix in with any type drink, tea or coffee, and choose a traditional cup of Joe over a sweetened, trendy latte.

If you have more questions about your diet, the staff at Plantation General Hospital can help. Just call our Consult-a-Nurse® service anytime at 1-866-442-2362. We can also provide a physician referral.

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A child’s first bike is a cherished memory for parents and kids alike. It is a sign that your son or daughter is growing up, is getting more independent, and is capable of learning new skills. Unfortunately, bicycle accidents can occur when the child is improperly taught or not following important safety rules. Follow these tried-and-true tips to keep your children safe and preserve their bikes as treasured childhood memories.

Bicycle Gear
A bicycle helmet is a mandatory piece of gear that every child should wear when enjoying a ride, whether coasting down a busy street or just around your cul-de-sac. In the state of Florida, bicycle helmets are required by law for all children under 16. Make sure the helmets fit well and instruct your children to keep them on and strapped under their chins at all times. Unfastened or improperly sized helmets can fall off during an accident or fall, leaving the head exposed.

Elbow or knee pads are sometimes used to prevent scrapes during bicycle accidents. These may be necessary for your children while they are first learning to ride without training wheels.

Bicycle Check-ups
Periodically check your child’s bicycle to make sure it is in good working order. Check the tire pressure, the brakes, and look for any broken parts. Tell your child to come to you if he notices anything odd about his bicycle. Even the safest bicyclist could find himself hurt or stranded thanks to an ill-working bike.

Road Safety
Children can get farther than you realize on a bike, so make sure you have established some clearly defined boundaries on where they can and can’t ride. Always avoid busy streets without sidewalks or bike lanes. Younger children should be advised to stay in your neighborhood or subdivision, and parents of early elementary students should consider staying near them during their bicycle trips. If you do allow your child to take unsupervised trips, go over the following safety tips with them:

• Keep two hands on the handlebars as much as possible, and never try to bike with no hands.
• Look out for potholes, gravel, glass, animals, bottles or cans, pedestrians, and other bicyclists.
• Look both ways before the crossing the street.
• Don’t try to fit two people on a bike.
• Always stay observant.
• Never ride at night or during heavy rain storms.

Do you have any questions about your child’s safety or healthcare? The staff at Plantation General Hospital is here to help. Call our free Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-888-256-7724 anytime, day or night.

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It’s not uncommon for parents to notice their teens glued to computer or cell phone screens throughout the day. High school students often use the Internet for homework, watching videos, updating their social networking accounts, and talking with friends. In most households, teens spend more hours at the computer than their parents do. Although daily Internet usage is not an automatic need for concern, some teens could find themselves with an Internet addiction that negatively impacts their lives. Learn how to distinguish when it’s time to intervene.

Social Interaction
If you suspect that your teen might have an Internet addiction, look for drastic changes in his social life. Has a former social butterfly traded in sports games, concerts, and shopping trips with friends for Friday nights and weekends alone with the computer? Have you noticed your teen turning down invitations to events he would normally be thrilled to attend? Although the Internet has made it possible to keep track of friendships through social networks and email, a computer can never replace a healthy dosage of real-life quality time with friends.

School Work
When an Internet addiction takes hold, other areas of your teen’s life might start to suffer. Tracking the quality of work your teen completes at school could show if there is a problem that needs addressing. Missed assignments, ill-preparation for tests, or reports from teachers that your teen was caught using his smart phone during class are all signs that you should start paying attention to the amount of time your teen spends surfing the web.

Time Apart from the Internet
A tell-tale sign of addiction is how your teen reacts when he is separated from Internet access. If you plan a family vacation with limited or no Internet connection, observe the behavior of your teen. Does he exhibit signs of irritability or depression that are unrelated to other reasonable circumstances? If so, he might have developed an unhealthy addiction to the Internet.

Treatment
If you suspect your teen might have an Internet addiction, try talking to him about your concerns and encouraging him to continue the activities he used to enjoy offline. If he becomes defensive, you might have better luck scheduling an appointment with a professional counselor.

If you have any questions about Internet addiction or the health of your teens, the team at Plantation General Hospital can help. Please contact our Consult-A-Nurse® service anytime at 1-888-256-7724. We can also provide a physician referral if needed.

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Hypertension, or high blood pressure, may present no symptoms or immediate dangers to your health, but it can become a fatal risk for your cardiovascular health – eventually resulting in heart disease or stroke. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it is time to change your lifestyle and commit yourself to a healthy future. Your doctor might recommend medication to lower your blood pressure, and these natural methods could replace or supplement that approach.

• Exercise regularly. Don’t create a complicated plan that you’re unlikely to follow through with. Start small and gradually work yourself up to your grander fitness goals. Initially aim for 30 minutes of activity three times a week.
• A banana a day keeps the doctor away. Prevention Magazine recommends that you try to up your potassium intake to lower blood pressure. Aside from bananas, good sources of the nutrient include sweet potatoes, oranges, kidney beans, dried fruits, and tomatoes.
• Cut back on caffeine. The first few mornings without your coffee habit may be rough, but your body will adjust and your blood pressure will start to decrease.
• Switch up your diet. Start substituting chicken for beef, skim milk for whole, and steamed vegetables for deep-fried side dishes. A healthy diet low in cholesterol is the foundation for healthy blood pressure.
• Find out if you snore. If you do, see a doctor to discover if you suffer from sleep apnea. Approximately 50 percent of people with untreated sleep apnea also have high blood pressure.
• Relax. Easier said than done? Try yoga, meditation, journaling, or regular talks with a trusted friend. Locate what areas of your life give you the most stress, and brainstorm changes you can make to ease the pressure.

To find out your blood pressure numbers, contact Plantation General Hospital. Our free Consult-A-Nurse® service can give you a physician referral or answer any questions you might have. Just call 1-866-442-2362.

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Do you find yourself longing for a moment of quiet shut-eye at inconvenient moments? Maybe you experience an afternoon slump every workday, or the need for a nap appears when you still have a mile-long to-do list for the day. Chaining yourself to a coffee machine and painfully pushing through each hour is no way to live your life. If you’re getting enough sleep, chronic fatigue shouldn’t be something you need to suffer through. Simple lifestyle changes can give you the energy to greet each day with the momentum and passion you need.

Change Your Diet
Food choices rank as a top cause of chronic fatigue. Whether you’re skipping meals, overloading on sugars and white flour, or depriving yourself of a crucial nutrient, the foods you choose (and don’t choose) can make your days feel long and tiring. To give yourself the most energy possible, try these diet tips:

• Eat a healthy breakfast that includes protein every morning. No exceptions!
• Eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the entire day.
• Don’t go longer than four hours without something to munch on.
• Choose whole wheat bread over white.
• Make sure you’re getting plenty of fiber and omega-3s.
• Cut back on caffeine. It might worsen your fatigue initially, but as you break the addiction you will find you don’t need coffee or tea to artificially boost your wakefulness.
• If you won’t skip dessert entirely, at least save it for the end of the day.

Get Active
Many people who complain of fatigue lead a sedentary lifestyle. They sit at a desk all day, and spend their evenings in front of a television. Regular exercise, especially in the morning, will get your blood flowing and keep you awake all day.

Quick Tips
When you find yourself fading, try one of these instant fixes:

• Get up, stretch, and walk around.
• Splash your face with cold water.
• Close your eyes and breathe deeply.
• Talk to a friend.
• Eat a healthy snack.
• Turn on your favorite upbeat song.
• Clean up your workspace.

Are you experiencing unexplained periods of low-energy? Fatigue can sometimes be a symptom of a larger health concern. The staff at Plantation General Hospital can help. Call our free Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-866-442-2362 with questions or to receive a physician referral.

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There are few ailments more heartbreaking to witness as a parent than a child with an ear infection. You can see the obvious pain, and there seems to be little you can do to soothe your little guy’s discomfort. Ear infections are often one of the first medical conditions you will encounter as a new parent.

According to KidsHealth, most children will experience an ear infection before turning two years old. They can seem incredibly frightening, especially when accompanied by a rising fever. With professional care, these infections are easily fought off. Learn what to expect and how treatment will be administered.

Symptoms
If you notice a combination of these signs on your child, he might have an ear infection. See your doctor for a final diagnosis.

• Pulling at his ear
• Abnormal troubles with sleeping
• Restlessness
• Fever
• Agitation
• Ear drainage
• Runny nose
• Excessive crying, especially when lying down
• Lack of appetite

Treatment
If the ear infection is caused by a virus, your doctor will only be able to help relieve the symptoms while the virus naturally runs its course. Pain relievers or decongestants might be recommended in the meantime, which could indirectly shorten the virus’s lifespan. Pain relievers will help your child sleep, building up his immune system, and decongestants will dry up the mucus that provides a hospitable environment for infection.

Depending on the severity of your child’s condition, doctors might prescribe an antibiotic if they believe the ear infection to be bacterial. Although there is some controversy about the overuse of antibiotics, their use is often recommended for children. Untreated bacterial ear infections could potentially lead to complications such as hearing loss or a growing infection, resulting in mastoiditis (an infection of a bone in the skull).

If you think you child has an ear infection, the team at Plantation General Hospital is here to help. Call our free Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-866-442-2362 for a physician referral. We are also available 24/7 to answer any healthcare questions you might have. For more information about our pediatric department, visit our website.

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If you are considering weight loss surgery, you probably have a million questions running through your mind. Any type of surgery is a big step to make, and many types of bariatric procedures will require commitments that extend far past your recovery period. It isn’t wise to enter the operating room without a thorough understanding of what you’ve agreed to. Here are some common questions our patients ask before choosing weight loss surgery.

Am I Good Candidate?
Weight loss surgery is not for patients who are struggling to lose a few stubborn pounds here and there. Most doctors will only consider doing bariatric procedures on obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher, or those with health complications caused by their weight. Bariatric surgery might help people struggling with type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, or heart problems.

What Are My Options?
Plantation General Hospital offers four types of weight loss surgery:

• Gastric Banding
• LapBand
• Gastric Bypass
• Laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve Resection

Each patient will fit best with one of these approaches, depending on lifestyle and BMI. Consulting with a bariatric surgeon will help you decide which method will work best for you.

Is Weight Loss Surgery Safe?
Although all surgeries carry some risk, weight loss surgeries are very safe procedures with low rates of complications. However, some procedures will require a strict diet and lifestyle change so the patient remains healthy after the procedure takes place.

How Will My Lifestyle Need to Change After Surgery?
Although some may call weight loss surgery an “easy way out,” much effort is needed from patients after their procedure is complete. Eating habits often must be adjusted, not only to maintain their achieved weight, but to protect their health. Pregnancy might also need to be avoided for a certain amount of time. Before signing up for surgery, discuss with your doctor what kind of lifestyle changes your selected procedure will require, and determine whether you can make the commitment.

For more information about weight loss surgery at Plantation General, visit our bariatric department’s website. If you have more questions, call our free Consult-A-Nurse® hotline at 1-888-256-7724 at any time.

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There is rarely a time that calls for more responsibility and healthy living than during a pregnancy. Your decisions during this delicate time will affect another human being for the rest of his life. If you are struggling with an addiction, pregnancy will hopefully be the motivating event you need to break free. Most women shouldn’t assume they can handle this kind of dependency on their own. At Plantation General, we offer a safe, private, and professional environment that will get you clean and keep your baby healthy.

Your Own Health
Coupling the effects of illegal drugs and pregnancy on the woman’s body could lead to disastrous results. The Centre helps women avoid many pitfalls for herself, such as:

• Anemia
• Blood infections
• Heart infections
• Skin infections
• Hepatitis
• Various infectious diseases

Your Baby’s Health
When you participate in drug use during a pregnancy, the chemicals will often travel through the placenta, resulting in a baby born with a drug addiction. Chemical dependency in an infant is harder on his organs than it would be for an adult. The baby is at risk for organ failure, a poor immune system, stunted growth, lack of weight gain, and in some rare cases, physical deformities.

The Centre
The Centre provides a private and judgment-free environment where you can seek both emotional and physical help as you take control of your addiction. Our professional staff  will supervise your progress as you break free from chemical dependency, working to keep you and your baby healthy and safe every step of the way. We will not only guide you through your pregnancy with quality medical care and supportive peer group sessions, but we help you transition into life as a new mom, responsible and devoted to your baby.

If you are pregnant and struggling with an addiction, please contact us immediately for help. To learn more about the The Centre at Plantation Hospital, visit our website or call our toll-free line at 1-877-730-STEP with your questions. We are available 24/7.

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With another season of dessert-filled holidays behind you, the New Year is the perfect time to think about healthy changes you can make to your lifestyle. Whether you want to lose a few pounds, you’re trying to quit a dangerous smoking habit, or you just want to prevent future medical problems and enjoy your good health long into old age, 2012 is the year to take action.

Find a Nutritious Diet That Works for You
There are few medical problems that aren’t in some way linked with an unhealthy diet. If you are primarily living off fatty, sweet, or salty foods, now is the time to start opening up your kitchen and palate to healthier recipes. Begin by taking small steps one at a time.  Try finding several nutritious recipes your love, rather than fixating on cutting out unhealthy favorites. This positive focus will promote a feeling of abundance, rather than deprivation. Before you know it, your kitchen will be filled fresh produce and whole foods, rather than bags of chips and cartons of ice cream.

Fitness Resolutions
Gym membership numbers tend to spike every January – with good reason. Gyms provide accountability, focus, and encouragement while trying to establish an exercise routine. Many gyms also offer regular classes that will introduce you to new types of exercise, such as Pilates, water aerobics, or spin classes. On the other hand, gym memberships aren’t the only way to achieve your fitness goals this year. If you aren’t likely to get distracted while trying to exercise at home, investing in a few pieces of home gym equipment will save you money in the long run. You can also get a great cardio workout from running outside, joining a sports team, hiking, biking, or participating in water activities.

More Healthy Resolutions
What other promises can you make for 2012 to preserve your health? Here are some ideas:

• Quit smoking.
• Get enough sleep.
• Protect your skin from the sun.
• Switch to organic or natural cleaning substances.
• Pay attention to the recommended doctor appointments, exams, shots, and screenings for your age and gender.

Are you going into 2012 behind on your health screenings? Plantation General Hospital can help. Call our Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-866-442-2362. A healthcare professional is available 24/7 to answer your questions or provide a physician referral.

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Bringing home your new baby may mark the biggest life transition that you will ever encounter. As you anticipate days of snuggling, cooing, playing, and photographing, you should also begin to prepare yourself for sleep deprivation, diaper changes, and messy rooms. These tips will help keep you sane while adjusting to life with your newborn.

First Week Preparations
Labor and delivery will leave you sore and exhausted. Don’t expect that you can take on everything on your own. If your partner is immediately returning to work, enlist a close family member or friend to stay with you for a few days while you physically recover and adjust to your new role. Stockpiling groceries and premade meals will also make the first weeks smoother, and don’t even worry about cleaning or other usual obligations. Care for your baby when he’s awake, and get some much-needed sleep while he’s napping.

Handling a Newborn
Babies are incredibly fragile in their first few weeks of life. KidsHealth.org offers these tips for handling a newborn safely:

• Wash and sanitize your hands before touching a newborn.
• Always support the baby’s head and neck while holding him.
• Learn how to properly fasten the baby into his car seat or stroller. He should be jiggled as little as possible.
• Never shake your baby.
• Although bouncing an older baby on your knee may be safe, newborns are not ready for this type of play yet.

Breastfeeding Tips
Many women struggle with breastfeeding in the beginning. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your doctor or a lactation specialist. Warming your breasts with a heating pad or a wash cloth soaked in warm water will help milk flow, and cooling them with an ice pack afterward will relieve tenderness. According to Parents Magazine, it’s best to introduce bottles as soon as possible, if you plan to transition your baby to bottle-feedings after a return to work or other commitments outside the home. You can still use breast milk in a bottle by pumping it and storing it in the freezer.

At Plantation General Hospital, our staff is here to help you every step of the way. We offer a wide range of classes, including breastfeeding, baby care, and sibling classes. Also, our free Consult-A-Nurse® service is available to you 24/7. Don’t hesitate to call us day or night at 1-866-442-2362 if you have any questions about caring for your newborn.

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