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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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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Ideas for Keeping Your Kids Physically Active

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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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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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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While navigating your children’s mile-long gift wish lists, don’t let the holiday bustle and excitement distract you from your number one job as a parent: watching out for their safety. While modern laws keep today’s toys from many past hazards, children can still be endangered by toys that are not age appropriate for them.

Toy Shopping for Toddlers

The key to purchasing safe gifts for the toddlers in your life is avoiding toys that come with small parts. Even tiny pieces that seem firmly attached, such as beaded eyes or noses on a stuffed animal, could come loose. Children under three are prone to putting whatever they find in their mouths, nostrils, or ears. Avoid trips to the emergency room or risks of choking by only purchasing safe toys intended for toddlers. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends skipping presents with marbles, balloons, or small balls. Toys with sharp edges are also considered too dangerous for your youngest children.

Toy Shopping for Preschoolers

Durable toys are the safest choices for preschool-aged children. As kids’ strength grows, and they learn the art of the temper tantrum, poorly made toys can get broken, leaving dangerous jagged edges and small pieces that could be swallowed. If you are buying art supplies, make sure the crayons, paints, or other tools have been checked for toxicity. Safe art supplies should be marked ASTM D-4236.

Toy Shopping for Elementary Students

As your child reaches elementary school, he might begin asking for gifts such as bicycles, scooters, or rollerblades. Make sure you also purchase any safety equipment that should accompany these presents, such as helmets and pads for knees and elbows. Teach your children the rules of the road so they can bike and blade safely.

The staff at Plantation General Hospital wishes you a safe and joyous holiday seaon. If you are concerned about the safety of a toy your child has requested, call our free Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-866-442-2362. A healthcare professional is waiting to answer your questions.

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Sugar: How Much Are Your Kids Getting?

You’re counting calories. You select low-fat options at the grocery store. You’ve cut down on sugar. You’re watching out for cholesterol and carbs. You probably feel like you can’t fit another dietary restriction into your lifestyle – but the risk of too much sodium isn’t just weight gain. A salty diet often results in cardiovascular problems and other health concerns that can turn fatal.

Cardiovascular Complications
A diet oversaturated in sodium can wreak havoc on your arteries. Excess sodium will cause your blood pressure to rise, ultimately leaving your arteries hardened, thick, and prone to clots. Heart attacks and strokes are common complications that many patients could avoid if they watch their sodium intake.

High blood pressure will also affect your blood vessels, such as the ones running through your eyes or kidneys. When these vessels become thick and narrow, you could suffer from kidney failure or vision loss. Problems with your blood vessels may also result in an aneurysm. Limited blood flow in a weakened vessel could create a bulge that eventually ruptures, creating a life-threatening situation.

Don’t assume that a low blood pressure reading means your high-sodium diet isn’t affecting you. According to the Huffington Post, even if a sodium-filled diet does not result in high blood pressure, there is still a correlation between high salt intake and cardiovascular problems.

A Weakened Metabolism
A high-sodium diet can create several problems with your metabolism, commonly leading to weight gain, infertility, mood swings, or diabetes. Some untreated metabolism disorders can also lead to stroke or heart disease.

Stomach Problems
Salt can react harshly against your digestive system. Patients who consume too much sodium often find themselves struggling with chronic stomach ulcers, and in extreme cases too much salt has been linked with gastric cancer.

Compromised Mental Abilities
Extremely high blood pressure will weaken your mental facilities, causing patients to experience neurological symptoms such as memory loss. If you find yourself struggling to learn new material or adapt new habits, an excess of sodium may be to blame. Those with low-sodium diets often report better brain clarity and sharper mental abilities.

If you have questions about your diet, the team at Plantation General Hospital can help. Just call our free Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-866-442-2362. A healthcare professional can help you determine healthy sodium levels that will protect you from high blood pressure, digestive problems, and other health concerns.

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Do your kids come home every day bouncing off the walls? You might start to wonder exactly how much sugar they are getting each day and where it is coming from. Along with the uncontrollable sugar high, too much sugar in children’s diets can result in health concerns, as well as poor eating habits that they will carry with them into adulthood.

Breakfast Sugars
Some say breakfast is the most important meal, but several breakfast foods – especially the ones marketed for children – come packed with sugar. Many sweet-tasting cereals, pastries, and strudels have so much sugar that they could easily pass as a dessert. If you prepare homemade pancakes, waffles, or French toast for your family, watch your children to see if they are covering those warm breakfasts in syrup or powdered sugar. 

Filling Their Cup
A lot of “hidden” sugars sneak into the drinks your children love. Soda and energy drinks are big sources of sugar, and many kids will enjoy several bottles a day. Trading out Cokes and Gatorade for juice can work, but you need to be careful at the store. Many juices are similarly packed with sugar to sweeten things up. Look for brands that don’t add any sweeteners to their concoctions. 

Sugar at School
School can be a wild card when trying to moderate your children’s sugar intake, especially if you give them cash to purchase their own lunch. Many kids will skip over the official lunch selection, and use their money to buy ice cream sandwiches or sugary snacks. Some teachers will also use candy as a reward system to motivate good behavior or grades from the students.

If you are concerned with how much sugar your children are getting, call our 24/7 Consult-A-Nurse® hotline at 1-866-442-2362 to ask questions or receive a referral for a pediatric doctor. We can help you assess your children’s current diets and determine how much sugar is permissible for them on a daily basis. For more information about our pediatric services, visit our website.

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If you are recovering from a serious injury or surgery, you might benefit from seeing an experienced physical therapist who can help you retrain your muscles, relieve pain, and recover quickly. Many patients wait for a recommendation from their doctor before scheduling an appointment with a physical therapist, but anyone who is struggling through his recovery or experiencing difficult movements could benefit from physical therapy. Sometimes physical therapy can even prevent the need for future surgeries.

Pain Elimination

For those wary of unnecessary medications, physical therapy is a natural and healthy way to relieve chronic pain. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, physical therapy can effectively soothe pain in any area of the body, including common complaints such as lower back aches and joint pain. Physical therapy has been used as an alternative pain management method to supplement or replace medications for the following conditions:

• Osteoarthritis
• Tendinitis
• Bursitis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Musculoskeletal pain

Improved Lifestyle

Old injuries and surgeries shouldn’t haunt you longer than necessary. Restricted and painful movements do not need to be a permanent part of your daily life. If your daily life is compromised because of stiff, painful, or uncooperative muscles and joints, let a physical therapist help locate your problem areas and devise a plan to improve movement and quality of life.

Prevention

Athletes can use preventative physical therapy to help guard against common sports injuries that may occur during a game or practice session. The American Physical Therapy Association reports that physical therapy can lower your sports injury risk by 41 percent, when compared to athletes who only warm up before games.

Elderly Patients

As the body ages, it becomes susceptible to poor balance, falls, and broken bones. Preventative physical therapy can help your loved ones avoid these common problems as the years pass. Physical therapy for the elderly will improve strength, balance, and flexibility, enabling them to continue living an independent lifestyle even as the years take their toll.

The physical therapy department at Plantation General is here to help you reclaim your life after an injury or surgical procedure. If you have any questions or need a referral, please call our free Consult-a-Nurse® service at 1-866-442-2362.

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