Drink eight glasses of water a day

The Truth: Water’s great, but you can also whet your whistle with juice, tea, milk, fruits, and vegetables—quite enough to keep you hydrated. Even coffee quenches thirst, despite its reputation as a diuretic; the caffeine makes you lose some liquid, but you’re still getting plenty.

Stress will turn your hair gray

The Truth: Too much stress does age us inside and out. It ups the number of free radicals, scavenger molecules that attack healthy cells, and increases the spill of stress hormones in your body. So far, though, no scientific evidence proves a bad day turns your locks silver.

Reading in poor light ruins your eyes

The Truth: Reading in dim light can strain your eyes. You tend to squint, and that can give you a headache. But you won’t do any permanent damage, except maybe cause crow’s-feet.  Your overtired eyes can get dry and achy, and may even make your vision seem less clear, but a good night’s rest will help your peepers recover just fine.

Coffee’s really bad for you

The Truth: Too much may give you the jitters, but your daily habit has a lot of positives. Coffee comes from plants, which have helpful phytochemicals that act as antioxidants.  Drinking joe gives your brain a boost, too. And, despite the jolt of energy it provides, coffee has no effect on heart disease.

Feed a cold, starve a fever

The Truth: Colds and fevers are generally caused by viruses that tend to last seven to 10 days, no matter what you do.  There is no good evidence that diet has any effect on a cold or fever. Even if you don’t feel like eating, you still need fluids, so put a priority on those. If you’re congested, the fluids will keep mucus thinner and help loosen chest and nasal congestion.

Fresh is always better than frozen

The Truth: Frozen can be just as good as fresh because the fruits and vegetables are harvested at the peak of their nutritional content, taken to a plant, and frozen on the spot, locking in nutrients. And, unless it’s picked and sold the same day, produce at farmers’ markets—though still nutritious—may lose nutrients because of heat, air, and water.

Eggs raise your cholesterol

The Truth: Newer studies have found that saturated and trans fats in a person’s diet, not dietary cholesterol, are more likely to raise heart disease risk. And, at 213 milligrams of cholesterol, one egg slips under the American Heart Association’s recommendation of no more than 300 milligrams a day. Eggs offer lean protein and vitamins A and D, and they’re inexpensive and convenient.

Get cold, and you’ll catch a cold

The Truth: Mom was wrong. Chilling doesn’t hurt your immunity, unless you’re so cold that your body defenses are destroyed—and that only occurs during hypothermia. And you can’t get a cold unless you’re exposed to a virus that causes a cold. The reason people get more colds in the winter isn’t because of the temperature, but it may be a result of being cooped up in closed spaces and exposed to the spray of cold viruses.

Your lipstick could make you sick

The Truth: The reality is that lead is in almost everything.  It’s all around us. But the risk from lead in lipstick is extremely small.  In fact, lead poisoning is most commonly caused by other environmental factors—pipes and paint in older homes, for instance.

Yogurt

Most people get their vitamin D through exposure to sunlight, but certain foods, like yogurt, are fortified with vitamin D.

One cup of yogurt can be a creamy way to get your daily calcium. Stonyfield Farms makes a fat-free plain yogurt that contains 30% of your calcium and 20% of your vitamin D for the day.

And though we love the protein-packed Greek yogurts, these varieties tend to contain less calcium and little, if any, vitamin D.

Milk

There’s a reason milk is the poster child for calcium. Eight ounces of fat-free milk will cost you 90 calories, but provide you with 30% of your daily dose of calcium. Choose a brand fortified with vitamin D to get double the benefits.

Can’t get three glasses a day? Try blending milk into a smoothie or a sauce.

Cheese

Just because cheese is full of calcium doesn’t mean you need to eat it in excess (packing on the pounds won’t help your joints!). Just 1.5 ounces (think a set of dice) of cheddar cheese contains more than 30% of your daily value of calcium, so enjoy in moderation.

Most cheeses contain a small amount of vitamin D, but not enough to put a large dent in your daily needs.

Sardines

These tiny fish, often found in cans, have surprisingly high levels of both vitamin D and calcium. Though they may look a bit odd, they have a savory taste that can be delicious in pastas and salads.

Eggs

Though eggs only contain 6% of your daily vitamin D, they’re a quick and easy way to get it. Just don’t opt for egg whites—they may cut calories, but the vitamin D is in the yolk.

Salmon

Salmon is known for having plenty of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, but a 3-ounce piece of sockeye salmon contains more than 100% of your vitamin D. So eat up for your heart and your bones.

Spinach

Don’t eat dairy products? Spinach will be your new favorite way to get calcium. One cup of cooked spinach contains almost 25% of your daily calcium, plus fiber, iron, and vitamin A.

Fortified cereal

Certain cereals—like Kashi U Black Currants and Walnuts, Total Whole Grain, and Wheaties—contain up to 25% of your daily vitamin D. When you don’t have time to cook salmon or get out in the sun, cereals can be a tasty way to get your vitamin D.

Tuna

Tuna, another fatty fish, is a good source of vitamin D. Three ounces of canned tuna contains 154 IU, or about 39% of your daily dose of the sunshine vitamin. Try these low-cal Tuna Melt-Tacos as a way to sneak in vitamin D and calcium.

Collard greens

Like spinach, this leafy green often enjoyed south of the Mason-Dixon line is full of calcium. One cup of cooked collards contains more than 25% of your daily calcium. Plus you can easily sneak it into your favorite foods, like this über-healthy frittata.

Orange juice

A glass of fresh-squeezed OJ doesn’t have calcium or vitamin D, but it’s often fortified to contain these nutrients. Try Tropicana’s Calcium + Vitamin D to get a boost of these essentials.

Also, studies have shown that the ascorbic acid in OJ may help with calcium absorption, so you may be more likely to get the benefits of this fortified drink.

Popsicles

An icy popsicle can soothe a sore, prickly, swollen, or dry throat. It can also help keep you hydrated, which is key when battling the flu. Getting enough fluids can keep mucus thin and help lessen congestion. Look for popsicles made from 100% fruit juice to make sure you’re getting vital nutrients and not sugar water. Some flavors to try: apple, grape, or strawberry.

Turkey Sandwich

Turkey is a good, lean protein, essential to solid nutrition. And although you may not feel like it, eating can help give your body energy to fight illness. Try adding cranberry sauce for a spike of flavor and comfort-food taste.

Vegetable Juice

Making and eating a salad is probably one of the last things you’ll feel up to while recovering from the flu. Down a glass of low-sodium vegetable juice instead. You’ll load up on immune-boosting antioxidants and keep yourself hydrated. Craving a sweet taste? Go with 100% fruit juice.

Chicken Soup

Nourishing and hydrating, there’s also some scientific evidence that chicken soup may help with healing and have mild anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have found that hot chicken soup can improve the ability of cilia, the tiny hair-like parts of the nasal passages, to protect the body from bacteria and viruses.

Garlic

If you feel up to it, garlic can be a good choice to spice up foods like soup. It appears to have antimicrobial and immune-stimulating properties and may give you slight relief from congestion.

Ginger

Stomachache? Nausea? Ginger is a home remedy often used to soothe these symptoms. Some studies suggest it may help fight inflammation. Try adding it freshly grated or in powdered form to other foods, or drinking flat ginger ale.

Hot Tea

Green, oolong, and black tea offer disease-fighting antioxidants. And breathing in the steam can help relieve congestion. Add a spoonful of honey and a squeeze of lemon to help soothe a sore throat. If caffeine bothers you, opt for decaf or herbal versions.

Banana

Sliced, mashed, or whole, bananas are easy on the stomach. They can be a go-to food if you’ve been hit with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which often occur in kids with the flu. Bananas, along with rice, applesauce, and toast, make up the BRAT diet — often the first foods doctors encourage people to try when they’re recovering from stomach flu and ready for solid foods.

Popsicles

An icy popsicle can soothe a sore, prickly, swollen, or dry throat. It can also help keep you hydrated, which is key when battling the flu. Getting enough fluids can keep mucus thin and help lessen congestion. Look for popsicles made from 100% fruit juice to make sure you’re getting vital nutrients and not sugar water. Some flavors to try: apple, grape, or strawberry.

Turkey Sandwich

Turkey is a good, lean protein, essential to solid nutrition. And although you may not feel like it, eating can help give your body energy to fight illness. Try adding cranberry sauce for a spike of flavor and comfort-food taste.

Vegetable Juice

Making and eating a salad is probably one of the last things you’ll feel up to while recovering from the flu. Down a glass of low-sodium vegetable juice instead. You’ll load up on immune-boosting antioxidants and keep yourself hydrated. Craving a sweet taste? Go with 100% fruit juice.

Chicken Soup

Nourishing and hydrating, there’s also some scientific evidence that chicken soup may help with healing and have mild anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have found that hot chicken soup can improve the ability of cilia, the tiny hair-like parts of the nasal passages, to protect the body from bacteria and viruses.

Garlic

If you feel up to it, garlic can be a good choice to spice up foods like soup. It appears to have antimicrobial and immune-stimulating properties and may give you slight relief from congestion.

Ginger

Stomachache? Nausea? Ginger is a home remedy often used to soothe these symptoms. Some studies suggest it may help fight inflammation. Try adding it freshly grated or in powdered form to other foods, or drinking flat ginger ale.

Hot Tea

Green, oolong, and black tea offer disease-fighting antioxidants. And breathing in the steam can help relieve congestion. Add a spoonful of honey and a squeeze of lemon to help soothe a sore throat. If caffeine bothers you, opt for decaf or herbal versions.

Banana

Sliced, mashed, or whole, bananas are easy on the stomach. They can be a go-to food if you’ve been hit with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which often occur in kids with the flu. Bananas, along with rice, applesauce, and toast, make up the BRAT diet — often the first foods doctors encourage people to try when they’re recovering from stomach flu and ready for solid foods.

Toast

Although it brings up the rear of the BRAT diet, toast is nothing to ignore. If you can manage food, try toast or crackers. They can be convenient foods when you’re fighting illness. Plus, they pair well with chicken noodle soup and their satisfying crunch can take the edge off hunger when your stomach can’t handle much.

Popsicles

An icy popsicle can soothe a sore, prickly, swollen, or dry throat. It can also help keep you hydrated, which is key when battling the flu. Getting enough fluids can keep mucus thin and help lessen congestion. Look for popsicles made from 100% fruit juice to make sure you’re getting vital nutrients and not sugar water. Some flavors to try: apple, grape, or strawberry.

Turkey Sandwich

Turkey is a good, lean protein, essential to solid nutrition. And although you may not feel like it, eating can help give your body energy to fight illness. Try adding cranberry sauce for a spike of flavor and comfort-food taste.

Vegetable Juice

Making and eating a salad is probably one of the last things you’ll feel up to while recovering from the flu. Down a glass of low-sodium vegetable juice instead. You’ll load up on immune-boosting antioxidants and keep yourself hydrated. Craving a sweet taste? Go with 100% fruit juice.

Chicken Soup

Nourishing and hydrating, there’s also some scientific evidence that chicken soup may help with healing and have mild anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have found that hot chicken soup can improve the ability of cilia, the tiny hair-like parts of the nasal passages, to protect the body from bacteria and viruses.

Garlic

If you feel up to it, garlic can be a good choice to spice up foods like soup. It appears to have antimicrobial and immune-stimulating properties and may give you slight relief from congestion.

Ginger

Stomachache? Nausea? Ginger is a home remedy often used to soothe these symptoms. Some studies suggest it may help fight inflammation. Try adding it freshly grated or in powdered form to other foods, or drinking flat ginger ale.

Hot Tea

Green, oolong, and black tea offer disease-fighting antioxidants. And breathing in the steam can help relieve congestion. Add a spoonful of honey and a squeeze of lemon to help soothe a sore throat. If caffeine bothers you, opt for decaf or herbal versions.

Banana

Sliced, mashed, or whole, bananas are easy on the stomach. They can be a go-to food if you’ve been hit with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which often occur in kids with the flu. Bananas, along with rice, applesauce, and toast, make up the BRAT diet — often the first foods doctors encourage people to try when they’re recovering from stomach flu and ready for solid foods.

Toast

Although it brings up the rear of the BRAT diet, toast is nothing to ignore. If you can manage food, try toast or crackers. They can be convenient foods when you’re fighting illness. Plus, they pair well with chicken noodle soup and their satisfying crunch can take the edge off hunger when your stomach can’t handle much.

Meal Replacement Drinks

If your appetite has returned, try one of these to make sure you’re getting proper nutrients and calories. Look for lactose-free drinks with at least 6 grams of protein and that are low in sugar. Flavors like strawberry and chocolate may make getting essential vitamins, nutrients, and calories more attractive.

1. Avoid placing restrictions on food.

Restricting food increases the risk your child may develop eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia later in life. It can also have a negative effect on growth and development. Instead of banning foods, talk about all the healthy, nutritional options there are — encouraging your family to chose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy, while avoiding heavily processed, low-quality junk foods.

2. Keep healthy food at hand.

Children will eat what’s available. Keep fruit in a bowl on the counter, not buried in the crisper section of your fridge. Remember, your child can only choose foods that you stock in the house. And have an apple for your own snack. “Your actions scream louder than anything you will ever tell them,” says Sothern.

3. Don’t label foods as “good” or “bad.”

Instead, tie foods to the things your child cares about, such as sports or doing well in school. Let your child know that lean protein such as turkey and calcium in dairy products give them strength for sports. The antioxidants in fruits and vegetables add luster to skin and hair. And eating a healthy breakfast can help them keep focus in class.

4. Praise healthy choices.

Give your children a proud smile and praise when they choose healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, or low-fat dairy.

5. Don’t nag about unhealthy choices.

When children choose fatty, fried, unhealthy foods, redirect them by suggesting a healthier option.

•   Instead of regular potato chips and dip, offer baked tortilla chips and salsa.
•   If your child wants candy, try dipping fresh strawberries in a little chocolate sauce. Too busy? Keep naturally sweet dried fruit at home for quick snacks.
•   Instead of buying French fries, try roasting cut up potatoes in the oven (tossed in just a bit of oil).

6. Never use food as a reward.

This could create weight problems in later life. Instead, reward your children with something physical and fun — perhaps a trip to the park or a quick game of catch.

7. Sit down to family dinners at night.

If this isn’t a tradition in your home, make it one. Research shows that children who eat dinners at the table with their parents have better nutrition and are less likely to get in serious trouble as teenagers. Start with one night a week, and then work up to three or four, to gradually build the habit.

8. Prepare plates in the kitchen.

You can put the right portion of each item on everyone’s dinner plate, instead of offering up a food buffet or serve-yourself style. This way your children will learn to recognize healthy portion sizes. If adjusting to healthier portion sizes means smaller portions for your family, help make the switch seem less shocking by using smaller plates.

9. Give the kids some control.

Ask your children to take three bites of all the foods on their plate and give each one a grade, such as A, B, C, D, or F. When healthy foods — especially certain vegetables — get high marks, serve them more often. Offer the items your children don’t like less frequently. This lets your children participate in decision-making. After all, dining is a family affair.

10. Consult your pediatrician.

Always talk with your child’s doctor before putting your child on a weight loss diet, trying to help your child gain weight, or making any significant changes in the type of foods your child eats. Never diagnose your child as too heavy or too thin by yourself.

It is that time of year where everyone around you seems to be sick.  Here is a list of the seven most common places children can catch the flu.

Day Care and Preschool

The biggest factor that makes a place high-risk for the flu is how many other people there are infected. Many day-care centers and preschools have large groups of kids, upping the chances that someone there is sick. Plus, the influenza virus — especially when it’s hanging out in mucus — can live on surfaces for hours. That means plenty of opportunities for contact with little kids, who bounce from toy to toy (grabbing and mouthing them along the way) and then touch their eyes, noses, and mouths.

Playdates

Extended one-on-one contact and sharing toys (if your child’s willing to share, that is) make playdates prime opportunities for your critter to catch the flu. Most parents won’t knowingly send their sick children to a playdate, but it’s not always possible to know in the early stages if a child is ill. And a person infected with the flu can spread it to others the day before symptoms even appear.

Airplanes

Your family’s buckled in and ready for takeoff and then, “Achoo!” You hear a fellow flier sneezing and coughing. You’re most at risk if the sick passenger is seated near you, since large flu droplets in coughs and sneezes can travel only about three feet. But smaller particles can travel farther — and, at high-enough concentrations, they can get your family sick. Good air circulation helps if you’re next to the sick guy; but, then again, if you’re seated farther away, good air circulation makes it more likely that you’ll be exposed to the virus.

The Doctor’s Office

In the winter, the pediatrician’s waiting room — full of sniffling, sneezing, coughing kids — can feel like a scene from Contagion, and the checkup room itself is full of surfaces (the chair, the exam table, the doorknob) sick kids have touched. Your child could go in perfectly fine for a checkup and come out infected with the flu.

The Mall

Any communal means for pushing your pipsqueak from shop to shop (be it a traditional shopping cart, kid-size race car, or dino-on-wheels) is a germ magnet. The toy aisle is another contagion zone, where little hands are likely to paw at playthings on the shelves. Elevator buttons and handrails on stairs, escalators, and floors (basically, all the surfaces kids love to touch) are other places little ones can come into contact with the flu virus more easily.

Indoor Playgrounds

If you suspect the play area at your local fast-food joint is a germ-a-rama, chances are you’re right. You don’t know how or when it was last cleaned. Plus, since indoor playgrounds are public spaces, parents may have less motivation than they would on a playdate to keep their sniffly kids out of them.

Home, Sweet Home

Your very own home, safe and cozy as it feels, is a great place to catch the flu. You or your partner could bring something home from work. Your little one could bring something home from day care. Or your caregiver could bring something to your house from hers. If your little one has an older sibling, he’s especially at risk of getting sick, since school-age children are a major source of infection among families.

#1 Cut the Caffeine  

Caffeine may increase the sensations of RLS. If you consume a lot of caffeine-containing products, try limiting—or even eliminating—them from your diet. And don’t think just coffee. Caffeine can be found in many foods, such as chocolate, teas, sodas, and sports and energy drinks.

#2 Avoid Alcohol, Tobacco, and Some Meds  

Alcohol and tobacco are proven instigators for RLS. Avoiding them entirely is the best RLS prevention policy. Other possible symptom sparkers include some prescription and over-the-counter medicines, such as those for depression, allergies, colds, and nausea. Ask your doctor whether your medications could be worsening RLS symptoms.

#3 Try Moderate Workouts  

RLS may have you twitching all night. But you can help alleviate those sensations by adding some moderate exercise, such as walking, to your daily routine. But don’t exercise too much or too hard. That may intensify symptoms. It’s also best to avoid exercise a few hours before bedtime.

#4 Stress Better Sleep  

Irregular sleep habits can ramp up RLS symptoms. Strive for a consistent sleep schedule; go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. That will make it easier for you to fall and stay asleep. Also, create a sleep sanctuary: Keep your bedroom cool, dark, quiet, and comfortable.

#5 Use Your Mind  

Your mind can be a powerful tool in relieving RLS symptoms. Try distracting yourself by concentrating on a certain task, such as reading a novel, playing a video game, or solving a crossword puzzle. Practicing deep breathing or meditation can help calm you—and your symptoms—before bed.

#6 Heat Up or Cool Down  

For some people with RLS, applying warm or cool packs on the affected limbs can ease symptoms. So too can taking a hot or cold bath. A hot bath may be particularly effective in relaxing at the end of your day. Try both approaches to see which one soothes your symptoms best.

#7 Focus on Healthy Foods  

The exact cause of RLS is unknown. One possible reason for the condition may be an iron or vitamin deficiency. Eating a healthy and balanced diet may stop RLS symptoms, so talk with your doctor about your diet. He or she may recommend dietary supplements. But don’t take iron supplements unless you have iron deficiency; too much iron can be toxic.

Managing Heartburn at Home

You may be able to manage mild heartburn with a few changes to your daily routine. Start by eating smaller meals. Finish dinner at least three to four hours before bedtime and avoid late-night snacks. (Having food in your stomach when you lie down can trigger acid reflux symptoms such as heartburn.)

Watch What You Eat

Some foods are known to contribute to heartburn by bringing additional acid into the stomach or by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter. Stay away from food that may give you problems. Your symptoms may improve if you avoid tomatoes, onions, garlic, chocolate, peppermint, fatty foods, and citrus fruits, including oranges and grapefruit. If you find spicy foods are a trigger, try milder versions rather than giving up your favorite foods altogether.

Watch What You Drink

Certain beverages can also bring on heartburn. These include coffee, tea, sodas, alcohol, tomato juice, and orange juice. However, unless these are causing you acid reflux symptoms, you don’t have to avoid them.

Change Your Exercise Routine

Exercise can increase abdominal pressure, increasing the risk of acid reflux. Some types of exercise increase the risk more than others by reversing the natural flow of digestion. Headstands and inverted yoga poses, such as downward dog, are good examples. Abdominal crunches can be a problem, because the motion may thrust stomach acids into the esophagus.

Raise the Head of Your Bed

If you experience nighttime heartburn, try placing blocks under the legs of your bed to raise the head about 6 inches, or sleep with your upper body on a wedge pillow. This strategy uses gravity to keep stomach acids where they belong. (Avoid raising your head with piles of pillows. This bends your body in a way that can aggravate heartburn.) Reflux also occurs less frequently when lying on your left side rather than your right.

Wear Loose-Fitting Clothes

Another way to ease heartburn is to take pressure off the abdomen. Lose excess weight and wear loose-fitting clothes and belts.

Which Heartburn Medication to Take?

The heartburn treatment that’s best for you depends on many things. How often does heartburn happen? How bad is it? Do you want fast relief or prevention? Antacids offer fast relief for mild heartburn. H2 blockers can stop the burn before it starts, but only if you know when to take them. Proton pump inhibitors can tackle really stubborn heartburn. Your doctor can help you pick the treatment that’s right for you.

•  Give your bedroom a makeover.
  Make your sleeping area conducive to rest by keeping it dark and quiet. If you live in a city, consider using a white-noise machine to block out loud noises. Keep in mind that your body temperature drops at night, so you want to keep your room environment at a cool, comfortable level.
• Get enough sleep.
  Most people need seven or eight hours to optimally function, says Nancy Collop, MD, director of the Emory Sleep Center in Atlanta and president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. “You don’t want to be tired or sleepy during the day,” she says. If you need an alarm clock to wake up, find yourself chugging caffeine to stay awake, or you nod off during meetings, you may not be getting enough shut-eye.
• Establish a regular routine.
  Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. People who frequently switch their sleep times experience something akin to jet lag. Basner points to “Sunday night insomnia,” where weekend warriors stay up late on Friday and Saturday and then have trouble falling asleep on Sunday.  “Just that 24-48 hours can shift your circadian rhythm and cause poor sleep,” he explains.
• Put away your gadgets.
  It’s tempting to watch TV or surf the web from bed, but those activities usually make it harder to wind down. The latest research suggests that artificial light coming from laptop screens, TVs, etc. suppresses the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. So give yourself a technology curfew and turn off those screens at least an hour before bedtime.
• Get up instead of tossing and turning.
  If you have trouble falling asleep or wake up in the middle of the night, don’t lie in bed just staring into space. Get out of bed, do something that is relaxing, and come back to bed when you feel drowsy. “Keep the bedroom associated with sleeping rather than being awake,” says Collop. If you’re a worrywart, try to make a list of things you need to do the next day an hour before bed. That way you can get your worrying done before you get into bed, she says.
• Avoid alcohol before bed.
  Contrary to popular opinion, drinking alcohol before bedtime is not a good idea since it disrupts sleep and causes nighttime awakenings. “Chronic use of alcohol also takes away slow-wave sleep,” says Basner. “It wears off quickly, and then you’re left with nightmares and sleep fragmentation.” Caffeine before bedtime is also a no-no.
• Know how much sleep your kids need.
  According to a National Sleep Foundation (NSF) survey, only 20% of adolescents get the recommended nine hours of sleep per night on school nights. The NSF recommends that children ages 3 to 5 need 11 to 13 hours; ages 5 to 10 need 10 to 11 hours; ages 10 to 17 need 8.5. to 9.5 hours; ages 18 and above need 7 to 9 hours.
• Make bedtime a priority for the whole family.
  School-age kids benefit from a regular bedtime routine. Use rituals that help children wind down like a bath, brushing teeth, and story time. Be aware that your kids may try to push the bedtime limits. “Kids are pretty savvy, they’ll try to manipulate parents if they can to keep coming back in the room and parents need to try to avoid giving into to that,” says Collop.
• Get help for daytime sleepiness.
  Daytime drowsiness can be dangerous, because you may be at risk for falling asleep while driving. Unexplained sleepiness is a surefire signal that you should talk to your doctor. There are treatments available for cases of sleep apnea or narcolepsy. Insomnia is a common complaint, but if it persists for more than a few weeks, you should see your doctor to get to the root of the problem.

• Heart Diseases: Obesity causes heart disease in an individual. Many times obesity is supposed to be the symptom of the heart disease. Due to the obesity lot of fats gets deposited on the heart that disturbs the functioning of the heart leading to the heart failure or stroke. Obesity also puts a lot of pressure on heart that leads to the sudden cardiac arrest in some cases.
• Diabetes: Overweight people are twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to normal weight people. Type 2 diabetes is a major cause of heart disease, stroke, blindness, and early death. Losing weight and becoming more physically active can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. People with family history of diabetes are more likely to develop these problems if they are overweight.
• High Blood Pressure: Many medical studies have shown a relation between obesity and high blood pressure (hypertension). Being obese more than doubles the risk of developing raised blood pressure. Fortunately, even if your blood pressure is high, a modest weight loss can bring it under control. Blood pressure can drop with every kilo lost.
• Cancer: Several types of cancer are associated with obesity. In women, these include cancer of the uterus, gallbladder, cervix, ovary, breast, and colon. Overweight men are at greater risk of developing cancer of the colon, rectum, and prostate. For some types of cancer, such as colon or breast, it is not clear whether the increased risk is due to the extra weight or to a high-fat and high-calorie diet, this, of course, being strongly associated with weight problems as a consequence.
• Osteoarthritis: Obesity is found to cause osteoarthritis. Due to the excessive weight, there is more pressure put on the joints of legs which leads to the loss of synovial fluid that lubricate the joints. As a result the person suffers with the osteoarthritis.
• Gallbladder disease and Gallstones: The risk of gallbladder disease and gallstones increases as body weight increases. Note that rapid weight loss can actually increase your chances of developing gallstones. Therefore, you should aim for a gradual weight loss of about 1 pound (about half a kilo) a week.
• Gout: Overweight and obese people may suffer from gout that affects the joints caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid sometimes forms into solid stone or crystal masses that become deposited in the joints. An obese person is 4 times more likely to get gout than a non-obese person. However, with weight loss, the uric acid levels in the blood decreases.
• Liver Disease: Obesity is a greater risk factor for liver inflammation and damage than alcohol intake. Obesity increases the risk of having liver damage seven fold and combining obesity with heavy drinking is like adding fuel to fire
• Sleep Apnea and Breathing Problem: Sleep apnea is a condition where a person stops breathing for a short time during sleep. This is a serious breathing condition that is associated with obesity. Sleep apnea can cause a person to snore heavily. Sleep apnea in obese persons can result in a reduction in testosterone production and a reduction in the amount of growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland.
• Reduced sperm count: Sperm count of the obese men is found to be lower than that of the normal men. This happens as the production process of the sperms is being disturbed by the excessive deposition of the fats around the testes where sperms are produced.
• Problems in pregnancy: Obese women face the problem in getting pregnant as their hormone levels are disturbed due to the presence of the excessive fats in the body. Even after the deposition of the sperms in the ovule the ovulation cycle fails as the excessive weight puts a stress on the channels that supply food to the egg.

Dry Mouth Includes Dry Skin

Lack of saliva causes the skin in and around the mouth to become dry and tight. Your lips may become cracked, and sores might form at the corners of your mouth. Your tongue can feel rough and dry as well. And you might have trouble swallowing or difficulty speaking without the lubrication that saliva provides.

Embarrassing Side Effects

Dry mouth causes unpleasant side effects. Because saliva isn’t flushing your mouth of food particles and debris regularly, it’s common to develop persistent bad breath. If you wear lipstick, you might find that it sticks to your teeth because no saliva is there to rinse it off. Dry mouth can be the culprit when it comes to hoarseness or a tickle in the throat.

Medicines Can Cause Dry Mouth

More than 400 types of medications can cause dry mouth, including over-the-counter drugs for allergies and cold symptoms, and many prescription drugs for high blood pressure, overactive bladder, and mental health problems. It can also be a result of medical treatments such as radiation for certain cancers, which can damage salivary glands. Chemotherapy sometimes causes saliva to thicken and make the mouth feel dry.

Nerve Damage Can Affect Dry Mouth

Dry mouth can be related to nerve damage from a head or neck injury. Certain nerves carry messages between the brain and the salivary glands. If these nerves are damaged, they might be unable to tell the salivary glands to make saliva. Without saliva, it’s also hard to taste food because saliva carries the flavors in food to nerve cells in the mouth and throat.

Smoking Can Make It Worse

There are plenty of reasons to quit smoking, and having a dry mouth is one of them. Smoking does not cause dry mouth. But smoking cigarettes, cigars, and pipes or using other tobacco products, even smokeless ones, can aggravate dry mouth. Alcohol and caffeine are also drying.

A Doctor Can Treat Dry Mouth

Talk to your doctor or dentist if you’re suffering from the symptoms of dry mouth. If you’re not currently taking medications that may be causing the problem, your symptoms might point to an underlying and undiagnosed medical condition like Sjögren’s syndrome or diabetes.

Take Care of Your Teeth

A lack of saliva can be harmful to your teeth. Regular dental checkups are essential if you have dry mouth. Faithfully floss and brush your teeth every day in order to remove food and bacteria. If you can’t brush after eating, rinse your mouth. Sip water frequently throughout the day and use alcohol-free mouthwash or dental products.

Tips to Help Dry Mouth

Sipping water frequently will help keep your mouth moist. But steer clear of sugary, acidic, or caffeinated drinks. Drinking water or milk with meals increases moisture and helps with chewing and swallowing. Try sleeping in a room with a humidifier to decrease dry mouth symptoms. Make sure you see your dentist for regular cleanings and exams.