Posted on Monday, March 14, 2016

How to Change Your Diet After a Diagnosis

You’ve been given a diagnosis and the advice to change your diet. Now what?

First, continue the conversation with your doctor. If he or she is the person who recommended dietary changes, they should have given you some guidelines. If you didn’t receive any instructions, call the doctor’s office to ask for more information.

You’ll want to know what your diagnosis is, and how diet affects you because of it. Ask which foods are recommended and which foods are restricted. Ask if they have any recommendations of where you can go for more information or recipe ideas.

As you review the list of approved foods, consider which of your usual meals will still work. Also think about which meals will work if you substitute a restricted ingredient with an approved ingredient. Working with your familiar meals where possible will lessen the feeling that something is being taken away from you.

Once you have your “yes” and “no” foods, and know which of your recipes you can work with, do some research to add to your meals and snacks plan. The Internet can be a great resource. Search using your diagnosis as one of your keywords. For example, “recipes for cardiac patients.”

You might also try the cookbook section of your local bookstore. There are cookbooks out there for all sorts of diets, including for certain medical conditions, like diabetes, for example.

Diagnoses can come with a lot of anxiety, and receiving food restrictions can feel like even more is being lost. With good planning and a little creativity, your new diet can satisfy you nutritionally and bring comfort.

Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2016

Helpful Healthcare Links for March 10, 2016

Getting your weekly healthcare news is important. We want to ensure that you are up-to-date in health news so that you are able to make the best health care choices for you and your family. Here are a few trending topics this week:

If you can’t kick the morning coffee habit, there’s great news for you! According to the updated Dietary Guidelines for 2015, coffee is actually part of a healthy diet. As long as you’re only consuming 3-5 cups per day, there are limiting effects of caffeine on your health.

Your Black Brew is A-Ok With Nutritionists.

A new study finds that people may have more control over their risk of Alzheimer’s disease as they age. After researchers looked at 30 years of records from over 5,000 people, they found that incidents of dementia declined around 20 percent each decade, starting from 1970.

Can Dementia Be Prevented? Education May Bolster Brain Against Risk.

Doctors are finding a new approach to treat depression, hoping they can better assist their patients. A study suggests that many doctors often fail in treating and assisting patients with depression because of insurance, time constraints and other elements.

Doctors Often Fail To Treat Depression Like A Chronic Illness.

The United States Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) reports that Medicaid coverage will be offered to include Flint families affected by Flint’s lead contaminated water. The Obama administration reports that it will cover 65 percent of those costs for pregnant women and 99 percent for children and the state will cover the rest.

Check out our helpful healthcare links. Healthcare news that works for you!

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Be sure to check out my newest offering When Life Happens: What to do about unexpected health concerns. This is a bit different than my other books. When Life Happens is a workbook filled with information, tips, and tricks for getting through accidents, difficult diagnoses, rehabilitation, and what to do with the kids through it all. But it also has activities to guide you through your situation. You can find it here.

Posted on Monday, February 29, 2016

4 Tips for Moms Caring for Sick Children

Having a sick child at home is no fun, for them or for you. When it happens, try these tips to keep everyone happy and returning to good health.

Keep the drinks coming. I don’t mean adult beverages for you. With most illnesses, drinking liquids is important for hydration and flushing the body, so make sure you continue to have your child drink water, Pedialyte, and no-sugar-added juices. While you’re at it, make sure you stay hydrated, too. Taking care of yourself will help you take better care of your sick child.

Engage in gentle playtime. Though your child may not be up for running around outside, play is a great way to get some light movement and engage the brain. Try puzzles, sculpting in Play-doh, or coloring pictures. Let them put stickers on their pajamas. Pull out that kids’ doctor kit and take turns diagnosing each other. Read stories together. Cuddle under a snuggly blanket while singing along with or reciting lines from their favorite movie.

Let them see nature. Depending on your child’s ailment, a few minutes outside may be beneficial. Have them breathe in the fresh air and feel the sun on their face. If they can’t go outside due to illness or poor weather, situate them so they can see out a window.

Call the pediatrician. If your child has any symptoms you don’t understand or shows unusual behavior, call their doctor. They may be able to give you some tips over the phone or you may need to go in for an office visit for a more thorough exam. Either way, it’s important to notify your pediatrician of any health concerns.

It may not be a fun day, but you’ll both get through it and back to your normal routine soon. What tips do you have for taking care of sick children? Share in the comments or on Facebook or Twitter. I’d love to hear from you.