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Consider the following scenarios: A hospital nurse grabs the wrong vial of medication to administer to a patient — a potentially life threatening mistake — because the packaging closely resembles that of the correct medication stocked one shelf over. A doctor’s illegible handwriting results in a pharmacist misreading a medication order and filling it with the wrong medication. A patient fails to notice his prescription for Clonidine, a heart medication, is filled as Colchicine, a medication for gout, because the drugs have names that look alike and sound alike — a problem for more than 1,400 commonly used medications because brand and generic names are dangerously similar to others.

Each of these is a type of medication error, which occurs every day in hospitals, doctor’s offices, pharmacies and people’s homes, and which kills more people than AIDS, breast cancer and traffic accidents. According to the Institute of Medicine, between 44,000 and 98,000 Americans die each year due to preventable medical errors in hospitals — just one setting where medication errors can occur.

Medication errors are made by a variety of people, and occur for a variety of reasons at any time throughout the medication supply and use chain. “The person making the error can be a health professional, or it can be a patient or caregiver,” explains Diane Cousins, R.Ph., vice president of healthcare quality and information for the U.S. Pharmacopeial (USP) Convention, a non-profit group that sets the official quality standards that prescription and over-the-counter medications in the United States are required to meet.

“These mistakes can lead to a severe deterioration of a medical condition or even death, and they contribute to the rising costs of medical care in the management of these mistakes,” says Cousins. “But while the fear of a medication error can make patients feel helpless, it is important for people to know that all medication errors are preventable and that patients have an important role to play in keeping their care safe.”

The USP recommends these steps to reduce your risk of harmful medication errors:

Before you leave the doctor’s office:
Make sure you understand why you are taking a medication, how it is supposed to help your condition, and how to pronounce both the brand and generic name of the drug. A key action a patient can take to prevent an error is asking the doctor to write the “indication for use” on the prescription order. This is a statement that identifies what the medication is being taken for — words such as ‘for cough,’ ‘for allergy,’ or ‘for heart.’ This is not the diagnosis, which could violate patient privacy laws, but the symptom the medication is treating. If a doctor’s illegible handwriting leads to a misinterpretation of the prescription, the indication for use can alert the pharmacist that something isn’t right. For example, if the indication says the prescription is for the heart, the pharmacist is more likely to notice that he or she is incorrectly dispensing a medication for gout. In addition, when the indication for use is written on the doctor’s prescription order, it will always be printed with the directions on the prescription label, reminding the patient of what condition the medication is being taken for.

At the Pharmacy:
Take advantage of patient counseling from the pharmacist. This key individual in the treatment chain is often overlooked — and he or she is one of your most valuable resources. Ask about potential interactions with other drugs or dietary supplements, as well as instructions for use — for instance, does three times a day mean take with breakfast, lunch and dinner, or every eight hours?

At home:
Read the instructions and information packet carefully and always double check to make sure you grabbed the right bottle of medication from the medicine cabinet. Many errors at home involve taking the wrong dosage or taking the wrong drug. The indication for use is an important clue to the medicine that is in the container. Children and the elderly are particularly susceptible to harmful results from these types of errors, as an overdose is more likely for someone of low weight and a mix-up is common among older people taking multiple medications. It is also important to keep an updated list of all medications you are taking (including over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements), and sharing this list with a family member or other caregiver. Should you be hospitalized and unable to communicate the medications you are taking, this list is a very important tool to your emergency care.

In the hospital:
As noted, always have your list of medications available in case of emergency hospitalization. If you have a planned visit to the hospital for a surgery or other purposes, bring someone you trust to serve as your advocate. This person should communicate with doctors and nurses, asking why you are being given a certain medication. Make sure this person knows to take a second look at what a nurse or doctor is giving you and stands ready to ask questions — it could be a life-saving question.

Most of us associate botulinum toxin, also known as Botox with the cosmetic treatment of facial wrinkles. But did you know that neurologists have safely used it to treat serious medical conditions for over 28 years?

After extensively reviewing all available scientific studies on the topic, the American Academy of Neurology has released a new set of guidelines on how this drug can be used to help make a real difference in people’s health and the way they live.

Here are some of the conditions that can benefit from this treatment.

* Spasticity
A neurological injury can cause muscle stiffness that interferes with moving, walking and other day-to-day activities. These problems, called spasticity, are common in cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. Those who have had a stroke often have tightness in the arm, wrist and hand muscles on the affected side. There is strong evidence that botulinum toxin can safely and effectively treat adult and childhood spasticity in the limbs. For those with multiple sclerosis who suffer from severe tightening or stiffness in the thigh muscles, it may provide comfort when in bed or a wheelchair.

* Lower Back Pain
Many people suffer from lower back pain for a variety of reasons. “We found that botulinum toxin is possibly effective in relieving low back pain and therefore may be considered as a treatment option,” says pain guidelines author Dr. Markus Naumann, Professor of Neurology, Head of the Department of Neurology at Augsburg Hospital in Germany, and a member of the American Academy of Neurology.

* Cervical Dystonia
Cervical dystonia is the involuntarily twisting or tilting of the neck and shoulders. Botulinum toxin can help people who have head, neck and shoulder problems by blocking the nerve signals that cause the uncontrollable tightening and movements of these muscles.

* Excessive Sweating
Experts found strong evidence that botulinum toxin is safe and successful for treating excessive underarm sweating. Research shows that sweat production can be reduced by at least 50 percent. Other types of sweating, such as excessive palm sweating, can benefit from this treatment as well.

* Overactive Bladder
If you suffer from an overactive bladder associated with neurological disorders such as spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis, you can use botulinum toxin to help increase bladder control. Research shows reduced incontinence episodes which can help dramatically improve quality of life.

* Facial Spasms
Hemifacial spasm is a neuromuscular disorder that causes frequent involuntary contractions of the muscles on one side of the face. People who have used botulinum toxin treatment report benefits lasting almost three months. Other facial disorders such as blepharospasm, or involuntary winking, can be treated this way as well.

* Essential Tremor
Essential tremor is a neurological disorder that causes shaking of the hands or other parts of the body including the head. Research shows that injections of botulinum neurotoxin should be considered as a treatment option when drugs have not worked.

As the American Academy of Neurology analyzed research, they did find some conditions where botulinum toxin wasn’t shown to be effective. Contrary to popular belief, botulinum toxin is probably not effective in the treatment of migraine or chronic tension-type headaches. “Botulinum toxin injections should not be offered to patients with episodic migraine and chronic tension-type headaches,” says Dr. Naumann. “It is no better than placebo injections for these types of headache.”

Even though Botox is most popularly known in cosmetic circles for reducing wrinkles and keeping men and women looking young, it is also a useful treatment for serious medical conditions. For more information, visit www.AAN.com.

This guidelines project was chaired by David M. Simpson, MD, Professor of Neurology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.

Botox is a trademark of Allergan, Inc.

Millions of Americans use supplements to enhance their health every day, studies show. But did you know that some supplements – those that contain artificial coloring, chemicals, sweeteners and other additives – may actually be detrimental to your health?

A growing body of evidence suggests that many of the additives found in our food and some health supplements may cause adverse reactions in some people. In fact, one study by researchers at North Shore Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in New York, found a link between certain foods and additives like artificial coloring and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

“Many of the so-called vitamins and supplements marketed as improving health are actually filled with potentially harmful artificial ingredients,” says Nancy Leavitt, president and founder of Dr. Organics, a company that specializes in organic and all-natural health supplements. “That’s one reason why more and more people are turning to organic products for greater health benefits. One recent study by Datamonitor indicates that by 2009, Americans will spend $20 billion annually on natural and organic products.”

If you are currently taking a dietary supplement, or considering adding one to your health regimen, consider these facts:

* Up to 70 percent of solid vitamins or supplements are simply excreted from the body, according to numerous studies.

* Liquid supplements offer much higher absorption rates – up to 90 percent depending on the supplement.

* The increase in the number of Americans with food allergies can be directly linked to the pervasive use of and consumption of artificial ingredients, many health experts agree.

* In 2007, nearly 70 percent of Americans took dietary supplements, according to a survey commissioned by the Council for Responsible Nutrition.

* Many supplement users take handfuls of multiple products to achieve different health benefits, from cardiovascular to bone and joint support and to fulfill daily vitamin requirements.

“Clearly demand is growing for a dietary supplement that is organic in nature, provides complete health benefits and offers optimum absorption and efficacy,” Leavitt says. “Products like Dr. Organic’s new Body Shot, a physician’s grade liquid supplement, are finding growing consumer interest in the marketplace.”

Factors that differentiate the new Body Shot product from other supplements include:

* The use of all-natural preservatives and organic ingredients.

* High antioxidant content, as well as a bone and joint complex, and heart complex ingredients. Acai berry, recognized as a top source of antioxidants, builds the immune system, protects the heart and supports prostate health.

* CoQ10, a compound that shows signs of promoting greater heart health.

* Easy-to-maintain, once-a-day use eliminates the need for multiple supplements to fulfill multiple health goals.

“Until now, products of this caliber have been really geared toward elite athletes, but Body Shot is intended to also provide optimum health benefits for everyone – from Baby Boomers to children,” Leavitt says.

Are you confused about cholesterol? Wondering which numbers need to go up and which numbers need to go down? If so, you’re not alone. According to the American Heart Association, an estimated 80 million Americans have high levels of LDL “bad” cholesterol, over 44 million have low levels of HDL “good” cholesterol and over 28 million have high levels of triglycerides . Also, 42 million Americans suffer from a disorder called mixed dyslipidemia meaning their levels of triglycerides are high, LDL cholesterol is moderately high and HDL cholesterol is low.

Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease: The Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven, Nutrition-Based Cure

Based on the groundbreaking results of a twenty-year nutritional study by Dr. Esselstyn, a preeminent researcher and clinician, this book illustrates that a plant-based, oil-free diet can not only prevent and stop the progression of heart disease but can also reverse its effects. The proof lies in the incredible outcomes for patients who have followed Dr. Esselstyn’s program, including a number of patients in his original study who had been told by their cardiologists that they had less than a year to live. Within months of starting the program, Dr. Esselstyn’s patients began to improve dramatically, and twenty years later, they remain free of symptoms.

Considering these staggering statistics, chances are you or a loved one may have unhealthy cholesterol levels. To help tackle this problem head on, the National Lipid Association has launched www.LearnYourLipids.com. The Web site provides information on how to manage cholesterol problems by taking a total wellness approach, including tips on healthy eating habits and how to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. The site also features useful educational tools such as an interactive Lipid IQ test, questions you can ask your doctor, a doctor search tool and links to additional Web sites.

“Despite treatment advances, heart disease is still the leading cause of death in this country,” says Jerome D. Cohen, M.D., of the National Lipid Association. “Because unhealthy cholesterol levels can lead to this devastating disease we need to do a better job educating people about risk factors and what they can do to minimize them.”

It is important to work with your doctor to set healthy goals and measure all cholesterol levels including LDL, HDL and triglycerides. If you are unsure of what to ask your doctor, www.LearnYourLipids.com features a printable checklist of the eight most important questions to help you get the answers and information you need.

LDL, HDL and triglycerides are all independent risk factors for heart disease. The risk of developing heart disease doubles when triglyceride levels are above 200. When triglycerides are above 200 and HDL cholesterol is below 40, a person is at four times the risk.

To help lower your risk of heart disease, start by getting your cholesterol levels checked.
For more information on lipids and tips for healthy living, talk to your doctor and visit www.LearnYourLipids.com.

The relationship between a physician and a patient is an important one, especially if a complex diagnosis is involved. But sometimes there are barriers on both ends that can cause confusion and frustration.

“The cornerstone of medicine is the relationship that patients have with their providers,” comments Dr. Edward Creagan, a Mayo Clinic oncologist with over 30 years of experience, and a medical editor of MayoClinic.com. “Striving to create a positive, mutually-beneficial relationship helps ensure the best possible treatment.”

Dr. Creagan offers these tips to help improve communication with your doctor:

1) Do some research online.
“An informed patient is in a far better position to maximize the expertise of the medical professional,” says Dr. Creagan, who has noticed that people go online more often to research a specific diagnosis for themselves or their family rather than broader health subjects. He notes that it’s important to be critical of medical Web sites to ensure the information is accurate and based on medical evidence. He advises:
* Avoid sites that are obviously sponsoring a product or service, or where there is a blurry line between editorial and advertising content.
* Information should be presented in a clear and concise manner and should be factual and verifiable.
* Make sure the site focuses on the patient side of health, rather than sites intended for medical professionals.
* Be skeptical — if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
* Avoid blogs that lack credentials — blog authors should always have professional credentials or be backed by a professional organization.
* Consider the source of the information — is the organization known for expertise in healthcare treatment or research? Sites sponsored by medical organizations are often good options, as are nonprofit and government sites.

Dr. Creagan suggests MayoClinic.com as a great place to start your research because it is accurate, evidence-based, and the information is vetted by medical professionals at Mayo Clinic. He comments, “The site is very easy to navigate and is clearly written with the needs of the patients and family in mind.”

2) Be prepared and bring questions.
After doing research, write down or print out any information you would like to discuss with your doctor. Bringing a list of questions that you’ve prepared ahead of time will help ensure you don’t forget to ask about something important. Physicians encourage questions, so don’t feel anything is too insignificant to bring up. If your physician doesn’t encourage questions, it might be wise to find a new physician.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a serious disease, you might find a lot of frightening data and statistics online, but Dr. Creagan advises not to get upset too quickly. Be sure to discuss any findings with your doctor to ensure you are interpreting them correctly, and also consider the credibility of the source of the information.

“For example, patients need to understand that survival data they might find online is for a large range of the population and they might be in only a small percent of the larger group,” says Dr. Creagan. “It’s important to get the doctors involved to understand any subtleties.”

3) Understand and remember treatment instructions.
Information a doctor provides can be complex and is often presented very quickly. As a patient it is important to retain and understand what they say. Ask if they can provide the instructions in writing and go over them with you before you leave. If not, then write down the information so that you can reference it in the future.

If the information or instructions the physician gives are complex or unclear, repeat them back in your own words so you know you understand them correctly. This will help minimize the risk of misunderstanding.

You can also bring a friend or family member with you to your appointment. This person can help listen and ask additional questions that might assist in your treatment, or jot down a few notes while you are talking with your doctor. Additionally, this person can serve as support during difficult times.

Do not change your treatment plan based on information you find online without first talking with your doctor and asking if that’s a good idea for your individual situation.

4) Don’t settle for anything less than mutual respect.
A good doctor will understand a patient’s health issues and unique needs throughout their ongoing medical relationship. It is also important for the patient to respect the doctor and the demands they have as well. Both patient and doctor should practice active speaking and listening so that the communication remains open and honest. Remember, your doctor is there is help you and answer any questions you might have, but a good patient will also respect their time, opinions, and advice.

By following these suggestions, you’ll be in a better position to maximize the outcome of your doctor appointments. To get started, visit www.MayoClinic.com to research health information to bring to your next appointment. Good communication between a doctor and patient is a key tool for successful medical treatment.

Men are notorious for not going to the doctor. Whether they think they can simply tough it out or they prefer to avoid an uncomfortable conversation about their health, men tend to visit their physician only under extreme circumstances. But advances in erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment options over the last 10 years have had the added benefit of encouraging men to see their doctors.

Advances in Men’s Health
This positive change is perhaps most apparent when it comes to men’s sexual health. One example is the once-taboo area of ED, which is more common than many people think: ED affects up to 30 million men in the United States.

What a Difference a Decade Makes
Before the availability of oral medications for ED, treatment options for men with this condition were limited to injections or suppositories. But that all changed 10 years ago with the introduction of Viagra (sildenafil citrate) tablets, the first oral prescription pill for the treatment of ED, which opened the door for millions of men with ED to seek treatment for the condition.

“The older treatments for erectile dysfunction were not particularly pleasant to use, so a lot of men were reluctant to try them. But the availability of an oral pill made the treatment of ED a much more practical option,” says Dr. Steven Lamm, a New York City physician and bestselling author of “The Hardness Factor.” “Viagra revolutionized the way men to talk to their doctors about ED symptoms and seek treatment. Because of Viagra, today men with ED have the opportunity to enjoy a more satisfying sexual experience.”

In the 10 years since its approval, Viagra has helped 25 million men with ED and continues to be the most prescribed oral ED treatment. What’s more, Viagra’s safety and effectiveness for the treatment of ED have been demonstrated in 120 clinical trials involving 16,000 patients, according to Pfizer, Viagra‘s manufacturer. Even today, Pfizer continues its ongoing support of research and education in sexual health.

Opening Doors to Lifelong Health
As the “ED conversation” brings more men to the doctor’s office, physicians say this visit is an opportunity to talk to men about other important areas of their health, too, such as heart health. The development of ED is as predictive of an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes as a family history of heart attack, cigarette smoking or elevated cholesterol, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Another analysis showed that almost 90 percent of men with ED were at risk for heart problems because of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or smoking. So talking to doctors about ED can inspire conversations about addressing a broad range of health concerns.

“More men are visiting their doctor and taking control of their sexual health. This is often the first step in learning about additional health concerns prevalent among men,” comments Dr. Lamm. “The conversation may start with ED, but this visit really lets us talk to our patients about many issues that contribute to overall health, happiness and well-being.”

Additional Health Concerns for Men
One top concern men should discuss with their physicians is cardiovascular disease. According to the American Heart Association, one in three adult men has some form of cardiovascular disease. Keeping an eye on blood pressure and cholesterol levels is one simple way to help ensure a healthy heart.

Diabetes is another important health concern that becomes more common with age, but it can be detected with regular medical checkups. Some risk factors for the disease can be controlled, like being overweight or physically inactive, smoking or having high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol, so it is important for men to discuss these risks with their doctors.

There are battles being fought in households across the country. The enemy: millions of germs and bacteria thriving blissfully on moist surfaces in your bathroom, ranging from countertops and cups to toothbrushes and towels.

Helping to rid your bathroom of some of its most commonly spread germs can be easily done by using Georgia-Pacific’s Dixie (R) disposable bath cups, a trusted source for fighting germs for the past 100 years.
Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourage today’s parents to stock their children’s bathrooms with disposable paper cups for rinsing.

It makes sense, since some cold and flu viruses linger on non-disposable rinsing cups for up to 72 hours — plenty of time for the germs to be picked up and passed around by several members of the family. Despite the fact that many kids regularly wash their hands and Moms regularly scrub counters and switch out hand towels, family members are still coming in contact with lots of invisible germs.

A study a few years ago of parents across the country uncovered some startling statistics about the dental hygiene practices of America’s children during the post-brushing rituals of rinsing and spitting:

* While four out of five children rinse regularly, nearly half of those are sharing a germ-infested, non-disposable rinsing cup with their siblings and other family members.

* Worse yet, a third of the parents surveyed reluctantly admitted that their bathrooms contained no rinsing cups at all — leaving a child or other family member no option but to slurp from their own hands or directly from an equally germ-ridden faucet.

Instead, kids and parents should use a disposable cup one time, and then throw it away immediately to help prevent the spread of lingering germs and bacteria. For more germ prevention and oral care information for your kids, visit www.dixie.com and click on the link that says “Dixie Wellness.”

Physicians who are immunologists understand that a cough following the flu is frequently the result of the patient’s immune system not responding to toxins remaining after the virus is eliminated. But to the patient who has paid their dues with days of chills, aches, sore throat and congestion, a cough that just won’t quit is an unwanted souvenir of this year’s flu virus.

There are other reasons for this stubborn nuisance. “When coughing, the lining of the airways are exposed to intense friction and pressure. This weakens the delicate skin of the airways and leaves us open to further infection or reaction,” says Dr. Elin Ritchie of Taos, N.M. “The flu recovery itself can cause a cough, like the itch of a healing wound on the skin. Allergies and dry air aggravate the problem. Dust and mold takes up residence under the carpet in during the winter and people who never have allergies can experience them now.”

But there are some measures you can take to eliminate or reduce that pesky cough.

Try taking a probiotic-based immune support product like Del-Immune V (www.delimmune.com) which helps heal the lining of the air tubes and decreases allergies and infection. “I’ve found patients get better faster when they take it,” says Dr. Ritchie.

Bill Moore of Longmont, Colo., is the perfect example. “Last winter after a mild cold, I was plagued with a troubling and persistent cough which lasted six weeks. Nothing diminished my coughing attacks. I finally decided to try the Del-Immune formula to improve my immune system. On the third day I had no coughing symptoms. My coughing didn’t fade slowly, it simply disappeared.”

Another natural remedy available at health food stores would be slippery elm capsules and syrup. This tree, which grows all over North America, has been used for centuries to treat coughs.

Slippery elm helps heal internal mucosal tissues, such as the esophagus. It is often recommended as a restorative herb for people who suffer from prolonged flu. You can use slippery elm to soothe sore throat, coughs, and a hoarse voice, according to the “How Stuff Works” Web site (howstuffworks.com). Slippery Elm capsules and syrup are available at the health food store or online at www.iherbs.com.

Chronic coughers can take other measures as well to calm a stubborn cough, including using a humidifier to keep airway tissues hydrated and drinking eight glasses of water a day to support hydration efforts. Many doctors and nutritionists also recommend taking at least 1,000 milligrams of Vitamin C every day to help fight low-grade infection and promote tissue healing, and sipping hot water with honey combined with a dash of white pepper.

Dr. Ritchie also suggests that when a cough persists beyond four weeks, it may be time to visit the doctor. Long-term coughing may be an indication of more serious underlying conditions such as chronic bronchitis or exposure to chemical fumes.

The heart is an amazing part of the human body. But sadly, heart disease is the number one killer of women over the age of 25 in the United States.

The American Heart Association is trying to change this situation with its “Go Red for Women” program, which encourages women to love their hearts by understanding the risks they face and how to reduce them.

“We can no longer ignore heart disease,” says Jennifer Mieres, MD, national spokesperson for “Go Red for Women” and director of nuclear cardiology for New York University School of Medicine. “While awareness is important, it’s time for women to take action now.”

So what can you do to keep yourself heart-healthy? Here’s some good advice from the American Heart Association.

1. Stay Active

Your heart is a muscle — treat it like one. The only way to build muscle strength is to exercise. Current guidelines recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate daily activity.

No time to exercise? That’s okay. Don’t think exercise, think action. Instead of the elevator, take the stairs whenever possible; take a walk after dinner instead of sitting down and watching TV; park a few blocks from the office or store and walk the rest of the way.

2. Eat Smart

Healthy food habits can help you reduce three risk factors for heart attack and stroke — high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, and excess body weight. Set the stage for success by eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, cereal and grain products, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, legumes, nuts, fish, poultry and lean meats. You should also eat foods low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol. Keep healthy snacks, such as pre-cut fruits and vegetables on hand, and drink plenty of water.

3. Take Time to Just Relax

We all feel stress from time to time, but too much stress over a long period of time, and unhealthy responses to it, may create health problems in some people. If you frequently feel exhausted at the end of the day both physically and emotionally, instead of turning to an unhealthy solution like drinking or smoking, find ways to relax.

There are a number of methods you can use: deep breathing, mental imagery, or simply turning on some soft music and lighting a fragrant candle when you come home for the day.

“The very act of lighting a candle has been proven to help reduce the stresses of every day living,” says Rick Ruffolo, senior vice president of brand, marketing, and innovation at the Yankee Candle Company. “The soft glow of candlelight coupled with your favorite scent can have a calming influence, which helps your body rest and recharge.”

Lighting a candle can help your heart and the hearts of the women you care about — mother, sister, daughter and friends — through Yankee Candle’s “Light a Candle for your Heart” program, now in its third year of supporting the “Go Red for Women” movement. According to Ruffolo, “We all care about the women in our lives. Most of our customers are women, so at Yankee Candle — we’re even more passionate about supporting causes that help our customers live healthier lives.”

Yankee Candle has donated over $150,000 the last two years to help encourage all women to adopt a healthier lifestyle including regular exercise, eating right, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking. The company hopes to top that number this year through donations generated by the sale of its candles. Learn how you can help at www.yankeecandle.com.

4. Quit Smoking

If you smoke cigarettes (or cigars), your risk of developing coronary heart disease is two to four times that of nonsmokers. You also have a higher risk of illness and death from heart attack, stroke and other diseases, including lung, mouth and throat cancers; chronic lung diseases and infections; congestive heart failure; and peripheral vascular disease (in the legs and arms).

The good news is that when you stop smoking — no matter how long or how much you’ve smoked — your risk of heart disease and stroke starts to drop. It is cut in half after one year without smoking, then continues to decline until it’s as low as a nonsmoker’s risk.

5. Maintain a Healthy Weight

If you have too much body fat, particularly around the waist area, you’re putting yourself at risk for a myriad of health problems, including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, high triglycerides, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Try to reach a healthy weight — and stay there. To lose weight, most women should eat 1,200 to 1,500 calories a day, but not less than 1,200.

Everyone’s talking about autism, and for good reason. According to a 2007 Centers for Disease Control report, one in 150 children in the U.S. has autism, a neurological disorder that affects development and social functioning and can cause even a precocious child to disappear into his or her own self-contained world. Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the U.S. It is more common than childhood cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined.

These statistics are alarming to parents. By arming themselves with knowledge, parents can be prepared to distinguish between behaviors that are typical for a developing child and behaviors that need special attention.

Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means every person with autism is different. At one end of the spectrum, people with Asperger’s Disorder have trouble interacting in social environments but can live very independent lives. At the other end of the spectrum, someone diagnosed with Rett’s Disorder may need constant care.

How do parents know if their child should be evaluated for autism? There are some significant red flags which may indicate that an evaluation is appropriate. “Parents usually identify concerns between the ages of 18 months to 3 years, although we have seen children as young as 3 months at Fraser,” says Pat Pulice, a licensed psychologist and autism services director at Minneapolis-based Fraser, a leading provider of autism services. Below are some signs of autism that parents should know.

* Communication – Children with autism may experience delayed or lack of language development. Their use of words and gestures is unusual. They may use words with no meaning or gesture instead of using words. They may repeat words or phrases in place of responsive, back and forth communication. “A parent who sees a significant regression may want to consider an evaluation at a place like Fraser,” says Pulice.

* Social Interaction – Children with autism often spend much of their time alone. They may be less responsive to social cues and interacting with others may be difficult. Often, displaying emotions (laughing, crying) that others don’t understand is common. They may find it difficult to relate to others and may be unable to make eye contact.

* Sensory Impairment – Children with autism often have sensitivity in sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. Parents might notice this if their child starts crying when exposed to bright lights or loud sounds or refuses to eat food of a certain color or texture. Children may also dislike being touched and overreact to pain or not react at all.

* Play – Children with autism may not be able to play with their toys in an imaginative way, instead playing with their toys in odd, unusual ways. They may spin toys or line them up or have an inappropriate attachment to them.

* Behaviors – A child with autism may be overactive or passive, have tantrums, may have no fear of danger, may show aggression and may be resistant to change. They often have repetitive behaviors such as hand-flapping that identify their excitement or upset.

“Parents are often the best judges of whether their child is developing normally,” says Pulice. If you suspect your child is not developing on schedule, talk to your pediatrician. And always remember a clinical diagnosis is not the end. Types of therapies available include day treatment for children as young as preschool age, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, music therapy, feeding therapy and social language groups.

“There is hope for children with autism,” says Pulice. “At Fraser, we see children learning new skills and improving every day. Many therapies are very effective in helping children to gain skills like verbalization, social interactions and how to calm themselves. What is most important is to identify the needs early and find appropriate treatment. With treatment, children with autism can learn to manage or overcome many of the challenges they face.”