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(ARA) - We spend 90 percent of our lives indoors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A typical day can include traveling from home to work and back home again with a few periodic trips to schools, the grocery store, the bank, malls and entertainment venues. We depend on our homes, offices, retail stores and other structures to keep us safe; but can buildings also help keep us healthy?

Recent EPA studies indicate that exposure to air pollutants may be two to five times higher indoors than outside. Air pollutants can affect all buildings equally and have many sources, including pets, tobacco products, gas cooking stoves, building materials, paints, cleaning products and pesticides. Exposure to air pollutants can lead to negative health effects like asthma, irritation of the eyes and throat, headaches, dizziness, fatigue and allergic reactions.

Although these circumstances are concerning, you can do many simple things to improve the indoor air quality you and your family are exposed to.

Also consider this: "More and more retail businesses are assimilating 'greener' operations in order to satisfy rising consumer demands to go green," says Scott Hite, chief architect at TD Bank. "As a result, consumers can choose to do business with retailers that build stores that provide good indoor air quality, make an investment in renewable energy and build sustainability to minimize their environmental footprint."

Here are a few important things to consider:

* Keep it smoke-free. At home, banish smoking indoors and if it hasn't already been done, ask your boss to do the same at work. Consider doing business with retailers that don't allow smoking inside or near their businesses in order to keep their customers safe from tobacco smoke, a harmful air pollutant.

* Consider LEED certification. Do your research to find businesses that have pledged to be carbon neutral and are building LEED certified stores. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, evaluates buildings for their overall performance in indoor environmental quality and four other environmental areas.

"There a number of retail businesses that have made commitments to building LEED certified structures," says Hite. "At TD Bank, for example, we made a commitment to be carbon neutral and to build LEED certified green stores that will benefit our customers' and employees' overall health."

* Avoid products with VOCs. Paints, sealers, adhesives and many other building products emit VOCs, volatile organic chemicals. Exposure to these chemicals can cause numerous health effects.

For your home and at work, choose products that have no or low VOCs. Retail businesses that are carbon neutral with green stores also use building materials with no or low VOCs in order to achieve LEED certification.

* Choose green cleaning. Harsh cleaning chemicals contribute to poor indoor air quality and can cause adverse health reactions. Instead, choose from a large variety of cleaning products with low toxicity levels. Wherever possible, also store chemicals and cleaning supplies in well ventilated areas.

Buildings can be healthy through a combination of good technology, the right products, and a healthy dose of good old common sense. Knowing which rules to enforce at home, which products to purchase and choosing retail businesses that are making strides to provide healthier indoor air quality for their customers, can prevent many potential health problems in the future.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - New parents are often surprised by how much time they spend monitoring their child's digestive health - from sharing great details about the baby's latest diaper change to worrying about what foods will keep things flowing freely. There is no greater responsibility than keeping babies and toddlers healthy so they can thrive, and the digestive tract is the first line of defense for the body's immune system - whether you are 1 or 101.

Children experience bouts of constipation much like adults. In fact, one in four children suffer from constipation in the United States and treatment costs for this digestive health issue amount to nearly $4 billion annually, according to a 2008 study by Nationwide Children's Hospital.

"Although babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers are constantly on the move, their digestive tracts sometimes slow down due to constipation," says Carolyn O'Neil, registered dietitian and co-author of "The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous!" "Busy moms need to stay focused on their own health - drinking enough fluids and eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains - and they need to keep an eye on their child's digestive health to prevent painful bouts of constipation for their child's tiny tummy."

Unlike adults, who may experience bowel movements more regularly, children normally pass stools as far apart as every few days. Generally, if a child has fewer than three bowel movements per week and they are difficult to pass, he or she may be constipated.

The good news? Nutrition experts say drinking ample fluids and eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains is the best approach for maintaining digestive health.

For naturally effective digestive health solutions that are easy on the tummy and on the taste buds, simple and natural solutions such as plum juice, like Sunsweet's PlumSmart, can help regulate digestion naturally for both adults and children. In fact, a recent clinical study of plum juice versus psyllium for improving bowel function in adults, published in the Internet Journal of Nutrition and Wellness, revealed that 58 percent of participants reported relief from irregularity within the first 24 hours after consuming one cup (8 ounces) of plum juice.

To get tiny tummies back on track, O'Neil shares some simple and natural solutions to find relief and prevent the pain of constipation:

* When solid foods are first introduced to babies around 1 year old, try giving 4 ounces of PlumSmart plum juice to help alleviate tummy troubles caused by constipation. Kids will love the refreshing taste.

* For babies just cutting teeth, increase their fiber intake by offering cooked carrots, apples or soft fruits such as small pieces of ripe pears or peaches.

* For ages 2 1/2 and younger, parents should make sure their toddlers are drinking enough fluids and getting a range of fruits and vegetables in their diet.

* For potty-training toddlers around 2 or 3 years old, one of the most common causes of constipation is avoiding going to the toilet. At this age, toddlers are often so involved in their play that they avoid potty breaks. The body has a natural reflex called the gastro colonic reflex which is triggered by eating meals. After a meal, place the child on the toilet for at least 10 minutes to take advantage of this natural reflex.

Bouts of constipation that extend for long periods of time, up to two weeks, should be brought to a doctor's attention. For more digestive health tips for the whole family, visit www.smartdigestivehealth.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Women's bodies are built differently than men's bodies. This means that women's shoes, pants and even women's socks are constructed to fit women's unique proportions. However, when it comes to braces and supports, women have classically been forced to make do with equipment made to fit men.

For women, men-centric equipment can be both uncomfortable and ineffective, and can fail to deliver the necessary support that women need. Additionally, braces and supports meant for men can be bulky and unflattering. Many women choose to go without rather than use braces and supports that don't fit correctly.

Companies such as Wellgate for Women are leading the fight to make women-specific ankle, knee and wrist supports available. A variety of knee supports are now designed specifically for women. Because they are made for women, not only do they fit better, but they are also more comfortable and flattering to a woman's body.

For instance, Wellgate's Slimfit Ankle Support is designed to easily slip into a woman's shoe. There are no seams protruding under the foot and no bunching in the elastic support around the ankle itself, making them perfect for high heels. Wellgate's lineup even includes the only knee brace made to fit plus-sized women -- the Wellgate UltraLite Knee Support.

Megan Barclay, a New York City physical therapist, offers five ways women can help prevent injury this summer:

1. Brace your ankles to prevent sprains. Ankle sprains occur when a ligament is stretched or torn. Women are more susceptible to ankle injuries, as they have narrower feet than men, and their heels - in particular - are narrower compared to the front of the foot. Women who favor high-heeled shoes must be especially careful: The higher the heel, the more unstable the ankle is likely to be.

2. Support your knees when you go running, dancing, waterskiing or even just walking around. Women are up to four times more likely to suffer tears of the anterior cruciate ligament in their knees.

3. Use protection when typing, texting, tweeting or playing video games. Women are three times more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome than men. The modern age is full of repetitive wrist activities that can certainly add up over time. Using a wrist brace at work or at home can help keep pressure off your wrists and let you stay in touch and reduce the risk of injury.

4. Use a support that fits, especially if you suffer from arthritis or other joint problems. Women are 41 percent more likely than men to suffer from arthritis, in addition to many other muscle and joint problems as they age. Physical therapy and exercise help to alleviate arthritis symptoms, and a brace that fits the contours of the female body helps women to exercise more safely.

5. Get gear made for women. Why use equipment made for men when women's equipment is so readily available? Braces and supports made for women are as close as your local Walmart. Properly proportioned equipment can make a huge difference. For instance, women's hips are on average much wider than men's hips and women simply have different proportions all around. Make sure to wear apparel and equipment that takes this into consideration. Men would certainly never wear equipment built for women, so why would you use equipment made for men?

"Women may have different needs than men, but they have the same demands when it comes to quality, durability, and strength in their equipment," says Barclay. "Women never stop moving, and they need braces and supports that never stop supporting them."

For more information on products that specifically support women, visit www.wellgateproducts.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - If your child is being bullied, she's not alone. About 160,000 children in the United States miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students, according to the National Education Association.

Bullying is a serious problem that is growing worse, and is taking on new forms through the use of the Internet and mobile phones, say educators. Some estimates say that 25 percent of American children experience direct or indirect bullying daily.

Broadly speaking, bullying can involve any number of behaviors, according to Findlaw.com, a leading online source of legal information, including sexual harassment of another student, teasing, excluding a student, calling a student names, physically pushing or attacking, threatening or hazing, spreading rumors, damaging or stealing belongings, or demanding money.

Cyber-bullying, a relatively new form of bullying, takes place over the Internet through social media websites and forums, or through mobile devices. Many pre-teens and teens prefer to communicate with one another through texting on their mobile devices. Because kids can share messages quickly with a large group of students, cyber-bullying can be especially effective in spreading rumors about a student or harassing a student through the sharing of photos. Because this is a relatively new area of harassment, many school districts are still trying to determine the reach of their authority in off-campus cyber-bullying attacks.

Bullying can have far-reaching consequences for the victim, the perpetrators and other students, who indirectly become distracted from their studies out of fear of becoming a bully's next victim. Bullying has been cited as a factor in teen suicides as well as in a number of on-campus shooting massacres, including the infamous and tragic Columbine High School incident. In that case, media reports suggested that both of the shooters were victims of bullying.

Historically, bullying among school children has not been a topic of broad public concern. In fact, some adults may view bullying as a rite of passage for children and youth, as popularized on the big screen and on TV programs. Because of events like Columbine, attention to bullying among children has increased dramatically among school personnel, members of the general public and policymakers. Today, according to Findlaw.com, 43 states have some form of anti-bullying laws in place, complementing anti-bullying policies established at the local level by private and public school boards.

Here are some additional tips from Findlaw.com on what to do if you suspect that your child is the victim of a bully:

Talk to your child. A lot of times your child will not want to talk about being bullied because they perceive it as embarrassing and humiliating. If you notice a change in your child's behavior and attitudes, approach him first. Offer your support and let him know that action will be taken to improve the situation. Your child will most likely be feeling isolated at school and it's important for him to know that he can confide in you.

Document facts. Take pictures of any injuries and have your child give a detailed description of what happened. Write down the dates and times that these situations occurred and get statements from any other students, teachers or parents who may have observed the bullying. This information may be useful if police and school officials need to get involved to prove how long this has been going on and what the damage has been.

Talk to teachers and the principal. Don't wait. Immediately contact the school and alert school officials to the problems that your child is facing. Many schools are adopting a zero-tolerance policy toward bullying. Alert other adults about this situation as well, including parents of other children and the bus driver. The more people who are aware of bullying, the more chances the act has of being stopped.

Put it in writing. In addition to talking directly to teachers and the school principal, put your concerns into writing to the principal, the superintendent and school board members. While many schools have adopted zero-tolerance policies, some school officials and teachers may not take seriously their own school's bullying policies, or for that matter, state laws regarding bullying. Putting your concerns in writing sends a strong signal that you mean business.

Encourage others to speak up. If the same child is bullying other students, persuade parents to report it too. School officials are more likely to respond immediately if they see the problem is affecting several students.

Call the police. Many states require schools to report bullying incidents to the police, according to Findlaw.com. If your child has been the victim of a physical assault or repeated incidents of bullying, call the local authorities - especially if your school has not contacted local authorities.

Talk with a lawyer. If your child has been physically or sexually harassed contact an attorney. Attorneys who specialize in personal injury litigation are probably best suited to represent you and your child.

To learn about the law and what to do if your child is being bullied, visit Findlaw.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - A serious long-term illness or disability can have a devastating, often irreversible, affect on a family's financial well-being. In fact, health care expenses are among the most common cause of bankruptcies, according to findings published in the "American Journal of Medicine" last year.

Most people are not financially prepared to have their employment interrupted, even briefly. For example, studies find more than 60 percent of workers live paycheck to paycheck. The U.S. Department of Commerce reports that the personal savings rate in March was just 2.7 percent of after-tax income.

So, what can you do to ease the financial risks if you are one of the millions who must stop working each year because of a serious health condition?

"First, have hope, because there are things you can do to take control," says Paul Gada, personal finance director for the Allsup Disability Life Planning Center. Allsup is a nationwide provider of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) representation and Medicare plan selection services.

According to Gada, seeking help is essential. "Many people are afraid and overwhelmed. Asking for help is a sign of strength and being your own best advocate can help you feel more in control."

Among the first steps people with serious health conditions or their caregivers should take quickly are:

* Create a financial plan. The plan should focus on establishing a budget and making certain you are spending down your assets in the least harmful way. Generally, this means using your savings or other resources before withdrawing from retirement accounts that could trigger a penalty or using high interest-rate credit, which could have you paying off interest for years.

Unfortunately, approximately 15 percent of people awaiting SSDI report raiding their retirement savings. Additionally, 17 percent are relying on their credit cards and 7 percent on home equity lines of credit to meet financial needs until they receive their SSDI benefits, according to the Allsup Disability Finance online poll. The poll was conducted online this spring with 138 respondents.

* Contact your mortgage company or landlord. As part of this, identify housing assistance programs. For example, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has programs to assist with mortgage modifications, as well as rental assistance that can lower housing costs drastically. However, there are waiting lists, so it's important to sign up as soon as possible.

"People are often reluctant to reach out to their mortgage company or their landlord, they start missing payments, and the foreclosure or eviction process starts before they finally explain the situation," says Gada. "By that time, it may be too late."

* Seek assistance with utilities, food and other necessities. Conserve your resources by finding assistance to help you cope. Hundreds of federal, local and private resources are available in most communities. These can range from neighborhood food pantries to federally funded programs, such as Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Local phone companies provide reduced-rate support for home phone service. Associations such as the American Cancer Society and the National Family Caregiver Association also offer guidance.

Many more people indicate they are considering assistance than are actually securing this assistance, according to an Allsup poll. They may not understand how to apply or they may not meet the income thresholds initially, but could later on as they spend down their assets.

"It can be overwhelming and people too often give up," explains Gada, adding that Allsup offers links to many of these resources from its website.

* Secure health care coverage. Continuing medical treatment is vital. Among the options are COBRA through your former employer, a spouse's plan or other private coverage, such as through the health insurance exchanges being established as part of the health care legislation enacted earlier this year. Compare plans closely to make sure you are getting the coverage needed and that you understand the costs. Additionally, if you must take expensive prescription drugs, check if the pharmaceutical company offers a prescription-drug assistance program.

* Pursue income sources, including SSDI. If you have paid into the Social Security Disability Insurance program, you may be eligible for benefits. If you are eligible, it's essential to apply quickly as it can take up to two years or more to be approved. Gada advises seeking help with your SSDI application to speed the process. For example, people with disabilities represented by Allsup are significantly more likely to receive SSDI benefits at the initial level.

"It's heartbreaking to hear of people with serious illnesses and disabilities unable to work and struggling month after month to pay for food or medical costs until they're financially wiped out," says Gada. "It shouldn't be that way. There are steps people can take, but they need to ask for help and know how to get it."

More information on financial assistance is available at www.Allsup.com or (800) 279-4357.

Courtesy of ARAcontent