By Family Features Begin building tiny, healthier practices into routines you already have to help make it easier to establish habits you can stick to. This concept is called “habit stacking,” and it can help you improve habits from morning to night. Consider those busy mornings when you need an on-the-go solution—rather than opting for […] The post Green Tea Berry Banana Smoothies appeared first on Chesapeake Family ..read more

Courtesy of Adobe Stock. Ben Sarcia When it comes to concerns about autism and food selectivity, many caregivers have questions that are both specific and challenging. The starting point to answering them is oftentimes the pediatrician, which is a great first step, except that most pediatricians aren’t equipped to deal with the complexity of feeding issues and autism. So, here are a few questions on this important topic and some starting points for answers from an expert in pediatric feeding disorders. “What’s the actual treatment method for treating food selectivity?” Applied Behavior Analysi ..read more

Thanks for voting! Explore our readers’ picks for favorite doctors, dentists and other health professionals below. To zoom in on this list and read more parenting and wellness content, open it in our digital magazine. The post 2024 Favorite Doctors in Maryland appeared first on Chesapeake Family ..read more

After enduring months of harsh cold and central heating drying out our skin, the Spring season means we are now bracing for a pollen surge. Pollen counts steadily rise each day, and allergies require special skin care. Freezing temperatures, strong winds and indoor heating are a combination prone to drying out the skin because they disrupt the skin barrier. However, as we are now heading into hay fever season, eczema flare-ups, itchy eyes, and runny noses are the next challenge.  How Allergies Can Impact Your Skin A spokesperson for beauty and wellness marketplace, Fresha, says now is an ..read more

New, alarming statistics from Kennedy Krieger Institute suggest that suicidal thoughts and behaviors may begin at very young ages in children with autism spectrum disorder. According to a recent survey, parents reported their children wanting to end their own life by 8 years old or younger. Responses from over 900 caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were analyzed in a nationally distributed survey. Among participants who reported different types of suicidal thoughts, onset at eight years old or younger occurred as follows: 36.2% reported wanting to die. 35.3% repor ..read more

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health installed seven vending machines stocked with the free lifesaving medication naloxone, brand name Narcan. When given in time, it can potentially reverse an overdose of opioids, including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications. Naloxone is easy to use and small to carry. The machines will also offer other free lifesaving tools, such as fentanyl test strips, xylazine test strips, masks and COVID-19 tests. “These locations across the county were thoughtfully selected to reduce barriers to essential, lifesaving tools,” said Dr. Tonii ..read more

It has been over 1 year since the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Children’s Hospital Association declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health. Untreated mental health problems interfere with all aspects of development. Youth with poor mental health may struggle with school and grades, friendships, self-esteem, and their physical health. Mental health problems in teenagers are often associated with risky behaviors which affect their physical health as well, such as drug use, sexual behaviors, and exp ..read more

Ahead of International Women’s Day (March 8th), Rowan Cooke, Sport & Exercise Science Specialist at Bulk.com believes exercise for women is important for mental health, the physical benefits, and menstruation. Mood swings, low energy levels and lack of motivation all have something in common – being the result of a woman’s monthly menstrual cycle. When we feel happy and full of energy, our brain produces a ‘feel good chemical,’ also known as ‘dopamine.’ When a woman’s estrogen and progesterone levels are low right before their period, this can impact dopamine production. Cooks says ..read more

One to two years after hospital discharge following COVID-19, children’s quality of life may face challenges, according to research from Kennedy Krieger Institute. New research is showing just how difficult recovery is for children who are hospitalized due to COVID-19. Trailblazing data from a national multicenter survey shows that up to one-third of children did not fully recover and experienced persistent symptoms from 1 to 2 years after release from the hospital. COVID-19 Recovery in Children The research, published in Frontiers in Pediatrics, found that 30% of parents (23 out of 79) r ..read more

This region has some of the best healthcare workers around and we want to know who are your favorites! Each year, we collect a list of favorite docs from our readers and share them with the community. This campaign covers all areas of healthcare. Check out some of our previous lists: 2022 Favorite Docs, 2021 Favorite Docs, 2020 Favorite Docs, 2019 Favorite Docs, 2018 Favorite Docs. If you have a favorite doctor or healthcare practice, let us know! Nominate them today and we’ll share the results with all those in our community. Favorite Doctor Nominations 2024 Voting for 2024 begins on Februar ..read more