Carene's Wellness Corner

	Kidney Stones: Treatment and Prevention Kidney stones are quite common, occurring in 8.8% of the population. They are also quite painful. Just ask Andrew Rogers, 33, of Raynham, Mass., who had them a year ago and says, "I hope to avoid the experience again, as it was the worst pain I have ever been through." Read more

	Get the facts about the flu vaccine According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), studies show that the flu vaccine can lower the risk of getting this nasty bug by approximately 60 percent. Yet some people still avoid getting the vaccination due to many of the myths. Care New England busts the rumors on the flu vaccine.

	Diabetes: Causes and Effects Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the seventh leading cause of death in people living in the United States, and the leading cause of kidney failure, non-traumatic lower limb amputations, and new cases of blindness. It is also the major cause of heart disease and stroke. Avoiding or managing diabetes

	Crohn's and ulcerative colitis: What's the difference? According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) as many as 700,000 Americans may have ulcerative colitis and another 700,000 suffer from Crohn's. Most are diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in their mid-30s, while those with Crohn's are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 35. Signs, diagnosis, and treatment options

	The Flu: Self-care and when to see a doctor The most common symptoms of flu are fever (more than 100.4 degrees), body aches, tiredness, and cough. Flu may also cause chills, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea." It typically lasts between one to two weeks. Read more.

	The best foods to dominate your diet You are what you eat, so the saying goes. Elaine Piasecki, MS, RD, LDN, CDOE, clinical nutrition counselor at the Care New England Wellness Center, couldn't agree more, saying, "To be fit and healthy, you need to eat good foods." View her diet recommendations.

	How many calories should you eat? One size definitely does not fit all when it comes to determining your calorie needs. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, you should consider many factors, such as age, gender, body shape, and metabolism. Read more

	5 reasons why you should do a mud run Mud Runs are all the rage right now! That's because they're so much more fun than your typical road race and demand a more balanced and adaptive body! Having an event on your calendar keeps you motivated to train, fuel your body, and recover so you can be at your best on race day. Why to consider a mud run

	Justifying an Indulgent Living Dieting is hard. Consistent dieting is practically impossible. So how do you create/implement a lifestyle that is healthy and consistently enjoyable? Well, educating yourself is a good start. Learning the art of indulgence.

	Lifestyle changes can help kids shed weight While many factors have contributed to the rise in childhood obesity, it is primarily a result of behavioral changes, most notably the increase in time spent in front of the television, and a decrease in the amount of fresh food that children eat. Tips on how to help your child change their lifestyle.

	Getting You Zzz's If you find yourself tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep several nights a week, you may have insomnia, restless leg syndrome, untreated heartburn or asthma, or, most commonly, sleep apnea. Before making an appointment try these tips for getting a good night's sleep

	Easing the daily shuffle through meditation Meditation practice can not only calm and clear the mind – it can improve health issues like high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression. There are dozens of meditation styles and each one serves different purposes, but what they all seem to have in common are techniques designed to promote relaxation and mindfulness. Learn more about the various styles and their benefits.

	Autumn is loaded with lung challenges The fall season comes along with pumpkins, mums, and many items affecting airways. "In particular, mold tends to grow in areas where falling leaves rot on the ground in late fall, and we can thank the recent heat wave for resulting in a particularly high ragweed pollen count this season," Dr. Sethi says. Learn how to minimize your exposure to allergens.

	6 tips for preventing high blood pressure Many people may have high blood pressure and not even know it because it usually doesn't have any symptoms. It's often discovered when your doctor takes your blood pressure during an office visit. Follow these 6 tips to help prevent a rise in blood pressure.

	Dealing with Dangerous Bites Don't let your guard down when summer fun is over; both insects and wild animals can bite you at any time. Know how to handle a bites from bats, dogs/cats, wild animals, ticks, and mosquitos. Read more.

	Caring for a loved one with Lewy Body Dementia Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is a type of dementia that affects 1.3 million Americans. Because its symptoms can closely resemble Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, it can be difficult to diagnose. This post outlines symptoms of LBD along with tips on how to preserve your own well being when caring for a loved one.

	A doesn't stand for aching when it comes to your child's back Have you ever hoisted your teenager's history book and been surprised at how heavy it is? Or gone to toss your younger child's school bag into the car and grunted with the effort? A backpack should not weigh more than 20% of the child's total body weight or it may havedamaging impact on his or her body. Backpack Safety.

	Buying on a budget? Tips on when to choose organic If you are on a budget but want to buy organic – which can be more pricey because it costs more to produce than conventionally grown produce – go for foods often listed as having higher amounts of pesticides when conventionally grown. Read more.

	Ride Your Bike To Work Regular cycling can help you lose weight, reduce stress, and improve fitness. We all need to think about giving our body, minds, and the Earth a boost. Conquer your excuses and learn about the benefits of pedaling.

	Exercising as we age As we age, even the most athletic among us start to notice a few aches and pains that can interfere with our exercise routines. The good news is with a few precautions, you can stay fit and prevent injuries as you age. Read solutions for slowing the progression of chronic aches and pains.

	The importance of primary care We’re good about bringing our kids to their regular well visits at the pediatrician’s and reliable when it comes to chauffeuring elderly relatives for their appointments. Why then are we so quick to put off our own primary care visits? Why does it often take a major illness or health scare to get our attention? Read more.

	Acupuncture: Pinning Down the Problem After six months of pretending my shoulder pain was temporary, I met with my primary care doctor who recommended a combination of physical therapy and anti-inflammatories. As someone who shies away from medication, I sought an alternative approach: acupuncture. Read more.

	Potato salad with a side of bacteria, please Summertime means a gastronomic explosion of foods - picnics and barbecues, beach eating and clam boils - but the warmer months can also spell disaster for your GI tract if you're not careful when preparing and serving foods. Strategies for avoiding foodborne illness.

	8 way to prevent skin cancer Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. One in five Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime. Fortunately, there are things you can do to significantly lower your risk of getting skin cancer, take these eight precautions to ensure that you aren't the next statistic.

	Heart Emergencies "I stood there asking myself if this was going to pass or if I needed to call an ambulance." She barely made it inside to tell her 13-year-old son to call 911. Shoveling snow is one activity that people with heart conditions are told to never do. Read Carissa's story.

	Injury on the Brain After a hard blow to the head, even for athletes wearing a helmet, coaches, parents and teammates should be alert to the signs that there is neurological trouble. Signs could be observed at the time of the injury and even days later. Read more.

	What Can You Do to Prevent Osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a condition that involves losing bone mass and having weak bones. As a result, your bones are more susceptible to breaking, even from just a minor fall or by bumping into something. Are you at risk? Read more.

	Allergies are in full bloom this spring The trees and flowers are blooming, and the temperatures are rising. Why, then, are you so miserable? If you suffer from allergies, those beautiful blooms can make spring a challenge. Medicated and unmedicate tips.

	Migraines: The most effective treatments People with mild to moderate migraines may opt to take over-the-counter medications containing ibuprofen or naproxen for relief. But for some of them, this treatment can actually cause more migraines (called rebound headaches). Learn more about other options.