Swine Flu in Birmingham, AL

I’m working at the health department this month and swine flu is certainly continuing to circulate in Jefferson County.  See your doctor if you have fever > 100 with cough and/or sore throat.  The only treatment are anti-virals (like Tamiflu) which do not cure...
How Much TV Do you Watch a Day?

How Much TV Do you Watch a Day?

According to a recent study by Nielson, the average American watches about 5 hours of TV per day or 153 hours per month.  That’s almost 160 hours per month – equivalent to another 40 hour work week.  In a 65 year life, that person will have spent 9 years watching...
Makeover Your Kitchen

Makeover Your Kitchen

Wanting to make over your body?  The best place to start is your kitchen.  Good nutrition is in part about knowing which foods are good to eat but it may be more about altering lifestyle habits.  Even if you know what’s good to eat, if those foods are not around, you...
The Best Way to Get Control of Your Stress

The Best Way to Get Control of Your Stress

Since stress is an activation of our “fight or flight” or sympathetic activity, it is important to balance that with our “rest and digest” or parasympathetic activity.  I’ve heard many people say they exercise for stress relief.  While consistent exercise is a...
One Great Question to Ask Your Doctor

One Great Question to Ask Your Doctor

Have you ever been concerned that your doctor makes a quick assumption about what you have without really thinking it through?  Or, concerned that he/she has been telling you the same diagnosis over and over but your symptoms persist despite treatments?  Well, as...