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While it is commonly known that we should be brushing our teeth twice a day, flossing daily and seeing our dental professionals every six months, it’s probably not as widely known how certain foods or drinks, oral habits or general health problems can have a negative effect the health of our mouth.

“Semper Paratus”, (Latin for “Always Ready”), is the motto of the United States Coast Guard.  The Coast Guard is in a constant state of readiness to respond emergencies, from boaters in distress to major disasters. Hospitals, much like the Coast Guard, must always be ready when disasters occur, whether natural or man-made.

The arrival of October also signals that it’s time to get a flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, recommend getting a flu vaccine before flu season begins spreading in the community. Because it takes an estimated two weeks after a shot for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body, it’s important to get the shot as early as possible.

According to the Sepsis Alliance, nearly 3 million people in the U.S. are affected each year by sepsis. During Sepsis Awareness Month, Lompoc Valley Medical Center wants to make sure our community understands this very serious condition. 

Pain can leave you feeling helpless, with no control and at the mercy of medications prescribed by your physician. Although your prescriptions may be effective, you might struggle with medication side effects and associated risks. 

With a new school year officially underway, the daily task of having to come up with novel and appealing meals for your child can be challenging, especially when trying to decide what foods are a healthy option. According to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, kids who eat better and move more are likely to have better attendance, improved concentration and steadier behavior, which can ultimately lead to improved overall test scores.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 115 people die every day in the U.S. after overdosing on opioids.

While Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, or EMDR, might be a new concept for some, it’s a process that has been around for more than 30 years. Its creator, psychologist Francine Shapiro, discovered that shifting her eyes from side-to-side helped reduce painful thoughts and memories. She also noted that this eye movement is exactly what happens with people when they are dreaming.

With school in session and parents struggling to find interesting, healthy lunchbox choices, we have some ideas to pass along. The United States Department of Agriculture created an informative and fascinating program called MyPlate. The concept is to offer people a reminder about a healthy eating style and encourage building upon those choices from childhood to adulthood.

As a physical therapist for 30 years, I have heard it all: from, ”I’m too tired to exercise” to “I’m too old to exercise” to “Exercise is for young people,” and more. These excuses are just that -- excuses.

As children begin a new school year, healthcare professionals are joining in the national effort to promote National Immunization Awareness Month in August. August is usually a good time for this reminder, as parents of school-age children must ensure vaccinations are up-to-date for a specific age or grade.

For the past three years, Dr. Mohammad Bakir has lived in New York, completing his medical residency at a Brooklyn hospital.

I am well-known among family and friends for my experimentation with recipes in the kitchen. For as long as I’ve been cooking, I’ve always sought ways to improve recipes and make them healthier and better tasting for myself and others.

We all know someone that has waited for the anticipated due date to come so they can meet the child they have carried for the past nine months. But when that often-discussed due date comes and goes -- and there still is no baby to hold --some things change.

Did you know that unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun’s strong ultraviolet rays in as few as 15 minutes? You know that feeling – your skin starts to get warmer and warmer, and suddenly is looks redder than when you went outside. If you reach that point, it’s time to get out of the sun to avoid any more skin damage.