The results of this study, and other similar studies, indicate that these women have come to be at peace with enjoying other parts of their long term relationship, aside from the physical encounters. In addition to feeling satisfied by the non-intimate part of the union, the women in this groups also felt fulfilled with the financial provision and support their partner provided.

Interesting Facts About This Study

What may be most interesting about the results of this most recent study, is that women from around the world were polled for it. So, while it would be easy to write off the results as belonging to solely one type of women, Americans for example, this trend is present globally. It seems to indicate women share this pattern between birth control and relationship choices, no matter where they are from or how they were raised.

In addition to women who were on the pill, during the initial courtship, being more emotionally fulfilled, the relationships also seem to last longer. The study found that, on average, two years longer than those who met while the female was not taking birth control. Also, from the group of women who had been taking oral contraceptives, the break-ups were, for the majority of those who did split, the idea of the woman.

What it Could Mean

Though it is mostly speculation and theory at this point, some researchers think they have an idea of what the link means. Some of it has to do with the hormones that are found as part of the pill that is responsible for controlling fertility. The trouble is, more research needs to be done to determine how women’s hormones impact their physical attraction and reproductive behavior.

What they do know is that these hormones are what, ultimately, influence what a women deems attractive in a partner. The basics of human nature for women seeking a mate, are to find another who has, believe it or not, traits of a healthy immune system, since the desire to have healthy offspring is an instinct. Females taking oral contraceptives are in a state that is similar to always being pregnant, therefore they do not experience this same intuition.

The important thing to keep in mind is that your birth control pill is not causing your brain to be off kilter. The studies and resulting reports are not intended to make women stop taking their contraceptive, in order to make different relationship choices. The studies are more about understanding the natural instincts that are part of the genetic makeup, of both men and women.

The Low Down

The bottom line is that, while everyone should protect themselves from ultraviolet rays, it is even more crucial to do this for infants and babies. The reason researchers are claiming the very young are at a higher risk is that children this young have not yet developed enough of the natural, protective layers of skin. Children have lower levels of pigmentation like melanin which protects skin. This, combined with a thinner outer skin layer means the harmful rays can damage the skin, much more easily.

These built up layers are what help, to some degree, protect people from the sun. Infants have thin, delicate and sensitive skin that is that much more susceptible to damage from the sun. Reports from the studies say that children younger than the age of two are among the highest risk factor group. The scary reality is that skin changes connected to the sun within the first year of a baby’s life, could result in melanoma and other versions of cancer, in later years.

More Details About the Findings

What people do not realize is that this is about more than just direct exposure to the sun and its effects on skin, in the result of melanoma. The skin also plays a role in helping maintain a healthy and functional immune system. Ultraviolet rays may suppress the immune system and harm skin cells. It turns out, this process, can happen at a much more rapid rate with infants than in older children or adults.

The reason this study is important is that, until now, most studies were conducted without focus on just that of infants. While it was assumed that if, for adults, the skin could be affected negatively due to the sun it would be, also, true for kids. Few studies, though, looked specifically at the skin of children aged two and under.

Understanding the Results

The bottom line is that harmful sun exposure to children, from infancy and up into adolescence, can have damaging and ever lasting effects. Allowing this age group to have too much sun exposure could result in skin cancer, later in life. This is, especially, true for those who are two and under. Studies show this could be why there has been a recent rise in the amount of people who are being diagnosed with skin cancer.

It is recommended that children be dressed to cover as much exposed skin, as possible, including the use of a brimmed hat. Sunscreen is a must and the amount of time a youngster is in the sun is highly suggested. This is especially true during the mid-day hours when it is at the highest temperature. For babies six months and younger, it is best to avoid direct sun exposure, altogether.

The study was done to establish whether firefighters who were on the scene that fateful day were, now because of it, at a greater risk. The research was done comparing firefighters who were at ground zero, and those who were not. Between the two groups, there was an almost 20 percent greater likelihood of developing cancer, for the firemen and women who responded to the World Trade Center site, that day. The published reports state that this heightened level of cancer among firefighters who were at ground zero happened during the initial seven years following the tragedy.

About the Study

Obviously, the study was conducted in a timeframe that would exclude the possibility of including cancer patients who, more than likely, had cancer already. This means, those who had it already, during 9/11, but had not yet been diagnosed. These findings came as a bit of a surprise since, typically, the time span between exposure and resulting cancer is more than a decade, if not decades.

These surprising results led many experts to believe the amount and type of contaminants within the dust are what made this such a speedy process. In other words, it is quite possible the chemicals within the dust acted as an accelerator as a cancer-causing agent. Unfortunately, this includes materials like asbestos and jet fuel.

Some Other Things to Keep in Mind

These are, of course, initial studies. One thing researchers point out is that, the types of cancers vary. Once divided into their proper category, the increase may not seem as drastically great. There will need to be a great deal of follow up time, to determine what the studies mean and if the results are what the reports predict.

One reason this is so important to understand and continue to study, is the impact it has on medical coverage. Following the events of that day, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act was developed. The problem is, as the bill stands now, cancer is not included in the coverage. Therefore, making the link between the toxic dust and, potentially, resulting cancer is crucial to getting coverage for these firefighters.

Though it is a tragedy that cancer was not originally included, some say there was no way to predict that cancer could be one of the resulting ailments the firefighters suffered. The bottom line, though, is that it will take more time and more research to be able to prove a link in the rise in cancer as an effect of the toxins present at Ground Zero. Hopefully though, this can happen before too many are diagnosed and forced to cover expenses from their own pocket or by draining their own health insurance benefits.

Plan ahead as much as you can. Go to the grocery store and get non-perishable snacks before you travel. Snacks will prevent you from overeating at meals and eating unhealthy options due to limited choices. If you know what restaurants you are dining out at, check out the menus online. If you know what you are going to order before you go, you will be less tempted to choose unhealthy options. If you don’t have much control over your food choices, practice portion control. Not to say you shouldn’t enjoy your trip and splurge a little; try to splurge at a couple of meals instead of all of them. Everything in moderation. Try to exercise and eat healthy before your trip so you have some padding to splurge.

If you are going on a plane, here are some tips to follow:

• Plan ahead. Bring your own food so you don’t have to rely on deli’s or fast food outlets.
• Request special meals for the plane ride (if the plane is actually serving a meal).
• Keep hydrated on the plane. Humidity is around 10-15% on a plane and moisture is drained from you. Drink a beverage (water, juices) when offered.
• Avoid alcohol. Alcohol dehydrates you and will stimulate more bathroom trips.
• Avoid tea or coffee; they are diuretics and will cause fluid loss and more bathroom trips as well.
• Long hours of travel can upset your digestive system. Make sure to eat a healthy and well-balanced meal that you know you can digest well before you get on a plane.
• If you are on a plane for a long time, try not to overeat. You will be sitting and inactive for most of the time, so try to eat smaller portions.

Healthy restaurant eating:

If you are going on a road trip, bring food with you to snack on. If you have to go to a fast food restaurant, check out the nutritional information either online or ask if it’s available for customers. Try to choose grilled chicken, salads (make sure it doesn’t have a creamy or heavy salad dressing), baked potato; avoid fried foods and heavy sauces.

Keep exercising!

Healthy snacks on the go:

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are your body’s prime energy source. They assist in digestion and metabolism and are stored as glycogen in your muscles. Glycogen (http://www.thesportjournal.org/article/glycogen-replenishment-after-exhaustive-exercise) is used for energy so we need to keep our muscles replenished as we go through the day and especially for exercise. Your body needs about 40-60% of calories from carbohydrates. 60% is for more of the endurance athlete while 40% is for more of the sedentary individual. Foods that contain carbohydrates are whole grains(rice, cereal, pasta, bread), fruits, milk, yogurt, and vegetables. Try to go for more complex carbohydrates over simple. Simple carbs are made from white flour and digested quickly while complex carbs have fiber and take longer for the body to break down. Complex carbs, (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002469.htm) which are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans, are a healthier choice for long term health. Inadequate carbohydrate intake can lead to protein/muscle breakdown and decreased ability to burn fat.

Protein

Protein helps build and repair muscle tissue, grow hair and fingernails, produce hormones, boost immune system, and replace RBC. Protein is used to optimize carbohydrate storage in muscles and helps stabilize blood sugar levels when consumed with carbohydrate foods. Your body needs about 10-20% of calories from protein. Your body does not need more than 20% of protein for muscle building or weight training despite popular belief. Foods that contain protein are not only meat, eggs, cheese, milk, yogurt, peanut butter, nuts, tofu/soy, but also whole grains, and veggies.

Fat

Fat protect organs, provides insulation, and is needed for digestion and metabolism.

The more trained and stronger you are, the more % of calories from fat you will burn. Your body needs about 20-30% of calories from fat ,so more than protein. Just make sure to choose healthy mono and poly-unsaturated fats and avoid saturated fats. Food sources of healthy fat are olive oil, canola oil, fish oil, flax, avocado, nuts, peanut butter, lean meats, fish, eggs, and low fat dairy.

A balanced diet consists of the right percentage of carbohydrates, protein, and fat with a variety of foods. Digestion of carbohydrates starts right away in your mouth, while digestion of protein and fat take longer starting in your stomach. So, carbohydrates give you more immediate energy and protein and fat give you satiety until your next meal or snack.

Once you have a balanced everyday diet, you can focus on eating for your sport or activity. Make sure to eat before and after exercise and if your exercise exceeds 60-90 minutes, eat during exercise as well. Don’t let more than 4 hours go by without having a meal or snack. When you are choosing this meal or snack, make sure it has carbohydrates involved. And try to choose healthy carbohydrate foods like oatmeal, whole grain bread, fruit, yogurt, low fat or non fat milk. You will also want to have some protein and fat to help satiate you. When you are eating during exercise, go for quick absorbing carbohydrates and electrolytes. Usually the best option is a product made for this, like Cliff bars and Gatorade. There are many different products out there; you need to find the ones that work well for you. If you are exercising for an extended amount of time or performing in a sport multiple times in one day, your nutrition is vital for success. Not only do you need to eat balanced and properly throuhout the day, the amount of food, type of food, and timing of your food intake can effect your overall performance.

Hydration

Water is essential for your body’s everyday function and especially important for exercise. Water assists the body in absorbing nutrients so you need to be hydrated to fuel yourself for your exercise. If you are not properly hydrated, it can lead to digestion issues with some of the high concentrated sports products. Try to increase your everyday water intake first. And try to avoid dehydrating drinks like coffee and diet sodas. Water is the best and most natural way to hydrate your body. Signs of dehydration (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dehydration/DS00561) are thirst/dry mouth, weakness/fatigue, nausea/vomiting, muscle cramps, dizziness, and lack of coordination. If you would like to increase your water intake, do it gradually.

There is no magic food to help you perform; just eat a balanced diet with the right percentages of carbohydrates, protein, and fat.

Don’t let temptation of too much food and alcohol and excuses for not exercising take over this holiday season. Here are some tips to enjoy the holidays without gaining weight:

• Make small and realistic goals for yourself. It is hard enough to not gain weight during this time; don’t set yourself up for failure.
• Don’t go to holiday parties hungry. Eat a balanced, high fiber meal or snack before you go so you are not starving when you get there.
• Eat slowly and enjoy each bite of food. This will prevent you from overeating.
• Bring mints or gum to the party, so you can have this right after you eat. This will prevent you from mindless eating.
• Cook healthy. If you are cooking this year or bringing a dish to a party; cook it low fat and healthy. For example, substitute chicken broth or skim milk for butter when making stuffing or mashed potatoes; substitute applesauce and egg whites for oil and whole eggs when making desserts and breads.
• Don’t beat yourself up with guilt. Overeating one day won’t break your eating plan. Just start over the next day.
• Eat your vegetables. Veggies are low calorie, low carbohydrate, and high in fiber and nutrients. Make veggies part of your meal so you won’t overeat the empty calorie foods.
• Save calories where you can. For example, take the skin off of your turkey or try the white meat of the turkey.
• Be careful of liquid calories. Many holiday drinks, like egg nog and apple cider, can be up to 300 calories. Alcohol can be caloric as well so try to drink in moderation.
• Get a small plate when serving yourself food or put appetizers on a napkin.
• Watch your portions. If you want to try everything, allow yourself small servings of each.
• Wait an hour or two before eating dessert. Give yourself time to digest and then take a small portion of dessert.
• Give away the leftovers!
• Drink in moderation. One glass for women and two glasses for men is moderation.
• Drink lots of water. It is important to stay hydrated and drinking water will prevent you from overeating.
• Get enough sleep. Sleeping 7-8 hours a night will help you with everyday functioning and help you make the right food choices.
• Try not to people please. Many family members will want you to eat their homemade food and lots of it; don’t feel pressure to eat everything that’s put in front of you.
• Eat mindfully. Be conscious of everything you put in your mouth and you may reconsider some of your choices and your portion sizes.
• Manage your emotions. Eating is very emotional so make sure you are in control of your food choices and your feelings about them.
• Stop eating when you are full. We tend to eat mindlessly and not pay attention to our brain telling us we are satiated.
• Relieve stress. Stress is one of the major causes of overeating. Get a massage, practice yoga, write in a journal, or find something that helps you relieve stress.
• Exercise! Keep up your normal exercise plan or increase your exercise so you can eat more!
• Try to lose some weight before the holiday or big event so you have some extra padding to splurge a little.

Use these real life object comparisons to help you with portion control:
1 cup = your fist
½ cup = ½ baseball
3 oz. = deck of playing cards
1 oz = 4 dice
1 teaspoon = water bottle cap

The Joints in Your Upper Body

Your joints of the upper body will love the benefits of exercise for keeping them supple and more flexible. There are certain structures in the body that are more impacted by stress, especially in the upper body. All of that stress will end up compacted the joints, making them stiff and sore and causing even more stress. It is a vicious cycle, but you can break it if you are willing to work at it.

No matter what type of work you do, the joints in your upper body can make you miserable if they are not at their most mobile. From sitting at a desk, behind a wheel or lifting heavy packages day after day, the upper body has to be mobile or you are miserable for the whole day. Certain types of exercises are better for your upper body than others, including: tennis, yoga, swimming and weight lifting. While most exercises also benefit the rest of the body, these also employ the muscles of the upper back and the arms which in turn keeps the upper body joints, especially the shoulders, supple and mobile.

A special note about the joints of the upper body: one joint that may be missed in most exercises is the wrist. There are a number of forearm stretches that can be very good not only for the wrist flexors but for the wrist itself. Keeping this area supple is crucial to preventing carpal tunnel syndrome or at least reducing some of the pain that is felt from it.

The Joints of the Lower Body

If you were to ask an expert or someone who is in physical pain which joint of the body is the most likely to cause a problem, the knee would most likely be the answer. The knee is vital to all movement of the lower leg- and while it is an incredible structure, it can often be moved in the wrong direction, dislocated, sprained, strained or otherwise overworked.

The knee, for all its brilliant design was not meant to handle the strain of a lot of excess weight, however. The more that you weigh over your suggested weight, the more likely you are to cause some very serious issues with the knee.

For some people, knee pain can be enough of a reason to lessen their workout routine or to quit completely thinking that they need to rest the knee. With only a few exceptions, that rest can actually make the knee worse than exercise would. The key is to be kind to your knee, even during exercise. If something causes very intense pain, then back off and do something else but whatever you do, do not just stop doing everything.

Knee replacement surgeries are one of the most commonly done procedures performed by orthopedic surgeons but one that most agree could be avoided altogether in most cases. Knee injuries usually occur in one of two ways: because of too much weight and strain on them or because of certain movements during higher impact exercises. The more forcefully you exercise, the more people involved in the exercise you choose, the more likely you are to end up with a knee injury that may eventually lead to a need for knee surgery.

Walking is one of the best exercises that you can do to prevent injuries to the knee and is likely to be the first one that you are allowed to do when you are recovering from strains or surgery. Even people who have had knee replacement surgery will be directed to start walking as part of their recovery process.

A Beneficial Exercise for Every Joint in the Body

One of the most beneficial exercises for every joint in the body is swimming. Even if you do not know how to swim, you can get the benefits by walking in the water, or taking a water aerobics class. The water removes the stress on the joints by taking all of the impact off, of them. Being in the pool is relaxing and can also allow for greater range of motion. If walking down the street or on a treadmill hurts, you are less likely to do it again and you certainly won’t increase your time or distance.

Other Beneficial Workouts

Yoga is another exercise that may play a role in the health and mobility of your joints by helping to stretch and elongate the connective tissues, ligaments and muscles. If the muscles that are near the joint are strong and flexible, they hold the joint in place much better which in turn protects against injury.

Yoga can also help you by illuminating your weaknesses. For instance, if you are trying a side arm balance and find that you can do it perfectly on the right side but fail on the left, you will know that you have issues with the left shoulder. The more that you practice, the more aware you will be of your body.

A warning about yoga and joint mobility: there are some people who are just never going to be very flexible so it is important to remain aware and back off when the discomfort becomes real pain. The goal in yoga is to breathe and to feel something, not to cause full on pain.

Back to Walking

As previously mentioned, walking is often one of the first exercises that are allowed after a surgery of any kind has been completed. To prevent re-injury make sure that you are wearing supportive shoes and paying careful attention to how your body feels.

How a Muscle is Built

From the time we are in the womb, our body works to create certain structures using specialized cells. Some of these cells will become muscles, which can be made of either smooth or rough cells. Muscles grow as we do, stretching to match the growing length of the bones that they are attached to so that we can move our limbs, for instance. When we get exercise, especially strength training exercise, we cause damage to those muscles, little rips and tears that happen as we contract and stretch, stretch and contract. But, that damage is actually important because the body will go to work and repair all of the little tears which results in a slightly larger muscle.

This repair work usually takes place while the body is at rest, especially when the body is sleeping and can focus on the task. That is why it is crucial to take a day off between training or at least focus on another body part from day to day so that the repairs can be made.

Ways to Improve Muscle Strength

There are a dozen ways that you can use to improve your muscle strength, which you choose depends on a number of factors. Of course, the most common are with free weights, weight machines, resistance bands and the newer, suspension training systems.

Free Weights to Improve Muscle Strength

Free weights are a great way to get started and come in a range of weights from little one pound weights to the huge ones. There are adjustable weights that allow you to add or subtract weight plates on a bar. For a beginner, a set of dumbbells in a range of weights is all that you need. The benefit of these weights are that they can be used for a number of muscle strengthening moves and take up very little room. Look for weights that are dipped in vinyl which are more comfortable to hold and to lift. When you can lift a weight correctly and with proper form fifteen times, it is time to go up a weight. Look to go up by around five pounds each time.

Weight Machines to Increase Muscle Strength

There are a number of weight machines that you can use either at the gym or at home. When you work at the gym, you have the advantage of watching other people so that you have an idea of how to use the machine correctly. At home, you have the advantage of knowing that no one is watching you while you are working out. Weight machines can give you another advantage of allowing you to potentially lift more weight than you would have with free weights.

The disadvantages of the weight machines are the expense and the size. There are a few weight machines that use the body’s weight which are slightly smaller than others and can be folded to be stored.

Resistance Bands to Increase Muscle Strength

Resistance bands look like little rubber bands that can come with handles or without. While they may look completely innocent, they really can give a powerful workout, one that is very effective. They are great because they are usually fairly low priced and completely portable. Be warned though, you must pay careful attention to what you are doing when you use the resistance bands or you can seriously injure yourself. You also must make sure that you are inspecting the bands for any signs of damage or they can break while in use.

The Suspension Systems for Muscle Strength

Another way to improve muscle strength is with the suspension systems. This type of system uses straps and your own body weight to give you a work out. Like the resistance bands, these are portable and typically cost less than the average weight machine. But, before you buy them, make sure that you understand the installation process as well as how you will be using them. You might also consider your agility because although they are advertised as simple to use, there does take some practice and some adjustments.

Working the Muscle Groups: Independently or Total Body

Gaining muscle strength is a step-by-step process, one that you must continually work at. As we age, we lose muscle mass which can cause serious problems for the sedentary person who is going to be more likely to have injuries and problems with immobility. For the most part, a beginner can do total body exercises and work all of the muscle groups at one time while a more advanced exerciser might prefer to focus on one muscle group at a time, working upper body one day, then core and then lower body in a cycle which prevents overtraining a single group.

All of the groups are important to work- especially the core. Although most people think the core is only the abdominal muscles, they are incorrect. The core is actually comprised of the abdominals, the lower back, the hips and even the thighs. All of these muscles are important because they keep you stable and upright. Your lower body is comprised of the largest muscles in the body and building strength in these groups can increase your speed as well as your ability to jump during sports. Strong calve muscles help to stabilize the leg, including the knee which can help prevent injury to that joint.

The upper body, including the muscles of the upper back is important for lifting and can also help you accomplish other daily tasks. The stronger the muscles of your back, the less back pain you are likely to be.

The good news is, you don’t have to panic, nor do you have to plan on sacrificing your exercise regimen, while on the road. Certainly, you may have to be more flexible, adaptable and open minded about the style of exercise you get, but something is better than nothing, when it comes to fitness. Besides, you may try something new and find you actually like it.

Some Travel Fitness Basics 101

These days, it really isn’t that difficult to find ways to include fitness and exercise into your routine, even while traveling. You are hardly ever far from a gym, or some type of community center, or similar, offering classes in something. The first thing you can do is find out if the place you will be staying in offers any type of fitness center. If possible, make your own arrangements for your lodging accommodations. However, if you cannot, at least find out if they have an exercise room.

If not, find out at the very least, if they offer free or discounted passes to a nearby gym or fitness center. Often times, hotels which do not have their own fitness room will work with a gym in the area to offer a free or deeply discounted day or week pass. Even if you can gain access to an indoor pool, you have the option of swimming laps for your fitness routine.

Other Options

You may already be a diehard kickboxing fan or a Zumba dance class enthusiast. If so, then you can do an easy search, for the area you are traveling to, and find out if there is anyone in the area who offers these types of classes. Of course, you may end up taking classes that are new to you, to work fitness into your travel plans. There is nothing wrong with this as you may even find you like this new class and want to continue with it, when you get home.

Search for places that offer classes, or do a hunt for things like yoga or pilates studios. If you cannot find a gym to hit or a class to take that appeals to you, it is time to get creative. Try to find something in the area each day to do. Maybe even things that are new to you. You could try a rock-climbing wall or hit the pavement in a rented pair of rollerblades. See this new area from a different perspective by renting a bike and taking in the scenery, all while burning up the calories.

Quick Tips and Tricks for Staying Fit on the Road

If you have a pretty structured fitness routine that you really do not want to miss, try to make your travel arrangements work around your fitness routine, as much as possible. If you usually go running in the morning, see if you can drive or fly in the late morning or early afternoon. If you use DVD’s for your workouts, see if your room will come equipped with a DVD player, unless you are taking your laptop, which should have a suitable one built in for you to use.

Also, don’t stay stagnant. Getting cooped up in the hotel room and settling for mindless television while dining on vending machine garbage is only going to make your recovery work harder, when you get home. Make it a point to do jumping jacks every commercial break, or get out and jog the perimeter of the parking lot or to a nearby park, as long as it is safe.

Run up and down the stairs, if needed. In other words, find a way to get your blood pumping, even if a good majority of your trip has you locked up in your room. You can always find some way to burn some calories and get your blood and oxygen pumping, no matter where you are at.

Another thing to watch for, while traveling, is your diet. This is especially true if you will not be able to retain the same amount of quality fat burning fitness you get at home. While there may times you are not in control of where you go to dinner, or you may want to splurge because you are on vacation, you can still maintain a healthy diet, the remainder of the time. You should be able to relax and let go, while traveling for business or pleasure, but that should not equate in putting a major dent in your usually healthy eating habits.

Of course, there is speculation on whether there are more injuries, or if parents are just more alarmed about the potential of serious consequences, leading to a greater number of hospital visits. Either way, over the decade span the study was conducted, it demonstrated that, for the under-20 age group, the rise was as much as 60 percent. There are a great number of reasons and activities that were reported to lead to the possible head or brain injuries. Of all of those reported, however, football as well as cycling, were the top contenders.

Connecting the Dots

The studies can be difficult to evaluate because of different contributing factors. For instance, it could be the result of parents who are being more cautious and proactive, when it comes to possible head or brain injuries. There have been enough stories of kids who, following a head injury during a sporting event or other physical activity, were not treated. In some of these cases, the children died as a result.

There have been a fair amount of tragic tales, too, of youngsters who have died instantly as the result of a direct hit to the head during these activities, as well. For these reasons, parents may simply be taking their children in to the emergency room, as opposed to using the “wait and see” approach.

Also, the good news may be that, this does at least show that more kids are actually beginning to get a higher level of physical activity again. With more kids getting outdoors and playing or participating in athletic competition, there is bound to be an increase in injuries reported. Either way, it is always a good idea for parents to act on the side of caution and have their child checked out by a professional, should he or she suffer a blow or serious bump to the head.

Other Considerations About Concussions

These studies cannot, unfortunately, take into account the amount of younger head injury patients who are taken to their family doctor, instead of the emergency room. One expert estimated that, if looking at both emergency room and family physician numbers, there could be as great a number as 3 million traumatic head or brain injuries every year.

Recent changes in sporting guidelines, in many states, have changed in recent years. Things like requiring coaches to remove an injured youngster from the game or practice if an injury occurs. This includes other injuries, aside from just head trauma. The Center for Disease Control headed a national campaign to bring awareness to the severity head and brain injuries can cause. It is believed, because of this spotlight, parents are beginning to grasp the true importance. It is as important to try to take measures to prevent injury, such as using a helmet, as well as treating any potential injuries that occur.