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Got Mammogram Anxiety? Try These Tips

• Hold off on caffeine. Caffeine has a tendency to make a woman's breasts tender and lumpy, potentially making the mammogram uncomfortable. Avoid drinking coffee and tea, unless it's decaffeinated, for a week prior to a mammogram. Other items containing caffeine include diet drinks, chocolate and even some common over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. Be sure to read the label of any OTC medications before you take them prior to a scheduled mammogram.
  
  
• Steer clear of perfumes, talcum powder, etc. Deodorant, talcum powder, perfumes and oils may leave a residue that can be picked up by the X-rays, obscuring the mammogram and possibly interfering with the results. Ultimately, this means a woman could need a second mammogram. Do not use these products on the day of the scheduled mammogram.
  
  
• Check your calendar. "Most women's breasts are naturally more tender or slightly swollen during the week prior to their menstrual period," says Alicia Starr M.D., medical director at Baylor's Women's Imaging Center. "Try to avoid scheduling your annual mammogram during this time."
  
  
• Dress for comfort. Wear a two-piece outfit with a blouse or sweater on the day of the appointment. While a woman's choice of outfit will not affect the outcome of her mammogram, most women find it easier and faster to slip off a blouse instead of removing a one-piece dress.

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• Surveys of parents by the Kaiser Family Foundation show that moms and dads believe today’s television content contributes to precocious sexual behavior, rude and course language and bad attitudes in children. A majority also think they should do a better job of supervising media consumption in their homes.
  
  
• In surveys of parents, the Kaiser Family Foundation has found that moms and dads believe it’s best to limit the amount of time their children spend online and supervise the sites their children visit. But their studies have also found only a small percentage of children who use the net report that their parents have rules about it or know what sites they visit.
  
  
• An Associated Press annual rudeness survey says the majority of Americans believe our society is getting ruder every year. Most people say they have experienced bad manners and inconsiderate behavior from children in public places. When asked who was to blame for this trend, the number one response was “parents not teaching good manners to children.”

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Swimming and Baseball and Soccer, Oh My!:

1. Make sure equipment fits properly. Kids grow fast, which means the gear that fit perfectly last year may be too small now. "Ill-fitting shoes can be an especially big problem," says Breitbach. "Last summer's baseball cleats will likely not be right for this summer." Protective equipment, in particular, must fit properly and be appropriate for the sport, he adds. "If it doesn't fit, it won't protect."
   
   
2. Watch your child's diet. To stay healthy while playing sports, kids need to eat a proper and balanced diet - low in fat, with moderate amounts of lean protein and high in complex carbohydrates. Athletes need lots of the latter right before and after a game or workout. Staying well-hydrated during and after a big game is important, too. "People place way too much emphasis on energy and sports drinks, when good cool water will do just fine - and it's even preferable in most cases," says Breitbach.
   
   
3. Keep your child well-rested - and not overbooked. The right amount of sleep and rest is critical to simply function day to day. This is particularly true for kids who play multiple sports - sometimes in the same day, Breitbach says.
   
   
4. Help your child stay physically fit. In general, Breitbach says, the more fit someone is, the less likely they are to be injured playing sports. The best way to keep your kid in shape is to never let him or her get out of shape. Make sure they're active throughout the year, and don't rely on sports to keep your kid fit. Also, don't sign your child up for a sport just so he or she can lose weight. "They need to love the sport," Breitbach says. "The truth is, lots of sports aren't conducive to weight loss anyway. If your kid needs to lose weight, put him on a healthy diet and join a fitness center where there are personalized fitness programs."
   
   
5. Take care of injuries right away. Listen to your kid's body, Breitbach says. Take scrapes, pains and aches seriously, and if your child is hurt, make sure the injury gets immediate medical attention. Scrapes need to be cleaned and covered to avoid potentially dangerous staph infections, he adds.

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Are Your Gizmos Ruling Your Life?

• You'd rather text than talk face-to-face. You spend less time participating in personal activities, or limit your time with friends and family, to attend to your e-mail or return phone calls. You frequently miss appointments or are late because you got caught up on the Internet, checking e-mail or talking on your cell phone. You often use text messages, e-mail and voice mail when face-to-face interaction would be more appropriate.
  
  
• You can't leave home without it. You can't take a vacation without bringing four different charging devices for all your gadgets. You can't seem to relax without constantly checking your e-mail and text messages or using your cell phone. "When your cell phone ear piece becomes a permanent part of your wardrobe, that's a problem," O'Neill says.
  
  
• You miss important life moments. "Take the example of a father and son at a baseball game," O'Neill says. "A home-run ball heads toward the stands and the father, talking on the cell phone, makes a half-hearted attempt at catching the ball. He does not catch the ball and the son appears dejected. The father never stops his phone call. What could have been a significant bonding moment was derailed by the father's inability to disconnect from technology."
  
  
• Even after experiencing consequences, you continue your behavior. Something as serious as getting in a car accident while talking on your cell phone doesn't change your behavior.