'Exploding head syndrome' is real, scary and common sleep disorder - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

 Think "exploding head syndrome" is just an April Fools' Day joke? Nope, it's real, scary and common, said CBS News on March 31. The lurid name sounds like something out of the horror movie "Scanners." And while it's a figurative reference, the sleep disorder known as "exploding head syndrome" is nonetheless frightening. 'Exploding head syndrome' is real, scary and common sleep disorder

CDC faults e-cigs for failed cigarette smoking cessation, creating more smokers

As more public places go smoke-free, the popularity of electronic cigarettes has sparked. Smokers are "vaping" in areas where cigarettes are prohibited. Teenagers are turning on to vapor "e-cigs" reported the Press Association on March 31. E-cig makers claim that they're safer than cigarettes. But the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention blows smoke in the face of those claims. A CDC anti-smoking ad faults e-cigs for failed cigarette smoking cessation.  CDC anti-smoking ad faults e-cigs for failed cigarette smoking cessation 

Catholic Lenten fasting for children, teach kids why giving up for Lent is healthy

On Ash Wednesday, Catholic and Orthodox Christians begin the penitential season of Lent. During this 40-day period, we follow Christ’s temptation in the desert. The Lenten season ends with Holy Week, the Easter Triduum of Christ's passion, death and resurrection. During Lent we fast in imitation of Jesus's sufferings. We practice abstinence. Here are tips for Christian parents to teach kids what to give up for Lent, how to fast. and why we do it.Catholic Lenten fasting for children, teach kids why, what to give up for Lent - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com



 

Celebrate Valentine's Day, or just survive the love holiday, when you're single

 Valentine's Day is fine for happy, committed couples. A little kitschy, with the overemphasis on superficial fluff. But Valentine's Day can be miserable if you're single or in a dissolving relationship. How do you celebrate (or just survive) a day devoted to romantic love when you're not in a romance? The Washington Post suggests we just skip Valentine's Day schmaltz or at least dial down the hype. Here are other suggestions for singles to survive Valentine's Day.Celebrate Valentine's Day when you're single, or just survive romance schmaltz

Froggatt earns Golden Globe for Downton Abbey rape scene, raises awareness

Superbowl and Golden Globes are January's TV holy days of obligation. Viewers anticipate them with a holiday-like spirit! The 72nd Golden Globe award ceremony saw predictable red carpet glitz, a few wardrobe fails and lots of award schmaltz. But there was a serious note when Joanne Froggatt won Best Supporting Actress for BBC's wickedly popular "Downton Abbey, reported People Jan. 12.



Fans adored Lady Mary's maid Anna from the start. Froggatt has always given the role sterling service. When drama around her beloved Bates hurt Anna, fans rose en masse as much in her defense as his. But when our heroine, the most gentle and loving of the entire Downton Abbey menage, was viciously attacked, we came unglued. It was Froggatt's rape scene portrayal that won her the award says the Boston Herald.

Froggatt earns Golden Globe for Downton Abbey rape scene, raises awareness

Pro-life Duggars shun unwed mom and baby, would they shun Mary and baby Jesus? - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Have the Duggars of TLC's "19 Kids and Counting" lost their Christmas spirit? The super-sized family is turning a Scrooge eye on daughter-in-law Anna's unwed sister Susanna Keller and her baby, said Radar Online Dec. 11. It's ironic anti-abortion Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar would shun Keller when she kept her baby. And it begs a larger question: would the hardcore pro-life, fundamentalist Christian Duggars also shun Jesus and his mom?   Pro-life Duggars shun unwed mom and baby, would they shun Mary and baby Jesus? - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Dillard's "Dear Santa" sign is idiotic, low and downright dangerous to girls - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Stores are in competition for our holiday shopping buck. We get that. But at least one is downright desperate. Dillard's is willing to stoop to insulting and shaming little girls. A Florida Dillard's department store featured a children's clothing display with a sign that read "Dear Santa, please bring me a big fat bank account and a slim body. Don't mix them up like you did last year." Really.

Yahoo Parenting reported on the Dillard's Dear Santa sign November 11.



Annoying? Without a doubt. Snarky holiday ads get stupider every year. Tacky? Yep. And getting worse every year, too. But dangerous?Absolutely and doubly so. First, is the suggestion that children are greedy, or should be. A big bank account? What so they can blow it--at Dillard's of course--on overpriced junk? With credit card debt through the roof in the U.S., maybe it's time for less Christmas shopping not more?  Dillard's "Dear Santa" sign is idiotic, low and downright dangerous to girls - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Drug-free psoriasis treatments you can start today

Happy World Psoriasis Day, October 29. Well, maybe happy is the wrong word. Psoriasis is anything-but-pleasant red, scaly skin lesions. Psoriasis is ugly, itchy and painful. It's not contagious, but makes socializing awkward. And it's chronic--sufferers never get over it. Flare-ups can make you downright miserable. The best solution is to see a dermatologist. But there are also at-home treatments you can start today to control flare-ups.Drug-free psoriasis treatments you can start today

 

Common and Potentially Deadly Myths About Obstructive Sleep Apnea

I was diagnosed with OSA--Obstructive Sleep Apnea-- in 2010. I began sleeping with a CPAP (continuous positive air pressure) breathing machine. It's not perfect, but it's helped me sleep better. It's possibly saved my life.

I've always had sleep problems. Now that I know why, I've researched sleep apnea. I've found a lot of misinformation circulated by those who don't have it. Some myths are just mean stereotyping. Others are plain dangerous. Here are prevailing misconceptions and corrections. Common and Potentially Deadly Myths About Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Relationships Fails and Wins, How to Vent Anger without Dumping on Your Partner

Anger is a normal emotion. It's not right or wrong. Venting anger is healthy if done right. But venting can quickly turn to dumping if ground rules aren't observed. Dumping on your partner is an epic relationship fail. What differentiates venting from dumping? Dumping is blame and shame oriented and destructive. Healthy venting is sharing-based, respectful and goal-oriented. Use these fixes to turn anger dumping fails into productive sharing wins!Relationships Fails and Wins, How to Vent Anger without Dumping on Your Partner