(HealthDay News) -- Wearing the proper athletic shoes for your sport or exercise can help protect you against discomfort and injury.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says you should pay attention to these features when shopping for athletic shoes:
Shoes for aerobic exercise need sufficient shock absorption, cushioning, a flexible sole and enough stability.Shoes for court sports need a good sole that is specific to your sport.Shoes for field sports need cleats, spikes or studs, and a cushioned insert.Winter-sport shoes should have a snug fit and plenty of ankle support.Track and field shoes depend on the sport, so it's important to ask your coach about proper shoes.Specialty-sport shoes should fit according to the sport -- for instance, cycling shoes should fit snugly.Outdoor-sport shoes need warmth, good tread and plenty of support.-- Diana Kohnle 
Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
(HealthDay News) -- It's easy to veg out in front of the TV when you're bored or looking to relax. But there are healthier ways to wind down.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers these healthier alternatives to television:
Take a stroll to explore nearby scenery.Walk to a friend's house.Cook a healthy, new nutritional recipe for dinner.Join an exercise class.-- Diana Kohnle Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
(HealthDay News) -- A muscle cramp occurs when a contracted muscle can't relax, causing pain and tightness.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says these factors increase the risk of getting a muscle cramp:
Being a young child or infant.Being age 65 or older.Taking certain medications.Being overweight.Overexerting yourself.Being an athlete, particularly in the pre-season before the body is fully conditioned.-- Diana Kohnle Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
(HealthDay News) -- A sprain in the ligaments of the neck can lead to symptoms including spasms, headache, stiffness and numbness in the arm or hand.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests how to manage a sprained neck:
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.Apply an ice pack to the sprain for the first few days after injury, then switch to a heating pad.Gently massage the area.Consider ultrasound or neck traction treatments.Ask your doctor about whether aerobic and isometric exercises could be helpful.-- Diana Kohnle Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
WEDNESDAY, March 21 (HealthDay News) -- In many parts of the United States, the infrastructure and systems to deliver health care during or after catastrophic disasters such as major earthquakes or widespread disease outbreaks are rudimentary at best, experts warn.
An Institute of Medicine (IOM) report released Wednesday provides a resource manual to help providers -- hospitals and outpatient clinics, public-health departments, emergency medical systems, public-safety agencies and government offices -- deliver health care as effectively as possible to the greatest number of people during a major disaster.
"When a truly catastrophic event occurs, the nation's health system will be under enormous stress," report committee chairman Lawrence Gostin, associate dean and a professor of global health law at Georgetown University Law Center, said in an IOM news release.
The report recommends a systems-based approach to allocating resources and delivering care during catastrophic events. It also provides the organizations and agencies involved in disaster planning and response with tools and guidelines to help them identify their core functions during a major disaster, the release said.
"Health professionals can bring the best care to the most people by using a systems approach that involves thoughtful coordination among all stakeholders and good planning and coordination among all levels of government," Gostin said. "This report provides an overarching framework for action in such events and provides detailed standards for each responsible group."
Only a few communities in the United States have the level of organization needed to provide oversight and care for a huge number of victims, according to the report.
"Crisis standards of care planning and implementation will significantly increase the likelihood of saved lives and reduced suffering when catastrophic disasters occur," report committee vice chairman Dan Hanfling, an emergency physician and special adviser on emergency preparedness and disaster response at Inova Health System in Falls Church, Va., said in the news release.
-- Robert Preidt Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SOURCE: Institute of Medicine, news release, March 21, 2012
(HealthDay News) -- It may be a challenge to select diabetes-friendly meals from a huge menu of options.
The American Diabetes Association suggests how to find healthy meals for diabetics:
Always ask what's in a dish and how it's prepared; request that dishes be made without extra butter.Request small portion sizes, and eat your meal slowly.Skip high-fat dressings and toppings.Choose dishes that aren't breaded or fried.Substitute high-fat choices with healthier sides.Don't be afraid to ask for lower-calorie choices, such as vinegar or olive oil, even if you don't see them on the menu.Don't drink too much alcohol.-- Diana Kohnle Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
(HealthDay News) -- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition that occurs when the muscle at the base of the esophagus allows fluids from the stomach to rise into the esophagus.
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse lists these common symptoms of GERD:
A burning sensation, known as heartburn, in the chest or upper abdominal area.A frequent dry cough.Symptoms of asthma.Difficulty swallowing.Tasting food or fluid from the stomach at the back of the mouth, called acid reflux.Acid reflux that occurs more than twice a week.-- Diana Kohnle Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.