About.com Health: Be Inspired By the Paralympic Games

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Health From Dawn Stacey, your About.com Health Editor This year's Paralympic Games will begin in London tomorrow (August 29) and run through September 9. With over 4,000 athletes anticipated to compete, the Paralympic Games are the second largest sporting event in the world. These games bring together athletes from all over the globe to provide the world with the privilege of being inspired by their performances and determination. The spirit of every Paralympic athlete is uncompromising -- every day, exceeding what others had thought was possible by pushing themselves to their limits. From Spinal Injuries to Amputees Athletes have to meet various qualifying standards to participate in the Paralympic Games. These games are very different from the Special Olympics. Whereas the Special Olympics are open to all mentally challenged athletes (both beginning and accomplished levels), the Paralympics emphasize high-level performance where its athletes compete in adapted versions of Olympic events. There are various disability groups that Paralympic athletes are classified. The first set of categories includes athletes with impaired muscle power, amputations, spinal injuries and/or visual impairments: Muscular Dystrophy Types of Lower Extremity Amputations Spina Bifida Paraplegia What Does It Mean to Be Legally Blind? Eye Diseases See More About:  spinal cord injury  traumatic injury  neurological disorders Athletes With Cerebral Palsy or Intellectual Impairment In past games, athletes were not eligible to compete if they were intellectually impaired, but this category will be re-included in the London 2012 Paralympics Games. Intellectual impairment is identified as a disability characterized by significant limitation both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive/social and skills, originating before the age of 18. Athletes who have Cerebral Palsy as well as abnormalities with muscle tension or coordination and motor dysfunction are also invited to compete. Ataxia Hypertonia Athetosis Types of Autism See More About:  cerebral palsy  health problems of prematurity  the nicu Les Autres French for "the others," Les Autres is a category used to describe Paralympic athletes who have locomotor disorders or other conditions that do not fall within the other classification categories. Arthrogryposis: Congenital Joint Defect Achondoplasia Leg Length Difference Dwarfism See More About:  fitness terms  family health  human body Overcoming Obstacles Paralympics athletes must adhere to the same disciplined regimen as those athletes that compete in the traditional Olympic Games. These incredible athletes enthuse spectators -- who often experience the same winning feeling and sense of achievement as the athletes. The inspiration imparted by its athletes can best be summed up by Oscar Pistorius. Known as the South African "Blade Runner," this double-amputee secured the opportunity to race at the London 2012 Olympic Games despite having prosthetic legs and will be able to wow us all again in the Paralympic Games. According to this champion, "You're not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are able by the abilities you have." Addressing Barriers to Living the Life You Want to Live Dealing with Performance Anxiety Sports and Fitness for Kids with Special Needs Improving Self-Esteem No Limits - Exercising With a Disability Positive Self Talk for Athletes See More About:  living with arthritis  daily living activities  coping with arthritis Health Ads Body Health Kids Health Problems Eye Health Kids Health Health News Featured Articles Exercise for Children with Physical Disabilities Stay Intellectually "Healthy" with Multiple Sclerosis Exercise and Spinal Cord Injury Fitness for Kids with Autism Benefits of Yoga How To Become More Emotionally Resilient   More from About.com Free Children's Books How would you like to have access to a free online public library of books from around the world for kids 3 to 13? Read more...> Best Water Parks Better pack your bathing suit -- here are our recommendations for the funnest, wettest, splashiest water parks around. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2012 About.com     Follow us on: Advertisement

About.com Health: You Pain In The...

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Health From Dawn Stacey, your About.com Health Editor Pain -- at some time or another, we have all dealt with it. Whether it is that pulling feeling in the back of your neck or tingling in your toes, we've all been there! But do you know when that simple ache may be a signal that something not-so-simple is going on? And when you are feeling those pangs, what's the best way to make them go away? What is Pain? We all experience pain in a different ways and for different reasons. I think we could all agree that we typically think of pain as being unpleasant, and if given the option, would prefer it to just go away. Chronic Pain Acute Pain Minor Arthritis Pain Understanding Pain Threshold Types of Pain See More About:  injury first aid  sprains and strains  pain Is it More Serious? Pain can be very tricky. Sometimes, what begins as a nagging ache can really be the beginning of a more serious problem. Pain can be a common symptom of a variety of medical issues. At what point should we be worried about our aches and pains? Just Normal Aches and Pains? Stomach Cramps - A Sign of Colon Cancer? Recognizing Early Arthritis Pain Different Types of Back Pain May Mean Different Things Is My Ovary Pain Caused By Cancer? Common Causes of Pain Pain can be felt in all areas of our bodies. It may be caused by an injury, genetics or a disease. People commonly complain about everything from low back pain to headaches to cancer pain. Some even suffer from fibromyalgia, a chronic condition that causes intense pain all over the body. Painful Foot Conditions Shoulder Pain Migraines, Sinus Headaches and Allergies Heel Pain Back Pain See More About:  fibromyalgia symptoms  treating fibromyalgia  living with fibromyalgia Pain Management Millions of you suffer from pain every year -- missing work and not enjoying life. Pain can quickly take over and significantly lower our quality of living. So what is a person in pain supposed to do? The type of pain may dictate the way it should be managed. The first step in a solution can rest in your ability to recognize and assess your pain. Managing Your Pain Ice or Heat? Pain Relief for People With Blood Cancer Yoga for Back Pain Relief Reducing Cancer Pain With Palliative Treatment Ways To Manage Your Pain See More About:  pain assessment  pain management  evaluating pain Health Ads Heel Pain Treatment Abdominal Pain Back & Neck Pain Sciatica Back Pain Sciatica Pain Relief Featured Articles What Causes Hip Pain? How Rectal Pain Affects Men's Health Aches & Pains Preventing Weight Loss? 10 Ways to Manage Osteoarthritis Pain Causes of Painful Intercourse Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers   More from About.com Free Children's Books How would you like to have access to a free online public library of books from around the world for kids 3 to 13? Read more...> Best Water Parks Better pack your bathing suit -- here are our recommendations for the funnest, wettest, splashiest water parks around. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2012 About.com   Pain Quizzes... Test Your Knowledge! Acute vs. Chronic Pain? What to Do When You Get Back Pain or Neck Pain? Pain Relief Quiz   Follow us on: Advertisement

About.com Health: Back to School ABC's

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Health From Dawn Stacey, your About.com Health Editor With the new school year upon us, I was reminded of a quote that was emailed to me a few weeks ago... "If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers." Though back to school time can create mixed emotions for both parents and children, hopefully these Back to School ABC's will help with an easy transition back to the classroom. A: Apprehension and Anxiety Back to school time can bring new changes and stressors into your child's life. Knowing how to help your child manage some of these anxieties can help make this year's school transition easier and less stressful. Top 10 School Stress Relievers for Students Common School Phobias Social Causes of School Anxiety Separation Anxiety How To Relieve Back To School Stress and Anxiety See More About:  school stress  better grades  students and stress B: From Backpacks to Bagged Lunches Do you know how much your child's backpack should weigh? Backpacks that are too heavy (or not worn the proper way) can cause back and neck problems. And speaking of backpacks, what are you packing in your child's? The quality of school lunches has been a huge concern... do you know what your kids are eating? Is Your Child's Backpack Too Heavy? How to Wear Backpacks the Right Way Healthy Bagged Lunch Tips What Are Our Kids Eating for Lunch? Ideas for Packing Healthy School Lunches See More About:  school backpacks  walking posture  shoulder pain C: Check-Ups Don't forget that your child's back to school list includes more than pencils, glue sticks and paper. In addition to supply lists, you also have a medical-to-do list! Your child's back to school check-up is the perfect time to discuss and/or detect possible concerns. Plus, all 50 states require that children (as well as college students) have certain vaccinations in order to attend school. Is your child up-to-date? School Health Forms Children's Eye Exams All About Flu Shots Learning Disability Screening Quiz What Happens During ADHD Evaluations? See More About:  vaccines  vaccine preventable illnesses  immunization schedule Tips for College-Bound Students Going off to college can be an exciting adventure. Yet, college-bound students face their own unique set of issues. How can college students avoid some of these pitfalls? And what about the dreaded "freshman 15" - what is behind this infamous weight gain experienced by new college students? Avoiding the Freshman 15 Securing Student Health Insurance The Link Between College Life and Poor Sleep Common Causes of Stress In College One in Three College Students Meet Diagnosis for an Alcohol Problem Avoid Eating Disorder Relapse When Starting College See More About:  college stress  student stress  stress and weight Health Ads Kids Health Problems Health Foods Recipes Health Recipes Health Problems Back to School Lists Featured Articles School Transportation Safety Allergies and Asthma at School Should the Gardasil Vaccine Be Mandated in Schools? Arthritis in School-Bound Children Going to College and the Birth Control Pill Kids Who Are Refusing to Go to School   More from About.com Free Children's Books How would you like to have access to a free online public library of books from around the world for kids 3 to 13? Read more...> Best Water Parks Better pack your bathing suit -- here are our recommendations for the funnest, wettest, splashiest water parks around. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2012 About.com     Follow us on: Advertisement