Category: Health & Wellness

Working to Save Lives this Suicide Prevention Month

While suicide has dropped from being the tenth leading cause of death in the United States to the eleventh, it remains the second leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 34. Suicide awareness has become much more prevalent in the United States, thanks in part to work such as […]

Swimming Safety Tips for Parents

Swimming pools can be a great place for kids to play, and water can help protect vulnerable joints. This video provides helpful information about swimming safety for kids with bleeding disorders. A swimming pool can act like an anti-gravity chamber. The buoyancy of the water decreases the amount of impact and twisting or turning forces […]

Essential Nutrients: Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins help to maintain healthy eyes and skin, acting as antioxidants to protect your cells from damage, and contributing to healthy reproduction & growth, strong bones and normal blood clotting.

The Overlooked Benefits of Martial Arts

By Janet ChupkaNote: The following article is a followup to our April FitFactor post on the benefits of Martial Arts for bleeding disorders patients. When considering a physical activity for yourself or a family member with a bleeding disorder, many overlook the possibility of martial arts. Martial arts can be defined as any of the traditional […]

FitFactor: Yoga May Be the Best Activity for People with Bleeding Disorders

Yoga’s Numerous Benefits Yoga is often touted as one of the best activities for people with bleeding disorders because it is low impact, builds flexibility and strengthens joints and muscles, resulting in fewer bleeds. However, there are numerous other benefits that we see upon practicing this sport consistently including building confidence, reducing stress and improving […]

FitFactor: Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Investing Prophylactic Factor Use in Functional Body Mass

The importance of physical activity for everyone’s health, particularly those of us with bleeding disorders, cannot be overstated. Exercise builds lean muscle mass, manages our body weight and improves our heart and lung efficiency.Participating in a variety of physical activities from weight bearing exercises to cardio training is important as each one offers different benefits. […]

FitFactor: Kick March Off Right with Balanced Meals

Not only is March Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month, but it has also been designated National Nutrition Month! Take this time to evaluate your current eating habits.How many healthy foods are you eating consistently? What are you lacking? Do you eat too much of one thing? There is always room for improvement when it comes to […]

FitFactor: Functional Training – Strengthen Joints and Muscles to Improve Everyday Movements

Functional training exercises train your muscles to work together and prepare you for daily tasks by simulating common movements you might do at home, at work or in sports.By using basic movement patterns like pushing, pulling, squatting and carrying, you build stability, strength and mobility that will in turn help with your daily movements. This […]

Fit Factor: Inspiring Fitness Stories to Get You Going in 2018

Trevor Dunn, a young man with von Willebrand Disease, Dawn Evans, an adult woman who is asymptomatic carrier of Hemophilia A, and Barry Haarde, an adult male with severe Hemophilia A all inspire us at HFA. All three have discovered a form of physical activity that is enjoyable and adaptable to their specific needs. They […]

Fit Factor: Spice-Up Your Holiday Dessert Menu

Looking for a new healthy holiday dessert? This Applesauce Spice Cake has a delicious, spicy aroma and taste. It has less sugar and fat, and more fiber than most desserts. Treat it like a coffee cake to be served for brunch or for dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dab of […]