Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 20:48:42 GMT Server: Apache/1.2.4 Last-Modified: Wed, 17 Sep 1997 16:44:45 GMT ETag: "4b717-3269-342008fd" Content-Length: 12905 Accept-Ranges: bytes Connection: close Content-Type: text/html
5/1/1997 Springtime sneezing, runny nose and itchy, watery eyes are probably signaling hay fever (allergic rhinitis). While there's no real "cure," there are some helpful things to remember. Many other substances (such as house dust, mold and animal dander) may aggravate hay fever. Over-the-counter decongestants, antihistamines and nose sprays may temporarily help ease the symptoms, but prolonged use can lead to side effects. Check with your doctor for the best approach for you. 5/2/1997 Allergies can change over the course of our lives. For example, some people who have never had allergies as children can suddenly develop certain allergies as adults. These can include dust, mold and animal allergies. Even some foods can cause allergic reactions. The only way to know for sure what allergies you may have, is to see an allergy specialist for specific testing. 5/3/1997 Living with arthritis can be a frustrating daily challenge. Open discussion with family members can help. So can Arthritis Support Groups. Ask your doctor or local hospital for information about support groups in your area. 5/4/1997 Millions of Americans are affected by arthritis. While there are over 100 kinds of arthritis, the most common is osteoarthritis which involves the breakdown of cartilage which covers and protects the bone within the joint. Your doctor can diagnose arthritis and help design a treatment program that's right for you. 5/5/1997 Arthritis treatment can mean one or more of several different approaches including medication, joint protection, surgery or the proper balance of exercise and rest. The most important thing you can do is become informed about your illness and partner with your doctor to ensure a full, enjoyable life. 5/6/1997 Reaching 50 doesn't mean being doomed to poor health and a decline in the quality of life. It does mean that more proactive steps may be required to assure good health. Have an annual physical, ask your doctor what vitamin adjustments you may need to make, have annual mammograms or prostate tests and remember that the older we get, the easier it is to put on extra pounds. 5/7/1997 Even if your doctor has prescribed a cholesterol-lowering drug, it's not a license to maintain an unhealthy lifestyle. These drugs work best when combined with a program of regular exercise, weight control and a low-fat, high-fiber diet. Work with your doctor to find the best plan for your situation. 5/8/1997 Blood pressure monitors are wonderful tools for health maintenance. But it is important to use them properly. When checking your own blood pressure, follow the directions carefully, make sure the cuff is in the proper location on your body and remember not to talk or move around during the test. You may even want to take your monitor with you to your next doctor visit to see how it compares to your doctor's equipment. 5/9/1997 If you are under treatment for high blood pressure, check with your doctor before taking any new over-the-counter medications. Many can have negative drug interactions when combined with certain types of blood pressure medications. With some interactions, you may not even experience noticeable side effects...but the action of the blood pressure medication may be impaired. 5/10/1997 With so many types of over-the-counter pain relievers, it's hard to know which to use. Each works in specific ways, can affect certain organs and may carry possible risks (depending on your health history). It is important to ask your doctor which is right for you. Only your doctor is familiar with your personal health history, and can give you the best recommendation. 5/11/1997 If you're a woman over 50, it may be wise to have a bone density test to screen for osteoporosis. The test is fast, painless, safe and available in many areas-including some Walgreens stores. Ask your doctor if a bone density test is right for you. 5/12/1997 Bee stings are common as the weather gets warmer. If stung by a honeybee, carefully remove the stinger by gently scraping with a knife, card edge or fingernail. Do not use tweezers- it may cause more venom to enter the body. After the stinger is removed, wash the area with soap and water and apply ice or a cold compress to decrease the absorption of venom. Watch for signs of allergic reaction (severe swelling, hives, coughing or wheezing, severe itching, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, dizziness, weakness or bluish tinge to skin). If any of these occur, seek medical attention immediately. 5/13/1997 Getting out in the sun feels wonderful. But be careful to protect yourself against sunburn. Always use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or more. Generally, the lighter your skin, the higher degree of protection you need. There's no such thing as too much protection where your skin is concerned. 5/14/1997 If too much fun in the sun causes painful sunburn, put cold water or cold wet cloths on the sunburned area. Elevate severely burned arms and legs. Do not use ointments or creams. If possible, apply a dry sterile bandage. If blistering is severe, see your doctor immediately. 5/15/1997 One of the best remedies for occasional insomnia is regular exercise-especially if it's outdoor exercise. Twenty to thirty minutes of brisk walking each day can do wonders to help the body get back into a natural rhythm of activity and rest. 5/16/1997 The Heimlich maneuver (a technique for dislodging food from air passages) can be a lifesaving technique when done correctly. But using it can be dangerous on a person who is still breathing (coughing) or on children under one year old. Contact a health care professional to learn the proper procedure for the Heimlich maneuver and to learn alternate procedures for coughing adults and infants. 5/17/1997 If you take chewable vitamin C, be sure to brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth afterwards. Chewable C may make your mouth acidic and cause damage to tooth enamel. 5/18/1997 As summer activities begin, it's handy to have a first-aid kit readily available. You can purchase a kit that contains the basics, then "customize" it to suit your specific needs. For example, you may want to include a bee sting kit or extra strength sunscreen or additional antiseptic wipes and bandages. 5/19/1997 Many people make the mistake of thinking that eating low-fat foods means they can eat all they want. Then they wonder why they aren't losing weight. Be smart. Reduce your fat intake, but also maintain a balance of your total calorie intake and the amount of exercise you get. It also helps to replace any prepackaged snack foods with fresh fruits and vegetables. 5/20/1997 If your recent walk in the woods resulted in itching, rash, blisters, headache and/or fever, you may have been exposed to poison ivy, oak or sumac. Wash the affected area as soon as possible with soap and water, then sponge with rubbing alcohol. Calamine lotion may be applied to relieve the itching. 5/21/1997 Asthma is increasing. An estimated 12-15 million Americans (including 4.8 million children) suffer from asthma, a chronic lung disease that can be fatal if not treated. The good news is, with proper treatment and education, asthma sufferers can lead healthy, productive lives. If you have any of these symptoms-wheezing, chronic cough, difficulty breathing-see your doctor. Relief may be just a visit away. 5/22/1997 There are over 135 support groups for asthma sufferers. They offer a comfortable, confidential, problem-solving environment for teens, children and parents. For more information, contact the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America at 1-800-7-ASTHMA. 5/23/1997 Always take your medications properly, following your doctor's recommendations. Never take more than the recommended dosage, be sure to finish the full course of treatment, follow the schedule and timing closely and if you experience any side effects, call your doctor immediately. Also, never take medication that was prescribed for someone else! 5/24/1997 If you're a nursing mother, it's important to pay attention to what you consume-especially the medication you're taking! Small amounts of any medication can pass from your bloodstream into breast milk. Discuss it with your doctor to see if you should switch to bottle feeding or possibly change your medication. 5/25/1997 Some common prescription drugs should not be taken with grapefruit juice because it can alter their concentration in the bloodstream, increasing the risk of side effects or sometimes causing serious reactions. While this does not occur all the time (or even with all grapefruit juice), it's important to be cautious. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about possible interactions. 5/26/1997 Spending more time outdoors frequently includes the dangers of tick bites. Check often for ticks and use preventative measures (such as long-sleeved clothing and insecticide). If a tick does attach itself to you, do not attempt to use a lighted match to remove it. Instead, grasp it firmly with a pair of tweezers (stay as close to the skin as possible). Then pull it out with slow, even pressure. Make sure all of the tick is removed. Then, immediately clean the wound with antiseptic or rubbing alcohol. 5/27/1997 Some medications may cause adverse skin reactions when the patient is exposed to too much sun. When a new medication is prescribed for you, check with your doctor or pharmacist about possible adverse reactions from sunlight exposure. 5/28/1997 The thyroid gland plays an important part in the regulation of body metabolism. Improper thyroid balance can cause a wide range of symptoms including excessive weight gain or loss, muscle aches, cold or heat intolerance, emotional instability, loss of strength, visual problems, heart palpitations or an enlarged heart. If your doctor suspects a thyroid imbalance, a simple blood test is available. 5/29/1997 Skin cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. The best prevention strategy is careful monitoring and sun safety. Check your skin regularly. If you find any unusual skin patches or moles which have changed, darkened or grown, see your doctor immediately. When you're going to be outdoors, use plenty of sunblock and apply it often. Most people use about half as much as they actually need. 5/30/1997 While many are aware of the dangers of cigarette smoking and its link to lung cancer, many aren't aware that mouth and throat cancer can be caused by cigar and pipe smoking as well as chewing tobacco. Don't be deceived. Any tobacco products carry a cancer risk that isn't worth taking. 5/31/1997 Sunlight can damage your eyes and cause premature aging. Take care when buying sunglasses. Choose those with a special polarizing filter for best protection. Ask your eye doctor for more information. |