Health Tip: Coping With Epilepsy

(HealthDay News) -- People with epilepsy are prone to injury in the event of a sudden seizure.

The University of California San Francisco Medical Center offers these suggestions to help reduce your risk of injury:

• Always wear or carry something that identifies you as having epilepsy --a bracelet, necklace or ID card.
• Make sure that your friends, family and co-workers know what to do.
• If you've been having seizures, avoid situations that could be dangerous, such as working in high places or swimming by yourself.
• Understand and follow state rules and laws about driving with epilepsy.
• Never stop taking your epilepsy medication or change your dose without talking to your doctor.
• In addition to your seizure medicine, never take any other medication without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Health Tip: Prevent Stomach Pain

(HealthDay News) -- Stomach pain can be caused by factors including diet and lifestyle, illness and infections.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the following actions can help prevent many stomach aches:

• Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of only a few large ones.
• Choose healthy, well-balanced meals that are high in fiber and rich in fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid foods that cause gas.
• Drink lots of water each day.
• Get plenty of regular exercise.

Health Tip: Good Scents During Pregnancy

(HealthDay News) -- Pregnant women become more sensitive to certain smells, some of which can make them feel nauseous.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, these alternatives to perfumes may be easier to tolerate:

• Try not to wear or be around any heavy smells until you figure out what you can tolerate.
• Try a lightly scented body spray or lotion instead of perfume.
• Look for scents such as peppermint, ginger and cardamom, which can help combat nausea.
• Citrus scents, such as mandarin, neroli and sweet orange, also may help reduce nausea.
• Other softer smells to try include lavender, chamomile or rose.

Health Tip: Booster Seat Safety

(HealthDay News) -- When children reach about 40 pounds, it's probably time for them to graduate from an infant car seat to a booster seat.

The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions about booster seats:

• A booster seat should be placed in the back seat, facing forward and preferably in the middle seat, secured with both a lap and shoulder belt.
• Always read the manual on how to install and fasten a booster seat. Also read the manual for your car, which may explain how its seat belts work with a booster seat.
• Make sure the booster seat is safely and tightly secured before each trip.
• Adjust the lap belt so that it fits low and snug across your child's lap, and the shoulder belt is snug across the shoulder. The shoulder belt should not interfere with the neck or face.
• Always keep shoulder belts flat against your child, and never allow them to twist.

Health Tip: Skin Care for Diabetics

(HealthDay News) -- Skin problems are common in people with diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association offers these suggestions to help diabetics keep their skin in good health:

• Always keep your skin clean and dry, and apply talcum powder in areas in contact with other skin.


• Don't take baths or showers with very hot water, and don't take bubble baths if you have dry skin.


• Use mild shampoos, and moisturizing soaps and body lotions. Don't apply lotions between the toes, as this may encourage fungus to grow.


• Treat any cuts or abrasions promptly to prevent infection. Talk to your doctor about the best antiseptic solutions to use.


• During the cold winter months, keep your home more humid, keep your skin well-moisturized, and try to bathe less frequently.


• Check your feet regularly for problems.

Health Tip: Preparing for Pregnancy

(HealthDay News) -- At least three months before you try to get pregnant, you should start making sure that your body has the nutrients it needs to conceive a healthy baby.

The American Pregnancy Association offers these recommendations:

• Make sure you get at least 400 micrograms of folate or folic acid each day, either from your diet or from a supplement.


• Get at least 1,000 milligrams per day of calcium -- the equivalent of three 8-ounce glasses of skim milk.


• Talk to your doctor about taking a special vitamin for women who are pregnant or are likely to become pregnant.


• Reduce -- to no more than 300 milligrams daily -- your intake of caffeine, which can affect fertility and the body's ability to absorb calcium and iron.


• Avoid alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and artificial sweeteners.

Health Tip: Apply Bug Spray the Right Way

(HealthDay News) -- When spending time outdoors -- especially at dawn or dusk -- protective clothing is the best way to guard against insect bites. But you also may need to protect yourself with insect repellent.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions on how to apply it safely:

• To avoid skin irritation, apply the repellent to clothing.
• Use only a small amount of repellent on exposed skin, avoid contact with the eyes, and wash it off as soon as you are away from possible insect exposure.
• Don't use highly concentrated repellent (DEET), especially on children and pregnant women.
• Never inhale or swallow insect repellent.
• Don't put a lot of repellent on young children's hands, as they may put them in their mouths or rub their eyes.
• Children younger than 2 years old should never wear insect repellent more than once per 24-hour period.

Health Tip: Eating a Brain-Healthy Diet

(HealthDay News) -- What you eat can go a long way toward keeping your brain sharp and efficient.

AARP.org offers these brain-healthy nutritional suggestions:

• Vegetables -- Eat as many as you can, of all different colors, shapes and varieties.
  Antioxidants -- Found in vitamins C, E and beta carotene, you should get plenty of these substances. They occur naturally in many fruits and vegetables.
• Omega-3 fatty acids -- They are found in fatty fish such as mackerel, herring, sardines, anchovies, whitefish, tuna and sablefish.
• A B vitamin -- Take one daily.
• A multivitamin -- Also take one daily, but never exceed recommended dose. Taking more vitamins doesn't make it healthier -- doing so could be dangerous.

Health Tip: Avoid Yeast Infections

(HealthDay News) -- Vaginal Yeast infections are common in women, and are caused by a fungus that is naturally found in and on the body.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions that may help you avoid yeast infections:

• Don't wear clothing that is too tight, and avoid clothes made of synthetic materials.
  Wear cotton underwear as often as you can.
• Avoid wearing pantyhose or a leotard every day.
• After getting out of the shower, dry your genital area with a hair dryer on a low, cool setting.
• After using the bathroom, always wipe from front to back.
• Don't stay in a wet swimsuit or damp clothing for longer than is necessary.
• Avoid using douches, feminine hygiene sprays, or anything deodorized -- including pads or tampons.
• Avoid colored or perfumed toilet paper.

Health Tip: Hair Treatments During Pregnancy

(HealthDay News) -- Women should be cautious about exposure to any chemicals during pregnancy, even to hair dyes and treatments.

Here are guidelines for pregnant women about the use of these products, courtesy of the American Pregnancy Association:

• Try to avoid treatments that straighten, bleach, perm or color hair until the second trimester.
• Make sure that any treatment is applied in a well-ventilated area.
• Don't leave hair chemicals in longer than necessary.
• Make sure your hair and scalp are thoroughly rinsed with water after the treatment.
  Always wear gloves when applying these chemicals yourself, and always follow manufacturer directions carefully.
• Try testing on a small patch of hair first, to monitor for any allergic reaction.

Health Tip: Something in Your Eye?

(HealthDay News) -- Getting something in your eye can be irritating enough, but you do more damage to your eye while trying to get it out.

To get dust, an eyelash, or other small particle out of your eye without injuring yourself, follow these suggestions from the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

• Wash your hands thoroughly, and examine your eye in a mirror in a well-lighted room.


• Look up, down, and side to side, and try to locate the particle in your eye.


• Do not rub your eye.


• If you can't find the particle, gently pull down the skin beneath your eye and look under the lower lid. Also gently grasp the upper lid and look underneath there, as well.


• Try to gently rinse the eye or eyelid with water when you find the particle.


• If you can't easily remove the particle or it looks like it's already damaged the eye, seek immediate medical attention.

Health Tip: Prepare Yourself for Surgery

(HealthDay News) -- In the days before surgery, it's important to make sure that you are physically healthy, and that your mind is relaxed and prepared.

Here are suggestions from the National Women's Health Resource Center on what to do before your operation:

• Maintain a healthy, balanced diet. Be sure to get enough vitamin C, which will help your body heal.


• Quit smoking and avoid alcohol.


• Get regular exercise.


• Don't use blood-thinning medications, including aspirin, for one week before surgery. If you have a need to take such medications, discuss this with your doctor.


• Keep a positive attitude.


• Talk to your doctor about how to control post-surgical pain.


• Try deep breathing techniques and relaxation exercises.

How To Recognize When You Have a Heart Attack?

What signals the advent of a heart attack? Is the pain you have is from heartburn? It is critical that you get immediate help if you are suffering from heart attack. Learn all about heart attack including what you should do if a loved one is suspected of having a heart attack. Continue Reading >>

Health Tip: If Your Child Wears Glasses

(HealthDay News) -- If your child has been prescribed glasses, you may have a difficult time getting your child to wear them.


The Children's Physician Network offers these suggestions:

• Let your child choose the frames, and be sure to give lots of compliments on how great they look.


• Start out having your child wear the glasses for short periods, until they become more comfortable.


• Encourage your child to wear glasses while doing something enjoyable, such as watching a movie or reading a book.


• Don't nag the child about wearing glasses, but praise them when they do.


• Wearing glasses should be part of the daily routine, much like teeth brushing or getting dressed.


• Mention sports heroes, actors or family members who wear glasses.

Health Tip: Exercising During Pregnancy

(HealthDay News) -- Exercise is good for you during any stage of life.

But among pregnant women, it can offset some common problems.

Your doctor should approve of any exercise program while you're pregnant. The American Pregnancy Association offers this list of potential benefits:

• It can help alleviate conditions such as poor circulation and back pain.


• It can give you more energy throughout your day.


• It can help you sleep better.


• It can put you in a better mood.


• It can better prepare your body for childbirth.


• It can help prevent excessive weight gain during pregnancy.

Health Tip: Monitoring What You Drink

(HealthDay News) -- People with heart failure tend to retain fluid, making it important to monitor what they drink.

The doctor may prescribe medication to help rid the body of excess fluid, which puts less stress on the heart. While this type of drug, called a diuretic, may make you feel thirsty, it's important not to drink too much and negate the effects of the medication.

The American Heart Association offers these guidelines for what people with heart failure should drink:

• Talk to your doctor about how much fluid you should have every day.
• Carefully track how much you are drinking. Measure how many ounces each container that you drink from holds.
• Monitor all fluids, including water you use to wash down medicines, as well as fluid sources such as ice cubes, fruits, ice cream and yogurt.
• Do not drink alcohol, which affects the heart's ability to contract.
• Limit your intake of caffeine and salty fluids, such as tomato juice and other vegetable juices.

Health Tip: Help Prevent Headaches

(HealthDay News) -- Headache have a variety of causes and triggers, but stress is a common factor in many types of headache.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions to lessen stress and reduce your chances of a headache:

Get plenty of sleep every night.

• Maintain a healthy diet, including staying away from junk food.


• Don't smoke.


• Get plenty of regular exercise.


• Stretch your neck, shoulders and upper body frequently. This is particularly important if you work all day at a desk or computer.


• Maintain good posture.


• Practice meditation, yoga or deep breathing techniques.

Health Tip: Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts

(HealthDay News) -- Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop on a woman's ovaries.
In some cases, they may be difficult to detect and pose no obvious warning signs. But they also may have noticeable symptoms, some of which are listed below, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

• Pain or pressure in the abdomen, or a feeling of fullness.
• Dull pain in the lower back and thighs.
• Difficulty urinating.
• Painful sexual intercourse.
• Unexplained weight gain.
• Soreness of the breasts, nausea or vomiting.
• Abnormal pain or bleeding during menstruation.

These symptoms should be checked by a doctor without delay. Seek immediate help if you have any of these symptoms.

• Pain with fever and vomiting.
• Sudden, severe abdominal pain.
• Faintness, dizziness or weakness.
• Unexplained rapid breathing.

Health Tip: Donating Blood

(HealthDay News) - Donating blood is a safe and easy procedure that can help save lives.

Here is information on what to expect when you donate blood, courtesy of the American Red Cross:

• You'll have a mini-physical exam, where your blood pressure, pulse and temperature will be checked. You also will be asked questions about your lifestyle and health.


• The injection site on your arm will be sterilized, then a sterile needle will be inserted. Some minor stinging or discomfort is common when the needle enters the skin.


• It takes about 10 minutes to collect a pint of blood.


• You may need to lie still for a few minutes after the donation, and have a snack or a drink.
  If you donate to the Red Cross, you'll be given a form with follow-up instructions and a phone number to call in case you realize that your blood may not be safe to give to another person.


• A small number of donors may experience dizziness, fatigue or bruising at the injection site.

Roshini Raj, MD, Explains Common Flu Symptoms on the "Today" Show

"Health" contributor Dr. Raj on the "Today" show Feb. 13, discussing tips on fighting the flu
by Ross Weale

In the following segment, Roshini Raj, MD, of Health magazine describes flu symptoms and talks about whether you can still get that shot.



DR. ROSHINI RAJ
Roshini Raj, MD, a Health magazine contributor and part of the magazine's Health Expert Network, is board-certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine with degrees from the New York University School of Medicine and Harvard University. Currently Dr. Raj is an attending physician at NYU Medical Center's Tisch Hospital in New York City. She also serves as an assistant professor at the NYU School of Medicine, and she has a special interest in women's health and cancer screening. She has also published several research articles on colon-cancer screening.

Dr. Raj has discussed health topics on numerous television outlets including NBC's Today show, ABC's Good Morning America, CNN, FOX News, and Discovery Health. She has been quoted in publications such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Men's Health, Women's Health, and Fitness on the state of health care and other health news of the day. Dr. Raj is often called upon to explain and demystify complicated health topics.

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