Thursday, May 17, 2012

8 Ways to Prevent Conjunctivitis


Yesterday's Daily Tip discussed the symptoms of pink eye and who is most vulnerable. Today, we list simple ways to prevent this sometimes contagious infection of the eyelid and eyeball:
1.    Wash your hands well, often, and always before and after applying antibiotic drops.
2.    Don't touch your eyes with your hands.
3.    If being treated with antibiotic drops, never touch the antibiotic bottle directly on the affected eye, and be careful not to touch the inflamed eye and then the other eye.
4.    Use a new towel and washcloth every day.
5.    Change pillowcases often.
6.    Throw away any eye makeup used while infected, including mascara.
7.    Don't share cosmetics, washcloths and eye products with others.
8.    Keep infected children out of school or day care until a few days after treatment begins or the infection clears up.
While viral pink eye will resolve on its own in a few weeks without treatment, it can be difficult to distinguish between viral and bacterial conjunctivitis. Consequently, many doctors prescribe antibiotic eye drops to anyone with pink eye - the antibiotics won't be effective against viral infections, but they may help prevent a secondary bacterial infection. With bacterial conjunctivitis, the antibiotic eye drops usually cause symptoms to clear up within a few days. Pink eye caused by allergies is usually treated with allergy medications and eye drops that relieve itchy eyes.

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE AND EXPERIENCE EXTRAORDINARY HEALTH

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Wednesday, May 16, 2012

5 Signs of Conjunctivitis


If you have itchy, red eyes that seem worse than is typically experienced with seasonal allergies, you may have pink eye. Also known as infectious conjunctivitis, pink eye is an inflammation of the membrane (called the conjunctiva) that lines the eyelid and eyeball.
Pink eye can be due to an allergic reaction to pollen, dust or other foreign material in the eye, such as contact lens solution; a bacterial infection, which is more common among children than adults; or viruses, particularly those associated with colds or a sore throat, as well as other childhood illnesses. All types of viral or bacterial pink eye are highly contagious.
The symptoms of pink eye can affect one or both eyes and include:
1.    Redness
2.    Itchiness
3.    A feeling or grittiness or having something stuck in the eye
4.    Tearing and discharge (yellow color is often associated with a bacterial cause)
5.    Crusts that form on the eyelids overnight
Young children are the most likely to get pink eye, as the close quarters in school or daycare provides the perfect climate for passing it around. Other people at higher risk for developing pink eye include those with allergies to airborne pollen and those who wear contact lenses, particularly extended-wear brands, as both these groups tend to touch and rub their eyes more frequently.
If you or your children experience any of the symptoms above, visit your physician for an evaluation and diagnosis.


HAVE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE AND EXPERIENCE EXTRAORDINARY HEALTH

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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

6 Natural Ways to Prevent Stroke




According to the American Stroke Association, approximately 700,000 Americans will suffer a new or recurrent stroke this year. That means, on average, someone in America has a stroke every 45 seconds. Strokes are a leading cause of severe, long-term disability and addressing the associated risk factors can help prevent their often devastating consequences. To help minimize the risk of stroke, consider the following suggestions:




1. Control your blood pressure either through lifestyle changes or medication if necessary.

2. Exercise. People who exercise consistently have increased cardiovascular health and a        lower risk of suffering a stroke.

3. If you smoke, quit. Smoking is the leading preventable risk factor for stroke.

4. Limit alcohol intake. If you drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. Moderate alcohol intake is defined as no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

5. Lower total cholesterol levels into a healthy range by adhering to a healthy diet, exercising regularly and working with your doctor.


6. Focus on your diet. Follow an eating plan designed for those with high blood pressure and heart disease, such as the DASH diet - it may be helpful in preventing strokes.



HAVE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE AND EXPERIENCE EXTRAORDINARY HEALTH
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Monday, May 14, 2012

6 Warning Signs of Stroke


Knowing the signs of stroke is crucial, as prompt treatment is necessary to help reduce the damage that can be caused by a "brain attack." Be aware of these classic stroke symptoms:
1.    Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
2.    Weakness or numbness on one side of the body, including the face
3.    Difficulty speaking
4.    Sudden disorientation, confusion or memory loss
5.    Dizziness, loss of balance or loss of coordination
6.    Severe headache that comes on suddenly with no apparent cause
The American Stroke Association suggests that anyone can identify a person having a stroke by checking for the signs of facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems. As a bystander, you can help to determine if someone is having a stroke by asking them to perform three simple actions:
·         Ask the person to smile
·         Ask the person to raise both arms above his or her head
·         Ask the person to speak a simple sentence
If the person has any problems completing these steps, call Emergency hotline (911) immediately and describe these symptoms.
HAVE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE AND EXPERIENCE EXTRAORDINARY HEALTH
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Sunday, May 13, 2012

4 Natural Ways to Whiter Teeth


If you are a cola, coffee, tea or red wine drinker, you may experience discolored teeth. Actually, any food or drink capable of staining clothes or carpets - including fruit juices, blueberries, soy sauce and curry - can also stain teeth. While the best way to get rid of persistent stains is with professional teeth cleaning, you can help prevent stains - new or recurring - with the following:
1.   Rinse your mouth with plain water after you drink or eat staining foods and beverages.
2.   Brush your teeth twice a day with a whitening toothpaste; many natural-ingredient-based toothpaste lines such as Tom's of Maine now have whitening varieties.
3.   Floss daily (stains around the edges of your teeth can occur when plaque accumulates at the gum line and absorbs color from food and drink).
4.   Sip temperate fluids through a straw, which minimizes contact with teeth.
Be cautious about over-the-counter teeth whitening kits, and talk with your dentist about professional options. You should be aware that any method of tooth bleaching may, over time, break down the integrity of the teeth. That can leave them more susceptible to future stains. Tooth sensitivity is a common side effect of teeth whitening but usually decreases over time.
HAVE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE AND EXPERIENCE EXTRAORDINARY HEALTH
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