Health Tips‏

Use condoms to prevent AIDS

Condoms prevent sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS apart from their use for birth control.


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First aid for a snake or scorpion bite

Reassure the person and clean the area around the puncture marks. Apply a sterile dressing. If the bite is on the arm, immobilise it with a sling. If it is on the leg, tie both legs together. Call for medical help urgently.


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Do not get stressed about your hair loss

Do not get stressed if you feel bad about your hair loss. Just remember, other people do not look at you as closely as you do.


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If you are prone to air-sickness

If you are prone to feeling air-sick take anti-travel-sickness medicines half an hour before departure. Some travel medicines may cause a dry mouth, others may make you feel drowsy. Also, do not over eat and try to avoid alcohol and cigarette smoke.


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If you have had a Caesarian Section

If you have had your delivery by a Caesarian Section or been advised bed rest for a long time it is advisable to put on elastic stockings first thing in the morning and start walking around as soon as possible. This helps to prevent blood clots from forming in the veins, causing pain and inflammation (thrombophlebitis) and even worse travelling up to cause serious heart and other problems.


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If you have had a normal delivery

If you have had a normal delivery and within the first three days notice blood running down your legs do not be alarmed - this discharge, called lochia, is a mix of leftover blood, mucous and tissue from your uterus. It can be heavy just like a period and then tapers off within a week or two.


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If you suffer from motion sickness

If you suffer from motion sickness, you probably cannot tolerate turbulence on an airplane. You will feel less of the effects if you sit over the wings, in the middle of the plane.


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Protect your baby from direct sunlight

Babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of direct sunlight. Move your baby to the shade or under a tree, use an umbrella, etc. Dress babies in light clothing that covers the arms and legs. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The SPF (sun protection factor) should be at least 15.


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Schedule a pap smear after your period

Schedule a pap smear for five to ten days after your period. That is when the cervical mucous is thinnest and the test gets the best sample for cancer detection.


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Twisting won't do much to slim down your waistline

Twisting from side to side won't do much to slim down your waistline. Instead your back muscles will bear the burden, and the twisting may strain them.


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Is it good to scrape or brush the tongue?

Yes.
Brushing or scraping the tongue twice a day while brushing the teeth reduces the number of bacteria that live on the tongue. These bacteria may cause bad breath.


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Injuries in children

If your child falls and a blue patch (bruise) appears - apply ice or cold water. However if your child bruises easily and frequently, consult a doctor.


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Prevent your small child being scalded at home

Never leave a hot teapot near the edge of the table. The tablecloth should not hang over the edge of the table. Do not pass hot tea or any other fluid in front of the child. The baby should not be on your knee when you are drinking a hot liquid. Never leave a hot water bottle in the baby's bed and turn pan handles away from the front of the stove.


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Does exercise really help treat osteoarthritis?

Yes, regular exercise keeps your joints and muscles healthy, strong and flexible. It helps to maintain the desired weight and improves your general health.



Protect your child's eyes

Protect your child's eyes from direct sunlight, dust, smoke and kaajal (or surma). These predispose to trachoma - an infection of the eyes.


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Checkups during pregnancy

If you are pregnant you should have at least four checkups by your obstetrician before your delivery - first between the 20th and 22nd week, second between the 28th and 30th week, third during the 34th week and the last one during the 38th week.


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Benefits of breast milk

It contains suitable and adequate proteins, lactose (milk sugar), vitamins C, D and E, iron, water, salt, calcium, phosphate and lipase for effective digestion. The breastfed baby requires no supplements for first four-six months.


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Avoid having the fourth child

If you are a mother of three children it would be better to avoid having a fourth. The chances are high of both you and the baby being anaemic, the baby having a low birth weight, disabilities and of your having heavy bleeding.


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If your infant gets stung

If your baby is stung by a bee or a wasp, DON'T grasp the sting with your nails or a tweezer, this could force more of the remaining venom (poison) into the skin. Instead scrape it off with a blunt edge of your knife or with your fingernail.


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How to get better sleep?

Have a regular sleeping and wake-up time everyday. Do not over- or under-eat at dinnertime. Also, avoid alcohol, smoking and exercise before going to bed.


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A healthy baby

Prevent your child being born with a low birth weight (less than 5 lbs/2.2 kgs) by having a nutritious, balanced diet with plenty of cereals, low fat milk products, fruits and vegetables. Avoid smoking and drinking.


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Benefits of breast milk

It contains suitable and adequate proteins, lactose (milk sugar), vitamins C, D and E, iron, water, salt, calcium, phosphate and lipase for effective digestion. The breastfed baby requires no supplements for first four-six months.


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Benefits of breast milk

Besides its nutritive value & being easy to digest, it also protects the baby from infectious diseases (like polio, measles, chicken pox) for the first six months and avoids infections transferred by bottle-feeding


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High blood pressure in children

Get your child's blood pressure measured occasionally. If it is high, early treatment will help before complications develop.


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Minimise post-flight fatigue

Pre-flight – exercise & sleep adequately; avoid alcohol, stress & dehydration
In-flight – follow airline exercises; avoid heavy food & alcohol
Post-flight - utilise bright light to adjust the body clock in accordance with local time.


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Prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis

Do weight-bearing exercises (walking, swimming and biking) before 35 yrs. of age followed later by milder exercises. Take calcium/magnesium supplements and avoid smoking, alcohol and coffee.


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Are artificial sugar substitutes safe during pregnancy?

Sugar substitutes are generally compounds made up of simple forms of proteins. Since it is not a sugar it is used as a sweetener by people with diabetes and is also safe during pregnancy.


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Colostrum is good for the newborn

The mother’s breast produces the thick, yellowish colostrum in the first few days after childbirth. It is rich in proteins, Vit. A and antibodies that protect the newborn from many infections. Commence breastfeeding without delay.


Diet during pregnancy

Eat plenty of fruits, green and yellow vegetables, 'dals', & grains including dalia & buckwheat (kuttu atta). A litre of milk or milk products (like curd, buttermilk and paneer) and an egg everyday will provide enough calcium for healthy bones in the mother and baby.


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Folic Acid prevents against birth defects

Take 400mcg (0.4mg) tablets daily before you are pregnant and continue through pregnancy. Dietary sources include orange juice, green vegetables, beans, peas and chappatis.


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Foot care in diabetics is important

Wash feet daily with water and soap, dry thoroughly especially between toes and check for blisters, cuts and sores. Avoid walking barefoot, examine shoes for pebbles, cracks or nails and minimize any risk of injury.


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Hormone replacement therapy

Oestrogen relieves hot flashes, slows bone loss (osteoporosis), fractures, possibly prevents heart disease and Alzheimer's but increases risk of breast & uterine cancer, gallbladder disease and blood clotting. It often causes bloating, nausea, asthma and breast-tenderness.


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How can I prevent ingrowing toenails?

Cut your toenails straight across and close to the end of the skin and file the sharp corners. Wear shoes that do not pinch your toes and preferably the ones without high heels so that excess pressure is not put on the toes.


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Infant feeding - bottle vs. cup

A cup and spoon is better for feeding, even in low birth weight babies. Bottle-feeding has a high risk of infection for the baby.


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Is it necessary to exercise in the morning?

No, one can work out an individualised exercise pattern. It is suggested to exercise in the morning, as the air quality is best at this time. Exercising in polluted air can rather triple the level of harmful chemicals in your bloodstream.


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It’s unsafe to fly if you are anaemic

Do not travel by air if your haemoglobin is less than 7.8% as you may suffer from problems of oxygen depletion like breathlessness and collapse.


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Liquorice (mulaithi)

Avoid liquorice if you have high blood pressure, diarrhoea or use laxatives. Though it gives relief in cough and sore throat, it raises blood pressure and lowers potassium levels, leading to irregular heart beats, muscle weakness and twitches.


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No smoking near your baby

Create a smoke-free zone around your child to reduce the risk of colds, respiratory and other diseases and the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (unexplained death in the under one year old)


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Oils least harmful for your heart

Use liquid oils that never solidify – like sunflower, safflower, corn, canola, soya and to a lesser degree mustard oil.


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Reduce heartburn and nausea in pregnancy

Eat small, frequent meals to decrease its severity. Also, avoid tight clothes, spicy, greasy foods or lying down within two hours of eating.


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Respiratory infections and dietary restrictions

There should be no restrictions even of cold drinks, ice-cream, curds or fried food. Have plenty of fluids. Rarely, an allergy to some foods like cow's milk, eggs, chocolate, etc. may aggravate a cough.


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Sinusitis and air travel

Avoid flying if you have sinusitis, cold or cough. It can result in acute pain in the ears and sinuses.