FORGETFULNESS

Do you have a secret suspicion that your reading glasses scamper away whenever you put them down? Or that someone is sneaking out to the parking lot and moving your car from where you left it?

No one’s memory is perfect, and as we get older our memories tend to get less perfect every day. Forgetting things now and then probably does not mean that you are getting Alzheimer’s disease. In most cases, it simply means that your brain isn’t able to retain as many of the little daily details as it used to.

Like any other part of your body, your brain needs exercise in order to work most efficiently. In addition, there are a lot of simple strategies that will help you remember things even when your brain isn’t cooperating. Here’s what doctors advise.

Set a schedule. Mr.Immuanuel Kant, considered one of the greatest philosophers of all time, kept a schedule so precise that town folks could set their clocks by his afternoon walks. If keeping a schedule freed up Kant’s mind enough to revolutionize philosophy, think what it can do for you.

Doctors often recommend that people with memory problems do all of their routines according to a schedule: Wake at the same time, wind your watch first thing in the morning, water the plants every Friday, and so on. By ingraining a schedule into your memory, you’ll free yourself from having to remember those 1001 details that might otherwise get overlooked.

Try the Orient express. Some memory loss is caused by poor blood flow to the brain. Since ancient times, the Chinese have used leaves from the ginkgo biloba tree, believed to be one of he oldest trees on the earth, to treat cerebral and cardiovascular conditions because of its talent for increasing blood flow to the brain and other parts of the body. Ginkgo can be purchased in capsule form at many groceries and drugstores, as well as at natural or health food stores.

Cut down on fat. Did you ever get that sluggish feeling after a meal, when you just can’t think, let alone remember small details? A fatty diet slows down blood flow to your brain, increasing forgetfulness. Try to cut down on fat in general, and replace products such as butter with unsaturated oils such as safflower oil.

Absorb the details. We live in a busy world with zillions of details zipping by every day. It’s impossible to always remember them all. What you can do, however, is make a conscious effort to remember the details that matter. Practice observing things around you. Mentally narrate what you’re seeing, doing, and experiencing. With practice, you’ll find that you’re remembering more and more things with less effort. In fact, you’ll begin noticing all of these details without even being aware that you’re doing it.

Repeat the facts. How many times have you heard someone’s name and forgotten it a second later? Here is a trick for remembering things better: Repeat them. Mentally repeating names, dates, and other details helps cement them in your mind, making them easier to recall later on.

Create memory links. Memory experts have clever techniques called mnemonic devices to help people remember. These are simply mind games to help you associate the thing you want to remember with something else that’s nearby and familiar. Linking the two makes them much easier to remember. Mnemonic devices often are rhymes or mental pictures. Suppose, for example, you need to pick up eggs at the store. The mnemonic device might be “I won’t forget to walk my legs over to the store” Or perhaps you just met someone named Paul, who happens to be six feet tall. To remember his name you might tell yourself, “He’s tall Paul.”

Identify memory zones. If you’re constantly misplacing those eyeglasses or keys, designate one area in your home as an “easy memory zone” – the one place you’ll always put things you know you’re in danger of losing. It could be the top of the refrigerator, a table in the living room, or anywhere else. As long as you always use it, you’ll never have to search for your car keys again.

Keep your mind active. Many of us stop exercising our minds at about the same time we leave school – and that’s a mistake. The brain needs to be constantly stimulated to stay strong and agile. So act aside a little time for mindercise. Take up Scrabble or other word games. Read. Do crossword puzzles. Engage in lively conversation, or tune in to interesting television and radio programs. Anything you can do to keep your mind active will help make it stronger – and that’s the best way to forget about forgetting.

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WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR

Forgetting where you parked your car is simple forgetfulness.
Forgetting that you own a car – or constantly forgetting how to get to
the parking lot – is something altogether different. Doctors have a
simple rule for determining if memory problems are serious: If
forgetfulness is jeopardizing your safety or the safety of others, or if
you can’t remember obvious details like the year, the name of the
president, or entire chunks of your past, there’s certainly something
wrong and you should see your doctor right away.
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FLU

At first it feels like a cold: runny nose, dry eyes, may be a cough. But within a few days you’ll know that this is no common cold. The flu virus can be especially virulent, causing fever, shills, sore throat, and fatigue. In addition, your muscles may be so sore that you feel as though you have fallen off a ten-story building.

The flu virus usually makes its rounds during the cold months, although it’s possible to get it in the summer and spring. There are three categories of flu viruses: Type A, which is the most serious, and Types B and C, which aren’t as common and usually won’t make you as sick. When doctors talk about “the flu,” it’s the Type A influenza virus.

The easiest way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot every year. If you’re already sick, however, what you need is fast relief. Here’s what doctors have recommended.

Buy a new toothbrush. The virus that causes the flu can live for days on a wet toothbrush. What this means is that every time you brush your teeth, more of the bugs get into your bloodstream, causing you to get sick all over again. Doctors advise tossing your old toothbrush a few days after you get the flu and replacing it with a new one, which you can use for the duration of the illness.

Wash your hands often. It’s not only your toothbrush that can transmit the flu virus. Touching your mouth, eyes, or nose with your hands also can put more of the germs in your system During flu season it’s a good idea to wash your hands several times a day with soap and water. This is especially important if you work in an office with other people, who may pass their flu germs to you.

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WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR

Most people are able to weather a bout with the flu without serious
problems. But this virus can be dangerous for the elderly, as well as for
people with weakened immune systems or other health problems. If
you get the flu and also are having chest pains or difficulty breathing,
you need to call your doctor right away.
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Humidify the air. One reason the flu is so common in the winter months is that the cold, dry air removes moisture from protective membranes in your nose and throat, making it easier for germs to get in. Plugging in humidifier will fill the air with water droplets. These droplets will help keep your mucus membranes moist, so they’re better able to trap infection-causing germs.

Drink lots of water. A bout with the flu can also rob your body of enormous amounts of water. Drinking eight or more glasses of water a day will help keep your mucus membranes moist and help relieve dry eyes, sore throat, and other common flu symptoms.

FLATULENCE

It’s uncomfortable. It’s embarrassing. And there’s no way to prevent it. Flatulence may be socially unacceptable, but it’s a natural by-product of digestion. The average person, in fact, passes gas eight to twenty times a day.

Even though you can’t stop gas entirely, there are ways to reduce its frequency. Here’s how.

Pour a cup of tea. Herbal teas have been used for thousands of years to aid digestion. Natural healers often recommend mint, sage, or anise tea for digestive complaints, including gas.

Drink milk with caution. It doesn’t bother everyone, but some people have trouble digestion a sugar (called lactose) in milk, cheese, and other dairy foods, This condition, called lactose intolerance, is a very common cause of gas. You may get some relief simply by cutting back on dairy foods. Many people, however, will have to give them up entirely. Another alternative is to take supplements containing lactase, and enzyme that helps people digest the lactose found in dairy foods.

Stick with the real thing. Sugar may not be the best thing for your waistline, but it’s better than artificial sweeteners when it comes to your digestion. Doctors have estimated that many people have trouble digesting artificial sweeteners used in sugar-free goods, such as candies and gum. In fact, the amount of artificial sweeteners in just five sticks of gum may cause gas and diarrhea in some people.

Breathe slowly. Many people routinely swallow large amounts of air, especially while eating. That extra air has to go somewhere – and out it goes, many times a day. To make sure that the air you breathe goes into your lungs and not into your stomach, doctors recommend breathing slowly through your nose rather than gulping air through your mouth. Chewing food more slowly and not chomping away at your gum also can reduce the amount of air that gets inside. Some experts suggest giving up carbonated drinks, as well, because all those bubbles may cause flatulence, too.

Experiment with your diet. If you find yourself constantly battling flatulence, do some experimenting to find the cause. May be it’s not the salad, but the radishes that are causing problems. Perhaps it’s not the pasta and sauce, but the extra garlic you’ve added. By becoming a food sleuth, you’ll learn to eat strategically to avoid gas attacks.

Ease into fiber. Even though dietary fiber is very good for your health, it can cause flatulence in people who aren’t yet used to it. If you’ve just begun adding more fruits, vegetables, and other high-fiber foods to your diet, do yourself a favor and make the additions slowly. If you give your body time to get used to this new substance, you’re less likely to have a problem with gas.

Eat sitting up. When you’re having problems with gas, don’t take your meals while reclining on the couch. Reclining or slouching when you eat can put bends in the digestive tract that make it hard for gas to escape upward – so it goes out the other way. Sitting straight, on the other hand, allows gas in your stomach to exit in a less embarrassing way, through the mouth.

Talk to your pharmacist. There are a number of over-the-counter products that can help prevent gas. One you may want to try is called Beano. It contains an enzyme that breaks down sugars in the digestive tract, which helps to prevent gas from forming. Or you might want to try products containing simethicone, such as Alvizyme or Dizec which can help break up gas bubbles in the digestive tract.

FEVER

They don’t feel good, but fevers are your body’s tool for waging war on bacteria and other germs. These microorganisms are able to thrive only at certain temperatures. When you’re sick with a cold, the flu, or another kind of infection, your body turns up the thermostat. As you get hotter, the germs are no longer able to reproduce – which means your get better faster.

Of course, knowing that a fever is good for you doesn’t make you feel any better. (Root canals are also good for you, and you know how much you look forward to them.) But it’s helpful to realize that most fevers don’t last very long, and by the time your temperature starts dropping you’re well on the road to recovery.

For mild fevers, doctors usually recommend letting them run their course, although you may want to take aspirin or acetaminophen, which will lower your temperature a bit and make you feel more comfortable. (Children with fever should never be given aspirin because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a serious neurological disorder.) Here are a few additional ways to turn the temperature down.

Drink plenty of fluids. Just as your car’s radiator may burn off extra water when it’s running hot, people with fevers also burn more water. To replace the fluids that fevers take out, it’s important to drink at least eight to twelve glasses of water a day. You may want to drink a sports drink like Gatorade, as well. These drinks contain electrolytes – minerals that can help your body work more efficiently. Electrolyte drinks are also available in your local pharmacy.

Take a long soak. Just because you’re hot on the inside doesn’t mean you have to be hot and sweaty on the outside. When you feel a fever coming on, fill the bathtub with lukewarm water and settle in for a long soak. It will help lower your body temperature so you feel a bit more comfortable. Don’t soak in cold water, however. That can cold you off too much and may make you worse.

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WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR
Adults and children have thermostats that are set at different levels. For
adults, any fever over 101 degrees that lasts more than three days is
potentially serious and should be treated by a physician. Children tend to
run a little hotter. If a child has a fever of 103 degrees or higher, or a
lower temperature that lasts for more than three days, you should call
your doctor right away. For children under one year, however, a fever
over 101 degrees could be serious and a doctor visit is recommended.
You should also call your doctor if a fever is accompanied by other
symptoms, such as diarrhea, sore throat, or stomachache.
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Spend some time in bed. A fever means that your body is using up a lot of energy fighting an infection. Getting extra rest will help ensure that your body has enough energy left over to do what’s important stimulation the immune system to help you recover.

FATIGUE

May be you’re fighting to keep your eyes open even before lunch time. Or perhaps you’re going to bed earlier each night but are still waking up feeling like you haven’t had enough sleep. Or may be you simply don’t have the energy to do the things you’d like to do.

Welcome to modern life. Doctors agree that our hectic pace-the endless meetings, rushing home to care for the children, and staying up a little too late at night-is taking its toll. People are feeling more tired than ever before, and there doesn’t seem to be any relief in sight.

You can’t turn the clock back to a simpler time, of course. But there are ways you can boost your energy and restore your enjoyment of life. Here’s what experts recommend.

Make sure the well doesn’t run dry. When you’re busy all day it’s easy to forget to drink enough water. When you don’t get enough fluids, cells throughout your body, including in the brain, begin to run dry, which can sap your energy. Don’t wait until you’re feeling thirsty, because our body’s “thirst-sensor” doesn’t always work efficiently. Doctors say to drink at least eight glasses a day.

Incidentally, don’t count coffee or cola toward your daily total. These drinks contain caffeine, which is a diuretic-meaning it removes more fluids from your body than it puts in. If you do drink coffee or other beverages with caffeine, you need to drink even more water to keep yourself hydrated.

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WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR

While fatigue is often caused by nothing worse than a lack of sleep, it
can also be a sign of other, underlying problems, including diabetes,
anemia, hormonal imbalances, or even chronic fatigue syndrome. If
you’re tired all the time and it seems to be getting worse, you need to
get a checkup. Your doctor will probably do a variety of tests,
including blood tests, to figure out what’s going on and what you need
to do.
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See the light. When winter arrives and days get shorter, many people start feeling tired and fatigued. Studies have shown, however, that you can give your energy a boost by getting more sunlight. Even if you only get outside for an hour or two a day, the extra light may help put extra zip in your mood.

Shake things up. Sometimes it seems like every day is the same. We go to work, go home, cook dinner, go to bed. It’s no wonder that we sometimes feel a little tired and unmotivated. Doctors agree that one of the best things you can do to fight fatigue is to put more variety into your life. Going for walks, taking adult education classes, or simply reading some new books will help you feel more motivated and energized by life.

Add some color to your life. Studies have shown that people who spend their time in dark houses with dull, muted colors tend to have less energy than those who are surrounded by visual “zip” – bright reds, soothing greens, or vibrant yellows. Even if you don’t feel like painting your house, it’s good idea to liven up your surroundings.

Eat for energy. Many people have been known to make themselves feel stronger and more energetic simply by eating a better diet. Unlike foods that are high in fat, Which are hard to digest and tend to sap your energy, fruits, vegetables, and carbohydrates can help you feel more energized.

Bank the big meals. If you work in an office you know that the lowest-energy time of day is right after lunch, when just about everyone is nodding off. This is due in part to the body’s natural need for rest. But studies have shown that people who eat four or five small meals a day tend to have more energy than those who eat two or three big meals. Try to eat a good-sized breakfast, one or two healthful snacks during the day (but not a big lunch), and a good meal at supper. Eating frequent smaller meals helps keep your metabolism burning steadily, rather than working hard all at once. And eating regularly helps keep blood-sugar levels steady, which can be very powerful in fighting fatigue.

Get as much exercise as you can. Even when your energy is so low you don’t want to lace your tennis shoes, it’s worth making yourself stay active. Exercise helps burn off your stress and frustration, while at the same time increases the amount of energizing chemicals in your body. Studies have shown that people who exercise regularly report feeling more ambitious, optimistic, and energetic.

Put relaxation on your calendar. Relieving stress is a skill that should be taught in school. Most of us have difficulty making time for rest and relaxation – and we pay for it in lost energy. One of the best ways to recharge your batteries is to put aside a little time each day to do something you truly enjoy – playing with your dog, shopping, or even getting a message. Taking a break from life’s stresses gives your body and mind time to recover, this will help you feel stronger the rest of the time.

Get to bed earlier. It’s obvious advice, but a lot of us walk around like zombies simply because we try to squeeze too much out of each day. Going to bed an hour or two earlier on a regular basis will help ensure that you get the sleep you need – the sleep you’re probably net getting enough of now.

EYESTRAIN AND DRY EYES

In terms of eyestrain, our ancestors had it easy. Today, we spend hours every day staring into computer monitors or TV screens, squinting through dirty windshields, or simply opening our eyes every morning in a world that’s full of smoke and smog. As a result, our eyes often are tired and dry.

To give your eyes a break while keeping them moist and lubricated, here’s what doctors advise.

Bat your eyelids. Your eyelids are like windshield wipers. Every time you blink they spread a soothing layer of lubrication across the surfaces of the eyes. When your eyes are getting tired, blinking them several times will give quick relief. As a bonus, blinking helps remove dust or grift from the eyes before it causes irritation.

Cover your eyes. To soothe the eyes, do what some professional massage therapists do: Rub your hands together to warm them up, then place the heels of your palms over your eyes for a few seconds. The warmth from your hands will quickly penetrate into the eyes, making them feel rested and relaxed.

Give nature a hand. When your eyes are unusually dry, put in a few drops of artificial tears. Sold in pharmacies, these “re-wetting drops” will help remove debris while providing soothing relief. You can use artificial tears whenever your eyes are feeling dry and tired.

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WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR

If your eyes are dry and sore, and you have other symptoms like a dry
mouth, you should call your doctor right away. There are a number of
illnesses, including arthritis and lupus, that can cause the eyes to get tired
and irritated. Don’t assume that dry eyes are “merely” on eye problem. There
may be something else going on as well.
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Keep them cool. Many people have found that putting slices of cool cucumber over the eyes can be very soothing. Or you can simply cover your eyes with a cool compress. Wet a towel in cool water, wring it out, and place it over your eyes for about five minutes.

Give your eyes a break. Most eyestrain is caused by overuse-from staring at the computer screen, for example, or driving long distances. Doctors recommend taking a “vision break” once an hour or so. You don’t have to stop what you’re doing-just focus on something else for a few minutes, preferably something in the distance. Then close your eyes and relax for a moment. Simply resting your eyes now and then will make a big difference in stopping strain and soreness.

EARWAX

The insides of your ears are filled with tiny, delicate instruments that make it possible for you to enjoy everything from the crash of cymbals to the soft murmur of a mountain stream. To protect this sensitive area, the ears have tiny glands that produce wax that lines the ear canal. Earwax, along with small hair follicles, traps dust and debris before it reaches the inner ear. The wax then migrates to the outer ear where it’s easy to remove with the tip of a handkerchief.

Some people, however, produce more earwax than the ear can easily get rid of. Over time the wax begins to accumulate. If the opening leading to the eardrum gets blocked, you may lose some of your hearing. Too much earwax also can be painful because it can cause pressure changes inside the inner ear. It’s usually not difficult to get earwax under control. Here’s what you need to do.

Soften it up. When your body is producing a lot of earwax, it can get nearly rock-hard, making it difficult to remove. To soften the wax, put a few drops of mineral oil, baby oil, or glycerin in your ear with an eyedropper, then roll your head around to let the oil soak in. If you do this twice a day for several days, the wax will get much softer and will start moving toward the outside of the ear, where it’s easier to remove.

Bubble it away. Another way to soften earwax is to fill and eyedropper with hydrogen peroxide and squirt it into your ears. Let it sit and bubble for a few minutes, then drain your ear by tilting your head to the side. The bubbles will help dislodge small particles of was, which will drain out with the fluid.

Add a little heat. Just like wax in a candle, earwax melts when it gets warm. Resting your ear on top of a hot water bottle or a heating pad (set to a comfortable temperature) will warm up the ear canal and soften or even melt the wax. Keep your head tilted down, which will allow the wax to flow toward the outside of your ear.

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WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR
Earwax can be serious problem if your ears produce too much of it. If
you can actually see excess wax in the outer part of the ear, or if your
hearing seems to be getting worse or you’re hearing ringing or other
noises, you need to see your doctor.
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Give your ears a good washing. Once you’ve loosened the earwax, fill a three-ounce rubber bulb syringe with water that’s about body temperature (98.6F). With your head tilted down, pull your outer ear out a little to straighten the ear canal. Then gently squirt some water into the canal. The water will help break up earwax and float it along the canal toward the outside of your ear. When you’re done, dry your ear with a towel and squirt a little bit of rubbing alcohol inside. Then tilt your head so the fluid drains out. The rubbing alcohol will help dry the ear canal, reducing the risk of infection.
Clean your ears with care. When earwax starts building up, many people go after it with a cotton swab-and inadvertently push the wax deeper inside. Eventually it can form a hard little plug that can be almost impossible to get out. Doctors recommend cleaning the outside of your ears only, not with a cotton swab, but with the tip of a wash-cloth that’s been moistened. This will keep your ears clean without pushing additional wax where it isn’t meant to go.

EARACHE

Many people get earaches when they have a head cold. The same congestion that makes it hard to breathe can also block the Eustachian tube – which runs from the back of the throat to the inner ear. When mucus or pus build up next to the eardrum they can cause excruciating pain. In addition, the insides of the ears provide a perfectly warm, moist environment for bacteria and other organisms to thrive. When you’ve been swimming or had a head cold, some germs can multiply in the inner ear, causing a painful infection. Your ears are constantly open to the environment, so it’s not always possible to prevent problems. But there are many ways to ease the ache so you can rest easily again. Here’s how.

Warm it up. The quickest way to ease an earache is to place a hot water bottle or a heating pad (set to a comfortable temperature) on top of your ear. Better yet, cover your ear with a towel that’s been moistened with warm water. The combination of heat and moisture can be very soothing. As a bonus, the heat will help melt earwax, which could be contributing to the congestion.

Put garlic to work. Recent evidence suggests that squeezing a clove of garlic and putting a few drops in your ear will help kill bacteria that are causing the pain. Researchers suspect that garlic may be more effective than some prescription antibiotics.

Give it the oil treatment. Putting a few drops of mineral oil in your ear can help dissolve wax and ease the pain momentarily. Mineral oil will be most effective when it’s warm, so heat a little oil in a tablespoon, let it cool to about body temperature before putting it in your ear.

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WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR
Most ear infections will clear up on their own, but sometimes the infection
sticks around, getting more and more painful, when a “minor” earache is
starting to feel major, or if there’s pus or a discharge coming from inside
the ear, you need to call your doctor right away. You probably have an
infection, and you may need antibiotics to get rid of it.
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Fight back with Echinacea. This traditional healing remedy, with is available at health food stores and some grocers, has been shown to stimulate the immune system so that it’s better able to fight the infection. Keep some Echinacea handy in your kitchen or bathroom cupboard, so that as soon as ear pain strikes, you can take them as needed. You can also buy Echinacea in tincture form, which is added to hot water to make a tea. Echinacea also works well for colds, which could be the source of earaches.

Clear out the wax. It’s normal for the ears to produce a little wax, which helps trap grit and debris before they get into inner ear. When you have too much earwax, on the other hand, it can change the pressure inside your ear, causing earaches.

Try a decongestant. Because earaches often are caused by congestion, you may want to drop by the pharmacy and pick up a decongestant. These products will reduce congestion in the sinuses and throat, relieving pressure in the ears. Be sure to follow all label directions and warnings carefully.

Take flight precautions. Air travel is fast and convenient, but it isn’t without drawbacks. When you soar above sea level the pressure inside the ears changes, which often causes earaches. Flying can be especially uncomfortable if you already have a cold or congestion. To reduce the discomfort, bring along some gum. Chewing helps reduce the pressure that causes the pain.

Practice “sound” advice. The ears really aren’t designed to tolerate loud noise. Anything louder than normal conversation or heavy traffic can gradually damage the inner ear, which could cause hearing loss as well as pain. When you’re going to be in a noisy place-a rock concert, for example, wearing ear plugs will help prevent earaches and long-term damage.

DIARRHEA

Diarrhea is one of your body’s natural defenses. It rushes things through the digestive tract that your body wants to get rid of. Knowing this won’t make you feel any better when you’re running for the bathroom every ten minutes, but it’s important to understand that diarrhea is very efficient at what it does. It’s so efficient, in fact, that it rarely lasts more than a day or two-and that definitely should make you feel better.

The bad news, of course, is that diarrhea often comes back-again and again. Most come from bacterial or viral infections, although diarrhea can also be caused by food allergies, stress, a sensitivity to milk or other dairy foods, or even as a side effect of medications.

Even though diarrhea may play a protective role, you don’t want it to last too long because it can rob your body of essential fluids and nutrients. Of course, it just plain feels awful. Here are a few ways to speed it on its way.

Drink a lot of fluids. To stay healthy, it’s essential to replace all the fluids that diarrhea takes out of you. Doctors recommend drinking as much as you can hold-at least eight to twelve glasses of water a day. Sports drinks are even better than water because they contain many essential minerals, called electrolytes, that you need to stay healthy. You can also purchase flavored electrolyte solutions at your local pharmacy.

Give your system a break. It’s generally important to eat well to keep up your strength, but when you have diarrhea it’s better to eat less to give your digestive tract time to recover. Doctors recommend sticking to a “ clear” diet by eating foods such as broth or gelatin. When you’re ready to start eating solid foods again, keep it bland for a few days by eating easy-to-digest foods such as rice, bananas, appleasauce, and toast. Avoid acidic foods, such as oranges and tomatoes, which are known to irritate the digestive tract.

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WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR
Diarrhea can deplete enormous amounts of fluids from your body. If it
doesn’t stop within a few days it can lead to dehydration, which can be
serious if it isn’t treated promptly. You should call your doctor
whenever diarrhea lasts longer than two or three days, or if it’s
accompanied by other symptoms, such as blood in the stool, fever,
vomiting, or serious abdominal pain.
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Have a little yogurt. Yogurt can be very good for diarrhea if it contains “active” cultures-beneficial bacteria that help aid in digestion. The label will tell you.

Avoid high-fiber foods. When you have diarrhea it’s important to eat foods that are easy to digest. Dietary fiber, for all its benefits, isn’t digested, which makes it harder for the digestive tract to do its job. Once the diarrhea has run its course, you can start eating a high-fiber diet again.

Take advantage of berries. Blueberries may be the perfect diarrhea-fighting food. They’re rich in protein, which your body needs when you’re feeling sick. Plus, they contain compounds that may help stop the bacteria that can cause diarrhea in the first place.

Take the Mary Poppins prescription. Even if you don’t need any help getting the medicine down, a spoonful of sugar can be very helpful when you’re fighting diarrhea. Sugar helps the body absorb-rather than eliminate-water, so it can help prevent dehydration.

Ask your doctor about dairy. If you’re having diarrhea all the time, you could be sensitive to lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy foods. In fact, doctors believe that “lactose intolerance” is a very common cause of diarrhea. You may want to try giving up milk, cheese, and other dairy foods for a few days to see if the problem goes away. Or you can take supplements containing lactase-an enzyme that will help your body digest the lactose found in dairy foods.

Get quick relief at the pharmacy. Doctors usually recommend letting diarrhea run its course. But when you have to stop it fast-because you’re taking a business trip, for example-you may want to pick up some Imodium or Loperamide at the pharmacy. This over-the-counter medication helps to prevent your intestines from contracting, which stops diarrhea.

DEPRESSION

Few things are more discouraging than feeling sad and “down” when everyone else seems to be having a great time. Whether you’re simply having a few days of the blues or you’ve been feeling moody and under the weather for months, depression can be devastating, affecting your relationships, your job, and your life.

Feelings of depression are incredibly common. It’s twice as common in women, although women are more likely than men to be able to pull themselves out of depression over time. You can’t stop depression entirely. After all, life doesn’t always go smoothly, and there are going to be days when you won’t want to get out of bed in the morning.

Doctors have found that it’s often not the depression itself that’s the biggest problem but how you respond to it. By tackling depression head-on-by staying active, eating right, and doing your best to keep a positive mental attitude-it’s often possible to keep it under control or even prevent it entirely.

Get plenty of B vitamins. Researchers have found that people who don’t get enough B vitamins, especially vitamin B12 are particularly prone to depression. This can be a real problem in the elderly, since doctors estimate that about one in ten people over age sixty may have mood problems caused by low levels of this vital nutrient. The B vitamin helps your body metabolize amino acids, which can help increase the levels of the “feel-good” chemicals in the brain.

You can get a lot of B vitamins simply by eating a well-rounded, nutritious diet that includes a lot of grains, fruits, and vegetables and that is low in sugars and fats. In addition, doctors often recommend taking a B-complex multivitamin, especially if you are age forty or older.

Take the herbal route. Researchers have now found that a number of herbs, such as St.John’s Wort (basant), chamomile (babunah), and kava, can help change your natural chemistry, making you less prone to depression. In fact, doctors have found that St.John’s Wort may be as effective as some prescription drugs for treating depression.

The easiest way to use herbs is to buy them in dried, bulk form at natural food stores and brew them up to make a tea. Herbal supplements are also very effective, although you’ll want to talk to your doctor to find out what dose will be most effective for you.

Be as active as possible. Regular exercise has been shown to be one of the most powerful anti-depression remedies there are. When you exercise, your body produces large amounts of endorphins, natural chemicals that relieve your feelings of sadness and boost feelings of comfort and well-being. It doesn’t take a lot of exercise to release these chemicals. Taking a walk several times a week, riding a bike, or swimming for twenty to thirty minutes may be all it takes to flood your body with these mood-lifters. Most people find that within a week or two of starting an exercise routine they feel happier and more energetic and sleep better.

Keep in touch with your friends. It’s hard to be social when you’re feeling down. But spending time with friends is one of the best ways to beat depression. Even if you’re just meeting people after work or going to the movies, regular social interactions will help you feel like you’re not alone, and this is crucial when you’re trying to beat the blues.

Write it down. Keeping a journal is an excellent way to stay in touch with your feelings. It can give you a better sense of things that are dragging you down-as well as lifting you up. Sometimes just expressing your emotions will help you feel a whole lot better.

Accept compromise. Many of the people who are depressed engage in what doctors call “all-or-nothing” thinking, believing that everything must go absolutely perfectly. This type of thinking can make you feel as though you’re always failing. It’s important to recognize that life is almost never all-or-nothing-that there are may shades of gray in everything we do. The more you put things in context, the less likely you’ll be to get depressed when things don’t go entirely your way. Of course, this is easy to say but some times hard to do.

Take inventory of the medicine chest. Many of the prescription drugs, including some that are taken for high blood pressure, glaucoma, and heart problems, can cause depression in some people. When your mood just doesn’t seem to be getting better, make a list of all the medications you’re taking and call your doctor. There may be a chemical reason that you’re feeling low, and changing medications may be all you need to improve your mood again.

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WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR

Doctors divide depression into two main types. There’s “normal
Depression, which is simply the blues we all get from time to time. More
serious is “clinical” depression, which can make you feel hopeless all the
time. When your depression is severe and doesn’t go away-and you’re
brooding, sleeping too much, bingeing on food, or generally having
trouble coping-it’s essential to see a doctor right away. With a
combination of therapy and new medications, depression is easier to treat
than ever before. But you can’t do it on your own. Serious depression
always requires professional care.
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DANDRUFF

Thanks to the zealous marketing ploys of shampoo manufacturers, dandruff is now seen as a disease instead of the entirely natural process that it is.

Everyone gets a little dandruff sometimes. Your scalp, like the rest of your skin, is continually shedding old cells and replacing them with new ones. The life cycle of a skin cell is between two to four weeks, which means old, dead cells-dandruff-are always flaking off. Most of the time you don’t even notice them. In some cases, however, the body sheds old skin cells faster than normal. That’s when you begin noticing little white flakes in your hair or on the shoulders of your blue blazer.

Doctors aren’t sure what causes this acceleration of flaking skin cells, although it may be related to overactive oil glands or possibly a mild fungal infection on the skin. Because the male hormone testosterone plays a role in oil production, dandruff tends to be more common in men than women. It isn’t dangerous and it isn’t a sign of illness. It can be unsightly, however, which is why people spend millions of dollars every year on products to get rid of the white flakes.

You can’t get rid of dandruff entirely, but there are ways to keep the unsightly flakes to a minimum. Here’s what dermatologists advise.

Try and oil treatment. When your skin is dry you produce more flaky skin cells than when it’s moist and lubricated. That’s why experts sometimes recommend massaging a little olive oil into your scalp and leaving it there for about half an hour before showering. The oil will help moisten the scalp and loosen oil cells that are getting ready to flake off.

Lather up with a medicated shampoo. Washing your hair often is the best treatment for dandruff because it washes away old skin cells before they become noticeable. Doctors often recommend using medicated dandruff shampoos because they remove skin cells more efficiently than regular shampoos. Look for products containing salicylic acid, selenium, sulfur, or tar.

For dandruff shampoos to work most effectively, it’s important to give the medicated ingredients time to work. After lathering, allow the shampoo to stay in your hair for a few minutes before rinsing. This will allow the active ingredients to penetrate the upper layers of skin and will help remove old cells. Over-the-counter dandruff shampoos are gentle enough to use regularly, but you’ll probably only need to use them for a week or two to get dandruff under control.

Switch brands now and then. After a while your skin can become “immune” to the ingredients in a particular dandruff shampoo. Even if you have a favorite product, it’s a good idea to switch brands from time to time.

Go easy on the additives. A lot of hair-care products, like mousse, gel, and hair spray, can cause dandruff-like flaking. When you’re already having problems with dandruff, these extra flakes will only make the problem worse. It’s a god idea to use these products sparingly and not at all when your dandruff is heaviest.

Try the hat trick. Cold winter air can be extremely drying, which is why many people get more dandruff during the winter months. By wearing a hat you will help keep your skin cells moist and prevent some of the flaking.