Our bodies have internal clocks that are far more powerful than we realize. The time you wake up, when you eat, and when you bed down for the night are all determined by this internal clock.
Most of the time, your body’s clock corresponds to your daily schedule – which is why you wake up at the start of the day and go to sleep at the end. When you travel across time zones, however, all of a sudden your body’s clock and the “external” clocks are out of sync. When you fly from New Delhi to Los Angeles, for example, the clock in your hotel may say it’s 7 p.m., but your body thinks that it’s midnight and time to be sleeping.
Jet lag can make you tired and forgetful. It throws off your sleep schedule, so you may have trouble falling asleep or wake up too early. In some cases, people who have jet lag feel irritable, lose their appetites, or even have digestive problems such as heartburn or indigestion.
You don’t have to stay home to beat jet lag. Making a few changes in your habits – before and after you travel – will help put things right. Here’s how.
Stock up on sleep. Although you can’t stores sleep like pennies in a jar, getting extra sleep before you travel and go a long way toward helping you feel refreshed when you arrive.
Plan time to unwind. Sleep experts recommend timing your travel so that you arrive at your destination fairly early in the evening. This will give you time to have a good dinner and to unwind before going to bed. Try to make yourself go to bed at the new time.
Of course, the rules are slightly different depending on the direction you’re traveling. If you’re flying east, it’s going to be later when you arrive, so you may want to leave a little bit earlier in the day. Flying west, on the other hand, can cause you to lose a few hours, so you may want to book your flight a little bit later.
Stock up on fluids. Airline cabins are incredibly dry. Many people get dehydrated before they reach their destinations – and dehydration make jet lag worse. Doctors recommend drinking a lot of water or juice before you leave home, as well as on the plane. Don’t drink alcohol, however, because it can make dehydration worse.
Keep moving. It’s not exactly easy to move around on the plane, but keeping active will help you stay energized and refreshed. At the very least you should walk the aisles periodically and do simple stretching exercises in your seat. When you arrive at your destination, take a little time to walk around or, if your hotel has a pool or gym, get in some exercise.
Spend some time outdoors. Your body’s internal clock is partially regulated by sunlight. Spending time outdoors when you arrive at your new destination will help your body clock adjust more quickly to the transition.
Friday, May 8, 2009
INSOMNIA
We all battle sleeplessness once in awhile, Problems at work, a fight with your spouse, or simply a subtle shift in your body’s “clock” will occasionally lead to sleepless nights. For some people, however, getting to sleep is an endless battle. Doctors estimate that half of all adults will suffer from sleep problems. And when you get older, falling asleep may get even harder.
Everyone needs a different amount of sleep. Some people get five hours a night and wake up full of energy. Others are exhausted if they get less than nine or ten hours. What this means is that insomnia is a very personal thing. As a general rule, if you’re suddenly getting less sleep than usual and are paying the price the next morning, you probably have insomnia and need to do something about it. Here’s what doctors recommend.
Clear your head before you go to bed. Doctors estimate that about half of insomnia is caused by mental and emotional stress. This makes sense, as anyone who’s tossed and turned the night before (of after) a stressful day can attest. You can’t eliminate stress, but you can turn down the volume before you hit the hay. Sleep experts advise using the last half-hour of your day to wind down and clear your mind. Don’t pore over your daily planner or scribble notes for tomorrow. Just relax. Spend a few minutes on the porch listening to the sounds of the night. Read for a bit, or give a little time to your hobby. Emptying the stress from your mind, even temporarily, will help prevent it from keeping you awake later on.
Pour a glass of milk. A glass of warm milk has long been a remedy for sleepless nights, and now there’s good evidence to show it works. Milk – along with cheese – contains an amino acid that’s called tryptophan. The body converts tryptophan to serotonin – a natural chemical that helps the body regulate its sleep cycles. Having a little milk before bed – it can be warm or cold – will give your brain the message that it’s time to be shutting down of the night.
Ask your doctor about melatonin. Another natural chemical that can help you sleep is melatonin. Produced by the brain, melatonin helps set your internal clock, so your body knows when it’s time to wake up and when to start getting sleepy. As you get older, the brain starts producing less melatonin – which is why doctors sometimes recommend that people with insomnia take melatonin supplements. Even small amounts – between one-half and one milligram – may help you sleep better. You can get melatonin at natural food stores, pharmacies, and even some grocery stores.
Pour a cup of herbal tea. Alternative practitioners believe that teas made from chamomile (babunah), valerian (jalakan), or passion flower can be very helpful for calming you down and helping you get to sleep more quickly. Don’t drink black tea at bedtime, however, because it contains caffeine.
Speaking of coffee, don’t drink three cups after dinner and expect to sleep well that night. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant. Even when you’re used to it, drinking coffee at night can lengthen the time it takes to fall asleep and will also make the sleep you do get less restful.
Have a soothing soak. Few things are more relaxing than a long soak in a warm bath. Many people, in fact, start receiving overtures from the sandman even before they’re out of the tub.
Make your days active. Research has shown that people who exercise during the day sleep a lot better than folks who are more sedentary. It’s important, however, to get your exercise no later than the early evening. Exercise stimulated the brain and body, and doing it at night can make you too energized to fall asleep easily.
Say goodnight to nightcaps. Even though alcohol can help you fall asleep more quickly, it disturbs the overall quality of your sleep. That’s why people who drink at night are often tired the next day, even when they’ve gotten plenty of sleep.
Everyone needs a different amount of sleep. Some people get five hours a night and wake up full of energy. Others are exhausted if they get less than nine or ten hours. What this means is that insomnia is a very personal thing. As a general rule, if you’re suddenly getting less sleep than usual and are paying the price the next morning, you probably have insomnia and need to do something about it. Here’s what doctors recommend.
Clear your head before you go to bed. Doctors estimate that about half of insomnia is caused by mental and emotional stress. This makes sense, as anyone who’s tossed and turned the night before (of after) a stressful day can attest. You can’t eliminate stress, but you can turn down the volume before you hit the hay. Sleep experts advise using the last half-hour of your day to wind down and clear your mind. Don’t pore over your daily planner or scribble notes for tomorrow. Just relax. Spend a few minutes on the porch listening to the sounds of the night. Read for a bit, or give a little time to your hobby. Emptying the stress from your mind, even temporarily, will help prevent it from keeping you awake later on.
Pour a glass of milk. A glass of warm milk has long been a remedy for sleepless nights, and now there’s good evidence to show it works. Milk – along with cheese – contains an amino acid that’s called tryptophan. The body converts tryptophan to serotonin – a natural chemical that helps the body regulate its sleep cycles. Having a little milk before bed – it can be warm or cold – will give your brain the message that it’s time to be shutting down of the night.
Ask your doctor about melatonin. Another natural chemical that can help you sleep is melatonin. Produced by the brain, melatonin helps set your internal clock, so your body knows when it’s time to wake up and when to start getting sleepy. As you get older, the brain starts producing less melatonin – which is why doctors sometimes recommend that people with insomnia take melatonin supplements. Even small amounts – between one-half and one milligram – may help you sleep better. You can get melatonin at natural food stores, pharmacies, and even some grocery stores.
Pour a cup of herbal tea. Alternative practitioners believe that teas made from chamomile (babunah), valerian (jalakan), or passion flower can be very helpful for calming you down and helping you get to sleep more quickly. Don’t drink black tea at bedtime, however, because it contains caffeine.
Speaking of coffee, don’t drink three cups after dinner and expect to sleep well that night. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant. Even when you’re used to it, drinking coffee at night can lengthen the time it takes to fall asleep and will also make the sleep you do get less restful.
Have a soothing soak. Few things are more relaxing than a long soak in a warm bath. Many people, in fact, start receiving overtures from the sandman even before they’re out of the tub.
Make your days active. Research has shown that people who exercise during the day sleep a lot better than folks who are more sedentary. It’s important, however, to get your exercise no later than the early evening. Exercise stimulated the brain and body, and doing it at night can make you too energized to fall asleep easily.
Say goodnight to nightcaps. Even though alcohol can help you fall asleep more quickly, it disturbs the overall quality of your sleep. That’s why people who drink at night are often tired the next day, even when they’ve gotten plenty of sleep.
INSECT BITES AND STINGS
Mark Twain once said that God loved the fly, which is why He made so many of them. The same might be said of mosquitoes, spiders, bees, and the zillions of other biting, stinging creatures that seem to have nothing better to do than make your life miserable.
Insects were on earth long before we were and they’ll be here long after we’re gone. If you spend any time outdoors, there’s simply no way to avoid them – or the painful, itchy consequences. But there are ways to get quick relief from close encounters with the buggy kind. Here’s what doctors recommend you try.
Scrape off the stinger. When you’ve been stung by a bee, the stinger usually stays in the skin, where it keep releasing venom. To reduce pain and prevent swelling, it’s important to remove the stinger as soon as possible. Don’t pull it out, because squeezing the stinger can cause it to release more venom into the skin. An even better strategy is to scrape it out, using a credit card or a stiff cardboard.
Paste on relief. Applying a paste made from baking soda and water directly to bites and stings can help draw out the venom, which will provide quick relief and prevent the pain from getting worse.
Get help from the kitchen. Another way to stop the pain of bites and stings is to apply a paste made from a meat tenderizer that contains papain. This substance helps break down the proteins in insect venom, reducing the pain-causing punch.
************************************************************
WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR
Most people who have been bitten or stung by insects won’t experience
anything worse than a little itching and perhaps a painful welt. If you
have allergies, however, insect bites and stings can be dangerous. In fact,
a survey in the US revealed that more people die from insect bites and
stings than from poisonous snake bites and from grizzly bear attacks
combined. If you’ve been stung by an insect and are dizzy, nauseated, or
having trouble breathing, you should consider it an emergency. You could
be having an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-
threatening. You need to get to a doctor immediately.
************************************************************
Cool the area. Covering insect bites and stings with a cool, damp cloth will help reduce swelling and provide instant pain relief. You can also put ice in a plastic bag and apply that instead.
Dress in muted colors. Insects are attracted to bright colors (which is why many flowers are adorned with brilliant reds and yellows). To stop insects from seeing you as their meal ticket, it’s a good idea to wear subdued, dark-colored clothing when you’re going to be spending time outdoors.
No scents makes good sense. Just as insects are attracted to bright colors, they’re also attracted to sweet-smelling, flowery perfumes and soaps. When you’re going camping, experts say, leave the scents behind, including scented deodorants.
Load up on garlic. It’s not only vampires that are scared off by garlic. Some experts believe that eating garlic before going outside will make you less attractive to biting bugs.
Get plenty of thiamine. This vitamin, also called vitam in B1, may give your perspiration an odor that many insects find unappealing, although it’s undetectable by humans.
Insects were on earth long before we were and they’ll be here long after we’re gone. If you spend any time outdoors, there’s simply no way to avoid them – or the painful, itchy consequences. But there are ways to get quick relief from close encounters with the buggy kind. Here’s what doctors recommend you try.
Scrape off the stinger. When you’ve been stung by a bee, the stinger usually stays in the skin, where it keep releasing venom. To reduce pain and prevent swelling, it’s important to remove the stinger as soon as possible. Don’t pull it out, because squeezing the stinger can cause it to release more venom into the skin. An even better strategy is to scrape it out, using a credit card or a stiff cardboard.
Paste on relief. Applying a paste made from baking soda and water directly to bites and stings can help draw out the venom, which will provide quick relief and prevent the pain from getting worse.
Get help from the kitchen. Another way to stop the pain of bites and stings is to apply a paste made from a meat tenderizer that contains papain. This substance helps break down the proteins in insect venom, reducing the pain-causing punch.
************************************************************
WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR
Most people who have been bitten or stung by insects won’t experience
anything worse than a little itching and perhaps a painful welt. If you
have allergies, however, insect bites and stings can be dangerous. In fact,
a survey in the US revealed that more people die from insect bites and
stings than from poisonous snake bites and from grizzly bear attacks
combined. If you’ve been stung by an insect and are dizzy, nauseated, or
having trouble breathing, you should consider it an emergency. You could
be having an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-
threatening. You need to get to a doctor immediately.
************************************************************
Cool the area. Covering insect bites and stings with a cool, damp cloth will help reduce swelling and provide instant pain relief. You can also put ice in a plastic bag and apply that instead.
Dress in muted colors. Insects are attracted to bright colors (which is why many flowers are adorned with brilliant reds and yellows). To stop insects from seeing you as their meal ticket, it’s a good idea to wear subdued, dark-colored clothing when you’re going to be spending time outdoors.
No scents makes good sense. Just as insects are attracted to bright colors, they’re also attracted to sweet-smelling, flowery perfumes and soaps. When you’re going camping, experts say, leave the scents behind, including scented deodorants.
Load up on garlic. It’s not only vampires that are scared off by garlic. Some experts believe that eating garlic before going outside will make you less attractive to biting bugs.
Get plenty of thiamine. This vitamin, also called vitam in B1, may give your perspiration an odor that many insects find unappealing, although it’s undetectable by humans.
HOT FLASHES
The word “menopause” comes from Greek words meaning “month” and “cessation.” It refers to the time in a woman’s life when the monthly menstrual cycle begins slowing down and finally stops entirely. Most women get through this stage without serious discomfort. But about 80 percent of women going through menopause will occasionally experience hot flashes. These are caused by declining estrogen levels, which make blood vessels in the skin periodically dilate. The rush of blood can result in sensations of searing heat, along with flushing and night sweats.
Hot flashes aren’t dangerous, but they can be extremely uncomfortable. Here are some proven ways to turn down the heat.
Put tofu on the menu. Along with tempeh and other soy foods, tofu contains natural compounds called phytoestrogens, which are similar to the estrogen the body produces naturally. Research shows that women with a lot of soy foods in their diet are much less likely to have hot flashes.
Try an herbal cure. Natural practitioners often recommend that women having hot flashes take a Chinese herb called dong quai. Sold in tablet form in health food stores, dong quai may be very helpful for turning down the heat.
**********************************************************
WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR
Menopause isn’t a disease, and most women sail through this time in
their lives without serious problems. But the declining levels of
estrogen that accompany menopause may increase your risk for other,
long-term problems, like osteoporosis or heart disease. To reduce these
risks, doctors sometimes recommend that women be given
supplemental doses of estrogen. Called hormone replacement therapy,
this can help protect the bones and the heart, while at the same time
reduce hot flashes and other uncomfortable symptoms of menopause.
It’s a good idea to see your doctor at the first signs of menopause to
find out if this therapy is right for you.
**********************************************************
Take some vitamin E. Many physicians advise that women having hot flashes take 400 IU of vitamin E twice a day, which can reduce their frequency and severity. Vitamin E can have side effects when taken in large doses; so check with you doctor before taking it.
Dress for the change. The body’s thermostat is naturally set a little higher when you’re going through menopause. It’s important to do everything you can to keep cool. This includes dressing in layers (so you can take clothes off when you start feeling hot), wearing natural fabrics that ‘breath,’ and keeping the temperature in the house a little lower.
Give up the cigarettes. Research has shown that some of the chemicals in tobacco smoke can cause estrogen levels to dip, which can make hot flashes even worse.
Help yourself relax. There’s some evidence that hot flashes are caused in part by high levels of a chemical in the brain called norepinephrine. Reducing stress – by meditating, doing yoga, or deep breathing – can cause norepinephrine levels to fall, which may help reduce the frequency of hot flashes.
Hot flashes aren’t dangerous, but they can be extremely uncomfortable. Here are some proven ways to turn down the heat.
Put tofu on the menu. Along with tempeh and other soy foods, tofu contains natural compounds called phytoestrogens, which are similar to the estrogen the body produces naturally. Research shows that women with a lot of soy foods in their diet are much less likely to have hot flashes.
Try an herbal cure. Natural practitioners often recommend that women having hot flashes take a Chinese herb called dong quai. Sold in tablet form in health food stores, dong quai may be very helpful for turning down the heat.
**********************************************************
WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR
Menopause isn’t a disease, and most women sail through this time in
their lives without serious problems. But the declining levels of
estrogen that accompany menopause may increase your risk for other,
long-term problems, like osteoporosis or heart disease. To reduce these
risks, doctors sometimes recommend that women be given
supplemental doses of estrogen. Called hormone replacement therapy,
this can help protect the bones and the heart, while at the same time
reduce hot flashes and other uncomfortable symptoms of menopause.
It’s a good idea to see your doctor at the first signs of menopause to
find out if this therapy is right for you.
**********************************************************
Take some vitamin E. Many physicians advise that women having hot flashes take 400 IU of vitamin E twice a day, which can reduce their frequency and severity. Vitamin E can have side effects when taken in large doses; so check with you doctor before taking it.
Dress for the change. The body’s thermostat is naturally set a little higher when you’re going through menopause. It’s important to do everything you can to keep cool. This includes dressing in layers (so you can take clothes off when you start feeling hot), wearing natural fabrics that ‘breath,’ and keeping the temperature in the house a little lower.
Give up the cigarettes. Research has shown that some of the chemicals in tobacco smoke can cause estrogen levels to dip, which can make hot flashes even worse.
Help yourself relax. There’s some evidence that hot flashes are caused in part by high levels of a chemical in the brain called norepinephrine. Reducing stress – by meditating, doing yoga, or deep breathing – can cause norepinephrine levels to fall, which may help reduce the frequency of hot flashes.
HIVES
When we think of allergies we usually think of hay fever – the sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes that tell us spring has finally sprung. But there are many other kinds of allergies, as well, and it’s not always the nose that’s affected. For some people, coming into contact with the “wrong” things, like pollen, certain plants, or even ingredients in foods, can cause the skin to break out in ugly, itchy red blotches known as hives.
Hives occur when body produces too much histamine, a natural chemical that’s released when you’re exposed to pollen or other allergens. Even if you don’t have allergies you can still get hives – emotional stress and hot or cool weather can bring them on in some people.
The only way to prevent hives is to avoid whatever you’re sensitive to. Since this isn’t always possible, you need easy, practical solutions to relieve the discomfort. Here’s what doctors recommend.
Cool your skin. Research suggests that cooling your body will help shrink blood vessels, reducing the amount of histamine that reaches your skin. The next time you have hives, try taking cool showers or baths, or applying cool compresses. The less histamine reaches your skin, the quicker the hives will disappear.
Avoid the heat. Just as cold helps shrink the blood vessels, heating your body causes them to dilate, increasing the amount of histamine that reaches your skin. So when hives come out of hiding, it’s a good idea to avoid hot showers and generally keep your body cool until the outbreak passes.
Think pink. Calamine lotion, available in pharmacies, is a time-proven remedy for hives. It won’t make them go away, but it can be very helpful for easing the itch and irritation.
*************************************************************
WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR
Most hives disappear on their own within a day or two, leaving no trace or
scar. A problem that’s similar to hives, however, is much more serious. If
you have a condition called angioedema, which may be caused by an
allergic reaction to foods (often to seafood or strawberries) or drugs, you
may develop large welts beneath the skin that can cause intense swelling.
You may have stomach cramps and diarrhea, as well. If you have any of
these symptoms, or if the swelling is accurring near your throat or mouth
or you’re having trouble breathing, call your doctor as soon as possible.
**************************************************************
Reach for milk of magnesia. This traditional over-the-counter remedy is somewhat alkaline, which can be very effective for soothing hives. Pour some on a cotton ball and apply it to your skin several times a day. You should start feeling better right away.
Stop the histamine. Because the chemical histamine causes hives, doctors often recommend that people with hives take an antihistamine, such as Benadryl. These medications are safe and effective, and often relieve the problem with a few days.
Look around you. Since you can get hives from so many different things, it’s not always easy to figure out what’s causing the problem. If you get hives often, it’s worth taking the time to review everything you recently come into contact with – what you ate and drank, where you were, what you smelled. If you’re able to figure out what’s causing the problem, it will be a lot easier to prevent it in the future.
Hives occur when body produces too much histamine, a natural chemical that’s released when you’re exposed to pollen or other allergens. Even if you don’t have allergies you can still get hives – emotional stress and hot or cool weather can bring them on in some people.
The only way to prevent hives is to avoid whatever you’re sensitive to. Since this isn’t always possible, you need easy, practical solutions to relieve the discomfort. Here’s what doctors recommend.
Cool your skin. Research suggests that cooling your body will help shrink blood vessels, reducing the amount of histamine that reaches your skin. The next time you have hives, try taking cool showers or baths, or applying cool compresses. The less histamine reaches your skin, the quicker the hives will disappear.
Avoid the heat. Just as cold helps shrink the blood vessels, heating your body causes them to dilate, increasing the amount of histamine that reaches your skin. So when hives come out of hiding, it’s a good idea to avoid hot showers and generally keep your body cool until the outbreak passes.
Think pink. Calamine lotion, available in pharmacies, is a time-proven remedy for hives. It won’t make them go away, but it can be very helpful for easing the itch and irritation.
*************************************************************
WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR
Most hives disappear on their own within a day or two, leaving no trace or
scar. A problem that’s similar to hives, however, is much more serious. If
you have a condition called angioedema, which may be caused by an
allergic reaction to foods (often to seafood or strawberries) or drugs, you
may develop large welts beneath the skin that can cause intense swelling.
You may have stomach cramps and diarrhea, as well. If you have any of
these symptoms, or if the swelling is accurring near your throat or mouth
or you’re having trouble breathing, call your doctor as soon as possible.
**************************************************************
Reach for milk of magnesia. This traditional over-the-counter remedy is somewhat alkaline, which can be very effective for soothing hives. Pour some on a cotton ball and apply it to your skin several times a day. You should start feeling better right away.
Stop the histamine. Because the chemical histamine causes hives, doctors often recommend that people with hives take an antihistamine, such as Benadryl. These medications are safe and effective, and often relieve the problem with a few days.
Look around you. Since you can get hives from so many different things, it’s not always easy to figure out what’s causing the problem. If you get hives often, it’s worth taking the time to review everything you recently come into contact with – what you ate and drank, where you were, what you smelled. If you’re able to figure out what’s causing the problem, it will be a lot easier to prevent it in the future.
HICCUPS
Hiccups are one of life’s mysteries. Some people get them all the time and others hardly ever do. They don’t serve any purpose. And they usually come out of nowhere. One minute you’re carrying on a normal conversation, and the next you’re sounding as though you’ve swallowed a guppy.
Hiccups are an annoying little spasm in the diaphragm, the thin, dome-like muscle that helps you breathe. Doctors suspect that hiccups are caused by a momentary irritation of the nerves that help control the diaphragm. Hiccups can occur at any time, but they’re most common when your stomach is full or you’ve been drinking alcohol.
Hiccups aren’t painful, but they can be embarrassing. To stop the ‘hics,’ here are some tips you may want to try.
Rub your palate. To stop hiccups, some doctors recommend gently massaging the palate (the roof of your mouth) with a cotton swab for a couple of minutes. This may help calm the nervous reflexes that are causing the spasms.
Plug your ears. Some experts have found that plugging your ears with your fingers can help stop hiccups. This appears to stimulate the vagus nerve, which may play a role in causing the spasms.
Drink some water. No, you don’t have to stand on your head at the same time. The act of swallowing helps interrupt the hiccup cycle, which sometimes stops it cold. Some people have found, in fact, that drinking from the side of the glass farthest away from you (the opposite side) is especially helpful.
Hold your breath. Taking a deep breath and holding it temporarily changes your body’s balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide, which will sometimes stop the hiccups. Breathing into a paper bad for a minute may have the same effect.
Breathe deeply. Doing deep breathing exercises, in which you slowly draw a lot of air into your lungs and just as slowly let it out, can help calm your whole body, including the excitable diaphragm muscle that’s causing the hiccups.
Massage your sides. According to acupressurists, there are two points just below your ribs straight down from the nipples that “control” abdominal activity. Pressing on these points for several minutes may interrupt the reflexes causing the hiccups.
Hiccups are an annoying little spasm in the diaphragm, the thin, dome-like muscle that helps you breathe. Doctors suspect that hiccups are caused by a momentary irritation of the nerves that help control the diaphragm. Hiccups can occur at any time, but they’re most common when your stomach is full or you’ve been drinking alcohol.
Hiccups aren’t painful, but they can be embarrassing. To stop the ‘hics,’ here are some tips you may want to try.
Rub your palate. To stop hiccups, some doctors recommend gently massaging the palate (the roof of your mouth) with a cotton swab for a couple of minutes. This may help calm the nervous reflexes that are causing the spasms.
Plug your ears. Some experts have found that plugging your ears with your fingers can help stop hiccups. This appears to stimulate the vagus nerve, which may play a role in causing the spasms.
Drink some water. No, you don’t have to stand on your head at the same time. The act of swallowing helps interrupt the hiccup cycle, which sometimes stops it cold. Some people have found, in fact, that drinking from the side of the glass farthest away from you (the opposite side) is especially helpful.
Hold your breath. Taking a deep breath and holding it temporarily changes your body’s balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide, which will sometimes stop the hiccups. Breathing into a paper bad for a minute may have the same effect.
Breathe deeply. Doing deep breathing exercises, in which you slowly draw a lot of air into your lungs and just as slowly let it out, can help calm your whole body, including the excitable diaphragm muscle that’s causing the hiccups.
Massage your sides. According to acupressurists, there are two points just below your ribs straight down from the nipples that “control” abdominal activity. Pressing on these points for several minutes may interrupt the reflexes causing the hiccups.
HEMORRHOIDS (PILES)
This is one condition you probably won’t hear your friends discussing at a holiday party - but it’s a good bet many of them have occasionally suffered from this problem. Hemorrhoids are very common. Doctors have estimated that about twenty five per cent of all adults will get these pesky irritants at one time or another.
Hemorrhoids are veins in the anus, which, instead of moving blood smoothly, get distended and filled with blood. When the blood doesn’t flow, the veins gradually swell, like a water balloon. Eventually they get large enough to make you very uncomfortable.
Hemorrhoids usually occur when you strain to have a bowel movement. The increases pressure caused by straining causes the veins to weaken, get flabby, and, then, to swell. Because hemorrhoids are filled with blood, you may notice blood in the toilet bowl. When you don’t know what’s causing it, blood from that area can be very frightening indeed.
The truth is, hemorrhoids are rarely serious, and will usually go away on their own. When they’re painful or itchy, however, you’re going to want fast relief. Here are a few things that can help.
Call on the witch. To relieve the itching and burning of hemorrhoids, doctors often recommend applying a little witch hazel. This will quickly cool the area so you feel more comfortable. For extra relief, some people cool the witch hazel first by storing it in the refrigerator.
Put water to work. Perhaps the easiest home remedy for hemorrhoids is simply to sit in a warm bath several times a day. The warm water will help relax the anal muscle and improve circulation, which will help hemorrhoids heal. Don’t add bath oils or salts to the water, however, because this may increase the irritation.
Add some lubrication. Spreading a little petroleum jelly on hemorrhoids will help protect the tender skin. Many doctors believe it works as well as special hemorrhoids creams and ointments, and it’s much less expensive.
***********************************************************
WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR
It’s very common for hemorrhoids to bleed, and this isn’t considered a
problem. Unfortunately, there are a number of other conditions that also
cause rectal bleeding, such as polyps and colon cancer. Since it’s
impossible to know at home what’s causing the bleeding. It’s important
to call your doctor when you first see red. He may recommend that you
have a series of tests that will reveal whether or not anything is wrong
inside the intestine. Most of the time there won’t be. But when it comes
to cancer, fast action is essential, so don’t wait before calling for help.
***********************************************************
Take advantage of fiber. Foods that are high in dietary fiber make the stools softer and easier to pass. This is important because the less you strain to have a bowel movement, the less likely hemorrhoids are to form. A quick way to get more fiber is to pick up some psyllium at the drugstore. This natural ingredient is found in products such as Metamucil, and it’s an excellent way to soften stools.
Drink a lot of water. Your intestines need a lot of fluid to work smoothly and with a minimum of irritation. Drinking eight to twelve glasses of water a day will provide plenty of lubrication as well as make the stools softer and, therefore, easier to pass.
Check you weight. People who are overweight have a higher risk for hemorrhoids because the extra kilos exert more pressure on the anal area, making hemorrhoids more likely to form. In some cases, losing weight will cause your hemorrhoids to disappear, as well.
Hemorrhoids are veins in the anus, which, instead of moving blood smoothly, get distended and filled with blood. When the blood doesn’t flow, the veins gradually swell, like a water balloon. Eventually they get large enough to make you very uncomfortable.
Hemorrhoids usually occur when you strain to have a bowel movement. The increases pressure caused by straining causes the veins to weaken, get flabby, and, then, to swell. Because hemorrhoids are filled with blood, you may notice blood in the toilet bowl. When you don’t know what’s causing it, blood from that area can be very frightening indeed.
The truth is, hemorrhoids are rarely serious, and will usually go away on their own. When they’re painful or itchy, however, you’re going to want fast relief. Here are a few things that can help.
Call on the witch. To relieve the itching and burning of hemorrhoids, doctors often recommend applying a little witch hazel. This will quickly cool the area so you feel more comfortable. For extra relief, some people cool the witch hazel first by storing it in the refrigerator.
Put water to work. Perhaps the easiest home remedy for hemorrhoids is simply to sit in a warm bath several times a day. The warm water will help relax the anal muscle and improve circulation, which will help hemorrhoids heal. Don’t add bath oils or salts to the water, however, because this may increase the irritation.
Add some lubrication. Spreading a little petroleum jelly on hemorrhoids will help protect the tender skin. Many doctors believe it works as well as special hemorrhoids creams and ointments, and it’s much less expensive.
***********************************************************
WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR
It’s very common for hemorrhoids to bleed, and this isn’t considered a
problem. Unfortunately, there are a number of other conditions that also
cause rectal bleeding, such as polyps and colon cancer. Since it’s
impossible to know at home what’s causing the bleeding. It’s important
to call your doctor when you first see red. He may recommend that you
have a series of tests that will reveal whether or not anything is wrong
inside the intestine. Most of the time there won’t be. But when it comes
to cancer, fast action is essential, so don’t wait before calling for help.
***********************************************************
Take advantage of fiber. Foods that are high in dietary fiber make the stools softer and easier to pass. This is important because the less you strain to have a bowel movement, the less likely hemorrhoids are to form. A quick way to get more fiber is to pick up some psyllium at the drugstore. This natural ingredient is found in products such as Metamucil, and it’s an excellent way to soften stools.
Drink a lot of water. Your intestines need a lot of fluid to work smoothly and with a minimum of irritation. Drinking eight to twelve glasses of water a day will provide plenty of lubrication as well as make the stools softer and, therefore, easier to pass.
Check you weight. People who are overweight have a higher risk for hemorrhoids because the extra kilos exert more pressure on the anal area, making hemorrhoids more likely to form. In some cases, losing weight will cause your hemorrhoids to disappear, as well.
HEARTBURN
It’s celebration time, the family is gathered, and your dear Aunt is making sure everyone gets enough to eat. “An extra serving? Here’s a little more stuffing. Did you say you wanted pulao? Oh, you want the apple pie, Let me cut you a little slice – no, bigger that that.”
Then the dishes are cleared and everyone stretches out in front of the TV – and you can almost hear the flames of heartburn crackling away.
Heartburn wouldn’t be a problem if it only occurred after overindulging. But for some people it happens all the time, and it can be extremely uncomfortable.
Despite the name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. It occurs when acid in the stomach, instead of staying put, splashes upstream into the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. While the stomach can withstand acid, the esophagus cannot. Each splash of acid scorches the delicate lining of the esophagus. That’s what causes the “burn” of heartburn.
The body normally does a good job of keeping acid where it belongs. There’s a tight little ring of muscle at the base of the esophagus that opens to let food into the stomach, then snaps shut to keep acid from surging upstream. In some people, however, the muscle either gets weak or opens and closes at the wrong time, causing heartburn. Heartburn is rarely serious and can easily be treated at home with a few simple changes.
Wash away the acid. One of the best ways to stop heartburn fast is simply to drink a glass of water. This helps dilute and wash away acid in the esophagus before it has a chance to burn. Drinking water with meals makes heartburn much less likely to occur.
***********************************************************
WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR
If you suffer heartburn daily or several times a week, or if you
sometimes have chest pain or a tight, uncomfortable feeling in your
chest, call your doctor immediately. The pain caused by heartburn is
very similar to the pain caused by real heart problems, including heart
attacks. Don’t take chances if you aren’t sure. Get to a doctor or the
emergency room right away.
***********************************************************
Avoid high-fat foods. Studies have shown that chocolate, French fries, and other high-fat foods can cause the protective muscle in the esophagus to lose its grip, which allows the stomach acid to squirt upward.
Skip the breath mints. Peppermint and spearmint may freshen your breath, but they can also feed the fires of heartburn by weakening the “valve” in the esophagus. Smoking does the same thing, so having and after-dinner cigarette can “burn” in more ways than one.
Eat a little less. It doesn’t take a holiday feast to cause heartburn. Any time you put a lot of food into the stomach, acid levels rise, making it much more likely to splash upstream. Eating smaller meals more often will help keep acid levels in the stomach low and away from the esophagus.
Give yourself a raise. When you lie down after eating, gravity works against you, making it easier for acid in the stomach to enter the esophagus. Sitting upright for a few hours after meals will help keep the acid where it belongs. Some people find that propping themselves up with pillows when they sleep or raising the head of the bed can also help prevent heartburn.
Consider a diet. When you’re overweight there’s a lot more pressure on the abdomen, which can cause the muscle in the esophagus to lose its grip.
Schedule your midnight snacks for 8 p.m. When you eat late at night, the stomach produces acids that may linger long past bedtime. Then, when you lie down, the acid is much more likely to creep upstream, causing heartburn and keeping you awake. It’s a good idea not to eat anything within a few hours of your bedtime.
Check your medicines. A number of prescription drugs, including birth control pills, antihistamines, and heart medications, have been known to weaken the muscle in the esophagus. If you’re having heartburn, ask your doctor if medications may be responsible – and if changing drugs might help.
Then the dishes are cleared and everyone stretches out in front of the TV – and you can almost hear the flames of heartburn crackling away.
Heartburn wouldn’t be a problem if it only occurred after overindulging. But for some people it happens all the time, and it can be extremely uncomfortable.
Despite the name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. It occurs when acid in the stomach, instead of staying put, splashes upstream into the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. While the stomach can withstand acid, the esophagus cannot. Each splash of acid scorches the delicate lining of the esophagus. That’s what causes the “burn” of heartburn.
The body normally does a good job of keeping acid where it belongs. There’s a tight little ring of muscle at the base of the esophagus that opens to let food into the stomach, then snaps shut to keep acid from surging upstream. In some people, however, the muscle either gets weak or opens and closes at the wrong time, causing heartburn. Heartburn is rarely serious and can easily be treated at home with a few simple changes.
Wash away the acid. One of the best ways to stop heartburn fast is simply to drink a glass of water. This helps dilute and wash away acid in the esophagus before it has a chance to burn. Drinking water with meals makes heartburn much less likely to occur.
***********************************************************
WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR
If you suffer heartburn daily or several times a week, or if you
sometimes have chest pain or a tight, uncomfortable feeling in your
chest, call your doctor immediately. The pain caused by heartburn is
very similar to the pain caused by real heart problems, including heart
attacks. Don’t take chances if you aren’t sure. Get to a doctor or the
emergency room right away.
***********************************************************
Avoid high-fat foods. Studies have shown that chocolate, French fries, and other high-fat foods can cause the protective muscle in the esophagus to lose its grip, which allows the stomach acid to squirt upward.
Skip the breath mints. Peppermint and spearmint may freshen your breath, but they can also feed the fires of heartburn by weakening the “valve” in the esophagus. Smoking does the same thing, so having and after-dinner cigarette can “burn” in more ways than one.
Eat a little less. It doesn’t take a holiday feast to cause heartburn. Any time you put a lot of food into the stomach, acid levels rise, making it much more likely to splash upstream. Eating smaller meals more often will help keep acid levels in the stomach low and away from the esophagus.
Give yourself a raise. When you lie down after eating, gravity works against you, making it easier for acid in the stomach to enter the esophagus. Sitting upright for a few hours after meals will help keep the acid where it belongs. Some people find that propping themselves up with pillows when they sleep or raising the head of the bed can also help prevent heartburn.
Consider a diet. When you’re overweight there’s a lot more pressure on the abdomen, which can cause the muscle in the esophagus to lose its grip.
Schedule your midnight snacks for 8 p.m. When you eat late at night, the stomach produces acids that may linger long past bedtime. Then, when you lie down, the acid is much more likely to creep upstream, causing heartburn and keeping you awake. It’s a good idea not to eat anything within a few hours of your bedtime.
Check your medicines. A number of prescription drugs, including birth control pills, antihistamines, and heart medications, have been known to weaken the muscle in the esophagus. If you’re having heartburn, ask your doctor if medications may be responsible – and if changing drugs might help.
HEADACHES
The kids are yelling. The phone’s ringing. And your husband’s complaining about work. This is more than just tension. You feel like your head’s in a vise and it’s getting tighter all the time.
Your body responds to stress in a lot of different ways, and one of the most common – and painful – is headaches. Studies show that as about 90 per cent of headaches are caused by tension. It’s no wonder that people spend up to billion dollars a year on over-the-counter pain pills such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
It is not only tension that can cause “tension headaches.” Despite the name, this type of headache can be caused by anything from muscle tension in the neck and shoulders to eyestrain, allergies, too much coffee, and jaw problems. (Migraines are a different type of headache altogether.) Any one of these problems, or a combination of them, can cause a head-pounding, jaw-clenching headache.
There’s no way to prevent headaches entirely, but there are many things you can do to keep the pain from driving you out of your head. Here’s how.
Keep a cool head. If you act quickly, applying cold may stop a headache by constricting throbbing blood vessels and reducing inflammation that can lead to pain. The easiest approach is to put some ice cubes in a plastic bag, wrap that in a towel, and apply it where you hurt the most. Hold the ice in place for fifteen or twenty minutes. If you’re still hurting later on, you can repeat the treatment every few hours.
But warm up your muscles. Since many headaches are caused by tense muscles in the neck and shoulders, applying a heating pad or hot water bottle can be very helpful. Or simply take a hot bath or a long, steamy shower. When your muscles begin to relax, your headache should feel better, too.
*********************************************************
WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR
When headache strikes, everything else in your life comes to a
standstill. Most headaches will go away on their own within a few
hours or, at most, a few days. If your head keeps hurting, however, and
you have other symptoms like nausea, dizziness, or blurred vision, you
should call your doctor. You should also call your doctor if you’re
having headaches as well as jaw pain, or if there are clicking or
popping sounds in the jaw. These could be signs of a jaw problem called TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder, which can be
serious without treatment.
*********************************************************
Give your eyes a break. Headaches are often caused by nothing more than eyestrain – especially when you’ve been spending time in front of the computer or the television. Take a few minutes to give your eyes some rest – simply closing them for a few minutes can help relieve the pain. Or soak a towel in cool water, wring it out, and drape it over you eyes for a few minutes.
Cut back on coffee. The caffeine in coffee can cause blood vessels in your head to contract and then dilate, putting pressure on tender nerves. If you suspect that coffee may be part of the problem, switch to decaffeinated tea for a few days to see if things improve.
But sip a little coffee when you take an aspirin. Aspirin is one of the best headache remedies you can find. To make it even more effective, wash it down with a little bit of coffee or cola. Researchers have found that caffeine works with aspirin to make it act more efficiently.
Take advantage of massage. Rubbing your neck, shoulders, and the base of your skull can quickly relax muscle tension, which may be all you need to stop a headache. The most relaxing massage, of course, is one that’s given by your spouse or a friend. But you can always do it yourself. Your muscles don’t care who gives the massage, as long as it helps relieve some of the tension.
Know what you’re eating. There are many foods and ingredients in foods that can cause headaches in example, is one of the worst offenders. Many restaurants are happy to prepare your meal without MSG, if you put in a request. Chemicals found in processed foods and smoked meats may also cause headaches. Even red wine can be problem of r some people. So the next time a headache strikes, think about what you’ve been eating lately. There could be a connection.
Your body responds to stress in a lot of different ways, and one of the most common – and painful – is headaches. Studies show that as about 90 per cent of headaches are caused by tension. It’s no wonder that people spend up to billion dollars a year on over-the-counter pain pills such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
It is not only tension that can cause “tension headaches.” Despite the name, this type of headache can be caused by anything from muscle tension in the neck and shoulders to eyestrain, allergies, too much coffee, and jaw problems. (Migraines are a different type of headache altogether.) Any one of these problems, or a combination of them, can cause a head-pounding, jaw-clenching headache.
There’s no way to prevent headaches entirely, but there are many things you can do to keep the pain from driving you out of your head. Here’s how.
Keep a cool head. If you act quickly, applying cold may stop a headache by constricting throbbing blood vessels and reducing inflammation that can lead to pain. The easiest approach is to put some ice cubes in a plastic bag, wrap that in a towel, and apply it where you hurt the most. Hold the ice in place for fifteen or twenty minutes. If you’re still hurting later on, you can repeat the treatment every few hours.
But warm up your muscles. Since many headaches are caused by tense muscles in the neck and shoulders, applying a heating pad or hot water bottle can be very helpful. Or simply take a hot bath or a long, steamy shower. When your muscles begin to relax, your headache should feel better, too.
*********************************************************
WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR
When headache strikes, everything else in your life comes to a
standstill. Most headaches will go away on their own within a few
hours or, at most, a few days. If your head keeps hurting, however, and
you have other symptoms like nausea, dizziness, or blurred vision, you
should call your doctor. You should also call your doctor if you’re
having headaches as well as jaw pain, or if there are clicking or
popping sounds in the jaw. These could be signs of a jaw problem called TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder, which can be
serious without treatment.
*********************************************************
Give your eyes a break. Headaches are often caused by nothing more than eyestrain – especially when you’ve been spending time in front of the computer or the television. Take a few minutes to give your eyes some rest – simply closing them for a few minutes can help relieve the pain. Or soak a towel in cool water, wring it out, and drape it over you eyes for a few minutes.
Cut back on coffee. The caffeine in coffee can cause blood vessels in your head to contract and then dilate, putting pressure on tender nerves. If you suspect that coffee may be part of the problem, switch to decaffeinated tea for a few days to see if things improve.
But sip a little coffee when you take an aspirin. Aspirin is one of the best headache remedies you can find. To make it even more effective, wash it down with a little bit of coffee or cola. Researchers have found that caffeine works with aspirin to make it act more efficiently.
Take advantage of massage. Rubbing your neck, shoulders, and the base of your skull can quickly relax muscle tension, which may be all you need to stop a headache. The most relaxing massage, of course, is one that’s given by your spouse or a friend. But you can always do it yourself. Your muscles don’t care who gives the massage, as long as it helps relieve some of the tension.
Know what you’re eating. There are many foods and ingredients in foods that can cause headaches in example, is one of the worst offenders. Many restaurants are happy to prepare your meal without MSG, if you put in a request. Chemicals found in processed foods and smoked meats may also cause headaches. Even red wine can be problem of r some people. So the next time a headache strikes, think about what you’ve been eating lately. There could be a connection.
HANGOVER
Through the ages there have been invented nearly as many hangover remedies as there are varieties of mixed drinks. Most, unfortunately, don’t work.
If you’ve ever made too many trips to the punch bowl, you’re all too familiar with the pounding head, queasy stomach, dry mouth, and other miserable symptoms that accompany hangovers. But even though people have been getting hangovers for thousands of years, doctors aren’t sure exactly what they are or what’s the best remedy. But they do have some ideas. Here are a few things you may want to try.
Have a taste of honey. Honey contains large amounts of a natural sugar called fructose, which is burned very quickly by the body. By putting your metabolism in high gear, it will help your body burn off the alcohol faster.
Pass up the coffee. When you prop up your tired eyes, the coffee pot is probably the first thing you’re going to reach for. When you have a hangover, however, your body is already dehydrated. Coffee is a diuretic, which means that it removes more fluids from your body than it puts in – and that’s the last thing you need when you have to cope with a hangover.
Take some vitamin C. Evidence suggests that vitamin C can help the body get rid of alcohol more quickly. Taking about 500 milligrams of vitamin C or eating vitamin C rich foods like oranges or grapefruit may be one of the best ways to relieve the hangover blues.
Keep your stomach full. When the crowd is partying hearty, it’s a good idea to have some food in your stomach. High protein foods are especially good because they take a long time to digest. Keeping food in your system will help slow the absorption of alcohol and also provide essential nutrients that may help counter the effects the next day.
Avoid salty foods. There’s a good reason bartenders often put out bowls of pretzels and beer nuts. Salty foods make you drink more, so you’ll spend more money. What’s good for the bar’s bottom line, however, isn’t so good for your body. All that salt can dry you out, which can make hangovers even worse.
Top off your tank before going to bed. After a night of drinking alcohol, it’s a good idea to drink a few glasses of water as well. Being dehydrated is one of the main reasons hangovers feel so awful. Drinking water before bed and as soon as you get up in the morning will go a long way toward making you feel better.
If you’ve ever made too many trips to the punch bowl, you’re all too familiar with the pounding head, queasy stomach, dry mouth, and other miserable symptoms that accompany hangovers. But even though people have been getting hangovers for thousands of years, doctors aren’t sure exactly what they are or what’s the best remedy. But they do have some ideas. Here are a few things you may want to try.
Have a taste of honey. Honey contains large amounts of a natural sugar called fructose, which is burned very quickly by the body. By putting your metabolism in high gear, it will help your body burn off the alcohol faster.
Pass up the coffee. When you prop up your tired eyes, the coffee pot is probably the first thing you’re going to reach for. When you have a hangover, however, your body is already dehydrated. Coffee is a diuretic, which means that it removes more fluids from your body than it puts in – and that’s the last thing you need when you have to cope with a hangover.
Take some vitamin C. Evidence suggests that vitamin C can help the body get rid of alcohol more quickly. Taking about 500 milligrams of vitamin C or eating vitamin C rich foods like oranges or grapefruit may be one of the best ways to relieve the hangover blues.
Keep your stomach full. When the crowd is partying hearty, it’s a good idea to have some food in your stomach. High protein foods are especially good because they take a long time to digest. Keeping food in your system will help slow the absorption of alcohol and also provide essential nutrients that may help counter the effects the next day.
Avoid salty foods. There’s a good reason bartenders often put out bowls of pretzels and beer nuts. Salty foods make you drink more, so you’ll spend more money. What’s good for the bar’s bottom line, however, isn’t so good for your body. All that salt can dry you out, which can make hangovers even worse.
Top off your tank before going to bed. After a night of drinking alcohol, it’s a good idea to drink a few glasses of water as well. Being dehydrated is one of the main reasons hangovers feel so awful. Drinking water before bed and as soon as you get up in the morning will go a long way toward making you feel better.
GINGIVITIS
It’s a scary thought, but doctors estimate that there are several hundred kinds of bacteria that consider a person’s mouth their home. They camp out on your teeth, on and under the tongue, and along (and inside) the gums. As the years go by, the constant bacterial onslaught can cause the gums to swell, redden, and bleed. Doctors call this condition gingivitis, better known as gum disease.
Gingivitis isn’t particularly serious in the early stages. If you don’t stop it right away, it can lead to a more serious condition called periodontitis, which can actually weaken the teeth, making them more likely to loosen.
The one good thing about gingivitis is that it’s very easy to reverse. Flossing and brushing your teeth every day will remove build-ups of plaque, a thin, bacteria-laden film that covers the teeth and may lead to gum disease. To save your smile and keep your teeth looking bright, here’s what dentists advise.
Give your teeth a good brushing. It was good advice when you heard it from your parents, and it’s still the best way to prevent gum disease. If you brush your teeth and gums every day you will remove plaque and bacteria before they have a chance to cause gingivitis. Don’t try to finish the whole job in ten seconds. For brushing to be effective you have to hit every tooth, from the front as well as the back. While you’re at it, take a few seconds to brush along the gum line. By taking your time – dentists advise brushing for two or three minutes – you’ll virtually eliminate the plaque that can cause problems later on.
Don’t forget the tongue. If you don’t brush it every day, your tongue can provide safe haven for millions of infection-causing bacteria. You don’t have to spend a lot of time on it. Just giving your tongue a quick bushing will remove bacteria as well as food particles.
Put the floss to work. It’s not the most exciting activity, but flossing your teeth will remove plaque and bacteria buildups between your teeth where a brush can’t reach, and it will strengthen your gums. It doesn’t really matter what kind of floss you use – mint-flavored, flat or thin, they all work about the same. Use the kind that feels most comfortable to you, and use it every day.
Use a pick. If you’re not able to floss every day, dentists recommend using those flat, wooden toothpicks you can buy at pharmacies. The picks are designed to fit between your teeth and along the gum line. They will remove plaque and bacteria that your brush leaves behind.
Add a little force. A high-tech version of the toothpick is the Water-Pic. This little gadget fires a jet of water between your teeth and into the gum line, floating away particles that brushing doesn’t get. You can buy Water-Pics at pharmacies and many department stores.
Turn on the power. Studies have shown that an electric toothbrush can remove more plaque than brushing manually does. Ask your dentist what brand and style will work best for you.
Brush after eating sticky foods. Sugar isn’t the best thing for your teeth, but it isn’t the demon dentists once thought it was A more serious threat for your teeth are sticky treats. Chocolate and caramel stick to the surfaces of the teeth, making it easy for bacteria to stick around. You don’t have to give up your favorite snacks, Just be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly after eating them.
**************************************************************
WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR OR DENTIST
Gum disease isn’t serious when it first begins, but over time it can damage
the gums and even the supporting bone underneath. Signs of serious gum
disease include breath that’s always bad, “longer” teeth (a result of
shrinking gums), gums that keep bleeding or pus in between the teeth and
gums. If you notice any of these signs, it’s essential to call your dentist right
away.
**************************************************************
Get some help from vitamin C. Research has shown that getting plenty of vitamin C in your diet as well as taking supplements can help bleeding gums heal more quickly. You can get plenty of this healthful nutrient by enjoying citrus fruits (or drinking orange juice) and green, leafy vegetables. If you’re not getting enough vitamin C in your diet, you may want to take a 500-milligram supplement once a day, dentists say.
See red. Not sure if you’re taking good care of your teeth? You may want to ask your dentist for those tiny tablets that will stain accumulations of plaque with red dye. They’re a great way to see how effective your brushing really is.
Gingivitis isn’t particularly serious in the early stages. If you don’t stop it right away, it can lead to a more serious condition called periodontitis, which can actually weaken the teeth, making them more likely to loosen.
The one good thing about gingivitis is that it’s very easy to reverse. Flossing and brushing your teeth every day will remove build-ups of plaque, a thin, bacteria-laden film that covers the teeth and may lead to gum disease. To save your smile and keep your teeth looking bright, here’s what dentists advise.
Give your teeth a good brushing. It was good advice when you heard it from your parents, and it’s still the best way to prevent gum disease. If you brush your teeth and gums every day you will remove plaque and bacteria before they have a chance to cause gingivitis. Don’t try to finish the whole job in ten seconds. For brushing to be effective you have to hit every tooth, from the front as well as the back. While you’re at it, take a few seconds to brush along the gum line. By taking your time – dentists advise brushing for two or three minutes – you’ll virtually eliminate the plaque that can cause problems later on.
Don’t forget the tongue. If you don’t brush it every day, your tongue can provide safe haven for millions of infection-causing bacteria. You don’t have to spend a lot of time on it. Just giving your tongue a quick bushing will remove bacteria as well as food particles.
Put the floss to work. It’s not the most exciting activity, but flossing your teeth will remove plaque and bacteria buildups between your teeth where a brush can’t reach, and it will strengthen your gums. It doesn’t really matter what kind of floss you use – mint-flavored, flat or thin, they all work about the same. Use the kind that feels most comfortable to you, and use it every day.
Use a pick. If you’re not able to floss every day, dentists recommend using those flat, wooden toothpicks you can buy at pharmacies. The picks are designed to fit between your teeth and along the gum line. They will remove plaque and bacteria that your brush leaves behind.
Add a little force. A high-tech version of the toothpick is the Water-Pic. This little gadget fires a jet of water between your teeth and into the gum line, floating away particles that brushing doesn’t get. You can buy Water-Pics at pharmacies and many department stores.
Turn on the power. Studies have shown that an electric toothbrush can remove more plaque than brushing manually does. Ask your dentist what brand and style will work best for you.
Brush after eating sticky foods. Sugar isn’t the best thing for your teeth, but it isn’t the demon dentists once thought it was A more serious threat for your teeth are sticky treats. Chocolate and caramel stick to the surfaces of the teeth, making it easy for bacteria to stick around. You don’t have to give up your favorite snacks, Just be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly after eating them.
**************************************************************
WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR OR DENTIST
Gum disease isn’t serious when it first begins, but over time it can damage
the gums and even the supporting bone underneath. Signs of serious gum
disease include breath that’s always bad, “longer” teeth (a result of
shrinking gums), gums that keep bleeding or pus in between the teeth and
gums. If you notice any of these signs, it’s essential to call your dentist right
away.
**************************************************************
Get some help from vitamin C. Research has shown that getting plenty of vitamin C in your diet as well as taking supplements can help bleeding gums heal more quickly. You can get plenty of this healthful nutrient by enjoying citrus fruits (or drinking orange juice) and green, leafy vegetables. If you’re not getting enough vitamin C in your diet, you may want to take a 500-milligram supplement once a day, dentists say.
See red. Not sure if you’re taking good care of your teeth? You may want to ask your dentist for those tiny tablets that will stain accumulations of plaque with red dye. They’re a great way to see how effective your brushing really is.
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