How To Deal With Night Sweats

If you're waking in the night sweating, and are looking for solutions for how to stop the sweats, this film will show you how to cool down and bring a little order into your life.

Night sweats, or hyperhidrosis, are a fairly common problem, and can be a result of lots of things like infections, stress or side effects to medicine. Sometimes, however, they can be a sign of more serious complaints, which is why the first thing you should do is make an appointment to see your doctor. They'll be able to work out why you're sweating, and suggest potential changes to make tailored to your health and lifestyle.

But while you're waiting for the day of your appointment, you might like to try the following, in case they help


How To Deal With NightSweats

How to Perform Infant CPR

Learn how to perform infant CPR in just a few steps. Courtesy of the University of Washington School of Medicine and LearnCPR.org.

Tips from a Doctor on How to Survive the Cold and Flu Season

The cooler weather is here and we’re all waiting for that first cold to hit. Or even worse, the flu. Cold and flu season can begin as early as October and usually ends sometime in April.

While there is no cure for the common cold and the flu, you can take certain steps to help reduce your chances of getting sick in the first place. These steps point to the truth of the adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

The most effective way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot this fall. You still may come down with the flu, but your symptoms are likely to be milder than they would have been without a shot. Flu shots can be a good option for those with weakened immune systems, the elderly or those who come in contact with lots of people. But remember, flu shots only target certain influenza strains -- the shots are not a guarantee you won’t get a bug.

You can also follow a number of natural strategies. Some of these tips might be new to you, while others are timeless. Following these steps will improve your overall health and provide an extra layer of flu and cold protection:


Eat Wisely

First, make sure you’re eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and make sure your diet contains plenty of foods with immune-boosting nutrients, including:

Ginger -- Ginger is full of virus-fighting substances, including gingerol, which can suppress coughing. Try making ginger tea – hot water steeped with fresh ginger.

Vitamin C -- Found in citrus fruits and juices.

Zinc -- Found in meat, chicken, peanuts and peanut butter.

Lactobacillus -- This bacteria is present in yogurt and aids the digestive system. These friendly organisms are known as probiotics. There’s growing evidence that, in addition to helping with digestion, probiotics stimulate production of immune system substances.

Many of my patients have had success with a supplement that is made from a specially processed strain of lactobacillus expressly designed to boost the immune system. Del-Immune V comes from Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which has properties that provide an even greater boost to the body’s immune system. This product was developed in Russia in the 1980s, and is now available in the U.S. Del-Immune V is available online (www.delimmune.com). My patients -- especially school teachers who value the way it reduces sick days -- have found this to be extremely beneficial. There are many immune boosters on the market, but Del-Immune V is my personal favorite.


Wash Your Hands

Everyone knows this tip, but I still like to remind my patients. Good hand-washing is the first line of defense against not only colds and the flu, but also more serious illnesses like meningitis, hepatitis A and many types of infectious diarrhea. If no sink is available, rub your hands together very hard for a minute or so. That also helps break up most of the cold germs. Or rub an alcohol-based hand sanitizer onto your hands.


Drink Lots of Water

We tend to drink more water in the summer when we are active, but the winter months require extra hydration. Water flushes your system, washing out poisons as it hydrates you. In general, you need to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluids a day.


Get Moving

Aerobic exercise speeds up the heart and gets your blood pumping and your lungs working, which help increase your body’s natural immunity. Try to maintain an exercise routine at least three to four days a week.


Avoid Smoking and Alcohol

Another reason to kick the habit: Statistics show heavy smokers get more severe colds and more frequent ones. Even being around smoke can zap your immune system. And watch the alcohol, since drinking can lower your resistance to infection in general. It also dehydrates the body, taking more fluids from your system than it puts in.

This winter season, there’s no need to feel powerless at the thought of a cold or flu. You can do plenty to keep the germs at bay and you and your family healthy. Be well!

About the Author
Elin Ritchie, M.D., is a family practice integrative medical doctor living and practicing in Taos, N.M. To contact Dr. Ritchie with more questions about your immune system, e-mail her at ElinMD@ElinRitchie.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

How to Treat Stress

Millions of Americans are affected by stress. And it’s no wonder with the high demands of balancing a job, family, friends and other commitments. The effects of stress include anxiety, insomnia, headache, irritability, social withdrawal, depression and many other troublesome symptoms.

If you suffer from stress, there are options. Here are some of the most popular treatments:

Medication

Stress and anxiety can be treated with prescribed medications based on your doctor’s diagnosis. Anti-anxiety medications can help relax the body and bring you back to a calm state. These medications are proven to be helpful, but many are recommended for short-term use, and there are always potential side effects. In addition, these types of medications might be habit forming.

Therapy

Some people decide to see a therapist to help deal with their stress and anxiety. Each treatment approach is determined by the therapist based on their analysis of the patient’s condition. In general, therapy sessions include talking and listening segments and often a series of relaxation exercises such as rhythmic breathing to help people learn coping strategies. Though it requires a significant commitment, counseling is proven to be an effective treatment.

Natural Exercises

Stretching and breathing exercises and other complementary medical techniques such as yoga can have many health benefits including reduction of stress and anxiety. Stretching relaxes the muscles and releases built-up tension. Breathing helps to calm the nervous system and focus the mind. These are natural treatment options, but you must learn how to do them correctly to get the positive benefits.

Self Treatment

A portable medical device called the StressEraser teaches people how to deal with stress on their own. New advances in stress research reveal a harmful physical response that causes your nerves to respond faster and more strongly to everyday stress. Your natural recovery process is dependent upon the physiological mechanisms of breathing. This small, handheld device analyzes real-time biofeedback to teach you to activate your body’s natural relaxation response through focused breathing.

About the size of a cell phone, the StressEraser works by accurately measuring your real-time heart rate variability (HRV) from the pulse in your finger tip via an infrared sensor and displaying it on an easy-to-read screen. HRV is considered to be the most accurate non-invasive measurement of your nervous system activity. As you inhale and exhale, your “breathwave” will scroll across the screen. The device trains you to synchronize breathing with your nervous system activity, relaxing the body and focusing the mind. Triangle symbols at the top of the screen indicate when you should exhale, helping you to achieve smooth breathwaves and extending the benefit of your body’s natural relaxation response. Each wave is scored and points are gathered based on your ability to synchronize your breathing with the triangles.

“One of the problems in dealing with anxiety or other conditions is adherence. It’s hard to get people, for example, to stay on the right diet and it’s hard to get people to do things that induce a restful state,” comments Dr. Eric Hollander of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

In commenting on the effectiveness of the StressEraser, he says, “It can help people relax both physically and psychologically by giving them immediate feedback and training them really to turn on their parasympathetic nervous system. And by doing that it can slow down pulse, lower blood pressure; it can be associated with muscular relaxation, and it can be helpful in terms of redirecting thoughts so people focus, for example, on their breathing rather than dwell or anticipate or worry about future events that they have no control over.”

For more information on how the StressEraser can help you control your stress, visit www.StressEraser.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

How to Reduce Your Risk of Dangerous Reactions to Prescription Drugs

Most of us have taken a prescription medication for one condition or another at some point. While we may get a brief explanation from our doctor about the drug, most people will not take the extra steps to ensure they are using the medication as safely or effectively as they can be. In fact, by taking a few simple steps -- and asking some basic questions -- patients can greatly reduce the chance of harm that may be caused by drug interactions, allergies, or other potential problems.

The U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) -- an official public standards-setting body for prescription and over-the-counter medications in the United States -- recommends the following “things to know” about any prescription medications you are taking:

Know Why You Are Taking a Medication -- Although it sounds obvious, many people do not fully understand their diagnosis or condition -- the reason they’re taking the medication in the first place. Ask your doctor to explain your condition in detail to you, and how he or she expects the medication to improve the course of your illness or its symptoms.

Know What to Expect -- Ask when you should expect to start feeling better or see an improvement, as well as potential side effects that may occur. Find out what you should do if you are not seeing the expected results within a certain timeframe or are experiencing side effects.

Know How to Take the Medication -- Your doctor or pharmacist should give you instructions for taking your medication. These are also listed on the bottle. However, it may require some extra vigilance to ensure you’re getting the most out of your medication. For instance, if you are supposed to take a medication three times a day, ask if this means with breakfast, lunch and dinner, or every 8 hours. This can impact how effective the medication is. You should also ask whether you should get a refill; whether you can stop taking the medication once you start to feel better; what to do if you miss a dose; how to minimize any side effects; and whether there are any special blood or other tests required while you are taking the medication, e.g., a liver test if you are on a “statin” drug.

Know About the Medication -- Patients should know the category of drugs the medicine belongs to, the brand and generic name, the active ingredients it contains (some people are allergic to certain ones), and any potential complications it may cause if you are pregnant. Also important are any potential interactions with foods (grapefruit, milk and spinach are some common ones), other prescription medicines, pain medications, antihistamines, decongestants, or vitamins, minerals or other supplements. Detailed information about a medication is available in the information packet/insert stapled to the prescription bag. Patients should read this to get a good idea of what the medication is and understand important precautions to take.

Know Your Pharmacist -- While you may be accustomed to asking your doctor questions, you may not have the same relationship with your pharmacist. However, your pharmacist is a key part of your treatment team -- and the expert on topics such as how the medication prescribed will treat your condition, possible side effects, drug interactions and allergic reactions. Ask to speak to your pharmacist when getting a prescription filled. He or she is a wealth of information and often your most valuable resource.

One other important point is to keep an up-to-date list of all medications you are on and their dosages. This should be shared with your doctors, pharmacist and a family member or trusted friend. This can help prevent dangerous drug interactions and may be critical should a medical emergency occur. For brochures on patient safety and more information about prescription medications, visit www.usp.org and select “I am a Consumer.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

What Causes A Fever?

Ever wonder why we get fevers. This one-minute videos descibes what fevers ar and why we get them. If you do have a fever, please make sure you contact your physician for further information.

Diabetes and Pregnancy

If your a diabetic and considering getting pregnant learn about the possible risks you face and how diabetes can affect your pregnancy experience.

How to Perform CPR

This video will show you how to perform CPR.

How To Lower Your Blood Pressure

VideoJug: How To Lower Your Blood Pressure
High blood pressure affects more than 1 in 3 people worldwide and is a major cause of strokes, heart attacks and heart failure. This film, made in association with the Blood Pressure Association, will show you how you can lower your blood pressure.

How to Follow a Low-Sodium Diet

If you’ve recently suffered a heart attack and been told you have heart failure, don’t panic. There are simple adjustments you can make in your lifestyle that may help you feel and do better.

For example, your doctor likely advised you to cut back on your sodium (salt) intake and here’s why. Heart failure causes the body to hold on to extra sodium, which in turn causes extra fluid to build up in your body. The extra fluid makes your heart work harder, which is not a good thing for a muscle already under strain.

Cutting back on sodium is admittedly a challenge because sodium is everywhere. The typical American diet has more salt in it than you may think. Processed foods, like frozen dinners, boxed noodle and rice dishes, canned soups and canned vegetables, are very high in sodium. So, even if you do not add salt while cooking or use a salt shaker at the table, you are probably eating too much.

What can you do to cut back on the sodium? Here are four tips from the Heart Failure Society of America, a non-profit organization of health care professionals and researchers who are dedicated to enhancing quality and the duration of life for patients with heart failure and preventing the condition in those at risk:

1. Stop adding salt to your food.

By simply taking the salt shaker off the table, and stopping the practice of adding salt to food when cooking, you can cut your sodium intake by as much as 30 percent. Foods with less sodium can still be considered tasty. There are a lot of seasoning options available to spice things up. These include black, cayenne and lemon pepper; fresh herbs like garlic, onion powder, dill, parsley and rosemary; lemon juice; and flavored extracts like vanilla, almond, etc.

2. Adapt preferred foods to low-sodium versions.

There are low-sodium substitutes for many of the foods you like. For example, instead of preparing a country ham, you can make a fresh lean pork roast. Instead of buying lunch meats, which typically contain high amounts of sodium, you can cook fresh chicken, turkey, roast beef or pork without adding salt and then cut it up for sandwiches the next day. If you like soup, instead of buying the canned version which is high in sodium and preservatives, you can cut up fresh vegetables, put them in a slow cooker and use herbs and spices for seasoning.

Many types of canned vegetables you enjoy are also available in low-sodium versions. Just look for labels that say sodium-free, no-salt, low-sodium, reduced-sodium or unsalted.

3. Pick foods naturally low in sodium.

Generally, you can eat as much fresh food as you want without counting the sodium content. Fresh fruits and vegetables, including freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices, have very little sodium. The same is true for fresh meat, poultry and fish.

If you are not eating fresh foods, choose other low-sodium foods as much as possible, such as canned fruits, plain frozen vegetables and dried beans, peas, rice and lentils.

4. Learn to read food labels.

By reading food labels, you can learn which foods are high and low in sodium. As a rule, most processed foods, whether they are frozen, canned or boxed, are high in sodium, but don’t rule them out entirely. Some packaged foods are available in low- or no-salt versions.

It can be difficult to change your eating habits. It may take weeks before you enjoy the taste of low-sodium foods, but your taste buds will adjust. Eventually you may not even miss the salt.

To learn more about heart failure and how to manage your condition, log on to the Heart Failure Society of America’s Web site: www.abouthf.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

How to Improve Your Health: Small Changes Get Big Results

Health experts say that making small changes to your lifestyle is the most effective way to achieve long-term good health. Rather than taking on big goals that are difficult to reach and often result in frustration, integrating slight but key adjustments into a daily routine can create lasting improvements in fitness and well-being.

“What many people don’t realize is that they don’t have to completely overhaul their lifestyle to see the benefits of change. There is a greater chance of success if adjustments -- such as increasing exercise and changing how you eat -- are made slowly,” says Dr. Liz Applegate, a nationally recognized expert on nutrition and fitness, and the director of sports nutrition at the University of California at Davis.

Here are some ideas on how to help improve your health with small changes that will have an impact:

* Take a few 10-minute breaks throughout the day. If possible, take a short walk outside or to the other side of your office building. It will clear your head and help to improve your metabolism, get the blood flowing and rejuvenate you during the workday.

* Stay hydrated. Today, people of all ages are looking for hydration options to support their active lifestyles, but they’re not willing to sacrifice taste or incur added calories. Make your water multitask for you by choosing a water beverage that hydrates while also providing essential nutrients. Thanks to DASANI Plus – a new line of great tasting, vitamin-enhanced, flavored water beverages with zero calories per 8 fluid ounce serving – you can stay hydrated and get important nutrients at the same time. And it’s easy to drink because it tastes good. The product comes in flavors such as kiwi strawberry, pomegranate blackberry and orange tangerine.

* Take time to laugh. Studies show that deep laughter can greatly benefit our health by lowering levels of stress hormones, relaxing muscles and reducing anxiety. Take a break during the day to check out an entertaining Web site or unwind before bedtime with your favorite late night show.

* Cut restaurant meals in half. The portion size at restaurants has increased during the last decade and eating out can be a big factor in weight gain. Split your entrée with your dining partner or divide your serving in half and take it home for lunch the next day.

* Eat foods that are colorful. Healthy foods are usually those that have vibrant colors such as red and yellow peppers, blueberries, cantaloupe or spinach. By incorporating a variety of colors into your diet at home and while eating out, you are more likely to get your recommended daily nutrients.

* Incorporate moderate exercise into your routine. Studies have shown that moderate exercise such as walking for 30 minutes a day, five or more days a week, can improve your cardiovascular fitness. You will see even greater benefits if you increase the mileage, walk up an incline, or jog.

“Just remember to keep your goals realistic at the beginning. Once you start feeling the benefits, you’ll want to incorporate even more healthy habits,” says Applegate.

For more information, visit http://www.dasani.com/.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

How to Treat A Cold

That awful cold. What will help you get through it? This one-minute video will provide you with a few steps that may relieve your cold symptoms. But remember, you may need to check with your physician as well.

How to Comfort a Cranky Baby

If your baby wakes up in the middle of the night crying uncontrollably, what is the first thing you would do? Most parents say they would rush over to the crib, pick the baby up and try to offer comfort.

If hugging, talking and singing a song doesn’t work, check to see if the baby needs a diaper change or is hungry; but what do you do if none of these tricks calm your baby? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, extreme fussiness that doesn’t let up, even when the child is being comforted, could be a sign of illness, so you should take the baby’s temperature. But as any parent who has had to deal with a fussy baby will tell you, that can be easier said than done.

While you often can tell if your child is warmer than usual by feeling the forehead, only a thermometer can tell if he or she has a fever and how high the temperature is. Ordinarily, a rectal reading of 97.9 to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, an oral reading of 95.9 to 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit and an ear reading of 96.4 to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit is considered normal, while higher readings indicate fever; but good luck getting an accurate reading from a baby who is flailing about and screaming. The thermometer must be in place for a minute or longer.

Well, now there’s some good news for parents struggling with this dilemma. The Kidz-Med Thermofocus, the world’s first non-contact clinical thermometer, is now available in the United States. Introducing the innovative NeverWake Technology, there is no need to touch, startle, upset or wake your child with this thermometer.

All you have to do to obtain an accurate reading of your child’s temperature is hold the thermometer perpendicular to the forehead, and using infrared technology, within in a few hundredths of a second, the Thermofocus will carry out a sequence of up to 125 calculations. It will then deliver an accurate reading of the child’s temperature on a digital display. In a nutshell, a simple point, press and release produces an instant reading.

Fevers under 101 degrees Fahrenheit generally don’t need to be treated unless the child is uncomfortable. To ease the pain your baby may be experiencing, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends you give them acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Dosage depends on the child’s age and weight. Check with your doctor for his or her recommendation.

According to Dr. Richard G. Lagueruela, director of surgical services at Miami Children’s Hospital, “It’s extremely accurate and children of all ages aren’t even aware their temperature is being taken, so there’s no need to restrain an infant or child. Obtaining an accurate temperature is trauma free: no earpiece, mouth probe, or rectal entry required. It’s safe, accurate, and painless. The Thermofocus will revolutionize the health industry and make a difficult part of parenting a delight!”

Among the benefits of Thermofocus that Dr. Lagueruela and his colleagues like best:

* You don’t have to wake, or startle, a child when they are sick to take their temperature.

* The infrared technology is completely safe.

* Parents can rest assured they are getting an accurate reading.

* The method is totally hygienic

ot only does the Thermofocus take the temperature of the body, but it can also be used to take the readings of baby’s food, bottle, bath water and even room temperature. All you have to do is point the thermometer in the direction of the item being tested and you’ll get an accurate reading back almost immediately.

To learn more about the Kidz-Med Thermofocus, which is available for purchase online direct from the distributor, log on to www.kidzmed.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

How to Fight Cellulite

look at what cellulite is and how to avoid and get rid of it.

How to Talk to Your Doctor

Do you like going to the doctor? This Daily Idea episode has the tips you need to give your doctor the right information and get you feeling better in no time.

How to Avoid Getting Sick On Vacation

This video explains why we get sick on holiday and how to avoid it.

How to Exercise without Leaving Your Desk

Sitting at your desk or computer terminal for long periods of time can cause muscle tension and pain. However, by taking a few minutes to do some stretches - you'll feel better and more alert, every time.

How To Care For An Ankle Injury

VideoJug: How To Care For An Ankle Injury
Ankle injuries are notorious for sidelining athletes, but it doesn't have to be that way. Proper care can minimize missed games and practices.

How to Protect Your Children from Dangerous Infections

It’s been five decades in the making and it’s spreading faster than experts thought. With sports stars, celebrities and school children alike becoming infected, MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus), which was nearly unheard of two year ago, is becoming a common term.

Today the superbug that was created by 50 years of over-prescribing antibiotics is showing up in every community. So far, the hardest hit are children that are active and play sports.

Whether an injury from playing freshman football or a scrape from playing hopscotch, MRSA can enter the system through skin wounds in children of any age. Causing additional concern is the fact that traditional triple-antibiotic ointments, that fill store shelves and have been used on children for years to prevent infection, don’t kill this aggressive and highly antibiotic-resistant strain of staph bacteria. StaphAseptic, a widely available over-the-counter ointment, is the only product of its kind that’s been proven to prevent infections from this type of bacteria.

A recent study by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) showed that MRSA is significantly more widespread and established than previously thought. The study also found that as many as 119,000 patients each year may die from MRSA. A previous study by the Centers for Disease Control said that approximately 60 percent of infections seen in hospital emergency rooms are MRSA related.

“It should be automatic that parents take immediate preventive actions because of the problems we are seeing with MRSA,” says Dr. Mark Christensen, a Utah pharmacist. “We have great fears that community acquired MRSA staph infections will increase dramatically--because of what we’ve seen in the hospitals. Prevention is certainly the key to protecting children from a MRSA infection.”

Five Steps for Prevention

1) Wash hands thoroughly. Make sure to have children wash hands for at least 15 seconds with soap and warm water. Fifteen seconds is about how long it takes to recite the alphabet.

2) Treat and cover wounds. Cuts, scrapes and burns are the most common ways that MRSA enters the body to start an infection. StaphAseptic, from Tec Laboratories, is a widely available over-the-counter wound-care treatment that is applied to minor wounds before a bandage is applied. StaphAseptic gets to the root of the problem by killing MRSA before the infection starts.

3) Don’t share personal items. Children should not share items like combs, bar soap or tweezers. With summer upon us and a lot of kids heading to swimming pools, they should be reminded not to share towels.

4) Shower after physical activity. MRSA thrives on moist, warm skin. The human body, after strenuous activity, is a breeding ground for the spread of MRSA and other bacteria. Try using a shower gel instead of bar soap, which can carry the bacteria.

5) Seek medical attention for active wounds. If an infection sets in it is vital to get to a doctor immediately. MRSA can spread within hours and eventually cause pneumonia and even death. MRSA-related infections can resemble a pimple or boil and can spread quickly over the body.

MRSA information is available at www.mrsaHelp.com. A complimentary pamphlet on MRSA prevention is available by calling (800) 482-4464 and pressing “0.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent