Health Tips

 

Ear problems in babies Your baby could be refusing feeds due to an impending ear problem causing irritability, fever and even vomiting.

Eat less, feel full Drink a glass of water before meals. Eating small bites and chewing food slowly and thoroughly make you feel full. Taking a longer time to eat will make you feel satisfied with less food.

	Eat slowly to avoid weight gain A lot of studies have shown that the faster you eat, the more you eat. The human brain requires about 20 minutes to register satiety (feelings of satisfaction and fullness). So, the slower you eat, the less food you will need to feel full.

	Eating whole grain foods may cut your risk of heart attack Eating whole grain foods may cut your risk of heart attack. Eating just one serving of whole-grain foods each day may cut your risk of dying from a heart attack by about 30 percent. Whole grain foods include brown breads, cereals, unpolished rice etc.

Effective breastfeeding Breastfeeding is not complicated, but ensuring some things can help your baby breastfeed more effectively. Your baby has to be hungry, comfortably positioned, securely attached to the breast and swallowing milk correctly. Try cradling your baby so his head rests against your elbow and his body is rolled toward yours. Expect your baby to suck for 10 to 30 minutes before letting go of the first breast, and then take a brief nap or attach to your second breast to suck for a shorter time.

	Encourage your child to exercise Encourage your child to exercise everyday. Let him walk to a nearby store or to a friend's house. Sign him up for a sports team such as football, cricket or a recreational class like dance. Making the bed, cleaning the room and helping with the household chores can also help your child burn the extra calories.

	Exercise can help you stay away from cigarettes Exercise can help you stay away from cigarettes. Women who included exercise as part of their 12 week smoking cessation programme were twice as likely to remain cigarette free as those who did not exercise as part of their quit-smoking programme.

	Fat and cholesterol must for your baby Whereas you should be careful about cholesterol levels in your own diet, a shortage of these in baby's diet could prove hazardous. Fat and cholesterol in the first two years of your baby's life are essential for normal growth of the brain and nervous tissue.

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

	First aid for chemical burns In case of a chemical burn, put the affected area under cold running water for at least 10 minutes so that contaminated water drains away freely. Remove all clothing soiled by the chemical and protect your hands from contact with it.
	Coping with constipation in children Constipation is a problem most children have at some time. It can usually be treated at home with high-fibre foods and lots of fluids. High-fibre baby foods, such as cereals, fruits, vegetables, spinach and peas are very useful. Have your child sit on the toilet for 10 minutes after meals, especially after breakfast, to encourage a regular bowel pattern. Do not use any suppositories or enemas without first consulting the doctor.
First aid for choking If a person is choking and unable to breathe properly then make him lean forward slightly and stand behind him. Make a fist and put arms around him and hold your fist with the other hand near the top of the stomach, just below the centre of the rib cage. Give a quick, hard movement inward and upward and repeat it to help the patient throw out the object causing the choking. First aid for drowning The wet clothes should be removed immediately and the person should be kept warm by covering with a blanket. The patient's face should be turned down to one side and his arms stretched above his head. The water should be drained out of the lungs by raising the middle part of the body. Mouth to mouth artificial respiration should be given if the breathing is slow or absent. Once he starts breathing, he should be kept warm by a blanket and then shifted to a hospital. First aid for superficial heat burns In case of a superficial heat burn, put the affected area under cold running water for at least 10 minutes or immerse in cold water. Never apply cotton wool, dressings, ointments, fats or lotions or attempt to rupture blisters or remove anything from wound. If burns are not small or superficial, call a doctor. First aid in a convulsion (Fit) Keep calm and let the fit run its course. Place soft padding under the head. Gently loosen clothing around the neck and after jerking stops, turn over onto right side until recovery is complete. First aid when someone faints Help the person lie down, raise the feet above chest level and loosen clothes. Open windows to ensure good air circulation. If recovery is delayed, call a doctor. Fish is good for your baby Introduce your baby between the first and second year to a variety of fresh fish but check that they are easily chewable and low in fat and sodium. Check very very carefully for bones. Folic acid prevents against birth defects Take 400 mcg (0.4 mg) folic acid tablets daily before you are pregnant and continue through pregnancy. Dietary sources include orange juice, green vegetables, beans, peas and chappatis. Follow a colourful diet Eat a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables daily to get lots of vitamins, minerals and health protective phytonutrients that strengthen the immune system and reduce your risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, age-related blindness and even Alzheimer's disease. Follow these easy medication tips Write down a list of your medications, with their dose and frequency. Take your medications regularly - do not skip your medication even while travelling. Do not take another person's medication, or give them yours. Ask your doctor about side effects that might occur. Foods that trigger migraine Avoid chocolate, cheese, citrus fruits, fried foods, onions, tomatoes, spinach, beans, nuts, alcohol (particularly red wine), beverages with aspartame and foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG).

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