useful
health tips . .
|
To fight Dengue
STEP 1: Know what Dengue is all about
Dengue, which is also known as H-Fever, is one of the most
widespread diseases in the Philippines. It peaks during rainy months, from July to
October. It could lead to death if not treated promptly.
The common symptoms of Dengue are: high fever, headache, bone and
muscle aches, burning sensation and redness in the eyes, cough and runny nose, diarrhea,
skin rashes, abdominal pain and vomiting, severe bleeding (nose bleeds, gums, vomiting of
blood), small pinprick-sized spots on the skin.
What to do if your child has Dengue? Make the child rest and let the
child drink plenty of fluids. Consult a doctor immedicately.
STEP 2: Know how and where Dengue starts
Dengue is spread by mosquitoes, specifically known as Aedes
Aegypti. It is a dark mosquito with white and black bands on the legs, and it
transmits the disease by biting an infected person and then biting someone else.
Dengue breed in places where there is stagnant water. They can live
in discarded tires, old drums, and things around the home like flower pots and water
storage containers.
STEP 3: Know how to prevent Dengue
Keep your environment clean to eliminate mosquito breeding areas.
- cover all water containers
- throw away tin cans, bottles, old tires, and other trash that collect
rain water
- replace water inside flower vases and pet water containers regularly
- clean roof gutters to prevent water accumulation
- keep drains and canals clean and free-flowing
^ back to top
10 Essential Health Tips
The basics to practice
every day -
1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice
between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with
friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a
stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in
the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when
you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha
. Then do
it!
2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon,
ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and
cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine,
butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat
versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day:
Lean, mean, fat-burning machine
. Then be one!
3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General
announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use
of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents
and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late
smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of
Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette
. the next one.
4. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by
experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like.
(i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend;
play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial
or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated.
Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink
clouds
.then float on them.
5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high
traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise
outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality
is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from the
street deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'
and your mouth, and
your nose and your lungs as do pollutants
.hum the tune daily.
6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in
car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.
7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows
exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than
people who don't? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body's boss.
8. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help
protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as
liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long
time.
9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful
outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can't be unhappy when you're smiling or
singing.
10. Choose Your Parents Well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of
your parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool
handed you.
Thought for every day:
Follow these basic tips for healthy living and
you can better control your own destiny.
- www.health-fitness-tips.com
^ back to top
Heart-Friendly
Diet
The general recommendations for a
heart-friendly diet -
Eat the right amount of
vegetables, grain products, lean meats, fish, legumes, poultry and dairy products low in
fat.
Match intake of energy
(calories) to overall energy needs; limit consumption of foods with caloric desity, low
nutritional quality and high content of sugar. Maintain a level of activity that
achieves fitness and balances energy expenditure with energy intake; for weight reduction,
expenditure should exceed intake.
Achieve and maintain a
desirable blood cholesterol and lipoprotein profile. Limit intake of food with high
content of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol. Substitute grains and unsaturated
fatty acids from vegetables, fish legumes and nuts.
Achieve and maintain a
desirable normal blood pressure. Limit the intake of salt to six grams a day.
Limit alcohol consumption; no more than one drink a day for women, and two drinks for men.
Philippine Heart Association
^ back to top
|