Author: AIPM

Lice aren’t vampires, but they hold onto hair and bite into your scalp (or more likely into your children’s scalps) and feed on blood, according to Dr. Andrew Bonwit, a pediatric infectious disease expert at Loyola University. Usually, bites aren’t painful, he says, but they may itch.

According to the CDC, an estimated 6 to 12 million lice cases occur each year among children 3 to 11 years old.

“Parents and school staff may become understandably upset by outbreaks of head lice, but it is important to remember that if the problem occurs, it is treatable, although repeat applications of medicine are usually needed,” said Dr. Bonwit.

Contrary to what you may think: Anyone can get head lice. It’s not a sign of uncleanliness. Pets don’t carry lice or spread them to you. And although you don’t want to use anyone else’s hairbrush, lice seem to be transmitted from head-to-head contact from one person to another. Lice don’t carry serious diseases, and kids with lice at school should see a doctor for treatment with shampoos.

The FDA offers some tip-offs to help you identify health fraud rip-offs.

One product does it all.Be suspicious of products that claim to cure a wide range of diseases.

Personal testimonials.Success stories, such as “It cured my diabetes” or “My tumors are gone,” are easy to make up and are not a substitute for scientific evidence.

Quick fixes.Few diseases or conditions can be treated quickly, even with legitimate products. Beware of language such as “Lose 30 pounds in 30 days” or “Eliminates skin cancer in days.”

“All natural.”Some plants found in nature (such as poisonous mushrooms) can kill when consumed even though they are perfectly “natural.” Also, FDA has found numerous products promoted as “all natural” but that contain hidden and dangerously high doses of prescription drug ingredients or even untested active artificial ingredients.

“Miracle cure.”Alarms should go off when you see this claim or others like it such as “new discovery,” “scientific breakthrough,” or “secret ingredient.” If a real cure for a serious disease were discovered, it would be widely reported through the media and prescribed by health professionals-not buried in print ads, TV infomercials, or on Internet sites.

Conspiracy theories.Claims like “The pharmaceutical industry and the government are working together to hide information about a miracle cure” are always untrue and unfounded. These statements are used to distract you from the obvious, common-sense questions about the so-called miracle cure.

Even with these tips, fraudulent health products are not always easy to spot. If you’re tempted to buy an unproven product or one with questionable claims, check with your doctor or other health care professional first. You can file a complaint with the FDA at its website:www.fda.gov.

It’s one thing to lose your balance and fall. But it’s especially important to keep elderly people from the hazards of a trip and fall.

The causes of balance issues could come from a number of different sources-many that don’t have a seemingly direct connection to balance or falls. Dr. Jason Rice, a primary care internist at Loyola University Health System, tells about some surprising reasons you may lose your balance and fall.

Blood pressure medication.

Some of these drugs can lead to side effects such as dizziness and lightheadedness, especially when changing positions such as standing up from a seated position. The same mechanism that allows our body to quickly adjust our blood flow after moving to a standing position from a seated or flat position can lead to a change in blood pressure, and several medications actively work to hinder this mechanism, which can lead to unsteadiness or falls when changing positions. Solution: Stand up slowly and get your bearings before walking. Staying hydrated also helps to prevent drops in blood pressure.

Blood vessel changes.

Over time the elasticity of blood vessels starts to decline and this can affect blood flow. Similar to blood pressure medication, this can cause you to become dizzy or lightheaded when changing positions, which can lead to falls. Solution: Stand up slowly and hold on to a stable surface before walking.

Low blood sugar.

Low blood sugar can cause dizziness, falls, and even loss of consciousness. This is especially true for people with diabetes. If you are taking medication to lower your blood sugar, make sure you take it with an adequate meal so your sugar doesn’t drop too low.

Declining vision.

Visual clues are an extremely important part of balance. As we age, our eyesight declines, which can lead to issues with balance. Regular visits to your primary care physician, which includes a vision assessment, is the best way to avoid this problem.