HealthyLife Articles

Tag: hygiene

  • When To Brush Your Teeth

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of soda in a glass.

    Consuming acidic foods and beverages, such as sports and energy drinks, citrus fruits, wine, and tomatoes, can erode tooth enamel-the glossy outer layer of the tooth. Brushing your teeth too soon after eating and drinking these items can cause more damage because you are essentially brushing the acid into the teeth, not getting rid of it, say experts at the Academy of General Dentistry. Instead, you should rinse your mouth with water after consuming acidic foods and beverages and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your pearly whites!

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Dental Hygiene

    Dental & Mouth Concerns

    Dental hygiene products, tooth brush, tooth paste, mouth wash, etc.

    Taking care of your teeth and gums helps your teeth last a lifetime.

    Brush and floss your teeth twice a day. Get a dental exam once or twice a year. If you have not seen a dentist in over a year, schedule a dental exam today.

    Dental problems affect more than your teeth and gums. Gum (periodontal) disease and other mouth infections may increase the risk for pneumonia, heart disease, and diabetes.

    Let your dentist know if you have tooth pain, red or swollen gums, bad breath that doesn’t go away or any other dental problem.

    Change toothbrushes at least every 3 to 4 months; sooner if the bristles are frayed.

    Rinse your toothbrush after each use to remove debris and leftover toothpaste. Store toothbrushes upright in a holder far enough apart that bristles don’t touch.

    Find out more from the American Dental Association atada.org.

    Health at Home Lifetime book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Guard Against Denture Trouble

    Mature Health: Over Age 50

    Close up image of a mature women smiling showing her dentures.

    Forget the image of dentures sitting in a glass of water next to the bed! Dentures require active care, not just a nightly soak. Improper denture care leads to bad breath, unsightly stains, diseased gums, and damage to the dentures. Daily dental hygiene should include these measures.

    *  Brush your tongue and gums with a soft brush to keep your breath fresh and your gums healthy.

    *  Brush your dentures at least once a day with denture-cleaning products.

    *  Rinse your mouth with a mild salt-water solution (1 teaspoon of ordinary table salt in 1/2 cup warm water) after meals and before going to bed.

    *  Don’t leave your dentures where they can be lost or accidentally damaged.

    How you eat can also protect your dentures, so take these precautions.

    *  Cut your food into bite-size pieces.

    *  Chew your food slowly and avoid biting down hard.

    *  Dentures make your mouth less sensitive to both heat and cold. So check the temperature of food and beverages before eating or drinking to avoid burning yourself.

    To help keep your dentures fitting properly, see your dentist at least once a year. See your dentist if you have any of the following problems.

    *  Gums that bleed or hurt after brushing.

    *  White or red spots in your mouth that don’t clear up within two weeks.

    *  Dentures that become damaged. (Don’t try to repair dentures yourself.)

    *  Difficulty talking, eating, and chewing when wearing your dentures.

    *  Dentures that slip and don’t fit well.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Wash Hands For Health

    General Health Conditions

    Bar of soap.

    Having clean hands is one of the most important things you can do to prevent getting sick and spreading disease-causing germs. That’s why technique matters.

    Add water & soap:Wet hands with clean, running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.

    Lather up:Lather all parts of your hands well by rubbing them together.

    Sing a song:Scrub for at least 20 seconds or sing “Happy Birthday” twice.

    Rinse & dry:Rinse well under clean, running water. Dry hands using a clean towel or air-dry them.

    Option:If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

    Health at Home Lifetime book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Keep Food Safe

    Healthylife® Weigh

    Part 3

    Man with frying pan cooking food at home.

    *  Freezing: Keep freezer temperature at or below 0°F. Keep frozen foods in airtight containers.

    *  Refrigerator: Keep refrigerator temperature at or below 40°F. Store foods made from animal products in a drawer or in the back of the refrigerator, where it is cooler.

    *  Thawing: Thaw food on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. Or, submerge the sealed container in cold water. Or, use the defrost settings on your microwave. Never thaw food on the counter.

    Heat to Safe Temperatures

    Use a food thermometer to make sure foods are safe to eat.

    *  145ºF: Fish, roasts, steaks, chops (beef, pork, veal, and lamb)

    *  160ºF: Egg dishes and ground meats (beef, veal, and lamb)

    *  165ºF: Stuffing, all poultry, casseroles, reheated leftovers

    Simple Cooking Methods

    When you cook vegetables, do so quickly and in little water. Some vitamins, like vitamin C, are lost when soaked in water or overcooked.

    Microwave: Place chopped vegetables in a microwave-safe dish with a lid. Or, use plastic wrap with a few holes poked for venting. Add 2 Tbsp. of water, or enough to cover the bottom of the dish. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Check firmness. Add time to reach desired softness.

    Stove Top: Add 1 to 2 inches of water to a pot. Add vegetables. Simmer until tender, checking vegetables often after the first 5 minutes. Greens will cook faster, so check these after 2 minutes.

    Oven: Preheat oven to 450ºF. Coat a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray or use a sheet of parchment paper. Toss vegetables with 1 Tbsp. of canola oil. Spread vegetables evenly and bake for at least 15 minutes. Check for desired softness. Add cooking time, if needed. Experiment with spices to flavor vegetables to your liking.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Are You Washing Your Hands The Right Way?

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Water drop illustration with the words "Wash your hand".

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says washing your hands is like a “do-it-yourself” vaccine. Washing your hands properly and at the right time will slash your risk of getting sick with illnesses like colds, flu and stomach bugs that cause diarrhea and vomiting.

    Handwashing seems simple. But, there are some steps you must take to ensure your hands are truly clean.

    The five steps

    1.  Wet your hands with clean, running water. It can be warm or cold. Then turn off the water and apply soap to your hands.

    2.  Rub hands together to get a lather. Cover the palms, backs of hands, between the fingers and under the nails.

    3.  Continue scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. Count to 20 slowly or sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.

    4.  Rinse all the soap off under clean, running water.

    5.  Dry your hands using a clean towel. If one is not available, allow them to air dry completely.

    Don’t touch your face – a win-win

    It’s impossible for hands to stay clean all the time. Even if you’ve just washed them, try to avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth. This will help keep you from letting germs into your body.

    Also, this habit helps protect those around you. If you’re sick and you touch your face, you could be putting germs onto your hands that can be spread to others.

    What about hand sanitizer?

    Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are handy to keep in a pocket or purse. Hand sanitizers do clean, but they may not remove all germs, the CDC says. They also won’t remove chemicals or visible dirt very well.

    In short, keep hand sanitizer with you, and use it when you’ve touched something that may be germy (like a door handle or ATM buttons). But, get to a sink to wash your hands whenever you can.

    Good hand hygiene is good for everyone – except germs. Wash up to stay healthy!

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Arm Yourself With A Vegetable Scrubber

    HEALTHY EATING

    Image of vegetables being washed in a scrubber.

    A University of Nebraska-Lincoln food safety specialist said it is important to properly wash fresh produce before eating to reduce harmful microorganisms that could cause foodborne illness.

    Wash produce with running water and then let that water go down the drain. Do not just soak the produce, said Julie Albrecht, UNL Extension food safety specialist at the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

    If there is something on the outside of a food, soaking it could allow the microorganisms to spread to other parts of the food or to other produce in the same sink. Running water washes the microorganisms down the drain.

    “It’s really just about preventing cross contamination,” Albrecht said. “Always use a colander or strainer so the water goes through the produce instead of just letting produce sit in water.”

    It is important to wash all fresh produce, even ones with rinds that are not eaten, Albrecht said. Bacteria could be living on the surface and then spread to the inside of the fruit when the rind is cut.

    Scrub foods with tough surfaces, such as melons and potatoes, with a vegetable scrubber.

    Immediately refrigerate fresh produce after cutting it. Most fruits and vegetables can be stored at 40ºF or below, which is cold enough to prevent microorganisms from growing.

    “Once you cut something or peel it, keep it cold, refrigerate it. Do not let it sit out at room temperature because microorganisms grow best around temperatures of 80 to 100. Plus, your food will be crisper and of a better quality,” Albrecht said.

    Leafy vegetables and tomatoes have been linked to foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years, so take extra care to wash them and keep them cold, Albrecht said.

    Be sure to also wash hands, surfaces, and utensils before handling raw produce.

    While shopping, only buy the best-looking produce that will stay fresh the longest. “Pick high-quality produce with no bumps or scratches at the peak of ripeness or maybe a little under ripe,” Albrecht said. “And make sure there is no mold, especially on berries.”

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Foot Health Tips For Summer

    WELL-BEING

    Image of bare feet on grass.

    When warm weather arrives, many people break out the flip-flops, sandals or forego shoes altogether. But the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons says this can be harmful to your feet if you’re not careful.

    Many flip-flops and summer shoes contain little to no support or protection. This increases your chances for foot injuries. They can also aggravate conditions such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, and other painful foot problems.

    You can still enjoy summer and keep your hard-working feet healthy by following these tips:

    *  Don’t go barefoot in public bathrooms. If you have a cut on your foot, it can get infected. You could also get a foot fungus or plantar wart. Use flip-flops in these cases to protect your feet.

    *  If you have diabetes or neuropathy, never go barefoot – even indoors.

    *  Don’t rely on flip-flops for daily wear. Use them in place of going barefoot around the pool, or in public bathrooms. Instead, choose sandals or lightweight shoes that have good arch support and are designed for comfort.

    *  Use sunscreen on the tops and bottoms of your feet any time they are exposed.

    *  Wear closed-toed shoes to mow the lawn or do yard work.

    *  If sandals are rubbing or causing blisters, don’t wear them. Don’t pop blisters. This leaves the foot open to an infection.

    *  Wear proper walking shoes and socks to the airport when traveling for summer vacation. Never try out new shoes on vacation. Pack shoes that you know are comfortable and won’t rub or cause blisters or pain.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Germs: Just Don’t Share Them

    WORK LIFE

    Image of hands being wash with soap and water.

    If you must go to work or do necessary errands with a minor illness, follow these tips from the CDC to help prevent the spread of germs:

    *  Wash your hands often with soap and running water. Wash your hands after blowing your nose and using the bathroom.

    *  Cough or sneeze into a tissue and throw it away. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hand.

    *  Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • How Not To Get Sick When Traveling

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Illustration of different city landmarks.

    Nothing can ruin a vacation faster than someone getting sick. Whether you’re planning a trip just an hour away or across the ocean, there are many things you can do to stay healthy while away from home.

    See your doctor before you go

    Get a checkup before you go on vacation. Ask the doctor if you need any vaccines or preventive medicines. Some countries require vaccines that you wouldn’t normally need in the U.S. Make plans to get everyone vaccinated at least six weeks before you leave.

    If you take any medicines regularly, make sure you have enough to last throughout your trip. Running out of a prescription medicine can be inconvenient – or even dangerous –  if you’re not near your doctor or pharmacy. If possible, keep your medicine with you in a carry-on bag so you have it with you at all times.

    Avoid traveler’s diarrhea

    Traveler’s diarrhea is the most common travel-related illness. It can happen nearly anywhere if you eat contaminated food or drink contaminated water. Lower your risk of getting it with these guidelines:

    *  Eat only cooked food served hot.

    *  Avoid eating food from street vendors, if possible.

    *  Don’t eat or drink unpasteurized milk or dairy products.

    *  Avoid eating raw seafood or undercooked meats.

    *  Avoid tap water and ice on airplanes and in places where water may not be safe. Drink only commercially-bottled water and beverages.

    *  Use bottled water to brush your teeth when traveling abroad. Don’t get shower water in your mouth.

    *  Wash your hands thoroughly and often. Be especially careful about washing hands after using the bathroom and before eating.

    *  Consider bringing some anti-diarrhea medicine with you in case you get sick. Make sure you stay hydrated with water, electrolyte drinks, and/or sports drinks.

    Tell bugs to buzz off

    Mosquitoes can spread disease, both in the U.S. and abroad. Protect yourself by wearing repellents with DEET. Use bed nets for international travel in areas where bugs are a problem. If you’re traveling to a country with a higher risk of malaria, ask your doctor about preventive medicine to take before you go on your trip. Be sure to also pack lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs to keep bugs off.

    A few simple precautions can ensure you have a safe and healthy summer vacation.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine