HealthyLife Articles

Tag: safety

Clear Facts On Eye Drops

SELF-CARE CORNER

Staring at a computer, dry winter air, cold temperatures, allergies, medications. A number of things can make eyes red, dry or uncomfortable.

Many people turn to a bottle of eye drops for quick relief. But, if you use eye drops often, there are a few things you should know.

Seeing red

Redness relief eye drops contain an ingredient that shrinks blood vessels in the eye, giving you that bright-eyed effect. But, these drops can be harmful if you overuse them.

Using redness drops frequently can cause a “rebound” effect, making the redness even worse. Then you feel like you have to use the drops more and more to control the redness.

Don’t use redness relief drops on a regular basis. If your eyes are often red, you should see an eye care professional to get to the root cause.

Artificial tears

Artificial tear eye drops are generally safe to use regularly. They don’t contain any active ingredients. Instead, they are designed to mimic your own tears. These work well for occasional dryness or discomfort.

Keep an eye on preservatives

Many eye drops contain preservatives. These keep germs from growing in the drops. They allow you to use the same bottle of drops for a longer period of time.

Some people find that the preservatives in eye drops make their eyes itchy or irritated. If you notice any burning or stinging after using eye drops, even artificial tears, stop using them.

Preservative-free eye drops are available. These work well for people who are sensitive to preservatives. They are usually in small single-use vials that come in a pack. You use the vial once and throw it away.

Eye health red flags

The best way to keep eyes healthy is to see your eye health professional regularly. Ask your optometrist or ophthalmologist how often they should see you. It will depend on your age, any health issues and your eye health history.

Call your eye professional right away if you notice:

* Pain or itching in the eye

* Redness that won’t go away

* Dry eyes that aren’t relieved with artificial tears

* Changes in vision, such as not seeing as well

* Cloudy or blurry vision

* Floaters or other spots in your vision

Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Safe Travel For Pregnant Women

Healthy Travel

Expecting to travel before your baby is due? Follow these guidelines.

* Check with your physician to make sure travel is permissible. Travel during pregnancy is least risky during the fourth to sixth months.

* If you’re planning to travel by airplane or train, ask for an aisle seat so you can get to the lavatory more easily.

* Don’t exert yourself to the point of fatigue.

* If you experience motion sickness, get some fresh air or eat soda crackers. Don’t take motion sickness medication.

* If you’re traveling by car, wear a safety belt. It should fit snugly across your chest and hips, not over your stomach.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Patient Safety

Medical Care

Although estimates vary, as many as 251,000 people a year die in U.S. hospitals due to medical errors, also called Preventable Adverse Events (PAEs).

Take an active role in every decision about your health care. If needed, have a family member or friend oversee your care.

“Wrong-site” surgery includes operating on the wrong person, the wrong organ, or the wrong limb.

Before you are taken into surgery, make sure the surgery is the one scheduled for you. Mark the body part to be operated on, too. Use the marker, etc. the doctor gives you to do this.

Find out about patient safety from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement atihi.organd the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality atahrq.gov.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Do You Live With A Sleepwalker?

SELF-CARE CORNER

If you or a family member sleepwalks, you may know the signs well. It often involves doing some of the following during sleep:

* Sitting up

* Walking around

* Talking

* Getting food or eating

When a person is sleepwalking, it can be confusing or even frightening for others in the house. They look like they’re awake. They may say or do things that don’t make sense. But the person won’t remember saying or doing anything when they wake up.

Sleepwalking happens during deep sleep. This is often early in the night. It can happen to children and adults.

Is it dangerous?

Many people feel alarmed when a family member starts sleepwalking. Sleepwalking itself isn’t usually dangerous. The best thing to do is to make sure the sleepwalker can’t get hurt. Here’s how to do it:

* Keep the home – and especially their room – picked up. Make sure things like electrical cords are out of the way. Have children pick up their toys, books or other objects.

* Keep exterior doors locked. If you can, use extra locks that are difficult to open, such as a chain lock or a dead bolt.

* Close and lock all windows at night.

* Never yell at or shake someone who is sleepwalking. Instead, guide them safely back to their bed.

* Consider putting a gate across stairways. Use gates that are designed for this purpose.

How to avoid it

Some people may be more prone to sleepwalking. However, there are ways to lower the chances of it happening. They include:

* Don’t drink alcohol.

* If you are taking anti-depressant medicine, talk to your doctor about it. Some of these medicines can cause sleep problems. There may be a different medicine that works for you.

* Go to bed at the same time every night.

* Make sleep a priority. Adults should get at least seven hours. Children often need much more than this. Ask a doctor how much sleep you or your child should get.

Seeing a doctor

If sleepwalking happens a lot, talk to a doctor. There is no test for sleepwalking. But your doctor can check for other sleep problems or health conditions that may be causing sleep problems.

Source: American Academy of Family Physicians

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Traveling

Healthy Travel

The best of travel plans can be ruined if you get sick or aren’t able to deal with health problems on your trip. Discuss your travel plans with your doctor.

Make sure to take enough medicines you need for the whole trip.

Depending on your destination, this may include insect repellant, sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), hand sanitizer (60% alcohol or higher), and face masks.

Find out if and what your health insurance covers if you need medical care during your trip. You may consider purchasing additional travel health insurance. Find out where to go for care, if needed.

Certain vaccines may be required by some countries before you visit them. Find out if and what vaccines are required for places that you plan to travel from the CDC Travelers’ Health Web site atcdc.gov/travel.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Plan For Summer Safety

Home Safety

* Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.

* Wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.

* Learn to swim and teach your children how to swim.

* Check the depth of the water before diving into a pool. Don’t dive into water that is less than 9 feet deep. Never dive into an above-ground pool.

Dos

* Watch a professional fireworks display in person or on TV.

* Wear and have children wear a personal flotation device when you are on a boat, water ski, etc.

Don’ts

* Don’t play with fireworks or let your children play with fireworks.

* NEVER leave a child alone near a pool or water, not even for a few seconds.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Fill Your Grill, But Keep It Healthy

HEALTHY EATING

Many people like to use their grill or barbecue during the summer months. While grilling can create delicious meals, it’s important to know how to avoid grilling meats the wrong way, which can increase cancer-causing substances in the food.

Substances known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic amines (HCAs) can be found in meat that is cooked at high temperatures. These substances have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals. But the levels used in the animal studies were very high. Experts cannot say for sure how much of these substances would cause cancer in people.

PAHs and HCAs can be found in meat that has been grilled, especially if it’s charred or blackened. Meat that is smoked may also contain these chemicals.

To lower these substances in grilled food, you can:

* Avoid burning or charring the food when grilling.

* Turn meat frequently when grilling to avoid burnt or very hot areas.

* Don’t let the flames touch the meat directly.

* Marinade the meat first.

* Wrap meat in foil before placing it on the grill.

* Trim excess fat off of meat to avoid charring.

* Cut it up. Smaller pieces of meat will cook faster throughout. Try skewers or small pieces mixed in foil packets with vegetables.

Beyond meat

Vegetables and fruits can be delicious on the grill and they don’t have the risk of PAHs or HCAs. This doesn’t mean that meat-lovers have to avoid their favorite foods. Instead, have a portion of meat about the size of a deck of cards. Then fill the rest of your plate with vegetables. Red peppers, tomatoes, pineapple, peaches and asparagus are just a few of the vegetarian options that are both delicious and nutritious on the grill.

Sources: American Institute for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
What To Know About Irradiated Food

Nutrition

Have you seen the Radura symbol on fruits or vegetables in your supermarket? If so, do you know what it means?

This symbol indicates that the food has been irradiated, a method of food preservation approved for use on produce by the Food and Drug Administration. Irradiation kills microorganisms that spoil food. Irradiated food isn’t radioactive. Irradiation leaves no residue on food and it doesn’t affect flavor. Proponents of irradiation say it reduces the need for chemicals typically used to keep food fresh longer.

Those who oppose irradiation say essential nutrients in food may be destroyed, that eating food that’s been irradiated may cause cancer or other debilitating conditions, and that irradiation may be hazardous to the employees and residents of the area surrounding a food irradiation site. But studies haven’t conclusively identified any harmful effects of food irradiation.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Poison Control

Home Safety

The National Poison Control Center is staffed 24 hours a day. Memorize the National Poison Control Number: 800.222.1222. Buy household products, vitamins, and medicines in child-resistant packaging. Keep items in original containers. Follow label warnings.

Carbon monoxide (CO) has no odor or color. Symptoms of CO poisoning are like those of the flu, so you may not suspect CO poisoning. Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home and garage.

Inhalants are gases or vapors from glues, paints, cooking sprays, and over 1,000 other common products that are used to get high.

Every hour, five children are rushed to an emergency room due to a suspected medicine poisoning.

A child can grab and swallow something that could be poisonous in the short time it takes to answer a doorbell or a phone call.

Teach your children not to touch anything with a skull and crossbones on the label.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Importance Of A Drug-Free Workplace

WORK LIFE

Keeping the workplace drug-free is essential for everyone’s health and safety.

Unhealthy use of any type of drug or substance

These can include:

* Illegal or prescription drugs

* Alcohol

* Tobacco

* Marijuana

Risks with substance abuse

* Dependence or addiction

* Poor decision making

* Damaged relationships

* Declining physical health

Workplace impacts

* Missed days of work

* Higher cost of healthcare

* Legal issues

* Poor productivity

* Safety concerns

Seeking help for substance abuse: If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, seek help. Talk to your doctor about your concerns. Usefindtreatment.govto find treatment options in your area.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026