Eat Your Fruits and Veggies

Since childhood, lots of people have heard the parental plea to eat their fruits and vegetables.

For Disease Control and Prevention offers this insight on why eating fruits and veggies is so important:
Eating lots of fruits and vegetables can help prevent chronic diseases, including cancer, research indicates.
Most fruits and vegetables offer great nutritional benefit while contributing little to your daily fat and calorie intake.
At the same time, they help you stay full, helping you to maintain a healthy body weight and prevent excessive weight gain.
Fruits and vegetables are rich in the minerals, vitamins and fiber your body needs.

Help Prevent Medical Errors

As many as 98,000 people die every year because of medical errors, an Institute of Medicine report estimates, but there are steps you can take to protect your health.
Suggestions:
Give your doctors as much information as you can about the medications, supplements and herbs you are taking.
Tell your doctors about any known allergies or reactions you have to medications.
Keep your doctors informed about your health. Don't assume they already know this.
Make sure you are fully informed about any medicine your doctor prescribes, including what it's for, instructions for taking it, safety and side effects.
If your doctor writes a prescription, make sure you can read what's written. Illegible prescriptions may cause problems at the pharmacy.

Keep Mold Out of Your Home

Mold exposure can lead to respiratory, eye and skin irritation, or much more serious reactions.
Suggestions to minimize mold growth in your home:
Make sure indoor humidity levels are kept between 40 percent and 60 percent.
During very humid weather, run the air conditioner, a dehumidifier or both.
Ensure that your home is well-ventilated, including exhaust fans where needed.
Before painting a room, add a mold-inhibiting agent to the paint.
Scrub bathrooms regularly with cleaning products designed to kill mold.
Avoid carpet in moist areas, such as in bathrooms and the basement.
Promptly get rid of any carpets or upholstered items that have been soaked.

Help Prevent Yeast Infections

While yeast infections usually can be treated easily with medication, there are steps you can take to prevent them altogether.
These suggestions to reduce your risk of a yeast infection:
Avoid tight-fitting pants and underwear in favor of loose-fitting clothes. Always choose natural materials, instead of synthetic.
Use cotton underwear. And avoid wearing pantyhose or leotards every single day.
After you shower, make sure the genitals are completely dry. Consider using a hair dryer on a low, cool setting.
After using the toilet, always wipe from front to back.
If you're wearing wet clothing, change as soon as possible.
Avoid douching, feminine hygiene sprays, fragranced and colored toilet paper, or deodorant tampons and pads.

When Dementia Is Treatable

While dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease or brain damage from stroke are thought to be irreversible, some forms of memory loss may respond to treatment.
The list of treatable causes of dementia:
Brain tumor.
Infection.
Low levels of vitamin B12.
A condition called normal pressure hydrocephalus, when a build-up of fluid presses on the brain.
Certain thyroid problems.

Eating Fish and Shellfish

Mercury is an element found in the environment, from natural sources and as a byproduct of man-made pollution.
Mercury seeps into the soil and water, contaminating some of the foods people eat.
Almost all types of shellfish and fish contain some mercury. Larger predator fish -- such as shark, king mackerel, tilefish and swordfish -- can harbor higher levels.
Pregnant women, women who are nursing, young children and women who might become pregnant should avoid consuming large amounts of mercury, which can harm the developing nervous systems of unborn and young children.

Taking a Childbirth Class

With all of necessary tasks to prepare for a new baby, you might wonder about the merits of going back to school.
These potential benefits from taking a childbirth class:
Learn about baby's development and a healthy pregnancy.
Learn about warning signs of a potential problem.
Learn how to help make pregnancy, labor and delivery as healthy and comfortable as possible.
Learn techniques to help you breathe and relax.
Learn how to create a birth plan.
Learn signs that you're in labor.
Learn your pain relief options during labor and birth.
Learn how your partner or birth coach can help.

Get Enough Dietary Protein

Protein helps your body replace damaged cells and make new ones. Women who are pregnant, children and teens should be especially careful to get enough protein.
Meat is a good source of protein, but because it's often high in cholesterol it shouldn't be relied on as the only protein source, the agency states. Fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, whole grains, soybeans, peas and dairy products are also fine sources of protein.
Most adults need between two and three servings of protein a day, but it can vary based on your health needs and age. One serving of protein is about two or three ounces (picture a deck of playing cards to estimate size) of cooked meat, chicken or fish. One-half cup of cooked dried beans, an egg, an ounce of cheese or about two tablespoons of peanut butter will also meet a serving of protein, the agency notes

Thwarting Head Lice

Head lice are tiny, parasitic bugs that live in the hair and scalp, and are most common in school-aged children.Lice typically are not a serious problem, but they can cause uncomfortable itching, irritated skin, and may lead to infection.

Signs that your child may have head lice include constant scratching of the head, or tiny red bumps seen on the shoulders, neck and scalp. Lice eggs, called nits, will look like little dots on the hair that may be white or clear in color.

Lice are easily spread from person to person, so do what you can to keep lice from spreading.

Don't allow someone with lice to share anything used on the hair -- no hats, hairbrushes, combs, barrettes or hair elastics. Pillows and towels also should not be shared with someone who has lice.

Keep Your Feet Safe in Flip-Flops

Flip-flops may feel great to wear during summer, but your feet might not agree. Many flip-flops offer no or little protection for the feet, and can lead to pain or injury.

Suggestions to help protect your feet while wearing flip-flops:

• Invest in better quality flip-flops, made of a soft leather.
• Try to bend the flip-flop gently. While it should give at the ball of the foot, never purchase any flip-flop that completely bends in half.
• Opt for flip-flops instead of walking barefoot in areas such as public pools, beaches, locker rooms and hotel rooms.
• Make sure the flip-flops fit, and your feet don't extend beyond the edge.
• Protect your feet with a sturdier shoe (never a flip-flop) when playing sports, doing a lot of walking, or working in the yard.
• Throw out old, worn flip-flops.
• Take care of any sores or irritated skin between the toes.