Health Tips

How to wash your hands.
(It's generally best to wash your hands with soap and water)

1. Wet your hands with running water.
2. Apply liquid, bar soap.
3. Lather well.
4. Rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Remember to scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
5. Rinse well.
6. Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel or air dryer.

Keep in mind that antibacterial soap is no more effective at killing germs than is regular soap. Using antibacterial soap may even lead to the development of bacteria that are resistant to the product's antimicrobial agents, making it harder to kill these germs in the future.

DR I SYED, M.B, B.S, MBA, CRA, PCQI, CPC 
OpenDoor Team member.  www. OpenDoor.cc
Redditch, Gloucestershire. UK.
LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/imtiaz-syed/13/89/841

By: Unknown On 6:14 PM

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5 Easy Steps to Control Your Blood Pressure

Your Lifestyle plays an important role in treating your high blood pressure. If you successfully control your blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle, you may avoid, delay or reduce the need for medication. By making easy lifestyle changes, you can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease.

Watch your waistline:

First of all, you should keep an eye on your waistline. Carrying too much weight around your waist can put you at greater risk of high blood pressure. Blood pressure often increases as your weight increases. Losing just 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) can help reduce your blood pressure. In general, the more weight you lose, the lower your blood pressure. Losing weight also makes any blood pressure medications you're taking more effective.

·         

Men are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 40 inches (102 centimeters, or cm).

·        Women are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 35 inches (89 cm).

·        Asian men are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 36 inches (91 cm).

·        Asian women are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 32 inches (81 cm).

Eat a healthy diet:

1.      Eating a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and skimps on saturated fat and cholesterol can lower your blood pressure by up to 14 mm Hg.

2.      It isn't difficult to change your eating habits. If you follow these below tips, you can adopt a healthy diet:

3.      Keep a food diary. Writing down what you eat, even for just a week, can shed surprising light on your true eating habits. Monitor what you eat, how much, when and why.

4.      Consider boosting potassium. Potassium can lessen the effects of sodium on blood pressure. The best source of potassium is food, such as fruits and vegetables, rather than supplements. Talk to your doctor about the potassium level that's best for you.

5.      Be a smart shopper. Make a shopping list before heading to the supermarket/shop to avoid picking up junk food.

Reduce sodium (SALT) in your diet:

Even a small reduction in the sodium in your diet can reduce blood pressure by 2 to 8 mm Hg. The recommendations for reducing sodium are:

·        Limit sodium to 2,300 milligrams (mg) a day or less.

·        A lower sodium level — 1,500 mg a day or less — is appropriate for people 51 years of age or older, and individuals of any age who are African-American or who have high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

To decrease sodium in your daily diet, consider following tips:

1.      Keep a food diary to estimate how much sodium is in what you eat and drink each day.

2.      Read food labels. If possible, choose low-sodium alternatives of the foods and beverages you normally buy.

3.      Eat fewer processed foods. Potato chips, frozen dinners, and processed lunch meats are high in sodium.

4.       

      Don't add salt. Just 1 level teaspoon of salt has 2,300 mg of sodium. Use herbs or spices, rather than salt, to add more flavour to your foods.

5.      Ease into it. If you don't feel like you can drastically reduce the sodium in your diet suddenly, cut back gradually. Your palate will adjust over time.

Exercise regularly:

Regular physical activity for at least 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week can lower your blood pressure by 4 to 9 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). And it doesn't take long to see a difference. If you haven't been active, increasing your exercise level can lower your blood pressure within just a few weeks.

Talk to your doctor about developing an exercise program. Your doctor can help determine whether you need any exercise restrictions. Even moderate activity for 10 minutes at a time, such as walking and light strength training, can help.

REMEMBER; ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST BEFORE TAKIG ANY TABLET OR MEDICINE. (For any persistent conditions, talk to your DOCTOR/ PHARMACIST at once)

Source:

Dr. Imtiaz Syed

M.B, B.S, MBA, CRA, PCQI, CPC

LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/imtiaz-syed/13/89/841

OpenDoor Team member.  www. OpenDoor.cc

Redditch, Gloucestershire. UK.

By: Unknown On 9:14 AM

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Fortify Your Knowledge About Vitamins

Vitamins are essential nutrients that contribute to a healthy life. Although most people get all the vitamins they need from the foods they eat, millions of people worldwide take supplemental vitamins as part of their health regimen.

Why Buy Vitamins?

There are many good reasons to consider taking vitamin supplements, such as over-the-counter multivitamins. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), a doctor may recommend that you take them:

• for certain health problems
• if you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet
• if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

By: Unknown On 4:11 AM

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Some Laxatives May Cause Organ Damage if Not Taken As Directed, FDA Warns

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is cautioning consumers that some over-the-counter laxatives may be dangerous if not taken as directed on the Drug Facts label. Sodium phosphate laxatives, if taken more frequently or in larger doses than recommended, can lead to rare but serious complications that could damage internal organs such as the heart and kidneys. According to an FDA Consumer Update, the agency is aware of dozens of reports of serious side effects, and at least 13 deaths associated with the misuse of these medications.

As directed on the required Drug Facts labels, sodium phosphate laxatives should only be taken in single doses no more than once per day. The products should also not be used for more than three days. If a bowel movement is not produced after taking an oral or rectal dose of the product, consumers should not take another dose. Finally, consumers with kidney disease or heart problems should consult with a health care provider before using the product.

In addition to these precautions, FDA is now warning adults over age 55 and children with certain health conditions to also consult with a health care provider. These warnings also apply to adults and children with inflammation of the colon or who are taking certain drugs that affect how the kidneys work, such as diuretics or fluid medicines; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, both used to treat high blood pressure, heart, or kidney failure; and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen.

More information on safe use of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications is available in the Appropriate Use section of the AWAR_XE website..

Sources: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm379440.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

By: Unknown On 8:27 AM

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Diabetes medical alert ID card.

In case of an emergency, it helps to carry something that identifies you as a person with diabetes. An ID card kept alongside your driver’s license or registration can be easier to spot than a medic alert bracelet, necklace or tattoo.
Diabetes Forecast magazine has a medical alert card you can print at home! Click here for a PDF.
Source: http://www.diabetesforecast.org/2014/Jan/diabetes-alert-card.pdf                                             00

By: Unknown On 10:11 AM

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Medicine Books

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Food safety for pregnant women

Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting times in your life. Following a healthy diet is

an important way to make sure that you and your baby are getting the nutrients that you need.

However, because of all the changes taking place in your body, both you and your unborn baby are at an increased risk for food poisoning (also known as food-related illness or foodborne illness). This includes your immune system being weakened, which can make it more difficult to fight off infections.

While the food we eat in Canada is among the safest in the world, some food can be contaminated by bacteria, viruses, and parasites (food borne pathogens). Protect yourself and your baby by following some simple rules.

Health risks

Some people can get food poisoning and not even know they have it. Food poisoning is caused by eating foods that are contaminated.

Certain bacteria, viruses or parasites can cross the placenta and increase the chance your baby may become infected. Your unborn baby's immune system is not developed enough to fight off harmful bacteria. For you, the mother, food poisoning can cause symptoms that include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• abdominal pain
• fever
• chills
• headaches
• body aches

Did you know?

Pregnant women are 20 times more likely than other healthy adults to develop Listerine if they are exposed to the Listeria bacteria.

Food borne bacteria can be even more dangerous for your baby's health. If you develop food poisoning during the first three months of pregnancy, it can cause a miscarriage. Later on in the pregnancy, your baby could be delivered prematurely. Food borne illness can also cause a stillbirth or a baby who is born severely ill. Since your baby is dependent on you for all its needs, it is extremely important that you pay close attention to what you eat and apply the following food safety steps.

Safety tips

It is important to separate your raw meat, poultry, fish, and seafood from other food in your grocery cart and in your refrigerator. This is to make sure that you are not cross-contaminating your food.

Heat and proper cooking can kill bacteria, but people often eat raw fruits and vegetables. Because they are not heated or cooked, raw fruits and vegetables that have been contaminated by raw meat, poultry, fish, and seafood may contain bacteria that can be harmful to you.

Shopping

• Buy cold or frozen food at the end of your shopping trip.
• Check the "best before" date on your food.
• Keep your raw meat, poultry, fish, and seafood away from other food in your grocery cart.
• Examine fruits and vegetables carefully and avoid buying items that are bruised or damaged.
• If you use reusable grocery bags or bins, make sure to use a specific bag or bin for meat, poultry or seafood. Label the bag or bin with the type of food it carries.

http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/eating-nutrition/safety-salubrite/pregnant-enceintes-eng.php?utm_source=Facebook_HCdns&utm_medium=social&utm_content=Nov13_PregnantNoSushi_ENG&utm_campaign=social_media_13

By: Unknown On 4:26 AM

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