Health Tips for August 1

Health Tip: Use Your Inhaler Correctly

People with asthma are often prescribed a metered-dose inhaler. It is important to know how to use an inhaler correctly to ensure that you get the proper amount of medicine to help you breathe.

Here are some guidelines from the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* Remove the cap and shake the canister, holding it upright.
* Slightly tilt your head backward, and exhale.
* Hold the inhaler an inch or so from your mouth, in your mouth with a spacer, or place the inhaler directly in your mouth.
* As you slowly inhale for three to five seconds, press down on the top of the inhaler.
* Hold your breath for about 10 seconds to allow the medicine to fill your lungs.
* Repeat these steps if directed by your doctor.

Health Tip: Red Face Could be Rosacea

Rosacea is a condition in which the skin, most commonly on the face, breaks out in a red, bumpy rash.

Rosacea most often affects people after age 30, and is characterized by a pattern of flare-ups and remissions, says the National Rosacea Society.

Typical symptoms include persistent flushed face, red skin, bumps or pimples, and visible blood vessels. Eventually, the skin becomes ruddier. Fair-skinned people are especially prone to the condition, the society says.

The cause of rosacea is unknown, and there is no cure. Skin care with mild and gentle cleansers, as well as the use of cosmetics, can help minimize redness and other symptoms.