Health Tips for July 20

Health Tip: Protecting Your Eyes

There are important steps you should take to keep your eyes healthy and prevent vision problems.

Here are suggestions from the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Have regular checkups performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. They should be done at least annually if you are older than age 65 or if you have diabetes.
* Have an eye exam if you notice any changes in vision, including blurriness, dimness, blind spots, or halos around lights.
* Wear sunglasses whenever you're outside.
* Avoid too much alcohol and cigarette smoking.
* Maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol.
* If you are diabetic, keep your blood sugar at a healthy level.
* Eat foods that have plenty of antioxidants, such as leafy greens and vegetables.

Health Tip: Treating an Ingrown Toenail

An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail is cut too short, or tight-fitting shoes cause the nail to grow into the skin. Ingrown toenails can be very painful, and can lead to infection if not properly treated.

Here are suggestions to help prevent infection of an ingrown toenail, courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

* Three to four times a day, soak the sore toe in warm water.
* When not soaking, keep the foot dry.
* Wear sandals or loose-fitting shoes that won't apply pressure to the affected toe.
* Take an over-the-counter pain medication, if needed.
* If symptoms do not improve or get worse within two to three days, call your doctor.