Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Health Tips for February 5

Health Tip: When Baby is Crying

Young babies cry frequently, and it's often difficult for new parents to understand what they are fussing about.

The University of California, San Francisco Children's Hospital offers this checklist to help you figure out what's bothering your baby, and ways to pacify her:

* Make sure her diaper is clean.
* Try feeding her to see if she is hungry.
* Check her clothing to be sure she is dressed too warmly, is too cold, or is otherwise uncomfortable.
* Try gently rocking, swinging or walking your baby, or take her for a ride in the car to calm her.
* Gently stroke her head and face, and speak or sing softly to her.
* Play soft, soothing music.
* Try giving her a warm, soothing bath.
* Offer your baby a pacifier.

Health Tip: Healthy Nails, Healthy Body

Healthy fingernails and toe nails are strong, colorless and smooth. Yellowing, brittleness, ridges, crumbling and white spots are all signs that nails may not be completely healthy.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says nail abnormalities may indicate health issues elsewhere in the body. The agency offers this list of what nail problems could indicate:

* Many types of infection, including bacterial, viral, fungal or yeast.
* Abnormal levels of oxygen in the blood.
* Kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid disease or psoriasis.
* Malnutrition or a vitamin deficiency.

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