Friday, February 08, 2008

Health Tips for February 8

Health Tip: Pain Isn't a Normal Part of Aging

Some seniors accept chronic pain as part of getting older.

But AARP says pain and aging don't have to go hand in hand. The organization says it's important to see to your doctor to help figure out the cause of your pain, and to determine the best course of treatment.

AARP offers these general suggestions:

* Try to exercise regularly.
* Seek out counseling or support groups to help you deal with pain.
* Soothe pain with relaxation techniques, including meditation and massage.
* Rate your pain on a scale of one to 10 for your doctor, and keep a record of when you experience pain.
* Talk to your doctor about methods you use to control pain, including any medications and topical treatments.
* Pay attention to what makes your pain subside, and what seems to make pain worse.

Health Tip: Protect Your Child From Flu

Children are in constant contact with germs, and can easily spread them to others. Flu is a particularly nasty nemesis, but it can be prevented.

Here are ways to help reduce your child's risk of getting the flu, courtesy of the Children's Hospital at the University of California, San Francisco:

* Flu vaccine is recommended for children aged 6 months to 23 months, and for children aged 2 and older who are at a high risk of contracting flu.
* Hand washing also is an easy way to help prevent flu. Your child should wash her hands thoroughly and frequently, with soap and warm water.
* Parents and caregivers should also should wash their hands often, and get a flu vaccine.
* Teach your child to cover her mouth when she coughs or sneezes, and to wash her hands afterward.
* Try to keep your child away from others who are sick. Keep her home from school if she has symptoms of a cold or the flu.

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