Health Tip: Drug and Food Interactions
Many medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, can negatively interact with foods, supplements or other drugs.
Here are guidelines to help prevent food-drug interactions, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:
* Check prescription and over-the-counter drug labels to see if they contain any warnings.
* Follow directions on all medications carefully.
* Unless you get your doctor's OK, never break up pills and mix them with food, and never empty capsules into food.
* Take medications with a whole glass of water, unless your doctor has given you other instructions. Never take medications with alcohol.
* Don't take your medications at the same time as you take vitamins or dietary supplements.
* Don't mix medications in a hot drink, as the heat may affect the medication.
Health Tip: Prevent Dehydration
It's easy to get dehydrated if you're not careful. A stomach bug, sweating outside in the hot weather, and just not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration, a serious condition.
Stay well-hydrated with these suggestions from the U.S. National Library of Medicine:
* Drink plenty of fluids -- especially water -- each day.
* When exercising or sweating, and during hot weather, be sure to drink more water.
* Elderly people, children and people who are sick need to be carefully monitored to prevent dehydration.
* Drink plenty of fluids if you are vomiting, have a fever, or have diarrhea.
* If you think you may be starting to get dehydrated, contact your doctor at once -- before you start to have symptoms.
* Warning signs of dehydration may include: not producing tears, sunken eyes, little or no urine output for eight hours or more, rapid heartbeat, listlessness, and dry skin, mouth or eyes.
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