Friday, October 03, 2008

Health Tips for October 3

Health Tip: Considering Alternative Medicine?

Alternative medicine products may be used instead of -- or in addition to -- standard medical treatments.

Since these products are not regulated by government agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it's important to research whether they are safe and effective.

The University of Virginia Health System recommends these precautions:

* Check with your doctor about the therapy or treatment you are interested in.
* Look up information about the product on reputable Internet sites.
* Consult scientific journals on the product.
* Talk to people who have used the therapy to learn about their experiences.
* Research and evaluate any controlled scientific studies about the product.

Health Tip: Good Scents During Pregnancy

Pregnant women become more sensitive to certain smells, some of which can make them feel nauseous.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, these alternatives to perfumes may be easier to tolerate:

* Try not to wear or be around any heavy smells until you figure out what you can tolerate.
* Try a lightly scented body spray or lotion instead of perfume.
* Look for scents such as peppermint, ginger and cardamom, which can help combat nausea.
* Citrus scents, such as mandarin, neroli and sweet orange, also may help reduce nausea.
* Other softer smells to try include lavender, chamomile or rose.

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