Monday, August 29, 2011

Health Tips for August 29

Health Tip: Recovering From Adenoid and Tonsil Removal

It's common for people who have just had their tonsils and adenoids removed -- usually children -- to suffer post-surgical symptoms including a sore throat, low-grade fever and ear pain.

Maintaining a proper diet during recovery can help ease symptoms. The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions:

  • Skip highly acidic drinks, such as grapefruit juice or orange juice.
  • Avoid foods that are very hot or spicy.
  • Restrict foods that can irritate a sore throat, including crunchy, raw vegetables and cold cereals.
  • Avoid high-fat dairy products that can thicken mucus and make swallowing more difficult.

Health Tip: Prevent Passing Germs

Viruses that cause the common cold or flu are spread in droplets produced when a person coughs or sneezes, a process the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls "droplet spread."

Virus- or bacteria-laden droplets also can spread disease when a person touches a contaminated surface, then touches their own eyes, nose or mouth, the agency says.

The CDC offers these suggestions to help prevent the spread of germs:

  • Always cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough. Try to sneeze or cough into a tissue instead of your hands.
  • Wash your hands often, and make sure you spend about 20 seconds washing them. That's about the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice, the agency notes.
  • Carry a bottle of hand sanitizer or hand-sanitizing wipes to wash your hands when you're not near a sink.
  • Teach children to follow these same practices.

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