Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Health Tips for November 16

Health Tip: Giving Kids Medicine

It's often a challenge to convince kids to take much-needed medicine when they're sick.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions to make medicine more palatable for children:

  • Refrigerate liquid medicines before giving them to a child.
  • If the doctor or pharmacist says it's ok, mix the medication with a bit of juice or pudding.
  • Ask your pharmacist to mix flavoring into the medication before you take it home.
  • Explain to the child that the medicine will help him or her feel better.

Health Tip: Store Medications Safely

Storing medications properly can help preserve them and help keep them from getting into the wrong hands.

The Cleveland Clinic offers these medication-storage recommendations:

  • Follow storage instructions on the medication. Unless otherwise specified, keep them in a cool, dark and dry place.
  • Avoid leaving medications in your car, bathroom or near any source of water or dampness.
  • Refrigerate medications only if it says to do so on the label.
  • Make sure all medications are stored safely out of a child's reach.
  • If using a pill organizer, make sure all medications are easily identified.
  • Keep medications in original containers with lids tightly closed; dispose of medications that are expired or those you no longer need.

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