Some products (for example, gummy vitamins) can trick a child into thinking that medicines are food or candy, so many poisonings happen with medications. For a child, taking even a small amount of the wrong medicine can be deadly. Keeping Children Safe DO keep medicines and chemicals in a locked or safe place where…
How do I know if I’m having nighttime leg cramps or a different problem? Nighttime leg cramps are a painful tightening of muscles in the leg. They usually happen in the calf, but may happen in the foot or thigh while you’re sleeping. Nighttime leg cramps are different than restless legs syndrome; restless legs syndrome…
There are many medicines for coughs and colds that you can buy without a prescription. These medicines are for a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, or cough. Even though some of these medicines come in a liquid form, they may not be safe for children under 6 years old. Since there is no solid proof…
Follow these steps to get the best effects from your eye drops or eye ointment: Wash your hands and the area around your eyes. Remove your contact lenses, unless you have been told it is okay to keep them in. If the bottle says to shake well, gently roll the bottle in your hands for…
When should my ears be cleaned? For many people, the inner part of your ear should never need to be cleaned. Earwax is normal. It helps keep your ears clean and healthy. Most of the time, earwax moves slowly from the inside of the ear to the outer ear by itself; however, sometimes the earwax…
What is a neti pot? A neti pot looks like a small genie lamp or teapot. It’s used to hold salt water (saline solution) that is poured into one nostril and allowed to drain out of the other nostril. This technique may help with sinus symptoms by clearing out your nasal passages, reducing swelling, and…
How Can You Prevent Another Kidney Stone? What is a kidney stone? A main job of the kidney is filtering wastes from the blood. The wastes often come from the food we eat and are passed into the urine. In some people, certain wastes can form a stone in the kidney. Depending on what…
How can diabetes hurt my feet? People with diabetes are at risk for foot infections. Too much sugar in the blood for a long time can cause nerve damage which reduces feeling, especially in your feet. You may not feel pain, or hot or cold. You might hurt your foot and not even know it.…
Antibiotics are sometimes used before dental visits to prevent infections. These infections are caused when germs from the mouth get into the blood and travel to the heart or an artificial joint. Taking antibiotics may only help prevent heart or joint infections in a small number of people; because of this, many people no longer need…
Blood pressure medicines are some of the most commonly used drugs; however, about one-quarter of people who take meds to lower their blood pressure stop taking them within six months. Up to one-half stop taking them within one year. Why are blood pressure medicines so important? Keeping your blood pressure normal can help you stay…
What are head lice? Head lice are tiny bugs the size of a sesame seed. Young lice are clear, but as they feed on blood they become reddish-brown to black. Head lice don’t cause health problems, but they can be annoying. Getting head lice does not mean a person is dirty; it means they have…
People associate the sun with sports, lazy days at the beach, and keeping fit. Too much sun, however, is not good; the rays of the sun, called “UV” rays, can hurt your skin. UVB rays mostly cause sunburn. UVA rays can cause early skin aging and skin cancer. Keeping safe from the sun The best…
About two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese, so it’s easy to see why so many people want to lose at least a couple of pounds, and sometimes more. Losing weight is not easy. We have fast-paced lives, and time for exercise and preparing healthy meals can be hard to come by; however, if you put your mind…
About one in five people work during the evening or night, or in early morning hours. Some are “night owls” and adjust easily, but many people get sleepy during work time or are unable to sleep between work shifts. This can lead to accidents, mistakes at work, and moodiness or being irritable. There are some…
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects more than one in ten people. People with IBS have symptoms such as bloating, cramping, gas, abdominal pain, and either diarrhea or constipation. What causes IBS? The cause of IBS isn’t clear. What is known is that your stress level and the foods you eat may affect your symptoms.…
I’ve heard that unapproved drugs are being sold in the U.S. Is this true? Yes, it is true. Most drugs on the U.S. market have been approved by the FDA; however, some medications, mostly older ones, have not. These unapproved drugs were being sold BEFORE the current FDA approval process began about 50 years ago.…
Why should I quit smoking? Quitting smoking is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Smoking can cause cancer, lung disease, heart disease, and many other health problems. Secondhand smoke can be dangerous too. It can cause lung cancer and heart disease in adults. It can make asthma worse or…
What is a benzodiazepine? Benzodiazepines (ben-zoh-die-az-uh-peens) or “benzos” are a type of sedative. They are often used for sleep, or to treat anxiety or muscle spasms. They have other, less common uses too. Are benzodiazepines safe? Like all medications, benzos have risks. These risks include: • Feeling sleepy, dizzy, clumsy, or confused; this can cause…
Inhaler devices deliver medicine directly into the lungs. This is different from most pills or shots, which send medicine into the whole body. It is important for you to use your inhaler correctly so the medicine works best. Are all inhalers the same? There are different types of inhaler devices. One main type is called…
What Is Insomnia? Insomnia is a common problem. People with insomnia have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. A lack of sleep can cause people with insomnia to be sleepy during the day. Sometimes insomnia only lasts for a short time, or it can last for a long time. Insomnia can affect your work, school, social…