Health Tips: Iron Deficiency Can Cause Headaches

A lack of iron, resulting in anaemia, is a common cause of headache. The headache sometimes appears before the onset of anaemia, due to a chronic iron deficiency. Brewer's yeast is an excellent source of iron and anaemia can easily be prevented by taking a few teaspoons daily.

Never treat iron deficiency by taking artificial mineral supplements. With iron sulfate it is possible to overload the liver and cause the very complaints one is seeking to avoid.

Health Tips: To lower cholesterol, take soy and eat soy.

Lecithin, also a fatty food substance and the most abundant of the phospholipids, is highly

beneficial in case of increase in cholesterol level. It has the ability to break up cholesterol into

small particles which can be easily handled by the system.

With sufficient intake of lecithin, cholesterol cannot build up against the walls of the arteries and veins. It also increases the production of bile acids made from cholesterol, thereby reducing its amount in the blood.

Egg yolk, vegetable oils, whole grain cereals, soyabeans and unpasteurised milk are rich sources of lecithin. The cells of the body are also capable of synthesizing it as needed, if several of the B vitamins are present.

H1N1 Tips: Parents, Take Care of Children!

As a parent you know how hard it can be for children to understand stressful situations, such as the current situation of influenza A(H1N1). Stressful situations often cause children to worry and have many questions as to why it is happening and how it can be fixed. 

It is important to remember to take care of your health and well-being as well as the health of your children. If you cope with a stressful situation well, your children will also cope better. Your confidence and calm attitude will help your children ease their worries and feel safe and secure.

• Keep activities as consistent and normal as possible even if your normal routine changes (due to daycare or school closures).

• Ask your children what they have heard about influenza A(H1N1). Answer questions openly and honestly, at a level they can understand. Be concrete and do not avoid difficult questions. 

• Allow your children to express their feelings and concerns. Let them know it is okay to be afraid or mad. Ask questions so you can help them identify and cope with their feelings.

• Children always need to feel safe and loved. When they are uncertain about situations and afraid they may need even more affection and attention.

• Limit exposure to media and adult conversations about influenza A(H1N1). If your children are watching T.V. try to watch with them or make sure you are available to answer questions about what they have heard.

• As appropriate, encourage healthy behaviors: eating well, sleeping well, playing outside.

• Use their questions as an opportunity to let them know what they can do to avoid getting novel H1N1 flu.

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds (long enough for children to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice). Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.

• Cough and sneeze into a tissue. (If a tissue is used, throw the tissue away immediately).

• Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.

• Stay at least six feet away from people who are sick.

• Stay home from school if sick, and stay away from sick people until they are better.

H1N1 Tips: How is H1N1 Flu Treated?

Below are recommended step for H1N1 flu treatment;

• Treat any fever right away.

• Drink plenty of fluids to replace those you lose when you are sick.

• Your doctor will decide if you need antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu® (oseltamivir) or Relenza® (zanamivir). Antiviral drugs are prescription pills, liquids or inhalers that fight against the flu by keeping the germs from growing in your body. These medicines can make you feel better faster and make your symptoms milder.

• These medicines work best when started soon after symptoms begin (within two [2] days), but they may also be given to very sick or high risk people (like pregnant women) even after 48 hours. Antiviral treatment is taken for 5 days.

• There is little information about the effect of antiviral drugs in pregnant women or their babies, but no serious side effects have been reported. If you do think you have had a side effect to antiviral drugs, call your doctor right away.

H1N1 Tips: How to Minimize the Spread of Flu #5?

When providing care to a household member who is sick with influenza, the most important ways to protect yourself and others who are not sick are to:

Household Cleaning, Laundry, and Waste Disposal

• Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person in the trash. Wash your hands after touching used tissues and similar waste.

• Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.

• Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.

• Wash linens (such as bed sheets and towels) by using household laundry soap and tumble dry on a hot setting. Avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating yourself. Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub right after handling dirty laundry.

• Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.