Health Tip: Avoid Urinary Tract Infections

(HealthDay News) -- Urinary tract infections are very uncomfortable, and can lead to serious health problems if not treated promptly with antibiotics.

The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse says here's how you can help prevent urinary tract infections:

• Drink plenty of water each day.
• Don't let your bladder get too full or wait too long urinate.
• Take showers instead of baths.
• Wash genitals before and after intercourse.
• Women should not use douches or feminine sprays that could irritate the urethra.
• When women use the toilet, wipe from front to back to prevent spreading bacteria from the rectum.

-- Diana Kohnle

Copyright © 2007 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

Health Tip: Symptoms of Down Syndrome

(HealthDay News) -- Down syndrome is a genetic birth defect that's usually caused by an extra copy of the 21st chromosome.

It's the single most common cause of human birth defects, affecting about one in 660 births, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says.

The NLM lists these common signs of Down syndrome:

• Lack of muscle tone present at birth.
• A separation of joints between the bones of the skull, or an abnormally shaped skull.
• Eyes that slant upward.
• Small mouth with a protruding tongue.
• Wide, short hands.
• Only a single crease in the palm of the hand.
• Abnormal physical development, mental retardation.
• An abnormality in the iris of the eye.

-- Diana Kohnle

Copyright © 2007 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

Health Tip: Preparing for a CT Scan

(HealthDay News) -- A CT scan provides X-ray-like images of internal organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels. The scans are used to help diagnose conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, internal injuries and musculoskeletal conditions.

Here are suggestions on what to do before a CT scan, courtesy of the Radiological Society of North America:

• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing -- although you may be required to change into a gown.
• Do not wear any jewelry or metal accessories, including hairpins or non-essential eyeglasses.
• Follow your doctor's instructions on whether you can consume food or water in the hours before the procedure.
• Tell your doctor about any health conditions, medications, or allergies -- such as past reactions to the contrast materials sometimes used in CT scans. Also let the doctor know if there's a possibility that you are pregnant.

-- Diana Kohnle

Copyright © 2007 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

Computer Users: Learn to Baby Your EyesBy Dennis Thompson
HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, May 9 (HealthDay News) -- There are few professions left that don't use computers in some way, just as there are few households that don't consider the family computer an essential appliance.

But all those hours online can take a toll on your eyes, experts warn.

"An increasing number of people are on the computer huge numbers of hours during the day," said Dr. Kerry Beebe, an optometrist in Brainerd, Minn., and spokesman for the American Optometric Association (AOA). "It does seem that particular visual demand can be tough to handle if there's anything less than perfect going on with your visual system."

Studies have shown that eyestrain and other vision problems can occur in as many as nine out of 10 people using video display terminals at work, according to the AOA.

The most common symptoms are eyestrain, blurred vision, double vision, excessive tears, dry eyes and excessive blinking or squinting. Visual problems also can result in physical problems such as headaches and neck or shoulder pain.

"Some people will have all of those and some just a few," Beebe said. "But anytime anyone comes in with those symptoms, we automatically ask, 'What are you doing much of the day?' They often spend many hours on a computer."

The radiation put out by a computer screen has nothing to do with these symptoms, although that's a common myth, said Dr. Jeffrey Weaver, director of the AOA's clinical care group.

"People are often asking about ultraviolet radiation, but any UV radiation from a computer screen is minimal," Weaver said. "If no one's getting a tan from using their computer, then it's not a matter for concern."

But if you're having eye trouble during or after computer use, you should have your eyes examined, Beebe said.

"Many times people will have a focusing problem or a refractive error where simply wearing glasses while using the computer will take away those symptoms," he said.

You should also take frequent short breaks, every half hour or so, Beebe and Weaver said. During those breaks, which can last just a minute or two, you should fix your eyes on a distant object to help refresh your vision.

"Just looking across the room or out a window can help a lot in keeping your focus relaxed," Beebe said.

The brightness of the monitor should be adjusted to an intensity comfortable to the eyes, according to the AOA. That means not too bright or too dim.

Next, you should adjust the contrast between the characters on the monitor and the background so the letters are easily read.

Finally, minimize reflected glare on the monitor by using window shades or curtains and dimmer switches on lights. Bright light sources also should be removed from the peripheral vision.

"Most offices tend to be way too bright for computer use," Weaver said.

To further reduce glare, position the monitor perpendicular to windows or other bright sources of light. You can also buy an anti-glare screen for the monitor, or wear tinted glasses, according to the AOA.

Dry eyes are another common complaint, for two reasons. Offices tend to be dry environments, and when people are reading a computer screen they tend to blink less. To combat dry eyes, take frequent breaks and keep artificial tears -- lubricant eye drops -- handy at your desk, Weaver said.

You can also prevent eyestrain by positioning the monitor in an ergonomically correct position, according to the AOA. The monitor should be located 16 inches to 30 inches from your eyes, depending on how large the screen is and how good your vision is. Most people find it most comfortable to watch a screen 20 inches to 26 inches away.

The top of the monitor should be slightly below your eye level, the AOA said. The center of the monitor should be 10 degrees to 20 degrees below your eyes, or about 4 inches to 9 inches below your eyes at a distance of 24 inches.

And don't forget to rearrange things when it's your child's turn to use the computer. In many situations, the computer monitor will be too high, the chair too low and the desk too high. Your office should have an adjustable chair that can be raised for the child's comfort.

Weaver said technology is evolving to help prevent eyestrain and vision problems.

Monitors have improved their contrast and resolution, and LCD screens, in particular, are proving easier on the eyes. Monitors also are including glare-reduction filters to keep reflections from causing eyestrain, he said.

"They seem to be easier on the eyes, although there's not a lot of objective evidence to say that they are," Weaver said.

SOURCES: Jeffrey Weaver, O.D., director of the American Optometric Association's clinical care group; Kerry Beebe, O.D., optometrist in Brainerd, Minn., and spokesman for the American Optometric Association; the American Optometric Association, Alexandria, Va.

Copyright © 2007 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

Health Tip: Taking Care of Dry Skin

(HealthDay News) -- Dry skin commonly occurs on the legs, arms, thighs and sides of the abdomen. It's most common in winter, although it can occur when humidity is low at any time of year.

Here are suggestions on how to treat dry skin, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

• Use thick, greasy moisturizers -- especially after a bath or shower.
• Don't use skin-care products that contain alcohol.
• Use a humidifier when the air is dry.
• Drink lots of water throughout the day.
• Avoid long, hot showers and baths that can dry skin even more.

-- Diana Kohnle

Copyright © 2007 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

Health Tip: Causes of Dry Mouth

(HealthDay News) -- Dry mouth -- when the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva -- can lead to tooth decay, trouble chewing and swallowing, and infections of the mouth.

According to the U.S. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the condition can develop for a number of reasons:

• Use of certain medications, including some drugs for high blood pressure and depression.
• Development of certain diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or Parkinson's.
• Use of radiation therapy or chemotherapy for treatment of cancer.
• Development of nerve damage in the head or neck.

-- Diana Kohnle

Copyright © 2007 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

Health Tip: Treating Ear Infections in Children

(HealthDay News) -- Middle ear infections are a common childhood ailment, affecting three of four youngsters in the United States by age 3.

Many times, in otherwise healthy children, doctors will not prescribe antibiotics and will wait for the infection to clear up on its own, the Nemours Foundation says. But all cases should be evaluated by a physician.

In children with recurring ear infections, ear tubes may be surgically inserted to help reduce the buildup of fluid in the ear.

Children may also be prescribed an antibiotic for bacterial ear infections -- although an antibiotic will not remedy the condition when it's caused by a virus.

-- Diana Kohnle

Copyright © 2007 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.