Sore eyes, aside from being embarrassing, are also contagious. Here are some tips on how to deal with sore eyes and several methods for treatment.
Nothing can be more scary or embarrassing than a couple of sore eyes. You haven’t gotten anywhere yet but it’s a sure thing that everyone’s going to be avoiding you. A lot of myths have been surrounding sore eyes. The more popular one says that you can get contaminated by looking at another person straight in the eyes. This is never true.
Sore eyes also known as conjunctivitis is an infection commonly caused by the bacteria staphylococcus or streptococcus. You can acquire it if your eyes get in contact with contaminated objects or body parts like your hands. As much as it is troubling, do not fret so much because everything’s temporary. Here’s how to deal with sore eyes.
1. Soothe.
Common symptoms of sore eyes are heat sensation, bulging and irritation in the area. Wash sore eyes with cool water, apply cold compress and keep them closed for fifteen minutes. Do not attempt to rub your eyes as this will only make them redder. It is possible that only one eye is red and infected while the other one remains okay. Avoid spreading contamination by using a clean handkerchief or tissue paper to dab the tears off your affected eye. Never touch the unaffected eye to prevent bacteria from transferring.
2. Sleep.
Sleep will keep your eyes well rested and rejuvenated. Blood circulation also rushes to the area during sleep and eradicate bacteria and other irritants. You may place a cool cloth or cold compress over your eyes as you sleep. Try to keep your hands to yourself even if it itches. Get at least ten hours of uninterrupted sleep a night to hasten recovery.
3. Clean.
Do your best to protect your eyes from exposure. Wear thick dark sunglasses to minimize possible swelling if your eyes strain too much from the glare of the sun. Also stay away from dust-filled areas that may worsen your condition. Never apply soap or other cleansing agents and only use cool running water to cleanse your eyes.
4. Medication.
Eye drops can soothe constricted vessels in your eyes and minimize swelling and redness. Be careful when instilling eye drops and put two drops in each eye. They may sting especially during the first time. Some products can also be poisonous if swallowed so never let it get close to your mouth. Antibacterial ointments are also available to directly eliminate bacterial presence and rid of the irritation for good. Do not let the medication container touch your eyes.
5. Be calm.
When you wake up one morning and see your bulging red eyes, do not panic and quickly cleanse them. To avoid embarrassment while being in public places, wear thick dark glasses to cover them up. If you follow the right treatment regimen, they’ll probably lighten and feel more eased after two days and completely be gone before week’s end.
If the problem does not get better after one week or if it worsens, seek medical attention at once. Never self-medicate and always ask your doctor to recommend the right treatment for your case. Also know the right agencies to contact in case of emergency like anaphylactic reaction or poisoning.
Author: Julieta Chin. All rights reserved.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
How to Quickly Treat Fever
Are you suffering from a fever? Before you rush yourself to the hospital, there are ways to treat the illness yourself. Here are some tips on how to quickly treat fever.
Fever is the most common symptom known to man. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a disease but a characteristic of an existing one. You should not think that fever is bad since it is a defensive mechanism of your body to fight invading microorganisms. Heat is always associated with fever as your body raises the inside temperature trying to fry pathogens.
On most occasions, fever makes you feel weak, tired and nauseous. Sometimes fever can rise to very high temperatures causing seizures and shock to patients. It is important that you maintain fever at a manageable level or treat it completely if proper medications are already present to fight pathogens. Here’s how to quickly treat fever.
1. Cool off.
Ask someone to prepare a cool sponge bath. It’s good to place water in a basin then adding ice chips to lower the temperature. Use a sponge or small towel to rub your body with. Remember to wring the sponge or towel after each dip in the basin. The idea is to promote surface cooling on your skin through conduction of cold temperature. It is vital that areas with large arteries which are generally loaded with blood are cooled off to have an overall effect. Rub areas like the neck, armpits and groin or inner thigh.
2. Air out.
Many people make the wrong move of putting on too much garments and blankets during fever. This will only increase your body temperature more. Wear light and loose fitting clothing and stay in a well-ventilated room. It is important that you remain in a cool environment since your body is generating too much heat. Air-conditioned rooms and fans are okay.
3. Fluids.
Drink a lot of water to flush out mucus and clear your entire system. Adequate hydration also promotes blood circulation and system cooling which greatly reduces fever. Drink at least ten glasses of cool water per day. Ginger ale and citrus juices are also effective for tissue recovery and fighting off pathogens.
4. Diet.
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables to facilitate healing and blood circulation. Citrus fruits are very effective in alleviating fever and other associated symptoms. Do not diet during fever and eat as much as you like. It’s also good to eat cold treats like ice cream or cold cuts to lower your body temperature.
5. Rest.
Sleep is one of the key elements in treating any kind of disease. Make sure that you get enough sleep every night of eight to ten hours. You may also nap during midday to reduce migraines and feelings of weakness associated with fever.
6. Medication.
Antipyretic medications will be the cornerstone of your treatment regimen. Ibuprofen, paracetamol, analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents are some of the most commonly used drugs in treating fever. These directly act on the pain receptors inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis thereby reducing pain sensations, weakness and body heat.
Always consult your doctor if your fever lasts for more than three days. An underlying disease may be present which needs proper diagnosis and treatment. Avoid straining your eyes so much with too much light or reading or your headaches may intensify.
Author: Julieta Chin. All rights reserved.
Fever is the most common symptom known to man. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a disease but a characteristic of an existing one. You should not think that fever is bad since it is a defensive mechanism of your body to fight invading microorganisms. Heat is always associated with fever as your body raises the inside temperature trying to fry pathogens.
On most occasions, fever makes you feel weak, tired and nauseous. Sometimes fever can rise to very high temperatures causing seizures and shock to patients. It is important that you maintain fever at a manageable level or treat it completely if proper medications are already present to fight pathogens. Here’s how to quickly treat fever.
1. Cool off.
Ask someone to prepare a cool sponge bath. It’s good to place water in a basin then adding ice chips to lower the temperature. Use a sponge or small towel to rub your body with. Remember to wring the sponge or towel after each dip in the basin. The idea is to promote surface cooling on your skin through conduction of cold temperature. It is vital that areas with large arteries which are generally loaded with blood are cooled off to have an overall effect. Rub areas like the neck, armpits and groin or inner thigh.
2. Air out.
Many people make the wrong move of putting on too much garments and blankets during fever. This will only increase your body temperature more. Wear light and loose fitting clothing and stay in a well-ventilated room. It is important that you remain in a cool environment since your body is generating too much heat. Air-conditioned rooms and fans are okay.
3. Fluids.
Drink a lot of water to flush out mucus and clear your entire system. Adequate hydration also promotes blood circulation and system cooling which greatly reduces fever. Drink at least ten glasses of cool water per day. Ginger ale and citrus juices are also effective for tissue recovery and fighting off pathogens.
4. Diet.
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables to facilitate healing and blood circulation. Citrus fruits are very effective in alleviating fever and other associated symptoms. Do not diet during fever and eat as much as you like. It’s also good to eat cold treats like ice cream or cold cuts to lower your body temperature.
5. Rest.
Sleep is one of the key elements in treating any kind of disease. Make sure that you get enough sleep every night of eight to ten hours. You may also nap during midday to reduce migraines and feelings of weakness associated with fever.
6. Medication.
Antipyretic medications will be the cornerstone of your treatment regimen. Ibuprofen, paracetamol, analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents are some of the most commonly used drugs in treating fever. These directly act on the pain receptors inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis thereby reducing pain sensations, weakness and body heat.
Always consult your doctor if your fever lasts for more than three days. An underlying disease may be present which needs proper diagnosis and treatment. Avoid straining your eyes so much with too much light or reading or your headaches may intensify.
Author: Julieta Chin. All rights reserved.
Monday, February 28, 2011
How to Effectively Treat Diarrhea
Diarrhea may seem like a mild condition, if there's nothing important going on, that is. But once it kicks in while you're in the middle of a major meeting, it's trouble. Here's how you can effectively treat diarrhea and keep it away for long.
Diarrhea seems to occur under the direst situations. You suddenly have a bad tummy just when you’re about to give a report or get ready for a cramped plane ride. There are several causes of diarrhea although the most common stems from ingestion of wrong foods inadequately absorbed by the digestive system. Don’t let the episodes get to you though.
You can quickly and effectively treat diarrhea with a variety of methods. Since the condition is generally triggered by abnormal or frequent intestinal contractions characterized by loose soft stool, you have to approach the situation and cut the problem by the root. Here are some quick and easy steps.
1. Water.
Drink a lot of water especially during the first twenty four hours of diarrhea. Aim for ten to twelve glasses. Water will effectively flush out gastric irritants causing the intestinal disorder as well as add more bulk to the stool making it more firm in composition. Water also improves circulation in the digestive system which will enhance its function to properly transit stool through the bowel. Physicians usually advise patients to drink only water or clear fluids on the first day of diarrhea to check the stool for blood.
2. Diet.
Avoid fatty and oily foods at this point as these may tend to soften your stool more. These are also considered trigger foods that irritate the gastric pouch and intestinal tract thereby intensifying the contractions and hastening bowel movement.
The BRAT diet, consisting of banana, rice, applesauce and toast is specifically recommended by health professionals to add bulk to stool as well as improve intestinal movement and function. Diarrhea may also be caused by bacterial imbalances in your gut flora so you may take yogurt with live cultures to maintain the right digestive environment.
3. Medication.
Antispasmodic agents are relatively effective in directly soothing and relieving intestinal contractions. Once the muscular contractions have stopped, bowel movement will relax thereby transporting stool at a fairly normal level. Some medications or vitamin overdose may also be the cause of diarrhea so have your physician review all the current drugs you’re taking. Once you embark on a medication regimen, religiously stick to it and do not abruptly stop unless you’re physician advises you to do so or you experience adverse side effects.
4. Physician.
If you observe anything unusual like blood in your stool or presence of worms, seek medical help immediately. If you’re experiencing severe pain along with your diarrhea episodes or your condition persists for more than a week, you should let your physician assess you thoroughly to provide the proper interventions.
Some instances of diarrhea are merely a symptom of a graver underlying disease so be more observant about other associated symptoms. Your physician will most likely perform a series of laboratory tests to confirm your condition. Infants and young children with diarrhea should immediately be brought to the physician.
Sometimes the traditional methods of approach for diarrhea may not work for every individual. Try changing your diet if you still experience the same problem once in a while. Herbal medicines have also been proven to alleviate intestinal contractions as well as reduce episodes.
Author: Julieta Chin. All rights reserved.
Diarrhea seems to occur under the direst situations. You suddenly have a bad tummy just when you’re about to give a report or get ready for a cramped plane ride. There are several causes of diarrhea although the most common stems from ingestion of wrong foods inadequately absorbed by the digestive system. Don’t let the episodes get to you though.
You can quickly and effectively treat diarrhea with a variety of methods. Since the condition is generally triggered by abnormal or frequent intestinal contractions characterized by loose soft stool, you have to approach the situation and cut the problem by the root. Here are some quick and easy steps.
1. Water.
Drink a lot of water especially during the first twenty four hours of diarrhea. Aim for ten to twelve glasses. Water will effectively flush out gastric irritants causing the intestinal disorder as well as add more bulk to the stool making it more firm in composition. Water also improves circulation in the digestive system which will enhance its function to properly transit stool through the bowel. Physicians usually advise patients to drink only water or clear fluids on the first day of diarrhea to check the stool for blood.
2. Diet.
Avoid fatty and oily foods at this point as these may tend to soften your stool more. These are also considered trigger foods that irritate the gastric pouch and intestinal tract thereby intensifying the contractions and hastening bowel movement.
The BRAT diet, consisting of banana, rice, applesauce and toast is specifically recommended by health professionals to add bulk to stool as well as improve intestinal movement and function. Diarrhea may also be caused by bacterial imbalances in your gut flora so you may take yogurt with live cultures to maintain the right digestive environment.
3. Medication.
Antispasmodic agents are relatively effective in directly soothing and relieving intestinal contractions. Once the muscular contractions have stopped, bowel movement will relax thereby transporting stool at a fairly normal level. Some medications or vitamin overdose may also be the cause of diarrhea so have your physician review all the current drugs you’re taking. Once you embark on a medication regimen, religiously stick to it and do not abruptly stop unless you’re physician advises you to do so or you experience adverse side effects.
4. Physician.
If you observe anything unusual like blood in your stool or presence of worms, seek medical help immediately. If you’re experiencing severe pain along with your diarrhea episodes or your condition persists for more than a week, you should let your physician assess you thoroughly to provide the proper interventions.
Some instances of diarrhea are merely a symptom of a graver underlying disease so be more observant about other associated symptoms. Your physician will most likely perform a series of laboratory tests to confirm your condition. Infants and young children with diarrhea should immediately be brought to the physician.
Sometimes the traditional methods of approach for diarrhea may not work for every individual. Try changing your diet if you still experience the same problem once in a while. Herbal medicines have also been proven to alleviate intestinal contractions as well as reduce episodes.
Author: Julieta Chin. All rights reserved.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
How to Effectively Treat Constipation
Constipation can give you a very hard time and can be extra stressful if you're in the middle of an important event. Here's how you can effectively treat constipation and end your "grunting" worries.
Having problems with hard lumpy stools? You’re experiencing constipation. Constipation can be measured by consistency of the stool or the frequency of bowel movement. Individuals with the problem may only pass stool once or twice per week. The process of passing stool itself tends to be very difficult and at times painful. It’s still not the end of the world for you though.
Treating constipation can be very simple and easy. You only got to have a little knowledge about the whole mechanism and the causative factors that can lead to or aggravate your condition. With a little change in your usual habits, you can effectively and quickly treat constipation. Here are a few simple steps.
1. Diet.
Constipation is generally caused by very slow or absent intestinal contractions which make it hard for stool to pass through. Although physiologic differences may cause the disorder, chronic dietary issues are more common. Avoid processed foods, baked products and oily and fatty sources as these impede the proper formation of stool.
Instead, add more fruits and vegetables in your diet as well as soluble fiber either in raw form or supplementation. These help in the formation of a more consistent and lubricated stool for easier transit. Some high-fiber food sources also flush and cleanse the intestinal tract.
2. Schedule.
Instead of your usual three big meals, eat smaller frequent meals four to six times a day. This will aid in proper digestion of food as well as not tax your digestive tract too much. Too much ingested food at one time will only cause excess moisture to be reabsorbed in the feces, aggravating constipation episodes. Do not eat anything before you sleep at night.
3. Water.
Adequate hydration can do wonders for your constipation. Increase your intake for three to four days by two to three extra glasses of water. So you have to drink at least twelve glasses per day. Water will help lubricate stool for easier passage. It also provides more blood circulation to the digestive tract which will enhance intestinal contractions, making room for stool to pass through.
4. Exercise.
Physical activity will also improve blood circulation to the digestive system, improving its function of transporting stool through regular bowel movement. Exercise will also relieve your feelings of stress and heaviness from the straining. Do some form of cardiovascular exercise at least three times a week for at least thirty minutes at each session.
5. Rest.
Stress can cause constipation by tensing the intestinal muscles hampering the gastric reflex responsible for proper stool formation. Soothe intestinal contractions and pain by sleeping at least eight to ten hours every night. Adequate rest periods will also heal and rejuvenate damaged tissues caused by constant straining during constipation episodes.
6. Medication.
Gut motility enhancing agents and laxatives are generally effective in directly acting on the digestive tract to improve bowel movement. Be cautious in taking over-the-counter medications and always follow the stipulated guidelines and dosage accordingly. Consult your physician before embarking in any medication regimen and always observe for side effects.
In any case wherein you feel uncertain about an aspect of your constipation, seek medical attention immediately. Do not attempt to treat a condition which is unknown to you to prevent further injury and complications.
Author: Julieta Chin. All rights reserved.
Having problems with hard lumpy stools? You’re experiencing constipation. Constipation can be measured by consistency of the stool or the frequency of bowel movement. Individuals with the problem may only pass stool once or twice per week. The process of passing stool itself tends to be very difficult and at times painful. It’s still not the end of the world for you though.
Treating constipation can be very simple and easy. You only got to have a little knowledge about the whole mechanism and the causative factors that can lead to or aggravate your condition. With a little change in your usual habits, you can effectively and quickly treat constipation. Here are a few simple steps.
1. Diet.
Constipation is generally caused by very slow or absent intestinal contractions which make it hard for stool to pass through. Although physiologic differences may cause the disorder, chronic dietary issues are more common. Avoid processed foods, baked products and oily and fatty sources as these impede the proper formation of stool.
Instead, add more fruits and vegetables in your diet as well as soluble fiber either in raw form or supplementation. These help in the formation of a more consistent and lubricated stool for easier transit. Some high-fiber food sources also flush and cleanse the intestinal tract.
2. Schedule.
Instead of your usual three big meals, eat smaller frequent meals four to six times a day. This will aid in proper digestion of food as well as not tax your digestive tract too much. Too much ingested food at one time will only cause excess moisture to be reabsorbed in the feces, aggravating constipation episodes. Do not eat anything before you sleep at night.
3. Water.
Adequate hydration can do wonders for your constipation. Increase your intake for three to four days by two to three extra glasses of water. So you have to drink at least twelve glasses per day. Water will help lubricate stool for easier passage. It also provides more blood circulation to the digestive tract which will enhance intestinal contractions, making room for stool to pass through.
4. Exercise.
Physical activity will also improve blood circulation to the digestive system, improving its function of transporting stool through regular bowel movement. Exercise will also relieve your feelings of stress and heaviness from the straining. Do some form of cardiovascular exercise at least three times a week for at least thirty minutes at each session.
5. Rest.
Stress can cause constipation by tensing the intestinal muscles hampering the gastric reflex responsible for proper stool formation. Soothe intestinal contractions and pain by sleeping at least eight to ten hours every night. Adequate rest periods will also heal and rejuvenate damaged tissues caused by constant straining during constipation episodes.
6. Medication.
Gut motility enhancing agents and laxatives are generally effective in directly acting on the digestive tract to improve bowel movement. Be cautious in taking over-the-counter medications and always follow the stipulated guidelines and dosage accordingly. Consult your physician before embarking in any medication regimen and always observe for side effects.
In any case wherein you feel uncertain about an aspect of your constipation, seek medical attention immediately. Do not attempt to treat a condition which is unknown to you to prevent further injury and complications.
Author: Julieta Chin. All rights reserved.
Friday, February 25, 2011
How to Take Care of Your Teeth Braces
Teeth braces are not a very pretty sight, althought their long terms benefits are fantastic. In the meantime, you can reduce the hassle by learning to take care of them properly. Here's how.
Teeth braces are basically a nuisance to your beautiful smile but you have to admit they are a boon in the long term. You have to know how to take care of your teeth braces to make sure that they serve the purpose of keeping your teeth alignment intact and well-set. By not adequately attending to them or not wearing them properly, you only risk having a poor set of teeth and more years of brace wear.
Taking care of your teeth braces is simple and easy. You don’t have to spend a lot of time and money to keep them clean and fixed. Some people may only stay on them for a few months with the right preservation and caring techniques. By following a few steps you can make sure that your teeth braces will only last as short as possible until you have a perfect smile to flash all on your own. Here’s how.
1. Clean.
It is vital that you keep your teeth braces very clean to make sure that they’re free of bacteria that may only worsen your current condition. Soak them in clean water for fifteen to thirty minutes twice a day or whenever they’re not in use. You may also wrap clean tissue paper around them. Make it a habit that whenever you brush your teeth, you also clean your braces with a different soft-bristled toothbrush. If you have the type which cannot be taken off, brush your teeth braces along. Make sure you rinse and gargle well to take out all tartar and stuck food particles.
2. Chewing.
Whenever you’re chewing, do not let hard or semi-hard food particles come into contact with your braces or you risk bending or breaking them. Use your molars or the teeth at the back portion of your mouth for chewing. Never chew on objects like pens, pencils or junk food wrappers. Be very careful about chewing gum and corn as these can easily get stuck in between your braces and are very difficult to completely remove.
3. Keep it in place.
Avoid keeping on touching or picking on your teeth braces. Also do not keep removing them. Better yet, only take them off when you’re about to eat and return them immediately after you brush your teeth after meals. The fastest route to getting off your braces is to wear them at all times. If you keep taking them off for fashion reasons, you’re only delaying progress and adding more time to stay on them.
4. Dentist.
It is highly unadvisable to repair or modify your teeth braces on your own. The safest thing to do if you feel your braces tightening or hurting your teeth and gums so much is to go to your dentist. Your dentist will effectively make the necessary adjustments to make sure that you have the best-looking teeth in the fastest time possible. Be sure to go to your scheduled appointments every time so that your progress will be faster and smoother.
You can learn how to love being on teeth braces by adding color and design to your own set. Instead of feeling unattractive and nerdy, you can simply accept the whole new image. You’ll be surprised how your new look can also be quite flattering over time.
Author: Julieta Chin. All rights reserved.
Teeth braces are basically a nuisance to your beautiful smile but you have to admit they are a boon in the long term. You have to know how to take care of your teeth braces to make sure that they serve the purpose of keeping your teeth alignment intact and well-set. By not adequately attending to them or not wearing them properly, you only risk having a poor set of teeth and more years of brace wear.
Taking care of your teeth braces is simple and easy. You don’t have to spend a lot of time and money to keep them clean and fixed. Some people may only stay on them for a few months with the right preservation and caring techniques. By following a few steps you can make sure that your teeth braces will only last as short as possible until you have a perfect smile to flash all on your own. Here’s how.
1. Clean.
It is vital that you keep your teeth braces very clean to make sure that they’re free of bacteria that may only worsen your current condition. Soak them in clean water for fifteen to thirty minutes twice a day or whenever they’re not in use. You may also wrap clean tissue paper around them. Make it a habit that whenever you brush your teeth, you also clean your braces with a different soft-bristled toothbrush. If you have the type which cannot be taken off, brush your teeth braces along. Make sure you rinse and gargle well to take out all tartar and stuck food particles.
2. Chewing.
Whenever you’re chewing, do not let hard or semi-hard food particles come into contact with your braces or you risk bending or breaking them. Use your molars or the teeth at the back portion of your mouth for chewing. Never chew on objects like pens, pencils or junk food wrappers. Be very careful about chewing gum and corn as these can easily get stuck in between your braces and are very difficult to completely remove.
3. Keep it in place.
Avoid keeping on touching or picking on your teeth braces. Also do not keep removing them. Better yet, only take them off when you’re about to eat and return them immediately after you brush your teeth after meals. The fastest route to getting off your braces is to wear them at all times. If you keep taking them off for fashion reasons, you’re only delaying progress and adding more time to stay on them.
4. Dentist.
It is highly unadvisable to repair or modify your teeth braces on your own. The safest thing to do if you feel your braces tightening or hurting your teeth and gums so much is to go to your dentist. Your dentist will effectively make the necessary adjustments to make sure that you have the best-looking teeth in the fastest time possible. Be sure to go to your scheduled appointments every time so that your progress will be faster and smoother.
You can learn how to love being on teeth braces by adding color and design to your own set. Instead of feeling unattractive and nerdy, you can simply accept the whole new image. You’ll be surprised how your new look can also be quite flattering over time.
Author: Julieta Chin. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
How to Teach Your Teenage Child to Quit Caffeine
Caffeine is a good wakeupper, but it can be dangerous when taking in extreme amounts. If your teenager is a caffeine addict, it may be time to take some action. Here's how.
For the past several days you may have noticed that your teenager has had too much caffeine. She practically takes one cup of coffee after another during late night study sessions and two more before she leaves for school. She might need the extra boost sometimes, but you’re getting worried that addiction may be starting to kick into her system, so you decide to take action.
Caffeine is a drug that can cause addiction if consumed in above average quantities. As adults you may be taking it at most twice in your coffee but your teenage child may be mesmerized by the alerting effects, as well as the feeling that she is becoming mature by being allowed to take it. You must take responsibility to help your child quit caffeine. Here’s how.
1. Goals.
Your child may not realize it early on but begin by helping her set goals for transition to rid of the addiction. You may want to ask her how many cups of coffee she’s taking daily and setting the goal by reducing two cups a day then gradually taking one more cup off per week. The goals must be realistic and attainable for your teenager and give her time to create her own personal preferences. Let her write down and enumerate these goals.
2. Expectations.
Discuss with your child what to expect while she’s quitting caffeine. Tell her that although she may feel more vibrant and alert while taking more coffee, the fact is her system sooner or later will begin to deteriorate because of the adverse effects.
Give her your expectations as a caring parent that you wish her to do well in her studies, her social life and her family relationships and that she can succeed without the need for caffeine. Also stress the withdrawal phase as your teenager may experience unpleasant sensations which may encourage her to stop quitting but remind her that all these are part of her recovery.
3. Consequences.
Your teenager, at one point, may debate that the advantages of caffeine weigh more than the expected consequences. Simply tell her that she is actually taking a drug and that by consuming large amounts of it, she doesn’t even realize that she’s becoming addicted and that she won’t be experiencing adverse effects until later. Give her some risks and diseases associated with high caffeine consumption like anxiety, insomnia, weight gain or loss, dependence, loss of focus and tooth discoloration.
4. Guide.
Your role as a parent is to monitor your child throughout the transition, to make sure that she stays on track to successfully quit the habit. Teenagers are prone to peer pressure so she may be tempted to take caffeine again during times when you’re not around.
Provide opportunities for your child to prevent her from wanting to take caffeine like taking her to the ice cream parlor instead of a café or giving her gum or juice when she tells you she wants to drink a cup of coffee. Stick little thoughtful signs on places around the house like the fridge or her closet door which can help her stay motivated to quit completely.
Remember to maintain open and honest communication with your teenager at all times. Let her know that you understand her condition and that she should approach you if she wants to discuss anything or ask for help.
Author: Julieta Chin. All rights reserved.
For the past several days you may have noticed that your teenager has had too much caffeine. She practically takes one cup of coffee after another during late night study sessions and two more before she leaves for school. She might need the extra boost sometimes, but you’re getting worried that addiction may be starting to kick into her system, so you decide to take action.
Caffeine is a drug that can cause addiction if consumed in above average quantities. As adults you may be taking it at most twice in your coffee but your teenage child may be mesmerized by the alerting effects, as well as the feeling that she is becoming mature by being allowed to take it. You must take responsibility to help your child quit caffeine. Here’s how.
1. Goals.
Your child may not realize it early on but begin by helping her set goals for transition to rid of the addiction. You may want to ask her how many cups of coffee she’s taking daily and setting the goal by reducing two cups a day then gradually taking one more cup off per week. The goals must be realistic and attainable for your teenager and give her time to create her own personal preferences. Let her write down and enumerate these goals.
2. Expectations.
Discuss with your child what to expect while she’s quitting caffeine. Tell her that although she may feel more vibrant and alert while taking more coffee, the fact is her system sooner or later will begin to deteriorate because of the adverse effects.
Give her your expectations as a caring parent that you wish her to do well in her studies, her social life and her family relationships and that she can succeed without the need for caffeine. Also stress the withdrawal phase as your teenager may experience unpleasant sensations which may encourage her to stop quitting but remind her that all these are part of her recovery.
3. Consequences.
Your teenager, at one point, may debate that the advantages of caffeine weigh more than the expected consequences. Simply tell her that she is actually taking a drug and that by consuming large amounts of it, she doesn’t even realize that she’s becoming addicted and that she won’t be experiencing adverse effects until later. Give her some risks and diseases associated with high caffeine consumption like anxiety, insomnia, weight gain or loss, dependence, loss of focus and tooth discoloration.
4. Guide.
Your role as a parent is to monitor your child throughout the transition, to make sure that she stays on track to successfully quit the habit. Teenagers are prone to peer pressure so she may be tempted to take caffeine again during times when you’re not around.
Provide opportunities for your child to prevent her from wanting to take caffeine like taking her to the ice cream parlor instead of a café or giving her gum or juice when she tells you she wants to drink a cup of coffee. Stick little thoughtful signs on places around the house like the fridge or her closet door which can help her stay motivated to quit completely.
Remember to maintain open and honest communication with your teenager at all times. Let her know that you understand her condition and that she should approach you if she wants to discuss anything or ask for help.
Author: Julieta Chin. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
How To Take Care Of Your Tattoo
Your duty to your new tattoo does not end with the application process. You will need to take care of it well after it is attached so you don't develop problems with infection and other complications. Here's how.
Getting a tattoo is no joke. It takes a lot of preparation to be able to choose a tattoo design, and an even harder preparation period to finally go through with the whole tattooing process. However, your responsibility and work does not end there. In order to make the best out of your tattoo, you need to know how to be able to take proper care of it. A lot of things can still go wrong with your tattoo. An infection could follow, especially if you do not take good care of it. Here are a few helpful hints on how you can take care of your tattoo.
1) Remove the wrap.
Once you are done with getting your tattoo, make sure that you remove the protective wrap that the artist has placed over your tattoo. It is advisable that you remove the protective wrap from an hour or two up to 12 hours of being wrapped in order to avoid any infection that may be caused by prolonged wrapping.
2) Wash your tattoo.
Some people do not wash their tattoo for fear of it coming off. This is not a good idea since you constantly need to keep your tattoo and the area around it clean in order to avoid any infection. Wash your tattoo with soap and water, and rinse briefly. Do not hold your tattoo under running water. Just make sure that you clean the tattoo enough to remove whatever ointments or dirt that may be on your tattoo.
3) Avoid the sun.
Do not expose your tattoo to the sun too much. Too much exposure can cause your tattoo to itch a lot, and can cause your tattoo’s color to change or fade. Whenever possible, try to avoid the sun, and keep your tattoo in the shade until it has fully healed.
4) Do not wear constrictive clothing over tattoo.
Wearing clothing that constricts over your tattoo tends to irritate your tattoo, causing it to itch and increases its tendency to become infected. Make sure that you allow your tattoo to breathe even if you are wearing clothes that will cover them.
5) Leave it alone.
Never scratch or pick your tattoo, especially while it is healing. You may damage the quality of the tattoo. Just allow your tattoo to heal, and don’t attempt to do anything to it while it is healing, aside from putting ointment on it.
6) Avoid soaking your tattoo.
Soaking your tattoo in swimming pools, bathtubs, and hot tubs should be avoided as well, since soaking your still healing tattoo will change its quality and color.
Be sure that you take care of your tattoo as it is healing. If something should go wrong with your tattoo, you will be forced to live with it since tattoos are permanent.
Author: Julieta Chin. All rights reserved.
Getting a tattoo is no joke. It takes a lot of preparation to be able to choose a tattoo design, and an even harder preparation period to finally go through with the whole tattooing process. However, your responsibility and work does not end there. In order to make the best out of your tattoo, you need to know how to be able to take proper care of it. A lot of things can still go wrong with your tattoo. An infection could follow, especially if you do not take good care of it. Here are a few helpful hints on how you can take care of your tattoo.
1) Remove the wrap.
Once you are done with getting your tattoo, make sure that you remove the protective wrap that the artist has placed over your tattoo. It is advisable that you remove the protective wrap from an hour or two up to 12 hours of being wrapped in order to avoid any infection that may be caused by prolonged wrapping.
2) Wash your tattoo.
Some people do not wash their tattoo for fear of it coming off. This is not a good idea since you constantly need to keep your tattoo and the area around it clean in order to avoid any infection. Wash your tattoo with soap and water, and rinse briefly. Do not hold your tattoo under running water. Just make sure that you clean the tattoo enough to remove whatever ointments or dirt that may be on your tattoo.
3) Avoid the sun.
Do not expose your tattoo to the sun too much. Too much exposure can cause your tattoo to itch a lot, and can cause your tattoo’s color to change or fade. Whenever possible, try to avoid the sun, and keep your tattoo in the shade until it has fully healed.
4) Do not wear constrictive clothing over tattoo.
Wearing clothing that constricts over your tattoo tends to irritate your tattoo, causing it to itch and increases its tendency to become infected. Make sure that you allow your tattoo to breathe even if you are wearing clothes that will cover them.
5) Leave it alone.
Never scratch or pick your tattoo, especially while it is healing. You may damage the quality of the tattoo. Just allow your tattoo to heal, and don’t attempt to do anything to it while it is healing, aside from putting ointment on it.
6) Avoid soaking your tattoo.
Soaking your tattoo in swimming pools, bathtubs, and hot tubs should be avoided as well, since soaking your still healing tattoo will change its quality and color.
Be sure that you take care of your tattoo as it is healing. If something should go wrong with your tattoo, you will be forced to live with it since tattoos are permanent.
Author: Julieta Chin. All rights reserved.
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