Avoiding Contagious Diseases

Avoiding contagious diseases like the common cold, strep throat, and the flu is important to everyone. Here are five easy things you can do to fight the spread of infection.

1. Clean Hands.
   

• Use soap and warm water. Rub your hands really well for at least 15 seconds. Rub your palms, fingernails, in between your fingers, and the backs of your hands.
  
• Or, if your hands do not look dirty, clean them with alcohol-based hand sanitizer all over your hands, especially under your nails and between your fingers, until your hands are dry.
  

• Clean your hands before touching or eating food. Clean them after you use the bathroom, take out the trash, change a diaper, visit someone who is ill, or play with a pet.

2. Make sure health care providers clean their hands and wear gloves

• Doctors, nurses, dentists and other health care providers come into contact with lots of bacteria and viruses. So before they treat you, ask them if they've cleaned their hands.
  
• Health Care providers should wear clean gloves when they perform tasks such as taking throat cultures, pulling teeth, taking blood, touching wounds or body fluids, and examining your mouth or private parts. Don't be afraid to ask them if they should wear gloves.
  

3. Cover your mouth and nose

• Many diseases are spread through sneezes and coughs. When you sneeze or cough, the germs can travel 3 feet or more! Cover your mouth and nose to prevent the spread of infection to others
• Use a tissue! Keep tissues handy at home; at work and in your pocket. Be sure to throw away used tissues and clean your hands after coughing or sneezing
  
• If you don't have a tissue, cover your mouth and nose with the bend of your elbow or hands. If you use your hands, clean them right away.
  

4. If you are sick, avoid close contact with others

• If you are sick, stay away from other people or stay home. Don't shake hands or touch others
• When you go for medical treatment, call ahead and ask if there's anything you can do to avoid infecting people in the waiting room.

5. Get shots to avoid disease and fight the spread of infection

• Make sure that your vaccinations are current- Even for adults. Check with your doctor about shots your may need. Vaccinations are available to prevent these diseases:
  
• Chicken pox
• Measles
• Tetanus
• Shingles
  
• Flu (also known as influenza)
• Whooping cough (also known as Pertussis)
• German Measles (also known as Rubella)
• Pneumonia (Streptococcus Pneumoniae)
• Human Papillomarivirus (HPV)
• Mumps
• Diphtheria
  
• Hepatitis
  
• Meningitis
  

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Strategies To Fight Holiday Weight Gain

The average American gains several pounds in the six weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. For people who are overweight or obese, this time can be especially challenging. Trying to maintain a healthy diet-even lose weight during the holidays can be stressful. But holiday weight gain is avoidable. One way to do that is to eat healthier foods low in fat and calories. Fill your plate with fresh fruits and vegetables instead of fried chicken fingers or cheese sticks. Also, don't skip meals in preparation for a holiday feast. Being famished often leads to overeating. Instead, eat a small, low-fat snack first.
Here is some advise for healthy eating during the holidays:

• Eat white-meat turkey, which has fewer calories and less fat than dark meat. A 3-ounce serving of skinless turkey breast has 119 calories and 1 gram of fat. The same amount of dark meat has 142 calories and 5 Grams of fat.
• Put gravy through a skimmer before serving and cut the calories by 80 percent. That's a substantial change: Holiday gravy that's not skimmed contains 60 to 70 calories per tablespoon. A generous helping can add as many as 500 calories to your holiday dinner.
• Don't top vegetables with butter; instead, use nonfat yogurt or low-calorie sour cream. You'll save an average of 100 calories and 10 grams of fat per tablespoon.
• Serve apple pie topped with vanilla topped with vanilla frozen yogurt instead of pecan pie topped with whipped cream. Per slice, you'll save 460 calories and 32 grams of fat.
• Pay attention to what you drink. Two mixed drinks can contain as much as 500 calories; one cup of eggnog, 380 calories.

You should also exercise regularly. Get 30 minutes of moderate exercise most, if not all days of the week. A sedentary lifestyle is one of the major contributors to holiday weight gain.

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UTI: Urinary Tract Infection

What Is a Urinary Tract Infection?

About half of women will get a urinary tract infection or UTI at some point in life. It happens when germs infect the system that carries urine out of your body -- the kidneys, bladder, and the tubes that connect them. Bladder infections are common and usually not serious if treated promptly. But if the infection spreads to the kidneys, it can cause more serious illness.

UTI Symptoms: Bladder Infection

Most UTIs are bladder infections. Symptoms include:

• Pain or burning during urination
• The urge to urinate often
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Urine that is cloudy or foul-smelling
• Some people may have no symptoms

UTI Symptoms: Kidney Infection

An untreated bladder infection can spread to the kidneys. Signs of this include:

• Pain on either side of the lower back
• Fever and chills
• Nausea and vomiting

When to See Your Doctor

See your doctor right away if you have signs of a urinary tract infection. A bladder infection is generally not a medical emergency – but some people have a higher risk for complications. This includes pregnant women, the elderly, and men, as well as people with diabetes, kidney problems, or a weakened immune system.

UTI or Something Else?

Although burning during urination is a telltale sign of a UTI, it can also be a symptom of certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs.) These include chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Simple lab tests are available to distinguish a UTI from an STD.

Honeymoon Cystitis

Few things can ruin a honeymoon like a UTI. But this is so common, it has its own name – "honeymoon cystitis." The reason is that sexual activity can push bacteria into the urethra. Of course, the problem is not confined to honeymoons. Some women get a bladder infection almost every time they have sex. Women who use a diaphragm for birth control are especially vulnerable.

Stealth UTI

Occasionally, UTIs occur without the classic symptoms. A person may have no symptoms at all. Yet, a urine test shows the presence of bacteria. This is known as asymptomatic bacteriuria. In many cases, no treatment is needed. But pregnant women, some children, and recipients of kidney transplants should be treated to avoid a kidney infection.

UTI Complications

The main danger associated with untreated UTIs is that the infection may spread from the bladder to one or both kidneys. When bacteria attack the kidneys, they can cause damage that will permanently reduce kidney function. In people who already have kidney problems, this can raise the risk of kidney failure. There’s also a small chance that the infection may enter the bloodstream and spread to other organs.

How Do UTIs Begin?

Many types of bacteria live in the intestines and the genital area, but this is not true of the urinary system. In fact, urine is sterile. So when errant bacteria, such as the E. coli shown here, is accidentally introduced into the urinary system, it can start a UTI. Typically, bacteria travel up the urethra to the bladder, where an infection can take hold. Women are more susceptible than men, probably because they have shorter urethras.

What Boosts Your Risk?

UTIs are most common in sexually active women. Other factors that may increase your risk include:

• Not drinking enough fluids
• Taking frequent baths
• Holding your urine
• Kidney stones

Diagnosing UTIs

The first step in diagnosing a UTI is usually a simple urine test called a urinalysis. It looks for bacteria, as well as abnormal counts of white and red blood cells. The dipstick test provides quick results. Your doctor may also send your urine to a lab for culture to confirm the type of bacteria. At-home test kits can help detect a UTI, but are not 100% accurate. Be sure to go over the results and your symptoms with your doctor.

Treating UTIs

Prescription antibiotics will almost always cure a UTI. Your health care provider may recommend drinking lots of fluids and emptying your bladder frequently to help flush out the bacteria. Kidney infections can often be treated with oral antibiotics, too. But severe kidney infections may require hospital care, including a course of intravenous antibiotics.

Treating Recurrent UTIs

Some women are prone to getting UTIs over and over again. If you have three or more a year, talk to your doctor about how to prevent or minimize these infections. Your options may include:

• Taking a low dose of antibiotics long-term
• Taking a single antibiotic dose after sex
• Taking antibiotics promptly as self-treatment when symptoms appear

UTIs and Diabetes

People with diabetes are more vulnerable to UTIs for several reasons. First, their immune systems tend to be weaker. Second, high blood sugar can spill into the urine and encourage the growth of bacteria. Also, nerve damage related to diabetes can prevent the bladder from fully emptying. People with diabetes should talk with their doctor at the first sign of a UTI.

UTIs and Pregnancy

During pregnancy, there are several factors that boost the risk of UTIs, especially a kidney infection. Hormones cause changes in the urinary tract, and the uterus may put pressure on the ureters or bladder or both -- making it more difficult for urine to pass from the kidneys to the bladder and out. Untreated UTIs can contribute to preterm labor, so be sure to alert your doctor if you suspect you have an infection.

UTIs and Menopause

Estrogen has a protective effect in the urinary tract, but levels of this hormone drop off significantly during menopause. Low estrogen levels can make it easier for bacteria to thrive in the vagina or urethra. For this reason, women may be more susceptible to UTIs after menopause.

UTIs in the Elderly

UTIs are among the most common infections in the elderly. But the symptoms may not follow the classic pattern. Agitation, delirium, or other behavioral changes may be the only sign of a UTI in elderly men and women. This age group is also more likely to develop serious complications as a result of UTIs.

UTIs in Infants

Babies occasionally develop UTIs, but they can’t tell you what they feel. Here are some signs to watch for:

• An unexplained fever
• Strange-smelling urine
• Poor appetite or vomiting
• Fussy behavior

It’s vital to treat a baby’s UTI quickly to prevent kidney damage. Promptly changing a dirty diaper can help prevent bladder infections. And of course, wipe from front to back whenever changing a baby's diaper.

UTIs in Children

About 1% of boys and 3% of girls develop UTIs by age 11. This includes some children who repeatedly delay a bathroom trip. Their muscles may not relax enough later to fully empty the bladder and flush away any bacteria. More regular bathroom trips and drinking plenty of liquids may help. A small number of children have a structural problem that obstructs urine flow or lets urine flow back from the bladder to the kidneys, triggering chronic kidney infections. This can lead to kidney damage.

UTI or Potty Training Problem?

Accidents are par for the course during toilet training. Even kids who have mastered the art of the potty may sometimes have a relapse. Other children may scream or cry when taken to the potty, as a way of rebelling against the process. These are generally not signs of a UTI.

Preventing UTIs

Here are several strategies to reduce your risk of UTIs:

• Drink plenty of water.
• Visit the toilet before and after sex.
• Wipe from front to back.
• Avoid feminine hygiene sprays.
• Take showers instead of baths.

The Cranberry Connection

Maybe Mom told you that cranberry juice cures a UTI. She’s close. Some studies suggest it can prevent, but not treat an infection, and is more effective in young and middle-aged women. Cranberries contain a substance that preventsE. coli bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder. If you don’t like the taste of cranberry juice, capsules or tablets may work, too. People with a history of kidney stones should check with a doctor, first.

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The Best and Worst for Your Health

Best Choice: Vegetable Juice

Drinking your veggies is a convenient way to add powerful plant-based nutrients to your diet. The lycopene in tomato juice appears to lower the risk of prostate cancer. Beet juice may reduce blood pressure. Pulpy vegetable juice is also packed with fiber that can help control hunger. And all of these benefits come without a catch. Vegetable juice has far less sugar and fewer calories than the typical fruit juice.

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Worst Choice: Juice "Cocktails"

Be on alert for the terms juice cocktail, juice-flavored beverage, or juice drink. Most of these products contain only small amounts of real juice. The main ingredients are usually water and some type of sugar, such as high-fructose corn syrup. Nutritionally, these drinks are similar to most soft drinks — rich in sugar and calories, but low in nutrients. Research suggests that sugary fruit drinks put kids at risk for obesity and related health problems.

Good Choice: Pomegranate Juice

If you're only going to drink one glass of juice each day, you want to make it a good one. So let's explore which juices offer the biggest nutritional payoff per sip. Pomegranate juice tops the list. It's high in sugar and calories, but delivers an abundant dose of antioxidants. These substances appear to protect brain function and may ward off cancer. In one study, 8 ounces of pomegranate juice daily reduced the recurrence of prostate cancer.

Good Choice: Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice is packed with vitamin C, which is vital to a healthy immune system. There is also evidence to support a folk remedy — drink unsweetened cranberry juice to reduce your risk of urinary tract infections.

Good Choice: Blueberry Juice

Substances in blueberries may help keep the brain healthy. In a small study, researchers looked at the effect of blueberry juice on memory in adults in their seventies who had age-related memory decline. Those who drank 2 1/2 cups of blueberry juice for 12 weeks had significant improvement on learning and memory tests compared to those who drank a non-juice beverage. So choose blueberry juice to boost brain health.

Good Choice: Acai Berry Juice

Researchers have only begun looking into the health benefits of acai juice, which is made from a berry found in South America. But early studies are promising. Acai pulp appears to have a higher concentration of antioxidants than cranberries, blackberries, strawberries, or blueberries.

Good Choice: Cherry Juice

Besides delivering a wealth of antioxidants, some berry juices appear to have anti-inflammatory properties. According to one study, drinking cherry juice before and after your work-out can reduce exercise-induced muscle pain.

Good Choice: Red Grape Juice

We've all heard that red wine, in moderation, can be good for the heart. The same is true of red grape juice. Red grape juice contains potent antioxiodants -- flavanoids and resveratrol. The key is that wine and juice are made with the entire grape -- seeds, skin, and all. When you eat fresh grapes, you miss out on nutrients hiding in the seeds.

Good Choice: Prune Juice

Another viable folk remedy, prune juice has long been recommended to relieve constipation. It works because it's extremely high in fiber and contains a natural laxative called sorbitol. But the benefits of prune juice don't stop there. The juice is also packed with antioxidants, iron, and potassium.

What About Orange Juice?

It's a staple at breakfast, but does this popular juice carry its weight? The good news is orange juice is loaded with vitamin C, a star for its immune-boosting benefits. In addition, orange juice is often fortified with calcium and vitamin D, nutrients that strengthen the bones. Unsweetened orange juice has fewer calories than some berry juices or grape juice. The trade-off is that it also has fewer antioxidants overall.

We are a family owned company in the Houston area and we sell tons of items online either thru our website (www.lightning-deals.com) or in ebayhttp://stores.ebay.com/lightning-deals and we give the option to save you money by arranging to have the items you purchase picked up from us. Always be in the look out specially right now that the holidays are approaching and are many con artist out there. We provide a phone also to be able to talk to us personally. Thank you for your input

We carry cell phones, ipod, tools, gadgets, electronics, car stereo, amplifiers, speakers, copper fittings, pvc fittings, toilets, towel holders, sinks, faucets, kitchen, lavatories, shower, computer tower, memory, SD Card, Mini SD Card, Garbage Disposals, Books, Bath Accessories, Shower Trim, Ribbon Hot Printer, clothing, pants, vintage clothing, servers, digital cameras, remotes, computer parts, glasses, vehicles, commercial, flash drive, rings, jewerly, lighters, dymo, clear modem, cd, music, rap, tejano, spanish music, frames, tv, tv converter, DVD, Blue Ray, PS3, PS3 Games, Xbox, microsoft, adobe, rockerts, lakers, vegas, new york, graduation, valentine gift, facebook, my space, texas longhorns, texas tech, Bosecomputers, laptops, casino chips, collectibles, printers, accessories for the home and office, autos, parts, plumbing, construction items, you name it if we don't have it we can get it for you. We accept credit cards via our terminal or in person also.