 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
||||||||||
a friend in need
It is advisable to have a friend accompany you to the doctor if you suspect a serious diagnosis just ahead. Write a list of your symptoms and, ideally, write down what the doctor tells you, including treatment. A friend can do this for you. Most people forget their doctor’s comments before they’ve left the surgery. Many feel so apprehensive in the surgery that their mind blanks.
bed-wetting
A women in her early 20s confided that she still wets the bed occasionally. It’s embarrassing, but not uncommon. A Minirin nasal spray can help, reducing urine output, and often solves the problem. Also, reduce your fluid intake in the hours before bedtime.
fashion consciousness
Fractures among women wearing very high-heeled shoes are common. High heels are trendy, but the risks are enormous. And as the ankle joint is so complex, repair and recovery are complicated and time consuming, with swelling remaining for months. When wearing high heels, take care where you walk, deliberately avoiding uneven surfaces, grates and cracks.
a pig in the bed
A snoring bed partner is not only annoying, it’s a health hazard, denying sleep and adequate rest to the innocent party. It is common among those with an increased abdominal girth, who are probably consuming alcohol and not getting enough exercise. Fixing any airway obstruction with medication or surgery is one remedy, but a sleep pressure-pump can fix bad cases, and exercise and weight reduction also help.
supplements
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid seems to help fight infections and probably improves natural immunity, but in high doses can cause intestinal problems. A sensible, useful dose is up to 2500 mg a day. That approximates a half-teaspoon of powdered calcium ascorbate, which is available from health food shops and chemists. Stir it into orange juice, and then drink it quickly, as it tastes horrible. A healthy body requires only 60 mg per day.
natural remedies
Facial pimples affect some 90 per cent of young people. Some herbal remedies are available. Applying diluted tea-tree oil helps, killing off superficial germs. Bergamot, cedarwood, geranium, juniper, lavender and lemon also have healing properties. Wash with warm water and a non-alkaline soap, then dab dry with a soft towel. Try an anti-acne cream containing an antibiotic if such simple measures fail, or see your GP. It also helps to remove the stress from your life, get plenty of sleep and drink enough water.
nail care
Fingernails can become irregular, split and unattractive. Cut and file them regularly, first soaking in warm water until soft. Use a non-metal file and move from the outside to centre. Nail-polish removers are harsh on nails, as are detergents. Some find calcium and minerals help. A small mark on your nail indicates a temporary break in “production.” If a nail becomes infected, medical care is required.
A: Extreme care is essential when standing on a high perch. The chair or ladder must be on a firm, even surface, ideally with another person attending. Falls are common and, for women over 45, there’s a much higher risk of breaking a bone in a fall. With youngsters, bones are supple and bend easily. To strengthen bones, ageing men and women should have at least 1500 mg of calcium a day. This is easily achieved in a few servings of almonds for vegans, some low-fat dairy products for lacto-vegetarian or small-boned fish for meat-eaters.
Extract from Signs of the Times, October 2003.
Home - Archive - Topics - Podcast - Subscribe - Special Offers - About Signs - Contact Us - Links
Copyright © 2004-2009 Seventh-day Adventist Church (SPD) Limited ACN 093 117 689
This article comes from a
regular column in
Signs
of the Times.
