6 top medicine safety reminders for your home(BPT) - With families spending more time than ever working, playing and studying at home, it’s a good time to review best safety practices when it comes to using and storing medicines. This is especially true during the cold and flu season — while the nation is also in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic — when many families may have more over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in the home than usual. It’s smart to keep your family safe from harm with these helpful easy-to-follow steps. 1. Read and follow Drug Facts labels. Don't take more than the recommended amount of medications, as dosage directions are created specifically to keep you and your family safe. 2. Don’t combine medications. Some medicines may duplicate active ingredients you're already taking. For example, cold medicines may also contain pain relievers and/or fever reducers, so if you’re already taking a pain reliever, adding a cold medicine could mean doubling your intake of an active ingredient, which could be harmful. Double check medication labels for the active ingredients and only take one at a time. When in doubt, contact your healthcare professional for advice. 3. Store medications up, away and out of sight from the reach of children. Make sure to buy only child-resistant containers, but remember — “child-resistant” does not mean “childproof.” Keeping them out of reach is also crucial for safety. Put them up and away, out of sight and out of reach, after every use. 4. Store other items safely. Any potentially toxic substances your kids could get into should also be kept well out of reach, including, but not limited to: hand sanitizer, vitamins, diaper rash cream and eye drops. 5. Keep medications in a cool, dry place. The bathroom medicine cabinet is actually not ideal for storing medicines, as heat and humidity can affect them. 6. Consult your healthcare professional if you or a family member feels ill. You can get advice on what kinds of OTC medicines (if any) are appropriate for the symptoms you or your family member are experiencing, and specific dosage recommendations. If someone has a fever It can be upsetting when someone has a fever, especially your child. A fever is actually the body’s natural defense against bacterial or viral infections. A person’s normal body temperature is approximately 98.6 degrees F, but it may fluctuate depending on different factors. If you or a family member has an elevated temperature, it may signal the presence of a bacterial or viral infection. A fever is also one of the common symptoms of COVID-19, amongst many other conditions. If you are concerned about a fever, it’s best to contact your healthcare professional. Your healthcare professional may recommend an OTC pain reliever/fever reducer to help you feel better, no matter what the cause. Common OTC pain relievers that can reduce fever and achiness include acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (the active ingredient in Advil or Motrin IB). These medications are safe and effective when used as directed. Always read Drug Facts labels carefully and follow their directions for dosage and timing. For a fever, it also helps to:
A body temperature at or above 104 degrees F requires immediate care, so contact your healthcare professional right away, or call an urgent care or emergency provider if your regular healthcare professional is unavailable. Be prepared for an emergency Make sure you and any caregivers (including older children or babysitters) know how to contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for free, confidential, expert medical and safety advice, 24/7. Program the number into phones and post it visibly at home. To learn more about medicine safety, visit GetReliefResponsibly.com/covid-19-medicine-safety. Even a mild case of the flu or a powerful cold can leave you feeling run down and out of sorts for days or even weeks. While many ailments must simply run their course, there are many steps you can take to fight your way back to good health. Learn how to beat back a cold or the flu by reading the full Medium article here.
Before the use of the internet, people had to find their own remedies for common problems. Therefore, if something appeared to work, those secrets were passed down through the ages. Today, many of those “solutions” have been debunked and proven ineffective. Some work effectively, but the majority don’t. Before you jump into crafting up a ridiculous DIY home remedy, check out these three that should be avoided.
Wound Treatments Whenever you find yourself with a wound, it’s no doubt that you’re also looking for the quickest route to recovery. However, the most effective treatment is not something that you can whip up in your kitchen. For example, an old wives’ tale is to put a raw egg over a burn. Don’t do it! Raw eggs are filled with bacteria that will just seep right into your skin. You may have also heard that licking a wound can help it heal. People have said for ages that a dog licking your wound helps it heal, so why would your own saliva be any different? Again, just don’t do it. Your mouth is filled with bacteria. While healthy skin won’t have any issues, an open wound is a sensitive area. Avoid causing infection by overloading your raw flesh with potentially harmful bacteria. Tooth Whitening With so much emphasis on beauty in this world, many people turn to whitening their teeth. If you’re looking for a cheap approach, you may have heard to try brushing with baking soda or rinsing with hydrogen peroxide. Sure, these methods may seem like they work in the short-term. In order to even make a dent in your quest, you’ll have to use peroxide for at least two weeks. Alternatively, charcoal has gained traction to lighten up your teeth. Dentists actually warn that charcoal and other abrasives are highly dangerous to teeth. In addition to potentially destroying your tooth enamel, charcoal can settle into your gums and cause irritation, and it doesn't help cavities. Leave the teeth whitening to the professionals and see your dentist. You’ll be able to have your teeth cleaned while still ensuring the safety of your fragile smile. Cold Remedies When you’ve got a cold, you want it to go away as quickly as possible. Your great-grandmother may have suggested rubbing mustard on your chest or holding your head over a bowl of hot water. Well, typically, these remedies don’t work. In many cases, over-the-counter medications can also make things worse. There is no quick relief from a cold, unfortunately. Like any virus, it just has to run its course. Instead of wasting time and money on ridiculous remedies, make sure you’re sipping plenty of fluids and resting your body. In most situations, home remedies simply don’t work. It’s always best to deal with your problems with a trained professional, such as a dentist for your teeth. Take care of yourself, and don’t make your issues worse! Here’s another article you might like: 5 ways to care for and comfort your sick child
KEYWORDS
![]()
Colder weather and cold and flu season go hand-in-hand. While you may not be able to completely avoid getting sick, you can take some steps to protect yourself and minimize the chances of a serious illness.
Fight Off the Flu(Family Features) Colder weather and cold and flu season go hand-in-hand. While you may not be able to completely avoid getting sick, you can take some steps to protect yourself and minimize the chances of a serious illness. The flu is a highly contagious illness that can result in hospitalization and even death. Managing your own risk of exposure to the flu not only protects you, but can help minimize the chances of passing on a potentially dangerous illness to those in higher risk groups. Those with compromised immune systems and risk factors such as age (both the elderly and young babies and children) and other health conditions are at an elevated risk. Know the signs Get vaccinated Other preventive steps Treating the flu Find more cold weather tips for healthy living at eLivingToday.com. ![]() 4 Ways to Stretch Your Health Benefits Avoid surprises. About 91 percent of adults in the United States are confused about what their benefits cover, according to a recent Harris poll. The best starting point is to review your plan so you understand the care and services covered. If you have a high-deductible plan, you will need to pay for most or a percentage of the health costs until reaching the individual or family deductible. Be prepared to pay any copayments or deductibles the plan requires before receiving care. Also, before scheduling appointments, ask for a cost estimate for the appointment, tests or service. Preventive dental and vision. Many voluntary plans, such as dental and vision, offer preventive exams, such as routine cleanings and vision exams, that are fully covered. That’s because these preventive exams help to maintain and improve overall health and help reduce health costs. Voluntary coverage is affordable and many plans offer added incentives. For example, coverage for LASIK, dental, vision and hearing benefits can increase from one year to the next for those who continue to enroll and use their benefits. Members could earn monetary rewards to use for dental, vision, LASIK, orthodontia and hearing benefits, care materials and services simply by using their benefits and keeping the benefits paid out under a specified amount. Medical screenings. Routine health screenings, such as mammograms, immunizations, colonoscopy procedures and prostate cancer screenings, which may be covered fully or in part by your medical coverage, can help you stay healthy and lower health care costs. Get paid to save. Many employers encourage employees to save money by matching a percentage of the amount the employee contributes to the plan. If available, enroll in a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account to set aside money to pay for health care costs. Learn more about the questions to ask when reviewing benefit plans at ameritasinsight.com. Photos courtesy of Getty Images SOURCE:eLivingToday.com
Being sick isn’t fun, but missing out on family vacations or parties for the big game because you are sick is even worse. Getting a flu shot, washing your hands frequently and disinfecting hard surfaces are just a few things you can do to avoid getting sick.
Don’t Miss Out this Cold and Flu Season
Getting a flu shot, washing your hands frequently and disinfecting hard surfaces are just a few things you can do to avoid getting sick. Additionally, Clorox partnered with epidemiologist Dr. Stephen Morse, a professor at Columbia University, to share some basics about the flu virus. What is the Flu Virus? Most people who get the flu virus tend to recover within a few days to two weeks, barring any complications. Anyone can get the flu virus, but young children, pregnant women, adults 65 years and older and people with lung disease or weakened immune systems tend to be more susceptible to more severe or longer-lasting symptoms. Flu v. Cold Cold and Flu Prevention Tips
Missing out is never fun, so help stop the spread of germs and protect yourself this flu season. Learn more about disinfecting hard surfaces at Clorox.com. Photo courtesy of Getty Images SOURCE:Clorox
(BPT) - Every year in the U.S., there are more colds than people. Annually, nearly 320 million Americans catch 1 billion colds, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Seven in 10 people will turn to over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to help them feel better — and many of these medicines may contain acetaminophen. In fact, acetaminophen is one of the most commonly used drug ingredients to reduce pain and fever, found in more than 600 OTC and prescription (Rx) medicines. When used as directed, it is safe and effective. However, taking more than the maximum daily dose (4,000 milligrams) is an overdose, and can lead to liver damage. “Family members play an important role as caregivers when administering medicines safely,” says Mark Gibbons, director of programs and operations at Caregiver Action Network, a member of the Acetaminophen Awareness Coalition (AAC). “It’s important to double check all medicine labels to be sure you’re not accidentally doubling up on acetaminophen.” Each year, acetaminophen overdose causes about 26,000 hospitalizations. It’s important to know the dose that is right for you and your loved ones. With the arrival of cold and flu season, the AAC’s Know Your Dose campaign offers some helpful tips for preventing illness and safe medicine guidelines if you do get sick. Preventing illness You can do a lot to protect yourself and your family from getting sick, including: * Get vaccinated for the flu. It’s the best way to minimize the chance you'll get the flu and spread it to others. Even if you got a flu shot last year, you need to get one this year, too. Each year’s shot is different, specifically designed to prevent the strain of flu expected to be most prevalent this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend anyone 6 months and older get vaccinated. * Be diligent about washing your hands regularly. Each time you wash, scrub for at least 20 seconds — about how long it would take to run through two renditions of “Happy Birthday.” * Avoid actions that spread germs, like touching your face, especially the eyes, nose and mouth. If you do get sick, stay home from school or work to avoid spreading germs to others. * Maintain good health habits, including getting plenty of sleep, exercising regularly, drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutritious food. All these actions help build your immune system. Know your dose If you or a family member does fall ill, you may decide to treat symptoms with medicine, which might contain acetaminophen. To ensure you’re using acetaminophen safely, follow these steps: * Always read the label on any medicine you take. Be sure you understand and follow the dosing instructions. * Know if your medicine contains acetaminophen. It’s important to know which of the medicines you’re taking contain acetaminophen so you can ensure you’re not taking too much. * Take only one medicine that contains acetaminophen at a time. Taking more than one medicine that contains acetaminophen could put you at risk for exceeding the maximum daily dose. If you have questions about an OTC or prescription medicine that you’re taking, talk to a healthcare provider. To learn more, visit KnowYourDose.org and follow @KnowYourDose on Twitter.
As the cold weather settles in, staying snuggled up in your comfortable house around the clock may be tempting, but it’s not very realistic. So when you come back inside from work, running errands or a quick snowball war with the kids, you’ll need some easy ways to warm up. Heat yourself by taking a bath, tossing blankets in the dryer, sticking with soup, adding a layer of clothing, relying on smart technology, baking your way to warmth or soaking up the sun indoors.
|
Archives
January 2021
Interested in Publishing on The Health IDEA?Send your query to the Publisher today! Categories
All
|