How to Look for Melanoma

• Examine your body front and back in the mirror, then right and left sides with arms raised.
• Bend your elbows and carefully look at your palms, forearms, and under your upper arms.
• Look at the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes, and the soles of your feet.
• Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror. Part your hair for a closer look.
• Finally, check your back and buttocks with a mirror.

Tips to Lower Cancer Risk

cancer will probably to be the most common cause of death among adult. So that, it's very important to explore ways of reducing the risk of developing cancer. The American Cancer SOciety recommends the following dietary precautions to help reduce the risk of getting cancer:

• Avoid obesity.
• Reduce total fat intake.
• Eat a wide variety of vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, which contain phytochemicals, known to reduce the risk of cancer, and fruits that are high in vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber.
• Avoid smoked, salt-cured, and nitrate-cured foods.
• Limit alcohol consumption.

Tips To Prevent Or Alleviate Dry Itchy Abdomen During Pregnancy

• You should keep your abdomen moisturized.
• You can also use anti-itch cream such as calamine lotion to help provide more relief.
• Cholestasis can be treated with medications. To help alleviate PUPP (Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plagues) your health care provider can prescribe oral medicine and anti-itch creams.
• Try taking a nice oatmeal bath to help relieve some of the discomfort.

Source : AmericanPregnancy.org

Tips To Prevent Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

• Avoid standing for long periods of time
• Walk as much as possible to help the blood return to your heart
• Always prop your feet up on a stool when sitting
• Avoid sitting for long periods of time
• Wear support stockings
• Get enough vitamin C (this helps keeps your veins healthy and elastic)
• Sit with your legs higher than your head for at least half an hour a day.
• Avoid excessive weight gain

Source : AmericanPregnancy.org

Tips To Increase Your Milk Supply

• Try to eat well and drink enough fluids. You need a minimum of 2700 calories each day while you are lactating.
• Nurse frequently, for as long as your baby will nurse. Try to get in a minimum of 8 feedings in 24 hours, and more if possible.
• Offer both breasts at each feeding. Try "switch nursing" - first feed your baby from one breast, then as your baby's sucking slows down, switch to the next breast. Repeat, until you have offered each breast twice. Then let your baby nurse for as long as he wants.
• Try massaging and compressing the breast gently as you nurse. This can help the rich, higher calorie hind milk let down more efficiently.
• Apply a hot (preferably damp) compress to your breasts before nursing.
• Check your positioning to make sure that he is latching on properly. If the areola is not far enough back in his mouth, he may not be able to compress the milk sinuses effectively in order to release the milk.
• Avoid bottles, if possible. You want your baby's sucking needs to be met at the breast. If your baby needs to be supplemented, try to use a cup, syringe, or tube feeding system, especially in the very beginning (babies under 2 weeks old).
• If you want to increase your supply quickly, use a breast pump (preferably a double pump model) to express milk for 5-10 minutes after you nurse your baby, or a least 8 times in 24 hours.

Tips on Dealing with Toddlers

• Stop the power struggle by disengaging. Don't jump into the fray with a 2-year-old. Take a deep breath and stay calm.
• Give toddlers limited choices instead of demands. Ask, "Would you like to pick up the books by yourself or would you like my help?"
• Get children involved in working with you. Toddlers need power and autonomy. Instead of telling a toddler to stay out of the trash, ask him to help put something in the trash, and then close the lid.
• Be specific and assertive, not vague and passive. Don't ask, "Why did you take those scissors? Can't you be nice?" Do say, "Give me the scissors. These are too sharp. They could cut you. I will get you a plastic pair."
• Notice, don't judge. Noticing your children encourages them without classifying them as "good" or "bad." Instead of saying, "You are such a good boy," say "You showed your friend how to butter his bread without tearing it. That was helpful."
• If your child struggles with a going-to-bed routine, take photographs of him putting on his pajamas, brushing his teeth, reading a book, and so on. Mount the photos on a "bedtime" poster and let the poster be the boss. Ask, "What do we do next in our good night routine?"
• Take time to enjoy your children. Roll around with them, play with them, laugh with them.
• Feed yourself positive messages. When faced with a conflict, don't tell yourself you can't handle it. Tell yourself that you will figure out what to do.

Tips To Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

• Exercising. Ask your health care provider about it.
• Applying lotions that contain vitamin E and alpha hydroxy acids have been said to help in the prevention of stretch marks. These remedies have not been medically proven to have a direct effect on stretch marks, but it never hurts to try.
• If you find that nothing is working for you, take comfort in knowing that these streaks will fade to silvery faint lines after delivery.

Source : AmericanPregnancy.org

Healthy Habits Strategies to Lose Weight For Life

You can lose weight permanently. But, it is not easy to do. The important thing you should do is make a commitment to gradually implement healthier eating habits for the rest of your life. Here they are :

• Eat a low fat, high carbohydrate diet.
• Eat breakfast every day.
• Eat five small meals throughout the day.
• Do not restrict foods.
• Limit sugar and bring on the fiber.
• Take an exercise.
• Stay away from gimmicks.
• Change your lifestyle.
• Recover from relapses quickly.
• Keep a food journal.

Safety Tips For Using Anticoagulants

• Take the medication at the same time each day.
• Check with your doctor before using nonprescription drugs, especially ones that contain aspirin.
• Talk to your doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements.
• Tell any new health professionals that you are taking medication that affects how your blood clots.
• Be alert for signs of bleeding, and call the doctor immediately if any of the following symptoms occur: Blood in urine or red or tarry stools; Bleeding from the nose or gums or spitting up blood; New, excessive, or prolonged vaginal bleeding; and, Frequent, severe bruising or tiny red or purple spots on the skin.
• Talk to your doctor about medications you are taking to find out how often you should have blood tests.
• If you are taking ticlopidine, get frequent blood tests to check your white blood cell count during the first 3 months of treatment.

Tips To Prevent Children From Ear Infections

• Do not smoke around children.
• Make sure your child does not go to sleep while sucking on a bottle.

Source : WebMD Medical Reference

Kitchen Beauty Tips for Beautiful Skin

• Lemon juice. Added to water, this makes a great facial toner.
• Orange slices. Just rub a slice of orange on your face. The vitamin C in oranges will revive dull skin.
• Vegetable shortening. This is great for eczema. Heat it in the microwave for 10 seconds, then slather it on.
• Egg whites. For an instant facelift, dab egg whites over your face, sit stock still until it dries, then apply makeup.
• Avocado. Mash one up, mix in a little lemon juice, and apply to face and neck and let it dry.
• Rice flour. This is an "old-timey" secret. Put some in a compact. It is the best face powder money can buy.
• Pumpkin. Out of the can, hold the sugar and cinnamon. It is a great conditioner for the face or whole body.
• Parsley flakes. Put a few spoons in an ice cube tray section, add water, and freeze. Rub it on a pimple and it takes down swelling in a few minutes.
• Coffee grounds. Actually, these are for the whole body, especially problem "rear" and thigh areas. Rub the grounds into your cellulite with a veggie brush. Then wrap with plastic wrap and sit for 15 minutes. Make sure you use full-octane coffee -- no decaf.
• Eggs, honey, lemon juice. This is a mask for rough skin, not dry. Combine one egg, one tablespoon of honey, and a half teaspoon of lemon juice, apply with your fingers and leave it on 20-30 minutes, then rinse and apply freshener.
• Beets. Cut the top off a beet and carry it in her purse as a lip stain.

Source : WebMD Medical Reference

How Much Physical Activity You Need

• The National Academies’ Institute of Medicine’s recommendation of 60 minutes of daily exercise to prevent weight gain.
• The American College of Sports Medicine recommends a five to ten minutes warm up and then 30 to 45 minutes of continuous aerobic activity, such as swimming, biking, walking, dancing, or jogging, three to five times a week, with a stretch and cool down period in the last five to 10 minutes.
• The ACSM also recommends weight training: at least one set (eight to 12 repetitions) each of eight to 10 different exercises, targeting the body's major muscle groups.
• The surgeon general recommends accumulating 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity (hard enough to leave you feeling warm and slightly out of breath) on most, if not all, days of the week. You can do it in two bouts of 15 minutes, three bouts of 10 minutes, or one bout of 30 minutes. This recommendation emphasizes incorporating activity into your daily life, such as walking instead of taking the bus, parking your car farther from the mall and walking across the parking lot, taking stairs instead of the elevator, and washing your car by hand.

Tips To Have More Healthful Oral Hygiene During Pregnancy

• Good dental care is essential during pregnancy.
• You should also keep your scheduled professional cleanings and discuss any problems with your dentist. Have at least one oral checkup with your dentist during pregnancy.
• Use a daily or periodic warm salt water rinse (1 tea-spoon to 1 cup).
• You should brush your teeth at least twice a day especially after vomiting from morning sickness and floss at least once a day. A soft toothbrush may cause less irritation to your gums.
• Practice good nutrition.
• Your gums usually return to normal following the delivery of your baby. The bleeding and sensitivity should diminish.
• If swelling and irritation continue after delivery or get worse during your pregnancy, contact your dentist.
• If gingivitis is left unchecked it may lead to a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis. Periodontitis during pregnancy increases the chance of preterm birth. The good news is that with good oral hygiene and routine professional cleanings, there should be nothing for you to worry about.

Source : AmericanPregnancy.org

Tips To Treat Sciatic Nerve Pain During Pregnancy

• The simplest remedy is to lie on your side, opposite of the pain. This may help relieve the pressure on the nerve.
• Avoid heavy lifting and minimize standing for long periods of time. If you experience pressure while standing, try elevating one foot and resting it on something. Swimming may also ease discomfort.
• You may experience relief by applying heat or cold to the troubled area.
• Your health care provider may recommend acetaminophen to relieve the pain.
• It is important to contact your health care provider if the pain becomes constant, or increases in severity or frequency.

Source : AmericanPregnancy.org

Tips To Start Exercise

• If you always take the elevator, try the stairs.
• If you try to park next to the door of wherever you're going, park farther away and walk.
• If your habit is to eat at your desk, take a 10- to 20-minute walk first, then have your lunch (or take a walk after you eat).
• Instead of watching TV all day Saturday and Sunday, plan active weekends. Go to the park, take a walking tour, ride your bike, or row a boat.

Source : WebMD Medical Reference

Tips to Get More Produce Power Into Your Diet

• Buy fresh produce in season.
• Always keep a stash of frozen vegetables on hand, to toss into soups, salads, stews, and egg dishes or to microwave for an easy side dish.
• Splurge on pre-washed, pre-cut fruits and veggies.
• Experiment with new types of fruits and veggies -- like a broccoli slaw salad mix, or pomegranate juice. Remember that just because you didn't like certain fruits and veggies as a child doesn't mean you won't like them now.
• Vary the texture. Kids tend to like raw, crunchy fruits and veggies with low-fat dip. Try shredding veggies to top sandwiches or salads.
• Choose sweet potatoes over white potatoes for more potassium and beta carotene.
• Go easy on sauces. Instead, flavor vegetables with fresh or dried herbs and a splash of lemon juice or balsamic vinegar.
• Have a vegetarian meal at least once a week. It can be as simple as soup and salad, or a stir-fry meal.
• Eat a salad full of fruits and/or veggies each night with dinner. Just go easy on the dressing and high-fat toppings.
• Grill fruits and vegetables to make them sweeter and more delicious.
• Chop, dice, or shred vegetables into muffins, stews, lasagna, meatloaf, and casseroles.
• Use pureed vegetables to thicken soups, stews, gravies, and casseroles.
• Decorate plates with edible garnishes, like cucumber twists, red pepper strips, or cantaloupe slices.
• Keep a bowl of fruit on the counter and some cut-up vegetables in the refrigerator for healthy snacks.
• Remember that while 100% fruit juice is a good choice, whole or cut-up fruit has the added benefit of fiber.
• Add fruit to yogurt, pancakes, waffles, or cereal at breakfast.
• Whip up a smoothie made with fruit and low-fat or nonfat yogurt for a quick, nourishing snack or meal.
• Freeze grapes and bananas for a refreshing and cool treat.

Source : WebMD Medical Reference

Kitchen Beauty Tips for Hair

• Olive oil. Heat some extra virgin olive oil in the microwave for 10 seconds and apply to dry hair. Leave it on for about 10 minutes, and then shampoo.
• Flat beer. Be sure to use beer that has lost its zing, or else heat fresh beer and allow it to cool. Wash your hair, pour it on, and comb.
• Lemon juice. Wash hair and apply a tablespoon of lemon juice mixed with 2 ounces of strained liver. Wrap your head in a towel or wrap with plastic and sit under a warm dryer for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
• Vinegar. Cider vinegar is good for brunettes, white vinegar for blondes. Four tablespoons in three glasses of warm water. Then use lots of cool water to remove the salady smell.
• Lemons. Add juice of two lemons in two glasses of lukewarm water. If your hair does not tend to be dry, you can skip the rinse and let the sun add some highlights.

Source : WebMD Medical Reference

Safety Tips For Using Warfarin (such as Coumadin)

• Get regular blood tests to ensure that you are taking the right amount of medication.
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Do not suddenly change your intake of vitamin K–rich foods, such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, asparagus, lettuce, spinach, and some vegetable juices. It is most important to maintain a consistent level of vitamin K foods in your diet. Vitamin K can interfere with the action of warfarin, making it more likely that your blood will clot.
• Avoid excessive use of alcohol. If you drink, do so only in moderation. Alcohol may increase the effect of warfarin.
• Don't use tobacco of any kind.
• Talk to your doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements. Do not take ginkgo biloba or garlic while using warfarin.
• Avoid activities that have a high risk for injury, such as skiing, football, or other contact sports. If you are taking warfarin, an injury could result in excessive bleeding.
• Wear a seat belt anytime you are traveling in a car.

Breastfeeding Tips

• Choose a comfortable place for breastfeeding. The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be. If you or your baby are easily distracted, find somewhere quiet.
• You may feel dehydrated while breastfeeding so always keep a glass of water handy.
• Holding your baby correctly when breastfeeding is essential so your arms and back do not get sore.
• Bring your baby's head close to your breast and gently touch his cheek with your nipple. His head should turn towards your nipple. Then, gently brush his lip with your nipple to encourage him to latch on.
• When your baby latches on correctly his mouth should cover the entire nipple and a large portion of the surrounding breast tissue. If latching hurts, break the suction by gently inserting a clean finger between the baby's gums and your nipple. Try again. Do not get discouraged if you (and your baby) find breastfeeding hard at first. This is quite normal.
• Your baby will suck rhythmically for 10-15 minutes on each breast, but he may pause periodically. He should seem satisfied after nursing, and may fall asleep at the second breast.
• Your newborn should nurse between 8-12 times in 24 hours, that is, every 2 to 3 hours. But some babies may nurse more frequently, even hourly. You may need to wake your newborn up for feedings because they may not demand to be fed often enough, especially during the first week or two.
• After breastfeeding your baby, you should burp him to get rid of any swallowed air.

Baby Teething Tips

• Give your baby a mild pain reliever that is labeled for his or her specific age. For example, acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help relieve your baby's discomfort. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20, because it has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious disease.
• Use a clean finger (or cold teething ring) to gently rub your baby's gum for about 2 minutes at a time. Many babies find this comforting, although they may objection at first.
• Give safe objects for your baby to chew on, such as teething rings.

Source : WebMD Medical Reference

Beauty Products from the Medicine Cabinet or Fridge

• Hemorrhoid cream. The cream version, not the greasy one, can be used for undereye puffiness. Let it soak in and apply makeup. It is also good to de-puff the jawline.
• White toothpaste. Regular toothpaste, not the gel kind, can be dabbed on pimples to dry them overnight.
• Eye drops. If you do not have time to treat a pimple overnight, anti-reddening eye-drops can also be applied to pimples with a swab, left for 10 to 15 seconds, then makeup applied. The drops take the red right out, making the blemish coverable.
• Vitamin K salve, available over the counter, helps prevent stretch marks.
• Pepto-Bismol makes a great face-tightening mask. Let it dry, and then remove with warm water. It also helps seal the fate of cold sores.
• Milk of magnesia. If your skin is oily, apply milk of magnesia and let it dry, then rinse before making up.
• Baby wipes. Forget the expensive face cleansing pads or cloths. These work fine to remove grime and makeup.
• Aspirin can be used to treat dandruff. In her book, The Model's Way to Beauty, Slenderness and Glowing Health, former Wilhelmina model Oleda Baker recommends mixing an inch of warm water in a coffee cup, dissolving 30 aspirin tablets and 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda, and applying the foaming concoction to your hair after shampooing. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then comb to work out flakes. Doing this every day for a week can eliminate dandruff.
• Vaseline. No one is allergic to petroleum jelly and it makes an excellent moisturizer, especially around the eyes. The layer holds in moisture.

Source : WebMD Medical Reference