Archive for the 'General health' Category
Some people may be getting treatment for hypertension unnecessarily, the American Journal of Cardiology (52:769) warns.This could be the case if their doctors did not know that they had been drinking coffee shortly before their blood pressure was tested.
In a double-blind study comparing the effects of a 250 mg capsule of caffeine (the equivalent of two or three cups of coffee) with those of a placebo, It was found that caffeine raised the blood pressure (BP) significantly. This effect was more marked in people older than 50 than in people younger than 30 and was most powerful in those who were not accustomed to drinking coffee.
The moral of this story is that it would be advisable to abstain from coffee entirely on days when one is to undergo BP testing, especially if one’s pressure is near the borderline between normal and levels that are hypertensive.
Hypertension that is not responding as well as expected to treatment may suddenly begin to come under control, the American Family Practitioner (34#4:182) reports, if the patient takes less alcohol. People usually lose some weight as well when they reduce their alcoholic intake, but this is not the mechanism of the beneficial effect upon hypertension, because the blood pressure usually falls even in those who do not lose any weight.
While cutting out alcohol entirely may be necessary for some, at least initially, many find that, by merely drinking substantially less, they can achieve the desired result. We are not discussing alcoholism, for which total abstinence is necessary, but rather, hypertension, in which it may be necessary to cut down from a moderate number of drinks to only a very few.
In fact, between 10 percent and 30 percent of people who have essential hypertension, according to the Archives of Internal Medicine (143:29), may be suffering from the effects of too much alcohol, even though they are by no means alcoholics. Merely by drinking socially acceptable amounts of alcohol a few times every day and without ever getting noticeably intoxicated, a great number of people get more alcohol than is good for them.
Just five drinks every day (one drink is defined as one can of beer, one and one-fourth ounces (one “shot”) of whiskey, one glass of wine, or one cocktail), even if some of them are taken at lunch and others with dinner and in the evening, are more than the average person can tolerate without risk. Small people, of course, would get the same effect from fewer drinks.
The blood pressure elevation caused by “moderate” drinking disappears within a few days after the habit is discontinued, only to return if the same amount of regular drinking is resumed.
Lest this information about the reversibility of alcohol-induced hypertension be used to justify continuing a potentially dangerous habit, it should be understood that the hypertension due to taking five or more drinks every day is associated with a much higher than normal incidence of stroke. Stroke, a potential complication of hypertension, regardless of its cause, produces irreversible brain damage, which may even prove fatal. In people who regularly take five or more drinks every day, the Archives reports, there is a three times greater than normal incidence of death from stroke.
In addition, medicines taken to lower the blood pressure (BP), the Lancet (1:647) reports, are antagonized by alcoholic drinks. Furthermore, researchers have found, the more alcohol one takes every day, the greater is this antagonistic effect. Thus the BP of those taking six drinks daily is significantly higher than that of those who drink only two.
If a person significantly reduces his alcohol intake, he may experience a considerable drop in BP, and as a result he will likely feel very tired and weak. Accordingly, those on BP medication who are accustomed to taking several drinks a day will probably need to reduce the dosage should they decide to start drinking less. A doctor’s help will be needed in readjusting the dosage so that one can continue to feel comfortable and well.
*56\143\2*
When the house is heated and sealed against the cold outside, the warm, dry air indoors picks up water from wherever it can, including the mucous membranes of your nose, throat, and lungs. In yielding moisture to the air, your respiratory passages become dried out, and this can set the stage for repeated attacks of croup, nosebleeds, and middle ear infections in small children, and for sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, and asthma in people of any age. By adding water to the air of your home with a vaporizer or humidifier, you can do a lot to eliminate these problems.
Reviewing the various appliances that are on the market for this purpose, the U.S. Pharmacist (7#11:35) clearly favors humidifiers (which produce water droplets) over vaporizers (that produce mist or steam). The latter tend to use more energy, are more likely to cause burns and scalds, and require more attention to be kept working. While both kinds of appliance may harbor molds and bacteria that can be spread with water particles throughout the house, humidifiers are the more likely to become contaminated.
Allergies and infections have been reported in connection with the micro-organisms in humidifiers, but by far the most noticeable problem associated with them is their offensive odor. To prevent this, the U.S. Pharmacist reports, one should add a quarter of a cupful of household chlorine bleach to an appliance that has been nearly filled with water. Because chlorine fumes are hazardous, this procedure should be performed out of doors. After running the appliance with the diluted bleach solution for about one and a half hours, it should be drained and rinsed a couple of times with fresh water before being brought in and returned to use. Repeat this procedure every few weeks to keep your humidifier clean and odor-free. This is more efficient than trying to stop contamination by adding disinfectants or other chemicals to the water. They may smell nice, but they can be quite irritating to the respiratory passages and thereby do more harm than they prevent. None of this applies to the newest humidifiers that work ultrasonically. They, nevertheless, need to be occasionally cleaned.
*25\143\2*
The importance and significance of regular prenatal visits to the doctor or clinic cannot be overstressed. It is essential that attendance be made as early as is practical. If there is any question of pregnancy, then a visit is obligatory.
The initial visit sets the pattern for the future. But besides this, it gives the doctor a series of base-line figures with which he can compare your medical status at subsequent visits. This can be of inestimable value, particularly if complications set in at any stage – and this is a probable likelihood with a certain number of people. There is no knowing at the start if you are destined to be one of those special “at risk” persons.
There are three major aims for following through with adequate antenatal care. These are:
(1) To make sure that the mother reaches the end of pregnancy as healthy (or maybe even healthier) as she was beforehand.
(2) To detect any physical or psychological defect as early as possible and correct this promptly.
(3) That the mother is delivered of a healthy, normal infant.
It is only in the past fifty years that as much attention has been paid to the forty weeks of pregnancy as is paid to the fourteen hours or so of actual labour.
The value and beneficial result of this is reflected in the major decline in mortality figures, both for mothers and new-born babies. In fact, it only requires a quick glance at the striking reduction to be aware of the true benefits of today’s insistence on adequate prenatal care.
If you have ever had the time or opportunity to wander through the yard of an old church, this will be impressed on your mind even more indelibly. Most old churchyards had the cemetery as part of the general premises. A check on the tombstones indicates the large number of very young children (and often young mothers) who died, no doubt in childbirth or soon after. Historical novels, and even tales from older members of families, will recount the disasters of yesteryear which regularly overtook the small children and babies in almost every family.
They were, in truth, the bad old days. Proper antenatal care was either non-existent or very skimpy. Midwives did their best. Doctors were often ill-equipped, and tiny cottage hospitals were quite hopeless in their attempts to cope with anything but relatively normal deliveries. Antibiotics, safe and adequate anaesthesia, safe methods for blood transfusion, blood typing and cross matching, and methods for foetal monitoring were still a long way off in those days.
*61/76/5*
It is believed that withdrawal is the oldest method of birth control, having been in use for thousands of years in all countries of the world. It will be practiced again and again. At least it is better than nothing.
The “nothing” consists of unprotected coitus (to use the technical term). Here, no protection is taken, and one simply trusts to nature and good fortune.
Of course nature is rather provocative. The female’s system is geared to the hormonal production rate so that when ovulation occurs, the hormones inside are crying out for sexual satisfaction. So her whole system, feelings, desires, sensations, are geared for intercourse at the very time when conception is most likely to occur. This is the big, big trap with unprotected coitus.
A look at the various ‘ ‘pregnancy rates” of the different methods will give an indication as to how they compare for effectiveness.
The “pregnancy rate” is an index of the efficacy of a contraceptive method. It is calculated as follows. It is the number of pregnancies multiplied by 1200, divided by the number of months of exposure sexually. The higher the figure the less effective the method, and vice versa. The P.R. of the Pill is virtually zero. Here are the figures of other methods.
The intra-uterine device, P.R. 1 to 7
Diaphragm plus spermicidal cream, P.R. 4 to 12.
Spermicidal foam, P.R. 2 to 7.
Condom (sheath), P.R. 6 to 16.
“Rhythm”(or “ovulation method”), P.R. 14 to 35. This figure varies enormously in investigations. Those successfully using the ovulation method will claim these figures are wrong. Great motivation on every occasion and following the rules exactly is imperative for success. The figures for the ovulation method will be better than for rhythm.
For unprotected coitus the P.R. is a disastrous 60 to 80.
*46/76/5*
How often I have had a disgruntled wife complain of her demanding husband and his selfish insistence, and how – after he has been satisfied – he has merely turned on his side and snored off to sleep in one minute flat, leaving her there, wide awake, frustrated, irritated, unsatisfied, and, as they say, “feeling used.” I am certain that this is not how it was meant to be, and I am equally certain that no marriage can be entirely happy with this attitude by one partner.
The most important factors in a satisfactory sexual relationship in marriage are unselfishness and consideration. Unless these two vital components are present in a marriage, it will be torn asunder with many problems, and those of the bedroom will be but the tip of the ice-berg.
And while wives complain of the lack of these attributes (among others), their husbands are also quick with their list of complaints: their wives do not understand their physical needs; they are inert participants, caring nothing for the role they should be playing; that their wives are (and this is the ultimate complaint) frigid!
Well, I tell these men that there are no frigid women; there are only bad lovers – and hence the blame lies at their door. That doesn’t win me any popularity polls with the males, but I do not leave them at that. I try to show them how many wives have to be educated into being a good partner in the marriage bed; I try to emphasize how important it is for them to be thoughtful for their wives’ needs; I try to show them how easily they (the men) can be aroused sexually, and how slowly a woman is aroused, and thus patience and gentleness and consideration and thoughtfulness and technique are all necessary components of the successful and mutually satisfying sexual encounter.
That is why I tell them—and now I am telling you—how important education for this aspect of marriage is. Sexual satisfaction is not something that comes naturally, in spite of what may be popularly believed, and what the glossy magazines tell you. It is something that has to be worked at diligently and patiently. So many think that, because sex is a natural instinct, the satisfaction that it is supposed to bring, also flows on as a natural by-product. Not so!
It is essential that each partner understands the anatomy of the other. And what is more, they must understand their own—and please do not take it for granted that you know this. You should know the areas where tactile stimulation (i.e., stimulation by gentle touching) will bring the best and surest results. These are built into our bodies by a thoughtful Creator who implanted within us, I believe, the sexual mechanism, and its capacity to be aroused, and the resultant pleasure that intelligent and thoughtful stimulation can bring.
All normal, healthy humans within certain age limits should be capable of a very satisfying sex life. All should be capable of achieving a climax, or orgasm, as the correct term is. Ideally, this should occur in the husband and wife simultaneously, but it does not always happen that way by any means; however, satisfaction does not depend on an orgasm (especially in the woman) at all times. She is often capable of satisfaction as a result of the stimulation and the warm glow that results from the togetherness of the love-making.
It is essential to recognize the physical (and emotional) nature of your partner. Some (of both sexes) are quickly aroused; others are aroused only very slowly. Here is where patience, technique, consideration and gentleness are so important. Usually, it is the male who needs these qualities especially.
Often, for example, it is the male who desires sexual intercourse more frequently than does his wife. Here again is where his patience and thoughtfulness come to the fore; he must understand this, and not demand his “conjugal rights” as often as he might have the desire. On the other hand, the wife must know that her husband can be quickly aroused and can quickly come to an orgasm. She will need to give much thought to that.
*31/76/5*
Established early in life, this philosophy will go with your children for the rest of his life. Every successful person has a set of goals. Of course these will be modified often, perhaps annually for major goals, or monthly, weekly or even daily for those of lesser magnitude.
But use the principle, and do your best to encourage its implementation as often as you get the chance.
Encouragement is vital. Asking how progress is being made, giving credit for success, and encouraging the youngster when the going gets a little tougher, are all necessary.
Keep an eye on the friendships your children develop. Without interfering too much, you can often make practical suggestions and offer guidance. It is pointless to tell your children that you simply don’t like Tom, or Dick or Harry. This will only antagonize, and perhaps cement an unsavoury friendship. Rather, be discreet, and endeavor to use tact. The same applies when the children reach adolescence and start forming boy-girl relationships. Tact, discretion and kindliness are all essential.
It is very important to make your home as open as possible for your children and their friends. If you fear illicit relationships, make sure Junior and his friends are about the house. In this atmosphere the friendships will most likely fade. Of course you can’t be your children’s seeing-eye dog at all times. But you can at least offer them situations where dangers may be minimized.
How many teenagers have run into moral strife because the home was simply not available, and they resorted to the family car and got into the habit of back-alley parking (and necking and whatever)? There is no more successful way of asking for trouble (and a probable unwanted pregnancy) than back-alley, back-seat necking, particularly at night.
The risks are less at home. A home atmosphere will not hold back the rising hormonal level of your growing children, but at least it will help to hold the reins in check until they can start to make sensible decisions for themselves.
Maybe you don’t like the sort of music your children play. That is sometimes a matter of taste. (My parents didn’t like the sort of music I grew up with either. But I still like the same sort of music today, and fortunately at least one radio station sees fit to play the nice, soft, easy-to-listen-to type of music of my late teens.) Popular tastes come and go, and nowhere is this seen so forcibly as in the musical scene. So, today’s musical tastes will be totally different fifteen years hence. My children’s children (and yours, too) will be thumping out music that our kids will say is hideous. But try to live with it, and if possible, try to become part of it—as much as you can.
If you can relate to your child’s interests, so much the better. Becoming involved in his school and its activities at least lets him know you care and are prepared to spend time and effort on his behalf. It’s worth trudging around at week-ends to school sporting fixtures, no matter how you might hate them.
Conversely, lots of parents will get a great amount of delight out of all this. Many will relive their own school-days, and become captivated once more as they see themselves (now reflected in little Johnny) performing in the field. Once more, this is all part of the family co-operation thing. It all helps to keep the family intact and together. If you can achieve all this, you have performed a marathon undertaking, and success is yours.
*17/76/5*
Often people have eccentricities or habits or ways that tend to irritate another person. During early marriage, it is time to take stock of all these things, both in yourself as well as in your spouse. The well-adjusted person will learn to accept such factors in his/her partner without grumbling and without making a big thing of it.
“Jim is always late . . . Jim is untidy . . .Jim never helps me . . . Jim never lets me drive the car (just because I smashed my own up twice before we got married) . . . Jim is selfish, he always likes his own way, and gets grumpy if he doesn’t get it.”
I’ve heard the complaints year in and year out, and no doubt you have heard yourself muttering these over to yourself, your mother and your girl friends, time and again.
What about Jim? Have you ever stopped to think what he might be thinking? “Jane nearly killed herself with those car smashes, and she is still paying off the bills. Stupid girl, not getting her car insured! I ‘m certain she won’t wreck this one till we’ve paid off the last lot of bills anyhow. …” “Why does that woman keep screeching at me every time I’m a bit late? After all, she’s got nothing to do all day long except do a bit of housework, and get ready and be early, which she invariably is, and then complains if I’m late, after I’ve slaved my inside out at the office working and trying to get to our appointment on time. She never lets up. . . .” “Why can’t she get the washing-up done before I get home for tea at night? She can’t expect me to help with the washing on the week-end, I’m too involved with earning a living. …” “Why can’t Jane see that we must save money if we ever hope to pay for the house and everything in it that she wants? She says I’m selfish when I try to get her to cut down on the spending on ridiculous things that are not necessary. Says I ‘m mean and stingy. That’s a great way to help a guy get on and get debts out of the way.” So it goes on and on.
This may not be any particular couple. Rather, it is a sample of the type of talk that goes on with many, many couples. In principle, it is the basics that matter.
“Getting to Know You” was a lovely song of a few years ago, and I’ve never forgotten the punch line, and the first few bars of the song. It has stuck in my mind, and I often recall it when I hear young married (and older ones too, for that matter) grumbling and griping and sniping at each other.
“Get to know each other,” I say, either out loud or to myself. “Get to know each other well. Learn each other’s faults, for sure. But go the extra step. Get to know each other’s good points too. For just as surely as there are bad points, there are an equal or greater number of good ones.”
For instance, if Jane bothers to think closely about what her young husband is trying to do, she might see the picture in an entirely new light. If he happens to be late for appointments or late home for dinner at night, then there is probably a good reason for it. He obviously puts work high in his priorities, at least during the week. He is keen, ambitious, and definitely headed for bigger and better things.
Inevitably this will lead to a bigger, fatter pay-cheque in the long run. This will surely yield a beneficial spin-off to her. The house will be theirs earlier than had been hoped for. Probably the car will be paid for too, or he may even be supplied with a company car if he keeps notching his way up the ladder. The essentials that make life interesting, home comforts greater in number and better, the future more secure and solid, are all involved. This is where he is headed, and she is part of the parcel. It is largely n her interests that he is working so hard at his trade or profession.
Jim is untidy. So what? There are worse evils than a husband who probably doesn ‘t fold up his pyjamas each morning, and leaves a few things around the house. Jim never helps her. She spends her total time at home “housekeeping,” except for a part-time job a couple of mornings each week. In that case, there is ample time to do what she is supposed to, such as keeping the house clean and tidy, making sure meals are well prepared and ready on time when Jim comes home, and making certain that everything in her field is done to the best of her ability. This includes the washing and the ironing and all the other household chores. So there is really no need why she should expect Jim to be there, willing and waiting to do her work, just as she would not be expected to spend her spare time doing Jim’s work.
As far as the car goes, well, perhaps there is room for some sort of mutual reappraisal there. Today most women drive the family car. No doubt, when the last bill is paid off, probably a few more driving lessons will enable a mutually satisfactory answer to be found in this area.
You may think that this example of Jim and Jane is a little overplayed, but it is meant to point out general principles. The fact is, however, that the couple I’ve discussed carried on in exactly the way I’ve quoted, so it is not a figment of my imagination.
*3/76/5*
Millions upon millions of people, especially in Asia, Africa and parts of southern Europe, are completely or partly disabled by the so-called tropical diseases. Of these, malaria is the most important. Men in the armed services are protected from these diseases by vaccinations, medicines, and the vigilance of their health officers. But civilians are frequently careless or uninformed. If you are going to a tropical or semi-tropical country for a visit, a vacation, or a job, be sure to ask your doctor about the health hazards you may face, and follow his instructions exactly.
Travellers and new residents often fail to realize that there is a tremendous amount of tuberculosis in most tropical countries. It is extremely important to see that household and school contacts, especially of children, are checked for tuberculosis.
Remember, too, that maids and other domestic workers coming from tropical countries may bring diseases with them. This is another reason for a careful medical check-up of all intimate contacts in your home.
*301\68\2*
If you know in advance that the sick person will have to spend a long time in bed, consider hiring, or even buying, a hospital bed. Since home nursing care frequently will not include a hospital bed, here are suggestions applicable to the ordinary household bed.
To keep the patient from falling out of bed, place a kitchen chair with its back against the bed, or tie a row of chairs together and put them with their backs to the side of the bed.
You can improvise a bed table on which to serve meals. Try setting up the ironing board so that it extends over the patient’s lap.
The diagram below shows methods of placing the pillows to make the patient comfortable. Another pillow at the foot of the bed will also keep him from slipping, keep the blankets off his feet, and will give him more room to move his legs.
How to make the bed
Hospital beds are made up with the following, in the order listed: mattress pad, bottom sheet, drawsheet (a narrow sheet placed crosswise underneath the patient’s trunk and pulled tight), top sheet, blanket(s), spread, and pillowcases.
The square corner is essential. With a little practice, you can learn how to make a square corner and pull the under sheet tight enough to keep it from wrinkling. Stand at the side of the bed on which you are working, facing first the head and then the foot, and complete one side before going around to the other.
Making a bed with someone in it seems difficult, but can easily be learnt. Follow these directions: (1) Remove the spread and loosen the blanket at the foot and sides. Reach under it and remove the top sheet, leaving the blanket to cover the patient. (2) Loosen the drawsheet, fan-folding it towards the patient so that it lies close to him, parallel with his body. Loosen the bottom sheet; you do not need to remove it unless it has become soiled. Smooth the mattress pad and the bottom sheet, and tuck in the bottom sheet, squaring the corners and making certain it is neat and free from crumbs. (3) Put the clean drawsheet on the bed with its midfold in the centre of the bed, tucking in the side on which you are working. Fan-fold the other half of the drawsheet that will cover the part of the bed on which the patient is lying. Put the fan-folded part over the fan-folded old sheet. (4) Help the patient to roll towards you over the fan-folded part of the two sheets, so that he is on his side facing you. Now go to the other side of the bed, and attend to the mattress pad and the bottom sheet as you did on the first side. Pull out the soiled drawsheet over which the patient has rolled, and put it aside to be washed. Next pull the clean drawsheet tight, and smooth and tuck it in. (5) Put a clean op sheet over the blanket, and remove the blanket while you tuck this sheet in at the foot of the bed and spread it over the patient. Replace the blanket, and make the foot and sides of the bed. Then change the pillowcases, and the bed is finished.
*247\68\2*
-
During the child’s first year, he is absolutely dependent. I consider it unwise to put any responsibility on him for either his cleanliness or his safety. Babies and toddlers are not wilful; they are just eager to explore the world. We must help and encourage them in their courageous explorations and not frustrate them whenever they go for an appealing object. But it is up to us to protect them from danger.
-
At the beginning of the child’s second year, he should be taught that certain things must be avoided. 1 le must be met with a firm No when he plays near the stove or climbs on a table or starts for a sharp knife. However, we must prohibit his exploring activities as little as possible. By the time the child is three, he is ready to accept a definite amount of discipline, as far as his own safety and that of other people—and of some objects—is concerned.
-
To discover whether you are demanding too much, count the number of times a day you and the other adults in the household say No, or exert pressure in another manner. If there is a continual chorus of Nos, Don’ts, and so on, you can be reasonably sure the discipline is too strict. Try to find ways to assume more responsibility yourself or to make it easier for your child to assume responsibility.
-
Your child does not ‘need’ to be punished. When a good relationship exists between parents and children, most difficulties can be resolved without resorting to punishments. Watch how a good nursery-school teacher or camp counsellor handles a number of children! The trouble is, however, that parents have other things to attend to besides their children, and a punishment is often a shortcut. I realize that you have not all the time in the world, and so I will not say you should never punish a child. If, for example, your firm No does not prevent him from reaching for a forbidden, dangerous object, a slap on the hand will probably stop him. In my opinion, it will, in most cases, cause him little more than momentary discomfort.
Punishments are usually two-edged swords, frequently causing more harm than good. It is almost impossible to find the ideal punishment that will accomplish what you want without causing any harm. Nagging, threatening, or shaming a child can have a very bad effect on him. Never punish him for things that are not his fault, or for acting like a child instead of an adult. Whatever disciplinary measure you take, make it clear that he has not lost your love.
*190\68\2*