Q: I have an itchy, bumpy rash in and around my belly button. It’s also quite smelly and the spots are now weeping. How can i get rid of this irritation?

A: The sounds like an infection in your belly button. One possibility is that you’re allergic to nickel the metal which most buttons and snaps on jeans and pants are made of. This constant rubbing against your navel could trigger an infection. If this is the case, try wearing cotton underwear up to your belly button, so skin contact with the metal is not possible. The spots are weeping because you probably scratched (perhaps in yous sleep) and this has worsened the infection causing it to spread around the belly button as well. To get rid of the rash, you’ll need a prescription strength cortisone cream. Make sure you keep the area clean and dry.

Q: The whites of my eyes have become a little dull with a tinge of yellow lately. My friend told me that it many be a liver problem, and I do get this intermittent pain in the right side of my stomach. What’s wrong with me?

A: If the whites of your eyes have turned yellow, it is possible that you may have a mild strain of jaundice. The only way to determine the cause would be to see a doctor to get a blood test. Jaundice id a symptom of liver problems, though it is treatable once identified. Do see a doctor as soon as possible.

>> 3 Glasses of milk you need to drink each day.
To maintain healthy bones, you need to down this much of the white stuff to get the recommended 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium a day. Don’t like the taste of milk? Consider some substitutions: A six-ounce cup of nonfat yogurt has 300mg of calcium two ounces of Swiss cheese has 530 mg; and a cup of spinach will give you 245 mg. Almonds, tofu and fortified orange juice are also great sources.

>> 24.9 Highest number for a healthy body mass index (BMI).
More revealing than the numbers on your bathroom scale is your BMI, which is a measure of your weight relative to your height. And, although not foolproof, it’s also an indicator of total body fat. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered a healthy score. If your score is 25 to 29.9, you’re overweight; above 30 is considered obese. Any number greater than 25 puts you at risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, certain types of cancer, and a host of other health woes. A number below 18.5 means you’re underweight, and you could face osteoporosis. To calculate your BMI, multiply your height (in inches) by your height (yes again, and in inches); then divide your weight (in pounds) by that number, then multiply that by 703.

>> 60 Minutes you should spend being moderately active each day.
Sure, it may seem impossible to squeeze that amount of exercise into your schedule-but we’re not talking about a vigorous workout here. Take your baby for a 20-minute stroll after breakfast, walk up and down the basement stairs while you’re doing laundry, or ride your bike to the post office. You’ll see how fast it adds up.

>> 12 Ounces of salmon you can safely eat each week.
Yes, we know it’s been found to contain PCB’s, mercury, and other pollutants, but if you’re careful to consume only the recommended amount, you’ll reap plenty of benefits without risking your health. Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids and may help to fight cancer, prevent heart disease, and ease depression. What’s more, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding omega-3s may help your baby’s brain development. When possible, eat wild salmons instead of farmed-it’s likely to be healthier and safer

Q: I’m only 24 but I stopped getting my periods six months ago. I’m definitely not pregnant and have never had a problem with my periods before this. I kind of enjoy the freedom of not having periods, but my friends keep saying that it could be a sign of something more sinister. Is it?

A: Secondary periods refers to a condition when there has been no periods for more than six months in a woman who previously had regular menses (excluding pregnancy). While periods may seem like an inconvenience. It is a sign of a healthy female body. Though this condition may rarely be due to ovarian or endometrial causes, you cannot rule out other disorders of the uterus and vagina, the ovaries or the pituitary glands. Stress and over exercise can also be factors. The best way to determine the cause would be to see a doctor. Remember, not having your period for a long-term puts you at a higher risk of osteoporosis and stress fractures of the bones.

Q: I occasionally get bouts of diarrhoea. Do I need to see a doctor everytime or could I just settle for an over the counter (OTC) remedy instead?

A: If the diarrhoea is fairly mild, perhaps an OTC medication would suffice. Most episodes are controllable and should go away in two to three days. However, diarrhoea could be a sign of a more serious problem and require immediate medical attention if the following symptoms occur: for example, the diarrhoea is accompanied by a high fever; there is blood in the stool; the episode lasts more than four days; and you show acute signs of dehydration (dry mouth and skin, light-headedness when standing up, infrequenturination). Just remember, once the diarrhoea is treated, don’t switch to spicy, oily or hard to digest foods such as curries, milk, cheese, fried foods, raw veg and fruit, immediately. Stick to bland, easy to digest food instead.

Continued On Question And Answer About Health - Part 3

>> 400 Micrograms of folic acid you should get daily.
This vitamin is especially important if you plan on getting pregnant, since it can help prevent serious spine and brain birth defects. To get the recommended amount, pop a multivitamin with folic acid with breakfast (if you’re already expecting, you’ll need 600 micrograms). Other folate sources include fortified cereals, pasta, citrus juices, peanuts, and spinach. Even if you’re not planning to have more kids, it couldn’t hurt to eat these foods-folic acid may also prevent colon cancer, stroke, and other conditions later in life.

>> 3 Minutes you need to spend brushing your teeth, morning and night.
Clean teeth take time! “I see patients with plaque buildup who brush their teeth morning, noon, and night, but they just don’t do it long enough,” says a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. Concentrate on thoroughly cleaning all surfaces of your teeth, which usually takes at least three minutes. Don’t rely on your electric toothbrush to show you when to quit-they often don’t run long enough,. Other dental do’s: Brush gently, hold your brush at a slight angle when cleaning along the gum line, and if you don’t floss daily, start now.

>> 30 Minutes before going outside that you should apply sunscreen.
Use a full ounce (enough to fill a shot glass) of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to protect against UVA and UVB rays. Cover your face and body. pay particular attention to sun-sensitive spots like the nose, ears, back, shoulders, and the back of your arms and legs. Reapply every two hours and slather it on more often if you take a dip in the water or you’re exercising and sweating a lot.

Continued On Your Health by The Numbers - Part 3

Continued On Question And Answer About Health - Part 2

1. Episodes of hallucination, delusion of paranoia.

2. Inability to concentrate, remember or make decisions.

3. Feeling helpless, worthless or hopeless.

4. Dropping out of usual activities and wanting to be alone most of the time.

5. Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or getting out of bed.

6. Increase use of drugs of alcohol.

7. Severe mood swings.

8. Appetite changes - eating too much or too little.

9. Talking unnecessary risks.

10 Chronic lethargy.

>> 60 Optimal level of good cholesterol (HDL) you need keep your heart healthy.
Keeping your HDLs at this number or higher can help protect you from a variety of cardiovascular problems, including heart disease and stroke. An added bonus: If your bad cholesterol (LDL) is above 129, a high HDL count will help cancel out its harmful effects. To increase the good and decrease the bad, cut back on saturated fats, trans fats, and hydrogenated oils, and eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

>> 10 Minutes you should spend doing a breast self-exam each month.
If you’re familiar with the size and shape of your own breasts, you’ll likely know when something feels suspicious,” says Susan Brown, R.N., a health educator with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Do the self-exam at the same time each month (a week after your period is best).
For detailed instructions, visit komen.org. If you’re under 40, experts also recommended that you have a clinical breast exam at least every three years and both a mammogram and a clinical exam annually after your 40th birthday.

>> 2 Days per menstrual cycle that the average woman is fertile.
Your best chance of getting pregnant is if you have sex during a two-to-four-day time frame about halfway through your cycle, since sperm cells can live two days or more in the reproductive tract. “If you don’t normally have sex every day-and most couples don’t-and you want to conceive, try to do it every other day during midcycle (12 to 16 days after menstruation starts), says Frederick Licciardi, M.D., of New York University’s Program for In Vitro Fertilization, Reproductive Surgery, and Infertility.

Continued On Your Health by The Numbers - Part 2

1. Stand next to a mirror in a well-lit room and use a hand mirror to check hard to view places.

2. Start from the feet and work your way up, and examine any spots or moles you may have.

3. Look for moles that are: Asymmetrical, have colour variation on one mark, wider than a pencil eraser, or changing in size and shape.

4. Write down a quick description of the spot so you’ll remember what to tell your dermatologist or doctor when you go for your next appointment.

5. Don’t forget to check these areas too - your nails, public region and scalp.

Do:
1. Use the safety brakes to keep the stroller from rolling away when you’re stopped. And do remember to lock the stroller to prevent it from accidentally collapsing while your child in it.

2. Check the manufacturer’s age and weight guidelines to make sure the stroller fits your child. Ideally get a new one so you know it meets the most recent safety standards. (If you use a hand-me-down, be sure it hasn’t been recalled, and go over it for signs of wear and tear.)

3. Choose a stroller with a five-point harness to better secure your toddler, and be sure to tighten the straps.

4. Do. Use the storage basket for bags.

Don’ts
1. Leave your baby or toddler unbuckled or unattended.

2. Tie a leashed dog to a stroller.

3. In-line skate while pushing a stroller.

4. Let your toddler stand up in the stroller or drag her feet on the ground.

5. Push a stroller off a city-curb before you have the light.

6. Put a newborn in a jogging stroller-it doesn’t provide enough support.

7. Hang heavy bags or groceries over the handles.

Good Wheat Bread
1. Has a minimum of 3 grams of fiber, about 60 to 90 calories per slice, and “whole-wheat flour” or
another whole grain listed as the first ingredient.

2. Says “100% whole grain (or wheat)” on the bag.

3. Doesn’t have caramel coloring in the ingredients.

Bad Wheat Bread
1. Has up to 120 calories per slice, 2 grams of fewer of fiber, and “white flour” listed in the ingredients.

2. Has meaningless terms like “stone ground”, “cracked wheat”, or “multigrain” on the package.

3. Uses caramel coloning.