Your health
Halloween horrors
Don't eat the glow sticks. That sounds like common sense, but every Halloween the Illinois Poison Control Center gets calls from parents whose kids decided the neon liquid looked tasty. Kids also eat suspicious candy, face paint and dry ice, all of which can be harmful.
• Use nontoxic face paint or makeup. Some products contain emollient laxatives, talc or hydrocarbons, which can be toxic if eaten.
• In small amounts, the liquid in glow sticks or necklaces won't cause severe poisoning. But it could cause a rash, nausea and burning.
• For the punch bowl, don't put dry ice in individual glasses. It could burn the mouth and throat and can cause severe pain.
Plan a safe Halloween this year, but post the poison center's number by the phone just in case. It's (800) 222-1222.
Run the numbers
Think you can lose weight by diet alone? Well, you can, but you might not want to. Every pound you lose through diet alone is roughly three-quarters fat tissue and one-quarter muscle tissue, according to the American Council on Exercise.
Weight loss through diet and exercise has a better ratio. For every pound you shed, you'll lose about 1¼ pounds of fat tissue, and gain about one-quarter pound of muscle.
That higher muscle mass will improve your metabolism and protect against age-related muscle loss.
Be an active patient:Œ
Patients who get involved in their health care get better results. That holds true when you have cultural or religious issues that may be a factor in your care. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers tips for a successful doctor visit:
• Discuss your religious concerns. Some religious restrictions could impact your medical treatment.
• Explain any dietary requirements, such as kosher dietary laws or religious fasting.
• Tell the doctor if you are uncomfortable being examined by a male or female.
• Ask for detailed information about your diagnosis, tests, treatment and prescriptions. Ask to see pictures or written information if you don't fully understand.
-- Susan Stevens