News Letter 2006 05

ACCIDENT HELP

In today’s traffic and congestion, accidents are all but unavoidable. This makes it very important to have an “accident kit” in your car. You can make a kit using items gathered from home. These items are needed to capture the details at the scene. Include in your kit a disposable flash camera, index cards for witness and party information (name, address, home and work telephone numbers, vantage point and description of incident, etc.), pen(s) or pencil(s) and a measuring tape. Thanks Sydnie H.

CELL PHONE DANGERS

A man was charging his cell phone when it rang; he answered it. After a few seconds, electricity flowed into the cell phone unrestrained and the man was thrown to the ground. He was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. The moral: Do not use or answer your cell phone when it is charging. Thanks Judi M.

HYDROGEN VEHICLES ON THE MOVE

A modified Prius with a hydrogen fuel cell is being tested in California. Energy Conversion Devices uses a fuel cell for power and a metal hydride storage tank to hold enough hydrogen to drive almost 200 miles. Thanks Fred C.

MUSIC

It is well know, music gets us in the mood--for exercise, romance, meditation or simply to clean the house. Music is also known to improve movement in people with neurological impairments caused by stroke or Parkinson’s disease. A study conducted by the University of Pavia in Italy, has demonstrated, music, might be useful for helping prevent or treat heart disease and stroke. Bottom Line Daily Health News

BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

Anyone who has arthritis can attest to the discomfort experienced with even simple movement. But, inactivity can be crippling, too; literally, for people with any type of ubiquitous disease.

In the past, people with arthritis were sent to bed in an effort to “save their joints.” Now, studies show arthritis suffers who exercise regularly report less pain and joint swelling. They also reported improved functioning, flexibility, increased strength and endurance--without harm to the joints.

Carol Krucoff, coauthor of Healing Moves: How to Cure, Relieve and Prevent Common Ailments with Exercise says people who exercise experience less depression and anxiety and just naturally feel better about themselves. Bottom Line Daily Health News

CELL PHONES IN THEATERS

Theater ads ridiculing obnoxious cell phone users don’t seem to be working. In trying to get people to stop talking on their phones during while watching movies, John Fithian, president of National Association of Theater Owners, proposed installing cell phone signal jammers in theaters. The only problem, the FCC prohibits jammers. The French government authorized jammers in theaters two years go. Thanks Fred C.

GINGER--AN OVARIAN CANCER KILLER?

Research done by University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers showed ginger causes ovarian cancer cells to die in such a way that may prevent tumor cells from becoming resistant to treatment; a common problem with chemotherapy. Their next step is to see if the same results can be achieved in animals.

More information is available on ovarian cancer treatment at www.cancer.org. Thanks Fred c.

SMOKE AND HEAT DETECTORS

A smoke detector warns of fire when it senses the products of combustion in the air. They trigger quickly, from small amounts of smoke. (Change the batteries every six months, minimum.)

A heat detector warns of fire when the temperature around the detector reaches a certain level. They do not notice smoke. Heat detectors are valuable protection in the kitchen, garage, attic and water heater closet, where smoke detectors are not recommended.

Both detectors are important in every home today. Regular smoke and heat detectors are available in most stores, monitored detectors offer an added security through monitoring. They may be obtained through your security company Thanks Post Alarm Systems.

COUGH RELIEF

We are all familiar with coughs associated with cold and flu. We are also familiar with those over-the-counter cough syrups that do not relieve coughs. So, what can be done?

1. Eliminate foods that encourage mucus production-- dairy products (milk, cheese, etc.), chocolate, bananas, processed and refined foods, fried and junk foods. Also, avoid simple sugars.

2. Drink a full glass of water at least every two waking hours. More if you possibly can. Cut back on your caffeine consumption; it works as a diuretic.

3. Make some chicken broth and add garlic or ginger, it helps clear mucus and tastes good.

There are a variety of herbs to help with coughs available: Echinacea with goldenseal, astragalus (AKA huang qi in Chinese medicine), licorice and cherry bark. These products are available at your local health food store.

There are also homeopathic products. Boiron produces Spongia Tosta for “croupy cough” and Antimonium Tartaricum for a “wet cough due to cold.” If the above items do not work and the cough persists for more than a week, call your doctor. Bottom Line Daily Health News

FIGHT THOSE BUGS

At the VERY FIRST SIGN of:

Flu, take Ocillococsinium Cold, take ColdCalm

These products are also made by Boiron and are available at your local health food store. Follow the directions on the package. If taken immediately, they work to eliminate the flu or cold germ. If taken after onset, they diminish the effects.

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