Ladybird September 2012

Page 50

Fluid is leaking from my nipples, and I’m not pregnant; what’s the reason?

Is baby shampoo good for adult hair?

* Check with your doctor before taking any medication

Most shampoos contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which some people find dries out their scalp. Baby shampoo can be a smart alternative because it contains amphoteric surfactants, which are milder than SLS. The downside is that baby shampoo doesn’t clean as well as shampoo with SLS. So if you use a ton of styling products, you might have to wash your hair multiple times with baby shampoo to get it as clean as you would with one lather of an SLS-based product. But that’s not such a bad trade-off if your scalp is really parched.

It’s not unusual for weird-looking stuff to drip from the nipples. It can come in many colors; yellow, green, white, gray, red, and vary from thick and sticky to thin and watery. Non-pregnancy-related discharge can occur either spontaneously or from stimulation (e.g. squeezing or sucking) and is most often the result of a benign papilloma (a noncancerous tumor), an infection, or a drug side effect. In rare cases, leakage can signal a hormonal imbalance or even breast cancer, so you’d better consult your doctor.

Is it true that I have to see a dentist every six months?

I have the habit of latenight eating that has to stop; HELP!

Not necessarily. Your dentist will tell you how often you should come in for a dental check-up, and if you have very good oral health, this may be no more than once every two years. In order to maintain good oral health, brush twice a day, floss daily, rinse your mouth with an antibacterial rinse, chew sugar-free gum after meals, don’t smoke, eat a well-balanced diet of whole foods, and don’t overeat sugary foods.

Distract yourself; go for a walk, curl up with a good book, or relax in a hot bath. Satisfy your cravings with a low calorie alternative like herbal tea, a handful of veggies, or a piece of fruit. Increase the fiber in your diet, especially at dinner. Try adding beans or whole grains to keep you feeling full. Increase the protein in your dinner to keep hunger at bay. Limit all eating to the kitchen or dining room, and always eat

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while sitting down at the table. This helps curb “eating amnesia,” that mindless munching in front of the television. Eat slowly and savor the taste of your food; give yourself 15 to 20 minutes for your brain to get the signal that you have had enough. Start your day with breakfast; people who skip breakfast are more likely to snack impulsively on calorie-laden foods. Drink plenty of water.

Can I lessen the intensity of the ringing I hear in my ears? In order to lessen the intensity of tinnitus, it is advisable to make every effort to: avoid exposure to loud sounds and noises, control blood pressure, decrease salt intake, avoid nerve stimulants; caffeine and nicotine, reduce anxiety, try to stop worrying about the ringing in your ears; the more you worry and concentrate on the noise, the louder it will become, get adequate rest and avoid fatigue, and exercise. Ringing in the ears is usually more bothersome when the surroundings are quiet, especially when you are in bed. A competing sound such as a ticking clock, a radio, a fan or white noise machine may help mask the noise you hear. Small hearing aid like devices which generate a competitive sound may help reduce the awareness of the ringing. Avoid aspirin or aspirin products in large quantities.


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