Hair and skin care

Beauty magazines show tons of beautiful girls and women in ads for hair and skin products. But, don’t be fooled into thinking you need these products to look your best. Instead, try these time-test-ed beauty basics, which will keep you looking naturally beautiful! Skin care 101* Wash your face regularly using a mild cleanser and warm water. Be gentle—don’t scrub hard! Avoid astringents, which can dry out and irritate skin.* Use only light, water-based moisturizers. Look for one that has SPF 15 or a higher number sunscreen. *For sensitive skin,...

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sexuallY transmitted diseases (stds)

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are on the rise among young people. STDs are caused by many different virus sand back-triathlete spread through sexual contact. Some examples of STD s are chlamydia, crabs (pubic lice), genital herpes, gonorrhea, hepatic-tis B, HIV/AIDS, and syphilis. Even if you’re not sexually active now, it’s vital to know how to protect yourself later.Four key things you need to know about STD s1. STDs can affect anyone—women and men of all ages and racial and ethnic backgrounds....

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premenstrual sYndrome (pms)

Are you feeling grumpy, tense, tired or depressed? Maybe you cry a lot and crave certain foods, too. Or maybe you have felt changes in your body, like acne, a bloated stomach,breast aches or slight weight gain. If you feel this way and it’s also a few days before your period, you might have premenstrual syndrome or PMS. Don’t worry! PMS is a normal part of having a period, and you will feel better soon! If you get PMS, try… * Eating more healthful foods and less sugar and fat. * Eating less...

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Your period

Your period doesn’t have to keep  you from doing the things you  like to do. Nobody even needs to know you’re having it but you!tampons or pads? It’s your choice What you should know about tampons: * Tampons are put inside of your vagina to soak up blood before it leaves your body. Instructions come with tampons to show you how to put them in. * Some tampons have a plastic or cardboard covering—called the “applicator”—that makes it easier for you to put the tampon in. Do not leave the...

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Taking care of your reproductive health

Your body The way the female body is designed is really cool if you  think about it. Check out these graphics to learn about the major reproductive organs. These are the parts of the body involved in making a baby. Ovary—Women have two ovaries, which have eggs (ova) and make female hormones. One of the ovaries lets go of an egg about once each month as part of the menstru-al cycle. This is called ovulation. Fallopian tube—When an egg is released, it travels through the  fallopian tube...

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Preventing excess gas

Preventing excess gas Too much gas typically is caused by the incomplete absorption of certain starches and sugars during digestion. Bacteria in your intestine then ferment the sugars, forming gas. To prevent excess gas: • Limit gassy foods The worst gas-formers are beans and other legumes, wheat and wheat bran, cabbage, onions, Brussels sprouts, sauerkraut, apricots, bananas and prunes. Milk and other dairy products also can cause gas if you have reduced amounts of lactase, the enzyme needed...

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Staying mentally sharp

Staying mentally sharp Boost your memory and develop habits that can help counterage-related memory loss:  • Make associationsFor example, if you’re introduced to Fred who has red hair,link his name to his hair color.   • Choose what to rememberIf you meet several people at once, focus on remembering afew key names.  • Recite, retrieve and reviewRecite key information several times to learn it and retrieve it often. Review information you’ll need, such as pagingthrough your high-school yearbook before your reunion.   •...

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Choosing a home blood

Choosing a home blood Pressure unitYou can track your blood pressure by using a home monitorbetween checkups. To choose the best monitor for you, askyour doctor for advice and balance convenience with accuracy:  • Know your optionsAneroid models are inexpensive and easy to transport. Theyinclude a stethoscope. Some have extra-large dials for easierreading, but they aren’t recommended if you have troublehearing or have poor dexterity in your hands. Electronic (digi-tal) models are the most popular and can be expensive, butthey’re easy...

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Exercising for a healthy heart

Exercising for a healthy heart If you exercise regularly, you may lower your risk of a heart attack and stroke. If you’re middle-aged or older and haven’t been exercising regularly or have a chronic health problem, work with your doctor to develop an exercise program. To condition your heart safely: • Start at a comfortable level of exertion Try walking five to 10 minutes over a short distance indoors. Increase five minutes a session, as tolerated. • Schedule regular exercise Aim for 30 to 60 minutes a day of low- to moderate-intensity physical...

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BRAIN AND HEART

BRAIN AND HEART Reducing your risk of stroke and heart attack One of the best ways to protect yourself against a stroke or heart attack is by not smoking. Here are other ways: • Maintain a healthy weight Being overweight increases your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, cardiovascular disease and diabetes — risk factors for a stroke and heart attack. So eat a nutritious diet and aim for 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity on most days. • Limit fats and cholesterol Limit meat to a total of 6 ounces daily. Choose fat-free...

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