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Take Care in the Summer Sun
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Protect life: Heat stroke, which kills more Americans than the combined total of all other weather-related phenomena, is preceded by heat exhaustion. Learn what you can do to prevent heat illnesses, and how to recognize and respond to these conditions. Here is information for specific populations:
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Protect skin: Sunscreen shoppers may notice a few changes this year, as new labeling rules are now in effect. Twelve sunscreens recently tested by Consumer Reports varied wildly in effectiveness; their article and ratings can be found at your public library, in hard-copy and online databases.
If you do get burned, here are tips for coping with the sun's painful afterglow. .
Protect eyes: Using high quality sunglasses, from childhood to old age, lowers the risk of eventually developing cataracts and macular degeneration.
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Weight Loss for Kids
If you know a kid, age 8 to 15, who is heavy and would like to weigh less, he or she might like a 6-month-long weight-control program offered by the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. Weekly sessions will help kids - and their parents - develop healthier habits.
Financial assistance may be available. Some classes are in Spanish.
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News You Can Use
A Kinder, Gentler Garden If gardening is becoming physically difficult for you or a loved one, check out tools and techniques for keeping thumbs green in this Q &A ( part 1 and part 2) with a horticultural therapist.
You, Unplugged Constipation afflicts people from infancy to old age. For most people, the problem is a temporary one which can be resolved with appropriate self-care. Children may need assistance from parents to avoid developing chronic problems. If constipation does not resolve with changes in your daily routine and diet, a drug may be helpful. Consumer Reports' evaluated the medication options in an in-depth report; a brief summary is also available.
Which medicine is best? The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) compares treatments for various conditions, and then issues reports on their cost and efficacy. The following topics have been addressed in the past year.
If you want more technical details after reading a report, click the "Clinician Summary" link in the right column. A lay summary in Spanish is also available for each topic.
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Safer Below .05% You may have been surprised by the National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) proposal to lower the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for drivers from .08% to .05%. If you wondered how many drinks would put you over the proposed, safer limit, use these charts as guides. You can also monitor your BAC yourself; breathalyzers are now sufficiently small, inexpensive, and accurate for personal use. Click here for details on how - and why - the NTSB has recommended changing the regulations governing alcohol-impaired driving. As this information makes clear, your safest choice is to never mix drinking and driving.
Sleep Well!
Many of us chronically get too little sleep, even though the consequences are many and can be serious. If you have trouble keeping to a restful schedule, these tips may help.
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Enhance Your Fitness
Are you over 55 and wishing you got more exercise? Are you intimidated by the fit bodies and complicated equipment at your nearby gym? Would a firm schedule and a friendly environment help you stay motivated? You might enjoy an Enhance Fitness class. Created by the Silicon Valley Healthy Aging Partnership, these twice-weekly classes at San Jose community centers offer a fun way to become more fit. Several classes will start soon; others recently began but still accept new members. Check this schedule for details and to register.
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Events
All events are free to the public, except as noted. Pre-registration may be required. .
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Los Altos - Tues., July 23 .
Urinary incontinence (Introductory classes are free; fee for additional classes) Mountain View - multiple dates .
.Happiness (film & discussion) Mountain View - Sat., Aug. 10 .
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