HEARD IT AND READ IT

Prepared by Bassam Mechammil

November 10, 2007

HEALTH:

A- Liver damage from acetaminophen- the active ingredient in Tylenol and other pain relievers is more likely among people who take two or more times the recommended dose in 24-48 hours. Damage can occur if the dosage is exceeded even once.

B- Earwax; this waxy yellowish substance is created during the ear’s self-cleaning process. Occasionally it builds up in the outer ear, causing pain or hearing loss. The quick fix is to mix equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide and warm water. Use a dropper to put a few drops of the mixtures in the ear. Hold your head sideways and wait a few minutes. This will help loosen wax and flat it out of the ear canal.

C- Eye surgery update: individuals who previously have been told that they are not good candidates for laser surgery should consult their ophthalmologists about update guidelines. Lasik surgery which uses laser to reshape the cornea now can correct nearsightedness

D- Surprising paper-cut treatment: instant bonding glue, such as crazy glue. It takes about one minute for the glue to set and it stays on until it is worn off by time or removed by nail polish removal.

E- Hospital visitors need not to worry about picking up a bug from patients. Visitors are more likely to bring in germs that will affect patients. Most visitors do not stay in the hospital long enough to be exposed to anything infectious. Patients who are highly infectious often cannot have visitors at all. Use common sense when visiting so you don’t bring in a minor infection, such as cold, that could be dangerous to hospital patients.

F- Height vs. heart disease. Men over five feet ten inches have an 80% lower risk of heart disease from men fewer than five feet, five inches. Possible reason: Poor childhood nutrition and arteries in the hearts of shorter people are narrower, possibly increasing blockage risk.

GENERAL INFO:

A- Poison ivy can strike at any time of year. Anything that touches poison ivy passes it on- clothing, shoes, and even the smoke from burning ivy vines. The oil in poison ivy stays toxic for up to five years.

B- The redder the grapefruit the more healthful it is. Redder pulp means more lycopene, which is plentiful in tomatoes and watermelons. This may help reduce the risk of prostate and other cancers.

C- Wrap cheese in a cloth dampened with salt water before refrigerating to protect against mold. Add a pinch of salt to coffee ground before brewing coffee to enhance flavor. Remove rust stains from clothing by rubbing a paste of equal parts salt and vinegar into the stain, letting stand for thirty minutes then washing as usual. Keep ants away by spreading a thin line of salt across any entry they use.

D- Sesame seeds are a good source of calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin E, and other nutrients. Like other seeds, sesame seeds are high in fat but moderate consumption is fine. Eat several servings a week of up to one ounce a day.

E- Lie detector tests often lie- and may be illegal. They are supposed to record physical changes that result from lying. However, liars can beat the test by taking drugs. Honest people may fail because the test is stressful.

F- To lengthen battery life in today’s high tech rechargeable devises: frequently let the charge run down completely. Don’t charge them after they are partially drained.

G- Raising a child costs $180,000 from birth to age 18 for the average middle income. This does not include the cost of sending the child to college.

H- George W. Bush will earn $400,000 a year as a president. This is much less than William H. Taft who earned the most- the inflation adjusted equivalent of $1.4 million. In all, 31 of 42 presidents earned more than Bush.