Hudson - Litchfield News 14 - January 14, 2011


Well Care


The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) encourages the public to make an annual medicine cabinet cleanout part of their New Year’s resolutions. Pharmacists recommend that patients use this time to properly dispose of all the unused and expired medications that accumulated over the previous year. Because each season brings a host of new illnesses and conditions,


it’s easy for medicine cabinets to become cluttered with unused or expired prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbals that can potentially be harmful to one’s health. Hanging onto old, expired, or unused medications can increase the chances of taking the wrong one. Old, expired medications can lose their potency, thus reducing or providing no value to the condition being treated, and unused medications have the potential to be abused and misused. “As you finalize your resolutions for a happier and healthier New


Year, why not add this simple task to your list?” asked Thomas E. Menighan, APhA Executive Vice President and CEO. “A medicine cabinet cleanout is one of the smallest resolutions a person can make for their personal and family’s health. To help protect yourselves and the environment, it just takes a few simple steps to properly store and


healthy body, mind, and spirit. Consider Medicine Cabinet Cleanout Among New Year’s Resolutions


dispose of medications. And if you have any questions about your medications’ expiration date or potency, talk with your pharmacist.” Tips for storing and cleaning out your medicine cabinet or other medication storage areas: • Medications should be stored in a secured area that has low humidity, a stable temperature, and adequate lighting.


• Check the date on everything in your medicine cabinet and dispose of anything that has passed the expiration date.


• Properly dispose of anything you have not used in the past 12 months.


• Properly dispose of any prescription medications you no longer need. Do not share prescription medications with others.


• Properly dispose of medicines no longer in their original container or that can no longer be identified.


• Properly dispose of medicines that have changed color, odor, or taste.


• Do not flush unused or expired medications and do not pour them down a sink or drain. They should be disposed of properly in the household trash or through your community’s medication disposal program, when available.* Follow these easy steps before


disposing in the trash: o Pour medication into a sealable plastic bag. If medication is a solid (pill, liquid capsule, etc.), add water to dissolve it.


o Add kitty litter, sawdust, or coffee grounds (or any material that mixes with the medication and makes it less appealing for pets and children to eat) to the plastic bag.


o Seal the plastic bag and put it in the trash. o Remove and destroy all identifying personal information (prescription label) from all medication containers before recycling them or throwing them away. *Visit www.smarxtdisposal.netfor more information and for a list of medications that should be flushed. The American Pharmacists Association, founded in 1852


as the American Pharmaceutical Association, represents more than 62,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and others interested in advancing the profession. APhA, dedicated to helping all pharmacists improve medication use and advance patient care, is the first established and largest association of pharmacists in the United States.


Any parent who’s sat up through the night with a sick child knows reliev- ing their symptoms is only part of your mission. Easing the discomforts of cold and flu for your little one is a No. 1 priority. “Watching your child suffer, even if


it’s from something as minor as a nose that’s sore and chapped from repeated blowing, is a terrible feeling for any parent,” says Dr. Tanya Remer Altman, a mother and pediatrician who is a best-selling author and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediat- rics. “Relieving the discomforts related to cold and flu not only helps kids feel better, it also reduces stresses for their parents.” “Dr. Tanya,” as she’s known to her patients and the millions who’ve seen her on the Today Show or who follow her blog, offers some tips to help par- ents make children feel more comfort- able while fighting a cold or the flu: * Flu vaccines are recommended for


everyone 6 months and older, but it’s not unusual for children to fear a shot. Ask your pediatrician about giving your child the flu vaccine in a nasal spray form. It’s available for children 2 and older, and provides the same protec- tion and safety as the traditional flu shot.


Simple Ways Parents Can Help Relieve Kids’ Cold and Flu Discomforts * Your mother probably swore by


chicken soup and she was on to some- thing. Serving sick children chicken soup not only gives them the benefit of nourishment while their bodies are fighting a virus, studies show chicken soup has anti-inflammatory properties as well. Plus, it’s a popular comfort food that most kids love. * Sore, chapped noses add to the dis- comfort of having a cold. Tissues with added lotion, like Puffs Plus with Lo- tion, can help prevent chapping from frequent nose blowing and wiping. The strong, lotion-filled tissues can help children get more out of their nose blowing, ensuring they’re confident they can blow without getting anything “icky” on their little hands. You can also use petroleum jelly or unscented ointment to soothe the irritation and discomfort. * Another way to help relieve a stuffy nose is to try a few drops of nasal sa- line and gentle suctioning. A cool mist humidifier and a liberal application of Vicks on children older than 2 can also help, especially at night when lying down can make a child feel stuffy. Re- member, however, never to use Vicks on children younger than 2 years old; it may actually increase the mucus in their airways.


* When your child’s throat is sore, he might be unwilling to eat or drink much. Offer a sugar-free fruit Popsicle instead. The coolness can help ease a sore throat, your child will get some hydration from the frozen juice and he’ll feel like he’s getting a special treat.


* Make trips to the doctor’s office * Frequent hand-washing is impor-


tant to prevent the spread of viruses. Yet washing your hands a lot, especially in cold weather, can leave them dry, sore and cracked. Teach your children to wash their hands while singing “Wash, wash, wash your hands, wash


them every day. Wash them with water and wash them with soap to wash the germs away” to the tune of “Row, row, row your boat.” Then follow up with a soothing lotion. You can find many fragrance-free varieties specially formu- lated for children.


Tips to Save a Lot When Planning Family Meals


Ah, family dinner time. A meal lovingly prepared and family members gathered around the dining table sharing stories from their day. While a special meal is a time- honored tradition, the planning, time and the cost involved may leave some without an appetite. Many shoppers are on the hunt for af- fordable and simpler shopping routines. Regardless of whether you’re planning a holiday feast, a birthday celebration, or just day-to-day meals throughout the year, it’s easier and more cost effective if you go into grocery shopping prepared.


Consider these tips from national grocery retailer Save-A-Lot before your next shopping trip: Plan for several meals rather than just one Many grocery shoppers make the mistake of only planning for a big special meal when they can cut time and cost by planning for several. Decide ahead of time how your family might want to use leftover meat or veggies from the meal, and buy extra ingredients to extend your meal into the following week. For example, be sure to stock up on bread, mayonnaise, mustard and lettuce in advance if you plan to cook a


turkey or ham for a Sunday dinner. Create a weekly meal planner This is a good idea year round, especially


when your schedule gets more hectic. Think about what you and your family members typically consume each day. If there is a particular food item or meal idea that your whole family enjoys, make sure to stock up when it is on sale. Ask each family member to pick a meal for dinner.


Visit grocery store websites for tools and deals


Grocery retailers frequently offer tips and tools for meal planning, as well as exclusive online bargains. Check to see if your store is offering discounts in exchange for signing up for their shopping clubs year round. For example, Save-A-Lot offers a $5 coupon for signing up for its Smart Shopper Club.


Take advantage of store brands Many grocery stores offer their own


private brands of foods and everyday items, and frequently these items are of equivalent quality as more expensive national brand names. By using store brands, you can save a little money on your grocery bill and splurge on something special, such as a


celebratory dessert. Store brands are great for helping to keep your weekly grocery costs down.


Keep track of ingredients to replenish You’ve got everything laid out to make


chocolate chip cookies, but you forgot to buy the baking soda - nothing is more frustrating than having to make a return trip to a store. Keep track of ingredients you fre- quently use in your cooking. Then, as soon as you use up an item, immediately add it to your ongoing grocery list. By the end of the week, not only will your shopping list be complete, but you won’t be stuck in the store trying to remember what is or is not in your cupboard. You also won’t be tempted to buy something you don’t need. What’s more, be sure to use measuring utensils so you don’t use more ingredients than neces- sary - which can be costly to your family’s waistline and budget.


Eliminate shopping hassles


Grocery shopping can be a time-consum- ing hassle, especially for busy, on-the-go families. Some retailers offer discounted, everyday prices that can help eliminate the need to map out complicated store-to-store


routes, or navigate through a maze of aisles to find the best deals. Save-A-Lot’s stores not only deliver savings of up to 40 percent, compared with conventional grocery stores, but also feature, small, efficient formats de- signed for a quick and convenient shopping


experience. With these few simple tips, you’ll not


only save money at the grocery store, but you’ll have more time to enjoy cooking and celebrating with those you love. - ARA Content


Tips For Fresh, Clear Skin Even During the Harsh Winter Months


Cold temperatures and dry air can make it difficult to keep your skin clear, hydrated and looking beautiful during the winter months. After dealing with the pain and em- barrassment, the last thing you want to do is to head into spring with dry skin and breakouts. With these easy winter skin care


tips, you’ll feel more confident and proud to show off your clear, beautiful skin: * Don’t scrub dry, sensitive skin during the winter months. Accord- ing to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), skin is drier than normal during the cold months and vigorous washing can irritate skin, making issues like acne even worse. * For those who suffer from acne, try the MaxClarity Acne Manage-


ment System to kill acne-causing bacteria beneath the skin and exfoliate dead and damaged skin cells. The system’s combination of benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid will promote new skin growth and let your healthy, clear skin shine through.


Made with VersaFoam technol-


ogy, MaxClarity is a three-step process that includes:


- Deep cleanser that cleans and treats acne on the face, chest and back. - Advanced acne treatment that dries quickly and fights acne during the day. - Rejuvenating toner, a leave-on foam that exfoliates dead skin cells overnight to reveal a healthier, glowing complexion. * Don’t assume you can trade


the swimming pool for a tanning bed while it’s cold just because the sun isn’t shining. Continue to keep your skin healthy by avoiding UV radiation - indoor tanning can lead to premature skin aging according to the AAD.


* Be sure to use moisturizers


when treating acne in winter months. In order to effectively treat your skin, dermatologists recom- mend gently washing your face first, applying acne medication and moisturizer and finally applying makeup. Approaching your skin with gentle care during the cold, dry months is sure to help tackle your breakouts and allow you to happily expose your fresh skin just in time for warmer weather.


- ARA Content


fun by bringing a book or toy to keep your child occupied, and a snack in case she gets hungry. A special reward or treat after the visit is also a nice tradition. Finally, don’t overlook your own mental comfort as well; call the doctor if you feel your child’s symptoms are worrisome. “Parents often tell me they thought about calling, but didn’t want to be a bother,” Dr. Tanya says. “Most pediatricians are parents too, and they would rather take a few minutes to reassure you that your child’s cold symptoms will improve on their own than to not have you call about your sick child who really needs to be seen. Your pediatrician is there to help you, so if you feel something is important, pick up the phone and call.”


- ARA Content


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