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Health Tips
Headaches linked to a variety of causes
You’re at work in the office and can’t seem to shake that dull ache in your
head. Headaches can occur from a variety of causes and it’s best to check these
first before reaching for that little pill in the bottle in the drawer. If you sit in
front of a computer frequently or read a lot of reports, it might be time for a visit
to the eye doctor. Your eyesight may be a factor contributing to your headache.
As well, ensure you’re getting enough liquid throughout your day. Dehydration
is a common cause of headaches, often overlooked. Try to drink eight to 10 glasses
of liquid a day to keep you hydrated. And remember your mom’s words about
sitting up straight? Posture is an important consideration that may cause
headaches. If you’re starting to lean forward, you’re placing stress on your joints
and tissues of the neck that can cause a dull ache. Sit up straight, drink plenty of
fluids and get your eyes checked for headache relief.
Creepy crawlies back at school?
It’s back to school time and with the return of the children to school often
comes the return of that dreaded head malady: lice. When considering effective
and safe treatments for a lice-infested scalp, turn to products that contain permethrine,
synergized pyrethrins or isopropyl myristate rather than linden, which
is not considered safe because it is an insecticide and may be harmful when used
on humans. So although it is a myth that lice are linked to people with poor
hygiene, if your child becomes infected with these nasty creepy crawlers, check
the ingredients on the pharmaceutical shampoo before purchasing and using
them.
Food colourings being questioned
The debate about additives and hyperactivity in children continues, with
one U.S. group calling for a ban on artificial food dyes linked to behavioural
conditions such as Attention Deficit Disorder. The Center for Science in the
Public Interest, a U.S.-based advocacy group with a branch in Canada, is petitioning
to phase out eight artificial food dyes that pose a serious health risk to
children. The food dyes in question are used in products such as ketchup, fruit
juice and cheddar cheese. Although Health Canada is reviewing its regulations
for food additives so that the labelling not only lists dye colours but also the type
of dye being used, the group protesting the use of the dyes wants them eliminated
altogether — especially as synthetic colourings may pose a health risk and
safe alternatives do exist. Dyes being considered include yellow 5 or tartrazine,
red 40 or allura red, blue 1 or brilliant blue, blue 2 or indigo-tine, green 3 or fast
green, red 3 or erythrosine, yellow 6 or sunset yellow and orange B.
Helping to inform you of safety-related news
As part of the federal government’s Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan,
it is changing existing food protection laws to prevent problems before they
occur, targeting high-risk products, providing a quick response to problems,
increasing fines to non-compliant businesses, ensuring suppliers provide a
method for tracking recalled products and supplying consumers with more
information to keep them informed. To keep up-to-date on safety products,
check out www.healthycandians.ca.
Compiled by Doris Ohlmann.
Due West Magazine • Page 42 • Fall 2008