Motion sickness is believed to occur when the balancing system gets overloaded by the messages it’s receiving from the eyes and inner ears. The brain responds to the conflicting messages by creating some of its own. “The first signs are usually sweating, hyperventilation, and light- headedness,” says Michael S. Morris, M.D., an otolaryngologist and assistant professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C.

For some people, these reactions and the others associated with motion sickness, such as nausea, can be brought on merely by walking down the aisles in a supermarket or watching telephone poles whipping by a car window, says John Youngblood, M.D., associate professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and president of the Austin Ear Clinic. And some people can get “motion” sickness from the sounds they hear, says Herbert Silverstein, M.D., president of the Ear Research Foundation and Florida Otologic Center in Sarasota.

No matter what the cause, once the symptoms set in, it’s virtually impossible to stop motion sickness from running its course, says Silverstein. That’s why it’s important to try to prevent the symptoms before they have a chance to take hold. Here are some techniques you can try to keep motion sickness from setting in:

Look off into the distance. Not to daydream, but to focus on a steady point away from the rocky boat, plane, or car, to help you get your bearings. “Look as far to the horizon as you?can,” says Silverstein. This helps counteract the conflicting messages the brain is receiving from the topsy-turvy surroundings.

Stay on deck. If you’re on a boat, going inside or below deck will only intensify the symptoms. Instead, stay on deck so you can look at the horizon to help your body cope.

Sit over the wing of the airplane. “The wing is the most stable part of the plane, since the plane’s body pivots on it,” says Youngblood. And if you can get a window seat in this midsection, all the better. Then you can look out and set your sights far from the plane if you should get queasy.

Face forward on the bus or train. This is so you can see the road ahead of you instead of concentrating on the busy movement taking place to the sides. And if you can, take a seat, because standing can also bring on motion sickness.

Volunteer to drive. Drivers are so busy watching the road that they’re less apt to get carsick. If you haven’t got a license, your next best bet is to “sit in the front seat so you can also anticipate the upcoming bumps and turns and, as a result, be less likely to get sick,” says John W. House, M.D., associate clinical professor in the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Southern California at Los Angeles.

Eat a little or don’t eat at all. About an hour before you leave, eat some plain crackers or a piece of bread or toast, some experts suggest. Others, such as Silverstein, recommend not eating at all before a trip to help keep your stomach calm and empty, in case you should start to get nauseated.

Avoid “heavy” foods and odors. For some unknown reason, the smell of spicy or greasy foods and strong odors can prompt motion sickness before or during a trip, reports the American Academy of Otolaryngology?Head and Neck Surgery in Alexandria, Virginia.

Say no to alcohol. Avoid alcoholic beverages before and during a trip. “Alcohol goes through the bloodstream and into the inner ear, stimulating it and making a case of motion sickness even worse,” explains Silverstein.

Take it easy. After the first signs of illness, close your eyes and stay still until the queasy sensations pass, says Silverstein.

Stay calm, cool, and collected. “For anyone who’s had motion sickness, just the thought of being in the same situation again can cause fear and anxiety, which can bring on a bout of motion sickness,” says Silverstein. The same goes for those who are anxious about what they’re about to do, like flying in a plane or riding in a boat. Try to stay as calm and relaxed as possible. Take a few deep breaths, close your eyes, and tell yourself that you will not get sick.

Leave your reading at home. Reading causes your eyes to move back and forth, so they are not fixed on a single point. At the same time, your body is sensing, and reacting to, the movement from your ride. The result: sensation overload and motion sickness. For the same reason, an action-packed movie on a plane may cause you to feel ill. On the other hand, “if the movie is not too visually demanding, it just may do the trick to help you relax, forget your fear, and prevent you from becoming sick,” says Silverstein.

Try over-the-counter remedies. Antihistamines,?such as Dramamine, Bonine, and Marezine, should be taken at least an hour before the trip for maximum effectiveness. “This gives the medication enough time to be absorbed into the bloodstream,” says Youngblood. Always check the label for possible side effects, such as drowsiness or blurred vision, and take necessary precautions, such as not driving a car.

Stay away from others who are sick. The power of suggestion is very strong, especially if you have a tendency to get a bit “green” yourself. As callous as it may sound, let someone with a sturdier stomach tend to the sick; you should be looking at the horizon or at another steady point in the distance.

Until recently, there were only two unpleasant alternatives for a stone sufferer: waiting to let the stone slowly pass through the urinary tract or undergoing major surgery to remove it. Today, a new treatment called lithotripsy, in which kidney stones are destroyed by shock waves, has brightened the outlook for those unlucky enough to be stone formers.

Scientists really don’t know why kidney stones form. Kidney stones tend to run in families, so individuals with a close relative who has been through a stone episode should be careful. Most first-time victims are between 30 and 40 years old and are otherwise in very good health. Men are four times more likely than women to get kidney stones, the theory being that female hormones may prevent kidney stones from forming.

Despite the improvements in treating kidney stones, it’s definitely preferable to avoid having them in the first place. If you have been through a bout with a stone in the past or think that you might be a candidate for developing a stone, you should do your best to beat the odds, which say that if you get kidney stones once, you run a 10 percent risk of developing more within a year and an 80 percent chance of developing a new stone within 15 years. Here’s how to fight those odds:

Drink more than your fill. Increasing fluid intake should be the first step (and may be the only step needed) to keep free of kidney stones. One hundred ounces?that’s at least 12 eight-ounce glasses a day?is the minimum. “Any fluid qualifies, including water, juice, soda, even tea and?coffee,” says Glenn M. Preminger, M.D., associate professor of urology/internal medicine at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. The only restriction, says Preminger, is avoiding tea for persons with high urinary oxalate and avoiding too much milk because of the calcium it contains.

Check it out. Sometimes, it’s not easy to keep track of your daily water intake. That’s why measuring your urine output may be a better indication of fluid intake. “I advise my patients to make sure they are urinating 1,200 to 1,500 cubic centimeters, or 40 to 45 ounces worth,” says Michael Wechsler, M.D., assistant professor of clinical urology at Columbia?Presbyterian Medical Center in New York. Anything below 1,000 cubic centimeters a day is too little, he adds.

Keep the lid on dairy products. By far the most common kidney stones are those formed by calcium: calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate. “Some individuals who are prone to calcium-type stone formation should try to limit their calcium intake,” says Demetrius H. Bagley, M.D., professor of urology and professor of radiology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. If you have been dosing up on calcium supplements in hopes of strengthening your bones, you may actually be increasing your risk of stone formation. Dairy products are the greatest dietary source of calcium. Limit butter?and cheese first; these are also high in the kind of fat that your heart will be better off without.

Don’t oversoothe your tummy. Some over-the- counter antacids are calcium based. Check the label, and if the word “calcium” appears there, select another type of stomach medication.

Eat less meat. Individuals who form uric-acid stones are usually found to eat diets high in animal?protein, which can accelerate formation of uric acid and calcium in the urine. “People who are prone to kidney stones should cut back on animal proteins,” says Wechsler.

Go easy on the oxalates. Eating large quantities of fruits and vegetables gives you lots of vitamins and minerals; however, some of these foods can also give you oxalates, which you may need to go easy on if you have a tendency toward kidney-stone formation. “In people with normal gastrointestinal function, oxalates may not be harmful, but it’s still a good idea to lay off rhubarb and spinach,” says Preminger. Other oxalate-rich foods include: chocolate, tea, cola, parsley, peanuts, and citrus fruit.

Be “A” enriched. Vitamin A is necessary for the overall healthy state of your urinary tract. Foods rich in vitamin A include sweet potatoes, pumpkin, winter squash, broccoli, and carrots. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamin A for healthy adults is 5,000 international units, which should be easily met through a varied, balanced diet. Don’t rush out for vitamin A supplements; if you get too much, your body won’t excrete the excess, which can be toxic.

“B” fortified. Scientists have found that Vitamin B6 may actually lower the amount of oxalate in the blood, thereby reducing the risk of stone formation. Magnesium, too, has a negative effect on stone formation. Your doctor may suggest a daily supplement of B6 and/or magnesium or a drug that combines the two. If you take vitamin B6, don’t take more than 25 milligrams a day.

“C” less. With news of the positive powers of vitamin C appearing regularly, people may be led to think of it as a wonder vitamin. However, vitamin C in very high doses?more than 3,000 milligrams daily?can be a potential problem for those with kidney-stone tendencies. That’s because vitamin C is converted to oxalate in the body. “People prone to kidney stones should stay away from vitamin C supplements, although foods containing vitamin C aren’t a problem,” says Wechsler.

Move it. One of the many benefits of regular exercise is that it facilitates the passage of calcium out of the bloodstream and into the bones. The result: stronger bones and less risk of stone formation. According to Preminger, it’s “one more excellent reason to exercise regularly.”

Don’t shake it. There’s also a high correlation between kidney stones and salt intake. “Two grams a day is the reasonable intake,” says Bagley.

Maintain desirable weight. Since obesity is a contributing factor, Denise Kraft, MD.?and Peter A. Simkin, M.D.,?recommend getting down to a healthy weight. “This should not be done with a crash diet that promotes rapid weight loss,” warns Simkin. “Dietary reduction should be achieved with a balanced- calorie diet and should promote gradual weight loss,” he continues. Kraft specifically recommends a moderate-protein, low fat diet. Talk to your doctor or to a nutritionist if you need help in?setting up such a diet plan.

Avoid alcohol. “Beer, wine, and ale are especially bad, as they can precipitate attacks of gout,” says Kraft. “Alcohol is a problem because it causes urate retention,” adds Simkin.

Avoid nonprescription water pills and other diuretics. “These things tend to keep you from properly excreting uric acid, which enables it to?build up in your system and cause gout attacks,” says Don Stewart, M.D. If you have been?prescribed a diuretic for another condition, such as high blood pressure, be sure the doctor knows that you have a tendency toward attacks of gout.

Drink eight six-ounce glasses of fluid a day. “In addition to causing gout, high serum urate levels can also cause kidney stones. Keeping your fluid intake up tends to reduce the amount of?crystallization and lessen your chance of developing stones,” says Kraft.

Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes. “In addition to relieving some of the pain of an attack of gout, wearing comfortable shoes can also help to prevent these attacks,” says Simkin.

Check out your diet . . . maybe. One treatment for?gout that was recommended in the past was to stay on a low-purine diet. “On theoretical grounds, avoiding the high-purine foods makes all the sense in the world The problem is, going from a regular diet to a diet free of purines in general makes only a modest change in the serum urate levels of patients,” says Simkin. “Purine is largely found in the organ meats,” adds Stewart. Anchovies, sardines, legumes, and poultry are also high in purines. If you are willing to try a low-purine diet, go ahead It won’t hurt you. But don’t expect it to help much either.

Wear fabrics specially made for cold or wet weather. “The ideal outerwear traps a lot of air between you and the elements,” says Litt. “Loosely woven bulky wool and acrylics are good choices,” he says. Litt?and other experts also recommend clothing made with Thinsulate, Hollofil, Gore-Tex, or other “high-tech” materials, which can help keep you both warm and dry.

Keep your head covered. You can lose a significant amount of body heat from the neck up, says Litt. This is due to the disproportionately large amount of blood circulating there. “That’s why it’s true when they say that if your feet are cold, you should put a hat on,” says Philip Gormley, VV.E.M.T., operations director of Wilderness Medical Associates in Bryant Pond, Maine. He suggests wearing a wool hat and scarf and earmuffs in order to help keep your whole body warm.

Layer, layer, layer. Gormley suggests polypropylene liners on the hands and feet, followed by down mittens and wool socks, respectively. Jonti Fox, former associate program director of the Colorado Outward Bound School in Denver, recommends wearing a lightweight shirt, then a heavier-weight one over it, covered by a chinchilla jacket, and, finally, a water-resistant windbreaker. Boots with separate, removable inner liners of felt or Gore-Tex are also recommended. Experts agree that clothing and footwear should not be tight. Too-tight cuffs and boots, for instance, can decrease circulation to the extremities. “The best-fitting boots will allow you just enough room to move your toes, even if you have an extra pair of socks on,” says Fox.

Put sandwich bags in your boots. The bags act as a barrier to keep your feet dry if your boots should get wet, says Gormley.

Give your hands a spin. If your fingers start to tingle, whirl your hands round and round at the?wrist. “The centrifugal force you create should help get more blood circulating to the chilled fingers,” says Thurmond.

Eat right and get plenty of rest. Poor nutrition and fatigue can exacerbate the problem by lowering your resistance and hindering circulation, making you more prone to frostbite. For strenuous outdoor activities, Fox recommends foods with complex carbohydrates and fats, such as pasta and nuts, for long-term energy, and simple sugars, such as candy, for quick energy boosts.

Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can impair your awareness of how cold you are. Alcohol is also a diuretic, which can contribute to dehydration.

Do not smoke. Some people light up when they’re cold thinking it’s going to make them warmer. The truth is that smoking constricts the blood vessels and decreases circulation to the extremities, which is why smokers are at higher risk for frostbite.

Be aware that medicines play a role. “Prescription drugs, such as tranquilizers, and over-the-counter medications, such as sleeping aids and antihistamines, can also impair your judgment as to how cold you’ve become,” says Litt. There are many drugs that can act in this way; check the label or ask your pharmacist to find out if any medication you are taking could have this effect.

Don’t touch metal. Coming in contact with metal in the cold can cause instantaneous frostbite, causing you to stick right to it. If this should happen, pour warm water (again, at about 104 degrees to 110 degrees Fahrenheit) over the injury site to loosen it.

If stranded on a wintry day, stay with your car. This is your best bet, unless, of course, you are in immediate danger or you can seek help very nearby. “Leaving the car to brave the elements will deplete your energy and dehydrate you,” says Thurmond. This predisposes you to frostbite and Furthermore, rescue crews can more easily spot a vehicle than a person in distress. So stay put.

Always keep emergency supplies in the car. In addition to a first-aid kit and tools for repairing minor problems such as flat tires, these supplies should include protection for you. Stuff a box with a blanket or two, an extra pair of gloves, a hat, boots, earmuffs, a sweater for everyone who will be traveling, candles, and matches. Hot packs used by hunters may also come in handy.

Buy shoes later in the day. Your feet can swell by as much as half a shoe size over the course of a day. If the pair you buy is too small, swelling can occur or become more pronounced.

Measure your foot while standing. This will give you the most accurate measurements of the length and width of your foot so you don’t buy the wrong size.

Opt for lace-up shoes. Slip-on styles are usually not too forgiving when it comes to swollen feet. With lace-up shoes, you can always loosen the laces to allow your feet more room.

Go with a flat or low heel. A flat or low heel allows the foot to move more naturally when walking, with the sole flexing from heel to toe. Higher heels are more likely to restrict this movement. Swelling can result because the leg muscles, which help keep the lower circulatory system moving, are not pumping as efficiently as they could be with a proper stride.

Boot uncomfortable boots. Many boots weren’t made for walking. Styles that constrict the calf or have very high heels will also aggravate swelling and restrict proper stride.

Wear a style that suits your feet. As is the case with clothing, some styles are fashioned to fit certain shapes better than others. Shoes with shallow toe boxes, for instance, aren’t good for people with thicker digits and very pointy shoes will never feel comfortable to someone with broad feet.

Buy natural. Shoes made from leather, suede, and canvas keep the feet cool and dry by allowing them to “breathe.” On the other hand, rubber and vinyl are nonporous and will trap moisture. The result: excessive heat and humidity, which can aggravate swelling.

Choose socks that let your feet breathe. Some studies have shown that socks made of certain acrylic fibers tend to pull moisture away from the feet. ( Nylon, however, tends to generate heat and absorb moisture like a sponge.) On the other hand, some doctors stand by the traditional natural fibers?cotton and wool?as being best for keeping the feet cool and dry. Try a pair of each, and see which type works best for your feet. If you find that your feet perspire heavily no matter what type of socks you wear, you may need to change your socks two or three times a day.

Don’t assume socks will fit. Though their packages may say it, one size does not fit all. Socks are made based solely on shoe size, with no consideration for the fact that some people have thicker ankles or

calves. If you get the socks home, and they feel like a vise on your legs, don’t wear them. Elastic banding that is too tight can restrict circulation and lead to or aggravate swelling.

However, it is especially important for the following groups of individuals to get a flu shot, according to Evan T. Bell, M.D., and Marcia Kielhofner, M.D.:

Individuals with chronic heart and lung disease. The flu virus can aggravate these conditions to the point of causing serious complications and even death.

People over the age of 65, especially if living in a nursing home or chronic-care facility. Viruses spread more rapidly in such environments. What’s more, the flu virus attacks the already weakened immune systems of elderly people, which can lead to pneumonia and even death.

People with other chronic diseases, such as asthma, diabetes, kidney disease, or cancer. Any time the body is fighting one disease, getting another illness can cause serious problems.

Children who take aspirin regularly for problems such as chronic arthritis. Again, Reye’s syndrome may be

triggered by the flu virus in children who are on aspirin therapy.

Health-care providers. While catching the flu may not seriously endanger these individuals, it can be deadly to the patients they are treating

Pregnant women who fall into any of the high-risk groups mentioned. The vaccine must be given after the first trimester of the pregnancy to prevent the possibility of harming the fetus

Avoiding fissures is simply a matter of good skin care. Here are some tips:

Don’t bathe any more than is necessary (especially in winter).

When you do bathe, use a mild soap.

Moisturize with a petrolatum-based product after showering, bathing, or hand washing. “I even go as far as to apply Vaseline or baby oil to my body before showering or bathing in order to protect my skin from drying out,” says Denise Kraft, M. D. , F. A. A. F. P.

“Since fissures often occur on the hands, it’s also a good idea to keep a good moisturizer by every sink in your house so that when you do wash your hands, you remember to moisturize afterward,” advises Vincent A.DeLeo, M.D.

Try bath oil. Some contain lanolin or mineral oil and are specially formulated to mix with your bathwater. When you bathe in them, a thin layer of oil covers your skin and traps water there. But be careful when using these oils, because they make the bathtub very slick and could cause you to fall.

Always wear vinyl gloves when using any kind of solvent or cleaning solution.

Dress warmly, covering all parts of the body, when going out in the cold.

Here are some tips to help you succeed:

Learn what triggers your eating.

If the sight of a bakery window sets off a craving for cake, make it a habit to walk on the other side of the street. Become aware of any cues like this, and learn to control them.

Don’t keep large amounts of food on hand.

For some overweight people, the fact that food is within reach means that it must be eaten. Buy only enough for a few meals at a time.

Prepare your meals from scratch rather than relying on take-out.

For one thing, take-out foods are likely to be high in calories because of the methods used in preparation. And you might easily order too much and thereby overeat.

• You develop soreness that doesn’t improve within a week.
• You have an area on the gum that bleeds spontaneously or is filled with pus.
• There’s extra tissue growing, particularly between the upper lip and the gum.
• You have a white sore for more than one week.
• You have a sore that doesn’t heal completely within 10 to 14 days.

Cool the itch of allergic conjunctivitis. “If there is any itching in relation to the conjunctivitis, cool compresses will really help to reduce it,” says Ziel. Simply wet a washcloth with cool water and hold it against the eyes.

Ice the swelling. Applying an ice pack to the eyes can help bring down any swelling from allergic conjunctivitis. “Try to keep the ice on long enough to reduce the swelling to the point where the eyelid can close down over the cornea,” says Boylan. (The cornea is the transparent circular covering in front of the eyeball that helps to focus light entering the eye.) “Otherwise, the cornea could dry out, which is another problem in itself,” he adds. “You rarely see this type of conjunctivitis not improve with ice packs and a little bit of time. Often, by the next morning, the swelling is almost completely gone.”

Apply heat to fight a bacterial infection. “Hot compresses can help the infection quite a bit because the heat dilates the blood vessels, bringing fresh blood to the area, and raises the temperature up above what is optimum for the germ to survive,” explains Bosland. “The heat also relaxes the muscles around the eye, which can be quite soothing,” he continues. Applying a washcloth soaked in hot water (provided it is not hot enough to burn the skin) or using a hot-water bottle works very well.

Drop in some relief. For minor allergic conjunctivitis, over-the-counter eye drops may provide soothing relief. “Any of these eye drops are fine to use provided there is nothing seriously wrong with the eye and provided you use them on a short-term basis only,” says Boylan. For safety’s sake, and especially if you are also using prescription eye medication, ask your doctor if it’s OK to use over- the-counter eye drops.

Be selfish. Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria or viruses is very contagious, so you’ll need to keep from sharing towels, washcloths, pillows, and handkerchiefs with others. “The fluid draining from the eyes could get on the towel or pillow and infect someone else,” warns Ziel.

Keep your hands off. “Because conjunctivitis can be quite contagious, it’s good to keep the germs off of your hands,” says Ziel. If you have infectious conjunctivitis, try not to rub your eyes, and be sure to wash your hands after wiping your eyes or applying eye medication.

Shield your eyes. Conjunctivitis can make your eyes extremely sensitive to light and other irritants. So do all you can to give them a break. If you’re going outdoors, put on a pair of sunglasses to help shield your eyes from wind and sunlight. Put off mowing the lawn or working in the garden until your conjunctivitis has cleared, or at least wear a pair of goggles to keep pollen and dust out of your eyes. Take time off from swimming, or wear a pair of well-fitting swimming goggles. And, when possible, close your eyes to give them a rest..