The skin is the largest organ of the body. But is also the largest carrier of bacteria. As often as it is advised… we seldom follow the simple rules of handwashing to prevent diseases. After a cough or a sneeze, the bacteria and viruses can hang around ones hands for long enough to spread from one person to another until the whole family gets the colds.
Even doctors are guilty of not washing their hands… only 50 to 60 % of physicians wash hands after handling a patient. I usually have an alcohol gel sanitizer beside me which I use every after I examine a patient. It’s a medical practice and habit that I inherited during my training at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesotta. Again its the practice and habit of doing things the right way that counts.
But How Effective is Handwashing? Does It Really Work?
- 30 seconds with soap & water removes 58% of bacteria
- Alcohol based handrubs: removes 83% of bacteria
The Best Healthy Practice of Handwashing is to wet both hands with water then apply soap…rub both hands together briskly for 15 seconds before rinsing! Handrubbing which is practiced more in hospitals however has been shown to remove more bacteria than handwashing.
For your convenience when working… I recommend using alcohol based gel for cleaning your hands. However handwashing remains the least expensive and still an effective method of keeping yourself clean.
This will be the first of a series of Healthy Practice Tips that I’ll be writing. As simple as handwashing but more often being neglected by the many of us!
Keep CLEAN… Practice The Proper Handwashing!
Stress indeed is the number 1 culprit in terms of its bad effects on ones health. Stress comes in a variety of ways and can result in myriad of symptoms.
We are always taught that vegetables are good for the body. But eating vegetables should be learned from the time we learn how to eat! The problem comes with parents who don’t like vegetables and therefore don’t teach kids to eat them.
I usually refrain from taking apple juice because any fruit juice for me is plain sugar. I always have this rule: A fruit is better than a puree… a puree is better than a juice! BUT new studies may change my way of dealing with juices.
One 
Just talked with a patient regarding her weight and her risk for diabetes and other diseases related to being overweight. Her relative apparently just died of colon cancer. That’s when our focus of discussion shifted to dietary habits and how high fiber diet can help prevent diseases that are now so commonly affecting the health system.
The fad of low carb and high protein diet has put protein at the center stage! People are now aware of protein. And I see people in parties filling up their plates with beef, pork and cheese obviously following the Atkins or the South Beach diet! But what’s the use of protein and are all proteins the same?
The 
Patients with diabetes are prone to gum disease. Good blood sugar control helps prevent gingivitis or gum disease but once they develop gum problem comes the dreadful BAD Breath!
Almost always when a patient presents in the ER with massive heart attack, a history of heartburn symptoms were noted days or months prior to the ER visit. The patient has been complaining of on and off ” heartburn” apparently due to bad food or missed meal symptoms of hyperacidity. Neglected for days, the patient then presents himself in the ER in an emergency situation.
One very interesting blog I’ve read on health and diet is titled 
I take my daily multivitamin. Any Vitamin preparation is a dietary supplement. But also those in the market sold as health food supplements such as herbals, amino acids and energy bars.
We have vaccines for infections like flu and pneumonia… now comes a vaccine for obesity? This would really be interesting.
I am extra careful with regard to disciplining my kids. In certain times of stress… your voice may become loud enough for you to realize later that you need to lower it down a bit! My wife always remind me to take it easy and we resort to non verbal or non contact strategies like no Gameboy privileges or standing in one corner for a number of minutes which usually work!
I
We always think of the equation: what you take in EQUALS what you take out! A simple equation now being questioned with new findings on studies that this may not be so….
It’s indeed a CATCH 22… The Benefits of Fish versus The Fear of Mercury Contamination!
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen or Advil that we are familiar with have been shown in one study to not only Kill Pain but also Kill your Erection!… Whew… That’s pretty scary!
If you are a diabetic… or if you have family members who are diabetics… then this post is for you!
More interesting tips are coming our way to curb consumption. The more practical the tips the better for consumers to follow. The less need to medicate… the better! 
Know The HEALTH FACTS ... Because WEALTH THRU PERSONAL HEALTH is a COMMITMENT... NOT A CHOICE!
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