Ask Dr. Etingin: Preventing Lyme disease; Diet and cataract risk; Respiratory infections
How can I protect myself from Lyme disease when I’m hiking this summer?
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria transmitted by ticks, which are most often found in wooded or brushy areas with high grass or leaf litter; try to avoid these areas, and walk in the center of hiking trails. Regions in the U.S. where ticks that transmit Lyme disease are most prevalent include the Northeast and upper Midwest.
Use insect repellents that contain 20 to 30 percent DEET on exposed skin and clothing and products that contain permethrin to treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, and socks. Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors, and perform a full-body tick check using a hand-held or full-length mirror. Also examine your clothing for ticks.
If you find a tick attached to your body, you can remove it with tweezers; grip it as close as possible to the surface of your skin and pull upward. Or you can use rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball to smother the tick.
Lyme disease causes flu-like symptoms (typically, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and headaches). The most distinctive symptom of Lyme disease is a bullseye-shaped rash that develops around the tick bite about a week after you’re bitten. However, about 25 percent of people who are bitten don’t get the rash.
Diagnosing Lyme disease can be difficult, since the symptoms are common to several other health conditions. The most common test for Lyme disease looks for antibodies in the blood. However, antibodies take a few weeks to increase to a detectable level, so, in the early stages of the disease, you may test negative even if you’ve been infected.
Lyme disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics, but serious complications can develop if the condition goes undetected. If you test negative but your symptoms continue and/or you develop a bullseye-shaped rash, ask your doctor to repeat the antibody test.
Can I reduce my risk of developing cataracts by following a certain diet?
Research suggests that there may be a link between cataracts and diet. Studies have shown that people whose dietary patterns are high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium have a lower risk of cataracts than people who eat fewer fruits and vegetables, more animal foods that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol, and more processed foods that are high in sodium. Evidence also points to a link between high blood levels of lutein (found in tomatoes, squash, carrots, and dark, leafy greens) and zeaxanthin (bell peppers, corn, leafy greens, and eggs) and a lower risk of cataracts.
To optimize your diet for better eye health, consume five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables and at least three servings of whole grains each day, and include at least two servings of fatty fish, such as salmon and mackerel, each week. Avoid processed foods, meats and dairy products that are high in saturated fat, and sugary snacks and soft drinks.
What’s the difference between upper and lower respiratory tract infections?
Upper respiratory tract infections affect the mouth, nose, sinus cavity, pharynx (throat), and larynx (voice box). Lower respiratory tract infections affect the bronchial tubes and lungs.
Some examples of upper respiratory tract diseases are colds, sinusitis (acute inflammation in the sinus cavities), rhinitis (inflammation of the mucous membranes in the nose), and pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat).
Lower respiratory tract diseases include bronchitis (inflammation of membranes in the bronchial tubes), bronchiolitis (inflammation of smaller airways called bronchioles), and pneumonia (inflammation of air sacs in the lungs). Some conditions, such as influenza, can affect both the upper and lower respiratory tracts.
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