An Ounce of Prevention: Keeps The Germs Away

Remember, Mr. Clean and Pigpen, two extreme opposite sides of the hygiene spectrum?

Last week I promised you we would elaborate on the importance of Good Personal Hygiene and how it impacts your Health...

Germs cause illnesses that range from common ailments like a cold and the flu to serious bacterial infections, parasites or fungal infections.

The Good News is that many of those diseases can be prevented through amazingly simple and extremely inexpensive methods. Many of these methods are not new, as a matter of fact, our parents taught many of them to us. But, we are human and yes, we do get in a hurry frequently. Due to our busy lifestyles we get out of the habit of practicing these simple but important preventative steps...

Don't sweat it! I will provide you with all the tools and "refreshers" you need to maintain optimal personal hygiene. Speaking of sweat... Did you know that healthy people sweat, and that perspiration is the bodies' natural built-in mechanism to assist with cleansing and detoxifying?

Cleanliness is Next to Healthiness - Just How Important is Good Hygiene?

We all think of hygiene as white teeth, fresh clothes, a nice scent, groomed hair and overall well manicured. Or we think of the opposite, poor hygiene, bad breath, dirty clothes, body odor, oily hair and overall not manicured. Merriam-Webster's online definition of hygiene states that it is "a science of the establishment and maintenance of health." That it is. In infections and diseases such as Hepatitis A, Flu, Impetigo, Conjunctivitis, Periodontitis, Trench Mouth, Salmonella, Urinary Tract Infections, Parasitic Infections and more, the number one suggestion for prevention is to practice good hygiene and to wash your hands throughout the day. "The American Society of Microbiology finds that up to one-third of people passing through major airports in the United States don't wash their hands after using the toilet. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also estimates that about one in three people don't wash their hands after using the restroom." MayoClinic.com

What is considered to be "Good Hygiene?"

Wash your hands thoroughly after touching contaminants, before eating, after using the restroom, changing a diaper, before preparing food, after handling raw meat, after blowing your nose or coughing into your hands, before inserting or removing contact lenses, after taking out the garbage, etc. Bathe daily with a mild soap. It is important to remove bacteria, which can cause body odor and infections, among other things. Wear clean and loosely fitting clothes. It is important to allow the body room to breathe so that perspiration escapes and does not become a breeding ground of bacteria. Change undergarments daily after bathing. Brush your teeth 2-3 times daily, including your tongue to remove dead cells, bacteria and food debris.