Knowledge

When to Toss Common Household Items Sponges It doesn’t take long for sponges to become a hotbed of bacteria. They can spread germs to your hands and then to your food. Or if you have a cut on your hand, bacteria can enter your body that way. Even if you boil or microwave your sponges after each use, scientists say it’s best to replace them once a week. Pillows Your nightly neck and head prop loses shape and firmness over time. It also absorbs the sweat, oil, and skin cells you shed while you sleep. Trade in old pillows for new ones every 2 years -- sooner if they’re flat, lumpy, or stay folded after you bend them in half. Toothbrush Twice-a-day scrubbing sessions really do in your toothbrush’s bristles over time. For best cleaning results, switch to a new one every 3 to 4 months. Nonstick Cookware Nonstick pots and pans with scratches, grooves, or flaking polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) should be on your kitchenware move list. Luckily, Teflon flakes won’t hurt you if th...

WHAT YOUR FEET SAY ABOUT YOUR HEALTH Cold Feet, Many Culprits If your toes are always cold, one reason could be poor blood flow -- a circulatory problem sometimes linked to smoking, high blood pressure, or heart disease. The nerve damage of uncontrolled diabetes can also make your feet feel cold. Other possible causes include hypothyroidism and anemia. A doctor can look for any underlying problems -- or let you know that you simply have cold feet.  Foot Pain When feet ache after a long day, you might just curse your shoes. After all, eight out of 10 women say their shoes hurt. But pain that’s not due to sky-high heels may come from a stress fracture, a small crack in a bone. One possible cause: Exercise that was too intense, particularly high-impact sports like basketball and distance running. Also, weakened bones due to osteoporosis increases the risk. Red, White, and Blue Toes Raynaud’s disease can cause toes to turn white, then bluish, and then redden again and return ...

Visual Guide to Liver Problem Props for Your Liver This workhorse doesn't get the respect it deserves. If you asked most people to rank their organs, their liver might be way down the list. Maybe just above spleen. But day and night, it breaks down food, fights infection, and filters bad stuff from your blood. You can't live without it. Luckily, you can often slow, stop, or even reverse liver damage How Problems Progress Lots of things cause liver damage, and it tends to get worse over time. No matter the cause, it usually unfolds the same way. First your liver swells. Then it gets scars (called fibrosis). With treatment, your liver may heal. But without it, over time, the scars become permanent (this is cirrhosis) and your liver struggles to do its job. Last comes liver failure, which is life-threatening. It means your liver has stopped working or is about to. Symptoms At first, you probably won't notice liver problems. But as it gets worse, your skin can feel i...