I. Healthy Eating

　　1. Eating rice and milk together can lower blood sugar.

　　According to a report by Science and Technology Daily on May 10, researchers at Japan's National Institute of Health and Nutrition recently discovered that eating rice and milk together can lower blood sugar levels, which is helpful in preventing and treating diabetes.

　　2. Animal parts that cannot be eaten

　　The "three glands" of livestock: The thyroid gland, adrenal gland, and diseased lymph nodes in animals such as pigs, cattle, and sheep are three "physiologically harmful organs".

　　Sheep "suspensory tendon," also known as "hoof white bead," is generally round or granular in shape and is a type of diseased tissue found inside the sheep's hoof.

　　Rabbit "scent glands" are the white inguinal glands located under the skin on both sides of the back of the external genitalia, the brown inguinal glands next to the white inguinal glands, and the rectal glands located on both sides of the rectal wall. They have an extremely fishy and foul smell, and if they are not removed before eating, the rabbit meat will be difficult to swallow.

　　The "tail feathers" of poultry, specifically the area at the top of the tail feathers of chickens, ducks, geese, and other birds, is scientifically known as the "bursa of Fabricius," a place where lymph nodes are concentrated. Because macrophages in the lymph nodes can engulf bacteria and viruses, and even carcinogens, but cannot break them down, the "tail feathers" of poultry are a "warehouse" for filth and toxins.

　　The fish's "black membrane" is a black membrane that runs along both sides of the abdominal cavity. This is the part that is most fishy and has the strongest muddy smell, and it contains a large amount of lipids, lysozyme, and other substances.

　　3. Twenty Tips for Healthy Eating

　　1. Do not consume excessive amounts of seasonings. Natural seasonings such as pepper and tomato flavoring have mutagenic and toxic properties.

　　2. Eat at your own pace so that your digestive system can function optimally.

　　3. Do not eat while standing, as this will inhibit the normal function of the gastrointestinal tract.

　　4. Avoid eating scalding hot food. Regularly consuming scalding hot food can easily damage the esophagus and stomach.

　　5. Try to avoid noise. Loud noise can excite the nerves and impair gastrointestinal function.

　　6. Eating harder foods as much as possible can effectively exercise the gums and palate muscles.

　　7. People with weak constitutions can eat more meat. Meat is high in protein, which can strengthen the body.

　　8. Eating something before drinking can help prevent getting drunk.

　　9. Make sure to eat fiber-rich foods at least once a day. Fiber can surround and eliminate harmful waste products.

　　10. Calcium is best taken with vinegar. Vinegar can ionize calcium, making it easier for the body to absorb.

　　11. Eating together is better than eating alone. Sharing food with others allows for a wider variety of dishes, making it easier to achieve a nutritional balance.

　　12. Avoid anger, tension, sadness, and worry while eating. These can weaken digestive and absorptive functions.

　　13. It is not advisable to eat while reading (newspapers or watching TV). This can cause indigestion.

　　14. Frequently change your eating habits. Eating the same way all the time will eventually lead to nutritional imbalance.

　　15. You can listen to elegant music while dining.

　　16. Don't be afraid to eat vegetable scraps. Fiber can promote bowel movements, eliminate harmful substances, and prevent colon cancer.

　　17. Do not consume vegetable oil for extended periods. The correct ratio of oil should be one part vegetable oil to 0.7 parts animal oil.

　　18. Children's diets should not be the same as adults'. Children's diets should focus on supplementing nutrients that are beneficial for growth.

　　19. Eat more dark-colored vegetables. Dark-colored vegetables are richer in nutrients.

　　20. Offer more innovative flavors.

　　4. Balanced Diet Pyramid

　　The balanced diet pyramid has five layers, representing the main food groups we should eat every day. The different positions and sizes of each layer reflect, to some extent, the importance and proportion of each food group in our diet. Grains are at the bottom; vegetables and fruits occupy the second layer; animal-based foods such as fish, poultry, meat, and eggs are on the third layer; dairy and legumes occupy the fourth layer; and the fifth layer, at the top, represents fats and oils. Our daily diet should include all types of food from the pyramid, and the proportions of each food group should generally correspond to the pyramid's guidelines.

　　The Balanced Diet Guide recommends that each person should eat 300-500 grams of grains per day; 400-500 grams of vegetables and 100-200 grams of fruits and vegetables per day; 125-200 grams of animal-based foods such as fish, poultry, meat, and eggs per day; 100 grams of dairy products and 50 grams of soy products per day; and no more than 25 grams of oils and fats per day.

　　5. Correct four misconceptions about diet

　　Scallion and tofu salad is a delicious and visually appealing dish: Nutritionists believe that tofu contains calcium, while scallions contain oxalic acid, which easily combines with calcium to form calcium oxalate, which is not easily absorbed by the human body.

　　Eating well equals being nutritious: Some people believe that eating more expensive foods like chicken, duck, fish, and meat equates to good nutrition, and that the higher the price of a food, the better its nutritional value. In reality, some foods are inexpensive yet extremely nutritious. For example, carrots are cheaper than winter bamboo shoots, but have a higher nutritional value.

　　Plants are perfect: Many people eat only vegetable oils to prevent heart disease, but this may increase the risk of cancer, so it is important to eat animal products in moderation.

　　Freshly slaughtered and cooked chickens taste delicious: When freshly slaughtered and cooked, the chicken protein denatures and coagulates when heated, making the meat tough.

　　6. Chinese Dietary Guidelines

　　① Eat a diverse diet, with grains as the staple. ② Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, and tubers. ③ Consume dairy products, beans, and bean products daily. ④ Regularly eat moderate amounts of fish, eggs, poultry, and lean meat; limit fatty meat and animal fats. ⑤ Balance food intake with physical activity to maintain a healthy weight. ⑥ Eat a light, low-salt diet. ⑦ Limit alcohol consumption. ⑧ Eat clean, hygienic, and unspoiled food.

　　7. Ten Laws of Food Safety

　　The World Health Organization has proposed ten laws for food safety to ensure food safety. These ten laws are:

　　(1) Food must be thoroughly cooked before it can be eaten.

　　(2) Food should be eaten promptly once it is cooked.

　　(3) If food needs to be stored for 4-5 hours, it should be stored under high temperature (above 60℃) or low temperature (below 10℃).

　　(4) Foods that have been processed should be chosen for consumption, such as pasteurized milk instead of raw milk.

　　(5) Cooked food that has been stored must be reheated before it can be eaten.

　　(6) Do not allow raw food to come into contact with cooked food.

　　(7) Keep the kitchen clean.

　　(8) Wash your hands before handling food.

　　(9) Do not allow insects, rodents and other animals to come into contact with food.

　　(10) Drinking water and water used for food preparation should be pure and clean.

　　8. Eating less can prolong life.

　　The idea that "eating more means absorbing more nutrients" is a misconception. Many parents, especially the elderly, always encourage their children to eat as much as possible, until the children are almost bursting at the seams, only then are the elderly satisfied. Little do they know that overeating is not good. Just like malnutrition, overnutrition can damage the body's immune function, reduce the body's resistance to disease, make one susceptible to various illnesses, and even lead to premature death. Experts have already warned that "overnutrition is tantamount to slow suicide."

　　Experiments have shown that feeding a group of mice an unrestricted amount of nutritious feed resulted in the following: the more mice ate, the faster they died, primarily from lung infections, coronary heart disease, and cancer. Mice fed only 80% of their capacity lived 1.8 times longer than those fed 100% full. Scientists observed that mice with restricted diets had lower levels of fat and blood sugar, stronger immune systems, and a significantly lower risk of cancer. This suggests that restricted diets and a balanced diet are important factors contributing to longer lifespans.

　　9. Nine dietary taboos

　　First, avoid overeating. Eating too much exceeds the digestive capacity of the gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to a decline in gastrointestinal function over time. The waste and residue from the metabolism of large amounts of food produce harmful substances that can cause chronic vascular diseases.

　　Secondly, avoid eating too quickly. Eating too quickly prevents saliva from mixing fully with food, which is not conducive to digestion.

　　Thirdly, avoid being distracted while eating. You should concentrate on eating and avoid reading books, newspapers, or watching TV while eating, otherwise the blood supply to the digestive tract will be reduced, affecting digestion.

　　Fourth, avoid soaking rice in soup. Rice soaked in soup is easily swallowed without chewing, which increases the difficulty of digestion.

　　Five things to avoid: Eating scalding hot food. Eating scalding hot food can easily cause burns and inflammation of the oral cavity, esophagus, and gastric mucosa. Over time, it can also become a contributing factor to cancer in the esophagus and stomach.

　　Six things to avoid: unbalanced diet. Humans have many nutritional needs, and dishes should be diversified to avoid nutritional deficiencies and imbalances.

　　Seventh, avoid drinking large amounts of water before meals. Drinking large amounts of water before meals will increase the burden on the stomach and intestines, dilute stomach acid, and affect digestion and disease defense functions.

　　Eight things to avoid neglecting breakfast: Eating too little or skipping breakfast will cause the body to burn more calories than it stores. Over time, this can lead to decreased work and study efficiency in the morning, palpitations, dizziness, and memory loss.

　　Nine things to avoid: scolding others while eating. Scolding others while eating can easily cause negative emotional stimulation to the diner, leading to digestive and absorption disorders.

　　10. One, two, three, four, five; red, yellow, green, white, black.

　　A popular food song has emerged in society, offering reasoned advice and guidance on proper eating habits. The song's content is as follows:

　　1. One bag of milk daily.

　　Second: Consume 250-350 mg of staple food daily (approximately 5-7 liang).

　　3. Eat three to four servings of high-protein foods daily (each serving is equivalent to about 50 grams of lean meat, or one large egg, or 100 grams of tofu, or 100 grams of chicken or duck, or 100 grams of fish or shrimp), with fish and soy protein being the best.

　　Four: Four key points—a mix of whole and refined grains; not too sweet or salty (daily salt intake of 6-7 grams); three to five meals a day (small, frequent meals); eat until you are 70-80% full.

　　5. Consume 500 grams of fresh vegetables and fruits daily.

　　Red: If there are no contraindications, drink 50-100 ml of red wine daily.

　　Yellow: Yellow vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and tomatoes.

　　Green: Green tea and dark green vegetables.

　　White: Consume more than 50 grams of oat flour or oat flakes daily.

　　Black: Consume 5-15 grams of black fungus daily.

　　11. What is green food?

　　Green food refers to pollution-free, safe, high-quality, and nutritious food. Promoting green food is both a necessity of the times and reflects the fundamental national policy of "protecting the environment and improving people's health." For food to be labeled "green," it must meet a series of conditions and requirements during its production and processing:

　　First, the production site of the product or its raw materials must meet the ecological environment standards for green food. For example, the air, soil, and water sources must be tested by the provincial environmental monitoring department. The air quality must meet the national Class I standard, the water quality must meet the national Class II standard, and the soil must meet the national health standards.

　　Secondly, crop cultivation, livestock and poultry breeding, aquaculture, and food processing must comply with the production and operation procedures for green food.

　　Finally, the product must meet green quality and national health standards. Green food products must be tested for 21 indicators, including pesticide residues and heavy metal content.

　　12. Eating more vegetables can help fight aging.

　　Scientific experiments have shown that a deficiency in vitamin E and carotene in the human body can accelerate the appearance and increase of age spots. Vitamin E and carotene are widely found in vegetarian foods, especially colored vegetables. Therefore, eating more colored vegetables such as green, yellow, purple, and orange vegetables can provide sufficient vitamin E and carotene, effectively resisting excessive oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids, inhibiting the formation of age spots, normalizing cellular metabolism, and slowing down aging.

　　13. What foods can lower cholesterol?

　　Hypercholesterolemia is one of the three major risk factors for coronary heart disease. Studies have shown that many foods can lower and control serum cholesterol levels, and regular consumption of these foods can have an adjunctive therapeutic effect on coronary heart disease and hypercholesterolemia.

　　(1) Among the grains, oats, buckwheat and millet have a significant effect on lowering serum cholesterol.

　　(2) Soybeans and their products, as well as mung beans, kidney beans and other miscellaneous beans, all have a good cholesterol-lowering effect.

　　(3) Vegetable oils, etc. Studies have shown that soybean oil, safflower oil, rice bran oil, corn germ oil, sesame oil, sea buckthorn seed oil, etc., all contain a relatively high amount of unsaturated fatty acids, which can lower serum cholesterol.

　　(4) Shiitake mushrooms, flower mushrooms, and button mushrooms have a significant effect on lowering serum cholesterol and can also reduce the fat and cholesterol content in the liver. Black fungus can significantly inhibit platelet aggregation and has a preventive effect on cardiovascular diseases.

　　(5) Onions, scallions and garlic can lower serum cholesterol, with garlic having the most significant effect.

　　(6) Fruits such as hawthorn, kiwi, and apple have a significant effect on lowering serum cholesterol.

　　(7) Seaweed such as kelp, laver and sea fish have a strong effect of lowering serum cholesterol.

　　(8) Milk contains a milk factor that can lower serum cholesterol.

　　14. What kinds of water should not be drunk?

　　Generally speaking, after boiling water, letting it boil for another two or three minutes reduces harmful components in the tap water to a minimum, thus meeting drinking water hygiene standards. However, it's not true that the longer the boiling time, the better. The following four types of boiled water should not be consumed:

　　① Water that has been boiling on the stove for a long time should not be drunk.

　　② Water that has been stored in a thermos for a long time, stale boiled water, overnight water, or water that has been reboiled should not be drunk.

　　③ Water that has been repeatedly boiled should not be drunk.

　　④ The water used for steaming rice or steamed buns, including the "leftover water" and "water at the bottom of the pot," should not be drunk.

　　Why should these four types of boiled water not be consumed? Because repeatedly boiling water increases the levels of heavy metals such as calcium and magnesium. Long-term consumption of this water can negatively impact the kidneys and may even lead to kidney stones. Furthermore, the nitrite content in the water also increases, which can raise the risk of cancer in the digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, and intestines).

　　15. Do not eat fruit immediately after meals.

　　Eating fruit immediately after meals can easily cause bloating. This is because fruit contains a lot of simple sugars, which are easily absorbed by the small intestine. If these sugars get stuck in the stomach, they can cause bloating and even constipation. It's best to eat fruit 2-3 hours after meals, or 1 hour before meals.

　　16. Eating unripe fruit is bad for your health.

　　Ripe fruits are fragrant and delicious, but fruits sold in the market are often unripe, and some people who like sour tastes buy these. However, eating such unripe fruit is harmful to health. Unripe plums, apricots, and other fruits contain oxalic acid and other components that are difficult for the human body to absorb, and the metabolic products are still acidic, which can affect the body's acid-base balance. Some unripe fruits also contain toxins, which are dangerous to eat.

　　17. How to prevent the harm of high-temperature oil to the human body

　　To prevent the harm of high-temperature oil to the human body, firstly, control the oil temperature, which should generally not exceed 150-180℃, i.e., do not let the oil smoke or catch fire; secondly, do not fry food continuously in oil for a long time; thirdly, for oil that is reused repeatedly, a certain amount of new oil should be added before each use, as new oil contains antioxidants such as vitamin E; and fourthly, appropriately control the frequency of consuming fried foods.

　　18. It is not advisable to have a diet consisting solely of animal and vegetable oils.

　　Vegetable oils contain a large amount of linoleic acid, which helps lower cholesterol levels in the blood. However, vegetable oils are unsaturated fats, and if consumed in excess, they are easily oxidized in the body, forming lipid peroxides. Accumulation of lipid peroxides in the body can cause conditions such as cerebral thrombosis and myocardial infarction, and may even induce cancer.

　　According to measurements, each person needs 4-5 grams of linoleic acid per day. Based on this amount, each person only needs to eat 7-8 grams of vegetable oil per day.

　　In addition, the human body needs to absorb a little animal fat every day, and the amount should ideally be half that of vegetable oil. This ratio of fat is beneficial to human health.

　　19. Beware of stinky tofu that "smells bad but tastes good"

　　Stinky tofu, a soy product, is nutritious and smells pungent but tastes delicious. However, excessive consumption of stinky tofu can be harmful. The fermentation process of stinky tofu takes place under natural conditions, making it susceptible to microbial contamination. Tests have shown that stinky tofu contains a large amount of volatile nitrogenous compounds, averaging 4.9 grams per kilogram. It also contains hydrogen sulfide, averaging 16.5 milligrams per kilogram. These components are putrefactive substances from protein decomposition and are harmful to the human body. Furthermore, stinky tofu is often contaminated with bacteria, including pathogens. Therefore, stinky tofu should not be eaten in large quantities.

　　20. Common warm and cold foods

　　my country's food culture has a long history, accumulating a wealth of experience over thousands of years. The ancients discovered long ago that food not only fills the stomach but also has disease-preventing and therapeutic effects, inextricably linked to health preservation. The Compendium of Materia Medica states: "Eat cool foods in spring, cold foods in summer, to nourish Yang; eat warm foods in autumn, hot foods in winter, to nourish Yin."

　　What are some common warm and cold foods in our daily diet?

　　Foods with warming properties include: flour, soybean oil, wine, vinegar, ginger, scallions, garlic, carrots, leeks, grapes, lychees, lotus seeds, jujubes, walnuts, dried plums, plums, chestnuts, oranges, peaches, longans, olives, chicken, mutton, dog meat, venison, crucian carp, eels, shrimp, and shad.

　　Foods with a cooling nature include: millet, mung beans, buckwheat, tofu, soy milk, fermented black beans, rapeseed, cucumber, amaranth, eggplant, taro, bamboo shoots, watermelon, banana, pear, water chestnut, lotus root, tangerine, sugarcane, ginkgo, dried persimmon, lily bulb, rabbit meat, eel, crab, turtle, soft-shelled turtle, oyster, etc.

　　Foods that fall between these two categories and are considered neutral include: japonica rice, glutinous rice, soybeans, black beans, cowpeas, pumpkin, yam, gourd, loquat, green plum, pork, carp, silverfish, and cuttlefish.

　　21. Common acid-forming and alkali-forming foods

　　Foreign scientists have studied food and categorized it into acid-forming foods (also known as acidic foods) and alkali-forming foods (alkaline foods). In our daily diet and dietary supplements, we should pay attention to both the nutritional balance of nutrients and the acid-base balance of food.

　　Common acid-forming foods include:

　　Pork, beef, chicken, duck, fish, shrimp, shellfish, egg yolks, rice, brown rice, corn, barley, wheat flour, bread, dried seaweed, garlic, persimmons, peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, sugar, alcohol, etc.

　　Common alkali-forming foods include:

　　Dairy products, egg whites, soybeans, red beans, mung beans, broad beans, tofu, celery, lettuce, cucumbers, eggplants, lotus roots, carrots, onions, potatoes, spinach, sweet potatoes, grapes, bananas, strawberries, apples, oranges, pears, watermelons, chestnuts, lilies, coffee, tea, kelp, oysters, etc.

　　22. Fresh water chestnut soup can help prevent meningitis.

　　Use any amount of fresh water chestnuts and a suitable amount of gypsum. Boil them together into a soup and drink it as a tea substitute. Efficacy: Clears heat and detoxifies. Water chestnuts contain an antibacterial substance effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and may help prevent epidemic meningitis.

　　23. Honey and dried plum for chronic pharyngitis

　　Take 250 grams of honey and several dried plums. Sprinkle the dried plums with water until the flesh softens, then remove the pits and soak them in honey for several days to make candied fruit. Take one plum several times a day. This remedy is very effective in treating sore throat, dry mouth, feverishness, and chronic pharyngitis.

　　24. Persimmon cake and sesame oil for treating hemorrhoids

　　Take 250 grams each of dried persimmons, sesame oil, and raw honey. Remove the pits from the dried persimmons, slice them, and fry them in sesame oil until they are 80% cooked (golden brown, but not burnt black). Remove from the oil, let them dry, and grind them into a fine powder. Mix the powder with the raw honey and the remaining sesame oil in the pan, then divide the mixture into three equal portions. Before bedtime, take one portion of the powder, dissolve it in half a cup of water, and drink it warm. Continue taking all three portions for three consecutive days. If not cured, repeat the same method for three more days after half a month.

　　25. Parsley relieves menstrual cramps

　　Parsley contains analgesic components. To alleviate pain, it is recommended to consume 100 grams of parsley daily for 3 days before menstruation.

　　26. South Korean experts confirm that eating pears after meals is beneficial for cancer prevention.

　　Pears contain 3 grams of fiber per 100 grams, mostly insoluble fiber. A research team led by Professor Yang Mi-hee of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Seoul National University College of Medicine in South Korea published a report indicating that eating a pear after meals can help eliminate a large amount of carcinogens accumulated in the body. It's best to chew a pear thoroughly and slowly to facilitate better absorption by the digestive system.

　　27. Folk remedies for nephritis

　　Consuming 500-700 grams of fresh goat milk daily is primarily for treating chronic nephritis. Symptoms include recurrent lower back pain, edema, and urine tests showing protein, casts, and cells; continued consumption for at least one month is recommended.

　　28. Using dried tangerine peel and egg to prevent shingles

　　Take 15 grams of Bupleurum chinense, 9 grams of Angelica sinensis, 9 grams of dried tangerine peel, and one egg. Add an appropriate amount of water to the above four ingredients and cook together until the egg is cooked. Eat the egg and drink the soup, one dose per day, for one week.

　　29. Two dietary therapies for treating insomnia

　　● Take 60 grams of Poria cocos, chop it, place it in a container, add 500 ml of white wine, seal it, and soak for 7 days. Take 10-15 ml twice a day.

　　● Soak 60g of Polygonum multiflorum in warm water for a while, add 500ml of water and decoct to obtain 300ml of medicinal juice. Remove the dregs and put it into a pot with 100g of washed japonica rice, 2 jujubes, and 20g of white sugar. Add 700ml of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat until it becomes a thin porridge. Take it warm 1 hour before going to bed every night.

　　30. Candied kelp relieves pharyngitis

　　Wash 300 grams of kelp, cut it into strips, blanch it in boiling water, remove it, add an appropriate amount of white sugar and marinate it for 3 days, then serve it as a side dish.

　　31. Remedy for Spring Cough

　　Take half a cup each of sugarcane juice and radish juice, and 100 grams of wild lily bulbs. First, boil the wild lily bulbs until they are soft, then add the sugarcane and radish juices. Take once a day before bedtime.

　　32. Salt-roasted walnuts can cure nocturia in the elderly.

　　First, lightly stir-fry the walnut kernels in a pan with salt, then add lotus seeds and simmer to make a soup. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that saltiness nourishes the kidneys; lightly stir-frying walnut kernels with salt enhances their kidney-tonifying effect, which is beneficial for treating nocturia.

　　33. Fresh lotus root, sesame seeds, and rock sugar can treat high blood pressure.

　　Take 1250 grams of fresh lotus root, cut into strips or slices; crush 500 grams of raw sesame seeds and put them into the lotus root strips (slices), add 500 grams of rock sugar, steam until cooked, divide into 5 portions, eat after cooling, one portion per day, generally one dose (5 portions) is enough to cure the condition.

　　34. Dried earthworms treat childhood asthma

　　Take half a pound of dried earthworms, stir-fry them until they turn yellow, grind them into powder, and take 2 qian (about half a teaspoon of powder) with sugar water. Take it twice a day, and you will recover after finishing the dose.

　　35. Gourd shell for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

　　Take 50 grams of gourd shell, 50 grams of winter melon peel, 30 grams of watermelon peel, and 10 grams of red dates. Place all four ingredients in a pot with 400 ml of water and boil until about 150 ml remains. Remove the dregs and drink the liquid. This formula is diuretic and removes dampness, suitable for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. It can reduce abdominal distension and relieve dampness and toxins. One dose daily.

　　36. Formula for thickening thinning hair

　　If your hair becomes thinning, you can mix 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 raw egg yolk, 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil or castor oil, 2 teaspoons of shampoo, and a suitable amount of onion juice. Apply the mixture to your scalp, cover it with a plastic cap, and continuously apply warm towels to the top of the cap. After 1-2 hours, with consistent use, your thinning hair should improve.

　　37. Treatment for tinnitus and hearing loss in the elderly

　　Take one pig's ear, 100 grams of black soybeans, 4 grams of white-backed black fungus, and 3 grams of akebia stem. First, wash the pig's ear and slice it. Put it into a clay pot with the three herbs, add appropriate amounts of salt and water, and cook until tender. Eat the soybeans, fungus, and pig's ear and drink the soup twice a day. Ten pig's ears constitute one course of treatment. Generally, one course of treatment is effective. Afterward, take it 1-2 times a month to consolidate the effect.

　　38. Formula for treating otitis media

　　Take a cooked egg yolk, put it in a small spoon and simmer until the oil is extracted. Add a little borneol, grind it into a powder, and drip it into the ear 3 times a day. It will heal in 4 days.

　　39. Goji berries and lamb kidneys for treating lower back pain

　　Take 50 grams of goji berries, one pair of lamb kidneys (washed, membranes removed, and chopped), 100 grams of rice, and an appropriate amount of water. Cook over low heat to make porridge and consume twice a day, morning and evening.

　　40. Dietary therapy to improve Parkinson's disease

　　Take 10 grams of Gastrodia elata and 1 pig brain, put them in a clay pot, add an appropriate amount of water, simmer over low heat for about 1 hour, season, drink the soup and eat the pig brain, once a day or once every other day.

　　41. Duck eggs and red beans can treat dizziness.

　　Take one duck egg and 20 red beans, mix well, steam until cooked, and take on an empty stomach in the morning, once a day. It is effective after 7 days of continuous use.

　　42. Frying ginger in sesame oil to treat stomach pain

　　Wash fresh ginger and slice it thinly. Dip the ginger slices, along with their juice, in granulated sugar, then fry them in sesame oil heated to 60-70% until they darken in color. Take 2 slices each time, hot, before meals, 3 times a day. Results should be seen in about 10 days.

　　43. Pollen and honey for treating prostate problems

　　Take 10 grams of pollen (preferably broken-cell wall pollen) with honey water, twice a day, morning and evening. You should see results after 3 months. If symptoms are more severe, you can mix pollen with Panax notoginseng powder in a 3:1 ratio, totaling 10 grams, and take it with honey water. Please take this medicine under the guidance of a doctor.

　　II. Exercise and Leisure

　　1. Three Treasures for Health

　　Regular and frequent exercise doesn't necessarily require specific venues, equipment, or time... Activities like walking, climbing stairs, and skipping rope can be done by anyone, anywhere, and at any time. If health is about exercise, then walking, climbing stairs, and skipping rope are undoubtedly the best forms of exercise.

　　Of course, everyone can access the "three treasures" of walking, climbing stairs, and skipping rope, but persisting with them is not easy. In life, we often see people who, upon hearing that walking is good for their health, immediately start, only to give up after a few days. They hear that climbing stairs is good, so they immediately imitate it, but after a few days, their legs give way, and they fall into the elevator. And with skipping rope, not many people can stick to it. If you acquire these "treasures" but cannot "guard" them, you won't see any results.

　　2. The best exercise in the world is walking.

　　The World Health Organization recommends walking as the best form of exercise. Currently, 80 million people in North America alone participate in walking activities daily. In Europe, walking and hiking are increasingly becoming a lifestyle trend.

　　Studies have shown that walking can reduce coronary artery plaque buildup, making it especially suitable for middle-aged and elderly people; walking can effectively prevent diabetes; and walking can significantly improve body shape. Walking reduces fat, helping obese people lose weight and thin people gain muscle, becoming stronger. More importantly, walking improves the function of the nervous system, especially balance. Walking can also improve thinking and improve mood. Walking exercise has many benefits in lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight.

　　Experts suggest that a single walk should be at least 3 kilometers and take more than 30 minutes, or it can be done in several sessions, with at least 5 exercise sessions per week.

　　3. Walking exercise method

　　(1) Ordinary walking method. 60-90 steps per minute, 20-40 minutes each time, suitable for elderly patients with coronary heart disease, hypertension, sequelae of stroke, respiratory diseases, and moderate to severe arthritis.

　　(2) Quantitative walking method. The intensity of exercise is measured by the pulse. It has a good effect on reducing abdominal fat, lowering blood pressure and improving hearing.

　　(3) Two-way walking method. When walking, place the backs of both hands on the Shenshu acupoint (5 cm away from the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra), walk backward slowly for 50 steps, and then walk forward for 100 steps.

　　(4) Arm swing walking method. When walking, swing your arms back and forth with force to increase the activity of the shoulder joint, elbow joint, chest and other parts.

　　(5) Abdominal massage walking method. Relaxing walks and gentle abdominal massage can help prevent and treat indigestion and chronic gastrointestinal diseases.

　　(6) Twisting Walking Method. Walk while twisting your body from side to side, which can also exercise your waist and legs.

　　4. Eight methods for maintaining fitness through walking and eating

　　If you find dedicated fitness training both time-consuming and strenuous, then the "walking and eating fitness method" introduced below is worth a try.

　　●Forget about elevators completely and insist on walking upstairs every day.

　　●Ride your bicycle around your residential area a few times.

　　● Do not immediately sit down to work, play cards or chess at noon; instead, go for a walk.

　　● When cooking fish or chicken, try to wrap it in paper or aluminum foil to retain the juices inside the paper wrap during processing.

　　● Avoid sour cream products and instead have a cup of fat-free yogurt, or a cleaned, low-fat vegetable cheese drizzled with fresh lemon juice.

　　● Do not add oil to pasta dishes, as cooking oil only increases calories and prevents the flavor of seasonings from penetrating the pasta.

　　● When dining at a restaurant, try to choose boiled, stewed, or steamed foods, and avoid fried, oily, doughy, or pasty foods.

　　5. To live to ninety-nine, do you walk after meals?

　　The sayings "Walk a hundred steps after a meal and live to ninety-nine" and "To live to ninety-nine, don't walk after a meal" are suitable for several different groups of people.

　　Taking a 100-minute walk after meals is suitable for people who are not very active, especially those who work at a desk for long periods of time. It is also suitable for people who are overweight or have excessive stomach acid secretion. For these groups, a 20-minute walk after meals helps to balance work and rest, reduce fat accumulation and stomach acid secretion, and is beneficial to health.

　　The advice against walking after meals primarily applies to people with poor physical condition, weak constitution, or frequent illnesses, especially those suffering from conditions such as gastroptosis. These individuals should not only avoid walking after meals, but also minimize even regular walking; instead, they should lie flat for 10 minutes after eating.

　　In conclusion, whether or not to exercise after a meal should be tailored to the individual. It is best to rest for a while after eating before slowly moving around. The amount of activity after a meal should also vary from person to person, and should be limited to a level that does not cause fatigue.

　　6. Regain the health lost through "sitting" by "walking".

　　The World Health Organization defines a sedentary lifestyle as one where people spend all day sitting in the office in front of computers and processing documents, resulting in a severe lack of physical activity. This lifestyle doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity, and significantly increases the risk of colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, depression, and anxiety.

　　Given the current lack of sports facilities, walking is the most economical and convenient way to commute. In fact, many places have a considerable number of people who walk to get off work, abandoning cars and all other wheeled vehicles, spending time to walk to and from get off work, and regaining their health and a beautiful figure in this way.

　　7. Walking is the best way for the elderly to get along.

　　For older adults, the main purpose of exercise is to improve physical function and mobility through safe and effective physical activity.

　　Experts recommend that walking or brisk walking is the most suitable form of exercise for older adults. Walk briskly for 15-20 minutes, rest for two minutes, then walk briskly for another 15-20 minutes. The intensity should be such that you can still converse. The duration can be gradually increased according to your physical condition, but should not exceed one hour.

　　In addition, older adults must pay special attention to warm-up and cool-down exercises to reduce the risk of sports injuries. Strength training can be scheduled before or after aerobic exercise, depending on personal preference. Weight strength training can be performed alternately, for example: weight training on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; and aerobic exercise on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

　　8. Walking more can improve mood and enhance mood.

　　Walking not only helps prevent and treat illnesses, but it also improves mood and keeps you feeling cheerful. Just 30 minutes a day is enough to experience this.

　　American medical scientist Dr. Hauser pointed out that walking is one of life's greatest joys, stimulating blood circulation, exercising leg muscles, promoting respiration, expanding the chest, and strengthening internal organs. A brisk walk, accompanied by rhythmic deep breathing, while appreciating the scenery along the way, offers immense benefits to one's spirit, muscles, and organs.

　　If you briskly walk rhythmically for 30 minutes, a chemical called endorphin will be produced in the brain. It has a euphoric effect on nerve cells similar to morphine, but without the harmful effects of morphine. Experts analyze that it is a neurohormone that can produce a feeling of exhilaration.

　　9. The path to longevity begins with your feet.

　　Medical research considers the feet to be the "second heart" of the body, highlighting their vital role in overall health. Therefore, the following aspects of foot care should be considered.

　　(1) Soaking feet. According to the principle of the Qian hexagram in the I Ching, aging begins in the feet. In our daily lives, once people are over thirty, they can clearly feel that their feet are cold. Some people also experience sudden leg tremors while sleeping. These are all signs that people have begun to age. Soaking feet before bed every night is beneficial for blood circulation and helps protect the central nervous system and various organs of the body.

　　(2) Walking. It is the safest and gentlest form of exercise.

　　(3) Massage. Traditional Chinese medicine meridian theory points out that the soles of the feet are the Yongquan acupoint of the Kidney Meridian, and the palms of the hands are the Laogong acupoint of the Pericardium Meridian. Frequently rubbing the soles of the feet with the palms of the hands can strengthen the kidneys, regulate qi, and improve intelligence.

　　10. Being idle and having nothing to do makes you more susceptible to illness.

　　People know that overwork is harmful, but they may not know that excessive leisure can also cause illness. Idleness-related illnesses mainly present with the following symptoms:

　　① Slowed thinking: Brain function gradually deteriorates, thinking becomes increasingly sluggish, appearing dull and numb, analytical and judgment abilities decline, narrow-mindedness, withdrawn personality, aversion to trouble and preference for quiet, laziness and forgetfulness.

　　②Obesity: Consuming high-fat, high-protein delicacies for every meal leads to overnutrition and fat accumulation in the body. Coupled with little physical activity and low energy expenditure, this results in excessive weight, obesity, and difficulty in movement.

　　③ The more idle one is, the lazier one becomes. Another major characteristic of the "idleness syndrome" is that the more comfortable one is, the more one wants to be comfortable; the more idle one is, the more lethargic one becomes; the more one indulges in leisure, the lazier one becomes. As a result, one becomes listless, yawns incessantly, likes to lie down and sleep, and has no desire to make progress.

　　④ Diabetes and coronary heart disease: Frequently overeating will inevitably increase the burden on the pancreas and cause insulin secretion disorders, which is one of the factors leading to diabetes. Eating too much and exercising too little will cause cholesterol to accumulate in the arteries, narrowing and hardening the blood vessels, inevitably leading to coronary heart disease.

　　⑤ Weak constitution: Idleness can reduce the body's ability to adapt to the external environment. When the body becomes fat, it becomes afraid of wind, cold, and heat. It sweats and shortness of breath easily, and catches a cold when exposed to cold. The range of adaptation becomes smaller, and physiological tolerance decreases.

　　The simplest way to eliminate the disease of idleness is to use your brain and hands to do things yourself, to be more active, and to walk more. When your mind and body are not idle, the disease of idleness will not come knocking.

　　11. What are the drawbacks of playing mahjong for extended periods of time?

　　Playing mahjong for extended periods of time has the following main drawbacks:

　　① Spreading infectious diseases. Eating while playing mahjong often introduces bacteria and viruses from the tiles into the mouth.

　　② Neurasthenia. Some people have a severe gambling addiction, disregarding day and night, disrupting their daily routine, causing mental stress, and highly excitable cerebral cortex. Over time, this can lead to neurasthenia, with symptoms such as dizziness, mental fatigue, blurred vision, decreased memory, and impaired judgment. In severe cases, it can even induce mental illnesses.

　　③ Lumbar muscle strain. Playing mahjong for long periods of time, due to prolonged sitting, puts the spinal ligaments and surrounding muscles in an unbalanced state of tension, which can easily lead to cervical spondylosis, lumbar muscle strain, sciatica, hemorrhoids and other diseases.

　　④ Indigestion. Lack of physical activity, weakened digestive function, or overeating can lead to chest tightness, abdominal distension, and constipation.

　　⑤ Psychological contrast. Due to the abnormal mental state caused by winning or losing, people with hypertension or coronary heart disease are more prone to stroke or myocardial infarction.

　　⑥ Emotional crisis. If you spend all your time playing mahjong and have little contact with your family, it can lead to emotional distance and crisis.

　　To protect your health, do not play mahjong for extended periods of time.

　　12. Be careful to prevent birds from contracting diseases.

　　Keeping birds can transmit a variety of diseases, the most common of which are psittacosis and pigeon lung.

　　"Psittacosis" is an infectious disease caused by Chlamydia psittaci. Its symptoms are initially chills followed by fever, then coughing, nosebleeds, and in some cases, pneumonia.

　　Not only parrots can transmit this disease, but poultry and other birds are also intermediate hosts for the pathogen. The main route of transmission between birds and humans is through dust polluting the air. Bird droppings are suspended in the dust, and humans contract the disease by inhaling this dust.

　　"Pigeon lung" is an allergic reaction in some people caused by an allergic reaction to foreign proteins in pigeon droppings or pigeon feather dust, resulting in exogenous allergic pneumonia. This is an allergic disease of the lungs. If diagnosis and treatment are delayed, it can easily lead to pulmonary fibrosis, weakening or even eliminating lung function.

　　Therefore, to prevent such diseases, poultry, pigeons, and birds should not be kept in the small space of a home.

　　13. Keeping cats can help prevent toxoplasmosis.

　　Toxoplasma gondii is a tiny parasite invisible to the naked eye. Domestic cats infected with Toxoplasma gondii will have the parasite in their feces and saliva. When people play with cats, such as when the animal licks their hands or face, they may become infected with toxoplasmosis.

　　When pregnant women are infected with Toxoplasma gondii, it can cause endocrine disorders, pregnancy-induced hypertension, postpartum hemorrhage, poor uterine recovery, and postpartum low-grade fever. It not only harms the pregnant woman herself, but also seriously affects the development of the fetus.

　　To ensure a healthy baby, women of childbearing age should ideally avoid owning cats or having contact with them. If contact does occur, be sure to wash the affected area thoroughly with soap to prevent potential complications.

　　14. Beware of cryptosporidiosis when keeping cats or dogs.

　　Cryptosporidium is a zoonotic parasite, with domestic cats and dogs being the most common animals infected with Cryptosporidium.

　　Studies have shown that Cryptosporidium oocysts are present in the feces and saliva of infected animals. Young children can also contract the disease when their hands and faces are licked by small animals while playing with them.

　　Children infected with Cryptosporidium can experience reduced small intestinal absorption, leading to indigestion, malabsorption, and osmotic diarrhea. This results in a range of symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, restlessness, and fever. Educating children not to play with cats or dogs is a crucial preventative measure. If a cat or dog is found to be sick, it should be treated promptly. Measures should be taken to prevent the feces of sick animals from contaminating food and drinking water. Personal hygiene should be emphasized, and kindergartens should pay particular attention to quarantining children with diarrhea.

　　III. Scientific Health Care

　　1. 26 Harms Affecting Lifespan

　　Sorrow, jealousy, laziness, anger, lust, greed, excessive smoking and drinking, and neglecting breakfast.

　　Burnt food, overeating at dinner, being overweight, excessive salt and sugar intake, and misuse of supplements.

　　Depression, poor environment, excessive sleeping, reliance on cars for transportation, laziness

　　Unwilling to use one's brain, avoidance of medical treatment, lack of exercise, unclean clothing, and excessive fondness for cats and dogs.

　　Irregular daily routine, overwork, staying up late playing cards, constant television viewing, and separation from spouses.

　　Loneliness and solitude

　　2. Nine common misconceptions about home medication

　　(1) Misaligned timing. Many people take their medication during the day, resulting in excessively high drug concentrations in the blood during the day and very low concentrations at night, affecting the efficacy. The correct way to take medication is: for medications taken twice a day, take one dose every 12 hours; for medications taken three times a day, take one dose every 8 hours.

　　(2) Excessive dosage. Some people mistakenly believe that the higher the dosage, the better the effect, and therefore arbitrarily increase the dosage. In fact, overdosing can easily cause poisoning, especially in children and the elderly. Usually, the therapeutic dosage given by the doctor can achieve good results and is relatively safe.

　　(3) Insufficient dosage. Some people believe that using small doses is safer in order to prevent disease or because they are afraid of the toxic side effects of drugs. Little do they know that this is not only ineffective, but also delays the treatment of the disease and may even cause the bacteria to develop drug resistance.

　　(4) Intermittent medication. Many people often forget to take their medication because they are busy. It is important to know that the effectiveness of a drug depends mainly on whether it maintains a constant concentration in the blood. If medication is not taken on time, the effective concentration will not be reached, making it difficult to control the condition.

　　(5) Insufficient treatment duration. Often, people stop taking medication after two or three days because they feel their symptoms have improved, resulting in prolonged illness and a more severe second relapse. In fact, drug treatment requires a certain amount of time; the course of treatment for most conditions is 3 to 7 days. It is essential to complete the prescribed course of medication as directed by your doctor.

　　(6) Should medication be stopped when appropriate? Generally, medication should be stopped promptly after it has achieved the expected therapeutic effect; otherwise, prolonged use may lead to adverse reactions.

　　(7) Abrupt discontinuation of medication. Many chronic diseases require long-term medication to control the condition and consolidate the therapeutic effect, such as hypertension and coronary heart disease. If it is necessary to discontinue medication, it should be done gradually under the guidance of a doctor. Do not stop taking the medication without authorization to avoid withdrawal reactions.

　　(8) Changing medications arbitrarily. It takes time for a drug to show its effects. If medications are changed arbitrarily because no effect is seen, the treatment becomes complicated and it is difficult to find the cause and deal with it in time if problems arise.

　　(9) Children should use adult medications. Because children's liver and kidneys are not fully developed and their detoxification function is very weak, it is necessary to understand the properties of the medication and precautions when administering it.

　　3. The body's acid-base balance and diseases

　　(1) 70% of patients have an acidic constitution

　　Soil can be acidic or alkaline, and so can human blood. Under normal circumstances, the pH of human blood is between 7.35 and 7.45. A value higher than this indicates that the body fluids are more alkaline, while a value lower indicates that they are more acidic. Due to the influence of lifestyle and environment, most people have acidic body fluids, and 70% of human diseases are related to an acidic constitution. The body fluids of frail and sickly elderly people are significantly more acidic, while the blood pH of healthy elderly people is mostly within the normal range. This is related to changes in the oxygen and carbon dioxide content in the blood. Frail elderly people have weakened respiratory function, resulting in insufficient oxygen intake and insufficient carbon dioxide expulsion, leading to a decrease in blood oxygen content and an increase in carbon dioxide content, thus making the blood more acidic.

　　People with acidic body constitutions are prone to diseases such as diabetes, cerebral hemorrhage, hypertension, heart disease, and kidney disease. People with alkaline body constitutions are prone to diseases such as stomach ulcers, asthma, and cancer.

　　(2) The influence of the environment on body fluids

　　When a person is exposed to sunlight, working, angry, or sad and anxious, their body fluids are acidic. Conversely, when a person is in a dark room, resting quietly, excited, or calm, their body fluids are alkaline; when taking a cold bath, their body fluids are acidic, and when taking a warm bath, their body fluids are alkaline; when climbing a mountain, their body fluids are alkaline, and when descending a mountain, their body fluids are acidic.

　　The relationship between nerves and body fluids is as follows: when the sympathetic nervous system is excited, body fluids are acidic; when the parasympathetic nervous system is excited, body fluids are alkaline.

　　(3) The relationship between food and body fluids

　　When we eat animal-based foods such as fish and meat, as well as grains, our body fluids become acidic. When we eat plant-based foods other than grains, as well as fruits, our body fluids become alkaline. Drinking milk makes our body fluids alkaline. Interestingly, when vegetables are cooked, our body fluids become acidic, while when eaten raw, they become slightly alkaline. Therefore, eating raw vegetables has amazing therapeutic effects on many diseases.

　　Grains, fish, and meat generally contain little or no organic acids and do not taste sour. However, after complete metabolism in the body, they primarily leave behind acidic substances such as chlorine, sulfur, and phosphorus. Therefore, in nutrition, they are called acid-forming foods. Many fruits taste acidic, but this acid is organic. Organic acids, after participating in metabolism in the body, become carbon dioxide and water; what remains are alkaline minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and zinc contained in fruits and vegetables. Therefore, fruits and vegetables are called alkaline-forming foods. In daily life, it is best to consume acid-forming and alkaline-forming foods in a certain proportion.

　　(4) Enhance the regulatory function of body fluid acid-base balance

　　Normal human metabolism requires body fluids to maintain a certain osmotic pressure and pH level in order to keep the body's biochemical conditions constant.

　　Humans have a natural ability to regulate the acid-base balance of bodily fluids. There's no need to worry excessively about a diet high in meat or vegetables. However, an overemphasis on meat can make bodily fluids more acidic, potentially leading to certain illnesses. The main organs responsible for regulating the body's acid-base balance are the lungs and kidneys, along with the liver and blood vessels.

　　There are two methods to regulate the body's blood pH balance: First, correct unbalanced eating habits and adopt a scientific diet. Teenagers have a stronger ability to regulate acid-base balance and should eat more acidic foods; the optimal dietary combination for the elderly is slightly alkaline. Second, adjust breathing methods, using pursed-lip breathing or abdominal deep breathing. In a quiet state, take a deep breath, then slowly exhale through pursed lips. Repeat this for 10 minutes. With consistent daily practice, the body's fluid alkalinity will increase.

　　4. Do you understand the human biological clock?

　　In the course of human life, many physiological phenomena are controlled by a substance within ourselves that is related to the time factor. This substance has a similar function to an everyday clock and is called the "biological clock".

　　Since the dawn of life, the changes in light caused by the rising and setting of the sun have established a synchronous relationship with the life activities within organisms. Through long-term evolution, organisms have developed their own internal activity patterns based on the sun's rising and setting, controlled by their biological clocks. The human biological clock is a complex physiological process "directed" by the pineal gland. The pineal gland is a pea-sized gland in the brain that secretes a hormone called melatonin (also known as pineal hormone).

　　Disruption of the biological clock, extreme reduction and loss of normal melatonin rhythm will cause many physiological functions in the body to be disordered, resulting in sleep disorders, endocrine disorders, decreased immune function, damage to health and even disease.

　　In recent years, the most popular health regimen worldwide has been the "biological clock regimen." This regimen posits that if a person's various activities align with the rhythms of their biological clock, they can achieve a state of health, longevity, intelligence, happiness, and beauty. Otherwise, the body will inevitably suffer certain damage, manifesting as fatigue, intellectual decline, unhappiness, premature aging, and illness.

　　Following the rhythms of your biological clock can help you maintain good health. For example: maintain regular sleep and wake times, balance work and rest; eat meals on time and avoid overeating; adapt to the seasons and follow the natural order; and give up bad habits to avoid harming your body's functions.

　　If you disrupt your biological clock and experience discomfort, you should immediately use "fine-tuning" methods to compensate and correct it, preventing it from worsening and developing into illness. For example, bloodshot eyes indicate that you've been staying up too late, which can be addressed by getting more sleep.

　　5. Misconceptions in medical concepts

　　"Anemia is not blood." The total plasma volume in the human body is 4000-6000 ml. Anemia only means that the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit per unit volume is lower than normal. The blood volume has not decreased (except for hemorrhagic anemia). Therefore, anemia does not mean that there is not enough blood.

　　Clinically, anemia can be classified into iron deficiency anemia, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, megaloblastic anemia, and blood loss anemia. If it is iron deficiency anemia, attention should be paid to a balanced diet of meat and vegetables, and more iron-rich foods should be consumed, such as black fungus, soy products, dairy products, fish, lean meat, and fruits.

　　"Fever should be reduced immediately"—Fever is a defensive and protective measure of the body. During a fever, the number of white blood cells increases, phagocytosis is enhanced, antibody formation accelerates, cellular immunity is improved, and the rise in body temperature is also unfavorable for the survival of pathogens. These conditions clearly benefit the body's fight against infection. Therefore, it is unscientific to consider all fevers harmful and rush to reduce them immediately. If it is an infectious fever, antibiotics will naturally reduce the fever after a period of time. However, if it is a high fever, appropriate cooling is essential.

　　"A decreased white blood cell count is better than an increased one." Neither a decrease nor an increase in white blood cells is normal. Generally speaking, a decreased white blood cell count is more concerning than an increased one. An increased white blood cell count often indicates a bacterial infection or even chronic leukemia. A decreased white blood cell count, on the other hand, may indicate a viral infection, aplastic anemia, or even acute leukemia.

　　"Pain should be relieved immediately." Pain is a self-protective mechanism of the body, which helps people detect diseases in time and take timely treatment. If pain is relieved before a diagnosis is made, the inflammation may continue to develop, masking the symptoms and often leading to serious consequences.

　　"A normal electrocardiogram (ECG) means there is no heart disease." An ECG is a tool used by doctors to diagnose heart disease, such as arrhythmias and myocardial infarction. In some cases, such as when heart murmurs are not obvious, ventricular hypertrophy is not significant, or external ventricular hypertrophy cancels out voltage, the ECG may not show any significant changes. Therefore, a normal ECG does not equate to a normal heart.

　　"Neurosis is the same as mental illness." Neurosis refers to diseases caused by lesions in nerve tissue, such as neuralgia, neuritis, and acute cerebrovascular diseases. Mental illness, on the other hand, can be understood as a dysfunction of higher nervous activity caused by harmful factors, specifically manifested as disordered cognitive, emotional, and volitional processes, as well as dysfunction of various organs. The two should not be confused.

　　The idea that "using your brain too much will kill many brain cells" is a misconception. In fact, almost every part of the human body becomes healthier with use, and the brain is no exception. Let's look at some>　　"People with high blood pressure cannot eat salt." Among people with high blood pressure, 30%-35% are sensitive to salt, and their condition improves when they stop eating salt. However, for most patients, eating salt has almost no effect. A recent study even found that, under the same medication regimen, the mortality rate of patients who stopped eating salt was higher than that of those who did not. This is because the body must ensure adequate potassium intake, and salt contains potassium; patients who do not eat salt absorb relatively less potassium. To ensure sufficient potassium intake, it is important to eat more fruits, vegetables, dried fruits, and legumes.

　　"To lose weight, you must consume as few calories as possible." Studies show that 95%-100% of people who adhere to a low-calorie diet will experience weight loss for a period of time, but their weight will return to its original level after 3-5 years. Therefore, to lose weight, what we need to do is eat more fruits and vegetables, and consistently engage in outdoor exercise, such as running and swimming. Of course, we also need to persist in muscle training, such as doing aerobics. If you can do all of the above, you won't have to worry about losing weight every day.

　　6. Five newly discovered diseases in the world

　　Stereoblindness is a distorted perception of three-dimensional space, such as mistaking the ocean for the blue sky.

　　Most patients with emaciation disorder are teenage girls, who suffer from it due to excessive dieting in pursuit of a slim figure.

　　Truancy is caused by excessively strict school requirements, which makes students dislike or fear going to school, leading to a withdrawn personality.

　　Computer syndrome sufferers are mostly middle-aged office workers, whose psychological state stems from their deep attachment to computers.

　　Anorexia initially resembles a cold, followed by swelling of the cervical and axillary lymph nodes. A particularly noticeable symptom is general weakness and a lack of interest in anything.

　　7. Strengthen the prevention and treatment of diabetes.

　　Diabetes mellitus is a condition characterized by persistently elevated blood sugar and the presence of glucose in the urine, caused by insulin deficiency or a decreased insulin response. Sugar (primarily glucose) is a cellular energy source; a decrease in insulin levels impairs cells' ability to absorb glucose from the blood, putting them in a state of "starvation." Elevated blood sugar levels increase blood osmotic pressure, causing damage to internal organ cells and disrupting nervous system function. It also leads to hardening of small blood vessels throughout the body, resulting in hypertension, kidney atrophy, and retinopathy, potentially causing blindness and cataracts. In severe cases, it can cause ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar coma. Therefore, diabetes is a serious systemic disease.

　　People know very little about the dangers of diabetes, and many are unaware they have the disease. Delaying treatment can lead to serious complications. In fact, diabetes has many early warning signs, such as vision loss, weight loss, and dry mouth. However, people generally ignore these symptoms until their condition worsens and they go to the hospital.

　　Besides genetic factors, there are many factors that can trigger diabetes: ① Infection. Recurrent infections, in particular, can easily lead to diabetes. ② Obesity. Obesity is a significant factor in the development of type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes). This is especially pronounced in obese women around 40 years of age. ③ Diet. Overeating easily leads to obesity; excessive intake of high-fat, high-sugar, and acidic foods can all induce diabetes. ④ Physical activity. Reduced physical activity increases the risk of diabetes. ⑤ Pregnancy. Multiple pregnancies can easily induce diabetes. ⑥ Age. Glucose tolerance tends to decrease with age; therefore, people over 45 should have their blood sugar checked regularly for early detection and control.

　　Currently, diabetes has become one of the three major intractable diseases worldwide. Although there is no cure for diabetes, it can be controlled. The main methods for controlling diabetes include: ① Diabetes education and psychological therapy. Early understanding and proper treatment of diabetes are essential for effective management. ② Dietary therapy. This includes controlling total calorie intake, balanced meals, frequent small meals, a light diet, and moderate fruit consumption. ③ Exercise therapy. Diabetic patients should maintain regular, moderate physical activity to keep blood sugar levels normal and maintain a healthy physique. ④ Drug therapy. Appropriate medications are taken according to the condition to maintain a generally normal metabolic state. ⑤ Regular monitoring of the condition. Regular checkups are necessary to understand the condition and guide treatment.

　　8. Self-care for hemorrhoid patients

　　Hemorrhoids often manifest as bleeding, rectal prolapse, and pain. Hemorrhoid patients must seek immediate medical attention to prevent serious conditions such as chronic blood loss anemia, which can negatively impact their health. However, even with surgical treatment, hemorrhoids can recur. The key lies in daily self-care, cultivating good dietary and bowel habits, strengthening physical exercise, and keeping the anus clean and dry.

　　(1) Diet should promote smooth bowel movements. Choose foods rich in fiber, such as wheat porridge, cornmeal porridge, and other minimally processed foods. Eat more vegetables and fruits, such as spinach, melons, radishes, apples, pears, and bananas. One thing to remember is that hemorrhoid patients should drink enough water every day, generally 2000-3000 ml, avoid spicy foods, and do not drink alcohol.

　　(2) Develop good bowel habits. Have a bowel movement once every morning, and go to the toilet promptly if you feel the urge to defecate at other times.

　　(3) Strengthen physical exercise. In addition to walking, running, and gymnastics, targeted Kegel exercises can be performed to stimulate intestinal peristalsis. The patient lies supine with knees bent, hands flat on both sides of the body for support on the bed, raises and lowers the buttocks, and the anus contracts accordingly, then relaxes, repeating this 30-50 times. Anal contraction and relaxation exercises can also be consciously performed while working. In addition, avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time and change different postures frequently.

　　(4) Keep your lower body warm. Do not sit in cold places. If possible, take a hot sitz bath once in the morning and once in the evening. When taking a sitz bath, the water should generally cover your buttocks, and the water temperature should be 30-40℃. The sitz bath should not be too long, 20-30 minutes is enough.

　　9. What to do after getting a stiff neck

　　Generally speaking, stiff neck is a common occurrence. After experiencing a stiff neck, one should actively move around and not avoid exercise because of the pain.

　　Sit upright in a chair with your chest out. Lower your head until your chin touches your chest. Then tilt your head back, looking up at the sky. Hold for 3 seconds, then lower your head again. Repeat this 20 times.

　　Sit on a chair with your arms hanging naturally. First, turn your head to the left, then to the right. Repeat this movement 20 times.

　　Chin-shaking exercise: Sit in a chair with your arms hanging naturally at your sides and your chest lifted. Vigorously shake your chin from side to side. Repeat 20 times.

　　Neck extension and contraction exercise: Sit in a chair with your chest up. First, extend your neck upwards as far as possible, then contract your neck downwards as far as possible. This will exercise your neck muscles. Repeat 20 times.

　　Rotate your neck. Sit in a chair or stand on the ground, keeping your body as still as possible. First, rotate your neck 90 degrees to the left, then rotate it 90 degrees to the right. Repeat 20 times on each side.

　　Massage the back of your head: First, rub your palms together to warm them, then use both palms to massage the back of your head vigorously until the area becomes red and warm. Massage can improve blood circulation in the area, helping sprains heal and reducing pain.

　　10. Four signs of arteriosclerosis

　　Arcus senilis, also known as corneal arcus, is a grayish-white ring that appears around the corner of the eye in some elderly people. It forms due to excessive deposition of lipids such as cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglycerides in the blood at the edge of the cornea.

　　Xanthelasma palpebrarum, also known as eyelid xanthelasma, is a condition where some people develop unilateral or symmetrical yellow patches on the skin of the inner eyelid. Its occurrence is primarily related to elevated blood lipids. It is commonly seen in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, and the incidence is highest in middle-aged obese women.

　　Tinnitus, hearing loss, or dizziness can quickly occur in the inner ear when arteriosclerosis causes ischemia. This is because the inner ear, like brain tissue, cannot tolerate hypoxia, and is even more sensitive to hypoxia than the heart muscle.

　　Earlobe creases: When the blood vessels harden, the ear, like other tissues, receives less blood supply. The earlobe is the part of the ear that is particularly sensitive to ischemia, and it is also the only fleshy part of the ear. At this time, creases will appear on the earlobe.

　　11. Nine things heart patients should avoid

　　One should avoid overexertion. Overexertion or excessive exercise can increase the burden on the heart, causing ischemia and hypoxia, and triggering a relapse of old illnesses.

　　Secondly, one should avoid emotional excitement. When a person is angry or overjoyed, adrenaline secretion increases, blood vessels constrict, and the heart rate accelerates, suddenly increasing the burden on the heart.

　　Three things to avoid: drinking large amounts of water at once. Drinking a lot of water at once will rapidly increase blood volume, causing the stomach to fill up, compressing the diaphragm and causing it to rise, leading to a reduction in the volume of the thoracic cavity and affecting the heartbeat.

　　Four things to avoid: overeating. Overeating can easily cause abdominal bloating, raise the diaphragm, and restrict heart rate. Because digesting food requires more blood to be concentrated in the stomach and intestines, it reduces blood supply to the coronary arteries, thereby inducing heart disease.

　　Five things to avoid when smoking: The harmful substances in tobacco stimulate the central nervous system, causing a faster heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and increased myocardial oxygen demand.

　　Six things to avoid: excessive drinking. Ethanol in alcohol has a damaging effect on the nervous, digestive, and circulatory systems, causing central nervous system excitation, increased heart rate, and a higher risk of heart disease recurrence.

　　Seven things to avoid: excessive consumption of spicy foods. Spicy foods such as chili peppers, black pepper, ginger, scallions, and garlic can excite the nerves and increase heart rate.

　　Eight things to avoid: overly salty dishes. Salt increases blood volume, and increased blood volume inevitably puts more strain on the heart.

　　Nine things to avoid: exposure to cold. Cold stimulation can cause a sudden increase in adrenaline, leading to a faster heart rate and increasing the risk of a heart attack recurrence.

　　12. Elderly people with high blood pressure should never take medication before bed.

　　Patients with hypertension, especially the elderly, often take antihypertensive medication before bed to ensure a comfortable sleep and reduce the risk of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular accidents during sleep. This practice is not only unscientific but can actually increase the likelihood of such accidents.

　　Blood pressure exhibits a diurnal rhythm, naturally dropping by 20% during sleep, with the most significant decrease occurring two hours after falling asleep. Many antihypertensive medications reach their peak blood concentration two hours after administration. If taken before bedtime, the combined effect of this natural blood pressure fluctuation can easily lead to a sudden drop in blood pressure and reduced cerebral blood flow. In the elderly, this can easily cause blood clots, resulting in ischemic cerebral thrombosis and other cerebrovascular events such as hemiplegia and aphasia. It can also trigger cardiovascular events like angina and myocardial infarction.

　　Data shows that 40% of fatal cerebrovascular accidents are related to low blood pressure, and low blood pressure is more dangerous than high blood pressure in the elderly.

　　Research indicates that human blood pressure is unstable, peaking between 8-11 AM and 3-6 PM. Therefore, the optimal time to take antihypertensive medication is half an hour before the blood pressure peak, specifically at 7 AM and 2:30 PM. This ensures that the peak blood drug concentration coincides with the peak blood pressure, effectively controlling the rise in blood pressure.

　　13. Four risk factors that can raise blood pressure

　　Normal adult blood pressure is defined as systolic blood pressure of 120 mmHg or below and diastolic blood pressure of 80 mmHg or below. Hypertension in adults is defined as systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or above and diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or above. Borderline hypertension refers to blood pressure values ​​between the above normal and hypertension levels.

　　The four risk factors that can increase blood pressure are:

　　Obesity can raise blood pressure and increase the burden on the heart.

　　Smoking causes toxins in cigarettes to have a strong affinity for hemoglobin in red blood cells, reducing the blood's ability to carry oxygen. As a result, cells and tissues do not receive enough oxygen, leading the body to accelerate heartbeats and increase the number of red blood cells in the blood. This increases blood viscosity, blood flow resistance, and puts excessive strain on the heart, resulting in high blood pressure.

　　Excessive salt intake can cause water retention, increasing blood volume and putting extra strain on the heart.

　　Lack of exercise: Appropriate and reasonable exercise can not only improve physical condition but also regulate nerve tension. Conversely, it is not conducive to the control of high blood pressure.

　　14. Non-pharmacological measures for the prevention and treatment of hypertension

　　(1) Increase exercise and maintain an ideal weight. Actively participate in exercise. If you feel good after exercise, it means that the amount and type of exercise are appropriate.

　　(2) Limit salt intake in the diet. In northern regions, the average daily salt intake per person should be reduced to 8 grams, and then gradually reduced to 6 grams; in southern regions, it can be controlled to below 6 grams.

　　(3) Reduce calories and maintain a balanced diet. Consume 400-500 grams of fresh vegetables, 100 grams of fruit, 50-100 grams of meat, and 50 grams of fish and shrimp daily.

　　(4) Maintain an optimistic attitude and improve adaptability. Encourage older adults to increase social opportunities, participate in various social welfare activities, and improve their quality of life.

　　(5) Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption. Do not smoke, drink less or no alcohol, especially strong alcohol. Pregnant women should not drink alcohol.

　　15. Middle-aged and elderly people should be wary of coronary heart disease.

　　Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a common disease among middle-aged and elderly people over 40 years old. Its direct cause is coronary artery sclerosis. The clinical manifestations of CHD include angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, and silent CHD.

　　Prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) should begin with addressing underlying conditions closely related to CHD, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, liver disease, kidney disease, and certain endocrine disorders. Secondly, dietary attention is crucial; reduce consumption of foods high in fat and cholesterol, and increase intake of fresh vegetables, soy products, and fruits to prevent weight gain. Finally, maintaining a regular lifestyle, ensuring sufficient sleep, and keeping emotions stable are essential, especially for menopausal women who should avoid emotional excitement. Regular moderate exercise, paying attention to weather changes, and minimizing triggers for angina are also important. Carrying a first-aid kit is also recommended; in case of sudden angina, timely medication can be taken to alleviate symptoms and facilitate treatment.

　　16. How to prevent stroke

　　Stroke is a disease caused by the rupture or sudden blockage of blood vessels in the brain, leading to impaired intracranial blood circulation and damage to brain tissue. Menopause is a high-risk age for stroke, and once it occurs, it can cause great suffering to the individual and their family.

　　Prevention can be carried out in the following six aspects:

　　(1) Long-term adherence to treatment and control of hypertension is the most effective measure.

　　(2) Actively treat diseases that may lead to stroke, such as heart disease, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia.

　　(3) Elderly people should quit smoking and control their alcohol consumption (they may drink small amounts of low-alcohol beverages).

　　(4) The diet should be nutritious and scientific. Eat less salt, more calcium-rich foods, and the diet should be diversified.

　　(5) Persist in participating in appropriate physical exercise to improve heart function, prevent obesity, and reduce blood viscosity.

　　(6) Under the guidance of a doctor, have regular physical examinations and seek timely and appropriate treatment if any abnormalities are found.

　　17. Prevention and treatment methods for osteoporosis

　　(1) Participate in more physical exercise. Physical exercise can delay bone aging and help form new bone. Long-term sitting or lying down will cause "disuse decalcification" and bone dissolution. You can choose suitable exercise programs according to your health condition and interests, and proceed gradually and persistently. The amount of exercise should be kept at a level that is somewhat tiring but comfortable.

　　(2) A balanced diet is essential. Adequate intake of various vitamins in food is important for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. For example, fresh milk, yogurt, eggs, lean meat, leafy green vegetables, soy products, and seafood can provide high-quality protein and rich calcium, phosphorus and other substances, which are very effective in preventing and treating osteoporosis.

　　(3) Under the guidance of a doctor, patients with osteoporosis can take some hormones and calcium preparations under the guidance of a doctor.

　　It should be noted that smoking can dissolve bone in the blood, and excessive drinking can cause calcium to be excreted in urine. Therefore, it is important to quit smoking and moderate alcohol consumption.

　　18. Early signs of stomach cancer

　　Among various cancers, stomach cancer is one of the most common. It ranks first among malignant tumors of the digestive tract in my country.

　　The timing of stomach cancer treatment significantly impacts its effectiveness. The five-year survival rate after surgery for early-stage stomach cancer can reach 90%-95%. However, if the cancer progresses to an advanced stage, the treatment outcome is far less favorable. Therefore, recognizing early warning signs and detecting stomach cancer early is a crucial aspect of its prevention and treatment.

　　(1) Upper abdominal discomfort and dull pain. This is the most common symptom of stomach cancer. The pain is often unpredictable and has no obvious pattern. Sometimes there is also acid reflux and bloating. It can be relieved by taking common drugs, which makes doctors and patients easily overlook the need for further examination.

　　(2) Reduced food intake, fatigue, and weight loss are also common symptoms of stomach cancer. This is because the secretion of digestive juices in the stomach decreases after stomach cancer, the peristaltic function of the stomach is disordered, and there is discomfort and pain in the upper abdomen after eating, so food intake is reduced, weight loss occurs, resulting in fatigue and weight loss.

　　(3) Nausea and vomiting. If the tumor is located in the pylorus or completely obstructs it, nausea, upper abdominal fullness after eating, and vomiting will occur.

　　(4) Hematemesis and melena. If the tumor grows and invades adjacent blood vessels, it will cause bleeding. In mild cases, the fecal occult blood test will be positive, while in severe cases, tarry black stools may be passed. If the bleeding is severe, hematemesis may occur.

　　Those who exhibit the above symptoms, or who suffer from chronic atrophic gastritis, gastric ulcers, or gastric polyps, should undergo regular gastroscopy examinations.

　　19. Breast self-examination methods

　　Breast diseases, especially breast tumors, are among the most common illnesses in women. Early detection and timely treatment generally lead to better prognoses. This article introduces methods for breast self-examination; consistent practice can help in the early detection of breast diseases.

　　(1) Stand in front of the mirror and observe. Stand in front of the mirror with your waist and above completely exposed. Relax your arms and let them hang down at your sides. Observe whether the size and shape of the breasts are symmetrical, whether there is a "dimple sign" or orange peel-like change, and whether there are any abnormal changes in the position or shape of the nipples.

　　(2) Observe while bathing. Use soapy hands to gently stroke from the collarbone down to the nipple, feeling for any lumps, nodules, thickening, or previously unnoticed signs. When examining the armpits, place one hand on your waist and use the other hand to touch the armpits, noting any lumps or changes that were not previously present.

　　(3) Observe while lying on your back. Place a pillow under your left shoulder, put your left hand behind your head, and use the pads of your right fingers to touch your left breast to check for any abnormal lumps. Then place the pillow under your right shoulder and repeat the above steps on your right breast. During the examination, gently press your outstretched fingers on the upper part of the breast, and then move them clockwise along the edge of the breast, starting from the outermost periphery and moving inwards, finally touching the nipple and areola. If any abnormalities are found, seek medical attention promptly.

　　The above examination methods are suitable for monthly examination. (1) is visual inspection; (2) and (3) are palpation. The three examinations should be performed together.

　　20. Women should not wear lipstick for extended periods of time.

　　Lipstick is made from oils, waxes, and dyes. Currently, the oils used in lipstick production, both domestically and internationally, are mostly lanolin extracted and recycled from wastewater used in wool rinsing. Lanolin can penetrate the skin and has the side effect of absorbing airborne dust, various metal ions, and pathogenic microorganisms. Through dissolution in saliva, various harmful substances and bacteria can enter the oral cavity, affecting human health. Some people experience lip allergies such as redness, swelling, itching, and burning after applying lipstick. The dyes in lipstick are generally acid eosin, a harmful pigment that can damage DNA in biological cells.

　　21. Supplementing with folic acid helps prevent birth defects.

　　There are many types of fetal malformations, among which neural tube defects are the most common. Neural tube defects are currently the leading cause of stillbirth and infant mortality in my country, and are also one of the important causes of disease.

　　Neural tube defects are significantly related to folic acid deficiency in mothers during early pregnancy. According to a survey by the China Maternal and Child Health Center, approximately 30% of women of childbearing age in my country are deficient in folic acid, which may be one of the reasons for the high incidence of neural tube defects in the country. The incidence of folic acid deficiency is higher in the north than in the south, and higher in winter and spring than in summer and autumn—a pattern that coincides with the distribution of neural tube defects in infants.

　　In daily diet, the main source of folic acid is various green leaf teas. However, due to the dietary habits of women of childbearing age in my country, the amount of folic acid they obtain from food is insufficient to meet the needs of pregnancy. The Ministry of Health recommends that all women of childbearing age take a 0.4 mg folic acid supplement daily from the time of marriage (or from the time of planning pregnancy in urban areas) until the end of the third month of pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects.

　　IV. Home Furnishing Tips

　　1. Let sunlight into the room

　　The first necessity of life is sunshine. Sunshine is very precious in nature, bringing light, warmth, joy and happiness to homes and families.

　　Regular exposure to sunlight is beneficial to health, especially since the ultraviolet rays in sunlight have a strong bactericidal effect, meeting people's hygiene requirements. For example, viruses and bacteria that seriously endanger human health, such as those causing colds, pneumonia, dysentery, and typhoid fever, can be killed after 50 seconds of ultraviolet radiation. Although ultraviolet rays in sunlight cannot kill all bacteria, there is no doubt that sunlight can be used for disinfection. In winter, sunlight increases the warmth of rooms, and in humid seasons, it helps keep rooms dry.

　　In addition, ultraviolet radiation enables the human body to produce vitamin D. Medically speaking, a lack of vitamin D can hinder normal bone development, leading to rickets in infants and young children. Therefore, the incidence of rickets is significantly higher in countries or regions with less sunlight.

　　Sunlight is not only vital for people's physical health but also has a significant impact on their mental well-being. In people's minds, sunlight is associated with brightness and happiness. In places like Hamburg in northern Germany, where the hours of sunshine are short, it is especially precious, and people eagerly desire more sunlight in their homes; many consider sunlight a pursuit in life. On the one hand, people focus on improving indoor lighting conditions when designing their homes; on the other hand, they eagerly seek out ample outdoor sunshine.

　　In some residential buildings in my country, there are still shortcomings in the scientific and rational use of sunlight during design and interior layout. For example, there is an overemphasis on reducing heat loss and minimizing window area, while neglecting the requirements for sunlight. Furthermore, using the same window size for all rooms without considering room depth, and completely sealing off balconies are also undesirable practices.

　　There are many practical tips for making the most of sunlight in your home. Generally speaking, in sunny indoor areas, avoid staying in one place for too long. People should adjust their line of sight or work position according to the actual sunlight conditions to avoid glare damaging their eyesight. Additionally, minimize direct sunlight on books, furniture, and electrical appliances, especially refrigerators, to prolong their lifespan and reduce energy consumption. While sunlight is an essential natural light source for humans, improper use can lead to various side effects.

　　Experts believe that a typical residential building should receive no less than two hours of sunshine per day, and no less than 500 hours of sunshine per year.

　　2. Indoor humidity should not be ignored.

　　Air humidity refers to the degree of dampness in the air, and can be expressed as relative humidity (RH). Relative humidity is the percentage of the actual water vapor density in the air to the saturated water vapor density at the same temperature. The optimal relative humidity for human comfort indoors is 49%-51%. Too low or too high relative humidity can be uncomfortable or even harmful to the human body.

　　In winter, northern my country uses stoves or central heating, which lowers indoor relative humidity. This is especially true in large cities like Beijing, where centrally heated residences often have relative humidity below 10% due to higher room temperatures. Living in such an environment increases susceptibility to respiratory illnesses and symptoms like dry mouth, chapped lips, and nosebleeds. This is because the nose, respiratory tract, lungs, and alveoli are covered by a mucous membrane supported by hair-like cilia. When relative humidity falls below 40%, the movement of these cilia slows down significantly, allowing dust to easily adhere to the mucous membrane, irritating the cough and hindering the elimination of pathogens, thus leading to respiratory illnesses.

　　In addition, due to low relative humidity, the human skin loses a large amount of moisture, leading to decreased skin elasticity, accelerated skin aging, and phenomena such as rough skin and cell shedding, which to some extent reduces the skin's ability to resist bacteria. One of the main reasons why women in southern my country have delicate and smooth skin is the high relative humidity in the south.

　　Low relative humidity can cause wood to lose moisture, leading to warping, cracking, and damage to furniture or wooden floors; musical instruments such as pianos and violins, which are highly sensitive to humidity, cannot function properly; and cultural relics, archives, and books may become brittle and warped. High relative humidity, on the other hand, can easily cause mold growth on indoor furniture, clothing, carpets, and other fabrics; rust on ironware; short circuits in electronic devices; and static electricity in carpets and wallpaper, which can be irritating to the human body and even cause fires. Experts have determined the optimal indoor humidity as follows:

　　Indoor environment: 40%-70% RH (relative humidity)

　　The most favorable environment for disease prevention and treatment: 40%-55% RH

　　Storage environment for books and cultural relics: 40%-60%RH

　　Storage of cotton and wool fabrics: 40%-60%RH

　　Candy and snack storage: 50%-60% RH

　　Vegetable and fruit storage: 50%-70% RH

　　Grain storage: 50%-70% RH

　　3. Renovation pollution should not be ignored.

　　Modern architecture extensively utilizes chemical components, decorative materials, and waterproofing materials. New building materials used in interior decoration and even modern furniture also heavily rely on chemically synthesized materials. These materials contain varying degrees of toxic substances harmful to the human body, such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, lead, asbestos, formaldehyde, and phenols, which can enter the body through respiration and skin.

　　Radioactive contamination in homes originates from radon and other substances. Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas, primarily derived from radium, a radioactive substance found in building materials. Radon concentrations are lowest in wooden structures and highest in stone buildings. Those living in bungalows or on the ground floor are more susceptible to radon contamination. Radon poses significant potential risks; frequent exposure to high radon concentrations increases the incidence of lung cancer. The World Health Organization has classified radon as one of 19 known carcinogens.

　　Most natural stone contains radioactive elements such as radium, thorium, and potassium. Based on the level of these radioactive elements, natural stone is generally divided into three categories (A, B, and C). Category A stone has the lowest radioactive element content and its use is unrestricted; it can be used for interior flooring and wall decoration. Category B stone has a higher radioactive element content than Category A and cannot be used for interior decoration, but it can be used for interior and exterior cladding of other non-residential buildings. Category C stone has an even higher radioactive element content than Category B and should never be used for interior decoration or interior cladding of other buildings; it can only be used for exterior cladding. Therefore, we should choose stone products with low radioactive element content for our interior decoration.

　　Currently, green and environmentally friendly decoration has become fashionable. Home decoration should not only be aesthetically pleasing, but also emphasize environmental protection. Living in a non-toxic, odorless, and pollution-free environment will be more comfortable, safer, and healthier.

　　4. Which items can cause chronic lead poisoning in humans?

　　(1) Colored ceramics and tin cans, etc. Because the raw materials contain lead, they can easily contaminate food. When using tin-plated pipes, instruments or containers, they may be corroded by acidic foods, causing lead to leach out.

　　(2) During the heating, pressurization and puffing process, popcorn absorbs a large amount of lead vapor, resulting in a lead content of 20 mg per kilogram of popcorn. Preserved eggs (century eggs) are made using lead-containing materials.

　　(3) Colored paper and color printed materials. The lead content of these papers can reach 2000-4000 mg/kg.

　　(4) Plastic toys. Their raw materials contain anti-aging agents and plasticizers, which contain harmful metal ions such as lead, chromium, and cadmium. When children touch plastic toys, their blood lead levels can reach dangerous levels.

　　(5) Paint. The lead content of painted floors, stair railings, etc. in old furniture and old houses can be as high as 20%, and the oil on toothpaste tubes contains 5% lead.

　　(6) Others. For example, automobile exhaust contains lead, and batteries and pesticides also contain large amounts of lead.

　　In short, lead pollution is insidious, slow-moving, and multifaceted, and its harm is serious. We must prevent lead from entering our bodies.

　　5. Contamination of water pipes and faucets

　　The tap water we use all passes through underground water pipes, which are currently made of cast iron. Aside from corrosion due to years of neglect, the tap water itself contains chemicals like chlorides, which not only corrode the pipes and pollute the water, but also easily accumulate scale. If the water pipes are galvanized, there will be zinc contamination; if they are lead-plated, there will be lead contamination.

　　The contamination of faucets should not be ignored. Especially on summer nights, when people are asleep after a long day, the water pipes and faucets are relatively still. At this time, due to pressure, some sediment often settles in the pipes, while ubiquitous bacteria can invade and multiply inside and outside the faucets. Tests have shown that faucets in the early morning can sometimes harbor more than eight types of bacteria. If you let the water run for half a minute to a minute before using it for the first time in the morning, and then rinse the faucet opening with boiling water, the opening will be sterile and clean, and the sediment and dirt in the pipes will be flushed out. After that, it is safe to use. Collect the run-out water in a bucket or basin for washing clothes, watering plants, flushing the toilet, etc.

　　6. Simple methods for removing pesticide residues from fruits and vegetables

　　For most fruits and vegetables, the following methods can be used to remove pesticides:

　　(1) Rinsing: Pesticides adhering to leafy vegetables such as spinach and bok choy can be placed in a sink or basin and rinsed, washed, and drained while running water is applied. Repeating this process several times can effectively wash away residual pesticides. It is important to conserve water during rinsing.

　　(2) Soaking in rice water: Most pesticides are acidic, and they lose some of their toxicity when they come into contact with alkaline substances due to neutralization. Rice water is weakly alkaline and can play a detoxifying role. Rinse the purchased vegetables and fruits with clean water first, then soak them in rice water for 30 minutes, and then rinse them clean with clean water.

　　(3) Peeling method: For vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, loofahs, winter melons, and fruits such as apples and pears, washing and peeling can also remove pesticide residues.

　　(4) Boiling method: Before cooking, vegetables such as celery and cauliflower can be briefly boiled in boiling water to remove more than 90% of pesticide residues.

　　(5) Disinfection with dish soap: Soak the washed vegetables and fruits in water with a few drops of dish soap for a few minutes, and then rinse them with clean water.

　　7. Common mistakes in using home appliances

　　Household appliances often malfunction due to incorrect installation or improper operation. Common examples include:

　　(1) Incorrect installation or improper method. For example, the wire is installed too low and is broken by an object; when fixing the pull switch, socket and other equipment with screws, too much force is used or the screws are tightened too much, which damages the bakelite; the household appliances are placed in an improper location, causing the equipment to rust, get damp or crack; the household appliances are not placed stably, causing vibration or accidents, etc.

　　(2) Incorrect wiring of power plugs. For example, connecting the protective grounding (neutral) plug to the live wire or the neutral wire will cause the metal casing of the equipment to become live and cause electric shock; connecting the socket and the lighting lamp in series will result in insufficient power supply to both; sometimes, household appliances with a rated voltage of 220 volts will be connected to a 380 volt power supply, causing damage to the equipment; when unplugging the power plug, pulling out the power lead will cause a short circuit, etc.

　　(3) Randomly adjusting switches and buttons. For example, when the TV reception is poor, randomly adjusting various buttons and knobs, or even blindly adjusting the internal fine-tuning components after opening the back cover, can cause the TV to malfunction. When recording with a tape recorder, pressing the record button without properly sealing the anti-smudge hole at the bottom corner of the tape cassette can damage the recorder mechanism.

　　(4) Excessive force used in the use of electrical equipment causing mechanical damage, and improper cleaning methods for household appliances, etc.

　　8. Electric Iron Saving Methods

　　For ironing clothes, it's best to choose a temperature-controlled iron with a power of 500 watts or 700 watts. These irons heat up quickly and automatically shut off when they reach the desired temperature, saving electricity and ensuring the quality of the ironing. Additionally, if you are ironing multiple garments of different fabrics, start with the less heat-resistant synthetic fabrics. Once they have warmed up, proceed to iron the more heat-resistant cotton and linen fabrics. After the iron shuts off, the residual heat can be used to iron some of the synthetic fabrics as well.

　　9. Use water to extinguish electrical fires with caution.

　　If a fire is caused by electricity, such as a fire involving household appliances, wires, or sockets, it is best not to try to put it out blindly if the cause is unknown, as this could result in personal injury.

　　When determining the cause of a fire and attempting to extinguish it, safety must be paramount. Generally, if an appliance catches fire, the power should be cut off immediately if possible, and the fire department should be notified immediately. Furthermore, never use water to extinguish a fire if the power has not been cut off. Water is a good conductor of electricity; if someone stands nearby and uses water to extinguish a fire, the water will quickly flow to their feet, and the electrified water will pose a risk of electric shock.

　　Furthermore, if a television set is smoking or on fire, do not pour cold water on it, as this may cause the picture tube to explode due to the cold.

　　10. What are household appliances afraid of?

　　Black and white televisions are most vulnerable to being turned on and off excessively. Every time it's turned on, the picture tube filament heats up, accelerating its aging.

　　Color televisions are most vulnerable to interference from strong magnetic fields. Magnetic objects placed near a color television can cause color distortion.

　　Refrigerators are most vulnerable to tilting. The compressor is housed in a sealed metal container with three springs, and tilting it could cause it to come off the hook.

　　Washing machines are most vulnerable to boiling water. Boiling water can easily cause the plastic casing to deform, leading to poor sealing of the wheel axle.

　　Electric fans are most vulnerable to blade impacts. Deformed blades can cause the internal fan to operate unevenly, resulting in excessive vibration, reduced airflow, and a shorter lifespan.

　　Rice cookers are most susceptible to damage from prolonged storage of acidic or alkaline foods. These foods can corrode the metal container and shorten its lifespan.

　　Electric blankets are most susceptible to damage from being folded or unfolded forcefully, as the heating wires inside are thin, brittle, and easily broken.

　　The biggest danger for tape recorders is bending the master shaft. Even a slight bend in the master shaft will produce a vibrato that is difficult to eliminate.

　　Calculators are most vulnerable to pressure. LCD screens are made of extremely fragile materials, and heavy pressure can damage them.

　　11. Noise from household appliances affects health.

　　It is well known that harmonious sounds are beneficial to health, while noise lacking rhythm is a major enemy of health. There is no clear line between pleasant sound and noise; pleasant sound can turn into noise. The sound emitted by a radio or television alone is generally a healthy pleasant sound, unless the owner of the appliance does not control the volume. However, if a television and a radio are turned on at the same time, this mixed sound concentrated in the home space becomes noise.

　　According to measurements, the noise levels produced by various household appliances within a one-meter distance are as follows: electric fan 42-70 decibels; refrigerator 34-50 decibels; electric shaver 47-60 decibels; washing machine 47-60 decibels; kitchen hair dryer 70-90 decibels; and hair dryer 50-90 decibels. The sounds emitted by refrigerators and electric fans, although low in frequency, are undoubtedly noise. Under normal circumstances, this noise does not pose a health hazard. However, if televisions, radios, refrigerators, and electric fans are used simultaneously without restraint, then the resulting noise level becomes unbearable for most people. This noise level can exceed 50 decibels, reaching 80-90 decibels, causing dizziness and headaches. Over time, this can lead to hearing loss in mild cases and noise-induced deafness in severe cases.

　　Doctors analyzed cases of deafness and severe hearing impairment and found that the vast majority were caused by household noise pollution during fetal and infancy. Therefore, household noise should never be ignored. Try to control the volume of household appliances, increase the distance between them, and avoid running televisions and radios simultaneously to eliminate noise and protect your health.

　　12. Wash your face after watching TV.

　　Experts have discovered that many people who work in front of television screens for extended periods often develop rashes on their faces. This is because televisions emit a large amount of radiation, causing static electricity to build up on the screen surface, which attracts dust from the air. Watching television at close range is equivalent to being surrounded by a large amount of dust for a prolonged period, causing the skin to accumulate dust, leading to pigmentation and skin diseases. Therefore, people who have finished watching television or using a computer should wash their faces to remove dust and prevent skin problems.

　　13. Tips for saving electricity with your refrigerator

　　(1) Adjusting the refrigerator thermostat knob is key to saving electricity. In winter, turn the temperature knob to the "1" position, and in summer, turn it to the "4" position.

　　(2) The refrigerator should be placed as far away from heat sources as possible, preferably in a well-ventilated and shady place.

　　(3) The amount of food placed in the refrigerator should be about 80% of the refrigerator's volume. There should be a gap of more than 10 mm between the food and the refrigerator walls to facilitate the convection of cold air inside the refrigerator, so that the temperature inside the refrigerator is uniform and stable and power consumption is reduced.

　　(4) Hot food should be cooled to near room temperature before being put into the refrigerator.

　　(5) Nighttime temporary shutdown to save electricity: Every night at 10 pm, when the room temperature is 34°C, set the temperature control knob to the "2" position, then turn off the refrigerator and turn it on again at 6 am the next morning, so that the refrigerator stops running for 8 hours.

　　(6) Defrost and remove dust in a timely manner.

　　14. Tips for saving electricity with your TV

　　(1) Control the brightness. The power consumption of a color TV can vary by 30-50 watts between its brightest and darkest settings. Therefore, when watching TV, the brightness and volume should be adjusted to the optimal level for human comfort, and should not be too bright. It is recommended to turn on a low-wattage fluorescent light in the room and turn the TV brightness down a bit. This will improve the viewing experience and reduce eye strain.

　　(2) Control the volume. The louder the volume, the higher the power consumption. For every 1 watt increase in audio power, the power consumption increases by 3-4 watts.

　　(3) Add a dust cover. Adding a dust cover can prevent dust from being sucked into the TV. Too much dust may cause leakage, increase power consumption, and also affect the picture and sound quality.

　　(4) After watching TV, you should turn off the TV or unplug the power cord in time, because some TVs still have filaments preheating after being turned off, and the TV is still in standby mode and still using electricity after being turned off by remote control.

　　15. Washing machine energy-saving tips

　　(1) Soak the dirty clothes for about 20 minutes before putting them into the washing machine.

　　(2) The machine has three speed settings: high, medium, and low, with power consumption decreasing gradually. Generally, medium and low speeds are used, and high speed is only used when washing fleece blankets, sofa fabrics, or canvas.

　　(3) Use a concentrated washing method. The amount of laundry in the washing drum should be close to the maximum washing capacity to reduce the number of times detergent is added. Use one bucket of detergent to wash several batches of clothes. Wash light colors first, then dark colors. You can add more detergent as needed. Rinse each item one by one after washing all the clothes.

　　(4) If you use a washing machine to rinse, you can wring out the soapy water or detergent foam on the clothes before rinsing. This will save electricity and reduce the number of rinses, thus achieving the goal of saving electricity.

　　(5) Replace or adjust the motor belt of the washing machine in a timely manner to ensure that it is properly tensioned.

　　16. Tips for saving electricity with air conditioning

　　Air conditioners are one of the most energy-consuming household appliances. If used improperly, the cooling effect will be poor for the same amount of power consumption.

　　(1) Try to choose air conditioners with an energy efficiency ratio of 2.45 or above or with the China Energy Conservation Product Certification mark. For two air conditioners with the same cooling capacity, each 0.1 increase in energy efficiency ratio can save 3%-4% of electricity.

　　(2) Select an air conditioner with the most suitable capacity for the room size.

　　(3) Rooms equipped with air conditioners should be sealed to prevent cold air from escaping.

　　(4) The best position for the thermostat is when it is turned clockwise to two or three positions, which will achieve a temperature difference of 4-6℃ with the outside temperature, which is the most energy-efficient and most suitable for the human body.

　　(5) The compressor should not be started frequently.

　　(6) Using the sleep function of the air conditioner can save up to 20% of electricity.

　　(7) The air conditioning filter should be cleaned once every one or two weeks.

　　17. Home lighting energy-saving tips

　　(1) Energy-saving lamps with high brightness and low power should be selected as much as possible. A high-quality 9-watt energy-saving lamp has a lifespan of 5,000 hours. Compared with a 40-watt incandescent lamp with the same lighting effect, it can save nearly 70 yuan in electricity costs alone.

　　(2) Appropriate installation height: For example, a 20-watt fluorescent lamp will have an illumination of 60 lux if installed at a height of 1 meter, and 93.75 lux if installed at a height of 0.8 meters. Lowering the height appropriately can reduce the wattage and save electricity.

　　(3) Two types of control switches can be installed in stairwells, corridors, toilets, etc. One type is a time-delay switch, where a person living on the fifth floor can press the switch at the entrance to the first floor, and the lights on each floor will turn on. When entering the home, all the lights will turn off, which is more energy-efficient than one switch per light or multiple switches per light. The other type is a Sevich energy-saving switch, where the light turns on when a person enters the stairwell at night and turns off when the person leaves, which is much more energy-efficient than lights that are left on all the time.

　　18. Electric water heater energy-saving tips

　　In winter, the most frequently used water heater in households is the shower-type water heater, which saves 50% more electricity than the immersion water heater. It is also recommended to use a thermal storage electric boiler. This new type of electric heating equipment uses off-peak electricity at night to heat and store water for daytime use. Users of electric boilers with a single unit capacity of 20 kilowatts or more who apply for a separate multi-rate meter can enjoy preferential electricity prices while also being subject to the current peak-valley time-of-use pricing method.

　　If you frequently use hot water at home and your water heater has good insulation, you should keep it powered on and set to keep-warm mode. This is because the electricity used to keep the water warm for a day is less than the electricity used to heat a tank of cold water to the same temperature. This not only makes using hot water convenient but also saves electricity.

　　19. Tips for saving electricity with your home computer

　　(1) Adjust the running speed according to the specific work situation. Most newer computers have green power-saving functions. You can set a hibernation wait time, which will automatically reduce the machine's running speed.

　　(2) When using the computer for a short period of time or only for listening to music, you can turn the monitor brightness to the lowest setting or turn it off completely. Turn the printer on only when you are using it and turn it off promptly after use.

　　(3) Use hard drives as much as possible. On the one hand, hard drives are faster and less prone to wear and tear. On the other hand, hard drives maintain a high level of rotation after the computer is turned on, so they consume power even when not in use. In addition, 3-inch floppy drives are more energy-efficient and reliable than 5-inch floppy drives.

　　(4) Perform regular maintenance on the machine, paying attention to moisture and dust prevention. Excessive dust accumulation on the machine will affect heat dissipation, and dust accumulation on the monitor screen will affect brightness.

　　20. Electric Rice Cooker Energy Saving Tips

　　(1) When cooking rice, after boiling for a while, gently lift the button with your hand to make it switch off, and use the residual heat to let the rice absorb the water. Then press the button again, and it will automatically switch off after the rice is cooked.

　　(2) When cooking rice or soup, turn off the power as soon as the rice is cooked to the right consistency. Cover the pot with a towel to reduce heat loss.

　　(3) Use hot or warm water when cooking rice. Cooking rice with hot water can save 30% of electricity.

　　(4) The electric heating plate is the main heating component of the rice cooker. After being powered on, it transfers heat to the inner pot. The surface is kept clean, and the heat conduction performance is good, which improves the efficiency.

　　(5) When choosing a rice cooker, the power should be determined according to the number of people in the family. Practice shows that cooking 1 kg of rice takes about 30 minutes with a 500-watt rice cooker and consumes 0.25 kWh, while a 700-watt rice cooker takes about 20 minutes and consumes only 0.23 kWh. A rice cooker with high power and high thermal efficiency saves both time and electricity.

　　21. Tips for saving battery on your mobile phone

　　(1) In quiet situations, the short ringback tone function is the most suitable. Most mobile phones have the function of setting both long and short ringtones.

　　(2) Try not to use your mobile phone while traveling. As your mobile phone moves from one network node to another, and it is constantly searching for and connecting to the communication network of the new area, the battery power is also quietly running out.

　　(3) It is best to turn off your phone in areas where there is no communication network coverage. The phone tries desperately to "grab" a network signal, and the battery drains very quickly, soon depleting the battery power.

　　(4) It is best to use the vibration function when carrying a mobile phone in winter and spring. When the temperature is low in winter and spring, people often wear thick clothes, and the ringtone is often not heard. As a result, the phone rings for too long and the call connection rate is low, causing the phone battery to be wasted. Use it less outdoors or in cold places.

　　V. Safety Knowledge

　　1. Be safe when using your mobile phone.

　　Using a mobile phone also presents security risks; there are generally a few points to keep in mind:

　　First, since electromagnetic radiation is associated with increased white blood cell production in children, experts recommend limiting teenagers' use of mobile phones.

　　Secondly, although recent research suggests that the electromagnetic waves emitted by mobile phones are unlikely to cause early-onset Alzheimer's disease, impair memory, or lead to cancer, prolonged mobile phone calls should be avoided. When making calls, keep them short and avoid prolonged conversations.

　　Third, never use your mobile phone while on a plane.

　　Finally, the electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones can interfere with equipment such as pacemakers and electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors. Therefore, people with pacemakers or ECG monitors should avoid using mobile phones and should also avoid being near people using mobile phones.

　　The United States has mandated that, starting August 1, 2000, mobile phone manufacturers must include radiation information on the packaging. The amount of radiation absorbed by the human body while using a mobile phone is expressed as SAR, which reflects the extent to which the electromagnetic radiation from the phone affects the human body. Whether my country will require similar radiation information on mobile phone packaging depends on the establishment of national standards.

　　2. The dangers of gasoline to drivers

　　Gasoline is an organic solvent with high toxicity to the nervous system. Chronic poisoning can occur when a certain concentration of gasoline is inhaled over a long period, exceeding 0.3 mg/L. Therefore, drivers should ensure the front and bottom of the cab and the bottom of the cargo compartment are sealed to reduce gasoline leakage from the engine into the cab or cargo compartment. Drivers should also ensure ventilation by opening windows while driving to minimize gasoline concentration in the cab and cargo compartment. Furthermore, gasoline hoses and containers should never be placed in the cab or cargo compartment.

　　Gasoline irritates the respiratory mucosa, and smoking and drinking alcohol exacerbate this irritation. Therefore, drivers should smoke and drink as little as possible, and ideally, abstain from both.

　　Gasoline has a degreasing effect on the skin. Drivers who frequently come into contact with gasoline while repairing vehicles are prone to dry, cracked skin and chronic dermatitis. Sucking gasoline with their mouths can easily cause acute pneumonia. Therefore, drivers should use cleaning oil or detergent to clean their vehicles whenever possible. If gasoline must be used, it should be washed off promptly afterward to minimize harm, and never spit gasoline with your mouth.

　　3. Four things women should avoid when driving

　　First, women should not wear high heels, platform shoes, or slippers while driving. High heels make footwork difficult, and in an emergency, the foot can easily become stuck between the accelerator or brake pedal, posing a danger. Platform shoes also require caution. If you normally wear flat shoes and occasionally switch to platform shoes for driving, your feet won't have the same feel as before, making it harder to feel the brake pedal and increasing the risk of an accident. When driving in slippers, sweaty feet can cause slippage, also increasing the risk of danger.

　　Secondly, female drivers should avoid wearing heavy makeup. Because the interior of a car is small and enclosed, strong perfumes or cosmetics can stimulate the brain, causing mental confusion and hindering safe driving.

　　Third, women should not wear long earrings, bracelets, or anklets while driving. Long earrings can obstruct the view when turning around or looking left and right, and bracelets and anklets can also be cumbersome.

　　Fourth, women should not wear long skirts while driving. Long skirts tend to cover the legs, making movement difficult. If a driver is new to driving, the road conditions are already complex, and the added inexperience with driving can easily lead to an accident in a critical moment.

　　4. Driver's blind spots and three dangerous times

　　There are two main types of blind spots for drivers: First, blind spots are created by strong glare. When driving at night, drivers may not be able to see objects on the roadside, especially when encountering oncoming traffic, in the absence of streetlights, or when the oncoming headlights are very bright. This can be dangerous, particularly if there are cyclists or pedestrians nearby. Second, blind spots are created by strong sunlight. When a driver makes a U-turn or turns, the glare can create a blind spot for a moment. This is also extremely dangerous if a bicycle is speeding by at this time.

　　Research on the timing of traffic accidents has revealed at least three "dangerous times" for drivers.

　　Midnight, scientifically speaking, falls between 11 PM and 3 AM. At this time, all is quiet, and everything is in a "dormant state," making drivers prone to a feeling of "emptiness" (i.e., complacency). It's common for long-distance bus drivers to crash into roadside trees or buildings while still sound asleep. This period is also the coldest time of day, easily leading to sluggish brain function, low blood pressure, and stiffness and numbness in the blood vessels and nerves of the hands and feet. Due to extreme fatigue, people with poor heart function are also prone to sudden cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction (or embolism), and cerebral thrombosis, all of which pose a potential risk of traffic accidents.

　　Midday, typically between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, is a time when the brain is fatigued, leading to decreased reaction time. Some long-distance drivers, eager to reach their destination, delay their lunch break, while others only eat breakfast and dinner, leaving them hungry, weak, and prone to accidents. After lunch, a large amount of blood is concentrated on the digestive organs, reducing blood flow to the brain and causing temporary drowsiness. This time is ideal for a midday nap to rejuvenate the body. Even if a nap isn't possible, one should at least take a short rest while sitting down. Never rush to work or drive while fatigued.

　　At dusk, specifically between 5 PM and 7 PM (or 8 PM in summer), drivers who have endured a long day of travel may experience a range of fatigue symptoms, such as dry eyes, dry throat, dizziness, tinnitus, cold sweats, and yawning. If they do not stop and rest at this time, they are at risk of exhaustion, leading to poor judgment, inappropriate actions, vehicle breakdown, and a dangerous situation where accidents can easily occur.

　　5. Drivers should not drive after taking sedatives.

　　Some drivers often experience difficulty falling asleep due to changes in their living environment and frequently resort to sedatives, which actually increases the risk of accidents. Some sedatives have a long duration of action, leaving the driver feeling groggy and disoriented upon waking—a condition medically known as a "hangover." During this time, the driver's dexterity and reaction time are impaired. If a driver is in this state and encounters an unexpected emergency, they may be unable to react promptly and decisively, greatly increasing the risk of traffic accidents. Among the more than 40,000 drivers involved in accidents investigated and registered, 57 were found to have been injured or killed after taking sedatives while driving cars or motorcycles.

　　6. Fire prevention

　　Smoking is a major fire hazard. Do not litter cigarette butts and matchsticks, do not flick cigarette ash carelessly, and do not smoke in places such as gas stations and chemical plants.

　　Children should be taught that playing with fire can cause a fire, and they should not be allowed to tamper with electrical appliances to prevent short circuits and fires. Children should not play with gas switches.

　　Fireworks and firecrackers should be lit and placed safely. When children play with fireworks, an adult should be present.

　　Electrical wires should be replaced promptly when they are old. Using old wires will affect the insulation of the circuit and make it easy for short circuits to occur.

　　The fuses commonly used in household power supplies should be selected according to the capacity of the household power supply. Copper wire or iron wire should never be used as a substitute for fuses.

　　Using too many electrical appliances or overloading the electrical circuit can easily cause a fire.

　　Do not use flammable materials in interior decoration. Use electric blankets safely, but do not fold or rub them.

　　7. Correctly report fires and use fire extinguishers.

　　Anyone who discovers a fire should immediately report it to the fire department. When reporting a fire, clearly state the location and size of the fire. If you are inside the fire, choose an escape method wisely, do not be tempted by belongings, and quickly leave the fire scene.

　　Normally, reporting a fire and fighting the fire should be done simultaneously. Make sure to dial the correct fire emergency number "119". Firefighters do not charge for their services. The faster you report a fire, the less damage you will suffer. A proper fire alarm includes: clearly stating the location of the fire; describing what is on fire and its extent; providing your name, phone number, and address; and having someone at the intersection guide the fire trucks to the scene.

　　Based on their intended use, fire extinguishers are classified into three types: foam fire extinguishers, dry powder fire extinguishers, and carbon dioxide fire extinguishers. When using a fire extinguisher, follow these steps: pull out the safety pin; hold the nozzle; aim at the base of the fire; and extinguish the fire gradually, moving from closest to furthest point.

　　In the event of a fire, children should be taught several effective and simple fire escape methods, as well as how to call for help and how to report a fire.

　　8. Firefighting

　　Once a fire breaks out, especially in its initial stages, the burning area is small and the fire spreads relatively slowly.

　　If discovered promptly and extinguished properly, major losses can be avoided. 1) Wet cloth extinguishing method: If a liquefied gas cylinder catches fire and the initial fire is small, a wet towel, apron, or wet cloth can be used to directly cover the flames. 2) Salt extinguishing method: Salt, as a condiment, is an effective fire extinguishing agent. 3) Sand extinguishing method: In the event of an electrical fire in the wild, where there is no fire extinguisher and water is too dangerous, sand can be used to cover the electrical equipment to smother the fire. 4) Cup lid extinguishing method: Suitable for extinguishing fires involving alcohol gas during experiments. 5) Pot lid extinguishing method: If salt in a pot catches fire due to excessive temperature, do not panic, and never pour water on it. First, turn off the power, then quickly cover the pot with a lid to extinguish the fire.

　　9. Fire escape skills

　　While trapped in a fire and waiting for firefighters to rescue you, make use of the terrain and nearby items to take highly effective self-rescue measures to increase your chances of survival: Rope self-rescue method: Use a long and sturdy rope to climb down; suitable for residents on lower floors. Towel nose-covering method: Cover your mouth and nose with a wet towel to cool down and prevent poisoning. Blanket fire-proof method: Nail blankets or other fabrics to the door and continuously pour water on them to prevent flames and smoke from entering. Jumping from a building: Never jump from a building lightly; this method can be used by residents on lower floors as a last resort. Bathroom refuge method: Lie in a bathtub filled with water to hide, but do not hide under the bed.

　　10. What to do in case of fire

　　If a fire has just started, you can extinguish it by soaking your clothes or blankets in water and then covering the fire with them.

　　If the fire is already large, immediately dial 119 (the fire department's emergency number) and tell them the exact location of the fire.

　　If there is a fire downstairs, and there is a water tap nearby upstairs, quickly turn on the tap and let the water flood the floor, thus creating a water barrier.

　　If a fire breaks out in a neighboring building, close all adjacent doors and windows tightly and continuously pour water at the door to prevent the fire from spreading.

　　If a fire has started indoors and you cannot go downstairs, it is best to find a towel, wet it, and cover your mouth and nose to avoid suffocating from the thick smoke. You should take shelter downwind of the fire and smoke.

　　11. What to do if there is a gas leak?

　　When a gas leak occurs in residential gas supply, and the gas concentration in the air reaches 0.2%, users can detect a distinctive odor, which is when a fire is most likely to occur.

　　First, the use of electricity and fire is prohibited. Also, do not use electric fans, range hoods, or other appliances to disperse fumes.

　　The second step is to disconnect the power supply. Close the valve or report the issue to the gas company.

　　The third step is to open the windows to disperse the gas. It is best to use plywood or cardboard as a means of dispersal.

　　Finally, locate the leak. Apply soapy water to the area where a leak might occur; the area that bubbles is the leak.

　　In the event that the gas comes into contact with an open flame, the fire should be extinguished immediately using whatever materials are available. When extinguishing the fire, cover the leaking area with wet towels, wet sheets, or similar items to smother the flames. Alternatively, a 1211 fire extinguisher can be used to spray the base of the flames.

　　12. Fire safety in shopping malls and markets

　　Fire safety in large shopping malls, markets, gas stations, and rental properties will be addressed, focusing on ensuring "two unobstructed passages" and "two normal functions": unobstructed safety exits and evacuation routes, and normal operation of automatic fire alarms and fixed fire extinguishing systems. The special rectification campaign for gas stations will focus on ensuring fire safety layouts meet national standards, that fire extinguishing facilities are complete, that fire water supply is sufficient, that inspection and approval procedures are complete, and that supervision and spot checks are thorough. The fire safety rectification of small businesses ("three small" establishments) will continue. A special rectification campaign for fire truck access will be carried out in areas with a high concentration of shopping malls and markets, focusing on addressing various illegal buildings that occupy or block fire truck access routes.

　　13. Fires that cannot be extinguished with water

　　Not every fire can be extinguished with water.

　　Electrical fires: In the event of an electrical fire, the first thing to do is to cut off the power supply. Never use water to extinguish the fire, as this can easily cause electric shock. Use carbon dioxide fire extinguishers, dry powder fire extinguishers, or dry sand to extinguish electrical fires.

　　For paint or oil fires: Paint can be extinguished with foam, dry powder or sand. For oil fires, quickly pour chopped cold vegetables into the pot along the edge, or cover the pot with a lid to deprive the oil of oxygen and extinguish the fire.

　　Computer fire: First disconnect the power, then quickly cover the computer with a wet blanket or quilt. Do not pour water on the burning computer, as the sudden drop in temperature may cause the hard drive and monitor screen to explode. A carbon dioxide fire extinguisher can also be used.

　　Chemical fire: Chemicals may explode when they come into contact with water. Appropriate extinguishing agents or dry sand should be used to extinguish the fire, depending on the chemical properties of the burning material.

　　14. Harmful effects of high temperatures on the human body

　　High temperatures can easily cause fatigue, irritability, and anger, leading to an increase in various accidents and even a rise in crime rates. At the same time, periods of high temperatures are also a high-incidence period for cerebrovascular diseases, heart diseases, and respiratory diseases, with a corresponding increase in mortality rates.

　　1) Heatstroke. When the temperature exceeds a person's healthy body temperature, staying outdoors for half an hour can cause heatstroke, which poses a direct and rapid threat to human health and life. If not treated in time, it can lead to death.

　　2) It can trigger heart and brain diseases. People with pre-existing cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases, or the elderly and frail, have poor tolerance to high temperatures. Once they exceed their tolerance limit, it can lead to death. This is a very serious situation for China, which has already entered an aging society.

　　3) It can trigger summer colds and diarrhea. The body's immunity decreases in high temperatures, making it highly susceptible to upper respiratory tract infections.

　　15. Diet to prevent heatstroke

　　Salt water: Plain boiled water is the "king of all medicines". Drinking boiled water or tea with added salt can balance the osmotic pressure in the body, replenish the salt lost under high temperature, and achieve the effect of preventing heatstroke.

　　Vinegar: In summer, people drink more water, resulting in less stomach acid. Consuming a moderate amount of vinegar can increase stomach acid concentration, stimulate saliva production, improve appetite, and aid digestion. Vinegar can also enhance the antibacterial properties of the gastrointestinal tract.

　　Mung bean soup: Mung beans have the effects of relieving summer heat and replenishing qi, clearing heat and detoxifying, moisturizing the throat and quenching thirst, and promoting diuresis and reducing swelling. They can prevent heatstroke. The only drawback is that mung beans are too cooling in nature, so people with weak constitutions should not eat them.

　　Bitter melon: There is an old Chinese saying that "bitterness can clear heat" and "bitterness can strengthen the stomach".

　　Rendan (人丹): It has the functions of clearing heat and relieving summer heat, avoiding foul odors and stopping vomiting, and is a commonly used medicine for preventing heatstroke in summer. It is mainly used for symptoms such as acclimatization problems and dizziness.

　　16. Clothing for preventing heatstroke and cooling down

　　Dressing appropriately is the simplest, most convenient, and most effective way to prevent heatstroke and cool down in the current heat. Summer clothing should prioritize heat insulation and sun protection, ventilation, and heat dissipation through sweating. Measurements show that wide-brimmed plastic and straw sun hats have a thermal resistance of over 60%. Sun umbrellas or hats with strong sunlight reflectivity, such as silver-coated umbrellas or black, navy, or dark green umbrellas with an UV protection factor of 15 or higher, are the best choices. Summer clothing should be lightweight, cool, simple, practical, and aesthetically pleasing, balancing adequate coverage with appropriate exposure and ventilation. Special sleeves and trouser covers can also be used for sun protection during periods of intense sun exposure.

　　The elderly, those with weak constitutions, and young infants should especially minimize their exposure to direct sunlight and heat radiation to avoid burns and heatstroke. In addition, sandals, lightweight shoes, air-conditioned shoes with perforations, and breathable socks are popular choices for regulating body temperature and preventing heatstroke.

　　17. Four things to note when traveling in high temperatures

　　Four things to note when traveling in high temperatures:

　　1. Wear light-colored clothing as much as possible. When traveling, wear white, light-colored or plain-colored clothes and bring a sun hat. Straw hats can reflect sunlight.

　　2. Depart early, take a break at noon, and try to avoid traveling during the hottest time of day. It is best to carry out sightseeing activities after 3 or 4 pm.

　　3. Drink plenty of water, especially salt water, and carry heatstroke prevention medications with you, such as Rendan (a traditional Chinese medicine), cooling oil, Tiger Balm, medicated oil, ten drops of water, and peppermint tablets.

　　4. In case of heatstroke, move the patient to a cool, well-ventilated place to rest. Loosen the patient's clothing and apply a cold towel to the patient's head and neck. Give the patient some Ren Dan (a traditional Chinese medicine) or Shi Di Shui (another traditional Chinese medicine). If the patient faints, pinch the patient's Renzhong acupoint or prick the Shi Xuan acupoints on the tips of both index fingers, and then take the patient to the nearest hospital for treatment.

　　18. Heatstroke prevention, cooling, and nourishment

　　Methods of using traditional Chinese medicine to prevent and cool down in heat include:

　　1. Three-Bean Soup: Take 15 grams each of mung beans, red beans, and black beans, add 800 ml of water, simmer over low heat until reduced to 400 ml, add an appropriate amount of brown sugar, and drink the soup and beans at the same time. This method is effective for children's skin diseases and indigestion.

　　2. Watermelon drink for preventing heatstroke: Take an appropriate amount of watermelon rind, decoct it in water and drink it as tea.

　　3. Bitter melon tea: Take one fresh bitter melon, remove the seeds, stuff it with tea leaves, and dry it in the shade. Take 5-10 grams each time and steep it in boiling water. This method can treat heatstroke and fever.

　　4. White Chrysanthemum Drink: Steep 10 grams of white chrysanthemum in 1 kilogram of boiling water, let it cool, and then drink. This method can also treat heat rash, headache, red eyes, and high blood pressure.

　　5. Fresh lotus root soup: Cut 60 grams of fresh lotus root into thin slices, add 1.5 kg of water, simmer over low heat until reduced to 1 kg, add an appropriate amount of white sugar and drink. This can replenish the various nutrients lost through sweating in the summer heat.

　　19. Four things to avoid when fighting high temperatures

　　One thing to avoid: Swimming while sick

　　Swimming is a popular summer activity for many, but it's not suitable for everyone. Individuals with severe hypertension; those who have recently experienced angina or feel chest discomfort with slight exertion due to coronary heart disease; those with mental illness; and those with epilepsy should absolutely refrain from swimming to prevent accidents in the water.

　　Two things to avoid: Taking a cold shower after sweating profusely.

　　When you've just finished exercising in the summer, your body is still in a state of high metabolism, increased heat production, and dilated blood vessels in your skin. If you immediately take a cold shower at this time, the cold water will stimulate your skin, causing your blood vessels to constrict through a nerve reflex. This will reduce blood flow and suddenly increase the amount of blood returning to the heart, which will increase the burden on the heart. It may also trigger cramps.

　　Three things to avoid: Having an electric fan blowing directly on your body.

　　Prolonged exposure to direct airflow from an electric fan can cause a range of symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose, fatigue, headache, insomnia, shoulder pain, and loss of appetite. The correct usage is as follows: Do not use the fan for extended periods; keep the fan at a moderate speed; avoid direct airflow onto the body and keep the fan at a safe distance; do not sleep with the fan on; when the temperature is high, use only a low oscillating setting and set a timer; and avoid sitting still and being exposed to strong airflow when producing a lot of juice.

　　Four things to avoid: overindulging in frozen watermelon

　　Consuming watermelon that has been frozen for an extended period can negatively impact health. When a cut watermelon is refrigerated, a thin film forms on the surface of the flesh, allowing the flesh to absorb the cold air. When eaten, this cold stimulation can numb the periodontal nerves, making it difficult to appreciate the watermelon's sweetness and potentially harming the spleen and stomach, leading to pharyngitis. Children, with their weaker digestive systems, may experience loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea after consuming frozen watermelon.

　　20. Rescue measures for high-temperature disasters

　　Heatstroke commonly affects the following groups: workers in high-temperature environments, workers engaged in outdoor work during summer, summer tourists, the elderly, postpartum women, and infants. First aid for heatstroke is as follows:

　　1) Immediately move the patient to a well-ventilated, cool, and dry place.

　　2) Have the patient lie on their back, unbutton their clothes, and remove or loosen their clothing. At the same time, turn on an electric fan or air conditioner to dissipate heat as quickly as possible.

　　3) Cool down your body temperature as quickly as possible, bringing it down to below 38 degrees Celsius.

　　4) Conscious patients or patients who have regained consciousness after cooling down can drink mung bean soup or triple-salt water to relieve heatstroke.

　　5) You can take Rendan (a traditional Chinese medicine) and Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui (another traditional Chinese medicine). For patients with severe heatstroke, call 120 immediately for medical assistance.

　　6) For outdoor work, adjust or shorten working hours, and take effective measures to prevent heatstroke and cool down, so as to protect the health and lives of workers in high temperatures.

　　21. What to do when an earthquake strikes?

　　Currently, the accuracy and success rate of earthquake prediction are still very low. Understanding and mastering some earthquake avoidance methods and self-rescue measures can reduce casualties caused by earthquake disasters.

　　(1) Never jump off a building, so as to avoid unnecessary personal injury or disability.

　　(2) If students are in class and do not have time to rush out of the classroom, students near the inner wall should stick to the base of the wall, students in the middle of the classroom should hide under the desks, and teachers should hide under the podium.

　　(3) A moving vehicle should be stopped immediately, and the people inside the vehicle should not move around.

　　(4) If you are shopping in a store and you are near the store entrance and there are no dangerous tall buildings outside the store, you should rush out the door; if you are inside the store, you can hide next to a large pillar and do not get close to the merchandise display window.

　　(5) Workers who are working in the workshop should immediately turn off the power and hide next to the machine or the support column close to the factory building.

　　(6) If there is enough time, leave the building as quickly as possible and never take the elevator.

　　(7) If a person is walking on the bridge and does not have time to leave, he should lie down on the bridge surface with piers.

　　(8) If you are in a room and there is no time to escape, you should quickly crawl under a sturdy table or bed, or hide in a bathroom or kitchen with many support points and a small area.

　　(9) If you have a pillow, cushion or clothing, it is best to put it on your head to protect it.

　　22. First aid for electric shock victims

　　The principle of electric shock rescue is to first remove the current, and then provide medical care.

　　(1) Disconnection from the current: Based on the specific environment and circumstances at the time of electric shock, adopt safe, fast and effective methods to ensure that the patient is no longer harmed by the current and is disconnected from the current.

　　① Turn off the power switch. After turning off the power switch, open the fuse box and disconnect the circuit breaker.

　　② Disconnect the circuit. This method can be used when a switch cannot be found in the wild or other locations. It is crucial to use equipment with an insulated handle to disconnect the circuit to ensure your own safety while rescuing others.

　　③ Pry the wire away. If you touch a drooping or broken power line in the wild or elsewhere and get an electric shock, use insulated equipment to pry the wire away, taking care to ensure your own safety as the rescuer.

　　(2) Medical emergency: Check the patient's condition as soon as possible. If the heartbeat is irregular or has just stopped, perform mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration and cardiopulmonary resuscitation with chest compressions immediately on the spot.

　　23. What to do if someone is buried in a landslide?

　　The principle of landslide rescue is that if a person is buried and their life is in immediate danger, the buried person must be rescued first. However, during the rescue process, there is often a risk of "re-lands" that can harm rescuers, which requires special attention.

　　If a landslide buries a person completely, rescue efforts should be organized immediately. Once the location of the buried person is known, when approaching the injured person, care should be taken to avoid injury from digging tools; digging by hand is preferable. During the rescue, attention should be paid to the condition of nearby structures such as building frames, broken walls, and brickwork to prevent collapse during digging.

　　Upon discovering an injured person, the severity of their injuries should be assessed as quickly as possible. If the mouth and nose are blocked by mud or sand, clear it immediately. If breathing and heartbeat have just stopped, immediately perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions.

　　If a spinal fracture is discovered or suspected, movement should be carried out with extreme care to prevent spinal bending and twisting, which could worsen the injury. When moving the patient, never use a soft stretcher, and never move the patient by having one person hold their chest while another lifts their legs.

　　For open wounds with bleeding, pressure bandages can be used to stop the bleeding. If dressings are unavailable, a clean towel or shirt can be used to tightly bind the wound.

　　24. When rescuing a drowning person, pay attention to the following methods.

　　Self-rescue: Those unfamiliar with the water conditions who accidentally fall in can attempt self-rescue. First, do not panic. Stay calm and assume a supine position, with your face upwards so your mouth and nose are above water, allowing you to breathe. Exhale shallowly and inhale deeply; this will help you stay afloat until rescue. Do not raise your hands or struggle, as this will only accelerate your sinking.

　　If a swimmer is drowning due to calf muscle cramps, they should remain calm and call for help immediately. They should fully flex and extend their toes and float on their back. If the wrist muscles cramp, they should flex and extend their fingers and swim on their back using both feet.

　　The rescuer should remove their outer clothing as quickly as possible, especially their shoes, and swim quickly to the vicinity of the drowning person. Observe their position and approach from behind to provide rescue.

　　If the rescuer is not a strong swimmer, it is best to carry lifesaving equipment such as life rings, planks, ropes, or a small boat for the rescue. Ropes, bamboo poles, planks, or life rings can also be thrown down for the drowning person to grab onto.

　　When conducting a water rescue, rescuers should be careful not to be tightly clung to or entangled by the drowning person, as this could endanger themselves. If grabbed, rescuers should let go and sink to allow the drowning person to move away before attempting a rescue. If the drowning person is tightly gripping the rescuer's hands, the rescuer should first try to slip their hands off before attempting a rescue.

　　After rescuing the person ashore, the first step is to clear their airway, as the mouth and nose of a drowning person are often blocked by mud, weeds, vomit, etc. If there are any dentures, they should also be removed to prevent them from falling into the trachea. Tight underwear, bras, belts, etc. should be loosened or removed, and then the water should be drained.

　　The so-called "water draining" method, also known as "draining water," utilizes the drowning victim's head-down, feet-up position to expel water from their body. The simplest method is for the rescuer to kneel on one knee, bend the other knee, place the drowning victim's abdomen on their knee, causing their head to droop, and then press on their abdomen and back. Alternatively, a natural slope can be used, placing the head at the lower end of the slope. Small wooden stools, large stones, or inverted iron pots can also be used as supports to drain water.

　　Methods such as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions can also be used to rescue drowning victims.

　　25. What to do in case of a flood?

In the event of a sudden flood that threatens your home, immediately turn off the main power switch and gas valve to prevent fire and electric shock. If the floodwaters continue to rise, you should prepare supplies such as drinking water, food, warm clothing, simple cooking utensils, lighters, and matches.

　　26. Traditional Chinese Medicine Disease Knowledge: Bad Breath Can Indicate Various Diseases

　　Traditional Chinese medicine believes that bad breath can indicate various health problems. You might as well check your own bad breath to see if you can identify any health issues.

　　Halitosis: People suffering from periodontal disease, tooth decay, oral ulcers, and other similar conditions often have an unpleasant odor in their mouths. In addition, inflammatory lesions or purulent secretions in the nasopharynx and nasal cavity can also cause halitosis. Halitosis is also related to digestive dysfunction.

　　A burning sensation in the mouth is often caused by lung heat or stomach fire. It can also occur in patients with lobar pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, abscesses, hypertension, menopausal syndrome, and chronic low-grade fever.

　　A sour taste in the mouth: "A sour taste in the mouth is caused by liver heat," according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. A sour taste in the mouth reflects "weak spleen and stomach qi," and is often seen in gastritis and peptic ulcers. Some people with gastrointestinal abnormalities also experience a sour taste in their mouth due to excessive stomach acid secretion.

　　Bitter taste in the mouth: This is mostly due to heat syndrome of the liver and gallbladder and heat syndrome of the stomach and intestines. This symptom is often related to abnormal bile excretion and is often seen in the acute phase of various inflammations.

　　A sweet taste in the mouth: Digestive system dysfunction can lead to abnormal secretion of various enzymes, resulting in an increased content of amylase in saliva, which stimulates the taste buds on the tongue and produces a sweet sensation. This symptom is generally considered to be more common in diabetic patients.