Q: This is of great importance in patients with sickle cell anemia. They are highly susceptible to viral and bacterial infections due to the loss of spleen function that often occurs in early childhood; therefore, in addition to prophylactic antibiotics in childhood, immunization against some diseases are also key. These include the standard childhood vaccinations, as well as immunizations against influenza, bacterial meningitis and certain types of pneumonia. There is less oxygen at higher altitudes, which can quickly trigger a sickle cell crisis if your body isn't used to such conditions. As such, be cautious if traveling to high-altitude areas (mountainous regions) and consider using supplemental oxygen if you do go. Consult with your doctor before any trips to high-altitude areas and balance the benefits against the health risks. Only fly on airplanes with pressurized cabins (which includes all commercial flights on larger planes) and avoid flying in smaller, unpressurized aircrafts at high altitudes. It's important to keep your blood volume up, especially if you have sickle cell anemia. Low blood volume (common with dehydration) makes the blood thicker and more likely to stick or clump together and can trigger a sickle cell crisis. Prevent dehydration by drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses (about 2 liters) of purified water per day. Avoid drinking liquids with caffeine, which acts as a diuretic (makes you urinate more frequently) and can reduce blood volume. Caffeine is found in coffee, black tea, chocolate, most soda pop, and virtually all energy drinks. Increase the amount of fluids you drink per day if you exercise a fair bit or spend time in a hotter climate. Another possible trigger for a sickle cell crisis is temperature extremes either getting too hot or too cold. Getting too hot increases sweating and can lead to dehydration and low blood volume. Getting too cold causes blood vessels to constrict (get smaller), which hampers blood circulation. Stick to places and vehicles with air conditioning if you find yourself in a hot and/or humid environment. Wear clothes made of natural fibers (cotton) that can breath. Keep yourself warm in cold climates by wearing layers of insulated clothing, such as wool. Keeping your hands warm by wearing gloves is especially important for people with sickle cell anemia. Heavy-duty physical demands on your body increase its need for oxygen, which can trigger a sickle cell crisis because there's not enough hemoglobin to carry the oxygen to needy cells. Wile some regular exercise is good for health and circulation, avoid the strenuous stuff, such as long-distance jogging, cycling and swimming. Instead, focus on low-impact exercises such as walking, light aerobics, yoga and non-strenuous yard work. Lifting light-to-medium weights is okay to build and maintain muscle, but heavy lifting is not recommended for people with sickle cell anemia.
A: Focus on infection prevention. Avoid high altitudes if your body isn't used to it. Keep well-hydrated. Don't get too hot or too cold. Avoid excessive exercise.

Q: Set up a routine for feeding your guinea pig. Try to feed them at the same times in the day. Also, try to feed them in a place they feel safe, such as their cage or play area. A consistent schedule will mean that your guinea pig begins to associate you with food; this is key to forming a bond with your guinea pig. Remember that whoever feeds the guinea pig will likely be the person they bond with first. If multiple people are going to oversee feeding, give them an assigned time. You can feed them in the morning, and your daughter in the evening. Or feed the guinea pig together so it gets used to both of you. The goal of using snacks is to have the guinea pig associate you with food. This is a positive association that will help the guinea pig to feel comfortable around you. At first, just place the treats in the cage. Then after a few days, hold it in your hand and see if the guinea pig will come closer to you. If they won't come all the way, toss the food gently in their direction. Have the guinea come closer each time you offer snacks. Eventually, it will begin to take it out of your hand and will begin to feel less nervous around you. Make sure you are talking in a calm yet happy voice as you feed them. Grass, vegetables, and some fruit are all tasty treats for your guinea pig. Try foods such as cucumber, carrots, banana slices, romaine lettuce, and seedless apples. Pet stores also sell treats marketed for guinea pigs and other small animals. Make sure you read the labels first; some have a lot of high fructose corn syrup and are full of empty calories. Give all treats in moderation. Too much sugar, empty calories, or just overfeeding can cause your guinea pig to become obese. This can have serious health complications for your pet and may shorten its lifespan.
A: Be consistent about your guinea pig's feeding schedule. Use hand feeding to develop a sense of trust. Treat your guinea pigs to healthy snacks.

Q: Ice is only really effective for the first 48 hours. After icing the hickey for 48 hours, you'll want to switch to a warm compress for the remainder of your treatment regimen. Ice heals the broken blood vessels, but heat will help increase blood flow to the area. This will facilitate healing and the reabsorption of blood. Use a hot water bottle or a microwavable heating pad. Do not apply heat therapy for longer than 20 minutes at a time. Don't use heat therapy if you have diabetes or poor circulation. In addition to applying a warm compress, massaging a bruise like a hickey can help facilitate blood flow to the site of the injury. Common methods of massaging a hickey include rubbing it with your hands or applying pressure using: a toothbrush with stiff bristles a pen cap the cap from a tube of chapstick Icing, heating, and massaging the skin will all help the bruise heal, but you may want to treat the skin in order to make the physical mark disappear more quickly. No skin treatment will provide instant results, but will help speed up the healing process. Common skin treatments include: aloe vera Arnica salve Preparation H taking vitamins C, E, and K supplements taking bilberry extract taking bromelain
A: Switch to a warm compress. Massage the bruise. Treat the skin.

Q: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart in front of the tee. Grip the club just above its head. Hold the club out in front of you in the starting position. Your grip doesn't need to be perfect. As you swing the club, listen for the sound the club makes as you move it through the air. You should hear a whooshing sound. If you don't hear a whooshing sound, then you are not swinging the club fast enough. See if the loudest part of the whooshing sound is happening before you hit the ball or as you hit the ball. Ideally, you should hear the loudest part of the sound at the bottom of the swing, where your club makes contact with the ball. If you hear the loudest part of the sound before you hit the ball, then that means you are throwing away your speed too early. Keeping swinging until you hear the loudest part of the sound at the bottom of the swing. If you keep hearing the loudest part of the sound before you hit the ball, then your wrists may not be bent properly. Make sure your wrists are bent properly to get the maximum leverage and speed.
A:
Hold a club upside down. Swing the club back and forth as if you are hitting the ball. Locate the loudest part of the whooshing sound. Practice swinging your club until the timing is right.