(HealthDay News) — Urinary tract infections are very uncomfortable, and can lead to serious health problems if not treated promptly with antibiotics.

The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse says here’s how you can help prevent urinary tract infections:

* Drink plenty of water each day.
* Don’t let your bladder get too full or wait too long urinate.
* Take showers instead of baths.
* Wash genitals before and after intercourse.
* Women should not use douches or feminine sprays that could irritate the urethra.
* When women use the toilet, wipe from front to back to prevent spreading bacteria from the rectum. Read more » »

Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord. The illness is usually caused either by bacteria or a virus.

While some people who recover from meningitis don’t have any aftereffects, others have residual effects long after the main illness subsides.

Here is a list of common after effects of meningitis, courtesy of the Meningitis Research Foundation:

* Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and problems retaining information.
* Clumsiness and other problems with coordination.
* Frequent headaches. Read more » »

(HealthDay News) — Dust mites are tiny bugs that live in bed linens, carpets, pillows and other warm areas where dust may gather. The waste from dust mites can cause allergy and asthma symptoms to flare.

To help rid your home of dust mites, the American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions:

* Cover your mattress and pillows with an airtight cover made of plastic or polyurethane.
* Wash sheets and pillows each week in very hot water.
* If possible, bedroom floors should be hardwood or linoleum, rather than carpet.
* Vacuum carpets and furniture every week. Read more » »

(HealthDay News) — While many people get enough vitamins from a healthy and balanced diet, others should take a multivitamin supplement to help maintain a healthy body.

Children and pregnant women need more vitamins than the average person, and may be prescribed a multivitamin by their doctors, says the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM).

Other candidates for a multivitamin include people whose illness prevents them from absorbing enough vitamins from food, or people who don’t or can’t eat enough vitamin-rich foods. Read more » »

(HealthDay News) — Recreational water illness (RWI) is contracted by breathing, swallowing or having contact with water that has been contaminated with germs. The most common RWIs may cause diarrhea, skin, eye, ear and gastrointestinal illnesses.

Here are suggestions on how to prevent and avoid RWIs, courtesy of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

* Don’t swim when you have diarrhea, and don’t allow children in diapers to swim when they have diarrhea.
* Practice good hygiene before swimming. Shower before entering the water, make sure children are properly washed, and always wash hands after using the bathroom.
* Make sure your child leaves the water and uses the bathroom frequently. Read more » »

All toys, no matter how safe, may not be appropriate for children of all ages. Other toys may have moving parts or sharp edges that make them inappropriate for children of any age.

Here are suggestions on how to choose safe toys for your child, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* Don’t give your child toys with small parts that can be easily removed or broken.
* Follow safety information and age guidelines listed on toys.
* Look for toys that say “non-toxic,” or “washable/hygienic materials” on stuffed animals that can be washed.
* Make sure your child only has access to toys that are appropriate for her age. Read more » »

Plenty of sleep is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. But most people have sleep problems at some point in their lives.

Here are common causes of insomnia, courtesy of the National Sleep Foundation:

* Stress, depression or problems in work or personal life.
* Drinking alcohol or caffeine late in the day.
* Exercising too close to bedtime.
* A distracting sleep environment — one that’s too bright, loud, or caused by sleeping near another person.
* Physical conditions, such as arthritis, backache or pregnancy. Read more » »