MORE THAN HALF OF AMERICAN WOMEN REPORT PROBLEMS WITH INSOMNIA. Here’s why: They drink too much coffee during the day and too close to bedtime. They have unresolved worries and anxieties. They exercise within three hours of bedtime. They don’t wake up and go to sleep at the same time every day and night.

Sleep Disorders Center at Baylor Regional Medical Center, Grapevine, TX.

TO STRETCH YOUR GROCERY DOLLARS: Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season and buy in bulk instead of one at a time. Try generic or store brands. Buy chicken with the bone and skin on, then debone it and remove the skin before or after cooking. Stick with plain brown rice instead of boxed white rice mixes. Buy large containers of oatmeal instead of individual instant packets. Stock up on nonperishables when they’re on sale.

University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor.

IF YOU HAVE NUMBNESS, BURNING PAIN, OR A TINGLING SENSATION in your hand or wrist that seems to increase at night, you may have carpal tunnel syndrome. Causes include repetitive motions, forcefully grasping with the hands, and bending the wrist. It’s important to seek medical advice when you first notice persistent symptoms; generally the earlier you are diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome.

American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Rolling Meadows, IL.

IF YOU FIND YOUR SENSE OF SMELL IS WANING, see your doctor. The possible causes range from taking common medications such as beta blockers, to exposure to toxic chemicals, to rare genetic disorders. More than 90 percent of Alzheimer’s patients have some loss of smell, and it’s often one of the first signs of the disease. Roughly half of everyone older than 60 can’t smell like they once could.

Harvard Health Letter, 10 Shattuck St., Boston, MA 02115, monthly, $32/yr.

ALLERGIES TO NICKEL JEWELRY CAN CAUSE SKIN IRRITATIONS and itchy rashes. Any metal that looks silverish but isn’t sterling silver or platinum contains some nickel. To treat the allergy, avoid contact with items that contain nickel, including jewelry, jean fasteners, and metal belt buckles. If something you’re wearing causes the irritation, simply not wearing it should eliminate the problem.

Baylor Medical Center, Garland, TX.

BUYING CHICKEN THESE DAYS IS COMPLICATED. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “100 percent natural” means the poultry doesn’t contain artificial ingredients or preservatives. “Organic” chicken can’t contain artificial ingredients, hormones, or antibiotics. “Grain fed” means the chicken wasn’t fed animal byproducts.

Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX.

KNOWING HOW TO APPLY AND REMOVE EYE MAKEUP PROPERLY can protect your vision. Such makeup should be thrown away three months after you purchase it, or immediately if you develop an eye infection when using it. At night, remove all eye makeup, especially mascara that can stick to the lashes. Use a clean cotton swab to brush along the base of the eyelashes to remove all the debris.

American Academy of Ophthalmology, San Francisco, CA.

IF YOU CONSUME ENERGY DRINKS—beverages that contain high amounts of caffeine—take these precautions: Don’t drink them while exercising—doing so can lead to dehydration. Don’t mix these drinks with alcohol—doing so can mask your intoxication and can be extremely dehydrating. Avoid them if you have diabetes or high blood pressure because they contain large amounts of sugar and sodium.

Baylor Regional Medical Center, Grapevine, TX.

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