Dear Doctors: I am 72 years old and in good health. Last fall, I got weak and shaky while working in my yard. It was a hot day, so my son insisted on calling 911. They said it was heat exhaustion, and I got treated on the spot. How is heat exhaustion different from heat stroke?
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’ve been looking for a fresh start for a few years.
• Have you ever thought about how unclean the inside of your car really is? Many of us rarely clean the interior thoroughly, even though our car is a second home. Some independent studies have shown that cars can harbor mold, mildew, bacteria and high levels of unhealthy volatile organic compounds (mostly due to those artificial car fresheners dangling from the rearview mirror). To detox your car, mix a 50/50 solution of rubbing alcohol and water and wipe all of the surfaces down with a microfiber towel. Then ditch the air fresheners altogether!
DEAR HARRIETTE: I work in a supporting role in the entertainment industry. With the work I do and the reputation my company has in this industry, I have met a lot of celebrities and high-profile individuals. A friend of mine is currently looking for new job opportunities and shared what her ultimate dream job would be – it happens to be with a brand I’ll be working with in the next few weeks. She asked if I could share their contact information with her, but I’m not comfortable with that. I do not want to ruffle feathers or compromise my own position, but in the same breath, I want to be a resource for qualified friends in need. While I have been in touch with individuals at this brand, we have not built a close enough rapport for me to refer a friend or make a direct connection.
• When storing leftovers in the refrigerator, it’s imperative to cover the food to keep it fresh. But did you know covering your food also helps save energy? The compressor inside your refrigerator is what keeps the air inside cool. Moist air is harder to keep cool, so uncovered food, which emits moisture, causes the compressor to work harder, using more energy. Investing in reusable silicone covers or foil to cover food is a simple and easy way to keep moisture out of the air and help save energy and money.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My brother and his wife are separated, and things have gotten messy. Because it seems that they have come to a standstill, now his wife’s family has started reaching out to extended family members – including me – to encourage us to try to get them back together. I don’t want to get involved.
Dear Doctors: I twisted my ankle playing soccer, and the coach said it’s sprained. I got it taped and sat out for a few days. It felt better, so I asked to play, but he said no, it still needed time to heal. What happens if I go back too soon?
DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband wants to have a baby; I do not. Now, you’re probably thinking that we should’ve discussed this before we got married, but I don’t think either of us had a hard stance on the subject back then. My husband has two beautiful stepdaughters from a previous relationship, and when he and I were dating, I spent a lot of time getting to know them.
• Lots of retailers now have convenient recycling bins for plastic shopping bags to be recycled. What many people don’t realize is this: You don’t have to bring back the specific retailer’s bags to recycle; you can bring back any store’s bags and deposit them in the bins.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My sister “Ruth” and I were both supposed to help a friend settle into her new home, but Ruth backed out after getting a lastminute invite to brunch. Our plans to help our friend had been scheduled long in advance. Ruth’s SUV was packed with furniture and other items that we were expected to bring over, so she asked if she could borrow my car and meet me at our friend’s place later. I agreed reluctantly and drove Ruth’s car over with all of our friend’s belongings.