Q&A of the week

• rcampbell37 asked in the Cars category:
  
  
  • When connecting a battery, which cable do I connect first?
    
    
• louiecski answered:
  

  • Positive first, THEN negative. When you do the opposite, what you've done is ground the battery to the car, so accidentally touching the car with your wrench while hooking up the positive will short the battery (SPARKS! Shocks!). Always positive first. If connecting jumper cables, put the negative clamp onto a metal part of the engine - the engine mounts are good for this if you can reach one of them.

Q&A of the week

• magan2006 asked in the Pregnancy category:
  
  
  • Why can't you use Vicks vapor rub while pregnant?
    
    
• alithemklady answered:
  

  • I have heard that it's fine. I have the flu. I have not been rubbing it on myself, but using it in the vaporizer.

    My doctor said that it was fine. And I double checked with the pharmacist. :)

Q&A of the week

• Anonymous asked in the Colds & Flu category:
  
  
  • I have a 5 year old girl that every time the cold season comes she gets a chronic cough. I've been to the pulmonologist 3 times. They did a blood test, sweat test, and allergy test; all were negative. I want to know if there are any home remedy treatments or cough medicine I should give her. P.S. She has a humidifier in her room every day. Plus, I give her a steam bath all the time.
    
    
• Anonymous answered:
  

  • You seem to have done all the right things. There is an herbal remedy called Echinachea for children. This helps during the winter months for those who are prone to colds and coughs. Steam inhalation is good. If you have central heating try and crack a window or make sure you humidify. Hope this helps a bit.

Q&A of the week

• Anonymous asked in the Dental Health category:
  
  
  • Any ideas on how to keep your gums from bleeding when brushing teeth? I already use a soft toothbrush and when I spit it is bloody.
    
    
• Anonymous answered:
  

  • Actually bleeding gums could be a sign of disease like gingivitis. Get a toothpaste that aids in preventing this or go to your dentist. Also, flossing helps to toughen up gums. That's how the dentist usually knows if you're flossing or not. If you bleed you don't floss!

Q&A of the week

• Anonymous asked in the Caregiving category:
  
  
  • My parents will shortly be facing the issue of not being able to handle their own finances and care. My sister is suggesting that we give her new husband (who is an accountant) power of attorney. I think it should be split between the three siblings. Can anyone tell me how this would be done?
    
    
• Anonymous answered:
  

  • Almost anyone who knows how to be careful with money can handle finances. Give him POA for financial, medical and Medicare/Social Security purposes if he is willing but set up an oversight procedure so you and your siblings can be kept informed on a periodic basis that minimizes extra work by the POA person. The POA person should not mind at all if everything is kept above board and if he objects, that is an early indicator that things should be done differently.

    Your parents should set up living wills if they don't already have them so there is no question regarding their wishes.

Q&A of the week

• italia06 asked in the Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat category:
  
  
  • What is pink eye?
    
    
• buffaroozi answered:
  

  • Conjunctivitis. It's an eye infection.

• italia06 answered:
  

  • How long is it contagious for after you get it? Someone in my family has it and I don't want my son to catch it, as he is only 15 months old. Any precautions?

• dmdiver answered:
  

  • Wash your hands frequently and don't touch your eyes or anyone else's. It will be harder for a toddler to do that, since they touch all sorts of things and rub their eyes. Pink eye is spread so easily. That's why a lot of day care centers and schools won't let kids come to school with it. Check with your pediatrician as well.

Q&A of the week

• AnnaKatesMom asked in the Pregnancy category:
  
  
  • I just started my 2 week old on formula and sometimes after she eats it's like she spits up the whole bottle. Is this normal?
    
    
• melissajstp answered:
  

  • You can get fomula that is specially made for babies the regurgitate more than normal, or you could switch to a soy formula.

• acmb26 answered:
  

  • This happened with both my children and I had to put them on soy milk. Check with your doctor. She might be allergic to the milk formula.