A bath with a small amount of bleach added to the water may help lessen symptoms of chronic eczema (atopic dermatitis).

Eczema is an itchy skin condition, often worsened by a bacterial infection. An eczema bleach bath can kill bacteria on the skin, reducing itching, redness and scaling. This is most effective when combined with other eczema treatments, such as medication and moisturizer.

If properly diluted and used as directed, a bleach bath is safe for children and adults. For best results:

• Add 1/4 cup (about 59 milliliters) to 1/2 cup (about 118 milliliters) of bleach to a 40-gallon (about 151-liter) bathtub filled with warm water. Measures are for a U.S. standard-sized tub filled to the overflow drainage holes. Use household bleach and read the product label. In the United States, bleach products may contain 6 percent to 8.25 percent sodium hypochlorite, the Environmental Protection Agency says. If the concentration of sodium hypochlorite is at the higher end of that range, use less than a 1/2 cup of bleach.
• Soak from the neck down or just the affected areas of skin for about 10 minutes.
• Rinse if your skin doesn't tolerate the bleach bath well. Gently pat dry with a towel.
• Immediately apply moisturizer generously.
• Take a bleach bath no more than three times a week.

You may experience dry skin if you use too much bleach or take bleach baths too often. If your skin is cracked or very dry, any bath — including a bleach bath — may be painful. Talk to your doctor before trying an eczema bleach bath.

Chicken eggs are an affordable source of protein and other nutrients. They're also naturally high in cholesterol. But the cholesterol in eggs doesn't seem to raise cholesterol levels the way other cholesterol-containing foods do, such as trans fats and saturated fats.

Although some studies have found a link between eating eggs and heart disease, there may be other reasons for these findings. The foods people typically eat with eggs, such as bacon, sausage and ham, may do more to boost heart disease risk than eggs do. Plus, the way eggs and other foods are cooked — especially if fried in oil or butter — may play more of a role in the increased risk of heart disease than eggs themselves do.

Most healthy people can eat up to seven eggs a week without increasing their risk of heart disease. Some studies have shown that this level of egg consumption may even help prevent certain types of stroke and a serious eye condition called macular degeneration that can lead to blindness.

But if you have diabetes, some research suggests that eating seven eggs a week increases heart disease risk. However, other research failed to find the same connection. Still other research suggests that eating eggs may increase the risk of developing diabetes in the first place. More research is needed to figure out the exact link between eggs, diabetes and heart disease.

Health experts now suggest eating as little dietary cholesterol as you can, aiming to keep intake under 300 milligrams (mg) a day. One large egg has about 186 mg of cholesterol — all of which is found in the yolk.

If you like eggs but don't want the cholesterol, use only the egg whites. Egg whites contain no cholesterol but still contain protein. You may also use cholesterol-free egg substitutes, which are made with egg whites.

Ejection fraction is a measurement of the percentage of blood leaving your heart each time it contracts.

The heart contracts and relaxes. When your heart contracts, it ejects blood from the two pumping chambers (ventricles). When your heart relaxes, the ventricles refill with blood. No matter how forceful the contraction, the heart can never pump all blood out of a ventricle. The term "ejection fraction" refers to the percentage of blood that's pumped out of a filled ventricle with each heartbeat.

The ejection fraction is usually measured only in the left ventricle (LV). The left ventricle is the heart's main pumping chamber. It pumps oxygen-rich blood up into the upward (ascending) aorta to the rest of the body.

• An LV ejection fraction of 55 percent or higher is considered normal.
• An LV ejection fraction of 50 percent or lower is considered reduced.
• An LV ejection fraction between 50 and 55 percent is usually considered "borderline."

Ejection fraction is just one of many tests your doctor may use to determine how your heart works. But even with a normal ejection fraction, your overall heart function may not be normal. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about your heart.

Some things that may cause a reduced ejection fraction are:

• Weakness of the heart muscle, such as cardiomyopathy
• Heart attack that damaged the heart muscle
• Heart valve problems
• Long-term, uncontrolled high blood pressure

Ejection fraction can be measured with imaging techniques, including:

• Echocardiogram. This is the most common test used to measure ejection fraction. During an echocardiogram, sound waves are used to produce images of your heart and the blood pumping through your heart.
• Cardiac catheterization. During cardiac catheterization, a thin, plastic tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery in your arm or leg and then gently guided to your heart. Images taken during catheterization can measure the ejection fraction of your heart.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI uses magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of specific parts of your body. When an MRI is used to study the heart, it's known as a cardiovascular MRI.
• Computerized tomography (CT). During a CT scan, a special X-ray technique is used to create cross-sectional images of specific parts of your body. When a CT scan is used to study the heart, it's known as a cardiac CT.
• Nuclear medicine scan. During a nuclear scan, trace amounts of radioactive material are injected into your bloodstream. Special cameras then detect the radioactive material in your blood as it flows through your heart and lungs.

Elder care (adult care) can provide an opportunity for your loved one with Alzheimer's to receive assistance and therapeutic activities in a group setting.

Being a full-time caregiver can be tiring and time-consuming. Elder care can provide you with a temporary break to relax, to get errands done or to complete housework. Also, elder care may be an option for your loved one if you work full time during the day.

In the U.S. you can locate elder care services available in your area by using the Department of Health and Human Services' Eldercare Locator website. This website provides contact information for your state or local area agency on aging (AAA). The AAA will connect you with someone who will help guide you to specific elder care service providers.

Determine your needs

When considering elder care providers, evaluate the services your loved one may need, including:

• Socialization
• Supervision
• Behavior management, such as needing to be watched so that he or she doesn't wander off
• Counseling
• Activities, such as art, music, recreation or support groups
• Exercise
• Physical, occupational or speech therapy
• Medical care
• Medication management
• Meals and nutrition
• Personal care, such as bathing and eating
• Special needs, such as needing wheelchair access

If you're choosing among more than one provider, some additional considerations are:

• Location. How convenient is it?
• Hours. What are drop-off and pickup times? Does your loved one need to attend a minimum number of hours or days a week? Does the provider need notice if your loved one will not be attending one day?
• Costs. Often, costs are out-of-pocket, but some long-term care insurance plans may cover this type of care. Some providers offer options, such as allowing you to pay a certain amount depending on your income. Ask your provider about all fees involved in elder care. Costs may vary depending on the services available and the provider's location.
• Services and programs. What services and programs are offered?
• Group activities. Are people with Alzheimer's in a separate group from other people or are they included in group activities?
• Your loved one's needs. How does the provider determine your loved one's needs?
• Staff. Is the staff trained in working with people with Alzheimer's disease? What health care professionals are on staff? How does the provider screen staff? What are the provider's staffing ratios?
• Safety. How does this provider ensure the safety of every person?
• Emergencies. How does this provider deal with emergency situations?
• Transportation. Does the provider have transportation available for people who may need it?

Ensuring quality care

Entrusting your loved one to someone else's care can be difficult. When you're choosing a center, here are some suggestions to consider to ensure that your loved one will get quality care:

• Ask for references. Ask other caregivers about their experiences. Ask your physician for recommendations of providers that other patients have endorsed. Ask for references and talk to a few people who have used the provider.
• Do some research. Ask the AAA representative or a local senior center whether they have any specific information on the facility you're considering.
• Ask questions. On a first visit to a potential facility, walk through and ask several questions, including questions about available services, the center's certification and licenses, and staff training. The National Adult Day Services Association has a site-visit question checklist you can print and take with you.
• Try it out. When you think you have decided on a center, try it out. Be aware that it may take some time for your loved one to feel comfortable in the new surroundings.

It's possible to brush your teeth effectively with a manual toothbrush. However, an electric toothbrush can be a great alternative to a manual toothbrush, especially if you have arthritis or other conditions that make it difficult to brush well. An electric toothbrush's bristle movement might even help you remove more plaque from your teeth and improve your gum health.

If you use an electric toothbrush, make sure it's comfortable to hold and easy to use. Your dentist might suggest a model with a rotating-oscillating head or a head that uses ultrasonic pulses to move the bristles. Other features, such as adjustable power levels, timers and rechargeable batteries, are optional. Follow the manufacturer's instructions about when to replace the head to ensure the toothbrush continues working effectively.

Whether you choose an electric toothbrush or a manual toothbrush, remember that what's most important is daily brushing and flossing.

You can get an effective aerobic workout with both an elliptical machine and a treadmill. In general, you can let your fitness goals and personal preferences determine whether you choose an elliptical machine, a treadmill or a different piece of exercise equipment.

However, elliptical machines might offer some advantages over treadmills. For example:

• Using an elliptical machine can be less stressful on your knees, hips and back than is running on a treadmill. Walking on a treadmill, however, exerts about the same force as using an elliptical machine.
• Unlike treadmills, some elliptical machines are equipped with movable upper body handles or poles, similar to ski poles. These allow you to exercise both your arms and your legs.
• Most elliptical machines can be pedaled in reverse, which allows you to work your calf and hamstring muscles a bit more than does forward motion.

Using an elliptical machine is generally considered a low-impact activity, and it shouldn't cause knee pain if you are using it correctly. Since elliptical machines provide low-impact aerobic activity, they can be a good alternative to running or jogging for someone who has joint pain due to arthritis. Talk to your doctor about what exercise is right for you if you have any injuries or health concerns.

And what if you're training for a 5K run or other road race? A treadmill is probably a better tool to prepare you for running events. But even if running is your main aerobic fitness activity, cross-training with an elliptical machine or other low-impact exercise equipment can help keep you fresh and prevent overload injuries, including stress fractures.

If you use an elliptical machine, remember to maintain good posture to help ensure the most effective workout. Keep your shoulders back, your head up and your abdominal muscles tight. Look forward, not down at your feet. And don't lean on the handles — let your lower body support your weight.

There is no cure for multiple sclerosis (MS), but there has been much progress in developing new drugs to treat it. Research is ongoing to develop new and better disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for this disease of the central nervous system.

DMTs are designed to reduce the frequency and severity of MS attacks. DMTs also minimize the neurological damage these MS attacks cause. The majority of DMTs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since the early 1990s are effective at helping to manage relapsing-remitting MS, which affects between 85 and 90 percent of people diagnosed with this disease.

After several years, most cases of relapsing-remitting MS convert to a gradually progressive form of the disease, known as secondary-progressive MS. Currently available DMTs have little impact on this phase of MS, so it's best to develop a treatment regimen during the earlier relapsing-remitting phase.

About 10 percent of people with multiple sclerosis are diagnosed with a progressive form (primary-progressive MS) at the onset of the disease.

New therapies are emerging

The recently FDA-approved drug ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) reduces relapse rate and risk of disability progression in relapsing-remitting MS. It's also the first DMT to slow the progression of the primary-progressive form of MS.

Researchers are learning more about how existing DMTs work to lessen relapses and reduce MS-related lesions in the brain. Further studies will determine whether these mechanisms can potentially delay disability caused by the disease.

Stem cell transplantation also is being evaluated as a treatment for MS. Researchers are exploring whether destroying the immune system and then replacing it with transplanted stem cells can "reset" the immune system in people with MS.

More research is needed

Further study can help to better show how these new therapies work and how best to use them as part of a holistic treatment strategy. Although initial research shows promise, the benefits, side effects and long-term safety of these new drugs will become clear with more research.

It sounds like your mother jumped to the wrong conclusion. Although ovarian cancer occurs at higher rates in women with endometriosis, the overall lifetime risk is low to begin with. Some studies suggest that endometriosis increases that risk, but it's still relatively low.

Although rare, another type of cancer — endometriosis-associated adenocarcinoma — can develop later in life in women who have had endometriosis.

Endometriosis isn't a reason to have a hysterectomy unless you have significant symptoms that are unresponsive to less invasive therapies, and the uterus itself is causing pain or bleeding problems. But endometriosis can be painful in premenopausal women and should be treated.

Depending on the severity of your endometriosis, treatment options may include:

• Hormonal therapies, such as birth control pills, which help control the hormones that cause a buildup of endometrial tissue — and birth control pills are associated with a decrease in ovarian cancer risk.
• Conservative surgery to remove endometrial growths without removing your reproductive organs — with laparoscopic surgery in most cases, or traditional abdominal surgery in more-severe cases.

If you're worried about how endometriosis might affect your fertility, that's a different matter. Endometriosis does cause fertility problems for some women.

Normal conception, pregnancy and delivery are possible after conservative endometriosis treatment. But if you're having trouble conceiving, you may need to see a fertility specialist to explore your options for becoming pregnant.

Most energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine, which can provide a temporary energy boost. Some energy drinks contain sugar and other substances. The boost is short-lived, however, and may be accompanied by other problems.

For example, energy drinks that contain sugar may contribute to weight gain — and too much caffeine, or caffeine-like substances, can lead to:

• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Rapid heartbeat
• Increased blood pressure

Mixing energy drinks with alcohol may be even more problematic. Energy drinks can blunt the feeling of intoxication, which may lead to heavier drinking and alcohol-related injuries.

For most people, occasional energy drinks are fine, but the amount of caffeine can vary from product to product. Try to limit yourself to no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day from all sources.

Energy drinks are not recommended for children and adolescents. Pregnant women and women who are breast-feeding may want to avoid or limit consumption of these beverages. If you have an underlying condition such as heart disease or high blood pressure, ask your doctor if energy drinks may cause complications.

If you're consistently fatigued or run-down, consider healthier ways to boost your energy. Get adequate sleep, include physical activity in your daily routine, and eat a healthy diet. If these strategies don't seem to help, consult your doctor. Sometimes fatigue is a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as hypothyroidism or anemia.

The risk of an enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), increases with age. By age 60, half of men will have BPH. And, yes, making some healthy changes to your diet and exercise habits may help you manage BPH symptoms such as increased urinary frequency and urgency.

Studies suggest that the following factors may lessen BPH symptoms in men:

• A low-fat diet
• Four or more servings of vegetables a day
• A high level of physical activity and no "belly fat"

Looking at diet specifically, the following nutrients appear helpful:

• Vitamin C. Vegetables highest in vitamin C include bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, snow or snap peas, cauliflower, kale, and tomato or vegetable juices.
• Zinc. Foods higher in zinc include oysters, crab, baked beans, duck, lamb and beef (lean).

Interestingly, there's little evidence that supplements are useful for BPH.

And the role of total protein is unclear. Some studies have demonstrated an increased risk in men who ate red meat every day compared with men who only ate it once a week, but other studies found a decreased risk in men with a high total protein intake.

Take note: Healthy habits such as regular exercise, watching your waistline, eating your vegetables and limiting dietary fat may help with BPH as well as lower your risk of erectile dysfunction, diabetes and heart disease.