HealthyLife Articles

Author: AIPM

  • Kids, Puberty & Sports

    BE FIT

    Adult and teen playing basketball.

    Sports can be a great way for kids to develop social skills, teamwork and resilience. But it’s important to know that athletic ability changes as kids grow.

    Growth affects performance

    During puberty, boys and girls have a growth spurt that can change their athletic ability. After going through puberty:

    *  Boys may notice more muscle strength and overall bigger body size.

    *  Girls often lose some muscle mass. They may temporarily lose some of their speed or agility.

    *  Kids could feel “clumsy” as they adjust to being taller. The brain hasn’t yet adjusted to this new height and may affect balance skills or body control.

    *  It may be harder to throw or hit a ball with longer arms.

    *  Girls may have headaches, mood swings or cramps during menstruation.

    Puberty & knee injuries

    As kids get taller and heavier, they have a higher risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The ACL is an important ligament that supports the knee.

    ACL injuries can be serious. They may require surgery and can increase the risk of knee arthritis later in life.

    Most ACL injuries happen when a person suddenly stops, changes direction, jumps or lands on the ground. They don’t usually happen from a blow to the knee. Sometimes an ACL injury causes a “popping” sound as it occurs.

    ACL injuries may cause swelling, severe pain, and inability to put weight on the knee. If your child injures their knee, see a doctor right away.

    Positive support is key

    Coaches who know about the effects of puberty can help kids. In addition, parents can help their kids by being positive and supportive. Yelling at kids or being put down may cause them to quit their sport. Remember that changes caused by puberty are only temporary.

    Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Keeping Cool When Work Heats Up

    WORK LIFE

    Image of a great of employees.

    Have you ever been in a tense situation at work? Perhaps two people were arguing or someone got angry with you.

    Though it’s hard to stay calm in these types of situations, it’s the best thing you can do. If you don’t react strongly, you can help defuse tension and find a helpful resolution.

    Focus on a solution

    It’s easy to get wrapped up in the problem, not the solution. Ask yourself, “what are we trying to accomplish?” Many workplace arguments start because two people have different ideas about what should be done. But, both people ultimately want to fix the same problem.

    Sometimes, an argument can be stopped if both parties remember what they both want: a good outcome. Talk about what you agree upon, and try to build from there.

    Take pause

    When something stressful is happening, your body immediately wants to respond. You may feel tense and anxious. You may also want to run from the situation or defend yourself. This is a normal “fight-or-flight” response that wants to protect you. But, this isn’t always the best way to react. Here’s how you can stay in control:

    *  Watch your breathing. Take deep, slow breaths to help calm your body’s natural response to stress. This can help you think more clearly and lower your anxious feelings.

    *  Think before you speak. It’s okay to pause before answering a question. Also, you can say, “Let me think about that for a moment.” This gives you time to come up with a professional response, rather than an angry one.

    *  Wait to hit “send.” Read emails out loud to yourself before you send them. Save the draft and wait before you send it if you’re angry. This can help avoid something you will later regret.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Is Your Relationship Healthy?

    FAMILY LIFE

    Happy older couple.

    Sometimes it’s hard to know if you’re in a healthy relationship. This can include a romantic partner, friend or family member.

    Know the good

    Some signs of a healthy relationship include:

    *  You feel good about yourself when you’re around that person.

    *  You feel safe telling them how you feel about things.

    *  They listen to you, and you listen to them.

    *  You feel valued by them.

    *  You trust them, and don’t think they would do something to betray you.

    *  You can disagree or argue, but you don’t insult each other. Neither person uses personal attacks.

    Unsafe signs

    Ask yourself whether you see any of these signs of an unhealthy or abusive relationship:

    *  They say hurtful things to you. They make you feel bad about yourself.

    *  They stop showing love or care when they are mad.

    *  They blame you for feeling bad about something they did or said. They may say you’re “too sensitive,” or, “you made me do it.”

    *  They hurt you physically, such as pushing or hitting.

    *  They keep you from seeing family or friends.

    *  They threaten you or try to control you. They want you to fear them.

    If you’re not sure if you’re in an abusive relationship at home, reach out for help.

    Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or go tothehotline.org.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Is It Overactive Bladder Or Just ‘Normal’?

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Close up of hands holding toilet paper.

    Most of us don’t think about bladder health unless there’s a problem like an infection or leakage. Millions of people live with overactive bladder (OAB). OAB is not a disease. It’s a name for a group of symptoms that affect urination.

    What is OAB?

    Normally, a person might feel like they need to urinate, so they hold it until they reach the toilet. But with OAB, you suddenly feel like you have to go right now – you can’t hold it. This can happen even if your bladder isn’t full. The bladder muscles may be overactive, which leads to the urgent feeling.

    Some people with OAB may have to go to the bathroom too often during the day or at night. They may go more than once per night or more than 8 times during the day.

    OAB doesn’t always cause leaking or accidents, but it can. This is called urge incontinence, and about half of people with OAB have this bladder condition.

    Treatments for OAB

    Many people don’t get treatment for OAB because they are embarrassed. But talking with a doctor means you can get treatment. Many people are able to control OAB with one or more of the following:

    *  Diet changes

    *  Kegel exercises, pelvic floor physical therapy

    *  Medications

    *  Bladder Botox

    *  Nerve stimulation procedures

    Most people do not need surgery for OAB. But doctors may suggest it if other treatments didn’t work and your OAB is severe.

    Just a ‘weak bladder’?

    OAB becomes more common as we age. But this doesn’t mean it’s part of getting older and that we should ignore it. OAB can interfere with your social and professional life. You don’t have to live with it.

    Speak up about bladder problems

    If you notice bladder trouble, your doctor can help. Make an appointment to talk about your symptoms. It’s the first step to getting relief so you can get back to living your life.

    Sources: National Association for Continence, Urology Care Foundation

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • How To Treat Cat & Dog Bites

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Aggrestive dog barking while owner is holding it back.

    Family pets, stray dogs and cats or neighborhood animals can all bite. Do you know what to do if you or your child gets a bite?

    What to do now

    Right away, you should:

    *  Wash the skin wound with soap and water.

    *  If it’s bleeding, use a clean towel to gently press down on the area.

    *  Once bleeding has stopped, apply a sterile bandage.

    Should I call a doctor?

    Some bites may need medical care. Call your doctor if:

    *  You think it might be infected. Look for fever, redness, swelling, warmth and drainage.

    *  You can’t get the bleeding to stop after pressing on it for 15 minutes.

    *  You think the injury is serious or it looks deep.

    *  You think there might be a broken bone.

    *  You have diabetes or a weakened immune system.

    *  Your last tetanus shot was more than 5 years ago. Or, you don’t remember when you last had a tetanus shot.

    *  You were bit by a wild or stray animal.

    *  The bite was on the face.

    *  The bite happened to a child.

    *  You don’t know if the animal is up to date on all its vaccines (shots).

    Do I need a rabies shot?

    Most cats and dogs in the U.S. don’t have rabies. So most people who get bit by a cat or dog don’t need to get a rabies shot. Many wild animals can have rabies, though. Raccoons, skunks, squirrels, bats and coyotes may have it.

    If you know the owner of the cat or dog that bit you, ask for their health records. Sometimes the pet needs to be isolated so they can look for signs of rabies. If any signs show up, they will test the animal for rabies. If the animal tests positive, then you need a rabies shot.

    If you were bit by a stray animal, call animal control. They will try to find the animal so they can test it for rabies. You may need to report the bite to animal control or your local health department too. Ask your doctor if you’re not sure.

    Source: American Academy of Family Physicians

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • How To Handle Criticism

    WORK LIFE

    Women at the office sitting in chair, smiling.

    No one likes to be criticized. It’s not an enjoyable experience to have your work, speech, or actions critiqued by those around you. However, handled well, criticism can be helpful. If you learn to listen and discern when a critique is valid, you can leverage the discomfort as a tool for growth.

    Steps to handle criticism

    Listen

    Resist the urge to shut down and shield yourself from the uncomfortable feeling of being criticized. Pause and listen to what is being shared.

    Don’t make it personal

    While sometimes you may experience a personal attack disguised as critique, try to separate yourself from the criticism. You’re not a bad person for having room to improve.

    Ask for clarification

    Not everyone is skilled at giving constructive criticism. You, as the receiver, may need to ask questions to determine how to improve.

    Take time to reflect

    Criticism that stings in the moment may be easier to learn from after your initial emotions fade. Take time to digest criticism to see how you can improve.

    Follow-up

    Make a follow-up plan to ensure you’ve made the necessary changes. This demonstrates your commitment to personal growth.

    If necessary, let it go

    Criticism shouldn’t hang over your head. Learn what you can and then move on. This is especially important in the face of criticism that is not helpful.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Host Productive Meetings

    WORK LIFE

    Video conferencing.

    Work meetings are an opportunity to collaborate, share information, and strengthen connections. But, a poorly run meeting drains time and energy. Here’s how to make your meetings productive and worthwhile.

    Have an agenda

    Know exactly what needs to be addressed and put it in writing ahead of time. Try to stay on-topic and work your way through the planned agenda. If someone brings up something off-topic, plan another avenue to address it.

    Be on time

    Starting and ending as scheduled shows your employees and co-workers you value their time. Don’t wait for late arrivals, and don’t spend time bringing people up to speed if they arrive late. If you embrace a culture of punctuality, people will honor it.

    Keep meetings small

    Only invite the necessary people. A good general cap is 7-9 people, though your number will depend on your team. Smaller meetings allow everyone to participate and keep only the essential people involved.

    Facilitate the discussion

    As the meeting leader, it’s up to you to keep the conversation productive and on-task. Refer to the pre-planned agenda as needed to re-focus the discussion. If one person is dominating the talk, it’s OK to politely redirect.

    Set clear action-items

    A productive meeting should produce clear next steps to address the agenda items. End the session by restating the action items and clarifying who is responsible for each. Everyone should leave knowing what comes next.

    Send follow-up details

    Put the action items in writing and send them to the team to ensure everyone is on the same page. Be sure to follow up on anything that arose during the meeting. It will be easier for everyone to stay focused if they know you will follow through.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Helping Teens Stay Drug-Free

    FAMILY LIFE

    Father and teen son smiling.

    Most parents don’t want to think about their teen using drugs. They assume their teen is doing OK. They may also think it would be obvious if their teen was into drugs or alcohol.

    Unfortunately, even teens with great parents sometimes take risks and make dangerous choices.

    Why do teens take risks?

    A teen’s brain is very sensitive to emotions and doing things that feel good. Plus, their brains aren’t fully developed yet.

    This means they are not ready to make rational decisions all the time. They may also struggle with mental health issues like depression or anxiety. It can be all too easy to slip into using drugs or alcohol.

    What can parents do?

    A good relationship with your teen is important. This can help them feel they can talk to you about challenges they are facing. This also means they might come to you if they have a problem with drugs or alcohol. Here are some tips to help you stay connected:

    *Be a great listener.Talk with your teen about their daily life. Give them a chance to express their opinion. Don’t interrupt. If they tell you something upsetting, try to remain calm. Ask them how you can help.

    *Help them find activities.Teens do well if they have an outlet for fun and stress relief. This may be music, sports, religious activities or volunteering.

    *Know your teen’s friends.Encourage your teen and their friends to hang out at your house.

    *Don’t solve their problems for them.Parents want to help their teen when they need it. But it’s often more effective to teach them skills to help them solve their own problems. If they have a fight with a friend, talk with them about ways they could work it out themselves. Offer your support but try not to step in.

    *Talk about tough stuff.Help your teen figure out what to do if they are being pressured into something. Show them that they can turn to you. Do they feel comfortable calling you if they need a ride home from a party? Can they talk to you about peer pressure and drinking?

    Source: National Institutes of Health

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Health Screenings For Men

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Blue stethoscope on a blue table.

    Men can face health challenges at each stage of life. A yearly visit with a primary care doctor ensures access to the appropriate screenings. While some screenings are a standard part of routine medical care, a doctor may recommend additional screenings specific to a man’s health and family history.

    Men aged 18 to 39

    *  Blood pressure

    *  Cholesterol and heart disease screening

    *  Physical exam

    *  Diabetes screening

    *  Eye exam

    *  Dental exam

    *  Infectious disease screening, including STIs

    *  Immunizations

    *  Skin self-exam

    *  Testicular exam

    Men aged 40 to 64

    *  Blood pressure

    *  Cholesterol and heart disease screening

    *  Physical exam

    *  Diabetes screening

    *  Eye exam

    *  Dental exam

    *  Infectious disease screening, including STIs

    *  Immunizations

    *  Skin self-exam

    *  Testicular exam

    *  Colon cancer screening

    *  Lung cancer screening

    *  Osteoporosis screening

    *  Prostate cancer screening

    Men aged 65 and over

    *  Blood pressure

    *  Cholesterol and heart disease screening

    *  Physical exam

    *  Diabetes screening

    *  Eye exam & hearing test

    *  Dental exam

    *  Infectious disease screening, including STIs

    *  Immunizations

    *  Skin exam

    *  Colon cancer screening

    *  Lung cancer screening

    *  Osteoporosis screening

    *  Prostate cancer screening

    *  Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Hand Washing Or Sanitizer?

    WELL-BEING

    Close up image of person washing hand with soap and water.

    If there’s one habit that’s good for everyone’s health, it’s hand washing. But is hand sanitizer just as good as soap and water? Maybe not. Hand sanitizers:

    *  Do not get rid of all germs.

    *  Don’t work well when hands have dirt or grease on them.

    *  May not remove dangerous chemicals, like pesticides and heavy metals.

    Hand washing does all these things – when you use soap and water and scrub for at least 20 seconds.

    Use hand sanitizer when you can’t get soap and water. But always choose the sink and soap when you can!

    Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine