HealthyLife Articles

Category: Uncategorized

  • Medication Interactions

    Medication

    Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all of the medications you take. These include prescribed and OTC medicines and dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals, herbal products). Heed warnings on labels, too.

    Drug-drug interactions

    These can make a drug work less, increase the action of a drug, or cause side effects, even harmful ones. For example, unless told to by a doctor, do not take an antihistamine if you take medicine for high blood pressure or a sedative or tranquilizer.

    Drug-condition interactions

    Some medical conditions make taking certain drugs harmful. One example is taking a nasal decongestant if you have high blood pressure.

    Drug and food/beverage interactions

    Alcohol should not be mixed with certain drugs. Grapefruit juice should not be taken with certain medicines for high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.

    Page from the Healthier at Home book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

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    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Caring For Toe Injuries

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Close up of injured toe.

    Toes are an important part of walking and balance. And their bones and ligaments are small, so they can be easily injured.

    Many people think doctors won’t do anything about an injured toe. This is not true. A broken or sprained toe may need medical attention. But minor toe injuries may get better with some simple home care.

    What to do if you hurt your toe

    *  If the pain is not severe, try putting ice on it for 10 minutes at a time. Be careful not to get the toe too cold.

    *  If needed, take an over-the-counter pain medicine.

    *  Stay off the foot if possible. Try to elevate it when sitting down.

    *  Look for signs of bruising and swelling, which could mean a possible sprain or broken toe.

    *  If the pain is severe, contact your doctor or seek urgent medical care.

    *  If pain and swelling don’t get better within two days, see a health care provider.

    *  Elevate the affected toe to help with swelling.

    Sprained vs. broken toe

    A sprain means that the ligaments in the toe have been injured. You can usually walk on a sprained toe, but it may still be very sore from swelling and bruising.

    Sprains may happen when you overstretch the toe during sports, running or jumping. “Turf toe” is a sprain of the big toe that is quite common in athletes.

    If you have a broken toe, you may not be able to move the toe or put weight on it. It may have a lot of swelling and bruising. The pain may not get better, even after a couple of days. Broken toes can happen during sports and activities. They also occur with falls and accidents or when you drop something heavy on your foot.

    Should you get medical care?

    Some minor toe injuries can be treated at home. But toe sprains and breaks can be more serious. Don’t ignore toe pain that lasts more than two days. See a health care provider if you think your toe is sprained or broken.

    If you have diabetes

    Always see a health care provider for any kind of foot or toe injury.

    Sources: American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, American Podiatric Medical Association

    © 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

  • Take Care Of  Bleeding Gums

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Man smiling at dentist office with dentist about to start exam.

    Bleeding gums are never a good thing. If you notice small amounts of blood when you brush or floss, it’s a signal there’s a problem. Thankfully, there are effective treatments for many common triggers of gum bleeding.

    The two most common causes are plaque buildup and gum disease. But, whatever the cause, you should address the underlying issue right away to protect the health of your gums and teeth.

    Causes of gum bleeding

    In many cases, gums bleed when there is underlying inflammation of the gum tissue. Inflammation can happen for a variety of reasons.

    *  Plaque buildup

    *  Brushing too hard

    *  Poor flossing

    *  Tooth or gum infection

    *  Pregnancy hormone changes

    *  Gum disease

    *  Ill-fitting dental appliances

    *  Vitamins K or C deficiency

    *  Certain medications

    Occasionally, bleeding gums may be a sign of a more serious underlying problem, such as a bleeding disorder. Visit your primary care doctor for follow-up if your dentist is unable to find a cause for the bleeding.

    What to do

    Visit the dentist. Regular dentist visits and professional cleanings are key to preventing gum disease and plaque buildup. Talk to your dentist about gum bleeding and always follow their recommendations for oral hygiene.

    Brush twice daily. There is no substitute for routine brushing to rid your teeth of plaque. Plaque is made up of sticky bacteria that irritate the gums. If your gums bleed when you brush, be gentle but thorough.

    Floss every day. Floss gets into the tight spaces your toothbrush can’t reach. Lack of flossing or poor technique could result in plaque buildup around the gum line and gingivitis, a major culprit of gum bleeding.

    Healthy habits, healthy gums

    Many daily habits impact the overall health of your gums. For good long-term oral health, follow these healthy lifestyle habits.

    *  Eat lots of fruits and vegetables

    *  Limit added sugar in your diet

    *  Avoid tobacco and drug use

    *  Drink water instead of sugary beverages

    *  Ask your dentist if a mouthwash is right for you

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Benefits Of Stretching

    BE FIT

    Women stretching.

    When most people think of exercise they envision cardio or weight training. But, no workout routine is complete without stretching. Here are six unique benefits.

    Improve flexibility

    Flexibility is a well-known benefit of stretching. To increase your range of motion, hold each stretch for 90 seconds.

    Prevent injury

    Stretching increases blood flow to joints and muscles, decreasing stiffness and reducing the risk of injury.

    Decrease tension

    Stretching releases tension in your muscles, but it can also release mental tension if you take time to be still and breathe.

    Calm the mind

    Unlike vigorous exercise which pumps you up, the slow pace of stretching can be soothing for your mind.

    Counteract the effects of sitting

    If you are one of the many people who spend a lot of time sitting, stretching is essential to keep the body limber.

    Promotes mindfulness

    Stretching provides the chance to notice how your body feels, an essential aspect of mindfulness.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Exercising When The Days Are Short

    BE FIT

    Man running at dusk with head light.

    December 21 marks the shortest day of the year. If you exercise outdoors, you may find yourself in the dark. Keep these things in mind if you go out at dawn or dusk:

    *  Wear reflective gear and bright colors. Also consider taking a head lamp or flashlight. You want to be as visible as possible and have your own light source to see.

    *  Don’t use headphones. You’ll want your hearing to be sharp when visibility is low.

    *  Go against the flow if you’re walking. Always walk against the flow of traffic. But, if you’re biking, go in the same direction of traffic.

    *  Take a friend if you can. They can keep you motivated and offer extra safety.

    Source: Department of Health and Human Services

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Start Running

    BE FIT

    Middle aged women jogging on beach.

    Running is a great form of exercise. It gets your heart rate up, builds endurance, and releases stress. But, running is also high-impact and should be approached with caution. Here’s how to get started safely:

    1. Check with your doctor to make sure running is right for you.

    2. Invest in comfortable footwear that provides cushion and support.

    3. Stretch and strengthen your feet to prepare them for impact.

    4. Begin with a walk-run program that gradually builds endurance.

    5. Take it slow! If you haven’t run in a while, assume your body needs time to adapt.

    6. Don’t push through pain. A little twinge may become an injury if you run through it.

    7. Cross-train with exercises that build strength and flexibility like weight training, yoga, and stretching.

    8. Hydrate and fuel well before, during, and after you run.

    9. Give your body plenty of rest between runs to avoid overtraining.

    10. Listen to music or find a running partner to make your runs more enjoyable.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 5 Reasons To Be Active

    Fitness

    Grandparents playing with their grandchildren.

    1.  Physical health: Regular physical activity lowers your risk of many chronic diseases.

    2.  Mental health: Doing aerobic or a mix of aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities 3 to 5 times a week for 30 to 60 minutes can:

    –  Lower your risk of depression and help treat it

    –  Help keep your thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp as you age

    3.  Social health: Exercise with others to be social and build healthy relationships.

    4.  Spiritual health: Yoga and tai chi help promote a sense of inner peace and connection to your environment.

    5.  Fiscal health: Build a stronger immune system to avoid the medical costs of getting sick and having to take time off from work.

    Take Action: Be Active Weekly Guidelines

    1.  Do at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, such as brisk walkingOR

    2.  1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity, such as joggingAND

    3.  Muscle strengthening exercises using all major muscle groups on 2 or more days.

    Page from HealthyLife Weigh book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine