HealthyLife Articles

Category: Uncategorized

  • Prevent Clothes Dryer Fires

    WELL-BEING

    Image of a man cleaning dryer duct.

    Built-up lint blocks air flow in your clothes dryer, which leads to high heat and a potential fire. Thousands of fires occur each year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

    Take these simple steps to keep your home safe:

    *  Clean the lint screen every time you use the dryer.

    *  If you use fabric softener, wash the screen in warm soapy water periodically to get rid of film build-up that restricts air flow.

    *  Make sure the lint screen has no tears (otherwise lint gets into the duct system and restricts air flow).

    *  Inspect the duct, dampers, and access covers for damage every 3 months. Clean all removable parts. Vacuum the duct to remove excess lint build-up.

    Don’t dry items that have been cleaned or soaked in gasoline, dry cleaning solvents, vegetable or cooking oil, machine oil, or other chemicals such as mop heads, which can be explosive when heated.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Stay Healthy When Swimming

    WELL-BEING

    Image of beach ball in swimming pool.

    Did you know you can get sick from swimming? Whether it’s a pool, hot tub, water park, fountain, lake, river or ocean, some water can have germs or chemicals in it that cause recreational water illness (RWI). And, the number of RWI outbreaks have increased steadily in the last 30 years.

    RWIs can ruin summer fun

    RWIs most often cause diarrhea, but they can make you sick in other ways too. They can also cause nausea and vomiting, skin rashes, and infections of the eyes, ears, skin and respiratory system.

    Most healthy people will recover from RWIs, but they can be dangerous to pregnant women, young children, and people with weakened immune systems.

    Healthy swimming guidelines

    Many times, the water may look clean and safe when it contains dangerous germs or unsafe chemicals. Though proper chlorine levels are important, some germs are not killed by chlorine. Some water may be treated with too much chlorine or an improper balance that can make people sick. So what can you do to enjoy the water this summer and stay healthy?

    *  Don’t swim when you have diarrhea or you’ve been vomiting. Even a tiny, invisible amount of germs can get in the water and make others sick.

    *  Never get swimming water in your mouth. Keep your mouth closed when underwater.

    *  Shower with soap before you swim and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Have your children wash their hands as well.

    *  Don’t allow kids to play in fountains that haven’t been treated with chlorine.

    *  Stop swimming at least once every hour for bathroom breaks and/or diaper changes. Use swim diapers on kids who aren’t potty trained. Many kids will have “accidents” in the water if they don’t get out to use the bathroom.

    *  Don’t change diapers near the swimming area. Do it in a bathroom or away from the water.

    *  If you own a pool, check chlorine levels regularly. Use pool test strips to check for proper pH levels and chemical balances.

    *  Ask to see the last pool inspection report before swimming in a public pool or water park.

    The germ that survives chlorine

    Cryptosporidium, commonly called crypto, is a bacteria that can be spread in swimming water. Chlorine won’t kill crypto, and people with weakened immune systems can get very sick from it. It can cause severe watery diarrhea and is a leading cause of RWIs. To avoid getting or spreading crypto, follow the healthy swimming guidelines on this page. It is not killed by hand sanitizer, so washing hands with soap and water is critical.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Turn Awareness Into Action

    WELL-BEING

    Image of 2 women holding a sign with the word "Prevent" written.

    Breast cancer screening guidelines vary with different health groups. The U.S. Preventive Service Task Force advises women ages  50-74 to get a mammogram every 2 years.

    Women ages 40-49 and 74+ should discuss their breast cancer risk and the pros and cons of breast cancer screening with their doctors or health care providers. Women at a high risk for breast cancer should seek expert medical advice about breast cancer screening and prevention.

    Many women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early.

    Your doctor can help you decide if you should take medication to help prevent breast cancer and if you should seek genetic counseling.

    Even though you cannot control breast cancer risk factors such as aging and inheriting certain breast cancer gene mutations, you can take action to help prevent breast cancer.

    *  If you have babies, breast-feed them.

    *  Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking hormone therapy using estrogen and progestin for menopausal symptoms. Taking both estrogen and progestin for more than five years increases breast cancer risk.

    *  Lose weight if you are overweight, especially if you have reached menopause.

    *  Limit alcohol. The more alcohol you drink, the greater the risk.

    *  Be physically active. Strenuous exercise for more than four hours a week may help lower breast cancer risk.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 3 “S”S For Taking Supplements

    WELL-BEING

    Close up image of hand with supplements.

    Many people use vitamins, herbs, and other supplements. But sometimes, supplements aren’t safe or helpful. Follow these 3 S’s before you take vitamins, herbs, or natural remedies.

    1.Say something to your doctor.Supplements can interact with medications. Some are not safe if you have health conditions. Your doctor can tell you whether certain supplements are safe for you.

    2.Skip them if pregnant or breastfeeding.Some supplements are not safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Always ask your obstetrician or gynecologist before taking supplements.

    3.Stop taking them before surgery.Some supplements can cause problems if you take them before surgery. They may make bleeding worse or change how you respond to medicines. You may need to stop them two weeks or more before your surgery.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Guard Against Denture Trouble

    Mature Health: Over Age 50

    Close up image of a mature women smiling showing her dentures.

    Forget the image of dentures sitting in a glass of water next to the bed! Dentures require active care, not just a nightly soak. Improper denture care leads to bad breath, unsightly stains, diseased gums, and damage to the dentures. Daily dental hygiene should include these measures.

    *  Brush your tongue and gums with a soft brush to keep your breath fresh and your gums healthy.

    *  Brush your dentures at least once a day with denture-cleaning products.

    *  Rinse your mouth with a mild salt-water solution (1 teaspoon of ordinary table salt in 1/2 cup warm water) after meals and before going to bed.

    *  Don’t leave your dentures where they can be lost or accidentally damaged.

    How you eat can also protect your dentures, so take these precautions.

    *  Cut your food into bite-size pieces.

    *  Chew your food slowly and avoid biting down hard.

    *  Dentures make your mouth less sensitive to both heat and cold. So check the temperature of food and beverages before eating or drinking to avoid burning yourself.

    To help keep your dentures fitting properly, see your dentist at least once a year. See your dentist if you have any of the following problems.

    *  Gums that bleed or hurt after brushing.

    *  White or red spots in your mouth that don’t clear up within two weeks.

    *  Dentures that become damaged. (Don’t try to repair dentures yourself.)

    *  Difficulty talking, eating, and chewing when wearing your dentures.

    *  Dentures that slip and don’t fit well.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Stress Relief For Caregivers

    Mature Health: Over Age 50

    Image of a caregiver helping a man in a wheelchair.

    If you’re the primary caregiver for a spouse, parent, or other relative, you face a tough challenge. Here’s what you can do to make the workload easier.

    *  Set up the sickroom on the main floor, so you don’t have to continually go up and down stairs.

    *  Purchase or rent equipment that will make caregiving easier. Examples include an electric hospital bed, an over-bed table, and a walker or wheelchair.

    *  Keep clean bed linens, towels, washcloths, hand lotion, drinking cups, and other supplies in or near the sickroom.

    *  Develop a daily schedule and stick to it.

    To reduce the stress of your ongoing responsibility:

    *  Delegate some tasks to family and friends.

    *  Investigate community services that provide transportation, deliver meals, and provide other kinds of help.

    *  Enlist the services of a home health care agency. The social service or discharge planning department of your hospital, Social Security Administration, local agency on aging, county public health department, or your physician, can refer you to an agency in your area.

    *  Plan to get out of the house to shop or socialize at least one day a week.

    *  Find out if the cost of hiring help to care for someone at home is covered by your medical insurance provider, Medicaid, or Medicare. The Veterans Administration may be able to provide financial assistance for veterans’ medical or nursing care.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Another Reason To Stop Smoking

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of cigarettes butts.

    Each year Americans buy nearly 300 billion cigarettes. A vast number of those cigarette butts, including the filters, will be flicked into the environment, landing along waterways, parks, beaches, and public roads. This makes cigarettes the number one littered item in the nation, according to Legacy, the nonprofit created in the wake of tobacco lawsuits. Cigarette butts are made mostly of plastic, which can take years to decompose, and they only break up into small particles of plastic. Join a cleanup event and help build awareness around your community and workplace.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Calming An Irritable Bowel

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of a women holding stomach in pain.

    Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the digestive system. Experts believe that IBS happens when there is a problem with how the brain and the gut work together. IBS can have bothersome symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea and constipation. But, IBS does not damage the digestive tract like the effects of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

    Millions of people in the U.S. have IBS. And some people have severe symptoms that require medication or other medical care. IBS should be diagnosed by a doctor to ensure your symptoms are not caused by other diseases.

    Fortunately, mild to moderate symptoms of IBS can often be improved with some self-care and lifestyle changes.

    Foods to skip

    Some foods are known to cause more cramping and diarrhea. People with IBS may wish to avoid these foods, which include:

    *  Fried foods or high-fat meals

    *  Artificial sweeteners

    *  Caffeine, such as coffee or tea

    *  Alcohol

    You should also avoid eating large meals.

    Keep a food diary

    It may be a good idea to keep a food diary to identify other problem foods and eating habits, especially during flare-ups.

    Feel fiber-fabulous

    Fiber is one of the most effective ways to help calm an irritable bowel. Fiber can improve constipation because it softens stool and makes it easier to pass. And, it may help “bulk up” stool to reduce diarrhea.

    The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans says that adults should be eating 22 to 34 grams of fiber per day. Soluble fiber may be the best choice for those with IBS.

    Good sources of soluble fiber include:

    *  Oats

    *  Nuts

    *  Lentils

    *  Beans

    *  Fruits & Vegetables

    If you’re not used to eating fiber, don’t eat too much at first. This could lead to gas, bloating, and more IBS symptoms. Gradually increase the amount of fiber you eat by 2 to 3 grams per day until you’re eating the recommended amount. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to absorb the extra fiber.

    Get better sleep

    Sleep helps the body restore itself, and poor sleep may aggravate IBS symptoms. Help your body rest by practicing good sleep hygiene. You can do this by:

    *  Shutting off computers, smart phones and other screens two hours before bedtime

    *  Going to bed and getting up at the same time every day

    *  Avoiding alcohol and heavy meals in the evening

    *  Not smoking

    *  Getting regular exercise (even light exercise can help you sleep better)

    *  Avoiding naps if you have trouble sleeping at night

    Get help from your doctor

    If these self-care steps don’t help, it may be time to talk to your doctor about other solutions. Some people find success by avoiding gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, oats and many other foods.

    A low-FODMAP diet may also be helpful. FODMAPS are carbohydrates that can be harder for the intestines to digest. Avoiding these foods helps some people with IBS. Ask your doctor before you begin any diet that eliminates certain foods.

    Sources: International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Sleep Foundation

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Get Your Healthy Game Day On

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of football field.

    The excitement of football, and even the activities and feelings of anticipation leading up to games, can be unhealthy in ways many do not realize, according to Jody Gilchrist, a cardiac nurse practitioner at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

    Critical matchups, tight games, and crushing defeats can trigger adrenaline that reduces blood flow to the heart and other muscles and increases heart rate and blood pressure. Over time, these high levels of stress hormones can hurt your heart-even though a football game may be deemed good stress.

    Adding to the effects of stress on the body would be unhealthier foods at the tailgate party, and heavier eating and drinking during the game. Not a winning combination. Here are some tailgating tips:

    *  Help minimize stress by watching the game with people you enjoy.

    *  Knock out a few pushups and sit ups during commercial breaks.

    *  Chew gum or squeeze a stress ball to reduce anxiety and control your emotions.

    *  Take a brief walk at halftime, or if you are attending the game, take a walk around the stadium or to another section to meet a friend.

    *  Manage your net dietary intake by planning ahead and making healthier choices at other times of the day in anticipation of splurging a bit during the game.

    *  If tailgating at the stadium, try to conserve calories earlier in the day.

    *  If tailgating at home, consider using vegetables in place of chips for dips, and substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream or cream cheese dips.

    *  Because sodium causes fluid retention-something especially bad for heart patients-a good rule of thumb is to avoid foods that have more than 1 mg of sodium per calorie. At about 0.5 mg of sodium per calorie, natural foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables generally contain much less, so opt for them whenever possible.

    *  Do your best to avoid soft drinks, which are extremely high in sugar.

    In the end, your health will win-even if your team does not.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine