In spite of the high obesity percentages that are continually plaguing our nation, there also seems to have been, in recent years, a health craze that has taken place. Yogalates, P90X, organic food choices—the list goes on and on. Everyone is always in search of the next great thing to get in peak physical shape. As such, nutritional supplements have become popular as a method for self-improvement. Before taking the step and beginning taking nutritional supplements yourself, however, it is important to understand both the positive and negative consequences of supplements.

Pro: Filling in the gaps. While ideally it is important to acquire all of your nutrients from healthy eating, nutritional supplements can ensure you receive the correct amount of vitamins, minerals and nutrients your body needs to maintain peak performance. For people who have medical conditions that affect their diet, this can be especially important.

Con: Not a replacement for food. It is important that you do not use supplements to substitute for healthy food. They cannot, for example, provide the same benefits you would receive from the correct number of servings of fruit and vegetables each day.

Pro: Helps to correct nutrient deficiencies. Having a nutrient deficiency can result in serious consequences to your health, including low immune system, anemia, and bone fragility.
Con: Risk of toxicity. It’s possible that if you take much more than the recommended daily serving, some vitamins can actually become toxic to your body. Make sure that you are not exceeding the daily recommended vitamin and mineral intake levels. The same applies with herbs, as some can be toxic if you have any underlying medical conditions.

Pro: Disease prevention. Some supplements can reduce your risk of certain conditions or diseases. Make sure, before beginning any new supplement, that you research the claim to establish the validity and speak with your doctor.

Con: Side effects. As with anything else, supplements can possibly have side effects when taken with other medication. Make sure you discuss everything you are taking or are considering taking with your physician.

For more information, visit the Food and Nutrition section of the Health Library at Edward White Hospital. There you will find details about healthy eating, vitamins and other supplements, as well as great recipes.

Sources:

Edward White Hospital

USDA

Office of Dietary Supplements

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It’s summertime and you’ve got your vacation planned out, but have you thought about your safety and health during your trip?

Many families overlook this important part of preparing for travel. Whether you are traveling to see relatives, for work, or for play, you should be prepared for any health issues you may face on your trip.

Research and Research Some More. If you are traveling abroad, make sure to research where you are going. This includes knowing the weather conditions, food or water safety concerns, modes of travel, and current public health concerns in your destination. All of these can possibly affect your health. A travel agent may be able to provide you with more destination-specific health information.

Update Yourself. Make sure you have all of your vaccinations are up-to-date—including seasonal flu shots—before traveling. Visit the vaccine page on CDC’s Travelers’ Health Website for more information.

Wash Your Hands! As simple as it sounds, washing your hands frequently with soap and water is very important during travel. On cruises, for example, you will share common areas with a large number of people— and hand washing can prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.

Remember First Aid. You may want to consider taking a small first aid kit for emergencies. It should include bandages & gauze, scissors, antibiotic ointment, calamine lotion, cortisone cream, tweezers, and a first aid manual.

Things to Consider

· Motion Sickness: If you are prone to motion sickness, prepare accordingly. When travelling by car, sit in the front seat. In a boat or ship, try to be near the middle of the vessel. When flying, try sitting near the wing of the plane. You can also purchase motion sickness medication.

· Dehydration: With the excitement of travel, it’s easy to forget to drink enough water. Make sure to drink plenty, especially if you are traveling somewhere in hot summer months.

· Water safety: When traveling to underdeveloped areas, you may be susceptible to waterborne illnesses that natives are not. Try to avoid drinking tap water if this is a concern—drink bottled or filtered water only.

· Bug bites: If you are going to be spending time outdoors on your trip, pack travel-size bottle of insect repellant.

· Sun: Don’t forget to take a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen!

· Medicine: Don’t forget any prescription medicine you may be taking. You may also want to take some over the counter medicines, such as pain or headache relief and allergy medicine.

You certainly can’t plan for every emergency or health concern when traveling, but following these tips will help you have a safe and fun vacation.

If you would like to learn more about health concerns and travel, visit our Online Health Library at Edward White Hospital. If you want to speak to a doctor, call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-888-243-362 for a physician referral.

Sources:

Traveller’s Health (CDC)

Health and Safety Travel Tips (Travelsense)

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Tips to Prevent on and Off the Job Injuries

Home is where the heart is; why not make sure it’s a safe place, too? June is Home Safety Month, and with a few simple steps you can ensure your house is safe for your loved ones.

Nearly 55 Americans die in their home every day and 58,000 are injured. When planning for home safety, you should take into consideration everyone in the household—infants, the elderly, and even yourself. The following are just some of the ways to prevent injury or death in your home.

Falls. Falls are the leading cause of emergency room visits and the leading cause of at-home deaths for older adults. Ways to prevent falls include:

· Install grab bars in the shower/tub.

· Have handrails on both sides of staircases.

· Use a ladder from climbing—not a chair or other object.

· Use baby gates at the top and bottom of staircases if you have an infant or toddler.

Poisoning. If you have children, you should be particularly careful about where and how you store items like bleach, detergent, medicines, and other chemicals. Some safeguards against poisoning:

· Place all chemicals, medicines or other potentially dangerous items in a place where children cannot reach.

· Keep all chemicals, including medicine, in their original containers.

· Install carbon monoxide detectors in sleeping areas.

· If someone ingests a poison, call the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 for emergency help.

Fires and Burns. Working smoke detectors can greatly minimize your family’s risk of dying in a home fire. Follow these tips to stay safe from fire and burns:

· Have working smoke alarms in all areas of the house and check them monthly.

· Stay by the stove when cooking, and especially when frying.

· If using space heaters, keep them at least three feet from fabrics or anything flammable and turn them off when going to sleep.

· If you smoke, don’t smoke indoors and keep cigarettes and lighters out of children’s reach.

· Don’t leave candles unattended and blow them out if leaving or going to sleep.

Choking and Suffocation. Teething children love to put things in their mouths. About 50 percent of children under the age of one who die, are killed by choking or suffocation. Use the following tips to prevent both:

· Remember the rule: If it can fit through a toilet paper tube, a child can choke on it.

· Keep cords from blinds and windows out of children’s reach.

· Feed children only small bites and make sure they are sitting down to eat.

· Read labels on toys and make sure children are old enough to play with them.

Water. Children can drown in as little as one inch of water. To keep children safe around water, follow these tips:

· Keep within an arm’s length of your child if you are around any water.

· Put a fence around your pool or spa and always keep it locked.

· Empty buckets of water and flip upside down when not using them.

· Never let children swim without an adult.

· Keep hot water heater 120 degrees or less to prevent burns.

Now is the perfect time to check your home’s safety. For more information about making your home a safe place, visit the Health Library at Edward White Hospital. You can also call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-888-243-3627 for medical questions or a physician referral.

Sources:

Home Safety Brochure (Home Safety Council)

Prevent Child Injuries During Home Safety Month (CDC)

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It’s June, and that means that hurricane season is officially here. Don’t let a sudden forecast catch you and your family off-guard! Instead, take these steps to prepare yourself for rough weather.

Make a Supply Kit

Long before a hurricane looms, be sure your household is ready. An emergency kit should have the following items:

• One gallon of water a day for each person, for a three-day supply
• A three-day supply of nonperishable food
• Paper plates and cups
• Can opener
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• A battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• First aid kit
• Moist wipes
• Cell phone and charger
• Infant formula, baby food, and diapers
• Pet food and other supplies

Get Organized

In addition to having an emergency kit, follow these guidelines:

• Make sure your car’s gas tank stays at least half full all the time, in case you need to evacuate.
• Store your important family documents (insurance policies, bank account information, etc.) in a waterproof container that you can carry.
• Keep a stash of cash or travelers’ checks.

Have a Plan

In case the weather turns bad when all your family members are not in the same spot, create an emergency plan ahead of time. Figure out a place to meet or designate one out-of-state person to be your central point of contact. Talk through all the details before any emergency happens.

If you have pets, make sure your plans includes them as well. Many hurricane shelters or hotels do not allow your furry companions, so call ahead and find out the rules.

If you are on prescription medication, make sure you keep your refills up-to-date. You don’t want to suddenly be without lifesaving medicine when the pharmacies are closed or you can’t get to them.

If you do not evacuate, you will need to take shelter in the safest part of your home. This is usually a window-less room on the ground floor, near the center of the home, so determine what location fits those criteria.

Secure Your Property

Hurricanes can include heavy rain, destructive winds, and flooding. Be sure your property is ready to weather the storm.

• Cover all windows with plywood or specially made hurricane shutters.
• Bring in all outdoor furniture, lawn decorations, and garbage cans.
• Turn off utilities as instructed. Set your refrigerator on its coldest setting and keep the doors closed.

If you have any medical conditions that need special care during a weather emergency, be sure to talk to your doctor about your concerns. At Edward White Hospital, our Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-888-243-3627 can answer any medical questions you may have and provide physician referrals.

Sources:

Ready America

National Hurricane Center

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Every Second Counts in Emergency Care

As we age, it becomes harder for our bodies to efficiently respond to the heat and cool down. Heat-related illnesses are serious medical conditions, and every year, more than 370 Americans die from heat stroke. Half of these deaths are people age 65 or older.

Identifying Heat-Related Illnesses

Weakness, dizziness, sweating, cold or clammy skin, thirst and high temperature are all warning signs that indicate a heat-related illness. If you experience these conditions, get out of the heat immediately and rest in a cool, air-conditioned area. Drink plenty of water (never alcohol or caffeine), and wet and fan your skin, or take a cool shower or bath. Call your physician if you don’t feel better in an hour, and seek medical attention immediately if you develop a fever higher than 102 degrees F.

Heatstroke occurs when the body temperature reaches 105 degrees quickly, and it can cause brain damage. Symptoms include confusion, faintness, rapid pulse, lack of sweating, and irrational behavior. Heatstroke is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention.

Tips for Staying Cool

● Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and fluids, and eat foods high in water volume, such as fruits and vegetables. As a general rule, you need to drink more fluids when recovering from an illness or during outdoor activities. Drink water throughout the day even if you’re not thirsty, and consider sports drinks for replacing sodium, chloride and potassium for the nutrients lost through sweat. Avoid alcohol or caffeine, which promote fluid loss, not hydration.

● Keep your house as cool as possible. Even with the air conditioning on, there are steps you can take to keep your living space cool (and keep energy costs down). Keep the curtains closed and blinds drawn during the day, and cover any windows exposed to direct sunlight. Concentrate cool air by closing doors to rooms not in use. Avoid using heat-emitting appliances during the hottest hours of the day—such as the oven or dryer—and remember lamps and overhead lights give off heat, too.

● Plan ahead for outdoor activities. Sunburn can prevent your body from cooling down on its own, so be sure to wear sunscreen and lightweight clothing for any outdoor activities in hot weather. Dark colors absorb the heat, so choose light-colored, loose-fitting clothing to stay cool. Pack items such as a handheld fan or spray bottle filled with cool water to stay refreshed on the go. Frozen water bottles can be used as ice packs as well. Avoid visiting crowded places during peak hours.

If you or someone you love shows signs of heat stroke, get medical attention right away. At Edward White Hospital, our emergency services department offers fast, effective treatment when you need it most. To learn more, or to get a physician referral, call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-888-243-3627.

Sources:

Edward White Hospital Health Library

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

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