Friday, March 23, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Ladies Only
The arrival of warmer weather is not just a time
for moms to plan fun activities to keep children busy outdoors, it is also a good time to pamper ourselves. The warmer
seasons are perfect times to follow up on heath care matters that you may have
been neglecting. Postponing doctors’
visits, these can have a long-term impact on your health. You and your
physician may miss early signs of cancer and other illnesses. Make a list of heath care related task (dental, OB-GYN,
Family Doctor, Podiatrist, etc) that you have postponed during the winter
months and check them off as each is completed. If stress is one of your concerns, call your favorite masseuse to schedule a needed massage.
It is well known that annual trips to the OB-GYN
for well-woman examinations are no picnics in the park given the cold tables, stirrups,
and paper gowns that open in the back. However, skipping your OB-GYN
appointment could mean missing early signs of cervical or uterine cancers. If
possible, discuss with your physician when you will need a mammogram and how to
perform breast self-examinations to check for any lumps. If you think you may have found a lump
in your breasts, you need to seek medical care as soon as possible.
If you have postponed seeing your family phycian
for so long that you may not recognize him if he introduced himself, then you need
to make an appointment for a routine check-up. Seeing your family physician may save you from debilitating effects of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. For example, a woman suffering from headaches while reading
may buy a pair of reading glasses and take some Ibuprofen to relieve the
headache. The ibuprofen may relieve that headache; however, she should see her family physician to find out if other diagnosis such as hypertension
and elevated triglycerides are not contributing to her headaches. Both diagnoses
can lead to strokes or heart attacks.
This is a good time to work on your diet and
exercise routines. Start by adding
more fruits and vegetables to your daily diet and reduce the amount of caffeinated
and sugary drinks from your daily intake.
Avoid fries and other high fat processed foods. If you hibernated during the winter
months, see your doctor before starting a workout plan. You may have to start slowly by walking
a mile a day at the local park.
Talk with your health care provider about your
health, diet, and exercise before you start your plan. You and your physician will be able to create a
diet and exercise plan tailored to your needs.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is not
intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or healthcare provider.
Please consult a health care provider for advice regarding any specific medical
condition.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Fight the Bite
 |
|
This post is a featured CDC.**
|
There will always be bugs, but don't let them bite you!
Learn about the steps you can take to avoid tick and mosquito bites that may
cause serious illnesses such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease. Fifth and
sixth graders can help promote bug bite prevention by participating in the
Fight the Bite Poster Contest.
Spring is coming soon! As we get ready for another
season of outdoor fun, it's important to remember to protect ourselves from
mosquitoes and ticks that may spread the viruses or bacteria that cause serious
illness such as West
Nile virus, Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Fortunately,
we can all take steps such as using an effective insect
repellent on skin and clothing, wearing long sleeves and long pants (when
it's not too hot), taking care of our yards to get rid of standing water where
mosquitoes lay their eggs, and reducing brush, tall grasses, leaf litter, and
harborage where ticks may like to hang out.
Kids, there is an important role that you can play in
spreading the message about protection from these bugs. CDC and the DEET
Education Program are sponsoring the annual "Fight the Bite" Poster Contest,
open to any child in grades 5 or 6. Create a poster showing people how to fight
the bite of mosquitoes and ticks and enter it in the contest. Contest rules and
an entry form are available online at Fight the Bite Contest.
Fight the Bite Contest.
But don't wait; entries must be submitted by April 18, 2012.
More information on bugs can be found at:
1.
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention: West Nile virus web
site and Lyme disease web site
2.
DEET Education Program: www.deetonline.org
3.
University of Florida: http://mosquito.ifas.ufl.edu/Index.htm
4.
American Lyme Disease
Foundation: www.aldf.com
5.
About Bugs: www.aboutbugsbugsbugs.com
**This post is a featured CDC post and can be viewed in
it’s entirety at CDC
Monday, March 12, 2012
What is that odor?
Pets,
kids, cooking, dirty laundry, and trash all contribute to give our homes a not
so fresh odor. Try as we may to keep the laundry done and the kids’
clean, lagging odors persist. Glade may not be able to bathe your pets or
take out the trash, but it certainly can help remove their annoying odors.
Below are the top Glade coupons. Get a coupon and have a fresh smelling
home.
What a Glorious Day!
 |
| Right - Adele Pan Gardner |
It could not
have been a more glorious day for the Followers of Christ feeding mission. The sun was shining on Aala Skate
Park, Hawaii, a beautiful backdrop for a day full of hope, blessings, and
friends. People gathered from far
and near to partake in yesterday’s homeless feeding mission by Followers of
Christ that resulted in an afternoon of fellowship, bringing those who have so
little closer to Christ, filling empty bellies, and making new friends. The
feeding mission was a result of a calling received by Adele Pan Gardner, who
also has the blessing of plenty of family and friends eager to support her
vision. Adele and her
excited supporters (including me) successfully executed the mission without
financial support from any organized establishment, which makes the event a
testament to feats large and small that can be accomplished in the name of the
Lord.
 | |||
| Hungry folks lined up to eat. |
 |
| Keola |
Many lined up from far and near to participate.
Acoustic guitar music provided by Adele's son added just the right touch!
A talented new friend joined in to add a musical touch.
 |
| Salad |
A mighty salad that balanced the menu which also included fruit salad, juice, and one of Adele's hardy beef and potato casseroles.
 |
| Malia & Kike |
Family having some fun!
 | |
| Aunty Jean (foreground) & Steph |
Aunty Jean, ready to serve...
 |
| 2 new friends and me on the right |
Awesome time of wonderful fellowship and meeting new folks. It was a very humbling experience.
Chow down time!
First friend in line.
 |
| Aunty Bev (far left) |
Fellowship time is so important.
There was even time for fun while holding down the tent during a wind gust.
Followers of Christ....say Amen!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Pantry Nightmare
 |
| Pantry Nightmare |
Surprise, surprise, you may have expired foods
sitting in your pantry. If you stock up on dry goods like breadcrumbs, cake
mixes, noodles, and canned goods, it is possible that many will expire within
one to three years (if not already).
If your pantry is overflowing and disorganized (like mine), it is easy
to overlook products that have been sitting on your shelves long past their
prime.
With Spring-cleaning looming, it may be time to
tackle your pantry. Yes, some
guilt about getting rid of unused expired products may be lurking around, but
expired food can cause health problems such as gastric distress, gas, bloating,
or diarrhea.
Many materials found in dry food packaging are
perfect for recycling. Make a
green choice by recycling expired foods packaging materials. Keep in mind that some packaging
materials may look like foil or another material but is plastic. Try these tips
for responsible recycling as you clean out the pantry:
1. Remove
plastic packages such as cake mixes and noodles from the cardboard packaging.
This is easy to throw away in the green recycle bin.
2. Remove
dry foods from their plastic wrappers. You can make plastic wraps more suited
for the recycling bin by rinsing them off quickly under the tap.
3. Dump
out the contents of expired canned goods, rinse them out, and throw them in the
recycling bin.
After following these steps, you will reach the
best part, a pantry with room to clean, reorganize, spray for bugs (if needed),
and stock up on healthy foods for this summer!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Poison Fish
Eating tropical
reef fish that have fed on toxic algae triggers Ciguetera
poisoning. These toxins reach particularly high concentrations in large
predatory tropical reef fish. Barracuda are commonly associated with ciguatoxin
poisoning. Eating fish caught between latitude 35° N and 35° S can cause
ciguatera poisoning. Other potential dangerous fish include (note that this
list is not all inclusive):
✓
Grouper
✓
Red
Snapper
✓
Sea Bass
✓
Eels
✓
Mullet
✓
Kingfish
 |
| Kingfish |
These fish are
typically caught by sport fishermen on reefs in Hawaii, Guam and other South
Pacific islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Because the
toxin is heat-stable, it is unaffected by cooking.
SYMPTOMS
Ciguatoxin
usually causes symptoms within a few minutes to 30 hours after eating infected
or tainted(contaminated) fish. Occasionally it may take up to 6 hours.
· Common nonspecific symptoms include
feeling:
o
Nausea
o
Diarrhea
o
Cramps
o
Excessive
Sweating
o
Headache
o
Muscle
Aches
o
Vomiting
· Other Symptoms
o
Burning
or Pins & Needles Sensation
o
Weakness
o
Itching
o
Dizziness
o
Nightmares
o
Hallucinations
o
Tingling
of lips, tongue, and, throat.
· Other Serious Symptoms
o
Numbness
o
Confusion
o
Collapse
o
Coma
Ciguatera
poisoning is rarely fatal. Symptoms usually clear in 1 to 4 weeks. Most people
recover within a few days or weeks with supportive treatment. Ongoing
disability has occasionally occurred.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis is
generally based on symptoms and a history of recently eating seafood.
Laboratory testing for the specific toxin is generally not necessary. Leftover
fish or shellfish can be tested for the presence of the toxin more easily.
Identification of the specific toxin is not usually necessary for treating
patients because there is no specific treatment.
GENERAL
GUIDELINES FOR SAFE SEAFOOD CONSUMPTION:
Persons with
weakened immune systems or liver problems should not eat raw seafood. They are
at higher risk of Vibrio
infection.
Keep seafood on
ice or refrigerated at less than 38° F (3.3° C) to prevent spoilage.
Keep fresh tuna,
mackerel, grouper, and mahi mahi refrigerated to prevent development of
histamine.
Cooking spoiled
or toxic seafood will not keep you safe. These toxins are not destroyed by cooking.
 |
| Barracuda |
Do not eat
barracuda.
 |
| Red Algal Bloom |
Check with local
health officials before collecting shellfish. Look for Health Department
advisories
about algal blooms,
dinoflagellate
growth or "red tide" conditions that may be posted at fishing supply stores.
Do not eat
finfish or shellfish sold as bait. Bait products do not meet the same food
safety regulations as seafood for human consumption.
SEEK IMMEDIATE
MEDICAL ATTENTION IF:
If you have
eaten seafood and develop problems or symptoms that seem unusual for you.
ExitCare® Patient Information ©2011 ExitCare, LLC
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