New hope for stopping HIV

Posted on December 7, 2011 by lola

Too many people don’t know they have HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). About 1.2 million people are living with HIV in the US but about 240,000 don’t know they are infected. Each year, about 50,000 people get infected with HIV in the US. Getting an HIV test is the first step to finding out if you have HIV and getting medical care. Without medical care, HIV leads to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and early death.

There’s new hope today for stopping HIV in the US. Medicines (antiretroviral therapy
or ART) can lower the level of virus in the body. ART helps people with HIV live longer, healthier lives and also lowers the chances of passing HIV on to others. However, only 28% are getting the care they need to manage the disease and keep the virus under control. To help stop HIV, get tested. If you have HIV, get medical care and work with your health care provider to control the virus and not pass it on to others.

Learn what you can do to prevent HIV through testing and medical care.

◊ 1.2 million people are living with HIV in the US.

◊ Nearly 1 in 5 people (about 240,000) don’t know they are infected.

◊ Getting an HIV test can lead to getting the medical care needed to stay healthy longer.

◊ People who don’t know they have HIV have a higher risk of serious medical problems and early death.

◊ They can also pass the virus on to others without knowing it.

◊ Youth and adults should get tested to learn their
HIV status.

◊ People who are at greater risk for infection (have more than one sex partner, inject drugs, or are men who have sex with other men) should get tested once a year or more often.

Treating: Many people with HIV do not receive the medical care they need.

◊ Lowering the amount of virus in the body can keep a person with HIV healthy longer.

◊ Keeping the virus under control with medicines greatly lowers the chances of passing HIV on to others.
◊ Only 28% of all people with HIV know they are infected, get regular medical care, take ART and have the HIV virus under control.

◊ The number of people with HIV who get AIDS has decreased over time because of advances in medical care and ART. Still, more than
16,000 people with AIDS die each year.

◊ Public health professionals and health care providers should help people with HIV make sure to get regular HIV medical care and take their medicines.

Prevention Counseling: Only 45% of people with HIV getting medical care received prevention counseling from their health care providers in the past year.

◊ Prevention counseling teaches patients how to stay as healthy as possible and prevent passing HIV on to others. Prevention services include STD testing and treatment services, drug rehab, assistance in notifying partners, housing assistance, financial assistance and other services.

◊ People with HIV should get prevention counseling and services as a part of regular HIV care.

◊ People with HIV whose virus is controlled still need prevention counseling and prevention services regularly.

For every 100 people living with HIV

80 are aware of their infection

62 are linked to HIV care

41 stay in HIV care

36 get antiretroviral therapy

28 have a very low amount of virus in their body

Get an HIV test

If you have HIV, get prevention counseling and medical care

Lower amount of virus means

• Better health
• Longer life
• Fewer new infections
• Helping to stop HIV in the US

Stay in medical care

Take and stay on medicine to lower the amount of HIV in the body
What Can Be Done

Everyone can

◊ Lower risky sexual behavior by not having
sex, having sex with only one partner who you know is uninfected, or using a condom every time you have anal, vaginal, or oral sex.

◊ Ask your doctor for an HIV test.

◊ Get medical care as soon as possible if you have HIV, to stay healthier longer and to keep from passing the virus on to others.

◊ Get tested if you live in a community where
HIV is common.

◊ Get tested once a year or more often if you
have more than one sex partner, inject drugs or are a man who has sex with other men.

US Government can

◊ Develop guidelines for health care providers on testing and medical care.

◊ Educate health care providers and the public about the importance of HIV testing and medical care.

◊ Fund programs that support effective HIV
prevention services and medical care.

◊ Identify and track differences in medical
care, illness and death across different groups of people.

◊ Help meet the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, including getting all people with
HIV into care . (see /www.whitehouse.gov/
administration/eop/onap/nhas)

State and local health departments can

◊ Fund programs that support effective HIV
prevention services and medical care.

◊ Create programs and policies to test people at risk for HIV early and often.

◊ Provide information about where people can get an HIV test such as www.hivtest.org.

◊ Educate people about the benefits of HIV
testing, regular care, and treatment.

◊ Get people who have HIV infection connected to HIV medical care.

◊ Promote HIV prevention counseling and services as a regular part of care.

◊ Support community actions to prevent new
HIV infections and help people with HIV.

◊ Help meet the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, including getting all people with HIV into care.

Health care providers can

◊ Offer their patients an HIV test as a regular part of medical care.

◊ Offer their patients STD testing and treatment services.

◊ Prescribe ART as needed for patients with HIV and make sure the amount of virus is as low as possible.

◊ Make sure people with HIV continue getting
HIV medical care.

◊ Provide HIV prevention counseling to patients on how to protect their health and avoid passing the virus on to others; refer to other prevention services (for example, partner counseling) as needed.

Posted in Wellness |

Prescription Painkiller overdoses in the US

Posted on November 15, 2011 by lola

Deaths from prescription painkillers* have reached epidemic levels in the past decade. The number of overdose deaths is now greater than those of deaths from heroin and cocaine combined. A big part of the problem is nonmedical use of prescription painkillers— using drugs without a prescription, or using drugs just for the “high” they cause. In 2010, about 12 million Americans (age 12 or older) reported nonmedical use of prescription painkillers in the past year.

Enough prescription painkillers were prescribed in 2010 to medicate every
American adult around-the-clock for a month. Although most of these pills were prescribed for a medical purpose, many ended up in the hands of people who misused or abused them.

Improving the way prescription painkillers are prescribed can reduce the number of people who misuse, abuse or overdose from these powerful drugs, while making sure patients have access to safe, effective treatment.
* “Prescription painkillers” refers to opioid or narcotic pain relievers, including drugs such as Vicodin (hydrocodone), OxyContin (oxycodone), Opana (oxymorphone), and methadone.

o In 2010, about 12 million Americans (age 12 or older) reported nonmedical use of prescription painkillers in the past year.

o Nearly half a million emergency department visits in 2009 were due to people misusing or abusing prescription painkillers.

o Nonmedical use of prescription painkillers costs health insurers up to $72.5 billion annually in direct health care costs.

Certain groups are more likely to abuse or overdose on prescription painkillers.
o Many more men than women die of overdoses from prescription  painkillers.

o Middle-aged adults have the highest prescription  painkiller overdose rates.

o People in rural counties are about two times as likely to overdose on prescription painkillers as people in big cities.

o Whites and American Indian or Alaska Natives are more likely to overdose on prescription  painkillers.

Real-life stories of the epidemic
A   West Virginia father, age 26, struggling for years with
pain and addiction after shattering his elbow in a car crash, died from  a prescription painkiller one week after telling
his mother  he wanted to go to rehab. In New Hampshire, a 20-year-old  man overdosed on a prescription painkiller bought from a friend,  becoming  the 9th person that year to die from  drug overdose in his community of 17,000_ Stories such as these are all too common_
o About 1in 10 American Indian or Alaska Natives age 12 or older used prescription painkillers for nonmedical reasons in the past year, compared to 1in 20 whites and
1in 30 blacks.

The supply of prescription painkillers is larger than ever.
o The quantity of prescription  painkillers sold to pharmacies,  hospitals, and doctors’ offices was 4 times larger in 2010 than in 1999.

o Many states report problems with “pill mills” where doctors prescribe large quantities
of painkillers to people who don’t need
them medically. Some people also obtain prescriptions from multiple prescribers by “doctor shopping.”

Some states have a bigger problem with prescription painkillers than others.
o Prescription  painkiller sales per person were more than 3 times higher in Florida, which has the highest rate, than in Illinois, which has the lowest.

o In 2008/2009, nonmedical use of painkillers in the past year ranged from 1in 12 people (age 12 or older) in Oklahoma to 1in 30 in Nebraska.

o States with higher sales per person and more nonmedical use of prescription painkillers tend to have more deaths from drug overdoses.
Rates of prescription painkiller sales, deaths and substance abuse treatment admissions (1999-2010)

The US government is

◊ Tracking prescription drug overdose trends to better understand the epidemic.

◊ Educating health care providers and the public about prescription drug abuse and overdose.

◊ Developing, evaluating and promoting programs and policies shown to prevent and treat prescription drug abuse and overdose, while making sure patients have access to safe, effective pain treatment.

States can

◊ Start or improve prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), which are electronic databases that track all prescriptions for painkillers in the state.

◊ Use PDMP, Medicaid, and workers’ compensation data to identify improper prescribing of painkillers.

◊ Set up programs for Medicaid, workers’ compensation programs, and state-run health plans that identify and address improper patient use of painkillers.

◊ Pass, enforce and evaluate pill mill, doctor shopping and other laws to reduce prescription painkiller abuse.

◊ Encourage professional licensing boards to take action against inappropriate prescribing.

◊ Increase access to substance abuse treatment.

Individuals can

◊ Use prescription painkillers only as directed by a health care provider.

◊ Make sure they are the only one to use their prescription painkillers. Not selling or sharing them with others helps prevent misuse and abuse.

◊ Store prescription painkillers in a secure place and dispose of them properly.*

◊ Get help for substance abuse problems if needed (1-800-662-HELP).

Health insurers can

◊ Set up prescription claims review programs to identify and address improper prescribing and use of painkillers.

◊ Increase coverage for other treatments to reduce pain, such as physical therapy, and for substance abuse treatment.

Health care providers can

◊ Follow guidelines for responsible painkiller prescribing, including

• Screening and monitoring for substance abuse and mental health problems.

• Prescribing painkillers only when other treatments have not been effective for pain.

• Prescribing only the quantity of painkillers needed based on the expected length
of pain.

• Using patient-provider agreements combined with urine drug tests for people using prescription painkillers long term.

• Talking with patients about safely using, storing and disposing of prescription painkillers.*

◊ Use PDMPs to identify patients who are improperly using prescription painkillers.

* Information on the proper storage and disposal of medications can be found at www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/ Poisoning/preventiontips.htm.

For more information, please contact
Telephone: 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
E-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov
Web: www.cdc.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30333

Posted in Uncategorized, Wellness |

Giving children a reason to say no to drugs

Posted on October 6, 2011 by lola

Halloween costume parties. While most parents assume that their children are safe—the scary reality is that they are being exposed to deadly and addictive substances way more than we think.
Mental health and medical experts have found that by giving your children factual information and ways to keep busy, you are arming them with the best weapon against substance abuse. Parents and caregivers have the first chance to leave an impression on their children by showing them they can have fun without getting involved with drugs and
alcohol.
Dr. Camillo Franklyn, Internal Medicine physician at Prowers Medical Center explains,  “Parents need to talk to their children about the dangers of being around and using illegal drugs. Young adults are less likely to get involved in illegal drug use and underage drinking when they know it will disappoint their parents. Educate yourself and your children so that conversations about the reality and prevalence of drug abuse will not be the ‘elephant in the room’ and will be a topic you can openly discuss.”
Donna Wood, practice leader for clinical operations for the consulting arm of Quorum Health Resources goes on to confirm that: The National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse VIII and The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) provide some alarming facts about drug abuse among young adults:
In an NIDA survey, eighth-graders had the highest rates of inhalant abuse
The average age of first use is 12 for alcohol and 13 for drugs
142,000 teens aged 12-17 years old are treated annually for substance abuse
Teens are 50 percent more likely to drink, smoke, become intoxicated and use drugs out of boredom
44 percent of high school seniors drank alcohol in the past month
21 percent of high school seniors used marijuana in the past month
One of the most recent trends is teens using so-called  “bath salts”  to get high. These stimulants are not bath salts that go into the tub, but by marketing them as bath salts and labeling them  “not for human consumption,”  manufacturers have been able to sell the substances legally. Experts say their effects are similar to ecstasy, PCP and cocaine.
They are sold with names like Monkey Dust, Purple Rain, White Rush and Vanilla Sky.”
The long-term effects of using bath salts as a drug are unknown; however, the reported short-term effects include rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, chest pain, paranoia,hallucinations and even thoughts of suicide. Deaths associated with bath salts as a drug have also been reported. Bath salts may eventually be banned in some states and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is studying the long-term medical effects.
“While alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana are commonly abused by young adults, new trends surface all the time,”  says Dr. Franklyn.  “Parents should be aware of warning signs to quickly spot a problem and avoid serious health risks. Look for irregular sweating, thirst, jerky body movements, grinding of teeth and generally erratic behavior.”
Parents, teachers and caregivers should be aware of warning signs associated with drug use so they can take immediate precautionary action. Once you get your loved one to a medical professional; the professional will assess the circumstances and provide guidance about treatment options.
“The symptoms that point to a drug emergency can vary greatly. Overdose symptoms include agitation, drowsiness, vomiting, difficulty breathing, sweating and paranoia,”  adds Dr. Franklyn.  “If you suspect someone is experiencing withdrawal or overdose, provide first aid as needed and seek immediate medical assistance. If possible, take any drug containers or remaining substances to the emergency room with you.”  To learn more about National Drug Facts Week and how you can facilitate a discussion in your community about the harmful effects of drugs, visit http://drugfactsweek.drugabuse.gov/
The National Institute on Drug Abuse’s website for teens is at http://teens.drugabuse.gov/.
This article provided courtesy of Prowers Medical Center and Quorum Health Resources.

Posted in Kids Health |

Helping Children Grow Up Healthy–Mind and Body

Posted on August 19, 2011 by lola

It is easy for parents to identify a child’s physical needs–nutritious and balanced meals; adequate shelter and clothing; sufficient rest and physical activity; immunizations; and a healthy living environment.

However, a child’s mental and emotional needs may not be as obvious. Good mental health allows children to think clearly, develop socially, learn new skills, build self-esteem, and develop a positive mental outlook.

These are the basics for a child’s good mental health:

■Give children unconditional love. Children need to know that your love does not depend on their accomplishments.

■Nurture children’s confidence and self-esteem. Praise and encourage them. Set realistic goals for them. Be honest about your mistakes. Avoid sarcasm.

■Encourage children to play. Play time is as important to a child’s development as food. Play helps children be creative, develop problem-solving skills and self-control, and learn how to get along with others.

■Enroll children in an after school activity, especially if they are otherwise home alone after school. This is a great way for kids to stay productive, learn something new, gain self-esteem and have something to look forward to during the week. Or check in on children after school if they are home alone. Children need to know that even if you’re not there physically, you’re thinking about them, and interested in how they spent their day and how they’ll spend the rest of it.

■Provide a safe and secure environment. Fear can be very real for a child. Try to find out what is frightening him or her. Be loving, patient and reassuring, not critical.

■Give appropriate guidance and discipline when necessary. Be firm, but kind and realistic with your expectations. The goal is not to control the child, but to help him or her learn self-control.

■Communicate. Make time each day after work and school to listen to your children and talk with them about what is happening in their lives. Share emotions and feelings with your children.

■Get help. If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, consult with teachers, a guidance counselor or another adult who may have information about his or her behavior. If you think there is a problem, seek professional help. Early identification and treatment can help children with mental health problems reach their full potential.

Source: Mental Health America, www.mentalhealthamerica.net.

Posted in Kids Health |

Parents: Help Kids Live at a Healthy Weight

Posted on August 17, 2011 by lola

It’s everywhere in the news these days:  Today’s kids are suffering from overweight and obesity, and it is affecting their health and their future.

Diseases previously associated with overweight adults, such as type 2 diabetes, are increasingly showing up in children.  About 17 percent of U.S. children ages 2 to 19 are overweight, and those extra pounds have serious health consequences for them, “both while they are children and for their future health as adults,” says Marc Jacobson, MD, a spokesman for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Extra pounds pack psychological fallout, too, such as low self-esteem, depression and learning and behavioral problems.

If you think your child is putting on too much weight, take her or him to the doctor.  There are some important measurements, such as body mass index, that a doctor can take to tell whether kids are overweight.  But don’t wait until there’s a problem to think about the national epidemic of childhood obesity.  There are a lot of things parents and caregivers can do to encourage healthy weights for children.

Model Good Behavior
A parent’s or caregiver’s job is to demonstrate – not dictate – good eating habits, so listen up!  Munching on potato chips while you’re waiting for dinner to come out of the oven doesn’t model good behavior, but munching on a carrot or celery stick does.  If you eat a variety of foods that are high in fiber and low in fat and sugar, your kids will learn to like those foods too.  So don’t just offer them nutritious foods – let them see you eating them!

Jacobson says there are three key ways to model good behavior:  “One, know your body mass index.  Two, be sure you have regular physical activity yourself.  And three, eat right, meaning decrease the frequency of fast foods, increase fruits and vegetables, and decrease soda and other sweetened beverages.”

Being a good role model extends into every area of your life.  If your kids see that you are physically active and having fun, they’ll be more likely to be active throughout their lives.  And practice what you preach:  If you take the TV out of your child’s bedroom, get rid of the one in your bedroom, too.

Encourage Healthy Habits
Parents and caregivers play a huge role in shaping kids’ eating habits.  Serve fruits and vegetables with every meal and limit your family’s consumption of sugar and saturated fat.

Always serve a variety of healthy foods, cook with less fat and choose and prepare foods with less salt.  By the way, the salt shaker doesn’t belong at the dinner table, but your family does.  Studies show that families that gather at the table for a shared meal tend to consume more nutritious meals and fewer fried foods and sodas.  Serve reasonably-sized portions and help your children recognize the fullness signals that tell them to stop eating.

The Lunch Bunch
Making a healthy home-packed lunch starts in the grocery store.  Most cheeses contain saturated fat, so use them sparingly.  The best choices for protein-packed lunches are chicken, turkey, lean ham; low-fat lunch meats and tuna packed in water.  Make sandwiches with whole-grain bread instead of white bread.  Breads that list whole wheat as the first ingredient are loaded with fiber, B vitamins and iron.  Include at least one serving of fruit in your child’s lunch, and be creative with vegetables.  Garnish sandwiches with grated carrots or cucumber instead of just lettuce.

Facts on Snacks
Poor snack choices can pack on pounds, so steer clear of sugary snacks or sodas.  Some healthy, easy snacks are dried fruit, granola, trail mix, celery and carrot sticks, whole-grain crackers, apple slices, whole-wheat pretzels, low-fat yogurt, whole-wheat fig bars, rice cakes and air-popped popcorn.  Instead of ice cream, try serving fat-free frozen yogurt or sorbet.

While everything can be enjoyed in moderation, limiting intake of snacks that are high in fat, sugar or salt can help your children develop healthy habits.  Allow your kids to eat those items sometimes, so that they truly will be treats.

Source:  The Nation’s Health, www.thenationshealth.org
Written by Teddi Dineley Johnson
Provided by Prowers County Public Health & Environment

Posted in Kids Health |

Back to School Doesn’t Have to Mean Back to Bullying

Posted on August 17, 2011 by lola

 

School starts next week and that means a lot of kids will be dealing with peer pressure, cliques and all that goes with them. Let’s take some time to go over the ins and outs of bullying.

What is bullying?
The definition of a bully from Dictionary.com is: a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people.
Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength. Typically, it is repeated over time. A child who is being bullied has a hard time defending him or herself.

Bullying can take many forms. There is physical bullying, which is tripping, shoving, knocking books, hitting or punching; verbal bullying, which is name calling, spreading rumors, telling mean jokes or teasing; nonverbal or emotional bullying, which is exclusion, drawing pictures, gestures, mean glares or intimidation; and cyber bullying, which is, harassing texts, emails or harassing posts on social networks such as Facebook.

Statistically Speaking:
1. 60% of middle school students say that they have been bullied, while 16% of staff believes that students are bullied.

2. 160,000 students stay home from school every day due to bullying. (NEA)

3. 30% of students who reported they had been bullied said they had at times brought weapons to school.

4. A bully is 6 times more likely to be incarcerated by the age of 24.

5. A bully is 5 times more likely to have a serious criminal record when he grows up.

6. 2/3 of students who are targets become bullies.

7. 20% of all children say they have been bullied.

8. 20% of high school students say they have seriously considered suicide within the last 12 months.

9. 25% of students say that teachers intervened in bullying incidents while 71% of teachers say they intervened.

10. The average child has watched 8,000 televised murders and 100,000 acts of violence before finishing elementary school.

11. In schools where there are anti-bullying programs, bullying is reduced by 50%.

12. Bullying was a factor in 2/3 of the 37 school shootings reviewed by the US Secret Service.

13. According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety Health (NIOSH) (Sauter, et al.,1990), there is a loss of employment amounting to $19 billion and a drop in productivity of $3 billion due to workplace bullying.

14. Law enforcement costs related to bullying are enormous.  Since 1999, the Office on Violence against Women (OVW) has spent $98 million in assistance to address campus sexual violence.

The Targets:
Kids who are obese, gay, or have disabilities are up to 63% more likely to be bullied than other children. Studies have shown that obese children are 63% more likely to be targets of bullying. Gay youth are also significantly more likely to be bullied, with lesbians experiencing bullying at 3 times the rate of other youth.
Kids with learning disabilities, speech impediments, ADHD, and medical conditions that affect their appearance are also at higher risk of being bullied. One study found that 83% of adults who stuttered when they were kids reported they had been teased or bullied because of it.

Boys are more likely than girls to bully others. According to studies, boys are more likely than girls to report that they bully others. Boys are also usually only bullied by other boys, while girls report being bullied by both boys and girls.  Boys tend to be more physical and take opportunities when they see them.  Girls are more verbal and emotional. They are more apt to cyber bullying than boys and tend to be more premeditated in their attacks.

Boys and girls get bullied in different ways. The most frequent type of bullying experienced by both boys and girls is verbal bullying. But that’s where the similarities end. Boys are far more likely to be hit, slapped, pushed, or be exposed to other types of physical bullying. Girls, on the other hand, are at higher risk for being socially excluded, having rumors spread about them, or being targeted with sexual comments.

Consequences:
Stresses of being bullied can interfere with student’s engagement and learning in school.

Children and youth who are bullied are more likely than other children to be depressed, lonely, anxious, have low self-esteem, feel unwell, and think about suicide.

Students who are bullied may fear going to school, using the bathroom, and riding on the school bus.

Research shows that bullying can be a sign of other serious antisocial or violent behavior. Children and youth who frequently bully their peers are more likely than others to get into fights, vandalize or steal property, drink alcohol, smoke, be truant from school, drop out of school, and carry a weapon.

Bullying also has an impact on other students at school who are bystanders to bullying. Bullying creates a climate of fear and disrespect in schools and has a negative impact on student learning.

Adult Response:
Adults are often unaware of bullying problems. In one study, 70 percent of teachers believed that teachers intervene “almost always” in bullying situations; only 25 percent of students agreed with this assessment.

25 percent of teachers see nothing wrong with bullying or putdowns and consequently intervene in only 4 percent of bullying incidents.

Students often feel that adult intervention is infrequent and unhelpful and they often fear that telling adults will only bring more harassment from bullies

Let’s do our best to keep our kids safe.  Talk to them and be attentive to what they have to say.  Recognize changes in behaviors, as often times this is a sign of bullying.  If you suspect your child is a bully, take the time to address it and help them work through it.  You’ll be saving them from a possible future of failure.

Colorado has no official anti-bullying law.  Colorado State Lawmakers chose a “Legislative declaration” and creation of Policy.  Policy can be as good as law.  Check out: Colorado School Violence Prevention and Student Discipline Manual at http://www.bullypolice.org/co_02.pdf

Posted in Kids Health |

How Stress Hurts

Posted on July 8, 2011 by lola

Evolution was pretty savvy about danger. See a saber-tooth tiger, get moving! Today, flight—or fight, if
necessary—still triggers major bodily changes, such as:

•Sugars in the bloodstream increase to supply energy
•Muscles tense so they’re poised for action
•Heart beats faster to get blood pumping
•Digestion and other functions slow to save energy needed elsewhere

The problem is that our brains react to ominous loads of laundry and upcoming dentist visits like they
were vicious predators. And the onslaught of today’s stressors is fairly nonstop. When our bodies stay
triggered for too long, lots of possible health problems can develop or worsen.

Stress may contribute to:

•high blood pressure
•heart disease and stroke
•decreased immune defenses
•cancer
•stomach problems
•poorer brain functioning
Stress also can lead to serious mental health problems, like depression and anxiety disorders.

Of course, you can’t necessarily remove the sources of stress. But you can figure out ways to cope better
with whatever comes your way. And decades of research suggest which steps are most likely to work.

Are You Too Stressed?
Your stress reaction can boost your performance and get you through a crisis. But too much stress can
lead to serious problems.If you’re concerned about your well-being, take a look at the symptoms of
stress overload:

•fatigue
•headaches
•loss of concentration
•difficulty making decisions
•inability to control anger
•increased use of alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes or drugs
•increased or decreased eating
•feeling overwhelmed
•thinking often about what you need to do

10 Tools to Reduce Stress

1) Connect with Others. People who feel connected are happier and healthier–and may even live longer.

2) Stay Positive. People who regularly focus on the positive in their lives are less upset by painful
memories.

3) Get Physically Active. Exercise can help relieve insomnia and reduce depression.

4) Help Others. People who consistently help others experience less depression, greater calm and fewer
pains.

5) Get Enough Sleep. Not getting enough rest increases risks of weight gain, accidents, reduced memory
and heart problems.

6) Create Joy and Satisfaction. Positive emotions can boost your ability to bounce back from stress.

7) Eat Well. Eating healthy food and regular meals can increase your energy, lower the risk of developing
certain diseases and influence your mood.

8) Take Care of Your Spirit. People who have strong spiritual lives may be healthier and live longer.
Spirituality seems to cut the stress that can contribute to disease.

9) Deal Better with Hard Times. People who can tackle problems or get support in a tough situation tend
to feel less depressed.

10) Get Professional Help if You Need It. More than 80 percent of people who are treated for depression
improve.

Adapted from “Life Your Life Well”, Mental Health America, www.mentalhealthamerica.net.

Posted in Wellness |

Citizens Urged to Test Homes for Radon, the Second Leading Cause of Lung Cancer in U.S.

Posted on June 10, 2011 by lola

Southeast Environmental Health is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in a nationwide campaign to educate Americans about the dangers of radon exposure and to encourage them to take action to protect their homes and families. In our community, Southeast Environmental Health has free in home test kits available, throughout the year.

Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that is dispersed in outdoor air, but which can reach harmful levels when trapped in buildings. Scientists have long been concerned about the health risk of radon, but never before has there been such overwhelming proof that exposure to elevated levels of radon causes lung cancer in humans.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Radon is the leading second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. “However,” says Keith Siemsen from Southeast Environmental Health “because you can’t see or smell radon, people tend to downplay the health effects and ignore the possibility that there might be a silent killer in their homes.”

Testing homes for elevated levels of radon is simple and inexpensive. Radon problems can be fixed by qualified contractors for a cost similar to that of many common home repairs and minor remodeling projects.

Southeast Environmental Health urges residents to take action by testing their homes for radon.
Radon poses a serious threat to our community’s health but there is a straightforward solution. For more information on radon, radon testing and mitigation, and radon-resistant new construction, call Southeast Environmental Health at 719 336 8721 or visit our Web site on the Prowers County Website Home Page, the CDPHE’s Radon Web site at www.cdphe.state.co.us/hm/rad/radon/, or the EPA’s National Radon Action Month Web site www.epa.gov/radon/nram.

RADON TEST KIT AVAILABILITY AND TESTING

Southeast Environmental Health has free short-term radon test kits available for the public.

Everyone should test for radon where they live. Businesses and other public facilities are all encouraged to do the same. Any indoor space where people gather, work, attend school or live is a candidate for radon testing.

The short-term test kits provided by Southeast Environmental Health are simple activated charcoal devices designed to be exposed to the radon levels in a structure for three to seven days. So this means they must remain in place for at least three days, but no longer than seven days for a useful test.

GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW FOR EFFECTIVE RADON TESTING

Short-term tests for indoor radon gas levels can be made during any season. To begin, all windows and external doors should be kept closed for 12 hours before beginning the test and remain closed for the duration of the test. Normal entry and exiting of the building can still occur, just close the door behind you and try not to open windows during this time.

Tests kits should be set up in the lowest area of the building that is used on a regular basis or the lowest level to be used by a potential buyer.

Hang the test kit where it will not be disturbed, preferably hanging it centrally in the room selected.
It should be suspended between two and six feet from the floor which is within the normal breathing zone for most people. String may be helpful for hanging the test kit from the ceiling or a light fixture.

Do not begin a radon test if severe weather is predicted, especially storms with sustained winds exceeding 25 miles per hour and when extreme precipitation is expected to last 24 hours or longer.

The radon test kit should not be placed in a draft and should be kept 3 feet or more away from doorways, hallways, exterior walls, windows, and heating or air-conditioning vents. Air blowing on a radon test kit may increase its sensitivity to radon gas.

Both high humidity and any source of heat can reduce the sensitivity and proper function of radon testing devices. So it is also important to avoid placement of a radon test kit in high humidity areas like bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms or damp basements. Also, avoid placement near any heat source such as a stove, fireplace or in direct sunlight.

With these guidelines, an effective short-term indoor radon gas test kit can be set up and reliable results obtained.

Posted in Wellness |

Stuttering awareness week

Posted on June 1, 2011 by lola

Stuttering Awareness Week
May 9th-15th was National Stuttering Awareness Week. Academy award winning actor Colin Firth, of The Kings Speech, was named honorary chairman. Through this movie, The Kings Speech, an increased awareness of stuttering has emerged. Screen writer of the movie, David Seidler, had experienced stuttering himself. He stated that he “stumbled and sputtered over his syllables so badly that he lived in terror of speaking in class, talking to girls, even answering the telephone.” If you stutter or know someone who does, that last statement will ring true.
What do we know about stuttering:
• About 1% of adults and 3% of children stutter.
• Stuttering usually starts between the ages of 2-5.
• 75-80% of children will recover without treatment
• If spontaneous recovery is to occur, it will be noted during the first 6-12 months of
stuttering onset.
• “They’ll outgrow it” or “Ignore it and it will go away”. Two big misconceptions. 20% of
children DO NOT outgrow it!
• People who stutter are as intelligent and well-adjusted as non-stutters.
Can stuttering be treated? Yes!. There are a variety of successful approaches for treating
children and adults who stutter. Early intervention is highly recommended. Research has shown that with proper early intervention, recovery rates are at least 80%. Treatment for adolescents and adults involves teaching them techniques to modify their stuttering and to decrease their negative attitudes towards stuttering.
How to react when speaking to someone who stutters:
• Do not finish sentences or fill in words!
• Refrain from making comments like: “Slow down,” Take a breath,” or “Relax.” If it
were that easy everyone would be fluent.
• Maintain eye contact. Wait patiently until the person is finished.
• Be aware that people who stutter have more trouble talking on the telephone.
• In general, let the person know by your actions that you are listening to what is being said
and not how it is being said. Stuttering is something he/she does and not something he/
she is.
Where do I go to get help or more information? First, begin with the Stuttering Foundation
of America, stutteringhelp.org. I tell all my patients, regardless of the impairment they face, “If it’s something you’ve got, you might as well study it and become an expert in it.” Second, contact a Speech Language Pathologist that has experience with stuttering therapy and feels confident working with the impairment. And finally, DON’T put it off in hopes that one day stuttering will go away. Having experienced stuttering myself, I have developed a great respect for how stuttering can change the course of a person’s life, for good or bad. For example: avoidance of professions that require a high level of communication skill; feeling held back from pursing a career of greater interest; feeling unsuccessful in school or work; external discrimination, laughed at, mocked.
A prominent former stuttering therapist Joseph Sheehan stated, “We are changed by what we do, not by what we think about or read about, but by what we actually do.” Don’t let stuttering stop you from being the person you can be. If you have questions, I can be contacted at john.cochran@prowersmedical.com or call the Prowers Medical Center Rehabilitation office at 336-6728.

John E. Cochran MA CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
at Prowers Medical Center

Posted in Wellness |

Prevent Animal-Borne Diseases – Hantavirus

Posted on May 16, 2011 by lola

Lamar- Southeast Environmental Health and County Public Health agencies in Baca, Bent, Kiowa, and Prowers want to remind residents that as spring cleaning and summer time approach, so does the risk of contracting Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

This diseases can be carried by various rodents then transmitted to humans. State health epidemiologists and local public health staff recommend that everyone help control the presence of rodents and mosquitoes around their home; and, when heading outdoors, particularly to areas where wild animals are active, take appropriate precautions. And, remember not to handle sick or dead animals or animal waste. The following few precautions go a long way towards preventing animal-borne disease.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a serious respiratory disease caused by a virus (hantavirus). Hantavirus is carried by wild rodents, particularly deer mice, and is present in their droppings (feces), urine and saliva. These dried droppings or urine can be stirred up in dust and breathed in by people. People may get hantavirus when they breathe in air contaminated by the virus. Hantavirus has not been shown to infect other kinds of animals, such as dogs, cats or farm animals. The disease is not contagious and does not spread from human to human.

Symptoms: The incubation period (time between exposure and appearance of symptoms) varies widely, but ranges from 1 to 6 weeks, with an average of 2-3 weeks. First symptoms of HPS include fever, headache, and muscle pain, severe abdominal, joint and lower back pain, nausea and vomiting. A cough and shortness of breath usually develops 1 to 5 days after the onset of symptoms. The primary symptom of HPS is difficulty in breathing due to fluid build-up in the lungs. This can quickly progress to respiratory failure.

Preventing Hantavirus: The best way to prevent the risk of hantavirus infection is to control the presence of rodents in and around the home. This includes sealing up rodent entry holes or gaps; trapping mice and rats; and, being careful not to create food sources for the rodents, i.e. keeping yard clean and putting away pet food.
Hantavirus is often encountered when cleaning vacated sheds, cabins or other enclosed areas, so it is especially important that areas where rodents have been are cleaned cautiously and carefully. Areas should not be swept or vacuumed as this can stir up dust. Instead, use gloves and thoroughly wet contaminated areas with a bleach solution or household disinfectant. Once wet, contaminated materials can be taken up with damp towel and then mopped or sponged with bleach solution or household disinfectant. Contaminated gloves should be disinfected before taking them off. After taking off the clean gloves, wash hands with soap and warm water.

For more information on animal borne disease and prevention visit the Colorado Department of Health and Environment Web site: http://www.cdphe.state.co.us or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at http://www.cdc.gov
Residents in Baca, Bent, Kiowa, and Prowers County may call Southeast Environmental Health at 719-336-8721 for more information.

Posted in Wellness |