Stress and the Immune System

•Stress can make you more vulnerable to colds and flu, fatigue and infections.
•Stress and the Brain—stress can cause brain dysfunction, decreased concentration, and headaches.
•Stress and Endocrinology and Metabolism—stress can slow metabolism and make you susceptible to type II diabetes.
•Stress and the Cardiovascular System—stress can cause rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, elevated cholesterol levels, and lead to a delayed processing and clearance of fats and triglycerides.
•Stress and the gastrointestinal tract— stress can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea by hindering stomach acid secretion and emptying, as well as increasing the movement of the colon.
•Stress and the Reproductive system—stress suppresses the production of the male and female sex hormones testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone.
•Stress and Physical Problems—stress can cause dizziness, trembling, sleep disorders, and sexual problems.

Preventing Back Injuries

Back pain is one of the most common reasons for doctor visits in the US. In fact, at least one in five Americans will experience some sort of back pain during his or her lifetime. The good news is, most back pain can be prevented by proper care. And if back pain does occur, most injuries will resolve without a doctor’s care. As with most other health issues, prevention is easier, less expensive, and less painful than treatment once injury occurs. Luckily, most back pain just requires a few days of taking it easy and using over the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprophen. Bed rest is usually not necessary, and may actually delay recovery. If back pain persists beyond 72 hours or gets worse, it’s best to call your doctor.

There are several steps you can take to avoid a back problem:

•Keep your weight at a normal level. Excess pounds put excess stress on joints and muscles all over the body. The back muscles have to work much harder when carrying around a heavy belly.

•Exercise regularly. Walk, swim, ride a bike, anything that keeps you moving and doesn’t put too much stress on the spine will benefit the back. Regular stretching through activities such as yoga, tai chi, and Pilates has been proven to prevent back injuries. Just be sure you have a good instructor when starting a stretching program. Strength training, in particular exercises that strength the abdominal muscles, also can help prevent back strain.

•Stand up straight. Your mother was right, good posture will not only make you look taller and thinner, it also keeps the spine in proper alignment and helps prevent muscle fatigue.

•Learn how to lift properly. When lifting anything, even something very light, keep your back straight and bend from the knees. Let your legs do most of the work. Avoid twisting your back when you lift.

Lyme disease

Lyme disease is caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium that is transmitted to humans by the black-legged tick or deer-tick. It is the most prevalent tick-borne infectious disease in the United States. In 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 21,273 cases of Lyme disease. Although the disease has been reported in nearly every state, more than 95 percent of all cases are concentrated in just several areas, including New England. This puts New England Laborers at increased risk because so much of our work is performed outdoors. Individuals, including children, who live near wooded areas, play or work in their yard, participate in activities such as hiking, camping, fishing and hunting are also at risk.

Typically, the first symptom of Lyme disease is a red rash that starts as a small red spot at the site of the tick bite and expands over time, forming a circular or oval-shape that resembles a bulls-eye. As infection spreads, rashes can appear at different sites on the body and are often accompanied by symptoms such as fever, headache, stiff neck, body aches, and fatigue.

Treatment

When diagnosed and treated early most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics. However, after several months of infection, slightly more than half of people not treated with antibiotics develop recurrent attacks of painful and swollen joints, most commonly in the knees. About 10 to 20 percent of untreated people develop chronic arthritis. Lyme disease can also affect the nervous system, causing such symptoms as stiff neck, Bell's palsy and numbness in the limbs. Less commonly, untreated people can develop heart problems, hepatitis, and severe fatigue.

Prevention:

• Avoid tick habitats whenever possible. Deer ticks are found in brush, woods,
and tall grass.
• Use caution in warm months, especially May and June.
• Deer ticks are tiny and are easier to spot on light-colored clothing.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts tucked-in.
• Wear long pants with the cuffs tucked in work boots.
• Apply a repellent that has 33% DEET on exposed skin and clothes.
• Additionally, apply permethrin repellant on clothes.

Perform a tick check:

The transmission of bacteria from an infected tick is unlikely to occur before 36 hours of attachment so check daily for ticks. Embedded ticks should be removed using fine-tipped tweezers as closely to the skin as possible. Do not be alarmed if the “claws” do not remove from the bite area. The bacteria are contained in the tick's midgut or salivary glands. Cleanse the area with an antiseptic.

How to Handle Stress

• Relax, unwind, and make time for yourself.
• Sleep. Try to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night.
• Eat right. Try to fuel up with fruits, vegetables, and proteins for
the energy you need.
• Get moving. Your body makes certain chemicals, called endorphins, before
and after you work out. They relieve stress and improve your mood.
• Talk to friends to help you work through your stress.
• Plan your time and set limits. Write a to-do list. Figure out what’s
most important to do.
• Don’t deal with stress in unhealthy ways like drinking too much
alcohol, using drugs, smoking, or overeating.
• Get help from a professional if you need it. They may prescribe
medications that can help ease symptoms of depression and anxiety and
help promote sleep.
• Compromise, get a hobby, or help others.

Heads Up!

Why is Head Protection so Important? Because your head is such an important and delicate part of your body. In and around your head are:

• Your eyes, with which you see;
• Your ears, with which you hear;
• Your nose, with which you smell;
• Your mouth, with which you eat and speak; and
• Your brain, with which you think.

Impact and penetration injuries to the head can be painful and very serious. Every year construction workers are injured and killed because of head injuries. These injuries are commonly caused by falling or flying objects, or by striking the head against a fixed object. By using a hard hat you can protect your head from these types of injuries. Hard hats resist penetration and resist the shock of a blow. They can also provide some protection from electrical shock. When you conduct work on the job or at home carefully evaluate the project and the potential hazards. When a head injury hazard exists wear your hard hat to protect this very delicate part of your body. Many people are treated each year for injuries to the head. The pain and the consequences of not protecting your head (loss time out of work, missed family time, expenses) can be avoided by using caution and common sense.

Hand Safety

Your hands are one of the most complex parts of your body. Without healthy hands you cannot perform such routine jobs as buttoning a shirt, opening a door, or lifting a fork. Many of us take our hands for granted. Whether on the job or at home we often take chances around such hazards as chemicals, machinery, power tools, sharp or rough edges, ropes, welding sparks, heat, cold, etc.

On the job your hands are the tools that make you a highly skilled and valued worker. Yet, as important as your hands are, most people are careless about hand safety. Each year approximately 180,000 people suffer with serious hand injuries, most of these injuries are job related accidents. These serious injuries may prohibit a person from working and in many cases from being independent enough to perform daily necessary activities like washing up, getting themselves dressed, eating meals, and driving.

Choose to take care of your hands at work and at home. Don’t wait until you have a serious injury to learn more about the new materials and styles available to protect you. There are so many comfortable, durable, and functional glove options these days chances are you will be able to find the perfect fit. Be sure to work with your employer & safety supervisor to evaluate your working environment to decide what type of protection you will need to keep your hands healthy.

Allergy Facts

To ease the symptoms of allergies, sufferers should avoid common irritants like tobacco smoke, automobile exhaust, hair spray, and perfumes. Do a thorough spring cleaning windows, book shelves and air conditioning vents collect dust and mold throughout the winter that can provoke allergy symptoms.

If you suffer from hay fever allergies you should wash their hair at night. Why? To remove pollen and prevent it from settling on bedding and pillows. Wash your hands frequently and try to avoid going outdoors when pollen counts are high.

Ask your allergist about prescription medications to help prevent allergy attacks. Patients typically start taking these types of medications about a week before peak allergy season and at least 30 minutes prior to outdoor activity. Some allergy medications, such as antihistamines, may cause drowsiness, so if you need to be alert ask your doctor about the newer types that have fewer side effects.

Additional helpful hints:

•Vacuum at least twice a week.
•Keep car windows closed during peak allergy season and point air conditioning vents away from your face.
•Avoid open windows or fans that may draw pollen inside.
•Pollen can cling to pets, so keep them off of furniture and out of the bedroom.
•Wear a filter mask when mowing the lawn or doing gardening.

What Is the Cold/Flu?

The cold, like the flu, is a virus and cannot be treated with antibiotics. Unfortunately, the only true treatment is to wait until has run it's course.

The flu is similar to the common cold but the symptoms are usually much more severe.The flu is a virus called influenza. It cannot be treated with antibiotics, but may be prevented with a flu shot and new antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu, may help shorten the duration of the flu.

Better Care at Lower Cost

Good health care doesn't just happen. You have to do your part. Taking an active role in your health care is the best way to make sure you get great care and reduce costs at the same time.
It is likely that you will be faced with one or more of the following health decisions at some time. Use the skills described in the topic Making Wise Health Decisions to help you decide if the services or treatments in question are right for you.

Making Wise Health Decisions

Throughout your life you will have to make health decisions for yourself and your family. The decisions you make will influence your overall well-being as well as the quality and cost of your care. In general, people who work with their doctors to make health decisions are happier with the care they receive and the results they achieve.

Why should you partner with your doctor to make decisions? Aren't you paying him or her to know what to do? It''s not always clear what choices are the right ones for you. There are often several approaches to diagnosing and treating a health problem. And you are more likely to feel better about the chosen approach if it is the one best suited to your needs and values.
The best formula for making health decisions is to combine the most reliable medical facts with your personal values. These include your beliefs, fears, lifestyle, and experiences, and they all play a role in helping you make decisions about your health.

Vegetarianism

Some people choose to follow a vegetarian diet, which means they eat mostly plant-based foods (grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. There are several different forms of vegetarian diets:

• Vegans, or total vegetarians, eat only plant foods. They do not eat red meat, poultry, fish, milk products, eggs, or other foods that come from animals, such as honey and gelatin.
• Lacto-vegetarians include milk products—such as milk, cheese, and yogurt—in their diet.
• Lacto-ovo vegetarians include milk products and eggs in their diets.
  Semi-vegetarians may include poultry and fish in their diets, but they do not eat red meat.

Vegetarians also need to make sure they are getting the following nutrients:

Vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 is found only in foods from animal sources, such as milk, eggs, and meat. Vegans either need to eat foods fortified with vitamin B12 (such as fortified soy milk) or take a supplement that contains vitamin B12.

Iron

Vegetarian iron sources include cooked dry beans, leafy green vegetables, and iron-fortified grain products. Iron from plant foods is not absorbed as well as iron from meats, so it is important for vegetarians to regularly eat iron-rich foods. Eating foods that contain vitamin C will improve the absorption of iron from a meal.

Calcium

Vegetarians who do not use milk or milk products need to get calcium from other sources. Soy milk and orange juice fortified with calcium are good sources. Other nonmilk sources of calcium include seeds, nuts, and certain green vegetables.

Zinc

Zinc from plant foods is poorly absorbed, so it is important for vegetarians to get enough zinc. Good sources of zinc include leavened whole grains (such as whole wheat bread), legumes (beans and lentils), soy foods, and vegetables.

Vitamin D

Vegetarians who do not use milk or milk products may not get enough vitamin D. However, soy milk is often fortified with vitamin D, as are some cereals. Your body can also make vitamin D when exposed to sunlight on a regular basis. Supplements may be needed if you don''t consume a source of vitamin D and don''t get adequate sunlight.

Walking for Wellness

Walking is one of the easiest way to get the exercise you need to stay healthy.
Before you start, talk with your doctor to make sure it's okay for you to begin a walking program. Start with a short-term goal. For example, walk for 5 or 10 minutes every day. Or increase your number of steps by 300 to 500 each day. After you've made walking a habit, set a longer-term goal. You may want to set a goal of walking briskly for at least 30 minutes a day or work up to 10,000 steps a day. You can try to do this 5 days a week or more. You can wear a pedometer to track your steps each day. To stay motivated, find a walking partner, such as a family member, friend, or coworker. Daily dog walks are also a great way to keep up your walking routine.

Healthy Eating

Healthy eating requires some planning and purpose and an effort to include a variety of foods in your meals. If you look closely at how you eat, you might find you aren''t getting enough nutrients because you don't get the recommended number of servings from each food group.So, not only is it important to pay attention to what you eat but also to what food groups you may not eat enough of. To accomplish this, keep a food diary of everything you eat and drink for 1 week. Pay attention to serving sizes, and check to see if you are eating a variety of foods from each of the food groups. You don't need to meet the minimum number every day, but try to get the recommended intake on average over a week. If you are not getting the recommended amount of servings from each food group, you may be missing important nutrients. For example, if you rarely eat fruits or vegetables, you may not get enough vitamin C, beta-carotene, or potassium. Making a few small changes can help ensure that you are eating a variety of healthy foods.

Everyone can benefit from eating healthy foods, but not everyone has the same nutritional needs. Pregnant women, growing children, and older adults will have different needs for certain nutrients. People who have high blood pressure need to watch how much salt they eat. Those who have high cholesterol may be on a cholesterol-lowering diet that restricts saturated and trans fats and cholesterol. And people who have diabetes will need to spread the carbohydrate that they eat throughout the day. If you are generally healthy and don’t have health issues that require a special diet, it's still wise to watch how much salt, fat, and added sugar you eat, in order to prevent diseases such as heart disease and high blood pressure. Limit the amount of salt you get by eating as many fresh foods as possible. Remember, 400 mg of sodium is equal to 1000 mg of salt. Processed foods, fast food, and restaurant foods are the major sources of dietary sodium. Prepared foods, such as soups, snack foods, and canned foods, are also extremely high in salt. Also watch the amount of fat you eat. Replace saturated and trans fats with monounsaturated fats such as olive oil and canola oil. Include healthy omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, walnuts, flaxseed, and canola oil. Low-carbohydrate diets may help some people lose weight initially, but they may not be healthy over a long period of time. Low- carbohydrate diets are high in total fat and saturated fat and are low in fiber. They also restrict grains, fruits, and vegetables, which protect against disease and provide important nutrients. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans list fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat milk products as food groups to choose from, for the greatest benefit.

Health Information Technology

Health information technology (Health IT) allows comprehensive management of medical information and its secure exchange between health care consumers and providers. Broad use of health IT will:

• Improve health care quality;


• Prevent medical errors;


• Reduce health care costs;


• Increase administrative efficiencies;


• Decrease paperwork; and


• Expand access to affordable care.

Interoperable health IT will improve individual patient care, but it will also bring many public health benefits including:

• Early detection of infectious disease outbreaks around the country;


• Improved tracking of chronic disease management; and


• Evaluation of health care based on value enabled by the collection of de-identified price and quality information that can be compared.

Health information technologies can be tools that help individuals maintain their health through better management of their health information. Health IT will help consumers gather all of their health information in one place so they can thoroughly understand it and share it securely with their health care providers so they get the care that best fits their individual needs.
Health IT can help to improve public health one individual at a time by building partnerships between health care consumers and providers across the country.

Deserved Health

The most comprehensive health database online!Drugs, diseases, online pharmacies, buying drugs online and other health related information all on one site.

Much has been written about health, but we must realise that health also comes from our state of mind. When we control our thoughts, our thinking process and have the realisation that we are what we feel, we are only as healthy as we believe we are, even during crisis and ill-health we can overcome almost anything.

Even if we apply all the recommendations in this series of topics, if we have a negative attitude towards our health, then we can still become ill.

So health, then, is a state of mind, just as much as it is a state of our body. Health also comes down to choice. We can choose to live in a healthy environment, in a sustainable way, free from many pollutants, with good quality air, water and food. It's now that we can act and by changing our own lives, we change the whole world.