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From our
Parish Nurse |
Health News...
Has Your Family Had The Talk? Families tend to avoid talking about difficult issues and the consequences can be costly — from both a financial and an emotional perspective — particularly when it comes to long-term care and end-of-life issues. As you get together this holiday season take special note of how your parents or grandparents look and behave.
Are they well-groomed? Are they having a hard time walking? Can they see and hear all that is going on around them? Have they lost weight in a short period of time? If you are at their home, does it appear to be tidy and clean? Is there food in the refrigerator or cupboards? Are the appropriate number of medications gone from their prescription bottles?
Answering “no” to any of the questions may indicate that your family member needs help with activities of daily living. If so, this is a good time to get other family members involved in sharing their own observations and to initiate the first step in opening up the family talk and setting groundwork for future conversations. It is critical that you convey this concern for THEIR best interests. The sooner you get them the help they need, the better. If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call me.
Do children need sunglasses? -
Yes they do!
Children are at special risk from the harmful effects of UV rays, since their
eyes do not have the same ability as adults to protect from UV radiation.
Here are some helpful suggestions for choosing sunglasses for children:
Check to make sure the sunglasses fit well and are not damaged,
Choose sunglasses that fit your child's lifestyle - the lenses should be impact resistant and should not pop out of the frames,
Choose lenses that are large enough to shield the eyes from most angles.
Find a wide-brimmed hat for your child to wear along with the sunglasses. This will give your child extra protection against the sun. Wearing a hat can cut the amount of UV rays that reach the eyes in half.
Choose sunglasses that block out 99 to 100% of UV-A and UV-B rays. Sunglasses makers do not always attach a tag or label stating the amount of UV radiation that sunglasses block. Only buy sunglasses that provide a clear statement about how much UV radiation is blocked.
UV rays can come from many directions. They radiate directly from the sun, but they are also reflected from the ground, from water, snow, sand and other bright surfaces. Be aware that sunglasses worn at the beach or on the ski slopes should have a darker tint to block more light. Risk of eye damage from the sun is greater because of reflection off the water and snow.
Don’t forget to protect your own eyes while you are at it and have a wonderful summer!
Sunwise - An educational website sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Protect Yourself from the Sun - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Facts about Underage Drinking:
In a survey of Americans age 12-17, the average person took their first drink before age 13.
Youth who use alcohol before 15 are four times more likely to be alcohol dependent than adults whose first drink is at the legal age of 21.
Alcohol is linked to as many as two-thirds of all sexual assaults and date rapes of teens and college students.
Studies reveal that alcohol consumption by adolescents results in brain damage (possibly permanent) and impairs intellectual development.
Children who drink are 7.5 times more likely to use any illicit drug.
Approximately 88% of 10th graders and 75% of 8th graders report that it is very easy or fairly easy to get alcohol.
The typical American young person will see 100,000 beer commercials before he or she turns 18.
Children see drinking all around them and they are naturally curious about alcohol and the way it affects people. You should always answer your child’s questions honestly, but you should also be prepared to initiate discussions about alcohol. It is never too early to start talking with your child about drinking. Many parents make the mistake of waiting until their child has begun drinking, but if you listen and respond to your child sensitively, you may be able to help prevent problems from developing later.
Women’s Heart Attack Symptoms Differ from Men’s - Research indicates that women often experience new or different physical symptoms as long as a month or more before experiencing heart attacks. In a recent study conducted on women that had experienced a heart attack, less than 30% reported having chest pain or discomfort prior to their heart attacks, and 43% reported having no chest pain during any phase of the attack. Most doctors, however, do still consider chest pain as the most important heart attack symptom in both men and women but women’s symptoms are not as predictable as men’s.
In a recent study conducted by the National Institute of Health women’s major symptoms prior to their heart attack were: unusual fatigue-70%; sleep disturbance-48%; shortness of breath-42%; indigestion-39%; and anxiety-35%. Major symptoms during the heart attack included: shortness of breath-58%; weakness-55%; unusual fatigue-43%; cold sweat-39%; and dizziness-39%.
If you get help during the first hour your chances of recovery are greatly improved. If there is any question in your mind about whether or not you could be having a heart attack seek help immediately!
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This page was last updated on April 13, 2008
