June is the time when most schools close for the summer, families picnic and take to nearby beaches, and when many individuals climb into their cars for a trip miles away to visit friends and relatives. We tend to be much more active as warmer weather approaches than we are when we hunker down in our homes during winter months. It’s no surprise then that June has been designated as National Safety Month. It’s not that we love our children less or take risks we wouldn’t at other times of the year, but summertime makes us slightly more carefree.

Each year thousands of individuals have heat-related illnesses, either during working or leisure hours. The body normally cools itself through sweating but sometimes with high humidity levels, sweating isn’t sufficient. A person can develop heat rash, cramps, exhaustion and even heat stroke. Prevention begins with water, rest and shade.

The National Transportation Safety Board has been examining methods of reducing the number of motor vehicle accidents that occur annually. Such ideas as reducing state blood alcohol levels from 0.08 to 0.05 or lower, requiring ignition interlocks for all offenders, increasing the use of high-visibility enforcement and more have been recommended. We may grumble, but it’s their way of keeping us safe and that’s a good thing.

We can do a great deal at home to reduce problems that arise by keeping emergency telephone numbers handy and actually showing other household members where to find them, installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, having a first aid kit available for scrapes and more serious injuries, and keeping guns in locked cabinets. We can initiate new household rules that no toys remain on staircases, that extension cords do not cross areas of traffic, that scatter rugs aren’t in areas where seniors might get tangled up and fall, and more. Frayed electrical wiring should be repaired at once and furnaces cleaned annually. Families should have an escape plan in the event of fire and a backup plan to be doubly safe. If the backup plan is through a window, there should be no air conditioner or other item preventing that space from being used.

Lawn mowers appear to be rather harmless pieces of equipment but thousands of people are injured each year from accidents – many of which can be prevented. The grass guard on the side of the machine should not be removed, since it prevents sticks and stones from being thrust with enormous force from the side of the machine and breaking windows or injuring a nearby pet or person. Ear protection and long pants should be worn for protection.

Hot tap water can scald anyone but seniors and children appear most susceptible. In fact, burns from hot water account for 100 deaths and approximately 1,500 hospital visits every year. Temperature gauges set at 140 degrees can cause a serious burn within three seconds, while gauges lowered to 120 degrees will take 10 minutes for serious burns to occur.

Gardening is both pleasurable and rewarding but attention should be paid to protect skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Sun blocks with an SPF of 15 or higher should be used several times throughout extended periods of outdoor exposure. Gloves can protect hands from cuts and skin irritations. Mosquitoes, ticks and bees may be present. Insect repellent containing DEET should be used, and pants should be tucked into socks to prevent critters from biting. Read labels on chemicals that may be used in the garden. Water or drinks with electrolytes should be on hand to keep a person hydrated; all this may appear to be excessive but it’s better to be safe than sorry. When it comes to moving rocks or digging, stress is place on both the back and heart. Try pacing yourself to rest, hydrate and tackle those long-overdue projects at a slower pace.

The bottom line? We are subject to accidents every hour of every day and need to do all we can to limit distractions, use equipment properly, and protect ourselves from injury. Pay attention to signs of any heat-related illnesses such as dizziness, headache and nausea, take frequent breaks, and enjoy the glorious month of June. But remember, put safety first. Your family and loved ones are important and they cannot do without you either. Stay safe.

Arthritis affects more than 46 million Americans, a figure that may rise to an astonishing 67 million or more people by the year 2030. While there are more than 100 types of arthritis, the two most common forms are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), described as inflammation of one or more joints in the body. The many types have several common characteristics such as symptoms of pain and stiffness that may be relieved with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen.

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, comes on slowly from normal wear and tear as an individual ages, or may occur more rapidly because of injury or infection. Healthy cartilage is smooth, flexible, and allows for easy movement of joints; however, when OA begins, the surface of that cartilage softens, becomes pitted and cracked. Over time some areas of cartilage may completely wear away, underlying bone may be exposed, and movement will become painful and difficult. The individual may lose some range of motion and the joint may become stiff.

Diagnosis might be made with the assistance of X-rays that will typically reveal joint destruction and a lack of cartilage or an MRI that can evaluate the severity of joint damage – particularly that present in the shoulder, spine and knee areas. A physician may also choose to perform joint aspiration to zero in on OA which will allow him or her to rule out other types of arthritis.

All the joints of the human body are susceptible to the disorder but the most common sites affected are those that bear weight – the spine, hips, knees, and feet, followed by the neck, hands and lower back.

Treatment is aimed at controlling pain, perhaps through non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen which are available over-the-counter without prescription. When OTCs fail to provide relief, a physician may recommend corticosteroid injections directly into the affected joint.

There is no cure for OA but with proper care under the guidance of a good health care specialist, most people can obtain some relief from the symptoms they face on a daily basis and can continue to lead reasonably normal lives.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that presents with pain, stiffness, inflammation and a loss of joint function. It results when an individual’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, leading to painful inflammation, stiffness and swelling. Symptoms can last anywhere from a few months to a lifetime that may go into remission on occasion or may be constant.

Diagnosis can be made through blood drawing for the presence of specific antibodies, a CRP (C-reactive protein) level and other testing associated with the disorder

Treatment is geared toward controlling joint damage and reducing pain through a number of available products from analgesics for pain relief to NSAIDs to reduce the inflammation. For those individuals with moderate-to-severe RA, a class of drugs known as disease-modifying anti-rheumatics (DMARDs) such as methotrexate that has the ability to slow the progression of the RA may be prescribed. Whether male or female, young or old, exercise is important, as may be meditation and other forms of relaxation. Avoid triggers such as stressful situations whenever possible, consider massage, heat and/or ice packs. The more you know about the various forms of arthritis, the easier it will be to recognize symptoms when they occur and the better your options will be to bring the condition under control..

Whether you or a loved one has OA, RA, or one of the many other forms of arthritis, the affected individual should be under the care of a primary care physician and perhaps a rheumatologist, a specialist trained to diagnose and treat diseases of joints, tendons, muscles and bones. A great deal can also be learned by contacting the Arthritis Foundation in your area.

Arthritis affects more than 46 million Americans, a figure that may rise to an astonishing 67 million or more people by the year 2030. While there are more than 100 types of arthritis, the two most common forms are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), described as inflammation of one or more joints in the body. The many types have several common characteristics such as symptoms of pain and stiffness that may be relieved with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen.

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, comes on slowly from normal wear and tear as an individual ages, or may occur more rapidly because of injury or infection. Healthy cartilage is smooth, flexible, and allows for easy movement of joints; however, when OA begins, the surface of that cartilage softens, becomes pitted and cracked. Over time some areas of cartilage may completely wear away, underlying bone may be exposed, and movement will become painful and difficult. The individual may lose some range of motion and the joint may become stiff.

Diagnosis might be made with the assistance of X-rays that will typically reveal joint destruction and a lack of cartilage or an MRI that can evaluate the severity of joint damage – particularly that present in the shoulder, spine and knee areas. A physician may also choose to perform joint aspiration to zero in on OA which will allow him or her to rule out other types of arthritis.

All the joints of the human body are susceptible to the disorder but the most common sites affected are those that bear weight – the spine, hips, knees, and feet, followed by the neck, hands and lower back.

Treatment is aimed at controlling pain, perhaps through non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen which are available over-the-counter without prescription. When OTCs fail to provide relief, a physician may recommend corticosteroid injections directly into the affected joint.

There is no cure for OA but with proper care under the guidance of a good health care specialist, most people can obtain some relief from the symptoms they face on a daily basis and can continue to lead reasonably normal lives.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that presents with pain, stiffness, inflammation and a loss of joint function. It results when an individual’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, leading to painful inflammation, stiffness and swelling. Symptoms can last anywhere from a few months to a lifetime that may go into remission on occasion or may be constant.

Diagnosis can be made through blood drawing for the presence of specific antibodies, a CRP (C-reactive protein) level and other testing associated with the disorder

Treatment is geared toward controlling joint damage and reducing pain through a number of available products from analgesics for pain relief to NSAIDs to reduce the inflammation. For those individuals with moderate-to-severe RA, a class of drugs known as disease-modifying anti-rheumatics (DMARDs) such as methotrexate that has the ability to slow the progression of the RA may be prescribed. Whether male or female, young or old, exercise is important, as may be meditation and other forms of relaxation. Avoid triggers such as stressful situations whenever possible, consider massage, heat and/or ice packs. The more you know about the various forms of arthritis, the easier it will be to recognize symptoms when they occur and the better your options will be to bring the condition under control..

Whether you or a loved one has OA, RA, or one of the many other forms of arthritis, the affected individual should be under the care of a primary care physician and perhaps a rheumatologist, a specialist trained to diagnose and treat diseases of joints, tendons, muscles and bones. A great deal can also be learned by contacting the Arthritis Foundation in your area.

Arthritis affects more than 46 million Americans, a figure that may rise to an astonishing 67 million or more people by the year 2030. While there are more than 100 types of arthritis, the two most common forms are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), described as inflammation of one or more joints in the body. The many types have several common characteristics such as symptoms of pain and stiffness that may be relieved with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen.

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, comes on slowly from normal wear and tear as an individual ages, or may occur more rapidly because of injury or infection. Healthy cartilage is smooth, flexible, and allows for easy movement of joints; however, when OA begins, the surface of that cartilage softens, becomes pitted and cracked. Over time some areas of cartilage may completely wear away, underlying bone may be exposed, and movement will become painful and difficult. The individual may lose some range of motion and the joint may become stiff.

Diagnosis might be made with the assistance of X-rays that will typically reveal joint destruction and a lack of cartilage or an MRI that can evaluate the severity of joint damage – particularly that present in the shoulder, spine and knee areas. A physician may also choose to perform joint aspiration to zero in on OA which will allow him or her to rule out other types of arthritis.

All the joints of the human body are susceptible to the disorder but the most common sites affected are those that bear weight – the spine, hips, knees, and feet, followed by the neck, hands and lower back.

Treatment is aimed at controlling pain, perhaps through non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen which are available over-the-counter without prescription. When OTCs fail to provide relief, a physician may recommend corticosteroid injections directly into the affected joint.

There is no cure for OA but with proper care under the guidance of a good health care specialist, most people can obtain some relief from the symptoms they face on a daily basis and can continue to lead reasonably normal lives.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that presents with pain, stiffness, inflammation and a loss of joint function. It results when an individual’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, leading to painful inflammation, stiffness and swelling. Symptoms can last anywhere from a few months to a lifetime that may go into remission on occasion or may be constant.

Diagnosis can be made through blood drawing for the presence of specific antibodies, a CRP (C-reactive protein) level and other testing associated with the disorder

Treatment is geared toward controlling joint damage and reducing pain through a number of available products from analgesics for pain relief to NSAIDs to reduce the inflammation. For those individuals with moderate-to-severe RA, a class of drugs known as disease-modifying anti-rheumatics (DMARDs) such as methotrexate that has the ability to slow the progression of the RA may be prescribed. Whether male or female, young or old, exercise is important, as may be meditation and other forms of relaxation. Avoid triggers such as stressful situations whenever possible, consider massage, heat and/or ice packs. The more you know about the various forms of arthritis, the easier it will be to recognize symptoms when they occur and the better your options will be to bring the condition under control..

Whether you or a loved one has OA, RA, or one of the many other forms of arthritis, the affected individual should be under the care of a primary care physician and perhaps a rheumatologist, a specialist trained to diagnose and treat diseases of joints, tendons, muscles and bones. A great deal can also be learned by contacting the Arthritis Foundation in your area.

Alcoholism is a world-wide epidemic. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates there are at least 140 million alcoholics in the world including males and females from astonishingly young ages to senior citizens, who have an uncontrollable desire to consume alcohol beyond the ability to control it – regardless of the consequences which are almost always devastating.

The signs cannot be denied. An alcoholic will drink alone, hide the stash in unlikely places, refrain from participating in hobbies and activities that once provided great pleasure, may have problems at work, will make up fictitious meeting dates or functions outside the home to allow sufficient time for drinking, have problems at home, miss important family functions, and can drink to blackout without even knowing it. This latter sign is truly frightening. A person may carry on a conversation with you, perform an activity, drive a vehicle, appear to function normally, and later on or the next day have absolutely no knowledge of the occurrence. The issues the alcoholic faces are extensive, damaging, hurtful, and will affect everyone around. Dependence can be a gradual process, beginning slowly and escalating. Over time, the balance of gamma-amino butyric acid in the body that controls impulses falls out of balance, increasing the craving for alcohol.

There are a number of reasons for the person to take up the habit. Perhaps a parent, grandparent, friend or someone the person looks up to drinks on a regular basis and appears to be in control, the life of the party, so to speak. Alcohol is portrayed in advertisements and on television as glamorous and exciting. It may help boost low self esteem or appear to reduce perceived stresses in life. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In actuality, alcohol can cause depression, undermines judgment, lowers inhibitions, causes memory loss, increases blood pressure readings, initiates cardiac complications, increases the risk for developing diabetes/cancer/thinning bones, causes erectile dysfunction in men, leads to domestic abuse, gastrointestinal problems and failed marriages — to name a few issues. And, as if medical concerns aren’t enough, the alcoholic runs the risk of losing everything important – spouse, children who once respected the parent, job, and home. If an alcoholic is old enough to sit in a bar, he or she will likely be a smoker for the double hit – tobacco and alcohol that lead to that wanted double “high”.

The typical alcoholic will experience a loss of appetite and may suffer from a vitamin and mineral deficiency. Supplements to include vitamin B complex, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin C may be recommended. Amino acids to include carnitine, glutamine and glutathione may help stabilize blood sugars and lessen stress. Alcoholics are often vitamin A deficient but supplements taken beyond the recommended daily allowance should only be used under the supervision of a physician, since elevated doses can damage the liver.

To admit to being an alcoholic and willingly seek help before virtually everything important is lost, is a huge step toward recovery. Treatment options might include a do-it-yourself program, a variety of residential programs, counseling, and ultimately regular (daily) AA meetings. Drugs such as Antabuse can be prescribed by a physician that will cause nausea, vomiting, headaches and flushing if an alcoholic drinks while medicated; Re Via may suppress the urge to drink; Chlordiazepoxide taken for up to a week may help detoxify the patient – although total abstinence is mandatory; and Campral may work toward restoring the chemical balance in the brain. Campral is most effective when coupled with simultaneous counseling.

While the alcoholic will be totally concerned only about him-or-herself, the support of family members and friends is vital if success is to occur. Those family members and friends who live in the same household will likely require a helping hand, as well. Teens can attend Alateen meetings, while adults will find support in Al-Anon.

Alcoholism can be genuinely devastating for everyone involved. It is expensive, destructive and hurtful. Despite all the negatives, it is a self-induced disease that we must recognize as such.

The heart is an organ that supplies blood and oxygen to all parts of the body. It is located within the chest cavity, weighs approximately 10 ounces and is about the size of a man’s clenched fist. It pumps on average between 50 and 70 times per minute unless we’re physically fit athletes, 86,400 times a day, more than 31 million times each year, and so it goes. It has four chambers – two upper and two lower. Oxygen-rich blood is pumped away from the heart through arteries and returns for re-oxygenation through veins. A cardiac cycle is a two-cycle sequence of events that occur each time the heart beats. The first, known as the diastole phase, indicates a relaxation period when blood flows into the atria and ventricles. The second, known as the systole phase, is one of contraction forcing blood throughout the body. By the way, that vascular system away from the heart and back again is about 60,000 miles long.

We take so much for granted in our lives, in part to hope our own hearts will last 80 or more years in most cases. Americans are living longer than ever before and our hearts just keep on beating without us doing anything. That’s simply amazing.

We awaken in the morning to a good cup of coffee or tea and hopefully a healthful, nutritious breakfast We brush our teeth to prevent decay. We may exercise to remain limber and stay healthy. We dress warmly in the winter time to hopefully prevent getting a cold. However, when we run late we may pass up breakfast for a calorie/cholesterol laden donut and latte at the corner store. We hit the vending machines at our place of work during break time – not for a fresh apple or banana but for a candy bar or fast-food pastry loaded with all the bad things we love so much. We take the elevator because it’s faster and easier, rather than using the stairs for an easy cardio workout. We park in a garage or on the street as close as possible to our places of employment rather than leaving home five minutes earlier each morning and enjoying a brisk walk in the fresh air. And still, we expect our hearts to keep on pumping. So, what do we collectively do to keep our hearts working like a well-maintained electrical system? In some instances, not a whole lot.

February is heart health month. Let’s take the time to make better choices, even if it’s only for one month. The act requires minimal planning and can make a great deal of difference in the big picture. Let’s awaken with sufficient time to sit down to eat a balanced breakfast. We’ll pack a few snacks such as an apple, pear, orange or banana to cover periods in the work day when we get hungry. We can include raw vegetables such as carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, celery, broccoli and peppers for a late-day healthful snack. Let’s save the money we would feed into those vending machines and put it in a piggy bank. Who knows, with time it might pay for that monthly parking pass or grow to be a down payment on a new car or vacation. We’ll review those stressful periods we face daily and attempt to find better ways of dealing with them than we have done in the past. Let’s pass by the elevators and opt for the stairs instead. It’s a good workout, we might drop a little unwanted weight, and it’s free.

Visit a physician annually for an examination and other testing he or she might deem appropriate. We have all been brought to our knees when a doctor tells us we weigh too much, have too high a cholesterol level, or that we have abnormal blood tests. This will likely require the use of medication we might prefer not to take. Some things we have no control over, but if we do everything we can to take charge of our health, we will be better off in the long run. Who knows, the next month might be a permanent life-saving measure we can all be proud of.