Health Tips - Preventive/Immunizations

Controlling Heartburn/GERD - To control your heartburn you may have to restrict/eliminate an item if you have noticed that it brings on or worsens your symptoms – Such items include:

• Fried or fatty foods
• Chocolate
• Peppermint
• Alcohol
• Coffee (decaf too)
• Tea
• Carbonated beverages
• Ketchup and mustard
• Pepper sauce
• Vinegar
• Avoid chewing gum
• Tomato – sauce/ juice
• Citrus fruits or juices
• Aspirin, anti-inflammatory pain medications
• Decrease the size of portions at mealtimes
• Eat meals two to three hours before lying down
• Elevate the head of the bed four to six inches using blocks
• If you are overweight, lose weight
• Avoid tight clothing or control top hosiery and body shapers
• Stop smoking, as cigarettes decrease the ability of the lower esophageal sphincter muscle to work properly.

For occasional heartburn, over-the-counter medicines taken as directed can be helpful in reducing symptoms. If prolonged or frequent use of non-prescription medicines (more than directed on the product) becomes necessary your GP or a gastroenterologist should be consulted.

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Dementia - Some Blood Pressure Drugs May Help Protect Against Dementia - A particular class of medication used to treat high blood pressure could protect older adults against memory decline and other impairments in cognitive function, according to a study that appeared in Archives of Internal Medicine.

Research suggests that some of the drugs classified as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, specifically those types of ACE inhibitors that affect the brain by crossing the blood-brain barrier, may reduce inflammation that could contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease, a major cause of dementia.

There was a significant cognitive benefit seen in those individuals treated with the centrally active ACE inhibitors specifically, such as captopril, fosinopril, lisinopril, perindopril, ramipril, and trandolapril.

The study found an association between taking centrally active ACE inhibitors and lower rates of mental decline as measured by the Modified Mini-Mental State Exam.

Researchers also found that non-centrally active ACE inhibitors were associated with an increased risk of dementia.

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The Flu shot - The flu is an extremely contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, even death in some instances. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination (“flu shot”) each year. The flu shot an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. October/ November is the best time to get vaccinated, however, you can still get vaccinated in December and later.

While anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. People who should receive the “flu shot” every year include: Children aged 6 months until their 5th birthday, pregnant women, persons 50 years of age and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (e.g. asthma), people who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities, health care workers and others who care for the aforementioned. Before receiving the “flu shot” please inform your MD if you have an allergy to eggs or reacted to the “flu shot” in the past.

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Kadooment Health Tips - It is important that revellers adhere to certain fundamentals in order to get the most from the occasion.

Pre-Event: The week before, eat plenty of healthy carbohydrates, such as whole grain bread, pasta and bananas. Carry identification and an emergency phone number in a pouch or in your shoes. If you have a medical condition, such as diabetes or asthma, wear a medical identification bracelet.

Foot Care: Prior to going on the road trim those toenails – especially the big toe; if you are prone to blisters protect those vulnerable areas by wearing Dr. Scholl’s pads; wear comfortable and preferably well worn foot wear; don’t wear slippers, sandals, boots or heels.

Skin Care: The sun can be very unforgiving so it would be advisable to apply sun block to all exposed areas with a SPF of 30 or more.

Hydration: Make sure you are well hydrated throughout the day and drink lots of cold fluids like. The most recent studies suggest that one should drink water and sports drinks ad lib as determined by your individual thirst.

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Post Exposure HIV Prophylaxis - Scientific data demonstrate that if anti-HIV treatment (i.e. antiretroviral therapy) is initiated within 24 -72 hours after significant exposure to HIV (e.g. sexual, injection-drug-use and other substantial non-occupational HIV exposure) and continued for 28 days reduces the likelihood of transmission of the HIV virus.

Centre for Disease Control (CDC) recommends:

• The prompt initiation of a specific cocktail of antiretroviral therapy when persons seek care within 72 hours after exposure, the source is known to be HIV infected, and the exposure event presents a substantial risk for transmission.
• When HIV status of source is not known and the patient seeks care within 72 hours after exposure, CDC does not recommend for or against initiating antiretroviral therapy but encourages clinicians and patients to weigh risks vs. benefits on a case-by-case basis.
• When transmission risk is negligible or when patients seek care > 72 hours after a substantial exposure, antiretroviral therapy is not recommended however, clinicians might consider prescribing antiretroviral therapy for patients who seek care  >72 hours after a substantial exposure if, in their judgment, the diminished potential benefit of antiretroviral therapy outweighs the potential risk for adverse events from antiretroviral medications.

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Preventing dehydration on Kadooment day - Over Kadooment day dehydration can occur as a result of persons trying to reduce bathroom visits by reducing fluid intake and it may be secondary to increased fluid loss – increased sweating, heat, exercise, diuretics (alcohol caffeine, medication), vomiting and diarrhea. Early symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, thick saliva and dark urine.

As dehydration gets worse you may experience muscle cramps, become listless, feel faint and in extreme cases go into shock. On Kadooment day you can prevent dehydration by drinking fluids every 30 minutes, you should aim to consume a minimum of 10 glasses (approximately 3.5L) of fluids (preferably rehydration fluids or sports drinks) on the day. Avoid fluids containing caffeine (e.g. colas, coffee, tea) and alcohol.

Stop jumping and immediately increase your fluid intake if you feel dizzy, light-headed, faint or extremely tired. Seek immediate medical attention if there is reduced urine output, decreased alertness, the original symptoms are not going away or are becoming more severe even after increasing fluid intake.

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Preventing HIV/AIDS - Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is the short-term use of antiretroviral treatments to reduce the chances of HIV infection after potential exposure – e.g. needle sticks, rape and unprotected sexual intercourse. Unfortunately over the Crop Over season too may will become carried away as a result of the overindulgence in alcohol and other “recreational” drugs; consequentially such euphoric minds can lead to sexual indiscretion and some may even be date raped. Ideally, PEP should be started immediately after potential HIV exposure; however, PEP may be started up to 72 hours after exposure.

Studies show that there is more than a 75% reduction in the incidence of HIV infection when one compared those who took PEP to those who didn’t (Barr, 1999). However, it must be emphasized that PEP does not completely eliminate the chances of contracting HIV after unprotected sexual intercourse. Hence, prevention, through the adoption of responsible sexual behaviour (abstinence and condom use) is still the best approach to eliminating the chances of contracting HIV / AIDS.

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Preventing HIV/AIDS on Kadooment Day - THIS INFORMATION MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE - Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is the short-term use of antiretroviral medications to reduce the chances of HIV infection after potential exposure – e.g. needle sticks, rape and unprotected sexual intercourse.

Unfortunately on Kadooment day far too many of us will become carried away as a direct result of the overindulgence in alcohol and other “recreational” drugs; sadly such euphoric minds often commit sexual indiscretions that significantly increases their chances of contracting HIV while others may be date raped.

Ideally, PEP should be started immediately after potential HIV exposure; however, PEP may be started up to 72 hours after exposure. Studies show that there is more than a 75% reduction in the incidence of HIV infection when one compared those who took PEP to those who didn’t (Barr, 1999).

However, it must be emphasized that PEP does not completely eliminate the chances of contracting HIV after unprotected sexual intercourse. Hence, prevention, through the adoption of responsible sexual behavior (abstinence and condom use) is still the best approach to eliminating the chances of contracting HIV / AIDS.

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Protect your child from common burns

• Never drink hot (e.g. coffee, tea, cocoa) when you are holding a baby. The baby will reach for it, spill it, and probably get burned.
• Use the back burners of a stove and keep panhandles turned toward the back of the stove.
• After your child can walk, keep hot liquids and appliances away from the edge of a table, counter, or stove.
• Always test the temperature of bath water before your child gets into the tub.
• Give up smoking, or at least carefully dispose of used cigarettes. Cigarettes are a common cause of fires in homes.
• Keep cigarette lighters away from children. Even a 2-year-old child can ignite one by inverting it and pushing it across the floor.
• Install smoke detectors in your home. Check them monthly. Smoke detectors senses smoke long before your nose can.
• Rehearse and have a fire drill.
• Before you place a child less than 1 year old in a car seat, check the seat's temperature. Hot straps or buckles can cause second-degree burns.

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Protecting Yourself from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) - STDs include AIDS, chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, genital warts, and syphilis. These are passed through sexual contact with an infected partner.

Ways to reduce your risk of getting a STD:

• Know your sexual partner(s) and limit their number—Your partner’s sexual history is just as important as your own. Remember, you can't tell if someone has an STD just by looking at them.
• Using a latex condom every time you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex decreases the chances of infection. But remember, even condoms are not 100% effective.
• Avoid risky sex practices—Sexual acts that tear or break the skin carry a higher risk of STDs. Even small cuts that do not bleed let germs pass back and forth. Anal sex poses a high risk because tissues in the rectum break easily. Body fluids also can carry STDs.
• Have regular physical exams. Ask you physician to test for STDs if you think you've been exposed. Regular tests help find STDs early, when treatment can be most effective.
• Get immunized—Vaccinations are available that will help prevent hepatitis B and HPV.

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