Category Archives: Health Maintenance

Health Exhaustion Signs/Symptoms/First Aid

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Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness that can occur after you’ve been exposed to high temperatures, and it often is accompanied by dehydration.There are two types of heat exhaustion:

  • Water depletion. Signs include excessive thirst, weakness, headache, and loss of consciousness.
  • Salt depletion. Signs include nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, and dizziness.

Although heat exhaustion isn’t as serious as heat stroke, it isn’t something to be taken lightly. Without proper intervention, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, which can damage the brain and other vital organs, and even cause death.

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

The most common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

  • Confusion
  • Dark-colored urine (a sign of dehydration)
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Muscle or abdominal cramps
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Pale skin
  • Profuse sweating
  • Rapid heartbeat

webmd.com/fitness-exercise/heat-exhaustion#1

Supplements and Prescription Medications – What You Need to Know

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by Lauren Chars

The use of supplements has become very popular as a way to promote well-being and prevent deficiencies.  However, using certain prescription medications concurrently could lead to dangerous consequences that may cause more harm than help. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider and pharmacist before starting or stopping a supplement.  The following are some common combinations to watch out for:

Fish oil

Common uses: High cholesterol, cholesterol imbalance, prevention of heart disease

Interactions: Blood thinners (anticoagulants and antiplatelets), some blood pressure medications, certain oral contraceptives

Fish oil has been shown to decrease platelet aggregation and can thin your blood more than desired, increasing the risk of bleeding when taken with other blood thinners.  In addition, certain blood pressure medicines and birth control pills may be prevented from working properly when taken with fish oil.

CBD Oil (Cannabidiol)

Common uses: Epilepsy, insomnia, anxiety, pain, and many others!

Interactions: benzodiazepines (i.e. Xanax, Klonopin), sedatives (i.e. Ambien), warfarin, topiramate, valproic acid, and several others

Although CBD is the hot topic recently and is too new to have all of the data we need to assess its safety, there are some medications known to increase your risk of an interaction.  Before starting CBD, be sure to check your medication list with a pharmacist to make sure you will stay safe!

Ginkgo:

Common uses: Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, memory support

Interactions: Benzodiazepines/anti-anxiety medications, warfarin and other blood thinners, cholesterol medications (i.e. atorvastatin).

Commonly used to aid memory, ginkgo can interact with blood thinners, sedatives and some cholesterol medications if used inappropriately.

St. John’s Wort

Common uses: Depression, mood disorders

Interactions: Other antidepressants, migraine medications, dextromethorphan cough syrup, warfarin, oral contraceptives, and many others!

There are few medications that St. John’s Wort does not interact with and it is very important to check with a health care professional before you start this supplement!

Melatonin:

Common uses: insomnia, jet lag, other sleep disorders

Interactions: Alcohol, benzodiazepines, sedative hypnotics, some antihistamines (i.e. Benadryl), opioids, muscle relaxers

Other medications that cause drowsiness can interact with melatonin, so it is always good to check with a pharmacist before you take more than one medication before bed.

Ginger

Common uses: treatment and prevention of motion sickness, vertigo, morning sickness in pregnancy

Interactions: warfarin, aspirin, blood thinners

Like fish oil, ginger may increase the risk of a bleed if not used with caution when taking blood thinners.

Supplements can improve your health in many ways, but it is essential to assess the benefits versus the risks before taking them along with other medications.  A good rule of thumb is let your healthcare provider and pharmacist know each time before you start or stop a new supplement!

Sources:

  • National Institute of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets. Accessed June 18, 2019 at https://ods.od.nih.gov/
  • Miller LG. Herbal medicinals: selected clinical considerations focusing on known or potential drug-herb interactions. Arch Intern Med 1998:158;2200-11. Accessed June 18, 2019.
  • Natural Medicines.  Therapeutic Research Center.  Summerville, MA.  https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/  Accessed June 18, 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not All Superheroes Wear Capes!

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Shalom Health Care Center is hosting its 13th Annual Dr. Dannee Neal “Back to School” Health Fair! They will be providing health screenings, wellness educations, and more to families who seek care regardless of their ability to pay!

Last year, 2,510 people were given access to these services, and 757 various health screenings were offered to people in need! A total of 1,500 backpacks, containing school supplies, were distributed and 60 bikes were given away in the raffle!

Shalom can make this possible with your help! Show your support for the community and aid in providing patients access to healthcare by becoming a sponsor!

Visit:  http://www.eventbrite.com/e/shalom-dr-dannee-neal-back-to-school-health-fair-registration-53113581151?aff=ebdssbdestsearch for more information or contact Morella Dominguez at mdominguez@shalomhealthcenter.org for additional questions.

  • Saturday, July 20, 2019 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM EDT
  • Shalom Health Care Center
  • 3400 Lafayette Road
  • Suite 200
  • Indianapolis, IN 46222

 

Upcoming Mobile Mammography Campus Visit

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The St. Vincent’s Mobile Screening Program will be making their biannual visit to the Butler Campus for mammography.  Staff, faculty and spouses may appoint.  The dates of this visit are:

Wednesday, May 29, 2019 from 8:20 AM-2:20 PM (3 spots remaining)

Friday, May 31, 2019 from 8:20 AM-2:20 PM (10 spots remaining)

  • Please read here to determine if you are eligible to participate.   If you are eligible, please call the St. Vincent Breast Center at (317) 338-9595 to schedule your appointment.  When calling, please inform the operator that you are calling from Butler University to schedule an appointment on the mobile unit.
  • Registration deadline – Wednesday, May 22, 2019.

 

Oral Health: A Window to Your Overall Health

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Your oral health is more important than you might realize. Get the facts about how the health of your mouth, teeth and gums can affect your general health.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Did you know that your oral health offers clues about your overall health — or that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body? Protect yourself by learning more about the connection between your oral health and overall health.

What’s the connection between oral health and overall health?

Like many areas of the body, your mouth is teeming with bacteria — most of them harmless. Normally the body’s natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, can keep these bacteria under control. However, without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease.

In addition, certain medications — such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers, diuretics and antidepressants — can reduce saliva flow. Saliva washes away food and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, helping to protect you from microbial invasion or overgrowth that might lead to disease.

Studies also suggest that oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with periodontitis — a severe form of gum disease — might play a role in some diseases. In addition, certain diseases, such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, can lower the body’s resistance to infection, making oral health problems more severe.

What conditions may be linked to oral health?

Your oral health might contribute to various diseases and conditions, including:

  • Endocarditis. Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of your heart (endocardium). Endocarditis typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, spread through your bloodstream and attach to damaged areas in your heart.
  • Cardiovascular disease. Some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause.
  • Pregnancy and birth. Periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.

Certain conditions also might affect your oral health, including:

  • Diabetes. Diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection — putting the gums at risk. Gum disease appears to be more frequent and severe among people who have diabetes. Research shows that people who have gum disease have a harder time controlling their blood sugar levels, and that regular periodontal care can improve diabetes control.
  • HIV/AIDS. Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS.
  • Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis — which causes bones to become weak and brittle — might be linked with periodontal bone loss and tooth loss. Drugs used to treat osteoporosis carry a small risk of damage to the bones of the jaw.
  • Alzheimer’s disease. Worsening oral health is seen as Alzheimer’s disease progresses.

Other conditions that might be linked to oral health include eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, head and neck cancers, and Sjogren’s syndrome — an immune system disorder that causes dry mouth.

Because of these potential links, tell your dentist if you’re taking any medications or have had any changes in your overall health — especially if you’ve had any recent illnesses or you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes.

How can I protect my oral health?

To protect your oral health, practice good oral hygiene every day. For example:

  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
  • Floss daily.
  • Eat a healthy diet and limit between-meal snacks.
  • Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if bristles are frayed.
  • Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings.
  • Avoid tobacco use.

Also, contact your dentist as soon as an oral health problem arises. Taking care of your oral health is an investment in your overall health.

http://mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475

 

How to Keep Kids and Teens from Smoking and Vaping

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Teen Smoking

It’s a burning question for parents and public health officials alike: How do you keep a new generation from starting to smoke?

We already know some strategies that have worked. Public health campaigns aimed at young people and consistent reinforcement from parents help keep them from striking up the dangerous habit.

But first, a basic question: Why? Why is it so vital that we continue to discourage America’s youth from using tobacco?

Four facts to know.

  1. Kids are still smoking. Every day in America, more than 3,200 teenagers smoke their first cigarette, and an additional 2,100 youths and young adults become daily cigarette smokers.
  2. Smoking is dangerous. According to the surgeon general, 5.6 million Americans younger than 18 today will die early from smoking-related diseases.
  3. Most smokers start young. If young people don’t start using tobacco by age 26, they almost certainly will never start.
  4. It’s not just cigarettes. Kids today are exposed to cigars, cigarillos, e-cigarettes (vapingand juuling), hookah (water pipe) and smokeless tobacco (snuff, chew and dissolvable tobacco). Several of these forms of tobacco are “flavored,” increasing their appeal to young people.

What’s working.

Tobacco companies are targeting young people with ads, price discounts and enticing new products such as e-cigs designed to look like sleek gadgets. Many teens and young adults exposed to these efforts are highly impressionable and dealing with social pressures to “fit in” with peers.

Here are some approaches that have worked to counteract those forces:

  • Raising cigarette prices. Most teens are sensitive to pricing. Higher prices can dissuade would-be smokers.
  • Restricting access. The American Heart Association advocates adopting Tobacco 21 laws nationwide — setting the minimum legal sale age at 21 for every state.
  • Limiting tobacco marketing. Regulatory initiatives that ban youth-focused marketing efforts have helped curb smoking’s appeal to young people.
  • Conducting media campaigns. Education campaigns have helped teens understand how tobacco companies exploit them. These campaigns are even more effective when supported by school-based and family-based programs.
  • Providing quit smoking programs. Affordable and accessible smoking cessation programs can help young smokers quit as well as parents and caregivers who want to model healthier behavior.

What parents can do.

As a parent, you’re a powerful influence — even if your teenager seems to disagree with everything you say. Here are some of the most effective ways you can steer your kids away from tobacco:

  • Maintain a dialogue. Start early — begin talking with your kids about smoking and vaping in kindergarten. Be honest and open to seeing things from your child’s point of view. And don’t stop. Keep the conversation going as kids get older.
  • Think more than cigarettes. Explain that smokeless tobacco, hookah and e-cigarettes all have dangers, including nicotine addiction.
  • Prepare your kids for peer pressure. Discuss what they might say if a friend offers a cigarette or e-cigarette.
  • Set a good example. If you smoke or vape, the best thing you can do is quit.   At a minimum, don’t smoke around your children.
  • Establish a smoke-free home. Don’t allow family members or friends to smoke in your home or car. Make sure the places your child spends a lot of time are tobacco-free.

If your child has started smoking or vaping, try to learn why. This may help you talk with him or her more effectively. Instead of punishment, offer understanding and help to resist the dangerous lure of tobacco use and addiction.
Sources:

http://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco/how-to-keep-kids-and-teens-from-smoking-and-vaping