Sunshine is here to stay
When you think of summer, most think having fun in the sun with friends and family. It’s important to also keep your safety top priority. July is UV Safety Month and a good time to brush up on safety tips to keep your family healthy in the sun. Here are the top three summer health concerns and how to avoid them:
Too Much Sun
Staying out in the sun too long can lead to problems like sunburns, premature aging, eye damage and even skin cancer. Fortunately, it’s easy to protect yourself from the harmful UV rays that cause most of these problems:
• Wear sunglasses: Your sunglasses should have a label on them that says they protect against UV-A and UV-B rays.
• Wear the proper clothing: Sun shirts over swimsuits and large hats protect your body by blocking the sun’s harmful rays.
• Stay in the shade: You should try to stay out of the sun from 10am to 4pm. Babies less than a year old should never be out in the sun.
• Wear sunscreen: It’s not just for swimming or sunbathing. Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher on exposed skin areas every day. Remember to reapply every few hours if active.
Water Danger
Drowning is a leading cause of death among little ones. Take a few simple precautions to keep swimming time at the pool or beach safe.
• Supervise, supervise, supervise: All children, even those who can swim, should have adult supervision while near a body of water. Swim lessons are recommended for kids 4 and over. For children who can’t swim, stay within several feet of them while they are in water; consider using floating arm bands or a life vest.
• Secure your pool: If you have a pool, use a net or fence to keep kids away when you’re not swimming.
• Learn CPR: Basic courses are offered in your community and you can take an infant-specific course as well. Visit www.heart.org or www.redcross.org for details.
Dehydration and Heat Exhaustion
During hot summer months, everyone needs to drink more water to balance fluids lost by sweating. Keep your kids well hydrated, especially if they are playing outside. Also, be sure never to leave a child alone in a hot car. Even a few minutes can be deadly because the heat inside the car builds quickly and there is no air flowing through the car when doors and windows are closed.
For more information, visit www.cdc.gov.
Emphasize the importance of wellness from the head of the table
June is Men’s Health Month and a great time for men to pause and think about their overall health and well being. For the women, think about the men in your lives. While the life-expectancy gap between men and women is smaller than it used to be, it’s no secret that it is important for men to make their health a priority. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women are 100% more likely to visit the doctor for annual exams and preventative services than men. Men also tend to engage in behaviors such as smoking and drinking more often than women. There are also health conditions that affect only men, such as prostate cancer and low testosterone. Many of the major health risks that men face—like colon cancer or heart disease—may be reduced or even prevented with proper screening, early diagnosis, and healthy lifestyle habits.
Here are three simple steps men can take now to improve their health:
1. Research family history. Talk to family members to find out the health conditions that run in your family. Use the free family health history tool at www.familyhistory.hhs.gov to keep track of what you learn. Share this information with your healthcare professional during your next checkup—it may impact at what age he/she recommends certain screenings.
2. Make small changes every day! Small changes can add up to big results.
- If you don’t exercise, start doing 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
- Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet.
- Drink water instead of soda or juice.
- Skip the salt.
3. Get your numbers checked
- Speak to your health care provider about the specific screenings you need for your age
For more information, visit www.cdc.gov.
Dr. Phan took so much time with me!
When Patricia Turman took some time off from work to take care of her daughter following her knee surgery, she didn’t expect to find herself needing surgery too! “I had been experiencing pain on my right side for about a week. I tried to ignore it, but it continued to get worse. I finally gave in and went to the ER, expecting to find out something minor was wrong. It was far from minor. My appendix had ruptured and abcessed. I needed to have surgery right away. Originally, I wanted to go somewhere else, but decided to stay here because everyone made me feel so at ease. The surgeon, Dr. Ly Phan, met with me and explained everything clearly. He was so thorough and took so much time with me. The surgery nurse, Regena Moses, made me feel comfortable. I was so scared and she could tell. Her reassurance was priceless. I feel blessed to have been cared for so well, right here in town. It was also so convenient for my family to visit me and care for our daughter too.”
At Missouri Southern Healthcare, we know the importance of choosing the right place for surgery. Not only will you receive the best medical care, but also the attention and respect you and your family deserve. Choose Missouri Southern Healthcare.
Ways to make physical activity fun!
There are many different ways to incorporate physical activity into your daily life. Consider some of these ideas to help you get started:
-Take a Class: Take yoga, spin, or aerobics class or any other group exercise class at your local gym or community center.
-Get Some Fresh Air: Walk a mile with your dog, your partner or have some quiet time by yourself.
-Play often: Take your kids/grandchildren to the park and run around with them.
-Hire a Trainer: Hire a personal trainer for a session. They can show you beneficial exercises and correct form.
-Track your activity: Keep a log of your weekly activities. This will motivate you as you see yourself walking further and your exercise times increase.
-Join a League: Get some friends together and join an adult league in the sport/activity of your choice.
For more tips and ideas, visit www.nhlbi.nih.gov.
