Get Healthy DeSoto

Independence Day

I have a bit of patriotism that runs through me. It is probably that way for many people. I’m a third generation American, and the number of my family members with military service is in the double digits. Not surprisingly, I have daughters with the middle names of Independence and Rebel. (Don’t worry. They have normal first names.)

Although I grew up with bottle rocket wars that made me have a dislike for fireworks, I loved the Fourth of July. My family would gather, make ice cream, grill some hot dogs, allow unsupervised children to shoot bottle rockets at one another, play horseshoes…My mother in particular always seemed grateful for the military service of her brother and cousins. It has always stuck with me that celebrating our freedoms is part of honoring those who helped us have them. On this Independence Day, may you remember your past while celebrating the future.

Summer Fun

Over the past few weeks, we’ve covered pool and water safety and backyard barbecue safety. There are some other things to consider during the summer too.

Heat and Sun Exposure

Bugs and Other Itchy Items

Travels

First, this is Missouri. It will be hot! We might enjoy a mild winter or temperate spring, but August will be hot…and probably humid. Ward off heat exhaustion by getting a drink of water every 20 minutes. If you’re summer activities take you outside for over an hour, consider Pedialyte or some other drink that will replenish electrolytes as well as hydrate your body.

In addition to the heat, sunburns can be very painful. Wear a hat that protects your head, face, neck, and ears if possible. A long-sleeved cotton shirt helps too. Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF of 15 or higher) will add another layer of protection. UV rays are most intense between 10 am and 4 pm, so avoid prolonged sun exposure during this time. Sunscreen is recommended during this time even when it isn’t sunny.

Ticks, chiggers, poison ivy, Oh My! Avoiding itchy items will help make your summer more enjoyable. Much like protecting from the sun, a long-sleeved cotton shirt will help you avoid the itch of poison ivy. Not sure what poison ivy looks like? The Missouri Department of Conservation can show you.

Clothing worn while walking through wooded or brushy areas can be shed when returning indoors to avoid prolonged exposure to ticks as well. Ticks can carry Lyme disease, so avoiding areas where they live is recommended whenever possible. The same is true for mosquitoes. Removing their breeding habitat by emptying containers of standing water and treating outdoor ponds can help decrease their population. The carriers of West Nile Virus also cause an incredibly itchy sensation that is particularly rough on little kids.

Traveling during the summer months can be a wonderful experience. Whether you’re taking a long weekend trip to Branson or doing a month-long trip to Brazil, there are some good things to remember. Make sure a trusted friend or family member knows where you’ll be and when you should return. Pack a first aid kit for small mishaps and assess your physical strength before and during your trip. Knowing your personal limits is important when traveling. Assess your surroundings as well. This can be as simple as checking the playground equipment when you take the kids to Walther Park, but also includes awareness on trips to watch the Cardinals play, airport safety when flying, and storing personal belongs out of sight while on roadtrips.

You can learn more about these items and other useful tips here that will help you have a good time while staying safe. Happy Trails!

Grilling Safety

According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), July is the leading month for grill fires. It’s time to review some safety tips to ensure you’re staying safe. Here are some good guidelines:

Grill outside and away from any structures. Remember, grills are for outdoor use only, and you need to be mindful of overhanging tree branches, porticoes, and railings.
Make sure your grill is stable.
Keep your grill clean. Remove grease buildup from the grill, and be sure to allow charcoal and ash to cool completely before disposing of them.
Check for propane leaks on your gas grill. Not sure how? Check this out.
If the flame goes out, wait to re-light. A good rule of thumb is to turn the gas off and wait 5 minutes before attempting to re-light it.
Take care around the grill, especially with children. Don’t allow kids or pets to play near the grill. Never try to move a lit or hot grill, and remember the grill will stay hot for at least an hour after use.
Be careful with charcoal starter fluid. A chimney starter might take longer, but it is much safer.
Wear the right stuff. “King of the Grill” aprons are very nice, especially if you just received it from your favorite daughter for Father’s Day. However, tuck in those strings, along with loose shirttails, sleeves, and your fancy lanyard that holds your instant-read thermometer.
Be ready to put out any fire. Baking soda is handy to control grease fires and a fire extinguisher is a good idea too. A bucket of sand can be substituted as well. Just don’t use water on a grease fire. You’ll ruin your fancy apron!

Remember: keep you and your family safe this summer by following these simple guidelines. According to the NFPA, an average of 10,200 house fires are started each year by grills, so stay safe.

(Tips courtesy of Nationwide Insurance.)

Click here for more safety tips.

Men’s Health Week

The week leading up to Father’s Day is National Men’s Health Week. Men: it’s a great time to take stock of your health because avoiding intervention due to illness is really important. The goal should be to not need an intervention. Or if you’re a woman, this week is a great time to let the men you care about know that they’re not alone in their quest for good health. Three things to do:

Eat well
Exercise regularly
Stop smoking

These are very basic and get repeated ad nauseam, but isn’t keeping things simple sometimes the best option. Doing these three things can help you avoid disease later in life. According to the CDC, heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death in men, so this time of year is also a perfect time to learn a little more about signs and symptoms that you might see in dear old dad.

Heart disease

Know the signs of a heart attack and if you think you or someone you know is having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Major signs of a heart attack include:

Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back
Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint
Chest pain or discomfort
Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulder
Shortness of breath

Cancer

Regular check-ups are important. Talking to your doctor can help determine if initial screenings for certain cancers are warranted. Doctors are also great about reminding you that, “Yup, you’ve had a birthday since you saw me last. Although you’re in good health for someone who is 50, it’s time to schedule your first colonoscopy.” (Heckler cheers and comments go here for Muppet fans.) Of course, if you don’t have a doctor that you see regularly, finding a good primary care physician would be your first step. If you don’t have a primary care physician, you might consider stopping by the DeSoto Farmers’ Market between 9 am and 3:30 pm on June 24th or June 25th. The health department’s Mobile Health Center will be parked there those days, and in addition to basic screenings, they offer additional resources for finding a regular doctor. To find out where they’ll be on other days, check out their website.

World Blood Donor Day

With World Blood Donor Day fast approaching, now is the perfect time to consider becoming a life-saving hero. On June 14th the world will celebrate World Blood Donor Day to thank those who donate blood and to raise awareness of the ongoing need to ensure a safe and plentiful blood supply.

Here’s the breakdown…

The Need

Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion.
Only 38% of the population is eligible to donate blood and of that group only 10% donate.
Blood products are an essential part of care for individuals with cancer, traumatic injuries and chronic illnesses.
Approximately 21 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S.

The Supply

1 donation can save up to 3 lives.
Donated blood expires after just 42 days.
66 countries report collecting less than 10 donations per 1,000 people.
Despite many medical advances blood products cannot be manufactured.
45% of the blood supply comes from individuals age 50 or older.

The Process

Registration – sign in, ID verification, basic eligibility questions.
Health History – answer questions about your medical and travel history, have your vital signs and iron level checked.
Donation – recline on a comfy cot while a specially trained blood center staff member draws your blood, a quick pinch is all you will feel, your donation will be complete in about 10 minutes.
Refreshments – enjoy a snack, cool drink and relish in the satisfaction of giving a life-saving gift.
Recovery – You’ll be on your way and back to your normal routine in as little as 15 minutes.

As you have read the need for blood is great and continual. The supply can easily be depleted; however, the process of donation is simple. Please consider being a blood donor. Lives depend on it.

How to locate a blood drive near you –

Article written by Sarah Warncke, RN.

Sources:

American Red Cross

U.S. News & World Report

World Health Organization

Independence Day