Sep 10
6
Flu Prevention
Flu Season Action Items
- Get Vaccinated- The Center for Disease Control recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal influenza. This vaccine will protect against the three seasonal viruses that research suggests will be most common.
- Consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when available. It is important for high risk, pregnant and young people to get vaccinated. H1N1 will be included in the 2010-2011 seasonal flu shot.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective if they are rubbed until they are dry. Also, ask your health care providers to wash their hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Practice good health habits- get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.
- Clean surfaces like counters, door handles, faucets, etc. Studies have shown that human influenza viruses generally can survive on surfaces for between 2 and 8 hours. Clean surfaces with heat (167-212°F), chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents, and alcohols and use in the correct duration.
- Stay Home- Anyone who comes down with flu symptoms, which can include fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, fatigue and body aches should stay at home. Do not go to school or to work. There are no rewards given to people who show up with their respiratory infection and infect 10 or 20 percent of their colleagues. People should remain home until 24 hours after their fever is gone.
- Stay home even if the virus appears mild- While most cases of H1N1 are mild, the virus has caused significant illness in many previously healthy people aged six months to 50 years old.
- Manage your asthma and COPD- People with chronic underlying respiratory problems, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), should make sure their condition is being optimally treated. Flu symptoms may differ in severity and may be different in people with underlying lung disease. People with asthma or COPD should also make sure they get immunized against all types of influenza, especially with the H1N1 vaccine.
To learn more about the flu check out the CDC Website for flu: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
Source: www.ahiphiwire.org/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing Seasonal Flu, 2009
Sep 10
6
Lesser Known Smoking Risks
Smoking Risks – An Overview
Cigarette smoking has been identified as the most preventable risk factor for morbidity and premature mortality in the United States and the world. Smoking-related diseases cause an estimated 440,000 American deaths each year. Smoking costs the U.S. more than $150 billion annually in health care expenses.
A 2004 study by the CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion found that cigarette smokes contains more than 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer.
Slower Healing Rates
- Smoking causes formation of blood clots near the wound.
- Smoking reduces the Vitamin C levels, which are essential for wound healing.
- Smoking can make stitches come apart, which results in scarring.
- Smokers have a higher rate of frequent colds and pneumonia.
- The patient who smokes undergoes longer and a more expensive stay in the hospital due to the above complications.
- Smoking constricts blood vessels, reduces the oxygen, and decreases the amount of collagen.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Wrinkles
A recent study has shown that facial wrinkles on smokers are a strong predicator of COPD and emphysema.
Smoking is the leading risk factor for COPD, but not all smokers develop the disease. COPD includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis and other non-cancerous lung problems.
The study looked at 149 current and former smokers. Four tests were completed to classify them:
- A high resolution CT of their lungs
- Pulmonary function test evaluating 1 minute for exhalation
- Photographs of the right and left facial profiles and graded for wrinkling
- Survey regarding sun exposure
Of the 25 wrinkled participants, 21 of them had COPD. Of the entire group, 68 out of 149 had COPD. The physician concluded that severe wrinkling may be a marker of COPD susceptibility.
Source: Hitt, Miranda. Wrinkles Predict Smokers' Emphysema. June 13, 2006. WebMD
Knee Pain and Smoking
A recent study shows there is evidence that cigarette smoking has a negative effect on cartilage metabolism.
Components of tobacco smoke have a harmful effect on disc chondrocyte function, inhibiting cell healing and regeneration. The effect on the knee cartilage may be greatest when it is already damaged. Other theories suggest that increased carbon monoxide levels in arterial blood could impair cartilage repair. Dr. Amin, who conducted the study, said that the findings are so provocative that it deserves further study.
Source:
Amin, S et al "Cigarette Smoking and the Risk for Cartilage Loss and Knee Pain in Men with Knee Osteoarthritis" Ann Rheum Dis 2006: online: 2053-2060
