The Summer Oven

On a hot day you know it will also be hot inside your car-- but do you know how hot it can get?
When the outside temperature reaches 86F, the inside of a car can quickly rise to 134-154F degrees!

Also, did you know that even mild or cooler temperatures can turn the interior of a car into a death trap?

One research study revealed that a car sitting in 72F degrees with windows opened 1 1/2 inches still had a rapid rise in inside temperature within the first half hour to 117F! Many think that "cracking the window" open a little will help but this study found that did not have any effect on the maximum temperature reached inside the car.

Even in the fall and winter months there have been recorded deaths from hot cars in places as far north as Maine, Wisconsin and South Dakota.
It is being suggested to use an "add 40" rule to outside temperatures to approximate how hot the inside of your car can reach.

Why is this dangerous? Heatstroke occurs when a person's body temperature exceeds 104F degrees. At just a few degrees higher, cells are damaged and internal organs begin to shut down, which can result in death.

"Children are particularly vulnerable, as their bodies are not as efficient as adults' bodies at managing temperatures. As a result, kids warm up much more rapidly." (http://new.consumerreports.org/cars/2008/07/kids-in-hot-car.html)

According to the organization, Kids and Cars, in 2009 48 cihldren died after being left or trapped inside a hot car. Texas leads the nation with deaths from being left in hot cars, followed by Florida, Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.

Many small children are accidentally left behind in a hot car.

Some tips to help tired and/or distracted parents to remember a child in in the back seat or car seat or to prevent being accidentally trapped:

* keep a stuffed animal on the passenger seat as a reminder
* Make a habit to check the rear seat for "one last look" before leaving it
* Always lock your car and keep remotes and keys away from children
To learn more:
http://www.kidsandcars.org/

Sources:
http://www.consumerreports.org/
http://www.weather.com/
www.singlearticles.com/heat-danger-in-cars-a2710.html
Please remember your pets and elderly as well! Have a safe summer!

Summer Waistlines

Summer usually starts a new round of diets for many people. But even though most try to achieve weight loss to look better in a bathing suit or shorts, there really is a medical reason why we should pay more attention to our waistlines.

Carrying around extra pounds in our midsections is serious business and even more dangerous than extra fat around hips or thighs. Why? That is because belly fat (visceral fat) is worse for your health. Extra weight around the midsection is associated with higher risks for health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even stroke.

Now that you know losing inches around your midsection is important, how do you assess your risk?

Simply take a tape measure and wrap it around your natural waistline which is located just above your hip bone or at the level of the belly button. When you take your measurement its important not to hold your breath or suck in your stomach. If your waist is more than 40 inches (for men) or 35 inches (for women), you have too much belly fat.

Recently, researchers reported that women aged 45 to 54 now are three times more likely than men in the same age gruup to have a stroke.

Amytis Towfighi, MD, an assistant professor of Neurology at the University of California in Los Angeles, stated that "Tummy fat appears to be to blame...Our hypothesis is abdominal obesity increases the risk of other risk factors -- diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. Together they drive up the risk of stroke."

Her results were presented at the American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference last year.

So, how can you trim your waistline, feel better and reduce your risk of disease? The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that a calorie controlled diet rich in whole grains cut extra fat from waistlines. Eating more whole grains has other benefits too.

According to Penny Kris-Etherton, PhD, RD, who is a distinguished professor of Nutritional Sciences at Penn State University, "Eating a diet rich in whole grains while reducing refined carbohydrates changes the glucose and insuline response and makes it easier to metabolize fat stores."

Still aren't sure about giving up (or at least reducing) your intake of refined foods like white bread, consider this: eating refined foods like white bread triggers a series of events in your body, starting with elevating your blood sugar levels. That event then increases an insulin response--both of which can cause fat to be deposited more easily.

Of course, there is no magic trick to losing weight. You still need to eat a well balanced, calorie-controlled diet and yes, exercise.

Whether your motivation to diet is due to bathing suit season or not, if your waistline numbers are high, you'll do your body good by losing some weight and inches.

To get you started, WebMD has a calorie calculator called a Food-o-Meter which offers over 37,000 favorite foods, drinks and restaurant meals:
http://www.webmd.com/diet/healthtool-food-calorie-counter

Sources:

Webmd.com
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, January 2008
American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference, 2010, San Antonio
Stroke, January 2009
http://women.webmd.com/news/20100225/belly-fat-culprit-stroke-gender-gap

Do You Have a Family Medical Tree?

Holidays provide opportunities for families to reconnect. These gatherings provide an opportunity to ask your relatives about your family's medical background. Even the Surgeon General encourages us to learn about health problems that run in families.

Why is this important? Statistics show that 30% of known diseases are genetically linked in families. You have inherited more from family members than your eye color or dimples. Knowing who has what or died from what can increase awareness and encourage early prevention and treatment. Those families who are genetically predisposed to certain diseases should talk with their health care providers about whether early screening is recommended.

Some genetically linked diseases and medical conditions are:
*colon cancer
*breast cancer
*heart disease
*asthma
*ovarian cancer
*diabetes
*birth defects
*alcoholism
*mental illness

You can start with a simple medical family tree since we share 1/4 of our genes with grandparents , 1/8 with great-grandparents and it goes even lower with relatives further down the family tree. However, for a more complete medical family tree profile the Mayo Clinic recommends including at least 3 generations:
*grandparents
*parents
*uncles
*aunts
*siblings
*cousins
*children
*nieces/nephews
*grandchildren

Start by asking relatives for information but if you can't, death certificates may fill in the gaps. What should you ask? Some starter questions are:
* who had or died of what disease
* age when was the disease diagnosed
* sex of relative
* age at time of death
* how were they treated, was it successful
* ethnic background of relative
* signs and symptoms
* other: smoker, obesity, alcoholism

Your genes may cause or increase risk of certain diseases and medical conditions. Knowing your risk will help your health care provider to:
*assess your risk of certain diseases
*determine if family members should get genetic testing
*recommend lifestyle changes to reduce risk
*be aware of predisposition to certain diseases

Once you've gathered this information, create a record and share the information with your health care provider so it can be reviewed for family patterns and risks. One easy, safe internet tool to use is available through the U.S. Department of Health & Family Services. This tool helps to create your family medical tree and share this information with other family members.
Visit My Family Health Portrait Web Tool at:
https://familyhistory.hhs.gov

For more information about family medical trees:
www.mayoclinic.com
http://www.hhs.gov/familyhistory/
http://www.ehow.com/how_5277077_create-medical-family-health-tree.html
http://www.medicinenet.com article #51777 Your Medical Roots

Consumer Health Literacy Research Study

How much do you know about stroke or heart attack?

The Trinitas Library is currently conducting a research study about the effectiveness of using interactive games to improve consumer health literacy about signs and symptoms of heart attack, stroke and basic understanding of commonly used medical terms.

The study is also available through the library's main website http://www.trinitas.org/ and also in the virtual world of Second Life at the exhibition hall on HealthInfo Island. Smaller traveling exhibits are being hosted around SL to capture a broader demographic base, such as at Virtual Egypt, Virtual-e Business Park and various garden sims.

The exhibit consists of 3 interactive quizzes testing the participant's knowledge. Answers and additional information are provided in note card format. You can even win prizes! A link out to a short survey through Survey Monkey is offered in a mailbox.

If you are in Second Life, please take a few minutes of your time to participate in this study by taking one or all of the quizzes and completing the short post-quiz survey. If you are not in Second Life, please go to the quizzes on the Library's main website.

Low health literacy affects everyone when you are not able to understand and manage your illness or navigate the health care system. How much do you know about the signs and symptoms of stroke or heart attack? Test your knowledge!

You can find HealthInfo Island under SL's search tool or use this SLurl http://slurl.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/18/25/22

Whether you participate through the library's website or virtually in web 2.0, what you learn could possibly save a life==including your own!

It's the Season

The holiday season is upon us!

Many people are out and about dashing to parties and shopping trying to everything done. However, its just as important not to forget to take a few precautions to stay healthy too.

It only takes a few minutes to remember to:
* wash your hands often! Use hand sanitizer while out or when possible use warm water and soap. Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds.

* keep your distance from those who are coughing or sneezing whenever possible to be out of the 6 to 10 feet zone of airborne viruses.

* try not to get run down or over tired. Take a break and get your rest.

* try to eat well balanced meals

* remember to fit in exercise whenever possible

But sometimes, no matter how hard we try, some may still get sick. If you've caught a cold or think you may have the flu, be kind to others and stay home, especially if you experience fever, cough, sore throat, chills, muscle aches, diarrhea and vomiting. Call your doctor if in doubt.

If you think you have caught the H1N1 flu or what is commonly called the "swine flu" call your doctor if you're pregnant or have a chronic health condition, such as emphysema, asthma, diabetes or heart disease as these conditions may worsen.

In most cases the swine flu needs no treatment other than that for symptom relief, however speak to your doctor. You may be prescribed additional medication to open your airways or antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu or Relenza.

Remember to take care of yourself and get plenty of rest, drink liquids and follow directions given by your doctor.

With just a few precautions most will be able to enjoy the holiday season and stay healthy.

Have a safe and happy New Year's!
Sincerely,
The Library Staff

Health Literacy and You

What is health literacy and how does it affect you and your loved ones?
Health information is available everywhere, from consumer magazines to the internet you can read about health issues. Health literacy goes beyond that: its also about being able to understand and use that information when you need to make decisions about your health care.

Did you ever leave the doctor's office wondering what was just said, had trouble understanding how to take your medication or figuring out how find appropriate health care services? All that is part of health literacy and it effects people's ability to effectively manage their health care on many levels, including those with advanced literacy skills. Everyone can feel overwhelmed by health care information.

What are some examples of how you or someone you know can be affected?
There may be difficulty with:
* finding health care providers or services
* filling out forms
* communicating personal and health information with providers
* understanding how to manage chronic diseases
* understanding the relationship between lifestyle choices and health outcomes
* not knowing or recognizing signs when to seek medical care
* not understanding or misunderstanding medical terminology
* not understanding instructions on prescription bottles

Who is affected?
Did you know that only 12% of adults in the U.S. have Proficient Health Literacy? That means 9 out of 10 adults may lack the needed health literacy skills to manage their health care!

Even more worrisome, 14% of adults have Below Basic Health Literacy. That's over 30 million people!*

*source: http://www.health.gov/communication/literacy/default.htm

What is the economic impact of this?
The estimated additional health care expenditures due to low health literacy skills are about
$73 billion dollars!*

*source: Health Literacy Fact Sheet http://www.agingsociety.org/agingsociety/publications/fact/fact_low.html

What can you do to improve your health literacy?
There are many things you can do. For example:
* ask questions. If you don't understand what the doctor or nurse has said to you, make sure to
tell them to repeat the information or to explain in "plain language"
* read all material your health care provider has given you. If you don't understand it, bring it
with you to your next office visit and go over it together
* ask the pharmacist to explain directions on your medication bottle if you don't understand
* request material and information in your primary language

These are just some examples how you can improve your health literacy. Don't be embarrassed to ask questions or ask health care providers to repeat. Your health care providers are your partners in health matters.

For more information:
* MedlinePlus: Health Literacy http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthliteracy.html

September is National Preparedness Month!

Quick, answer these questions:

* Does your local government have an emergency or disaster plan for your community?

* Do you know how to find the emergency broadcasting channel on the radio?

* In the past year have you practiced or drilled on what to do in an emergency?

If your answer is "I don't know" or "no" to any of those questions, then you are not prepared for an emergency situation!

To test how ready you are about emergency preparedness, play this interactive game by the American Red Cross called Prepare 4:
http://www.redcross.org/domore

A few simple measures can help you and your family stay safer should an emergency situation arise.

* Familiarize yourself with your local government's emergency or disaster plan
* Know how to find the Emergency Broadcast Channel on the radio
* Prepare a disaster kit
* Prepare a "go" supply kit to take with you
* create a family communication and emergency plan
* practice family emergency drills
* learn first aid and CPR

Suggested sites to learn more:

* http://www.redcross.org/

* http://www.ready.gov/

* http://www.ready.nj.gov/

* http://www.pandemicflu.gov/

In addition, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends these additional items for your disaster supply kit:
* 1 gallon of water per person for minimum of 3 days (for drinking & sanitation)
* at least 3 day supply of food of non-perishable food
* battery or hand crank radio, NOAA Weather radio with tone alert
* extra batteries
* flashlight
* first aid supplies
* whistle to signal for help
* dust mask or plastic sheeting to help filter contaminated air
* duct tape
* moist towelettes
* garbage bags & plastic ties for sanitation disposal
* wrench or pliars to turn off utilities
* manual can opener
* local maps* cell phone with charger

What should be in a "go" travel kit bag or backpack? Some suggested basic items include:
* food
* water
* toiletries
* flashlight
* batteries
* blanket
* work gloves
* plastic work goggles
* dust mask
* rain poncho
* whistle
* first aid supplies
* cell phone with charger
* sleeping bag

* note: remember these are basic suggestions. Tailor your kits to suit your individual needs by considering your area's climate, items for infants, medications, disabilities, pet supplies etc.

* Consult recommended sites for more detailed lists such as:
http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/index.html

The Red Cross reminds us that "you don't have to cross your fingers and hope for the best in an emergency. There are three easy things you can do to be ready:
* create or get a kit
* make a plan
* be informed

Remember disasters can and do happen, often when we least expect it. Don't be caught unprepared! Take a few minutes now to help keep you and your loved ones safer.