More About Mumps!

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Though there is a vaccine for mumps, regularly there are outbreaks in the United States among the unvaccinated population. Most commonly, this is among people living in close-quarters on school campuses. Mumps is a viral infection that affects the salivary glands and is highly contagious.

Symptoms of the mumps virus develop a few weeks after expose. Primarily, you should look out for pain in swollen salivary glands on either side of the face. Other symptoms include pain with chewing and swallowing, fever, headache, muscle ache, weakness, fatigue, and loss of appetite (source). If you are experiencing these symptoms, seek treatment immediately. Mumps are most contagious for roughly nine days after symptoms appear. Alert your doctor that you believe you might have mumps so they can make arrangements to avoid further contamination of their waiting room and other spaces. Mumps can be contracted through saliva, which means it can be contracted by breathing in air contaminated by an infected person’s cough or sneeze.

Mumps in general are rare, and even rarer are complications from mumps, but some can be very serious. Mumps causes swelling in the body, in the salivary glands this is treatable, but it can also lead to swelling in the brain, pancreas, testicles, and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (also known as meningitis). If you believe you have mumps and are experiencing pain in any of the aforementioned places, seek medical treatment as soon as possible, especially if the brain is concerned as untreated swelling in the brain can be fatal.

Additionally, if you’re pregnant, you should seek treatment for mumps as soon as symptoms arise. Untreated mumps, especially early on in pregnancy, can lead to miscarriage. Other complications include hearing and heart problems. These are usually not permanent, but should be treated as soon as problems arrive.

A two-shot vaccine is available to guard against mumps. A third shot is available to limit risk of infection even further, but two are sufficient for most people. The third shot is usually recommended for college students or those in the midst of an outbreak. People who should not get this vaccine are people who are allergic to neomycin, people with compromised immune systems, or women who are pregnant or trying to conceive within four weeks.

What to Know About Flu Season 2018-2019

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Influenza viruses occur all year long in the United States, but there are “seasons” when the flu is much more rampant. The timing and duration of flu season varies, but historically, flu season reaches its peak between December and March. Flu season starts, however, as early as October. One way to combat the flu is to get vaccinated every year around the start of flu season.

The flu is a respiratory infection caused by a virus. It is spread through coughing or sneezing, but can also be spread through touching (even shaking hands). Symptoms of the flu include: fever, chills, cough, sore throat, congestion, body/headaches, fatigue, and even vomiting or diarrhea. Compared with the common cold, the flu has a quick onset, whereas a cold is much more gradual. Fevers are common with the flu, and not with a col. Aches associated with the flu are common and often severe; for people with colds, aches are less common and less severe. Headaches are also much more common with the flu than they are with a cold.

For most people, recovery from the flu will take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, but for others the flu may result in further complications. Some of the more minor complications include sinus or ear infections, but more serious complications are pneumonia or even inflammation of the heart, brain, muscles/tissues, or even organ failure. Everyone is at risk of catching the flu, but those who are older than 65, have chronic medical conditions, are pregnant, or are younger than 5 are all at greater risk of developing serious complications as a result of the flu.

The flu vaccine reduces the risk of contracting the flu by up to 60% among the general population. The effectiveness of a flu vaccine is influenced by the health of the person being vaccinated, and the similarity between the vaccine and the virus that is circulating during that season. Every year the vaccines available are updated to better aid in the prevention of the flu. For those with diabetes and chronic lung disease, the flu vaccine has reduced hospitalizations by 79% and 52% respectively. For those older than 65, the vaccine has reduced hospitalizations by 54%. While it’s not guaranteed that the flu vaccine will prevent you from getting the flu, it greatly improves your odds of not getting the flu, and even more reduces your odds of flu-related complications that can possibly be fatal. Getting vaccinated is a quick and easy procedure that is well worth the twenty minute trip to the clinic.

Sports Injuries: Dislocation

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A dislocation occurs when “a joint experiences an unexpected or unbalanced impact” (source). This can be a result of a fall or hard hit. For older people, dislocations often occur after falling. For younger people, dislocation is often a result of unsafe behavior or sports. Dislocations are obvious injuries (though they are often confused for breaks). The area will be discolored and have a strange, unnatural shape. The affected area may be numb or have a tingling sensation, there can be pain from movement, accompanied by a loss of motion.The human body is made up of bones that fit into joints in order to stay in place. Sometimes, however, the bones can slip out of those joints. This is called dislocation. Almost any joint in the body can be dislocated. Most commonly it’s fingers, knees, hips, ankles, and shoulders that are affected by this type of injury.

To treat a dislocation, your doctor may choose one of the following treatment options:

Manipulation/Repositioning The joint will be manipulated and repositioned so as to be back in the right place. Occasionally, this will be enough and the doctor won’t require any kind of immobilizer.

Immobilization After the joint is repositioned, you may be told to wear a sling, splint, or even cast for a few weeks.

Medication Most pain associated with a dislocation will subside in time, but pain relievers or muscle relaxants may be prescribed.

Surgery Surgery is only necessary is the dislocation has caused damage to nerves or blood vessels. This is more common when a dislocation is left untreated for too long. Surgery can also be necessary if the doctor is unable to manipulate the bone back into place. For people who frequently dislocate certain joints, surgery might be seen as a means of prevention of later dislocations. The most intensive surgery for a dislocation is a full replacement of the joint (most common is a hip replacement).

Rehabilitation After the joint has been successfully repositioned and the immobilizer has been removed, rehabilitation will help gradually increased the mobility and strength of the joint to help prevent further injury to the joint.

Dislocations can be avoided by not engaging in dangerous hazardous behavior, but in most cases dislocations occur accidentally (in the case of falls) or within the realm of play (for sports or most often with young children). Dislocations can be easily treated and heal much faster than a break, the key is to seek help immediately and work to not injure the afflicted area again after it’s been put back into place.

Understanding Asthma

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According to the CDC, 1 in 13 people have asthma. Though a common condition, asthma is often misunderstood. This incurable disease is very manageable with the right understanding of what’s going on in your body.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes an inflammation of the airways. The swelling of these tubes that carry air into and out of the lungs causes them to also become very sensitive and very narrow. On top of this, cells in the airways of an asthmatic will often produce thick, sticky mucus that further constricts their breathing. The exact cause of asthma is unknown, but researchers believe it is some combination of inherited factors (such as a parent with asthma or inheriting a tendency to develop allergies) and environmental factors (contact with certain infections or allergens at a young age).

Some signs and symptoms of asthma are as follows:

Coughing

Wheezing

Chest tightness

Shortness of breath (source)

If you are dealing with any of these symptoms, seek help from a medical professional. Along with a physical exam and an analysis of your medical history, they will perform a lung function test. A lung function test will measure the size of your lungs and air flow. Some can even be used to test how well gases move in and out of your blood, and others can be used to test for inflammation in the lungs. Once you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, treatment will be focused on control and prevention. This will involve working to avoid activities that make your asthma worse (besides physical activity), maintaining good lung function, and reducing the need for quick relief medicines. For treating asthma, there are two kinds of medications: long-term control and quick relief. Long-term medicines will work to reduce inflammation, and quick-relief medicines (rescue inhalers) will help relieve flare ups of symptoms.

There is no cure for asthma, and the range of how intense symptoms can be varies greatly from person to person. By taking care of your health in other aspects and updating your treatment plan regularly, asthma will not be a force that holds you back from living a full and active life.

Is Vitamin C Your Secret Weapon?

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Also known as L-ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is a naturally occurring vitamin that can help humans out quite a bit. Unlike most animals, humans do not produce Vitamin C, but instead must metabolize it through food and dietary supplements. Broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, tomatoes and the like are all great sources of vitamin C, but are the supplements really worth all the hype? Is vitamin C really helping you avoid flu season?

Vitamin C plays an important role in a few processes within the body. This includes the synthesis of collagen, antioxidant production, iron absorption, and improves immune function. The collagen that vitamin C helps the body synthesize is important for the repair of connective tissue when wounds are healing. Vitamin C is also important in antioxidant regeneration, and in recent years has been studied as a possible way to prevent or delay certain cancers and diseases. Additionally, vitamin C helps with the absorption of nonheme iron, which is a type of iron found in plants. Lastly, vitamin C is famed for its immune system strengthening qualities.

Studies on the effectiveness of vitamin C on treating colds have been inconsistent over recent years. WebMD reports “experts have found little to no benefit from vitamin C for preventing or treating the common cold.” While some studies have shown that 200 milligrams or more of vitamin C a day can help reduce the intensity or duration of a cold, many other studies have shown evidence that after a cold has started vitamin C will do very little to help treat the affliction. Some professionals argue that when treating colds, vitamin C is no more effective than a placebo.

Overall, vitamin C presents wide health benefits and is thus an important part of any diet, but it shouldn’t be relied on as the cure-all for the common cold.

September is Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month

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Leukemia and Lymphoma are two types of blood cancers. In 2018, there are estimated to be about 83,180 new cases of lymphoma, and 60,300 new cases of leukemia. While these new cases make up less than 10% of the total new cases of cancer in the US in 2018, there is still estimated to be a new blood cancer diagnosis given in the US every 3 minutes. September is designated as an awareness month for both leukemia and lymphoma, so we hope to do our part to share more information about these diseases and offer ways to lend support to those with these cancers.

Leukemia is a cancer that affects blood and bone marrow. This disease starts with a cell in the bone marrow that changes and becomes a leukemia cell. Once this change has occurred, the new leukemia cell will grow and multiply, surviving better than normal cells and eventually will overpower them. The leukemia cells that form will limit the amount of white blood cells that can grow and multiply. White blood cells are important for fighting infections, but the weakening of these cells by leukemia greatly reduces the strength of an individual's immune system.

Lymphoma is the name given to a group of cancers that develop in the lymphatic system of the body. The lymphatic system is a network of vessels through which lymph (white blood cells) drains from the tissues into the blood. The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. What distinguishes Hodgkin lymphoma from other kinds of this cancer is the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. These large, cancerous cells are found in the Hodgkin lymphoma tissues. This form of lymphoma is one of the most curable cancers. Non-hodgkin lymphoma has a variety of subsets. The most common are B-cell, T-cell, and NK-cell. The 5-year survival rate for people diagnosed with non-Hogdkin lymphoma is 71%, but changes depending on the type.

To help further research on leukemia and lymphoma, you can donate to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by visiting their website here.

Repetitive Strain Injury

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Just as the causes of RSIs vary, so do their symptoms. Some signs to look out for are pain, tenderness, stiffness. Throbbing, tingling/numbness, weakness, or cramping. With an RSI, these symptoms might occur only during the repetitive motion, but without treatment will linger throughout the day. Swelling may also occur in the afflicted area as the RSI worsens.One of the most common workplace injuries is the repetitive strain injury, or RSI. RSI refers to the general pain felt in muscles, nerves, and tendons as a result of repetitive movements or overuse. Common parts of the body that are affected by RSI are the forearms, elbows, wrists, hands, neck, and shoulders.

A repetitive strain injury is caused by the overuse of muscles and tendons. This can mean it occurs when a muscle is used for too long of a time period, or too intensely for a short time period. They can also occur if you maintain poor posture during work. Construction workers, assembly line workers, or even white collar workers who sit at a desk typing all day can develop an RSI. Legally, however, employers are required to try to the best of their abilities to prevent work-related repetitive strain injuries.

To treat an RSI, you must first identify the movement that is causing the injury. Once it has been identified, modify or cut out the activity altogether. Over the counter pain medications like aspirin or ibuprofen can be used to handle pain resulting from an RSI, as well as ice and heat packs. Along with pain management, a physiotherapist may be necessary to retrain and strengthen the muscles to return to work fully.

Preventing an RSI is simple, but can easily be overlooked. Maintaining good posture at a desk or during typical work activities is one of the best ways you can help keep your muscles relaxed and stable. Additionally, taking frequent, short, breaks will give your body a chance to rest and reset. Up to 50% of workplace injuries are RSIs, but these injuries range from mild pains, to debilitating injuries. No matter where you land on the spectrum, RSIs are avoidable with the right communication and adjustments.

The Dorm Disease: All About Meningitis

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Meningitis has a few causes: bacterial, viral, chronic, and fungal. Bacterial meningitis is caused by bacteria that enters the bloodstream then travels to the brain and spinal cord, or even just enters the meninges directly. There are a few strains of bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis, these include pneumococcus, meningococcus, haemophilus, and listeria. Viral meningitis is often milder than bacterial, and will usually clear on its own. It is caused by viruses like herpes, HIV, and West Nile virus. Chronic meningitis is caused by slow-growing organisms that invade the meninges or fluids surround the brain. It may take a few weeks to fully develop. Fungal meningitis is one of the causes of chronic meningitis and is fairly uncommon. One form of fungal meningitis, called cryptococcal meningitis, often affects only people with immune deficiencies.If you or someone you know is headed off to college, you’ve probably heard about getting a meningitis vaccine. But what is meningitis? The meninges are membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is the inflammation of these membranes that causes headaches, fever, and a stiff neck. Other symptoms include confusion, seizures, sleepiness, loss of appetite, and occasionally a skin rash.

The number of cases of meningitis in the United States has decreased in recent years, but still 10-15% of people with meningococcal meningitis will suffer brain damage. Another 10-15% of meningococcal meningitis cases are fatal. A few risk factors of meningitis are: age (16-23 year olds have the highest risk), community living, pregnancy, compromised immune system, and skipping vaccinations.

There are two meningitis vaccines available: ACWY and B. ACWY is recommended for children ages 11 to 12, with a booster shot at 16. B is recommended for 16 to 23 year olds. With one in ten cases leading to fatality, and another one in ten leading to long-term disabilities like brain damage, hearing loss, and even loss of limbs, it’s always safer to vaccinate.

How to Avoid Computer Vision Syndrome

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Also known as Digital Eye Strain, Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) involves a series of symptoms caused by prolonged screen use. Cell phones, computer screens, tablets, even e-readers can cause these problems. Some of these symptoms are eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, or neck and shoulder pain.

Overuse of computer screens causes eye problems because digital screens require the eye to work harder to process information. The high visual demand of the average computer screen is already high as screens are cluttered with different colors, designs, and moving parts the eye has to process, but reading on a computer screen is much more difficult than reading a printed page. The lighting, contrast, glare, and sharpness of letters on a computer screen require the eye to focus and move in different ways than they have to when reading print. Also, the angle at which we are often reading things on a screen is different from the angles we’ve developed for reading printed media.

There are many ways to avoid developing CVS. These include:

20-20-20 Rule: after every 20 minutes of screen use, spend 20 seconds focusing on something 20 feet away from you (and ideally not another screen)

Positioning: the best position for your monitor to be in during use is about two feet from you and slightly below your eyeline so you have to angle your eyes downwards. Also, try to position your monitor in a spot where it won’t have lots of glare from windows or lights.

Computer glasses: to treat CVS, many doctors prescribe a pair of glasses just for computer use.

Blink: this will naturally help soothe your eyes are help reduce some of the symptoms related to CVS

A 2016 study found that Americans spend over 10 hours a day on average staring at a computer screen. So give your eyes a break when they need it, put down the phone, walk away from the monitor, and end that full-series binge session - your eyes will thank you.

All About Swimmer’s Itch

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Swimmer’s itch, or cercarial dermatitis, is the name given to the itchy rash that can develop after swimming or wading in certain waters. Swimmer’s itch is caused by parasites released into the water by waterfowl and other small animals, and is much more common in freshwater instead of salt water. While the rash is itchy and appears as red pimples or blisters, it usually clears up within a matter of days and can be controlled with over the counter medicine.

Much like chiggers, the parasites that cause swimmer’s itch infect snails and spread through bodies of water through snail secretions. They cannot survive on a human host, so though they burrow into the skin, they die pretty quickly thereafter. These parasites require animals like geese, ducks, gulls, beavers, and muskrats to survive and continue their life cycle.

Symptoms of swimmer’s itch are small, red pimple-like blisters on the skin that appear hours or days after infection. The rash is itchy, but is treatable with creams and medicine that doesn’t require a prescription. If the rash persists longer than three days, or there is pus on the rash site, you should consult a medical professional. You should also be careful not to scratch and infect the rash site as this can lead to other complications.

To avoid swimmer’s itch there are a few steps you can take.

Avoid areas where swimmer’s itch is common

Avoid marshy areas where snails are common

Swim in deeper waters

Rinse off after swimming

Don’t feed birds near bodies of water

Cover as much skin as possible (or is comfortable) when swimming

All About It: Swimmer’s Itch

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Swimmer’s itch, or cercarial dermatitis, is a rash caused by certain parasites that infect birds and mammals that come into contact with humans through bodies of water. The parasites that cause these red patches come from infected snails that release them into fresh or salt water. The parasites are then left in the water and will attach to the next mammal that crosses its path.

These parasites live in the blood of infected birds and mammals, and their eggs make their way to bodies of water through the feces of these animals. Once the eggs reach water and hatch they become microscopic swimmers in search of snails to latch onto. While attached to the snails, the larvae multiply and are released back into the water in search of a bird or mammal to carry them. Humans are not suitable hosts for these larvae so when they attach to humans and burrow into the skin they find themselves unable to survive much longer and die relatively quickly. Though this doesn’t cause an infection to the human host, it does cause an allergic reaction which results in the rash known as “swimmer’s itch.”

The rash appears as small, red pimples or blisters and is accompanied by the sensation of tingling, burning or itching. The rash can develop within minutes or even days after exposure to the contaminated water. The itchiness of the rash usually subsides within a week or two, but infection from scratching and irritating the blisters can cause more lasting damage. The initial rash can be treated with over the counter anti-itch medications and creams.

Swimmer’s itch is not contagious from person to person, and infected waters won’t stay infected for a long period of time. The larvae that cause swimmer’s itch usually die within 24 hours if they haven’t found a suitable host, but the snail that was initially infected will continue to produce new larvae for the rest of its life. Swimming pools that are chlorinated and are well maintained are not at risk for infection. Some ways to avoid swimmer’s itch is to avoid swimming or wading in shallow, marshy areas with many snails, avoid feeding birds near bodies of water frequented by swimmers, and towel dry or shower quickly after exiting the water. Swimmer’s itch is an annoying, non-threatening rash that can be treated easily and without a visit to the doctor.

Summer Bites: Ticks & Mites

Summer nights are best spent outdoors, but just as we’re drawn to these warm evenings spent together, so are bugs like ticks, mites, and mosquitoes. While most of the bites from these pests aren’t dangerous, it’s important to be able to identify and treat bites from these bugs.

Ticks are eight legged and smaller than a quarter of an inch. These arachnids cannot jump or fly, they simply crawl onto their host and attach to feed. The two most common types of ticks are hard ticks and soft ticks. Hard ticks tend to feed for hours to days in comparison, soft ticks usually feed for less than an hour. Any disease transmission usually occurs towards the end of feeding, because of this, it can take hours to have pathogens transferred from a hard tick, but within minutes if you’ve been bitten by a soft tick. After a tick has fallen off, a red spot may appear. This mark may also burn, itch, or even cause localized joint pain in some people.

If the tick has not fallen off, there is a proper way to remove these pests. First, clean the area with rubbing alcohol, then, using pointy tweezers, grab the tick and pull slowly straight up. Once you’ve removed the tick, clean the area with rubbing alcohol, soap, and water.

Ticks can carry a variety of diseases, but simply being bitten does not mean you are infected with one. If symptoms last for days, or weeks, and get worse (i.e. vomiting, nausea, rash, swelling, etc.) then you should seek medical treatment.

Mites come in a broad array of biters. One of the most common biting mites is the chigger. Chiggers are larvae that are nearly invisible to the human eye. These tiny red bugs live in tall grasses, weeds, and wooded areas. They attach to their host and feed for a few days. When they finally fall off, they leave behind red spots that resemble welts, blisters, or pimples. They often feed in groups, so it’s common to find many bites in an area. Because chiggers are feeding on skin cells, not blood, they don’t transmit any diseases to their hosts. The only risk of infection occurs from scratching the bites. You can use over the counter itch relief creams to treat chigger bites. They might still appear on the skin for weeks, but have no residual effects except itchiness.

Sunscreen Tips!

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We find ourselves in midsummer and our sunscreen supplies are getting low. Days are long and we’re spending more time outside, but we’re relying more on “base tans” to protect us from the sun’s damaging rays. Following are a collection of tips for how to avoid the painful sunburns that inevitably follow laziness in the face of UV rays.

1. Cover up before you head outside. Your body needs 15-20 minutes to absorb sunscreen, if you apply after you’re already outside, or have been for a while, your body is not protected from harmful UV rays and will be affected.

2. Keep it fresh. The ingredients in sunscreen lose potency over time. Why waste the time and energy to put on layers of sunscreen if it won’t do the job. Pay attention to the expiration dates on your sunscreen bottles and your skin will thank you.

3. Reapply. Every few hours spent outside, you should apply a new layer of sunscreen to all areas that will be exposed to the sun’s rays. Especially when swimming in pools, lakes, or the ocean you should pay extra attention to the time and keep your body shielded to maximize fun in the sun.

4. Plan ahead. Wear clothing and accessories (i.e. hats, shawls, sunglasses) that will protect your skin even if you’re wearing the proper amount of sunscreen and reapplying. Giving your skin a break with breathable materials will help the longevity of your time in the sun the following days, as sunburn takes more than a few hours to heal.

5. Don’t be blotchy. Pay attention to areas that may be uncovered with movement or activities. Get under straps, sleeves, and don’t forget about those harder to reach areas like your back, or even those sometimes forgotten places like ears, back of the neck, chest, and feet.

For maximum protection from UVA and UVB rays, it is recommended to always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30. With the understanding that “one in five Americans develop skin cancer by the age of 70” (source) it should be a priority this summer to maintain proper skin care in the face of the cancer causing rays of the sun.

All About It: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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The carpal tunnel is a slim passageway located in the wrist. The symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome occur when the median nerve in this passageway is compressed. This nerve runs down the length of the arm and ends in the hand. It controls movement and feeling in all fingers except the pinky. The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are tingling or numbness as well as weakness. This tingling or numbness can feel like an electric shock in some cases and can travel up the wrist and arm.

There isn’t a singular cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, it can occur whenever the median nerve is compressed or irritated in any way. Some risk factors for developing carpal tunnel are:

Anatomical features. Some people are simply born with smaller carpal tunnels which leave less space for the median nerve to work unaffected. Fractures or damage to the wrist can also cause damage to the carpal tunnel.

Sex. Women are more often affected by carpal tunnel syndrome than men, but this has more to do with anatomy as women most often have smaller carpal tunnels than men.

Other health conditions. Diabetes, arthritis, and obesity can all increase risk of inflammation to the median nerve in the carpal tunnel.

Pregnancy or menopause. Because fluid retention changes during pregnancy and menopause, it is common for women to develop carpal tunnel syndrome during these times as pressure is increased in the carpal tunnel. For women who suffer from carpal tunnel during pregnancy, it most often corrects itself following the pregnancy.

Work. The use of vibrating hand tools repetitively or extensive use of computers have shown strong association with developing carpal tunnel syndrome, but neither have been confirmed as causes of the syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is unavoidable in some cases, but for others, there are always ways to help lessen the risk of developing this condition. These preventative measures include relaxing your grip, taking breaks, using good form, improving posture, and keeping your hands warm (coldness creates stiffness).

If you believe you are suffering from carpal tunnel, the best thing to do is seek an official diagnosis. Your doctor will perform a physical exam as well as taking x-rays and they might also perform an electromyogram. When other conditions are ruled out, you may be diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and offered a few treatment options. There are nonsurgical measures involving splints, anti-inflammatory medications, or even corticosteroids as well as surgical measures, either open or endoscopic. Your doctor will be able to help outline which treatment will be best for you and offer more information on preventing carpal tunnel syndrome in the future.

Heat Exhaustion in Humans

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Recently we wrote about the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion in man’s best friend, but now we’re sharing more information on heat exhaustion in the man himself. Heat exhaustion is part of the progression from heat cramps to heat stroke. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body cannot cool itself (sweat) fast enough to keep up with the environment. Symptoms begin with heat rash, muscle cramps, and symptoms of dehydration, but as they progress they become much more dangerous.

Some symptoms of heat exhaustion include profuse sweating, weakness, vomiting, headache, lightheadedness, and muscle cramps. If someone is experiencing these symptoms they are at risk to progress to heat stroke. Heat stroke occurs when temperature regulation fails and a person’s mental state becomes altered. The person will stop sweating, body temperature will exceed 106F, and they may even suffer from a seizure. 

Treatment for heat exhaustion involves moving the person to a cooler environment and rehydrating. The goal of this should be to lower internal body temperature. This process can be accelerated by applying ice packs or cooled cloths to the armpits, neck, back, and groin of the person overheating. If it has progressed to heat stroke, however, medical attention should be sought immediately.

The people who are at the highest risk for heat stroke are young children and the elderly as their bodies are less able to regulate temperature. Annually, 38 children die from being left in vehicles on hot days. Even with the windows down, the inside temperature of a car parked in direct sunlight can reach over 100F within 15 minutes. Besides never leaving others in hot cars, there are other ways to avoid heat-induced health issues including staying hydrated, avoiding sunburn, wearing loose or light clothing, and paying attention to the ways certain medications may affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature.

How It Works: Teeth Whitening

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We all want that million dollar smile, but understanding teeth whitening before investing in a thirty dollar mouthwash will save time, energy, and most importantly money.

First you need to understand how your teeth get stained. There are three common ways your teeth can become yellow: extrinsically, intrinsically, or because of age. Extrinsic stains involve the staining of the outer layer of teeth. Coffee, wine, smoking, and other foods or drinks can lead to the enamel on your teeth becoming discolored. Intrinsic stains involve the inside structure of teeth, or the dentin. These stains often come from trauma to teeth as they were developing, including use of tetracycline antibiotics before the age of 8, internal bleeding, or overexposure to fluoride early in life. Age-related discoloration is the culmination of both extrinsic and intrinsic staining. Dentin will naturally become yellowed over time as enamel also deteriorates. As this layer of enamel thins, the dentin below becomes more visible.

To whiten teeth that have been stained intrinsically, you’ll have to use gels with carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. This kind of treatment penetrated enamel to reach the discolored layer below. For extrinsic staining, toothpastes and mouthwashes created for teeth whitening are safe and effective options. While there are UV Light treatments available, these methods have not been shown to actually improve whitening results. Also, if you are going for very pearly whites, a dentist will have much more effective and longer lasting treatments that aren’t available in stores. Plus, a dentist will be able to give you a plan to prevent further staining to maintain the white smile you paid for.

If you’re serious about getting a whiter, brighter smile, the best option is to seek care by a dentist. Though at-home methods are safe and somewhat effective, you’ll achieve a better result with a medical professional. Dentists will know better than google just how to treat any possible side effects like tooth sensitivity, and can even help repair damage from earlier overuse of teeth whitening products that might have worn down enamel or even gums.

Understanding Chiropractic Care

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Chiropractic care focuses on the natural healing abilities of the human body. Chiropractors work on helping the body learn correct behaviors through nonsurgical or drugless methods so as to help improve an individual’s quality of life. When you are realigned by a chiropractor, he or she is making specific suggestions to your spine to help with other bodily systems (like your nervous system). But not all chiropractors are treating the same problem, and many don’t treat the same problems the same ways. Following are a few of the different types of chiropractic care available.

Manipulation can be broken into two groups: spinal and extremity. Spinal manipulation involves training the spine and surrounding muscles to improve functionality and decrease pain levels. Extremity manipulation focuses more on the joints surrounding the spine. Increasing mobility of these joints puts less stress on the spine itself, helping it function normally and pain-free.

Thompson Drop Technique involves the use of a drop table to adjust the spine and its connections with the pelvis and legs. Use of a drop table helps target specific areas that are in need of manipulation. This form of correction isn’t hard on joints or disks and is a common practice for full spine manipulations.

Gonstead Chiropractic Technique focuses attention on the pelvis and lower back. Ensuring the stability and correct positioning of the hips and pelvis increases the strength of the spinal column. When there are misalignments in these areas more pressure is placed on the discs separating vertebrae.

Activator uses a device to gently “tap” the spine and hips back into place. The device, a hand-held Activator Adjusting Instrument, delivers a fast, low-force pulse to areas designated by the chiropractor. Because of the speed of this device, it’s difficult or the body to tense up and become resistant to adjustment. Additionally, this technique removes the risk of additional damage or movement to joints.

No matter the technique, chiropractic care undoubtedly helps increase a person’s quality of life. From relieving back pain and neck pain, to alleviating acid reflux and ear infections, regular realignments have also helped lower blood pressure, aid in treating neurological conditions, and have even helped increase athletic performance. If you are experiencing back, neck, hip, or unexplained leg pain, a visit to the chiropractor (and regular appointments after that) can help decrease your pain and put you back on your feet!