Category Archives: Health Issues

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

IT’S ALMOST TIME FOR COLD AND FLU SEASON, AGAIN!

The first global pandemic that had occurred in 40 years hit worldwide last year!  A nasty virus called “H1N1 Influenza” spread throughout the globe.  Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.  It can be mild or severe, and can cause death in older persons, youngsters, and those who have certain underlying health conditions.  The H1N1 virus did not seem to affect older citizens as much as young adults, some of them in good health. 

Signs of influenza are body aches, chills, dry cough, fever, headache, and stuffy nose.  “Stomach flu” is not influenza.  There are certain antiviral medications that your healthcare provider may wish to prescribe for you.  Prevention is the key: annual flu vaccine.  Scientists make up a different vaccine each year because strains of influenza vary from year to year.  Experts are predicting we will see more of the H1N1 bug, as well as other viruses.  The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against the 2009 H1N1 strain and two other influenza viruses.  If you take the shot, and still get the flu, the severity of it should be reduced. 

Symptoms of the common cold, which strikes more than one billion victims per year in the United States, are scratchy throat, runny nose, and sneezing.  Bed rest, fluids, gargling with warm salt water, using lozenges and throat sprays are common treatments for colds.  Colds are usually milder than flu and most often do not result in serious health problems.  Some over-the- counter medications might help.  Antibiotics will not kill viruses or prevent bacterial infections.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children not be given aspirin when they have a viral illness such as a cold.  Contact your pediatrician for best advice. 

When it comes to the common cold or influenza, here are some ways to help you  prevent and/or cope with either one of them: 

  • Avoid touching shared telephones, computers, stairway rails, doorknobs, money, and after doing so, wash hands properly!
  • Use alcohol-based disinfecting products for your hands.
  • Wash hands frequently, and teach your children to do so as well.
  • Try not to get too close to someone who is sneezing, coughing.
  • Stay away from others if you are sneezing or coughing.
  • If you have to sneeze or cough, sneeze or cough into your elbow, not hands.
  • While you are ill, stay home, DO NOT PASS GO, and get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids.  Don’t take your germs to work or school, get well first!

Other respiratory viruses that curculate during flu season are non-flu viruses that include rhinovirus – one source of the common cold, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which is the most common cause of severe respiratory illness in young children and persons age sixty-five and older.

If you haven’t had your flu vaccine yet, think seriously about getting one.  Let’s try to stay ahead of the “bugs” this year!

Sources: Centers for Disease Control

Nat’l Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

WHEN IT COMES TO PATIENT SAFETY, YOU MUST BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE!

We are all human, and make mistakes, but in the field of medicine, errors may be costly.  In a recent report by the Institute of  Medicine, between 44,000 and 98,000 people die in U.S. hospitals as a result of medical mistakes.  More persons die from medical errors than motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer, or Aids.

Most people hate to ask their doctors many questions, because they are intimidated by the fact that the doctor is busy and in a rush to get to the next patient.  You are as important as that next person.  If you leave your doctor’s visit with questions on your mind about a certain procedure or medication they have prescribed, you are putting your complete faith in them.  You must be an integral part of your healthcare team.  If you have children or elderly parents, you are a very important member of their healthcare team! 

Be sure to tell your physician every type of medication you are taking, vitamins, herbs, over-the-counter drugs, as well as all prescriptions, and any adverse reactions you have had in the past to certain medications.  If you have trouble reading the doctor’s script, ask him the name of it, and be sure your pharmacists can read it, as well.  This is one way to ensure that a mistake won’t be made.  Most pharmacies include written instructions and information on side effects of the medicine, so be sure you read that completely. 

Medical errors can occur in hospitals, clinics, doctor’ offices, nursing homes, patient homes, or outpatient services.   Mistakes can be made during operations, diagnostics, with equipment, reading lab reports, or from a routine task such as giving a high-salt meal to a patient on a salt-free diet.  Hospital patients should ask their health care workers if they have washed their hands before touching them; hospital-associated infections are very common.  The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons urges its members to initial the surgery site prior to surgery; you want to be sure they are putting a new joint in the right place! 

Should you receive a diagnosis that you question, make arrangements to see another physician, someone who is not associated with your doctor.  Getting a second opinion is very important in certain illnesses.  Sign a release to pick up your lab work results.  Too often the nurse will call and say “everything’s fine,” and hopefully it is.  But they may miss some critical part of the report, and it doesn’t hurt to ask a professional to look at your results.  Your doctor may not make the mistake; it could be a radiologist or pathologist that may misinterpret the x-rays or other tests.  My physician asked one time for a third reading of an x-ray for me because two radiologists came up with completely different diagnoses.  He sent it to a third one, whose opinion barely agreed with one of the others.  If that happens, who are you to believe?  It can be very scarey.

We aren’t undermining hospitals and physicians in any way; they are diligent in their efforts to keep us well.  It is merely an effort to encourage you to be involved and understand what is going on anytime you are being cared for.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  From experience, most of us have sat in hospital rooms with family members and wondered if the outcome would have been different if we had asked for more information.  If you feel that you or a family member is not being attended as you/they should be, speak up.  Remember, you must be the guardian for yourself, as well as your loved ones.

 

Source: AHRQ.gov

Health Issues

OBESITY IN THE WORKPLACE

Obesity in the workplace is a part of a growing national trend, one that is getting larger at an alarming rate. The cost of obesity in the workplace is in the billions of dollars every year, due to the ill health of millions of employees. Companies who struggle with this problem and take a pro-active stance toward it will be ahead of the curve, not only by saving money, but providing a healthier workplace environment for their employees.

What weight is considered obese? 

  •       Persons who are 30 – 40 pounds overweight are considered obese.
  •       Severe obesity is 60 pounds overweight.
  •       Morbidly obese being 100 lbs. over normal weight.
  •       Super obese is 200 plus pounds overweight.

These classifications aren’t flattering, causing many overweight persons to feel that they are discriminated against because of their weight.  Race, gender, age, disability, religion, and now obesity are reasons that persons may feel  discriminated against. 

There can be many reasons for being overweight.  Some are genetic, caused by certain health issues, or lack of exercise, and eating unhealthy foods.  This problem is going to continue if our schools don’t serve healthy foods and require physical education for youngsters.  It should be a given that kids “get out and play an hour a day.”  Parents should strive to start their families out with a healthy breakfast, and choose fruits and vegetables rather than fast food on a regular basis.  It’s a proven fact that there are more obese youngsters than in past generations.

Regardless, no one should be bullied, harassed, or humiliated because of their size.  People that are obese have a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, gall bladder disease, lung and breathing problems, and early death.  As of now, Michigan is the only state that declares discrimination of this sort as illegal.  There are no federal laws making it illegal.  Some cities do, though.  Through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and courts, persons diagnosed with morbid obesity may be seen as disabled, thereby possibly being protected under the Americans with Disabilities Amended Act of 2008.

Companies can achieve having healthier and happier employees through weight-loss plans, employee wellness programs, and/or health club memberships.  Planning a better environment,  such as healthy snacks in vending machines, less fast foods in the cafeteria, and holding health fairs would be good for everyone.  The programs should not be targeted toward certain groups, in order to be nondiscriminatory, but to all employees, and those who wish to enroll may do so on a voluntary basis.  Start up a group walking program during lunch break. Wear a pedometer to see how  any steps you take in a work-day.  If it’s not very many, we need to step it up when we get home!  (The recommended number of daily steps is 10,000.)  You may be surprised at just how much  or little walking you actually do each day.   The Centers for Disease Control report that obesity can cause chronic health issues that equal twenty years of aging. 

Let’s start parking the car a little farther from work, walk up stairs rather than take an elevator, and encourage others to do the same.  If you have a friend or family member that is overweight, offer to go to a wellness center or take a daily walk with them.  Possibly, you can get them started on a healthy path, and reap the benefits, as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Health Issues, Hearing Protection, Respiratory Safety

WHAT’S FOR DINNER? A SALUTE TO AMERICA’S FARMERS

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As we go through our busy days, and think about what we’re going to prepare (or buy) for dinner, how many of us consider how that food got to the grocery store,  into our kitchens and onto our tables?  We have our farmers to thank for the blessings of  food.  Agriculture is a big business, and our farmers, dairymen, and ranchers, who grow our vegetables, fruits, beef and pork, as well as produce milk products, work hard to make a living. 

There are all types of farmers – from older ones who learned the hard way, to younger ones who utilize technology to improve agriculture on a larger scale, to part-time farmers who also have other occupations, to niche/boutique farmers who produce specialty products.  They all have different needs when it comes to safety and health.  Certain hazards for those on the farm are exposure to noise  from tractors and other equipment.  Many have hearing loss from years of running heavy equipment.  They are exposed to too much sun, which can cause skin cancer, and they breathe dust, and chemical fumes that can cause lung damage (farmers lung.) 

Children who grow up on farms learn at an early age  chores that they are expected to do to help their parents.  They are taught to be careful around livestock, as even the little animals can kick if the mood strikes them.  Two of the main hazards for youngsters who live in rural areas are machinery and drowning.  Drowning rates for all age groups are three times higher in rural regions than urban areas.  There are rivers, ponds, lakes, and canals that may be tempting for kids to jump into on a hot day.  Other causes of injuries to children on farms are livestock and falls. 

Future Farmers of America and 4-H Clubs are groups that young people interested in agriculture can join.  Many extension groups exist for women in farming, as well.  Our government has established many programs to help protect our farmers, such as agricultural-occupational health services.  Rural emergency services should be specially trained to treat injured farmers, ranchers, and their workers for injuries specific to their occupations.  Tractor-related injuries and deaths are hazards that most farmers face every day.  Pesticides that are needed to control crop damage are health-related risk factors, too.  

The National Safety Council estimates that approximately 160,000 agricultural workers suffer disabling injuries each year.  This may be a conservative estimate, as many accidents go unreported.  The National Agriculture Safety Database covers many of the risks farmers face, and recommends the proper use of personal protective equipment that meets the particular need: 

  • Head protection – For protection from falling objects, hard hats are the best.  Bump caps can also be worn for protection from ordinary scrapes and bumps, but do not protect from impact.
  • Eye protection – Wearing goggles, face shields, or safety glasses can prevent rocks, soil, crop materials, or foreign objects from being thrown into the eyes.  Chemicals from spray cans can also cause serious damage to the eyes. 
  • Foot protection – Safety footwear doesn’t have to look like it; there are types of  lightweight work boots that are designed for comfort and protection from dropped objects, stepping on sharp rocks, or maybe even being stepped on by an animal.
  • Hand protection – Gloves that are chemical-resistant should be worn anytime pesticides are being used.  Other work gloves protect the hands from hazards associated with most farm duties.
  • Breathing protection – dust from livestock or equipment can cause breathing problems.  Dust masks or respirators will help alleviate discomfort from trying to breathe under these conditions.
  • Protection from sick animals – Whenever treating a sick animal, wear eye protection and gloves, and cover open wounds on your body, as some diseases can be transmitted from animals to humans. 

We understand that almost every occupation has some risk of injury; however, September is Farm Safety Month, and this is our way of saying thanks for all they do, and to let them know how much we appreciate their hard work and the hazards they face to grow the products we all need.  “Thank You” to all of you who work in agriculture.  Stay safe!