The vaccine is about 70% to 90% effective in preventing the flu depending on your over all health and the length of the flu season. In some cases, people who have received the vaccine still get the flu – but are less likely to have a severe case or complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, or death. FluMist, the brand name for the nasal flu vaccine, is very effective
for school age children. However, it increases the risk of wheezing
in this age group – especially those children with a history of asthma
and children under two years of age. Therefore, FluMist is not recommended
for children under 2 or those with a history of wheezing or asthma!
Medicare Changes for 2005 Medicare has never covered
preventable physical exams in the past. They have only covered “sick
visits”, in other words you go to the doctor with a problem. However,
as of January, 2005, Medicare will cover new enrollees for one preventable
physical exam. Also included is an electrocardiogram and counseling
about preventative services that are already available to all Medicare
patients. These include:
How to talk to a medical professional: Before you go to your doctor or other healthcare provider: * Make a list of your questions, symptoms and concerns and take it with you -- ask a family member or friend to help. * Ask a family member or friend to accompany you to your appointment. You may not always hear and remember what the doctor said. * Ask the doctor to write down instructions for medications, tests, or referrals to other professionals to avoid miscommunications. If the results of medical tests won't be ready for a few days: * Ask your doctor if your results will be mailed to you or if you should expect a phone call and when. * Ask who will be available to explain the results to you. If you need to ask questions later: * Find out who to call in your healthcare provider's office - and the best times to call. Review your progress: * Document your progress (write it down), and set a time to share your results with your doctor. * If you feel you are not making progress, share that and ask why your progress is slow. * Ask your doctor when/if you are supposed to come back to have your progress monitored. Remember that no question is a dumb question! If you do not understand something, speak up. Ask to have it explained in terms that you can understand. Your health is your responsibility. You and your doctor should be able to work together as a team to keep you healthy in body, mind and spirit. |
Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that gradually destroys brain cells and leads to a progressive decline in mental function. It destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, communicate and carry out daily activities. Often it is accompanied by personality and behavior changes such as moodiness, anxiety, and delusions or hallucinations. The duration of the disease varies greatly from as little as three to twenty years. The areas of the brain that affect memory and thinking skills are the first affected, but as the disease progresses cells in other regions of the brain die as well. Eventually, the person with Alzheimer’s will need complete care. Unfortunately, many folks confuse the early symptoms of dementia with those of normal aging. Although there is no known cure, it is important to have an early diagnosis as there are medications that can slow the progression of the disease, and allow for treatment of psychiatric symptoms when they exist. Some of the early signs of dementia are a decrease in personal hygiene. Because of the memory loss folks don’t remember whether they have bathed, laundered their clothes; and may begin to have difficulties with toileting habits and continence issues. As they attempt to dress themselves, clothes may be put on in the wrong order, or even on the wrong parts of the body. Eventually a loss of motor skills becomes apparent – evidenced by unsteady gait, restlessness or directionless movements that show a disregard for safety. Their facial expressions may show feelings of anxiety, agitation, bewilderment, or depression. Early diagnosis allows the individual
and the family to educate themselves about the disease and its effects,
as well as:
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We are blessed to be Americans
and be able to live in the land of plenty! However, having plenty
is not always good for us! Too much watching television deprives
us of vital exercise, and we become “couch potatoes”. Too much fast
food deprives us of making good food choices, and learning to cook healthy
dishes. Our dependence on our cars not only deprives us of exercise,
but also gives us a “handy dining room” to consume our meals with in-car
dining! Often these “quick meals” consist of thousands of calories
and are consumed over a very short time and frequently while we are alone!
Healthy living is consciously making choices each day to change our old “bad” behaviors with new ones. Let’s talk about food choices first. Plan regular meals and eat them at regular intervals. Skipping meals doesn’t save calories. You don’t expect your car to run without gas. Why would you expect your body to function well without food, which is our energy source? Calories count! Most of us only need between 1500 and 2200 calories a day, depending on how active we are during the day. Frequent small meals are good for you. This keeps you from getting overly hungry. Borrow a nutrition book from the library for help in planning meals. Chose foods you love in moderation. Go for quality and not quantity! You should be able to eat anything you want while trying to lose weight, but the amount is important. Don’t do anything else when you eat! Watching TV, driving, talking on the phone are all distractions, and we tend to eat more without realizing it. Eating with someone else is always more enjoyable. However, since that is not always possible, learn to eat alone with joy. Set the table for yourself. Make the setting attractive. Take the time to say “Grace.” It helps to keep your faith in view, and reminds you with our Lord’s help you can achieve great things! Always eat at the table. This will help prevent snacking in front of the TV, or eating on the run. If it’s not meal time, ask yourself why you are eating. Are you bored, lonely, stressed, fearful? Food will not relieve those feelings. Address these feelings separately without food! Find a hobby, call a friend, pray, take a walk and meditate. Work through the problem. Eating is not the answer for every problem. The big news in healthy living is 10,000 steps. There has been much news coverage on the concept. It’s a way to get us up and moving. This is what our bodies were made to do. No one expects you to suddenly start walking 10,000 steps. Start with a walk around the block. When you are comfortable with that, increase it to two blocks. This is not an exercise program, it’s just moving. Almost everyone can do it. Choose times during the coolness of the day in the summer and in the warm sun during the winter. Park your car at the end of the parking lot when you shop. All those extra steps add up. These are all choices for you to consider. Healthy living is making healthy choices. Feel free to call me if you have questions about this article or other health concerns. Lee Moulds, RN, BS, Parish Nurse Highlandtown Lutheran Ministries and Wheat Ridge Ministries |
| Telling the good news about Jesus for 100 years! |
