Improve Health Every Day

SPRING YARDWORK

and Hearing Protection

Spring has sprung, which means many of us are considering getting back out into our yards to clean up the remains of winter. But before you get started, did you know that some yardwork equipment— including many gas-powered tools, such as lawnmowers, leaf blowers and string trimmers—can put you at risk for hearing loss?

Be sure to take these steps to reduce your risk of noise-induced hearing loss: • Limit your exposure to loud equipment. • Always wear hearing protection. • Keep up maintenance on your machinery, as worn parts may increase noise levels. • Consider using a quieter alternative when possible (e.g., a rake instead of a leaf blower).

Wearing hearing protection is recommended anytime you use loud equipment, since harm to your hearing can get increasingly worse with each repeated exposure. A wide variety of hearing-protection options exist, including earmuffs, earplugs and even Bluetooth-enabled noise-canceling headphones. Ultimately, the option you will use most often will be the best one for you.

Before You Plan Your

Beach Vacation

The sun is starting to shine brighter this time of year, so before you start spending more time out in the sunshine, be sure to schedule your annual skin exam. Skin checks, which are an essential part of your health care, provide opportunities to evaluate any abnormal moles, growths and spots you may have.

While it’s important to schedule annual skin checks with your doctor, you also should monitor your skin regularly with self-examinations. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, nearly half of melanomas are self-detected. All you have to do is follow the “ABCDE” guidelines at right while examining your body in a mirror in a well-lit room: • A is for asymmetry: One half of the spot is unlike the other half. • B is for border: The spot has an irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border. • C is for color: The spot has varying colors from one area to the next, such as shades of tan, brown, black or dark purple, or areas of white, red or blue. • D is for diameter: While melanomas are usually greater than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser), they may be smaller when diagnosed. • E is for evolving: The spot looks different from others or exhibits changes in size, shape or color.

If something unusual appears, it’s essential to get it checked out for proper diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. Early detection of skin cancer is the key to lesser treatment needs and successful outcomes.

Getting Ready for SPRING ACTIVITIES

Now that the weather is getting warmer, you may be itching to get out and do all the outdoor activities you haven’t been able to enjoy during the winter months. However, since you probably haven't done these activities for quite a while, it’s important to start slowly to avoid injuries. Here are some tips to help you stay healthy as you get back into your favorite outdoor activities: Start slowly: Overuse injuries are very common at the start of spring, so take time now to prepare your body before you overexert yourself.

Stretch and warm up before any physical

activity: Take 5–10 minutes to elevate your heart rate and increase blood flow to your muscles. Warmups can include lunges, jumping jacks or light jogging. Stay hydrated: Although this is good advice anytime, it’s especially important when you’re engaging in physical activity. When dehydrated, your muscles and tendons are less flexible, which can increase your risk of muscle strain. Listen to your body: If you feel any discomfort, stop the activity and assess why you may be feeling pain. If the pain doesn’t subside after using conservative measures like ice, heat and elevation, see your doctor.

Know the Facts About ASTHMA

If you or a loved one suffers from asthma, here are answers to some of the most common questions about the condition:

What causes asthma?

In many cases, patients are born with asthma. Often, children’s asthma improves after puberty, but it can return in later life. Some patients develop asthma during adulthood, perhaps due to an acute lung infection like pneumonia or bronchitis, or due to exposure to noxious chemicals. In some cases, however, asthma has no apparent cause.

What treatment options are available?

Asthma is treated with various inhaled medications, and treatment is based on the frequency of symptoms. If a patient is having symptoms at night or more than once a week, they are usually placed on a daily medicine to prevent and control asthma symptoms. For acute asthma symptoms, patients are normally instructed to use a rescue inhaler to help open their airways and allow them to relax. In addition, patients also may be placed on medications for allergies, postnasal drip and heartburn.

Are there ways to avoid or minimize attacks?

Using inhalers appropriately; minimizing exposure to triggers like smoke, dust and other allergens; and monitoring your symptoms are a few ways to minimize the frequency and severity of attacks. In addition, therapies may need to be escalated with changes of season, so it’s important to talk to your physician about preventive options.