Summer 2019
A publication of
SEASONAL HEALTH TIPS
How to avoid heat stroke on hot summer days • Sluggishness or fatigue. • Seizure. • Hot, dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty. • High body temperature. • Loss of consciousness. • Rapid heartbeat. • Hallucinations.
METRO NEWS SERVICE Summer weather draws many people outside. Warm air and sunshine can be hard to resist, even when temperatures rise to potentially dangerous levels. Sunburn may be the first thing that comes to mind when people think of spending too much time soaking up summer sun. But while sunburn is a significant health problem that can increase a person’s risk for skin cancer, it poses a less immediate threat than heat stroke, a well-known yet often misunderstood condition.
Can heat stroke be prevented?
What is heat stroke?
Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency and the most severe form of heat illness that results from long, extreme exposure to the sun. During this exposure, a person’s builtin cooling system may fail to produce enough sweat to lower body his or her body temperature, putting his or her life at risk as a result. Heat stroke develops rapidly and requires immediate medical treatment. If not treated immediately, heat stroke can prove fatal.
Are some people more at risk for heat stroke than others?
The elderly, infants, people whose occupations require them to work outdoors, and the mentally ill are among the people with an especially high risk of heat stroke. Obesity and poor circulation also increase a person’s
Metro News Service
While sunburn is a significant health problem that can increase a person’s risk for skin cancer, it poses a less immediate threat than heat stroke, a well-known yet often misunderstood condition. risk of suffering heat stroke. Alcohol and certain types of medications also can make people more at risk for heat stroke.
What are the symptoms of heat stroke?
One person may experience heat stroke differently than another. In addition, because it develops so rapid-
ly, heat stroke can be hard to identify before a person is in serious danger. But Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that some of the more common heat stroke symptoms include: • Headache. • Dizziness. • Disorientation, agitation or confusion.
The simplest way to prevent heat stroke is to avoid spending time outdoors in the sun on hot days. If you must go outdoors, do so when temperatures are mild and the sun is low, such as in the early morning or evening. In addition to being wise about when you spend time in the sun, you can do the following to prevent heat stroke. • Drink plenty of fluids, such as water and sports drinks that can help your body maintain its electrolyte balance, when spending time outdoors. In addition, avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee, soda and tea as well as alcohol. • Wear lightweight, tightly woven and loose-fitting clothing in light colors. • Always wear a hat and sunglasses when going outdoors, and use an umbrella on especially hot days. • Take frequent drinks during outdoor activities and mist yourself with a spray bottle to reduce the likelihood of becoming overheated. Heat stroke is a serious threat on hot summer days. Because heat stroke can escalate rapidly, people must be especially cautious and mindful of their bodies when spending time outdoors in the summer.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Measles in the news: Get the facts to remain protected METRO NEWS SERVICE A disease once thought to have been eradicated in developed countries has become a newsmaker once again, with reported cases affecting various areas of North America.
The American Red Cross says the United States is presently experiencing the highest number of measles cases since the disease was considered eliminated in the country back in 2000. Seventy-five new cases were reported in one week in May 2019, bringing the
total confirmed cases to 839 across 23 states at that point. Canada reported six confirmed cases at the same time. In recent months, measles has been reported in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.
See MEASLES, Page 7
Bureau County Republican / bcrnews.com • Saturday, July 27, 2019
| HEALTH MATTERS
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HEALTHY DIET TIPS
A look at saturated fat versus unsaturated fat in their structure. Safflower oil, sunflower oil and corn oil are some examples of polyunsaturated fats.
METRO NEWS SERVICE Fat can be confusing as it pertains to diet. If asked to describe fat in a single word, many people might be inclined to say, “Bad.” However, fat is more complicated than that and is actually an essential component of a healthy diet. According to the American Heart Association, between 25 and 35 percent of a person’s daily calories should consist of fat. Not all fats are the same, and food typically contains both saturated and unsaturated fat. Understanding the distinction between the two can help people make sound dietary decisions.
Is one type of fat worse than another?
Part of the difficulty surrounding dietary fat is conflicting studies regarding its effects on overall health. Saturated fat has long been considered unhealthy, and the AHA recommends that less than 6 percent of daily caloric intake consist of saturated fat. Some studies have indicated that high amounts of saturated fats are linked to an increased risk for heart disease, while other studies refute such claims.
Is one type of fat better than another?
What is saturated fat?
According to the online medical resource Verywell Health, saturated fats have no double bonds in their chemical structure. It’s because of that structure that saturated fats have a solid consistency at room temperature. Saturated fat can be found in various foods, including animal meat, coconut oil, cheese, butter, milk, and processed meats, such as bologna and sausage. Prepackaged snacks such as cookies and crackers also may contain saturated fats.
What is unsaturated fat?
Unsaturated fats contain one or
Metro News Service
Not all fats are the same, and food typically contains both saturated and unsaturated fat. more double bonds in their chemical structure and are typically liquid at room temperature. Not all unsaturated fats are the same. Some are monounsaturated fats, which con-
tain only one doubled in their structure. Examples of monounsaturated fats include canola oil and olive oil. Polyunsaturated fats are those that contain two or more double bonds
Unsaturated fats are generally considered more beneficial to overall health than saturated fats. The AHA recommends that people should get most of their daily fat intake from unsaturated fats, which can be found in foods such as nuts, olives and avocados. Fish such as tuna and salmon also are good sources of unsaturated fats. Fats and how they fit into a healthy diet can be difficult to understand. Adults can consult with their physicians to determine which foods and fat sources are right for them.
NERVE HEALTH
Painful sciatica: Tips on understanding it and living with it METRO NEWS SERVICE The largest nerve in the human body is the sciatic nerve, which originates in the lower back and travels through the back of each leg. Injury or pressure on this nerve can lead to a type of pain known as sciatica. Sciatica can have an adverse effect on everyday life, causing pain that can radiate from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down the legs. People experiencing pain in these areas should consult a physician immediately, as the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons notes that between 80 and 90 percent of people diagnosed with sciatica get better over time without surgery. Many typically feel better within several weeks of beginning treatment. The first step toward diagnosing sciatica begins at home. People who learn to recognize potential symptoms of sciatica may be more likely to seek immediate treatment than
those who might mistake their pain for something else.
What are the symptoms of sciatica?
The AAOS notes that sciatica may feel like a bad leg cramp that lasts for weeks before it goes away. According to Spine-health.com, a property of the health publisher Veritas Health, sciatica pain is often described as burning, tingling or searing as opposed to a dull ache. In addition, pain resulting from sciatica may be worse when sitting, even though sharp pain associated with sciatica can make it difficult to stand up or walk. Numbness characterized by a “pins and needles” feeling, weakness or a burning or tingling sensation down the leg are some additional symptoms of sciatica.
Does sciatica affect both legs?
WebMD notes that sciatica usually affects only one leg, though the buttock or leg on the affected side may feel like it is in constant pain.
What causes sciatica?
Spine-health.com notes that the following five lower back problems are among the most common causes of sciatica: • Lumber herniated disc: This occurs when the soft inner material of the disc herniates, or leaks out, through the fibrous outer core, irritating or pinching the nerve root. • Degenerative disc disease: Discs in the back can degenerate naturally with age and never contribute to a problem like sciatica. However, degeneration in one or more discs in the lower back can sometimes irritate a nerve root and lead to sciatica. • Isthmic spondylolisthesis: This occurs when a small stress fracture allows one vertebral body to slip forward on another. The combination of collapsing disc space, a fracture and the slipping forward of the vertebral body can pinch the nerve and cause sciatica. • Lumbar spinal stenosis: In this
condition, which is relatively common among people older than 60, a narrowing of the spinal canal can contribute to sciatica. • Piriformis syndrome: A muscle found deep within the buttocks, the piriformis connects the lower spine to the upper thighbone, running directly over the sciatic nerve. Spasms in the piriformis can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, triggering sciatica.
Treating sciatica
Sciatica often can be treated successfully without surgery. Doctors may recommend applying heat and/ or ice packs for acute sciatic pain. In addition, over-the-counter and prescription pain medications can effectively reduce or relieve sciatic pain. Doctors also may explore other treatments, including chiropractic manipulation, acupuncture, massage therapy, and surgery. More information about sciatica can be found at www.orthoinfo.aaos. org.
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Real solutions.
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New facility coming to Princeton in 2020
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MAINTAINING GOOD HEALTH
How to combat dementia and memory loss METRO NEWS SERVICE Alzheimer’s Disease International says that there were approximately 50 million people living with dementia in 2017. Experts predict that number will roughly double every 20 years, highlighting just how pervasive dementia is across the globe. Dementia describes symptoms affecting memory, thinking and social abilities. The Mayo Clinic says dementia can become so severe that it interferes with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of progressive dementia, though there are other causes as well. Dementias can result from frontotemporal lobar degenerations, vascular disorders, Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body disease. Depending on the cause, some dementia symptoms may be reversible. For example, medical professionals have discovered a link between insulin resistance and the development of dementia. Insulin resistance, which results from eating too many carbs and sugar and not enough fat, is a major factor that contributes to Alzheimer’s disease, according to The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement. Some scientists now refer to Alzheimer’s as “Type 3 diabetes.” Cutting out sugar and refined carbs and adding lots of good fats may prevent and even reverse pre-dementia in many aging adults.
Metro News Service
Dementia describes symptoms affecting memory, thinking and social abilities. The Mayo Clinic says dementia can become so severe that it interferes with daily life. Using an animal model, researchers at Temple University Health System discovered that a drug blocking inflammatory molecules known as leukotrienes can reverse tau pathology, the second most important lesion in the brain in patients with Alzheimer’s. This can bring hope that med-
ication may help reverse Alzheimer’s instead of just mitigating symptoms. Other ways to prevent or reverse dementias involve preventing the brain pathology that occurs. For example, reducing the risk of stroke can prevent vascular dementias. Dementia risks linked to infections and immune disorders may be lowered by making dietary changes or taking appropriate medications for conditions. The Mayo Clinic also says nutritional deficiencies, such as dehydration and not getting enough vitamins B1, B6 and B12, can cause dementia-type symptoms. Dementias linked to heavy metal poisoning also may be resolved with treatment. In addition, people can take proactive approaches to preventing aging of the brain even if they aren’t yet suffering cognitive decline. A proactive approach can include: • Getting adequate sleep. • Controlling stress levels. • Getting thyroid and reproductive hormone levels checked and treated, if necessary. • Exercising daily, aiming for at least 30 minutes. • Eating healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fatty fish, coconut oil, olive oil, whole nuts, eggs, and some seeds. • Reducing consumption of sugar and processed carbohydrates. Combating dementia can involve an array of strategies aimed at helping people reduce their risk and possibly even reverse course.
HEALTHY SNACKS
Finally, vitamin B6 plays a role in converting food into energy, making it an ideal afternoon snack for people who want to quell their hunger pangs and give themselves a needed energy boost.
METRO NEWS SERVICE When looking to quell hunger pangs that can pop up between meals, many people reach for snacks. Snacks can be a great way to prevent overeating at mealtime, but such benefits can be negated if people choose the wrong snacks. Potato chips and sugary packaged baked goods may be readily available inside office vending machines and at convenience stores, but such snacks don’t pack the nutritional punch of carrots. Considered a superfood by many people, carrots are a simple snack that can be found at any grocery store and brought along to an office, regardless of whether that office is a traditional office, a work site or anywhere else people spend their workdays.
Carrots and long-term health
Vitamins and minerals Carrots are a great source of various vitamins and minerals. According to the health and wellness information site Healthline, carrots are great sources of vitamin A, biotin, vitamin K1, potassium and vitamin B6. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts into a vitamin A, a nutrient that promotes strong vision and plays a vital role in immune function. Studies have shown that biotin plays an important role in the body’s ability to metabolize fat
Metro News Service
When snack time beckons, carrots can help people reap immediate and long-term rewards. and protein. Vitamin K1 plays a vital role in blood coagulation, which is the process of making blood clot. Coagulation enables the blood to plug and heal a wound. Potassium can help people control their blood pressure, which can benefit their long-term health in various ways.
Carrots also have been shown to have long-term health benefits. In 2016, the American Institute for Cancer Research added carrots to its list of “Foods that Fight Cancer.” The links between carrots and reducing cancer risk are many and include carrots’ status as a low-calorie snack. Low-calorie snacks can help people reduce their risk of overweight and obesity, which the AICR notes are a cause of 11 cancers. Studies, including one published in the European Journal of Nutrition, have linked carrots to lower cholesterol levels. That’s a considerable benefit, as high cholesterol is among the most significant risk factors for heart disease. Carrots have long been touted as helping to improve vision, and that reputation is wellearned. When the beta-carotene in carrots is converted into vitamin A, that vitamin A combines with a protein called opsin to form rhodopsin, which is needed for night and color vision. When snack time beckons, carrots can help people reap immediate and long-term rewards.
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Tasty, crunchy carrots offer many health benefits
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HEALTHY EATING
METRO NEWS SERVICE Millions of people across the globe deal with conditions that affect the skin and hair. Acne is a skin and hair ailment that, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, is the most common skin condition in the United States. But what if the foods people eat could affect the health of their hair and skin? There is evidence that they can. Foods that contain certain nutrients, phytochemicals and enzymes may help people develop healthier hair and skin. • Blueberries: The U.S. Department of Agriculture gave blueberries its top ranking for antioxidant activity. The antioxidants in blueberries neutralize free radicals and protect people from premature aging, which can help the skin look younger and more vibrant. • Eggs: Eggs are great sources of protein and biotin, which are two nutrients that may help promote hair growth. The health and wellness information site Healthline says biotin is essential for the production of a hair protein called keratin. • Fatty fish: Fatty fish, such as salmon, are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Ciara Foy, a Toronto-based holistic nutritionist, says about 3 percent of the hair shaft is made up
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The American Red Cross says the United States is presently experiencing the highest number of measles cases since the disease was considered eliminated in the country back in 2000.
• MEASLES Continued from Page 1 Even though all 50 states require measles vaccinations prior to children entering school, there are some medical exemptions, and exemp-
Foods that contain certain nutrients, phytochemicals and enzymes may help people develop healthier hair and skin. The secret to beautiful skin and hair may be hiding in plain sight at your local supermarket.
Metro News Service
of omega-3 fatty acids. They’re also found in cell membranes and in the natural oils that keep the scalp and other areas of the skin hydrated. • Red bell peppers: These peppers contain more vitamin C than oranges. According to dermatologist Dr. Julia Carroll with Compass Dermatology, vitamin C is an antioxidant precursor to collagen production, so consuming more vitamin C through
foods can neutralize free radicals that could damage skin. • Spinach: Trade lettuce for spinach, which is rich in calcium, iron, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids and much more. These nutrients can be the building blocks of healthy skin and hair. • Oysters: Nutritionist and author Lisa Drayer says oysters are good sources of zinc, which aids in skin
cell renewal and repair. • Coconut: Coconut water is great for hydration and contains potassium, an electrolyte that moves nutrients into the cells. Coconut oil also can be used to boost hair health as a pre-wash conditioning treatment. The secret to beautiful skin and hair may be hiding in plain sight at your local supermarket.
tions for religious and philosophical reasons, according to the Red Cross. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that measles outbreaks are linked to travelers who bring measles back from other countries. Measles outbreaks have been documented in Israel, Ukraine and the Philippines. In New York, state senators and other politicians have pushed to end non-medical exemptions, including religious waivers from vaccinations. Roughly 530 cases of measles were confirmed in an area of Brooklyn, New York, between October 2018 and May 2019, leading Mayor Bill de Blasio to declare a public health emergency and ordering mandatory vaccinations under the threat of $1,000 fines. Schools in Lakewood, New Jersey, were shuttered for many days due to measles cases. Some schools sent the message that children will not be able to attend without proof of vaccination. Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the mucus of infected people. It is spread through coughing and sneezing. Measles is
so contagious that if one person has it, 90 percent of those close to that individual who are not immune will be infected, says the CDC. Early symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Within two or three days of such symptoms surfacing, small white spots may appear in the mouth before a red measles rash on the face and body develops.
The best protection against measles is a measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, which provides long-lasting protection. Children typically receive two doses of MMR — one as an infant and one between the ages of 4 and 6. Those concerned about measles can speak with their doctors about a measles booster and the various risk factors for the virus.
HEALTH MATTERS| Bureau County Republican / bcrnews.com • Saturday, July 27, 2019
Some foods actually promote healthy hair, skin
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Women’s Health is our greatest strength
Bureau County Republican / bcrnews.com • Saturday, July 27, 2019
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