Category: Medical Mondays

Burning Calories at Work

Fitness For Less:

  • Everyday opportunities-walk instead of ride, stairs, park further out, household chores, play with the kids
  • Consider modest investments-inexpensive fitness products like dumbbells, jump ropes, fitness balls, videos/DVDs/pod cast, video games

Office Exercises:

  • Make the most of your commute
  • Look for opportunities to stand
  • Take ‘fitness breaks’ instead of coffee breaks
  • Trade your office chair for a fitness ball
  • Keep fitness products in your work area
  • ‘Get social’-bring along a coworker
  • Conduct a meeting ‘on the go’
  • Pick up the pace
  • If traveling for work-when waiting on a plane walk in the airport, and use hotel fitness rooms
  • MAKE IT FUN!

Safe & Healthy 4th of July Cooking

Causes:

  • Food Processing causing bacteria to be on the food before you get it
  • Food Growing again causing bacteria to be on the food before you get it
  • Food Handling causing contamination from a person or a surface used to prepare the food
  • From the Environment by contamination from dirt, dust and contaminated water

Prevention:

  • CLEAN: Hot soapy water to clean hands, surfaces and tools
  • SEPARATE: Keep uncooked meats from having contact with raw vegetables
  • COOK: Rule of thumb for meat is center temp greater than 160 degrees F
  • CHILL: Promptly put in cooler or fridge within 1-2 hours of preparation
  • WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT

Treatment:

  • Fluids and rest, Pedialyte or make your own rehydration drink
  • Avoid foods high in fat and sugar
  • Avoid spicy foods, alcohol, coffee for at least two days after symptoms resolve
  • Anti-diarrheal meds except when have fever or bloody stool

Heat Cramps/Heat Exhaustion/Heat Stroke

Here is the script for Heat Stroke:

Heat Cramps (Mildest) can lead to Heat Exhaustion can lead to Heat Stroke (Most Severe and can be a Life Threatening Condition!)

Who’s at risk?

  • Young: less than 4 years old
  • Old: more than 65 years old with chronic illnesses and/or on medications
  • Those on certain medications or taking certain illicit drugs or drinking alcohol
  • Obese individuals
  • Those exposed to sudden temperature changes, Heat Waves or travel to a hot climate

Causes:

  • High Temperatures
  • High Humidity
  • Strenuous Activity
  • Dehydration
  • Alcohol Consumption
  • Overdressing

Signs and symptoms:

  • Body temperature of 104 degrees F or higher: seek immediate medical attention! This Is Heat Stroke!
  • ‘Goose bumps’ and cool moist skin even in the heat
  • Heavy sweating
  • Faintness
  • Dizzyness
  • Rapid pulse
  • Low blood pressure
  • Muscle cramps
  • Nausea
  • Headache

Treatment:

  • Stop all activity and rest in a cool place
  • Drink cool fluids
  • Apply cool water or mist to skin
  • Loosen or remove extra clothing
  • If you do not feel better within 60 minutes or your temperature reaches 104 degrees F, seek immediate medical attention!

Prevention:

  • Wear loose, light weight, light colored clothing
  • Avoid getting sunburned with hat and sunscreen
  • Seek cooler places
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • If on certain medications take extra precautions to avoid overheating
  • Avoid hot spots, hot parked car, unshaded areas
  • If new to a hot and humid climate, acclimate before going out for long periods
  • Best not to exercise or engage in strenuous activity in hot, humid environments