Recently in Health Category

It's holiday time again, and while holidays are supposed to be a time of enjoyment and happiness, you and your family may feel stressed because of extra demands placed upon already busy schedules.  The following suggestions may help:

• Sit down as a family and make a list of all of the things that need to be done, then delegate tasks.
• Make a December calendar and include all of the dates and times of all activities so you don't worry about forgetting something.
• Take a look at your family's holiday activities.  Are there things that you do but don't really enjoy.  Consider not doing that activity or doing it in a different way.
• Plan easy meals.  Double batch your favorite casseroles and put in the freezer for a quick meal on a busy day.
• Take a few minutes each day for yourself and do something relaxing.
• Keep your eating and sleeping routines as close to normal as possible.
• Expect young children to misbehave occassionally.  Remember, they have short attention spans and tire easily.
• finally, make time for family fun!

Have a very happy holiday season!!!!!!!

This flu season is expected to be especially active but, by taking common-sense precautions, you can reduce your risk of contracting seasonal flu and the novel H1N1 influenza, and/or spreading the flu to others.

The flu virus becomes airborne from coughs and sneezes and easily survives on surfaces for eight hours.  Good hygienic practices, self-isolation and social distancing can significantly decrease the spread of the flu.

Some steps you can take to manage your risk include:

*  Get a seasonal flu shot now and be prepared to get the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine later. It is expected to be available in mid-October.

*  Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you and use it often.

*  Keep your hands away from your mouth, nose, and eyes.

*  Keep a distance of three to six feet between you and those who are ill.

*  Don't eat, drink, or smoke after others.

*  Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve so viruses are trapped in the fabric of your clothing and so you do not contaminate your hands.

*  If you cough into a tissue, throw it in a wastebasket immediately. Don't lay it on a surface that others might touch. Wash or sanitize your hands as soon a possible.

If you do contract the flu, stay home until you are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicines.

Further information on the flu can be found at the following URLs:

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/txflu/default.shtm

http://texashelp.tamu.edu

 

 

 

 

Texas AgriLife Extension Service is partnering with the Texas Education Agency to host a "Beat TEA - Walk Across Texas Challenge!"

Walk Across Texas is a program from AgriLife Extension that encourages people of all ages to increase their levels of physical activity.  It is an eight week walking program that has been used with youth and adults.

During the third week of September we observe Obesity Awareness Month.  TEA will be initiating a challenge to all Independent School Districts encouraging them to participate in a friendly competition.  The goal is to motivate our youth to move more!

Research done at the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research indicates that:

*  Academic Performance (TAKS) - Higher levels of fitness are associated with better academic performance.

*  School Attendance - Higher levels of fitness are associated with better school attendance.

*  School Incidents - Higher levels of fitness are associated with fewer negative school incidents.

If your school is interested in participating in the Beat TEA! Walk Across Texas Challenge, contact Lexie at 214-904-3050, or amcgrane@ag.tamu.edu.

 

Children react to disaster differently according to their age.  They may respond to disaster by demonstrating increased anxiety or emotional and behavioral problems.

According to the American Red Cross, children from birth to 2 years of age may display some of the following common physical and emotional reactions after a disaster or traumatic event.

Birth to 2 years--When children are pre-verbal and experience a trauma, they do not have the words to describe the event or their feelings.  However, they can retain memories of particular sights, sounds, or smells.  Infants may react to trauma by being irritable, crying more than usual, or wanting to be held and cuddled.  As children get older, their play may involve acting  our elements of the traumatic event that occurred several years in the past and was seemingly forgotten.

Stay tuned to "Lifeline" for more information on other age groups and how they cope with disaster and traumatic events.

For more information on helping children cope with disaster or traumatic events, please contact us or visit our websites at:
pvcep.pvamu.edu; or
dallas-tx.tamu.edu; or contact Marvin R. Young at 214-904-3050 or mryoung@tamu.edu

Excessive exposure to a hot environment, especially while active or working, can bring about a variety of heat-induced symptoms - some mild and some severe. Heat illness can range from mild to moderate cramping and leg swelling to more severe heat exhaustion and even fatal heat stroke if the body's temperature is not brought down. In all these cases, you will want to get the person to a cooler environment - an air conditioned building if possible - or under a shade tree or other shaded area if air conditioning is not available. You will also want to be sure the person is hydrated with regular sips of cool (not ice cold) water or electrolyte-containing sports drink (unless vomiting ensues or heat stroke symptoms are evident).

·         For cramping, you can apply firm pressure or gentle massage.

·         For leg swelling, elevate the legs. Call a doctor if elevation doesn't bring the swelling down.

·         For heat exhaustion (characterized by dizziness or feeling faint, headache, nausea, profuse sweating, clammy/cool skin, rapid/weak pulse, low-grade fever, low blood pressure, and ashen or pale appearance), get the person out of the sun; lay him/her down; and cool the body with cool, wet cloths (changing them often) or by spraying or sponging the body with cool water.

·         If signs of heat stroke are present (characterized by high body temperature [103 degrees F, orally]; red, hot, dry skin; no sweating; rapid heartbeat; rapid, shallow breathing; dizziness; nausea, confusion, irritability, and/or unconsciousness), call 9-1-1 immediately, and begin cooling the body in whatever way possible. Time is crucial, so use whatever means are available for cooling - get the victim to shade or air conditioning; immerse the victim in a cool bath or shower, or spray with a garden water hose; sponge or spray with cool water. If the humidity is low, you can wrap the victim in a cool, wet sheet and fan him/her vigorously. Do NOT give the victim fluids in this case.

To stay safe in the heat and prevent heat illness, allow your body to adjust by limiting your activity at first. Slow down and avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day (between 10 am & 4 pm), if possible. Wear a wide-brimmed hat; wrap-around, 100 percent UV protective sunglasses; and loose fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing to allow some of the sun's energy to be reflected away from the body. Drink plenty of water even if you are not thirsty. Your body needs water to stay cool. If you are doing strenuous activity for more than 1 hour, try an electrolyte-replenishing drink, like Gatorade or Powerade. Eat well-balanced, light, regular meals. Avoid salt tablets unless directed to do so by your doctor.

Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning or who spend much of their time alone. If possible, spend the warmest part of the day in public buildings with air conditioning, such as libraries, schools, theaters, malls, or other community facilities. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest level of the building. Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle, even when you crack or roll down the windows - temperatures inside a vehicle climb higher than the outdoor temperature.

Giving the body time to adjust to the heat, staying hydrated, and being aware of the signs of heat illness can help keep you and your loved ones safe in the sun.

 

 

Source: Janet M. Pollard, MPH, AgriLife Extension Associate - Health, Texas AgriLife Extension Service

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dallas County CEP / Family & Consumer Science Agent, Marvin Young, has scheduled Diabetes Education Awareness & Prevention (DEAP) classes for the upcoming Fall season.

They will be held at the Dallas County Extension office located at 10056 Marsh Lane, Suite B-101, Dallas, TX 75229. The first group will meet on Tuesdays, November 3,10, & 17, 2009 from 12:00 noon til 1:00.  Group 2 will meet on Wednesdays, November 4, 11, & 18, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. til 2:00 p.m.

Each class will feature diabetes education and awareness information along with a healthy/diabetic food demonstration; and a low impact physical activity.  Feel free to bring your lunch and eat while we learn.

To sign-up for these free classes, please call the Dallas County Extension office at 214-904-3050 to register.  When registering be sure to indicate if you are signing up for group 1 or group 2.  It is on a first come, first served basis for the first 20 people for each group.

How much do you really know about keeping your heart healthy?

Take the following True-False quiz developed by Tufts University:

 

1. Moderate alcohol consumption can improve cardiovascular health.

2. Garlic has heart-healthy benefits.

3. The main reason people are overweight is that they eat too much food.

4. Moderately intense exercise can be just as effective as vigorous exercise.

5. Anger can cause heart disease.

6. Sexual activity puts very little strain on the heart.

7. Cooked tomatoes have more health benefits than raw tomatoes.

8. Drinking milk can lower high blood pressure.

9. The risk of heart attack is greatest late at night.

10. Today the average American eats 150 calories a day more than 20 years ago.

 

Answers:

 

1. True, but moderate consumption means no more than 1 drink per day.

2. True, the phytochemical allicin in garlic can lower blood pressure.

3. False, most people are just less active than they used to be.

4. True, moderately intense physical activity can be just as effective as vigorous physical activity.

5. True, hostility and anger can increase the likelihood of premature cardiovascular disease.

6. True, only a tiny percent of heart attacks can be attributed to it.

7. True, tomatoes must be cooked in order for your body to obtain the powerful antioxidant Iycopene.

8. True, dairy products low in saturated fats can help combat high blood pressure.

9. False, the most common time for heart attacks to occur is in the morning.

10. True, and the average American weighs 24 pounds more today than in the 1960s.

 

Remember, being well informed about your health is an important part of an overall healthy lifestyle!

 

 

This informative and interactive site can help you learn more about mosquitoes

and about best management practices to control these pesky insects. Dr. Mike Merchant, Extension Entomologist at the Texas AgriLife Extension Urban Solutions Center in Dallas has done an outstanding job of developing this new educational tool.

 

Mosquito Safari <http://mosquitosafari.tamu.edu/> takes you on a virtual tour of a backyard, encouraging you to see things from the mosquito's point of view. Did you know that an old tire makes the perfect mosquito home? That garbage cans and garbage lids are one of the most common breeding sites for mosquitoes? What about bird feeders and bird

houses in areas where West Nile virus is common--does attracting birds to your backyard make the risk worse?

 

These and many other questions will be answered when you visit the site. Topics covered include mosquito biology and life cycles, risks of mosquitoes to humans and pets, how to identify the most common mosquito species, and steps you can take to reduce mosquito bites in your own backyard. Gardeners will learn about mosquito repellents, where mosquitoes hide during the day, and some practical steps that can help when the city is

not conducting mosquito spray operations. For pest management professionals, the site can be a good way to reinforce the messages technicians give their customers about how to reduce their risks from mosquito bites. New technicians? Mosquito Safari can provide at least a half hour of training time for trainees.

 

If you visit, be sure to turn on the sound, as much of the site is narrated.

 

Source:  Extension in the City: Urban Initiative County News

The Cooperative Extension Program of Prairie View A&M University (Dallas County) is proud to provide the Diabetes Education Awareness and Prevention (DEAP) program to residents of Dallas County.

DEAP is one of Extension's health and education efforts which takes a holistic approach to reducing diabetes in children and adults in minority communities.  The primary focus is creating lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet, exercise, and weight loss, if needed, to help prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.

*  There were more than 1.5 million new cases of diabetes in people 20 years or older in 2005;
*  Diabetes can lead to heart disease, blindness, dental disease, amputations, etc. if left    untreated;
*  Working together, people with diabetes and their health care providers can reduce the occurrence of complications by controlling the levels of blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood lipids, and by receiving other preventive care practices in a timely manner.

To schedule your FREE DEAP diabetes class in Dallas County, please contact:
Marvin R. Young at 214-904-3050 or mryougn@tamu.edu.

Along with the coming of spring and summer is the potential for dangerous weather patterns.  Some dangerous weather gives up plenty of time to prepare, where other dangerous weather situations can happen at the blink of an eye.

Therefore, early preparation is always of the utmost importance if we plan to reduce injuries and loss of life.

The following questions will assist us in knowing if we are prepared or if we need to start today with getting better prepared.

*  Do you know what types of disasters can take place in your area?
*  Have you developed a family disaster plan?
*  Do you regularly review your family disaster plan?
*  Does your family disaster plan include a plan for communicating with family members          separated  by disaster?
*  Have you ever received information on what to include in a disaster supplies kit?
*  Have you put together a disaster supplies kit?
*  Do you know how to shelter in place?
*  Do you know who to contact in your community for more information on disaster preparedness?
*  Are you familiar with your community's warning systems and evacuation routes?
*  Do you know where emergency shelters are located in your community and in surrounding communities?
Have you asked your child's school about their disaster plan?
*  Do you have a NOAA Weather Radio or other batter-operated radio to hear disaster-related information?

If you answered "NO" to the questions, visit the Texas EDEN Web site at texashelp.tamu.edu for disaster preparedness resources.  Or you may contact Marvin R. Young at mryoung@tamu.edu or 214-904-3050.  You may alo visit our websites at:
pvcep-pvamu.edu or dallas-tx.tamu.edu for mor detailed information.

Visit the following website for a wealth of flu-related information:  http://texashelp.tamu.edu/004-natural/disease-and-epidemic.php

You can also find excellent information on the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

Stay well,

Lexie

It affects the company's bottom line in many ways.  Here are three key factors:

 

• Decreased health care costs
• Increased productivity and staff retention
• Better morale

 

Rising healthcare benefit costs are a significant concern and poor health habits and unnecessary medical care costs consume portions of corporate resources as well as the employee's paycheck.  The worksite is an ideal setting for health education, health promotion, and disease prevention programs.  Employees spend many of their waking hours at work, nearing 50 hours per week.  That's why the workplace is an ideal setting to address health/wellness issues. 

 

For more information, contact me at amcgrane@ag.tamu.edu.

 

Lexie 

Are you looking for a way to add more physical activity to your life?  Do you want to turn in your couch potato membership card?  Think about walking across Texas! 

Walk Across Texas is a program created by Texas AgriLife Extension Service in 1996 to help you establish the habit of regular physical activity. From border to border, you or your team, can walk 830 miles across the state, seeing your progress across the state on-line, or on a Texas road map!

Most people start by walking as a member of a team of eight for eight weeks at work or with another type of group such as their church or county. Then, after that, they can transfer their own mileage from those eight weeks to the By Yourself option and continue walking across the state on their own. You may also choose the By Yourself option from the very beginning.

Regardless of whether you choose to start as a team in a group or by yourself, you can walk whenever and wherever you want. Team members do not have to walk together. Some prefer walking outside, while others walk on a treadmill. You may even choose to bike, swim or dance across Texas! 

For more information about starting a team at work, or participating on your own, contact me at:

amcgrane@ag.tamu.edu

Lexie McGrane, MS, CEA-FCS

With May right around the corner, I think of how much we like outdoor activities in the warmer weather months.  In my neighborhood everyone is working in their flower beds, getting their pools ready for the swimming season, and getting outdoors as much as they can. While we should be concerned about sun exposure all year, we are reminded in May, "Melanoma-Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month", about the risks associated with sun exposure.  You can visit the website for the American Academy of Dermatology http://www.aad.org for good information about Skin e-News, sun safety programs in your area, and much more.

For Extension programs related to skin cancer/sun safety that are available free to your group or organization, contact me at amcgrane@ag.tamu.edu.

Enjoy the sun safely!!!!

Lexie