SavantMD: Health and Wellness » Healthy Living

Stress, Take Some Time To Relieve it ~ Health & Wellness Tip

SavantMD — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:08 +0000

Find some time to relax.
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So the economy’s got you down, or a relationship, or your work. Take your pick. Just about every facet of life has the potential to cause you stress and we do know that stress in the extreme can lead to high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. It may also affect our health in more subtle ways like interfering with our sleep. However, a little stress in life isn’t a bad thing. It can be what motivates us to do better. Tests us to be better. It’s all about finding the balance between just enough and too much stress. If you’re feeling stressed one of the best things to do is to give yourself a scheduled break and to get some regular physical activity. Eating lighter foods like more fresh fruits and vegetables is another good thing to do. It’s easy for your body to process and gives you lots of essential vitamins and minerals. So if you’re stressed (and who isn’t) take some time to relax and you’ll be doing some good for your health

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Hand Sanitizer – Blessing or Bane ~ Wellness & Health Tip

SavantMD — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:06 +0000

A viewer recently asked,” What is your opinion of the ubiquitous hand sanitizers used to help prevent exposure to germs?”

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A viewer recently asked,” What is your opinion of the ubiquitous hand sanitizers used to help prevent exposure to germs?” Great question! I’ve thought about this, too. As it turns out the most effective hand sanitizers use some form of alcohol between 65% and 85% which will deactivate bacteria and viruses. Since there are no antibiotics in an alcohol based hand sanitizer the germs will not develop resistance to antibiotics. Some exposure to germs, especially in children, is not necessarily bad since it will help their immune systems to develop well. Exposure is also pretty much unavoidable. I have small children, too, and, yes, they bring everything home. In medical school, during our pediatrics rotation we were told, ” It’s not if you’re going to get sick, it’s how often.”

So keeping your hands clean is the best way to prevent the spread of germs but if you could avoid touching your face that would be even more effective.

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Make Exercise Part of Your New Year’s Resolution ~ Wellness & Health Tip

SavantMD — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:46:43 +0000

Make Exercise Part of Your New Year’s Resolution

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Exercise is a great New Year’s resolution
You should always talk to your doctor first.
You should always pick something that easy to do like walking.
30 Minutes of walking three times a week is a good place to start.

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8 Ways to Avoid Mall Germs ~ Health & Wellness Tip

SavantMD — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:25:39 +0000

Learn how to avoid germs at the mall.

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Anywhere people gather there are sure to be germs and now that the Holidays are upon us many of us will find ourselves at the mall, a perfect place to pass on more than just Holiday cheer. Here are the 8 most likely places to pick up germs at the mall: 1. Restroom sinks. They’re moist and a great place for bacteria to grow, even more so than the toilet. 2. Food court tables. Wipe them down first with an antibacterial wipe. 3. Escalator handrails. How many people actually rubbed their noses before touching that handrail. It just takes one to pass on germs. 4. ATM keypads. Use a hand sanitizer after taking out money. 5. Toy stores. Lots of small kids touching all the toys. I’ve got small kids. I know. 6. Fitting rooms. Lots of people trying on the same clothes. Wear full coverage underwear when trying on clothes and wash new clothes before you wear them. 7. Gadget stores where everyone is trying out the latest piece of technology. And 8. Make-up samples. Bottom line, don’t try them. In the end wash your hands, use antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizers and, as I always say, don’t touch your face.
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6 Tips about Bedbugs ~ Health & Wellness Tip

SavantMD — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:40:14 +0000

The most important, thing to know is that bed bugs are not known to transmit any human diseases and as such are more a nuisance than a health hazard.

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Bed bug infestations used to be a common problem in the United States up until the 1950′s but after the introduction of strong pesticides. However, when DDT was banned in the 1970′s bed bugs started to make a comeback and now there is a rise in the number of cases being reported in many large cities including New York, Philadelphia, and, to a lesser degree, San Francisco. The first, and probably most important, thing to know is that bed bugs are not known to transmit any human diseases and as such are more a nuisance than a health hazard. They like warm, dark places and so will often be found in the bed. They are about the size of an apple seed and their bites can cause an itchy rash. They can often be found in the seams of a mattress but also by the headboard or behind picture frames. If you notice them the best thing to do is to call an exterminator. To avoid bringing them home from a hotel room you can keep your luggage in the bathroom and when you return home vacuum the suitcase and wash all your clothing on the highest heat setting. For more information you can check the cdc.
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4 Tips for Healthy Aging ~ Health & Wellness Tip

SavantMD — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 04:53:05 +0000

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Depression Can Effect Anyone ~ Health & Wellness Tip

SavantMD — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:00:17 +0000

Depression can come in a wide range from chronic and severe to short lived and mild.

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Depression can come in a wide range from chronic and severe to short lived and mild. Whatever its severity depression can still have a significant negative impact on a person and those around them. Early detection and intervention with psychological support or sometimes medication can help prevent any symptoms from getting worse. If you’ve experienced excessive sadness to the point that you no longer do the things you once enjoyed please make a visit to your doctor to see what you can do.

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America’s Healthiest Cities ~ Health & Wellness Tip

SavantMD — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:38 +0000

So which cities are the most fit in the United States?

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So which cities are the most fit in the United States? According to Men’s Health Magazine they are Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland, Washington DC, and Salt Lake City. What the article looked at was how often the residents exercised, how many households watched 15 hours or more of cable TV per week and bought more than 11 video games a year, and the rate of blood clots in the leg called Deep Venous Thrombosis or DVT, a result of inactivity. As a doctor in San Francisco I’m glad to see that people here are conscientious about exercising and I definitely see it in my practice. Heck, even my 80 year old mother goes to the gym 3 times a week. But no matter where you live the important thing to remember is that it’s important to stay active. You don’t have to do anything extreme or even go to the gym. A regular, brisk walk for at least 30 minutes at least 3 times a week is an easy way to stay active.

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Fast Food & Children ~ Health & Nutrition Tip

The Benefits of Biosurveillance ~ Health & Wellness Tip

SavantMD — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:22 +0000

Biosurveillance is the systematic observation of an area of operations for biological hazards.

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So here’s an interesting question. If I knew that there was a lot of strep throat being diagnosed by confirmed cultures in my community by my colleagues would it affect how I treat someone who came in to see me for a sore throat? I think the answer is an obvious yes. You see our health is affected by the people to whom we are exposed. That’s why I always ask people if they spend any time with small children because that’s always good for a few bad colds a year. If this type of information were available to doctors in real time it could help significantly in making a more accurate diagnosis and providing the right treatment. Some researchers at Harvard found this to be the case and I would agree. Perhaps one day soon this information will be available and those who really need antibiotics will get them and those who don’t won’t be exposed to them unnecessarily.

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It’s never too late to talk about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) ~ Health & Wellnes Tip

SavantMD — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:00:59 +0000

An interesting fact, however, is that of the almost 5000 sudden, unexpected infant deaths each year about 80-90% of those were preventable.

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October was Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month, a very sad topic to be sure, especially for those of us who are parents. An interesting fact, however, is that of the almost 5000 sudden, unexpected infant deaths each year about 80-90% of those were preventable. One of the most common causes is a child dying from suffocation in an adult bed. Infants should always sleep in a safe crib. To make breastfeeding easier mothers should share the room but not the bed with their babies.

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