Diabetics Can Enjoy The Festive Season

Diabetes should not prevent anyone from enjoying the holiday season and attending festive events.

Diabetics can still attend and participate in social events as their non-diabetics friends; they can still enjoy some of their festive favourites. The physical activity, dancing and being active are actually beneficial to their health.

Do not let a busy holiday schedule get in the way of regular diabetes care. These are things to remember:

• Check your blood sugar on time
• Take any medication on time
• Keep any medical appointments
• Ensure you have the necessary medical supplies and medication on hand

Food is a major part of most celebrations so I am focusing on eating and your health.

Dinner Events
If you are attending dinner parties, prepare ahead of time, know what your daily food requirements are for your age and gender.

Our Healthy Eating Guide is based on Canada Food Guide and is simple to use; it contains your daily food requirements. If you are concerned about information overload, you can use it to work out yours.
Click here to use it.

At The Event
-If you have to bring something, bring a nutritious dish or dessert.
-Avoid overeating-Eat small portions
-Include what you eat in your daily total food intake
-Limit yourself to1 alcoholic drink for women and 2 for men.
-If you have already had one drink for the day, it is wise to stick to mineral water, unsweetened fruit juices and tea.
-Watch out for the bad things, they are mentioned in the guide
-Avoid the gravy,salted stuff, cakes and pies
-Salt-Remember your daily recommended alowance so you don't over do it

Look for the goodies such as fruits, vegetables, unsweetened desserts. Go for lean cuts of meat and whole grain foods.

When Traveling.
 If you are traveling, the Center for Disease Control(CDC) has some medical advice for you,  while you are on the road or in the air.
Click here to read it.

Have a healthy festive holiday !

Washing Hands-A Health Safety For Santa

This holiday season one very important person is Santa Claus. How is his health managed during his tours?

This post is about hand washing to protect his health and prevent the spread of communicable diseases to others.

The World Health Organization(WHO) has guidelines for hand washing and is advising everyone to take proper hand washing precaution on a daily basis, to protect their health from communicable diseases.

The health of Santa is at risk due to the many boys and girls who shake his hand and come in contact with him.  Santa's activities were criticized during the H1N1 outbreak because proper hand washing was not used during his tours.

Since he shakes many hands and meets many boys and girls on one tour hand washing is an issue.

The spread of virus infection such as the H1N1, influenza, the swine flu and other communicable diseases is a threat to Santa Claus and other children who meet him. This places his and children's health at risk.

Washing hands before meeting with Santa will protect  his health, yours and the many children who meet him. It will protect the community from communicable diseases that are easily spread from one person to another.

Parents can ensure that their children are aware of the risk and teach them proper hand washing. Including hand washing in preparation for a Santa Claus event can instill this healthy habit in boys and girls.

Why Should We Wash Our Hands?
Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water.


This is a link to hand washing facts from The WHO.

The Threat Of Noncommunicable Diseases

Noncommunicable diseases (NCD) also called chronic diseases are a global health concern. Noncommunicable diseases are responsible for 60% of the world mortality.

What are NCD's? They are:

• Cancers
• Diabetes
• Lung disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Asthma

The global threat of these diseases are being presented to us by the World Health Organization(WHO).  Watch the video.

We are all responsible for reducing the global threat by protecting our own health. The global burden  shared by everyone will then be a burden reduced by everyone.

What Can You Do?

• Be informed about the facts of noncommunicable diseases
• Know the risk factors
• Remove or reduce the risk factors
• Make lifestyle changes to prevent them
• Share your knowledge
• Take responsibility

There is a health program that prepares individuals worldwide to protect their health. Thanks to the Internet and technology,  it is accessible to anyone. For more details or to join, CLICK HERE.

About Cellulitis

Cellulitis is inflammation of the tissue below the skin;  the infection most often occurs on the face, neck or legs.

In cellulitis, the cells become infected causing redness, pain, and swelling.  If untreated, the infection may spread to the lymphatic system or to the blood stream causing bacteremia.

In orbital cellulitis the infection is of the tissue surrounding the eyes and is a more serious form. It is characterized by redness, swelling of the eyelids pain and tenderness.

The infection is caused by the streptococcus pyogenes or the staphylococcus aureus. It can be picked up from someone who has a strep throat or by direct contact with infected lesions.

In children orbital cellulitis may be caused by the haemophilus influenzae.

Risk factors
Those that are at risk are those with existing medical conditions such as:

• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• AIDS
• Those with organ transplant
• Those on steroids
• Those with reduced blood circulation

    

Orbital cellulitis can occur after surgery of the face. It can be as result of an upper respiratory tract infection or sinus infection.

Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms are pain, redness, fever, swelling, chill and general malaise.

The area will feel overly warm.

When the lymph vessels are infected a thick red line can be seen leaving the area and extending to the heart.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made by taking a medical history and by assessment of the symptoms. A swab from any infected wounds or lesions can be obtained for culture and sensitivity.  Blood tests for blood cells count would show increased white blood cells as the body tries to fight the infection.

In orbital cellulitis a CT scan will identify the extent of any damage.

Treatment
Antibiotic such as penicillin or erythromycin can be used to treat the infection.  In severe cases antibiotics would be given intravenously to prevent complications and to speed up recovery.

To relieve the symptoms, analgesia such as acetaminophen can be given for relief of pain.  Aspirin will reduce the fever.

Rest and elevation of the affected area will hasten recovery.

Most cases of cellulitis can be treated without hospitalizations. When the infection is severe; however, or if the patient is a high risk for severe cellulitis, hospitalization may be necessary.

Caring For Someone With Depression

Depression is a mental disorder characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy and poor concentration. 

Depression affects people of any gender, age or background, it affects over 120 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of disability.

Depression can become chronic affecting the person's ability to take care of himself or to do everyday chores.

Depression can lead to loss of employment and relationships with family and friends.

If your loved one is suffering from depression there are things you can do to help and make them feel.
 better. 

The loved one will need support, but support is more than a shoulder to cry on.

If you are a care giver,  you must realize that treatment is important.
 
Here are some ways to go about giving your help.

• Get active in their care- If you are a care giver , get active in their care.
• Talk about it- let them know you care
• Stay in contact-Call, visit or involve them
• Focus on small goals- Praise their small achievements
• Keep informed
• Give them help to get to and from appointments
• Encourage and remind them to take medication
• Remind them to keep doctor's appointment

This article is about many ways you can help a family member or loved one who is suffering from depression.
View the ways and read about each in more detail, they are in slide format.