HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM ALL OF US AT HARBOR HEALTH HOME CARE

A DENTIST'S FIVE TRICKS FOR ENJOYING HALLOWEEN TREATS

As fall sets in, football is in full swing, leaves have begun to change colors and kids eagerly pick out Halloween costumes in anticipation of bags of sugary candy. While little ghosts and goblins look forward to this haunted holiday, many parents may be concerned about the oral health hazards associated with Halloween. By following the five tips outlined below, parents can help prevent cavities for little trick-or-treaters while instilling lessons for proper life-long oral health habits.

1. CHOOSE WISELY: Not all candy is equally scary. Encourage kids to eat candy that melts quickly and can be eaten easily - even better if it's made with Xylitol, a natural sweetener that prevents bacteria from producing acids that cause tooth decay. Try to avoid gooey and chewy candy, like caramels, that linger on the teeth and allow the bacteria in the mouth to produce more acid, which causes tooth decay After enjoying any sugary treat, encourage kids to brush their teeth or at least swish with water. Offer a new, brightly colored toothbrush as a final Halloween "goodie."

2. MAKE A SECRET STASH: Dont' leave candy around the house after Halloween. Store it in a hidden place out of kids' reach.

3. AVOID GRAZING: Don't allow unsupervised grazing on candy, which lengthens the time sugars are in contact with tooth enamel. Instead, consider providing a treat with or after a meal, followed by a thorough tooth brushing.

4. SET A TIME LIMIT ON THE TREATS: Time is of the essence when it comes to teeth and sugar. If not removed by brushing, swishing, or some other method, sugar from any source like sodas, regular gum, mints, cough drops, etc, in the mouth can increase the likelihood of cavities. Get rid of the post-Halloween stash as soon as possible.

5. EAT THIS, NOT THAT: Try to ensure children eat a good, hearty meal prior to trick-or-treating, so there will be less etmptation to gorge on candy.





source: http://www.columbian.com/

RED RIBBON WEEK OCTOBER 23-31

Red Ribbon Week is the nation's oldest and largest drug prevention program reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October every year. By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug-free life.

source: http://www.justice.gov/

FOOD DAY

Food day will be October 24 - in 2011 and in years to come. Food Day seeks to bring together Americans from all walks of life - parents, teachers, and students; health professionals, community organizers, and local officials; chefs, school lunch providers, and eaters of all stripes - to push for healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way.

Food Day's Goals:

1. Reduce diet-related disease by promoting safe, healthy foods

2. Support sustainable farms & limit subsidies to big agribusiness

3. Expand access to food and alleviate hunger

4. Protect the environment & animals by reforming factory farms

5. Promote health by curbing junk-food marketing to kids

6. Support fair conditions for food and farm workers

source: www.foodday.org

TIPS FOR MAINTAINING EYE HEALTH

Every day we expose our eyes to dust, sunlight and other environmental factors which may, over a period of time, affect our vision. Working professionals, in particular, should take extra care to combat the effect of countless hours spent in front of computers. Moreover, associated conditions like headache, concentration problems and vision related learning problems are causes for concern as well. To avoid this, it is important to follow some basic guidelines for maintaining eye health.

1. BALANCED DIET: Maintaining a nutritious diet program packed with vital fruits and vegetables is a key factor in promoting good eye health. Use foods that have high levels of vitamins A, C and E.

2. IMPROVE YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM: Boost your immune system by avoiding adverse lifestyle habits like smoking or alcohol.

3. ROUTINE EYE CHECK: Besides improving your overall immune response and diet habits, it is mandatory t go for a comprehensive eye examination. Many times, we are not even aware of any underlying eye condition and may attribute those frequent headaches to overwork or stress. Also, certain eye diseases like diabetic eye disease or age-associated macular degeneration do not have any warning signs and the only way to detect them is by undergoing such eye tests.

4. EYE EXERCISES: There are certain eye exercises that can help you improve your eye muscles and relieve stress. This is particularly important for those who suffer from eye strain problems associated with long working hours in front of the computer.

5. KNOW YOUR FAMILY EYE HISTORY: There are certain eye condition s that are hereditary. Thus, knowing your family history of any eye disease or condition is a must to take precautionary measures and improve your eye health.

6. PROTECTIVE EYE WEAR: While performing any kind of sports activity, make it a point to use protective goggles or eye wear.

7. GET ENOUGH REST: Like the rest or your body, it is equally important to give proper rest to your eyes to prevent them from eye strain and fatigue.

source: http://www.timesofindia.com/

10 REASONS TO EAT AN APPLE A DAY

The old adage "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" may be a silly rhyme you heard as a kid, but you might be surprised to learn of apples' serious health benefits.

HEALTH BENEFITS:

1. Apples are filled with soluble fiber. This fiber has been shown to reduce intestinal disorders, including diverticulitis, hemorrhoids and possibly some types of cancer. It helps control insulin levels by releasing sugar slowly into the bloodstream. It cleanses and detoxifies, which helps eliminate heavy metals, such as lead and mercury.

2. Apple pectin helps reduce cholesterol levels by lowering insulin secretion.

3. In tow studies researchers found that eating five apples a week lowered the risk for respiratory diseases like asthma.

4. According to Chinese medicine: Apples strengthen the heart, quench thirst, lubricate the lungs, decrease mucous and increase body fluids.

5. Apple cider venegar can help prevent the formation of kidney stones.

6. Studies indicate that eating apples daily can reduce skin diseases.

7. According to a Brazilian study, eating an apple before a meal helped women lose 33 percent more weight than those who didn't.

8. An apple has only 50-80 calories and has no fat or sodium.

9. Apples are packed with vitamins C, A, and flavonoids and with smaller amounts of phosphorus, iron and calcium.

10. Apples provide a source of potassium which may promote heart health.

So...there you have it. Lots of good reasons why it is good for you to eat an apple a day!





source: http://www.mnn.com/

COLD OR ALLERGIES: WHICH IS IT?

A runny or stuffy nose, and non-stop sneezing, can leave people feeling miserable - but is it a cold or allergies taking a toll? Finding out whether symptoms are caused by a cold or allergy is the first step to finding relief.

Colds are contagious, and are caused by one of more than 200 viruses. People can't "catch" allergies, however, which are triggered by allergens, prompting immune systems to overreact.

There are many possible known allergens, from pollen to pet dander. And while fall sneezing might be due to a cold, high levels of weed pollens and mold spores cause misery this time of year for the 60 million Americans who suffer from allergic rhinitis, often called hay fever.

Here are some general guidelines for comparing fall colds versus fall allergies:

1. HOW DOES THE SUFFERING START: Colds evolve, usually starting with a stuffy nose, sore throat, and low grade fever. Next comes the sneezing and a runny nose, with thickening mucus that often turns yellow or green. Common allergy symptoms include itchy eyes and nose, as well as sneezing, but the mucus is typically clear.

2. CAN'T SHAKE YOUR SYMPTOMS: Allergy symptoms hang on or even increase as long as you are exposed to the allergen that is triggering your symptoms. For fall allergies, that may mean six to eight weeks or more.

3. HAVE A FEVER: If you are achy and feverish, you most likely have a cold.

4. DO YOUR EYES HAVE IT: Itchy eyes strongly suggest allergies, although eye discomfort can occur with a cold,too.

5. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SAY AHHH: Although a sore throat and cough can occur with allergies, those symptoms more likely suggest you have a cold. Coughing, however, can be a sign of asthma, especially in children. A persistent cough should be evaluated by an allergist as other diseases can have this symptom, too.





source: http://www.eureka-wildwood.patch.com/

HAPPY SWEETEST DAY FROM HARBOR HEALTH HOME CARE

The history of Sweetest Day dates back to 1922 when a man by the name of Herbert Birch Kingston wanted to bring cheer to local orphans, elderly, homebound people and others he felt may feel a little "forgotten" during other holidays. Kingston worked for a candy company in Cleveland, Ohio and started giving out candy to all the little "sweets" in the community. Following his initial efforts, local candy makers in Cleveland began to continue the tradition of giving and called it "The Sweetest Day of the Year" and distributed over 10,000 boxes of candy to over 26 Cleveland area charities their first year.

source: http://www.americangreetings.com/

EMOTIONAL WELLNESS MONTH




October is emotional wellness month and no, that does not mean that you can slack the other eleven months. Nice try though. What it does mean, is that this is a time to become more aware of your emotional health and to begin to make positive changes.





Emotional wellness is closely connected to the other dimensions of wellness. In the most basic sense, it refers to your ability to handle emotions in a constructive way in order to enable you to maintain a positive emotional state.


Emotional wellness helps a person achieve positive self-esteem, helping them satisfy relationships and providing resilience to meet life's challenges.


Components of good emotional wellness:

• The degree one feels positive and enthusiastic about self and life




• The realistic assessment of one's limitations




• The development of autonomy




• The ability to cope with and manage stress




• Optimism




• Self-confidence




• Laughter




• Outwardly expressing personal feelings




• Satisfying relationships




• Happiness

An emotionally well person is able to enjoy life and be successful. Emotional wellness is not an end stage, but a continual process of change and growth.

source: http://www.seekingwholeness.com/

source: http://www.examiner.com/

OCTOBER 10TH IS WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY





World Mental Health Day, which is supported by the United Nations is annually held on October 10 to raise public awareness about mental health issues worldwide. This event promotes open discussions on illnesses, as well as investments in prevention and treatment services.


World Mental Health Day is observed in more than 100 countries on October 10 through local, regional and national commemorative events and programs. Activities include:

• Officials signing the World Mental Health Day proclamation.




• Public service announcements.




• Educational lectures and the distribution of research papers on mental health issues.




• Awards to individuals or organizations who made significant contributions in improving mental health issues.

source: http://www.timeanddate.com/

USE MEDICINE WISELY
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) Office of Women's Health today released a new public service announcement (PSA) titled, "Use Medicines Wisely," to help raise awareness about safe medication use.
Millions of people benefit from FDA approved medications and are living longer productive lives. However, when medications are used incorrectly, they can cause serious injuries, even death. Many of these injuries can be prevented.
The new PSA shows simple steps women can take to use medicines wisely. Viewers are reminded to:
Make a list of the medicines they take.
Keep their medication list with them at all times.
Know the name of each medicine, why they are taking it, how much to take and when.
Talk with their doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to find out how to safely use their medicines.
Visit the website www.fda.gov/womenshealthsafemeds to get a free copy of the My Medicines record-keeper. This pocket-size vrochure can be used to keep track of prescription and over-the-counter medicines like vitamins and pain relievers. The website also has easy-to-read fact sheets and links to other FDA resources on safe medication use.
October is "Talk about Prescriptions Month." Throughout the month, the public is encouraged to talk to their health care providers about the right way to use their medications.
source: http://www.marketwatch.com/

THE EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION WINNER FOR SEPTEMBER 2011, WAS DIANE LLOYD...CONGRATULATIONS AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

EYE INJURY PREVENTION MONTH

More than one million people suffer from eye injuries each year in the United States. Ninety percent of these injuries could have been prevented if the individual had been wearing appropriate protective eyewear. The American Academy of Ophthalmology and Eye M.D.s around the country encourage everyone to protect their eyes from accidental injury.

• Accidental eye injury is one of the leading causes of visual impairment in the United States.




• The leading cause of eye injuries include sports accidents, consumer fireworks, household chemicals and battery acid, as well as workshop and yard debris.

If you get an eye injury, seek medical help immediately

• source: http://www.medicinenet.com/

OCTOBER 6TH IS NATIONAL DEPRESSION SCREENING DAY

Whether for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or depression, health screenings provide a quick and easy way to spot the first signs of serious illness and can reach people who might not otherwise seek professional medical advice. Clinical depression is a common medical illness affecting more than 19 million American adults each year. Like screenings for other illnesses, depression screenings should be a routine part of healthcare. Screening for Mental Health Inc. (SMH) is the non-profit organization that first introduced the concept of large-scale mental health screenings with its flagship program National Depression Screening Day. SMH is dedicated to promoting the improvement of mental health by providing the public with education, screening, and treatment resources. SMH hosts a year-round event locater website that allows the public to find free and confidential screening locations in their local areas.

WHY SCREEN FOR DEPRESSION?

• Clinical depressionis a serious medicla illness.




• Clinical depression can lead to suicide.




• Sometimes people with depression mistakenly believe that the symptoms of depression are a "normal part of life."




• Clinical depression affects men and women of all ages, races and socioeconomic groups.




• One in four women and one in 10 men will experience depression at some point during their lifetimes.




• Two-thirds of those suffering from the illness do not seek the necessary treatment.




• Depression can co-occur and complicate other medical conditions.




• More than 80 percent of all cases of clinical depression can be effectively treated with medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both.




• Screenings are often the first step in getting help.

source: http://www.nmha.org/

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, aside from skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the United States this year. An estimated 40,170 women are expected to die from the disease in 2011 alone. Today, there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States.

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that grows in one or both of the breasts. Breast cancer usually develops in the ducts or lobules, also know as the milk-producing areas of the breast.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women(after lung cancer). Although African-American women have a slightly lower incidence of breast cancer after age 40 than Caucasian women, they have a slightly higher incidence rate of breast cancer before age 40. However, African-American women are more likely to die from breast cancer at every age. Breast cancer is much less common in males: by comparison, the disease is about 100 times more common among women. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 1,910 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among men in the United States in 2011.


source: http://www.nbcam.org/