January, 2011 
                                         Cold Remedies

 
There is no cure for the common cold and remedies are almost as common as
the cold. Here is a look at some common remedies and what is known about
them.

WHAT WORKS:
· Water and Other Fluids. You can't flush a cold from your system
but drinking plenty of liquids can help. Water, juice, clear broth or warm
lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration.

 
· Salt Water. A salt water gargle – ¼ - ½ teaspoon of salt dissolved
in 8 ounces of warm water can temporarily relieve a sore throat.

 
· Saline Nasal Drops or Sprays. Over-the-counter (OTC) saline nasal
drops and sprays combat stuffiness and congestion. Unlike nasal
decongestants, saline does not lead to a rebound effect, a worsening of
symptoms when the medication is discontinued. Most are safe and
nonirritating, even for older children.

· Chicken Soup. Generations of parents have spooned chicken soup
into their sick children. Scientists have discovered that it does possibly
act as an anti-inflammatory agent and it does speed up the movement of mucus
helping to relieve congestion and limit time the viruses are in contact
with the nose lining.

· Humidity. Cold viruses thrive in dry conditions. Dry air dries the
mucous membranes, causing a stuffy nose and scratchy throat. A humidifier
can add moisture to your home but can also add mold, fungi, and bacteria if
not maintained properly.

 WHAT DOESN'T WORK:
· Antibiotics. These destroy bacteria but are no help against
viruses. The inappropriate use of antibiotics contributes to the serious and
fast growing problems of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. · ZINC. The cold fighting reputation of zinc has had its up and
downs. That's because many zinc studies have been flawed. The highest
quality randomized trials generally show no benefit. In studies with
positive results, zinc seemed most effective when taken within 24 hours of
the onset of symptoms. Taking zinc with food may reduce side effects,
including a bad taste and nausea. Intranasal zinc may result in permanent
damage to the sense of smell.

 
WHAT PROBABLY DOESN'T HURT:
In spite of ongoing studies, the scientific jury is still out on popular
cold remedies such as Vitamin C and Echinacea.

 
· Vitamin C. It appears that for the most part taking Vitamin C
won't help the average person prevent colds. However, taking it before the
onset of the cold symptoms may shorten the duration of the symptoms. Vitamin
C may provide benefit for people at high risk of colds due to frequent
exposure. For example, children who attend group child care during the
winter.
· Echinacea. Studies of the effectiveness of echinacea are mixed.
Some studies show no benefit. Others show a significant reduction in the
severity and duration of symptoms when taken in the early stages of a cold.
Research is ongoing. In the meantime, if your immune system is healthy and
you are not taking prescription medications, using echinacea supplements is
unlikely to cause harm.

 Although usually minor, colds can make you feel miserable. It's tempting to
try the latest remedy, but the best thing you can do is rest, drink fluids,
and keep the air around you moist. Remember to wash your hands with soap
frequently.

• Condensed from Mayo Clinic Healthletter

                                         February, 2011 
                  The Do's and Don'ts of Cutting Medical Costs

 About 1.5 million families lose their homes to foreclosure every year
because of unaffordable medical costs. Out of pocket medical costs,
including many health insurance premiums and copays, have increased in the
past five years – and that's for people who have coverage through their
employers.

Given the double digit increase in medical costs, you may be tempted to
stop going to your doctor, let your prescriptions run out or not take your
medications how your doctor prescribed them. But before you go to that
extreme, potentially jeopardizing your health, consider the following do's
and don'ts for trimming medical costs.

 
KNOW THE RULES
Every health plan has its own rules and requirements. Make sure you know
what they are and follow them or else it will cost you. For example, your
doctor writes a prescription before you leave the hospital after having had
surgery. You discover, after you fill the prescription at the pharmacy, that
it is not covered because it was written in the hospital. It would have been
covered if it had been written in the doctor's office. So it pays to know
just what is covered and what is not. DO HAVE A MEDICAL HOME
Research has shown that receiving care from your primary physician, as
opposed to hopping from specialist to specialist, is associated with lower
medical costs. In addition, many health problems, can be treated in your
doctor's office, saving you a trip to the emergency room.

 
DO USE THE EMERGENCY ROOM ONLY FOR EMERGENCIES
Emergency room care is one of the most expensive options you can choose for
medical care. Please do not hesitate to go if you have severe shortness of
breath or chest pain, uncontrolled bleeding or sudden weakness anywhere in
your body. You get the picture, anything that is life threatening. For less
severe symptoms, these tips may help you avoid the cost and inconvenience of
an emergency visit:

 
· Have a plan. If you have a condition that can suddenly worsen,
such as heart disease, migraines, diabetes, back pain or asthma, work with
your doctor to develop a plan for dealing with new complications. Ask about
having medications on hand for common complications.

 
· Ask a nurse. Find out if your insurer or employer offers access to
a 24 hour nurse line, where you can talk to a nurse trained in directing
people to appropriate medical care. You can also feel free to consult with
your parish nurse for advice at any time.

 · Urgent Care Clinics. These offices are open evenings and weekends
when your doctor's office is closed. They can handle many minor but urgent
issues, such as strep throat, bladder infection, etc.

DON'T SKIMP ON PREVENTION
Some of the most common reasons adults end up in the emergency room are
falls, car accidents, fever, chest and abdominal pain. Taking steps to
reduce the risk of falls around the house, driving sensibly, getting an
annual flu shot and properly cooking and storing food are just a few of the
many ways you can avoid getting hurt or sick. Get on the healthy living
bandwagon: eat healthy foods, get exercise and stop smoking. Stopping
smoking not only cuts your risk of illness, but also saves you money. For
example, a pack-a-day smoker can save $5 a day, or almost $2,000 a year.

 CONSIDER GENERIC DRUGS
Generic drugs are equivalent in safety and effectiveness to their brand name
counterparts, but cost 30 – 80% less. Talk to your doctor about switching to
a generic. If one isn't available, ask the doctor if a less expensive drug
is an option. You may also save money just by switching where you buy your medications.
Many plans offer a big discount if you use their mail-in pharmacy. Some
retail chains, such as Walmart and Kroger, offer popular generics for $4 for
a 30 day supply. If prescriptions are still too expensive, a patient
assistance program might be able to help. Ask your doctor, pharmacist or
check on-line.

CHECK YOUR BILL BEFORE YOU PAY IT.
Review your bill carefully and question anything that doesn't look right.
Make sure you actually received the treatments or tests for which you are
being billed. If you need help interpreting the bill, feel free to ask your
parish nurse for help, 444-2381.

• Condensed from Mayo Clinic Health Letter

                                              March, 2011 
                                            For Men Only 
                     Protecting Yourself Against Testicular Cancer

 
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer found in young men. It is most
prevalent in white men between the ages of 20 and 40, but it can occur in
any male, at any age. Boys who were born with an undescended or partially
descended testicle have an increased risk of developing testicular cancer.
This is true even if surgery was performed to place the testicle in the
scrotum. About 6,900 new cases are detected each year in the U.S. Two famous
survivors are Lance Armstrong, the two-time Tour de France cyclist and Scott
Hamilton, the Olympic figure skater.

 
Do a Monthly TSE
The good news is that testicular cancer is almost always curable if caught
early. Conducting regular testicular self-exams (TSE) will help you become
familiar with the size and consistency of your testicles, so you can detect
any change. A TSE is easy to do and takes only a few minutes. The best time
to do it is after a shower. Here's how:

 
           -Standing in front of a mirror, look for any swelling on the skin of the 
            scrotum.

          - Examine your testicle using both hands. Place your index and middle 
            fingers under the testicle and your thumbs on top. Gently roll the testicle 
            between the thumb and fingers. (It's normal for one testicle to be somewhat 
            larger than the other.)

           - Feel for any small lumps. They are usually about the size of a pea and 
            are found on the front or side of the testicle. (Do not confuse the soft, 
            cord like structure on the top and back of the testicles as an abnormal lump) 
 
          - Compare each testicle with the other. Early changes may be detected more
            easily by using the opposite testicle for comparison.

           - Report any lumps on the testes or swelling of the scrotum to your doctor 
            promptly. You may not have cancer, but only your doctor can make the 
            diagnosis. Don't take chances!

                        Check for any of the following symptoms: 
                                - Any small lump on a testicle. 
                                - Any enlargement of a testicle. 
                                - A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum. 
                                - A dull ache in the lower abdomen or the groin. 
                                - Sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum. 
                                - Discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum. 
                                - Pain or difficulty in urination.

                                           June, 2011 
                               Prayer Is Good Medicine

When health fails, one of the first responses of both the sick and their
loved ones are to pray. The healing that comes from prayer can take many
forms, from feeling supported by others and by God, to acceptance of illness
if healing does not happen, to an actual cure. Many sick people who pray
find greater strength, peace and courage to endure illness.

In a Time magazine survey, 82% of those polled believed in the healing power
of prayer. In a San Francisco hospital study, patients who were prayed for
did better overall in their recovery. Other research concluded that people
who attended worship, prayed and read Scripture had lower blood pressure,
were hospitalized less frequently and had significantly better health
outcomes after serious illnesses than those who did not.

The Bible not only has many examples of healing but also commends prayer as
a response to sickness. James 5:13 tells us to pray for our suffering. The
connection among salvation, health and wholeness of body, mind and spirit
has always been a part of our faith. One of our traditional images of God
has been that of the Great Physician.

Whether you seek healing for yourself or for another, here are some
suggestions:

 
Open yourself to God the Healer. Because God is the source of all life, God
must also be the source of healing. As our creator, God knows us inside and
out. Since He is so close to us and knows us so intimately, He knows best
what we need. Please understand that God uses medical personnel to aid in
healing so medical treatment can be part of God's healing.

Support one another in prayer. Prayer not only presents our concerns to God;
it also brings them to the attention of others. When you are ill and ask
others to pray for you, you feel less alone. People realize you may need a
ride to the doctor's office, help with childcare, shopping, etc. You are
giving others the opportunity to serve you. When we serve others, we are
serving God.

Explore all the things prayer for healing can do. God responds to prayers in
different ways, but always with the best interest of those who pray in mind.
Drawing close to God in prayer can give us confidence to face illness and to
trust that, whatever the future may hold, we will remain in God's hands.
Through prayer we receive the strength to move through illness or find the
peace to accept our condition. The philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard wrote,
"Prayer does not change God, but it changes the one who prays." In prayer we
turn to God and ask for God's healing presence in our lives, which can
change and heal us in many ways. Prayer helps us feel less isolated and
afraid when we or a loved one is ill. It draws us closer to one another and
to God. Prayer for healing is the best medicine we can take on the journey
through illness.

                                              April, 2011 
                                              Migraines

A migraine can be disabling – with symptoms so severe that all you can do is
find a dark, quiet place to lie down. In some cases, these painful headaches
are preceded by a warning sign (aura), such as flashes of light, blind spots
or tingling and numbness of an arm or leg. A typical migraine lasts from
four to 72 hours, but the frequency with which they occur varies from person
to person. You may have a migraine several times a month or just once or
twice a year. Some or all of these signs and symptoms may occur:
            -Moderate to severe pain on one or both sides of the head
            -Pulsating of throbbing head pain 
            -Pain that worsens with physical activity
            -Pain that interferes with regular activities 
            -Nausea with or without vomiting
            -Extreme sensitivity to light or sound

The exact causes of migraines still aren't understood but a number of things
may trigger them: 
            -Hormonal changes. Since women with a history of migraines often report 
             headaches immediately before menstrual periods, it is thought that a major 
             drop in estrogen may play a part. Others have an increased tendency to 
             develop migraines during pregnancy or menopause.

            -Foods. Certain foods appear to trigger headaches in some people. Common 
             offenders include alcohol, aged cheeses, chocolate, fermented or marinated 
             foods, aspartame, overuse of caffeine, MSG, certain seasonings, many canned 
             foods and processed foods. Skipping meals or fasting can also trigger 
             headaches.

           -Stress. A hard week at work followed by relaxation may lead to a weekend 
            migraine. Stress at home can also instigate migraines. Sensory stimuli. Bright lights    l           and sun glare can produce head pain. So can unusual smells both pleasant.

           -Changes in sleep patterns. Either missing sleep or getting too much may 
            serve as a trigger in some individuals.

           -Physical Factors. Intense physical exertion. 
           Changes in environment. A change of weather, season. Altitude level, 
           barometric pressure or time zone may prompt a migraine

.
           -Medications, Certain medications can aggravate migraines.

Even if you have a history of headaches, see your doctor if the pattern
changes or your headaches suddenly feel different. Seek medical attention
immediately if the following signs and symptoms occur:
          -Abrupt, severe headache like a thunderclap
          -Headache with a fever, stiff neck, rash, mental confusion, seizures, double 
           vision, weakness, numbness or trouble speaking. 
          -Headache after a head injury, especially if it gets worse. 
          -A chronic headache that is worse after coughing, exertion, straining or a 
           sudden movement. 
         -New headache pain if you are older than 50.

Any of these signs or symptoms may indicate other serious medical conditions