Health and Wellness Review

Swine Flu – How is it Spread? By Joanne Ott

The spread of the swine flu virus is believed to occur in the same way that other influenza's spread. Flu viruses are passed to other people usually from person to person contact by the coughing or sneezing of those infected with the influenza. People may also become sick by touching a surface or object contaminated with the swine flu or other virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose before doing proper hand washing. This is one reason why handwashing is so very important.

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Ever heard of a "swine flu party"? Well, if you receive an invitation to one, you might want to have other plans that evening!

It's a new concept, and one that hopefully won't be around for long. The idea behind swine flu parties is that someone who has been diagnosed with H1N1 flu invites a bunch of friends over so they can all catch the virus.

Having a hard time following that logic?

Some people believe that H1N1 influenza will mutate to become a more dangerous disease; in fact, health officials are concerned that a bigger, badder swine flu could be a serious global health threat this fall.

So, the tortured logic goes, if you get swine flu right now – while it's not a terribly serious disease – you'll be protected this fall when the virus turns more deadly.

Let's point out a few serious flaws in this argument:

1. In its current form, swine flu can kill a healthy young person. Infecting yourself on purpose would be a significant health risk.
2. There's no guarantee that swine flu will go nuclear and turn into a deadly disease.
3. If it does, there may be flu vaccines to protect you.
4. Even people who've been infected with the current form won't necessarily be immune to a mutated form of the virus.

Risk analysis says… Swine flu parties are not a healthy idea!

Conjunctivitis is like getting a cold in your eye

Commonly called pinkeye, conjunctivitis is a redness and swelling of the eye and eyelid. Though bloodshot eyes may be caused by allergies, lack of sleep, alcohol, and other lifestyle factors, conjunctivitis is most commonly the result of an infection.

Though many people think of elementary school outbreaks of conjunctivitis, pinkeye is not in fact highly contagious. The same viruses that cause a common cold when they infect the nose or throat can cause conjunctivitis in the eye. Please note that this means that wiping your mucus and then rubbing your eyes is not a good choice!

Fortunately, it's not typically serious, and generally clears up within about a week without treatment. Severe symptoms may be managed with a doctor's assistance.

Manage your acid from the inside out with a healthy diet

Acid reflux disease, typically characterized by heartburn, requires more than just popping a few Tums. People with acid reflux can help manage their symptoms by avoiding certain foods. If your stomach is aching, here are six things you can do to help.

1. Don't eat for 2-3 hours before bedtime. It's not good for your figure, and it's not good for your stomach acid.
2. Avoid these foods:
   • Coffee
   • Alcohol
   • Soda
   • High-fat foods
   • Chocolate
   • Acidic foods (tomatoes, citrus. etc.)
3. Skip the large meals. More frequent smaller meals are easier on the stomach.
4. Don't smoke. As if you needed another reason to quit, smoking increases acid reflux.
5. Sleep on your side. You can also elevate the head of your bed. Sounds bizarre, but it really works!
6. Stand up straight. Slouching is bad for all kinds of reasons, and here's another: it disrupts the straightness of your esophageal tract.

National HIV Testing Day is June 27, 2009. If you've never been tested before, or if it's been a while since your last test, this is a great opportunity to check your status.

The event is organized by the National Organization of People with AIDS to spread the message: "Take the Test; Take Control."

An HIV diagnosis is no longer the death sentence it was once seen as; in fact, undiagnosed HIV is what can really be deadly.

"On June 27, state and local health departments, community-based organizations, HIV testing sites, and AIDS service providers across the United States will participate in events for National HIV Testing Day. These activities will include health fairs, community education, special events, and extended testing hours."

Read more about National HIV Testing Day

Degenerative disease is tragic, but not the end of the line

Besides the fact that Michael J. Fox has Parkinson's, most people know very little about this devastating disease. It slowly robs sufferers of their motor skills and speech over the course of years or decades.

Typical signs of Parkinson's include tremors, muscle stiffness, slowness, and loss of balance. Speech can be difficult to understand. Fatigue is common. Mood swings and disordered thinking also often come with the territory.

Though it may be hard to believe in this day and age, there are no tests that can definitively diagnose Parkinson's disease. Its symptoms are sometimes confused with the normal aging process, leaving some undiagnosed. There's a genetic component to the disease, but other theories include head trauma or environmental toxins.

Unfortunately, there's no cure for Parkinson's, but symptoms can be treated. Drug therapy is common, sometimes supplemented by surgery, exercise and/or speech therapy. Parkinson's is a progressive disease, but it is its complications that eventually prove fatal to its sufferers.

Six basic facts about styes

Who knew that such a tiny little bump could drive you so crazy? Here’s the basic 411 on those irritating bumps inside your eyelid…

1. A stye is like a pimple in your eyelid – it’s an infection of an oil gland at the base of an eyelash.
2. Styes first make themselves known by redness and tenderness in the eyelid. The stye itself is a red bump that usually grows a white head and bursts within a few days. After the stye bursts, it heals and disappears. The whole thing usually takes about a week.
3. Styes can be caused by exposing your eyelids to bacteria – that means rubbing them with dirty hands, using eye makeup that’s too old, etc.
4. Home treatments can help ease the discomfort of a stye. Try a hot compress or over-the-counter eyedrops or ointments.
5. An internal hordeolum is much like a stye, but it is an infection of an oil gland deeper inside the eyelid. It’s larger than a stye and it lasts longer, but it’s not a serious problem, and treatment is the same as for a stye.
6. A chalzion is not an infection but rather an inflammation of the oil glands within the eyelid. It usually grows over a few weeks to a hard bump, but it isn’t painful. Treatment is only necessary if the chalzion interferes with vision.

You've undoubtedly heard about H1N1 flu, now that Mexico has an outbreak, the US has declared a health emergency, and the World Health Organization has raised us to Level 5 alert for the first time ever. Though the US only just saw the first fatality, the situation in Mexico has officials understandably worried.

How can you help protect yourself? If you're not willing to quarantine yourself, here are a few tips to stay healthy.

• Wash your hands frequently. Use hand sanitizer if water is not available.
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes; the virus can enter your body this way.
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze to protect those around you.
• If you feel even the most mild flu symptoms, stay home!
• If you're sick, take care not to expose others. Call your physician before showing up at the office. You can be contagious for 7 days after you get sick (or 1 day after you feel better, whichever is longer). If you feel ill, you should stay home for 1 week.
• As with any contagion, you're more likely to be exposed when you're around crowds. If you're worried, you may minimize the time spent in public places with large groups of people.

For the most current info, visit theCDC's Swine Flu information center or the government's Pandemic Flu information center.

Fungal infections are unpleasant, easy to avoid

The most common of all fungal skin infections, athlete’s foot causes an uncomfortable rash. The fungus grows best in warm, moist environments – like in between toes, in sweaty socks or on shower floors. The fungus is highly contagious and is most often picked up by walking barefoot.

Some people, especially those who have had it in the past, are especially susceptible to athlete’s foot. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. There are three types of athlete’s foot:

• Toe web infection: the skin becomes scaly and cracked in between toes, usually the fourth and fifth toes.
• Moccasin-type infection: thick, cracked skin on the heel or sole, sometimes including infection of the toenails.
• Vesicular infection: a sudden outbreak of large fluid-filled blisters anywhere on the foot but most often on the instep.

You can use over-the-counter topical medications to treat your athlete’s foot infection, but it’s always a good idea to check in with your doctor, especially if it’s your first infection or it’s not responding to treatment. Take the full course of antifungal medication to ensure your infection won’t come back, and protect yourself from future infections by keeping your feet dry, wearing shoes that let them breathe, and wearing sandals on wet floors.

High blood pressure is very common and potentially fatal

One-third of all Americans have high blood pressure, putting them at increased risk for health problems like heart disease and stroke. Many people with high blood pressure appear symptom-free and don’t even know they have it. However, checking for high blood pressure only requires an inflatable cuff.

Blood pressure is usually expressed as two numbers. The higher number (systolic pressure) represents blood pressure when the heart is contracting; the lower number (diastolic pressure) measures blood pressure when the heart is at rest. High blood pressure for adults is defined as a systolic pressure of above 140 or a diastolic pressure above 90, whereas normal blood pressure is no more than 120 over 80. (Anything in between the two is considered prehypertension.)

Treating high blood pressure begins with a healthy lifestyle: exercise, a good diet, a healthy weight, and avoiding too much alcohol. (Good choices for everyone!) However, some types of high blood pressure will also need to be treated with one or more medications. Talk to your doctor and make sure you’re doing what it takes to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level – because there’s no reason to rush to your deathbed ahead of schedule!

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