WATCH OUT FOR TICKS! - Part 1

The number of ticks carrying Lyme and other diseases is increasing in Massachusetts.  And the unusually warm weather this year is producing expanding insect populations.  So, if you venture off the pavement, be sure to take precautions.

If diagnosed and treated promptly, Lyme disease can often be cured with antibiotics.  Untreated, it can lead to chronic arthritis and neurological problems.  Getting Lyme disease once does not mean that you can't get it again.

The symptoms of Lyme disease vary; they can include:

- a rash that looks like a bull's-eye (however, the rash may not look like this and can still indicate Lyme disease)
- flu-like symptoms such as joint pain, sore muscles, headache, chills, and fever
- shortness of breath and other heart and lung abnormalities
- no symptoms in the initial phase

You should get immediate medical attention for any tick bite, as well as for a rash or other symptoms, which can occur up to a month after tick exposure.  If possible, bring the dead tick with you to the medical facility for lab testing.
Source: UC Berkeley Wellness Letter

Next month - how to protect yourself from ticks . . .


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HOW TO PROTECT YOUR ELECTRONICS FROM POWER SURGES - Part 1

It's that stormy time of year again.  Interestingly, while the most damaging power surges are caused by lightning, they can also result from something as simple as an appliance - like a furnace or vacuum cleaner - turning on or off.

That said, if a storm is forecast, it's a good idea to unplug sensitive electronics.  Merely turning them off won't help, as they maintain a connection to the power grid where the surges travel if they are plugged in.  While nothing can save electronics from a direct hit by lightning to a building, lightning strikes from up to two miles away can cause surges.

Sensitive electronics include computers, televisions, and stereos.  To prevent damage while you're on vacation, make a habit of unplugging these devices before traveling.

Power surges aren't going to do much damage to simple electronics such as lamps.  By purchasing surge protectors for areas such as your office, it's easy to unplug just the most sensitive equipment, making it less of a chore.
Source: Underwriters Laboratories

Next month - more power problem protection tips . . .


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SUMMER FOOD SAFETY - Part 2

(Continued from 6/4/12 post)

Because food poisoning is no picnic!

- Separate cooked food from raw.  Never reuse a marinade that held raw meat, and wash utensils used on raw meat before using them on other food.

- Cook meat to 160 degrees F.  (Use a meat thermometer.) Don't put cooked meat on a plate that held raw meat.

- Don't let foods that can spoil stay in the danger zone, between 40 degrees F and 140 degrees F,  for more than 2 hours or 1 hour if the outdoor temperature is above 90 degrees F.
Source: Consumer Reports



THANK YOU FOR PATRONIZING AND REFERRING PEOPLE TO MY INDEPENDENT PRACTICE.  WHEN YOU SPEND AT A LOCALLY OWNED OFFICE, MORE THAN 50% STAYS IN OUR COMMUNITY.  AT A CHAIN, MORE THAN 80% GOES TO DISTANT CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS!

PROTECTING YOUR PRIVACY ON FACEBOOK - Part 2

(continued from 5/14/12 post)

More ways to stay secure . . .

Turn off Tag Suggest - This disables the privacy setting feature that automatically recognizes your face in photos and deletes the information.

Block apps and sites that snoop - Unless you intercede, friends can share personal information about you with apps.  To block that, use controls to limit the info apps can see.

Keep wall posts from friends - You don't have to share every wall post with every friend.  You can also keep certain people from viewing specific items in your profile.

When all else fails, deactivate - When you deactivate your account, Facebook retains your profile data, but the account is made temporarily inaccessible.  Deleting an account, on the other hand, makes it inaccessible to you forever.
Source: Consumer Reports



THANK YOU FOR YOUR REFERRALS !

SUMMER FOOD SAFETY - Part 1

Here's how to stay safe:

~ Before touching any food and after handling raw meat, wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.  If they are unavailable, use a sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

~Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water.  Wash melons before cutting and keep them cool as they support bacterial growth more readily than more acidic fruits.

~ Organize picnic coolers.  Put drinks in one and perishables in another.  The drinks cooler might be opened often.  Make sure you have plenty of ice or ice packs.  Wrap raw meat securely and put it in the bottom of the cooler so juices don't migrate.  Place coolers in an air-conditioned car, not a hot trunk.
Source: Consumer Reports

More tips next month!


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PROTECTING YOUR PRIVACY ON FACEBOOK - Part 1

Here are some helpful hints:

• Think before you type - Even if you delete an account (which takes Facebook about a month), some information can remain in Facebook's computers for up to 90 days.
• Regularly check your exposure - Each month, check out how your page looks to others and review your individual privacy settings.
• Protect basic information - Set the audience for profile items such as your town or employer.  And remember that sharing information with "friends of friends" could expose it to tens of thousands of viewers.
• Know what you can't protect - Your name and profile picture are public.  To protect your identity, don't use a photo, or use one that doesn't show your face.
• "UnPublic" your wall - set the audience for all previous wall posts to just friends.

Source: Consumer Reports

Next month - more privacy tips! . . .



COULD YOU USE HEALTH EDUCATION CONTENT FOR YOUR NEWSLETTER, BLOG, WEBSITE, OR HAND-OUTS FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS, OR EVENT?  I CAN SAVE YOU THE TIME AND EFFORT BY PROVIDING CUSTOMIZED MATERIALS ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS FOR YOU TO REPRODUCE AND PERSONALIZE WITH YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION.  PLEASE CALL ME FOR MORE DETAILS AT 617-738-8222.

HOW TO DO YOGA WITHOUT WRECKING YOUR BODY - Part 2

(continued from 4/9/12 post)

Here are more tips for safe yoga practice:

- If you have a preexisting injury, ask your yoga teacher about his/her experience
with it.  For example: "Have you ever worked with a student who has had a
shoulder injury?"

- Many yoga-related injuries are chronic, the result of microscopic trauma
happening over time due to ongoing repetition of poor technique.  It's better to
practice a partial pose with good form than a full pose with poor form.  Try to
focus more on your breathing rather than how far you stretch.

- Don't compete -- many yoga students get hurt trying to keep up with the
instructor or other students.

- Listen to your body.  Beyond a good stretch, if something hurts, back off.

- Ask questions.  If you're unsure of a position or movement, stop and ask your
instructor for more explanation.  And check with your healthcare provider if you
have any medical issues.
Source: American Council on Exercise




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