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Welcome to the Community Health newsletter, brought to you by McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital. Twice a month, Community Health brings to your mailbox timely medical news and health and wellness information that matter to you and your family. To visit the McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital Web site, >> click here.
Stand up for better healthIf you think hitting the gym a few days a week is enough to keep you healthy, think again. Recent research published in Circulation indicates that too much sitting, particularly when watching TV, could be bad for your health—regardless of how much you exercise. Nearly 9,000 participants who were already getting roughly 30 to 45 minutes of exercise a day were tracked for an average of six years. Those who reported watching TV for more than four hours a day were 46 percent more likely to die of any cause and 80 percent more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than those who said they spent less than two hours a day with the remote control in hand. A lack of physical activity increases your risk for coronary heart disease, and while participants in this study were pretty active, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 60 percent of Americans don’t meet the recommended levels of physical activity. You can stay healthy by getting about 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a day and avoiding long periods of sitting still. It doesn’t take much: Fold your laundry while watching your favorite show, get up and move around during commercials or toss the remote and stand up to change channels. |
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It’s not too late to vaccinateToday, most kids have been vaccinated against chickenpox. And even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults who haven’t had the virus (especially those who live or work with or around kids or other susceptible people) get vaccinated, many haven’t done so. New research shows these people can still get vaccinated—even if they’ve recently been exposed to chickenpox. A small study in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal found that receiving the vaccine within five days of exposure can reduce your chance of developing the disease and, if you do get chickenpox, it won’t be as severe. Of the 67 people who received the vaccine postexposure, only 22 got sick—and they developed only mild to moderate cases. Without the vaccine, experts say 58 people could have expected to get the disease. The postexposure vaccine was just as effective in adults as in children. If you’ve never had chickenpox and are exposed to the virus, contact your physician. The small pinch of the needle will be much easier to bear than the itching. |
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Not-so-happy mealFast food is, well, fast, and that can come in handy when you’re a busy mom or dad. Unfortunately, most of this fare just isn’t healthy. The good news? Armed with the right nutritional information, parents may be more likely to feed their offspring healthier options at these restaurants. Researchers from the Seattle Children’s Research Institute asked 99 parents of 3- to 6-year-olds to pick a meal for their children and themselves from a McDonald’s menu. Some parents were given caloric information while others only received prices and pictures of the food. Those who knew the calorie score were more likely to choose healthier food for their kids (although, interestingly enough, not for themselves). In fact, their children’s meals averaged 102 calories less than those who weren’t privy to calorie counts. This is a big deal since childhood obesity is on the rise, and consuming an extra 100 calories a day can lead to a 10-pound weight gain over a year. Recent research has also found that up to one in five American children and teens has high cholesterol. So what are your best options when eating in the fast lane? Salads (with low-fat dressing), apple slices, mixed fruit, yogurt, water, low-fat milk and 100-percent juice. Skip the sodas, shakes, blended drinks, french fries, “crispy” items (code word for deep-fried breading) and extras like cheese, meats, bacon and sauces. |
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Evading varicose veinsMany women are frustrated by unsightly varicose and spider veins on their legs. These veins generally appear thanks to aging, heredity, pregnancy and menopause, but you can take steps to keep new ones from forming and relieve the discomfort of those you already have. The National Women’s Health Information Center recommends the following:
If your veins are swollen, red, very tender, warm to the touch or you have sores or a rash on the leg or near the ankle that has the varicose vein, contact your doctor. These can be signs of a more serious circulation problem. |
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McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital
110 N. POPLAR ST. / OXFORD, OH 45056 / 513-523-2111 / www.mhmh.org
Community Health is designed to provide general health news and wellness information. This information is not designed to, nor should it, be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or nutrition or exercise program.
