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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.
Important food-allergy update A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics suggests that children with a history of food-induced allergic reactions could benefit from carrying more than one dose of epinephrine. Researchers studied 1,255 children who made emergency room visits for food-related reactions. About half suffered anaphylaxis, a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic response. Among those patients, 44 percent received epinephrine—the recommended first line of defense—at some point during their reaction and 12 percent of those sufferers required more than one dose. Since 1997, food-related allergies among children younger than age 18 have increased almost 20 percent. Milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat account for more than 90 percent of the allergic reactions in children. Although those with allergies tend to use caution around trigger foods, it’s likely that at some point they’ll be exposed to an allergen. If your child is one of the approximately 3 million kids suffering from food allergies, talk with his or her physician about epinephrine. He or she will be able to tell you how many doses your child should carry and the proper way and times to dispense them. Your colonoscopy could save your life Colonoscopies are saving lives, says research published in a recent issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology. In a 14-year study of almost 2.5 million people in Canada, researchers found that for every 1 percent increase in colonoscopies performed, the risk of dying from colon cancer decreased by 3 percent. Colonoscopies and other screening tests find polyps before they develop into cancer and find cancer early when it’s easier to treat. The American Cancer Society recommends screenings begin at age 50 for anyone at average risk, earlier if you have risk factors (family history, lifestyle, ethnicity or other medical conditions). While you may be putting off having a colonoscopy because of its invasive nature, the approximately 30-minute procedure is performed under mild sedation, so you’ll feel more at ease. A virtual colonoscopy is a less invasive option, but it requires the same bowel preparation as the traditional colonoscopy—which some people find to be the worst part—and still requires a tube be placed in the rectum to fill the colon with air. And if polyps or other suspicious areas are found, you’ll need a traditional colonoscopy for follow-up. Don’t put off having this lifesaving procedure. Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk factors and about scheduling the test. Debunking diabetes myths Diabetes is a common disease affecting many Americans—23.6 million to be exact. But despite its prevalence, many myths still exist about the disease. Here are the facts behind the fiction, courtesy of the American Diabetes Association: All overweight people will develop type 2 diabetes at some point. While obesity is a risk factor, many people with weight problems don’t develop the disease. And some people who are at a perfectly healthy weight end up with it. A family history of the disease, your race and age all factor into your risk. Diabetes makes you more likely to get sick. You’re not more likely to get a cold or other illnesses because you have diabetes. However, people with diabetes are urged to get a flu shot every fall because illness can make it difficult to manage diabetes. The flu can also trigger serious complications like pneumonia, and the high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can damage nerves and blood vessels, which can lead to complications such as heart disease and stroke. You can’t eat sweets and must stick to special diabetic foods. If you’re following a healthy meal plan and exercise routine, you can certainly budget for occasional sweets and desserts. And the meal plan for people who have diabetes isn’t really different from any other plan. It focuses on low-fat and whole-grain foods, limiting salt and sugar and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. A registered dietitian or a certified diabetes educator can help you make healthful food selections. Don’t fall victim to ‘Boomeritis’ Nothing’s going to stop you from that active lifestyle you so enjoy—unless you’re a baby boomer whose body is begging for a break. Exercise injuries are on the rise in this age group, thanks in part to the fact that boomers are fitter and are staying more active for longer than previous generations. In fact, these injuries are so common that there’s a name for the trend: “boomeritis,” and injuries such as tendinitis, bursitis, stress fractures and tendon tears aren’t uncommon as people push their bodies past their limits. To avoid injury, follow these easy tips, courtesy of the Mayo Clinic: Talk with your physician before starting a new activity. He or she can give you tips on easing into it. Always warm up. Cold muscles are more susceptible to injury. Try walking on a treadmill. Take a good stretch after exercising. Muscles aren’t as flexible as they used to be; stretching can help prevent injury and improve performance. Cross-train. Switch up your activities to make sure you hit all the muscle groups. Try cardio, strength training, flexibility exercises (yoga) and core-muscle exercise (Pilates). Don’t be a weekend warrior. Break your exercises into 30-minute daily routines rather than cramming them all into a single weekend. Don’t ignore warning signs. Are you very stiff? Feel excessively strained? Your body may not be able to go as long or as intensely as it used to. This is just something you have to accept. Adjust your routine accordingly. Rest up. To avoid injury, give your body a day of rest after a day of hard activity. Check out McCullough-Hyde's hospital happenings! McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital has a new, updated Web site. Check out our work in progress at www.mhmh.org. Visit McCullough-Hyde's at www.mhmh.org and click on "Calendar" for a complete event listing, including our monthly Lunch & Learn series. McCullough-Hyde offers vascular ultrasound screenings Monday through Friday. Vascular ultrasound screenings could help you avoid possible stroke, heart disease or death. Call 513-524-5400 to schedule your appointment. A physician's order is not required, and test results are sent to you and your physician. Cost for all three ultrasounds (abdominal, carotid and legs) is $75. Read Hot Health Topics on McCullough-Hyde’s Web page and click on HealthWise.
	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.
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