Medical Advice on the Web

More and more people are using the Internet for their health care needs. Experts say up to 75% of patients use the Internet for its vast information, much like a vending machine. Patients who are more informed about their health condition are more likely to use a health care practitioner for their health needs.

Just as important as finding a good health care professional is knowing where to search for information. Below is a list of trusted resources which you can use when searching the web, these links can also be found under the health and wellness link on our newsletter. Social Medical Networks are growing as wellness and prevention play an important role in our health care.

As Internet based information play an active role, it should never take the place of an expert health care professional. Seek your local provider for more information.

Medline Plus
Health Finder
Medical Library Association

Resource: Medical Library Association

Now Offering: Custom Orthotics

Vasyli Medical Orthotics – A Natural Cure

It is estimated that > 75% of the population suffer from foot pain from excessive movement and factors such as the unnatural, hard flat surfaces we walk on daily. These can often disrupts normal knee function and hip alignment and increases forces on the lower back muscles.

By realigning the lower limb to its natural angle VASYLI orthotics ensure correct foot function and help relieve common biomechanical complaints.

Key Injuries which VASYLI orthotics can correct:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Metatarsalgia
• Hallux Abducto Valgus
• Tired/Aching legs
• Patello Femoral pain
• Lower Back pain
• Tibial Stress syndrome
• Ilio-tibial band syndrome

We offer several types of customized orthotics for all foot sizes and conditions.

Each Vasyli orthotic will be available for all non-work conditions, and now offered at $80.00 per pair of customizable orthotics.

Available now, contact your therapist today and see how you can save 50% your next custom pair of orthotics! (Normally custom orthotics can run between $300-$400)

Supplemental Choices for Women

Osteoporosis --- Iron Deficiency --- Heart Disease

Calcium & Vitamin D - Low intake increases your risk of osteoporosis causing bone loss. Choose milk, yogurt and calcium fortified fruit juices as a source of calcium and vitamin D.

Fish Oils - Low intake in fish oil or Omega-3 fatty acids can increase risk of heart disease. Heart disease is the number one cause of death of among woman in the united states. The American Heart Association recommends two servings of fatty fish per week.

Folate - Important for pregnancy to avoid neurological conditions from developing. Choose green leafy vegetables; oranges and orange juice.

Iron - Women loose blood through menstruation, which can lead to iron deficiency. Choose lean meat, fish, poultry, spinach, dried beans, and fortified cereals.

Dietary Fiber - Reduce your risk of heart disease and maintain healthy weight. Choose fruits, vegetables, and whole grains breads.

Source: Mayo Clinic Health Solutions

Wellness Check - How Active Should I Be?

To reduce risk of chronic diseases:

Engage in 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on most days of the week

To help manage body weight and prevent unhealthy weight gain in adults:

Engage in 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous-intensity exercise on most days of the week while not exceeding recommended caloric intake

To sustain weight loss in adulthood:

Engage in 60-90 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise daily while not exceeding caloric intake

Children and adolescents:

Engage in at least 60 minutes of exercise on all days of the week

Wellness Check - Men

Prostate Cancer Screening, Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)

Age 50 and older - annually

Age 45 and older - annually if African American or have 1st degree relative with prostate cancer before the age of 65

Age 40 and older - annually if you have several 1st degree relatives with prostate cancer before the age of 65

*1st degree relative is father, brother or son

Wellness Check - Women

Mammography

Age 35 to 39 (Baseline), Age 40-49 - every 1-2 years, Age 50 and older - annually

Self Breast Exams

Age 19 and older - rate based on risk factors (see your physician)

Clinical Breast Exams

Age 19 and older - Annually

Pap Test/Pelvic Exams

Age 21 or older - annual pelvic screenings, Pap test every 1-3 years

Management of Menopause

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) - Discuss with your physician

Chlamydia Screening

Age 25 and older - annual screening if you are sexually active, Pregnant woman - 1st prenatal visit

Osteoporosis Screening

Age 65 and older - Under the age 65 if at high risk for osteoporatic fractures

Wellness Check - Adults

When do I need to go the doctor? For many of us....NEVER! Health and wellness is an active and prevenative aproach to healthcare. The National Insitute of Health have put forth general guidelines for what is considered prevenative in nature. See your health care provider if you fit within the following criteria:

Asprin Therapy - risk factor for Coronary Heart Disease

Men >40 years old, Postmenopausal woman, young adults with diabetes, or adults who smoke or are hypertensive.

Blood Pressure Screening

Age 18 or older - at every doctors visit

Cholesterol Screening

Age 20 and older - lipid panel (HDL, LDL, triglycerides and cholesterol)

Colorectal Screening

Age 50 or older - sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, colonoscopy every 10 years

Depression Screening

Age 18 or older - discuss with your physician

Diabetes Screening

Age 45 or older - Every 3 years if normal

Wellness Check - Normal Lipids

LDL Cholesterol (Bad Cholesterol)

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100 - 129 Near or above optimal

130 - 159 Borderline high

160 - 189 High

>/= 190 Very high

HDL Cholesterol (Good Cholesterol)

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>/= 40 High

Triglycerides (Chemical form of fat on food and in the body)

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150 - 199 Borderline high

200 - 499 High

>/= 500 Very High

Total Cholesterol (Type of Steroid found in all cells)

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200 - 239 Borderline high

>/= 240 High

Positive Peer Pressure

While there is no magic formula to creating the ideal workplace setting; the debate can continue. But a program that takes a different approach to reducing their work place injuries is much more important and is gaining ground in the safety world.

Peer-led programs that educate employees about the dangers of poor ergonomics, self-awareness, wellness, etc., are critical to the health of a program and organization. These programs or safety teams promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle--in a proactive way.

"They provide ways to provide constructive criticism to employees, by giving them tools to improve their day to day work environment and wellness. Its activities teach nutrition, awareness and postural techniques while also deferring employees from using harmful postures and ergonomics." ~ Dr. Mat

Another key component is that employees teach each other. We found that employees learning from one another is much more powerful than listening to a talking head at the front of the classroom. Employees are presented information in a non-confrontational manner that changes their attitudes towards safety.

The lessons are broken into several 15-minute sessions and taught in small groups in a pro-active teaching environment. During each session, employees lay out objectives, and teach their peers using hands-on work activities, these activities are critiqued and corrected by their site therapist.

The safety team at Casa Grande Frito Lay have adopted this challenge and have promoted positive peer pressure. There team has shown to be an integral piece to their safety program. Way to go Casa Grande!

Protecting Yourself from the Sun

As seasons change, and we begin to go into warmer periods of the year or maybe even travel to warmer climates, here are some basic tools to help you choose what type of protection you should use to avoid sun damage.

UVA (Ultraviolet A), and UVB (Ultraviolet B) are both harmful rays that come from the sun and will damage your skin. Sunscreens are particularly helpful to use to block these rays by using SPF (sun protection factor). Choose sunscreen that has a broad spectrum SPF, which means it defends against both UVA and UVB and have an SPF of at least 15 or greater.

How about the clothes we wear? Some clothing have special sun protection built into them. Look for UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) when choosing summer clothes. Clothing which have a UPF of 30 or more is recommended.

Remember to wear sunscreen, use an umbrella and protective clothing that is long sleeved. Wear long pants, and a wide-brimmed hat if you are working outside. If your job requires you to be outside, wear light-colored, light-weight, and tightly woven fabrics that don't allow light in.

H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)

The CDC has now documented 403 cases of the H1N1 flu in the United States. One death has been reported in Texas with many more cases and deaths anticipated to rise in the coming months.

Just like any other influenza virus (flu), it is airborne, but anyone can catch it by contact as well. If you are under the age of 5 or over the age of 65 or are pregnant you are at higher risk for infection.

Some of the symptoms of the H1N1 virus can include: fever, chills, headache, upper respiratory tract symptoms (cough, sore throat, rhinorrhea, shortness of breath), myalgias, arthralgias, fatigue, vomiting, or diarrhea.

If you feel you may have similar symptoms, please seek a health care provider for further testing. Below are some general guidelines the CDC have published to help you stay healthy:

• Stay informed. Please visit, http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
  
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
  1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
  2. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  3. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
  4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  5. Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
  
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

Ergonomics in the Office

It is that time of year, no not Christmas, but for Office Ergonomics. Below is a short video on office ergonomics and chair selection. Please take a moment and watch the video and re-adjust your workstations accordingly. The video will give you a basic foundation for success in the workplace surrounding your posture and office ergonomics. For more information please contact us at industrial@oneaccordervices.com

Stress Reduction - Everything is Going to be OK!

Stress Relief - We all have stress, we all need relief. What do we do?

To avoid unhealthy habits from forming, here are five tips from the American Psychological Association: Remember, everyone is different, and your stress reliever will be different than your co-workers or your family members.

1. Identify your source of stress - What triggers stress in your life?


2. Learn your own stress signals - What symptoms do you have? (irritable, soreness, headaches, etc...)


3. Find healthy ways to manage stress - Meditation, exercise or family/friend support


4. Take care of yourself - Eat Right! Get enough sleep! Drink plenty of water! Participate in regular exercise!

Reference: www.azblue.com/HealthyBlue

Newsletter Highlights

New Additions to the One Accord Industrial Newsletter on-line:

1. New Links: handouts for detailed information on Tennis Elbow and Plantar Fasciitis. Please note under musculoskeletal disorders in the left column.

2. Performance training: If you are an avid biker or just need to learn how to eat before an activity, now you have access to local and national events Please note under Performance Training in the left column.

3. Coaching Series: Now you can go through a self-paced education in Injury Prevention, Back Care Programs, and Preventative Stretching. Please note the various health topics in the right column.

4. Media: New articles are now available regarding ergonomics and wellness. You also have access to ergonomic you tube videos . Please note media options in the right column.

Stress Signals

Do you have any of the following symptoms listed below? Any one or combination of symptoms can indicate high stress level in your body. Please see http://www.apa.org/releases/stressproblem.html for more information.

• Fatigue
• Headache
• Upset Stomach
• Muscle Tension
• Change in Appetite
• Teeth Grinding
• Feeling Dizzy
• Irritability or Anger
• Feeling Nervous
• Feeling as though you could cry
• Lying awake at night

How Do I Listen to my Body While Working in a Physical Job?

When working long hours, or simply training your body, it is important that we all listen to our bodies. The biggest question is what are we listening for. The solution is very clear, but sometimes we are scared to do what is right.

Some listen so hard to their body, they become paranoid to every new symptom, feeling, or physical change. This is followed by frequent changes in habits or direction in their wellness. Others ignore the tale tale signs and don't know they have an illness or injury until its too late. This will slowly end up, in what I like to refer to as "the breaking point of your weak link", whatever that may be for you.

There is a way to find the middle of the road. Be aware of your body, and make educated decisions of your next step. The traffic light used in many circles can guide us to those proper decision making.


Green - Feel good at the end of the day, stretching through out the day improves stiffness and tightness. An ice pack may even help alleviate some sore muscles, including the ever popular Biofreeze or Painzone ointment. You understand that proper lifting and ergonomics are key to your health. If you are stuck in front of this light, keep going, great job!




Yellow - Soreness and muscle cramps last more than a few days and never goes away during a scheduled day off. Fatigue sets in and you find yourself lifting improperly and using poor ergonomic techniques, with low energy output. If you are stuck in front of this light, there is hope! Understand that you are not alone, do not re-invent the wheel here, focus on re-energizing your body!

1. Start eating energy foods such as pasta the night before work
2. Continue with nuts and cheeses during the day.
3. Drink more water, even a sports drink to balance your electrolytes.
4. Chat with your local physical therapist or wellness specialist at your work.
5. How about this question, "Am I doing everything I should be doing?"
   

Red - Soreness is now discomfort and your ability to complete a task is inhibited. Back off your work, reduce the intensity, decrease the number of repetitions and call for help. Don't try and push through the pain, stop and seek help! Call your resource and get a hold of your physical therapist. We can help you get back to GREEN, through stretching, massage, and abatement strategies.