Starving of Dehydration
Lisa Buck - Friday, May 29, 2009
Do not use thirst alone as a guide for when to drink. By the time you become thirsty, you may already be experiencing dehydration. Also, know that as you get older your body is less able to sense dehydration and send your brain signals of thirst. Excessive thirst and increased urination can be signs of a more serious medical condition that should be discussed with your doctor.
The Mayo Clinic suggests that people make water the beverage of choice to make sure that they meet their body’s requirements. Nearly every healthy adult can consider the following:
* Drink a glass of water with each meal and between each meal.
* Hydrate before, during and after exercise.
* Substitute sparkling water for alcoholic drinks at social gatherings.
Make these habits a part of your lifestyle and protect yourself from the devastating effects of dehydration.
Sunny Days.
Lisa Buck - Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Vitamin D can be found in array of food including many dairy products, grains, and meats as well as vegetables. Though these are common forms of consumption, we may actually be affected more by the Vitamin D that our skin saturates while in the sun.
People who are exposed to sunshine report better moods and an overall sense of well being. So, if you are starting to feel down, head outside. Soak up the sun. But, remember to protect yourself from the harmful UVB rays. Wear a hat, sunscreen, and avoid the most intense rays of the day.
Summer Heat. Beware.
Lisa Buck - Monday, May 25, 2009
Remember to avoid extreme exercise, outdoor work, and laborious outdoor activities in the heat of the day. Beware of certain medications and alcohol as they increase the rate of dehydration and obstruct the body’s ability to regulate its temperature.
Signs to watch for:
* Heavy sweating
* Fatigue
* Headache
* Pale, clammy skin
* Thirst
* Rapid heartbeat
* Dizziness, fainting
* Nausea, vomiting
* Muscle cramps
* Mild temperature elevations
If coma or seizure occurs or your body temperature reaches 104 F, you may have a fatal heat stroke.
Enjoy the summer, soak up the sun, but be alert and know the warning signs of heat exhaustion.
Memorial Day: Remembering those whose lives are changed forever.
Lisa Buck - Friday, May 22, 2009
Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored. ~Daniel Webster
This Memorial Day, as we pay tribute to the soldiers who have fought and lost their lives for our country, we must also remember the men and women whose lives were changed forever in the face of war.
“The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq will produce a new generation of veterans at risk for the chronic mental health problems that result, in part, from exposure to the stress, adversity, and trauma of war-zone experiences,” said Brett Litz of the National Center for PTSD.
Ground troops kicked open doors, inviting a hail of bullets from insurgents, soldiers traveled anxiously, watching for IEDs in the roads of small Iraqi villages, our American soldiers saw more gore and more death than we will ever know. They lost friends, they lost limbs, and they lost their sense of well-being. It is not just a game of Call of Duty over there, it is real. Our soldiers are the casualties of war.
According to the January 2009 VA report, 45% of the Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, who sought care in September 2008, were diagnosed with psychological disorders. More than 400,000 (24%) veterans have sought help following these conflicts. Nearly half of these men and women were diagnosed with possible mental disorders, 23% with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and 16% with other depressive disorders reports the VA.
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that often develops after exposure to one or more traumatic events that threatened or caused great physical harm. The ramifications of a soldier’s traumatic experience will be felt for decades as their lives and the lives of their families are changed forever. Increased anxiety from PTSD affects physical, social, and occupational performance, possibly leading to violence, sleeplessness, addictions, physical harm to self or someone else, and isolation.
For more information about PTSD visit: http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/index.jsp; http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml; http://www.ptsdinfo.org/
Exercise. Creating An Ultimate Fighting Champion
Lisa Buck - Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The American Psychological Association states that there is little research to support the popular claim that exercise causes the release of endorphins (the happy hormones), but rather, builds a highly trained fighting machine.
The APA reveals that exercise is likely to enhance the body's ability to fight stress. Exercise forces the body's physiological systems to communicate more effectively to combat stress. Some researchers believe this 'practice' pays off by allowing the body to attack stress of depression and anxiety before it manifests itself.
Other emotional benefits of exercise and self improvement are the effects of sense of accomplishment, self esteem, energy, practice of patience, and an outlet for day to day stress.
The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans from the US Health and Human Services Department reports:
Adults should do a minimum of 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week by doing activities like brisk walking, ballroom dancing, or general gardening.
Develop your defense. Get active today.
For more information visit:
http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/default.aspx;
http://www.apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=25; http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/misc/fitness/2008/emotional_health.htm
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