Health Connections Fall 2012 - Valley Hospital and Medical Center

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HealthWise QUIZ How much do you know about vision? 1 2 3 4 Take ThIS QUIZ To fInd oUT. What’s the most common cause of blindness in people older than age 60? a. cataracts b. glaucoma c. macular degeneration d. eye infections Which of the following may help people who suffer from symptoms of computer vision syndrome (brought on by prolonged computer use), which include eye strain, headaches, neck and back pain and dry eyes? a. positioning the computer about four or five inches below eye level b. using an anti-glare screen c. adjusting your chair so your feet rest flat on the floor d. all of the above _______ is a condition in which the eye loses its ability to focus, making it difficult to see objects that are close. a. Myopia b. Presbyopia c. Astigmatism d. none of the above According to the American Optometric Association, eating one cup of cooked _______, which is/are rich in the eye nutrient lutein, four times a week can help reduce your risk of certain eye diseases. a. spinach b. carrots c. whole-wheat pasta d. tomatoes Answers: 1. (c) 2. (d) 3. (b) 4. (a) 6 Fall 2012 Surviving a heart attack Being prepared can save your life Heart attack treatments are the most effective when given or performed within an hour or two after the onset of symptoms. Unfortunately, not everyone makes it to the hospital within this crucial time frame. Maybe these people don’t recognize their symptoms as being those of a heart attack. Maybe they don’t want to “create a scene” for what could be a false alarm. No matter the reason, it pays to be prepared in the event of a heart attack—especially if you’ve already suffered one or are at an increased risk of having one. Here are some tips to help you increase your chances of survival: Recognize the symptoms. Heart attack symptoms can vary from person to person, but common ones include chest discomfort and pain; discomfort or pain in areas such as the shoulder, neck, arms or jaw; stomach pain or heartburn feeling; shortness of breath; anxiety; lightheadedness; sweating; and vomiting. Call 911 immediately. The earlier you’re treated, the more likely it is that It pays to be prepared in the event of a heart attack—especially if you’ve already suffered one or are at an increased risk of having one. heart muscle won’t suffer permanent damage. Paramedics can begin lifesaving treatment before you even arrive at the hospital. Chew an aspirin—up to 325 mg— as you wait for help to arrive. Chewing allows aspirin to enter your bloodstream faster and can prevent additional blood clots from forming. Take nitroglycerin. If you’ve already had a heart attack, your doctor may have given you nitroglycerin to take in the event of chest pain. You may take up to three tablets, or one every five minutes, as you wait for help to arrive. Store prior heart tests in an easy-to-find place in your home, include electrocardiogram results, if you have a history of heart disease, as well as a list of any medications to which you’re allergic, for paramedics. Many people survive heart attacks and go on to live full lives. But the key is to get help quickly and take the necessary measures to make sure you’re one of those people.
mealtime combat 9 ways to handle picky eaters Is every meal a battle at your house? Dealing with a child who doesn’t want to eat or only wants to eat the same things day in and day out can be trying, to say the least. But there are ways to keep the peace: Forget forcing the issue. Don’t 1 try to make your child eat when he or she isn’t hungry. Encourage your child to remain at the table, though, even if he or she doesn’t eat, until the rest of the family has finished eating. 2Stick to regular mealtimes. Try to offer meals and any snacks around the same hour every day. 3Offer your child something he or she already likes—with a twist. Top pancakes with fruit, add carrots to muffins or shred veggies into rice for added nutritional benefit. 4Practice patience. Children often don’t take to a new food right off the bat, so offer it more than once. Also, serve any new Good-for-you meals How to introduce your child to healthy cooking Picture this: Instead of reaching for a bag of salty, fatty potato chips, your child grabs a handful of carrot sticks. Sound like more of a fairy tale than reality? Believe it or not, it’s possible to get kids to eat more foods that are healthy for them. Here are four tips to help you do it: Give him or her some menu control. Get input from your child about their likes and dislikes and together select healthy recipes from a cookbook or website. Make them the shopping leader. A small 2011 study out of the University of Granada in Spain found that letting children pick which vegetables they wanted to eat increased their vegetable consumption by up to 80 percent. It’s a great incentive to take your children shopping with you and let them choose the vegetables you’ll be serving. Let them give you a helping hand. Drum up interest for healthier foods by having your children help you prepare them. Dole out the tasks according to age—for example, younger kids can help you wash and tear up lettuce for a salad, or measure and mix together ingredients, while older children can peel potatoes or make a simple no-bake recipe. foods alongside familiar favorites to make them less intimidating. 5Make mealtime enjoyable. Try broccoli with dipping sauce or foods cut into fun shapes. 6Ban TV and other distractions. Mealtimes are family time, and distractions can interfere with your child’s eating. 7Keep unhealthy foods out of the house. Instead of soda, choose 100 percent juice; in place of chips, try sliced apples or carrots. However, don’t eliminate treats. Offer them occasionally; cutting out unhealthy foods may lead your child to go overboard when he or she does have them. 8Avoid making special meals. This can perpetuate bad habits. 9Be a role model. That means eating your spinach, too, mom and dad! Instilling good eating habits takes time. After a while, eating healthy will become second nature to your little one. Be a role model. Why should your child want to eat healthy if mom and dad don’t? Lead by example and make nutritious meals a family affair. Fall 2012 7
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Health Connections Fall 2012 - Valley Hospital and Medical Center

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