The varicella virus is the culprit behind chicken pox....which has nothing to do with chickens. The meaning of "chicken" pox, is "milder, weaker" pox, as compared to the deadlier and now extinct smallpox disease.
Still,chicken pox can be pretty unpleasant if you are 5 years old, and really horrible if you are 25 or older. It can cause serious birth defects in pregnant women. And just when you think you are safe, varicella can reappear in later life as shingles: a painful, blistering rash.
Learn more about the chicken pox and shingles in our Healthy Living videos below:
Scoliosis is a sideways deformity of the spine that affects kids as they grow, but can be helped if caught early. To learn more about this tragically twisted condition, watch this week's Healthy Living Video!
The saying that the hairs on our heads are numbered is a bitter truth for many men and women, as they look in the mirror and see their mane thinning. This week's Healthy Living Video explores many interesting aspects of hair loss. Click below!
We spend about a third of our life sleeping. It's a time of restoration, healing, and integration of all the experiences encountered during our waking life. And without enough sleep, our waking life can become a bit of a nightmare.
Learn more about shiftwork and sleep deprivation in this week's Healthy Living Videos:
Rough, red, itchy, dry hands are a very annoying problem, interfering with activities of daily living and with the pleasure of touch!
These days, so many products we touch are full of strong chemicals, including fragrances, alcohols and preservatives. These strip the natural protective oil barrier from our hands and leave them sore and vulnerable.
Learn more about hand dermatitis on our Healthy Living Videos below:
Tuberculosis is a lung infection that is caused by an airborne bacteria which people inadvertently inhale when some other infected person coughs. The disease is rampant in much of South East Asia, including in the Philippines and the Pacific Islands. Guam's incidence of tuberculosis is about 10 times that of mainland North America. To learn more about TB, watch this week's Healthy Living videos:
Acne is not just a rite of passage in the teenage years. The combination of oily skin, hormones, heredity and bacteria creates havoc with people's faces, and sometimes even affects their back and chest. Learn more about this common inflammatory condition in this week's videos :
The thought of surgery is frightening for most people. Learn how to prepare so that you have the best experience: a straight-forward operation and a speedy recovery.
Watch this week's video below, and go to www.preparingforyoursurgery.org for wonderful relaxation techniques.
Dear friends,
The epidemic of diabetes on Guam is truly frightening. Every day I see patients whose disease is newly diagnosed, sometimes because they have a serious bacterial or fungal infection as a result. Every day too, I see people whose diabetes is wildly out of control, because of poor diet, lack of exercise and obesity. So, day by day, we at the clinic make the effort to educate, encourage and empower our patients....so that they may "turn the ship around" and avoid the tragic pathway to dialysis, heart disease, stroke , blindness or amputation.
Learn more about diabetes here, on Healthy Living's Double Feature:
The
summer months fly by, and soon it is time to get everyone back in
school mode. Use this handy checklist to ensure that your child has a
happy HEALTHY school year. Watch these videos for more info, or just look at the checklist below for some great tips!
More answers to your questions:
BACK TO SCHOOL HEALTH CHECKLIST
Shots and TB test. Get them done and out of the way. Kindergartners
need the most. Help by putting an ice pack on the arm just before the
shot is given, and plan a nice reward for after. Other than the TB skin
test, the next shots are not due until your child is 14. Teenagers
need a tetanus booster, HPV, and meningitis vaccine.
Vision
Test. Get the kids checked once a year, especially if they are
squinting, sitting really close to the TV, or complaining of headaches.
They may be needing glasses.
Hearing.
If you think it’s more than “selective” hearing, have your child’s
ear’s checked for wax buildup. Hearing loss is a significant cause of
poor school performance.
Skin
problems, warts and acne. Young children need to clean up their “Guam
sores” before returning to school, as the staph infection is contagious.
Warts can be removed so there is less chance of their spreading.
Don’t underestimate how ashamed kids can get if they have acne. Help
your youngster’s self esteem and prevent scarring by getting medical
treatment for their pimples.
Asthma
and allergies. If your child has asthma, make sure they have an extra
inhaler to take to school , to be used just before PE class. Allergy
symptoms such as runny nose and sneezing can be really distracting in
the classroom. Give your child over-the-counter anti-histamines such
as Claritin or Allegra. These can be taken safely every day if
necessary, to settle down the symptoms. If your child has a strong food
allergy, such as to peanuts, get an Epipen to be used at school in case
of an emergency, and make sure the teachers are aware.
Infections,
and Hand Sanitizer. Teach your child to wash their hands. Hand
sanitizer can be used in emergencies, but remember, washing off the
germs is best, particularly before eating and after using the restroom.
Diet
and snacks. Talk to your child about eating properly and choosing
healthy snacks. Choose fruits, carrot sticks, celery, raisins, a
sandwich, or applesauce rather than chips and candy.
Hydration.
Choose water. Add lemon or calamansi for flavor. Avoid sodas. Fruit
juices, even the unsweetened ones, are full of sugars and it is best to
avoid or dilute them. Get a refillable aluminum container and send
water with your child, rather than buying plastic bottled drinks.
Definitely avoid caffeine in the form of King Car, tea, Colas , and
Mountain Dew.
Supplements. Give your child a multivitamin every day. Add a flavored fish oil tablet if possible.
Medicine. If your child takes medication for a chronic condition, make
sure the school is aware. Talk to the school nurse to help you
administer it, if necessary.
Exercise.
Talk to your child about physical activity after school. Choose a
sport or dance class to participate in several times a week. If you are
not able to find a formal activity, let your child run around outside
and play tag or catch. Teach your children how to swim, or sign up for
classes at the pool.
Weight.
Find out what your child’s ideal weight is. Face it if your child is
overweight and make a plan to reduce the amount of food he/she eats,
especially junk food. Increase their exercise level. Make getting to a
healthy weight a priority by setting a good example yourself.
Homework.
Talk to your child about your expectations regarding homework. Create
a quiet space for study, and decide on the best time for homework to be
done. Talk about what grades are realistic for them, and set the
expectation and consequences for good and bad performance.
TV/Electronics.
Make a rule about how much “screen time” is allowed. The American
Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends limiting exposure to violent
video games and TV shows, because studies show they make children more
aggressive and emotionally desensitized.
Learning
Disabilities, ADHD. If you suspect your child has a learning
disability or attention problem, talk to the teacher early in the year.
Free testing is available. You can also talk to your doctor or call a
psychologist for testing. Early detection is key, and many
interventions will help not just the child, but your whole family.
Backpacks.
Heavy loads hurt kid’s backs long term, causing deformity and pain in
adult life. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends that
your child carries no more than 10%-15% of their body weight on their
back. SO, a third grader that weights 80 lbs, should carry no more than
8-12 lbs. Weigh your kids’ books! Consider getting a roller bag.
Encourage kids to put both straps on if they are carrying a backpack to
avoid favoring one side.
Sleep.
Talk to your kids about bedtimes. Teens need 9 hours of sleep a
night. Young children may need even more rest to do well in school and
make mornings easier.
Anxiety
and stress. Starting the school year, especially in a new school, is
very stressful. Talk to your kids about their fears. Are they worried
about making new friends, their grades, a “mean” teacher? Help them
make a plan so they feel more empowered and confident starting out. If
possible, take a tour of the new environment and meet the teachers in
advance.
Bullying
, cyberbullying and peer pressure. Talk to your kids about how to
handle potential bullies. Also make sure that they know how to limit
their own aggression, and what the consequences of bullying behaviors
are. Talk to them about peer pressure and what your family values are
regarding drugs, alcohol, smoking and teenage pregnancy. Seriously
consider birth control for your teenage daughters if they are involved
with boys.
The
Fun Stuff. Talk to your kids about what their hopes and dreams are for
the school year. Communicate your expectations for them, and
brainstorm together about how to make this year the most fun-filled,
educational school year ever!~
Gout is one of the most common forms of arthritis affecting people on Guam. Yes, it is arthritis: inflammation of the joint causing redness, swelling and PAIN. Often the foot or ankle is affected, but sometimes it can be knees, wrists or the hand.
To learn more about what causes gout, watch this week's video:
High blood pressure is one of the most common problems people encounter as they age. Unfortunately, it is also a huge risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. As an adult, your goal for your blood pressure is 120/80. Anything more than that begins to put you at risk.
Learn more about high blood pressure and how to control it, in this week's video:
You know how it is.....it feels like you are in the waiting room for a lot longer than you spend with the doctor.
So, here's how to make your time together really count....and get the most help you can for your health!
We literally become what we eat. Our food is miraculously processed through the digestive tract, and our bodies know to take exactly what they need from it. The rest is waste.....and it needs to go.
When our elimination (read bowel movements) are not regular, toxins and bacteria accumulate and we start to feel nauseated, sick, restless, headachy, tired, full, uncomfortable....the list goes on.
So learn to "take out the trash", and make sure you have a healthy gut.
To learn more about your digestion, and constipation in particular, watch this week's video:
Cholesterol is not your enemy! It is a precious molecule that helps build the membrane of every cell in your body, and then is used as raw material for the creation of many of your hormones. Just like everything in the body, though, there needs to be a balance. When too much cholesterol is found circulating in the bloodstream, people have a higher risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.
For great information on cholesterol, watch this week's video!
Summer's here and many people are
spending more time outdoors, baring their bodies at the beach, and
feeling just a little shy about the extra fat around the waistline.
Body image aside, as the American population (including our children)
get heavier and heavier, we are facing a truly "huge" crisis. Everyone
knows that obesity leads to diabetes, high blood pressure, heart
attacks, strokes, arthritis and a higher rate of cancer. But just like
warnings on cigarette cartons, these scary facts don't always motivate
people to kick the fat.
The media inundates us with weight loss strategies every day. But
buying a diet book, a machine, device or pill that will "solve" the
problem is throwing money at a problem that
can't be solved with money. The "quick fixes" set people up for
disappointment and failure, and endless rounds of crash dieting.
The problem of obesity needs to be solved with a total look at who you
are now and who you really want to be. Spend 30 minutes honestly
examining your lifestyle and you are sure to see the answer.
REALITY CHECK There comes a point where being
overweight is just too painful. Maybe you are sick, maybe you are tired all
the time, maybe you hate the way your clothes fit, maybe you are fed up
with people teasing you. Maybe you want to win a bet, or prove
something to yourself or others, or maybe you just want feel proud when
you look in the mirror.
SET GOALS Do some goal setting.
For your health, losing 10% of your current weight is a great starter
goal. Studies show that a modest reduction like 10% gets huge health
benefits such as lowering your blood pressure, and cutting your chances
of getting diabetes.
Get specific, sit down with a piece of paper and
write down the answers to these questions.
1.. Where am I now?: MY weight ____________Calculate your BMI. If your number is over 27, you are obese and you
MUST lose weight for your health. If you are between 21 and 27 you are
overweight, and will benefit from weight loss too.
2. Where do I want to be? My ideal body weight ___________Why? 3. How long ago was I at my
ideal body weight? How long did it take to get HERE? How long will it
take to get THERE?. Plan out your 10% weight loss over the next 10-20 weeks. A pound or two per week is achievable and safe.
DREAM IT Spending
time dreaming and visualizing your ideal weight is incredibly helpful.
It helps you stop beating yourself up and takes you away from the
negativity that you experience about your current weight. Your mind can
actually start imagining a healthier body, and your subconscious will
start figuring out ways to get there. You can do your visualization in
your head, or you can do something silly like photoshop your head onto
the body of a celebrity you admire! You can hang a pretty dress in a
smaller size and use that as the starting point for your visualization
too. Focus on how you will feel when you achieve your new weight. How
proud will you be? How strong and happy with you feel? For weight loss,
you need great motivation, and nothing is more motivating for humans
than our feelings. When the going gets tough you will have that vision
to get you through.
PLAN IT Now that you have a clear picture of what you want, you
can figure out a way to get there. Sure, there's diet and exercise.
But one thing that people usually overlook is their limiting beliefs
with regards to this process. Not examining them is like driving your
car around with the hand brake on: there's always something holding you
back. Then you end up saying things like " I know I shouldn't
_________, but______"....and this is where the excuses start pouring
in. So, you must take a hard look at what you really believe
about weight, health, and food. It doesn't take long. Just look at
the statements below and see if you recognize some beliefs you would
rather live without, and then add your own.
Sample limiting beliefs: Food. Food is for entertainment/ my hobby. Refusing to eat is insulting to others. I must always
finish everything on my plate because there are people starving in
Africa. Eating right is too much work and too expensive. Exercise:
Exercise is boring/tiring/painful. I don't need to work out because I
walk at work. I have no time to exercise. Exercise is not fun.
Weight: Thin people look sickly. Skinny is vain. Obesity "runs" in my
family. My friends might be jealous and I will lose them. My husband
will think I am cheating. Health: I can be overweight and healthy.
Weight doesn't matter as long as I am happy. I can always be healthy
later. Being healthy requires too many sacrifices.
When you look at these limiting beliefs and add your own, you will
realize that they don't serve you and you can choose different ones.
Write them down! Here's an example: Exercise is fun, and a great way
to connect with friends!
NOW DO IT
People always ask " What should I be eating?" . I
think a better question is "What should I be doing instead of eating?".
Here's the truth. You need diet AND exercise. Energy intake and
energy expenditure. The bottom line is you need to put out more than
you put in.
Exercise. Movement does not equal exercise! Neither does sweating,
like when you are sitting on a golf cart. You need to get your heart
rate up and break a sweat, and be just a little out of breath. Remember
to stretch, and start with walking 30 minutes a day and push it up
weekly by 5-10 minutes, until you are doing 60 minutes of high intensity
exercise pretty much daily. Great ideas are running, basketball,
zumba, swimming, jump rope or dancing. Change it up if you crave
variety, but stick to your commitment.
Diet. Here are some simple principles that will make almost anyone lose weight. 1.
Drink more water. Water instead of a snack. A glass of water before
you eat. Fill up on pure, beautiful water and you will eat less.
2. Forget fad diets. This is a lifestyle you want to adopt forever to
become the new you! If you think you need to "cheat" on a diet, it will
make it impossible for you to stick to it for the long haul.
3. Hunger is in your mind. People that get frightened or very excited
about something may completely forget to eat. You can use this to your
advantage. When you feel hungry, stop and look at your watch for 90
seconds first. Have a glass of water. Most of the time the feeling
will pass if you don't give in to the impulse to open the fridge.
4. Cravings are in your mind. Same thing. Take 90 seconds on your watch before you give in. 5. Choose soups, salads, vegetables and fruits whenever you can. These are quick and easy to prepare in advance. 6. Minimize your rice, meat and fried food intake.
7. Alcohol has tons of calories. Cut out beer. Have a glass of wine once or twice a week only. Forget mixed drinks. 8. On the subject of drinks, put lemon in your water and enjoy. Forget soda, juices and sugary coffees.
9. Count your calories. Get a phone app that does this, and record
what you are eating. Men can shoot for 1500 calories, women for 1200. 10. Weigh yourself every day, and don't react to it. Just keep measuring your progress. Slow and steady wins the race!
Here's our Health Living Videos on Weight loss for more great tips!
Psoriasis is a very common skin disease affecting millions of people around the world. Dry, itchy plaques occur on the body or scalp because of a problem in the immune system, causing the skin to flake more quickly than usual. It's a chronic condition that can be controlled but not cured. Psoriasis sufferers are often very artful about covering their plaques with clothing or hairstyles, but they experience a lot of emotional distress about their condition. SO, if you meet someone with psoriasis, be sure to touch them. The disease is not contagious, and they will appreciate being treated "normally".
Vitamin D is being studied more and more these days. It turns out that nearly a quarter of the adult US population is deficient in this essential molecule, which helps us absorb calcium and build our bones. Scientists have also discovered that low levels of Vitamin D predispose us to cancer, diabetes, cognitive problems, and even multiple sclerosis.
Learn more about Vitamin D and E in this week's Healthy Living video, below:
Vision problems can be sudden or slow in onset, but can affect our lives profoundly. Studies show that besides death and cancer, people fear blindness the most. Learn about common visual problems and how to prevent them in this week's Healthy Living videos below!
Recently I took a little "field trip" to the pharmacy shelves at Kmart, to check out what's new in over-the-counter medicines. There were two isles full of cough and cold medicines, fever reducers, and anti-inflammatories. It can be pretty confusing, but it is easy to sort through them if you read the ingredients.
For more information, read this week's newsletter: just sign up at www.expresscare.com, and we'll send it to you.
You may be wondering if all this fatigue is normal? Are you just getting old? Or do you have some kind of health problem? What is a normal energy level and how can you get there?
Watch this video to answer your your questions about fatigue:
Something many older people fear is falling and breaking their hip, a common cause of hospitalization and even death in the elderly.
Many factors contribute to osteoporosis, which is a huge problem for an aging population. Learn more about brittle bones and how to improve your bone health below:
The effects of the sun, environment and gravity all combine with our own internal genetic factors, as well as our overall health, to determine how our skin ages. The main signs of noticeable aging are color changes, wrinkling, volume loss and sagging skin.
Learn more in this video:
What's bile? It's that greenish-yellow, bitter fluid that you know from times of severe vomiting. Ugh.
Regularly, though, bile is your friend. It's manufactured by your liver to help digest your fatty foods, and to help detoxify and protect your liver. The gallbladder is the humble storage tank.
Learn more below:
Most of us have experienced a pulled muscle, sprained ankle or other bodyache. They are usually unpleasant, but shortlived, as the body goes through its natural healing process.
Learn more about how to prevent, and treat, these injuries below:
Incontinence, or losing control of your urine, is a very common problem. Learn more about this potentially embarassing problem, urinary tract infections and more here!
Just like in the outside world, the inside world of our bloodstream is teaming with nutrients, and cellular "creatures", circulating around our body in an undending flow of bringing oxygen and nutrition, and taking away waste products from all of our organs. It is truly miraculous!
Trying to get pregnant should be fun.....but in 10-20% of couples, it ends up frustrating and difficult.
Learn more about fertility and infertility below:
For more information Dr. Lom answers YOUR questions, below:
If you have a mild sore throat, no fever and a slight runny nose: stay home, drink fluids, and skip the doctor's visit. But if there is severe pain, fever, pus on your tonsils and swollen glands, then you probably have a "strep throat" and antibiotics are needed. MORE on all that HERE:
Well, here's all you ever wanted to know about the pap....and why it is so important. No worries, it doesn't hurt, and there is always a woman present in the room with you. Take care of yourself.
Who doesn't want to lose 5, 10...or even 50 lbs? In our society of abundance and over-indulgence, our thighs, tummy's and buttocks tend to end up carrying more than their share of fat.
Check out great weight loss tips below:
More questions answered below in Part 2:
