health Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Monterey Bay Parent

Tips on Coping with Wildfire Smoke

By Monterey Bay Parent Editors | August 20, 2020

With wildfires burning throughout the Monterey Bay area, our air quality is now ranging from unhealthy to hazardous depending on the area you are in. There are some things you can do to help minimize the impact.

Make sure your stove vent and any other vent to outside is closed.

Keep doors and windows closed.

Put your car AC on recirculated air with windows closed when running errands or if you need to evacuate.

Wear a fabric mask inside and an N95 outside.

Avoid activities that create more fine particles inside such as smoking cigarettes, using gas, propane or wood-burning stoves and furnaces, spraying aerosol products, frying or broiling food, burning candles or incense and vacuuming unless you use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.

Change your home’s AC filter if you have AC. Change it again in a few days or when the fires are out.

Tape up cracks around doors and windows with duct tape.

Get an air purifier if you can afford it.

Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

Keep the lights and electronics off as much as you can to save energy for AC and refrigerator.

Stay inside and keep your pets inside.

For additional information: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/wildfires/index.html

Questions about the Flu or Flu Shot?

By Monterey Bay Parent Editors | October 28, 2019

Join Monterey Bay Parent Magazine and Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula on Nov. 5 from 6-7 p.m. for a free Facebook question and answer session. Martha L. Blum, MD, Ph.D. will be answering your questions about the flu shot, flu prevention, and treatment. The special Q & A session will be held in our Facebook group.

You will be able to post your question in real-time for Dr. Blum to answer and the conversation will remain in the group for those who can’t attend the live session.

If you’d prefer to have us post a question for you, please click here to email your question.

Martha Lewis Blum, MD, Ph.D., is board certified in infectious diseases and internal medicine. She received her medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in 2002 and completed her residency and fellowship in infectious diseases at the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center. She has a doctorate in medical virology from Rockefeller University. She was an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at UCLA from 2007-14 when she joined Montage Medical Group. She has received research grants from the National Institutes of Health and published research articles on many viral infections, including HIV, HTLV, SARS, and Hepatitis B and C viruses. She is the medical director of antimicrobial stewardship at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and is dedicated to promoting the appropriate use of antibiotics in our community. She specializes in general infectious diseases and travel medicine.’

Click here to join the Monterey Bay Parent Facebook group.

Health Screening Guide for Men

By Monterey Bay Parent Editors | May 28, 2019

Here’s the truth, most of us do not like going to the doctor but men are 24% less likely to visit a doctor than women. Also, most of the time men’s doctor visits are out of necessity due to injury or illness. Many issues can be prevented through health maintenance. It is very important that men see the doctor for regular checkups and routine preventative care. In honor of June being Men’s Health Month here are some startling facts about men’s health:

THE BAD NEWS

Heart disease is the #1 killer of men. 1 out of 4 men have heart disease

31% of men over the age of 20 have hypertension

Each year 230,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer

Testicular cancer is the #1 cancer among men ages 15-34

4 out of 5 suicides are men

33.6% of men over the age of 20 are obese

Men’s life expectancy is 6 years less than women’s

12.4% of men over the age of 18 are in fair to poor health and men, on average, will live 9 years in poor health before seeking care

1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime

The average man will lose 5.4 teeth by the age of 72

Many of these statistics are so startling because they are preventable or can be treated quickly with routine doctor’s visits. According to the Center for Disease Control, genetics contribute to 30% of a person’s health while lifestyle contributes to 70% of a person’s health. Below are some guidelines for what men can do to be healthier regardless of age.

THE ADVICE

Exercise. Men who climb 50 stairs or walk 5 city blocks reduce their chance of a heart attack by 25%

Sleep. Men who sleep 7-8 hours a night reduce their chance of a heart attack by 60%

Fruits and Veggies. Men who eat 5-7 servings of fruits and/or veggies per day greatly reduce their chance of diabetes and heart disease

Drink Less. Men who consume less than 10 alcoholic beverages in a week reduce their chance of type 2 diabetes by half

Stop Smoking. Men who don’t smoke are at far less risk to develop hypertension and cancer

Go to the Dentist. Everyone should go to the dentist every 6 months for routine cleanings and care to reduce the chance of major problems

Go to the Doctor. Going to the doctor for regular screenings will greatly reduce the chance of having major health issues or dying prematurely

SCREENING BY THE DECADE

In your 20’s and 30’s

Yearly physical examinations that check weight and Body Mass Index (BMI)

Talk to your doctor about family history of heart disease diabetes, mental illness, and/or any other concern you may have

Make sure vaccines are current such as tetanus (every 10 years) and flu (every year)

Talk to your doctor about the human papillomavirus (HPV) or hepatitis A&B vaccines

Ask about a sexual health screening

Learn how to correctly administer testicular cancer self-examines and administer them every 6 months

Also learn how to check for breast cancer because men get it too.

Get your blood pressure checked every 2 years unless it is over 140/90 than it will need to be monitored closely

Have your blood sugar checked if your BMI is over 25, or 23 for Asian-Americans

If you have eyesight issues, see an optician every 2 years or if you have diabetes get your eyes check every year

See the dentist every 6-12 months

Always seek help for any mental health issues you are feeling

In your 40’s

Continue to check in with doctor about any issues that may arise and your yearly physical

Get a cholesterol screening every 5 years

Get blood pressure checked yearly

See an optician every 2-4 years regardless of eyesight

Diabetes screenings should take place every 3 years

Talk to your doctor about colorectal cancer screenings as you may need to start them before the age of 50 if there is a family history or there are other health concerns

In your 50’s

Colorectal cancer screenings are critical after the age of 50.

A fecal occult blood (stool-based) test done every year

A fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year

A stool DNA test every 3 years

Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years

Double contrast barium enema every 5 years

CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

Colonoscopy every 10 years

Other screenings after 50 include:

Shingles and herpes zoster vaccinations are needed

Screenings for osteoporosis should be discussed

Prostate cancer screenings begin at age 50

Lung cancer screenings should begin at age 55 for smokers

Physical health is not the only component of health that needs to be regularly evaluated. Since 2000 the suicide rate among males has risen steadily. Suicide is now the 7th leading cause of death among men. 6 million men suffer from depression in the US. Men are also less likely to seek out help than women when it comes to mental health. If you are struggling, reach out and seek help.

Meet Waylon, Heart Warrior!

By Monterey Bay Parent Editors | January 28, 2019

After a straightforward and uneventful pregnancy, our son was born in December of 2015. He had some difficulty breathing, so he spent the night being monitored in the NICU. After being released from their care, his regular pediatrician stopped by to do a routine check. He noticed what he thought was likely to be a “nothing to stress about heart murmur.” It was recommended that we get an ultrasound of his heart done to be on the safe side.

THE DIAGNOSIS

Later that day, one of the nurses mentioned that the cardiologist wanted to see us. That is the moment my stomach dropped; I knew they wouldn’t be trying to find us to say everything was normal. He explained that our son had a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot. He drew us pictures and continued with medical terms that were buzzing in my head. All I could think about was how could this be? I did everything possible to make sure my baby would be born healthy. Here he was, only three days old, we had just finally decided on a name, and now we heard such devastating news.

Tetralogy of Fallot is a combination of four defects that result in an inadequate flow of blood to the lungs for oxygenation. It is named after the French physician, Étienne-Louis Arthur Fallot. In 1888, he described in detail the combination of the four defects that caused “blue baby syndrome.”

The cardiologist told us about the necessary surgery (and possibly surgeries) that our son would need when he was 4 to 6 months old… We were informed of the “tet spells” that we needed to watch out for and what to do if one occurred. Mentioning that Olympic Snowboarder Shaun White also has this condition brought a bit of comfort.

WAITING FOR SURGERY

We knew that surgery was inevitable but processing that information was difficult. Every day leading up to it just felt like a countdown. As each day passed, I was thankful that no emergency surgery was needed that day, but I was also acutely aware that we were one step closer to scheduled surgery. We were told, “don’t let him get worked up and try very hard not to let him get sick.” It felt like an impossible challenge. Imagine being sent home with a newborn with instructions not to let him cry or get sick. Germs are everywhere, and I tried my hardest not to allow them to infiltrate my little child. We went on house arrest during the time leading up to his surgery. Our daughter was four at the time; we had to pull her out of preschool and dance to help limit her contact with anyone sick. We rarely left the house, except for the scheduled doctor appointments. It was a very tough and isolating experience.

PREPARING FOR SURGERY

We were given the surgery date, Friday, May 6th. Most people are writing down their hair appointment, and I was supposed to write “Open Heart Surgery” on my calendar? I searched the house for a heart sticker and used that instead.

There is nothing that will prepare you for your child’s major surgery. We arrived on our scheduled day only to face lots of delays due to our surgeon and his team dealing with an emergency. Eventually, we decided that it was in everyone’s best interest that we reschedule. So, we packed up and headed home for the weekend with plans to return on Monday. Adding to our stress, we ended up in bumper to bumper rush hour traffic that made our less than an hour and a half trip take over three hours. We had a very angry baby who had a stressful day full of fasting which made things utterly miserable. We went home for the weekend, not sure what to do with ourselves, but I was able to spend Mother’s Day at home, with both kids.

All the emotions returned as we made our way back into the hospital on Monday, May 9th. In all honesty, most of that morning is a blur. He was first on the list, so things went quickly that morning. We were ushered back into a large room with tons of children getting ready for various surgeries. The nurses made small talk, trying to keep up comfort. They had us wipe him down with an antiseptic and put him in a little gown — the whole time I just wanted to scoop him up and run out of there. I really cannot put into words what it is like to hand your precious baby over to a group of strangers, with so much uncertainty of what the rest of the day will bring.

AN ENDLESS WAIT

We were sent to the waiting room, not quite large enough for all the families that need to use it. Across the room is a large monitor that informs you of what stage your child is in during surgery – anesthesia, pre-op, surgery, etc. They told us that the surgeon would come to find us once things were done. And then we waited, trying to remember to breathe, staring at the other families and eavesdropping on their conversations, watching the board that now said “surgery in process,” fumbling with my phone, watching other families leaving to see their child, wondering when we’d get an update, trying not to panic, definitely trying not to focus on the fact that my precious child is hooked up to a bypass machine, and his little heart has been basically unplugged from his body.

Finally, our surgeon arrives and he is smiling. At that point, my own heart felt like it would burst. The surgeon spoke quickly, he is happy, things went well. Overall, it went much quicker than they had estimated–about three and a half hours from start to finish. Our sweet boy’s lung valve was too narrow, so he received a patch to help expand it rather than having it stretched.

REUNITED WITH OUR SON

Just like there is not anything that will prepare you for surgery, there is nothing that will prepare you for seeing your child right after surgery. He was completely sedated and still using a breathing tube with wires, and tubes connecting him to the monitors.

GRATITUDE

Our surgeon is without a doubt a hero in our story. By stopping our son’s heart, he restarted our lives. And because of that, we are forever grateful for him. While it doesn’t seem like things ever go just right for us, his recovery went as perfect as can be. He moved right along in the process and amazed the doctors and nurses. We were discharged just four days after open heart surgery. If that isn’t the definition of a Warrior, then I don’t know what is.

At only three years old, Waylon has already faced more obstacles than most adults. He has a condition that will be with him for life, but my goal is to try to allow him to set his own limitations. Of course, as a mother, I would prefer to put him in bubble wrap and keep him safe. He is continually testing the world around him and in doing so, is quickly adding to my collection of grey hair.

Only time will tell what the future holds for our son. We have been told to expect another surgery when he outgrows the patch placed on his lung valve. It is something I try not to dwell on and instead I stay focused on the present. We now know there is a light at the end of the tunnel and our little heart warrior has guided the way.

Kara Fanning lives in Gonzales with her husband Marc and son, Waylon and daughter, Autry. Kara graduated from Fresno State with a Bachelors Degree in Animal Science and is a stay at home mother. Kara hopes to someday start a non-profit to help other families affected by congenital heart defects. To read more about Waylon’s journey, please visit the family’s Facebook page at TheWarrior_Way.

Ten Ways to Stress Less This Holiday Season

By Monterey Bay Parent Editors | November 19, 2018

It’s supposed to be the most joyful time of the year, full of friends, family, and festivities. But research confirms a different reality–most Americans have elevated stress levels during the holiday season. Instead of being full of good tidings and cheer, families often feel drained of time, energy and peace. Stressors such as crowds and lines, party planning, financial concerns and trying to make the holidays perfect can make the end of the year hectic and overwhelming. These ten tips will simplify the season and make it merry and bright.

1. Focus on your reason for the season. Why are you celebrating? Is it for religious reasons? Maybe you want to spend time with friends and family or enjoy the spirit of giving during the holidays. Keep what is most important about the holidays at the center of your celebration. Reconsider any task or commitment that takes your time, energy, enjoyment or finances away from your reason for celebrating in the first place.

2. Set firm boundaries around your time. With all the holiday volunteering, office parties and family gatherings, it’s easy to overcommit yourself. This year, pick one project you want to volunteer your time to, or pick a variety of simple acts of kindness you can do with your family. Spend time with your friends and loved ones, but don’t feel guilty if you don’t go to every party or gathering.

3. Let go of Martha. One of the most stress-relieving things you can do at the holidays is set the bar a little lower. Martha Stewart is an elegant hostess, but you don’t have to do everything the way Martha would to have a beautiful season. Embrace simpler decorations, meals and gift giving than you have in the past. Try quick shortcuts or holiday hacks. If you let go of expectations, you may be pleasantly surprised to find yourself content with a celebration you hadn’t even envisioned.

4. Farm out your to-do list. At the beginning of the season make a to-do list of what you want to accomplish. If you find that it is too long for the amount of time that you have, consider delegating some of the items. You might even consider setting aside some of your Christmas funds specifically so you can hire others to help. Have groceries delivered, and buy gifts online to avoid the holiday rush. Grocery stores also have a plethora of pre-packaged holiday foods that can cut down on your time in the kitchen. Buy desserts from your local bakery, and shop at stores that provide wrapping stations. No time to clean the house? Hire a cleaning service just for the holiday season or ask for this service as a gift.

5. Gift others with experiences. Shopping at the holidays can be time-consuming and nerve-wracking with crowds and traffic. If you don’t start early, coveted items sell out, leaving you scrambling for another gift. Ask those you give gifts to if there is an experience they would like to have. Tickets to the theatre? Family passes to an amusement park or aquarium? A relaxing day at the spa? Experiences give friends and family the opportunity to make memories and pamper themselves, unique gifts that are much appreciated.

6. Set a holiday tea time. Recent research shows that drinking green and black tea has many health benefits, including promoting relaxation. Herbal teas, while not true tea, still help with anxiety and stress. In keeping with the holiday spirit, sip some calming peppermint tea, or try chamomile, lemon balm or passionflower.

7. Take a hike. One way to tell your stress to take a hike might be to actually take one yourself. When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins that trigger a happier, more relaxed mood. Aerobic exercise outdoors away from screens, phones and to-do lists can clear your mind and help you keep what’s important in perspective.

8. Reconnect with long lost friends and relatives. Meet with an old friend you haven’t talked to for years, and catch up. Take some time off and visit relatives you miss seeing on a regular basis. Surrounding yourself with people you enjoy is powerful when you want to combat holiday stress.

9. Do something kind for someone else. You don’t have to overcommit yourself to a charity or fundraiser to be kind. Small random acts of kindness can make someone’s day. Let someone in front of you at the supermarket line or let someone drive their car in front of yours in the parking lot. Send an anonymous Christmas card with a gift card to a college student or elderly person that you know is struggling financially. Throw change in Salvation Army buckets. Having a kind spirit chases away stress and keeps the season warm.

10. Celebrate memories more than material possessions. Material gifts are nice, but most of us quickly forget gifts we have received in past years. The thing that we remember the most are the memories we make with friends and family. Make some happy memories this holiday season and bid stress goodbye.

Janeen Lewis is a freelance journalist, teacher and mom to Andrew and Gracie. She has been published in several parenting publications across the country and in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Magic.

Celebrating Baby’s First December Holidays

By Monterey Bay Parent Editors | November 19, 2018

If this will be the first Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year’s celebration with your new grandchild, you might want to take a little time to think about how to approach the coming holidays. There are health issues, gift giving, and chore divisions to consider. If the baby is brand new, it’s even more important to think about and then clearly communicate with the grandchild’s parents and other family members who will be participating in the celebration.

Baby’s Health: Your priority should be protecting the health of your grandchild. If you are feeling under the weather or exhibiting any symptoms of disease such as a cough, fever, or rash, you need to be cleared by a physician before spending time with your newborn grandchild. This goes for all attendees at holiday events. This is an area where you can help your grandchild’s parents by keeping an eye out for ill health that might compromise the child. It can be difficult for a new parent to speak up–especially to an older relative–but no one will think twice about grandma stepping in to advocate for the baby. Remind friends and family to wash their hands, use sanitizer, and try to keep the “passing the baby” game to a minimum. It’s also ok to suggest that baby’s face not be kissed.

Some parents have found that wearing baby snuggled in a wrap makes it easier to keep the baby from being passed from person to person.

As a grandparent who will (hopefully!) be spending lots of time with the new bundle of joy there are several recommended vaccines:

Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis). Tetanus and diphtheria are rare in the United States today, but vaccines are still needed to make sure they remain rare. Pertussis (whooping cough), on the other hand, is a highly contagious respiratory illness that continues to spread.
Flu vaccine. In addition to protecting you, the vaccine helps protect your grandkids from the flu, which can be dangerous for them. Children under the age of five are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications. Also, because their immune systems aren’t fully developed, children have a high risk of contracting the flu. And babies under the age of 6 months are too young to receive a flu shot, so it’s especially important to protect them from flu germs.
MMR (measles, mumps, rubella). If you were born after 1957 and are not immune to measles, you should have the vaccine. A simple blood test can check your immunity level.

Additionally, if you are over 65, you may want to consider a shingles vaccine and a pneumonia vaccine.

How to Help: As grandparents, aunties, uncles, and friends, of course, we are ready and willing to “help” by holding the baby. An even better way to help is to cook and serve food, clear the table, and serve drinks all while the parents sit comfortably and enjoy this special time with their baby.

Also, if mom and baby are learning how to nurse, being in a public place may not be the most comfortable setting, so honor mom if she disappears from the crowd for a bit to feed the baby, or even take a rest.

Gift Giving: Of course, grandparents want to purchase cute clothes, stuffed toys, and lots of sweet stuff made for babies. Be sure to ask baby’s mother and father what their preferences for gifts are before you take out the credit card. They may prefer no plastic items, or they may already have more stuffed animals than they can display. They may also have not received a few items from their gift registry that would be put to use immediately and make a great holiday gift. You may also consider reducing the gifts entirely and setting up and contributing to a college fund for your grandchild.

My favorite gifts for my grandchildren have been books. Plus, a holiday ornament with baby’s name on it. When your grandchild has grown and is ready to create their family traditions, you can gift them with a set of well-loved ornaments that have been collected through the years.

Building memories, isn’t that what holidays are all about? Wishing you and your family the best for a relaxed and happy holiday.

Gail Root, M.A., facilitates Roots and Wings Parent Coaching and from Cradle to College & Guidance for Grandparents. You can get information at www.rootsandwingsparentcoaching.com. Gail is Nama to Quinn, age 6 ½; Spencer, 3 ½ and twins Reece & Kendall, 1 ½.