Personal Health Tips
Scott Braden, RPh
Independent Certified Health Coach, Take Shape for Life
- Comfort Food. Most people believe comfort food improves moods. This is not true. Research has found that people who ate nothing recovered from a bad mood as quickly as those who ate their preferred comfort food. Comfort food leads to improvements in mood, but no more than do other foods or no food. You don’t need comfort food to feel better; the mind will do the trick all on its own if you give it time.
- Look Where You Want to Go. Can you drive forward by looking in your rear view mirror? When you look at the ceiling, can you see the floor? Your health destination is the same. If you are constantly telling yourself “I can’t lose weight” or “I can’t get healthy,” you won’t, because that is where you are looking. Turn all your negatives into positives, and after a while, you will be headed down the positive path of health.
- Use Your GPS to Guide You to Optimal Health. Program your GPS with your health destination. If you don’t know where you are going, you cannot arrive at your destination. Would you give up if you got a flat tire along your vacation route? Would you drive halfway and decide to turn around? No. If your goal is to lose 25 pounds, why stop after 10 pounds and go back to your old habits?
Related: Big Dublin companies make big investments in employee wellness
Hospice Care Tips
Dr. Joette Greenstein, Medical Director
VITAS Healthcare, Dublin
- Hospice Care: Hospice is an option when a patient has a life-limiting illness that is no longer responding to treatment, or has decided to forgo any further treatment for an illness. Hospice then provides care at the end of life, treating symptoms and addressing the emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and family. Hospice care is provided by an interdisciplinary team made up of physicians, nurses, hospice aides, social workers, chaplains, bereavement managers and trained volunteers.
- Hospice Illnesses. Hospice is not just for patients with cancer. Hospice is for patients with cancer and non-cancer related illnesses. Hospice is provided to patients who have reached an end stage to any illness, such as stroke; heart, lung, kidney and liver disease; dementia; Parkinson’s disease; and neurological disorders such as ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
- Hospice Providers: It is important to ask if the hospice provider offers Intensive Comfort Care. This is a level of care offered under the Medicare hospice benefit that enables the patient to remain at home during increased symptoms. Home could be a private home, retirement community, assisted living facility or nursing home. With Intensive Comfort Care, there is 24-hour care until the symptoms are improved, eliminating the need to go into an inpatient unit.
Winter Weather Skin Tips
Dr. Mary Beth Luca
Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery of Dublin
- One of the best things you can do to keep skin healthy is replenish moisture. Limit shower time and use warm, not excessively hot, water. Use a gentle cleanser such as Cetaphil, Cera Ve or Aveeno, or a moisturizing body wash such as Dove. Stay away from deodorant or fragranced soaps. Also, snow can reflect about 80 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays, so it is imperative to make sunscreen part of your daily routine.
- Apply moisturizer within a few minutes of towel drying. Choose a moisturizer that contains a thick cream base such as Cetaphil or an ointment base such as Aveeno Skin Relief Healing Ointment. Consider adding a humidifier to your bedroom or living room to counteract the dry heat in your home. Drink plenty of water to keep skin and mucous membranes hydrated. This will assist the immune system in fighting infection.
- The more dry lips become, the more we tend to lick or wet them, ultimately drying them out further. To protect, apply a thin film of Aquaphor ointment or Vaseline throughout the day. As well, some people develop painful cracks or fissures in their fingertips, which can become infected. Protect hands with gloves during outdoor exposure and apply Aquaphor generously in the evenings. If severe, a visit to your dermatologist may be in order.
Tooth Care Tips
Drs. Scott Bossert, Brooke Fox, Melissa Baker, Michael Willmann and Lori Cronin
The Gentle Dentist, Worthington
- Flossing does not just have to be done before bed. You can floss anytime it is convenient. Floss while watching TV or after lunch. You can even floss in the shower. “I’m too tired” is not an excuse.
- Want whiter teeth but think there is never a convenient time to wear your trays or strips? Place them in when you get into the shower in the morning and they will be ready to remove when you walk out the door. It only takes 30 minutes.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables. Carbs break down your teeth as much as sugars do. Eat healthy for your body and for your mouth.
Winter Injury Prevention Tips
Dr. Jason Hurst
Joint Implant Surgeons Inc., New Albany
- Get Ready for the Slopes: The vast majority of all ski injuries happen after 2 p.m., when skiers are tired or may have started “Après Ski” a little early. The key to preventing injury is being prepared for the demands of skiing with adequate cardiovascular, plyometric and balance training before your trip. In addition, warm up and stretch before you hit the slopes and be sure to stay well hydrated in the dry winter air.
- Be Careful Shoveling Snow: Snow can be very heavy, and moving a lot of snow can hurt your shoulders and back. Be sure to push the snow rather than throw it. Stay warm to keep your muscles flexible. Get help if you get tired. Never try throwing the snow too far; you put your back and rotator cuff at risk for injury.
- Avoid Falls: Falls in the wintertime account for a large number of the shoulder, wrist and hip fractures that orthopedic surgeons treat every year. Prevention is the key! Always wear appropriate footwear when walking outside in the winter. Take shorter, slower steps in slippery conditions. Use a railing if you can. Keep your walkway clear and salted if it is prone to freezing. If you do fall and have significant pain, see an orthopedic doctor as soon as you can for an evaluation.
