June 2020

We still need to be washing our hands!

Reminder to wash your hands. We are getting back to somewhat normal life. Please keep the habit of washing your hands.

Several months ago when Covid 19 was just starting in the US, we were all washing our hands. We were counting to 20, or singing the ABCs, or happy birthday (hopefully in our heads). We were using hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. We were being clean. Are you still doing these things or have you given away back to old habits.

It seems that Covid 19 is still rising in some areas. Is this because we are testing more? Is this because we are getting back to business as usual? Is this because we are not wearing mask in public? Is this because we are not washing our hands as much? Whatever the cause or combination of the causes, we are only able to control what we do. Here is my last post on hand washing and which is still relevant today.

Have you ever wished there was a big sign outside the restroom that flashed “DID NOT WASH HANDS”? Most of us think of hand washing after using the restroom. However, do you wash them correctly? Most people do not! I have read up to 95% of people, wash their hands incorrectly. What is proper technique? Here is a video to watch.

Unfortunately, it takes a major health scare, like coronavirus, to encourage us to WASH OUR HANDS. Since we were little, we have heard wash your hands. All through elementary school, middle school, high school we were told to wash our hands. We taught our children the same thing. So now let’s get to the reason behind washing our hands.

Handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is a way to scrub germs off of your hands. You should wash your hands:

Before and after eating
After using the restroom
Before and after cooking (especially raw meat)
After changing a baby diaper
After petting animals
When visibly soiled
Visiting elderly family either at their home or the hospital
Any other time you think to wash your hands.
Pretty much after any activity.

Hand washing is the most effective form of staying healthy. It helps prevent spreading infections such as diarrheal illnesses and respiratory illness. There have been many studies about hand washing and found that most people do not take the time to wash hands properly. Most give the reason “I don’t have time to spend 20 secs washing my hands”. Especially caregivers who go from one patient to another. This prompted the invention of hand sanitizers as they can be used in place of soap and water, during most situations. Hand sanitizers are hanging on the walls in most public areas. You wave your hand, and a palm full of sanitizer is released. You then can rub hands together until it is dried. Read the recommendations, as most say that you should still use soap and water every so many times of using sanitizer.

The coronavirus is among us and most likely a large percentage of us will get exposed. The best practices to help stop the spread is social isolation and hand washing. The CDC has this information about hand washing in PDF forms, PDF handouts you can print to use at home and office to help with education and remind others to wash hands.

I found a great article from the Minnesota Department of Health about what type of soap to use, plain or antibacterial, liquid or bar, and when should you use hand sanitizer. These are a little different from what the CDC states in the above video, but both offer great information.

Thanks for taking time to read or reread about hand washing. I challenge you to WASH THOSE HANDS FOR AT LEAST 20 SECONDS with soap and water. In all the scenarios listed above and any other time you think of it. Let’s stay clean! Whether Covid, flu or any other illness, clean hands are a main habit of defense.

Daddy, Dad, Father

Daddy, Dad, Father, Grandfather only a few of the name’s men acquire when they become dads. Today is Father’s Day. The day we buy the men in our lives a little something extra. Normally it is a cute gift the kids have made. Then as they age comes the coupon book of chores, the kids are willing to do for dad, over the next few weeks. As adults we tend to be a little more creative and get our father’s something, we feel they need. This is not always what they feel they need.

Father and Son working on a project — Father and son working on a project!

Father’s Day began in 1910 and to be celebrated on the third Sunday of June. Sonora Smart Dodd founded Father’s Day in America. According to Wikipedia in catholic Europe it dates back to 1508. A bill was introduced in congress in 1913 to recognize this day in the US. In 1916 President Wilson tried to get it recognized as a federal holiday, but congress resisted. There was fear it would be commercialized. There were several attempts, but a bill was not signed into law, until 1972, by president Nixon.

Proverbs 23:24 “the father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him”

Every year on the 3^rd Sunday of June we celebrate our Father’s. We celebrate in our own ways. We know that we are blessed to have father’s in our lives. These men help support our families. They teach us how to fish, hunt or build a camp fire. They mow the yard, fix the fence and some work inside the house too. Whatever you father does, whatever he teaches you, cherish those moments. Our father’s are here to teach, love and comfort us, often they are not here long. Even the ones who are here a hundred years or more we miss when they are gone.

Proverbs 23:22 “listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.”

Today, I hope you are celebrating your Daddy, Dad, Father. Today let them know that today is their day. Give them that tie, coupon book, or just a great big hug. If they are miles away, give them a call or text. They will cherish these moments.

Bipolar, What????

Mental health is misunderstood by many people. General information about bipolar.

Bipolar is a mental health condition that affects 2.8 million Americans, per Dr. Legg’s artical. It is normally diagnosed when people are in their early 20’s, but can be diagnosed in children. There are different types, but I will be general in this post. Bipolar is treated based on the type you have. The NIMH(National Institute of Mental Health has a great overview of the three types. You will need to be evaluated by a medical professional for diagnoses. This is an overview for informational purposes only. It is not and should not be considered medical advise. You should always see your healthcare professional with your health concerns.

Bipolar is a mood disorder that can have episodes of mania, a hyper sense of security. It can also have very deep depressive symptoms. “It is characterized by a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable moods. Increased activity or energy lasting at least one week and , present most of the day nearly every day.” (Uptodate).

Bipolar disrupts mood, energy, activity, sleep, cognition, and behavior. Many with bipolar struggle to maintain what we would consider a normal life. They have trouble with keeping a job and with interpersonal relationships.

There are many potential symptoms which include inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, but not feeling tired, more pressure to talk or being more talkative than normal. Flights of ideas, being easily distracted. The opposite is being down, depressed, unable to get up in the morning. They can have symptoms in between the sudden ups or downs. While the ups and downs can hit quickly, they normally do not leave as quickly. These swings are normally around a week or longer.

Bipolar type symptoms can be from other substances and or medical conditions. They can include substances such as alcohol, illegal drugs, psychiatric treatments, and some general medical treatments. Neurological, endocrine, and infectious disease conditions can also cause symptoms similar to bipolar. Before making the diagnosis, it is important to rule out any of these causes. Therefore, blood is drawn and urine checked. Once these are found to be normal, the provider may consider a diagnoses of bipolar.

The good news is that there is help for folks who have bipolar. There have been several newer medications to help with the symptoms. The issues with side effects are a little better with the newer drugs. Some of the older medications had stricter guidelines for blood testing and monitoring. They also had higher incidences of intolerance.

Do you or someone you know have bipolar? What are some of the things you do to help with symptoms? Do you take a medication that has done wonders for you? Please comment below if you have information you would like to share!

This is not medical advice nor will any of the comments below be considered medical advice. This is for information purposes only. This is not treatment or to be considered treatment for you or your family. If you feel you have some of these symptoms, see your primary care provider to have further evaluation for your specific needs. Thanks

Fight for life, do your self breast exam!

Learning about self breast exams. They can save your life.

Ladies and gentlemen, do you do monthly self-breast exams? Yes, the guys have it easier. Early detection is a big key to beating breast cancer. A while back I had a post about preventive healthcare for men ,and for women. Today we will talk breast self-exams.

According to Cancer.org last revised Jan 2020 “The American Cancer Society’s estimates for breast cancer in the United States for 2020 are:

About 276,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women.

About 48,530 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be diagnosed (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer).

About 42,170 women will die from breast cancer.”

Men also can have breast cancer and Cancer.org has information about breast cancer in Men. According to cancer.net “An estimated 2,620 men in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer.”

The basics,if you do a self-exam every month, you will learn the feel of your breast. You will notice, if something, just does not feel right. If this happens make an appointment with your primary care provider, to discuss further evaluation. According to National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. “Forty percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump, so establishing a regular breast self-exam is very important.” National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc offers The free resource, 3 Steps to Early Detection. They also offer information on how to do you self breast exam. Breastcancer.org has great information on self breast exams and what to do if you find something that concerns you.

There are many ways to remind yourself. Set an appointment on your phone calendar, for the same date each month. A sticker on your wall calendar(printable here). Always, do it the second Sunday, or if female after your menses. You get the idea, just figure out what will remind you and do your self exam. You could be saving your own life.

Here are some great tools for learning to do your exams. You should start doing these exams around age 20, according to most experts. Clinical exams are completed when you have yearly well women exams. These guidelines change with time, however, there is no cost and no harm in doing your self exam so consider doing them.

Now for the how to do a self breast exam. There are many sites that have handouts (some of the links, listed above also, have them). There are you tube videos(like the one below) you can watch. It is a matter of remembering to do them and being consistent with doing them. Our local TV network runs a campaign called “buddy check 3” you sign up with a friend to remind each other to do their self exam on the 3rd day of the month.

Breast cancer kills both women and men every year. To increase your chances complete your self exam monthly. Do you have a story to share? Did you find something concerning during your self exam? Do you and a buddy remind each other? Feel free to share in comments below.

This is not medical advise, this is for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for seeing your primary care provider. If you have concerns make an appointment with your primary care provider to address them.