Most people can hardly wait for the arrival of spring, following the cough, cold and flu season, cold weather and being cooped up indoors from the cold.

But along with the warm weather comes the pollens and molds that plague those of us with seasonal al-lergies. People with seasonal allergies often forget about their plight over the winter months. Before they can fully enjoy the spring and summer weather, nasal itching, runny nose, sneezing, stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes zero in to spoil the fun.

Here are six tips:1. Visit your doctor. Talk to your doctor about starting your allergy medications before the pollens and molds get underway. Non-drowsy antihistamines are preferred. Prescrip-tion nasal sprays (nasal steroids) have become key players in managing nasal allergies. They should also be started at 1-2 weeks before your pol-len season begins.

2. Keep windows and doors shut at home. Your screens will not keep out those tiny pollens and molds that may

find their way to your eyes and nose even while inside the house. Consider running the air conditioner earlier in the year if it gets stuffy.

3. Keep the car windows up. When in your car, keep your windows up. If you can adjust your vent to recir-

culate inter-compartment air, do it! This also means keeping the sunroof closed.

4. Time outdoor activities properly. Try to avoid outdoor activities in the early and mid-morning hours. Pollen

counts tend to be higher in the morn-ing.

Empowering You to Get Well, Stay Well and Live Well!

APRIL, MAY &JUNE 2014ISSUE 2 VOL. 3

at homeHealthy Living

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Six Tips for Surviving Spring Allergy Season

“The best advice for surviving spring is to know what triggers your allergies and to avoid those triggers where possible. The Spring presents its own set of challenges because of all the different types of pollens floating in the air. Your physician can help you to find the right medication for your type of allergy so you can get ahead of it — more like preventing the allergic response before it happens.”

- Anne Cofield, Director, Respiratory Care & Neurology Services

Houston Healthcare

Caring for a Child with Asthma

Understanding basic facts about asthma and especially how to manage it, is a critical issue for anyone who cares for children. This educational seminar is especially useful for teachers, coaches, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, administrators, day care providers, school nurses and par-ents. Cost is free. Refreshments served.

To pre-register, call 923-9771 or register online at

www.hhc.org/calendar.

Thursday, May 1Refreshments: 4:30 pm

Speaker: 5 pm

Houston Health Pavilion EduCare Center

233 North Houston RoadWarner Robins

Continued on page 2

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Parents and coaches can help prevent childhood sports injuries by following some simple safety

guidelines:

• Using proper equipment. It’s important that children use equipment and safety gear that is appropriate for their chosen sport and that fits them well.

• Maintaining and choosing appropriate playing surfaces. Playing fields should be free of holes and ruts that could cause children to fall or trip.

• Adequate adult supervision with an emphasis on safety. Any team sport or activity that involves children should be supervised by qualified adults.

• Proper preparation. To avoid injury, parents should make sure their children know how to play their chosen sport before they take the field. Coaches should make sure players are warmed up and ready to play before practice sessions, as well as game-time. Children should also be well hydrated and allowed to rest during practices and games.

• Pre-game physicals. A pre-game physical is recommended because it can help identify any health conditions a child may have that parents and coaches need to be aware of in order to keep him or her safe during practices and games.

Sports Safety Tips to Keep Kids Injury FreeApril is National Youth Sports Safety Month

“To decrease the risk of injury and fully enjoy the thrill of playing sports, coaches, parents and players should familiarize themselves with safety guidelines for their particular sport.”

- Mike Edgar, Sports Medicine Manager Houston Healthcare

• Acute injuries happen suddenly and are usually associated with some form of trauma.

• Overuse injuries are caused by repetitive motions that put too much stress on the bones and muscles.

• Reinjuries happen when a child returns to playing before a previous injury has sufficiently healed.

• Dehydration or heat-related illnesses occur when more fluids leave the body through sweating, urination, diarrhea and/or vomiting than are replaced.

Common Types of Sports Injuries in Children

5. Take your antihistamines. If yard work is unavoidable, take your antihistamine at least two hours before going out if it is a once or twice daily pill. Consider wear-ing a dust mask and glasses while working. Remove your clothing and take a shower immediately after going back in the house.

6. Know your allergens. If you have some allergy symp-toms during winter months

you are probably allergic to dust mites, pets or mold spores. Indoor environmental controls may help you during the outdoor allergy seasons by reducing your response to these indoor triggers over night. Sometimes indoor trig-gers are more of a problem when the outdoor allergens pick up (a process called priming). Referenced from: http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/hay-fever-210211-5_2.html

Allergy Season, continued from front pageUpcoming Classes

Fresh Start Tobacco CessationApril 14, 21 & 284:30 - 6 pmHouston Health Pavilion EduCare Center233 North Houston RoadWarner Robins

Friends and Family First AidJune 7 • 8:30 - 11:30 amHMC Learning Center110 Hospital DriveWarner Robins

Grandparenting 101June 12 • 6:30 - 8 pmHouston Health PavilionEduCare Center233 North Houston RoadWarner Robins

Baby Care Boot CampJune 21 • 9 am - 1 pmHouston Health PavilionEduCare Center233 North Houston RoadWarner Robins

Pre-registration is required. Call 923-9771.

Just a few serious sunburns can increase your child's risk of skin cancer later in life. Kids don't have to be at the pool, beach, or on vacation to get too much sun. Their skin needs protection from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever they're outdoors.

Seek shade. UV rays are strongest and most harmful during midday, so it's best to plan indoor activities then. If this is not possible, seek shade under a tree, an umbrella, or a pop-up tent. Use these

options to prevent sunburn, not to seek relief after it's happened.

Cover up. Clothing that covers your child's skin helps protect against UV rays. Although a long-sleeved shirt and long pants with a tight weave are best, they aren't always practical. A T-shirt,

long shorts, or a beach cover-up are good choices, too—but it's wise to double up on protection by apply-ing sunscreen or keeping your child in the shade when possible.

Get a hat. Hats that shade the face, scalp, ears, and neck are easy to use and give great protec-tion. Baseball caps are popular among kids, but they don't protect their ears and neck. If

your child chooses a cap, be sure to protect exposed areas with sunscreen.

Wear sunglasses. They protect your child's eyes from UV rays, which can lead to cataracts later in life. Look for sunglasses

that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.

Apply sunscreen. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and UVA and UVB protection every time your child goes outside. For the best protection, apply sunscreen generously 30 minutes before going outdoors. Don't forget to protect ears, noses, lips, and the tops of feet.

Take sunscreen with you to reapply during the day, especially after your child swims or exercises. This applies to waterproof and water-resistant prod-ucts as well.

Follow the directions on the package for using a sunscreen product on babies less than 6 months old. All products do not have the same ingredients; if you or your child's skin reacts badly to one product, try another one or call a doctor. Your baby's best defense against sunburn is avoiding the sun or staying in the shade.

Keep in mind, sunscreen is not meant to allow kids to spend more time in the sun than they would otherwise. Try combining sunscreen with other options to prevent UV damage.

Too Much Sun HurtsWarning: Even a few serious sunburns can increase your child's risk of getting skin cancer.

Turning pink? Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun's UV rays in as little as 15 minutes. Yet it can take up to 12 hours for skin to show the full effect of sun exposure. So, if your child's skin looks "a little pink" today, it may be burned tomorrow morning. To prevent further burning, get your child out of the sun.

Tan? There's no other way to say it—tanned skin is damaged skin. Any change in the color of your child's skin after time outside—whether sunburn or suntan—indicates damage from UV rays.

Cool and cloudy? Children still need protection. UV rays, not the temperature, do the damage. Clouds do not block UV rays, they filter them—and sometimes only slightly.

Oops! Kids often get sunburned when they are out-doors unprotected for longer than expected. Remem-ber to plan ahead, and keep sun protection handy—in your car, bag, or child's backpack.

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How Can I Protect My Children from the Sun?

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/children.htm

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June is Men’s Health MonthIn recognition of Men’s Health Month, Houston Healthcare en-courages men to step up and take charge of their health. Regular check-ups and age-appropriate screenings can improve your health and reduce premature death and disability. It’s important to schedule an appointment with your physician to determine

the most appropriate screenings for your age, medical history and family history. Below is a checklist that can help guide you through the years. Don’t forget to wear blue during the month of June in support of Men’s Health Month.

* African-American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer may wish to begin prostate screening at age 40, or earlier. Cited: www.menshealthnetwork.org

Check-ups and Screenings When? Ages 20-29

Ages 40-49

Ages 50+

Physical Exam: review overall health status, perform a thorough physical exam and discuss health related topics.

Every 3 years Every 2 yearsEvery year

√ √

√

Blood Pressure: high blood pressure (hypertension) has no symptoms, but can cause permanent damage to body organs. Every year √ √ √

TB Skin Test: should be done on occasion of exposure or suggestive symptoms at direction of physician. Some occupations may require more frequent testing for public health indications.

Every 5 years

√

√

√

Blood Tests & Urinalysis: screens for various illnesses and diseases (such as cholesterol, diabetes, kidney or thyroid dysfunction) before symptoms occur.

Every 3 years Every 2 years Every year

√ √

√

EKG: electrocardiogram screens for heart abnormalities. Baseline Every 4 yearsEvery 3 years

At 30 √

√

Tetanus Booster: Prevents lockjaw. Every 10 years √ √ √Rectal Exam: screens for hemorrhoids, lower rectal problems, colon and prostate cancer. Every year √ √ √

PSA Blood Test: Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is produced by the prostate. Levels rise when there is an abnormality such as an infection, enlargement or cancer. Testing should be done in collaboration with your physician.

Every year * √

Hemoccult: screens the stool for microscopic amounts of blood that can be the first indication of polyps or colon cancer. Every year √ √

Colorectal Health: a flexible scope examines the rectum, sigmoid and de-scending colon for cancer at its earliest and treatable stages. It also detects polyps, which are benign growths that can progress to cancer if not found early.

Every 3-4 years √

Chest X-Ray: should be considered in smokers over the age of 45. The usefulness of this test on a yearly basis is debatable due to poor cure rates of lung cancer.

Discuss with a physician

√

√

Self-Exams: Testicle: to find lumps in their earliest stages. Skin: to look for signs of changing moles, freckles, or early skin cancer. Oral: to look for signs of cancerous lesions in the mouth. Breast: to find abnormal lumps in their earliest stages.

Monthly by self √ √ √

Bone Health: bone mineral density test. Testing is best done under the supervision of your physician.

Discuss with a physician Age 60

Testosterone Screening: low testosterone symptoms include low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, fatigue and depression. Initial screening for symptoms with a questionnaire followed by a simple blood test.

Discuss with a physician √ √

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): sexually active adults who consider themselves at risk for STDs should be screened for syphilis, chlamydia and other STDs.

Under physician supervision

√ Discuss Discuss