May Health Awareness

This month in our blog posts and social media outlets, we highlighted numerous health awarenesses. Today being the last day in May, we shed light on a few of the health awarenesses that we may have missed. These resources can be helpful for future event planning within your organization as well as just being able to become more proactive in different outlets in the community. 

May is....

Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month! Cystic Fibrosis is a condition that can affect multiple organs. It can cause damage to the respiratory and digestive

systems. In May, people across the US tell their stories to facilitate progress towards a cure!

Lupus Awareness Month! This past May 10th, was the 16th observance of World Lupus Day. As this is a global health issue that affects people from all walks of life, everyone everywhere was encouraged to go purple for Lupus!

Arthritis Awareness Month! 1 in 4 US adults are affected by Arthritis. During the month of May, people raise awareness by holding nationwide walks. Although many have ended for our Midwestern region, there are still many happening throughout June in other parts of the country. 

National High Blood Pressure Education Month! As we have previously highlighted in other posts, this is also Stroke Awareness Month and May 17th was World Hypertension Day. Helping to understand the basics of high blood pressure can help one lower and monitor many of these health risks. 

Ouch! (Bugs bite!)

Its the most wonderful time of the year! There is no better feeling than opening your window to let in the fresh air you have been missing all winter, smelling the fresh cut grass, feeling the sun on your face and then ZAP! A mosquito bites your arm. This is the story that tons of people worldwide will experience this year.

Bug bites can happen in all sorts of situations. They can be pests that invade your homes such as bed bugs, spiders and ants. Or, you could get bitten by just going on a nature hike near your home by ticks, mosquitos, bees/wasps or even ladybugs!

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology says that 5 insects are known to cause allergic reactions to people in the US. It is vital that you know how to protect your self from bug bites and what you should do if an event arises where you would need medical attention from a sting or bite. Using insect repellent on your skin that contains DEET or Picaridin will help to keep away both mosquitos and ticks. These types of repellents can be purchased at most big box retailers. You can also use products that contain Permethrin in them to treat clothing and camping gear (this product should not come in contact with your skin!) to prevent bug bites as well. These products can have long-lasting effects on fabrics but should be used with caution. Wearing long sleeves and pants will also be a bug deterrent when outdoors. 

Enjoying nature at its peak is a worldwide pastime! Learn more below about how to prevent bug bites and what to do in case of a bug bite.

Prevent Mosquito Bites
Information about Permethrin
Insect Sting Allergy Symptoms & Management
Identifying Bugs and Their Bites

Protect the Skin You are in!

 

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. UV radiation can also come from tanning booths or sunlamps. The most dangerous kind of skin cancer is called melanoma.

The good news? Skin cancer can almost always be cured when it’s found and treated early – and that includes melanoma. We can work together to prevent skin cancer or find it early, when it’s easier to treat.

This May, spread the word about strategies for preventing skin cancer and encourage organizations, communities, and families to get involved.

How can Skin Cancer Prevention Month make a difference?
We can use this month to raise awareness about skin cancer and help people take action to prevent or detect it – both at home and in the community.

Here are just a few ideas:

• Encourage families to adopt good habits together, like wearing sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and limiting their time in the sun.
• Motivate teachers and administrators to educate kids about the harm of UV radiation and why it’s important to protect yourself.
• Identify youth leaders in your community who can talk to their peers about how to prevent skin cancer.
• Host a skin cancer screening event.

Helpful Resources:

• Skin Care and Aging
• Skin Cancer (Including Melanoma)—Patient Version
• Skin Cancer (Including Melanoma)—Health Professional Version
• Detect skin cancer
• Sunscreen FAQs
• Sun Safety Tips

Hello Spring (& Rain)!

"March winds and April showers bring May flowers and June bugs!" This popular limerick has never been so prevalent as is has been these past few years here in Ohio. So as the temperatures are ever changing, what should you know to be prepared for spring?

Temperatures can go back and forth on a daily basis. One day it can be 70 degrees, the next day, it could be snowing! (let's hope it's not snowing in June!) According to the CDC, Thunderstorms cause the most severe spring weather. Thunderstorms can bring on lightning, tornadoes, and flooding. It's important

you use caution in these types of weather conditions. 

Bugs are also one of the many wonders of spring! The warmer weather causes these creatures to come out of cocoons and enjoy the sunshine. Ants, roaches, spiders, bees, and silverfish all like to resurface around the spring. A little spring cleaning around your home or office can help you to keep up with any possible nuisance that may be lurking. Also, if you are allergic to bug bites, it might be a good idea to keep medication around just in case of an emergency. 

Speaking of allergies, Spring and allergies are almost synonymous. With everything in full bloom and pollen starting to be released, seasonal allergies and hayfever are bound to arise for many people. Lots of plants can cause seasonal allergies and a simple allergy test can identify which ones are specific to you. Speak to a physician on how you combat seasonal allergies. 

This week is Hurricane Preparedness Week. While a hurricane in Ohio is unlikely, here is some information on how to prepare for floods, hurricanes and similar distasters.


Helpful Links

Emergency Preparedness Resources
First Aid Kit Supplies for an Emergency
Air Quality Awareness Week April 29th to May 3rd
How to Handle Your Spring Allergies

Wearable Health Trackers

As smartphones become smarter, so do the apps! Our phones are our everything as they are basically tiny computers in our pockets. Within the last few years, health applications have become increasingly popular. Many smartphones even come equipped

with health tracking features already built into the interface of the phone. These features can be synced with phone-specific smartwatches as well.

So how do you know which app is the best one for you? There are many factors that can come into play when asking yourself this question as there are tons of health applications out there. Things you can consider when looking for a health app would be:

• What information are you looking to track
• Does your phone come with a health tracking feature
• The cost of the application
• Do you need a smartwatch to use the app
• Is your phone capable of using the app/will the app consume a lot of data or space

These are just a few things to consider before you invest time and potentially money into a fitness or health tracker. 

Helpful links:

-The most popular free apps to keep you healthy in 2018

-Who Uses Mobile Phone Health Apps and Does Use Matter? A Secondary Data Analytics Approach

-Best Health And Fitness Apps 2019