Regional Medical Center - Bayonet Point

Summer Health Myths & Facts

laicos — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:56:32 +0000

Learn the truth behind all the old wives’ tales you heard as a kid.

You can almost hear your mother’s voice when someone says, “You just ate! Wait 30 minutes before going back into the pool.” So, are they urban legends or truth? Let’s examine the myths and facts of these summertime rules.

Don’t swim after eating.
The reasoning behind this pool rule was that a swimmer with a full belly would suffer from cramps and drown. The idea is partly true. After eating, blood heads to the gastrointestinal tract to aid in digestion and carry nutrients throughout the body. With blood gathering in the gut, cramping is a possibility. However, suffering cramps severe enough to cause drowning is unlikely.

Fact: Waiting it out is not such a bad idea. But if you can’t wait to hit the water, head back to the beach and rest if you start to feel cramps.

Tilt your head and jump up and down to get that water out of your ear.
Jumping up and down with your head tilted does nothing more than make you look silly. The ear canal is curved, so it needs some maneuvering to release trapped water. Put your index finger above your earlobe on the front of your ear and your thumb on the back your ear on the cartilage. Gently tug and wiggle and straighten the canal to release the water.

Fact: Leaving water inside can lead to swimmer’s ear.

Don’t drink out of the hose
While it is unlikely to find a germ haven in the garden hose, it just common sense to not drink from it. Let’s put it this way: if you don’t know where it has been, don’t put it in your mouth. You can’t be completely certain that the seemingly harmless hose isn’t breaking down plastic chemicals into the water.

Fact: It’s safer to drink from the tap or from a bottle of water.

Everyone at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point wishes you a safe and happy summer. To learn more about staying safe this summer, call our free Consult-A-Nurse® service 24 hours a day at 1-888-741-5119 to ask any health questions or to receive a physician referral.

3 Ways to Make Your Summer Vacation Healthier

laicos — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:58:55 +0000

Don’t throw healthy decisions to the wayside just because you’re on vacation.

Sure, vacation is a break from the daily grind. But, it doesn’t mean you have to take a break from healthy eating and healthful decisions. Believe it or not, just taking a vacation is good for your health. Taking time away from work decreases the likelihood of becoming depressed, slightly reduces the risk of heart attack and reduces stress.

Make your vacation even better with these tips to make your trip a healthy one.

Eat well. Eat local.
Traveling gives you an opportunity to sample the local faire. Choose dishes full of local fruits and vegetables and follow these rules for healthy eating away from home:

Avoid fast food.
Have healthy snacks available.
Share your meal to reduce portion sizes.
Skip dessert.

Get out. Get moving.
Use your vacation as a platform to try new sports or activities. Regardless what you try, don’t spend your holiday lying around the entire time. Here are some suggestions to make your vacation a “fitcation”:

Start your morning with a walk on the beach or around town.
Traverse the local terrain through hiking, climbing or biking.
Hit the water with swimming, snorkeling, or surfing.
Find the green at the local golf course.

Be Prepared. Be Safe.
Before leaving home, you may want to research the area you are visiting and learn about medial facilities available in case of emergency. Also, take the following precautions:

Pack all necessary medication for all travelers. Include extra doses in case you get stranded in an airport or elsewhere.
If you are traveling abroad, check with your doctor to see if you need any vaccinations before leaving.
Make sure you have sunscreen and other sun protection gear.

Regional Medical Center wishes you safe and happy travels on your upcoming vacations. If you need a check-up or vaccinations before traveling abroad, contact our free Consult-A-Nurse® service with any health questions or physician referral at 1-888-741-5119.

Which Sunscreen is Best?

laicos — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:57:52 +0000

Protect your skin from harmful sun exposure with the right sunscreen.

Summer is approaching and you are itching to get out into the beautiful Florida sunshine. Before you do, make sure your skin is protected with the right sunscreen.

You may remember the old adage, “The higher the SPF the better.” According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, SPF (sun protection factor) is only half of the equation. Look for a sunscreen that offers “broad spectrum” protection. Broad spectrum sunscreens protect your skin from two types of ultraviolet radiation, UVA and UVB.

SPF
The numerical SPF assigned to a particular sunscreen measures the lotion’s ability to block UVB from damaging the skin. UVB exposure causes sunburn. An SPF of 15 blocks about 93 percent of the UVB rays while SPF 30 filters out 97 percent. If you have fair skin or a history of skin cancer, use a higher SPF.

On another spectrum
Choosing a broad spectrum sunscreen ensures you are also protected from UVA rays, which penetrate deeper and are associated with skin cancer. If the bottle says “Broad Spectrum,” that particular sunscreen has passed the FDA’s rigorous tests to protect you from cancer-causing rays.

The right guy for the job
Once you find a broad spectrum sunscreen, make sure you choose the right type for your activity. If you are spending a small, casual amount of time outside, a moisturizer with a SPF 15 or higher should suffice. However, if you are working outdoors or playing sports, choose a thicker water-resistant lotion.

Follow the directions
Sunscreen is effective when applied correctly. Follow these simple rules.

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure to allow absorption
Reapply every two hours
Apply sunscreen again after swimming, sweating a lot or toweling off

To learn more about skin cancer, visit our online health library. If you suffer a sunburn and need to seek medical advice, contact our free Consult-A-Nurse® service with any healthcare questions or for a physician referral at 1-888-741-5119.

Quick Tips for Improving Your Digestive Health

laicos — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:57:52 +0000

Avoid tummy troubles with these tips to improve your digestive health.

It’s that familiar yet uncomfortable gurgling from your gut. The gas, bloating, acid reflux…your stomach and digestive tract is wreaking havoc.

Digestion is the process by which your body breaks down the food you eat into the nutrients your body uses. Poor digestive health can disrupt this process and have a negative effect on overall health.

Try these tips to improve your digestive system:

Amp up the fiber. On average, Americans consume 10 to 15 grams of fiber each day. However, the recommended intake is 20 to 35 grams per day. Consuming adequate amounts of fiber promotes regular bowel movements and helps balance the pH levels in the intestines.
Just add water. If you are experiencing problems with constipation, dehydration could be the culprit. Water in the digestive tract aids in the dissolving of fats and soluble fiber. Additionally, insoluble fiber, like that found in cereal, can soak up water. By consuming water with these fibers, waste is softened and easier to pass.
Try some yogurt. The live cultures in yogurt may sound unappetizing, but they are good for your gut. Yogurt provides good bacteria for your body and digestive tract. Also, yogurt is easier to digest than milk, giving lactose intolerant people a dairy option.
Cut out the fat. High fat foods can take longer to digest and lead to acid reflux and heartburn.
Exercise. In addition to promoting weight loss, exercise promotes good digestion. Regular exercise can help improve the efficiency of the digestive process.

If your adverse digestive symptoms do not subside with lifestyle changes, diet or over-the-counter medications, Regional Medical Center can help you find a physician and answer any of your questions. Give our free Consult-A-Nurse® service a call at 1-888-741-5119.

Safety Checklist for Sports Parents

laicos — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:57:54 +0000

Safe Kids Week is the perfect time for parents to keep themselves in check and know their role in sports safety for their little athletes.

A report published by Safe Kids Worldwide in 2012 indicates that one in three children who play team sports are injured seriously enough to miss practices, games or even suffer life-long consequences.

While some accidents are inevitable, parents can arm themselves with the knowledge to ward off as many injuries as they can with the following checklist:

Visit the doctor. Before your athlete take the field or court, visit your family physician or pediatrician for a complete physical evaluation.
Inform everyone. Make sure all coaches and volunteers have your child’s emergency information. Include phone numbers, family physician information, and a list of medications and allergies.
Know the signs. A small bump to the head can be something much more serious. For this reason, parents should know the signs of a concussion. Symptoms include headache, blurred vision, irritability, difficulty concentrating and changes in sleep patterns.
Come equipped. Proper sports equipment is essential. Proper-fitting equipment is just as important.
Take a break. Teach your athlete the importance of rest during games and practices. Encourage them to take one to two days off per week from practice and competitive play to recover physically and mentally.
Prevent dehydration. Send a water bottle with your child to games and practices. Educate your child on the important of water breaks and staying hydrated.

In the case an injury does occur, you can count on the medical personnel at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point to provide the care your athlete will need to get back in the game. Visit us online to learn more about our designation as a Provisional Level II Trauma Center and to see all of our services. If you would like to schedule an appointment to speak with a doctor, call our free Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-888-741-5119 for a physician referral.

Fracture or Ankle Sprain?

laicos — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:57:46 +0000

Some fractures and ankle sprains present similar symptoms, which if not treated properly can lead to additional problems.

Ankle fractures and sprains are common injuries, even if you’re not an athlete. A fracture is a break in a bone, no matter how small. A sprain involves an injury to the ligaments, which connect, stabilize, and support the bones in the lower leg and the ankle bone.

Unfortunately, some fractures are so subtle that they often are missed on an initial exam or misdiagnosed as sprains. Without the proper diagnosis and treatment, you could be at risk for long-term disability or surgery.

Here’s how to gauge whether you need immediate help:

Is your ankle swollen? A fracture or sprain will trigger swelling.
Can you stand or walk? If you can’t, don’t keep trying. You have a severe sprain or a fracture that requires prompt care. If you can, you still might have a fracture, so elevate your leg, ice the injury, and monitor the swelling. If you don’t notice relief after a day or two, call your doctor. Pain increases with activity with a fracture, so also seek help right away if the pain worsens suddenly.
Does your foot look twisted or deformed? Is there a bump on or around the ankle? Even a small fracture can cause a bump or what appears to be a deformity.
Is there bruising? A sprain tends to cause bruising beneath the ankle joint and along the foot. With a fracture, bruising tends to surround the ankle joint.
Does your foot feel numb or cold? These sensations can indicate a fracture or a nerve injury. You might feel as if heat is rushing through the ankle joint, but this is common with sprains or fractures because of blood rushing to the area.

The orthopedic staff at the Regional Medical Center at Bayonet Point has a full array of methods and advanced equipment to evaluate your injuries. This includes MRI, CT, ultrasound, diagnostic imaging, and fluoroscopy. For more information, or to speak with one of our orthopedic specialists, visit our website or call (727) 819-2929.

3 Steps to Getting in Shape for Swimsuit Season

laicos — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:58:29 +0000

Can’t believe it’s almost time to slip into a swimsuit again? Just a few steps can help you get into shape and boost your confidence too.

With warm weather approaching, you can bet there’s a trip to the beach or a water park in your future, especially if you have kids. If you haven’t had the time or motivation to exercise, though, that thought might send you scurrying for a cover-up.

Try these tips instead:

1. Add fiber to your diet. Having a flat belly makes you look sleek. Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries all are high in fiber, which fights fat — and they’re easy to add to cereal, yogurt, salads, and even chutneys or salsas to serve over chicken or pork. The fiber in foods such as brown rice, whole-wheat bread, and whole-wheat pasta also fills you up, satisfying your appetite longer.

2. Drink more water. Flushing your body with water (about four 16-ounce servings a day for a 150-pound woman) is the best way to rid your body of excess water weight. What’s more, if you add ice, your body works harder to maintain its core temperature, burning more calories.

3. Tone up your cardio workout with weights. Strength training at least twice a week will ramp up your metabolism, making you burn more fat while you build lean muscle. If you think you have no time to exercise, choose moves that multitask. Push-ups work the biceps, triceps, chest, back, abs, and glutes all at once. Squats work both the glutes and the thighs, or try deadlifts (holding weights in each hand) to tone the back, glutes, and legs.

For more ideas on how to tune up your diet and lifestyle, Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point offers free community events each month. Browse our calendar here to see what we have going on this month. You also can contact our free Consult-A-Nurse® service with any healthcare questions or for a physician referral at 1-888-741-5119.

4 Fast Facts About Autism

laicos — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:58:26 +0000

Autism is considered a “spectrum disorder,” meaning its symptoms range from mild to severe and affect each person differently.

April is National Autism Awareness Month, an opportunity to learn more about this complex developmental disability that affects the ability to interact and communicate.

There is no cure for autism, which is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S. It typically appears during the first three years of life, when children exhibit a delay in language skills, little or no eye contact, repetitive mannerisms, and no interest in playing make-believe.

Here are some fast facts about this condition:

Although autism affects people to varying degrees, it is more common in boys. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys has been identified with an autism spectrum disorder.
There is no one known cause of autism. Studies of twins have determined that autism is genetically based.
Vaccines do not cause autism (a popular belief in the late 1990s and early 2000s), according to several scientific studies.
Speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and applied behavioral analysis are the treatments proven to be most effective for autism. The earlier a child receives help, the more likely he or she may gain enough skills to attend a mainstream school.

If you have relatives or friends impacted by autism, the support group Helping HANDs (Hope for Autism and Neurological Disorders) meets at 7pm on April 10 at the Medical Center of Trinity. No reservations are required. For more information, please contact (727) 793-6006 or Jonica.chittum@hcahealthcare.com.

Spring Cleaning for a Healthier Home

laicos — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 11:58:32 +0000

Each spring is an ideal time to clean your home to reduce allergens, eliminate mold and use greener products to feel healthier.

The Environmental Protection Agency has a partnership program featuring products with a Design for the Environment label that have been screened for ingredients with little health and environmental side effects. Other green cleaners such as white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide can be applied in several areas around the home.

Here are ideas for a clean and safe sweep:

Dust thoroughly and vacuum. An old wool scarf or sweater makes a great natural duster because it creates static. You should also clean or replace air conditioning and heating filters. Wear a dust mask if you have allergies.
Wash your mattress cover in hot water each month to reduce and remove dust mites. Also wash the inside of indoor trash bins, and wash or replace your shower curtain.
Collect old paint cans, paint thinner, solvents, stains and other unused chemicals for donation at your municipal hazardous-waste drop-off center. Call your sanitation department for a location near you.
Remove expired and old medications from your medicine cabinet. Ask your pharmacist about the best disposal method.
Kill mold with borax, a natural bleach substitute made of sodium, boron, oxygen and water.
Disinfect your chopping board. Run it through the dishwasher, microwave it on high for 30 seconds, or spray it with 5% white vinegar and letting it sit overnight.
Microwave your kitchen and household sponges on high for 30 seconds daily to kill bacteria.
Clean your washing machine and dryer by adding 8 ounces of hydrogen peroxide instead of bleach to each load.
Sanitize the toilet by spraying it with white vinegar. Sprinkling sodium bicarbonate in the bowl and scrubbing after 15 minute removes stains.

If you have questions about your allergies and would like to speak to a doctor, Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point can help. Call our free Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-888-741-5119 for a physician referral or to set up an appointment.

Free & Cheap Ways to Stay Healthy

laicos — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 11:58:02 +0000

Small preventative steps cost little and can save you huge health-care expenses over time.

Washing your hands often, for instance, requires just soap, water, and a few seconds but protects us from colds, flu, and infectious diseases. One study found that hand-washing cut children’s risk of pneumonia and diarrhea in half. And if soap and water aren’t available, alcohol-based hand-sanitizers also work well.

Here are other inexpensive ways to boost your health:

Get regular checkups: Your annual checkup can help detect serious health problems, so don’t put off screenings such as blood work, cholesterol, blood pressure, pap smears, mammograms, colonoscopies, and bone-density tests.
Take advantage of free screenings for skin cancer and blood pressure in your community.
Take a multivitamin daily to supplement nutrients missing in your diet.
Donate blood. Not only is this linked with a lower risk of certain cancers, you also get a mini checkup.
Eat fish twice a week to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Chunk light tuna, salmon, herring, mackerel and sardines are best.
Walk after lunch each day. You’ll burn off stress and calories, and make fitness a habit.
Avoid antibiotics if you have a head cold, the flu, a sinus infection, an earache or bronchitis. Taking unnecessary antibiotics can build up your resistance for when you really need them and might cause an adverse reaction if you don’t.
Get immunized. Ask your doctor which vaccines (such as pneumonia, shingles, HPV and flu) are best for you.
Enjoy a good night’s sleep. Seven to eight hours is recommended. Go to bed and get up the same time each day, avoid caffeine and alcohol late in the day, and take time to unwind before turning out the lights.

For more ways to better your health, Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point offers free community events each month. Browse our calendar here. You also can contact our free Consult-A-Nurse® service to find a physician and answer any health-care questions 24 hours a day at 1-888-741-5119.