Thyroid Disease
Thyroid diseases affect millions of Americans. The most common conditions are
an under-active or an over-active thyroid.
Too little hormone release, hypothyroidism, may result in weight gain, intolerance
to cold, depression, fatigue, or sleeping problems. Too much hormone release,
hyperthyroidism, may cause weight loss, intolerance to heat, nervousness, jitteriness,
or trouble concentrating.
To diagnose thyroid dysfunction, a simple blood test can measure the level of
thyroid hormones and the presence of antibodies. Other tests can confirm the exact
nature of the condition. To correct thyroid problems, doctors usually recommend
medical treatment alone or in combination with either radiation or surgery.
Thyroid surgery is performed for several reasons: Thyroid cancer, to remove a
goiter or lump on the thyroid, when medical management alone is not effective, or
when a pregnant woman’s hyperthyroidism cannot be controlled by other means. In
most cases, thyroid surgery takes no more than two hours.
(Health Notes from the Physicians at Washington University School of Medicine in St.
Louis, MO, November 2, 2002)
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Take Your Best Shots
Each year, up to 40,000 Americans die of diseases that could have been
prevented by routine adult vaccines. That’s about the same number of people who
die annually from auto accidents. Don’t assume your physician is keeping track. “Your
auto mechanic probably does a better job of reminding you about preventative
maintenance than your doctor does,” says James Singleton of the National
Immunization Program at the Centers for Disease Control. Depending on your own
health history, there are a number of adult vaccines you should consider to protect
yourself against potentially fatal diseases.
The Vaccines and Who Needs Them:
Influenza (1 shot annually). This virus causes the flu and an average of 20,000
deaths year. The following is a list of those who should have an annual flu shop:
Adults age 50 & up, people with asthma, diabetes, heart, lung, kidney disease, or with
compromised immunity, nursing home residents, health care workers, and anyone
anxious about flu.
Pneumococcal (1-time shot). These bacteria cause pneumonia and can lead to more
serious problems, like meningitis. Adults age 65 & up, those with chronic heart, lung,
kidney or liver disease, diabetes, sickle-cell disease, alcoholism or compromised
immunity, or w/spleen dysfunction.
Hepatitus B (3 doses over 6 months). This is transmitted through blood and can
cause liver disease. Those who are susceptible for hepatitis B are people who live
with or have sex with carriers of hepatitis B, people who abuse injectible drugs, men
who have sex with men, kidney dialysis patients, health care workers and travelers to
endemic areas.
Tetanus (booster every 10 years) A bacterial infection, it can affect the nervous
system.
(Consumer Reports)
Doctors Do the Prescribing, but It’s Up to You to Take Charge of the Details
Be curious – Know what your condition is and how the drug will help you.
Don’t play doctor – Never tinker with the dosage on your own.
Share your life story – The doctor needs a complete picture of your health and habits.
Make friends with your pharmacist – You can never get too much information.
Plan a review session every 6 months – One in five Americans over 65 takes at least
one inappropriate prescription drug.
One size doesn’t fit all – The amount of medicine you may need may vary with age,
weight, gender and ethnicity.
Send old drugs packing – Review your medicines at least once a year and get rid of
oldies that are no longer goodies.
Timing is everything – Some side effects can be avoided by adjusting the timing—but
ask your doctor before changing.
Request samples – Ask your doctor for free samples, particularly if you need only a
one-time supply. Make sure that your Doctor knows all the prescription and over the
counter medications that you are taking.
Be aware of interactions – Drug-Herb, Drug-Drug, Drug-Condition, or Drug-Food
interactions are all potential problems.
ODOR MANAGEMENT
Isn’t it interesting that people with normal intact bowel tracts and urinary systems
manage odor problems in an acceptable manner in our society? But when disease or
trauma strike, and the person is the owner of an ostomy, the one big concern is the
fear of offending society with an odor.
Basically, and simply, an ostomy is a man-made exit site that changes the point of exit
from the bottom of our body to the front. Our eyes and nose are obviously on the
front of our body, which leads us to be more aware of our changed body image and
our odor-producing products.
You’ve heard the statement “You’ve come a long way, baby.” Yes, ostomy
management has come a long way—considering that as little as ten years ago we
had very few 100 percent odor-free pouches. When ostomy surgery was first
developed, ostomates wore anything to collect output. Tin cans, rubber gloves, cups
of all sizes, bread wrappers, and plastic margarine cups, just to mention a few, were
standard supplies for the ostomate. Not only the feasibility, but odor problems these
type of supplies produced, was enough to give ostomy surgery and people with
ostomies a deplorable place in our society. Presently, almost all ostomy supplies
available to us today are made of odor-barrier materials. Therefore, if an ostomate
does have a fecal or urinary odor about them, some detective work should be done:
Check out the application of the pouch to the body—is it leaking?
Check out the closure of the pouch—is it closed properly so that no fecal matter
oozing out after the closure is applied? Do not put holes in the pouch as gas will
seep out continuously.
A urostomate should rinse or wipe off the spout of the pouch with a bathroom tissue
after emptying. Those few drops left in the spout after closing the pouch can cause a
urine odor under clothing. It’s interesting to note that most urostomy pouches on the
market are odor-proof, but the connector tubing and bedside and leg bags are not.
You must dispose of and replace these products when they take on odors, or else
your entire living quarters will smell.
Emptying an ostomy pouch is comparable to a person with an intact bowel or urinary
tract having a bowel movement or emptying their bladder. How does the
nonostomate handle the odor produced by this normal function of their body? Room
deodorizing sprays are popular; a quick flush of the toilet when defecation occurs,
and striking a match or opening a window are some acceptable methods that have
been used for odor management since the invention of indoor plumbing.
Why then are we ostomates so “up-tight” about the odor produced when our pouches
are emptied? This complaint has encouraged ostomy supplies manufacturers to
create products to meet this need of “odor control.” The trouble is, the ostomy
deodorants do not work for everyone, and they are expensive.
Can we then consider ourselves “as normal as blueberry pie” so far as waste odors
are concerned? Just remember, there is not a man or woman on this earth whose
wastes do not smell. If someone tells you their waste products are odorless, then a
nose overhaul is in order. By Rosemary Van Ingen
Commandments for New Ostomates
· Thou shalt not take out thy feelings of anger and frustration on thy
spouse/significant other or family.
· Thou shalt not demand special consideration Thy ostomy doth not make thee
an invalid or render thy disabled.
· Thou shalt remember to use deodorizer in the bathroom after thou has
emptied thy pouch. Remember thy family needs thy love and affection just as thee
needs theirs.
· Honor thy ET—she/he is your friend in need.
· Thou shalt not be ashamed of thy ostomy; it may have saved thy life.
· Thou shalt be ready at all times to help others as others have helped thee.
· Thou shalt not feel sorry for thy self, instead thou shalt give thanks for a new
lease on life.
· Thou shalt remember at all time that thy partner in life suffers with thee and
thou shalt not add to his/her suffering.
Above all thou shalt give thanks for a new life and freedom from pain
(by Ron Bartlett, Halton-Peel)
***
Unfit Exercises
These activities often use the body’s energy unproductively. If you engage in any
of these activities, think about saving some of the wasted energy for a more healthy
activity.
Jumping to conclusions
Pushing your luck
Beating your head against a wall
Making mountains out of molehills
Fishing for compliments
Dragging your heels.
Adding fuel to fire
Throwing your weight around
Dodging responsibility
Preventive Measures Are a MUST for Fall and Winter
It is extremely important to take precautions to avoid illness or injury that may result in
the need for long-term care services. Pneumonia, heart attacks, and injuries resulting
from falls are the most common reasons individuals need this type of care during the
fall and winter months.
Pneumonia – If you are older, are recovering from surgery or an illness or have
respiratory problems, you may be susceptible to infection and pneumonia. If you start
to get a sore throat or do not feel well, try to avoid crowded areas such as shopping
malls where germs and bacteria are prevalent. Call your doctor if you experience a
persistent cough, an elevated temperature, shortness of breath or colored mucus.
In order to avoid infection, consider taking advantage of the flu and pneumonia
vaccines that are available. Also, make sure you have adequate fluid and nutritional
intake.
Heart Attacks – During the winter, many heart attacks are the result of exposure to
the weather and overexertion. Protect yourself from the cold weather with appropriate
clothing: warm coat, gloves, hat and scarf. Breathing cold air may be too intense for
your heart, so you may want to cover your face with a scarf. If you are not normally
active, you should not attempt to shovel snow. If you absolutely must shovel, make
sure to rest frequently. You may be having a heart attack if you are experiencing any
combination of the following symptoms: a feeling of indigestion; nausea; vomiting;
chest, jaw or shoulder pain; light-headedness; or sweating. Immediately contact a
medical professional if you experience these symptoms. If you have a history of
cardiac problems, contact your doctor before shoveling or engaging in any
cardiovascular activity.
Injuries – Although shoveling snow may not be recommended, it is important to make
sure your driveway and walkways are cleared and well lit. Wear good soled shoes or
boots that provide traction and use the railing when climbing stairs. Following these
tips will help you minimize the chance of falling during slippery winter months.
It is also important to have a support system in place. For example, if you have to
walk a dog or shovel your own driveway, have someone assist you. Local senior
centers are a great resource, or you may find community assistance through The
Eldercare Locator. This is a public service provided by the Administration on Aging
and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The number to call is 1-800-
677-1116. This service will connect you with plowing services, Meals-On-Wheels,
and homemaker and transportation services in your local area.
Planning ahead, whether it is getting a flu shot or putting your support system in
place, may help you avoid a situation that could result in the need for long-term care
services. Like the old saying, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
(F.Y.I. AARP Health Care Options)
Maya Angelou
In April Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday.
Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And there, on television, she
said it was “exciting”. Regarding body changes, she said there were many occurring
everyday…like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her
waist first. The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and
honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!
Maya Angelou said this:
“I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on
and it will be better tomorrow.”
“I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these
three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.”
“I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them
when they’re gone from your life.”
“I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as “making a life.”
“I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands;
you need to be able to throw some things back.”
“I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the
right decision.”
“I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.”
“I’ve learned that everyday you should reach out and touch someone.”
“People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.”
“I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.”
“I’ve learned that I people will forget what you did and what you said but people will
never forget how you made them feel.”