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Enjoy Fun in the Sun While Practicing Water Safety

Brea_Urgent_Care_Brea_June_Water_SafetyWith the summer months quickly approaching, people need to take extra, specific precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones from water hazards. Practicing water safety ensures that everyone can enjoy the fun of outdoor water activities with less risk. Learning about and enacting water-safe rules can prevent drownings and protect children and adults of all ages.

The first priority is making sure everyone in the family knows how to swim. The earlier a child learns to swim, the less likely it is that he or she will develop water phobias. The Red Cross offers swimming lessons and water safety instruction. Age-appropriate lessons can begin as soon as a child becomes a toddler.

Unfortunately, vacation is a prime time for water accidents like drowning. To prevent a water emergency, people should never swim alone or allow their children to swim in pools that do not have a lifeguard on duty.

Those who cannot swim should always wear a lifejacket — even in shallow water and no matter their age. Lifejackets save lives and are crucial for child safety. To ensure a lifejacket will be fully protective, people — especially small children — should be professionally fitted.

If a water emergency arises, it is crucial that people remain calm and follow these steps:

  • Call 911 immediately if a person is found to be unresponsive.
  • Remove the person from the water immediately and place them on their side.
  • Lean close to the victim’s face and check to see if they are breathing.
  • If the victim is not breathing, check for a pulse at the wrist or on the sides of the neck.
  • If no pulse is found, begin CPR and continue until the victim gains consciousness or EMT help arrives.

Though people of all ages are at risk for drowning, small children are particularly vulnerable. Parents should monitor their children around any type of water, and never allow other activities to distract them from keeping a close eye on the situation. Following these tips can help prevent children from drowning:

  • Young children can drown in as little as two inches of water. Drownings often happen where least expected, so children need to be closely monitored at all times.
  • Never assume a child knows how to swim. In fact — assume they do not. An adult swimmer should be within touch distance of any child who is swimming.
  • Coast Guard-approved life vests must be worn by children at all times, even if they are merely sitting or playing near a body of water.
  • Keep children hydrated by providing plenty of water while swimming. Dehydration can make a child dizzy and heighten their risk of drowning.

Following these water safety tips will help keep everyone out of harm’s way and ensure a fun, safe summer.

Take easy precautions to enjoy the sun while reducing cancer risks

Skin Care Prevention, Brea Urgent CareSoaking in the rays of warm summer sun lifts the spirit, lightens the mood, and gives your body a good dose of Vitamin D. But as beneficial as sunlight can be, moderation is essential to the prevention of various types of skin cancer, including melanoma.

The main cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) rays given off by the sun. The effects of exposure are cumulative — the more sunburns a person suffers, the more likely they are to develop skin cancer. More than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States, and more than 90% of those are caused by sun exposure. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer.

A little knowledge and prevention is the key to safely enjoying the sun. Here are some easy tips to limit exposure:

  • Avoid being in the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stay in the shade.
  • Use a sunscreen with a rating of SPF 15 or higher. Sunscreen absorbs, reflects, or scatters sunlights, depending on a particular product’s ingredients.
  • Apply the sunscreen about 20 minutes before exposure. Remember to use it on your scalp, ears, lips, neck, tops of feet, and backs of hands.
  • Reapply the sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or sweating.
  • Wear a hat and a shirt with long sleeves.
  • Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and the sensitive skin surrounding them.
  • Watch your skin for changes. If a sunburn develops, get out of the sun.

While the sun’s UV rays are the strongest in late spring and early summer, watch sun exposure during every season and even on hazy, overcast days. Water, snow, and concrete can all reflect and intensify the sun’s rays.

Early detection is the best way to beat skin cancer should it develop. The most common symptom is an unusual change in the skin — a new growth, a mole that is different than before, or a sore that doesn’t heal. Detecting the changes in a mole or spot is as easy as remembering your ABCs:

  • Asymmetry. It is an odd shape and has two very different parts.
  • Border. The edge is irregular or jagged.
  • Color. The color is uneven.
  • Diameter. It is larger than a pea.
  • Evolution. It has changed in the last few weeks or months.

Any of these signs should be brought to the attention of a doctor.

For more information, contact Brea Urgent Care at 714-494-2828.

Spring into Sobriety

BreaUrgentCare-Spring-Sobriety
While you may view the month of April as a final goodbye to winter, it signifies more than just the start of spring. Since 1987, April has also been designated as Alcohol Awareness Month. According to the CDC, 51.3% of Americans over the age of 18 are considered to be regular drinkers, or someone who has consumed at least 12 drinks in the past year. Not only does this increase their risk of alcoholism, but it can have a significant impact on their physical and mental health, as well as the health of those who love them.

Moderation Is Key

Preventing alcohol abuse saves lives, and moderation is crucial for alcohol abuse prevention. Moderate alcohol use is considered safe; in most cases, moderation is considered to be up to 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women. This does not refer to an average over several days, but to the amount of alcohol consumed in one day.

Reach Out With Compassion

If you believe that a family member or close friend may have developed an addiction to alcohol, it is important to communicate openly with him or her regarding your concerns. Do so without anger or judgment. It is crucial to approach this topic when they are sober and in a location that provides privacy.

You should start the conversation by making it clear that you are doing this out of love for them and a true concern for their safety and wellbeing. You should be able to provide examples of times when his or her drinking has resulted in a problem. Stay calm and stick to the facts, even if the other person becomes upset.

If you fear that you are an alcoholic, you should discuss your concerns openly and honestly with someone who trust. Acknowledge that you believe you have a problem and ask for help.

Early Education on Alcohol and Addiction

If you are the parent or guardian of a teenager, it is important to understand that alcohol abuse prevention should start before it has the chance to be a problem. A study completed by The National Study on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that people who have their first drink of alcohol before the age of 15 are 5 times more likely to abuse or become dependent on alcohol than those who are 21 or older at the time of their first drink. Alcohol abuse can have a tremendous impact on your teen for the rest of their life, so be open and provide the education they need.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, as of 2012, 17 million Americans over the age of 18 and 76,000 adolescents reported they had a problem with alcohol abuse. Don’t let someone you love become part of these statistics.

 

Bite Into A Healthy Lifestyle

Bit Into A Healthy Lifestyle, Brea Urgent CareMarch is National Nutrition Month, an annual campaign sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  At Advanced Brea Urgent Care, we are proud to join the Academy along with hundreds of other health care organizations around the country, as we help you make healthy lifestyle choices.

Healthy eating is one of the most important things you can do to improve your general health. Nutritious, balanced meals and healthy snacks may reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke and may also boost your overall feeling of well-being, giving you more energy and vitality. A healthy lifestyle involves choosing a balanced diet and a healthy eating plan that is appropriate for you.

A New Guide to Healthy Eating

In 2011, the U.S. government replaced the Food Pyramid, which had been used since 1992, with a new visual guide known as MyPlate. This image provides a simple way of picturing a healthy meal.  The accompanying website provides a vast amount of to help you learn about, plan, and track your journey to healthy eating.

Notice that fruits and vegetables take up half of the plate – more is better, and a variety of colors is also best.  When it comes to grains, go with whole grains, while avoiding refined grains (such as white bread or white rice) as much as possible.   For protein, try to stick with lean meats along with beans and nuts, and limit your consumption of red meat and cheese.  Finally, drink water along, with tea or coffee (without the sugar!),  instead of sugary drinks, and limit dairy and juices.

Explore!

Bit Into A Healthy Lifestyle, Brea Urgent CareThe ChooseMyPlate.gov website has resources for all types of people. Whether you are a college student or a mom-to-be, you can design a personalized meal plan that fits your schedule and needs. There are many resources available on the site that empower you to eat healthy and live well. They even have a Worksite Wellness Toolkit to help you spread healthy habits throughout your business.

For more information or to get more tips on following a healthy lifestyle, call Brea Urgent Care at 714-494-2828.

A Healthy Heart Relies on Healthy Habits

Brea Urgent Care, Healthy Heart
Flickr.com

During the month of February, Americans see the human heart as the symbol of love. February is American Heart Month, a time to show yourself the love. Here at Brea Urgent Care we want to help you learn about your risks for heart disease and stroke and how to have a healthy heart. Heart disease may be a leading cause of death, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept it as your fate. Although you lack the power to change some risk factors — such as family history, sex or age — there are some key heart disease prevention steps you can take.

As you begin your journey to better heart health that can last a lifetime, keep these things in mind:

  • Try not to become overwhelmed. Every step brings you closer to a healthier heart, and every healthy choice makes a difference!
  • Partner up. The journey is more fun—and often more successful—when you have company. Ask friends and family to join you.
  • Don’t get discouraged. You may not be able to take all of the steps at one time. Get a good night’s sleep—also important for a healthy heart—and do what you can tomorrow.
  • Reward yourself. Find fun things to do to decrease your stress. Round up some colleagues for a lunchtime walk, join a singing group, or have a healthy dinner with your family or friends.

Plan for Prevention

Try out these strategies for better heart health. You’ll be surprised how many of them can become lifelong habits!

Eat a healthy diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help protect your heart. Beans, other low-fat sources of protein and certain types of fish also can reduce your risk of heart disease. Most people need to add more fruits and vegetables to their diet — with a goal of five to 10 servings a day. Eating that many fruits and vegetables can not only help prevent heart disease but also may help prevent cancer and improve diabetes. Eating several servings a week of certain fish, such as salmon and mackerel, may decrease your risk of heart attack.

Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight, especially if you carry excess weight around your middle, ups your risk of heart disease. Excess weight can lead to conditions that increase your chances of heart disease — high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Even a small weight loss can be beneficial. Reducing your weight by just 5 to 10 percent can help decrease your blood pressure, lower your blood cholesterol level and reduce your risk of diabetes.

Exercise regularly. Getting some regular, daily exercise can reduce your risk of fatal heart disease. And when you combine physical activity with other lifestyle measures, such as maintaining a healthy weight, the payoff is even greater. Try getting at least 30 to 60 minutes of moderately intense physical activity most days of the week. However, even shorter amounts of exercise offer heart benefits, so if you can’t meet those guidelines, don’t give up. You can even get the same health benefits if you break up your workout time into three 10-minute sessions most days of the week. And remember that activities, such as gardening, housekeeping, taking the stairs and walking the dog all count toward your total. You don’t have to exercise strenuously to achieve benefits, but you can see bigger benefits by increasing the intensity, duration and frequency of your workouts.

Don’t smoke. Smoking or using tobacco of any kind is one of the most significant risk factors for developing heart disease. Chemicals in tobacco can damage your heart and blood vessels, leading to narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis can ultimately lead to a heart attack. The good news, though, is that when you quit smoking, your risk of heart disease drops almost to that of a nonsmoker in about five years. And no matter how long or how much you smoked, you’ll start reaping rewards as soon as you quit.

Limit alcohol use. Avoid drinking too much alcohol, which can increase your blood pressure. Men should stick to no more than two drinks per day, and women to no more than one.

Manage your diabetes. If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar levels closely, and talk with your health care team about treatment options.

Take your medicine. If you’re taking medication to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or another condition, follow the instructions carefully. Always ask questions if you don’t understand something.

You can avoid heart problems in the future by adopting a healthy lifestyle today. Here are six heart disease prevention tips to get you started.

Get enough quality sleep. Sleep deprivation can do more than leave you yawning throughout the day; it can harm your health. People who don’t get enough sleep have a higher risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes and depression. Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night. If you wake up without your alarm clock and you feel refreshed, you’re getting enough sleep. But, if you’re constantly reaching for the snooze button and it’s a struggle to get out of bed, you need more sleep each night. Make sleep a priority in your life. Set a sleep schedule and stick to it by going to bed and waking up at the same times each day. Keep your bedroom dark and quiet, so it’s easier to sleep.

Get regular health screenings. High blood pressure and high cholesterol can damage your heart and blood vessels. But without testing for them, you probably won’t know whether you have these conditions. Regular screening can tell you what your numbers are and whether you need to take action.

  • Blood pressure. Regular blood pressure screenings usually start in childhood. Adults should have their blood pressure checked at least every two years. You may need more-frequent checks if your numbers aren’t ideal or if you have other risk factors for heart disease. Optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 millimeters of mercury.
  • Cholesterol levels. Adults should have their cholesterol measured at least once every five years starting at age 20 if they have risk factors for heart disease, such as obesity or high blood pressure. If you’re healthy, you can start having your cholesterol screened at age 35 for men and 45 for women. Some children may need their blood cholesterol tested if they have a strong family history of heart disease.
  • Diabetes screening. Since diabetes is a risk factor for developing heart disease, you may want to consider being screened for diabetes. Talk to your doctor about when you should have a fasting blood sugar test to check for diabetes. Depending on your risk factors, such as being overweight or having a family history of diabetes, your doctor may recommend early screening for diabetes. If your weight is normal and you don’t have other risk factors for type 2 diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends starting screening at age 45, and then retesting every three years.

For more information, contact Brea Urgent Care at 714-494-2828.