“Cha-may weeya ”
Medicine Talk
Siletz
Community
February is American Heart Month
Because February is American Heart Month, the American Heart Association
is encouraging all Americans to help improve the national cardiac arrest survival
rate by learning the warning signs of cardiac arrest and taking quick action
when faced with a cardiac arrest emergency.
Here’s what you can do to be prepared for cardiac emergencies:
I
1. Know the warning signs of cardiac arrest. It occurs suddenly and
dramatically. When the heart goes into cardiac arrest, its electrical impulses
become chaotic. This irregular heart rhythm, called ventricular fibrillation,
causes the heart to stop suddenly. During cardiac arrest, a victim loses
consciousness, stops normal breathing, and loses pulse and blood pressure.
Cardiac arrest can be caused by several factors, including heart attack,
^»ctrocution, drowning, or trauma, or it can have no known cause.
2. Call 9-1-1 immediately to access the emergency medical system upon
recognizing any cardiac arrest warning signs.
3. Give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CPR can help keep the
. , cardiac arrest victim alive until emergency help arrives. CPR also maintains
' the vital blood flow to the heart and brain and helps sustain the victim until
dbfibrillation (electric shock to the heart) can be administered.
To find out more about cardiac arrest, visit the American Heart Association’s
Heart and Stroke A-Z Guide at www.americanheart.org or call the toll-free
Heart and Stroke Information Line at 1-800-AHA-USA1. '
They Don’t Call it Beauty Sleep
for Nothing
Red, puffy eyes aren’t the only
consequence of lost sleep. There’s also
daytime sleepiness, fatigue, memory
problems, etc.
A recent study took a look at the
body’s hormonal and endocrine
systems during periods of lost sleep.
Researchers found that our bodies
begin to exhibit signs that mimic
the affects of aging during times of
sleep deprivation.
It appears that our metabolism is
affected by the loss of sleep, which can
lead to increased or worsened
symptoms of age-related illness.
Hypertension, weight gain, diabetes,
and memory loss could all be affected
by sleep loss.
Fortunately, the researchers noted
that these effects could be lessened after
periods of lost sleep by increasing the
amount of sleep you obtain over a short
period of time. Sleeping a few extra
hours a night for a few days seemed to
repair the imbalance to the system and
allow things to get back on track.
Source: http://www. topic a. com/
Change Your Filter
With the change of seasons you
should change the filters in your home
heating devices. This will increase
efficiency while cutting down on
bacteria and dust spreading throughout
your house. This is especially
important for allergy sufferers and
people with breathing problems.
Source: www.emazing.com
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Siletz News
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February 2002
Health
Clinic
What is Secondhand Smoke?
Secondhand smoke includes the smoke coming from the end of the cigarette
as well as the smoke exhaled by the smoker.
Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemical compounds, including
formaldehyde, cyanide, carbon monoxide, ammonia, and nicotine.
Secondhand smoke has been classified as a Group A carcinogen by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency.
Secondhand smoke poses a health threat to those who breathe it.
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Health Effects of Secondhand
Smoke in the Workplace
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Lung Cancer
For instance, food service workers exposed to secondhand smoke at work
have a 40 percent to 50 percent greater risk of lung cancer, even after adjusting
for active smoking.
Heart Disease
For instance, workers exposed to secondhand smoke have a 35 percent to 50
percent increased risk of heart disease.
Respiratory Diseases
The effects of secondhand smoke on lung function are similar to that of light
smoking and can cause emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma attacks.
New Workplace Law in Effect
Since Jan. 1,500,000 more Oregonians have been protected from secondhand
smoke on the job as a result of Oregon’s new Smoke-Free Workplace Law. Oregon
is one of the first states in the nation to adopt a smoke-free workplace law.
Washington, California, and Maryland also have laws prohibiting smoking in the
workplace.
The law protects Oregonians from the scientifically proven health danger
associated with secondhand smoke exposure. Oregon’s Smoke-Free Workplace
Law protects 95 percent of Oregon’s workforce from the poisonous toxins
associated with secondhand tobacco smoke on the job.
A place of employment is “every enclosed area under the control of a public
or private employer that employees frequent during the course of employment.’’
Exceptions are made only for bars and taverns, bingo parlors, tobacco stores,
bowling centers, and hotel and motel rooms designated as smoking rooms.
More information is available on the Oregon Public Heath Services Web site
at http://www.ohd.hr.state.or.us/tobacco/smokefree/welcome.htm.
Positive Attitude Can Equal
Positive Health
Here’s the least expensive way
to take care of your health: a positive
mental attitude!
Mental health is as important as,
and is directly linked to, our physical
health. A negative attitude or low
self-esteem can wreck havoc on our
overall well-being. Negative
perceptions of, and beliefs about,
events, situations, and people
increase stress and affect our physical
and emotional state.
People who are negative are often
angry, extremely confrontational, and
may see themselves as victimized, ill
treated, and/or misunderstood. Do
they seem like the healthiest, mentally
and physically, people in the world
to you? You are what you think and
your physical health often reflects
your thoughts.
For more information, go to
positivelivingtext@rtn.emazing.com.