Smoke Signals October 1989 Page 4
WINNING THE COLD WARS
The average adult gets one to three colds a year. And
no cure appears in sight. The scientists are at a stand
still in their efforts to defeat the all-too-common cold,
but that doesn't mean we can't negotiate for less ,
discomfort from the pesky foe. Here's a round up of
what modern science has determined to be the most ,
effective ways of dealing with the blasted bug:
TAKE IT EASY. Particularly in the beginning. The
effort required to fight cold germs, especially during the
first few days, is the equivalent of hard physical labor,
reports Michael Castleman in his book "Cold Cures"
(Balentine Books, 1987). hat doesn't mean you have to
hit the sack at the onset of a cold, but it does mean
puttering instead of pushing yourself. Limiting activities
during a cold's early stages can also reduce the chances
that you'll spread your cold around (colds are most
contagious shortly after they strike).
DRINK PLENTY OF HOT LIQUIDS. Hot liquids -and
notice we said HOT - combat colds in three ways:
they help relieve congestion; they soothe throat irrita
tion; and they replenish body fluids lost to feverish
sweating. Cold liquids are better than no liquids at all,
but they may stall the flow of mucous and contribute to r
congestion.
KEEP BUNDLED UP. To combat the "chills" that can
accompany a cold, give your bodys' defenses the advan
tage of keeping as comfortably toasty as possible.
DO NOT SMOKE. Smoking can further irritate as
already agonized respiratory tract as well as depress the
bodys' level of vitamin C (important for combating a
cold). What's more, it can paralyze mechanisms in the
lungs (cilia) needed to keep breathing passages free as
possible of mucous.
TREAT SORE THROATS WITH SALT WATER
AND HARD CANDY. Half a teaspoon of salt per
eight ounces of warm water remains a state-of-the-art
gargle, the experts agree. Sucking on hard candy or
specially formulated throat lozenges also can bring sore
throat relief. You should consult your doctor, however,
if swallowing becomes a problem or if you find your sore
throat is accompanied by a fever higher than 101
degrees with no other cold symptoms. That sort of
tortured throat could be due to strep.
FEEL FREE TO COUGH. Coughs are for a reason if
they're producing phlegm. Consult you doctor, however,
if what's being produced is brown or bloody. Dry
coughs, however, should be soothed with a hot shower, .
hard candy or throat lozenge. Also see your doctor for
any cough that lasts for more than two weeks or is
accompanied by severe fever, chest pain, chills, wheezing
or shortness of breath. It could be pneumonia.
TIPS FOR PREVENTION. So, there's how to negoti
ate with an existing cold. Here's how to avoid having to
sit down at the bargaining table with germs in the first
place.
WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY. Colds are
often caught from viruses picked up by the hands - from
door knobs, telephone receivers, handrails, and, of
course, handshakes. You can prevent this sort of
transferal simply by being fastidious about washing your
hands.
BE CAREFUL WHOM YOU KISS. Colds are
especially contagious in their earliest stages so be '
patient with a romantic partner who comes down with a
cold. Wait at least few days before getting cozy.
GO EASY ON STRESS. Studies leave little doubt that
immunity sags as stress soars, so do what you can to
keep your stress levels on the ground floor.
GET PLENTY OF VITAMINS A AND C. Research
ers suggests these vitamins may are essential for a
robust immune system. Vitamin A is most abundant in
fresh vegetables and the sources of vitamin C are citrus
fruits, tomatoes and potatoes.
DONT SMOKE. Smoking drains the body of vitamin C
(needed for reasons mentioned above). What's more, it
stuns the tiny hairlike projections (known as cilia) in the
respiratory tract and lungs, whose job it is to keep
airborne invaders from entering the lungs.
GROW A BEARD, GENDER PERMITTING. Yes,
beards and heavy mustaches can help filter cold viruses
from the air before they enter the respiratory system.
AND WHEN IS THAT COLD THE FLU? The flu
differs from a cold in three basic ways. It usually hits
more quickly than a cold. It's usually accompanied by a
fever of at least 100 degrees. AND OH, THOSE
ACHES AND PAINS! Colds focus most of their misery
on the respiratory tract, but the flu can clobber you all
over!
REMEMBER THE FLU SHOT CLINIC ON THURS
DAY, OCTOBER 5, 1989.
DIABETES CONTROL
CLASSES TO BE HELD
A series of three diabetes classes will be offered in
November. These classes will focus on the coming
holidays cooking, tempting, low fat, low sugar holiday
foods and reducing the stress created by the holiday
hustle and bustle. These classes are open to all inter
ested persons whether they have diabetes or not. Plan
to attend and learn how you can have a healthy and less
stressful holiday season. Call the Tribal Health Pro
gram for details.
SPECIAL NOTICE TO CON
TRACT HEALTH CARE
FROM GRAND RONDE
This letter is a reminder to those Contract Health Care
patients who received medical services with payment
provided through the Grand Ronde Contract Health
Services. As you probably know, the Contract Health
Services as a branch-of the US Government, ends by
December 31, 1989. Because of this it is imperative that
all billings for health care being paid for by the Contract
Health Services be handled in a very timely manner at
the end of the fiscal year.
After October 30, bills submitted for health care
services provided during fiscal year 1989, will be paid as
long as funds from that fiscal year are available. Any
bills submitted after December 31, 1989 will not be ,
considered for payment.
Please submit your legitimate bills for fiscal year 1989
to us at the address below, as quickly as possible as we
approach this end-of-year date.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call Teri
or Mary at 1-800-422-0232 or 879-5211.
HALLOWEEN FUN!
October is a very special month in the eyes of a child. The
television begins showing the Halloween cartoons during
prime time and every little one dreams of the ghost or
goblin they are going to portray. As with the years past, we
would like to remind you parents about safety.
Remember the age of your child. We know how much fun
it is to "Trick or Treat", and as parents we tend to get
carried away. A young child will have fond memories of the
day after three or four trick or treat stops, they will be tired
and cranky after several dozen. Also the school carnival is
geared to school age children, a four year old can become
terrified during a trip through the Haunted House, where
a five or six year old will think it is terrific.
Costumes can be the most dangerous tradition of Hallow
een. Most activities take place during the evening hours
and visibility is at its worst. Little witches all dressed in
black may seem cute in the light of day, but are almost
impossible to see after dark. Put light colored, light
reflecting material on the costume so the little witch can be
seen by drivers. Use face paints instead of masks, this way
a child can see what's ahead and can avoid a tumble. Long
clinging skirts can trip a child or catch on the branches of
a hedge and cause injury. ALWAYS HAVE THE CHILD
CARRY A FLASHLIGHT. Even a small light will aide the
child in seeing hazards and alert drivers to their presence.
Halloween means candy, mountains of it. Never accept
candy from someone unless you know them. If you are the
designated person to hand out candy in your home, give the
individually wrapped and sealed variety. Teenagers, if you
are handing out candy remember that if you want to scare
the older kids that is fine but take it easy on the younger
ones, you can cause months of nightmares. Parents do not
allow your child to easy any candy until you have checked
it first. If a wrapper is loose or looks like it could have been
tampered with throw the candy away. You may wish to take
two bags along. Mark one for the people you are familiar
with and one for the ones you are not. Keep the candy
separate so that you can carefully check it before your child
eats any of it. Some hospitals will X-Ray the candy for you
as a public service, check your local medical facility and see
if they offer this service. An X-Ray will only detect if there
is metal in the candy, not if it has been injected or dipped
in any substance.
We do hope that you and your child will have a happy and
safe Halloween. If you bear in mind these few safety tips
we know that you will have pleasant memories to look back
on for many Halloweens to come.