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The INDEPENDENT, August 4, 2005
Summer sun can cause problems
Several health problems are
associated with working in in-
tense, summer sun. A minor
heat-related
concern
is
cramps, usually in the lower leg
and abdominal area. It is due to
water and salt losses. Get out
of the sun, stretch your mus-
cles gently, and drink plenty of
water, slowly, with a small
amount of salt (or substitute a
sports drink).
A more serious health prob-
lem is heat exhaustion. Heat
exhaustion can cause disorien-
tation, nausea, and excessive
sweating. Move into a cooler
area, lie down and elevate the
feet, and drink fluids. Don’t get
back up when the symptoms
subside and start operating
power equipment.
The most serious problem is
heat stroke. Heat stroke can be
fatal. It is a major medical
emergency! Danger signals in-
clude little or no sweating and a
high body temperature, 104° or
more. Immediately call for
medical help. Get the person
into the shade and cool them
by loosening or removing cloth-
ing and applying water (NOT
ICE!) to help them cool off.
Avoid these problems by
drinking plenty of fluids, taking
breaks to cool off, and watch-
ing for signs that something is
wrong.
Volunteers encouraged to serve
on Health Licensing Office boards
The Health Licensing Office
(HLO), a state consumer pro-
tection agency regulating 15
health and related professions,
is encouraging women, minori-
ties and other concerned citi-
zens to serve on the volunteer
citizen boards and councils the
HLO central agency oversees.
Currently, the following posi-
tions are available:
• Board of Cosmetology:
Public member and a Licensed
practitioner
• Board of Denture Technol-
ogy: Public member
• Board of Direct Entry Mid-
wifery: Licensed physician in-
volved at the time of appoint-
ment in obstetrical care or edu-
cation.
• Advisory Council for Elec-
trologists, Permanent Color
Technicians and Tattoo Artists:
Public member who does not
possess the professional quali-
fications and a Licensed physi-
cian (preferably specializing in
dermatology)
• Environmental Health Reg-
istration Board: Representative
of the food or food and alco-
holic beverage retail industry, a
Physician licensed to practice
medicine or surgery by the
Board of Medical Examiners for
the State of Oregon and certi-
fied by the American Board of
Preventative Medicine and
Public Health
• Advisory Council on Hear-
ing Aids: Two members who
are licensed hearing aid spe-
cialists.
For information on the ap-
pointment process, go to the
executive appointments page
at <http://governor.oregon.go
v/Gov/boards.shtml>.
For more information on
specific vacancies, contact
Board Liaison Samie Patnode
at 503-378-8667, ext. 4323 or
<samie.patnode@state.or.us>.
Please visit <www.orego
n.gov/HLO> for more informa-
tion on the HLO central agency
and the multiple health and re-
lated professions it regulates.
A Foot Bath that detoxes
the whole body as a therapeutic aid
for increased vitality and well being.
You’ll never feel the same
about Foot Baths!
For an appointment, call
Sue Minger at 503-429-7565
or Marie Krahn at 503-429-5180
Vernonia Friendship
Jamboree, August 5-7
Health Notes
By Audeen Wagner
NEED A SPORTS PHYSICAL?
A sports physical is mandatory for taking part in any school sports program.
Providence Family Medicine will offer physicals at no charge. So, here’s the
deal:
WHO: 7th, 9th, and 11th graders (or any first-time participant regardless of
grade).
WHAT: Sports physicals given by Dr. Gilmore and staff at Providence.
WHEN: One day only, August 16, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Vernonia High School.
HOW: Pick up forms in advance, at the District Office or the Clinic. The form
must be signed by a parent or guardian. Schedule your appointment at the District Office. Parents
are welcome to attend with the student, but not necessary if they have signed the form – that part is
required.
QUESTIONS? Contact the School District Office with any questions regarding registration and/or
appointments. Their number is 503-429-5891, and the office is open from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday.
MORE ON SUMMER SAFETY
Bee Stings: There are two concerns from insect stings: Allergic reaction and infection. What to
do? Remove a stinger left behind by the bee as quickly as possible (one way is to gently scrape it
out with a dull knife or a credit card). Keep the area clean – wash with soap and water two to three
times a day until the skin is healed. Cold packs and acetaminophen are good for pain.
If you or a child are stung in the mouth, immediate attention is necessary, because stings in the
mucous membranes of the mouth can quickly cause severe swelling that may block airways. Also,
you should seek medical care if you note a large skin rash, or swelling.
Severe affects are rare, but can be potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. If you notice any
of the following you should seek medical care immediately:
• wheezing or difficulty breathing
• tightness in throat or chest
• swelling of the lips
• dizziness or fainting
• nausea or vomiting
Skateboard safety. Summer is the time for skateboards – they can be a lot of fun, but also very
dangerous. Broken bones and cuts can be the result of poor board maintenance and lack of skill.
Here are some tips:
• Watch for fatigue – stop when you are getting tired.
• Kneepads, elbow pads, helmets, long-sleeved shirts and pants can help protect your body, and
reduce the number and severity of cuts and scrapes.
• Always skateboard away from cars and pedestrian traffic. Seeking out skateboard parks makes
sense!
• Training. Get some training to help you master the basic skills of board control, and prepare you
for more speed and difficult maneuvers.
• Check your board on a regular basis. Look for defective parts, sharp edges, cracks in the wheels
– these are often the cause of accidents.
• Learn to crouch, relax, hug your arms and roll when you fall.
• Ride with someone else or where there is supervision, and ride only in daylight hours.
Using common sense about riding skateboards will make for more fun and less pain!
Fun in the Sun. For many of us, summer means hanging out at the pool or beach, soaking up rays
– we seem to be infatuated with tanning. I read that the fad for tanning was started by the designer
Coco Chanel in the 1920s, when she returned from the French Riviera with a deep tan, and thus
started a new fashion craze. Before that time, it was stylish to be as pale as possible, an indication
that you were wealthy enough to hire people for outside labor, like farming or gardening. But sud-
denly, Coco changed all that, and a suntan became the “badge of the rich.” Interesting, huh?
UVB radiation from the sun burns the upper layers of the skin, whereas UVA radiation, which pen-
etrates to the lower layers, causes tanning. UVA rays are considered the culprit in aging of the skin,
and UVB rays are more often linked to skin cancer. Skin cancer is considered an epidemic in the
United States. Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, is the fastest-growing type of tumor
in terms of new cases. So, it makes sense to protect yourself when you are out in the sun. Wear
sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 (even on cloudy days!) Reapply sun-
screen every 2 to 3 hours if you are outside for a while, especially after swimming. Wear sunglass-
es and a hat with a brim. And, be aware that reflective surfaces like snow and water increase the
amount of radiation to which you are exposed.
So, enjoy your summer, traveling, hiking, swimming, biking, water-skiing, skating, or whatever
strikes your fancy. The Cancer Society and other authorities out there say, “When you play it Safe,
you’re playing it Smart.”
NEXT MAMMOVAN: Wednesday, August 24.