Health Briefs TV Relays Tips for Preventing Hearing Loss

Imagine not being able to hear clearly or hear anything at all. Most people think that hearing loss is for the aging generations only, but this is not so. Younger people are losing their hearing too. Health Briefs TV relays tip for preventing hearing loss.

There are many ways in which hearing can change throughout life.

• Loud music a concerts, music festivals and in nightclubs affects hearing later on.
• Most people use ear buds with their smart phones to take calls or listen to music tend to turn the volume up.
• People who work with loud industrial equipment or at airports where jets takes off and land are subjected to a loud work environment.

Recent research has found that hearing loss in adolescents increased by 31 percent from 1988 to 2005, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to prevent hearing loss.

• When going to a concert or music festival, do not stand or take a seat anywhere near the speakers. Sit back far enough from them to still see and enjoy the show.
• Wear ear plugs if you prefer to be closer to the stage. You can still hear and hear well and are still protecting your ears.
• If working in a loud environment, ask management for ear plugs. By law, employers have to offer ear protection if a job requires it.
• Medication and injury can also cause hearing loss.

Health Briefs TV also suggests getting a hearing test every year. This is a good idea for people who are getting older. Clean ear wax from ears as often as needed. Once hearing diminishes and is gone, it never comes back. Hearing aids are often used, and while there are several options, none give the user the hearing they once had. Background noise is not filtered the way it is naturally. Therefore, all noise is amplified with a hearing aid. Cochlear implants are another option, though expensive, may not work.

The best way to prevent hearing loss is to protect your ears whenever possible. 

The Health Briefs TV Show Review Tips for Healthy Travel

Planning a nice vacation? Heading to Mexico or overseas? The Health Briefs TV show shares tips for healthy travel. Because no one wants to get sick away from home.

Basic sanitary measures are needed everywhere we go no matter if it is in the next city or across the ocean to another continent.

Carry a packet or two of sanitary wipes or a few tubes of gel to clean hands when in public places such as airplanes, rest rooms or hotel rooms. Drink bottled water only. Avoid tap water when overseas. Wear protective clothing if going outdoors where mosquitoes are prevalent such as in some African countries. Get the recommended vaccines or prescriptions before leaving your country of origin.

There are studies available which note that many Americans who travel abroad don’t get vaccinations as a precaution. The Health Briefs television show reminds readers that every step taken to be and stay healthy on vacation should be on travelers’ agendas. From the food and water consumed to knowing what health concerns are common at destinations, know before you go.

Health Briefs TV Provides a Sepsis Update

Sepsis is the body’s response to overwhelming and life-threatening response to an infection. It can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. It is also a growing medical issue around the country, as Health Briefs TV learns.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been more than one million cases of sepsis each year in the US. Symptoms include:

• Presence of an infection
• Elevated or lowered body temperature
• Fast heart rate
• Fast breathing rate
• Low blood pressure

If caught early enough, sepsis is treatable with fluid and antibiotics. If it progresses quickly and is not treated quickly, patients can experience an abrupt change in mental status, significantly decreased urine output, abdominal pain and trouble breathing. Septic shock happens when someone has all of the above symptoms, plus very low blood pressure, and does not respond to fluid replacement.  

The Health Briefs television show relays that sepsis can happen to anyone with any type of infection. People can get sepsis in the hospital or in the community. Medical professionals with training know that the golden standard for treating sepsis is within one hour of diagnosing it. Antibiotic treatment and fluid replacement is recommended but within that “golden hour”.  Readers should know that for every hour delayed after sepsis is determined, the mortality risk of the patient increases.

Sepsis -- also known as septicemia, blood infection or blood poisoning, takes the lives of 258,000 people annually. This makes it the ninth leading cause of disease-related death in the country. Don’t let someone you love become another statistic. Insist on immediate action. 

Health Briefs TV Relays Cautions for July Fourth

Never use sparklers in the house or home

The upcoming July Fourth holiday in the United States is a time of celebration, family picnics, firework shows, and injuries. Health Briefs TV relays cautions for the Independence holiday.

As Americans being to prep and prepare homes, lawns, and food for the holiday weekend, there are important health and safety reminders to consider:

Lawns and the outdoors

• Carefully trim trees, bushes and shrubs. Be aware of power and cable lines hidden in thick tree branches. Wear sturdy, enclosed shoes and long sleeves to prevent slips from ladders and scratches on arms.
• Be sure swimming pools have secure gates and fences to prevent small children from possibly drowning.
• Clean outdoor furniture with water only.
• Wear swim goggles when enjoying public pools and in oceans, lakes and other bodies of water to prevent eye infections.
• Use plenty of sunscreen and wear a hat when spending a lot of time in the sun. Reapply often and don’t forget to protect the ears, nose and mouth.
• Use sparklers and snappers cautiously. Avoid letting small children use them. Snappers can pop under someone’s legs and cause burns. Sparklers crackle and pop scaring animals and kids. Stand away from other people when using them. Fireworks sold to consumers cause more burns to hands, arms and faces than anywhere else, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Homes and food

• Refrigerate all food well in advance of picnics and barbeques. Use sealed containers to prevent spills and contamination from air.
• Clean up counters and tables when done using them immediately so pets and toddlers don’t ingest food with bones, chocolate or anything which might cause an allergic reaction.
• Keep alcoholic drinks away from surfaces that kids can reach.
• Pack plenty of beach towels, bug spray and sunscreen for everyone.
• Keep everyone hydrated with a supply of cold water and fruit juices. Flavor it naturally with berries, oranges, lemons, limes and mint.

The Health Briefs TV show wishes readers a safe and healthy Fourth of July.

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Health Briefs TV Examines Reusable Medical Equipment Guidelines

Reusable medical devices called duodenoscopes are the culprits in the recent rash of hospital patients diagnosed with medical experts call the “Superbug”. Health Briefs TV examines what they are and reviews guidelines for their usage.

Duodenoscopes are the flexible tubes fitted with tiny lights and advanced cameras used to diagnose or treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Roughly 500,000 procedures a year in the United States alone take place using this piece of medical equipment.  The scopes are inserted down a patient’s throat so the physician can get perfect view.  When done, the scopes are put in a device which sterilizes them.  This is the health industry standard for ensuring reusable medical equipment is clean and sterile.

There have been several cases from hospitals in the country which reported that the standard way to sterilize equipment is not doing the job. Medical professionals have suggested, and some are using alternative methods of ensuring equipment is safe to reuse. These methods utilize ethylene-oxide sterilization and swabbing the equipment after each use to collect any pathogens left on them. They expensive ways to clean the equipment, but have reduced the number of patients infected with pathogens and bacteria from “almost clean” devices.

The Health Briefs TV show notes that patient health and safety should come before expense. When patients become very ill after reusable medical equipment is employed again, the cost of treating one patient can be quite hefty.  Prevention is always the best way to work and more so in a health care setting.

Health Briefs TV Explains Fevers and Its Origins

Digital thermometers work great for taking a temp

A fever can signify many health conditions from the flu to heat stroke. Health Briefs TV explains fevers and its origins.

A normal temperature starts at 98.6 and can go up to 100.2 degrees. Healthcare professionals consider an elevated temperature to be 100.4. There are a variety of reasons as to why a healthy person’s temperature could rise above 100.4:

• Women experiencing menstruation will have a fluctuating temperature depending on where they are in their monthly cycle.
• Heat stoke can cause a body temperature to rise above 104.
• People who are coming down with flu will have an elevated temperature.
• Viral and bacterial infections can cause a fever.
• Some medications can cause a fever.

Health Briefs TV encourages readers who travel internationally to be aware that airports screening passengers for fevers with handheld devices may believe the traveler could have been exposed to Ebola.  Know what can cause a body’s temperature to rise and counter misinformation with facts. Fevers can originate from a variety of sources. Shouldn’t the people scanning travelers for fevers know the facts before making erroneous decisions that affect people’s lives in adverse ways? And shouldn’t U.S. state governments know them too? Ignorance and lack of information cause hysteria and hysteria harbors irrational fears. This helps no one.

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Health Briefs TV Shares Some Good News about Breast Cancer Risks

power lines near the house do not cause breast cancer

There is so much in the news about breast cancer that it can be hard to weed out the good advice from the bad. Health Briefs TV shares some good news about breast cancer risks with readers. Sources taken from ABC News.

Most women have heard at one time or another, (we certainly have) that wearing an underwire bra can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. This is not true according to a recent, well-researched study. Bras of any size underwire or not, do not increase the risk. What a relief.

Breast implants do not increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Those who work in mammography take more detailed images of women with breast implants.

Deodorant and antiperspirants do not increase the risk of developing breast cancer.  Some do have aluminum-based compounds, which some experts thought are cancer-causing, but it has been proven in numerous studies that this is not true.

Coffee and caffeine do not increase the risk of developing breast cancer.  The coffee beans contain a good amount of antioxidants which are beneficial to overall good health.   The Health Briefs TV show can also relate that coffee can reduce pain, improve memory and circulation. So have a cup or two.

The electromagnetic field emanating from power lines does not increase the risk of developing breast cancer. There have been many reputable studies which proved this theory wrong.  So enjoy life under the wires.

While there are some other theories out there about what can increase the risk of developing breast cancer, these are the most common misconceptions. Of course, the best advice will come from your doctor.

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Health Briefs TV Shares News on Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Not cool at all.

The number of teens who smoke, drink, or use drugs has gone down significantly from 2002 to 2013, according to a new study. This is good news and Health Briefs reviews more information from this research.

Alcohol, binge drinking and tobacco use are also reduced for teens age 12 to 17 in the same time period. Illegal drug use is down also. Teens that have a substance dependence problem or abuse problems also went down. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also reports that in 2013, rates of illegal drug abuse fell among teens to just under nine percent. Alcohol abuse dropped to 11.6 percent from 13 percent in 2012. And binge drinking rates, one of the most dangerous forms of alcohol abuse, fell only one percent during the same time period. The Health Briefs TV show learns that the rate of preteens and teens that drove under the influence dropped three percent.

While these statistics are encouraging and positive, preteens and teens must learn from the adults in their lives that there is nothing cool about alcohol use or illegal substance abuse. Drinking and drunk driving are not normal teen activities and can lead to injury, death and jail time. Substance abuse ruins lives immediately.  Please help America’s preteens and teens get the help they need to kick an addiction before it kicks them.

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Health Briefs – Why Flying is Safe to and from Africa

The devastating Ebola disease is causing great fear for international travelers. While it is mostly affected those who live in Western African nations, the panic of catching it is worrisome. Health Briefs shares why it is safe to fly to and from Africa, as a whole.

Ebola is transmitted by bodily fluids and is not an airborne-related disease. The World Health Organization states that the disease can be passed from person to person through direct contact with a sick person’s body fluids such as blood, vomit, sweat or diarrhea. The health organization further adds that people who are sick with Ebola are not well enough to travel. As with most illnesses where the affected person is sick with fever, vomiting and diarrhea, the likelihood of traveling via air is practically nil. Dehydration and weakness prevent many from traveling in any form of transportation. The WHO emphasizes that banning air travel is not to and from affected countries is not recommended.

A few airlines with routes to the countries where Ebola is present have canceled some flights. Health Briefs learns that that travel to other African nations such as South Africa is fine.  Any air traveler should know that there are personal steps to take to reduce catching any common germs in flight. These include using sanitizing wipes to clean arm rests, trays, toilet seats, bathroom door handles, sinks and their hands. Never put a bottle of water or any other object which will go near the mouth, in the seat pocket. This is the most bacteria-laden part of the cabin. For those who are planning travel to African countries, always check with the airline to see if there are any restrictions. International travelers in the United States can also check with the Department of State for more information.

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Health Briefs Reports on Dangers with Sports Injuries

Sports injuries are pretty common when school starts up again after the summer break. Health Briefs reports on the dangers student athletes face when they are on the practice and playing field.

The most common sports injuries are noted as sprains, concussions and dehydration. The watchdog Safe Kids Worldwide reports that one in four coaches they surveyed said they don’t to anything in particular to prevent injuries in young players during practice or games.  Less than half of those coaches said they had any certification on how to prevent and recognize sports injuries. Ninety percent of the athletes who took part in the survey said they had been hurt while playing a sport.

Since the school year has started already in most U.S. states, and school athletic programs are already in full swing, Health Briefs TV encourages parents, coaches and student athletes to meet as one and discuss safety and injury prevention. Dirty moves on the play field, such as a hard foul, should be discouraged. Urge players to speak up when they are hurt and take them out of the game for examination. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that in 2013, 1.24 million children were sent to the emergency room for a sports-related injury. Let’s make 2014 the year when those stats are reduced.

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Health Briefs Reminds Readers to Not Get Into Hot Water This Summer

Nearly every body of water east of the Mississippi is warmer than usual. Warmer water may feel good to the swimmer but it also contains more bacteria than cooler water. Health Briefs reminds viewers to stay out of hot water this summer.

There have been several cases of swimmers catching, suffering from and some dying from freshwater amoeba Naegleria fowleri. This particular amoeba is a type of virus which attacks the brain. But it can be prevented which is why we offer some suggestions for staying healthy in warm water.

Use a nose plug. This amoeba enters the body through the nose causing a severe frontal headache, fever, nausea and vomiting. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control warns that if not treated, the amoeba can cause seizures, confusion and hallucinations as it works its way from the nasal cavity to the brain.

Health Briefs learns that most of the cases have been in the southern states and mainly in Texas and Florida. Typically, there are warmer waters here than anywhere else. The CDC experts remind that fresh water lakes, slip n slides, and rivers are not the best places to swim or cool off. Well-maintained pools which are regularly chlorinated and salt water are better options to enjoy a refreshing swim before school starts, and avoid stirring up sediment in shallow, fresh warm water areas. 

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Health Briefs TV Explains the Basic Facts about Ebola

Ebola is a life-threatening disease which is mostly found in countries outside of the U.S. Two American healthcare workers have been infected in West Africa where the disease is widespread. One of these healthcare workers is already back in America and in an isolated hospital unit in the Georgia. The other healthcare worker is due back this week. Health Briefs TV shares the basic facts about Ebola and why it is not a real threat in the United States.

Ebola is a highly-infectious disease which produces flu-like symptoms and is usually fatal. It is contracted through bodily fluids like blood. Its symptoms are: the sudden onset of flu-like symptoms including fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. These are followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and sometimes internal and external bleeding. It takes two weeks from time of infection to the onset of symptoms.

Health Briefs learns that the threat of Ebola being transmitted from the two infected healthcare workers to rest of the population is not very likely.  The staff taking care of these two people is protected from catching it, and the two infected care workers are in heavily isolated spaces.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has issued an alert for all medical professionals to ask patients presenting Ebola-like symptoms about recent travel. In truth, panic spreads faster than the Ebola virus. Have questions? Ask your doctor. 

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