Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month: Switch to HFA Inhalers

Every asthmatic has an inhaler - but did you know that beginning January 1, 2009 it will no longer be legal to manufacture or sell CFC inhalers in the US? CFC's are chlorofluorocarbons propellants that have been used in MDI's (metered-dose inhalers) for years. Pursuant to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer 1987 Treaty, it was agreed that CFC inhalers would be phased out. The production and consumption of CFCs in the United States was banned as of January 1, 1996. Drug manufacturers are now required to manufacture inhalers with hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellants.

All patients should be switched to HFA inhalers. Check your inhalers, your child's inhalers and look for HFA on the the label. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist if they have not switched you over already.

Labels: asthma, HFA, MDI

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May 28, 2008 is Senior Health & Fitness Day

Fitness...a Lifetime Investment! is the theme for this year's senior health and fitness day. Americans are living longer - so save your hard earned dollars. Don't waste them on health care for preventable diseases due to a sedentary lifestyle and obesity. Get up, get moving, get out and enjoy life!

You and a friend can take Healthline's Fitness Test for Seniors as long as you are in good health and you have your doctor's approval. We also offer video of Ginette Benard, a 72 year old woman who runs 10 miles a day. Don't be lonely in your quest for fitness - Healthline helps you Volunteer your Way to Fitness. Seniors are at increased risk for falls. Exercise is one good way to stay in shape and prevent falls. The increased bone and muscle mass from exercise will decrease the incidence of fractures if you do take a spill.

As our population ages, more and more people are debunking Myths about Aging. Invest in yourself - stay fit and active. With the price of gas, we might as well all get back to walking and talking to our neighbors.


Thank you Pathfinder for use of this wonderful photo - All Ages. Wow...

Labels: healthy aging, senior fitness

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Bike to Work Week

Gas prices have topped $4 a gallon. Evidence of climate change is devastating in terms of loss of lives, cost of food, and homelessness with the cyclone in Myanmar, tornadoes in North America, drought, floods, famine, icebergs breaking off around the globe.

So what can we do about it? Bike to Work! The League of American Bicyclers invites you to get healthy and bike to work this week. Just remember to wear your helmet! Remember how much fun it was, riding your bike as a kid, just exploring the world and feeling free? You can still have those simple pleasures today. Just get on your bike and ride.











Thank you izewine for use of photo Tandem Bike tour.

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Nurses Make a Difference Every Day! National Nurses Week, May 6 - May 12, 2008

The American Nurses Association observes National Nurses Week this week. Nurses are college educated and trained professionals serving the community in a myriad of ways. Nursing is a science but also the art of caring for people. There are 2.4 million actively employed nurses in the USA. Nursing is a profession with the top projected job growth through 2012. By the end of this decade, we could be facing a shortage of over a million nurses.

One thing that is a big concern right now is how medical centers may be under staffing with nurses to hold costs down. Adequate nursing staffing not only saves lives but does actually save money. People suffer and die when nursing care is inadequate. With the increased complexity of medical care, more nurses are needed to deliver that care safely, and prevent deaths and complications from medical errors.

ANA'S Definition of Nursing

Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.

(Nursing's Social Policy Statement, Second Edition, 2003, p. 6 & Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 2004, p. 7)

Nursing schools have had to turn away applicants. If you are considering nursing as a profession - get your application in early and start taking the required courses. Many schools offer fast tracks for people who have degrees and experience in other profession. As for myself, nursing has been a great career choice, providing me with an abundance of opportunity, variety and flexibility for traveling and raising a family. I have never wanted for work in my adult life, and have been blessed with work that is interesting, challenging, and hopefully I have made the lives of others a little better along the way.

Thank you John Gevers for use of photo.

Labels: employment, jobs, nurses, nursing

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May is National Mental Health Month - Get Connected

This month, take stock of your social relationships. Our world and our lives are getting more difficult - we need each now more than ever. Relationships with family and friends help get us through tough times. Mental Health America's theme for 2008 is Get Connected. Social connectedness is a major factor in mental health and wellbeing.

Think back to times when you went through extraordinarily tough tribulations - could you have made it without your friends and family? I know I could not have. Strengthen your bonds with others now and reach out and be there for people who may be going through stressful times right now. Make sure you have these 5 connections in your life for sound mental health

1. Have close relationships to help you cope with stress
2. Have people to talk to when you get lonely
3. Have people around you who accept you for who you are
4. Have a strong emotional connection to at least one other person
5. Know who will help you when you really need it

Humans are social creatures. Being connected to others is as important to our health as eating, sleeping and getting exercise. Strengthen your bonds with others to do. Be slow to criticize, easy to forgive, laugh often.

Thank you adettera for use of photo Family is Most Important.

Labels: mental health, social connections

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