Death on Hold?

A reader asked a question about the recent "Chocolate, Wine and Wear It Red" column in regards to whether the same benefits from wine could be found in grape juice. Ms. T, the short answer is, probably. There's a lot of talk in the news and on the street about the benefits of red wine on heart disease. Everyone from the American Heart Association to the Mayo Clinic has weighed in on the potential benefits red wine can have on your heart health.
I want to be clear that I do not believe anything will take the place of exercise, sound nutrition and not smoking in protecting your heart and overall health. With that said, let's explore the benefits of juice vs. wine. We know that the substance called resveratrol (res-VAIR'ah-trol) is an antioxidant that comes from the skin of grapes. Other foods that contain resveratrol include peanuts, blueberries and cranberries. You may recall from an earlier column I used the Harvard School of Public Health Food Pyramid (http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/) and their recommendations for fruits and whole grains.
Alcohol can contribute to a small increase in HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), but you can also get a small rise in HDL cholesterol with regular physical activity. Alcohol has also been linked to high blood pressure, stroke, suicide, motor vehicle accidents, physical abuse, obesity and some cancers to name a few. It has been suggested that women should limit alcohol consumption to one drink per day and men no more than two drinks per day. The National Library of Medicine defines a “drink” as 12 oz of beer, 1.5 oz of 80-proof spirits, or 4 oz of wine. Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should avoid alcohol consumption altogether, because of the potential serious birth defects associated with its use. I want to point out that even light drinking can lead to an addiction. You should always discuss with your healthcare provider possible risk verses benefits of any supplement-including alcohol.
A recent segment on 60 Minutes re-examined the so-called French paradox which suggests that even despite a population that consumes a high fat diet and wine; there is a remarkably low incidence of heart disease. 60 Minutes reported the scientists in this segment launched a research company called Sirtris which was sold to GloxoSmithKline for almost three quarters of a billion dollars-supposedly validating their research findings on a “wine pill” “that could prevent diseases of the aging, and making a 90-year-old as healthy as a 60-year-old.” All this sounds a little too Jetsonian for me. I will let you know when a pill allows you to become a couch potato, eat whatever you want, and live past 100. But until that time, get some exercise, eat a nutritious diet, refrain from smoking, you will live healthier longer.
So Ms. T? Recent studies suggest purple Concord grapes which are also high in resveratrol may provide the same heart healthy benefits of red wine without the alcohol. You may find grape juice to be a little less expensive and if you’re pregnant much safer and healthier for you and your baby. Grape juice has no contraindications with medications and to my knowledge no one has ever been arrested for driving under the influence of grape juice. Putting “death on hold” isn’t as simple as taking a pill; however, simple lifestyle changes may make for a more pleasant ride. Great question, Ms. T, and I hope this helps.
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please email me at: howard@howardsbaker.com

Salmonella In A Nutshell

It’s hard to pick up any newspaper or listen to any news reports without hearing something about Salmonella and peanuts. I have many questions on how this outbreak of Salmonella could have gotten so out of hand. The long-term impact of this recent outbreak of salmonella and the Peanut Corporation of America will have a huge effect on agriculture in Georgia, especially the peanut farmers. I will even go so far as to say peanut farmers will probably need some federal assistance to keep from losing their family farms. Sadly, all because of what appears to be due to-in part-greed.
When greed clouds the judgment of those who control our food supply, it often impacts not only profits but also our health. In the case of the Peanut Corporation of America and the number of products that have been implicated the products are too numerous to list here. I recommend that you visit the FDA’s website (www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm) for a complete list of both human products and pet products that have been recalled. For those of you who do not have internet access you can call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at 1-800-CDC-INFO. This hotline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for product recall information. The CDC reports that 529 cases in 43 states are under investigation.
Signs and symptoms of Salmonella infection are diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps that usually appear within 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness will usually last between 4 to 7 days. Most people usually recover without treatment however, severe infections can occur. High risk persons i.e., infants, elderly and people with impaired immune systems are most likely to develop severe infections and should seek the advice of their healthcare provider promptly. Severe infections can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and if not diagnosed and treated promptly with antibiotics death can result.
Pet owners can find a searchable list of all the food products recalled at: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm#PetFood Signs and symptoms of Salmonella infections in pets are lethargy, fever, vomiting and diarrhea or bloody diarrhea. Some pets may only suffer from decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. It is possible for animals to be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed a recalled product and has these symptoms, contact your veterinarian.
It is important to note that hand washing, kitchen cleanliness, and information are your best bets for protecting your health. I cannot stress enough the importance that simple hand washing plays in disease prevention and overall good health. Hand washing is the single most important disease prevention intervention you can take. So, I suggest these simple hand washing instructions to help protect you and your family.
• Wet hands with running water, place soap in palms; rub together to make a lather, scrub hands vigorously for 20 seconds (about the amount of time it takes to sing the A, B, C’s) before rinsing soap off hands.
• If possible, turn off the faucet by using a disposable paper towel.
• Dry hands with a disposable paper towel. Do not dry hands on clothing.

Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please email me at: letters@ubiquitousnurse.com

Chocolate, Wine, and Wear It Red

February is national heart month and with an abundance of good and important heart topics to discuss, it wasn’t easy to pick which area to spotlight first. So, as I was brought up “ladies first” - and since this coming Friday February 6th is National Wear Red Day to help raise awareness about heart disease- it became easy to decide to start with the ladies and a few suggestion on staying healthy.
Commercials want us to believe that dark chocolate and red wine are always good for heart health, both physically as well as romantically, but is it true? It is important to point out a few statistics to fully understand the significance of heart disease, especially in women. “More female lives were lost due to cardiovascular disease than by cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s, accidents, and diabetes combined.” Source: Heart Disease & Stroke Statistics – 2008 Update, American Heart Association. It is estimated that 49% of Black/African-American women, 35% of non-Hispanic white women, and 34% of Mexican-American women have some form of cardiovascular disease. (CDC). With nearly 81 million American adults having one or more type of heart disease it becomes clear we need to work hard to inform our loved ones of the risk and prevention of heart disease.
Obesity always seems to come up when we talk about health so let’s get that one out of the way first. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ has a simple, easy to use body mass index (BMI) calculator so you can calculate your own BMI quickly and easily at home. Body Mass Index is a number calculated from your weight and height, and it provides an indicator of body fat and health risk. A BMI of 25 or greater is considered to be overweight, and a weight loss program could reduce your risk. Be active for at least two and a half hours per week by including activities that raise your heart rate and breathing. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any exercise program.
Smoking increases the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Smoking cessation can significantly reduce your risk for heart disease, and your risk of a heart attack decreases soon after quitting. The State of Tennessee offers a great free service for those wishing to quit smoking or quit other types of tobacco use at 1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUIT NOW). By calling the Tobacco QuitLine you will receive a FREE tobacco quit kit, and work with a FREE Quit Coach to learn how to deal with tobacco cravings and other challenges. This is a great FREE service-so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
Diet and nutrition-along with a healthy weight and regular physical activity - can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol and also prevent obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Part of a heart-smart diet includes eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, lowering or cutting out added salt or sodium and saturated fats. A good source for sound nutritional information can be found at the Harvard School of Public Health www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/.
Guys, it’s time to really show the ladies in your life how important they are to you by supporting them in efforts to prevent heart disease. So, on February 6th make sure to wear red, and enjoy a little dark chocolate with a nice glass of red wine-all in the name of good health. Not only this week but every week. It may or may not help her heart, but it sure will help the romance.
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please email me at: letters@ubiquitousnurse.com

My Heartbeat Goes To The Dogs

As a nurse I am a strong proponent of organ donation, and I am an organ donor myself. When you see organ recipients and their families, you are able to conceptualize the magnitude that organ donation has on both the donor and the recipient. From a donor’s viewpoint you know that you have made someone else’s life better, stronger, and have made the ultimate humanitarian gift – life. The recipient is often given a new freedom in life and is better able to enjoy the things most of us take for granted.
I usually do not write about animal health, but if we stop and think about health and the health of our pets they really do inter-relate. Our pets become part of our family, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pets can help decrease blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels and feelings of loneliness. Dogs, cats and horses can also suffer from the same kinds of cardiac abnormalities similar to humans and exhibit identical symptoms such as fainting episodes and exercise intolerance.
When the idea of pacemaker donation from humans to man’s best friend – dogs - was first discussed with me my mind reeled with ethical and moral questions on a professional level as well as on a personal level. Being an animal lover, I have a lot of difficulty thinking about animals suffering needlessly or at the hands of neglect. Since I am a proponent of organ donation, it didn’t take long to get my head around the concept. I started thinking about all the people I knew and the patients I have cared for who have pacemakers. Since you cannot donate pacemakers from human to human, the benefits of donation from human to animal became clear. So why not keep the beat going in a beloved pet? It becomes easy to see there are a lot of pacemakers out there that could benefit another life and keep the joy and smiles in the hearts of many.
I think about the service dogs for the blind, military and community that are not easily replaced. A simple life- saving pacemaker could prolong their lives and the lives they serve. Pacemakers have been estimated to prolong a dog’s life by as much as five years. Pacemakers cost around $6,000 making them cost prohibitive for most. It is estimated that 90% of dogs needing pacemakers don’t get them. Manufacturers will donate pacemakers when their expiration dates are nearing; however, these devices are too few to serve all the needs.
Think about all the ways animals enrich our lives; they put smiles on faces old and young alike. Why not will your pacemaker, or donate a loved one’s pacemaker, to extend the life of a beloved pet or service animal? Donating or willing a pacemaker is simple; ask the funeral home to remove the pacemaker and give it to you or a loved one. If they are being cremated the pacemaker has to be removed anyway so funeral homes are experienced in their removal.

Donated pacemakers can benefit horses, cats and dogs, and those who love them. You can make a difference in a defenseless life and the lives they touch.


Simply mail the pacemaker to:

US Mail address: Dr. Becky Gompf, D.V.M.
Dept. of SACS
C247 VTH
Knoxville, TN 37996-4544

UPS or Federal Express:
Dr. Becky Gompf, D.V.M.
Dept. of SACS
2407 River Dr.
Knoxville, TN 37996


Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please email me at: howard@howardsbaker.com