I consider myself lucky to have grown up with a menagerie of pets ranging from gerbils to horses. I have many memories and scars of those happy pet challenges of bites and kicks in fleeting moments when my life became one with nature. Anything with a mind of its own and mouth full of teeth has the potential to inflict a little pain and suffering. As a young boy I found a neighbor’s cat with a death grip on a mouse. In a moment as fast as a blink I jumped to the aid of the helpless mouse and saved it from a certain death in the jaws of the cat. What I didn’t anticipate was the mouse biting me. I am not sure what happened next. All I can remember are screams of confusion as my mother sprung into action. With my eyes big as saucers, sounds of a broom cut through the air and whipped about my head. Within seconds my mother had beaten the little mouse to death and scooped its limp body into a brown paper bag with one hand while she yanked me away with the other as if I were a rag doll. What I learned from this cat and mouse story was this: Never interfere with nature, and never, never under estimate the powers of a mother where her babies are concerned.
The benefits of pet ownership are well documented, and I believe our health interrelates with the animal kingdom on many levels. As we begin the summer season and start spending more time outdoors, we increase our opportunities to come in contact with nature. Since most dog bites occur during the summer, and since May 16-22nd is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, it’s a perfect time to review ways to protect ourselves and our children from injury and possible death.
Thirty nine percent of households in America own at least one dog, and an estimated 75 million dogs living among us. Obviously, the mere numbers increase the likelihood we will interact with dogs. Many of us would never reach down to pet a snake slithering across the lawn but wouldn’t hesitate to reach out and pet a cute, cuddly dog loping down the sidewalk. Yet snakebites fatalities average less than four deaths per year in the United States compared to the 23 fatal dog attacks in 2008. The number of dog bite injuries is much higher in children than in adults. When I worked as an Emergency Room nurse, I witnessed tragedy a quick snip from the family dog can bring to a child.
The Humane Society suggests several ways to avoid being bitten by a dog. 1) Never approach an unfamiliar dog-especially one tied or confined behind a fence or in a car. 2) Do not pet a dog-including your own-without letting him see and sniff you first. 3) Never turn your back to a dog and run away. A dog’s natural instinct will be to chase and catch you. 4) Don’t disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, chewing on a toy, or caring for puppies. 5) Be cautions around strange dogs, and always assume that a dog who doesn’t know you may see you as an intruder or as a threat.
If you are approached by a dog you are concerned might attack you, follow these steps:
Resist the impulse to run away or scream
Stand very still “like a tree”
Avoid making direct eye contact with the dog
If you are knocked down or fall act “like a log” by putting your face down and placing your hands behind your neck
Owner negligent is cited as one of the leading causes of dog bites. Take personal responsibility for your pets by getting them spayed or neutered, and keep your dogs immunizations up to date. If considering adding a dog to your family, take time to research dog breeds and talk with a veterinarian about which breeds are right for you. Use a little common sense, and NEVER leave an infant or small child alone with a dog. Take time to talk with your family about dog safety and ways to protect themselves so that dogs will truly be their best friend.
Because of the importance of this topic I am repeating this column.
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please email me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
Friday, May 21, 2010
Let's Grow Together
I have reminisced this week about seasons past as we get into the full swing of spring. Spring is a time when our planet renews itself as trees are greening and their leaves frolic in the breeze. Spring is a time of renewal as our lives and planet renew and spring to life. I took a few minutes to thumb through an old family photo album this week. I noticed something about the pictures taken during the spring of the year-we were in the garden. One of my favorite pictures of myself is one of me dragging a hoe in one hand with my cat under my arm traipsing into the garden. Obviously, gardening was a family affair as most of these pictures included at least three generations and a family pet.
April 22nd was Earth Day and it is estimated that more than a billion people across 190 countries came together to help bring awareness that in order to be a healthier, safer people we must have a healthy environment. Many people planted trees, started gardens, and pushed for more recycling. It is important not to lose the energy and enthusiasm of Earth Day and keep it alive every day. This is the time to plan a back yard or community garden. These gardens will grow more than food; they will grow memories and relationships, not only with friends and family but with Mother Earth.
Regardless of your gardening experience whether you are a beginner or expert there are a lot of resources out there to draw from: Local greenhouses can make recommendations on plants that do well in your local area and offer expert gardening tips. Home improvement stores often have printed materials, books, and staff willing to help. The local farm supply stores offer everything from seeds and plants to tools and knowledge. Your Local Library is also an excellent source for information and I always encourage you to take advantage of this great community resource.
Now that we have had Earth Day I think we need a Health Day. Our bodies are our own personal planet so to speak. The same attention we place on energy conservation for our planet we need to make sure we give ourselves enough time for our own personal energy conservation for sleep. The emphasis we place on toxic chemicals and their impact on our ecosystem, we need to be mindful of what we put into our bodies. We are only given one life, one body so as we take measures to protect and renew our planet let’s look at ways to protect ourselves.
The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions recommends these six gardeners’ safety tips:
• Dress to protect. Prevent exposure to chemicals, insects, and the sun by wearing the proper clothing, safety equipment, and using an insect repellant and sunscreen.
• Put safety first. Limit distractions and follow the labels when using chemicals and equipment. Be aware of possible hazards to lower your risk for injury
• Watch out for heat-related illness. Even being out for short periods of time in high temperatures can cause serious health problems. Monitor your activities and time in the sun to lower your risk for heat-related illness.
• Know your limits. Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns about your ability to work in the garden safely.
• Get vaccinated. Vaccinations can prevent many diseases and save lives. Remember that tetanus lives in soil and all adults should get a tetanus vaccination every 10 years.
• Go green. Conserve water, reuse containers, recycle, and share your bounty.
Gardening is a connection to family, friends, and nature. It is a continuous learning-an adventure of sensory and aesthetic stimulation-that keeps us young, gives us challenges, goals and a sense of accomplishment. A garden is life, and is a great way to get physical activity, while fighting obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, stroke and heart disease.
Come, let’s grow together!
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please email me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
April 22nd was Earth Day and it is estimated that more than a billion people across 190 countries came together to help bring awareness that in order to be a healthier, safer people we must have a healthy environment. Many people planted trees, started gardens, and pushed for more recycling. It is important not to lose the energy and enthusiasm of Earth Day and keep it alive every day. This is the time to plan a back yard or community garden. These gardens will grow more than food; they will grow memories and relationships, not only with friends and family but with Mother Earth.
Regardless of your gardening experience whether you are a beginner or expert there are a lot of resources out there to draw from: Local greenhouses can make recommendations on plants that do well in your local area and offer expert gardening tips. Home improvement stores often have printed materials, books, and staff willing to help. The local farm supply stores offer everything from seeds and plants to tools and knowledge. Your Local Library is also an excellent source for information and I always encourage you to take advantage of this great community resource.
Now that we have had Earth Day I think we need a Health Day. Our bodies are our own personal planet so to speak. The same attention we place on energy conservation for our planet we need to make sure we give ourselves enough time for our own personal energy conservation for sleep. The emphasis we place on toxic chemicals and their impact on our ecosystem, we need to be mindful of what we put into our bodies. We are only given one life, one body so as we take measures to protect and renew our planet let’s look at ways to protect ourselves.
The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions recommends these six gardeners’ safety tips:
• Dress to protect. Prevent exposure to chemicals, insects, and the sun by wearing the proper clothing, safety equipment, and using an insect repellant and sunscreen.
• Put safety first. Limit distractions and follow the labels when using chemicals and equipment. Be aware of possible hazards to lower your risk for injury
• Watch out for heat-related illness. Even being out for short periods of time in high temperatures can cause serious health problems. Monitor your activities and time in the sun to lower your risk for heat-related illness.
• Know your limits. Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns about your ability to work in the garden safely.
• Get vaccinated. Vaccinations can prevent many diseases and save lives. Remember that tetanus lives in soil and all adults should get a tetanus vaccination every 10 years.
• Go green. Conserve water, reuse containers, recycle, and share your bounty.
Gardening is a connection to family, friends, and nature. It is a continuous learning-an adventure of sensory and aesthetic stimulation-that keeps us young, gives us challenges, goals and a sense of accomplishment. A garden is life, and is a great way to get physical activity, while fighting obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, stroke and heart disease.
Come, let’s grow together!
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please email me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
Getting a Head Start on Summer Reading
With summer right around the corner, it’s a good time to get a head start on reading ideas. In 2009, unemployment reached a 16 year high, causing economic uncertainty and the loss of health benefits for many Americans. Every year Library Journal (LJ) publishes a list of the best consumer health books. Highlights from the 2009 list are as follows:
Carstensen, Laura L. A Long Bright Future: An Action Plan for a Lifetime of Happiness, Health, and Financial Security. Her research shows that older adults are, in fact, more mentally stable, optimistic, and happier than younger people. Working longer helps the Social Security system and provides retirement income.
Germer, Christopher K. The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions. Clinical psychologist Germer (Harvard Medical School) uses mindfulness meditation to bring about the acceptance of one's feelings and thoughts. This therapy helps people achieve harmony in their lives and improve relations with others. Also included are valuable self-help techniques.
Sanders, Lisa, M.D. Every Patient Tells a Story: Medical Mysteries and the Art of Diagnosis. Former journalist Sanders writes the “Diagnosis” column for the New York Times Magazine and serves as the technical advisor to the House, M.D. TV series. Her profiles here of patients who have complex medical problems shed light on the diagnostic process and the doctor–patient relationship. She also gives readers tools that will help them navigate the medical system.
Scioli, Anthony & Henry B. Biller. Hope in the Age of Anxiety. Clinical psychologists Scioli and Biller take an interdisciplinary approach to hope, addressing its cultural, spiritual, social, and psychological components. Also presented are meditation exercises and self-assessment tools that allow readers to take control of their spiritual well being. Much more than a self-help book.
Gibbons, Leeza & others. Take Your Oxygen First: Protecting Your Health and Happiness While Caring for a Loved One with Memory Loss. TV personality Gibbons shares her experience of caring for her mother who has Alzheimer's disease. With psychologist James Huysman and physician Rosemary Laird, she provides valuable advice to caregivers about exercise, nutrition, and family involvement. In addition to information about the causes and treatment of Alzheimer's, the authors explore the spiritual aspects of caregiving.
Anderson, John W. Stand by Her: A Breast Cancer Guide for Men. Anderson filled a gap in the breast cancer (BC) literature with this guide for men who have women in their lives with the disease. (The author's wife, sister, mother, and mother's best friend all had BC.) Provided here is good advice about supporting a loved one during diagnosis and treatment, dealing with emotional issues, celebrating remission, and preparing for the end of life.
Additional recommended titles include: The Everything® Health Guide to Living with Breast Cancer: An Accessible and Comprehensive Resource for Women, by Carvalho, Laura Giuggio, R.N. & James A. Stewart, M.D.; Normal at Any Cost: Tall Girls, Short Boys, and the Medical Industry's Quest To Manipulate Height, by Cohen, Susan & Christine Cosgrove; Routine Miracles: Personal Journeys of Patients and Doctors Discovering the Powers of Modern Medicine, by Fischer, Conrad, M.D.; It Takes a Genome: How the Clash Between Our Genes and Modern Life Is Making Us Sick, by Gibson, Greg; Blood and Guts: A History of Surgery, by Hollingham, Richard; Lymphedema Caregiver's Guide: Arranging and Providing Home Care, by Kearse, Mary Kathleen & others; No Family History: The Environmental Links to Breast Cancer, by McCormick, Sabrina; Getting to 50/50: And Why It's Great for Your Marriage, Your Career, Your Kids…and You, by Meers, Sharon & Joanna Strober; The Sky Begins at Your Feet: A Memoir on Cancer, Community, and Coming Home to the Body, by Mirriam-Goldberg, Caryn; The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care, by Reid, T.R.; Why Our Health Matters: A Vision of Medicine That Can Transform Our Future, by Weil, Andrew, M.D.; The First Year: Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed Child, by Wiseman, Nancy.
Support your local library!
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please e-mail me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
Carstensen, Laura L. A Long Bright Future: An Action Plan for a Lifetime of Happiness, Health, and Financial Security. Her research shows that older adults are, in fact, more mentally stable, optimistic, and happier than younger people. Working longer helps the Social Security system and provides retirement income.
Germer, Christopher K. The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions. Clinical psychologist Germer (Harvard Medical School) uses mindfulness meditation to bring about the acceptance of one's feelings and thoughts. This therapy helps people achieve harmony in their lives and improve relations with others. Also included are valuable self-help techniques.
Sanders, Lisa, M.D. Every Patient Tells a Story: Medical Mysteries and the Art of Diagnosis. Former journalist Sanders writes the “Diagnosis” column for the New York Times Magazine and serves as the technical advisor to the House, M.D. TV series. Her profiles here of patients who have complex medical problems shed light on the diagnostic process and the doctor–patient relationship. She also gives readers tools that will help them navigate the medical system.
Scioli, Anthony & Henry B. Biller. Hope in the Age of Anxiety. Clinical psychologists Scioli and Biller take an interdisciplinary approach to hope, addressing its cultural, spiritual, social, and psychological components. Also presented are meditation exercises and self-assessment tools that allow readers to take control of their spiritual well being. Much more than a self-help book.
Gibbons, Leeza & others. Take Your Oxygen First: Protecting Your Health and Happiness While Caring for a Loved One with Memory Loss. TV personality Gibbons shares her experience of caring for her mother who has Alzheimer's disease. With psychologist James Huysman and physician Rosemary Laird, she provides valuable advice to caregivers about exercise, nutrition, and family involvement. In addition to information about the causes and treatment of Alzheimer's, the authors explore the spiritual aspects of caregiving.
Anderson, John W. Stand by Her: A Breast Cancer Guide for Men. Anderson filled a gap in the breast cancer (BC) literature with this guide for men who have women in their lives with the disease. (The author's wife, sister, mother, and mother's best friend all had BC.) Provided here is good advice about supporting a loved one during diagnosis and treatment, dealing with emotional issues, celebrating remission, and preparing for the end of life.
Additional recommended titles include: The Everything® Health Guide to Living with Breast Cancer: An Accessible and Comprehensive Resource for Women, by Carvalho, Laura Giuggio, R.N. & James A. Stewart, M.D.; Normal at Any Cost: Tall Girls, Short Boys, and the Medical Industry's Quest To Manipulate Height, by Cohen, Susan & Christine Cosgrove; Routine Miracles: Personal Journeys of Patients and Doctors Discovering the Powers of Modern Medicine, by Fischer, Conrad, M.D.; It Takes a Genome: How the Clash Between Our Genes and Modern Life Is Making Us Sick, by Gibson, Greg; Blood and Guts: A History of Surgery, by Hollingham, Richard; Lymphedema Caregiver's Guide: Arranging and Providing Home Care, by Kearse, Mary Kathleen & others; No Family History: The Environmental Links to Breast Cancer, by McCormick, Sabrina; Getting to 50/50: And Why It's Great for Your Marriage, Your Career, Your Kids…and You, by Meers, Sharon & Joanna Strober; The Sky Begins at Your Feet: A Memoir on Cancer, Community, and Coming Home to the Body, by Mirriam-Goldberg, Caryn; The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care, by Reid, T.R.; Why Our Health Matters: A Vision of Medicine That Can Transform Our Future, by Weil, Andrew, M.D.; The First Year: Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed Child, by Wiseman, Nancy.
Support your local library!
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please e-mail me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
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