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5 easy ways to create a healthier, happier you this summer

2018-07-17T09:01:00

(BPT) – What do you want to do today? During the summer months that can be a tricky question to answer because there are so many options you don’t want to pass up. You want to get out there and enjoy it all, and this running about can make it very difficult to stick to a comprehensive wellness routine. And so, your wellness plan gets pushed to the side in favor of summer fun.

It doesn’t have to.

There are plenty of simple things you can do each day that will dramatically improve your overall wellness, and because each of them is quick and easy to implement, they won’t impact the rest of your plans for this amazing summer.

Add these wellness tips to your daily plan today and you’ll make this season everything you hoped it could be.

1. Enjoy healthy hobbies

The beautiful summer weather makes it easy to pursue hobbies you couldn’t during the winter cold, but picking active hobbies will support your overall wellness too. Gardening, running, camping or playing basketball can all be enjoyable activities that provide much-needed exercise for your body. Make one your summer focus and you’ll get fit while having fun.

2. Start the day with a healthy breakfast

You’ve heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day all your life. Well, that’s because it’s true. Research shows a good breakfast can benefit your health by lowering bad cholesterol levels as well as your risk of contracting diabetes or heart disease. And you don’t even have to sit down to enjoy one. Instead of grabbing a pastry in the morning, grab a bag of Crispy Green fruit instead. This treat is delicious on its own, but you can also mix a couple of your favorite fruits together with some granola for a simple, delicious breakfast.

3. Don’t forget your shades

Sunglasses are a summer must. When selecting a new pair of sunglasses, look for ones that repel at least 99 percent of UVA and UVB rays and then wear them whenever you are outside. In addition to protecting yourself from these rays, your sunglasses will also slow the progress of wrinkle advancement around your eyes and can even help ward off cataracts.

4. Take healthy snacks wherever you go

Summer days are invariably busy days, particularly if children are involved. It seems you’re always taking them to one activity or another and that means you’re always looking for portable snacking options. This summer, keep those choices healthy with Crispy Fruit, America’s favorite freeze-dried fruit snack. From bananas, apples and mangoes to pineapple and pears, there’s a flavor for everyone in your group, and its easy packaging means you can take it anywhere. It’s perfect for sporting events, road trips and anywhere else your adventures take you.

5. Protect your bedtime routine

Eight hours of sleep is a must for a healthy lifestyle, and you can get those hours more quickly and effectively by maintaining a consistent bedtime regimen. Get up and go to sleep at the same time every day and you’ll find you go to sleep faster and wake more refreshed. It’s a simple little change that can help you maximize the rest of your time during these amazing summer months.


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5 ways to make your pooch’s mealtime more enjoyable

2018-07-16T07:01:01

(BPT) – Dogs and their owners have many things in common, but perhaps one of the biggest commonalities is that they both love to eat! When preparing meals for your four-legged family members, it’s important for the meal to be packed with flavor and nutrients, and to create a dining experience they enjoy and look forward to. Help give your pets the ultimate mealtime experience with these tips:

1. Create a mealtime routine

Animals love routine. It’s important for dogs to establish a mealtime routine whether they get fed first thing in the morning, after their walk or as small meals throughout the day. By establishing a routine, your pooch will quickly catch on when it’s mealtime.

2. Purchase a puzzle bowl or toy

Does your dog eat too fast? Do you want them to make a game out of their meal? Puzzle bowls and food dispensing toys are a great way to stimulate your dog’s mind during mealtime. They allow them to slow down to truly enjoy their food, making mealtime fun! Head to your local retailer to choose the correct bowl or toy for your dog.

3. Provide your dog with a meal that gives them variety

Dogs and humans alike enjoy food with variety! That’s why for nearly three decades, Kibbles ‘n Bits(R) has been making dog food with its signature combination of crunchy kibble & tender bits to bring joy to your dog’s every bite. With varieties including Bacon & Steak Flavored dry dog food and Steak & Cheese Flavored dry dog food, you will be sure to find the perfect match for your furry friend.

4. Turn mealtime into a dance party

Have you ever danced due to excitement? Well, now your dog will, too. Play a song before each mealtime to signal when it’s time for your dog to eat. This new bonding ritual will create more fun for all family members and will have your dog busting moves in anticipation in no time!

5. Make it a training opportunity

Use mealtime as an opportunity to train and reinforce wanted behaviors. Using commands like “sit” and “wait” before allowing your dog to eat helps them practice impulse control and good manners.

To learn more about Kibbles ‘n Bits dog food and what variety is right for your dog, visit https://www.kibblesnbits.com.


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6 ideas to get cash for college, even if it’s the last minute

2018-07-16T09:01:00

(BPT) – When your student is about to embark on their college career, it’s an exciting new chapter in their young life that would make any parent proud.

When that bill arrives from campus, detailing the out-of-pocket costs for tuition, room and board, and fees, it’s not at all uncommon for parents and students to find themselves in a bind. Even if your student qualifies for grants and federal loans, they don’t always cover everything, and that can lead to some serious last-minute sticker shock.

Before the panic sets in, remember there are solutions out there that can help you and your student come up with additional funding to close the gap.

1. Opt for monthly payments

Before you take out the credit card to pay off the final balance of the tuition bill, see if you can buy some time and ask if the school offers installment plans. If so, opt in. This lets you pay down any remaining tuition and fees in monthly payments. If you do find the funding, you can pay it down without amassing any interest.

2. Appeal for more student aid

Has anything changed in the past year in your family’s financial situation? If so, it’s a good idea for your student to appeal for more financial aid. This process can be initiated again anytime during the school year. You or your student can contact the school’s financial aid office.

3. Look for last-minute scholarships

Even at this date, there may be scholarships available with later application deadlines. So, go ahead and do a quick search on a site like Fastweb and the College Board’s Big Future. If nothing promising comes up this time, your student now has a chance to get a jump on the application process for the next academic year.

4. Ask for help

Sometimes, a ready and willing source of assistance is hiding in plain sight. Check your employer’s benefits program; in some cases, they extend tuition assistance to children of employees. Or, ask family if they’re willing to help. Try the direct approach; a grandparent may be more than happy to pitch in. Another option is a crowdfunding campaign. For the best chances of success, tie the fundraiser to a specific stop-gap need, such as textbooks or credit hours for chemistry class.

5. Get a gig

Part-time jobs are a staple of many college student budgets, and working 8-12 hours a week is a good way to round up extra cash without interfering with their studies. In addition to filling out applications, encourage your student to network with people they know; their study buddy may have an “in” at the campus bookstore or coffee shop.

6. Explore private lending options

A private student loan can be an option to help students cover college costs, especially after they’ve reached the loan limits on federal loans. If they turn to a lender like College Ave Student Loans, you and your student will find the lending process is simple and personalized. Plus, your student can get access to the money quickly, letting them start classes on time. Before you apply, it’s worth taking the time to understand the differences between federal and private student loans.

Final thought: Plan for tomorrow

Before taking out any loan, it’s always smart to pause and think ahead. Your student needs to understand the costs of repaying their loan, especially if future earnings from their career will make those payments affordable. Lending and future earnings can be difficult concepts for any young person to wrap their head around. To help your student get a clear idea on what to expect and plan their college financing, College Ave Student Loans has an undergraduate student loan calculator that’s easy to use.

For more information about lending options from College Ave Student Loans, visit collegeavestudentloans.com.


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A different approach to preventing child abuse

2018-07-16T08:01:00

(BPT) – Research shows that child abuse and neglect affects households across the country, and a majority of Americans view it as a public health problem and acknowledge that it is an issue in their community. In fact, a recent national survey by Research!America shows that 44 percent of non-Hispanic whites, 42 percent of Hispanics and 40 percent of African-Americans say they know someone who has experienced child abuse and neglect.

For decades, advocates assumed that simply raising awareness of the plight of children who experienced abuse and educating the public on signs of child abuse and neglect was enough to motivate people to prevent it. However, in many areas, there has been no corresponding shift in policy, significant investment in prevention, or reduction in child abuse rates.

One state is taking a different approach. Recent initiatives in Colorado that shift the conversation show great promise, and prove that raising awareness of how to strengthen families is crucial to addressing child abuse and neglect.

In 2013, the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) surveyed residents and found that more than half of Coloradans had personally encountered a child they suspected was a victim of abuse or neglect. Although survey respondents said they knew the signs of child abuse and neglect and were very likely to report a litany of typical abuse and neglect situations, they were actually underreporting their concerns.

In fact, just 10 percent of reports of child abuse and neglect in Colorado were coming from the general public — well below the national average. By contrast, approximately 75 percent of child abuse and neglect reports in Colorado were coming from mandatory reporters (those in professions that require the reporting of suspected abuse, such as doctors, teachers and counselors).

In 2015, CDHS launched a multiyear campaign to engage all Coloradans in the prevention of child abuse. The CO4KIDS campaign began with the launch of the new Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline, 1-844-CO-4-KIDS (1-844-264-5437), that makes it easy for residents to report concerns of abuse and neglect. It has since been highly effective in bringing about a welcomed shift in the public’s perception that communities and individuals have a shared responsibility to help protect Colorado children.

Since the launch of the campaign, Colorado has experienced a dramatic increase in engagement among friends, neighbors and community members, with 44 percent of calls reporting child abuse concerns in 2017 coming from the general public or anonymous people. Colorado has also seen growth in the total number of calls as a result of the campaign, with a 63 percent increase in calls from 2014 to a record-breaking 211,554 in 2017.

In addition to the hotline, Colorado launched www.co4kids.org, a website highlighting the various roles people play along a continuum of ending child abuse, including prevention, education, reporting, volunteering, fostering and adopting.

“We built an evidence-based public awareness campaign; one that views child abuse as a public health problem and provides solution-based messages that inspire the public to get involved,” said Katie Facchinello, communications manager for the CDHS Office of Children, Youth and Families. “Child welfare and government agencies are a key part of the solution, but preventing child abuse and neglect, and helping those children who have experienced maltreatment, requires a community solution.”

In addition to continuing to promote reporting, the campaign also advances other Colorado initiatives aimed at strengthening families, preventing child fatalities, recruiting foster parents and engaging communities in the unmet needs of children involved in the child welfare system.

“Our hope is that everyone — not just Coloradans — will begin to play a larger role in strengthening families and preventing child abuse,” continued Facchinello. “Because Colorado has proven that it does, indeed, take a village.”


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5 tiny house inspired tips to help you live comfortably in a small living space

2018-07-13T10:59:00

(BPT) – You’ve got to hand it to them: Tiny home enthusiasts who design and live in small spaces are showing the world it is possible to live large with less.

Maybe you’re one of those who can see themselves working, sleeping and cooking in a 400-square-foot freestanding structure, small enough to haul on a trailer. On the other hand, maybe micro is a bit too extreme for you, but still inspires you to consider the possibilities of downsizing.

Either way, when you pare back on square footage, the benefits really start to add up. Living is easier, for one, because there’s so much less to maintain and keep clean. Plus, your expenses should be lower in the long run. Smaller homes have less space to heat and cool. In some cases, upgrades will be cheaper because fewer materials are needed.

Still, without thoughtful planning, things can get crammed very quickly. To help solve the dilemmas common to smaller living spaces, try some of these tiny house inspired tips.

Think functional

Having a smaller space can mean adopting a mindset for multipurpose rooms and multipurpose furnishings. Look for pieces of furniture that can pull double duty in your small space. Sleeper sofas and chairs, once the epitome of a miserable night’s sleep, are now surprisingly well-made and comfortable (no bars digging into your back).

Be thoughtful with color theory

Too many neutrals can feel bland and lifeless in a small space, while dark, saturated colors can have a “shrinking” effect on the space. Put the color into balance by going neutral on walls, and choosing one piece to make the big, colorful statement in the room, such as an area rug, the couch or a bold piece of artwork.

Maximize your walls

If you choose the right accessories and tools, your walls and even your ceiling can help you save and get more function out of your space. For lighting, opt for wall sconces, swing lamps or perhaps even a bold pendant lamp. Look to open wall shelving to increase your storage and display space and give the space a cozy, homey look.

Keep clutter under control

It goes without saying — those who live in smaller spaces must be more thoughtful and disciplined about what they allow into their homes. Otherwise, the extras will change the vibe of the little place from cute and cozy to cramped and crowded. What works for many people is a one-for-one policy. When something new comes into the house, something else needs to go to make way for it.

Add an outdoor living room

Or you can get an outdoor dining set. Whichever way you go, your yard can be reimagined as an extension of your living space during the warm weather months. Add a pergola to give it shade and definition, and add shrubs and potted plants to shield it from the bright sun and make it feel more intimate.

Inspired to buy a tiny home of your very own? Starting July 26, RE/MAX will be auctioning a Tiny Home for Tiny Tots. Visit TinyHomeTinyTots.com to take a virtual tour and see the specs, then register and place a bid for your chance to be the proud owner. Proceeds will benefit Children’s MiracleNetwork Hospitals.


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High Cholesterol? The Right Treatment Can Help You Avoid Cardiovascular Events Like Heart Attack or Stroke

2018-07-13T13:57:00

(BPT) – This article is sponsored advertising content from Amgen, Inc.

Count to 40. Then again. Two people in the United States (U.S.) just had a heart attack. Every 40 seconds equals one more person.1 While these individual experiences may be unique, these are life-changing events for everyone involved.

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading health issue in the U.S., with 790,000 heart attacks and 795,000 strokes annually.1 High cholesterol—particularly high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)—is a leading modifiable risk factor for heart attack and stroke.2,3

Take Mahendra Mahabir, for example. A 43-year-old man, living in Florida with his wife and children, Mahendra has familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic disorder which makes the body unable to remove LDL-C from the blood. Elevated LDL-C, also known as “bad cholesterol,” increases Mahendra’s risk for heart attack and stroke.4 Mahendra has had seven stents put in and has suffered from four heart attacks since the age of 17.

One way of reducing the risk for heart attack and stroke is by taking steps to reduce high cholesterol. Drug treatment is a long-standing, effective measure for reducing cholesterol. One category of drugs called statins is widely prescribed and effective for many patients. However, some patients, like Mahendra, need more to lower their LDL-C. In spite of diligently taking his statin medication, he still struggles to achieve his LDL-C target, leaving him vulnerable to a cardiovascular event.

Repatha® (evolocumab) is a groundbreaking treatment that dramatically lowers LDL-C by helping the liver remove bad cholesterol from the body. It does this by blocking an enzyme—called PCSK9—whose function is to prevent the liver from clearing bad cholesterol.5 Repatha® is proven to dramatically lower LDL-C levels, significantly drops the risk of a heart attack or stroke, and reduces the need for a stent or open-heart bypass surgery in patients with established cardiovascular disease. Repatha® is the first and only medication of its kind to offer an every-two-week or single monthly at-home injection option.5,6

For people with high cholesterol, like Mahendra Mahabir, who have been diagnosed with FH or who have established cardiovascular disease, Repatha® may be an effective option.

“Several people in my family, including my father, passed away from heart disease at a young age. I had my first heart attack when I was just seventeen and have had three more since,” said Mahendra. “I have been on statins for a number of years and my LDL cholesterol levels were still high. I kept an optimal diet and weight and exercised regularly, yet was unable to get my LDL cholesterol levels where they needed to be. I was finally prescribed a PCSK9 inhibitor, Repatha®, and have since significantly lowered my LDL cholesterol levels.”

A recent clinical trial with over 27,500 patients demonstrated the efficacy of Repatha® in preventing heart attack and stroke in high-risk individuals with established cardiovascular disease. Repatha® plus a statin reduced the risk of a heart attack by 27 percent and the risk for stroke by 21 percent.6 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Repatha® as the first and only PCSK9 inhibitor to prevent heart attacks, and strokes, and to prevent the necessity for a stent or open-heart bypass surgery in patients with established cardiovascular disease.5 The most common side effects of Repatha® include: runny nose, sore throat, symptoms of the common cold, flu or flu-like symptoms, back pain, high blood sugar levels (diabetes) and redness, pain, or bruising at the injection site.

Important Safety Information

Do not use Repatha® if you are allergic to evolocumab or to any of the ingredients in Repatha®.

Please see additional Important Safety Information below.

According to Mahendra’s cardiologist, Seth J. Baum, M.D., Repatha® offers a viable treatment option for those who have tried other treatments with no success.

“People who have had a previous cardiovascular event, like a heart attack or stroke, are at a very high risk for another event and may need to lower their LDL cholesterol levels beyond what is possible with statins alone,” says Dr. Baum. “There’s an urgent need to lower LDL cholesterol in high-risk patients with established cardiovascular disease. Repatha® is an effective way to do so.”

If you have any of these risk factors, you should ask your doctor about Repatha®:

  • Genetically high cholesterol (known as familial hypercholesterolemia)
  • History of heart attack or stroke (established cardiovascular disease)

“I am elated when I see my high-risk patients get their LDL down to very low levels. Doing so will reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke. This is the preventive cardiologist’s mission, to prevent cardiovascular events. Dramatically lowering LDL cholesterol is unquestionably one of the best ways we can accomplish this goal,” said Dr. Baum.

Talk to your doctor about how a PCSK9 inhibitor, like Repatha®, can help lower your LDL cholesterol level. For more information, visit www.Repatha.com.

Important Safety Information

Do not use Repatha® (evolocumab) if you are allergic to evolocumab or to any of the ingredients in Repatha®.

Before you start using Repatha®, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you are allergic to rubber or latex, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. The needle covers on the single-use prefilled syringes and the inside of the needle caps on the single-use prefilled SureClick® autoinjectors contain dry natural rubber. The single-use Pushtronex® system (on-body infusor with prefilled cartridge) is not made with natural rubber latex.

Tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements you take.

What are the possible side effects of Repatha®?

Repatha® can cause serious side effects including: Repatha® may cause allergic reactions that can be serious. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any symptoms of an allergic reaction including a severe rash, redness, severe itching, a swollen face, or trouble breathing.

The most common side effects of Repatha® include: runny nose, sore throat, symptoms of the common cold, flu or flu-like symptoms, back pain, high blood sugar levels (diabetes), and redness, pain, or bruising at the injection site.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of Repatha®. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full Prescribing Information and Patient Product Information.

REFERENCES

  1. AHA. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, 2017. https://healthmetrics.heart.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Heart-Disease-and-Stroke-Statistics-2017-ucm_491265.pdf. Accessed November 9, 2017.
  2. NIH. How to Prevent and Control Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors. https://nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hd/prevent. Accessed October 30, 2017.
  3. Kuklina. CDC. Vital Signs; Prevalence, Treatment, and Control of High Levels of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol United States 1999-2002 and 2005-2008. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6004a5.htm. Accessed October 30, 2017.
  4. CDC. High Cholesterol Facts. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/facts.htm. Accessed on April 6, 2018.
  5. Repatha® (evolocumab) U.S. Prescribing Information. Amgen.
  1. Sabatine MS, Giugliano RP, Keech AC, et al, for the FOURIER Steering Committee and Investigators. N Engl J Med. Evolocumab and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease. 2017;376:1713-22.


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8 things you didn’t know about pancakes

2018-07-13T07:01:00

(BPT) – A lazy weekend, a steaming cup of coffee and pancakes hot off the griddle. If that sounds like your idea of a perfect morning, you’re not alone. Right now, pancakes are having a moment. People are calling pancakes the new “comfort carb” that they turn to when they need to stray off of their protein and broccoli regimen and eat something that makes them feel good. There’s even a hashtag on Instagram, #pancakes, where people regularly post photos of their pancakes. To date, there have been 8.5 million posts.

So, it’s safe to say everyone loves pancakes. But, how much do you really know about them? Here are some pancake facts that might surprise you.

Pancakes are as old as time. Ancient Greeks and Romans loved their pancakes, but it is thought they originated in the Stone Age. Archaeological researchers believe pancakes were a major source of food for prehistoric societies. The 5,300-year-old remains of “Otzi the Iceman,” perfectly preserved in a glacier, were discovered in the Alps in 1991. What had he eaten for breakfast the day he died? Pancakes.

Paleo pancakes are a thing. They’re not just for the Stone Age anymore. Paleo devotees are getting their pancake fix with coconut flour, coconut milk, eggs, coconut oil, honey and vanilla.

Kansas is flatter than a pancake. It’s true. Some geographers with, apparently, too much time on their hands, used digital imaging to create a topographic profile of a pancake from IHOP and compared it with Kansas’s topographic profile. This started something of a trend among geographers who have found Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota and North Dakota are also flatter than a pancake. Bonus fact: The term “flat as a pancake” originated in or around 1611.

Speaking of IHOP, the iconic chain turns 60 on July 17. To celebrate, IHOP is serving short stacks of its world-famous buttermilk pancakes for just 60 cents at participating restaurants nationwide on that day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. IHOP recently was a hot topic with fans worldwide when it temporarily changed its name to IHOb to roll out a new lineup of quality burgers made with 100% USDA Black Angus beef. Pancake-lovers needn’t worry; pancakes at IHOP aren’t going away. During the publicity stunt, IHOP let customers know that pancakes are the chain’s heart and soul, and at the center of everything they do. It’s been that way for 60 years and will remain that way indefinitely. But, they added, now you can get its delicious pancakes with a big, juicy burger. The best of both worlds.

Pancakes are universal. Pancakes are as iconically American as baseball and apple pie … except they’re not. Cultures around the world have pancakes in their cuisines. Here in the U.S. and Canada, it’s buttermilk. Austria has kaiserschmarrn, a sort of deconstructed pancake eaten with raisins, apples and nuts. China? Mandarin pancakes, which are thin wraps. Eastern Europeans love blinis or blintzes and the French are famous for their crepes. That’s to name just a few. If there’s anything people the world over have in common, it’s the love of pancakes.

Pancakes for the Table (PFTT) is trending. It’s all the rage in the New York dining scene right now. What is PFTT? It’s the solution to the age-old brunch dilemma: Pancakes or eggs? Sweet or savory? Solve that riddle of the Sphinx by getting an order of pancakes for the table so everyone can have one with their cage-free, organic, egg-white omelets and acai mimosas.

We call it Mardi Gras. The English call it Pancake Day. The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday in old England, people would use up all the eggs and milk in their households and make pancakes. It was a day of feasting and drinking, much like Mardi Gras, but without the beads.

Pancakes have been in America as long as we’ve been a country. The first American cookbook, American Cookery, published in 1796, featured two pancake recipes. Back in the day, they were called hoe cakes, flapjacks or johnny cakes. Thomas Jefferson had a fondness for “panne-quaiques,” essentially French crepes.

Now that you know all the facts about one of the world’s favorite foods, put a couple of bucks into your pocket and head to IHOP on July 17 for a short stack for just 60 cents.


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Los antibióticos no son siempre la solución

2018-06-14T07:01:01

(BPT) – Los CDC instan a las familias a tomar conciencia sobre los antibióticos

Los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) animan a los padres, los abuelos y a las otras personas que cuiden de un familiar a que Tomen Conciencia sobre los Antibióticos al hablar con sus profesionales de atención médica sobre el uso seguro de los antibióticos. Es importante saber que los antibióticos salvan vidas, pero que solo se deben usar cuando son necesarios. Cada vez que se usan antibióticos, estos pueden causar efectos secundarios y llevar a la resistencia a este tipo de medicamento.

Qué tratan los antibióticos

Los antibióticos solo se necesitan para tratar las infecciones causadas por bacterias, pero incluso algunas infecciones bacterianas pueden mejorar sin el uso de antibióticos. Se pueden usar antibióticos para tratar una variedad de infecciones comunes, como las estreptocócicas de garganta y las urinarias, así como afecciones potencialmente mortales, como la septicemia.

Qué no tratan los antibióticos

Los antibióticos no funcionan contra los virus, como los que causan los resfriados, la influenza (gripe), la bronquitis o el moqueo, aunque las secreciones sean espesas o de color amarillo o verde. Tampoco se necesitan antibióticos para algunas infecciones bacterianas comunes, incluidas muchas infecciones sinusales y algunas de oído.

Efectos secundarios de los antibióticos

Cuando usted o un miembro de su familia necesitan antibióticos, los beneficios generalmente superan el riesgo de que provoquen efectos secundarios o de que lleven a la resistencia a este tipo de medicamento. Pero cuando no los necesitan, no ayudarán y los efectos secundarios podrían incluso hacerle daño a usted o a alguien en su familia.

Los efectos secundarios comunes incluyen sarpullido, mareo, náuseas, diarrea e infecciones por hongos (candidiasis). Los efectos secundarios más graves incluyen reacciones alérgicas graves e infecciones por Clostridium difficile (también llamadas C. difficile o C. diff), las cuales provocan diarrea que, a su vez, puede causar daño grave en el colon y la muerte. Los pacientes y sus familiares pueden hablar con el médico si tienen alguna pregunta sobre los antibióticos o si estos provocan efectos secundarios, especialmente diarrea, ya que podría tratarse de C. difficile, lo cual debe tratarse de inmediato. El médico les puede explicar los riesgos de cualquier antibiótico que recete.

Los peligros de la resistencia a los antibióticos

Es importante recordar que “resistencia a los antibióticos” no significa que el cuerpo se haga resistente a los antibióticos; sino que son las bacterias las que desarrollan la capacidad de derrotar a los medicamentos diseñados para eliminarlas. Cuando las bacterias se vuelven resistentes, los antibióticos no pueden combatirlas, y estas se multiplican. Algunas bacterias resistentes pueden ser más difíciles de tratar y podrían potencialmente propagarse a otros miembros de la familia.

Lo que puede hacer para combatir la resistencia a los antibióticos

Para ayudar a reducir la propagación de las bacterias resistentes a los antibióticos, puede ayudar a su familia y a sus amigos a entender lo importante que es limpiarse las manos. El lavado de las manos es una de las medidas más importantes que usted y su familia pueden tomar para evitar enfermarse y para evitar propagar microbios a otras personas. Los padres, los abuelos y cualquier persona que tenga parte en el cuidado de la familia también pueden animar a los familiares enfermos a que se cubran la boca cuando tosan y a que no salgan de la casa mientras sigan enfermos.

Por qué son importantes las vacunas

Recibir las vacunas recomendadas, según el calendario de vacunación, ayuda a proteger a su familia y a aquellos a su alrededor. A lo largo del tiempo, las vacunas han prevenido cantidades incontables de casos de enfermedades infecciosas y han salvado millones de vidas. La mayoría de las vacunas recomendadas están disponibles en el consultorio de su médico, en centros de atención médica, departamentos de salud y centros de medicina del viajero. También puede haber vacunas disponibles en ciertas farmacias en su área.

Puede sentirse mejor sin antibióticos

Debido a que los antibióticos solo sirven para tratar ciertas infecciones causadas por bacterias, pregúntele al médico qué los está enfermando a usted o a su ser querido. Por ejemplo, los virus respiratorios generalmente desaparecen en una o dos semanas sin tratamiento. Dígale a su médico, enfermero, farmacéutico u otro profesional de atención médica de confianza si su enfermedad o la de su familiar empeora o dura más de lo previsto. Su profesional de atención médica puede ayudar a determinar cuál es la mejor manera de ayudar a que se sientan mejor.

Para saber más sobre la prescripción y el uso de antibióticos, visite www.cdc.gov/antibioticos.


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Los CDC urgen a las familias a que inicien la conversación sobre la septicemia

2018-06-25T07:01:00

(BPT) – Cada año, al menos 1.7 millones de personas en los Estados Unidos presentan septicemia, y casi 270 000 mueren por su causa. Aunque cualquier persona puede contraer una infección, y casi cualquier infección puede ocasionar septicemia, solo el 55% de las personas en los EE. UU. han escuchado hablar sobre la septicemia.[1]

La septicemia es la respuesta extrema del cuerpo a una infección. Es potencialmente mortal, y sin tratamiento oportuno, puede causar muy rápido daños en los tejidos, insuficiencia orgánica y la muerte. La septicemia ocurre cuando una infección que usted ya tiene —en la piel, los pulmones, las vías urinarias o en alguna otra parte— provoca una reacción en cadena por todo el cuerpo.

Inicie hoy la conversación sobre la septicemia con su médico o enfermero haciendo estas cinco preguntas:

  1. ¿Cómo puedo proteger a mi familia de la septicemia? Es importante conocer los signos y síntomas, y actuar con rapidez si se sospecha que se trata de septicemia. Los signos y síntomas de la septicemia pueden incluir alguno o una combinación de los siguientes: confusión o desorientación; dificultad para respirar; frecuencia cardiaca alta; fiebre, escalofríos o sensación de mucho frío; dolores o molestias extremos; y piel pegajosa o sudorosa. Una infección que no mejora o que empeora puede ocasionar septicemia. Obtenga atención médica de inmediato si sospecha que puede ser septicemia.
  2. ¿Cómo podemos prevenir las infecciones? Hable con su médico o enfermero sobre las medidas que usted y su familia pueden tomar para prevenir las infecciones que pueden causar septicemia. Para prevenir las infecciones, controle bien las afecciones crónicas y póngase las vacunas recomendadas. También, practique buena higiene, lavándose las manos y manteniendo limpios los cortes y cubriéndolos con vendas hasta que sanen.
  3. Ayer, mi hija de seis meses tenía fiebre leve y tos. Pero hoy, no está alerta, está orinando menos y tiene dificultad para respirar. ¿Podría esta infección causar septicemia? Si usted o un ser querido sospecha que tiene septicemia, o tiene una infección que no mejora o que empeora, pregúntele al médico o enfermero: “¿Podría esta infección causar septicemia?”. ACTÚE RÁPIDO y busque atención médica INMEDIATAMENTE.
  4. Mi padre es anciano y tiene diabetes. ¿Podría tener un mayor riesgo de sufrir infecciones que puedan producir septicemia? Algunas personas tienen un riesgo más alto, como los adultos de 65 años o más; las personas con afecciones crónicas, como la diabetes, las enfermedades pulmonares, el cáncer y las enfermedades de los riñones; las personas con el sistema inmunitario debilitado; y los niños menores de 1 año de edad.
  5. ¿Cómo se puede tratar la septicemia? Una persona que contrae septicemia debería ser tratada con antibióticos lo más pronto posible, además de recibir otras terapias que el médico o enfermero decida que sean apropiadas para ese paciente, como mantener el flujo de sangre a los órganos o recibir líquidos por vía intravenosa. Además, el médico o enfermero debería chequear al paciente con frecuencia y volver a evaluar el tratamiento con antibióticos dentro de las 24 y 48 horas para suspenderlo o ajustarlo según sea necesario.

Recuerde, la septicemia es una emergencia médica. Mejorar la identificación de la septicemia y brindar tratamiento oportuno aumenta sus posibilidades de sobrevivencia y disminuye la posibilidad de tener efectos a largo plazo.

Para saber más sobre la septicemia y sobre cómo prevenir infecciones, así como para descargar nuevos materiales GRATUITOS en español para ayudarlos a usted y a sus seres queridos a ACTUAR RÁPIDO si se sospecha que es septicemia, visite www.cdc.gov/sepsis. Para aprender más sobre el uso de los antibióticos, visite www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use.


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Watch what you heat: 5 kitchen safety tips

2018-07-12T12:47:01

(BPT) – Cooking equipment is the top cause of home fires, and the second leading cause of home fire deaths, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

“Considered to be one of the more preventable types of fires, kitchen fires can be avoided by following a few common-sense guidelines,” says Tarsila Wey, director of marketing at First Alert. “Home safety experts recommend having at least one fire extinguishing product conveniently located in the kitchen, as well as on every level of the home and in the garage.”

Be prepared to fight the small flames by following the below tips to stay safe in the kitchen.

Properly equip your home. Keep your family and house safe by ensuring that functioning smoke alarms are installed throughout your home. The NFPA recommends one alarm on every floor, including the basement, and inside every bedroom. In addition, install smoke alarms at least 10 feet from cooking appliances to minimize false alarms. All alarms should be tested monthly, and for alarms without 10-year batteries, replace the batteries every six months.

Keep an eye on your food. Staying in the kitchen while cooking is key to preventing oven or stovetop fires. Whether you’re simmering, baking, boiling or roasting, check on your food regularly. If you need a reminder that the oven or stove is on, just set a timer. Be aware that fires can happen fast, so if you must leave the kitchen — even for a short period of time — turn off the stove.

Clean your appliances. Keep all your appliances clean of grease and food debris that could potentially cause a fire. Clear the toaster of crumbs and wipe down the stovetop as needed. Ovens should be cleaned at least every three to six months.

Clear off kitchen countertops. Keep your countertops clean and clear of flammable objects. Move items such as pot holders, wooden utensils, plastic bags, food packaging and paper towels away from the stove, oven or any other kitchen device that generates heat.

Be prepared when disaster strikes. Over 70 percent of fire extinguisher owners say that they would not feel very comfortable actually operating one. Providing homeowners with a user-friendly, affordable solution, the First Alert Tundra Fire Extinguishing Spray features a lightweight spray-can design that has no pins or levers — making it easy to use. It can put out common household fires, including cooking oil, fabric, paper, wood and electrical fires. Tundra sprays four times longer than an average fire extinguisher and fits perfectly in your kitchen cabinet. Plus, it won’t damage your stove or countertop; simply wipe the area clean with a damp cloth.

Having the necessary fire safety tools and knowledge, and talking with your family members about these safety precautions, can help prevent potentially fatal kitchen fires. To learn more tips and tricks, visit www.FirstAlert.com.