July 15, 2019

Protect Yourself From Bites This Summer:

Mosquito, deer fly and tick bites can be more than just annoying and itchy. They can spread viruses that make you sick or, in rare cases, cause death. Although most kinds of mosquitoes, flies and ticks are just irritating, some kinds in Wyoming spread viruses that can cause disease.  The most common illness spread by insects in Wyoming are West Nile Virus, Tick Fevers and Tuleramia, according to the CDC.

West Nile virus (WNV)
WNV is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States.  It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Cases of WNV occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall.

There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people.

Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick, but some can get very ill.

Febrile illness (fever) in some people.   About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Most people with this type of West Nile virus disease recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.  It can even get more severe for a few, though.

Serious symptoms in a few people.    Symptoms of severe illness from WNV include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. About 1 in 150 people who are infected develop a severe illness and a small number of those people will die.

You can reduce your risk of WNV by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites  (see prevention tips below).

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF)

RMSF is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick.

Illness:  Most people who get sick with RMSF will have a fever, headache, and rash. RMSF can be deadly if not treated early with the right antibiotic.

This is no vaccine for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

Protection:  The only way to prevent getting the disease is to protect yourself from tick bites by using an EPA approved insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, avoiding wooded and bushy areas with high grass and perform thorough tick checks after spending time outdoors.

Colorado Tick Fever

Colorado Tick Fever is transmitted to humans from the bite of infected Rocky Mountain wood ticks.  People who live at 4,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level are most at risk for getting Colorado Tick Fever.

Symptoms:  Symptoms of Colorado Tick Fever include, fever, chills, headache, body aches and feeling tired.  Some patients have a sore throat, vomiting, abdominal pain or a skin rash.  Most people who become ill have mild disease and recover completely.

There is no vaccine for Colorado Tick Fever.

Prevention:   To prevent getting Colorado Tick Fever, it is recommended to protect yourself from tick bites by using an EPA approved insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, avoiding wooded and busy areas with high grass and perform thorough tick checks after spending time outdoors.

Tularemia:
Tularemia is transmitted to humans from the bite of a deer fly or tick or coming into contact with infected animals such as rabbits or prairie dogs.

Symptoms:  Symptoms of Tularemia depends greatly on how the bacteria entered the body.  Usually, a skin ulcer appears at the site where the bacteria entered the body. The ulcer is accompanied by swelling of regional lymph glands, usually in the armpit or groin.  Highly contagious and potentially fatal, tularemia usually can be treated effectively with antibiotics if diagnosed early

There is no vaccine for Tularemia.

Prevention:  To prevent getting Tularemia, it is recommended to wear long pants, long sleeves and long socks to keep ticks and flies off of your skin.  Removing ticks promptly with fine tipped tweezers and wearing gloves when handling animals especially rabbits, prairie dogs and other rodents.

Prevention

• Use insect repellent: When used as directed, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Use an EPA-registered insect repellent   (https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents) with one of the following active ingredients:
  • DEET
  • Picaridin
  • IR3535
  • Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
  • Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
  • 2-undecanone

• Keep mosquitoes OUTSIDE: Use air conditioning, or window and door screens.  If you are not able to protect yourself from mosquitoes inside your home or hotel, sleep under a mosquito bed net.
• Eliminate Breeding Sites:   Mosquitoes breed in small collections of water around homes, schools, and work sites. It is important to eliminate these mosquito breeding sites, including: covering water storage containers, removing standing water in flower pots, and cleaning up trash and used tires.
• Keep Ticks OFF: You can lower your risk for tick bites by avoiding areas that are known for being infested with ticks. When you are in an area that might have ticks, be sure to wear proper clothing. This includes closed-toe shoes, long pants tucked into socks, and long sleeve shirts. It may also be beneficial to wear light-colored clothes, as ticks are harder to see on dark clothing. Wearing EPA registered insect repellant is effective for keeping ticks away as well.   After spending time in an area where ticks live, make sure you check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks before returning indoors. Ticks that are embedded in the skin should be removed with tweezers immediately.

Take precautions, stay vigilant and healthy and enjoy your summer outdoor activities!

For more information, see the following websites:

https://www.cdc.gov/features/stopmosquitoes/index.html

http://casperpublichealth.org/preparedness-resources/insect-to-human-diseases/mosquitoes/

https://www.healthline.com/health/mosquito-bites

By Marcy Schueler, BSN,RN
Using information from the CDC, Healthline, and the Casper Health Dept.

HEALTHY EATING HABITS.

There’s no great secret to healthy eating. To help your children and family develop healthy eating habits:

• Provide plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain products.
• Include low-fat or non-fat milk or dairy products.
• Choose lean meats, poultry, fish, lentils, and beans for protein.
• Serve reasonably-sized portions.
• Encourage your family to drink lots of water.
• Limit sugar-sweetened beverages.
• Limit consumption of sugar and saturated fat.

Remember that small changes every day can lead to a recipe for success!

For more information https://www.choosemyplate.gov/kids

Help Protect Your Family from Respiratory Illness

Help avoid catching and spreading respiratory illness, parents and children should always follow these basic steps to stay healthy:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Washing hands correctly is the most important thing you can do to stay healthy.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact, such as kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils, with people who are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or shirt sleeve, not your hands.
• Wash your hands after using a tissue.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
• Stay home when you are sick and keep sick children out of school

https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/index.html

JCHC wants to remind you to get up and move!

Prolonged Sitting raises your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, which all play a role in the condition.
You are a workplace athlete and your body is designed for movement. There is no magical, perfect posture that will keep your body safe in the office. Invest in your health and wellbeing by taking stretch breaks and getting in some form of movement every day.  For some tips on workplace health and stretching, check out these links:

https://www.jchealthcare.com/tips-for-those-who-work-at-a-desk-all-day/

There are many herbal remedies, vitamins and minerals, considered dietary supplements by the FDA. Here is what our Doctors recommend.

Glucosamine - So far the best thing we know of for maintaining join cartilage. To keep your joints healthy, take 1000mg-1500mg of glucosamine daily.

Vitamin D - Is more important then we thought! Too little Vitamin D can make your bones and muscles weak... The old guidelines were to take 400 units of Vitamin D daily. The new guideline say to take 1000 units daily.

Iron - Can be harmful if not careful! It can mask signs of anemia - an early warning sign of colon cancer. Men and post-menopausal women should not take iron for this reason. It can also worsen people with an iron storage disease (hemacromatosis).

Vitamin E - At lower doses have been shown to have more of a benefit than that of higher doses for reducing heart disease! So, take 100 units of vitamin E a day.

Biotin - supplements can help your hair and nails grow in longer and stronger. But you should be careful to discontinue your biotin supplements at least a week before the health fair. It has been shown to skew some of your blood screening results.

Final Thoughts:

Be careful! Products that are labeled "Natural" aren't always as they seem. Many are helpful, yet some of these substances, have drug-like effects that can be dangerous. Even some vitamins and minerals can cause problems when taken in excessive amounts. It's important to inform your doctor about all supplements that you take. Even if they are labeled "Natural" and seem harmless to you.

Be careful of weight loss products! Products that claim to be for weight loss can be potentially harmful because they are stimulants in one form or another. Always make sure to consult a doctor before infesting these products.

At JCHC, we recommend Wellness Screening tests as a great way to stay healthy. In our building, almost all of the recommended screenings can be done. Just schedule an appointment with your family doctor to discuss which tests are appropriate for you .

Here are our recommendations based on gender.

Female:

• Pap Test (Cervical Cancer)
• Mammography (Breast Cancer)
• Bone Density Test (Osteoporosis)

Male:

• Prostate specific antigen test & Digital Rectal Exam (Prostate Cancer)
• Abdominal Ultrasound (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm)

General Tests for all genders:

• General Physician Exam
• Blood Pressure Check (Cardiovascular Disease)
• Cholesteral and Triglyceride Level Check (Cardiovascular Disease)
• Colonoscopy (Colon Cancer)
• Fasting Blood Glucose Test (Diabetes)
• Glaucoma Screening Test
• Baseline EKG

Have any questions regarding any of the previously mentioned tests? Please don't be afraid to give us a call. We'll get you in touch with someone who can help you find what you need.

Great question! We have online portals where you can view/manage your prescriptions.

All of the doctors at JCHC are advising that you follow the American Cancer Society guidelines:

Breast Cancer:

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 or 45, and continuing every one to two years.  The clinical opinions vary, so talk to your doctor about what is right for you.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE) should be part of a periodic health exam, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over.

Colon & Rectal Cancer:

• Beginning at age 50, both men and women at average risk for developing colorectal cancer should begin a screening schedule for colon cancer. Usually, this includes a colonoscopy every 10 years.

Cervical Cancer:

• All women should begin cervical cancer screening about 3 years after they begin having vaginal intercourse, but no later than when they are 21 years old. Screening should be done every year with the regular Pap test or every 3 years.
• Beginning at age 30, women who have had 3 normal Pap test results in a row may get screened every 5 years.
• Women who have certain risk factors such as diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure before birth, HIV infection, or a weakened immune system due to organ transplant, chemotherapy, or chronic steroid use should continue to be screened annually.
• Women 65 years of age or older who have had no abnormal Pap test results in the last 10 years may choose to stop having cervical cancer screening. Women who have had a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) may also choose to stop having cervical cancer screening, unless the surgery was done as a treatment for cervical cancer or pre-cancer. Women who have had a hysterectomy without removal of the cervix should continue to follow the regular guidelines.

Prostate Cancer:

• Men starting at the age of 50 should talk to their family doctor about the need to be screened for prostate cancer.

Lung Cancer:

• If you are a smoker over the age of 55, your doctor may want to schedule an annual low dose CT scan of the chest.

This information is from the American Cancer Society Cancer Screening Guidelines.