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The deadline for our Mid-June 2011 issue of The People’s Press is June 15th. Email your stories, photos, news and events to andy@peoplespressnews.com. Don’t forget Father’s Day Photo Wishes & Stories!
Let’s Talk”…..About Your Health
Chris More, RN
Public Health Educator, Wallingford Health Department
Let’s talk about . . . . . . going beyond the “Bottle” for pain relief. (I mean the pill bottle of course)! There are many ways to attack all kinds of pain with many different drugs, from the little aspirin to the powerful narcotic. But let’s zero in on one specific “pain” (no not your mother-in-law) one disease that 95% of the population (young and old) experience is arthritis specifically osteoarthritis.
The past few years have not been easy for people with chronic osteoarthritis pain, because certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that seem to work so well on arthritis pain had serious risks associated with them and were taken off the market. (Other NSAIDS, prescription, and over the counter) are still available, but again carry some risks of heart disease and GI bleeding. The “big guns”, like morphine are often reluctantly given by doctors due to the risk of dependence and other serious side effects.
Millions of people suffer with chronic pain and more than half of them have an arthritic condition. Isn’t there some way to deal with this particular pain besides drugs? The answer is “yes”, but what could possibly help? Let’s see (a hammock, and a tropical drink, on the beach in Jamaica!) That could work, but how about a reality check, starting with Topical medication. There are gels, creams and patches. Some pain physicians are choosing to use these in conjunction with less “pill taking”, so the side effects are less. Topical medication side effects are localized (meaning you may have an allergy to the drugs in the creams, get a slight rash or an irritation, but they usually don’t “mess” with your head or stomach). Topical medications in general are less risky. Another choice for relieving osteoarthritis pain especially knee pain are flat, flexible shoes or sneakers (so get out those $1.99 flip flops). A study done with these types of shoes showed that the flexibility and flatness of these shoes put less stress on knee and hip joints, but as with all new thoughts and ideas come the risks, and the risks of flip flops stand out like a sore thumb. Number one risk, FALLS, also inflammation of the bottom of the foot (plantar fasciitis.) If you choose to buy these shoes, please go with sneakers first or a flat, flexible closed shoe with arch support. (I am way too clumsy for flip-flops).
My personal choice (prior to knee replacement) was the steroid injection. This treatment reduces the inflammation in the joint and very quickly relieves the pain. This injection (ouch!) can make you feel better for days or months. Again, the risks stand out, you can only do this 2-3 times a year and it does weaken ligaments and tendons, also there is a slight chance of infection as with any injection. Make sure you discuss this option in detail with an Orthopedic Surgeon.
Let me mention several other ways to try and reduce osteoarthritis pain, which does not involve medication. Exercise/Physical Therapy both can improve strength, posture function and range of motion. ALWAYS check with your physician first as to what is best for you and your particular degree of arthritis. Don’t ever over-do (you can’t relieve pain if you are causing yourself pain). Heat/Cold (heating pad, warm compresses, heat patches, warm baths OR cold packs, ice packs, “frozen vegetables”). Check with your physician or therapist as to which is better for you. Heat can sometimes cause more swelling to an acute injury, and overdoing either heat or cold can cause severe burns. NEVER apply heat or cold directly to your bare skin.
Meditation (guess what – no risks) can work for any kind of pain and regular practice reduces the brains’ response to pain. Assume the crossed leg Yoga position and chill out. (I would have to pass on the crossed legs, but chilling out sounds great) You don’t really have to get into a Yoga stance to meditate!!
I have touched on several ways to help you cope with chronic pain focusing on osteoarthritis. Talk with your caregiver about your daily battle with pain. Keep a log; let him/her know when you feel the worse, morning, night time? Are your activities limited, how much? (If you can’t shop that’s bad?) Over the counter or prescription medication you are taking for relief, have a pain number. 1= (little) 10= (emergency). Remember your caregiver is not a mind reader he/she cannot help you if you are vague or disorganized with your complaints. Last but not least, please don’t listen to the horror stories and remedies of friends and most importantly DON’T take Uncle Al’s medication. Everyone’s body is different and everyone’s pain level is unique to them.
Well that’s all for this month, I do hope you have found some new ways to relieve pain. Stay flexible and keep moving! Until next month . . .
Meriden Health Department News and Events
West Nile Virus: A Reminder To “Fight the Bite” this Summer
Summer is right around the corner, but with this warm weather it sure feels like it has already arrived! We are all going to be spending more time outside, whether at softball games, digging in the garden, or just relaxing on the deck. The Meriden Health Department would like to remind residents to take protective measures against West Nile virus, an illness caused by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected after feeding on birds that carry the virus. Although anyone can be infected with the virus, people over 50 years of age have the highest risk of serious illness.
No one likes getting bitten by bugs, especially mosquito bites. Here are some tips to avoid mosquito bites:
1. Minimize time outdoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
2. Be sure door and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair.
3. Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors during dusk and dawn, or when in mosquito-infested areas such as wetlands or woods.
4. Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors.
5. Consider using mosquito repellent when it is necessary to be outdoors and always use them according to label instructions. The most effective repellents contain DEET or Picaridin.
6. When using DEET, use the lowest concentration effective for the time spent outdoors (for example, 6% lasts approximately 2 hours and 20% for 4 hours) and wash treated skin when returning indoors. Do not apply under clothing, to wounds or irritated skin, the hands of children, or to infants less than 2 months of age.
One way to prevent mosquito bites is to reduce the amount of the bugs around your home. Here are some tips:
1. Dump water-holding containers, such as ceramic pots, used tires, tire swings often, or get rid of them all together.
2. Drill holes in the bottom of containers, such as those used for recycling.
3. Clean clogged roof gutters.
4. Change water in bird baths on a weekly basis.
5. Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, and when not in use, pool covers. Drain any collected water from pool covers on a weekly basis.
For more information on West Nile virus call the Meriden Health Department at 203-630-4226 or visit our website at www.meridenhealth.com. A brochure on West Nile virus will be available at City Hall and the Health Department all summer long.
Celebration of Spring
On May 23 Meriden Mayor Michael Rhode visited the children at Catholic Charities Child Development Center. To celebrate spring and the return of birds and nature, he read them a story called Seven Hungry Babies, a book by Candace Fleming about a mother bird’s quest to feed seven hungry baby birds. The Mayor then helped the children make pine cone bird feeders to hang on the trees outside their classroom windows. The children covered the pine cones with different types of colorful bird seed, which they learned are some of bird’s favorite things to eat.
Catholic Charities Child Development Center is a City of Meriden School Readiness site serving 30 children ages 3 and 4. To learn more about School Readiness please call Jessica at (203) 630-4236.
Save the Date! Community Wednesday Block Party and National Day of Play
This event is back for a second year! Over 1,000 residents enjoyed a day of sunshine, play, and community last year – will you be part of the crowd in 2011?
When: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 (rain date is Thursday, July 21), 10:00am-4:00pm
Where: Meriden HUB
What: A day of fun for everyone! Activities, games, food, health fair, info booths, petting zoo, hay rides, dunk tank, live broadcast by HOT 93.7. Sponsored by the Meriden Housing Authority, Meriden/Wallingford NAACP, and the City of Meriden.
Want to get involved in the health fair portion of this event? Contact Angela Simpson at 203-630-4237 or asimpson@ci.meriden.ct.us. Want to be a food vendor? Contact Teri Ramos at 203-235-0157 or teri.ramos@meriden-ha.com.
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