July 2915 medicalink

Celebrating 16 Years

A new name for health care in South Jersey Should I be worried if I seem more forgetful than when I was younger?

Old wives’ tales: Are they true?

July 2015

Avoiding annoying summer allergies Outdoor activities are what summer is all about, but for those with allergies or asthma these activities could be uncomfortable or even dangerous.

“Summer is the time of year when everyone wants to enjoy being outside,” said allergist Dr. James Sublett, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

“That’s why it’s so important to be prepared, so allergies and asthma don’t overshadow all the fun summer festivities.”

Asthma and allergy experts offer these tips for avoiding or coping with common summer triggers: SMOKE Fireworks and campfires are fun holiday traditions but smoke can trigger an asthma flare-up. Try to maintain a safe distance from fireworks and campfires or stand upwind. It’s also important to be sure to carry a reliever inhaler at all times.

CHLORINE Chlorine isn’t an allergen, but it can cause allergy-like symptoms, such as itchy eyes. For people with asthma, chlorine could also cause breathing problems.

If irritation develops, wash the affected area with clean water.

People with a more serious reaction may need a prescription corticosteroid cream.

STINGS Insect venom can cause serious or life-threatening reactions that require immediate medical attention. Facial swelling and

trouble breathing are signs of a severe allergy that may require epinephrine (adrenaline) and evaluation by an allergist. In some cases, those with an insect allergy are treated with allergy shots.

DO YOU KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ANAPHYLAXIS? ANAPHYLAXIS IS THE MEDICAL TERM FOR A POTENTIALLY LIFETHREATENING ALLERGIC REACTION. IT CAN OCCUR WITHIN MINUTES AFTER EXPOSURE TO AN ALLERGEN. THAT’S WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHAT SYMPTOMS TO LOOK FOR: MOUTH: ITCHING, SWELLING OF LIPS AND/OR TONGUE LUNGS: SHORTNESS OF BREATH, COUGHING, WHEEZING HEART: WEAK PULSE, DIZZINESS, PASSING OUT SKIN: ITCHING, HIVES, REDNESS, SWELLING THROAT: ITCHING, TIGHTNESS/ CLOSURE, COUGHING STOMACH: VOMITING, NAUSEA, DIARRHEA, CRAMPS

TEMPERATURE SWINGS A rise in temperature can cause an asthma attack. So can walking into a chilly, air-conditioned room or jumping into a cold swimming pool. Be aware of environmental temperatures and consider exercising indoors on particularly hot, humid days.

MOLD Allergies to mold are common in late summer and fall. Avoid walking on or near freshly mowed grass or dry, dusty athletic fields, which could increase exposure to mold.

Anyone who experiences allergy symptoms that interfere with normal summer activities should be properly tested for allergies.

Allergies:

vacuum your house regularly with a vacuum cleaner with high suction and filtration. All CERTIFIED A YEAR-ROUND PROBLEM power asthma & allergy friendly vacuums Here are some common allergens have the proven capability to that are present year round and tips effectively remove various allergens and trap them within the vacuum for avoiding them: cleaner system without leakage DUST MITES through the filter, seals, bag or These microscopic allergen canister/frame during use and waste producers are present in every room removal from the machine of every home and building and FURNACES & bedding, pillows and soft goods are major harbors. Proteins in their eggs HEAT PUMPS: and waste are allergens to many Regardless if there are hard freezes asthmatics and those with allergic or milder temperatures in your sensitivities. Routinely wash bedding, area — airborne allergens like pollen, rugs and other soft goods in water dust and dander can be repeatedly hotter than 130 degrees Fahrenheit to circulated through your home by kill dust mites and denature allergens. your heating or air conditioning Look for CERTIFIED asthma & allergy system. We do not recommend friendly bedding and encasements that asthma and allergy sufferers that are proven barriers to dust mites buy low efficiency, inexpensive air to help reduce exposure. filters since they do a poor job of trapping ultra-fine particles, the PET DANDER biggest culprits at triggering allergic Because hot and cold weather and asthmatic reactions. Look for means pets are indoors more often, CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly your exposure to dander escalates, HVAC/Furnace filters and replace leading to a corresponding surge in symptoms. Wash your pet often and them as they become dirty.

Source: The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

More Information The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America provides more information on how to avoid allergy triggers at aafa.org.

Source: HealthDay

Rowan Medicine MedicaLink

A new name for health care in South Jersey Two years to the day after celebrating the addition of the School of Osteopathic Medicine and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rowan University marked another milestone on the Stratford campus. In a special July 1st ceremony, senior University officials formally unveiled Rowan Medicine as the new name for the faculty practice plan at the School of Osteopathic Medicine.

Previously known as The University Doctors, the practice plan has been integral in the delivery of essential health care services in New Jersey since its inception in 1984. Currently, the plan includes more than 160 physicians and health care professionals who provided more than 250,000 patient visits each year at 64 offices located in 27 different South Jersey communities.

During the day’s ceremony, Senior Vice President for Health Sciences Ken Blank pointed out that the move to Rowan Medicine is more than a name change.

“Rowan Medicine unites the Rowan name with our commitment to the communities where we provide valuable health care services,” Dr. Blank said. “Rowan Medicine will be leading the changes that improve the delivery of health care services here and throughout the country. We are constantly challenging ourselves to do

“We are constantly challenging ourselves to do better and we look forward to a future of meeting the challenges that are ahead of us.” Dr. Blank said.

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Dr. Vincent J. DeRisio, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (RowanSOM), Dr. Thomas A. Cavalieri, Dean, RowanSOM and Dr. Ken Blank, Senior Vice President for Health Sciences, Rowan University, unveiled the new name of Rowan Medicine for RowanSOM’s faculty practice plan. better and we look forward to a future of meeting the Rowan Medicine for the positive impact they have challenges that are ahead of us.” on patients and their families.

In his remarks to those attending the event, “This is a great day for our patients,” Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine’s Dr. DeRisio said. “We want our patients to Dean, Dr. Thomas A. Cavalieri, connected the school’s have an awesome experience and, with osteopathic heritage with that leadership role in Rowan Medicine, we know they will. This is a health care innovation. tremendous new day “Our osteopathic that reinforces the “Today, we are here joining not only traditions continue to great work you have our names, buy further connecting our guide us, focusing on been doing.” treatment of the whole institutions. Rowan Medicine will enhance The Rowan the treatment of patients today and for many Medicine name person – mind, body and spirit,” he said. emerged from generations to come.”

“We provide care months of research, Dr. Thomas A. Cavalieri, Dean, RowanSOM including feedback using a holistic approach and an from patients and emphasis on community service. Today, we are here non-patients alike. That research clearly signaled joining not only our names, buy further connecting that the Rowan name is one people associate with our institutions. Rowan Medicine will enhance the quality, innovation and energy and with a dynamic treatment of patients today and for many generations institution that is well positioned to lead the to come.” changes that will foster growth and improve access Dr. Vincent DeRisio, the associate Dean for Clinical to health care.

Affairs and Rowan Medicine’s medical director thanked everyone who attended and who make up

7/14/15 4:39 PM

Rowan Medicine MedicaLink

Turning sniffles into smiles Primary and preventive care from infancy through adolescence

• Well baby and child visits • School, camp and sports physicals

• Immunizations • Check-ups

Convenient hours include walk-in morning hours, Saturday morning and evening appointments. Most insurances accepted.

For when it becomes more than just misplacing keys Our Memory Assessment Program (MAP) is specially designed to identify the possible causes of memory loss. Our team evaluates physical and medical conditions, mood, thinking and memory, and will make recommendations for an ongoing plan of care.

Tired of carrying a ‘spare tire?’

Call to make an appointment today 856-566-6843 New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging 42 East Laurel Road, Suite 1800 Stratford, NJ 08084

To schedule an appointment, call 856-566-7040

Stratford 856-566-7040 Sewell 856-582-0033

Would you like to participate in a research study?

Our research is a team-based approach with a focus on a good clinical practice, subject safety, and protocol compliance. Call our office to inquire if we have a clinical trial for you!

Current and Future Clinical Studies • Alzheimer's Disease • Diabetes • Endometriosis • Fibromyalgia • Multiple Sclerosis • Obesity • Stroke

rowan.edu/som/njisa rowanmedicine.com

Office of Clinical Trials Management, 856-566-6003 42 East Laurel Road, Stratford, NJ 08084

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7/14/15 4:50 PM

Rowan Medicine MedicaLink Information Resources

Ask& Technology Rowan Medicine

Should I be worried if I seem more forgetful than when I was younger?

Dr. Martin Forsberg, a geriatric psychiatrist with the New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging, responds: Not all memory problems in older adults are signs of disease.

Regardless of age, people forget things. Children forget when school assignments are due. Busy parents forget appointments or misplace common objects. When we were young, we could overlook these memory slips as no more than an inconvenience. But once we reached mid-life or beyond, misplacing car keys or forgetting someone’s name began to create worries that these were the beginning signs of a frightening disease like Alzheimer’s.

It is easy to understand those concerns. Cognition is the brain’s ability to remember, make decisions, learn and process new information. A decline in cognitive ability can determine an individual’s ability to drive or to live independently. It can also impact that individual’s family and, considering the growing number of older adults, have a significant impact on society in general.

In April, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued “Cognitive Aging,” a comprehensive report on the public health dimensions of cognitive changes in older adults that also shed light on the concerns of affected individuals and their family members.

The IOM report stressed that cognitive aging is not a disease and should not be viewed as one. Instead, cognitive aging is a lifelong process that can vary

“The IOM report stressed that cognitive aging is not a disease and should not be viewed as one. ” greatly from one individual to the next. The report also noted that not all cognitive aging changes would be considered declines. Some, such as wisdom, remain stable in older adults and others, such as knowledge, may actually increase in later years.

Still, many of the changes associated with cognitive aging represent a slow decline in function. That is one reason why the IOM report stressed the importance of understanding the changes that occur in the aging brain and to distinguish cognitive aging from the pathological processes associated with Alzheimer’s or other neurological diseases. mdclnk juLY2015 tab5.indd 1

It is important to note – and the IOM report stresses this – that while cognitive aging occurs throughout life in every individual, only one out of every eight Americans suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. But, if you are concerned that you or a family member are experiencing cognitive changes that don’t seem ‘normal,’ take note of those changes and make an appointment to speak with your physician about them.

To help explain the differences, here are some indicators that the Alzheimer’s Association provides to help distinguish normal aging from signs that could suggest dementia.

Normal Aging

Signs of Alzheimer’s/dementia

Losing things from time to time

Putting things in unusual places or misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to find them

Forgetting names or appointments but remembering them later

Forgetting important dates or events. Asking for the same information over and over

Making a mistake when balancing a checkbook

Having trouble keeping track of monthly bills or following a recipe

Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later

Losing track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. Forgetting where you are or how you got there

Making bad choices once in a while

Using poor judgement when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. Paying less attention to grooming or keeping clean

Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or video recording device

Difficulty completing a familiar task, driving to a familiar location or remembering the rules of a favorite game

Dr. Martin Forsberg is a geriatric psychiatrist with Rowan Medicine’s New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging (NJISA). To contact the NJISA, please call 856-566-6843.

7/14/15 4:54 PM

Rowan Medicine MedicaLink

Old wives’ tales: Are they true?

Are old wives’ tales, those medical myths that you probably first heard from your parents, true or just tall tales handed down from generation to generation? Here, physicians from the Rowan Medicine Department of Family Medicine sort fact from fiction about some common medical myths.

» Starve a cold and feed a fever (or is it feed a cold and starve a fever?)

Neither is completely true.

You simply don’t want to withhold nutrition when you are sick. You may not feel like eating as much, but avoiding food or drink will limit your body’s energy stores and its ability to fight off the illness. If you have a fever, staying hydrated will help your body to recover, and cool drinks can soothe the itchy or scratchy throat that sometimes accompanies a cold.

- Dr. Samantha Plasner, Mount Laurel

MYTH or fact?

» Avoid milk or dairy products when you have a cold This comes from thinking that drinking milk will increase the mucus your body produces when you have a cold or cough. That isn’t the case.

Drinking milk will have no effect on the amount of mucus your body produces. In fact, if you have a sore or scratchy throat from coughing, a bit of ice cream could actually make your throat feel better.

- Dr. Rebecca Moore, Hammonton

» Going outside with wet hair will make you catch a cold

You probably heard this one a lot when you were growing up. It’s not true. Colds are caused by viruses, not by going outside with wet hair. That’s why you are more likely to catch a cold in the winter when you are inside with other people and in an environment where viruses can thrive.

- Dr. Shari Simon, Mount Laurel

» Eating spicy foods can cause an ulcer

Ulcers are sores on the lining of the stomach, esophagus or small intestine that are caused by the H. pylori bacteria. Eating spicy foods won’t cause an ulcer, but can irritate an existing one. Because ulcers are caused by bacteria, they can normally be treated with antibiotics. If you experience persistent heartburn or indigestion, talk to your physician. Your symptoms could indicate an ulcer or another treatable condition like gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly called GERD. - Dr. Charlene Chick, Stratford

» Put butter on a burn or sunburn

Butter is good for frying foods, but not for treating minor burns or sunburn. For a minor burn, run cool (not cold) water over the burned area for several minutes or apply a cool, wet towel or washcloth. This will draw the heat out of the burn, while butter will tend to do the opposite.

Apply aloe lotion or gel to help with healing and take ibuprofen or other over-the-counter pain medicine to relieve pain. Check with your physician if you notice any swelling or blistering of the burned area.

- Dr. Samantha Plasner, Mount Laurel

Rowan Medicine MedicaLink » Chocolate can relieve pre-menstrual cramps

Although chocolate doesn’t contain any nutrient that would have a direct impact on pre-menstrual cramps, it still may help. Eating chocolate can improve your mood and help with feelings of stress, making it easier to cope with the discomfort caused by cramping. And while studies have associated it with improved heart health, you need to be cautious of the extra calories, sugar and fat content that come with eating chocolate.

- Dr. Shari Simon, Mount Laurel

» Chicken soup and vitamin C can cure colds

It may not be a cure, but chicken soup will likely speed your recovery from a cold. Chicken soup appears to reduce inflammation in the lungs and thins mucus to reduce congestion. Vitamin C also seems to have some positive effects. One study found that a daily 200 mg dose reduced, by about one day, the duration of colds and helped prevent colds in certain individuals.

- Dr. Rebecca Moore, Hammonton

» A spoonful of sugar cures hiccups

Hiccups are the result of involuntary contractions of the diaphragm muscle and are often caused by irritation of the vagus or phrenic nerves that are connected to it. There are lots of home remedies – including breathing into a paper bag, drinking water and holding your breath – but one study published over 40 years ago in the New England Journal of Medicine indicated that eating a teaspoon of granulated sugar stopped the majority of hiccup cases instantly.

Usually, hiccups resolve on their own rather quickly. Contact your physician if your hiccups persist for more than a few hours.

- Dr. Charlene Chick, Stratford Rowan Family Medicine physicians provide comprehensive health care for patients of all ages at four convenient area locations. To schedule an appointment, please call our Hammonton (609-704-0185); Mount Laurel (856-380-2400); Sewell (856-218-0300) or Stratford (856-566-7020) office.

Need a family physician?

As your primary care office, we will manage and coordinate all of your medical care, including: • Routine preventive care • Acute care • Specialist referrals Stratford 856-566-7020

• Annual wellness physicals • Chronic disease management • Follow-up vists

Mount Laurel 856-380-2400

Hammonton 609-704-0185

Sewell 856-218-0300

Most insurances accepted

Rowan Medicine MedicaLink is an Advertorial Supplement published by Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (RowanSOM). RowanSOM staff: Mary Louise Bianco-Smith (editor), Julia Swope, Gerald Carey, Lynne Yarnell, Lucy McGorry, Bernardine Jones. Please send inquiries via email to: sominfo@rowan.edu or RowanSOM Marketing Department, Rowan Medicine Building, Suite 1300, 42 East Laurel Road, Stratford, NJ 08084, 856-566-6191.

Protecting seniors from dangerous summer heat Heat is a potentially deadly problem—nearly 400 Americans die from heat waves each year.

Most of them are elderly people who often don’t realize when they are overheating and in danger.

Part of the problem lies in the fact that older people simply can’t handle the heat as well as younger ones, because they don’t sweat as effectively and have poorer circulation.

Obesity, heart disease, dementia, diabetes and other chronic medical conditions can compound the risk.

So can certain medications, especially diuretics or those

Here are some other

prescribed for hypertension and Parkinson’s disease.

To protect seniors, the standard advice is to get them into an air-conditioned building; have them dress lightly; and keep themselves hydrated.

But this is easier said than done, since poorer circulation also makes many seniors feel too cold in air conditioned spaces and want to reach for a sweater, even when it’s hot out. And some seniors prefer other kinds of drinks to water, even though they may be too sugary for their sedentary lifestyles or filled with caffeine, which is dehydrating.

Lisa Clark, a Dallas physician

who specializes in geriatric medicine, told AgingCare.com that caregivers should stay on the alert for signs of confusion or altered mental states in seniors who are out in hot weather, as it could be a sign of heat stroke.

If the elderly person should collapse or pass out, “it’s a medical emergency,” said Dr. Clark, and 911 should be called immediately. While you are waiting for help, remove as much clothing as possible and pour cold water all over the elderly person’s body. Should your relative come to, have a cold drink ready, as hydration is critical.

Tips to Protect Seniors from the Heat

• If elderly relatives complain of the cold indoors, turn up the air conditioning a bit. If they won’t stay inside, have them sit on a shady porch under a ceiling fan or near a box fan.

• To keep the house cooler without running the air conditioning, close curtains or blinds on the east side of the home during the morning, and the west side in the afternoon.

• If the elderly person doesn’t have air conditioning or refuses to use it in a heat wave, make sure they spend at least some time in a cool air-conditioned space like a mall or theater. “Even two or three hours a day can help,” Dr. Clark said.

• Offer plenty of drinks that seniors prefer, but stay away from iced coffee and other highly caffeinated drinks, or sodas loaded with sodium, which is bad for heart health.

Do not serve alcohol, which is dehydrating.

• Keep frozen treats available that have a high water and low sugar content, like sugar-free Popsicles (you can make your own using juice).

Or serve fruit with a high water content, like watermelon.

• Seniors sometimes dress inappropriately for warm weather, so make sure that their clothing is lightweight, not form-fitting and light in color.

• Hats are useful, but make sure that they are loosely woven or ventilated so they don’t trap heat and broad-brimmed so they shade the entire face.

Source: AgingCare.com

3 reasons heat affects elderly • Elderly people do not adjust as well as young people to sudden changes in temperature • They are more likely to have a chronic medical condition that upsets normal body responses to heat • They are more likely to take prescription medicines that impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature or that inhibit perspiration

Know the signs and remedies HEAT EXHAUSTION 1. Heavy sweating 2. Weakness 3. Cold, pale, and clammy skin 4. Fast, weak pulse 5. Nausea or vomiting What You Should Do: 1. Move to a cooler location 2. Lie down and loosen your clothing 3. Apply cool, wet cloths to as much of your body as possible 4. Sip water 5. If you have vomited and it continues, seek medical attention immediately

HEAT STROKE 1. High body temperature (above 103 degrees F) 2. Hot, red, dry or moist skin 3. Rapid and strong pulse 4. Possible unconsciousness What You Should Do: 1. Call 911 immediately — this is a medical emergency 2. Move the person to a cooler environment 3. Reduce the person’s body temperature with cool cloths or even a bath 4. Do NOT give fluids Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Smart ways to stay safe this summer T

he sun is shining and the water is warm. Summer is a fun time of year! To make sure that you and your children make the most of this summer, here are some tips for keeping safe.

BUG SAFETY • Don’t use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child.

• Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom.

• Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.

• Combination sunscreen/insect repellent products should be avoided because sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, but the insect repellent should not be reapplied.

• As an alternative to DEET, picaridin has become available in the U.S. in concentrations of five percent to 10 percent.

• When outside in the evenings or other times when there are a lot of mosquitoes present, cover up with long sleeved shirts, pants and socks to prevent bites.

PLAYGROUND SAFETY • Swing seats should be made of soft materials such as rubber, plastic or canvas.

• Make sure children cannot reach any moving parts that might pinch or trap any body part.

• Never attach—or allow children to attach—ropes, jump ropes, leashes, or similar items to play equipment; children can strangle on these.

• Make sure your children remove helmets and anything looped around their necks.

• Make sure slides are cool to prevent children’s legs from getting burned.

• Do not allow children to play barefoot on the playground.

• Parents should supervise children on play equipment to make sure they are safe.

BICYCLE SAFETY • A helmet protects your child from serious injury, and should always be worn.

• Do not push your child to ride a two-wheeled bike without training wheels until he or she is ready.

• Take your child with you when you shop for the bike, so that he or she can try it out. The value of a properly fitted bike far outweighs the value of surprising your child with a new one. Buy a bike that is the right size, not one your child has to ‘grow into.’ Oversized bikes are especially dangerous.

SKATES AND SCOOTER SAFETY • All skateboarders and scooter-riders should wear protective gear; helmets are particularly important for preventing and minimizing head injuries.

• While in-line skating or using Heelys, only skate on designated paths or rinks and not in the street.

This barbecue season, make sure the only thing at risk of getting burned is the food.

Protect yourself with an apron and mitts, and pay attention to your surroundings, a doctor advises.

“The primary type of burn you get around the grill is a thermal burn caused by heat or fire from the grill itself. Extreme heat can be toxic to the skin, lead to inflammation, and if serious cause scarring,” said Dr. Joshua Zeichner. He’s an assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in New York City.

“Mild burns lead to skin redness, affecting only the most superficial layers of skin. More severe burns can damage the deep skin layers and, in some cases, can lead to permanent, disfiguring scars,” he explained in a hospital news release.

• Most injuries occur due to falls.

Inexperienced riders should only ride as fast as they can comfortably slow down, and they should practice falling on grass or other soft surfaces. Before riding, skateboarders should survey the riding terrain for obstacles such as potholes, rocks, or any debris. Protective wrist, elbow and kneepads should be worn.

• Children should never ride skateboards or scooters in or near moving traffic.

• Riders should never skate alone.

Children under the age of eight should be closely supervised at all times.

ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES • Children who are too young to have a driver’s license should not be allowed to operate or ride off-road vehicles. Children are involved in about 30 percent of all ATV-related deaths and emergency room-treated injuries.

• Don’t ride double. Passengers are frequently injured when riding ATVs. Most ATVs are designed to carry only one person: the driver.

• All ATV riders should take a hands-on safety training course.

• All riders should wear helmets, eye protection, sturdy shoes (no flip-flops), and protective, reflective clothing.

• Flags, reflectors and lights should be used to make vehicles more visible.

• Drivers of recreational vehicles should not drive while under the influence of alcohol, drugs

or even some prescription medicines. Parents should set an example for their children in this regard.

LAWN MOWER SAFETY • Only use a mower with a control that stops the mower blade from moving if the handle is let go.

• Children younger than 16 years should not be allowed to use ride-on mowers.

Children younger than 12 years should not use walk-behind mowers.

• Make sure you wear eye and hearing protection and sturdy shoes while mowing the lawn.

• Always turn off the mower and wait for the blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel paths, roads, or other areas.

• Do not allow children to ride as passengers on ride-on mowers.

• Drive up and down slopes, not across to prevent mower rollover.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

Visit The American College of Emergency Physicians to learn more about burn prevention at acep.org.

Zeichner outlined safety measures to take when using a barbecue.

• Keep the flame low and don’t pour oil, alcohol, or other flammable items near the grill. “Aerosol spray sunscreens have been reported to light on fire when used near an open grill, so make sure to use them far from the open fire,” he advised.

• Never barbecue in your bathing suit. Cover your skin to reduce the risk of suffering burns if oil or grease from the food splatters.

• If you do suffer a burn while barbecuing, immediately run cold water over the burn, and then apply a cool compress consisting of skim milk

and ice cubes in a wash cloth. Proteins in the milk reduce skin inflammation. Raw egg whites contain similar proteins, Zeichner said.

• Aloe vera — either gel or straight from the plant — helps hydrate and soothe burns. Over-the-counter cortisone ointment reduces inflammation from the outside in, and aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pills reduce inflammation from the inside out.

• If you have blistering or open skin, it means that the deeper layers are affected and you should seek medical attention.

Source: HealthDay

Children can drown within five minutes, experts warn

Be sure to follow summer water safety rules, they save lives

By MARY ELIZABETH DALLAS HealthDay Once the temperatures rise, people of all ages cool off in pools, lakes or the ocean.

But no matter how old you are, taking certain water safety precautions are essential, according to the American Red Cross.

Always swim in areas that are supervised by lifeguards. Taking a dip with a buddy is also safer than swimming alone, the Red Cross advises. Other water safety tips that all swimmers and parents should consider include: 1. Remind children that they need to ask permission before they go near water.

If they do go swimming, children should

always be under adult supervision. Be sure adults supervising children in and around water are not distracted. It’s also important to make sure appropriate safety equipment — such as a first-aid kit, phone and reaching devices — are nearby. Do not make children responsible for the safety of other kids.

2. U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets could help keep inexperienced swimmers safe around water, howerver people should not rely solely on these devices for their safety. It’s important to take lessons and learn how to swim.

3. Pool owners should make sure their pool is enclosed in a barrier. Children can drown

6 tips for a healthy pool While most swimming pools contain chemicals to help kill germs, these germ-destroyers may not be 100 percent effective all the time.

• Shower to help rinse off germs before you get into the water.

• Never urinate or pass a bowel movement in swimming water.

• If you are suffering with diarrhea, do not swim in a pool.

• Never drink pool water.

• Every hour, have kids get out of the pool for a bathroom break or diaper change.

• Make sure chlorine and pH levels are safe before anyone gets in the water.

Source: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

MORE INFORMATION The American Academy of Pediatrics has more about water safety at aap.org.

in less than five minutes — even when their parents are nearby. If a child is missing, look in the water first. When it comes to preventing death or devastating disability, every second counts. Take a home pool and water safety course as well as a first aid and CPR course to learn what to do during emergencies and how they can be prevented. If an emergency does occur, know when to call 911.

4. Aside from taking certain water precautions when swimming, it’s also important to consider sun safety. Avoid too much direct sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. It’s important to wear sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher.

Safety first • Protect your pool with a barrier, ideally a 4-foot-high fence with a self-latching gate. Ladders and steps should be removed when the pool is not in use.

• An adult should always be no more than arm’s length from a child in the pool.

• Inexperienced little ones should wear a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.

• All supervising adults should know how to swim well, and should take an instructional swimming class. Everyone in the home should know first aid and CPR taught by the Red Cross.

• Properly maintain the pool and chemicals to keep the pool clean and safe.

• Create and enforce rules for the pool, such as no diving, no running, only swimming with a buddy and staying away from the drain.

Source: The American Red Cross

Some people do age faster than others

By ALAN MOZES HealthDay Adults who look older than their years may be aging at an accelerated pace, new research suggests.

A study of 38-year-olds in New Zealand found their ‘biological age’ — the state of their organs, immune system, heart health and chromosomes — ranged from as young as 30 to as old as 60.

And the older their biological age, the older they looked, the researchers added.

“We looked at key markers for the integrity and health of different organs in the bodies of relatively young adults, in order to detect how their bodies were actually aging,” said study author Daniel Belsky, an assistant professor of medicine at Duke University’s School of Medicine and Center for Aging, in Durham, N.C. “What we found is a clear relationship between looking older on the outside and aging faster on the inside,” said Belsky.

“And also that it’s possible to measure the kind of aging process in young people that we usually only look for in old people.”

For most young adults, biological age proceeds in sync with chronological age, the international research team found. But genetic and environmental influences can cause your biology to rack up signs of age much faster — or much slower — than your birth date might predict.

MORE INFORMATION

The findings were published July 6 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The study authors noted that by 2050 the population of men and women aged 80 and older will hit 400 million globally, more than triple the current number.

That trend, the researchers said, highlights the importance of finding ways to spot signs of aging early in life, to fashion therapies that can prolong healthy living by preventing the onset of age-related disease.

AT 38, THE BIOLOGY OF SOME ADULTS WAS 20 YEARS OLDER, ACCORDING TO STUDY FROM DUKE UNIVERSITY’S SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND CENTER FOR AGING The study team focused on roughly 1,000 men and women who had been participating in an ongoing New Zealand study since their birth in 1972-1973.

In 2011, the participants, then 38, underwent tests of kidney function, liver function, lung capacity and metabolic and immune system strength. Cholesterol, blood pressure, dental status, eye

structure and heart health were also assessed, as was the length of chromosomal caps known as telomeres.

Telomeres are known to shorten with age.

The researchers found a variance of up to 30 years in the different participants’ biological age, although all were still free of any age-related disease.

The team conducted a secondary analysis, comparing biomarker information collected in 2011 with information gathered six and 12 years earlier.

That showed that between ages 26 and 38 most participants aged at an equal biological pace. But some were gaining three biological years for every one chronological year. Still others had essentially stopped getting older, as their biological age was essentially on ‘pause.’

What’s more, the older their biological age, the worse they fared on physical and mental acuity tests.

The fast-agers showed worse balance and poorer motor coordination, and reported having more trouble with tasks such as climbing stairs or carrying groceries.

“This showed that already early in life we can see symptoms of advanced age in young people, symptoms that correspond to declining physical and cognitive function, long before age-related disease actually develops,” Belsky said.

Dr. Rosanne Leipzig, a professor of geriatric and palliative medicine at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, described the investigation as a ‘landmark’ effort to better understand the aging process.

“If we can identify why some people have more rapid biological aging, it may be possible to intervene and reduce the risks of complications and diseases related to aging,” said Leipzig, who was not involved in the study.

Belsky said the findings might propel scientists in a new direction. “This can help us as we start to come around to the idea that instead of trying to prevent individual illnesses like heart disease or cancer,” he said, “we need to try to find ways to treat the common cause of all these things: aging.”

The research was funded by the New Zealand Health Research Council, the U.S. National Institute on Aging, the U.K. Medical Research Council, the Jacobs Foundation and the Yad Hanadiv Rothschild Foundation.

There’s more on healthy aging at the U.S. National Council on Aging at ncoa.org.

Top issues facing America’s elderly CHRONIC DISEASE Approximately 92 percent of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 77 percent have at least two. Four chronic diseases — heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes — cause almost two-thirds of all deaths each year.

Chronic diseases account for 75 percent of the money our nation spends on health care, yet only one percent of health dollars are spent on public efforts to improve overall health.

Diabetes affects 12.2 million Americans aged 60+, or 23 percent of the older population. An additional 57 million Americans aged 20+ have pre-diabetes, which increases a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. In a 2007 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention program for people at high risk for developing diabetes, lifestyle intervention reduced risk by 71 percent among those aged 60+.

Ninety percent of Americans aged 55+ are at risk for hypertension, or high blood pressure. Women are more likely than men to develop hypertension, with half of women aged 60+ and 77 percent of women aged 75+ having this condition. Hypertension affects 64 percent of men aged 75+.

FALLS Every 15 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall; every 29 minutes, an older adult dies following a fall.

Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of fractures, hospital admissions for trauma, and injury deaths. Falls are also the most common cause of older adult traumatic brain injuries, accounting for over 46 percent of fatal falls.

The nation spends $30 billion a year treating older adults for the effects of falls. If we cannot stem the rate of falls, it’s projected that direct treatment costs will reach $59.6 billion by 2020. A quarter of hip fracture patients will be in a nursing home for at least a year, further adding to Medicaid costs.

MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE ABUSE One in four older adults experiences some mental disorder including depression, anxiety disorders, and dementia. This number is expected to double to 15 million by 2030.

Depression affects seven million older Americans, and many do not receive treatment.

The number of older adults with substance abuse problems is expected to double to five million by 2020.

Two-thirds of older adults with mental health problems do not receive the treatment they need.

Current preventative services for this population are extremely limited.

Untreated substance abuse and mental health problems among older adults are associated with poor health outcomes, higher health care utilization, increased complexity of the course and prognosis of many illnesses, increased disability and impairment, compromised quality of life, increased caregiver stress, increased mortality, and higher risk of suicide.

People aged 85+ have the highest suicide rate of any age group. Older white men have a suicide rate almost six times that of the general population.

Source: U.S. National Council on Aging

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