Hometown Kyle - January 2014 by Peel, Inc.

MY HOMETOWN January 2014 Volume 3, Issue 1

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HOMETOWN KYLE HOA

A Focus on Influenza: What You Should Know About the Flu By Concentra Urgent Care

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year. Every year in the United States, on average: • 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu • More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications • About 36,000 people die from flu Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. Complications of flu Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. How flu spreads Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Apparently healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year. There are two types of vaccines: The “flu shot”: an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. The nasal-spray flu vaccine: a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). LAIV is approved for use in healthy people two to 49 years of age who are not pregnant. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists’ estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year. About two weeks after vaccination, enough antibodies build up to provide protection against the influenza virus. Symptoms of the flu • Fever (usually high) • Headache • Fatigue (can be extreme) Copyright © 2014 Peel, Inc.

• Cough • Sore throat • Runny or stuffy nose • Body aches • Diarrhea and vomiting (more common among children than adults) Having these symptoms does not always mean that you have the flu. Many different illnesses, including the common cold, can have similar symptoms. Diagnosing the flu It is very difficult to distinguish the flu from other infections on the basis of symptoms alone. A doctor’s exam may be needed to tell whether you have developed the flu or a complication of the flu. There are tests that can determine if you have the flu as long as you are tested within the first two or three days of illness. If you develop flu-like symptoms and are concerned about your illness, especially if you are at high risk for complications of the flu, you should consult your health care provider. Those at high risk for complications include people 65 years or older, people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, and young children. Good health habits for flu prevention The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your mouth when you cough and washing your hands often can help prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent the flu. • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. • Stay home when you are sick. • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. • Clean your hands. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth due to the spread of germs. • Practice other good health habits: • Get plenty of sleep • Be physically active • Manage your stress • Drink plenty of fluids • Eat nutritious food Hometown Kyle - January 2014

MY HOMETOWN Do you live in a neighborhood where you feel safe and connected to others, or do you feel overcrowded, threatened, and otherwise unsafe in your surroundings? This, and other aspects of neighborhood life, can impact both your level of happiness and stress. Socializing: With our busy schedules, we don’t always see friends as often as we’d like. For a bit of socializing that takes only minutes out of your day, it’s nice to stop and chat with people for a few minutes on your way out to your car. And the more people you have available for shared social support, the better, generally speaking. Pooled Resources: I know people in some more-friendly neighborhoods who share dinners, minimizing the effort it takes to cook. Others trade fruit from their trees. A neighbor who borrows a few eggs may come back with a plate of cookies that the eggs helped create. Knowing your neighbors increases everyone’s ability to share. Security: Knowing the people around you can bring a sense of security. If you need something--whether it’s a cup of sugar when you’re baking cookies, or someone to call the police if they see someone lurking ourside your home--it’s nice to know you can depend on those around you and they can depend on you. Home Pride: Knowing the people who live around you provides a strengthened sense of pride in your home and neighborhood.

Coming home just feels nicer. While you may not be able to change the neighborhood in which you live, you can change the experience you have in your own neighborhood by getting more involved with those around you and taking pride in the area in which you live. The following are some ideas and resources that can help you to feel more at home in your neighborhood: Get Out More: If you live in a generally safe area, I highly recommend taking a morning or evening walk. It’s a great stress reliever that also allows you to get to know many of your neighbors, get an understanding of who lives where, and feel more at home in your surroundings. Smile: It’s simple enough, but if you’re not in the habit of smiling and giving a friendly hello to the people you encounter in your neighborhood, it’s a good habit to start. While not everyone will return the friendliness immediately, it’s a quick way to get to know people and build relationships, even if you’ve lived close for years and haven’t really said much to one another. Talk To Your Elders: The more veteran members of the neighborhood often have the inside scoop on the neighborhood. You may be surprised at how much you can learn if you stop to take the time to talk to the sweet old lady at the end of the block.

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Hometown Kyle - January 2014

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THYROID CONDITIONS ON THE RISE IN THE U.S. Take this True/False Quiz to Learn More About the Thyroid

January is Thyroid Awareness Month Tired? Sluggish? Unexplained weight gain or weight loss? It could be your children wearing you out, or the natural effects of aging--or it could be a treatable condition caused by the thyroid. Approximately 27 million Americans suffer from thyroid diseases, and the vast majority of them are women. “We’re diagnosing more thyroid disease now than 20 years ago,” says Dr. Tira Chaicha-Brom, an endocrinologist with Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck that regulates metabolism. When it’s not working properly, the symptoms often mimic other conditions, and thyroid problems can go untreated. Take this True/False quiz now to find out how much you know about the thyroid. 1. The symptoms of the two main types of thyroid disease are the same. T/F? FALSE: The two major types of thyroid disease are an overactive thyroid, called hyperthyroidism, and underactive thyroid, called hypothyroidism. “If you have an overactive thyroid, you have an increased metabolism,” explains Dr. Chaicha-Brom. “You may have heart palpitations, excessive sweating, diarrhea, anxiety, insomnia, and even unexplained weight loss.” The other type of thyroid disease – an underactive thyroid or hypothyroid – causes symptoms including fatigue, dry skin, unexplained weight gain, constipation, and increased sensitivity to cold. 2. Medication is the main treatment for thyroid disease. T/F? TRUE: The main treatment for hypothyroidism is thyroid medication. Levothyroxine, the medication used for hypothyroidism, is the third most commonly prescribed medication in the US. Hyperthyroidism can be treated with medication, surgery, or radioactive iodine. 3. Thyroid cancer is on the rise in the United States. T/F? TRUE: Not only is thyroid disease being diagnosed more often, thyroid cancer is on the rise. The American Cancer Society estimates that 60,000 new thyroid cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2013. The chance of being diagnosed with thyroid cancer is now more than twice what it was in 1990. Some of this is due to increased detection with thyroid ultrasound, which can detect small cancerous thyroid nodules that might not have been found before. 4. Thyroid surgery is always necessary for thyroid nodules or lumps. T/F? 4

Hometown Kyle - January 2014

FALSE: Thyroid nodules, (thyroid lumps or growths), are common and are often benign or non-cancerous and may not require removal. But nodules should be checked since thyroid nodules can sometimes be cancerous. “Up to 40 percent of the population will have thyroid nodules at some time, and most are non-cancerous,” says Dr. ChaichaBrom. “The size of the nodule, how it looks on ultrasound, and the patient’s risk factors for thyroid cancer all determine how physicians treat the nodule.” HOW DID YOU SCORE? Don’t worry if you didn’t know all the answers. Not that many people understand this unusual gland. But it’s important to talk to your physician about any troubling symptoms. Not only do patients feel better after treatment, they also can prevent longterm damage to their bodies due to untreated thyroid disease. Obesity, eye problems, heart disease, high/elevated cholesterol levels, and an enlarged and painful thyroid called a goiter may occur without treatment.

Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology helps people with a variety of health problems, including diabetes, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, and osteoporosis. Texas Diabetes was founded in 2001 by Thomas Blevins, M.D., and has grown to include seven physicians and locations in Northwest Austin and Round Rock. For more information, visit texasdiabetes.com or call 512-458-8400.

MY HOMETOWN NatureWatch

by Jim and Lynne Weber While winter is the time of year when we hang man-made ornaments on our trees and shrubs to commemorate the holiday season, it is also the time of year when nature-made ornaments are most apparent in the landscape. These ornaments are as widely unique as snowflakes, and their appearance varies with the bits and pieces of leaves, twigs, and bark fragments woven into silken bags in a shingle-like fashion. They reveal themselves on the bare branches and limbs in winter, and they are created by female bagworms. Members of the Psychidae family, there are about 1,350 species of bagworms worldwide, also commonly known as bagworm moths or bagmoths. Although different bagworm species vary slightly in habits and life cycle, bagworms spend the winter months in the egg stage sealed within the bags produced by females the previous fall. In late May to early June, very tiny caterpillars hatch, produce a silken strand by which the wind can carry them to new foliage (called ‘ballooning’), and construct a tiny conical bag carried upright with them as they move. During leaffeeding, the caterpillars emerge from the top of the bag and hang onto the host plant with their legs, sometimes aided with a silken thread. The bottom of the bag remains open to allow fecal material (called ‘frass’) to pass out of the bag.    By August or September, fully grown caterpillars have developed larger

bags, and pupate within them. Seven to 10 days later, the pupae of the male moths work their way out of the bottom of the bag, and emerge from their pupal skin. These males have half-inch long clear wings, feathery antennae, hairy black bodies, and they spend their time seeking out a female to mate. Females, on the other hand, are immobile and stay in the larval stage, do not develop into moths, and remain inside the bags. After mating, the females produce a clutch of 500 to 1000 eggs inside their bodies and then die.    Bags vary in size, up to 2 inches long and about a half inch wide, and are spindle-shaped. They can be quite ornamental, covered in a somewhat patterned array of bits and pieces of plant matter. A wide range of broadleaf and evergreen trees and shrubs serve as hosts for bagworm species, including juniper, cedar elm, bald cypress, live oak, persimmon, sumac, sycamore, willow, yaupon, and native fruit and nut trees. Since these bags are composed of silk and plant materials, they are naturally camouflaged from predators such as birds and other insects. While birds can eat the egg-laden bodies of female bagworms after they have died, the eggs are very hard-shelled and can pass through the bird’s digestive system unharmed. This represents yet another way to disperse bagworm species over a wide-ranging area, and helps in creating a whole new generation of bag ladies!

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MY HOMETOWN CROSSWORD PUZZLE Crossword Puzzle ACROSS

DOWN ACROSS DOWN 1. What's owed 1. Formal statement 1. Beats Charge 1.2.Nativity piece 4. it! Removescene pins from 5. Syrian bishop 2. Competition at the Greek 10. Hotel 3. Playact 9. Against games 11. Flower child 4. Popular stadium 10. Certified Landing public accountant3.5.Capital of the date Ukraine 12. Approximate 11. Leaves 4. Symbol 13. White fur 6. Revolutions per minute 12. Breath Boom mint box 5.7.Expression of surprise 14. Capital of Western Samoa 13. Rescue Allure 6.8.Emblem 16. Short 15. Opposed African antelope 7.9.Pickle juice 17. Origination 16. Scottish Polite “one” 8.15. A Lean ball out of bounds (2 wds.) 18. 20. 19.Twist Stretch to make do 18. Acidity Leafy green 10. violently 22. 21.Ripper Large eastern religion 21. Corn Marrysyrup brand 14. 26. 23.Strums Before 22. Insane Esophagus 17. 29. 24.Slough Hot sandwich 26. Angry Woken 18. 31. 25.Ross __ Oyl (Popeye's girlfriend) 28. Relating Goad to horses 19. ___, philanthropist 33. Kimono sash 26. Soften cheese 29. Type of tooth 20. Gods 34. 27.Brand Greenish blue 30. National Refer capital 23. of sandwich cookie 35. Reverend (abbr.) 28. Twofold 31. Posttraumatic stress 24. Seaweed substance 36. disorder Bath powder 30.Cabana Stack of paper 25. 37. East northeast 32. Business abbr. 32. Sieve 27. Blue

ACROSS DOWN 1. What's owed 1. Formal statement 4. Beats it! 2. Remove pins from 10. Hotel 3. Playact 11. Flower child 4. Popular stadium 12. Certified public accountant 5. Approximate date 13. White fur 6. Revolutions per minute 14. Breath mint 7. Capital of Western Samoa 16. Rescue 8. Short 17. Opposed 9. Origination Gas electricity aren’t15. getting 18.and Scottish “one” Lean any cheaper. But good advice andto make do 20. Acidity 19. Stretch second opinions are still free! 22. Corn syrup brand 21. Large eastern religion 26. Insane 23. Before A new system from AIM A/C &24. Heating 29. Angry Hot sandwich Services can keep your home efficient 31. Relating to horses 25. __ Oyl (Popeye's girlfriend) and 33.comfortable Kimono sashthis summer. 26. Soften cheese 34. National capital 27. Greenish blue LIC# TACLB020409E 35. Reverend (abbr.) 28. Twofold 36. Bath powder 30. Stack of paper 37. East northeast 32. Business abbr.

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Lifting and carrying a child, picking up toys off of the floor, and pushing a stroller are normal daily tasks for many parents. Below are some quick tips to avoid overstraining your spine and other body areas. LIFTING YOUR CHILD FROM THE FLOOR When picking your child up off the floor, you should use a half-kneel lift. First, stand close to your child on the floor. While keeping your back straight, place one foot slightly forward of the other foot, and bend your hips and knees to lower yourself onto one knee. Once down on the floor, grasp your child with both arms and hold him or her close to your body. Tighten your stomach muscles, push with your legs, and slowly return to the standing position. To place your child onto the floor, the same half-kneel technique should be performed. CARRYING/HOLDING YOUR CHILD When holding or carrying your child, you should always hold him or her close to your body and balanced in the center of your body. Avoid holding your child in one arm and balanced on your hip. When using a child carrier be sure to keep your back straight and your shoulders back to avoid straining your back and neck. PICKING UP TOYS FROM THE FLOOR As a parent you will too often be involved in cleaning up after your child. When picking toys up from the floor, keep your head and back straight, and while bending at your waist, extend one leg off the floor straight behind you. This is often called a “golfer’s lift”, as you may see some “seasoned” golfers retrieve their ball from the hole this way.

LIFTING YOUR CHILD OUT OF THE CRIB If your child’s crib has a rail that lowers, you will want it in the lowest position when lifting your child out of the crib. As you lift, keep your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Arch your low back and, while keeping your head up, bend at your hips. With both arms, grasp your child and hold him or her close to your chest. Straighten your hips so you are in an upright position, and then extend your knees to return to a full stand. To return your child to the crib, use the same technique and always remember to keep your child close to your chest. PUSHING A STROLLER When pushing your child in a stroller, you will want to stay as close to the stroller as possible, allowing your back to remain straight and your shoulders back. The force to push the stroller should come from your entire body, not just your arms. Avoid pushing the stroller too far ahead of you because this will cause you to hunch your back and shoulders forward. Children and parenting are stressful enough. Focus on proper body movement and enjoy those kiddo’s without unneeded aches and pains.

Hometown Kyle - January 2014

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Hometown Kyle - January 2014