WELLsphere has included my Blog about PIDD in their contest for the top 20 blogs about health issues in the country.
|
|
I would really like to win since I devote most of my time and life to PIDD- either living with it, or helping others live with it.
I would really appreciate a vote from you.
The deadline is January 31st.
Please go to the site and vote for my blog.
http://www.wellsphere.com/my-profile/113005
Thanks
Carol
Yes, you can avoid colds and the flu most of the time.
By Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD
Surveys show that Americans suffer a billion colds each year. Yes, you read that right. One BILLION, with a B. When you add in the flu, the number is even higher. But there are things you can do to avoid becoming one of those miserable statistics.
Moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, for 45 minutes a day, five days a week can reduce risk of a cold by a third. The best results are long-term. In one study, women who walked for 12 months had the most resistance to colds in the final quarter of the year. (I know you don’t want to hear this again and again- but I SWEAR by it- I haven’t been getting sick much- and I exercise quite often)
Mom was right when she told you to eat right and get plenty of rest. That, along with exercise and stress reduction, keeps your immune system healthy and better able to withstand infection. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits that offer antioxidants. Try to get eight or seven hours of sleep a night. (I hate to admit this- but my favorite foods are veggies and fruits and I sleep 9 hours – as per my Dr’s orders)!
Use warm water and a good helping of soap. Plain soap is fine, because it’s the act of rubbing the hands together for at least 20 seconds that is going to eliminate germs. Don’t forget to clean under the nails, between the fingers, and wash your wrists as well. In public bathrooms, use a paper towel to turn off the facet, another one to dry your hands, and throw them away. (And use a paper towel to open the bathroom door where many more germs are just waiting to ATTACK)!
Without thinking, we rub our eyes, cover our mouths, or rub our noses with our hands. That is a sure way to infect yourself with cold virus particles. Keep your fingers away from your nose and your eyes to avoid infecting yourself with cold virus particles.
Children share cold viruses easily — and bring them into your home. Teach your child to cough or sneeze into a tissue. And instill a life-long habit that is the key to illness prevention: handwashing.
Vaccines are the surest way to prevent the flu. The best time to get a flu vaccine is from October through November, although you can get the vaccine even later during flu season. Get the flu vaccine every year. Flu viruses are constantly changing, and new vaccines are developed each year to protect against new strains. (My Immunologist- and many I’ve talked to along the way say that it can’t hurt for a PIDD patient to get the flu shot- cuz you just never know)
Use disinfectant when you clean at home, especially in the bathroom and kitchen. Stay away from sponges and rags — studies show they’re the number one source of germs in the whole house. If you must use sponges, change them once a week or soak them in bleach for 15 minutes. (Or throw them in the dishwasher)
Hold office meetings in large rooms with plenty of ventilation, and don’t be afraid to practice “social distancing.” Keep some extra space between you and people who are sick, or who sneeze or cough openly. If you share a workstation with others, clean it with antibacterial wipes before you sit down.
Avoid catching a cold or the flu from your sick child or spouse.
By Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD
It’s the dreaded cold and flu season. Most adults get sick once or twice a season, (assuming they don’t have PIDD) but if you have small kids in the house, it’s even worse. Studies show your child could be coping with symptoms such as sniffles or fever six to 10 times before the season is over.
How can you keep everyone else in the home healthy when one person is sick? Here’s a simple prescription for health this cold and flu season.
Wash Your Hands the Right Way
Wash your hands every chance you get for as long as it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice. It’s the single most effective way to keep from getting sick from any type of germ. Use warm water. Plain soap is fine. It’s the act of rubbing your hands together that’s most effective. (I like to use hand sanitizer too when someone is sick)
Don’t Touch Your Nose or Face
Most viruses are passed by contact with mucus fluids, so keep your hands away from your mouth, nose, and face. This tip is important throughout cold and flu season, but it’s especially important directly after contact with a sick person.
Change Toothbrushes
Change toothbrushes often — every three months in general –and immediately after any sickness, or the sick person could become reinfected. Each family member should have their own color-coded toothbrush, stored at least an inch apart to avoid cross contamination. ( I will often put my toothbrush in the dishwasher – esp when returning from a trip)
Quarantine
If possible, isolate the sick person in your family. For instance, sleep in a different bedroom, or have other siblings avoid your sick child’s room. If you can’t do that, then sleep with your back to the sick person. Don’t let sick kids crawl into bed with mommy and daddy.
Sanitize Common Areas
Did you know the most common type of cold virus, the rhinovirus, can live on inanimate objects like telephones and stair railings for several hours, maybe even a few days? Using a disinfectant, sanitize areas that many people in your family touch: telephones, remote controls, computer keyboards, door knobs, refrigerator doors, sinks, etc. (KEEP LYSOL WIPES HANDY)
Don’t Share
Obviously you don’t want to eat or drink after a sick person. Consider color coding drinking glasses or using disposable ones for the duration of the sickness. Color coding is also a good idea for hand and bath towels, so that family members don’t spread germs. And be sure to wash all towels, sheets, and linens more often during cold and flu season.
Jump-start Your Immune System
Regular exercise, good nutritious meals, and plenty of sleep won’t kill germs, but your immune system will be in a better position to fight them off if you’re living in a healthy way. Consider adding a multivitamin if necessary. And last, but not least, check with your doctor about getting the flu vaccine. Flu is nothing to sneeze at — it kills over 36,000 Americans every year. (Even though this doesn’t apply to us- it’s very good advice in general)
Many of us have been told, or have read that we are far more likely to have several types of cancers since we have PIDD.
The question has come up, and often, about what those tests are – and what they are testing for as well.
I’ve found an excellent article that I’m going to post here for your educational benefit. It is from WebMD.
Hope this helps
Hope this doesn’t scare you though.
Make sure you have your Dr run these tests – possibly once a year.
The serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) test measures specific proteins in the blood to help identify some diseases. Proteins are substances made up of smaller building blocks called amino acids. Proteins carry a positive or a negative electrical charge, and they move in fluid when placed in an electrical field. Serum protein electrophoresis uses an electrical field to separate the proteins in the blood serum into groups of similar size, shape, and charge.
Blood serum contains two major protein groups: albumin and globulin. Both albumin and globulin carry substances through the bloodstream. Using protein electrophoresis, these two groups can be separated into five smaller groups (fractions):
.Each of these five protein groups moves at a different rate in an electrical field and together form a specific pattern. This pattern helps identify some diseases.
Serum protein electrophoresis is most often done to:
My blog has been entered in a contest for the best health bloggers.
I would sure appreciate your vote.
Please go to
http://www.wellsphere.com/my-profile/113005
THANK YOU SO MUCH
Voting ends January 31st, 2009.
Carol
If you read my previous blog, you may know that I was waiting to get the results of a biopsy. That news came in shortly before noon on Wednesday, Jan 5th. My New Year officially began as soon as I hung up the phone with the news that my results were negative. So, HOORAY FOR THE NEW YEAR finally!
I wanted a fresh start. I wanted to erase 2008 (for many reasons). I wanted to begin anew my promise to myself to live healthier, exercise more, visit family more often, work harder, study, and NOT GET SICK. That is the plan, along with may others in 2009. I hope, I pray that we all get our wish.
We need a better economy, we need a better leader, we need better healthcare – and the list goes on.
It’s hard to be actively involved in anything if you are laying on the bed feeling like crap, or down with pain, or anything else than can happen to someone with chronic illness.
The pledge to myself is one that many of us can make.
Eat healthier
EXERCISE – even if all you can do is walk for 5 minutes
Sleep more
Stay compliant with meds
Embrace a spiritual life
Keep family and friends close
PLAY
Pay attention to what your body is telling you.
So, now following my news of January 5th, I wish all of you a very Happy and HEALTHY New Year – and wish for you what I wish for myself – only the best.
I am aware that many of us are glad that 2008 is over for different reasons. Many are tied to financial downturns.
Some are political. Some reasons have to do with job loss and job security. In the Land of PIDD, many of us are glad due to health reasons.
I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE.
I felt so good in 2007, that I just assumed it was going to last forever. Nothing lasts forever, and since I turned 60 this year, I should have learned that lesson by now.
Last January started out great. I was in South Carolina on biz, and then visited my Mom and sister. But, alas, I flew home to a very sick husband who was happy to share. His germs that is.
Within one week, I had the same nasty virus that he and much of the country had. I was sick for 3 weeks and thought it was the end of it. I was off to Phoenix on biz, and while there, ended up with pneumonia, collapsed lung, pleurisy and bronchitis.
And, it came back 2 more times – finally ending in May.
AH- SUMMER. It was great. I felt healthy, energetic, happy and sunny. I played, I exercised, and enjoyed life and once again, thought it would never end (WILL I EVER LEARN)??
I had my 6 month check-up at retinal clinic only to learn I had major retinal damage. NO EXPLANATION WHY. I went to Chicago to see an expert and ended up getting tested for cancer and autoimmunity (AGAIN).
Tests for cancer came back the Monday before Christmas negative.
AHHHH- BIG OLE SIGH OF RELIEF.
Tuesday before New Year, on dental visit, learned I had very suspicious looking sore on lip that might be CANCER (AGAIN).
I had a lip biopsy on Friday and now look a bit like Count Dracula (forget the picture of me on the blog- this does not resemble how I look today)! Dr sliced some of my lip away- and I was forced to drink milkshakes for dinner. SOME JOY in this event at least – except that it’s only 7 degrees outside.
And, now the WAIT for results.
The thing is- I’ve added several new autoimmune disorders this year- I think the number is either 8 or 10- and this could be one more if it’s not cancer.
So much for starting the New Year with a clean slate.
I wrote down all of the lousy things that personally touched my life is 08 and mentally THREW THEM IN THE FIRE as the ball dropped on New Year’s Eve. But, with that exercise, a new, better, improved 09 was to come up out of the flames.
We shall see.
I just may have to start my New Year after the Dr calls to tell me that I do NOT have cancer. If he calls with any other news- all bets are off.
Here’s to a great year for my PIDD peers- hope you have good health- great doctors, a supportive network, no insurance hassles, and a smile on your face.
