Health Blog

Joint Commission, MEDIG Seeks Information

2012-01-05T06:59:00.000-08:00

The Joint Commission and the Navy Medical Inspector General (MEDINSGEN) will conduct an accreditation survey of Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms from 10 January 2012 to 13 January 2012.

The purpose of the survey will be to evaluate the organization's compliance with nationally established Joint Commission and United States Navy standards. The survey results will be used to determine whether, and the conditions under which accreditation should be awarded the organization.

Joint Commission standards deal with organizational quality of care issues and the safety of the environment in which care is provided. Anyone believing that he or she has pertinent and valid information about such matters may request a public information interview with the Joint Commission's field representatives at the time of survey. Information presented at the interview will be carefully evaluated for relevance to the accreditation process. Requests for a public information interview must be made in writing and should be sent to the Joint Commission no later than five working days before the survey begins. The requests must also indicate the nature of the information to be provided at the interview. Such requests should be addressed to:

Division of Accreditation Operations

Account Representative

Joint Commission One Renaissance Boulevard

Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

The Joint Commission will acknowledge such request in writing by telephone and will inform the organization of the request for any interview. The organization will, in turn, notify the interviewee of the date, time, and place of the meeting.

Patients and staff members may contact a Joint Commission surveyor during this survey and request a public information interview. The Joint Commission survey team will be located in Classroom 4, lower level, phone 760-830-2121. Concerns may also be brought to the attention of the Medical Inspector General (MEDINSGEN) by calling the MEDINSGEN Hotline at 1-800-637-6175, DSN 295-9019 or via e-mail at

NavyMEDIGHotline@med.navy.mil

While here they will be located in Room H104, phone 760-830-2738

This notice is posted in accordance with the Joint Commission's requirements and may not be removed before the survey is completed.

Date Posted: 05 January 2012

Naval Hospital Operating Room "Goes Green"

2011-12-27T07:20:00.000-08:00

Last month, the Operating Room (OR) at Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital in Twentynine Palms, Calif., began a new environmentally friendly program in their quest for efficiency.

Typically a single surgical case generates a considerable amount of waste because most of the items used for a procedure are disposable. All items needed for a particular case are put together by a Custom Pack manufacturer such as Cardinal Health in what are referred as Custom Surgical Packs.

In order to reduce the waste from these disposable pack contents, reusable surgical items are being used to replace many of the items found in these packs. In view of this, a coordinated effort to substitute as many disposable products as possible for reusable items was initiated by Lt. Cmdr. Brian Parton in March of 2010, and finally implemented in last month.

With the help of the Materials Management Department staff, the OR implemented the use of reusable surgical gowns, towels, basins, and various drapes from SRI Surgical in combination with smaller, more efficient surgical packs from Cardinal Health. The new items that were substituted will help the command reduce surgical waste generation by approximately 13,000 pounds per year at no additional cost.

The process was not as easy as first envisioned. Since Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms is the first Department of Defense (DoD) facility in the country to fully implement the use of hybrid packs, there were several hurdles to overcome. SRI did not have a Distribution and Pricing Agreement (DAPA) in place, so they utilized their partnership with Cardinal Health to add reusable items to Cardinal's DAPA. In addition, the typical three year contract obligation that SRI utilizes was modified in order to satisfy the requirements of the DoD.

After finalizing the custom pack modifications, determining the delivery and pickup schedule, updating the Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support (DMLSS) supply ordering system, and training staff on proper care and use, the new "Green" items were finally used in surgery. The Army and Air Force are also looking into implementing this program at some of their facilities. Their conversions should be smoother thanks to lessons learned between Twentynine Palms, SRI, and Cardinal Health.

Ensign Jenna Dimaggio of the Maternal Infant Nursing Department is currently exploring the potential use of SRI's reusable items in for their patients as well. Single pull items are also being implemented to minimize the use of disposable gowns and accessories when items that exceed the pack contents are required.

Other initiatives that have been implemented in the Operating Room over the past year include the installation of LED surgical lights in all OR Rooms that reduce energy demand by 40 percent, a new instrument washer that is expected to reduce water consumption by 100,000 gallons per year, the utilization of reprocessed devices from Stryker (Ascent) expected to generate savings in excess of $30,000 dollars, and filterless instrument sterilization containers that reduce waste generation and provide increased infection control measures.

By embracing ideas new ideas, researching innovations, and implementing various process improvement initiatives, the Operating Room staff has exemplified environmental awareness and best business practices within the workplace. They have found ways to reuse surgical items, reduce unnecessary waste, and upgrade equipment, all with the purpose to be more environmentally conscious and to contain costs within Navy Medicine, while still providing the best possible care for patients.

West Nile Virus Carrying Mosquito Found on Combat Center

2011-10-27T07:15:00.000-07:00

Just because this is the Mojave Desert with little apparent water about, doesn’t mean that there are no mosquitoes flying around.

In the past years there have been cases of West Nile virus reported in the lower desert of the Coachella Valley. Just recently a mosquito was found on the Combat Center. “This type of mosquito is known to carry the West Nile virus,” said Lieutenant Shelley Griffith, Public Health Officer at the Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), “People over the age of 50 and people who have ever received a solid organ transplant are more likely to develop serious symptoms of West Nile virus.” However, the CDC points out that a small number of people (about 1 in 150) who get infected with West Nile virus can develop a severe disease called West Nile encephalitis or West Nile meningitis.

Symptoms include headache, high fever, stiff neck, mental confusion, muscle weakness, tremors, convulsions, coma and paralysis. These symptoms may last for several weeks and neurological effects may be permanent. Contact your Primary Care Provider if you develop any of these symptoms. “Most people who get West Nile virus don’t feel sick, but it can lead to a serious illness,” said Griffith. “It is important that you contact your health care provider if you develop any symptoms,” she added.

“You can protect yourself and your family from West Nile virus infected Mosquitoes by removing any standing water,” Griffith said. “Mosquito larva can survive anywhere water may be pooled, such as un-kept swimming pools at vacant properties, old tires or from around the leaking sprinkler system in your yard,” she added. “Prevention is the best way to keep from getting sick.” Griffith said.

The Preventive Medicine Department at Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital will be surveying the Combat Center looking mosquitoes when they are most prevalent. This will include identifying and testing of any mosquitoes that are found. If you have any questions please contact LT Shelley A Griffith at 760-830-2474 or by email at shelley.griffith@med.navy.mil

New TriWest Mobile Website, App

2011-08-23T12:27:00.000-07:00

Health Info on the Go with New TriWest Mobile Website, App
Delivering Mobile Support to Military Members, Families

PHOENIX (August 23, 2011) — You’re 2,000 miles from home, just about to board a flight. You need to see if your doctor referral was processed and all you have is your smartphone.

Tap… Tap… Scroll… Tap… Got it!

TriWest Healthcare Alliance has launched its mobile website and a mobile application, allowing TRICARE West Region beneficiaries to easily tap and scroll their way to their healthcare information, right from their smartphones and mobile devices.

TriWest manages the Department of Defense’s TRICARE health program for 2.9 million military families in the western United States.

Healthcare Info Goes Wherever You Go
Military families face distinct challenges in their daily lives, routinely managing family moves, household duties and the prospects of a loved one’s deployment.

Providing direct, mobile access to their healthcare information is one way TriWest hopes to reduce some of the burden on military members and families.

“We’re excited to unveil this technology to our customers, because it brings a whole new level of convenience to their busy lives,” said TriWest President and CEO David J. McIntyre, Jr. “Military families can now manage their health care right from their phone, while they’re traveling or at home with the kids—whenever they want or need to use it.”

Mobile Site
TriWest’s mobile website (m.TriWest.com) allows any beneficiary with a secure TriWest.com account to use their phone to:
Receive real-time status of healthcare authorizations and referrals
Check claims
Pay fees or premiums

Mobile App
TriWest’s mobile app provides added features to smartphone and iPad® users, including:
Compare TRICARE coverage plans
Change plans based on life events, such as birth or adoption
Create an address book for doctors
View guidelines for getting care

The app can be downloaded for iPhone®/iPad and Android™ devices.

Learn more about TriWest mobile capabilities, including text alerts, at TriWest.com/GoMobile.

About TriWest
TriWest Healthcare Alliance partners with the Department of Defense to do "Whatever It Takes" to support the healthcare needs of 2.9 million members of America's military family. A Phoenix-based corporation, TriWest provides access to cost-effective, high-quality health care in the 21-state TRICARE West Region. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook or visit www.triwest.com for more information.

New model of health care delivery and communications improve patient satisfaction

2011-07-07T11:28:00.001-07:00

By Dan Barber, Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital
Public Affairs Officer
Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital

The Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital offers “Medical Home Port” to enrolled patients.

The Medical Home Port model will allow patients enrolled at Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital, to see the same team of providers each time they call or come in for medical appointments. The ultimate goal is to see your personal Primary Care Manager (PCM) as often as possible. However, if they are not available, another provider on the same team will see you.

In addition to providers, the team of healthcare professionals will also be made up of nurses, clerks, and hospital corpsmen that are dedicated to providing their patients with the best possible care. Patients will be able to get to know the rest of the staff as well as they know their provider. According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times newspaper, Four physician groups… the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians and the American Osteopathic Assn. , believe this method of patient care, known as patient-centered medical homes will provide patients with more access to primary care and allow longer appointments.

Medical Home Ports add continuity of care for patients even when the active duty provider deploys. The combination of both civilian and military team members cultivates stability for the teams and patients when military members are transferred or deployed.

The hospital’s Facilities Management Department is in the process of arranging the clinics spaces so team members will all be co-located.

In addition to assigning patients to one of three teams here, Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms has established ‘Naval Hospital 29 Online’ which is powered as a secure messaging program by Relay Health™ contracted through Navy Medicine. Naval Hospital 29 Online is a secure computer based program which provides a more convenient method of communications with the healthcare teams, allowing patients to securely communicate, via e-mail. Naval Hospital 29 Online allows patients to request their lab results; request a medication refill; access health care information and allows them to create their own health care record to help manage their own care, all from the comfort of home. A feature of this new communications concept that should prove very popular, patients will be able to request appointments through the Naval Hospital 29 Online link on the hospital’s web site. The hospital’s Information Management team has been working on this project to make it easy for everyone to use in a secure forum to protect patient to provider communications.

According to the Executive Officer of the hospital, Capt. Cynthia Gantt, “We hope that ideally by using this method of health care delivery and communications we will increase patient satisfaction with the services they receive here at the hospital, and at the same time increase the efficiency of our clinics to allow providers or other team members to have more time with each patient which should lead to healthier and happier patients.”

Summer Is Here -- Protect Yourself From The Sun

2011-06-22T14:19:00.000-07:00

By Martha Hunt, MA CAMF
Health Promotion and Wellness
Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital

Warning: exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your skin! At 93 million miles away we sometimes don’t realize how dangerous the sun can be as far as skin damage that can lead to cancer and damage to our eyes that can lead to cataracts.

Each year, approximately one million skin cancers are detected in the US. Reducing your exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can decrease your risk of skin cancer.

Want to know how you can protect your skin and eyes while still having fun outdoors?

Here are some tips to help protect you and your family from the damaging rays of the sun.

Avoiding the sun during the midday hours provides the best defense against skin cancer. However, if you can’t avoid the midday sun, remember that choosing shade, hats, sunscreen, etc can protect your skin.

Use sunscreen everywhere - not just to the pool or beach. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, generously apply it 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply it frequently throughout the day, especially after swimming or exercise. A couple of general tips: avoid sunscreen sprays, pumps and powders because the chemicals in them can be inhaled, and choose products that use the minerals zinc or titanium as their active ingredient because they're the most stable.

Don’t be mislead by the very high SPF numbers found on some sun screens as it can give you a false sense of safety in the sun and causing you to reapply less frequently or stay in the sun for longer periods.

Never put sun screen on babies under six months old as it can be absorbed through their skin!

The best way to protect your baby is to keep them out of the sun completely by keeping them in the shade, wearing hats and baby size sun glasses to protect their delicate eyes.

Read the label before using any sunscreen to be sure there are no toxic chemicals in them such as PABA, retinyl palmitate or oxybenzone as these chemicals have been found to be hazardous. Oxybenzone is an endocrine disrupter (a chemical that can upset the hormone balance in your body) and retinyl palmitate is a form of topical vitamin A that some animal studies suggest may be linked to an increased risk of skin cancer. PABA has also been linked to increasing your risk of skin cancer.

The research group “Environmental Working Group” has compiled a sun screen safety guide that explains which sunscreens have toxic chemicals in them and which sun screens perform the best. That report can be found at http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/.

Here are more tips to help prevent skin cancer. Seek Shade! Whenever possible, avoid the midday sun when UV rays are the strongest and do the most damage. When you’re outdoors, look for trees, beach umbrellas or tents as good sources of shade.

Use Your Head and wear a Hat! Up to 80 percent of skin cancers occur on the head and neck, so wearing a wide-brimmed hat is a great way to shade your face, ears, scalp, and neck from the sun’s rays. A hat with a four-inch brim provides the most protection. If you choose a baseball cap, also use a sun-screen with an SPF of at least 15 to protect your exposed ears and neck.

Cover up with clothing! A shirt, beach cover-up, or pants with a tight weave are all good choices for cover. A typical T-shirt usually has an SPF that is much lower than the recommended SPF 15 so you will still need sun screen and shade when possible.

Wear sunglasses! Don’t forget to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Sunglasses protect the tender skin around your eyes and reduce the risk of developing cataracts. Look for sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays. Also, try wrap-around lenses, which keep UV rays from sneaking in at the sides.

Remember that the damage you do to your skin and eyes as a young person never goes away. That tan or sun burn you got as a young person is directly linked to your risk of skin cancer as you get old. Protect yourself now and save yourself the pain of skin cancer later in life.

June is Men's Health Month

2011-05-27T07:51:00.000-07:00

By Martha Hunt, MA CAMF
Health Promotion and Wellness
Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital

“Recognizing and preventing men’s health problems is not just a man’s issue. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, men’s health is truly a family issue.”

Congressman Bill Richardson (Congressional Record, H3905-H3906, May 24, 1994). This statement and resulting legislation led to the beginning of Men’s Health Awareness. There is a silent crisis in men’s health due to a lack of awareness, poor health education, and culturally induced behavior patterns in men’s work and personal lives.

As a result, men are not seeking and getting the preventive health care that they need.

As a consequence of this, men are living approximately five years less than women. Improving men's health is not limited to the doctor's office or hospital - it starts at home with men taking steps to live safer and healthier lives.

In fact, the leading causes of death for men in the United States are – in order - diseases of the heart, cancer, accidents (unintentional injuries), chronic lower respiratory diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, intentional self-harm (suicide), influenza and pneumonia, kidney diseases, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Learn your family health history. Are there any new conditions or diseases that have occurred in your close blood relatives since your last visit to your primary care provider? If so, let your doctor or nurse know. Family history might influence your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or cancer.

Know and understand your numbers. You may know your favorite team's stats, but what about your own health numbers? Keep track of your numbers for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and body mass index (BMI). These numbers can provide a glimpse of your health status and risk for certain diseases and conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and more.

Work safely. An estimated 11,500 workers have a nonfatal work-related injury or illness every day in the US and as a result, more than half require a job transfer, work restrictions, or time away from their jobs. Get check-ups. Just because you may feel fine, that doesn't mean you don't need your annual check-ups! Unfortunately, there are certain diseases and conditions that are silent and may not have symptoms.

See your doctor or nurse for regular check-ups, and go more often if needed.

Get Vaccinated. Some adults assume that the vaccines they received as children will protect them for the rest of their lives. Immunity can begin to fade over time and as we age, we become more susceptible to serious disease caused by common infections (e.g., flu, pneumococcus). Far too many adults become ill, are disabled, and die each year from diseases that could easily have been prevented by vaccines.

Pay attention to signs and symptoms such as any discharge, excessive thirst, rash or sore on the skin, problems with urination or shortness of breath as these are only a few of the symptoms that males should pay attention to and see a doctor about if they occur. It could be a symptom for a sexually transmitted disease, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, or other conditions or diseases. If you have symptoms, be sure to see your doctor right away.

Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression. Moreover, insufficient sleep is responsible for motor vehicle and machinery-related accidents, causing injury and disability each year. Drowsy driving can be as dangerous - and preventable - as driving while intoxicated. Adults should get 7-9 hours of sleep per night according to the National Sleep Foundation.

Gear up properly. When playing active sports or riding a motorcycle or bike, make sure you and your family wear protective gear, such as helmets, eye protection, wrist guards, and knee and elbow pads. Also, wear seat belts as a driver and a passenger each and every time you are in a vehicle.

Eat what counts. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol and choose healthy snacks.

Get physical activity. Be active for at least two and a half hours a week. Include activities that raise your breathing and heart rates and that strengthen your muscles. You don’t have to do it all at once. Spread your activity out during the week, and break it into smaller chunks of time during the day.

Be tobacco-free. Avoid all forms of tobacco and secondhand smoke. Inhaling other people’s smoke causes health problems similar to those of smokers. There is NO safe form of tobacco. Tobacco use is the leading detractor of combat fitness. Call Health Promotion and Wellness at 760-830-2814 if you are interested in quitting tobacco.

For more information on men’s health go to Men’s check list for health http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/healthymen.htm or Get dad to the doc http://www.dadtothedoc.org/.

Military Spouse Appreciation

2011-05-10T05:40:00.000-07:00

As the Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms Commanding Officer, I would like to take the time to acknowledge that in many ways, our military spouses have really carried the load for our Sailors.

Without asking for support or recognition, you have carried out your duties to your family and country with the quiet courage and strength that has always exemplified the American spirit.

When your Sailor was asked to report to this remote location, you supported them and even proceeded to blossom in this desert environment. When your Sailor was deployed, your entire family was called to serve. I know that readiness of your Sailor depended on the readiness of you, the military spouse, your children, and loved ones’ sacrifice as well.

I am convinced that your military spouse knows that without your support, they could not effectively do their job. Non-military spouses will never know the challenge you face that any moment, your spouse may be called upon by the government to report for duty and leave you and your family behind to assist with a crisis somewhere in the world, while you are left to keep home life “normal” for everyone.

I warmly express my deep appreciation for your support of your Sailor.

Sincerely,
CAPT Ann Bobeck
Commanding Officer
Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital

Stay TRICARE Eligible: Keep DEERS Up-To-Date

2011-05-09T11:25:00.000-07:00

By Sharon Foster
TRICARE Management Activity
March 08, 2011

Beneficiaries who have recently experienced a life changing event, such as the birth or adoption of a child, recent divorce or marriage should immediately record these changes in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).

If they wait, their TRICARE benefit coverage could be affected. “Life comes at you fast and beneficiaries should not wait to update DEERS when they experience any life event that changes their TRICARE status,” said John Arendale, chief, Purchased Care Systems Integration Branch, TRICARE Management Activity. “What beneficiaries don’t want to experience is a lapse in TRICARE coverage because their DEERS eligibility information is incorrect.”

Incorrect information can potentially impact a beneficiary’s ability to get a prescription filled, get a medical claim paid or make an appointment to see a doctor. Beneficiaries can easily avoid these types of problems by making sure their DEERS record is accurate.

DEERS is the worldwide, computerized database designed to maintain timely and accurate information on service members and dependents that are eligible for military benefits and entitlements, including TRICARE. It is also used to detect and prevent fraud and abuse. All sponsors are automatically registered in DEERS.

The sponsor must register all eligible family members. Once the registration process is complete, the family members can update their personal information, such as addresses and phone numbers. Events that change a beneficiary’s TRICARE status include: relocation, retirement, change of address, change in marital status, birth, death, adoption or Medicare entitlement.

A beneficiary can register eligible new family members in DEERS at the nearest military personnel office or uniformed services identification (ID) card issuing office. To find an office near them, they can go to the Rapids Site Locator website, www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/owa/home. Beneficiaries can call to update contact information only at 1-800-538-9552.

Note: At the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, the DEERS office is located in the Village Center, bldg. 1551.

To register a child in DEERS, bring the following forms:
• An original or certified-copy of the birth certificate or certificate of live birth (signed by the attending physician or other responsible person from a U.S. hospital or military treatment facility) or consular report of birth (FS-240) for children overseas;
• A record of adoption or a letter of placement of the child into the home by a recognized placement/adoption agency or the court before the final adoption; and
• A DD form 1172 signed by the sponsor and verifying official from a uniformed services ID card-issuing facility.

Get more information on DEERS eligibility at www.tricare.osd.mil/deers/default.cfm. “Updating information in DEERS is the key to maintaining eligibility for TRICARE and other military benefits,” Arendale said.

25th Annual Ridge Run 2011 set for May 6

2011-04-20T15:20:00.000-07:00

25th Annual Ridge Run 2011 set for May 6

This annual MWR fund-raiser which is hosted by the Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital will take place on Friday, May 6 with registration starting at 6 a.m. The event offers a modest 5k course, as well as a rugged and challenging 8k course. The 8k course will take runners over, around, and through the ridges and peaks that serve as a backdrop for the Naval Hospital. Squads and individuals are welcome to register for either of the courses. This event is open to all.

For information or registration forms contact one of the following:

- HMC Tennison ( 2nd floor-Staff Education) 830-2526
- HMC Wheeler (3rd floor-Career Counselor) 830-2838
- HM2 Gacayan (1st floor-Preventive Medicine) 830-2002
- LTJG Lawson (2nd floor-Tricare Operations) 830-2401

Registration forms must be submitted with payment to one of the above contacts.

Cash or checks ONLY. Please make checks payable to: Naval Hospital MWR Committee

Cash or checks ONLY. Please make checks payable to: Naval Hospital MWR Committee

Stay TRICARE Eligible: Keep DEERS Up-to-Date

2011-04-14T07:57:00.000-07:00

By Sharon FosterTRICARE Management Activity March 08, 2011 Beneficiaries who have recently experienced a life changing event, such as the birth or adoption of a child, recent divorce or marriage should immediately record these changes in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). If they wait, their TRICARE benefit coverage could be affected. “Life comes at you fast and beneficiaries should not wait to update DEERS when they experience any life event that changes their TRICARE status,” said John Arendale, chief, Purchased Care Systems Integration Branch, TRICARE Management Activity. “What beneficiaries don’t want to experience is a lapse in TRICARE coverage because their DEERS eligibility information is incorrect.” Incorrect information can potentially impact a beneficiary’s ability to get a prescription filled, get a medical claim paid or make an appointment to see a doctor. Beneficiaries can easily avoid these types of problems by making sure their DEERS record is accurate. DEERS is the worldwide, computerized database designed to maintain timely and accurate information on service members and dependents that are eligible for military benefits and entitlements, including TRICARE. It is also used to detect and prevent fraud and abuse. All sponsors are automatically registered in DEERS. The sponsor must register all eligible family members. Once the registration process is complete, the family members can update their personal information, such as addresses and phone numbers. Events that change a beneficiary’s TRICARE status include: relocation, retirement, change of address, change in marital status, birth, death, adoption or Medicare entitlement. A beneficiary can register eligible new family members in DEERS at the nearest military personnel office or uniformed services identification (ID) card issuing office. To find an office near them, they can go to the Rapids Site Locator website, www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/owa/home. Beneficiaries can call to update contact information only at 1-800-538-9552. Note: At the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, the DEERS office is located in the Village Center, bldg. 1551. To register a child in DEERS, bring the following forms: • An original or certified-copy of the birth certificate or certificate of live birth (signed by the attending physician or other responsible person from a U.S. hospital or military treatment facility) or consular report of birth (FS-240) for children overseas; • A record of adoption or a letter of placement of the child into the home by a recognized placement/adoption agency or the court before the final adoption; and • A DD form 1172 signed by the sponsor and verifying official from a uniformed services ID card-issuing facility. Get more information on DEERS eligibility at www.tricare.osd.mil/deers/default.cfm. “Updating information in DEERS is the key to maintaining eligibility for TRICARE and other military benefits,” Arendale said.

Seven Out of Ten People with Colon Cancer Have No Symptoms

2011-03-11T05:21:00.000-08:00

By Martha Hunt, MA
Health Promotion and Wellness

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer in males, fourth in females in the U.S. It is estimated that in 2010 there were 102,900 (colon) and 39,670 (rectal) new cases and 51,370 (colon and rectal combined deaths. Among both men and women, incidence rates have fallen steadily since 1985.

There are two reasons why you may need a colonoscopy which is a form of colon cancer screening. First of all, a colonoscopy will help test for and maybe help prevent colorectal cancer. Secondly, when you access the age or risk appropriate annual screening that you need, you bring funds into the Naval Hospital so that we can continue to offer the same high quality care we now provide. Remember, there is no free lunch in life and when you do not access the annual tests needed for your gender and age, then not only are you putting your health at risk but Navy Medicine can then cut our budget impacting the staffing and services we offer.

What is a colonoscopy? -- Colonoscopy examines the entire colon with the use of a flexible tube with a camera at one end. The test generally lasts about 30 minutes, is safe and usually painless. There may be some discomfort, but you are usually given a sedative to help you to relax.

Colonoscopy is usually needed only once every 10 years if the test results are normal.

Colonoscopy detects more than 95 percent of early colon cancer. Colonoscopy is the only test that can also prevent cancer because the doctor can remove polyps – small growths that may develop into cancer if left alone – before they turn into cancer. Other colon cancer screening tests do not examine the colon as thoroughly or remove polyps.

What are the risk factors for colon cancer? -- Being over age 50 is the leading risk factor for colon cancer as more than 90 percent of colon cancers occur after age fifty. Also, if you have ever had anyone in your family with colon cancer, your risk is very high. If you have a family member with colon cancer, your provider may even suggest a colonoscopy well before age fifty.

Other risks for colon cancer include tobacco use, obesity, being either African American or of Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish ancestry. Having other colon diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease may also increase your risk of developing colon cancer.

There are other tests for colon cancer screening that are less invasive but they may not be as accurate as colonoscopy or TRICARE may not pay for them. Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) and Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) Tests are tests that check for hidden blood in the stool. This test should be done every year. Sigmoidoscopy is a test similar to colonoscopy but because it examines less than half of the colon (not the entire colon as colonoscopy does), it can miss some cancer. This test should be done every 5 years.

How can you lower your risk of developing colon cancer? -- Stop using tobacco. You can talk to your provider about medications that can help and call health promotions at 830-2814 to receive counseling that can help you change how you deal with stress. If you don’t change how you deal with stress, you may find it hard to get completely off tobacco. Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly with at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (such as a brisk walk) at least 5 days a week. Also, eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables will help prevent colon cancer.

If you have any of the risk factors for colon cancer, ask your primary care provider about colonoscopy. If you would like to meet with one of our specialists regarding colon health screening, you can call the general surgery clinic at 760-830-2070 to schedule an appointment - no referral from your primary care provider is necessary for this appointment. And remember, the more age and risk appropriate annual testing you take advantage of, the better your health and the more funds that are given to the naval hospital. This increased funding then allows us to maintain or expand the staffing and services we offer.

Do you know what your medical care options are?

2011-01-05T12:05:00.000-08:00

By Dan Barber, Public Affairs Officer
Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital

Anytime you have an immediate life-threatening medical problem you should call 911.

Our medical staff here at the Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital would rather have the patients err on the side of caution with the realization that when they arrive at our Emergency Medicine Department (EMD) that our professional staff will assess the medical condition with a process called Triage.

If your condition warrants it, immediate medical attention will be given. However, if the medical staff determines that your condition is not life-threatening you may have to wait before treatment is rendered, while patients with unstable illnesses or injury are taken care of first.

On occasion you may have to wait for several hours to be taken care of. This process is necessary in every emergency room where medical care is never given on a first-come first-served basis.

The hospital’s EMD is not designed to be a walk-in clinic, in most cases, patients seeking care for an illness in the EMD, may be better cared for by their Primary Care Provider.

With this in mind and in the interest of providing the best possible care for patients presenting for care in the EMD, the Emergency Room Triage Nurse has the ability of contacting Central Appointments or the Clinic Registered Nurse (during normal business hours) so an appropriate health care provider can better assess treatment for an illness and allow the patient to avoid a potentially long wait in the EMD. “We want to make sure that all of our patients coming into the EMD for treatment are given the care they need. If they choose to wait in the EMD to see a doctor, they will be allowed that choice,” said HMC (SW/AW) William Monroe, the hospital’s Customer Relations Officer.

“It is always in the patient’s best interest to call the Appointment line at 830-2752 to obtain a same day appointment. A scheduled appointment minimizes waiting time that would typically be experienced with an emergency room visit. In addition, before you leave the clinic, it is better that you book any necessary follow up appointments with the clerk at the front desk or the clinic nurse you are visiting or by calling 830-2752,” Monroe added.

If your symptoms are not severe enough to prompt you to seek an appointment, the Naval Hospital offers an Over-the-Counter (OTC) medication dispensing program for your convenience. OTC medications may be obtained for family members between 2-18 years old and only by a parent or guardian. Patients who are not eligible to receive OTC medications are pregnant or breast-feeding mothers, children less than two years old, and those who are currently in flight status or in the Personal Reliability Program.

All patients must have a valid military identification card in their possession at the time of dispensing.

Each family member will be eligible to receive a maximum of four different items in a three-month period. These medications will be entered into each person’s computer prescription record to screen for allergies, overlapping medications and duplications.

A request form must be completed, which includes a brief question-and-answer assessment of your medical condition(s) and current medication(s) you are taking. You will receive a handout discussing the proper use, dosages, cautions and side effects associated with the medications you request and receive. If your medical condition does not improve or if it worsens within 48 hours, you should seek advice from a medical professional.

This program is designed to offer access to many common cough and cold, sore throat, fever, headache, stomach upset and minor gynecological conditions that are listed below:

* Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 325mg tablets & elixir
* Ibuprofen (Motrin) 200mg tablets & suspension
* Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) capsules & elixir
* Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) tablets & syrup
* Triprolidine w/ pseudoephedrine (Actifed) tablets & elixir
* Guaifenesin (Robitussin) syrup
* Guaifenesin w/ dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM) syrup
* Saline nasal spray/drops
* Cepacol throat lozenges* Maalox (regular) 5 ounce bottle
* Clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin) 1 percent vaginal cream (not for the patient’s first yeast infection and only one issue every 6 months)

“Have you ever considered that you, as a patient, have a major impact on the type and quality of care you receive at your Naval Hospital… we are here for you, said Monroe. “Every decision made by the leadership of Navy Medicine is made with you the patient in mind. How can the best possible care be delivered to you with assets available… facilities, money and staff,” Monroe added.

Holidays Got You Down? Join the Facebook Discussion, Connect With Others

2010-11-23T08:05:00.000-08:00

By Kristin Musch
Behavioral Health Educator, TriWest Healthcare Alliance

With the holidays rapidly approaching, many of us may be hoping for a perfect Season: relaxation, connection and joy with family and friends. Often times, though, stress, anxiety, feelings of separation and sadness can creep in. That disconnect—what we hope to experience versus what we might actually face—can be called the “holiday blues.”

It doesn’t help that television and movies often show the holidays as wonderful, family events. No stress. No challenges. Everyone is happy and sitting around the table and no one ever struggles with money.

Of course, in reality, we know that’s not always true. Acknowledging those sad or stressful feelings, then finding ways to cope, might help you feel better. That’s why here at TriWest, we’ve launched a Facebook discussion board to help you connect with other military families and find ways to help each other.

How to Join the Facebook Discussion
We hope this discussion board will act as a supportive environment for service members and their families to connect and share how they get through their greatest stressors during the holidays. As a behavioral health educator for TriWest, I will monitor the forum, periodically posting general tips and offering suggestions.

So, how can you join? Just follow these four steps:
Log into your personal Facebook account.
“Like” TriWest’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/triwest
Click the “discussions” tab toward the top of the page.
Click the “holiday blues” discussion and post your thoughts!

I hope to see you there. And remember, realism is the key to beating the holiday blues. Keep your expectations and your budget realistic—don’t be afraid to share your concerns with others— and you’ll have a fabulous holiday season!

Flu Shots Available at Naval Hospital

2010-10-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

The flu vaccine will be provided to all TRICARE Prime eligible beneficiaries at the hospital’s Clinic Waiting Area ‘A’ (TriWest waiting area) Oct. 25 – 29 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Active duty personnel will be seen in respective Battalion Aid Stations. Marine Corps Communications and Electronics School and Headquarters Battalion staff and students will be seen in the Adult Medical Care Clinic.

This year’s vaccine, which has been formulated to also protect against the H1N1 virus, is recommended for all people over the age of 6 months; however children under 2 years old or with a medical condition, will be vaccinated in the Family Immunization Clinic.
If necessary, additional vaccine sites will be announced.

Those unable to get their flu shots during the above dates can be seen in the Family Immunization Clinic on a walk-in basis during normal clinic hours while vaccine supplies last.

Appointment 'No Shows' Continue to Challenge Hospital

2010-09-27T07:14:00.001-07:00

Showing up late or not showing up at all for medical appointments is an ongoing challenge for Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms in trying to manage a productive clinic schedule and serve our population.

The hospital is not a walk in clinic. The clinics are run on an appointment basis, and they try to stay on schedule.

According to the hospital’s latest figures, in August there were 825 ‘no shows’ for appointments at the hospital.

These 825 appointment slots were productively used; however it could keep 825 potential beneficiaries from receiving treatment in a timely manner. Maybe more importantly, these missed appointments could mean that some Marines or Sailors may not be 100 percent ready for deployment because they may need glasses or have an undiagnosed medical issue, leading to a serious problem for the member and their command.

Occasional emergencies arise, or a procedure takes longer than anticipated which delays some appointments. However, over the years, it has been shown that when patients are kept waiting beyond their appointed time, it is usually because a previous patient showed up late. If this happens the clinics can see the late patient and keep everyone after them waiting, rush through the appointment (which we will not do), or reschedule the appointment for another time.

If late for an appointment, the hospital clinics will see you if the schedule permits and it does not inconvenience other patients. If the providers feel that seeing you late will cause an inconvenience for other patients, then you will be asked to reschedule.

If unable to keep an appointment, please give the hospital as much notice as possible. This is in consideration of the hospital staff that will attempt to fill the appointment slot with another patient.

Here are some tips that will help you become more punctual; Give yourself extra time, just in case you are delayed by weather, traffic or other circumstances. Keep only one planner; carry it between your home, workplace, or daily appointments. Use a watch, or an electronic organizer with a beeper to provide you with reminders.

Whooping Cough Outbreak in Calif. -- Vaccinate to Protect

2010-09-20T06:17:00.000-07:00

By Shari LopatinTriWest Healthcare Alliance

An outbreak of whooping cough has swept across California, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But, you can take action to protect yourself and your families.
Whooping cough, also known as “Pertussis,” is an upper-respiratory infection. It’s extremely contagious and can be deadly to infants, according to the CDC. It can also cause adults to become very sick.

For the first eight months of 2010, the CDC reported more than 3,000 cases of whooping cough in California, including eight infant deaths. This is a seven-fold increase from the same time period in 2009—where only 434 cases were reported across California.

Get vaccinated! TRICARE covers it . . . A vaccine does exist for whooping cough, as does a booster shot for adults who received the vaccine as children. According to the CDC, the best way to prevent whooping cough is to immunize against it.

Whooping cough is most dangerous to infants. More than half of infected babies younger than 1 year old must be hospitalized, according to the CDC. Therefore, getting vaccinated is especially important for families with infants, to prevent spreading the disease to their child. Additionally, caregivers working around babies and young children should get the immunization.
Because the immunity provided by the vaccine for whooping cough fades with time, a booster shot is available for pre-teens, teens and adults.

The whooping cough immunization is a TRICARE-covered benefit. Military families should talk to their doctors about it.

What are the symptoms? According to the CDC, whooping cough usually begins with cold-like symptoms, followed by severe coughing one to two weeks later. These coughing fits may continue for 10 weeks or more.

Early symptoms include:
* Runny nose
* Low-grade fever
* Mild, occasional cough
* In infants, “apnea”—a pause in breathing

However, as the disease progresses, the traditional symptoms of whooping cough will develop and include:
* Many fits of rapid coughs followed by a high-pitched “whoop”
* Throwing up
* Exhaustion and fatigue after coughing fits

Should you believe you or your child has become infected with whooping cough, seek treatment immediately. Early treatment is very important, according to the CDC.

Where can I get more information?The CDC has some of the most up-to-date information on the whooping cough outbreaks. Find tips on prevention, treatment, symptoms and statistics at www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/index.html.

Additionally, follow TriWest Healthcare Alliance on Facebook and Twitter for updates on the whooping cough outbreaks.

TriWest is the regional contractor responsible for administering the TRICARE health benefit in 21 western states, including California. Follow TriWest at:
www.facebook.com/triwest AND www.twitter.com/triwest

Patient's Have Major Impact On Quality of Care Offered

2010-07-27T10:12:00.000-07:00

By Dan Barber, Public Affairs Officer
Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital

Have you ever considered that you, as a patient, have a major impact on the type and quality of care you receive at your Naval Hospital?

Every decision made by the leadership of Navy Medicine is made with you the patient in mind. How can the best possible care be delivered to you with available assets … facilities, money and staff.

The Department of Defense uses a random survey of the hospital patient’s to grade how your hospital is doing compared to other Medical Treatment Facilities.

This survey is used to provide an independent, impartial evaluation of care provided to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center beneficiaries. You may have received a letter in the mail following a recent visit to one of the hospital’s clinics. If you took the time to open that letter and follow the directions to participate in the survey, then you will have input into future decisions Navy leadership makes in determining the type and quality of care you will receive at your Navy Hospital here.

The purpose of this survey is to provide an evaluation of the health care you receive. This information will provide tools for leadership to make informed decisions about the type of care that will be made available to you; it will provide insight for targeting quality improvements; it will allow for external comparisons of other health care services in the region; and it will promote medical care that is consistent with clinical guidelines.

Other ways for you to participate in the care you receive at the Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital is to let one of the hospital’s customer service reps know your feelings… Did you feel that your health care was lacking in some way? Were you totally happy with the services you received? Either way, it is important for the hospital to know how they are taking care of you.

In addition, the hospital conducts the Healthcare Consumer Council meeting every Quarter… this Town Council type of meeting is designed to allow the Combat Center’s healthcare beneficiaries to express concerns, compliments or constructive criticism to the leadership of the hospital.

Just recently a comment made to the commanding officer of the hospital resulted in an effort to provide a link from the hospital’s web site to the DoD’s Parenting Education site. Also available for you to provide constructive comments to the hospital is the Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital Face Book site… look us up, tell us how we are doing… your opinion matters to us.

School and Sports Physical Rodeo Day Set for Naval Hospital

2010-06-29T09:08:00.001-07:00

Seize your opportunity now! Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms Pediatric Dept. will be holding a school and sports physical rodeo on 12th and 13th of July. These appointments are for school aged children (5 to 17 years of age) who need to have forms filled out to start school or participate in sports activities. The appointments are for screening purposes only, and may be with someone other than the child’s primary care manager. Should an issue be identified that needs further evaluation, a follow up appointment can be scheduled at the time of the screening appointment.

If your child has had a well child visit or physical exam done in the past 9 months, an appointment is not necessary. Simply fill out the school forms and drop them off at the front desk of either Family Medicine or Pediatrics, depending on where the child normally gets their care. The medical chart will be reviewed and the forms signed and ready for pick up in 2-5 working days.

To make an appointment, please contact Central Appointments at 760-830-2752.
Please be sure to fill out the school forms and bring them to your appointment or you may need to be rescheduled. If unable to participate during the Rodeo day please schedule your physical at your earliest opportunity as appointments go quick. Do not be late for the upcoming school year.

Cyber-Safety, For You and For Your Kids

2010-06-15T09:11:00.000-07:00

By Martha Hunt, M.A. Health Promotions Coordinator

Summer vacation is in full swing and your kids may spend time home alone surfing the net and looking for all sorts of fun and excitement. Cyber-violence has become a major problem in the US. The focus of most cyber-violence is women and children and takes the form of stalking, mental and emotional abuse, and in extreme cases kidnap, sexual assault and murder. In fact, several suicides of teenage girls have been caused by someone online bullying the teen until they felt the only way out was to kill themselves.

The issue of social network sites such as myspace has enabled the problem of easy access to children whose parents either allow the use of social networking or are unaware of their child’s use of such a site. The FBI estimates that there are over 200 of these free social network sites and sex offenders routinely use these sites to access potential victims and abuse them.

Recent data shows that as many as 1 in 5 children have received an unwanted sexual solicitation via the internet in the past year. One-in three of the children who had received a solicitation were male; the rest were female. Three quarters of the solicitation victims were 14 to 17 years old leaving nearly one quarter under the age of thirteen. This same research study also reports that most children do not report these incidents to their parents or teachers because of fear or embarrassment.

Another startling finding of this research showed that most homes do not use filtering or child safety soft ware. There are many software programs available and be sure to access one that is appropriate to the age of your child. Younger children will have a harder time disabling the security software than older children who may need stricter software to protect them. The website http://familyinternet.about.com/cs/filteringsoftware/a/aafiltering.htm offers a good overview of available filtering software and how to pick one that is appropriate for your family’s needs.

Cyber-violence, like any violence, is really an issue of power. Cyber-stalkers are empowered by the anonymity of the Internet. Since you cannot see them, hear their voice or (usually) trace them, they feel free to say or do as they wish to the inexperienced Internet user.

Cyber-violence is real. What makes it real is that it occurs in one’s mind just like any verbal or emotional abuse. The victims of cyber-violence are just as affected by the assault as they would be if the assailant were actually in their home with them. Outcomes of cyber-violence mirror the emotional and physical aspects of post traumatic stress syndrome including sleeplessness, depression, agitation, fear, etc. When cyber-violence crosses the line to real life violence, the results can be deadly.

It is very easy to simply say to the victim, either the child or adult, “simply disconnect the computer when you feel threatened”. However, this then places the blame on the victim and denies the fact that many predators, real and cyber, can be very smooth in their approach to the victim. A few years ago a little girl in San Diego was murdered and then explicit images of her posted on the internet. The victim knew her predator - he lived next door and her parents socialized regularly with him. She trusted him. The predators who assault children, online as well as in real life, go to great lengths to become friends with the child first to earn their trust.

Guidelines for defending yourself and your children involve protecting your privacy as best as you can and maintaining open lines of communication with your children as to their online activities. Learning proper ‘netiquette’ (online etiquette) will help you to blend into the social structure of the Internet. If you stand out as being a ‘newbie”, you open yourself as a target to potential abusers.

Always make sure when using any chat related software that your privacy options are enabled as well as logging options. Examples of chat related software are mIRC, ICQ, PIRCH, JAVA, or AOL. By ensuring that your privacy options are enabled, a potential abuser cannot track you or identify any personal information about you.

Never use your real name or any personal information about yourself when you set up your chat software. This can sometimes be accessed very easily by anyone on the same net as you, and leave you open to invasion of privacy. Never give anyone any personal information about yourself. This includes photographs, phone numbers, addresses, and home towns - anything that can identify you. Even the smallest bit of personal information can be used to track who you are in real life.

By ensuring that your logging option is effective, you keep a written record of every conversation you or your child engages in, both in public chat rooms and in private chats. These logs can also be enabled to record time and date stamps and any available identifying information of the chat participants. If you are ever cyber-stalked or abused in any way while online, the logs are written proof that the conversation that took place and who were the participants.

Think of your children on line like this – if you don’t let your child talk to strangers in a shopping mall, why would you let them talk to strangers online? If your kids are using the home computer, place it in a common area of the home. This will enable the child to call for help if they feel threatened and will also allow you as the parent to monitor their activities more easily. If you prefer that your children do not use the chat software on your computer at all, it can be password protected in the software security options. Then only you as the parent knows the password and has access to the chat software. And don’t use easily guessed passwords. Your kids are smarter than you think about guessing your passwords.

If for some reason you do decide to meet someone in real life that you have developed a relationship with online, never meet them at your home or theirs. Always choose a safe, public place to meet and always have a ‘safe call”. That means that a friend knows exactly where you are and with whom, that you have the phone number of the person you are meeting, and you have pre-arranged to call that friend at a specific time and let them know you are safe. This way, if you fail to make the ‘safe call’, your friend can notify authorities. If the person you are meeting refuses to give you their home phone number, refuse to meet them. Children should never meet anyone in real life that they have met online period!

If you feel you are a victim of cyber-violence you do have options. Some forms of cyber-violence such as hacking or damaging another’s machine are federal offences and are reportable to the FBI. Also, report the incidents to your Internet Service Provider (ISP). This is when you need to access the logs you have recorded when you enabled the logging option in the chat software.

Sometimes you need to be persistent when reporting to the FBI or to your ISP. They receive so many complaints that they become overloaded with them and may not readily respond to your complaint. If it is proven that a specific individual has committed a crime, then they will be banned forever from service with that ISP. If the cyber-stalker somehow gets your phone number or address and threatens you in real life, report it to your local police. Many states, including California, have begun to enact cyber-violence laws and all 50 states have stalking laws.

The Internet can afford incredible growing experiences. Not all people online are evil stalkers or pedophiles. You can meet and talk to people from all walks of life and from all corners of the globe. However, you must also use an extreme degree of caution when dealing with anyone online to ensure your own safety as well as that of your children.

The Heat of Summer is Here

2010-06-03T06:14:00.000-07:00

Just in case you haven’t noticed, we are in the summer season here… it’s important to pay attention to your environment to prevent heat stroke.

The Heat Condition Flag Warning System, determined by the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Index (WBGT) reading, on the Combat Center is set up to help you determine your safe daily outdoor activities in the summer months.

The Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital also constantly monitors the “Mainside” WBGT in real time making it available on the hospital’s internet at https://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nhtp/Pages/FlagCondition.aspx

The WBGT index consists of a combination of readings from thermometers, providing temperatures for dry, humid and radiant heat. These three temperatures are combined in a standard formula providing a more accurate reading of heat stress intensity, known as the WBGT Index.

Safety concerns with heat and PT are very real, especially in a desert environment. Dehydration is a constant threat when exercising in the heat. Since thirst occurs too late to be a good indicator of excessive water loss from the body, be sure to weigh yourself regularly during hot weather, especially if you’re doing a lot of intense physical activity.

There is no specific temperature beyond which you should not exercise. People have become heat casualties even in subfreezing temperatures because they were overdressed. Any circumstances that cause your body’s heat production to exceed its capability to cool off will often result in heat stress.

To alert Combat Center members of hazardous heat conditions, the following flags are flown to indicate readings and control physical activity:

Green Flag – WBGT Index Temperatures range from 80-84.9 – Unrestricted physical activity may be carried out.

Yellow Flag – WBGT Index Temperatures range from 85-87.9 – Physical activity should be limited to those people who have been exercising in similar heat for a minimum of 10 days or more.

Red Flag – WBGT Index Temperatures range from 88-89.9 – Physical activity is advised only for members who have been working out in similar heat conditions for a period of 12 weeks for more.

Black Flag – WBGT Index Temperatures range 90 and above – Vigorous outdoor exercise, regardless of conditioning or heat acclimatization, is not advisable.

Combat Center members should be advised to note the flag, which is indicated on the hospital’s web site before beginning outdoor workouts on Main side in the summer months. For Camp Wilson and Ranges, check with Marine Wing Support Squadron – 374 (MWSS-374) Weather Office at 830-7809, as geographic locations on the base cause the WBGT Index to vary.

Although you do not have a choice about the characteristics of work clothing or gear, do not use a vapor barrier (rubber) suit as an aide for weight reduction while exercising. Exercising in a rubberized suit may result in severe dehydration and elevate your core body temperature. Wearing these suits also will not help you with your weight reduction program since the decrease in weight is due to a very temporary loss of fluid, not fat loss. If you are required to wear NBC gear or body armor you should add 10 points to the WBGT Index to determine your training activities.

For more information on the WBGT Index call the Hospital’s Preventive Medicine Department at 830-2029.

Sleepless nights can hamper the body's ability to use insulin to process sugar in the bloodstream

2010-05-07T09:18:00.001-07:00

Martha Hunt, MA CAMF
Health Promotion & Wellness

A new study may help explain another reason why diabetes in the US is on the rise. American culture does not value sleep. We think that anyone who needs more than a few hours of sleep at night is lazy when in fact the human body needs between seven and nine hours of sleep at night. Young people, especially young men, need even more sleep in order for their bodies to function properly.
Research has shown that sleep duration has shortened in western societies in the past decade and that there has also been an increase in cases of "insulin resistance" and adult-onset diabetes. A short night of sleep has more profound effects on metabolic regulation than previously thought. Type 2 Diabetes is caused by the body's inability to adequately use insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, to control glucose sugar produced from food. Sugar levels rise and can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and major arteries. Diabetes, also linked to poor diet and lack of exercise, is reaching epidemic levels. An estimated 180 million people now suffer from diabetes around the world.
Previous studies have found that several nights of poor sleep can result in impaired use of insulin and that sleep deprivation – not sleeping for several days on end – can cause the body to lose all ability to control blood sugar levels. The current study shows that insulin sensitivity depends on the duration of sleep in the preceding night. Another study by U.S. scientists published last year found that people who slept less than six hours a night were 4.5 times more likely to develop abnormal blood sugar readings compared with those who slept longer.
Other reasons we need to sleep? When we sleep properly we are less likely to get into car crashes, have work related accidents, day time heart attacks, our immune system works better to fight off disease and heal injury and out memories are better. Getting a good night’s sleep isn’t a luxury or laziness – it is essential for proper health at so many levels. For more information on how to get a good night’s sleep go to the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research at www.nhlbi.nih.gov/sleep .

Bee Sting Safety

2010-04-23T06:06:00.000-07:00

As the weather warms, you will soon start to see more bees in the area. Most bees and insects will not attack when left alone. However, if provoked, a bee will sting in defense of its nest or itself. Thousands of people are stung each year and as many as 40 or 50 people in the United States die each year as a result of allergic reactions to insect bites and stings. Only a small percentage of people develop severe reactions to insect venom. Bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and fire ants typically cause the most allergic reactions. Mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies and some spiders can also cause reactions, but these are generally milder.

Reducing the Risk of Being Stung - Wear light-colored, smooth-finished clothing. Avoid perfumed soaps, shampoos, and deodorants. Don't wear cologne or perfume and avoid bananas and banana-scented toiletries. Wear clean clothing and bathe daily as sweat angers bees. Cover the body as much as possible with clothing. Avoid flowering plants. If a single stinging insect is flying around, remain still or lie face down on the ground. The face is the most likely place for a bee or wasp to sting. Swinging or swatting at an insect may cause it to sting.

If you are attacked by several stinging insects at the same time, run to get away from them. Bees release a chemical when they sting that alerts other bees to the intruder and more bees often follow. Go indoors to get away from bees that are threatening you. If you are outdoors, a shaded area is better than an open area to get away from the insects. If a bee gets inside your vehicle, stop the car slowly and open all the windows to let it out.

What to do if a Person is stung - For mild reactions; move the victim to a safe area to avoid more stings. Try to remove the stinger by scraping or brushing it off with a firm edge, such as a credit card. Never squeeze the stinger or use tweezers as it will cause more venom to go into the skin and injure the muscle. Wash the site with soap and water and then swab the site with disinfectant. To reduce pain and swelling, apply ice or a cold pack. Apply 0.5 % or 1 % hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion or a baking soda paste to the bite or sting several times a day until the symptoms subside. Take an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Tylenol Severe Allergy) or chlorpheniramine maleate (Chlor-Trimeton, Teldrin). Have someone stay with the victim to be sure that they do not have an allergic reaction. Do not scratch the sting as this will cause the site to swell and itch more, and increase the chance of infection.

For severe reactions: Severe reactions may progress rapidly. Dial 911 or call for emergency medical assistance if the victim experiences any of the following signs or symptoms: Difficulty breathing or wheezing, swelling of the lips, throat, face or neck, faintness or dizziness, confusion, rapid heartbeat, hives, nausea, cramps or vomiting or there is a drop in blood pressure.

While waiting for emergency transportation: Have the person lie down. If they are unconscious and breathing, lay the person on their side to allow drainage from the mouth. If there is no breathing, movement or response to touch, then begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately! Check to see if the person is carrying an allergy kit containing epinephrine and follow the instructions on the kit.

Allergic reactions to bee stings can be deadly. People with known allergies to insect stings should always carry an insect sting allergy kit and wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace stating their allergy.

Text4Baby

2010-04-16T14:06:00.000-07:00

Each year in the U.S., more than 500,000 babies are born prematurely and an estimated 28,000 children die before their first birthday.

In response to this national public health crisis, the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB) is launching “text4baby”, a free mobile information service that provides pregnant women and new moms with information to help them care for their health and give their babies the best possible start in life.

Office on Women’s Health is a partner in this educational service and offers moms additional healthy pregnancy information.

If you are pregnant or a new mom, text4baby can help keep you and your baby healthy.
Sign up for the service by texting BABY to 511411 (or BEBE in Spanish) to receive free text messages each week, timed to your due date or baby’s date of birth. These messages focus on a variety of topics critical to maternal and child health, including birth defect prevention, immunization, nutrition, seasonal flu, mental health, oral health, and safe sleep. Text4baby messages also connect women to prenatal and infant care services and other resources.

Text4baby is an educational service of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. For more information about text4baby, please contact info@text4baby.org.

USDA Launches Interactive Atlas Comparing Food and Health

2010-04-06T08:31:00.001-07:00

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a new online mapping
tool to assess American food environments and how a range of factors may
relate to diet-related illnesses.

The tool, Your Food Environment Atlas, has been designed for the use of food
policy makers, researchers, and the general public. Users can pick from a
list of variables, such as proximity to grocery stores, food insecurity,
physical activity levels, food taxes, health, and food prices, among others,
and apply them to any American state.

The launch comes at a time when obesity and possible public health
interventions are high on the public and political agenda, with the recent
announcement of Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move' campaign that focuses on
physical activity and healthy eating to tackle childhood obesity, and taxes
on certain foods and drinks being considered in several states.

The USDA designed the atlas based on three broad categories: Food choice,
health choice and community characteristics. It then breaks these down into
90 separate indicators that can be applied at a state or county level.

Several government agencies contributed to the data apart from the USDA,
including the National Institutes of Health; the National Farm-to-School
Network; and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Your Food Environment Atlas can be viewed at:
http://maps.ers.usda.gov/FoodAtlas/

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers in the Millions and Rising

2010-04-01T08:55:00.000-07:00

Two new research studies published in the March issue of the Archives of Dermatology show that the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer has steadily increased since the 1990’s, making it by far the most common form of cancer, affecting more people than all other cancers combined.

Results of that research show that non-melanoma skin cancers have struck five times as many people as breast or prostate cancer. More people have had non-melanoma skin cancer than all other cancers combined over the last 31 years. Most of those who had a non-melanoma skin cancer had more than one, with the average being 1.6 skin cancers per person. In fact, procedures to treat skin cancer have increased by nearly 77 percent between 1992 and 2006.

What is driving this explosion in skin cancer? As all those sun worshippers from the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s get older, and their cumulative sun exposure racks up leading to more and more cases of skin cancer. Those people who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s when there was not a big sun-protection message out there are now coming into their 50s and 60s and are starting to develop skin cancers."

To lessen your chances of getting skin cancer, dermatologists recommend applying broad-spectrum sunscreen liberally and often; wearing hats and other protective clothing when out in the sun; avoiding sun exposure when the sun's rays are the strongest -- between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. -- and never using tanning beds.

It's especially important to take these steps with children and teens as skin cancers are now being seen in teens and young adults as well as older individuals. Also, if you are older and were one of those sun worshipers who believed the lie of a “healthy tan”, it is never too late to start protecting yourself. Cover up, wear sun screen and best of all – stay out of the sun!

Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms Has Many Channels of Communications

2010-03-25T09:11:00.000-07:00

By Dan Barber, Public Affairs Officer
Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital

Did you know that the Robert E. Bush Navy Hospital has Face Book, Health Blog and Twitter available on its public facing web site to increase the communication channels to beneficiaries of the hospital and the public in general.

By using these channels of communications for most of the past year, the hospital has increased the visibility of its various programs, clinics and events and at the same time opened up channels to allow two way communications with customers.

Communications from you… the customer… is very important to the leadership of the command. Your input is used to improve services at the hospital. Following appointments here at the hospital some patients are selected to participate in a survey. How it works is, a couple of weeks following a visit you may receive a survey in the mail asking you to rate the service received from your provider. This survey, which is very important to the leadership of the hospital, can be submitted by return mail by using the enclosed envelope; online at the address listed in the letter or by calling the provided toll-free telephone number.

However, you also have the opportunity to fill out a customer comment card available throughout the hospital anytime to register a complaint or to offer a complement to anyone on the hospital’s staff. Also, patients have the option of leaving comments using the Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE), which is linked from the hospital’s Internet page.

Twitter, Facebook and the Health Blog allows anyone to post comments on articles or items that are posted. The hospital team assigned to monitor these communications will then respond if appropriate.

We just ask that these communications channels should not be used to “air dirty laundry” or circumvent your normal chain of command. The hospital staff will not offer personal opinions on, or enter into debates about, our superiors, the government officials or bodies listed in Article 88 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, or partisan political issues. Commenter's will be similarly moderated, as this site is continually monitored and in the case of inappropriate comments they will be immediately removed.

To view the Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital web site visit:
https://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nhtp/Pages/default.aspx

If you wish to address your concerns to a live person, the hospital also has customer relations representatives in each clinic or department of the hospital. If you feel that your concerns aren’t adequately addressed at this level the command also has a Customer Relations Officer who can be reached by calling 760-830-2475. This officer is a direct representative of the Commanding Officer.

Older Adults and Babies Most Vulnerable to Preventable Head Injuries at Home

2010-03-11T09:03:00.000-08:00

March is Traumatic Brain Injury Month. We are all aware that brain injuries occur in combat and vehicle crashes, but we also need to remember that brain injury can occur at other times as well. Therefore it is important to be aware of other causes of brain injury besides combat and vehicle crashes.

Accidental falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injury among Americans of all ages and among Americans age 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of fatal injuries. Among older adults, traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes nearly 50% of fall-related fatalities. In children ages 4 and younger, TBI is the primary cause of fall-related death.

In 2008, nearly 8.6 million Americans suffered accidental falls according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission statistics indicate that an estimated 1.5 million people are treated for head injuries and nearly 12,000 are treated for neck fractures every year at U.S. hospital emergency rooms. Also in 2008, more than 31,000 head injuries were attributed to common baby-related products. Some of the biggest contributors were car seats (5,899), baby strollers (5,350), high chairs (4,617), and cribs (2,847). Nearly 100% of these injuries affected children under age 4, and in those that were hospitalized, skull fractures and hematomas were the most common injuries.

Remember to always be aware of trip hazards in your home – loose floor rugs, cords running across a path, etc. product safety recalls – such as car seats, strollers, etc can be found at the Consumer Product Safety Commission www.cpsc.gov. Millions of injuries could be prevented every year in the US by being aware of trip hazards and child products that have been recalled due to safety issues.

A Purposeful Life May Stave Off Alzheimer's

2010-03-09T07:50:00.000-08:00

People who say their lives have a purpose are less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease or its precursor, mild cognitive impairment, a new study suggests. As the US population ages and dementia becomes a more frequent diagnosis, it is increasingly more important to find the causes of the disease, risk factors and how to hopefully prevent it.

The study looked at the positive aspects of life and their possible effect on keeping dementia at bay. The research looked at happiness, purposefulness in life, well-being and whether those concepts are associated with a decreased risk of dementia. The researchers asked a large group of elderly people how they felt about their life in general and their sense of purpose and direction in life.

After an average of four years of follow-up, 16.3% of the people in the study developed Alzheimer's disease. After excluding other causes for Alzheimer's, they found that people who responded most positively to statements about their lives were the least likely to develop the condition. Also, people who said they had more purposeful lives were less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment and had a slower rate of cognitive decline. It's not known whether there is a biological reason for this finding, the researchers noted.

The researchers think that one possibility is that a person with high purpose in life might have a lower risk of developing dementia because of what's involved in a purposeful life. More social activity, more physical activity, higher cognitive activities, high purpose in life are psychosocial factors seem to be linked with longer life, decreased mortality, and decreased disability. They also are useful for helping to maintain independence in the elderly. However, one question raised by the research is whether lower sense of purpose contributes to Alzheimer's disease or is a lower sense of purpose an early, subtle, sign of dementia.

What is a purposeful life? That is hard to define. What do you think your life purpose is? Where do or could you bring your unique gifts to the needs of those around you in the world? Purposefulness is being more self reflective. What goals do I have? How am I contributing to the greater good of my family, community and the world? Do you take time every day just for yourself – time to contemplate what you did right or wrong today? What did I do for others that made their lives better?

Here are some ways to start bringing more purpose to your life:
· Make time for contemplative practices each day – meditation, prayer, etc. is when you take time to clear your mind so that it is easier to see the path before you.
· Have meaningful connections with other people. And this means real life people. Not people online or in chat rooms. People who can listen to you and truly be supportive of you. People who you can call on to help you when you are in need.
· Have a spiritual community that provides help and support. This can mean either a religious community or simply a community of people who feel the same as you on moral issues.
· Live by your values. There is a difference between knowing what is right and wrong and actually living those values consistently every day of your life.
· Have a strong, fulfilling spiritual faith. You don’t have to believe in any specific religion to have faith in something greater than yourself. Explore various religions and concepts and find one that fits your mental and spiritual needs.
· Have ways to cope with activities that are life-draining. When we don’t have good coping skills we fall into alcohol, tobacco, eating, sex or any other activity that is addictive. We get stressed, we smoke, eat, etc. The stress still remains and is only resolved when we develop better coping skills.
· Feel that you are contributing your gifts to your family or community in a satisfying and helpful way. We all need positive feedback – not every single time we do something for our community – but make sure that if you are never getting any positive energy back for what you are contributing, and then re-think what you are doing. You may need to change your friends, environment, etc.

"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know, the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve." Albert Schweitzer – scholar, religious leader, physician, missionary and Nobel prize winner.

Rodent Revenge

2010-02-24T10:30:00.000-08:00

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, or HPS, is a severe disease people get from contact with rodents. It causes difficulty breathing and can result in death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC www.cdc.gov) notes that controlling the rodent population around your home is one of the best ways to help make sure you don’t get the disease. It is very important to seal up cracks and put down traps to prevent future rodent infestations. Houses should be checked twice a year for potential holes where rodents could enter, and all holes should be sealed up. When cleaning areas where rodents have been, be sure to use disinfectants, masks and gloves to protect yourself.

Also from the CDC - Can You get Hantavirus from animals other than rodents, or from Insects? What about pets? No-the Hantaviruses that cause HPS in the United States are not known to be transmitted by any types of animals other than certain species of rodents. You cannot get Hantavirus from farm animals, such as cows, chickens, or sheep, or from insects, such as mosquitoes. Dogs and cats are not known to carry Hantavirus; however, they may bring infected rodents into contact with people if they catch such animals and carry them home. Guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, and rodents from pet stores are not known to carry Hantavirus.

The Symptoms of HPS:
Early symptoms include fatigue, fever and muscle aches, especially in the large muscle groups-thighs, hips, back, and sometimes shoulders. These symptoms are universal.

There may also be headaches, dizziness, chills, and abdominal problems, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. About half of all HPS patients experience these symptoms.

Late symptoms are seen 4 to 10 days after the initial phase of illness. These include coughing and shortness of breath, with the sensation of, as one survivor put it, a "...tight band around my chest and a pillow over my face" as the lungs fill with fluid.

Some of the uncommon symptoms include earache, sore throat, runny nose, and rash are very uncommon symptoms of HPS.

Due to the small number of HPS cases, the "incubation time" is not positively known. However, on the basis of limited information, it appears that symptoms may develop between 1 and 5 weeks after exposure to urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents.

Hantavirus is rare – less than 100 cases in the US per year – it can be fatal if not caught early and treated. Be sure to keep your home and any out buildings secure from all kinds of critters including rodents, snakes and insects. When you allow your home to become their home, you are at risk for not only Hantavirus, but snake or insect bites.

Women's Heart Disease Awareness Still Lacking

2010-02-16T12:38:00.000-08:00

Despite public awareness campaigns such as Red Dress Day, almost half of all American women still don't know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. Research also shows that only slightly more than half of women would call for emergency help if they were having heart attack symptoms.
What are the risk factors? Risk factors are conditions or habits that make a person more likely to develop a disease. They can also increase the chances that an existing disease will get worse. Important risk factors for heart disease are:
• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Being overweight
• Being physically inactive
• Having a family history of early heart disease
• Age (55 or older for women)
What are the warning signs of a Heart Attack?
• Chest Discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
• Discomfort in Other Areas of the Upper Body: Can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
• Shortness of Breath: Often comes along with chest discomfort. But it also can occur before the chest discomfort.
• Other Signs: May include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness.
Fast Action Saves Lives! If you or someone you are with begins to have chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other symptoms of a heart attack, call 9-1-1 right away. Don’t wait for more than a few minutes—5 minutes at most—to call 9-1-1. If you are having symptoms and cannot call 9-1-1, have someone else drive you to the hospital right away. Never drive yourself, unless you have absolutely no other choice. For more information, go to http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/educational/hearttruth/lower-risk/tools.htm
10 tips for a heart-friendly kitchen:
1. Shop the perimeter of your local grocery store. This is where you will typically find fresh produce, dairy, seafood and meat.
2. Say goodbye to processed foods such as frozen meals and canned goods. These items are often very high in sodium and simple carbohydrates.
3. Use fresh herbs to add flavor to your cooking rather than salt.
4. Replace butter with olive and vegetable oil, which are both healthier and tastier. Instead of serving butter with bread, try olive oil topped with fresh thyme or basil.
5. Quit frying your foods. Baking, broiling and grilling are much healthier options. You can also try slow cooking to get the best flavors out of vegetables, chicken and fish.
6. Welcome fish and chicken into your diet. While both are low in fat, fish contains omega fatty acids, which are important in lipid management.
7. Limit red meat and pork. They are higher in fat and speed up the atherosclerosis process, or hardening of the arteries, which leads to heart disease.
8. Enjoy fresh fruit for dessert rather than high-calorie options like cake or ice cream.
9. If you drink alcohol, limit yourself to one drink per day (12 oz. beer, 4 oz. glass of wine or 1.5 oz. of 80-proof spirits). Red wine contains heart-healthy flavonoids and antioxidants, but that does not make it safe to drink in excess. Excessive drinking can lead to alcoholism, high blood pressure, obesity and stroke.
10. Watch your serving size. The key is keeping portion sizes small. Try using smaller plates. In fact, dinner plates used to be much smaller than what we are used to today.

Dangerous Creatures of the Morongo Basin

2010-02-04T12:07:00.000-08:00

Martha Hunt, MA Health Promotions

I know it is only February but the warm winter we have been having has allowed dome of the dangerous critters of Morongo Basin to creep out of their winter slumber now and then looking for food. It is a good idea to prepare now to ‘critter proof’ your home, rather than wait until the creatures have entered your home or bitten you. So as spring is quickly approaching, the desert and its creatures will be re-awakening to begin the cycle of life again.

If you have been in 29 Palms for a while, some of these may not be so scary anymore. If you are new to 29 Palms, you think that everything that crawls, slithers, creeps or flies is going to either kill you or leave you maimed for life. Here is a brief overview of some of these critters, which in the end are not so scary after all when you learn how to avoid them.

The best form of critter prevention is to stay away from them, to eliminate all inviting, homey spots around your home such as piles of lumber and debris, and to seal all cracks and crevices that they can use to crawl into your home. A little spackle and paint does wonders as far as sealing tiny cracks and holes where the critters can enter your home.

Most critters, either poisonous or semi-poisonous, prefer nice dark, quiet, undisturbed places such as out buildings, wood or debris piles, closets, attics, etc. and they usually only wander out of these spaces when they are hungry. In fact, most critter/ human contact is purely accidental on both parts, resulting in the critter biting out of fear.

The two scariest spiders in this area are the Black Widow and Brown Recluse spiders. While it’s correct that there are no true Brown Recluses here in Morongo Basin, their first cousins live here, and at first glance can be mistaken for a true Brown Recluse. This cousin of the BR also causes necrotising bites and so should also be viewed as potentially dangerous. A necrotizing bite is a bite that doesn’t heal and continues to fester and spread from the original bite spot. BR bites can take up to 2months to heal and need to be kept clean like any open wound.

Spider & scorpion bites are rarely fatal, and when handled properly, can be easily treated as well. Black Widow bites and scorpion stings feel like a pin-prick and progresses in pain and swelling until the whole area is red, warm, and swollen. The pain may spread to other parts of the body and symptoms may also include nausea, sweating, convulsions and, in rare cases, death.

The only people seriously at risk from Black Widow bites and scorpion stings are the very young or old and those individuals with compromised immune systems. If you are bitten or stung, call your health care provider or poison control number immediately and seek help.

A bite from a Brown Recluse may go unnoticed for several hours before turning red, swelling and beginning to blister. On rare occasions, a severe bite from a BR can cause the skin to not just blister up, but to die back and leave an open sore. Heeling may take a month or longer and may leave a scar where the sore was. As with the Black Widow bites, BR bites should be promptly treated to prevent further health risks.

Regarding snakes, don’t tease snakes! They bite to defend themselves and the snake usually ends up paying for your teasing with its life. It has been estimated that as many as half of all snakebites are provoked by humans purposely scaring the snakes. Of those bites that are not provoked by people, most are below the knee and half are dry (meaning that no venom was injected).

A good rule to follow in Morongo Basin is – ‘if it rattles, it’s poisonous’. Snakes who do not have rattles in Morongo Basin are either non-poisonous or semi-poisonous (they’ll just make you ill if bitten, not kill you).

If any snake bites you or someone you are with, seek medical help immediately! Keep the victim calm, do not ice the wound and do not try to suck the venom from it. Snakebites are rarely fatal, but ALL snake bite victims need medical assistance! If you or someone around you is bitten, call 911 immediately!

Remember that the best way to avoid the dangerous creatures of Morongo Basin is to steer clear of them. Clean up the debris in your yard and get rid of those comfy hiding places that they live in. Seal all openings to your home and watch where you walk in your yard or when hiking. These creatures will try their best to avoid you and they are hoping you do the same as well.

7 Steps for a Healthy Heart

2010-01-28T09:07:00.000-08:00

From Diet to Exercise to Cholesterol, AHA Identifies 7 Factors for Cardiovascular Health
The American Heart Association has identified seven "simple" steps you can take for a healthy heart. But like everything in life, the road to better cardiovascular health will take some work. The AHS has listed seven health points that can help you aim for better heart health!
1. Never smoked or quit more than a year ago.
2. A healthy body mass index (BMI), an estimate of body fat determined by a formula using weight and height.
3. Physical activity, and the more the better. The new measure says at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise is necessary for ideal health, or 75 minutes weekly of vigorous physical activity.
4. Blood pressure below 120/80.
5. Fasting blood glucose less than 100 milligrams/deciliter.
6. Total cholesterol of less than 200 milligrams/deciliter.
7. Eating a healthy diet. Four to five of the key components of a healthy diet are followed. For a 2,000-calorie diet, these include:
1. At least 4.5 cups of fruits and vegetables per day
2. At least two 3.5 oz. servings of fish per week, preferably oily fish
3. At least three 1-ounce servings of fiber-rich whole grains per day
4. Limiting sodium to less than 1,500 milligrams a day
5. Drinking no more than 36 ounces weekly of sugar-sweetened beverages
The AHA hopes the seven factors could improve the cardiovascular health of Americans by 20% by the year 2020, and also reduce deaths from cardiovascular-related diseases and strokes by 20%.
The AHA says its goals represent the first time it has adopted better health as a principal goal and that it has developed a new online resource, “My Life Check,” at www.heart.org/MyLifeCheck. By completing the assessment, people can determine what they need to do to achieve better cardiovascular health.

Spooning Up the Wrong Dose

2010-01-06T09:51:00.000-08:00

Many people still use kitchen spoons to measure a dose of liquid medication. Research shows that when people use kitchen spoons rather than medicine dosing spoons to measure a dose of the medication, we get it wrong.

A study of dosing errors (getting too much or too little of a given medication) reported to poison control centers found that failing to distinguish between teaspoons and tablespoons was a major cause for overdosing of cough and cold medicines and liquid acetaminophen. Although too much cough medicine is typically not a major health worry, many liquid medications contain acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol. Acetaminophen overdose is a major health concern and can lead to serious illness, liver failure and even death. And while small dosing errors may not seem like a major concern, excessive doses can add up and make it easy to exceed the recommended daily limit of the medication you are taking.

A medicine’s safety and how well it works is tied to taking the correct amount. You should always use a measuring cap, dosing spoon, measuring dropper or dosing syringe instead of relying on kitchen spoons. Dosing spoons are inexpensive and are found in all pharmacies. The cost of a simple medicine dosing spoon is a small price to pay to make sure that the dose of your liquid medication is correct and safe for you and your family.

Thinking about those New Year's resolutions?

2009-12-17T09:25:00.000-08:00

One of the first things people do in the New Year is make resolutions to be a better person, to be kinder, to take more time with family and friends and to try to be healthier. Unfortunately, we sometimes get overwhelmed with our resolutions and end up leaving them along the road of life somewhere. How do we follow through with these resolutions?

The What? Know exactly what to change. Do you need more information about what to change? Do you have a reliable source for information on: Diet? Exercise? Tobacco? Alcohol? Whatever else you wish to change?

Not all sources of information are accurate. Is the web page, flyer, etc trying to get you to buy something? Remember! If it is too good to be true, then it isn't! If those products that promise you ripped abs in 2 weeks worked (or lose weight or grow hair or …), we would all be thinner and have better hair! That stuff doesn’t work!

The Want? Decide whether you even want to change. If you don’t really want to change, then nothing will happen. If you are trying to change because someone else wants you to, then you won’t succeed. YOU have to want to change and you have to do it for yourself, not someone else.
Sometimes wanting to change and finding the motivation can be very emotional. What if I fail?? Why can’t I do this right?? Why won’t anyone help me?? Sometimes when we block ourselves emotionally (I KNOW I am going to fail) it is easier to change the emotional roadblock by changing your behavior first, and then work on the emotions. That means - once you are walking every day or eating less or whatever – then you can tell yourself “see! I CAN do it right!”

The How? Develop the 7 skills you need to make the change happen:
· Set a course for success.
· Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
· Arrange for success, not failure.
· Watch what you are doing.
· Reward your actions.
· Recruit a support team.
· Have a plan to stay on track.

You need to have all of these skills, to have the best chance of success. Set a course for success. Sometimes we start with a goal that is too general and become overwhelmed. Start with a general goal, and then specify what you have to do to achieve it.

For example: General goal: I want to eat better. Target behavior: I will eat 5 fruits & veggies every day. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. It is better to start small and be successful in the long run, than to aim too big and get burned out. So rather than immediately start eating 5 fruits and veggies every day, maybe start out as “I’ll add one more fruit or veggie to my daily diet every week until I reach 5 a day.”

Arrange for success, not failure. Change your environment to help you achieve success. For example, with regards to the 5 a day goal: Don’t buy a week’s worth of “5 a day” at the very beginning or it will go bad in the fridge. Don’t buy any new junk food – use up or give away what you have at home. “If I buy fruit or veggies that I like to eat – and not so much junk – then I will gradually replace the junk with healthier options.” If you re-arrange your kitchen stocks and don’t stock junk, you are less likely to eat it. Also, if you buy too many fruits & veggies in the beginning, you will feel overwhelmed and your digestive system may over react to the extra fiber.

Watch what you are doing. Keep a written record of how you are doing and your progress. By keeping track of what you are doing, it helps to positively reinforce the behavior you want to change. Keeping track of your daily progress gives you one more tool to help you achieve the change you want. “Wow! I made my goal for this week regarding the number of fruits & veggies!”

Reward your actions. We ALL need to be rewarded for a job well done! What works for one person as a reward, may not work for another. Why is food such a great reward (although not always healthy)? Because it fills emotional and physical needs so well. One bite = rewards & two bites = guilt! Also, over time the new behavior itself becomes the reward when you start to feel better about yourself and your accomplishments. Include your rewards in your daily logs so that you remember to give yourself the rewards. “I made my goal this week as to the number of fruits & veggies, so now my reward is _______ (not Ben & Jerry’s)!

Recruit a support team. No, your friends can’t do the work for you, but they can act as your cheer leaders. Our friends and family can either support us in our goal to be healthier or they can block us and prevent us from being healthier. If your family or friends are blocking you from being healthier, then find friends who are supportive and can help you rather than hinder you.
Get a change partner – someone who is trying to make the same change as you and can become your team mate. Have a change supporter – someone who isn't trying to change the same behavior as you, but who is supportive of your actions. “I can go to the farmer’s markets with my neighbor and make it fun to buy fresh fruit & veggies.”

Have a plan to stay on track because the new behavior takes a while to become second nature. We all have a tendency to slip back into old habits until that new behavior becomes the new second nature. Keep using your daily logs so you can help prevent this drift back to old behaviors before it happens. If you see yourself drifting back to old habits, steer yourself back before you get too far off track. For more information on making healthier choices, contact Health Promotion & Wellness at (760) 830-2814.

Artificially sweetened beverages: Is it nice to fool Mother Nature?

2009-12-10T09:27:00.000-08:00

David Ludwig, MD, PhD, director of Children’s Optimal Weight for Life
Program, just published a commentary in JAMA expressing concern about the
widespread use of artificial sweeteners in soft drinks. Below, he offers
some insight about why humans naturally crave sweetness, and the potential
danger of confusing our ancient biological pathways of hunger and satiation
with fake sugars.

Ever since our distant ancestors crawled out of the ocean, animals have been
trying to eat plants. In this conflict, animals would seem to have a
distinct advantage: we can move about, they can’t. But plants are by no
means defenseless against our predations. They protect themselves with
thorns, bark and tough fibers; stash their starches in tubers that are
difficult to digest (at least when uncooked); encase their most prized
possessions, high energy nuts and seeds, in impervious shells; and lace
their leaves with bitter, toxic chemicals.

In fact, plants have long taken advantage of animals to help them reproduce.
To entice us to serve them, plants have created seed-bearing fruits and
infused them with sugar, the gold standard of energy metabolism. Sugars
constitute the building blocks of all carbohydrates, rich in available
energy and used by every cell in the body. Plants have also loaded fruits
with other vital nutrients, including vitamins, minerals and water, to keep
helpful animals alive and well. In contrast to most other parts of the
plant, fruit is highly nutritious, safe and easy to eat. For this reason,
plant-eating animals (including humans) have come to associate sweetness
with goodness and evolved an innate preference for all things sweet.

Consumption of sugars in their natural forms tends not to cause health
problems because plants dispense with the minimum amount of calories
necessary to keep seed-spreading animals coming back for more, but not
enough to cause obesity. An 8-oz apple contains fewer calories than a 2-oz
pretzel. Problems arise when sugars are refined, concentrated and added to
the food supply in massive amounts. Sugar-sweetened beverages merit special
mention, because sugar in liquid form seems to escape notice by the body’s
calorie-detecting apparatus.

Modern science, which gave us refined sugars like high fructose corn syrup,
has proposed a novel solution to the obesity epidemic: artificial
sweeteners. These compounds stimulate taste receptors at hundreds to
thousands of times the potency of natural sugars, producing intense
sweetness at trace concentrations. (Curiously, the artificial sweetener
sucralose was discovered after a young Indian chemist in London was told to
test a potential insecticide; due to the language barrier, he misunderstood
and proceeded to taste the newly synthesized compound, finding it
overwhelmingly sweet.)

With growing attention to the adverse effects of sugar-sweetened beverages,
consumption of artificial-sweetened beverages has increased dramatically.
Indeed, some industry analysts predict that sales of these “diet” drinks
could eventually exceed those of sugar-sweetened beverages. Clinical trials
show that artificial-sweetened beverages may produce short-term weight loss
when substituted for their calorie-containing counterparts, but these
effects have never been tested for more than a few months. One reason for
concern is that consumption of artificial-sweetened beverages produces an
evolutionarily unprecedented dissociation between sweet taste and calorie
intake that might confound the regulatory system designed to control hunger
and body weight.

In support of this possibility, a recent study found that rodents fed the
artificial sweetener saccharin lost the ability to accurately regulate
calorie intake and gained weight. Another concern is that habitual
consumption of artificial-sweetened beverages may “infantilize” taste
preferences, especially among children. Compared to the hyper-intense
sweetness of these beverages, fruit may seem bland and vegetables may seem
inedible, adversely affecting overall diet quality. Indeed, two
observational studies have linked artificially sweetened beverage
consumption to higher risk for obesity, cardiovascular disease and type 2
diabetes.

Humans have always savored sweetness, and until recently, our sweet tooth
caused limited harm. However, high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages
throughout the last three decades has almost certainly fueled the obesity
epidemic. The recent trend to substitute artificially-sweetened beverages
for sugar-sweetened beverages–an attempt to have our cake and eat it
too–-represents a public health experiment of unprecedented scale. Never
before have synthetic compounds that potently interact with ancient
biological pathways been added to the food supply in such large amounts.
Until long-term trials are available, traditionally consumed beverages such
as water, effervescent mineral water and coffee or tea (perhaps with just
one teaspoon of sugar) may be our safest choice.

Internet Addiction

2009-12-03T09:46:00.000-08:00

Some people develop bad habits in their computer use that cause them significant problems in their lives. The types of behavior and negative consequences are similar to those of known addictive disorders; therefore, the term Computer or Internet Addiction has come into use.
While anyone who uses a computer could be vulnerable, those people who are lonely, shy, easily bored, or suffering from other addiction or impulse control disorder are especially vulnerable to computer abuse.

Computer abuse can result from people using it repeatedly as their main stress reliever, instead of having a variety of ways to cope with negative events and feelings. Other misuses can include procrastination from undesirable responsibilities, distraction from being upset, and attempts to meet needs for companionship and belonging.

The Signs of Problematic Computer Use
A person who is “addicted” to the computer is likely to have several of the warning signs listed below: How many of them describe you?
You make unsuccessful efforts to quit or limit your computer use.
You lose track of time while on the computer.
You neglect friends, family and/or responsibilities in order to be online.
You find yourself lying about the amount of time spent on the computer and what you do while on it.
You feel anxious, depressed, or irritable when your computer time is shortened or interrupted.
You use the computer repeatedly as an outlet when sad, upset, or for sexual gratification.
You develop problems on the job or with your family as a result of the time spent and the type of activities accessed on the computer.
When you are not on the computer, you think about it frequently and anticipate when you will use it again.

Internet addiction can also be seen when the person compulsively downloads pornography or sexually explicit materials, has ‘cyber” affairs with others, and sends inappropriate images of themselves to others, etc. It is a real issue and affects every aspect of a person’s life. In fact, the internet has become one of the leading causes of divorce in the US.

How to Help Computer Obsessed Friends
Be a good role model. Manage the computer use in your own life well.
Introduce them to some other people who handle their computer use sensibly.
Get them involved in some non-computer related fun.
Talk to your friends about your concerns with their computer use.
Support their desire for change if they think they have a problem.
Encourage them to seek professional counseling.
Don’t wait until the person’s marriage or other relationships have fallen apart or they have created irreparable damage to their work or personal finances.
For more information about internet addiction, visit:
http://www.netaddiction.com/
http://www.mentalhelp.net/

H1N1 Vaccine at Immunization Clinic Now Available

2009-11-16T13:58:00.000-08:00

Naval Hospital Now Providing H1N1 Vaccination to below patients:
* All Infants aged 6 months to 35 months (they need two doses)
* Children aged 3 years to 18 years (we have both inactivated (Injectable) and attenuated nasal mist)
* Parents and care givers of infants (we have both inactivated (Injectable) and attenuated nasal mist)
* Pregnant women (OB must screen all OB patients prior to vaccination)
* Individuals with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, COPD and neurologic conditions or who are immune compromised (ie. On prednisone). (We have the inactivated (Injectable) vaccine for this group.)
* Healthcare workers

We are NOT vaccinating large numbers of Healthy Adults or the elderly at this time unless they are in one of the above groups. As always providers may use their best clinical judgment.

Active duty with immanent deployment orders will also be vaccinated by
either the Preventive Medicine Department or their perspective BAS.

For questions, please call CDR Carol Grush at 830-2626 or the Preventive Medicine Techs at 830-2002.

Great American Smoke Out Celebration

2009-11-12T10:22:00.000-08:00

All are cordially invited to the celebration! Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms will sign the new tobacco free campus instruction on the Great American Smoke Out.
Mark your calendars for a celebration! We are celebrating both the creation of a Tobacco Free Naval Hospital as well as the Great American Smoke Out (GASO)! The Naval Hospital will celebrate the GASO this year by holding a Tobacco Free Campus Initiative instruction signing event. The CO of the Naval Hospital, CAPT Albia, will sign the new Naval Hospital Tobacco Instruction which will designate all Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms governed areas to be tobacco free zones. All are invited to Classrooms 1&2 of the Naval Hospital at 1100 on the 19th of November to help us celebrate becoming a tobacco free hospital.
What is the Great American Smoke Out you ask? The GASO is a tobacco awareness event started in the mid 1970’s by a few grass roots organizations and individuals. The GASO has grown over the decades to become an annual American Cancer Society organized national event to help create awareness about the health risks of tobacco and offer support and resources to those who want to quit tobacco. GASO is always the 3rd Thursday of November and this year falls on the 19th of November.
Please join the Naval Hospital in celebrating another step towards a healthier Navy & Marine Corps family by ensuring that you as patients are always safe from second hand tobacco use while at your naval hospital.

Update on the Call Center Phone System

2009-11-02T06:55:00.000-08:00

In response to this year's decreased access to care, Twentynine Palms Naval
Hospital has initiated many interventions in the Call Center including,
implementing the state-of-the art phone system August 2009, to help lessen
the effects on patient care:

ADDED A TRIAGE NURSE TO OUR NURSING STAFF:
1. To evaluate patients’ needs for appointments and offer advice for
home healthcare.
2. Ensures appointments are appropriately and accurately booked to
prevent patients from seeking unnecessary medical healthcare in the form of
clinic visits.

INITIATED A NEW PHONE MENU FOR EASIER PATIENT USAGE:
1. Patients have many options to self-serve such as cancel
appointments or leave a message for the nurse, which eases the workload of
the call center clerks and decreases patient wait times on the phone.
2. To further decrease wait times for appointments, the department
has added more clerks to the morning shift, the busiest call time of day,
further decreasing times and phone call abandon rates.
3. Cancellation procedures have been improved to efficiently process
patient wishes to cancel appointments, consequently, decreasing our no-show
rate and increases appointment availability for acute patient medical needs.

4. In the absence of call center staff due sick or expected leave,
the clinic business managers (Registered Nurses) have stepped in to handle
calls.

As a result of these changes, customer satisfaction has improved.
Increased areas include:
*overall satisfaction with the phone system (63% to 70%)
*ease of scheduling (66 to 70%)
*consideration of the patient’s schedule (79 to 83%)
*ability to see provider when needed (74 to 76%)

CLINIC SATISFACTION SURVEY:
Our clinics continue to reach out to you and evaluate our performance with
satisfaction surveys. During your clinic visit, we will be distribute
surveys in November, please take the time to complete them.

- As we continuously strive to improve services, up-to-date information can
be found in the base or hospital newspaper speedcalls, FACEBOOK, TWITTER,
and THE HOSPITAL BLOG page.
- If you have any suggestions for improvement or comments, please contact
our Customer Relations Representative or myself.

Thanks for entrusting us with your care and helping us reach our vision to
be the treatment facility of choice.

Drowsy Driving Prevention Week

2009-10-29T09:44:00.000-07:00

Drowsy Driving Prevention Week --- November 2--8, 2009
November 2--8 is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. Driving while drowsy is a major contributor to an estimated 100,000 motor vehicle crashes per year and results in more than 1,500 deaths nationwide. Sleepiness demonstrably impairs safe driving by reducing alertness and slowing reaction time.
Several factors can contribute to drowsy driving. Although insufficient sleep duration and fragmented sleep are significant causes of drowsiness, circadian rhythms cause increased sleepiness during the afternoon, even with adequate sleep. Sedating medications and consumption of alcohol also cause drowsiness, which is amplified with sleep deprivation. Untreated sleep disorders also can contribute to excessive sleepiness.
Groups at higher risk for sleep-related crashes include bus, truck, and other commercial drivers; shift workers and persons with more than one job or irregular work hours; persons with untreated sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and narcolepsy; and drivers aged <26 years, especially males. In addition, adolescents are more likely than older drivers to be sleep-deprived because of school schedules, social activities, and shifting circadian rhythms.
Good sleep practices (http://www.cdc.gov/sleep/hygiene.htm) include establishing a regular sleep schedule, avoiding intense physical activity or large meals before bedtime, and ensuring an environment conducive to sleep. For short-term improvement of alertness, drivers can park and take a 15--20 minute nap or consume caffeine. High-intensity lighting, nap breaks during shifts, and breaks from repetitive work can reduce the risk for drowsy driving among shift workers. Diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders also are important in reducing the risk for drowsy driving. Additional information is available from the National Sleep Foundation (http://drowsydriving.org) or (http://www.sleepfoundation.org/) and CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/sleep).

Sniffle or Sneeze? No Antibiotics Please!

2009-10-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

CDC advises parents about colds, flu and antibiotics

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has news for parents this cold and flu season: antibiotics don’t work for a cold or the flu. Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. And colds, flu and most sore throats are caused by viruses. Antibiotics don’t touch viruses — never have, never will. And it’s not really news. It’s a long-documented medical fact.

But tell that to parents seeking relief for a child’s runny nose. Research shows that most Americans have either missed the message about appropriate antibiotic use or they simply don’t believe it. It’s a case of mistaken popular belief winning out over fact. According to public opinion research, there is a perception that “antibiotics cure everything.”

Americans believe in the power of antibiotics so much that many patients go to the doctor expecting to get a prescription. And they do. Why? Physicians often are too pressured for time to engage in lengthy explanations of why antibiotics won’t work. And, when the diagnosis is uncertain — as many symptoms for viral and bacterial infections are similar — doctors are more likely to yield to patient demands for antibiotics.

The problem is, taking antibiotics when they are not needed can do more harm than good. Widespread inappropriate use of antibiotics is fueling an increase in drug-resistant bacteria. And sick individuals aren’t the only people who can suffer the consequences. Families and entire communities feel the impact when disease-causing germs become resistant to antibiotics.
The most obvious consequence of inappropriate antibiotic use is its effect on the sick patient. When antibiotics are incorrectly used to treat children or adults with viral infections, such as colds and flu, they aren’t getting the best care for their condition. A course of antibiotics won’t fight the virus, make the patient feel better, yield a quicker recovery or keep others from getting sick.

A less obvious consequence of antibiotic overuse is the boost it gives to drug-resistant disease-causing bacteria. Almost every type of bacteria has become stronger and less responsive to antibiotic treatment when it really is needed. These antibiotic-resistant bacteria can quickly spread to family members, school mates and co-workers — threatening the community with a new strain of infectious disease that is more difficult to cure and more expensive to treat.
According to the CDC, antibiotic resistance is one of the world’s most pressing public health problems. Americans of all ages can lower this risk by talking to their doctors and using antibiotics appropriately during this cold and flu season.

What to do for colds and flu!

Children and adults with viral infections recover when the illness has run its course. Colds caused by viruses may last for two weeks or longer.

Measures that can help a person with a cold or flu feel better:
· Increase fluid intake
· Use a cool mist vaporizer or saline nasal spray to relieve congestion
· Soothe throat with ice chips, sore throat spray or lozenges (for older children and adults)

Viral infections may sometimes lead to bacterial infections. Patients should keep their doctor informed if their illness gets worse or lasts a long time.

Smoking May Increase Risk of Breast Cancer

2009-10-13T09:35:00.000-07:00

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic have reported that women who have smoked 100 or more cigarettes in their life have a significantly increased risk of developing breast cancer. The details of this study were published in the September-October 2009 issue of The Breast Journal.[1]

Although both active and passive smoking are known to increase the risk of lung cancer, findings for breast cancer have been mixed. A recent review of published studies suggests that both active and passive smoking may increase the risk of breast cancer—particularly premenopausal breast cancer. The following observations were made from this review of 19 studies:

Passive smoking increased the risk of breast cancer by 27%.
Among premenopausal women, passive smoking increased risk of breast cancer by 68%.
Active smoking increased the risk of breast cancer by 46%.

The Mayo Clinic’s study was a case control study that involved 1,225 women who developed breast cancer and 6,872 who did not in the first year after an initial visit to the Mayo Clinic Breast Clinic between 1993 and 2003. The women completed surveys regarding personal lifestyle habits and were considered smokers if they had smoked 100 or more cigarettes in their lifetime.

The results indicated that women who were former or current smokers had a 25% increased risk of developing breast cancer (P=0.004). They also found that hysterectomy was associated with a 43% reduction in risk of breast cancer. Oral contraceptives and exogenous hormones increased the risk of breast cancer by twofold.

Comments: This study confirms previous studies suggesting that smoking can play a major role in breast cancer etiology.

Reference:

[1] Croghan IT, Pruthi S, Hays JT, et al. The role of smoking in breast cancer development: An analysis of a Mayo Clinic cohort. The Breast Journal. 2009; 15: 489-495.

Could My Child Have Sleep Apnea?

2009-09-29T11:49:00.000-07:00

"Caleb was two when we first noticed his loud snoring," said Scott, Caleb's father. "We were alarmed but didn't really start to worry until we began hearing him gasp for air between the snores. That made my wife and me very uneasy.

Nine year old Matthew was significantly overweight. "We tried to exercise with him every day, but just walking to the park made him so tired that he could hardly stand let alone play once he got there," said Claire, Matthew's mother. "He struggled just putting on his shoes on in the morning." Matthew told his doctor that he felt like he could never get enough sleep. "He snores louder than my grandfather," Claire added.

Both Caleb and Matthew were given sleep studies, and they were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A surgeon removed Caleb's tonsils, and Matthew was given a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device with a child-sized mask. After his surgery, Caleb stopped snoring. Now the only noise from his room is the occasional laughter in his sleep. These days, Matthew leaps out of bed in the morning and has lost 25 pounds. "He's the child I always knew he could be," said Claire.

If your child is exhibiting symptoms of sleep apnea, talk to your pediatrician. Undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea may contribute to daytime fatigue and behavioral problems at school. According to a recent study in CHEST, the official journal of the American College of Chest Physicians, children who snored loudly were twice as likely to have learning problems. Following a night of poor sleep, children are more likely to be hyperactive and have difficulty paying attention. These are also signs of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Apnea may also be associated with delayed growth and cardiovascular problems.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms in Children
During the night, a child with sleep apnea may:
Snore loudly and on a regular basis
Have pauses, gasps, and snorts and actually stop breathing. The snorts or gasps may waken them and disrupt their sleep.
Be restless or sleep in abnormal positions with their head in unusual positions
Sweat heavily during sleep
During the day, a child with sleep apnea may:
Have behavioral, school and social problems
Be difficult to wake up
Have headaches during the day, but especially in the morning
Be irritable, agitated, aggressive, and cranky
Be so sleepy during the day that they actually fall asleep or daydream
Speak with a nasal voice and breathe regularly through the mouth

For more information on sleep health, visit http://www.sleepfoundation.org/

Candy and Fruit Flavored Cigarettes Now Illegal in United States

2009-09-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a ban on cigarettes with flavors characterizing fruit, candy, or clove. The ban, authorized by the new Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, is part of a national effort by the FDA to reduce smoking in America. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in America.
The FDA's ban on candy and fruit-flavored cigarettes, effective 22 Sep 09, highlights the importance of reducing the number of children who start to smoke, and who become addicted to dangerous tobacco products. The FDA is also examining options for regulating both menthol cigarettes and flavored tobacco products other than cigarettes.
"Almost 90 percent of adult smokers start smoking as teenagers. These flavored cigarettes are a gateway for many children and young adults to become regular smokers," said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. "The FDA will utilize regulatory authority to reduce the burden of illness and death caused by tobacco products to enhance our Nation's public health."
For more information on how to become tobacco free, talk to your primary care provider, call Health Promotion & Wellness at 760-830-2814 or email NHTP-tobaccofree@med.navy.mil. In addition, Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms, Adult Medical Care Clinic and Clinics China Lake & Bridgeport will be tobacco free campuses as of January 1st. This will include all patient parking lots, sidewalks and buildings.

Stress Has Its Warning Signs

2009-09-17T10:57:00.000-07:00

Everyone has a certain amount of stress. But too much of it may make us feel quite fearful or worried, not to mention the physical effects it can cause, such as a rise in blood pressure, increase in colds and flu, increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, etc. When we are stressed, we hurt ourselves physically by damaging out immune system, raising our blood pressure and blood sugar and a myriad of other physical symptoms that signal damage to our bodies.
Here is a list of warning signs that you may be stressed out:
· Insomnia.
· Diarrhea, constipation, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome or stomach cramps.
· Feeling tense, irritable, anxious, sad, angry or depressed.
· Difficulty paying attention or feeling like you don't have any energy.
· Significant changes in eating habits or body weight.
· Skin reactions, including hives.
· Increased symptoms associated with diabetes, asthma or arthritis.
· A rise in blood pressure.
· Decreased sexual desire.
· Pain in the back or neck.
If you feel that you need help with stress management, you do have resources available to you. You can contact Deployment Health if you have been deployed or Mental Health for Active Duty who have not been deployed. Health Promotion & Wellness as well as MCCS Family Advocacy Program also offers stress management services.
For more information, call:
Deployment Health (for those who have been deployed) 830-2785
Mental Health (for active duty only) 830-2724
Health Promotion & Wellness 830-2814
Family Advocacy Program 830-6345

Seasonal Flu Vaccines Available at Naval Hospital

2009-09-14T11:17:00.000-07:00

The Naval Hospital has started vaccinating patients with normal appointments in Family Practice and Pediatrics. Accompanying eligible family members may also receive their flu shot at the same time.

Patients from 6-months to 2-years old will be seen in the immunizations clinic on a walk in basis.

For everyone else the Seasonal Flu Shot clinic will begin vaccinations for walk-in patients in front of the hospital galley located on the lower level from Sept. 28 through Oct. 2, from 9 to 11:45 a.m. and from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday Through Friday. After this date flu vaccinations will be offered in the Immunization Clinic on a walk-in basis.

Online Resource for Dealing with Emotional Health Issues Related to Financial Stress

2009-09-10T14:13:00.000-07:00

A first-of-its-kind, online guide now provides crucial information and resource referrals for people dealing with emotional or other health problems associated with economic hard times. The “Getting Through Tough Economic Times” guide http://www.samhsa.gov/economy/ provides practical advice on identifying health concerns, developing coping skills and finding help.

Developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in collaboration with other government agencies and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, which is administered by SAMHSA’s grantee the Education Development Center, Inc., the guide outlines the risks that unemployment and other forms of economic distress (foreclosure, severe financial losses, etc.) can pose to health.

Based on a review of the scientific literature published in the last 20 years, the guide notes that although these economic problems may affect individuals differently, for many people economic hardship contributes to increased risk for a variety of conditions including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Compulsive Behaviors (over-eating, excessive gambling, spending, etc.) • Substance abuse

On a positive note, the guide also provides individuals and communities with practical steps that can be used to get through these tough periods and achieve restored health and productivity. In particular the guide provides:

• Important information on identifying the warning signs of depression, suicidal thinking and other serious mental illnesses.

• Effective steps to help manage emotional distress, such as through exercise, strengthening connections with family and friends, and developing new job skills.

• Resources for getting help – such as the National Mental Health Information Center http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/ for information on where to access help on a wide range of mental illnesses, and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for those in crisis. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is operated by SAMHSA’s grantee Link2HealthSolutions, Inc, under a cooperative agreement.

“The guide is a quick and easy tool that people can use to better manage their emotional wellbeing,” said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H. “By helping people remain resilient, we can help promote the overall recovery of our nation.”

The Department of Health and Human Services (SAMHSA is an agency with the Department of Health and Human Services), the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Labor, the Department of the Treasury and the U.S. General Services Administration all collaborated in this effort.

For further information on mental health or substance abuse issues please visit SAMHSA’s website at http://www.samhsa.gov

Sickle Cell Awareness Month -- September 2009

2009-09-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

From the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 persons in the United States. It affects persons from many different racial and ethnic populations. In the United States, one in 500 African Americans is born with the disease. Other populations affected include Hispanics, persons of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern descent, and Asian Americans. In addition, approximately 2 million persons in the United States have sickle cell trait. Sickle cell disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. A person with one copy of the mutated gene for hemoglobin is commonly referred to as having sickle cell trait. The trait typically is asymptomatic, and persons with the trait commonly are unaware of their carrier status. However, these persons might pass the gene on to their children. Currently, no data system exists that can be used to determine the actual prevalence of sickle cell disease in the United States. CDC, in partnership with the National Institutes of Health, is working to develop a pilot surveillance system that will help determine more about how many persons have the disease and how it affects them.
For additional information about sickle cell disease go to http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

2009-08-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

Martha Hunt, MA Health Promotions Coordinator
Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital

While it is still officially Summer, the winter months are really not that far off. Soon we will all be winterizing our swamp coolers and getting our furnaces checked for the season. Now is the time to start thinking about carbon monoxide poisoning and taking steps to prevent it. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, deadly gas produced by burning any fuel and is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the US. In CO poisoning, we breathe in carbon monoxide gas and it replaces the oxygen in our blood. When this happens, our organs and tissues do not get enough oxygen and we can become sick or die.

Early signs of CO poisoning consist of flu like symptoms. These symptoms may include fatigue, dizziness, headache, vomiting, trouble breathing, confusion and fainting. Carbon monoxide poisoning may lead to unconsciousness and death. Breathing CO can be especially dangerous for pregnant women, unborn babies, infants and people with anemia (low red blood cell count) or a history of heart disease. The most common sources of carbon monoxide include oil, wood or gas furnaces, kerosene space heaters, gas or oil water heaters, gas stoves, gas dryers, fireplaces and wood stoves, charcoal grills, automobiles, lawn mowers and other gas powered lawn equipment.

To help protect you and your family from CO, follow these safety tips:
Have the gas-burning appliances and venting and chimney systems in your home inspected at the beginning of each heating season by a professional technician
Follow directions for proper installation and maintenance of gas-burning appliances
Check pilot light(s) on gas-burning appliances for a clear blue flame
Make sure appliances and chimneys have proper airflow
Do not use the oven or gas range for heating your home
Do not let the fireplace or space heater run while you are sleeping
Never use charcoal grills in your home - only use them in a well-ventilated area
Never let your car run in the garage, even if the garage door is open
Do not sleep in a parked car while the engine is on
Have your car's exhaust system inspected for possible leaks
Never let anyone travel or sleep as passengers in a covered bed of a pickup truck

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends placing CO detectors near the ceiling of your home. In addition, the CPSC recommends placing a detector on each floor of your home, in sleeping areas, and near any major gas-burning appliance. Detectors should not be placed within five feet of any gas burning appliances or near cooking or bathing areas. Always follow the manufacturer's directions for proper placement within a given area. Remember that CO detectors are for added safety, not as a replacement for proper use and maintenance of your appliances.

Know What to Do in A Poison Emergency

Keep the telephone number of the California Poison Center on or near your telephones
If you think a carbon monoxide poisoning has occurred, move the victim to fresh air right away and call 911!

Avoid the possible CO source until a professional service technician investigates the problem

Slide Into Debt Could Bring Wider Waistline

2009-08-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

Obesity rates may increase along with rising financial debt, German researchers suggest. In their study, Eva Munster and her colleagues at the University of Mainz tracked the weight of more than 9,000 people. They found that while 11 percent of those who were not in debt were classified as obese, a full quarter of those who were in debt met the medical criteria for obesity.

Writing in the early online edition of BMC Public Health, the researchers say they took into account the income of the participants, and the link between debt and obesity "was not explained by components of traditional socioeconomic status definitions such as education and income."

"The recent credit crunch will have health implications for private households. While income, education and occupational status are frequently used in definitions of socioeconomic status, levels of debt are not usually considered," Munster added in a journal news release. "We've shown that debt can be associated with the probability of being overweight or obese, independent of these factors."

Her team speculates that certain lifestyle changes linked to debt, such as restricted daily activities, "comfort eating" and poorer available food choices may all contribute to packing on pounds during financial hard times. For example, "a person's ability to pick and choose the food they eat often depends on the financial resources they have available," Munster said. "Energy-dense foods such as sweets or fatty snacks are often less expensive compared to food with lower energy density such as fruit or vegetables."

More information:
Find out how to fight obesity at the http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/.

Some Hand Sanitizers Recalled by FDA

2009-08-03T13:51:00.000-07:00

The Food and Drug Administration issued a recall for the following hand sanitizers made by Clarcon Biological Chemistry Laboratory:

. Citrushield Lotion

. Dermasentials DermaBarrier

. Dermassentials by Clarcon Antimicrobial Hand Sanitizer

. Iron Fist Barrier Hand Treatment

. Skin Shield Restaurant

. Skin Shield Industrial

. Skin Shield Beauty Salon Lotion

. Total Skin Care Beauty

. Total Skin Care Work

These products have been removed from store shelves and consumers are advised to discontinue use and throw any of the above hand sanitizers into the trash.

Please note that "Purell" (used at the Naval Hospital) is not made by this company and continues to be safe for use.

Pilot Phase of New Hospital Appointment Line Nears End

2009-07-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

The long promised new appointment telephone system at the hospital will not be in the pilot phase for much longer. The hospital is finalizing a few technical discrepancies before announcing that it’s fully operational.

Staff have reengineered several points of entry that will promote the best access for you. Please note: the Walk-In Appointment Desk on the 1st Floor near the TRICARE Service Center is now available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walk-in requests will be handled at the appropriate Primary Care clinics from 7:30 to 10 a.m. and from 3 to 3:45 p.m.

The Nurse Run Clinic line and the Appointment Cancellation line are now being monitored and handled through Appointment Line 830-2752. Please do not leave messages at X2812 or X2655 as they are no longer being monitored through this venue. Also, when using the new phone system please ensure that you leave messages in the appropriate voice mailboxes. For example, do not leave a message to book an appointment or receive lab results on the Appointment Cancellation Line. These mailboxes are monitored by the right qualified staff member to handle your specific requests.

The Customer Relations Officer is also available during normal working hours from 830-2475. The Customer Relations Officer, whose office is located opposite the Quarterdeck on the 1st Floor, is available to listen and address your concerns regarding any issue you may have.

TRICARE on Line www.tricareonline.com is another appointment option. Mr. Bob Knight, Template Manager, can be reached at 830-2590 for registration difficulties. You also have the option of contacting the Clinic Business Manager, Commander Sharon Kingsberry at 830-2942 if you have not received a return call.

New Hospital Appointment Phone Line in Testing Phase

2009-07-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

Great news, the long promised new appointment telephone system at the
hospital has now been installed and is currently in the pilot phase. During
this testing phase, if you are still having difficulty reaching an
appointment clerk at 830-2752, you can still contact the Quarterdeck at 830-2190.
Besides receiving external calls, the Quarterdeck responds to many internal
hospital issues and on an occasion you may have to wait a few minutes to
reach the receptionist. The Walk-In Appointment Desk on the 1st Floor near
the TRICARE Service Center is still available from 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.,
Monday through Friday. The appointment clerks are available to directly
handle your appointment requests for any clinic. The Customer Relations
Officer is also available during normal working hours from 830-2475. The
Customer Relations Officer, whose office is located opposite the Quarterdeck
on the 1st Floor, is available to listen and address your concerns regarding
any issue you may have. Tricare on Line www.tricareonline.com is another
appointment option. Mr. Bob Knight, Template Manager, can be reached at
830-2590 for registration difficulties. You also have the option of
contacting the Outpatient Business Manager, Commander Sharon Kingsberry at
830-2942, if you have not received a call back from someone in Primary Care.
As always, if you are not satisfied with the response time and your concern
is prompting you to get medical care, the Emergency Medicine Department is
always open.

Tips for Older Adults to Combat Heat-Related Illnesses

2009-07-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

Risk of Heat-Related Problems Increases with Age

As we age, our ability to adequately respond to summer heat can become a serious problem. The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, has some advice for helping older people avoid heat-related illnesses, known collectively as hyperthermia, during the summer months.

Hyperthermia can include heat stroke, heat fatigue, heat syncope (sudden dizziness after exercising in the heat), heat cramps and heat exhaustion. The risk for hyperthermia is a combination of the outside temperature along with the general health and lifestyle of the individual. Health-related factors that may increase risk include:

* Age-related changes to the skin such as poor blood circulation and inefficient sweat glands
* Heart, lung and kidney diseases, as well as any illness that causes general weakness or fever
* High blood pressure or other conditions that require changes in diet. For example, people on salt-restricted diets may increase their risk. However, salt pills should not be used without first consulting a doctor.
* The inability to perspire,caused by medications such as diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers and certain heart and blood pressure drugs
* Taking several drugs for various conditions. It is important, however, to continue to take prescribed medication and discuss possible problems with a physician.
* Being substantially overweight or underweight
* Drinking alcoholic beverages
* Being dehydrated

Lifestyle factors can also increase risk, including extremely hot living quarters, lack of transportation, overdressing, visiting overcrowded places and not understanding how to respond to weather conditions. Older people, particularly those at special risk, should stay indoors on particularly hot and humid days, especially when there is an air pollution alert in effect. People without fans or air conditioners should go to places such as shopping malls, movie theaters, libraries or cooling centers which are often provided by government agencies, religious groups, and social service organizations in many communities.

Heat stroke is an advanced form of hyperthermia that occurs when the body is overwhelmed by heat and unable to control its temperature. Someone with a body temperature above 104 degrees is likely suffering from heat stroke and may have symptoms of confusion, combativeness, strong rapid pulse, lack of sweating, dry flushed skin, faintness, staggering, possible delirium or coma. Seek immediate medical attention for a person with any of these symptoms, especially an older adult.

If you suspect that someone is suffering from a heat-related illness:

* Get the person out of the sun and into an air-conditioned or other cool place.
* Offer fluids such as water, fruit and vegetable juices, but avoid alcohol and caffeine.
* Encourage the individual to shower, bathe or sponge off with cool water.
* Apply a cold, wet cloth to the wrists, neck, armpits, and/or groin, places where blood passes close to the surface and the cold cloths can help cool the blood.
* Urge the person to lie down and rest, preferably in a cool place.

Consumer Health Care Council Meeting Set for July 28

2009-07-21T12:25:00.000-07:00

The Consumer Health Care Council will meet July 28 at 2 p.m. in Classroom 4 at the Naval Hospital.

This quarterly meeting is held to provide health care consumers with an effective means of presenting their views concerning the operation of the health care delivery system. The input gathered from this meeting is very important to the hospital as some decisions for patient services are based on that input.

The meeting is also held to provide the hospital leadership with an opportunity to communicate face to face with the hospital’s customers.

Everyone is invited… active duty, family members and military retirees… you opinion is important.

Weight Loss Basics

2009-07-17T07:06:00.000-07:00

Your weight is a balancing act and calories are part of that equation. Fad
diets may promise you that counting carbs or eating a mountain of grapefruit
will make the pounds drop off. But when it comes to weight loss, it's
calories that count. Weight loss comes down to reducing extra calories from
food and beverages and increasing calories burned through physical activity.

Once you understand that equation, you're ready to set your weight-loss
goals and make a plan for reaching them. Remember, you don't have to do it
alone. Talk to your doctor, family and friends for support. Also, plan
smart: Anticipate how you'll handle situations that challenge your resolve
and the inevitable minor setbacks.

If you have serious health problems because of your weight, your doctor may
suggest weight-loss surgery or medications for you. In this case, you and
your doctor will need to thoroughly discuss the potential benefits and the
possible risks.

But don't forget the bottom line: The key to successful weight loss is a
commitment to making permanent changes in your diet and exercise habits.

10 Tips for Social Networking Safety

2009-07-16T09:32:00.000-07:00

Social networking Web sites like MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and Windows Live Spaces are services people can use to connect with others to share information like photos, videos, and personal messages.

As the popularity of these social sites grows, so do the risks of using them. Hackers, spammers, virus writers, identity thieves, and other criminals follow the traffic.
Read these tips to help protect yourself when you use social networks.

1. Use caution when you click links that you receive in messages from your friends on your social Web site. Treat links in messages on these sites as you would links in e-mail messages.

2. Don't trust that a message is really from who it says it's from. Hackers can break into accounts and send messages that look like they're from your friends, but aren't. If you suspect that a message is fraudulent, use an alternate method to contact your friend to find out. This includes invitations to join new social networks.

3. To avoid giving away e-mail addresses of your friends, do not allow social networking services to scan your e-mail address book. When you join a new social network, you might receive an offer to enter your e-mail address and password to find out who else is on the network. The site might use this information to send e-mail messages to everyone in your contact list or even everyone you've ever sent an e-mail message to with that e-mail address. Social networking sites should explain that they're going to do this, but some do not.

4. Type the address of your social networking site directly into your browser or use your personal bookmarks. If you click a link to your site through e-mail or another Web site, you might be entering your account name and password into a fake site where your personal information could be stolen.

5. Be selective about who you accept as a friend on a social network. Identity thieves might create fake profiles in order to get information from you. This is known as social engineering.

6. Choose your social network carefully. Evaluate the site that you plan to use and make sure you understand the privacy policy. Find out if the site monitors content that people post. You will be providing personal information to this Web site, so use the same criteria that you would to select a site where you enter your credit card.

7. Assume what you write on a social networking site is permanent. Even if you can delete your account, anyone on the Internet can easily print the information or save it to a computer.

8. Be careful about installing extras on your site. Many social networking sites allow you to download third-party applications that let you do more with your personal page. Criminals sometimes use these applications in order to steal your personal information. To download and use third-party applications safely, take the same safety precautions that you take with any other program or file you download from the Web.

9. Think twice before you use social networking sites at work. Most work sites ban the use of personal pages and employers do search the web for things you may have posted.

10. Talk to your kids about social networking. Only allow your children to have friends online who really are friends in real life. You would not let your child talk to a stranger on the street, so why would you let them talk to a stranger online?

H1N1 Flu Update

2009-07-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

Cases of the H1N1 (Swine) flu are still showing up in Southern California and
nationwide.

We're following CDC guidelines for prevention, detection and treatment of the
H1N1 virus and at this time, CDC recommends the primary means to reduce spread
of influenza in work spaces, schools and child care programs is early
identification of ill students and staff, staying home when ill, and good
cough and hand hygiene etiquette.

If you believe you or your child are ill or please consult your medical care
professionals. More information is available at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu the Naval
Hospital Twentynine Palms H1N1 Flu hotline at 760.830.2153

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you
cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
. Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or
until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to
keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.

Our priority is and will remain the health and safety of our Marines, Sailors,
civilian employees and their families.

Continuing to Help Prevent the FLU!

2009-06-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

Even though the H1N1 Flu has pretty much declined here, there still remains a risk of catching the flu if you don’t take proper precautions.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze (proper cough etiquette).
• If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
• Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
• Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing.
• Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. If you develop a high fever and other moderate respiratory symptoms (cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing, significant muscle aches) please come into your clinic. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
Keeping healthy is no accident. Do your part to keep yourself and your family, friends, and coworkers from getting sick!

Dealing with Extreme Summer Heat

2009-06-26T08:01:00.000-07:00

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) offers these tips for dealing with the extreme summer heat we have here in Morongo Basin. A few minutes reading this article can save your life or the lives of those around you!

What happens to the body as a result of exposure to extreme heat?
People suffer heat-related illness when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. The body normally cools itself by sweating. But under some conditions, sweating just isn’t enough. In such cases, a person’s body temperature rises rapidly. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs. Several factors affect the body’s ability to cool itself during extremely hot weather. When the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat quickly. Other conditions that can limit the ability to regulate temperature include old age, youth (age 0-4), obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug use and alcohol use.

Who is at greatest risk for heat-related illness?
Those at greatest risk for heat-related illness include infants and children up to four years of age, people 65 years of age and older, people who are overweight, and people who are ill or on certain medications.

What is heat stroke?
Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.

What are the warning signs of a heat stroke?
Warning signs of heat stroke vary but may include the following:

• An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
• Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Throbbing headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness

What should I do if I see someone with any of the warning signs of heat stroke?
If you see any of these signs, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the victim. Do the following:
• Get the victim to a shady area.
• Cool the victim rapidly, using whatever methods you can. For example, immerse the victim in a tub of cool water; place the person in a cool shower; spray the victim with cool water from a garden hose; sponge the person with cool water; or if the humidity is low, wrap the victim in a cool, wet sheet and fan him or her vigorously.
• Monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101-102°F.
• If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call the hospital emergency room for further instructions.
• Do not give the victim alcohol to drink.
• Get medical assistance as soon as possible.

Don’t be afraid to dial 911 if you think the person needs immediate medical care! Minutes count and hesitating to call for help can endanger a person’s life. Stay cool and stay safe!

Hospital Laboratory Awarded AABB Accreditation

2009-06-24T11:11:00.000-07:00

The Laboratory Department of the Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital was recently awarded accreditation by the AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks).

The accreditation process includes an intensive on-site assessment by specialists from the AABB to ensure the Lab meets or exceeds the technical and administrative performance requirements to be accredited.

“The hospital staff welcomes external inspections to continue our high standard of excellent patient care,” said Lieutenant Adrian Gaskin, the hospital’s Laboratory Officer.

The AABB’s Accreditation Program contributes to the quality and safety of collecting, processing, testing, distributing and administering blood products. The Accreditation Program assesses the quality and operational systems in place within a facility. The basis for assessment is to be in compliance with AABB standards, Code of Federal Regulations, and other regulatory standards.

“ Our Laboratory Department and staff have established a level of technical and administrative performance meeting and exceeding the standards set forth by AABB. By successfully meeting these requirements, the Laboratory staff joins similar civilian and military facilities located throughout the United States and around the world that have also earned an AABB Accreditation,” said Gaskin.

Dealing with Stress

2009-06-22T11:15:00.000-07:00

Stressful events can profoundly influence drug, alcohol, and tobacco use initiation, continuation, as well as relapse.
Stress - What is it?
Stress is a normal reaction to life for people of all ages. It is caused by our body's instinct to protect itself from emotional or physical pressure or, in extreme situations, from danger.
What is stressful for one person may or may not be stressful for another. Each of us responds to stress in a different way. How a person copes with stress – by reaching for a beer or cigarette or by heading to the gym – also plays an important role in the impact that stress will have on our bodies.
By using family and friends, some people are able to cope effectively with the emotional and physical demands brought on by stressful and traumatic experiences. However, people who experience long periods of stress that disrupt their daily lives may need help by a trained and experienced mental health professional.
The Body's Response to Stress
The stress response involves the central nervous system, the adrenal system, the immune system, and the cardiovascular system.
Stress releases a brain chemical norepinephrine, which is involved with memory. This may be why people remember stressful events more clearly than they do non-stressful situations.
Stress and Drug Abuse
Stressful events may influence the use of alcohol or other drugs. Stress is a major contributor to the use of alcohol or other drugs, as well as to relapse or a return to drug use after periods of abstinence.
Stress is one of the major factors known to cause relapse to smoking, even after prolonged periods of abstinence.
Children exposed to severe stress may be more vulnerable to drug use. There is a strong link between psychosocial stressors early in life (such as parental loss or child abuse) and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, impulsive behavior, and substance abuse in adulthood.
Stress, Drugs, and Vulnerable Populations
Stressful experiences increase the vulnerability of an individual to relapse to drugs even after prolonged abstinence.
Individuals who are drug free must stay drug free by avoiding environmental triggers, recognizing their psychosocial and emotional triggers, and developing healthy behaviors to handle life's stresses.
PTSD and Substance Abuse
There is a very strong link between PTSD and substance abuse. In most cases, substance use begins after the exposure to trauma.
Getting help early for children and adolescents who have suffered trauma from violence or disaster is very important. Children, who are exposed to a traumatic event and develop PTSD, have a greater risk of developing later drug and/or alcohol use.
Thirty to 60 percent of people with substance use disorders, also have PTSD.
If you think you may have a substance abuse problem or that you need to learn better ways to cope with the stress in your life, here are some places to get help:
MENTAL HEALTH SELF-REFERRAL – for urgent mental health self-referral, TRICARE members may call 1(800) 242-6788.

PREVENTION EDUCATION SERVICES - Classes in Prevention Education include Suicide Prevention, Stress Management, Substance Abuse Prevention, Anger Management, Communication Skills, Sexual Assault Prevention, Child Abuse Prevention, Domestic Violence, Positive Parental Discipline and Pre-Deployment & Reunion Briefs. For information call 830-4950.

STRESS MANAGEMENT - The Health Promotions Program offers counseling for stress reduction and coping skills development by appointment only. To register call 830-2814.