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It's fall and that means that these concerns likely are top of mind:
Seasonal* flu shots are available at all Cigna Medical Group and Cigna Medical Group CareToday locations. With the arrival of the flu season, Cigna Medical Group is encouraging Valley residents to take precautions against developing influenza, more commonly known as the seasonal flu. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on average, 200,000 Americans are hospitalized and 36,000 Americans die from the seasonal flu each year. While there is no guaranteed method to prevent seasonal flu, getting an annual seasonal flu shot and taking some simple precautions can reduce the risks.
Check back often for new updates about the 2009 flu season.
*Seasonal flu shots do not contain protection against the H1N1 virus. Protection against H1N1 will require an additional vaccine. Click here to learn more about H1N1.
For a quick review of the seasonal Flu versus H1N1, click here
Tips to avoid the flu:
- Wash hands often with soap and hot water to prevent spreading germs;
- Get plenty of sleep - between seven and eight hours a night;
- Stay well hydrated - drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day;
- Eat a balanced diet including fruits and vegetables;
- Avoid smoking as smoke can prevent airways from clearing bacteria and viruses from the lungs and body;
- Incorporate exercise in to your daily routine, whenever and wherever possible; and
- Get a flu shot.
Spring is in the air, along with mold, pollen, ragweed and many other substances that can cause allergic reactions. This can mean only one thing - bad news for your nose.
Nearly 55 percent of Americans have allergies or asthma, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
"In addition to spring pollen, Arizona begins to experience seasonal ozone pollution each April through October, which can aggravate air passage ways and cause stuffiness that feels a lot like allergies," says Dr. Neal Rinne, a pulmonologist at Cigna Medical Group in Phoenix.
If you suffer from allergies, you don't have to just sneeze and bear it. Early detection and treatment can increase your chances of keeping a healthy, active lifestyle, he says.
Some common symptoms of allergies are itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy throat and a constant runny nose.
According to Dr. Rinne, there are steps you can take on your own to minimize your exposure to irritants…
1. Avoid the exposures and windy weather. If you are bothered when outdoors, stay inside (particularly around sunrise and sunset).
2. Close your windows and change the filter of your air conditioner every month.
3. Do not help with or supervise yard work. If you must do your own landscaping, wear a mask and wrap-around glasses. Also, remember to shower and change your clothes immediately.
4. Watch the news for pollen counts. These can be helpful to avoid peak pollen times when planning outdoor activities.
5. Watch the news for updates about air quality during the local weather forecast. Don't exert yourself outside when a "high pollution advisory" is called and limit the amount of time you spend outside on those days.
6. Regularly wash damp areas of your home, such as shower stalls and basements.
7. Remove dust collectors such as rugs, drapes, stuffed furniture and stored blankets.
8. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about medications and treatments that may alleviate the symptoms of your allergies. Both nonprescription and prescription medicines have been found to be effective.
If you are still sniffling and sneezing, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about taking control of your allergies.
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According to new statistics released by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 23.6 million children and adults in the United States - nearly 8 percent of the population - have diabetes. This is an increase of more than three million people with diabetes in two years. Here in Arizona more than 450,000 people are impacted by diabetes.
In addition to lifestyle factors such as being overweight and not exercising, Jean Merkel, M.S., R.D., C.D.E., registered dietitian and manager of the Diabetes Education Program and Nutrition Services for Cigna Medical Group, says heredity may play a role in developing pre-diabetes and diabetes. Furthermore, the usual warning signs associated with diabetes may not be present during the early stages of the disease, often making it harder to detect. Consumers should look out for the following symptoms, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA):
- Intense, unusual thirst
- Frequent urination
- Irritability
- Exhaustion
- Blurry vision
- Excessive hunger or cravings
CIGNA HealthCare is dedicated to educating patients about diabetes. The national CIGNA Well Aware for Better Health® diabetes program was developed using nationally recognized resources, such as the ADA. In addition, Cigna Medical Group (CMG), the medical group practice division of CIGNA HealthCare of Arizona, has had a continuous relationship with the ADA since 1989. CMG's award-winning Diabetes Self-Management Training program was the first in the state to be awarded ADA recognition.
"Cigna Medical Group offers a diabetes education program where patients learn self-management skills, such as monitoring blood sugars, healthy eating, proper use of diabetic medication, exercise, behavior change strategies and problem solving skills for managing their blood sugars in unusual circumstances such as when they are ill or under increased stress," said Merkel. "To successfully manage diabetes it takes a team effort consisting of the person with diabetes, his or her family, and dedicated health professionals."
Back pain — it's just for grown-ups, right? Think again. As you and your kids head out the door this fall, have you tried to pick up your child's backpack?
"Carrying more than 10 to 15 percent of one's body weight on a regular basis can be damaging to a growing body," said Deanna Haller, D.O., a physician with Cigna Medical Group. "The average fifth grader (age 11) weighs about 80 pounds so that means a bag weighing between just eight and 12 pounds could be causing them health problems."
According to Haller, heavy backpacks causing significant back pain in kids is a somewhat controversial topic because conflicting reports exist. Heavy backpacks can be linked to non-specific back pain, meaning that an underlying cause of the physical pain is not found. Non-specific back pain accounts for 78% of all back pain in children.
"The symptoms of non-specific back pain are typically localized muscular pain on either side of the spine that responds to over-the-counter therapies like ibuprofen and is of short duration," said Haller.
Warning signs or symptoms of a more serious cause of back pain in children would be:
- Constant pain
- Night pain
- Pain radiating from the back
- Neurological symptoms such as weakness or numbness
Fear your child's bag may be too heavy? Haller recommends simply pulling out the scale and weighing it against your child's actual body weight. If it tips the scale, speak with your child's teachers and try to work out a solution. In addition to monitoring the weight of your child's backpack, Haller also advises parents to be sure that they wear it properly by using both shoulder straps as well as the waist strap.
"Some schools are now being proactive about this growing problem as well by making two sets of books available for kids — one for home and one for the classroom," said Haller. "If your child's school doesn't offer this option, consider sharing books with a classmate who lives nearby."
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