Are you prepared for a national disaster? Many people don’t think about it until it is too late. The ability to react during and after these tragedies could be a matter of life or death. Don’t become a statistic.
A disaster such as an earthquake gives a person little to no warning and can demolish a city in seconds. The devastating tornados in the plain states are a constant reminder that you might only have a minutes warning before your life is turned upside down or even taken. Recent forest fires that ravished the West and what is being called the 500 year flood in the Mid-west gave people just hours to evacuate before having to evacuate their homes. June 1st begins hurricane season. For people living in these regions there is an advance warning to evacuate the area because these large hurricanes can bring unimaginable, wide-spread, massive destruction to the infrastructure.
Being in one of these disasters could be life threatening but what about during the extended aftermath? This was evident when hurricane Katrina plowing through New Orleans. Basic needs such as food, water and shelter where were made available over time but one of the biggest challenges was medication. Not because it was not available but because the individuals could not recall the medications they were taking or their specific health history. This can be brought on by stress, a weakening memory or caused because someone receives their personal healthcare from someone else who was not available.
In any type of disaster, beside the toll it takes on the psyche, there is the devastation that it takes on the infrastructure. Some areas will become inaccessible or even leveled beyond any recognition. If this location is the only place that holds your medical records, they could become unavailable or even worse, destroyed. That is why it is so important to have as part of your emergency disaster plan a backup of your personal health records.
It is vital to have your crucial and non-crucial information, available in one place, with you at all times. By having your MedFN® ID card on you, emergency personal or you can simply go to the website www.medfn.com and access your alphanumeric code to retrieve this vital information. If you are serious about your health then take the next step and protect yourself with a Med File Now® (MedFN®) account. Med File Now® is doing its part in bringing security to you and your loved ones during a disaster.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. This year, Med File Now® joins the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports to challenge Americans to better health by getting active and fit during this month. Med File Now® (MedFN®) echoes the words of President George W. Bush, "Better health is an individual responsibility and an important national goal."
According to Melissa Johnson, executive director of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports affirmed "For health benefits, adults need 30 minutes a day of moderate physical activity on 5 or more days a week; youth aged 6 to 17 need 60 minutes. If there were a medication that conferred all of the health benefits of regular moderate physical activity, every doctor would prescribe it. Physical activity is the ultimate magic pill. Small steps add up to big results. Taking stairs instead of the elevator, going for a walk instead of a coffee break, parking the car further away from the office or shopping mall, sweeping the floor instead of vacuuming: all of these activities add up to better health."
Twenty minutes of vigorous physical activity, three times a week, such as sports, aerobics, working out in the gym, and running, has added health benefits. Johnson says, “But it’s important to understand that you don’t need to sweat in a gym or run a marathon to reap the health benefits of daily physical activity. Even 30 minutes a day, broken up into shorter increments of ten or fifteen minutes, can greatly improve your health.”
If you are one of those who have already made the decision to increase your health with sports, aerobics, working out in the gym, biking and running have you made the decision to protect yourself too? Most individuals that participate in these actives do not like to carry extra items with them such as a wallet that holds a lot of personal information. But if something happened would this crucial information be available, such as identification, insurance cards, emergency contacts or even more life threatening allergies, alerts and medications?
It is vital to have your crucial information, available in one place, with you at all times. By having your MedFN® ID card on you, emergency personal can simply go to the website www.medfn.com and access your alphanumeric code to retrieve this vital information. If you are serious about your health then take the next step and protect yourself with a Med File Now® (MedFN®) account. Med File Now® is doing its part for National Physical Fitness and Sports Month to bring safety to you and your loved ones.
According to Melissa Johnson, executive director of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports affirmed "For health benefits, adults need 30 minutes a day of moderate physical activity on 5 or more days a week; youth aged 6 to 17 need 60 minutes. If there were a medication that conferred all of the health benefits of regular moderate physical activity, every doctor would prescribe it. Physical activity is the ultimate magic pill. Small steps add up to big results. Taking stairs instead of the elevator, going for a walk instead of a coffee break, parking the car further away from the office or shopping mall, sweeping the floor instead of vacuuming: all of these activities add up to better health."
Twenty minutes of vigorous physical activity, three times a week, such as sports, aerobics, working out in the gym, and running, has added health benefits. Johnson says, “But it’s important to understand that you don’t need to sweat in a gym or run a marathon to reap the health benefits of daily physical activity. Even 30 minutes a day, broken up into shorter increments of ten or fifteen minutes, can greatly improve your health.”
If you are one of those who have already made the decision to increase your health with sports, aerobics, working out in the gym, biking and running have you made the decision to protect yourself too? Most individuals that participate in these actives do not like to carry extra items with them such as a wallet that holds a lot of personal information. But if something happened would this crucial information be available, such as identification, insurance cards, emergency contacts or even more life threatening allergies, alerts and medications?
It is vital to have your crucial information, available in one place, with you at all times. By having your MedFN® ID card on you, emergency personal can simply go to the website www.medfn.com and access your alphanumeric code to retrieve this vital information. If you are serious about your health then take the next step and protect yourself with a Med File Now® (MedFN®) account. Med File Now® is doing its part for National Physical Fitness and Sports Month to bring safety to you and your loved ones.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Hands-Only CPR
A major change to CPR for adults, and renewed guidelines were announced by the American Heart Association in April 2008. The new method involves using a “Hands-Only” method for CPR. The adult victim should receive 100 rapid deep presses per minute on the center of their chest. It is still crucial to call 911 first if you are alone or if there is someone else available, for them to call immediately. The CPR should be continuous until help arrives or the victim becomes conscious.
Studies have shown that the new method of CPR, hands-only, works just as well as the standard CPR, which is compressions and mouth-to-mouth together, for sudden cardiac arrest in adults. This is good news, due to the fact, that under the traditional standards bystanders would not get involved in helping a victim. If you are not formally trained with the new CPR, don’t worry, you cannot make the situation worse. If you see an adult fall unconscious and they are not responsive, call 911 and then take action. Remember inaction kills.
This new method of CPR is only if you witness the collapse of an adult. Still use the standard method of CPR when it involves infants, children, adults that had near-drowning, drug overdose, or carbon monoxide poisoning. In these cases using the standard method of CPR introduces the needed air into the victim’s lungs and bloodstream.
Even though this new method of CPR is just now being brought to the forefront, surprisingly it has been used longer than you may think. About one year ago I was shown the 100 compressions per minute CPR by Dr. Robert Tober who is the Medical Director of the Collier County EMS in Southwest Florida. This method of CPR was part of the Collier County’s EMS training since April of 2005. He explained that when a person first collapses there is still oxygen in the lungs and blood throughout the body. The priority is to keep the residual oxygen rich blood flowing to the brain.
Also, in speaking with Dr. Tober I learned that throughout his career he has always been on the leading edge of medicine. He was one of the first pioneers in ideas and methods of rapid responses of personal health records. He said the availability of past information is crucial. The problem is not that the people do not understanding this, but just do not follow through and protect themselves with their medical information.
It is vital to have your crucial medical information available at all times. Are you and your loved ones prepared with their personal health records? It is as simple as having a MedFN® account. Having their www.medfn.com alphanumeric access code on you at all times will give you that security. Med File Now® is doing its part to bring safety to you and your loved ones.
Studies have shown that the new method of CPR, hands-only, works just as well as the standard CPR, which is compressions and mouth-to-mouth together, for sudden cardiac arrest in adults. This is good news, due to the fact, that under the traditional standards bystanders would not get involved in helping a victim. If you are not formally trained with the new CPR, don’t worry, you cannot make the situation worse. If you see an adult fall unconscious and they are not responsive, call 911 and then take action. Remember inaction kills.
This new method of CPR is only if you witness the collapse of an adult. Still use the standard method of CPR when it involves infants, children, adults that had near-drowning, drug overdose, or carbon monoxide poisoning. In these cases using the standard method of CPR introduces the needed air into the victim’s lungs and bloodstream.
Even though this new method of CPR is just now being brought to the forefront, surprisingly it has been used longer than you may think. About one year ago I was shown the 100 compressions per minute CPR by Dr. Robert Tober who is the Medical Director of the Collier County EMS in Southwest Florida. This method of CPR was part of the Collier County’s EMS training since April of 2005. He explained that when a person first collapses there is still oxygen in the lungs and blood throughout the body. The priority is to keep the residual oxygen rich blood flowing to the brain.
Also, in speaking with Dr. Tober I learned that throughout his career he has always been on the leading edge of medicine. He was one of the first pioneers in ideas and methods of rapid responses of personal health records. He said the availability of past information is crucial. The problem is not that the people do not understanding this, but just do not follow through and protect themselves with their medical information.
It is vital to have your crucial medical information available at all times. Are you and your loved ones prepared with their personal health records? It is as simple as having a MedFN® account. Having their www.medfn.com alphanumeric access code on you at all times will give you that security. Med File Now® is doing its part to bring safety to you and your loved ones.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Is it Shyness or Selective Mutism?
A parent might wonder why their child is socially shy, but there could be something more serious that should be looked into. In my search for different and interesting topics to write, I came across selective mutism. In researching selective mutism I discovered that parents who were not aware of this disorder could become completely frustrated toward their child.
Selective mutism is described as a psychological disorder in children. Children with this disorder are fluent and have an understanding of the language but fail to speak in certain social situations. Parents often believe their child is refusing to speak due to shyness, but with selective mutism the child is truly unable to speak. It can appear as there is nothing wrong since the child’s functions are normal in other areas of behavior and learning. During these periods the child becomes severely withdrawn in such things as group activities which are due to their extreme anxiety. These group activities typically occur in school or social settings.
Children acting withdrawn from selective mutism unfortunately sometimes may be confused with an autism spectrum disorder which can lead to incorrect treatment. The main difference between selective mutism and autism is that the child with selective mutism can communicate normally when in a situation where they feel comfortable. These are some of the characteristics of selective mutism:
Selective mutism is described as a psychological disorder in children. Children with this disorder are fluent and have an understanding of the language but fail to speak in certain social situations. Parents often believe their child is refusing to speak due to shyness, but with selective mutism the child is truly unable to speak. It can appear as there is nothing wrong since the child’s functions are normal in other areas of behavior and learning. During these periods the child becomes severely withdrawn in such things as group activities which are due to their extreme anxiety. These group activities typically occur in school or social settings.
Children acting withdrawn from selective mutism unfortunately sometimes may be confused with an autism spectrum disorder which can lead to incorrect treatment. The main difference between selective mutism and autism is that the child with selective mutism can communicate normally when in a situation where they feel comfortable. These are some of the characteristics of selective mutism:
- Will not speak in specific social situations but will at home
- Temper tantrums
- A difficulty in maintaining eye contact
- A reluctance to smile
- Displays blank facial expressions
- Awkward body movements
- Anxious saying hello, goodbye, thank you, etc
- Worry about things more than other people
- Sensitivity to noise
- Sensitivity in crowds or crowded situations
- Difficulty with non-verbal expression
- Fear of using public restrooms
- Compulsive traits
- Clinging behavior
- Extremely shy
- Fearful of people
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Something about the Heart
February is the shortest month of the year, but it is never too short to reflect about one’s heart, spiritually and literally. Studies show that healthy relationships can significantly extend one’s life expectancy, but when was the last time you checked your resting Pulse or Blood Pressure? Even more critical, when was the last time you had a doctor listen to your heart or had an EKG?
Every February since 1963 - 2008 has been declared American Heart Month by the sitting President. Americans need to be aware of our nation’s number one killer which is cardiovascular disease. It is also one of the leaders in disabilities. Estimates show that 1.2 million Americans will have a myocardial infarction this year. This works out to be about one every 26 seconds and on average one person will die every minute.
You need to be aware of the increase risk factors that can lead to heart disease such as; high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, tobacco, physical inactivity and/or unhealthy diet. One can reduce these risks by having a healthy diet and exercise regime. Always seek a doctor’s advice before inducing a new diet and/or exercise program.
February 2008 is also Safety Awareness Month. What should this mean to you? Let’s define each word. Safety: Freedom from harm or danger. Awareness: The state or level of consciousness. The word Safety infers to at that times and the word Awareness infers to being in a state of consciousness. So what would that mean if you were unconscious? You are no longer safe! This could be a reality where no one would ever want to find themselves. To truly be safe you need a voice to be there when you can not speak for yourself. That is why it is crucial to have a MedFN® account and have your www.medfn.com alphanumeric access code on you at all time. Med File Now® is doing its part to bring safety awareness to you this month.
Every February since 1963 - 2008 has been declared American Heart Month by the sitting President. Americans need to be aware of our nation’s number one killer which is cardiovascular disease. It is also one of the leaders in disabilities. Estimates show that 1.2 million Americans will have a myocardial infarction this year. This works out to be about one every 26 seconds and on average one person will die every minute.
You need to be aware of the increase risk factors that can lead to heart disease such as; high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, tobacco, physical inactivity and/or unhealthy diet. One can reduce these risks by having a healthy diet and exercise regime. Always seek a doctor’s advice before inducing a new diet and/or exercise program.
February 2008 is also Safety Awareness Month. What should this mean to you? Let’s define each word. Safety: Freedom from harm or danger. Awareness: The state or level of consciousness. The word Safety infers to at that times and the word Awareness infers to being in a state of consciousness. So what would that mean if you were unconscious? You are no longer safe! This could be a reality where no one would ever want to find themselves. To truly be safe you need a voice to be there when you can not speak for yourself. That is why it is crucial to have a MedFN® account and have your www.medfn.com alphanumeric access code on you at all time. Med File Now® is doing its part to bring safety awareness to you this month.
Monday, January 28, 2008
New Year’s Resolutions
January is here and it is a new year. What does that mean to you? To many, it is the turning of a page to a new chapter in the book of life. As this new chapter prepares to unfold, we all view it a bit differently. Some will wipe the sweat from their brow and be happy to have survived another year. Others may be anxious or some even excited for the mystery of the future. Even though we all have different ideas about the year, most of us will start it off with a New Year’s Resolution.
Most New Year Resolutions are made for self-betterment. The top resolutions according to a pole taken by the US Government are;
Lose Weight
Pay Off Debt
Save Money
Get a Better Job
Get Fit
Eat Right
Get a Better Education
Drink Less Alcohol
Quit Smoking Now
Reduce Stress Overall
As you can see, of the top ten, half of them are related to health. This is good news that people are concerned about their health. The reality of this is that over one third of individuals will break their New Year’s Resolutions by the end of January.
How can you beat the odds? Make your New Year’s Resolutions realistic. Setting your goal so high that it is unattainable is a recipe for disappointment. It is the baby steps of small goals that give you the feeling of success. Writing down your goals and/or even letting others know what your goals are, puts it at a higher level of commitment. Track your progress and always remember to reward yourself along the way as you complete each of your interim achievements. But if you do slip up do not give up. Just remember that no one is perfect even though we would like to think we are. Just simply put it behind you and get your self back on track to achieving that goal. Reaching a goal can be challenging but very rewarding. So when setting new goals it is best to only take on no more than two a time, otherwise it could become overwhelming.
All of us here at Med File Now (MedFN) hope you will accomplish all your goals. If you want to achieve a simple goal this year, challenge yourself to tell one person about our website www.medfn.com and how they can protect them self and their loved ones during a time of emergency. Thank you, good luck and Happy New Year.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Holiday Health
The holiday season is upon us and it is that time of year when many people say eat, drink and be merry. The reality is, if you have a medical condition you may want to be more aware in these three areas.
Eating is something we all do on a daily basis. Sticking to a normal diet may be a little more challenging during holiday gatherings with all the wonderful foods of the season. Parties with endless food choices and the treats given as gifts are all so tempting. One way to cut the calories is to simply re-gift all fruitcakes that are sent to you. I believe this is now an accepted tradition. Besides it is the thought that counts.
Drinking alcohol may have some medicinal advantages. On the other hand, this can be a whole other matter if you have a condition and/or take medication(s) that may react with alcohol. You should not increase your normal intake of alcohol for it may cause harm. Alcohol consumption does increase during this time of the year, so just remember if you are in good health, drink in moderation. Watch out, the eggnog might be spiked.
Being merry can at least minimize your stress. Stress can be brought on in many different ways. Stress can be manifested by oneself or it can be thrust upon them. Either way one must learn to recognize areas that increase their stress levels, so try to manage them. This can help year round, but also can be a big plus for the end of the year push and/or the holiday season. So do your best to keep it a merry one.
During the holiday season, many will travel to visit family, friends or take that needed vacation. What if one of those travelers would be your medical professional? Could you get your medical information as soon as you need it? Members of Med File Now® (MedFN) can. If you know someone who could benefit from a Med File Now® (MedFN) account, tell them to visit our website at www.medfn.com to get them started.
From all of us at Med File Now® (MedFN) we hope you have a happy and healthy holiday season.
Eating is something we all do on a daily basis. Sticking to a normal diet may be a little more challenging during holiday gatherings with all the wonderful foods of the season. Parties with endless food choices and the treats given as gifts are all so tempting. One way to cut the calories is to simply re-gift all fruitcakes that are sent to you. I believe this is now an accepted tradition. Besides it is the thought that counts.
Drinking alcohol may have some medicinal advantages. On the other hand, this can be a whole other matter if you have a condition and/or take medication(s) that may react with alcohol. You should not increase your normal intake of alcohol for it may cause harm. Alcohol consumption does increase during this time of the year, so just remember if you are in good health, drink in moderation. Watch out, the eggnog might be spiked.
Being merry can at least minimize your stress. Stress can be brought on in many different ways. Stress can be manifested by oneself or it can be thrust upon them. Either way one must learn to recognize areas that increase their stress levels, so try to manage them. This can help year round, but also can be a big plus for the end of the year push and/or the holiday season. So do your best to keep it a merry one.
During the holiday season, many will travel to visit family, friends or take that needed vacation. What if one of those travelers would be your medical professional? Could you get your medical information as soon as you need it? Members of Med File Now® (MedFN) can. If you know someone who could benefit from a Med File Now® (MedFN) account, tell them to visit our website at www.medfn.com to get them started.
From all of us at Med File Now® (MedFN) we hope you have a happy and healthy holiday season.
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