Palm Sunday scripture

Jesus rode along the road to Jerusalem. Many people spread their coats on the road for Jesus. Other people cut branches from the trees and spread the branches on the road. Some of the people were walking ahead of Jesus. Other people were walking behind Jesus. The people shouted, "Praise to the Son of David! 'Welcome! God bless the One that comes in the name of the Lord!' Praise to God in heaven!" Then Jesus went into Jerusalem. All the people in the city were confused. They asked, "Who is this man?" The many people following Jesus answered, "This man is Jesus. He is the prophet from the town of Nazareth in Galilee." (Easy-to-read version) Heartlight.org http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/matthew/1002-wjd.html  Matthew 21: 8-11

 

I invite you to listen to "Hosanna" on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoM0AT8fBvs

 

 

 

 

Medical Identity Theft

When I read the UTexas Health Leader newsletter on Medical Identity Theft, my eyes were opened to a serious threat to our health, our wallets and our credit standing.  I encourage you to read this article which includes tips of how to protect your health and your medical identity. 

http://www.uthealthleader.org/index/article.htm?id=2c46e419-b310-4d76-836d-d87975d01f20

Sunshine health benefits

This winter dragged on forever; dreary days, more snow than normal and cold north winds.  People have been looking forward to spring for weeks. 

While it’s still cool in Missouri, we have enjoyed the recent sunny days.  Sunshine.  Even when the temperature is cold, a day with sunshine seems warmer and it energizes us. 

According to a study by researchers at University of Edinburgh, “exposing skin to sunlight may help to reduce blood pressure, cut the risk of heart attack and stroke—and even prolong life.”  This study was small; involved 24 volunteers so more study will probably be done.  But they found that when our skin is exposed to sunlight, a compound called nitric oxide is released when lowers our blood pressure.  Another benefit of sunshine on our skin happens when our bodies produce vitamin D.  The report on this article in Science Daily said, “the findings suggest that exposure to sunlight improves health overall, because the benefits of reducing blood pressure far outweigh the risks of developing skin cancer.  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130507195807.htmI

I know I like the feel of sunshine on my face.  There’s nothing better than sitting on my back patio with the afternoon sun beaming down on my face and I do recognize it’s a relaxing feeling.  Now I know why. 

In the News--dinner habits that help you stay slim

New research from the Food and Brand Lab at Cornell University gives us insight into healthy eating habits: 

1.       When families sat and ate together at their dining room table, they weighed less. 

2.      Parents who stayed seated until everyone was finished eating weighed less than parents who left the table sooner.

3.      Parents who spent time talking with their children “talking meaningfully about their day” weighed less than parents who felt like they did not connect in conversation.

Interesting, so the plan to eat family meals together, spend time talking together and not rushing the meal to move on to something else helps parents weigh less.  The researchers speculate that the parents find satisfaction with these dinner behaviors. I bet the children would too.  This research can be found at http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/11/25/dinner-habit-thatll-help-stay-slim/

In the News--polio outbreak

Polio, a contagious disease which causes paralysis, is occurring in Syria.  During this most recent outbreak 38 children have become ill due to polio.  Other countries dealing with polio outbreaks are Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria (Africa) and Iraq.  Polio is a contagious (spread from person to person) viral disease which can cause paralysis, difficulty breathing and death.  There’s no cure for polio once a person has it. 

Before the vaccine program began, polio crippled 35,000 Americans every year.  However, during the 1940s and 50s, the polio vaccine program became a huge success.  Dr Jonas Salk was head of the research team working on a polio vaccine.  By 1955 over four million people had received the vaccine.  In the same timeframe, Dr Albert Sabin was working on and perfected an oral form of the polio vaccine.  Sabin’s vaccine introduced in 1957, added to a lump of sugar, made the polio vaccine cheaper and easier to give to people.  By 1979, America became polio free. 

The experts believe the current strain of the polio virus comes from Pakistan.  In 2011 Pakistan had 198 confirmed cases and began vaccinating their people.  The numbers of people infected with the polio virus decreased in 2012, but vaccination efforts aren’t always welcomed by militants in the area.  According to the news article, the militants mistrust the UN and government-led vaccination program and claim the programs are meant to sterilize Muslim children.  http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/11/13/21-nations-join-together-to-fight-polio-emergency/  

 

Since polio was confirmed last October, more than 22 million children in 7 countries have been vaccinated for polio.  http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/mar/28/un-polio-syria-iraq-most-challenging-history

 

 

Hookah use increased among high school students

Another emerging tobacco product is becoming popular among young people.  
Hookah use increased from 4.1 to 5.4 % among high school students.

What is a hookah?   Hookahs are water pipes used to smoke specialty tobacco.  Hookahs can be traced back to India and ancient Persia.   They have become very popular throughout Europe and many parts of the world.  Hookahs are often smoked in groups where the hookah is passed around for everyone in the group to share a smoke.  An illustration of a hookah can be found at   http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/tobacco_industry/hookahs/ 

Many hookah smokers believe smoking a hookah is safer than cigarettes.  However, the experts at Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have their doubts.  They believe that hookah smoking exposes the person to increased risks of cancer, cardiovascular disease and addiction similar to cigarette smoking.  When multiple people share the hookah, the risk of contagious disease can be spread among the group.  Another concern is that currently no one (not the Food and Drug Administration) oversees or tests for safety of hookah tobacco.  http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/tobacco_industry/hookahs/

The experts at the Mayo Clinic agree that hookah smoking is not a safe alternative.  Check out their information at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hookah/AN01265

In the news--emerging tobacco products becoming popular among young people

American young people (high school and college age) are using e-cigarettes and hookahs in increasing numbers. In 2012 e-cigarette usage among middle school students increased from 0.6 to 1.1 % E-cigarette usage among high students went up from 1.5 to 2.8 % http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/electronic-cigarettes/AN02025

What are e-cigarettes?  E-cigarettes look similar to a cigarette but have cartridges filled with liquid nicotine.  The liquid nicotine may be flavored.  Many young people think e-cigarettes are safer than regular cigarettes.  A recent study by researchers at University of California San Francisco looked at middle school and high school age students.  These researchers are concerned that e-cigarette smoking will lead to regular cigarette smoking instead of being a tool to quit smoking.  Also the researchers believe the nicotine in e-cigarettes will be addicting to the smokers. 

http://www.healthline.com/health-news/addiction-e-cigarettes-lead-to-smoking-030614

Also I heard a recent news report that some young children have drank the liquid nicotine and ended up in hospitals very ill.  Remember to keep liquid nicotine out of the reach of children.  This article also talked about teens mixing liquid nicotine and energy drinks as a way to get high.  http://foxnewsinsider.com/2014/03/21/new-concerns-about-e-cigarettes-after-kids-drink-nicotine