Holiday Driving  –  CPRescue

Most of us will travel by car to visit family and friends during this holiday, which increases the chances of auto accidents. Unfortunately the Holidays rank amongst the highest in death and injuries due to auto related incidents.

A recent study suggests that we spend approximately 46% of our time driving being distracted by other activities such as texting, making a call, eating or adjusting the radio. It’s suggested that each of these activities can divert our attention from the road for about 4.6 seconds. This is enough time to travel the full length of a football field at 55mph.

So if you have to drive during this Holiday Season, please follow these simply rules:
• Don’t drink and drive and if you do drink, have a designated driver.
• Give yourself extra time to get there. Hurrying or speeding can only increase your chance of a serious accident.
• Slow down when road conditions are not perfect. Remember rain and snow can greatly affect your ability to handle your vehicle.
• Don’t drive when you are tired. Consider stopping every two (2) hours, on long trips, to give yourself an alertness break.
• Make sure children are secure in a seat belt or an approved safety seat.
• Don’t text or read text when driving. Pull safely off the road to do so.

Need to learn CPR in Santa Clara?  Call CPRescue 1-888-313-2444

Drink Less As We Age – CPRescue

Fortunately or unfortunately the answer is yes.  A recent study confirms that as we age our resistance to alcohol begins to weaken. Our bodies begin to retain less water than when were younger and we metabolize alcohol at a much slower rate. This means the alcohol stays in our bodies for a longer period of time and gives us a higher blood alcohol percentage.

More importantly, alcohol can make certain age-related health problems worse, like high blood pressure, diabetes, liver ailments and memory problems. Because older people typically take more medications, they have an increased risk of an alcohol-drug interaction, which can cause confusion, instability while walking, nausea or other problems.

Realize as you age you won’t be able to drink as you did when you were younger, but on the positive side it won’t cost you as much to get to that happy state. So let’s enjoy one of the few benefits of getting older. And please never drink and drive!

Need CPR Certification for your business?  Call CPRescue 1-888-313-2444

Going out on the town for New Year’s Eve?  Here are a few safety steps to remember, so that everyone has a good, but more importantly a safe time.

• Consider bringing only what you need for that evening in your purse or wallet.  A driver’s license, money and one credit card.
• While it’s fun to share where or what you are doing on New Year’s Eve, using a social media site can alerting others that you are not at home.
• A designate a driver is a must if you plan on drinking, or use public transportation or take a cab.  Don’t Drink and Drive!
• Most automobile accidents due to alcohol occur between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., try to avoid being on the road during those times.
• If you do drive, make sure to park in a well light spot and is well populated.
• If you are going out in a group, create a “buddy call tree” to confirm everyone got home safely at the end of the evening.
• Never leave your drink unattended. Finish it before you hit the restroom or dance floor.
• Always eat before you begin your evening of alcoholic beverages.

Using these easy and simple safety tips can make a difference between a great celebration or an evening at the hospital, or worse.

Fire Safety Training  –  CPRescue

More home fires occur during the holidays than any other day in the year. Each year approximately 3,500 Americans die from fires. Our best protection from home fires is to stop them before they start. A good fire prevention plan will help reduce injuries and death. But just in case, a proper escape plan, that is practiced and known by all who live in the home, is critical. A small fire can escalate so quickly that black smoke could fill your home in less than a few minutes. Make sure your plan includes the extra needs for the young and elderly.

The U.S Fire Administration offers these suggestions:

• Use extra care when cooking, a majority of home fires start in the kitchen.
• Do not leave items alone while cooking on a stove top. Remember loose fitting clothing increases your risk of a potential fire/burn.
• Never use your oven or stove to heat your home.
• Make it a habit to double check your oven and all appliances are turned off before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Keep at least three (3) feet of distance between drapes and heaters or fireplaces.
• Never overload outlets or extension cords.
• Make sure everyone in your family knows at least two (2) escape routes from their bedrooms.
• Have working smoke alarms in your home. A smoke alarm greatly reduces your chances of dying in a fire. Change the batteries in these alarms at the time we change the clocks for Daylights Savings. I know it seems a bit extreme, but a smoke alarm is only as good as its working batteries. Let’s be overly safe than sorry.
• Keep at least three (3) feet of distance between drapes and heaters or fireplaces.
• Never overload outlets or extension cords.
• Make sure everyone in your family knows at least two (2) escape routes from their bedrooms.
• Have working smoke alarms in your home. A smoke alarm greatly reduces your chances of dying in a fire. Change the batteries in these alarms at the time we change the clocks for Daylights Savings. I know it seems a bit extreme, but a smoke alarm is only as good as its working batteries. Let’s be overly safe than sorry.

CPR Certification Training  –  CPRescue

Holiday Recipe for Heart Attacks

Study shows that December is the deadliest month for fatal heart attacks.  Researchers have found that the mortality rates were significantly higher in patients during the month of December, even though the care they received was of equally quality, as compared with any other month.

Unfortunately, they have not been able to determine the specifics why December is the most deadliest.  Many hypothesize certain behaviors and outside influences can have an impact, but nothing has been truly identified as a source or a contributing factor.  Nonetheless, taking prudent actions during this holiday season can improve your risk.  Consider the following suggestions:

Overeating – Our consumption of higher fatty foods, increased levels of alcohol and salt to our diet, can put extra stress upon our digestive and heart systems.  Enjoy these foods in moderation and try to balance your diet.

Pressure Deadlines – The extra pressure of work deadlines as well as shopping adventures for gifts can increase stress to the body.  Use stress reducing alternatives to help reduce your stress levels.

Medications – When traveling to friends and relatives, don’t forget to pack your medications.  This happens more times than not and people will generally go without their medication for several days.  Make sure to pack all medications as well as your physician’s phone number if you need him to call in an urgent RX for you when you are out of town.

Denial – Patients with symptoms of a heart attack in December are prone to attribute them to some other causes since how can it be a heart attack, it’s Christmas! Ignoring the symptoms and delaying medical attention leads the addition of more fatal outcomes.

Just because it is the holidays do not think you are immune to a heart attack.  If you have the symptoms of a heart attack, get medical help immediately!

CPR – CPRescue

The Holiday’s normally bring with them a sufficient amount of stress. Many of us are feeling it more this year because of the present state of the economy. Company layoffs that affect us directly or our friends and the worsening signs of a global recession, can make this an exceptionally hard year. This additional stress may lower our immune system and can have a detrimental effect on our health. Be aware of the signs and symptoms of additional stress. Are you experiencing any of the following:
• Frequent headaches
• Tension in the neck or back
• Experiencing more sick days from colds or flu’s
• Heighten level/sense of anxiety
• Problems sleeping
• Feelings of frustration
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Lower libido

If so, the next step is to choose a way to deal with your stress. One way is to avoid the event or thing that leads to your stress–but often this is not possible. A second way is to change how you react to stress. This is often the best way. Many of us have heard about meditation and deep breathing exercises to help manage the effects of stress. But here are a few others you may want to consider:

How to Deal with Holiday Stress:
• Exercise – Regular exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress. Walking is a great way to get started. Even everyday activities such as house cleaning or yard work can reduce your stress level if you do them vigorously. Stretching is also a good way to relieve muscle tension. Regular, moderate physical activity may be the single best approach to managing stress.
• Time Management – Learn better ways to manage your time. You may get more done with less stress if you make a schedule. Think about which things are most important, and do those first. Time management skills can allow you to spend more time with your family and friends and possibly increase your performance and productivity. This will help reduce your stress.
• Social Support – This type of support includes both emotional support such as love, trust, and understanding, as well as advice and concrete help such as time or money. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. In fact, it can bring you closer to people you interact with every day, and it can significantly reduce your stress level.
• Visualization – Is a method of using your imagination to help you relax and release tension caused by stress. Your body responds to the images in your mind. Use these simple imagery exercise for relaxing or renewing your energy when you need to relax.
• Laughter – A good laugh has great short-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn’t just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain. A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response and increases your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling.

Stress can be overwhelming. If this is the case, if you fell fatigued or depressed, you may want to seek outside help from a professional counselor or other health professional. Hopefully using some of the approaches above, can help reduce and decrease the stress in your life.

Holiday Plant Safety  –  CPRescue

Some of the most common holiday plants we use to decorate our homes during the holidays may contain hidden dangers for our children and pets. A common misconception is that Poinsettias plants are extremely poisonous and life threatening. Though eating several leaves may cause a mild stomach upset, they are generally considered by the Poison Control Center as a safe plant for your home.

Here’s a list of potentially dangerous plants:
• Mistletoe – All parts of this plant are toxic and can cause vomiting and diarrhea. If you hang this plant in your home, place it into a plastic bag first so that the leaves or berries do not fall to the floor where our kids and pets have access to them.
• Christmas Trees (Cedar) – The bark on a cedar tree, if eaten can cause a stomachache. Also pine needles can stick in a child’s throat if swallowed and can cause choking.
• Holly Berries – Children who swallow more than 1 or 2 berries will experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
• Jerusalem Cherry – This plant has bright red and orange berries. If swallowed it can cause hallucinations, drowsiness and vomiting.
• Rosary Pea (Jequirity Bean) – The jequirity bean is commonly used in Mexican jewelry. In India and Africa it is used as a poison for animals and humans. This small bean if swallowed whole does not pose any harm, but if chewed before swallowing it can be life threatening. Vomiting and bloody diarrhea will occur within a few hours.

If you believe a child or animal has been poisoned and they are still conscious, call the “Poison Control Center” immediately at 1-800-222-1222, for information in the treatment of that specific poisoning. If at any time they individual becomes unconscious call 9-1-1, for immediate medical assistance.

In any case never induce vomiting unless instructed by the poison control center.

First Aid Training  –  CPRescue

As the winter/summer air becomes drier and looses it’s humidity, more people suffer from nosebleeds, especially children. Nosebleeds are a common occurrence. Most often they are a simple nuisance and not a true medical problem. To care of a nosebleed:

• Sit upright and lean forward. By remaining upright, you reduce blood pressure in the veins of your nose. This discourages further bleeding. Sitting forward will help you avoid swallowing blood, which can irritate your stomach.
• Pinch your nose. Use your thumb and index finger and pinch on the bony part of your nose, just above the flexible cartilage. Continue to pinch for up to 10 minutes.
• Ice, the side of your neck. Many of the blood vessels that support the face come up from the side of your neck. Cooling the blood thickens it and helps in the clotting process.
• Pressure Point. Another alternative is to apply pressure under the front lip. Use a rolled up tissue or gauze pad.
• To prevent re-bleeding after bleeding has stopped, don’t pick or blow your nose and don’t bend down until several hours after the bleeding episode. Keep your head higher than the level of your heart.

If re-bleeding occurs, blow out forcefully to clear your nose of blood clots and spray both sides of your nose with a decongestant nasal spray containing oxymetazoline (Afrin, Neo-Synephrine, others). Pinch your nose in the technique described above and call your doctor.

Seek medical care immediately if:

• The bleeding lasts for more than 20 minutes
• The nosebleed follows an accident, afall or an injury to your head, including a punch in the face that may have broken your nose

For frequent nosebleeds:

If you experience frequent nosebleeds, make an appointment with your doctor. You may need to have the blood vessel that’s causing your problem cauterized. Cautery is a technique in which the blood vessel is burned with electric current, silver nitrate or a laser. Also coating the front inner portion of the nose with Vaseline, first thing in the morning and at night, has proven to help reduce nosebleeds for many people with recurrent nosebleeds especially due to dry air or temperature changes. Call your doctor if you are experiencing nasal bleeding and are taking blood thinners, such as aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin). Your doctor may advise adjusting your medication intake.

Some of the most common holiday plants we use to decorate our homes during the holidays may contain hidden dangers for our children and pets. A common misconception is that Poinsettias plants are extremely poisonous and life threatening. Though eating several leaves may cause a mild stomach upset, they are generally considered by the Poison Control Center as a safe plant for your home.

Here’s a list of potentially dangerous plants:
• Mistletoe – All parts of this plant are toxic and can cause vomiting and diarrhea. If you hang this plant in your home, place it into a plastic bag first so that the leaves or berries do not fall to the floor where our kids and pets have access to them.
• Christmas Trees (Cedar) – The bark on a cedar tree, if eaten can cause a stomachache. Also pine needles can stick in a child’s throat if swallowed and can cause choking.
• Holly Berries – Children who swallow more than 1 or 2 berries will experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
• Jerusalem Cherry – This plant has bright red and orange berries. If swallowed it can cause hallucinations, drowsiness and vomiting.
• Rosary Pea (Jequirity Bean) – The jequirity bean is commonly used in Mexican jewelry. In India and Africa it is used as a poison for animals and humans. This small bean if swallowed whole does not pose any harm, but if chewed before swallowing it can be life threatening. Vomiting and bloody diarrhea will occur within a few hours.

If you believe a child or animal has been poisoned and they are still conscious, call the “Poison Control Center” immediately at 1-800-222-1222, for information in the treatment of that specific poisoning. If at any time they individual becomes unconscious call 9-1-1, for immediate medical assistance.

In any case never induce vomiting unless instructed by the poison control center.

CPRescue – First Aid Training

TIA or Transient Ischemic Attack can be described as a mini-stroke.  While a TIA does not necessarily cause serious damage to the brain, it is a serious “brain attack”.  TIA’s look just like a regular stroke except that the symptoms disappear in less than 24 hours and many times the symptoms last less than an 1 hour.

These mini-strokes take place when the blood flow to the brain is temporarily interrupted. Most TIA’s are due to a blood clot which either frees it’s self or dissolves before permanent brain death takes place. Left untreated the possibility of suffering a major stroke is increased by 80%.

Some of the symptoms to look for are:

• Numbness, tingling or heaviness.
• Unable to move arms, legs or face especially on one side of the body.
• Double vision, blurriness or unable to see out of one eye.
• Difficulty in speaking.
• Unsteady, dizzy or loss of balance.

Again these symptoms can last less than an hour and many times we dismiss these occurrences as to being tired, under stress or fatigued.  If you experience any of these warning signs, see your physician immediately.

Stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death right behind heart attacks and cancer.  High blood pressure  is the leading cause for strokes.  To reduce your risk factors, control your blood pressure.  Watch your cholesterol levels.  Eat health, exercises and if you smoke, quit.

Know the warning signs and get medical care immediately.  Time is a major factor whether it is a Transient Ischemic Attack or a full blown Stroke.