Tag: cdc

Protect Yourself Against Ticks and Lyme Disease

June 10th, 2019 by Paula Gallagher

light clothes tick preventionWith tick populations surging everywhere, the instance of Lyme disease is also on the rise. Black-legged ticks can carry a bacteria that causes Lyme disease when transferred to humans. According to the CDC, approximately 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported to them by state health departments and the District of Columbia. However, this number does not reflect every case of Lyme disease that is diagnosed in the United States every year. Recent estimates using other methods suggest that approximately 300,000 people may get Lyme disease each year in the United States.

Deer ticks or black-legged ticks (also known as deer ticks) are the type of tick Continue reading “Protect Yourself Against Ticks and Lyme Disease”

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Flu Vaccine Not Effective for 65 and Older

March 4th, 2013 by Paula Gallagher

Flu season has been quite hard on many people, particularly those over 65. And if you had the flu shot, it probably didn’t help. According to a report in the CDC’s Weekly Morbidity and Mortality Report released last week, the flu vaccine was only effective in 9% of those 65 and older, a number too low to be statistically significant. The study was based on a survey of 2,697 children and adults by the U.S. Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network from December 3, 2012, through January 19, 2013.

Michael Jhung, a CDC epidemiologist, says that this season’s flu hospitalization rates in those 65-plus is the highest since CDC began its current surveillance system in 2007. The reason for this very low rate of effectiveness in this particularl age group is not known, although the vaccine does become less effective as we get older.

So, with flu season still in high gear, it is critically important to stay healthy and consider other options to prevent illness, especially in those 65 and older. Read this to find out how you can prevent the flu.

 

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Flu Prevention

January 14th, 2013 by Paula Gallagher

I thought it was just our household, but apparently the influenza virus is hitting everyone a little harder this year. According to the CDC, except for a couple of states, the flu virus is widespread and winter has only really started.

Although vaccination is the most common form of prevention, its efficacy rate is only about 65%. So if you decide that the flu vaccine is not for you, there are numerous ways to protect your family from coming down with the flu. Click here to learn more.

Two other helpful tips are washing your hands and taking Oscillococcinum. Continue reading “Flu Prevention”

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Increase in Autism Rates

April 2nd, 2012 by Paula Gallagher

A new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 88 American children has some form of autism spectrum disorder. That’s a 78% increase in 10 years.

The increase in numbers are attributed to better diagnosis, broader diagnosis, and better awareness. However, according to Mark Roithmayr, president of the advocacy group Autism Speaks, the reason for about 50% of the increase is unknown.

Research has pointed to environmental changes as one of the reasons for this increase. The three BIG environmental influences seem to be:

1) Pesticides: Infants and small children should be consuming organic foods as much as possible. Especially when it comes to fruits, vegetables and dairy.

2) Overuse of antibiotics: Ear infections are very common in children and so is prescribing antibiotics. Most ear infections are viral and will not be helped by antibiotics. Overuse can cause resistance to superbugs, as well as lowered immunity. Continue reading “Increase in Autism Rates”

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Happy Heart Month: 10 Tips for a Healthy Heart

February 7th, 2012 by Paula Gallagher

You may think cancer is the leading cause of death in America, but you would be mistaken. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; one in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, equal to 2,200 deaths per day.

February is American Heart Month, and unfortunately, most of us know someone who has had heart disease or stroke. Follow these 10 tips for a stronger, healthier heart:

1. Monitor your blood pressure

High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack by up to 25% and stroke by up to 40%. So it’s important to monitor your blood pressure level.

High blood pressure is defined as a reading above 140/90, measured on multiple occasions. A single high reading does not necessarily mean a blood pressure problem. Additional readings will likely be monitored before high blood pressure is clinically diagnosed. Check your blood pressure at the same time every day for a more accurate reading. Continue reading “Happy Heart Month: 10 Tips for a Healthy Heart”

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