You and Your Health and Safety

Learn About Dental Implants

The Health Awareness Program presents Niles Nicolo, DDS, instructor in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (dentistry), who will discuss "Dental Implants: Revolution in Dentistry" on Tuesday, March 19, from noon to 1 p.m., in 105 Bluemle.

Dental implants are permanent, nonremovable replacements for missing teeth, whether a single tooth or an entire mouth. Implants eliminate loose teeth, removable dentures or partials without adhesives, as well as loss of bone from the jaw.

To reserve your seat, call 6319.

A Breast-Cancer Hotline - For Men

When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, her partner may feel as if he's been stricken, too. But he may ignore his own fears to give her his full attention and support and help her get well. Now there's a national hotline to help men cope, 1-800-221-2141. The phone lines are open weekdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time. Trained counselors and volunteers who have experienced breast cancer staff the phones, and several men whose partners have breast cancer are also available to provide emotional support. The hotline is sponsored by Y-ME, the national breast cancer organization.

You Can't Go Wrong in the Produce Aisle

March is National Nutrition Month, and health experts are urging us to celebrate by making fruit and vegetables the focus of our diets if we hope to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and other serious health problems. Even the Federal government in their new Dietary Guidelines for Americans is endorsing the healthfulness of a vegetarian diet. "Meat and other protein sources do have a place in the diet, but most people give them top billing," says Jefferson dietitian Barb Whedon, RD. "We recommend putting fruit, vegetables and whole grains at the heart of the meal." Here's how:

• Top your whole-grain breakfast cereal with fresh fruit, berries or raisins.
• Layer tomato slices, torn spinach, cucumbers, peppers or finely shredded cabbage in your sandwiches. Have a piece of fresh fruit for dessert.
• Stir-fried veggies are fast, flavorful and nutritious. Serve them on a bed of brown rice, whole-grain bulgur or couscous.
• A big pot of vegetable stew is the perfect meal for cold winter nights.
• Beans, lentils and other legumes add protein and fiber to your diet and virtually no fat. Serve bean soup as an appetizer, and include beans in your favorite rice or pasta main dish meal.
• Throw some vegetables on the grill alongside your chicken or low-fat burgers.
• Eat a salad every day. Use nutrient-rich spinach or romaine lettuce as the main ingredient instead of wimpy iceberg lettuce. And don't forget fruit salad as an alternative.

To Sleep, Perchance to Stay Awake

Sleep-disorder researchers dream of the day when sleep is considered as high a health priority as exercise and proper nutrition. You see, sleep loss is no laughing matter. Along with making us generally cranky and less tolerant of "the little things," lack of sleep has grave consequences: Drowsy people make poor drivers and are more prone to making mistakes at work, and sleepy kids don't do as well in school.

Sleep deprivation is cumulative, says Karl Doghramji, MD, director of Jefferson's Sleep Disorders Center, so the way you feel today reflects not only how much shut eye you got last night but during the preceding nights and weeks as well. "People who are sleep deprived involuntarily nod off during the day," notes Dr. Doghramji. Sleep deprivation is especially noticeable in teenagers, whose sleep patterns shift toward late night hours just when they are moving through high school and need to be up early for class.

The cure for sleep debt? Cat naps (make sure you nap at the same time daily, either midmorning or midafternoon, and doze for only 15 to 20 minutes) or sleeping in on weekends. But beware, siestas or sleeping in may disrupt your 24-hour body clock, preventing you from falling asleep at night. Or you may be extremely groggy Monday morning because you're used to sleeping until 10 a.m on weekends.

Quieting the Fire of Sore Throat Pain

Sore throats are typical during cold and flu season but can occur virtually any time for a variety of reasons. Here's what you need to know about sore throats from Margaret Lytton, MD, a family practitioner in Jefferson's family medicine office in Narberth.

All sore throats can be characterized by red, enlarged tonsils speckled with pus, while sore throats that stem from viral or bacterial infections can be accompanied by a fever. A sore throat coupled with headache, upset stomach and/or fever could be a strep infection. Penicillin is usually prescribed in this case. Antibiotics are also used to treat sore throats resulting from post-nasal drip from chronic sinusitis. Other remedies are used to treat sore throats caused by post-nasal drip from allergies.

As for soothing sore throat pain, Grandma was right. Eating hot chicken soup or drinking hot tea with lemon and honey works. And gargling with warm salt water loosens mucous. Dr. Lytton also suggests using over-the-counter lozenges to ease throat irritation and non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as aspirin, acetominophen, ibuprofen or naproxen to alleviate pain.

Safe and Healthy Traveling Strategies

Regardless of whether you're jetting off to the Rockies for a late winter ski vacation or sailing the Caribbean during spring break, traveling may not always agree with you. To make sure you remember your trip for all the right reasons, staff in Jefferson's Travel Medicine Services suggest you consider these pre-travel tips before hopping aboard the next plane or boat:

• Watch your diet before you fly. Moderate intake of food, caffeine and alcohol is recommended. Drink plenty of water or juice once airborn; pass up alcohol's dehydrating effects.
• Cold sufferers should use a nasal decongestant before taking off. Make sure the dosage lasts as long as your flight, or take a second dose before landing.
• Over-the-counter motion sickness medication is available for queasy travelers. If you're prone to motion sickness, don't eat a heavy meal before traveling and don't drink alcohol. Find something to distract you during the trip ­p; watch the inflight movie, listen to music.
• Carry medications in well labeled bottles and pack in your carry-on luggage. Also make a list of what medications you're taking, the dosage and frequency, your doctor's name and number, and carry it in your wallet. If you get separated from your luggage, you have a record and can get refills at a local pharmacy.