I have been made aware of some concerns that placing our hands on the time clock will expose staff to all sorts of infections such as Aids, Tuberculosis, Influenza, etc. While it is reasonable to not want to come into contact with these infections, we must not panic unnecessarily. Concern is a healthy emotion; panic is a harmful emotion.

The most levelheaded manner to approach an impending problem is not to point fingers, but rather to consider “What is my responsibility in resolving this problem.”  I can choose to be a hindrance or I can choose to be part of the solution. In my opinion, the solution is simple. It is a matter of HYGIENE, and each of us must take responsibility for our own personal hygiene.

If each of us will keep our hands clean, we can greatly reduce the transmission of most infections. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that handwashing, if done properly,  is the single most effective defense against the spread of infections. (See illustration regarding proper handwashing.)

If you are concerned about contracting infections from the time clock, think about all the other places during the day when we touch things which have been touched by many others— door knobs, telephones, grocery carts, ATM machines, escalator rails, elevator buttons, etc..  When we go to a restaurant, we touch the doors, chairs, menus, and then eat. That’s a dangerous combination. What about money? It is one of the dirtiest items we can ever touch.

The solution is:  wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands!

Remember:

• I am responsible, I will wash my hands frequently.

• I am responsible, and if I have a cold or flu, I will clean my hands before using the time clock.

• I am responsible, and if I have an open sore or cut on my hand, I will cover it with a bandage prior to placing my hand on the time clock.

If we all use common sense and good hygiene, we should be fine, at work and at other places, but we must be responsible. The following reminder will soon be seen beside each time clock:

The Facts about Handwashing

When done correctly, handwashing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Good handwashing technique is easy to learn and can significantly reduce the spread of infectious diseases among both children and adults. Click for more information.

© 2003 Medical College of Wisconsin

Sharon B. Wilkes, RN, MA, CPS, CCS, Coordinator, Prevention Services

Healthy Monday Home

I  would like to introduce a concept called “Healthy Monday”.

Set aside each Monday to start your week saying its “Healthy Monday”. We have fifty two fabulous opportunities to begin our week with the idea of working on our wellness. If you blow it you can begin again the next Monday.

Some ideas:

• Set small goals…begin to move in the direction of wellness.

• Start the first week with a brisk 10 minute walk…add 5 minutes each week until you get up to 20-60 minutes of aerobic exercise…walk 3 times a week…work up to 5 to 7 days a week

• Eat two fruits and three vegetables daily

• Drink six to eight glasses of water a day

• Eat a low fat, balanced diet

• Eat three meals with two snacks daily

• Be conscious of portions when eating

• Limit or eliminate alcohol

• Stop eating two to three hours before bedtime

• Buy some fresh flowers

• Enjoy laughter daily

Remember…start each Monday with the attitude “it’s Healthy Monday”.

Wellness is important…begin the journey.

Teresa Wagner, RN - Morris Middle School

Cola may not be so sweet for women's bones, according to new research that suggests the beverage boosts osteoporosis risk.

"Among women, cola beverages were associated with lower bone mineral density," said lead researcher Katherine Tucker, director of the Epidemiology and Dietary Assessment Program at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University.

There was a pretty clear dose-response, Tucker added. "Women who drink cola daily had lower bone mineral density than those who drink it only once a week," she said. "If you are worried about osteoporosis, it is probably a good idea to switch to another beverage or to limit your cola to occasional use."

The report was published in the October issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

About 55 percent of Americans, mostly women, are at risk for developing osteoporosis, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation.

In the study, Tucker's team collected data on more than 2,500 participants in the Framingham Osteoporosis Study, averaging just below 60 years of age. The researchers looked at bone mineral density at three different hip sites, as well as the spine.

They found that in women, drinking cola was associated with lower bone mineral density at all three hip sites, regardless of age, menopause, total calcium and vitamin D intake, or smoking or drinking alcohol. Women reported drinking an average of five carbonated drinks a week, four of which were cola.

Bone density among women who drank cola daily was almost 4 percent less, compared with women who didn't drink cola, Tucker said. "This is quite significant when you are talking about the density of the skeleton," she said.

Cola intake was not associated with lower bone mineral density in men. The findings were similar for diet cola, but weaker for decaffeinated cola, the researchers reported.

The reason for cola's effect on bone density may have to do with caffeine, Tucker said. "Caffeine is known to be associated with the risk of lower bone mineral density," she said. "But we found the same thing with decaffeinated colas."

Another explanation may have to do with phosphoric acid in cola, which can cause leeching of calcium from bones to help neutralize the acid, Tucker said.

One expert agrees that women should reduce the amount of cola they drink.

"I would expect this finding," said Dr. Mone Zaidi, director of the Mount Sinai Bone Program at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York City. "It's probably a caffeine-related problem."

Women should limit their caffeine intake, Zaidi said. "Caffeine interferes with calcium absorption, which results in less bone formation," he said.

This can be a problem for younger women who never develop peak bone density, Zaidi noted. "Younger women who have a lot of coke will not form bone to an extent their peers would; so, years later, in menopause, they are going to be disadvantaged," he said.

More information

There's more on osteoporosis at the U.S. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

http://health.yahoo.com/news/167458
© 2006 HealthDay. All Rights Reserved.

Lunch and Learn Sessions

All sessions will take place in the Board Room of the McAllen ISD Administration Office from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm.

Healthy salads may be ordered by calling Tonie Aleman at 632-3275 at least 3 days in advance. The cost is $2.65. Bring your own drink and the correct change, please.

Staff development sessions for time equivalency regarding Wellness topics are now posted on the ERO (Look under Wellness).

Five questions to ask your doctor when you are prescribed medication

Take the initiative and ask questions. It's your right and responsibility as a patient. Here are five questions to ask your physician or pharmacist to make sure you have a proper understanding of how to use your medicine:

1. How many pills do I take at a time?

2. At what times of the day should I take these pills?

3. Is it important for me to finish all of this medicine?

4. Are there any specific instructions I need to know about how to take these pills? (i.e. with food or water, swallow whole, etc.).

5. What should I do if I miss a dose?

Place: Wilson Elementary Gymnasium

Dates: Mondays and Wednesdays

Times: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Instructor: Colleen Valenta

Must bring your own step (“The Step” recommended)

Wear good aerobic or cross-trainer shoes

Contact Tonie at 632-3275 to sign-up or email Sharon Wilkes

Great Fun, Great Exercise!

Place: Cathey Middle School

Dates: Mondays, beginning January 15, 2007

Times: 3:45 - 4:45 p.m.

Instructor: Orlando Perez

Be sure to wear tennis shoes.

All staff and students welcome!

Contact Tonie at 632-3275 to sign-up or email Sharon Wilkes