Summer is here!

Summer is here! With the rising heat, we are all looking for a place to cool down. I don’t know about you, but, it seems like when Summer finally arrives I am caught off guard by the smothering heat.

So, the question is.:How can we stay healthy and hydrated in such heat? I would like to emphasize the importance of electrolyte rich fluids when you are sweating. Water is obviously an excellent drink, but, if you are sweating remember to pick up a Gatorade type drink. Think of it this way, if you are sweating you are loosing salt , and your body needs this replishined as quickly as possible. A little squeeze of lemon, salt and sugar will add the necessary ingredients to your water when you are sweating.

Another important aspect of the Summer months is to remember to protect our skin against the sun’s cancer inducing effect. A little sunscreen on our skin will go a long way to protecting against those common skin cancers.

As we enjoy these Summer months, let’s protect our skin with sun block and our bodies with the fluid it needs in those heat waves!

Itchy skin rash?

Health Tip: During this time of year many people are exposed to allergens that cause skin rashes such as poison ivy. Oatmeal baths and diphenhydramine ( benadryl) are good ways to soothe the skin when rashes erupt.

People are often asking me how they can know whether their rash needs to be treated or not. Although rashes can have a myriad of causes, that sudden itchy rash in the Spring or Summer is probably related to an allergen such as a plant. The first treatment is Benadryl. Although it makes everyone a bit sleepy, it is the treatment of choice to be used the first few days after exposure to relieve symptoms. In fact, Benadryl is the drug of choice for allergies of all kinds. It is a good idea to take it at night since it causes drowsiness. Oatmeal baths are a great way to soothe the skin when the rash erupts. Together this treatment plan will often help symptoms subside.

The only time steroids are indicated is when the itching is incessant and if the rash is widespread and/or erupts on the face. Steroids are used to help with those violent itching spells, but, once again, benadryl will often help if used quickly.

Finally, try to keep from itching as it will often leave to a second problem: infection.

As we head into the summer, I hope this tip helps you treat those rashes that are bound to come during this high allergen season.

Pass up that Steak..

Health Tip: Avoid eating red meat more than once a day. Studies show that if we have an additional serving of  red meat daily then the risk of heart disease rises by about 20%. So, pass up that steak for some fish or chicken whenever possible;-)

We all live in a culture that loves eating steak.. Eating a good steak is a sign of accomplishment. We work hard to anticipate a cookout that includes hamburgers, hot dogs, or steak. And yet, maybe our cultural norms are leading us towards heart disease.

The National Institue of Health recently did a study that showed that with each additional serving of red meat daily, we are at 20% greater risk of heart attack/disease. In fact, even our risk for cancer increases with additional consumption of red meat.

So, while we all live in a world that knows and values the taste of good steak, hamburgers, or hot dogs... it may be a good idea to pass up that red meat every now and again for chicken or fish.

My hope in this blog is to provide the information therapy to empower people to make informed decisions. The important thing is that for each of us we are informed in the choices we make with our health.

For me, as a chirstian, it is exciting to know that we have not been given a spirt of fear, but, of self control.( 2 Tim 1: 7) .and that we can make wise choices everyday to protect and equip our health-one day at a time.!

Time to get out of the chair...

Health Tip: A recent study showed that getting up and stretching  your legs periodically throughout the day will help reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes

More and more studies are verifying that  in order to protect our health we must get up and walk around as much as possible. A recent study by Dr. Levine from the Mayo clinic found that if we get up every few hours and stretch, we are keeping our blood sugar down. This helps prevent heart disease and diabetes.

So, the trick is every little bit you do counts to protect your health. Its not just the 20-30 mins of aerobic activity that protect your heart health. Everything you can do to stay active throughout the days can have big health payoffs .

How long am I contagious?

Health Tip: When you are sick with a viral illness ( cold, etc) you are most contagious when you have a fever, and when you are coughing. You should avoid being in public settings for 24 hours from your last fever, and always cough towards your elbow, to contain the air droplets.


According to the CDC, most of us get about 3 to 4 coughs and colds a year. Most of the time these are just passing viruses,that can often leave us feeling sick for days. Some people spike fevers easily, while others can have the same ailment with no fever at all. The important thing to remember is that the fever is usually an indication that you are 'congatious' and should stay home if possible. This will help cut down on tramission of these little bugs that go from one person to the next so relentlessly!

As the Spring begins here in NC, I start thinking ahead ahead to warmer weather, knowing that we will hopefully all be healthier as we open our windows and breathe the fresh air!

Here's wishing you a Happy Spring!