Strange Doctrines

Finding and Treating Head Lice

Head lice is a very common problem. As many as 12 million people get head lice each year.

Anyone can catch head lice, but preschool and grade school children (ages 3 to 10) and their families are most often infected.

Some facts about head lice:

* Head lice are not a reason for panic or extreme measures.
* Head lice are not a sign of poor hygiene or uncleanliness.
* Head lice do not favor any particular socio-economic class.
* Head lice do not carry serious diseases.
* Head lice cannot jump or fly.
* Head lice cannot live on pets.

Adult lice are tiny, wingless insects about the size of a sesame seed. They are tan to grayish white. Lice appear much like flakes of dandruff, but are tightly stuck to the hair shaft. Female lice lay eggs on hair shafts close to the skin. Tiny lice eggs (called nits) look like white grains of sand that are firmly attached to the base of the hair shaft.

Symptoms of head lice include an itchy scalp, feeling that something is moving in the hair, and sores on the head caused by scratching.

The easiest way to find head lice is to part the hair completely down the scalp in small sections, looking for moving lice and nits. The nape of the neck and ears are the most common locations for nits.

Adult lice are difficult to find as they move quickly. Using a bright light and magnifying glass will help. Your doctor, a school nurse, or public health nurse can help you determine if lice are present. Treatment is recommended even if only one nit is found.

Over-the-counter and prescription lotions and shampoos are available to treat head lice. To effectively treat lice, use a shampoo that contains permethrine and comb the hair with a fine-tooth comb. Treatment may need to be repeated in 7 to 10 days. These medications are basically insecticides and should be used exactly as directed. You should never use a hairdryer after scalp treatments because many of the treatments are flammable.

Washing clothing and bed linens is usually not necessary. Combs, brushes, and other hair care items can be disinfected by soaking them in hot soapy water or medicated shampoo. Disinfect these items at the same time the affected person is treated. Lice are very contagious and can spread easily, so be sure to check other members of the household for signs of lice infestation.

If symptoms persist, or irritation develops after treatment, see your doctor.

Storing Those Holiday Leftovers Safely

You’ve spent weeks planning a magnificent menu and days preparing the perfect holiday meal. The next task is to figure out what to do with all of the leftovers.

Gainesville Memorial Hospital encourages you to use caution when storing leftovers. Incorrectly handling leftovers can result in food poisoning. The following tips for safe food storage will help you, your family, and friends have a healthy holiday season.

“The first step in proper food storage is to refrigerate or freeze leftovers as soon as possible,” says GMH Registered Dietitian Kathie Robinson.

“Perishable food should not be left on the table or counter for more than two hours. This food will develop harmful levels of bacteria if left at room temperature longer than two hours.”

“Another important step in food safety is to check the temperature of the refrigerator and freezer with a refrigerator thermometer,” Robinson states.

The temperature of the refrigerator should be 40 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) or below, and the freezer should be at 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius).

Proper storage techniques are extremely important in preventing bacterial growth. Robinson recommends dividing large quantities into smaller portions and storing them in small, shallow, airtight containers for quick cooling. Items should not be crowded in the refrigerator or freezer. Air should be able to circulate around each item.

The following table lists safe refrigerator storage time limits for common holiday foods.

Food Item Refrigerate

Ham, fully cooked – whole
7 days

Ham, fully cooked – half
3 – 5 days

Ham, fully cooked – slices
3 – 4 days

Cooked chicken or turkey – pieces
3 – 4 days

Cooked chicken or turkey – pieces with broth or gravy
1 – 2 days

Casseroles - cooked
1 – 2 days

Gravy and broths
1 – 2 days

Vegetable dishes – cooked
3 – 4 days

Stuffing/dressing (should be stored separately from poultry)
1 – 2 days

For longer storage, place leftovers in plastic freezer bags or aluminum foil and freeze them. For best quality, Robinson advises that you use leftover frozen turkey, gravy, and dressing within four months and reminds you to always thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator, not on the counter.

“Dating leftovers will help you avoid keeping foods too long,” Robinson says. “If you are uncertain whether a food can be used, it is best to discard it. Never taste food to see it if can be used.”

“When reheating those leftovers, make sure that they are completely reheated, not just warmed,” stresses Robinson. “Heat kills bacteria, so it is important that you bring leftovers to a boil or heat them to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. When reheating food in a microwave oven, cover food, 
rotate the dish and stir frequently so the food heats evenly.”

Finally, Robinson reminds holiday cooks not to forget the soap and water. “Proper handwashing is a key element in food safety.”

Reducing Holiday Stress

‘Tis the season to be jolly . . . or is it?

Many people, especially parents, experience an increased amount of stress during the holidays. Gainesville Memorial Hospital provides the following tips to help ease your holiday stress.

1. Get organized.

Before you begin your holiday preparations, make the following lists:

* Where you are going this holiday and who you plan to visit or host.
* The meals you are serving.
* Foods you will be bringing with you when you visit others.
* Who you send Christmas cards to and who you exchange gifts with.
* Things that need to be done, cleaned, or finished before the holidays arrive.

2. Simplify, simplify, simplify.

* Plan food that can be made and frozen ahead of time.
* Buy family gifts instead of small individual gifts for each member.
* Shop early. Wrap your gifts right away and sort them relating to families, days, or trips.
* Trim the Christmas card list. Consider sending greetings when things aren’t so hectic, such as Thanksgiving or New Year’s.
* Don’t bake 25 different kinds of cookies and candies unless you enjoy it. You and your family may enjoy fewer sweets and more time together.

3. Lower your expectations.

False expectations can ruin your holiday. Expect a certain amount of stress during the holiday season and remember that no matter how hard you try, or how much you prepare, things rarely come off perfectly. Try to find humor in these situations.

4. Know your spending limit.

Do you feel the need to buy numerous gifts even if you do not have the financial ability to do so? If so, you probably end up being stressed for the next year trying to pay off your bills. There is nothing wrong with telling children that even Santa Claus has limited funds and because he has a very long list, needs to choose the most suitable gifts for each child.

5. Pass the giving spirit on to your children.

For many children, the holidays are a time of getting, not giving. Make an effort to change that this year. Have your children make a list of all the people they expect to get a gift from this year – then have them figure out what they can give each person. Encourage homemade gifts, or let children earn holiday gift giving money by working around the house.

6. Take time to think.

Put the holiday in perspective by taking some time to think about what the holiday really means to you and your family. Maybe it is time spent with family and friends, religious observances, or a reflection on the past year and future goals.

Stress is often a normal part of the holiday season. If you are experiencing extreme or prolonged stress your feelings may not be about the holidays, but about other things in your life. If stress is causing physical symptoms, severe anxiety, or making it difficult for you to function normally, you should see your doctor.

Herbal Products and Drugs May Be A Dangerous Combination

Herbal products have become increasingly popular in recent years. Studies show that about one-third of adults in the U.S. frequently use these products. Additional studies indicate that the majority of people using herbal products do not inform their doctor that they are taking them.

It is important to remember that just because an herbal product is labeled "natural" doesn't mean that it is harmless. These products are not safety tested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Clinical studies show that some herbal products (e.g., gingko biloba, St. John's wort, and others) can be safe and effective if used correctly. However, these popular herbal products appear to interfere with prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Danny Reeves, R.Ph., Director of Pharmacy at Gainesville Memorial Hospital, provides the following safety recommendations when using herbal products:

Gingko biloba inhibits blood clotting and should not be taken with anticoagulants or blood thinners such as aspirin, Coumadin®, Ticlid®, Plavix®, or Persantine®.

St. John's wort, taken for mild to moderate depression, should not be taken with antidepressants.

Kava kava, a stress-reducer, should not be taken with muscle relaxers, sedatives, antidepressants, or medications used to treat Parkinson's disease. Alcohol should also be avoided.

Ephedra, commonly used as an appetite suppressant, should not be taken with decongestants or stimulant drugs, or if you consume beverages that contain caffeine.

Vitamins and minerals can also interact with medications. Iron (ferrous sulfate) can counteract the effects of the commonly used antibiotic, tetracycline.

Reeves advises that you keep a record of all the medications (prescription and over-the-counter), herbal products, and vitamins you take regularly or occasionally. Before taking any new medication, ask your doctor if it is safe to take the medication with the products on your list.

Reducing Hay Fever Misery

’Tis the season for many hay fever sufferers to begin their annual struggle with seasonal allergies.

Pollen allergy, commonly called hay fever, is one of the most common conditions in the United States. Experts estimate that 35 million Americans are allergic to airborne pollens.

Symptoms experienced by hay fever sufferers range from mild to severe. These symptoms include repeated and prolonged sneezing; coughing; congestion; runny nose; headache; red, swollen, itchy eyes; and itching of the nose, throat, mouth, and ears.

Repeated hay fever attacks can lead to more serious problems such as chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps or growths, and asthma.

The best way to control hay fever and prevent hay fever attacks is to avoid substances that trigger an allergic reaction. Gainesville Memorial Hospital offers these tips to reduce hay fever misery:

1. Keep windows closed at home and in your car.

2. Use air conditioning during hot weather. Clean the filters frequently.

3. Stay away from grasses and weeds by avoiding yard work as much as possible.

4. Invest in an air-purifying device.

5. Stay indoors during morning hours (5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.) when pollen is most abundant.

6. Do not hang clothes or sheets outside to dry.

7. Stay indoors as much as possible on hot, dry, and windy days to avoid exposure to pollens. If you must be outdoors, wear a face mask that is designed to filter out pollen.

Relocating to a new area to get away from pollens that cause allergic symptoms is not recommended. People who move to new areas often find that they eventually develop allergies to pollens in the new area.

Check with your physician regarding medications that may offer relief from allergy symptoms.

Deck The Halls...Safely

Holiday decorations are as much a part of holiday celebrations as feasting, exchanging gifts, and getting together with family and friends. However, if used improperly, holiday decorations can cause property damage, injuries, and even death.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are approximately 1,300 visits to emergency rooms each year as a result of injuries related to holiday lights, and another 6,200 visits are due to injuries related to holiday decorations and Christmas trees.

Over 500 fires are due to holiday lights, and about 400 residential fires involve Christmas trees, which result in 40 deaths, 100 injuries, and over $15 million in property damage every year.

Gainesville Memorial Hospital offers the following tips to help you look for and eliminate potential hazards from holiday decorations.

* When purchasing an artificial tree, make sure that is clearly labeled as fire resistant. 
* When purchasing a live tree, check to see if it is fresh. Look for a tree with green needles that are hard to pull off, needles that don’t break when bent, sticky resin at the bottom of the trunk (where cut), and a strong pine scent. When bounced on the ground, a fresh tree will not lose many needles.
* Cut off about 2 inches of the bottom of the trunk so the tree can absorb water. Keep your tree stand filled with water – check it daily.
* Place your tree a minimum of three to four feet from fireplaces, radiators, and heating vents.
* If you have small children, place breakable decorations out of their reach. Avoid decorations that look like candy or food. 
* Always use a proper step stool or ladder to reach high places.
* Keep Christmas cactus, mistletoe, and holly berries out of the reach of children; they are poisonous if swallowed. Poinsettias can cause an upset stomach if eaten.
* Use only safety-tested lights. Check all lights and cords (new and old) for frayed or bare wires, loose connections, or broken sockets. Turn off all lights when you leave home or go to bed.
* Do not overload extension cords. Use no more than three strings of lights on one extension cord.
* Never run an electrical cord under a rug.
* Secure electrical cords so children cannot get hold of them and pull over the tree.
* Do not place candles where children can reach them, or where pets can knock them over. Extinguish all candles before going to bed or leaving home.
* Only use indoor lights indoors (and outdoor lights outdoors).
* Insulated staples or hooks should be used to secure outdoor lights. Do not use nails or tacks.
* Install a smoke detector in the same room as your tree and outside sleeping areas. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
* Develop and practice fire drills. Make sure that all family members know escape routes.

And have a safe and happy holiday season!

GUNTER 4-H PROJECT TOUCHES LOCAL HOSPITAL

Members of the Gunter Community 4-H Club recently completed a Community Service Project for the benefit of children admitted to area hospitals.

Gainesville Memorial Hospital was one of the hospitals chosen as a beneficiary of the program, along with medical centers in Sherman, Denison and Bonham.

Members of the group gathered funds and carefully shopped for items to make “activity bags” for children who might be admitted to the hospital for care. The bags are age and gender appropriate.

Examples of items included in the bags are colors, coloring books, bubbles, play-dough, stuffed animals, toys, toothbrushes, toothpaste – items that each child in the 4-H group liked and thought other children would enjoy.

“The kids loved shopping for the items to put in the bags,” said 4-H leader Shannon Edwards of Pilot Point. “They worked really hard to stretch their money and get neat things that they thought other kids would have fun with.”

In addition to the care that went into choosing the items to fill each bag, additional detail went into the bags themselves, all handmade from a soft cotton flannel – pink for the girls and blue for the boys.

“It is a pleasure to have these activity bags to give to children admitted to GMH,” said Gayla Blanton, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the hospital. “No matter how bad a child feels, a smile comes to their face when they are presented with one of these bags.”

“We appreciate the efforts of the Gunter 4-H and we thank them for including our facility in their project.”

The group created 100 bags for the project.

Generic Versus Brand-Name Drugs

The high cost of prescription drugs creates a financial hardship for many people, particularly the elderly and those who are chronically ill.

With the cost of prescription drugs continuing to rise, generics have become a good alternative for people who want to save on the cost of their medications.

“Depending on your prescription, the savings could be significant,” says Danny Reeves, R.Ph., Director of Pharmacy at Gainesville Memorial Hospital.

Many people have questions about the differences between generic and brand- name drugs. Gainesville Memorial Hospital provides the following information to clear the confusion over generic drugs.

1. Generic drugs are copies of brand-name drugs. All generic drugs are reviewed and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA requires generic drugs to have the same active ingredients, quality, strength, purity, and stability as brand-name drugs. They also must have the same dosage form – pill, liquid or injection. Generic drugs look different than brand-name drugs because trademark laws do not allow generic drugs to look exactly like brand-name drugs. Colors, flavors and other inactive ingredients may be different.

2. Generic drugs do not take longer to work in the body. Generic drugs are required to deliver the same amount of active ingredient in the same amount of time as brand-name drugs.

3. The FDA monitors drug reactions and has found no difference in rates of side effects or adverse drug reactions between generic and brand-name drugs.

4. Brand-name and generic drugs are required to meet the same manufacturing standards. The FDA does not permit drugs to be made in substandard facilities.

If generic drugs are equal to brand-name drugs then why are they less expensive?

Generic drugs are less expensive to produce because manufacturers of generic drugs don’t have the research, development, advertising and marketing costs that the developer of a new drug has. This allows the manufacturer to sell their product for less.

“Not all drugs have generic equivalents,” explains Reeves. “Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you if there is a generic version of the medication you are taking.”