Category: Health

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5 Health Mistakes to Avoid This Summer

woman relaxing in the pool in the summer

As the summer heat starts to rise, people are beginning to uncover their pools and are starting to do more outdoor activities. Summer is such a great time to reconnect with nature and spend time with loved ones, however, it is important to keep your health in mind while spending hours in the summer heat. Below are five health mistakes to avoid this summer while you are gardening, hiking, or just soaking in the sun.

Dehydration

Being outside in elevated heat conditions can increase your chances for dehydration. To avoid the intense midday summer heat, you may want to consider outdoor exercise or other activities in the early morning or night. Make sure you are staying aware of how much you are sweating and are drinking plenty of fluids.

Ignoring Heat Stroke Symptoms

It is very important to know the signs of a heat stroke, as it is a serious condition and requires immediate medical attention. Some of the major symptoms of heat stroke include dizziness, nausea, absence of sweat, racing heart rate, cramps, confusion, headache, and fainting. If you or someone you know are showing signs of heat stroke, be sure to dial 911 immediately.

Extensive Fasting Periods

Many people begin or continue their weight loss journeys during the summer in order to reach their fitness goals before the end of the year. While this is a great goal to have, it is important to not go for extremely long periods without eating. In fact, fasting during the summer can put you at risk for lower blood pressure and sugar levels since they drop quicker than usual during this time.

Not Protecting Your Skin

It is important to protect your skin from excess sun exposure as well as bug bites and ticks. Be sure to apply sunscreen before spending an extended period of time outside, and make sure you are reapplying it multiple times throughout the day to protect yourself from sunburn. It is also important to protect your skin from bug bites and ticks during the warmer months. If you decide to go hiking, be sure to use bug repellant and remember to throw your clothes in the dryer when you arrive home. Throwing your clothes in the dryer can help rid your clothes of any potential ticks that may have come home with you. Be sure to do a thorough full-body check to make sure you don’t have any ticks already on you.

Careless Food Safety Procedures

When entertaining this summer, make sure you are practicing food safety procedures. A common mistake people make is eating food that has been sitting out for a long period of time. Bacteria thrives in warmer weather, so be sure to pop your food back in the refrigerator once you are done with it.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, Princeton internist practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center and also serves as Medical Director of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Community Health Center.

 

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Heart Healthy Exercises You Can Do at Home

heart-healthy exercises to do at home during COVID-19

During the past few months, the closure of non-essential storefronts due to COVID-19 forced many gyms to close for an extended period of time, making it difficult for many people to get their daily exercise. Most gyms still remain closed and it is important to know how to stay active when going to the gym is not an option. Below are a few exercises you can do at home that may help to improve the health of your heart.

Walking

Walking has tremendous positive effects on your heart health, and thankfully you do not need to go to a gym to do it! Simply going for a walk around the block for 30 minutes a day may have a tremendous positive impact on the health of your heart.

Aerobics

Activities around the house, such as gardening, can be a great way to raise your heart rate and get your body moving. Another fun aerobic exercise you can try at home is dancing!Dancing is a great way to get your blood flowing and boost your mood. Try either of these aerobic exercises at home for about 30 minutes a day to help improve the health of your heart.

Strength Training

Strength training is also a great way to improve your heart health. Some examples of strength training, also known as resistance training, include doing squats, sit-ups, push-ups, and lifting free weights. The American Heart Association suggests doing strength training at least twice per week, but not on consecutive days.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, Princeton internist practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center and also serves as Medical Director of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Community Health Center.

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Tips on How to Have a Healthy Spring Season

woman wearing a hat and walking through a meadow filled with daisies

There is nothing more refreshing than the warm, fresh spring air blowing through the windows of your home after a long winter. The warm weather may inspire you to get up and get moving after being stationary during the winter season. If you are looking to refresh and re-energize your surroundings to improve your physical and mental well-being, check out these tips below on how to have an overall healthy spring season.

Spring Cleaning

If you have been looking at a messy garage or attic all winter, you may be dreading your spring clean out. However, cleaning up these spaces as well as your regular living space could give your mind and your home the cleanse it is craving. Having an organized, clutter-free home can in turn help clear your mind and check things off your mental checklist.

Spring into Finding New Recipes

The winter is full of comfort foods such a turkey, heavy gravies, soups, and desserts. Switching to lighter dishes such as fish or a hearty salad may help you feel better and improve your overall health. The spring season may also inspire you to try new dishes or head to a local farmers market to score some fresh veggies, which will taste delicious in the new recipes you try!

Spring into Exercising

It may sometimes feel like a chore to venture out into the cold weather get some exercise. Let the warm weather motivate you to get out of the house and get moving. Spending time outside can be a great mood booster after all the time you spent inside during the winter and while practicing social distancing.

Making these small changes at the beginning of spring could greatly improve your overall mental and physical health. Starting off on a good note at the beginning on spring may help you on the path to making good healthy choices for the rest of the year.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, Princeton internist, practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center and also serves as Medical Director of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Community Health Center.

 

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The Negative Effects of Binge Drinking

saint patrick's day beer and pretzels responsible drinking habits

At certain times of the year, such as St. Patrick’s Day, many people may find themselves drinking in excess, but what some may not realize is the toll binge drinking has on your body. If you are planning on drinking socially or celebrating this month, be sure to stay safe by monitoring your alcohol intake. From the moment you take your first celebratory sip, alcohol can have an impact on your body and your overall health. While celebrating with your loved ones or attending social events where alcohol is involved, be weary of the negative effects that alcohol can have on your body:

Blacking Out

Alcohol can have a serious effect on how your brain stores memories. Drinking in excess puts you at risk of waking up with little recollection of what took place when you were drinking.

Changes in Behavior

Alcohol can change your behavior and render you unable to make clear and safe decisions. Make sure to not drink in excess in order to limit the changes in behavior that you experience and to keep yourself safe.

Heart Damage

Drinking alcohol excessively and on a regular basis can put you at risk of cardiovascular disease.

Liver Damage

Liver damage is quite common among individuals who binge drink. Damaging the liver can prevent the organ from effectively eliminating harmful toxins from your body.

Lung Infections

Those who drink frequently and in excess can have a difficult time fending off certain bacteria and illnesses, making binge drinkers more prone to diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis.

It is important to always keep your health and safety a number one priority. Make sure you fully understand the negative effects associated with binge drinking and to know your limit with alcohol consumption. If you are concerned about how drinking may be affecting your health, reach out to your primary care physician and schedule an appointment.

Dr. Barbara R Edwards practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center and also serves as Medical Director of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Community Health Center.

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How to Cope with the Effects of Daylight Savings Time

alarm clock set for waking up during daylight savings time

When we spring our clocks ahead one hour this month, we will be pushing sunrise and sunset to be an hour later. Even though we will be able to enjoy the extended hour of sunlight in the evening, losing an hour of sleep and potentially commuting to work in the dark can cause other personal health effects. Throwing off the body’s natural cycle can cause difficulty falling asleep at night and increased fatigue during the day. Below are some ways that you can cope with “losing” that extra hour of sleep:

Expose Yourself to Light

Light subdues the brain’s natural production of melatonin, which is the hormone your body produces to fall asleep. Due to this effect that light has on your ability to fall asleep, it is recommended that you expose yourself to sources of light during the day to keep your body awake and alert. By the same token, you should also avoid being exposed to light during the evening hours so that your body can prepare to fall asleep at your regular bedtime.

Keep Regular Sleep Patterns

It is recommended to try to keep your regular bedtime and time that you wake up to bring your body back into its regular sleep pattern. Getting your body in a routine can help you avoid feeling lethargic during the day.

Avoid Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant and can keep you up far past your bedtime. It is suggested that you avoid caffeine products, especially during the evening hours, so you can fall asleep at a designated time.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, Princeton internist practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center and also serves as Medical Director of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Community Health Center.