Tag Archives: #health

Sodium: Is how much you ingest bad?

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For years and years and years HCPs have been telling you to cut out sodium as much as you can from your diet, and I feel like it is everywhere that people know they shouldn’t eat too much sodium, but, why?  And some ways to make sure you aren’t being duped into eating more sodium than you have intended!

SaltmillWhy is too much sodium bad?

Sodium is necessary for your body to thrive because it helps with a lot of the body processes like muscle contraction and relaxation (like with one of the most important muscles: our hearts), so it helps with blood pressure and also functions in our brains. But too much sodium can lead to a body retaining too much water, increase our blood pressure (due to the extra fluid retention related to the sodium), but this puts you at a higher risk for heart attacks and strokes.  For something that is a pretty attainable, lowering your sodium intake, it’s a great way to he healthy and protect your heart.

Where is sodium lurking?

If you are healthy with no medical issues, you can take in up to 2300mg of sodium per day (that’s about a teaspoon of salt) but if you have chronic kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, or are over 50 years old, the suggested daily amount of sodium is 1500mg (which is not very much at all).  Sodium is in almost everything, and if it is pre-made or pre-packaged, the sodium content is usually unbelievably high!  So, if you are on (or should be on) a sodium restricted diet, there are some things you should skip or use sparingly:

– Pre-made foods from stores ( both fresh AND frozen, unless they are labelled as low sodium, but read the labels to be sure)

– Canned foods (even veggies/beans are loaded with sodium as a preservative; I have been buying dry beans and giving them a super soak, much healthier and no sodium added!)

– Condiments (including various spices!)

– Processed meats

– Fast foods

– Processed snack foods (potato chips, cheese curls, etc.)

– Cheeses

– Soups (even low sodium still has a lot of sodium, so I tend to make my own and not add any salt!)

And remember that fresh foods like fruits and veggies naturally have sodium in them, so even though you might think that you are not eating any extra sodium, you might be. Plus, always read the labels to be sure how much sodium is present in various foods! Many different beverages, including some bottled waters have sodium in them, so your best bet at sticking to a low sodium diet, is to reach for foods labelled as “low sodium”, reading package labels, shy away from beverages other than water, and don’t add any salt to your foods when you are cooking!  Plus, half the battle is being aware of how much sodium you should be taking in, and making an effort to stick to it.

And, if you do splurge, make sure to drink a lot of water, and get some exercise to help flush that extra sodium out of your system.

Yours in Good Health

B

An alternative sweetener and a yummy fruit?

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This may sound a little too good to be true, and not everyone will be a fan, but there is a fruit that is grown locally in Peru that is full of nutrients, and can be eaten as a fruit, then when dried, used as a sweetener.

What is this fruit?

The fruit is called lucuma (or a lucma at times.)  It’s full name is the Pouteria lucuma, and is primarily grown in Peru and Chile as they need to grow in altitudes between 1,000-2,400 meters, and in warmer weather.  They can sometimes be called “eggfruits” because the flesh of the fruit is the consistency of a hard-boiled egg, but don’t let that turn you off from trying it, because the flavor has been described as everything from caramel to maple, sweet potato to pumpkin. I know, not what you normally expect from a fruit, and due to the consistency (I am a very tactile eater) I don’t want to jump right in with a spoon, but it is quite tasty added to smoothies, and in ice cream (on its own as a flavor or when mixed with vanilla.) Yum! And besides its unique flavor, it is full of vitamins and nutrients: calcium, Vitamin A (beta carotene), Vitamin B3, iron, and zinc. And as an added bonus?  It has fiber and antioxidants in it!

lucumaHow is it used as a sweetener?

When the flesh of the lucuma fruit is dried, then ground into a powder, it still contains all of those vitamins and nutrients, and because of the inherent fruit sweetness (fructose), it is still sweet when dried and ground.  It is a low glycemic index food, which means it adds the sweetness, but it does not have a huge impact on your bodies insulin levels (with a surge up then crash like sugar.) It is a different kind of sweet than straight sugar cane sugar, so it cane take some getting used to, but I quite enjoy the different flavor that it has, and if you are looking to cut out sugar from your diet but still have some sweet in your life, it is a great option!  And it is an option for diabetics too.  And you can use it in anything that you would normally sweeten: smoothies, ice cream, coffee/tea, and when baking!

These fruits can be hard to find outside of Peruvian/South American specialty stores, but if you are lucky enough to find one, give it a try.  And, you can find lucuma powder at any health food store and many organic stores.  Try it and let me know what you think!

Yours in Good Health

B

A Happy and Healthy New Year!

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I hear a LOT of chatter about “my diet starts tomorrow!”, “I think I’m going to go gluten-free to lose some weight”, and my favorite “Just signed up for a new gym, so I know I’m going to go every day, and 2013 will be my year.” I appreciate all of the gusto, and that people decide to make a change, with a definitive date in mind (i.e. New Years day), and I REALLY want everyone to be successful, so why don’t we make a resolution we can stick to?  Perhaps, being healthier in 2013! There are so many things you can do to be healthier without making ridiculous requests of yourself that you know you won’t be able to keep.

How do I go about being healthier?

–Make a commitment to exercise: Try something new, something different, and something you aren’t committing to for a whole year! So don’t spend a ton of money at a gym, maybe get a pack of passes to a yoga and/or Pilates studio? Pole dancing? Spinning? Boot camp? Pick your poison; try something new, and stick to a two to three month commitment.  There’s no need to be married to it, if you like it, stick with it, if you don’t, you are not out a ton of money and you will find something new, but you are trying something new exercising, and you’re excited about it, which means you’re more apt to do it.  Paying a ton of money and signing a years contract to a gym does not mean you will actually be going there to run on that hamster wheel…right?

–Take the time for nutrition: Make a food journal, if you feel that you need to step up your diet and eat healthier, and figure out where your calories are coming from.  Don’t cheat yourself, but write down everything (including beverages) that you ingest during the day, and try to find ways to make it healthier, or cut calories.  Do you snack on candy at work? Bring trail mix (full of fiber, some sweetness from dried fruits, and protein from nuts) which will keep you satiated longer than candy and you will feel better, or just bring some protein in the form of nuts, yogurt, jerky, etc. if you bring your own snacks that you enjoy and are healthy, it will cut down on the amount of mindless snacking, that can add up in calories! Plus making your own food, you have more control over the ingredients and the amount of fats/sugars added, so your nutrition is literally in your own hands.

–Try to decrease refined sugars: It is difficult and definitely a commitment, but I am not a huge fan of people quitting things cold turkey, as it were. Watch the foods you are eating, and read nutrition labels, and try to cut out anything with extra sugars added and cut down on how much you add to your morning coffee (for example), or breakfast cereal.  Try Coconut palm sugar or agave, something that is not a chemical, with a low glycemic index that still makes your sweet tooth feel satiated!

–Commit to eat out LESS: Eating out or getting take out foods a lot, not only will cost a lot, but there are hidden fat and calories in take out food, that you wouldn’t add yourself.  If you don’t cook, maybe grab a friend and take a cooking class?  Or just teach yourself, as long as you make a commitment to learn to cook, you can do it…even if not burning toast is a feat for you, give yourself a pat on the back for getting it done! Some food items that seem like you have to buy them because they would be hard to make, are so easy to make and more delicious when you make them yourself, like: hummus and pita chips, salads, soups, etc..  So simple, and you can cut fat, calories, and extra sodium! I made a tomato basil bisque with 1/4 of the fat and calories that you would normally get at a restaurant- so easy, fast, and yumbos!

 

Easy, yummy, good for you, and cost friendly!

Easy, yummy, good for you, and cost friendly!

–Try not to obsess about numbers: I am the opposite of most people and I don’t even own a scale.  I judge my weight based off of how I look and feel in clothes.  I roughly know what I weigh, but I am never certain until I go for a check up and I get weighed! But, if you are someone who weighs themselves a few tips: don’t do it daily (especially for women, hormones can really mess with that number), but weigh yourself at the same time weekly (this will give you a better average), and don’t be so obsessed with ONE number that you want to weigh.  Just be healthy, and exercise, and your weigh will come down to what it should be; if you starve yourself or workout like bonkers to hit a certain number, once you hit it, you will most likely won’t stay there: you set yourself up for failure.

Truly making a commitment to yourself and bettering your health is the first decision that you make, from there on, it is so easy to stick to it: buy healthy foods (buy groceries primarily from the outer aisles of the store), stock up on healthy snacks and keep them around (if you have easy access to healthy foods you are more apt to eat them), and try some new exercises, grab a buddy and go! The only person that can impeded your commitment to a healthier you IS you, so make that decision, go for it fully, and take charge over your own body.  It will feel good to be healthy, and starting off with healthy choices makes you feel good and will lead to a chain reaction of healthy choices.  So here’s to 2013 and a healthier version of you!!!

Yours in Good Health

B

Vision Loss: We are all at a higher risk than we think…..

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I have had some questions lately related to eye damage from sun, and reflections from ice/snow, and people wondering if that can damage your eyes?  YES! Sun glare is a huge danger for our eyes, which is why it is really important to protect them, but there are also some everyday risks that I don’t think most people are aware of that can cause visual damage.  If you are a skier/snowboarder, sailor, hiker….anything outdoorsy, where you might be at risk for sun glare, I want to tell you about the sunglasses that you NEED to protect those peepers (and why they are superior).  And if you are at risk, for other reasons (perhaps due to your work environment) some tips on how to prevent eye damage and protect your eyes at work.

How does vision work?

The eye is a very fascinating organ, and it always amazes me how it works.  There is the cornea, which is the protective covering over the front of the eye (which is clear and gooey), then there is the lens, which helps to focus light rays towards the retina (the first real filter).  The big black center of the eye is the pupil, and that determines how much light is allowed into the eye at one time (gets bigger and smaller depending on a lot of things, but usually the amount of light present is a huge factor).  There is the Iris that surrounds the pupil, and that is the colored part of our eyes (that’s what makes the men swoon, ladies, always the iris!)  At the very back of your eyeball is a nerve tissue called the retina, and that is what senses light, and sends impulses (through a nerve called the optic nerve) directly to your brain. There is a small part of the retina, called the macula, which helps us to see fine details, through having super light sensitivity (this can be difficult in bright sunlight without the proper protection). All of these areas of the eye, work together to make our vision what it is.  Any damage to any one part of your eyes (or the part of you brain that sense your optic nerves), can drastically change your vision.  So, protecting our eyes is really crucial.

What damages eyes?

Most people know about UV-A and UV-B, but did you know about how much damage can be caused by UV-C and Blue light? Ultraviolet light (UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C which are denoted in nanometers, or nm) cannot be seen by the human eye, but they will definitely cause visual damage, over time, with exposure.  UV-C (180-290 nm) is the lowest range of Ultraviolet light (on the light spectrum) and excessive, repeated exposure to it, causes damage to our cornea and lens, and is usually present in sparks or any source of created electricity (visualizing direct bright light).  Repeated exposure to UV-B (280-315 nm) (which is found in nature and indoors as well) can cause damage to the lens and create something called “welders eye” (AKA snow blindness, flash blindness, corneal burns); when you are exposed to high levels of UV light, and it can occur hours after exposure, you feel like your eyes are burning or itching with sand in them and they become quite uncomfortable and watery. UV-A (315-380 nm) which is the highest wavelength (which is found out in nature from the sun) can also cause snow blindness (“welders eye”) with excessive and repeated exposure.  Now, Blue light (380-500 nm), which is present in sunlight, as well as in offices from some lighting and computer screens, causes direct damage to the retina. Many sunglasses do not have full UV-A, UV-B, UV-C, and Blue light protection, which puts you at risk, without even knowing it.  But, you might have a clue; are you still squinting in sunlight behind your sunglasses? That most likely means they are ineffective and not totally protecting you, but I know a fix for that problem. And, at work, if you have to work at a computer all day, which many people do, what are you going to do, be the cool guy in the office and wear shades all day long? No, we can find some workarounds for that too.

How can I protect my eyes?

Outdoors: Well, for starters, you can always have sunglasses on your eyes when you are out in light.  But not just any sunglasses, you need to have a sunglasses that, let’s be honest, look really cool, fit optimally, and actually protect your eyes. There is one new brand out there that actually covers all the aforementioned criteria, along with some other really amazing features: Alue Optics.  A lot of companies create a really basic product for the lowest possible cost, slap on their brand name and charge a premium for their glasses, and you are really getting an inferior product that doesn’t protect your eyes at all (or minimally) from UV-A and/or UV-B exposure.  Honestly, that was something I never really paid attention to; I bought whatever looked cool from Prada (or whatever other brand du jour) and called it a day, but what I have realized now that I am starting to pay attention to my body and the reactions it has, that when I am out in the snow or out on the ocean (or even just driving with snow on the ground) when it is sunny and there is glare, my sunglasses, that I paid quite a premium for, are not at all helpful and I’m still squinting behind them to try to cut the glare…and it doesn’t work. That means my eyes are being damaged AND I can’t visualize anything well, which is really an all around fail.

Alue Optics is a company that was started by a mother and son duo looking to create the ultimate sunglasses, made for people who are active outdoors, whether on the water, running, hiking, being active or taking pictures in the sun, and need to be able to actually visualize what they are doing/snapping pics of…and look good at all the same time. They have created sunglasses that are made for visual acuity (being able to see well what you need to see: the protection from the sunlight and glare allows for the macula to be able to detect fine detail, thus you have better visualization to take pictures, see further, etc.) and comfort using optimal quality glass lenses, giving 100% UV-A, UV-B, & UV-C protection, along with 100% Blue light protection up to 410nm and 93% up to 480nm, which is a statement that almost no other companies can make! Your eyes are basically protected from 180nm to 800nm, and that’s no joke, and the lenses have been extensively tested to prove that. The lenses are made up of five layers of which three are: a polarizing film (a film that helps to filter the lights concentrated reflections that lead to glare), a hydrophobic coating (to prevent smudges and dirt from ruining your vision while being active), and an anti-reflective coating (to prevent glares reflection).  Plus, the designs of the glasses are über cool, and are made to be comfortable (no pinching at the nose or uncomfortable above your ears) because they are made with spring hinges, and made of the finest quality frames from Italy and Japan.  These sunglasses hit everything on my list: look rad on, protect my eyes, and I can see with such amazing clarity?  Any of you who are active outdoors (or even drive in the snow/intense sun) need to get some Alue Optic shades.

Indoors: When you are exposed to UV indoors from your job because you work with welding, intense fire, or other high intensity electricity that you need to stare at, you should always wear protective eye gear with UV-A, UV-B, UV-C, and Blue light protection.  Now, if you work in an office, computer screen glare is not such an easy fix, but there are things we can do to protect our peepers: look away or take a quick “eye break” every 5 minutes (in that you look away from the screen for a few seconds), or close your eyes for 5-10 seconds when you are doing a lot of data input or computer work to give your eyes a small break. It is best to have your computer screen 16″-30″ from your eyes (not too close and not straining), and ensure your font is big enough so you aren’t straining to see what you are typing.  Whenever your office gets heavy sunlight (if you are lucky enough to have a window), use blinds or move your computer screen to prevent glare from the sun on your screen from reflecting directly into your eyes, and try keep your screen clean from dust and fingerprints, because they can add to glare and cause you to strain to see what is on your screen.  Finally, adjust the contrast/brightness of your screen to decrease the amount of eye strain and glare, everyone has a sweet spot based on the lighting available in your office, so adjust your screen to work with what you have and makes you most comfortable.

So, while I am sure you all were hoping I would tell you that you just had to quit your computer jobs to save your overall optical healthy, not so (sorry); just alter your environment to make the least amount of strain as possible and try to get some natural light when you can to give your eyes a break, plus don’t go home after staring at a computer all day and stare at a computer again all night! Give your eyes a break: read a book.

And, for those of you who are in search of the chupacabra of sunglasses, that are made with the most optimal materials from around the world, protect your eyes, and look AMAZINGLY cool, Alue Optics has given me a promo code for you guys to get 25% off your order. When you find the pair of shades that works best for you, enter the code: nursebridgid at checkout and you can thank me later while seeing the world more clearly without glare….and with healthy, fresh eyes! Go check them out, and I know that you will understand why they are such a superior product, I promise your eyes will be happy and healthy!

Yours in Good Health

B

Anxiety

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In honor of mental health week, I thought that I would talk a little bit about anxiety: something that affects us all, in different ways, and totally different levels.  We all face stress, and we all get some form of anxiety, and every single person has a different way of dealing with it…some healthy, and some not so healthy.  I want people to know the difference between “normal” anxiety and “I really need some help” anxiety, and how we can treat it.  Anxiety disorders can start as a child and be a lifetime battle, or it can crop up at any point in your life.

What are some symptoms of anxiety?
Restlessness, feeling “on edge”
Constant worry about issues (small or large)
irritability
Difficulty concentrating
Poor sleeping (unable to get to sleep OR waking up in the middle of the night and unable to get back to sleep- constant exhaustion)
Constant muscle pains/strains (i.e. that tension that might occur in your back, shoulders, etc)
Rapid heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Sweating

What can put you at a higher risk for anxiety disorders?
-Simply being a woman (gross!): women have a 2 times higher rate of anxiety than men
-Personality: Some personality types are more prone to be anxious (hello Type A! I’m not judging, I am a Typer A’er!)
-Genetics: If you come from a family of worriers and stressed out people, you are much more likely to sweat the small stuff.
-Trauma: Anyone who has survived a trauma (childhood, adult) as either a bystander OR someone directly involved in the event, you are much more likely to develop an anxiety disorder if you don’t get help to cope with the situation.
-Chronic Illness: If you have a chronic medical problem which can have flare-ups or cause you to require medical treatment on and off, it can be a constant stressor.
-Substance Abuse: The use of drugs and alcohol can make general anxiety disorders worse, but people try to use the drugs and alcohol to treat the anxiety,and it leads to a very unhealthy cycle of “self treatment”.

What can happen to me when I have an anxiety disorder?
-Chronic headaches
-Substance abuse
-Depression
-Insomnia
-Digestive difficulty
-Teeth grinding (TMJ)

What will my HCP be looking for?
Just like a medical diagnosis, with anxiety disorders there are some criteria that HCP’s are looking for to “diagnose” you with a general anxiety disorder:
-Excessive worry or anxiety about numerous events several days out of the week
-Difficulty controlling your feelings of worry
-Anxiety or worry that interferes with your activities of daily living
-Anxiety that isn’t related to another mental health condition (like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, etc)
-And at least three of the following symptoms: insomnia, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension.

OK. SO what do we do?  How do we treat this?
Alternative therapies:
-Exercise: Many studies have shown that daily exercise of 30 minutes (at least) can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
-Eat Healthy: cut out processed foods, fatty, and high sugar foods and add things that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin B
-Avoid Alcohol and other drugs: as I said before, they can make things worse!
-Use relaxation techniques: yoga, mediation, and take time for yourself to shut off your phone, TV, and all other stimulation if only for 20 minutes a day, or when anxiety is at it’s worst.
-Sleep: shut off your TV, set a bedtime, get into a routine to help your mind turn off.
-Kava*: can help to promote relaxation, but be careful if you have any liver disorders.
-Valerian*: It can help promote sleep and help with relaxation
*talk to your HCP before starting any new supplements!
Medications:
-Antidepressants: can help reduce anxiety and fight off the depressant hat can come with anxiety (i.e.Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor).
-Benzodiazepines: sedatives for SHORT-term relief of anxiety, they should only be used for anxiety attacks and for other sporadic treatment of anxiety, not every day and NOT for long-term use- they can make anxiety worse if taken long-term.
-Buspirone: Can take weeks to get full effect, but can be used for longterm or ongoing treatment of general anxiety disorders.
-Psychotherapy: AKA Talk therapy. For some people scheduling an hour a week of talking to someone who won;t judge you and can help to shape your behavior really works, and I suggest that anyone taking medication is also getting psychotherapy, they really enhance one another!

So many people have anxiety, we live in a high stress world, and I see people all the time that try to combat their stress with drugs and alcohol, because they don’t understand that what they are doing is self-“treating” their anxiety. And I see other people that end up completely breaking down from stress and unable to live their lives. In times of high stress, like a family member is sick, or you are tight for money, etc these things might happen for a few days/weeks.  BUT is this your life?  Am I describing things that you feel every single day?  If so, you need to talk to your HCP to get help and it is not a sign of weakness, it is not something to be embarrassed about- EVERYONE needs a helping hand sometimes!If you have any of these symptoms, PLEASE GET HELP!  If you know someone who needs help, urge them to go to their HCP, bring them to the Emergency Room if it is life threatening; just make sure that your love ones get treated and ask for help- there are tons of people out there to help and support you.  You aren’t dealing with stress and anxiety alone, I promise, and it is nothing to be embarrassed about.  Please talk to someone, and your HCP, and just tell them what you are going through, we can help you!

Yours in Good Health
B

Watch out: the Norovirus is lurking!

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Many people are coming down with rather similar symptoms lately: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, & cramping.  There is a virus that is going around, which spreads quickly, and you could be at risk. I wanted to discuss what the Norovirus is, how to know you have it, treatments, and, most importantly, prevention!

What is the Norovirus?
It is actually the name for a group of viruses that all act similarly, if not the same, on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and cause nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, etc. and are thought of as a gastroenteritis (an infection of the GI tract). They were once referred to as the “Norwalk Like” viruses after an outbreak of these viruses in Norwalk, Ohio in the early 1970’s. They also gained a lot of press after hundreds (if not thousands) of guests on cruise ships were getting infected, and ships had to go to port due to such high rates of illness (If I ever even ponder taking a cruise, I remember this fun time, and I’m all set; could you imagine how horrible that must have been? Gross!) The tough part of the Norovirus is that the virus strains are highly virulent, in that they spread from person to person quickly and easily, and infections from these viruses are usually at the highest during cold winter months. That is a true bummer for all of us living here in New England! Fun fact? Norovirus is the leading cause of food-related gastroenteritis in the United States.  Another fun fact: You will never forget how miserable you feel while infected!

What are the symptoms?
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach cramps
Low grade fever, chills
Headache
Muscle cramps
*the symptoms can occur very suddenly 12-24 hours after exposure to the virus, and normally last around 12 hours and people feel better within 48 hours (see below: you are still a carrier for much longer and can infect others)

How is it spread?
Most often it is spread from person to person through contaminated food and/or water, caring for an infected person, or through contact with contaminated surfaces. It can live on hard surfaces that are infected for around 12 hours and has been found in infected carpet fibers (i.e. an area that someone threw up on) for up to 12 days, plus it can withstand pretty high amounts of chlorine before being killed off. The viruses live in the stool (poop) and vomit from people with the virus, so when caring for children, elderly, or anyone who needs a lot of assistance with care/cleanup, there is a high rate of spreading the infection. You are contagious from the moment you are infected (even before you feel ill) until a full three days after your symptoms end! Which makes this virus so quick to spread especially in places where people live/work closely together, and it is hard to stop the spread once it starts.

My standard at home hydration "go to"

My standard at home hydration “go to”

What is the treatment?
There is no vaccine or antiviral for these viruses, unfortunately. And as we all know antibiotics only treat bacterial infections, so they are useless against the Norovirus. So you are really just trying to treat/prevent the dehydration that can occur after the diarrhea and vomiting; fluids such as gatorade and coconut water will help to replace fluids and nutrients lost, but really any fluids that you can get in and keep down will help to prevent severe dehydration. If your mouth and tongue are really dry and you cannot make saliva, you feel dizzy when changing positions, you aren’t urinating (or it is very dark), you are clinically dehydrated.  When dehydrated, if you are unable to take in fluids, you should go to the Emergency Department for intravenous (IV) fluids. With children, they often will become restless, cry without tears, and have dry oral cavities; they need treatment with IV fluids if they refuse, or cannot keep down, fluids. The best assessment of dehydration status is to watch your pee (frequency, amount, and color- if it appears on the darker side, drink more).

How do I prevent this from happening?
Wash your hands FREQUENTLY!!
Eat food that is thoroughly cooked if you are eating out (or unsure of food quality)
Wash fruits and veggies before eating them
Wash areas that have become contaminated with hot soapy water or bleach
Immediately wash all clothes, bed linens, etc that have become in contact with vomit or stool of an infected person
If you do get infected, avoid contact with others and preparing food until three days after symptoms are gone

Generally, the Norovirus is a nasty couple of days where you feel horrible (absolutely miserable), but it always ends and there are no long-term effects. But if you have chronic illnesses or other active diseases, it can be deadly because of the effects of dehydration and the electrolyte imbalances that can occur. In children, the elderly, and chronically ill, you need to make sure they are taking in fluids with nutrients (pedialyte, Gatorade, coconut water)and if they cannot, you need to seek medical assistance.  Even if you are vomiting, still try to push those fluids…even absorbing small amounts are better than nothing!

So wash your hands, cook that food, and steer clear of anyone with those symptoms and you will be Norovirus free this winter!

Yours in Good Health
B