Back in 2003, Australian men started growing mustaches in November to spark conversations about men’s health. It was that simple. A man grows facial hair in November (Mustache + November = Movember), his buddies ask him if that’s a mustache or a dead animal on his upper lip, and he has an opportunity to mention that it’s men’s health month.
Do pets improve the health of their owners? Most of the time, the answer would be yes. Pets can provide companionship, a reason to be more active, a sense of being needed, and an avenue to socialize with other humans. Some studies have shown that owning pets can lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and triglycerides, and decrease loneliness and stress. About two out of three US households own pets. It is estimated that there are over 160 million pet cats and dogs in the US.
Influenza is a serious illness and complications can develop. People wind up in the hospital every year because of the flu and unfortunately some people even die from it. Getting vaccinated not only protects your child, it also slows the spread of influenza in the community, which is especially helpful to people, including infants or those with compromised immune systems, who cannot receive the vaccination.
Doing a proper warm-up is essential when it comes to running, but not everyone takes the few minutes to actually do it. Some runners say they don’t need to warm-up or don’t have the time, but warming up is vital – it sets you up for a successful run and helps prevent injuries.
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that is best avoided by staying away from other sick people (if possible); washing your hands well with soap and water to rinse away germs that could infect your mouth, nose or eyes; and getting vaccinated.
A family physician in Waupaca commends women who schedule their mammograms, which can detect breast cancer early. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, which is a great time to remind women to get a mammogram, said Zachary Baeseman, MD, family physician at ThedaCare Physicians-Waupaca. However, the importance of breast health should be top of mind all year round, Dr. Baeseman added.
Families who spend time together planning, shopping, and preparing their food are making two very good choices—they are passing on the skill of food preparation (including math, nutrition information and following directions), and they are forming a closer bond through time spent together in conversation and learning. Children are even more likely to eat what they’ve cooked or grown, so they become less picky eaters with a diversity of tastes.
Protect your family, friends and community this winter by getting the influenza vaccination and then encourage others to do the same by sharing #igottheshot on social media.
Did you get the shot? ThedaCare wants to know if you did – the flu vaccine that is. And ThedaCare wants to know who you got the shot for – yourself, your family, your friends or your coworkers with a social media campaign called #igottheshot. When people get vaccinated, they should use that hashtag when sharing that info on social media.
Fall is here and that means a change for people who exercise outside – whether that means additional layers of clothing or fewer hours of daylight to run, walk or bike. Wearing the right gear is important to your outdoor workout and can make a difference in your performance.
Countless cigarette smokers may try e-cigarettes (e-cigs) to try and quit smoking, while many young people begin using e-cigs and go on to try other kinds of drugs. Dr. Adam Olson, a family physician at ThedaCare Physicians-Darboy, says e-cigarette users are introducing dangerous, untested chemicals into their bodies
As flu season kicks off, ThedaCare is reminding people to get the influenza shot this year and share when they got vaccinated on social media with a campaign called #igottheshot.
The start of the new school year brings new teachers, friends and, yes, germs. Children spend a lot of time together in close quarters during the school year. This increases the chance for exposure to cold, influenza and other illnesses. Families can make sure children are up-to-date with vaccinations, ensure a healthy immune system by eating a good diet, and making sure children have a good night’s sleep. There are other ways to reduce the numbers of sick days your child faces.
For media inquiries, please call Cassandra Wallace, Public and Media Relations Consultant at 920.442.0328 or the ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah switchboard at 920.729.3100 and ask for the marketing person on call.
