Wannamaker DrugProviding quality healthcare to Cheraw, SC and Chesterfield County

Warm weather means activities and fun under the sun! Whether you love putting on shorts and feeling the warm outdoors, or find it hot and sticky, everyone must be careful not to let a heat related illness spoil the day.

Normally, the body has ways of keeping itself cool, by letting heat escape through the skin, and by evaporating sweat (perspiration).  If the body does not cool properly or does not cool enough, the victim can suffer a heat-related illness.  Anyone can be susceptible although the very young and very old are at greater risk.  Heat-related illnesses can become serious or even deadly if unattended.

Preventing Heat-Related Illness

• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.  Light colors will reflect away some of the sun’s energy.  It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
• Drink Water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even when you do not feel thirsty.  Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
• Eat small meals and eat more often.  Avoid foods that are high in protein which increase metabolic heat.
• Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
• Slow down.  Avoid strenuous activity.  If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4am and 7am.
• Stay indoors when possible.
• Take regular breaks when engaged in physical activity on warm days.  Take time out to find a cool place.  If you recognize that you, or someone else, is showing the signals of a heat-related illness, stop activity and find a cool place. Remember, have fun, but stay cool!

Know What These Heat-Related Terms Mean

• Heat Wave: More than 48 hours of high heat (90°F or higher) and high humidity (80 percent relative humidity or higher) are expected.
• Heat Index: A number in degrees Fahrenheit that tells how hot it really feels with the heat and humidity.  Exposure to full sunshine can increase the heat index by 15°F.
• Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion.  They usually involve the abdominal muscles or the legs.  
• Heat Exhaustion: Heat exhaustion is less dangerous than heat stroke.  It typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a warm, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating.  Fluid loss causes blood flow to decrease in the vital organs, resulting in a form of shock.  With heat exhaustion, sweat does not evaporate as it should, possibly because of high humidity or too many layers of clothing.  As a result, the body is not cooled properly.  Signals include cool, moist, pale, flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion.  Body temperature will be near normal.
• Heat Stroke: Also, known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening.  The victim’s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working.  The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.  Signals   include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid shallow breathing.  Body temperature can be very high - sometimes as high as 105°F.

General Care for Heat Emergencies

1. Cool the Body
2. Give Fluids
3. Minimize Shock

For heat cramps or heat exhaustion:  Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position.  If the person is fully awake and alert,  give  a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes.  Do not let him or her drink too quickly.  Do not give liquids with caffeine in them, as they can make conditions worse.  Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths such as towels.  Call 9-1-1 if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness. 

For heat stoke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation!  Help is needed fast.  Call 9-1-1.  Quickly cool the body.  Wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it.  Watch for signals of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear.  Keep the person laying down.

© Copyright The American National Red Cross. All rights reserved.

Spring means flower buds and blooming trees - and for the millions of people who have springtime allergies, it means sneezing, congestion, runny noses, and other signs and symptoms. In the early spring, the major culprit is wind-borne pollen from trees. In late spring, grasses start to cause trouble. The worst springtime allergy signs and symptoms occur during hot, dry, or windy days when there’s a lot of pollen and mold in the air. But before you settle for plastic flowers and artificial turf, try these simple and effective strategies. You can’t completely avoid springtime allergies - but you can reduce your signs and symptoms by being prepared. Here are some tips that can help.

Reduce Your Exposure to Pollen
There are a number of things that you can do to reduce your exposures to your allergy triggers:
• Stay indoors on dry, windy days - the best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.
• Delegate lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening chores that stir up allergens.
• Remove clothes you’ve worn outside, you may also want to shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
• Ban your pets from your bed or couch - pollen clings to pet fur.
• Don’t hang laundry outside - pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
• If you do outside chores, wear a dust mask.

Take Extra Care When Pollen Counts are High
Seasonal allergy signs and symptoms can flare up when pollen counts are high. These steps can help you reduce your exposure:
• Check your local TV or radio station, your local newspaper or the Internet for pollen forecasts and current pollen levels.
• If high pollen counts are forecasted, start taking allergy medications before your symptoms start.
• Close doors and windows at night or any other time when pollen counts are high.
• Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are highest.

Keep Indoor Air Clean
There’s no miracle product that can eliminate all allergens from the air in your home, but these can all help:
• Run the air conditioning in your home and car.
• Use a micron allergy-grade filter in your ventilation system.
• Keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier.
• Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom.
• Clean floors with a vacuum that has a small-particle or HEPA filter.

Clean Up Your Act
Spring cleaning is a great way to reduce allergens in your home. In addition to your regular spring cleaning routine, these few added steps can help if you’re allergic to dust mites.
• Encase your mattresses, box springs and pillows in allergy-proof covers.
• Wash sheets and blankets in water heated to at least 130 F.
• Vacuum carpets weekly.
• Replace carpeting with laminate flooring or another hard material that won’t collect dust mites and other allergens, especially in your bedroom.

When to See a Doctor
For many people, avoiding allergens and using over-the-counter medications are enough to relieve symptoms. But if your seasonal allergies are particularly bothersome, you may need skin tests or blood test to find out exactly what allergens trigger your symptoms. That can help you determine what steps you need to take to avoid specific triggers, and it can help your doctor determine what treatments are likely to work best for you.

What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a bone-thinning disease that could lead to bone fractures. Although older women are more likely to get osteoporosis, older men can get it too, and so can younger people, particularly women. While your bones weaken and thin out as you age, osteoporosis is not a natural part of aging.

Women who have gone through menopause are at greatest risk for osteoporosis because their bodies stop producing estrogen, which protects their bones. There are other factors besides menopause that could increase your risk for osteoporosis:

• Race - being a white or Asian woman
• Bone structure and body weight - being very thin and/or having a small frame
• Cigarette smoking
• Excessive use of alcohol
• Low lifetime calcium intake
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Family history of osteoporosis

Title: Flu Clinic
Location: Wannamaker Drug
Description: This is the last chance to get your flu shot from Wannamaker Drug. $30 for Flu shots and $45 for Pneumonia shots. Flu shots are free to Medicare Part B cardholders.
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2008-11-04
End Time: 14:00

Title: Mastectomy Reception
Location: Wannamaker Drug
Description: A representative from American Breast Care will showcase the latest mastectomy products and accessories from their company. Light refreshments will be served and door prizes will be given away.
Start Time: 18:30
Date: 2008-10-27
End Time: 20:00

Title: Living Tree of Remembrance
Description: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the staff here at Wannamaker Drug encourages you to participate in our \”Living Tree of Remembrance\”. Stop by our store and place a ribbon on our tree during the month of October in honor or in memory of a loved one who has been faced with cancer. The ribbons are furnished by us and the tree will be displayed in our store throughout the entire month to honor those you hold close to your heart!
Start Date: 2008-10-01
End Date: 2008-10-31