Men’s Preventive Maintenance Guide

photo: getty images

photo: wikimedia commons

Get your vaccination

In recognition of June being Men’s Health Month, let’s review some updated CDC information on tests needed for healthy men 18 and above:

Hypertension  (High Blood Pressure) – All men should have their blood pressure checked periodically

  • every 2 years in persons with blood pressure less than 120/80 mmHg
  • every year if higher than 120/80

Elevated Lipids (Cholesterol, other fats in blood) – All men aged 20-34 years should be screened for elevated lipids if they are at increased risk for coronary heart disease

Who has increased risk?

  • Diabetes.
  • Previous personal history of heart vessel disease or atherosclerosis.
  • A family history of cardiovascular disease before age 50 in male relatives or age 60 in female relatives.
  • Tobacco use.
  • High blood pressure
  • Obesity (BMI ≥30).

Diabetes management – Get screening tests for diabetes if you have a strong family history of diabetes, or if you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.  High blood pressure increases the risk for complications of adult diabetes

Tobacco cessation – Smoker?  STOP!  But if you continue, make sure you get a pneumococcal vaccine once, and a influenza vaccine every year.

HIV screening – EVERYONE should be screened for HIV at least once, and periodically if you are at risk for exposure (sex, needle sharing, occupational risk, diagnosed with another sexually transmitted disease) 

Influenza vaccination – Flu vaccine is no longer limited to people with health problems.  Every guy (and gal)  should consider getting a flu vaccine every fall to protect them during the winter influenza season.

All of this is available at Student Health Services, so start your checklist, and get busy!

Good Health.

Roger Miller, MD  (OSU Student Health Services

Got Gip? Feeling Giddy? Need to visit the Loo, then the A&E?

Go for the Gold

London sightseeing

July 27th – the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympics.  Are you packing your bags?  Before you go, take a look at these Tips for Healthy Travel from the CDC. 

Also, check those vaccine records – Measles is spreading in many European countries, including England.  A simple vaccination can protect you and avoid having you bring a infection back to share with friends along with your digital pictures of London Bridge. 

CDC urges that all travelers going to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games or Wimbledon in London (and to many other European destinations) be immunized against measles.  Usually, an MMR booster is all that would be needed, dependent on your previous vaccinations.

Don’t forget, Student Health Services offers comprehensive travel medicine visits for any destination, and will provide you with printed health and safety information for your reference.  We strongly encourage travelers to come in at least 6 weeks before their departure with ALL past immunization records if at all possible. 

 

Cheerio!

Roger Miller, MD (OSU Student Health Services) 

Recreational Water Illnesses

Ahhhh, the pool……that bright, clear blue water, the scent of chlorine in your nose.  It must be safe, right???

WRONG!!!

The CDC is warning us this summer about the dangers of Recreational Water Infections. 

Take a look:

 

And don’t forget the sunscreen, too! 

Roger Miller, MD (OSU Student Health Services)

What do I do for health insurance now that I’ve graduated!?

Don't get lost in the crowd!

womenshealthmag.com

Q: I’m graduating but don’t have a job yet.  What do I do for health insurance?

A: Graduating from THE Ohio State University is a major accomplishment.  It’s a time for excitement and celebration – you earned it. 

But once the speeches end and you take off the cap and gown, you’ve got to face the “real world” and that can be kind of a scary place, especially if you don’t have a job.  Perhaps the job you do have doesn’t provide you with health insurance.

So as a graduation present to all of our newly minted Buckeye alums, we’ve compiled a list of resources that can help you find affordable (relatively speaking) health coverage.  We know it ain’t a new car or a Rolex (talk to your parents about that),  but it may be even more valuable to you – one illness or accident without insurance can cost you big bucks in a hurry. 

Congratulations on everything you’ve accomplished.   Now go out there, work hard, stay healthy and take the world by storm!

Go Bucks!

John Vaughn, MD, Roger Miller, MD, Thomas Curran, Patient Accounts Manager  (OSU Student Health Services)

OSU Student Health Insurance Program – Guide for graduating students

OTHER RESOURCES

COBRA insurance.com an alternative plan that can provide temporary health insurance for 30 days, 6 months and 12 months. The length of coverage might be able to be adjusted to meet the consumer’s needs.

Consumer Benefits.net – Compare 6 plans and receive a free prescription plan. This is an alternative to COBRA insurance. You can compare all 6 plans on their website and receive a free prescription plan when applying through this site.

GradMed.com – This is an official program of the Ohio State University Alumni Association. It is recognized by almost 200 colleges/alumni associations. Comprehensive coverage for alumni and family members under age 65 is available. Great for new grads and other alumni between jobs. The graduate would have a deductible between $500 and $2500. After deductible is met, GradMed will pay 100% of the usual and customary medical expenses up to $1 million. 

The best perk with this option is that there is no co-pay for office visits and no list or network of health care providers to select from. You can go to any licensed doctor or hospital of your choice.  Policy can go into effect the very next day.  Coverage period can range from 30 to 180 days, but you can request an extension of coverage.

Temporary Insurance Quotes.com – This website is similar to shopping for car insurance. You plug in the required information and health insurance companies will respond with quotes for temporary health insurance coverage.

Health Clinics – There might be a free or reduced cost health clinic where you are move. Often, monetary donations are accepted.  Some have income restrictions. Some only serve the local community residents, etc. You can visit http://www.freemedicalcamps.com to access a listing of various clinics. If this does not work; consider contacting the local county Health Department in your new location.

 

Do I have a bug or not?

My belly hurts!

osumccooking.blogspot.com

Jogging with tunes

 Q: I was wondering if there is a stomach bug going around in the Central Ohio area? I, along with several others, have been experiencing stomach pain and diarrhea on and off for about a week. 

A: As of this posting, there are no unique bugs happening to our knowledge, just the usual episodes of stomach crud.  If you are having these symptoms for more than a few days, you should see a clinician for an evaluation.

Student Health watches for any information on clusters of illness in the community that could impact our students.  Our colleagues at the OSU Medical Center, Columbus Public Health, and Ohio Department of Health provide expert support. 

Meanwhile, with the spring growing season underway, and warmer spring and summer temperatures, it is also the time of year for illnesses related to poor food handling.  I hope that was not the case for you, but here are a few tips from the Ohio Department of Health for all of us to keep in mind:

Start clean

  • Wash hands thoroughly before eating, preparing food, after using the bathroom, changing diapers or after contact with animals.
  • Thorough hand washing is defined as using warm water and washing with soap for at least 30 seconds. In public restrooms, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door.
  • Wash meat thermometers, counters and utensils with hot, soapy water after coming in contact with raw meat.
  • Wash all fruits and vegetables well, especially those that will be served raw.

Food and Grilling Safety

  • Keep meat and poultry refrigerated until ready to use, and keep raw meats and their juices away from other foods.
  • Meat and poultry cooked on a grill often browns very fast on the outside. Use a food thermometer to be sure the food has reached a safe internal temperature. Whole poultry, 180 °F; breasts, 170 °F; Ground beef hamburgers, 160 °F; ground poultry, 165 °F. Beef, veal and lamb steaks, roasts and chops, 145 °F. All cuts of pork, 160 °F.
  • After cooking meat and poultry on the grill, keep it hot until served – at 140 °F or warmer.
  • When taking food off the grill, use a clean platter. Don’t put cooked food on the same platter that held raw meat or poultry.
  • In hot weather (above 90 °F), food should never sit out for more than one hour.

Some other wise tips

  • Drink only pasteurized milk, juice or cider.
  • Keep your cooler out of the direct sun and place it in the shade or shelter. Avoid opening too often. Pack beverages in one cooler and perishables in a separate cooler.

Adapted from Summer Safety, an ODH Feature last viewed 5/29/12

Have a healthy summer! 

Roger Miller, MD (OSU Student Health Services)