Improving Your Wellbeing in 2022

Living a Healthier Life in the New Year

Get out your pen and paper and jot down your New Year’s resolution list — what does it look like? Often, many of our patients make a resolution to live a healthier life as the new year comes around. If you’re looking for a place to start, these tips are for you:

Know Your Risks

It’s not only important to know your family medical history to stay on top of your health, but to prevent a medical emergency. If you have a family history of certain conditions, namely diabetes or heart disease, knowing this information can help save your life. Always share this medical history with your doctor, so they can advise you on lifestyle adjustments, monitor your levels, and create a treatment plan if necessary.

Silent Symptoms

Some conditions, such as heart attacks, have well-known symptoms, but they also come with a set of silent symptoms. The silent symptoms of a heart attack include:

Shortness of breath.
Weakness or fatigue.
Sweating.
Nausea or vomiting.
Lightheadedness or dizziness.
Pain in the throat or chest.

Be sure to know the lesser-known symptoms of any conditions you’re at risk of.

Say Goodbye to Bad Habits

After the holidays, there is no better time to quit bad habits and start fresh in the New Year. It’s no secret that smoking and heavily consuming alcohol are bad for your health, and quitting both of these habits can drastically reduce your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions.

You can drink in moderation by limiting yourself to two drinks or less in a day for men, and one drink or less in a day for women. Check in with your doctor first to see if alcohol interferes with any of the medications you’re taking.

Wash Your Hands

In the height of flu season and amid the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping your hands clean has never been so important. The seasonal flu isn’t the only virus that passes by touch and can cause you to become sick. Food-borne illnesses and bacteria can also pass through touch, as well as hand and foot disease and many diarrheal conditions.

The best way to prevent these conditions is to wash your hands:

Before and after preparing and eating food.
After using the restroom.
Before and after caring for someone who is sick.
After touching an animal or animal food and waste.
After blowing your nose.
After touching garbage.

Proper Steps to Clean Your Hands

Some people use cold water to wash their hands, while others don’t use soap. Others rely solely on hand sanitizer — but all of these actions are incorrect. According to the CDC, these five tips should be followed whenever you wash your hands:

Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap;
Lather your hands with soap and hot water — the back of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails;
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds;
Rinse your hands well under hot water;
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

After washing your hands, you should avoid touching common touchpoints, such as door handles. Instead, use a paper towel.

Emergency Medical Services in Quality Care ER

If you believe you are having a medical emergency, dial 911 and visit Quality Care ER for proper treatment. For questions or concerns, contact our office at (903) 417-0886.