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Health

Health line

By Times Staff
Published April 18, 2006

Lawn mowers accounted for an astounding 1,400 injuries a week nationwide that required emergency care, according to a nine-year study. Those injured were divided into eight age groups. "For children under age 15, projectiles (launched by the mower), burns from hot surfaces and running over an extremity'' were the frequent causes of injury, according to senior author Dr. David Bishai of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Those 60 and older reported the most injuries overall, with the main causes being "projectiles and falling on slippery surfaces.'' The leading cause for all trips to the emergency room for ages 15 and older: "aches and pains after simply using a lawn mower.'' He added: "Nobody under age 15 has any business around a lawn mower." Here are some tips to help you stay safe while mowing: Wear safety goggles, close-toed shoes with gripping soles and long pants; be mindful of the physical stress of mowing; do not mow wet grass.

By the numbers

59 percent of survey respondents have experienced headaches for more than a decade.

53 percent have at least 10 headache days per month.

63 percent of headache sufferers use over-the-counter medications to treat their headaches.

67 percent say these medications are not effective in relieving headache pain.

59 percent say intense smells or odors may trigger their headaches.

Source: a recent online survey conducted by the National Headache Foundation. For more information on headaches, go to www.headaches.org or call toll-free 1-888-643-5552.

A closer look at unhealthy eyes

Hispanics and African-Americans suffer some of the highest rates of visual impairment and eye disease such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Glaucoma is four to five times more prevalent in African-Americans than in white people, and an estimated 75 percent of Hispanics who have glaucoma and ocular hypertension are unaware of the diseases. For information, visit www.AmEyeHealthy.org.

Talk will focus on cancer

A free, informal discussion about cancer - its causes, screening options, treatments and more - will be held Thursday in Safety Harbor. Those attending can ask Dr. Robert Davidson, a surgical oncologist, about their concerns. The session is offered by Mease Countryside Hospital. It will be from 10 to 11 a.m. in meeting rooms 1,2 and 3 at the hospital, 3231 McMullen-Booth Road. Registration is required. Call (727) 462-7500.

Health insurance helpers needed

A program that provides health insurance counseling to elders and their caregivers is seeking volunteers. The SHINE (Serving Health Needs of Elders) program trains volunteers to help people in Pinellas and Pasco counties make informed decisions about Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care and prescription discount drug programs. The volunteers work from home, at the offices of the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas or in a senior center. Computer skills are beneficial. For information, call Susan Samson at (727) 570-9696, ext. 234, or call the Senior Helpline at the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas at (727) 217-8111.

Hospital facts at your fingertips

Government and commercial Web sites that allow consumers to compare hospitals' quality and cost or health insurance plans' coverage and cost are increasing. Among such sites are myhealthcareadvisor.com, for researching hospitals, medical conditions and procedures; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' information on how well hospitals in a specific area care for adult patients with certain medical conditions, www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov; the insurance agency eHealth's display of plans from more than 140 insurers, www.ehealthinsurance.com; information about the major types of health financing options, www.thehealthpages.com/index.html; the Arizona Department of Insurance's Medicare Part D and supplemental insurance premium comparison, www.id.state.az.us; Delaware's Health Insurance Department explanations and questions to ask, www.state.de.us/inscom/departments/consumer/healthins.shtml; and the New York State Insurance Department's reports to the governor and legislature, www.ins.state.ny.us/puborder.htm.

Chronic Candy concerns

A marijuana-flavored confection called Chronic Candy, endorsed by such professional party people as Snoop Dogg and Paris Hilton, is drawing criticism from some who fear the product will appeal widely to children. The lollipops and gumdrops contain no intoxicants, say officials with the company that markets the candy. Nonetheless, it is advertised with the slogan "Every lick is like taking a hit.''

[Last modified April 18, 2006, 09:37:31]