December is “Holiday Shopping Safety” Awareness Month

There is nothing more stressful than shopping during the Holiday Season and whether you celebrate Christmas or Chanukah, it will test your patience

You may not think of the Holiday Season as a health threat, but the fact is that the season is filled with reasons to drive you to the edge of your mental and physical capacity. Here are the top health challenges to a joyful Holiday so that you can be aware and take preventive or remedial action at the first sign of a challenge:

• Shopping Safety – We’ll start with the most obvious. If you are shopping for items in multiple stores, don’t make the mistake of taking it to your car and then walk away. Thieves are on the lookout for expensive items like computers, TVs and gaming consoles. The moment they see you put one in the trunk, all they have to do is wiggle their way (and they know how to do so) though a lock or even by breaking a window on an SUV. Avoid creating a temptation for the bad guys by shopping in a single location and then drive away before they can lock-on to your vehicle.

• Family Stress – From planning where to spend Christmas Eve with to who you should visit during Christmas Day or New Years’ Eve can be very stressful. In fact, people don’t realize how family stress can exacerbate other ailments. Stress is known to lower your body’s defenses, so it is important to reduce that stress to ensure you won’t fall ill to the flu or a cold. Anxiety is also a common reason for people to end up in the ER during a holiday break, so take it easy and breathe—your body can handle anything if you set your mind to it. 

• Shopping Stress – Waiting until the day before Christmas to buy gifts is not the best way to ensure a stress-less Holiday Season. Try to plan ahead and shop early—and do it online if possible. Ask your family members what they want and resolve any uncertainties (such as what to get, what options to choose, etc.) beforehand so you don’t stress about it just before you reach Christmas Eve when you won’t have much to choose from.

• Heart Attacks – If stress alone is enough to make you feel bad during the Holidays, consider that it could trigger something worst: a heart attack. Anxiety is a preamble to what could potentially evolve (quickly) into a full-blown heart attack. Reducing your stress is essential, but eating healthy throughout the rest of the year, coupled with regular exercise, can do your body lots of good in combatting the potential for a heart attack during the Holiday Season.

• Choking – During family gatherings during the Holidays, you are likely to find yourself laughting, talking or even arguing at the dinner table. Consider that choking is a real risk that can lead to a bad scare or even death. Eat small pieces one at a time, pace yourself and drink water often, as well as chew food well before swallowing. If you have children in the household, monitor them as they place food in their mouth. Prevention is your first line of defense.

MyMRI wishes all of you a safe and very joyful Holiday Season in whichever way you celebrate—Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza, or any other celebration. Remember that being safe and staying healthy is a choice you make through effective planning, organization and preventive measures.

November is American Diabetes Awareness Month

Diabetes is a silent killer that threatens the lives of millions of Americans every year that can lead to many ailments and even death

Every year, over 1.5 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in the U.S., adding to the count of more than 30 million Americans who are currently living with this disease. In fact, according to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes ranks 7th in the leading causes for death in Americans. Furthermore, given its higher incidence in Senior Citizens, diabetes is linked to poor eating habits during their youth—which makes it even more important to create healthy eating habits from an early age.

Diabetes affects people of all ages and ethnicities. It is also often the cause of complications that lead to death, as well as to amputations and blindness, among other equally damaging consequences. Amazingly enough, over one third of people do not know they have diabetes until they are screened for it as a result of unrelated symptoms or diseases. The most common form is Type 2 Diabetes, which can be controlled through medication and healthier living. However, Type 1 Diabetes requires for people to depend on insulin, making it a more complicated health management process.

For diabetes patients, dietary management is a necessity to ensure their glucose (sugar) levels are kept under control. Failing to control diabetes can lead to heart disease and other cardiovascular ailments, as well as kidney failure and foot complications. Overall, a healthy diet and regular checkups with your doctor can help you manage diabetes for decades. But failing to manage diabetes can lead to blindness and other ailments that will progress in severity over your lifetime—often beyond the point of repair or recovery.

MyMRI wants you to be aware of diabetes and encourages you to get tested for pre-diabetes or diabetes. Younger people can start with a diabetes checkup which, if negative, can simply be replaced by pre-diabetes monitoring every so many years. Always consult a healthcare professional or your family doctor on when you should monitor the chance of diabetes from developing. Being proactive can lead to a better life and to a decrease of the risk of having diabetes in later years of your life.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

An estimated 260,000+ new cases of invasive and 63,000+ cases of non-invasive breast cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year

According to BreastCancer.org, one in eight American women will develop some type of invasive breast cancer in her life. More alarmingly, an estimated 40,000+ women will die in 2018 as a result of some type of breast cancer. Statistically speaking, breast cancer risk increases when a close relative—such as a mother, grandmother or sister—has been diagnosed with it during her lifetime. However, about 15 percent of new breast cancer cases occur in women with no previous family history of this disease.

A measurable drop in breast cancer cases is attributed to a decrease in the use of Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT, which has shown a connection to the disease. Overall health habits also play a role in the susceptibility of women to breast cancer, especially drinking alcohol and cigarette smoking. Also, exposure to radiation in the face or chest before the age of 30 is another measurable risk that can lead to breast cancer. In addition, breast cancer affects women of all races and ethnicities.

Still, perfectly healthy women are still developing cancer and awareness for this type of cancer should be followed by support of initiatives seeking to find a cure for breast cancer. Obesity in its different levels is another known risk factor and this is why women should exercise regularly and have an active lifestyle that can boost their bodies’ defenses. Despite no cure for cancer being found, regular exercising and healthy eating habits—such as eating little or no sugar—are known ways to decrease the risk of breast cancer in women.

At MyMRI, we encourage women to having yearly checkups and to have conversations with their doctors to ensure early detection. After all, the earlier breast cancer is caught, the higher the chance of treatment and survival. Becoming aware of lumps in the breast is still considered to be the first line of defense for any woman who is concerned about the risk of breast cancer in her family. And if you are not sure of how to do a self-exam of your breast, ask a healthcare professional who can share specific techniques or methods.

September is National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month

Spinal cord injuries are caused by sports and vehicular accidents that can often be prevented with awareness and training

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), there are over 17,000 cases of spinal cord injuries in the United States every year. Overall, the total number of people living with some level of spinal cord injury in the country surpass 285,000. Vehicular accidents are a major cause of spinal cord injuries, followed closely by falls and sports activities in a variety of recreational events.

Spinal injuries have multiple levels, ranging from mild and recoverable injuries to crippling levels where the injured can experience total paraplegia—that is, a complete paralysis of the lower body and legs. And in some cases, spinal injuries can also cause complete quadriplegia, which refers to paralysis from the neck and shoulders down, totally rendering the injured from movement of its body and extremities.

At MyMRI, we are well aware of the effects spinal injuries can have on not just the injured, but on their families and their lives. Paraplegic or quadriplegic individuals often are rendered unable to work or remain active in their careers, resulting in loss of wages and increased anxiety on their families, who must transition to the role of caretakers.

Recent trends in spinal cord injuries also confirm that occupational hazards are a major reason for these types of ailments. However, a decrease in sports-related spinal cord injuries is associated with better training, increased use of protective gear, and a general awareness for the need to react quickly to an injury to ensure proper and effective health care.

Awareness is the first step in preventing spinal cord injuries, but prevention is certainly the best way to ensure you avoid them in the first place. Become aware of the risks associated with certain sports activities and always wear padding or helmets. Even if you don’t think the risk is high, protect yourself and your loved ones to ensure you live a long and healthy life. And consider our MyMRI products to ensure fast and effective treatment by First Responders in the event of an accident or sports injury.

August is “Back to School” Safety Awareness Month

All good things must come to an end and this is what happens at the end of the summer vacation and the start of a new school year requires keeping safety first at all times

At MyMRI, we make safety the primary focus on anything we do and at all times. And so, when the time comes to go “Back to School” we want to ensure you are aware of what you can do to keep your children safe.

Here are some of the best way to ensure safety during this “Back to School” month:

1. Don’t Bring Technology to School – We cannot stress enough that a new tablet or laptop computer can be tempting for children who haven’t been taught good values at home. Some children forget that parents work hard to give their children home technology tools and when your children bring them to school, they can be too tempting for potential thieves. Keep the rule simple: only bring technology you can keep on your pockets at all times. The moment an iPad or MacBook goes on the locker, it can lead to a break-in or worst, a bullying situation.

2. Change Combination Padlocks – Starting the new year with a brand-new combination padlock will create a sense of awareness for safety, particularly in schools where children must lock up their books and other belongings. Just like there are bullies in school, there are some children who are always looking for ways to play pranks or take advantage of someone else’s children. Stay ahead of their devious intent by supplying your children with fresh padlocks when going Back to School. Prevention is the first step in safety—and the small investment on a new padlock is a little insurance to protect children who may have inadvertently shown someone their combination.

3. Stay Within School Grounds – Safety measures are sometimes most effective within the school campus. The moment a child steps outside of the school grounds, they are more likely to be vulnerable to any number of challenges ranging from drug dealers to an abduction. Teach children to stay close to the buildings and to avoid wandering away from campus with friends. Show them ways to deflect any invitations to come outside of the campus and if you suspect any drug dealing activity, approach the school’s police or resource officer with any information that can make them aware of it.

BONUS: Parental Safety – When dropping off children for school, be sure to drive slow through the school campus. Many children are not fully prepared for the overwhelming experience (and frenzy) of the Back to School process and can wander in front of oncoming traffic. If at all possible, lower your windows and turn your car stereo system off. This will ensure that you can hear anyone saying “stop” if a child is approaching your car—especially tall vehicles like pickup trucks or SUVs.

There you have it—safety starts by becoming aware of potential threats and taking the steps necessary to create safeguards. Back to School is a time for joy and excitement for your children, but by taking care of their safety with preventive measures, you can ensure the enjoyment for the whole school year!

July is Summer Safety Awareness

Summer is a time to be happy, enjoy the sun and above all, do it together as family—but we must be aware of the seasonal threats to our health and safety

What’s not to like about Summer? It’s warm weather, mostly sunny days and of course, a thousand reasons to spend time outside. However, there are three main threats to the health and safety of both adults and children and at MyMRI we want you to be aware of what they are and how to prevent them:

  • Cold Threat: When the weather is warm or hot, public places tend to be freezing cold as businesses blast cold air-conditioned air to entice you to spend time indoors. However, most people think that the sudden change from hot-to-cold and cold-to-hot can cause us to get seasonal sniffles… Well, as much as you think that’s the case, the reality is that dirty air conditioning system filters can be the culprit, since bacteria trapped in them is now being blowing at full-force indoors. To avoid the “summer cold”, considering spending less time indoors at public places. And if you are a business owner, then be sure to change your air filters on or after Memorial Day—this will ensure that your AC unit is keeping everyone cool, rather than unhealthy.

 

  • Drowning Threat: Summers are notorious for another big safety threat—that is, children drowning in pools and other bodies of water. Most of the times, the main reason children die from drowning is that adults fail to supervise them. In fact, quite often the news coverage of home drownings is followed by quotes like “I was only away for a few minutes…” If you are planning of going inside to prepare refreshments while watching children, get another adult to relieve you until you come back. And if no one is available to do so, ask the children to get out of the pool and “take a snack break” so they can follow you inside the house while you get them food and drinks.

 

  • Burning Threat: Barbecues are synonymous with summer, as are burgers and hotdogs. However, this also means that the threat of getting burned increases—especially when you barbecue around children. Whether you are using coal, wood or gas to heat up the grill, you should establish a safe-zone and boundaries for children and adults around. Quite often a child gets burned by a cinder by simply standing a few feet away. Play it safe by asking adults and children to play away from a grill, especially when playing with football, soccer or other contact sports. Never forget that all it takes is seconds to go from safety to danger.

 

Remember, it’s the summer—get out and exercise so you can get some of that needed Vitamin D from the sun. But never forget that safety is paramount when getting together with friends and their children. And most importantly: never apologize for playing safe. Let them all know you value their lives and health, so that they can be on-board with your personal safety awareness program.

June is National Safety Awareness

June is National Safety Awareness

Playing it safe is not just a cliché expression—it is a way of life that can reduce your chances of ending up in an Emergency Room

At MyMRI, we want you to live a healthy life. After all, that’s makes you live a safe and fulfilling life. In the month of June, we are promoting awareness about staying healthy through everyday safety decisions. While you may already know these, we want you to know that being aware and mindful is the first step in being safe. Here are some good pointers for you and your family:

  • Buckle Up when Driving: Without question, this should be the first thing you do before you even start your car. Furthermore, by the time you buckle up, everyone in the car should be buckled up. It is possible to be ejected from a car during a crash—even when a car that hits you is driving at 30 miles an hour. Ejection almost always results in a fatality, given the fact you are likely to hit other cars or a structure.

 

  • Eat Well and Feel Well: Your own wellness starts with the food you are in-taking on a daily basis. Failing to eat well can quickly have a negative effect on your body and cause you to be more susceptible to illness. For starters, avoid fatty or fried foods since they are a major factor in heart disease. The same goes for sugar, which is found just about everywhere. Play it safe so you stay healthy longer and live a great life.

 

  • Lift with your Legs—not your Back: This is one of the main reasons for ending up in the ER with a herniated disc or pinched nerve. When lifting items over 20 pounds around your home or workplace, do so by lifting with the power of your legs. Lifting with your own back is actually harder to do (although it seems more natural). And if needed, use a back-support belt to ensure you will not hurt yourself while lifting heavy items.

 

  • Stretch Before Exercising: When you stretch, you warm up your muscles and decrease the likelihood of getting hurt once you start your exercise or sports routine. Be sure to learn how to stretch properly and also eat a small snack before you do so. This will help your body fuel up for a more effective exercise routine.

Above all, when doing common activities, you should use common sense. If you are doing something that does not feel natural—it probably isn’t. Also, monitor children and others around you who may not be doing things right. It is far better to sound like you’re exaggerating than to have to dial 911 after someone gets hurt.

So, there you go, enjoy June and the start of Summer with mindful awareness about your safety and that of others around you. And please spread the word and share it on social media too!

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Awareness Month

Physical activity is linked to good health and can add years of life, so get moving and walk, jog or run this month

The sedentary nature of today’s workplaces, where people spend countless hours in front of a computer or taking phone calls, has become a major reason for many ailments. Stress from long days at the workplace also add to damage done by the limited mobility of working adults.

While children and adolescents tend go get more exercise than the average adult, the fact is that even they are now threatened by a sedentary lifestyle with so many reasons to stay indoors—whether it is video games, smartphones or tablets.

For that and many more reasons, it is important to showcase the benefits of what physical activity and playing sports can do for our good health.

Here are some ways to promote physical activity and sportsmanship in your family:

  • Get a gym or health club membership—and start exercising at least two to three times a week. And if you can get the whole family to attend, then go to the gym together.
  • Sign up for a “walking club” or similar activity in your community. And if there isn’t one, consider starting one.
  • Get your children involved in sports by making a commitment to attend their games and matches. They are often motivated by knowing you are there for them.
  • If your child does not know what sport they like, don’t force your own preferences on them. Let them test out a few different sports.
  • If sports are not of your children’s interest, consider having them sign up for a club, weekend camp or Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts. Every bit of physical activity helps.
  • Go to a park with your family once a week and let the children roam and frolic—don’t try to monopolize their time. Let them find out what they like to do most.

Awareness starts the process, but action executes it—and at MyMRI, we encourage adults and children to be more active through physical activity, sports and even indoor activities where your body is actively in motion.

From cycling to football to golf, all physical activity can have a positive effect on people’s lives. How about getting off the couch and start moving? And don’t just limit physical activity to sports, you can also dance, do yoga or even meditate as it fortifies the body and mind.

Are you ready to start a new you? The choice is yours and today’s actions can have a positive (or negative) effect in your future.

April is National Youth Sports Safety Awareness

Spring is here and that means you can’t let your guard down to ensure you can prevent youth sports injuries

Springtime is a time when children finally get to play outside as temperatures warm up and everyone gets to enjoy longer days than in the winter. Consequently, as more sports and outdoors activities spike during spring, so do the chances of injury—and in some cases, death. It is for this reason that in April, we should become more aware of the challenges that the spring brings to youth across the country.

Contact sports played outside, such as football, account for many of the springtime injuries. However, other non-contact sports are just as likely to produce injuries due to bad postures, lack of stretching before practicing a sport, the improper use of sports equipment or senseless accidents caused by a lack of focus during physical activities.

According to Stanford Child Health, more than 3.5 million child-age injuries are reported every year in the United States—and of those, about one third are related to sports activities. Another alarming statistic by the same source shows that about 21 percent of all sports-related injuries contribute to some form of traumatic brain injury.

Another study by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2009, reports that the following youth recreational activity and sports injury statistics for children between 5 to 14 years of age:

  • Basketball: 170,000+
  • Baseball/Softball: 110,000+
  • Cycling: 200,000+
  • Football: 215,000+
  • Hockey: 20,000+
  • Skating: Almost 50,000
  • Skateboarding: 65,000+
  • Soccer: 63,000+
  • Trampolines: 100,000+

As a general rule, children involved in recreational activities or sports should always be supervised by an adult. Children are unable to make critical decisions or take preventative measures when doing these activities because—as all children do—they are caught in the joy and emotion of the moment.

However, adults should also be careful not to push or demand of children more than they can deliver in sports. Pushy parents can sometimes be to blame for youth injuries, especially in competitive sports. Awareness goes both ways—and you don’t want to feel responsible for causing your child to end up in the hospital or worst.

MyMRI wants you to keep in mind youth safety awareness in the month of April. Our products are designed to protect your child in the event of an injury, allowing quick and effective access to critical information by first responders.

Please browse around our MyMRI website to learn more about our innovative products.

Source: http://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=sports-injury-statistics-90-P02787

March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) affects over 2.5 million children and adults in the US, while almost one million more are affected by Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

During the month of March, Americans need to be conscious of the safety precautions, research and treatment options for brain injuries (both TBI and ABI).

Sports play a major role in the cause of brain injuries as a result of concussions. Another cause is motor vehicle accidents, but sports remains a focus of prevention through education, protective gear and awareness for its physical and emotional effects.

Brain injuries also affect elderly Americans who may sustain injury as a result of a fall, stroke, seizures, or other type of accidental cause. The effect of brain injuries affects not just the person who is injured, but also their families, friends and even their employers.

When it comes to sports, concussions are a common cause for TBI. Contact sports like football have an increased chance of injury as a result of violent blows to the head. Whiplash injuries as a result of a tackle or falling after reaching for a pass are likely to cause concussions as well.

If you would like to learn more about brain injuries, please visit these sources:

Awareness starts with the gathering of facts to build knowledge that leads to prevention and understanding of TBI and ABI.

We hope you become aware and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your children from potential brain industries.