A Healthy Dose of 2011 Reflection

As we wrap up 2011 and look towards 2012, I can’t help but think of the quote by Maya Angelou, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”.

Christmas Giving Doesn’t Always Come With a Bow.

When I was a new nurse, I can remember being shocked at how many people spent the holidays in the hospital, alone without any family or friends to celebrate the holiday season.  These patients were often dropped off by family members or transferred from skilled facilities due to illness.  They spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, not surrounding by family and friends, but with nurses, physicians and nursing assistants that would have rather been home with their families than spend the holidays at work. I remember feeling sad for these patients. Sad that they were alone during a time that was meant to be a celebration of giving, receiving, and joy.

Staying Healthy Through the Hustle and Bustle of the Holidays

The holidays are upon us! The trees are decorated, Christmas cards are sent, presents are bought and the cookies are made (well, at least for some of us).  There is joyous anticipation for the holiday’s gatherings – getting together with family, enjoying the Christmas feast and singing carols around the piano. But for some of us, the hustle, bustle and overindulgence can wear us down leaving us vulnerable to illnesses – especially if we already have a chronic disease. It is during the busiest time of year that we need to be more vigilant in order to stay healthy. After all, we don’t want to miss out on the celebration!

Knowledge is Power! A Key to Illness Prevention is Knowing Your Family History.

When a patient accesses health care either by admittance to the hospital or when they see a new physician for the first time, somebody (typically a nurse) obtains their history.  Just like complying your individual medical history, an important component of that history is family history. Most people underestimate the significance of knowing their family history and can’t recall important family illnesses. However, your family illnesses can provide valuable clues to help prevent the same thing from happening to you.