Cool Off! Hot Drinks Linked to Esophageal Cancer

Just in from CNN Health:

In a review published today by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer agency of the World Health Organization, drinking very hot beverages was classified as "probably carcinogenic to humans."

More specifically, the review by a panel of global experts stated that drinking beverages at temperatures above 65 degrees Celsius -- 149 degrees Fahrenheit -- could cause people to develop cancer of their esophagus, the eighth most common form of cancer worldwide.

Drinking tea, coffee or other hot beverages at this temperature can cause significant scald burns in the esophagus when they're consumed and has previously been linked to an increased cancer risk in this part of the body.

Continue reading article on CNN

National Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results

CNN recently posted an article on its website that has highlighted the key information from the 2015 Center for Disease Control's National Youth Risk Behavior Survey.  The 2015 survey results were compiled from the anonymous questionnaire that is taken by 9th - 12th graders, nationwide. Although progress has been made in certain areas (examples:  riding with an intoxicated driver, violence and cigarette smoking are all down), the survey results highlighted some of the new trends in youth behavior that will require additional focus to address.

Key concerns were as follows:

1. Motor vehicle crashes continue to serve as the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 - 24.
2. Although cigarette smoking among young people has decreased, e-cigarette use has increased.
3. Kids are trying opioids:  17% of young people have experimented with prescription drug use.
4. Sexual activity has decreased slightly, but so has condom use.
5. Screen time (computers & phones) has risen dramatically.

To read the full article, click here.

Update From the US Surgeon General: Zika Virus

You've probably heard news reports about Zika, a virus that's been spreading across South and Central America as well as the Caribbean. 

Zika is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes. In past outbreaks, the vast majority of people who contracted Zika didn't experience symptoms. For those with symptoms, they were relatively mild. 

Zika infection in a pregnant woman can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly, as well as other severe fetal brain defects. Zika has also been linked to neurological disorders such as Guillain-Barré syndrome in those infected, and we have learned that it can also be spread from a man to his sexual partners. 

We're learning more about this virus every day. As Surgeon General, my job is to make sure that you have the information you need to stay safe and healthy.

So here are three things you can do to protect yourself and your families from the Zika virus:

We are responding to local transmission of Zika by mosquitoes in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa -- and we are taking steps to prepare for any transmission within the continental United States. Right now, researchers are working hard to develop a vaccine that will prevent Zika infections.

The federal government is also working closely with the states and private partners to ensure that adequate testing capacity is available so that anyone who may be infected -- especially pregnant women -- can find out quickly and take steps to prevent further spread of Zika. We are also working with states to help them refine and implement Zika preparedness and response plans for their jurisdictions.

But this work takes resources. And we will need more resources to make sure that communities across our country can address a potential Zika outbreak. 

That is why President Obama has requested funds to help us prevent, detect, and treat this virus. It is my hope that Congress will act quickly to provide funding so we can protect the American people from the spread of Zika.

As the summer months approach and mosquito season begins, know that there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from Zika.

For the latest information and resources on the Zika virus, please go to cdc.gov/zika.

Sincerely,

Dr. Vivek Murthy
19th U.S. Surgeon General

Manchester Parks & Recreation Summer Seaside Education Adventure Camp

Come and explore all of the FUN opportunities on the ocean this summer with Seaside Education Adventure (SEA)! SEA is a 5-day ocean experience course based out of Manchester, MA. It runs from 8 AM until 12 PM and the program explores our regional coasts using a 24-foot Novi Skiff.  We can only accommodate 6 passengers each week, so register now!

This exciting, hands-on program for youth (ages 8–18) not only highlights the local (and global!) importance of the ocean, but also offers many educational activities for exploration and enjoyment. We will get our feet wet, our hands dirty, and our minds reeling, while we learn about the vital role the ocean plays in our daily lives. We will see first-hand how the marine biology and ecology that we take for granted are interconnected with, and influenced by, human actions.

SEA’s skilled and passionate directors have deep roots in the community and a love for the sea. In collaboration with the MERSD Green Team and Seaside Sustainability, we offer a unique and exciting approach to exploring the marine ecosystems surrounding Manchester Harbor and beyond. In this program, you will learn about oceanography, marine stewardship, and ecosystem balance.  Each participant will receive a SEA T-shirt, and will be proud to show off their SEAtificate of Qualification!  We can only accommodate 6 passengers each week, so register now!

Click the link below to register or to learn more information about the program! Also, it’s important that you know that you’re registering through Manchester Parks and Rec. If you have any questions, please contact Eric Magers at magerse@seasidesustainability.org.

PLEASE share with your friends and family and thank you!!!!

Seaside Sustainability

Pertinent information:

Weeks:

• June 13-17 (7:30 AM-11:30 AM)
• June 20-24 (7:30 AM-11:30 AM)
• June 27-July 1 (8 AM-12 PM)
• July 5 – 8 - four days only $250 (8 AM-12 PM)
• July 11-15 (8 AM-12 PM)
• July 18 – 22 (8 AM-12 PM)
• July 25 – 29 (8 AM-12 PM)
• August 1-5 (8 AM-12 PM)
• August 8-12 (8 AM-12 PM)
• August 15-19 (8 AM-12 PM)
• August 22-26 (8 AM-12 PM)

Times: 8 AM-12 PM

http://seasidesustainability.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/SEA-Flyer2.0.pdf

Prescription and "Over the Counter" Drug Abuse

Opiate drug abuse is on the rise.  Medications  prescribed for surgical patients  are often taken by others.  Teenage athletes are prescribed medications that are sometimes shared with friends.  Unused medication is being stored where it can be easily accessed by those for whom it is not intended for.  Learn how prescriptions and over the counter medications are being abused.  Sometimes it starts off innocently.  Learn how to protect yourself and family members from unwanted addiction.

http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/prescription-drug-abuse.html

Use the receptacle below to dispose of medications no longer needed.  You may find this  at the Manchester by the Sea Police Department. There are many concerns about unused medication filtering into our water system.  Using this method of disposal is environmentally healthy. 

 http://center4research.org/healthy-living-prevention/vitamins-dietary-supplements-and-over-the-counter-medications/drugs-drinking-water/

Medication Disposal Box
Manchester by the Sea Police Department.

Poison Ivy-Leaves of Three, Let it Be!

 Protect yourself from poison ivy and other poisonous plants!  Do you know what poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac looks like?  Do you know how it is spread?  Did you know that the oil can last 1-5 years  on  contaminated objects?  These plants have a protective oil (urushiol) on them that cause the allergic reaction on your skin.  The rash and resulting blisters do not spread from person to person because they do not contain the oil found on the plant.
Learn how to identify these plants and how to protect yourself by reading more.  Attached are two videos, one describes how the body reacts to the oil, one video teaches how to properly wash the oil off of skin and objects.





http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-118/pdfs/2010-118.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8artgA0ODgw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oyoDRHpQK0

Yankee Magazine had an article in their May/June issue titled "Ask the Expert, How to Get Rid of Poison Ivy."  You can learn more by going to the website www.poisonivyremovalcompany.com.

Protecting Yourself From Tick Bites and Lyme Disease

The people of New England were fortunate to have experienced a very mild winter this past year; The relative lack of snow and ultra-frigid temperatures were a welcomed relief, especially after the unrelenting snowstorms we were subjected to during the winter of 2015!

As recently reported by the Gloucester Daily Times, the warmer-than-usual winter months paved the way for what could potentially be an especially bad tick "season" this year.   As discussed in the GDT article, not only is Massachusetts at the epicenter of the tick-borne illness, Lyme disease, but we are now facing the migration of another disease carrying tick, the Lone Star tick, which spreads a number of other diseases, including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

There are a number of precautions people should take to help protect themselves from tick bites:

1. Be sure to wear long pants, tall socks, shoes and a long sleeve shirt when venturing outside, especially into wooded areas or fields with tall grass
2. Treat your clothing with tick & bug repellent.  There are a number of products available that will help to both repel and even kill ticks.  For a breakdown of such repellents, check out tickinfo.com
3. Get into the habit of thoroughly checking your skin for ticks after returning from wooded or grassy areas.

For more information about lyme disease, and other tick-borne illnesses, check out Webmd or the Center for Disease Control.

Later Start to the School Day = More Sleep = Healthier Teens

In the CNN article "Why Letting Teens Sleep in Could Save Lives," CNN reporter Kelly Wallace cites the latest evidence from the CDC's report "Sleep Duration and Injury-Related Risk Behaviors Among High School Students" when making the case for a nation-wide, delayed start to the school day.  There now exists an overwhelmingly abundant amount of information that not only supports the fact that there are numerous health benefits associated with teens getting more sleep, but that there are proven risks associated with getting too little.  The CDC report was able to demonstrate a clear correlation between teen sleep deprivation and an increase in a variety of injury related risk
behaviors. 


Given that we live in a society that often times glorifies people who sacrifice sleep in the name of

"productivity" and "motivation," perhaps it's time that we take a closer look at the negative side

affects of sleep deprivation, and it's dangerous impact on the health of our country's youth.

21 Easy Steps to Personal Environmental Health

Be proactive and keep yourself healthy by learning about health risks in your environment.  The National Institute of Health kids page has some great advice.  Read labels, know the danger of your job, allergy awareness are just a few topics addressed.  An easy read with great hints!

http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/topics/healthy-living/teen/index.htm

Stereotypes & Prejudice

Just about every society is plagued by negative stereotyping and prejudice. Confronting the damage caused by these beliefs is an essential step towards negating inequality and making the world a better, and safer place, for everyone.

The following video is a great example of the damage that can be done when stereotypes are allowed to persist... until they are challenged.

Neuroplasticity

It was once thought that we are born with a set number of brain nerve cells that go stagnant.  It was thought that the brain could not change after injury or if it had deficits.  Neuroplasticity now disproves that belief and explains how we can change neural synaptic activity.  Lessons can be learned to create new pathways which will enhance one's health.    Studies have also proven how thoughts can change your brain.  By changing your thought process you can decrease stress and improve your overall health.  Incorporating happiness, humor and various positive coping strategies in your life can help make these positive neural changes.
View the animation below to see how pathways change through repetition.  Listen to the Tedx video to see how one women's life was changed by neuroplasticity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELpfYCZa87g
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0td5aw1KXA&nohtml5=False

KidsHealth

Looking for a great health & wellness related resource?  KidsHealth.org is a school approved, trustworthy website that provides a plethora of wellness related information.  The featured topics are both relevant and age appropriate;  KidsHealth is actually broken into three categories:  Info for kids, teens and even parents! KidsHealth  serves as the primary go-to health related resource for the MERMHS health programs and we highly recommend it to both students and families alike.

World Health Organization Reports Dramatic Rise in Diabetes

The World Health Organization reports that nearly 1 out of every 11 people, world wide, are now affected by diabetes.  Need further proof that we need to prioritize daily exercise, the avoidance of processed foods and healthy living...?

Self Image and Media Influence

Self image is a complicated matter.  The way we view ourselves is a byproduct of our life experiences, the way we've been treated by others, and, in the case of self image as it pertains to the way we look, the idealized version of "beauty" that we are exposed to via a wide array of media sources. The featured videos in today's blog post explore the insecurities that both men and women feel about their body image, and challenge us to become less critical of what we perceive to be our physical faults and shortcomings.

Techno Stress

Techno Stress-Technology that was created to make life easier has actually created increased stress and less leisure time.  Adults are connected to work, even on vacation.  Family time is compromised.
As educators, we see how technology helps AND hinders.  Children are on their phones sharing information with 1000 of their "closest friends."  Time working on homework may be decreased if phones are put away during that designated time.  There needs to be a sense of balance with technology. Take time "off grid" to help your brain regenerate so that it may function in a more productive way.

Obesity Rates Continue to Climb Worldwide

Obesity rates in the U.S. have skyrocketed in the past 25 years.  To put things in perspective, the average American is nearly 25 pounds heavier today than they were in 1960.  Ironically, more people than ever are exercising, yet waistlines continue to grow.  The culprit... processed foods.  Over-consumption of foods high in added sugar, refined grains and a variety of additional additives are wreaking havoc on the lives of millions of Americans.  New data points out that by 2025, a staggering 43% of adult women, and 45% of adult men in the United States will be obese.

There is a proven correlation between adoption of the "Western lifestyle," obesity rates and declining health. The following report, posted on CNN Health, paints a grim picture of the direction the world is heading in regards to the prevalence of obesity and obesity related health maladies.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/01/health/global-obesity-study/

Understanding the U.S. Opioid Epidemic

A staggering eighty percent of new heroin users begin using the drug after becoming addicted to opiods; powerful prescription pain killers.  

From the National Institute on Drug Abuse: "Medications that fall within this class include hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin), oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin, Percocet), morphine (e.g., Kadian, Avinza), codeine, and related drugs."

Aljazeera America takes an in-depth look at the opioid epidemic that is currently gripping the U.S., and offers great insight into the dramatic rise in opioid and heroin addition that is affecting people of all walks of life.

This is what happens to your brain and body when you check your phone before bed

Blue light that is given off of computer screens, phones and certain light bulbs can alter sleep patterns.  Learn what you can do to get more zzzz's.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-side