In Honor of Nursing Week…

The Monthly Giggle

Crazy Facts!!!

· The largest bone in the human body is the femur—found in the thigh, and the smallest bone is the stapes—found in the middle ear.

· Blood accounts for 8% of human body weight; the average human can lose up to ~40% of their blood volume before the body can no longer function.

· A “Walking Spinal” refers to am unidentified vertebral disc injury compromising the spinal column—most patients will go to the doctor with a stiff neck, only to find out that it is actually broken!

· The Scaphoid bone is the most frequently fractured carpal bone of the wrist and requires casting if broken—although it frequently goes unnoticed in X-Rays until weeks after the injury!

Happy Hands: Correct Hand-washing Technique

Did You Know...

The areas of the hands that contain the most germs are the most commonly missed during hand washing.  These areas include but are not limited to: the fingertips, most of the back of the hand and thumb, the areas in between the fingers, and parts of the palm and forearm.

Source: http://www.forces.org/

TIP!

Use a paper towel barrier to open the door when exiting the bathroom due to the high number of germs that can be found on the door handle!

The Truth About Your Toilet

According to a scientific article published by environmental microbiologist Charles Gerba (University of Arizona), every time you flush your toilet, water droplets from inside the bowl spray 6-8 feet in all directions, contaminating areas that our hands and mouths come into contact with daily.  This has been dubbed “The Aerosol Effect”. 

The implications of ingesting toilet water mostly include risk of exposure to bacteria and disease.  Surprisingly, the toilet seat is one of the cleaner parts of the bathroom because it is typically too dry for bacteria to flourish.  Ironically, one of the most bacteria-ridden areas of the bathroom is the sink—and added toilet bacteria does not help.

Recommended germ prevention strategies include closing the lid and leaving the bathroom immediately after flushing, covering toothbrushes and toilet paper to create a barrier from the spray, washing hands thoroughly, clean all bathroom fixtures every 1-2 days and walls and ceilings should be cleaned regularly to prevent bathroom odor.

TIP!

 

The underlying cause of bathroom odor is actually your ceiling.  While equally affected by toilet spray, it is the most neglected during the cleaning process and can accumulate years of fecal spatter!

Food for Thought: The Mediterranean Diet

Much as it sounds, the Mediterranean Diet adopts the eating habits of the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.  A simple breakdown of the diet is as follows:

· Fruits & Vegetables

· Whole grains

· Nuts

· Olive oil (not butter)

· Flavor food w/ herbs & spices (not salt)

· Eat more fish & seafood—avoid red meat

· Choose low-fat dairy

· Red wine (in moderation) or purple grape juice

Research has shown that adopting the Mediterranean Diet has several health benefits including “reduced risk of overall and cardiovascular mortality, a reduced incidence of cancer and cancer mortality, and a reduced incidence of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.” (MayoClinic)  An added benefit of the Mediterranean Diet is a renewed balance and energy that often leads to an increase in physical activity.

Back to Basics: The Secret is in the Sole

Barefoot running shoes have recently become the latest fad among shoe companies (i.e. Vibram) and fitness buffs worldwide.  Imagine, buying a shoe to simulate barefoot running!  The truth is, our feet are one of the most abused structures of the body on a daily basis—and yet they rarely get the support they need to stay healthy. 

The barefoot runner is designed to “free” the foot from the original highly-structured running shoe without leaving the foot completely unsupported.   The specialized shoe supports the medial longitudinal arch of the foot  from collapsing (which is crucial for maintaining proper foot and leg alignment) and also strengthens the foot and leg muscles with every use.  Barefoot runners also enjoy the added benefits of a smoother ride, since the shoe also encourages less high-impact heel-strike and more weight distribution across the mid and fore-foot. 

Vibram is one shoe company on the forefront of this breakthrough technology, offering functional and casual styles for men, women and children.

 

 Source: www.nature.com; Biomechanics: Barefoot running strikes back—W. Jungers

Photos courtesy of: www.vibramfivefingers.com

National Nursing Week May 9—15

This year, the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) will be celebrating it’s 26th Annual National Nursing Week.  “The week celebrates Canadian nurses and their dedication to patient care and the health-care system.  The purpose of National Nursing Week is to increase awareness among the public, policy-makers and governments of the many contributions nurses make to the well-being of Canadians.” (CNA Website)  ‘The theme chosen for 2011, Nursing—The Health of Our Nation, is an adaptation of a submission by Lori-Ann Sacrey of Newfoundland and Labrador as part of a contest held by the CNA.’   National Nursing Week is of particular importance to Canadians because “if the health needs of Canadians continue to change according to past trends, and if no policy interventions are implemented, Canada will be short almost 60,000 RN’s by 2022.”  

Source: www.cna-nurses.ca