Pasadena I.S.D.
Wellness Newsletter
A newsletter for all PISD employees, with information and updates regarding employee
benefits, health and wellness.
May is National Asthma and Allergy
Awareness Month
Flu/Cold or Allergies ???
Cough. Sneeze. Wheeze. You know the
symptoms, but do you really know the
cause? The similarities between symptoms of the flu/cold and nasal allergies
can cause confusion. Worse, it can
cause you to make the wrong diagnosis
and treat with the wrong medications.
And if allergies are left untreated, it
can cause more serious conditions like sinusitis or ear infections.
Allergies
Flu/Cold
Symptoms
Runny nose
(clear discharge),
stuffed nose, violent
sneezing, wheezing,
coughing, watery and
itchy eyes
Runny nose (yellow
discharge,) aches and pains,
sore and scratchy throat
along with sneezing and
coughing
Fever
NO fever with
allergies
If fever is present, it is
almost certainly a flu/cold
When
Anytime of the year
Usually appear in winter,
but are also possible in
the fall, spring or summer
Warning
Symptoms begin
almost immediately
after exposure to
allergens
Usually takes a few days
for flu/cold symptoms to
appear
Symptoms can last a
long time, as long as
you are exposed to
the allergen.
Flu/cold symptoms should
clear up within a few days
to a week. Rarely lasts
more than 10 days
Duration
Flu/Cold
A flu/cold is commonly caused by a virus. You can get a flu/cold from
another person that has that virus, even though you may be in good health.
This happens when you breathe in germs or come in direct contact with
the infected person. To prevent yourself from getting a flu/cold, get a flu
shot every year, frequently wash your hands, use a disinfectant on and be
careful when sneezing and coughing around others.
Let a flu/cold run its course. Get rest, drink lots of fluids and eat healthy
foods. Over-the-counter medications, like an decongestant or a nasal
sprays, can help relieve your symptoms, but they do not cure your cold only time can do that.
Allergies
Nasal allergies occur during exposure to an allergen, and your nasal cavity
becomes irritated and inflamed. Unlike the flu/cold, allergies are not
contagious. If you have a high temperature or an achy body, it is most
likely a flu/cold rather than allergies. Common indoor and outdoor allergens include tree, grass and weed pollen, dust mites, animal dander, mold
and cockroaches.
There is no cure for allergies, but there are prescription and over-thecounter medications treat allergy symptoms. For some people, allergy
shots (immunotherapy), can help to reduce your sensitivity to allergens
over time. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.
From aafa.org
Stroke Awareness:
Stroke happens. To you. To those you love. Know the
signs. Act F.A.S.T.
A stroke happens when a part of the brain dies from lack of
blood, usually because one of the arteries that supply
oxygen-carrying blood to the brain has been damaged.
There are two ways this can happen:
1.
2.
Clogged vessel or ischemic stroke: Caused by blockage
of a blood vessel in the brain, usually by a blood clot or
by fatty deposits on the vessel wall. 85% of strokes are
ischemic.
Burst vessel or hemorrhagic stroke: Caused by a ruptured blood vessel, preventing normal flow and allowing blood to leak into the brain tissue, destroying it.
This occurs in 15% of strokes.
Stroke is a common and often misunderstood condition and
its early symptoms are often ignored. Some brain cells
deprived of oxygen die within minutes. Others may take a
few hours to die depending on the nature of the blockage or
hemorrhage. The loss of physical and mental functions is
often permanent and can include motor-function disability,
The most effective treatment for stroke can be administered
if it is within three hours of the onset of stroke. Although
strokes can occur at any age, most stroke patients
(two-thirds) are over the age of 65.
Risk factors include:
High blood pressure






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High cholesterol
Diabetes
Smoking
Family history of stroke
Obesity
Previous strokes
From stroke.org
May 2012
Human Resources —
Benefits Office
1515 Cherrybrook
Pasadena , TX 77502
713-740-4022 fax
HOURS
Monday—Friday,
8:00am—4:30pm
Staff:
Vonnie Conde,
Benefits Manager
713-740-0121
Thelma Solis,
Admin Asst.
713-740-0120
Cecilia Beltran,
Admin Asst.
713-740-0110
A Reason to Regulate Blood Pressure:
Controlling your blood pressure tops the list of things you can do to help
lower your chances of suffering a stroke, according to the American Heart
Association. The AHA and the American Stroke Association released seven
high blood pressure risk factors to coincide with American Stroke Month.
Studies have also long upheld obesity as a risk factor for heart disease.
How Obesity Leads to Heart Disease and Stroke
Excess body fat remains a major risk factor for heart disease. Extra weight
strains the heart and blood vessels. Losing as little as 5 percent to 10 percent
of your body weight can help blood flow more freely through your body. The
less fat forms plaque, clogging up your arteries, the lower your blood
pressure.
High blood pressure can lead to stroke through atherosclerosis, or
"hardening of the arteries," a condition in which plaque made up of cholesterol (fat) and calcium builds up in the arteries like a drain pipe coated on
the inside with mineral deposits. Over time, cholesterol build-up can restrict
blood flow to the heart and other organs. When blood can't reach the brain
due to blockage in the carotid arteries, it can cause a stroke.
Many people don't consider themselves at risk for high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. Beyond weight, the risk factors the organizations identify include
things we can't control (like family history, aging, gender) and things we can
(such as lack of exercise, poor diet, and drinking alcohol in excess). This is a
good month to do something about the latter.
from everydayhealth.com
“Mothers hold their children’s hands for
a short while, but their hearts forever.”
- Author Unknown
5 Allergy Facts
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Sensitive to Pollen? Wash your hair before bedtime. Reason: You’ll
remove any polled and keep it from settling on pillows and bedding.
Also: Avoid irritants such as tobacco smoke, automobile exhaust, hair
spray and perfume. Wash your hands frequently, plan outdoor activities when pollen counts are low.
The best time to take an antihistamine, which helps block allergic
reactions, is before the symptoms start. Just remember: Some allergy
medications can cause sleepiness. So never take one when safety
requires you to be alert. Suggestion: ask your health care provider
about antihistamines that cause less drowsiness.
Dust mites love to nest in are rugs and make you sneeze and itch. If
you’re allergic, researchers offer a simple solution: Place area rugs in
direct sunlight for a few hours until they become warm and dry.
Result: Mites dry up and die.
Moving to another location is no guarantee of allergy relief. Why:
People usually develop allergies to their new region’s pollens and mold
within a few years of moving. Plus, most allergy-provoking grasses are
widespread throughout the world.
As many as 20% of Americans believe they have a food allergy, but
true food allergies are actually rare. What most people consider food
allergies are usually signs of digestive problems, food poisoning or
stress.
Chicken Piccata with Pasta and Mushrooms
Avoid the crowds – show Mom some love on this Mother’s Day with a
delicious, homemade dinner.
INGREDIENTS
6 ounces whole-wheat angel hair pasta
1/3 cup all-purpose flour, divided
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 chicken cutlets, (3/4-1 pound total), trimmed
3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 10-ounce package mushrooms, sliced
3 large cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup white wine
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
2 teaspoons butter
DIRECTIONS
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just tender,
4 to 6 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and rinse.
2. Meanwhile, whisk 5 teaspoons flour and broth in a small bowl until
smooth. Place the remaining flour in a shallow dish. Season chicken with
1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper and dredge both sides in the flour. Heat 2
teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the
chicken and cook until browned and no longer pink in the middle, 2 to 3
minutes per side. Transfer to a plate; cover and keep warm.
3. Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon oil in the pan over medium-high heat.
Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, until they release their juices and
begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Add garlic and wine
to the pan and cook until reduced by half, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the
reserved broth-flour mixture, lemon juice and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon
salt. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until the sauce is thickened,
about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in parsley, capers, butter and the reserved mushrooms. Measure
out 1/2 cup of the mushroom sauce. Toss the pasta in the pan with the
remaining sauce. Serve the pasta topped with the chicken and the
reserved sauce.
From eatingwell.com
If you’d like to share a recipe to feature in future newsletters, please email them to
[email protected]
P.I.S.D. Wellness Center
Clinic Hours are
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8 am—4 pm
Tuesday and Thursday: 1pm—8pm
Saturday: 8am—1pm
Call 713-740-5300 for an appointment
Services are at no cost for employees and family members covered on our
medical plan. Employees NOT on our medical plan may still receive services, but will have a $50 copay (this does not include cost of xrays,
bloodwork, etc.)
** The PISD Wellness Clinic will not see patients under 2 years of age.
from tophealth
Both the Sun Life voluntary dental (High & Low Plan) and the alternate dental plans are PPO plans. This means you may go to a dentist that is in the
"Dentemax" network or to a dentist that is not in the network. The advantage of going to an "in-network" dentist, is your co-pay will be less. Innetwork dentists have agreed contractually to charge less for the various services, therefore, the co-pays would be less. If you choose to go to a
dentist that is not in-network, the dental plan will pay the appropriate percentages up to the "usual and customary" fees. The usual and customary
fees vary according to the dentist's zip code. Usually, the usual and customary fees are the average fees charged by dentists in that zip code. If you
do not already have a preferred dentist you wish to use and need to find a dentist, your best option would be to seek a dentist on Dentemax’s innetwork list. To find your dentist, you can search online at www2.dentemax.com.
We hope you find the Wellness Newsletter helpful. If there is anything we can do to improve our publications,
or any ideas you may have for future topics, send us an email to [email protected].