Every year I treat experienced outdoorsmen and women, skiers, snowmobilers and hunters in the ER for hypothermia. Most of them are not strangers to the hazards of Wisconsin winters, yet they consistently make one critical mistake - overestimating their body’s ability to fend off exposure to cold and wind.
To avoid hypothermia you have to protect yourself from wind, fatigue, dehydration and getting wet - be it falling in a stream or excessive sweating. One of the best preventative measures is simply dressing smart - with breathable, wicking layers. Wet or damp clothing increases heat loss - so it’s important to pace yourself to avoid excessive sweating. Also be sure to unzip or remove outer shells as you heat up, but be certain to put them back on as soon as you rest.
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If you request a complete - or executive - physical, you should expect your physician to do more than listen to your heart and lungs. In fact, a complete physical should include a wide range of tests depending on your age and gender - such as chest x-rays, audiograms, EKGs, laboratory tests, heart stress tests, pulmonary function testing, CAT scans, urinalysis, mammograms, prostate exams, vascular age tests.
One of the most important steps in a complete physical is the first one - discussing your recent medical history with your physician. If you have concerns, are experiencing symptoms or have questions about preventative tests or measures - now is the time to be forthright. After all, what you do - or don’t - tell your physician plays a role in the examination. If you’re experiencing tenderness - tell and show your doctor. Bothered by headaches, indigestion, an inability to sleep, shortness of breath, excessive fatigue? Tell your doctor. After all, who better to know what constitutes ‘normal’ for you and what is indicative of change, than you? I also recommend that you speak with your significant other or family members or friends with whom you live. They can point out things that might not be as obvious to you - physical traits or symptoms that you have simply “gotten used to” that may be worth a mention to your physician.
Health care reform is taking center stage in this country - as it should. And I’d like to share a thoughtful, informed piece by Michael Pollan (www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/opinion/10pollan.html) contributed to the New York Times recently. It’s well worth reading. In the piece he outlines one of the most critical factors that contributes to America’s exorbitant health care spending - the fact that Americans are getting fatter.
As a physician, I see on a daily basis the toll America’s reliance on fast and processed foods has taken on our health. Be it diabetes, cancer or cardiovascular disease - there is a link between what we eat, our level of exercise and our overall health. Get informed, read the article - then think long and hard about the choices you make on a daily basis for you and your family.
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