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Summer Health and Safety

PodcastDX

Release Date: 04/29/2025

Fluoride and Healthy Teeth show art Fluoride and Healthy Teeth

PodcastDX

Fluoride has been in the news recently with some people questioning the worth of adding this vital mineral to the water supplies in the United States.  Fluoride repairs and prevents damage to teeth caused by bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria in the mouth produce acid when a person eats or drinks. The acid dissolves minerals in a tooth's surface, making the tooth weaker and open to cavities. Fluoride replaces the minerals lost from a tooth due to acid breakdown. Some fluoride can replace minerals in the tooth surface, making the outer enamel layer harder to dissolve. Fluoride also may...

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Cannabis and the Heart show art Cannabis and the Heart

PodcastDX

Many people assume that ingesting cannabis — whether through edibles, oils, or tinctures — eliminates the cardiovascular risks associated with smoking it. While it's true that edibles avoid the harmful byproducts of combustion (such as carbon monoxide and tar), ingested cannabis still carries significant heart health risks due to the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), its main psychoactive compound. When THC is absorbed through the digestive system, it can cause substantial increases in heart rate and blood pressure — sometimes more dramatically than when cannabis is smoked or...

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Stress and the Immune System re-run show art Stress and the Immune System re-run

PodcastDX

This week we have re-posting a brief insight to the fact that stress can play havoc on the immune system and we hope to have a new guest soon to discuss this weighty problem.  If you are a member of the health care community and would like to be a guest on our show to discuss how stress affects the immune system, please drop us a line at .  Remember chronic stress = excessive cortisol and too much cortisol = a host of medical ailments.      Poor sleep  Cortisol levels are supposed to drop at nighttime, allowing your body to relax and recharge. But if your...

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Navigating the VA show art Navigating the VA

PodcastDX

This week's episode is very special for all of the veterans out there...  We welcome back three previous guests to discuss receiving healthcare at the Veteran Health Administration (VHA) a component of the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). ​ Our main guest (from left to right above) is Mark Frerichs, a Navy veteran who was held captive by the Taliban while working as a government contractor in Afghanistan.  His battle didn't end with his eventual release and he was home trying to get the health care services he deserved.  Supporting him are: Kristal Kent, an Army veteran...

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Dangers of Nitrous Oxide show art Dangers of Nitrous Oxide

PodcastDX

Nitrous oxide, also sometimes known as “laughing gas,” is used in medicine for its sedative and anesthetic (pain prevention) properties. Joseph Priestley, an English chemist, and multidisciplinary scholar, first synthesized nitrous oxide, which has the chemical formula N2O, in 1772. After Priestley’s initial discovery of this substance, fellow chemist Humphry Davy performed various tests on the substance, including breathing the gas alone, with oxygen, and with air. Through this testing, it became clear that nitrous oxide had psychogenic properties, including as a sedative and...

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Vaccine Safety show art Vaccine Safety

PodcastDX

Vaccination is one of the best ways to prevent diseases. Over the past 50 years, essential vaccines saved at least 154 million lives (1). During the same period, vaccination has reduced infant deaths by 40%. Together with governments, vaccine manufacturers, scientists and medical experts, WHO's vaccine safety program is constantly helping monitor the safety of vaccines. This helps ensure that vaccines are safe for you and your family. ​In the United States, a number of safeguards are required by law to help ensure that the vaccines we receive are safe. Because vaccines are given to millions...

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Whooping Cough or Pertussis show art Whooping Cough or Pertussis

PodcastDX

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It's characterized by severe, persistent coughing fits, often ending with a high-pitched "whoop" sound. The disease can be very serious, especially for infants, and is preventable through vaccination. ​​​Whooping cough is an illness that can spread easily. It's also called pertussis. An infection with bacteria causes it. Many people with the illness get a serious hacking cough. Breathing in after coughing often causes a high-pitched noise that sounds like a...

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Summer Health and Safety show art Summer Health and Safety

PodcastDX

What’s your plan for this summer? Enjoying the water? Going camping? Firing up the grill? Whatever you prefer, we have safety steps to follow. And don’t forget your furry friends. There are steps you can take to help keep them safe too. Skin safety Children's skin is more susceptible to sunburns and UV damage from the sun than adults. Before going outside, and dress your kids in protective clothing like rash guards and hats. Choose a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 with broad-spectrum protection that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreen is only safe for children over 6 months...

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Hepatitis (Re-Run) show art Hepatitis (Re-Run)

PodcastDX

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis. However, hepatitis is often caused by a virus. In the United States, the most common types of viral hepatitis are , , and . ​Hepatitis D, also known as “delta hepatitis,” is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). Hepatitis D only occurs in people who are also...

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Narcolepsy (rerun) show art Narcolepsy (rerun)

PodcastDX

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep. People with narcolepsy often find it difficult to stay awake for long periods of time, regardless of the circumstances. Narcolepsy can cause serious disruptions in your daily routine.  Our guest today is Lindsey who will discuss her life with narcolepsy.   ​ Lindsey grew up in Charlotte NC and is currently residing nearby in Belmont, NC with her husband and dog. She was diagnosed in May of 2019 after dealing with symptoms since childhood. She was previously...

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What’s your plan for this summer? Enjoying the water? Going camping? Firing up the grill? Whatever you prefer, we have safety steps to follow. And don’t forget your furry friends. There are steps you can take to help keep them safe too.

Skin safety

  • Children's skin is more susceptible to sunburns and UV damage from the sun than adults. Before going outside, apply sunscreen and dress your kids in protective clothing like rash guards and hats.

  • Choose a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 with broad-spectrum protection that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.

  • Sunscreen is only safe for children over 6 months old. For babies under 6 months, keep them shaded and avoid direct sunlight.

  • Children should also wear sunscreen on cloudy days. Even though the sun is hidden behind clouds, UV rays can still penetrate the skin and cause harm.

  • Stay indoors during the peak sun hours.

  • Warm weather can dry out skin. Apply a moisturizing cream or lotion after bath time and before bed to keep skin hydrated.

Water safety

  • Babies and small children can drown in just two inches of water. Keep a close eye on children around swimming pools, lakes, rivers, kiddie pools, and bathtubs and small containers of water like toilets, buckets, ice chests, or water tables. Make sure they stay covered, have a safety latch, or are kept out of reach.

  • Children can be quick and slip away in an instant, so keep eyes on them at all times.

  • Children can take swimming lessons as early as their first birthday. Other types of swimming lessons like Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) are an option for babies under 12 months. ISR lessons teach survival and self-rescue skills.

  • Only swim in areas with a certified lifeguard.

  • Never go into the ocean after dark..

Nutrition safety

  • Keep your kids hydrated throughout the day by offering plenty of water to drink.

  • Have water bottles nearby and fill them with ice to keep the water cold. Insulated stainless steel bottles keep water cold for hours.

  • In hot weather, offer hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumbers, berries, homemade fruit pops, and smoothies. If your child doesn't like drinking plain water, try infusing it with citrus fruits or fresh herbs for added flavor.

  • When eating and cooking outdoors, avoid leaving raw meat or prepared foods in the sun to prevent foodborne illnesses.

  • When BBQing, use an internal meat thermometer to ensure meats reach a safe internal temperature before eating.

  • Always supervise open flames or BBQ grills and keep kids’ toys and activities away from these areas for safety.

Weather safety

  • Avoid outdoor play during peak sun hours to prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

  • Symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, fatigue, weakness, and nausea. If your child shows any of these signs, get them to a cool place right away, offer water, and use a cool bath or washcloth to help lower their temperature. If symptoms persist after an hour, seek medical attention immediately.

  • Never leave children or pets alone in a car, even for a few minutes, as temperatures can become dangerous quickly.

  • Avoid swimming or entering any body of water during thunderstorms or lightning.

Insect safety

  • Apply insect repellent on children before heading outdoors if bugs are around. Use an EPA-registered insect repellent.

  • Eliminate standing water around your home to reduce the number of mosquitoes and other bugs nearby.

  • If you live in an area with a lot of insects, plan indoor activities to avoid bug bites, especially in the evening.

  • When planning an activity in a bug-prone area, dress children in long-sleeve shirts and long pants made from lightweight, breathable fabrics.

  • Keep doors and windows closed whenever possible. If you want to open them, consider installing screens to keep bugs out. (credits)