transcare20190813013535 pm... · 2019. 8. 13. · decay. if you snack, make it a nutritious choice...

IN THIS ISSUE:•PrincipalOfficer’snote•Oralhealth-Drymouth-Snackingaffectsyourdentalhealth•Fatigue•Springisintheair–pollenallergy•Preventingindigestion•Healthbenefitsofparsley•Statehospital:Complaints,complimentsorsuggestionsprocess

•OurAdministrator’snamehaschanged

•Importantcontactdetails

TransCareTHIRD ISSUE 2019

2019

Welcome to another information-packed TransCare newsletter.

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Oral Welcometoanotherinformation-packedTransCarenewsletter.Wehopethatyoufoundthepreviousissuerelevantandinformative.

ThiseditioncoversarangeoftopicsthatIbelievewillbeofvaluetoyou,ourmembers.Wehighlightsomeusefultipstohelpboostenergylevelsandfightfatigue.

InlightofOralHealthMonthinSeptember,weprovideinformationaboutdrymouth.

Transmedhosteditsannualgeneralmeeting(AGM)inAugust.TheFundwouldliketoextendaspecialwordofthankstoallmemberswhowereabletoattendtheAGM.Yourpresencewasverymuchappreciated.

Wewelcomeanysuggestionsthatyoumayhaveonarticlesorinformationonmemberbenefitsyouwouldliketoseepublishedinfuturenewsletters.

Pleasesendyourfeedbackandsuggestionstosuggestions@transmed.co.zaorSuggestions,POBox32931,Braamfontein2017.

Untilthenextissue,stayhealthyandIhopethatyouwillenjoyreadingthroughtheletter.

Yoursingoodhealth

Petrus WassermannPrincipal Officer

health

September is Oral Health

Month. Weencourageour

memberstotakecare oftheiroralhealth.

Principal Officer’s note

Petrus WassermannPrincipal Officer

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SIGNSANDSYMPTOMSEveryone'smouthfeelsdryfromtimetotime.It'swhenthisfeelingdoesn'tgoawaythatyoumayhaveaproblemproducingsaliva.Symptomsofdrymouthinclude:

• asticky,dryfeelinginthemouthorthroat• troublechewing,swallowing,tastingorspeaking

• aburningfeelinginthemouth• adry,toughtongue• crackedlips• gumirritation• morefrequenttoothdecay• mouthsores• badbreath.

CAUSESDrymouthcanoccurwhentheglandsinthemouththatmakesalivaarenotworkingproperly.Somecommoncausesincludenervousness,stress,certainmedication,ageing,cancertherapy(radiation/chemotherapy)andautoimmunedisorderslikeSjögren’ssyndromeandsmoking.

Sjögren’ssyndromeisachronic,autoimmunediseaseinwhichaperson’swhitebloodcellsattacktheirmoisture-producingglands,theeyesandsalivaryglandsinthemouth.

Sjögren’scancausedryeyes,drymouth,fatigueandjointpain.Itcanalsocausedysfunctionofotherorgans,suchasthekidneys,gastrointestinalsystem,bloodvessels,lungs,liver,pancreasandcentralnervoussystem.

Oralissuesthatoccuraredrymouth,swollensalivaryglandsandanincreaseintoothdecayandgumdisease.Practicegoodoralhygieneandseeyourdentistforregular,professionalcleanings.

DIAGNOSISTheonlypermanentwaytocuredrymouthistotreatitscause.Ifyourdrymouthistheresultofmedication,yourhealthcareprovidermightchangeyourprescriptionoryourdosage.Ifyoursalivaryglandsarenotworkingproperly,butstillproducesomesaliva,yourhealthcareprovidermightgiveyoumedicationthathelpstheglandsworkbetter.

DRY MOUTH

CONTINUES 0N PAGE 4

healthDefinition:

Dry mouth is

when you do not

have enough

saliva to keep

your mouth wet

and moisturised.

'

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FATIGUEFOROPTIMALDENTALHEALTH,

IT’SRECOMMENDEDTHAT

YOULIMITEATINGAND

DRINKINGBETWEENMEALS.

Weallsnackfromtimetotime,butunfortunatelymanypeoplechoosefoodsuchassweetsandchipsforsnacks–allfoodthatharmteethbypromotingtoothdecay.Ifyousnack,makeitanutritiouschoicesuchascheese,yoghurt,fruit,vegetablesornutsforyouroverallhealthandthehealthofyourteeth.Drinkingplentyofwaterbetweenmealsisalsogreat,notjustforyourgeneralhealth,butalsoforhelpingtoflushawayfoodfromteethandgumsbetweenbrushing.

PREVENTIONThereareanumberofstepsyoucantaketohelpminimisedrymouth,including:

• sippingwaterorsugarlessdrinksoftenandduringmeals

• avoidingdrinkswithcaffeine,suchascoffee,teaandsomesodas

• obtainingaprofessionalrecommendationfororalcareproductsthatwillassistinmoisturisingthemouth

• chewingsugarlessgumorsuckingonsugarlesshardcandytostimulatesalivaflow;citrus,cinnamonormint-flavouredsweetsaregoodchoices

• avoidingtobaccooralcohol,whichdryoutthemouth

• minimisingspicyorsaltyfoods,whichmaycausepaininadrymouth

• avoidingsugarandacidicfoods• usingahumidifieratnight.

TREATMENTDrymouthtreatmentdependsonwhatiscausingtheproblem.Ifyouthinkyouhavedrymouth,seeyourdentistorhealthcareprovidertodeterminethecause.

Ifyourdrymouthiscausedbymedicine,yourhealthcareprovidermightchangeyourmedicineoradjustthedosage.

Ifyoursalivaryglandsarenotworkingcorrectly,butcanstillproducesomesaliva,yourhealthcareproviderordentistmightgiveyouanover-the-counterorprescriptionmedicinetostimulatetheproductionofmoresaliva.

Source: https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/conditions/dry-mouth

AFFECTS YOUR DENTAL

HEALTH

DRY MOUTH

Snacking

54

FATIGUEMostofthetime,fatiguecanbetracedtooneormoreofyourhabitsorroutines.Fatiguecanbeanormalandimportantresponsetophysicalexertion,pooreatinghabits,emotionalstress,boredomorlackofsleep.

Insomecases,however,fatigueisasymptomofanunderlyingmedicalproblemthatrequiresmedicaltreatment.Whenfatigueisnotrelievedbyenoughsleep,goodnutritionoralow-stressenvironment,theproblemshouldbeevaluatedbyyourdoctor.

BELOWARETIPSTOHELPBOOSTENERGYLEVELSANDFIGHTFATIGUEThechancesareyouknowwhat'scausingyourfatigue.Withafewsimplelifestylechanges,it'slikelythatyouhavethepowertoputthevitalitybackinyourlife.Considerthesedifferentwaysyoucanboostyourenergylevels.

Dietary suggestions for fighting fatigueHaveagoodlookatyourdiet–it’sveryimportantifyouwantmoreenergyinyourdailylife.

Suggestionsinclude:• Drink plenty of water. Sometimesyou

feeltiredsimplybecauseyou’remildlydehydrated.Aglassofwaterwillhelpdothetrick.

• Be careful with caffeine.Anyonefeelingtiredshouldcutoutcaffeine.Thebestwaytodothisistograduallystophavingallcaffeinedrinks,includingcoffee,teaandsoftdrinks,overathree-weekperiod.Trytostayoffcaffeinecompletelyforamonthtoseeifyoufeellesstiredwithoutit.

• Eat breakfast. Foodboostsyourmetabolismandgivesthebodyenergytoburn.Thebrainreliesonglucoseforfuel,sochoosecarbohydrate-richbreakfastfoodssuchascerealsorwholegrainbread.

• Don’t skip meals.Goingwithoutfoodfortoolongallowsbloodsugarlevelstodip.Trytoeatregularlytomaintainyourenergylevelsthroughouttheday.

• Follow a healthy diet. Increasetheamountoffruit,vegetables,wholegrainfood,low-fatdairyproductsandleanmeatsinyourdiet.Reducetheamountoffoodhighinfat,sugarandsalt.

CONTINUES 0N PAGE 6

AFFECTS YOUR DENTAL

HEALTH

FATIGUE IS A FEELING OF WEARINESS, TIREDNESS OR

LACK OF ENERGY THAT DOES NOT GO AWAY

WHEN YOU REST. PEOPLE MAY FEEL FATIGUED IN

BODY OR MIND.

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• Don’t overeat. Largemealscandrainyourenergy.Insteadofeatingthreebigmealsperday,tryeatingsixmini-mealstospreadyourkilojouleintakemoreevenly.Thiswillresultinmoreconstantbloodsugarandinsulinlevels.You’llalsofinditeasiertoloseexcessbodyfatifyoueatthisway.

• Eat iron-rich food. Womeninparticulararepronetoiron-deficiency(anaemia),whichcanleadtofatigue.Makesureyourdietincludesiron-richfoodssuchasleanredmeat.

SLEEPSUGGESTIONSFORFIGHTINGFATIGUEAcommoncauseoffatigueisinsufficientorpoorqualitysleep.Suggestionsinclude:

• Get enough sleep. Two-thirdsofussufferfromsleepproblemsandmanypeopledon’tgetthesleeptheyneedtostayalertthroughtheday.Somerecommendationsongettingagoodnight’ssleepincludegoingtobedandgettingupinthemorningatthesametimeeveryday,avoidingnapsduringthedayandhavingawarmbathorshowerbeforebed.

• Limit caffeine intake. Toomuchcaffeine,particularlyintheevening,cancauseinsomnia.Limitcaffeinateddrinkstofive

orlessperdayandavoidthesetypesofdrinksafterdinner.

• Learn how to relax. Acommoncauseofinsomniaisworryingaboutproblemswhilelyinginbed.Experimentwithdifferentrelaxationtechniquesuntilyoufindoneortwothatworkforyou.Forexample,youcouldthinkofarestfulscene,focusonyourbreathingorsilentlyrepeatacalmingmantraorphrase.

• Avoid sleeping pills. Sleepingpillsarenotalong-termsolution,becausetheydon’taddressthecausesofinsomnia.

LIFESTYLESUGGES-TIONSFORFIGHTINGFATIGUESuggestionsinclude:

• Do not smoke. Cigarettesmokecontainsmanyharmfulsubstances.Therearemanyreasonswhysmokerstypicallyhavelowerenergylevelsthannon-smokers.Forexample,forthebodytomakeenergyitneedstocombineglucosewithoxygen,butthecarbonmonoxideincigarettesmokereducestheamountofoxygenavailableintheblood.

• Increase physical activity.Physicalactivityboostsenergylevels,whileasedentarylifestyleisaknowncauseoffatigue.

Physicalactivitysuchaswalkinghasmanygoodeffectsonthebodyandmind.Seekadviceandencouragementregardingthestepsyoucantaketofollowamoreactivelifestyleandtalktoyourdoctorifyouhaven’texercisedinalongtime,areobeseorhaveachroniccondition.

• Move more and sit less. Reducesedentarybehavioursuchaswatchingtelevisionandbreakuplongboutsofsitting.

• Seek treatment for substance abuse. Excessivealcoholconsumptionorrecreationaldrugusecontributetofatigueandareunhealthyandpotentiallydangerous.

PSYCHOLOGICALISSUESANDFATIGUEStudiessuggestthatbetween50and80percentofcasesoffatiguearemainlyduetopsychologicalfactors.Suggestionsinclude:

• Talk about it. There’ssomeevidencethattalkingtherapysuchascounsellingorcognitivebehaviouraltherapymighthelptofightfatigue.Seeyourdoctorforareferralfortalkingtreatment.

• Reduce stress. Stressusesupalotofenergy.

FATIGUE

6

CONTINUED

7

Trytointroducerelaxingactivitiesintoyourday.Thiscouldbemeditation,listeningtomusic,readingorspendingtimewithfriends.Whateverrelaxesyouwillimproveyourenergy.

• Assess your lifestyle. Forexample,areyouputtingyourselfunderunnecessarystress?Arethereongoingproblemsinyourlifethatmaybecausingprolongedanxietyordepression?Itmayhelptoseekprofessionalcounsellingtoworkoutfamilyorpersonalissues.

• Learn to do nothing. Oneofthedrawbacksofmodernlifeisthepressuretodriveourselvestobiggerandbetterheights.Ahecticlifestyleisexhausting.Trytocarveoutafewmorehoursinyourweektosimplyrelaxandhangout.Ifyoucannotfindafewmorehours,itmaybetimetorethinkyourprioritiesandcommitments.

• Have more fun. Maybeyou’resopreoccupiedwithcommitmentsandpressuresthatyoudonotgiveyourselfenoughtimeforfun.Laughterisoneofthebestenergyboostersaround.

HOWTOCOPEWITHTHEMID-AFTERNOONENERGYSLUMPMostpeoplefeeldrowsyafterlunch.Thismid-afternoondropinenergylevelsislinkedtothe

brain’sdailyrhythmandishardwiredintothehumanbody.Preventionmaybeimpossible,buttherearewaystoreducetheseverityoftheslump,including:

• Incorporateasmanyoftheabove,fatigue-fightingsuggestionsasyoucanintoyourlifestyle.Afit,healthyandwell-restedbodyislesspronetoseveredrowsinessintheafternoon.

• Eatacombinationofproteinsandcarbohydratesforlunchsuchasatunasandwich.Carbohydratesprovideglucoseforenergy.Proteinhelpskeepyourmindattentiveandalert.

THINGSTOREMEMBER• Alwaysseeyourdoctorto

makesurethatyourfatigueisnotcausedbyanunderlyingmedicalproblem.

• Activityandnutritionareanimportantpartofputtingmoreenergyintoyourdailylife.

• Studiessuggestthatbetween50and80percentofcasesoffatiguearemainlyduetopsychologicalfactors.

Source: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/fatigue-fighting-tips

MOST OF THE TIME, FATIGUE

CAN BE TRACED TO

ONE OR MORE OF YOUR

HABITS OR ROUTINES.

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SpringWHAT IS A POLLEN ALLERGY?Pollenisoneofthemostcommontriggersofseasonalallergies.Manypeopleknowpollenallergyashayfever.Expertsusuallyrefertopollenallergyasseasonalallergicrhinitis.

Eachspring,summerandautumn,plantsreleasetinypollengrainstofertiliseotherplantsofthesamespecies.Mostofthepollenthatcauseallergicreactionscomefromtrees,weedsandgrass.Theseplantsmakesmall,lightanddrypollengrainsthattravelonthewind.

Grassisthemostcommoncauseofallergies.CommonsourcesofgrasspollenincludeBermuda,Johnson,kikuyu,thatching,redandryegrass.Certainspeciesoftrees,includingcypress,plane,foreigneucalyptus,acacia,oakandyellowwood,alsoproduceallergenicpollen.

Plantsfertilisedbyinsects,likerosesandsomefloweringtrees,likecherryandpeartrees,usuallydonotcauseallergicrhinitis.

WHAT IS A POLLEN COUNT?Apollencountishowmuchpollenisintheair.Thisisoftenreportedduringpollenseasononlocalweatherforecasts.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF POLLEN ALLERGY?Peoplewithpollenallergiesonlyhavesymptomswhenthepollentheyareallergictoareintheair.Symptomsinclude:• runnynoseandmucusproduction• sneezing• itchynose,eyes,earsandmouth• stuffynose(nasalcongestion)• redandwateryeyes• swellingaroundtheeyes.

TIPS TO REDUCE POLLEN EXPOSUREBecausepollenisnearlyeverywhereontheplanet–exceptthepolaricecapsandatextremelyhighelevations–itmakesitalmostimpossibletoescape.

Spring is a wonderful time of year. The days warm up, birds nest and the flowers start to bloom. Unfortunately for many, those very flowers are the reason that spring is not a time for joy, but rather a time to stay indoors clutching a tissue to your streaming nose and eyes. Yes, seasonal allergies tend to peak in spring, making this the hardest time of year for sufferers.

is in the air – pollen allergy

8 9

STAY INDOORS DURING PEAK POLLEN TIMESPollencountsarehighestonwarm,dry,breezydays.Thebesttimestobeoutdoorsareveryearlymorning(whendewisontheplants),evening,duringandafterrain,oroncloudy,humidorwindlessdays.Scheduleyouroutdooractivities,includingexercise,duringthesetimes.

KEEP YOUR HOUSE CLEANHouseholddustcontainspollen.Toreducesymptoms,minimisethedustinyourindoorenvironment.Chemicalirritants,suchasfumesfromawood-burningstoveorfireplace,pollution,orcigarette,pipe,andcigarsmoke,canalsoworsenallergysymptoms.

RINSE YOUR NOSEAfteryou'reexposedtopollen,useasalt-waterrinseornasalspraytocleanseyournose.Thiscanbeverysoothingaswell.Theseareavailableoverthecounter.

PROTECT YOUR EYESIfyouhavetobeoutdoorsduringpollenseason,weargogglesorwraparoundglasses.Ifyou'rehighlysensitive,apollen-filteringnasalmask,availableatmostpharmacies,canhelp.

Additionally,don'twearyourcontactlenseswhenthepollencountishigh.Tinypollenparticlescangetunderthelensesandirritateyoureyes.

WASH UPAfterbeingoutdoorsduringhigh-pollenperiods,removeandwashclothingandtakeashower.Showerandwashyourhaireverynighttoavoidbringingpollenintoyourbed.Washyourhandsfrequently.Besuretodryclothesinaclothesdryer.Line-freshclothingmaysmellgood,butitcanbefullofpollenthatstickstowetordampclothes.Usetheclothesdryerinstead.

AVOID ACTIVITIES THAT STIR UP POLLENMowingthelawn,rakingorothertypesofgardeningstiruplargeamountsofpollen.Hiresomeonetotakecareofthegarden.Havethegrasscutfivecentimetresorshortersoitcan'tpollinate.Ifyoucan'taffordhelp,wearapollen-filteringmaskwhileyouwork.

Source: https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/allergies/outdoor-allergies/pollen-and-allergies.htm

You can, however, limit your exposure by following the following tips.

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Healthbenefits of parsley

• improvesimmunity• isfullofironandantioxidants• helpswoundshealfaster• keepsyoureyesbrightand

sparkly• promotesahealthyheart• balancesbodyfluids• helpstocontrolarthritis• isgreatfordigestivehealth• keepsyourteethandgums

healthy.

PREVENTING INDIGESTION

To help prevent indigestion:• avoidovereating• eatslowlyandregularly• avoidgreasy,high-fatfoods• limitspicyfoods• donotsmoke• drinkcoffee,alcoholandcaffeinated

beveragesinmoderation• maintainahealthyweight.

Parsleyismuchmorethanagarnish.Parsleyisanimpressiveherbwithhealthbenefits.Hereareafewhealth

benefits:Indigestionisdiscomfortin

theupperabdomenorchest.

Itisoftenlinkedtonausea,

belchingorbloating.Most

oftentheconditionislinked

toanumberofunhealthy

lifestylefactors.Thesefactors

canresultinpoordigestion.

11

HealthOUR

ADMINISTRATOR’S NAME HAS CHANGED

STATE HOSPITAL: Complaints, compliments or suggestions process

TheFund’s

Administrator,

formerlyknownas

MMIHealth(Pty)Ltd,

hasundergonea

namechangeandis

nowknownas

MomentumHealth

Solutions(Pty)Ltd.

Thenamechangeis

applicabletoall

servicesand

programmesoffered

bytheFund.

The purpose of this article is to inform patients, families and support persons of how to lodge a complaint or submit a compliment or suggestion.

Note!Ifyourcomplaintisurgent,giveitdirectlytotheresponsibleofficial,astheboxeswillonlybeopenedatscheduledtimes,asindicatedontheboxes.

IF YOU LODGE A COMPLAINT, HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO BE DEALT WITH?

IN WRITING

VERBALLY• Approachtheofficial

responsibleformanagingcomplaints,complimentsandsuggestions.

• Thecomplaint,complimentorsuggestionwillberecordedonaprescribedform.

• Fillintheprescribedformthatisavailablenexttothedesignatedboxorobtainitfromtheresponsibleofficial.Theformwillguideyouon

theinformationneeded.• Handovertheformtothe

officialorplaceitintheboxprovided.

• Thecomplaintwillbeacknowledgedwithinfiveworkingdays.

• Thecomplaintwillberesolvedwithin25workingdays.Shouldyourcomplaintrequiremoretimefor

investigation,youwillbeprovidedwithupdates.

Shouldyoubedissatisfiedwiththeoutcome,youmaylodgeyourcomplaintatthedistrictorprovincialgovernmentoffice.

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DISCLAIMER: The information and articles in this newsletter do not constitute medical advice or a medical claim for any product of any nature whatsoever on behalf of the publisher, Fund, Administrator or the distributor. Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner for diagnosis or treatment of any diseases or medical conditions.

Services Contact numbers

Customer service department (general queries) 0800 110 268Chronic medicine 0800 122 263Hospital and major medical pre-authorisation 0800 225 151Optical services (PPN) 0860 304 060/ 0861 103 529Dental services (DENIS) 0860 104 941HIV/AIDS 0861 888 300Ambulance authorisation 0800 115 750

Fraud hotline 0800 000 436

CO

NTA

CT U

S

IMPORTANT CONTACT DETAILS