second edition 2020 - transmed · incorporating these in your diet, along with exercise, is a great...
TRANSCRIPT
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healthSECOND EDITION 2020
IN THIS EDITION:•PrincipalOfficer’snote
• Improvecirculationinyourlegs
•Gout
•Chroniccoughing
•Factsyoushouldknowaboutsinusinfection
•Bathingtipsfordryskinrelief
•Lookafteryourhealth:Preventativetests
•Timetoquitsmoking
•WhatyoushouldknowaboutCOVID-19toprotectyourselfandothers
•Fraudandabuse
•Transmedwebsiteself-servicefacility
•Healthtip:Buildmusclestrength
•Smokingandgumdisease
• Importantcontactdetails
TransWelcome to
the second edition of
TransHealth for 2020
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Principal Officer’s note
2
Petrus WassermannPrincipal Officer
Welcometothesecondeditionof
TransHealthfor2020.Itisunbelievablethat
wewillsoonfindourselvesonthebrinkof
winter.Asweapproachwinterandthe
weatherturnscooler,weurgeyoutotake
extracareofyourhealth.
Ihopethatyoufoundourpreviousedition
informative.
Inthiseditionweexplainwhatgoutis,
itstreatmentandhowtopreventthese
painfulanddebilitatingattacks.Wealso
provideinformationonhowtoimprove
circulationinyourlegsandonchronic
coughing.
Finally,andmostimportantly,yourwellbeing
isimportanttousandtohelpflattenthe
curveofcoronavirusinfection,weprovide
youwithareminderofthesignsand
symptomsofCOVID-19,aswellastipson
preventinginfection.
Happyreading!
Petrus WassermannPrincipal Officer
Hereare afewwaysto improve
circulation:
Poor circulation can bring about a range of uncomfortable side-effects, such as the pooling of
blood and fluid in limbs, cold feet and hands, fatigue and achiness
that is caused by the build-up of lactic acid in the muscles. When
healthy circulation is restored, tissues and muscles receive the
oxygen and nutrients they need to heal. In addition, blood moves
through your veins and arteries more efficiently.
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circulation in your legs
32
ELEVATEYOURLEGSIfyounoticeyouranklesorfeetswelling,tryelevatingyourlegs.Whenyourfeetandlegsareelevated,itsendsbloodflowbackintheoppositedirectiontowardsyourheart,preventingbloodfrompoolinginthelowerlimbs.Preventingbloodfrompoolinginthelegsreducesswellingandtheriskofdevelopingabloodclot.
LOSE WEIGHTBeingoverweightmakesitmoredifficultforyourbloodtoflowefficientlyandputsstressonyourarteriesandveins.Maintainingahealthyweightimprovesyourcardiovascularhealth.
MANAGEYOURBLOODPRESSUREHighbloodpressurecancauseaconditioncalledarteriosclerosis,whichhardensyourarteriesandcanblockoffbloodflow.
STAYHYDRATEDStayinghydratedkeepsyourbloodmovingefficiently.Whenyouaredehydrated,yourbodypullsfluidsoutofyourblood,resultinginmoreviscous(thick)blood.Youshouldaimtodrinkeightglassesofwateraday.
IFPOSSIBLE,TAKETIMETOSTANDUPSittingforprolongedperiodsisnothealthyforcirculation.Sittingforhoursweakensyourlegmusclesandslowsdownthebloodflowinthelowerlimbs.Sloworpoorcirculationincreasesthechancesofdevelopingbloodclots.Trystandingfromtimetotimetohelpincreaseyourbloodflow.Standinguphelpsstrengthenthevalvesinyourveins,sendingbloodflowbackuptoyourheart.
MASSAGEMassagehelpscirculationthroughthemanual-pressuretechniqueappliedduringthemassage.Thepressurehelpsmovebloodthroughareasthatmaybecongested.Thereleaseofpressurecausesandallowsbloodtoflowin,bringinginnutrientsandoxygen.Also,lacticacidisflushedfromthemuscles,improvingthecirculationofthelymphaticsystem.
Massagedoesnotjustimprovecirculationandenhancebloodflow,itlowersbloodpressureandstress,improvesbodyfunctionandcanplayavitalroleinahealthierlifestyle.
REDUCESTRESSMedicalresearchprovesthathighstresslevelsnegativelyimpactbloodpressure.Itiscriticalforyourhealthtomanagestressthroughhealthyhabits,suchasexerciseandgettingoutdoors.
DRY-SKINBRUSHINGSkinbrushinghelpsmoveyourbloodalongintherightdirectionandhelpstopromotelymphflowanddrainage.Itisalsoagreatwaytoexfoliateyourskin.Mosthealth-foodstoressellbodybrushes.Lookforonewithstiff,flatbristlesandstartatyourfeetandworkyourwayup.
TAKEABATHBathsareagreatwaytoaidcirculationtemporarily.Awarmbathcausesyourarteriesandveinstoexpandanddilate,allowingbloodtoflowmoreeasily.Also,hotteaorwaterwillhavethesameeffect.
IMPROVE
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GoutCOMPRESSIONSOCKSCompressionsocksaredesignedtoapplygentle,gradualpressure,beginningattheanklesandmovingupthelegs.Thepressureaimstoboostbloodflowbackuptoyourheartandpreventsitfrompoolinginyourlegs.
QUITSMOKINGIfyousmoke,quit.Nicotine,theactiveingredientinalltobaccoproducts,damagesthewallsofyourarteriesandcausesyourbloodtothicken,makingitdifficultforbloodtopassthroughyourveins.
INCREASEOMEGA-3FATTYACIDSOmega-3fattyacidshelpincreasethereleaseofnitricoxide,whichdilatesbloodvesselsandincreasesbloodflow.Thesefatsalsolowertheclumpingtogetherofplateletsinyourblood,whichreducestheriskofbloodclotting.Fattyfish,suchassalmonandmackerel,areexcellentsourcesofomega-3fattyacids.
FOLLOWAHEALTHYDIETIncreaseyourintakeoffruitandvegetables.Trytolimittheamountofmeatinyourdietandeliminatesaturatedfats.Also,loweryoursodiumintake.Maintainingahealthy,balanceddietwillhelpyoustabiliseyourbloodpressure,loweryourcholesterolandkeepyouatahealthyweight.Inparticular,nutrients,includingvitaminsEandCandomega-3fattyacids,areallkeytoahealthycardiovascularsystem.
INCORPORATEFOODTHATINCREASESBLOODFLOWANDCIRCULATIONSeveralkindsoffoodimprovebloodflow.Incorporatingtheseinyourdiet,alongwithexercise,isagreatwaytooptimiseyourcirculationnaturally.Examplesincludecayennepepper,pomegranate,onions,cinnamon,garlic,beet,fattyfish,turmeric,leafygreens,citrusfruit,walnuts,tomatoes,berriesandginger.
Source: https://restoremd.io/improve-circulation-legs/
Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis
experienced today.
Continued from page 3
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THEBUILD-UPCANLEADTO:• sharpuricacidcrystaldepositsinthejoints,
especiallyinthetoes• depositsofuricacid(calledtophi)thatlook
likelumpsundertheskin• kidneystonesfromuricacidinthekidneys.
Goutcausesseverepain,swelling,redness,heat/warmthandstiffnessinthejoints.Itnotonlyaffectsthebigtoes,butalsootherareas,suchastheinsteps,ankles,heels,knees,fingers,wristsandelbows.
THERISKFACTORSFORDEVELOP-INGGOUTARE:• familyhistoryofgout• beingofthemalegender• highbloodpressure• obesityorexcessiveweightgain,especially
inyouth• moderatetoheavyalcoholintake• abnormalkidneyfunction.
INADDITION,CERTAINFACTORSCANTRIGGERGOUT,FOREXAMPLE:• recentsurgery• dehydration• jointinjury• excessiveeatingandheavyalcoholintake• stress• changesindiet• certainfood,suchasredmeatandrichfood.
HOWISGOUTDIAGNOSED?Signsandsymptomsofgoutinclude:• highlevelsofuricacidintheblood• uricacidcrystalsinjointfluid
• morethanoneattackofacute(suddenonset)arthritis
• arthritisthatdevelopsinoneday,producingaswollen,redandwarmjoint
• attackofarthritisinonlyonejoint,usuallyatoe,ankleorknee.
HOWCANGOUTBETREATED?Whenyouseektreatmentforanacuteattackofgout,yourdoctor’smaintreatmentobjectivewillbe:
• terminationoftheacuteattackandreliefofpain
• preventionofrecurrentattacksiftheyarefrequentbydailypreventativeuseofmedication
• preventionoffurtherdepositsofuratecrystalsanddissolvingexistingtophi.
Yourdoctormayprescribemedicationtoalleviateacuteattacksandpreventativemedicationtopreventfutureattacks.Alwaystakethemedicationyourdoctorprescribesasdirected.
Apreventativemaintenanceprogrammeshouldalsobefollowedtopreventtheerosionofboneandjointcartilage(protectivetissue)andkidneydamage.Underlyingobesity,highbloodpressureandhighcholesterollevelsshouldbecontrolled.
WHATCANYOUDOTOPREVENTFUTUREATTACKSOFGOUT?• Maintainahealthy,balanceddiet.Avoid
foodthatishighinpurines,suchasredmeat,someseafoodandorganmeat,suchasliver.Youshouldavoidfoodthatyoufindaffectsyou.
• Increaseyourfluidintake.Thisisveryimportanttodecreasethepossibilityofuratecrystalformationinthekidneytracts.
• Avoidalcohol.Itretardstheeliminationofurate.
• Exerciseregularlyandmaintainahealthybodyweight.
GoutGout is caused by a
build-up of a substance in the body called uric acid.
Gout is a treatable disease.
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Chronic coughing
Everyone coughs from time to time. Even if you do it
often, the reason behind it may be something as simple
as an irritant in the air, allergies or cold or flu.
,, WHATISACHRONICCOUGH?Coughingmaysometimesbeuncomfortable,butitactuallyservesausefulpurpose.Whenyoucough,youbringupmucusandforeignmaterialfromyourairwaysthatcanirritateyourlungs.Coughingcanalsobeinresponsetoinflammationorillness.
Everyonecoughsfromtimetotime.Evenifyoudoitoften,thereasonbehinditmaybesomethingassimpleasanirritantintheair,allergiesorcoldorflu.However,coughingcanbeasignofanacuteorchronicissuethatmayrequiretreatment.
Acoughthatlastseightweeksormoreiscalledachroniccough.Achroniccoughisnotsomethingtoignore.Untreated,itcaninterferewithdailyactivitiesandkeepyouawakeatnight.
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Inthevastmajorityofcasesachroniccoughcanbesuccessfully
treated.
REMEMBER:
7
WHATCANCAUSEACHRONICCOUGH?Someofthemostcommoncausesofchroniccoughinginclude:• post-nasaldrip–mucusthatdripsdownthethroatfromthebackofthenose;usuallytriggeredbyallergies
• asthma• gastro-oesophagealrefluxdisease(alsocalledacidreflux)–aconditioninwhichacidfromthestomachbacksupintoyourthroat
• chronicbronchitisorotherformsofchronicobstructivepulmonarydisease(COPD)
• infections,suchaspneumoniaoracutebronchitis
• smoking.
Alongwithacough,youmayhaveothersymptomsdependingonthecauseofthecough.Commonsymptomsthatoftengoalongwithachroniccoughinclude:• afeelingofliquiddrippingdownthebackofyourthroat
• heartburn
• hoarsevoice• runnynose• sorethroat• stuffednose• wheezing• shortnessofbreath.
HOWWILLYOURDOCTORFINDTHECAUSEOFYOURCHRONICCOUGH?Yourdoctorwillcompileahistoryofsymptoms.Heorshemayaskyouaboutallergies,medicationthatyouaretaking,whetheryousmokeorhavesmokedinthepast,yourexposuretochemicalsathomeorworkorrecentillness.YourdoctormayalsoorderanX-ray.DependingontheresultsoftheX-ray,heorshemayorderteststolookforthecauseofyourcoughorreferyoutoaspecialist.Onceyourdoctorknowsthecauseofyourcough,heorshewillbeabletorecommendtreatment.
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FACTS you should
know about sinus infections
WHATISSINUSINFECTIONANDSINUSITIS?Sinusinfectionorsinusitisisacommonconditionthatreferstoinflammationofthesinusesandnasalpassages.
WHATISTHEFUNCTIONOFTHESINUSES?Thehumanskullcontainsfourmajorpairsofhollow,air-filledcavitiescalledsinuses.Theseareconnectedtothespacebetweenthenostrilsandthenasalpassage(behindyournose).Sinuseshelpinsulatetheskull,reduceitsweightandallowthevoicetoresonatewithinit.Thefourmajorpairsofsinusesarethe:
• frontalsinuses(intheforehead)• maxillarysinuses(behindthecheekbones)• ethmoidsinuses(betweentheeyes)• sphenoidsinuses(behindtheeyes).
Thesinusescontaindefencesagainstgerms,suchasvirusesandbacteria.Thesinusesarecoveredwithamucouslayerandcellsthatcontaintiny
hairsontheirsurfaces(cilia)thathelptrapandpropelbacteriaandpollutantsoutward.
Acutesinusitistypicallylastslessthaneightweeksoroccursnomorethanthreetimesperyear,witheachepisodelastingnolongerthan10days.Medicationisgenerallyeffectiveagainstacutesinusitis.Successfultreatmentcounteractsdamagetothemucousliningofthesinusesandthesurroundingboneoftheskull.
Chronicorrecurringsinusitislastslongerthaneightweeksoroccursmorethanfourtimesperyear,withsymptomsusuallylastingmorethan20days.
WHATARETHEEARLYSIGNSANDSYMPTOMSOFASINUSINFECTIONORSINUSITIS?Theearlysymptomsofsinusitisincludearunnyorstuffynose,postnasaldrip,earache,painorpressurearoundtheeyesorcheekbones,facialswelling,dizziness,headaches,sorethroat,fever,badbreath,toothpainorsensitiveteeth,fatigue,coughing,lossofasenseofsmell,hearinglossandtinnitus(ringingintheears).
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Sinusitis is a common condition categorised as acute (sudden onset) or
chronic (long term), which is the most
common type.
,,
HOWDOIKNOWIFIHAVEASINUSINFECTION?Sinusinfectionsandsinusitisarediagnosedbylookingatahistoryofthesymptomsandaphysicalexam.TestsmayincludeCTscansandultrasounds.
Acutesinusitisusuallylastsfewerthaneightweeksoroccursnomorethanthreetimesperyear,witheachepisodelastingnolongerthan10days.
Chronicsinusitislastslongerthaneightweeksoroccursmorethanfourtimesperyear,withsymptomsusuallylastingmorethan20days.
Sinusitiscanbecausedbyviruses,allergens,pollutants,bacteriaandfungi.
HOWTOPREVENTASINUSINFECTIONPreventionofasinusinfectiondependsonitscause,buttheprognosisforsinusinfectionsisusuallygoodwhentreatedpromptly.Thosewith
chronicsinusitismayhaverecurringboutsoftheconditioniftherearestructuralorallergiccauses.
WHATISASINUSINFECTION(SINUSITIS)?Sinusitisisaninflammationofthesinusesandnasalpassages.Sinusitisinfectioncancauseaheadacheorpressureintheeyes,nose,cheekareaorononesideofthehead.Apersonwithasinusinfectionmayalsohaveacough,sorethroat,fever,badbreathandnasalcongestionwiththicknasalsecretions.
Sinusitisisacommonconditioncategorisedasacute(suddenonset)orchronic(longterm),whichisthemostcommontype.
Source: https://www.emedicinehealth.com/sinus_infection/article_em.htm
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• Turndownthetemperature:Usewarmwater.Hotwaterremovesyouskin’snaturaloils.
• Reachforgentleproducts:Usemild,fragrance-freecleansers.
• Keepitshort:Limityoubathorshowertimetofiveto10minutestoavoiddryingoutyourskin.
• Patyourskindry:Gentlypatyourskindry,usingasofttowel.
• Moisturiseimmediately:Applymoisturiserwhileyourskinisstilldamptolockinmoisture.
Bathing tips for dry
skin relief
When bathing, follow these tips to
prevent dry skin or to keep dry skin
from getting worse.
Did you know?• Tobaccouseincreasestherisk
ofcancerofthelungs,oesophagus,mouth,bladder,pancreas,kidneys,stomach,prostate,cervixandbreast.
• Tobaccoandsecond-handsmokecontainsover1400dangerousandharmfulchemicalsandwaterpipesmokecontainsover300dangerousandharmfulchemicals.
• Reducetheriskofcancer• Lowerheartrateandblood
pressure• Breathmoreefficiently• Eliminateshortnessofbreath
whenwalking• Livealongerandhealthierlife• Havemorephysicalenergy• Beagoodrolemodelforothers
Source: CANSA
Quitting smoking can
have a positive effect on your
health and lifestyle.
Time to quit SMOKING
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SCREENING TEST RELATED CONDITION FREQUENCYHealth-checkbenefit- Cholesterol(fingerprick)- Glucose(fingerprick)- Bloodpressure- Bodymassindex
Thesetestsareavailableatdesignatedserviceprovider(DSP)pharmaciesthatprovideclinicservices
CholesterolDiabetesmellitusBloodpressure
Onetestperyearforbeneficiariesovertheageof25
Totalcholesterol Highcholesterol Onetestperyearforbeneficiariesovertheageof25
Glucose(fingerprick) Diabetesmellitus Onetestperyearforbeneficiariesovertheageof25
Prostate-specificantigen(PSA)level
Prostatecancer Onetestperyearformalesovertheageof50
Papsmear Cervicalcancer Onetestperyearforfemalesovertheageof18
Mammogram Breastcancer Onetesteverytwoyearsforfemalesovertheageof40
Quantitativepolymerasechainreaction(qPCR)
Mother-to-childtransmissionofHIVinnewborns
Onceinalifetime
As a member of Transmed you have early detection screening benefits. We encourage you to use these benefits, as it is important to ensure that medical conditions are detected early. The early detection screenings are separate from your day-to-day benefits and are not paid from those limits.
BelowisthelistofearlydetectionscreeningscoveredbytheFund:
Look after your health: Preventative tests
Remember: Withearlydetection,onestandsabetterchanceofrecovery.
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What you should know about COVID-19 to protect yourself and others.
COVID-19ISANILLNESSCAUSED
BYTHECORONAVIRUS,WHICH
ISAVIRUSTHATCANSPREAD
FROMPERSONTOPERSON,
LIKELYTHROUGHRESPIRATORY
DROPLETSEXPELLEDDURING
COUGHINGORSNEEZING.
HOWDOESITSPREAD?Youcanbecomeinfectedfrom:• respiratorydropletswhenaninfectedpersoncoughs,sneezesortalks
• closepersonalcontact,suchastouchingorshakinghandswithapersonwhoisinfected
• touchingasurfaceorobjectthathasthevirusonitandtouchingyourmouth,noseoreyes.
WHATARETHESYMPTOMS?COVID-19symptomscanrangefrommildornosymptomstosevereillness.Thecommonsignsofinfectioninclude:• fever• coughing• shortnessofbreath• breathingdifficulties.
WHOISATRISK?• EveryoneisatriskofgettingCOVID-19.• Thosewhoaremostatriskofdevelopingseverecomplicationsarepatientsolderthan
60years,patientsofanyagewithchronicdiseasessuchasdiabetes,hypertension,heartdiseaseorrespiratorydiseasesorpatientswhoareimmune-supressed–forexample,thosewithcancerorwhohavehadanorgantransplant.
PREVENTTHESPREADOFCOVID-19• Wash your hands: Washyourhandswithsoapandwaterregularlyorusehandsanitiser.
• Cover a cough or sneeze: Coveryourcoughorsneezewithyoursleeveordisposabletissue.
• Don’t touch: Avoidtouchingyoureyes,noseormouthwithunwashedhands.
• Keep your distance: Avoidclosecontactwithpeoplewhoaresick.
• Stay at home: Ifyouexperienceafeverorrespiratorysymptomslikeacough,stayathome.
• Get help: IfyouexperiencesymptomsofCOVID-19,contactyourhealthcareprovider.
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COVID-19
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Fraud and abuseFraudcontinuestobeamajorconcernformostmedicalschemes,costingmillionsofrandseachyear.Asyoumayknow,themorefraudthereis,thehighermonthlycontributionsbecometocoverlossesduetofraud.Wehavemeasuresinplacetodetectandmanagefraudandtheabuseofbenefits.Youcancontributetothiseffortbycontactingourfraudhotlineanonymouslyon0800 000 436.Ifyouareawareofanyserviceproviderormemberwhoabusestheclaimingsystem,weurgeyoutocheckyourmonthlyclaimsstatementsandtoverifytheclaimsinformationtoensurethatalldetailsaretrueandcorrect. PLEASE REPORT ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS.
Transmed website self-service facilityInthesebusytimes,isn’titawelcomerelieftohaveaccesstoservicesthatenableyoutogetthelatestinformationonyourmedicalfundplan,accordingtoyourdailyscheduleandnotjustduringofficehours?Youcanaccessyourinformationwhereveryouare,wheneveryouwantbyloggingontowww.transmed.co.za.
If you have not yet registered, log on to www.transmed.co.za, click on ‘Sign in’ at the top, right-hand side of the page, click on ‘Member’ and ‘Register’ and follow the easy steps.
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Building muscle isn't just for individuals who are into fitness as a hobby. Muscle strength is crucial for good health. Strong muscles strengthen bones, control blood sugar, improve cholesterol levels, maintain a healthy weight, reduce joint pain and fight mild depression.
Health tips BUILD MUSCLE STRENGTH
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SMOKINGand gum disease
Smokers are more
likely to lose their teeth.
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WHATISGUMDISEASE?Gumdiseaseisaninfectionofthegumsthatdevelopsinstages.Itstartswithbacteriaonyourteeththatgetunderyourgums.Duringtheearlystageofinfection,calledgingivitis,thegumsbecomeirritatedandbleedeasilywhenyoubrushyourteeth.Asitgetsworse,youdevelopseveregumdisease,calledperiodontitis.Duringthisstagethegumspullawayfromtheteethandformsmallspacesorpocketsthatgetinfected.Althoughthebody'simmunesystemfightsthebacteria,theboneandtissuethatholdteethinplacearedestroyed.Whenthishappens,teethbecomelooseandtoothlossoccurs.
WARNINGSIGNSOFGUMDISEASE• Redorswollengums• Tenderorbleedinggums• Painwhenchewing• Looseteeth• Sensitiveteeth• Gumsthathavepulledawayfromyourteeth
HOWISSMOKINGCONNECTEDTOGUMDISEASE?• Chemicalsintobaccoproductsreducetheflowofsalivain
themouth,makingiteasierfororalbacteriatosticktoteethandgums.
• Smokingweakensyourimmunesystem.Thismakesithardertofightoffaguminfection.Onceyouhavegumdamage,smokingalsomakesitharderforyourgumstoheal.
• Tobaccouseinanyform–cigarettes,pipesorchewingtobacco–raisesyourriskofgumdisease.
HOWCANGUMDISEASEBEPREVENTED?Youcanhelpavoidgumdiseasewithgoodoralhygienehabits.• Brushyourteethinthemorningandatnight.• Flosseverydaytocleanbetweenyourteeth.• Visityourdentistatleastonceayearforacheck-upand
professionalcleaning.• Don’tsmoke.Ifyousmoke,quit.
Source: DENIS
Gum disease is
a common
reason why
adults lose their
teeth and
research shows
that smokers
are more likely
to develop gum
disease.
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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.
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