second edition 2020 - transmed · incorporating these in your diet, along with exercise, is a great...

16
health SECOND EDITION 2020 IN THIS EDITION: • Principal Officer’s note • Improve circulation in your legs • Gout • Chronic coughing • Facts you should know about sinus infection • Bathing tips for dry skin relief • Look after your health: Preventative tests • Time to quit smoking • What you should know about COVID-19 to protect yourself and others • Fraud and abuse • Transmed website self-service facility • Health tip: Build muscle strength • Smoking and gum disease • Important contact details Trans Welcome to the second edition of TransHealth for 2020

Upload: others

Post on 08-Jul-2020

1 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: SECOND EDITION 2020 - Transmed · Incorporating these in your diet, along with exercise, is a great way to optimise your ... alleviate acute attacks and preventative medication to

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

Page 2: SECOND EDITION 2020 - Transmed · Incorporating these in your diet, along with exercise, is a great way to optimise your ... alleviate acute attacks and preventative medication to

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.

Page 3: SECOND EDITION 2020 - Transmed · Incorporating these in your diet, along with exercise, is a great way to optimise your ... alleviate acute attacks and preventative medication to

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

Continues on page 4

Page 4: SECOND EDITION 2020 - Transmed · Incorporating these in your diet, along with exercise, is a great way to optimise your ... alleviate acute attacks and preventative medication to

4

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

Page 5: SECOND EDITION 2020 - Transmed · Incorporating these in your diet, along with exercise, is a great way to optimise your ... alleviate acute attacks and preventative medication to

54

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.

Page 6: SECOND EDITION 2020 - Transmed · Incorporating these in your diet, along with exercise, is a great way to optimise your ... alleviate acute attacks and preventative medication to

6

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.

Page 7: SECOND EDITION 2020 - Transmed · Incorporating these in your diet, along with exercise, is a great way to optimise your ... alleviate acute attacks and preventative medication to

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.

Page 8: SECOND EDITION 2020 - Transmed · Incorporating these in your diet, along with exercise, is a great way to optimise your ... alleviate acute attacks and preventative medication to

98

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).

Page 9: SECOND EDITION 2020 - Transmed · Incorporating these in your diet, along with exercise, is a great way to optimise your ... alleviate acute attacks and preventative medication to

98

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

Page 10: SECOND EDITION 2020 - Transmed · Incorporating these in your diet, along with exercise, is a great way to optimise your ... alleviate acute attacks and preventative medication to

1110

• 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

Page 11: SECOND EDITION 2020 - Transmed · Incorporating these in your diet, along with exercise, is a great way to optimise your ... alleviate acute attacks and preventative medication to

1110

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.

Page 12: SECOND EDITION 2020 - Transmed · Incorporating these in your diet, along with exercise, is a great way to optimise your ... alleviate acute attacks and preventative medication to

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.

12

COVID-19

Page 13: SECOND EDITION 2020 - Transmed · Incorporating these in your diet, along with exercise, is a great way to optimise your ... alleviate acute attacks and preventative medication to

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.

13

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

12

Page 14: SECOND EDITION 2020 - Transmed · Incorporating these in your diet, along with exercise, is a great way to optimise your ... alleviate acute attacks and preventative medication to

1514

SMOKINGand gum disease

Smokers are more

likely to lose their teeth.

Page 15: SECOND EDITION 2020 - Transmed · Incorporating these in your diet, along with exercise, is a great way to optimise your ... alleviate acute attacks and preventative medication to

1514

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.

Page 16: SECOND EDITION 2020 - Transmed · Incorporating these in your diet, along with exercise, is a great way to optimise your ... alleviate acute attacks and preventative medication to

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 LINKPLAN SELECTANDPRIMEPLANS

Customer service department

[email protected]

[email protected]

Membership and contributions 0800450010 0800450010

Hospital and major medical pre-authorisation

UniversalHealthcare0861686278 0800225151

Disease programmes UniversalHealthcare0861686278 0800225151

Ambulance authorisation 0800115750 0800115750

HIV/AIDS UniversalHealthcare0861686278

0860109793

Dental services

UniversalHealthcare0861686278

Selectplan0860104941Primeplan0800450010

Optical services

UniversalHealthcare0861686278

Selectplan PPN0860304060/0861103529Primeplan0800450010

Fraud hotline 0800000436 0800000436

Important contact details

Enquiries [email protected] details and membership [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] gratia [email protected] [email protected] service provider for the Link plan [email protected] Universal Healthcare

Important email addresses