transcare20190813013535 pm... · 2019. 8. 13. · decay. if you snack, make it a nutritious choice...
TRANSCRIPT
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.
2
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
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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
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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.
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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