DOT Physicals for Truck Drivers

Cigarette Smoking & Back Pain

Common Stomach Upsets

Urinary Tract Infection/STD

Urinary Tract Infection or UTI among Adults population

A Urinary Tract Infection, or UTI, is an infection that can occur anywhere along your urinary tract (pee-pee). There are different names for UTIs depending on what part of the urinary tract is infected. For example:

• Bladder infection in the bladder is called cystitis or a bladder infection.
• Kidneys  infection is called pyelonephritis or a kidney infection..
• Urethra infection of the tube that empties urine from the bladder to the outside is called urethritis.

Causes of UTI:  Urinary tract infections are usually caused by bacteria that enter the urethra and then to the bladder. If untreated, the germs can spread from the bladder to the kidneys.

Risk Factors: There are certain conditions that increase the risks of having UTIs. They include:

• Gender: Women are easily infected with UTIs more than the men because their urethra is shorter and closer to the anus than in men. Due to this natural body design, women are more prone to UTI especially   after sexual activity or when using a diaphragm for birth control. Also, menopause stage also increases the risk of a UTI.

 

                    Male      

                                                                                

 

Female

Some other risk factors include the following:

• Diabetes – adults with diabetes are more likely to be frequently infected with UTi especially with poor blood sugar control.
• Urinary Retention – Problems emptying your bladder completely
• Enlarged prostate, narrowed urethra, or anything that blocks the flow of urine
• Kidney stones
• Immobility –   Staying still for a long period of time (for example, while you are recovering from a hip fracture)

What are the signs and symptoms of UTI?

• Urine that may have a foul or strong odor, cloudy or sometimes bloody
• Low grade-fever but not in everyone
• Painful or burning urination
• Pressure or cramping in the lower abdomen or back
• The urge to urinate often, even right after the bladder has been emptied
• Confusion in the elderly, these symptoms often are the only signs of a UTI

***See your doctor for treatment if you experience any of the above symptoms.

NOTE: If the infection has spread to your kidneys, some of these signs and symptoms below may show up:

• Chills and shaking or night sweats
• Fever                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
• Fatigue and a general ill feeling
• Fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit
• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe abdominal pain (sometimes)
• Side (flank) or  back and pelvic pain

***See your doctor immediately if you experience any of the symptoms above.

Prevention of UTI:

 PERSONAL HYGIENE

•  Keep your genital area clean.
• Clean your genital and anal areas before and after sexual activity.
• Urinate before and after sexual activity.
• Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom
• Women change your sanitary pads each time you use the bathroom.
• Do not douche or use feminine hygiene sprays or powders. As a general rule, do not use any product containing perfumes in the genital area.
• Do more of showering  instead of baths and avoid prolong use of bath oils.

CLOTHING

• Avoid tight-fitting pants.
• Wear cotton-cloth underwear and pantyhose, and change both at least once a day.

 DIET

• Drink plenty of fluids preferably water (2 to 4 quarts each day).
• Drink cranberry juice or use cranberry tablets.
• Avoid use of cranberry juice you have a personal or family history of kidney stones.
• Avoid drinking fluids that irritate the bladder, such as alcohol, caffeine and energy drinks.
• Keep your blood sugar under control.

LINK: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000521.htm

Sexually Transmitted Diseases – STDs

• Chlamydia Gonorrhea
• Genital Herpes
• HIV/AIDS
•  Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Syphilis
• Trichomoniasis

Prevention of STDs

Abstinence: The most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have sex (i.e., anal, vaginal or oral).

Vaccination: Vaccines are safe, effective, and recommended ways to prevent hepatitis B and HPV. HPV vaccines for males and females can protect against some of the most common types of HPV. It is best to get all three doses (shots) before becoming sexually active. However, HPV vaccines are recommended for all teen girls and women through age 26 and all teen boys and men through age 21, who did not get all three doses of the vaccine when they were younger.

Mutual monogamy: Mutual monogamy means that you agree to be sexually active with only one person, who has agreed to be sexually active only with you. Being in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner is one of the most reliable ways to avoid STDs. But you must both be certain you are not infected with STDs. It is important to have an open and honest conversation with your partner.

 

Reduced number of sex partners: Reducing your number of sex partners can decrease your risk for STDs. It is still important that you and your partner get tested, and that you share your test results with one another.

 

Condoms: Correct and consistent use of the male latex condom is highly effective in reducing STD transmission. Use a condom every time you have anal, vaginal, or oral sex.

NOTE: Be sure to ask your healthcare provider to test you for STDs — Asking is the only way to know whether you are receiving the right tests. And don’t forget to tell your partner to ask a healthcare provider about STD testing as well.

LINK:  http://www.cdc.gov/std/prevention/default.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/std/healthcomm/fact_sheets.htm

 

Thyroid Disease

Your thyroid (THY-roid) is a small gland found just below your Adam’s apple. It produces hormones that regulate the body functions. The thyroid hormones control the rate of many activities in your body such as how fast you burn calories and how fast your heart beats. All of these activities together are referred to as metabolism.  The target when treating thyroid disease is to make sure that the thyroid that is working right by producing the right amounts of hormones needed to keep your body’s metabolism working at a rate that is not too fast or too slow.

Thyroid disorder: Who is affected?

 Women are more likely than men to develop thyroid disorders.  Most common thyroid disorders are Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism

Hyperthyroidism or Overactive thyroid: 

This when the thyroid is making more thyroid hormones than the body needs due to some disorders.

Sign& Symptoms: (***See you’re your care provider if you experience the following)

• Weight loss, even if you eat the same or more food; Eating more than usual
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat or pounding of your heart; Anxiety; Irritability; Trouble sleeping
• Trembling in your hands and fingers; Increased sweating
• Increased sensitivity to heat; Muscle weakness More frequent bowel movements
• More frequent bowel movements
• Less frequent menstrual periods with lighter than normal menstrual flow
• Exophthalmos – Bulging eyeballs

 Hypothyroidism (hy-poh-THY-roi-diz-uhm) or Under active thyroid:

This is when your thyroid makes less thyroid hormone. In some cases, it is caused by treating hypothyroidism.

Signs & Symptoms: (***See your provider if you experience any of the following)

• Weight gain, even though you are not eating more food; Constipation
• Increased sensitivity to cold; Fatigue (feeling very tired); Depression
• Muscle weakness; Joint or muscle pain
• Pale dry skin; hair loss; A puffy face; A hoarse voice…
• Excessive menstrual bleeding…

    

Useful Link: http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/thyroid-disease.cfm#a

Diabetes Type 2

Diabetes mellitus (MEL-ih-tus), type 2 affects mostly adults. It is a group of diseases characterized by too much blood glucose levels. This is as a result of defects in the body’s ability to produce or use insulin.

Some Signs & Symptoms

• Frequent urination

•Unusual thirst

•Extreme hunger

•Extreme fatigue and Irritability

•Frequent infections

•Blurred vision

•Cuts/bruises that is slow to heal

•Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet

•Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections

Often people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms

Complications of diabetes

Men:  Inform yourself about complications like heart disease, nerve damage and kidney damage.  Seek help if diabetes affects your sex life and your relationships.

Women:  The prevalence of diabetes is at least 2 – 4 times higher among African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, and Asian/Pacific Islander women than among white women. The risk for diabetes also increases with age. Because of the increasing lifespan of women and the rapid growth of minority populations, the number of women in the United States at high risk for diabetes and its complications is increasing

Blood glucose Control/Management

A1C test; Get an overall picture of your average blood glucose for the past two to three months.

Check Your Blood Glucose: Keep a daily log and help your healthcare provider assess your diabetes treatment plan.

Blood Glucose Meters: Choose the best meter for your needs, and make sure you know how to use it correctly.

***See your  Primary care provider

High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fat-like-waxy substance that your body needs.. But when you have too much in your blood, it can build up on the walls of your arteries. Overtime, this build- ups  cause the arteries to harden and narrow, slowing down blood flow to the heart  and may form blockages. This can lead to heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

 

There are good and bad cholesterol. The “good” one is called high-density lipoprotein (HDL) which helps prevent cholesterol from building up in the arteries.  The “bad” one is called low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and it is the main source of cholesterol build up and blockage. 

                       (CDC, 2013).

Symptoms of High Blood cholesterol are usually unremarkable and so many people are not aware that their cholesterol level is too high. Therefore, see your doctor for a simple blood test to check if your cholesterol is high.

When you hear about high cholesterol, it is about “bad” LDL cholesterol. The goal is to increase the “good” cholesterol and decrease the bad one.

According to CDC, Seventy-one million American adults have high cholesterol, but only one-third of them have the condition under control.

Factors that could affect your cholesterol level that you may not have control of include:

1. Heredity – High blood cholesterol sometimes runs in the family. So your gene may determine how much cholesterol your body makes.

2. Age and Gender: As you age, your cholesterol level tends to rise; Women’s LDL tends to rise

during or after menopause and men are affected too as they age.

 Prevention / Control of High Cholesterol: You have control over making  lifestyle changes such as:

 • Eating a healthy diet. Avoid saturated fats and trans fats, which tend to raise cholesterol levels. Other types of fats, such as polyunsaturated fats, can actually lower blood cholesterol levels. Eating fiber also can help lower cholesterol.

• Exercising regularly. Physical activity can help lower cholesterol. The Surgeon General recommends that adults engage in moderate-intensity exercise for at least 30 minutes 3-4 times every week.

• Maintaining a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can raise your cholesterol levels. Losing weight can help lower your cholesterol.

• Not smoking. If you smoke, quit as soon as possible.

Useful Link: CDC. Vital signs: prevalence, treatment, and control of high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol—United States, 1999–2002 and 2005–2008. MMWR. 2011;60(4):109–

14. The American Heart Association. How to Get Your Cholesterol Tested Website.

High Blood Pressure

Elevated Blood Pressure: The Silent Killer

Hypertension or high blood pressure often leads to heart disease.  High blood pressure that goes undetected or isn’t properly controlled can lead to heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, stroke, or premature death. Because it has few early symptoms, many people aren’t aware they have it.

 

 

According to CDC, Every 39 seconds an adult dies from a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular diseases.

Nearly 68 million people have high blood pressure but about 1 in 2 doesn’t have it under control

71 million US adults have high cholesterol but 2 in 3 don’t have it under control

USEFUL LINK:  http://www.cdc.gov/VitalSigns/CardiovascularDisease/index.html

Exercise for a good reason

Walking the dog, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, even vacuuming briskly can increase the blood flow from your heart and through blood vessels.

Shake out that salt habit

 

A high sodium intake is associated with higher blood pressure.

“Canned foods, snack foods, fast foods, and other prepared foods are loaded with sodium. It is much better to prepare your own low-sodium meals if you can or pay close attention to the amount of sodium listed on food labels.

Upper Respiratory Infections

When you have any upper respiratory infection – like asthma, cold, or the flu — they can affect your lungs causing inflammation and airway narrowing or obstruction. It is important to take measures to stay healthy and be aware of any symptoms, even mild so that you avoid more serious upper respiratory complications like an asthma attack.

• The common cold is caused by viral pathogens, such as rhinovirus, parainfluenza, adenovirus, RSV, and influenza.
• Bacterial rhinosinusitis complicates only about 2% of cases.  

Symptoms of Upper Respiratory Infections

• Increased shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or wheezing
• Coughing up increased amounts of mucus
• Abnormally colored mucus
• Fever (temperature over 101°F) or chills
• Increased fatigue or weakness
• Sore throat, scratchy throat, or pain when swallowing
• Sinus pressure or drainage, nasal congestion, or headaches

How to Prevent Infections that Trigger Asthma or other URI infections

• Good hygiene can decrease viral infections. Prevent the spread of infection by making sure you and your family members wash their hands regularly with soap and warm water.
• Check with your health care provider about receiving a flu shot every year. In addition, discuss the possibility of getting a pneumococcus — or pneumonia — vaccine. Pneumococcus is a common cause of bacterial pneumonia, an illness that can be particularly serious in a person with asthma.
• Sinusitis with asthma can be very serious. Be aware of the symptoms of a sinus infection and report them immediately to your asthma specialist to prevent asthma attacks.
• Keep breathing equipment clean. Do not let others use your asthma medications or asthma treatment, including your asthma inhaler, asthma nebulizer, and nebulizer tubing and mouthpiece.

Useful link: http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/infections-and-  asthmahttp://www.cdc.gov/VitalSigns/CardiovascularDisease/index.html

Mental Health

Overview

Sometimes in our lives, we feel sad, low, and angry. However, these feelings are normal and usually go away in a short time. Depression otherwise known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression is different because one experiences severe symptoms that affect how he/she feels, thinks, and handles activities of daily living such as sleeping, eating, cleaning, grooming, or working.

Depression is mental ill-health that can affect anyone—regardless of culture, race, education, income, and age. It is linked to one’s genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological backgrounds that  play various roles in depressive disorder

Depression sometimes occurs with other illnesses, such as chronic pain, lupus, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. It can also be caused by other mental disorders such as anxiety and psychosis. At times,  the medications taken for illnesses can cause side effects that may contribute to depression symptoms.

Symptoms of Depression:

Some of the common symptoms include:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies or activities
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Decreased energy, fatigue, or being “slowed down”
• Lack of concentration, remembering, or making decisions
• Lack of sleep or sleeping too much
• Loss of appetite or eating too much
• Thoughts of hurting self or hurting others, suicide attempt or death

All these symptoms must have been experienced up to 2 weeks or more

***Please Note:  If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or is thinking about hurting themselves, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You also can text the Crisis Text Line (HELLO to 741741) or use the Lifeline Chat on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website.

Types of Depression: Major depression disorder, Seasonal depression, Post-partum depression etc.

For more information on depression go to – https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression

 

Anxiety Disorders

Overview

Anxiety is an expected part of life, and it is ok to feel anxious when you are occasionally faced with a problem at home, work, before taking a test or a major exam or before making important decisions in your personal life or that of a group.

However, Anxiety disorders involve more than occasional worries or fears because it stays and can get worse over time with the symptoms that may interfere with daily activities such as relationships, schoolwork, and job performance.

 

Types of anxiety disorders include:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder – GAD, (When Worry Gets Out of Control)

Example:

Feeling restless, wound-up, or on-edge, Having difficulty concentrating; mind going blank, Being irritable, Having muscle tension

Difficulty controlling feelings of worry

Having sleep problems, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, restlessness, or unsatisfying sleep

 

• Panic anxiety disorder – PAD, ( When Fear is recurrent and Overwhelming)

Examples:

Heart palpitations, a pounding heartbeat, or an accelerated heartrate

Sweating, Trembling or shaking

Sensations of shortness of breath, smothering, or choking, Feelings of impending doom

Feelings of being out of control

 

• Social anxiety disorder (A general intense fear of, or anxiety toward, social or performance situations)
• Phobia-related disorders. ( Intense fear of—or aversion to—specific objects or situations that is out of proportion to the actual danger caused by the situation or object.

Examples – Fear of Flying, Heights, enclosed space, with a crows,  specific animals,  as spiders, dogs, or snake, Receiving injections, sight of blood etc.

For more information on Anxiety Disorders, go to https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders

 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder-PTSD

Overview

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is caused by a shocking, scary, or dangerous traumatic events. These events may include natural disasters, terrorism, serious accidents, combat, and physical or sexual assault.

It is natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation. Fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to help defend against danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” response is a typical reaction meant to protect a person from harm. Nearly everyone will experience a range of reactions after trauma, yet most people recover from initial symptoms naturally. Those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened, even when they are not in danger.

 

Symptoms of PTSD

PTSD symptoms usually start within 3 months of the traumatic event but may start years afterward. PTSD symptoms last more than a month and may become serious enough to interfere with work and relationships The course of the illness depends on the individual because some people may recover within 6 months, while others last much longer and can become chronic in some people.

Symptoms of PTSD in Adults

 

To be diagnosed with PTSD, an adult must have all of the following for at least for 1 month:

One re-experiencing symptom

One avoidance symptom

Two arousal and reactivity symptoms

Two cognition and mood symptoms

 

PTSD Symptoms in Children <6years

The symptoms include:

• Bed wetting after toilet training
• Forgetting how to or being unable to talk
• Acting out the scary event during playtime
• Unusually clingy to a parent or other adult

PTSD Symptoms in Older Children and Teens:

• Development of disruptive behaviors
• Disrespectful, or destructive behaviors.
• Feeling guilty for not preventing injury or deaths.
• Having thoughts of revenge.

For more information on PTSD, go to:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd

 

Schizophrenia

Overview

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with symptoms of schizophrenia may lose touch with reality, and if left untreated, can be disabling.

 

Symptoms

Schizophrenia is typically diagnosed in the late teen years to the early thirties. It shows up earlier in males (late adolescence – early twenties) than in females (early twenties – early thirties). There are gradual changes in thinking, mood, and social functioning which often begin before the first episode of psychosis. Schizophrenia in younger children before late adolescence is rare, but it usually starts in mid-adolescence

 

The symptoms of schizophrenia:

Psychotic symptoms include:

• Hallucinations, e.g. , – hearing voices or seeing things that aren’t there.
• Delusions, which are firmly held beliefs not supported by objective facts (e.g., paranoia – irrational fears that others are “out to get you”
• Thought disorder, which includes unusual thinking or disorganized speech
• Negative symptoms include loss of motivation, “Flat affect,” or reduced facial expression of emotions
• Disinterest or lack of enjoyment in daily activities, social withdrawal, and difficulty functioning normally.
• Cognitive symptoms such as problems in attention, concentration, and memory. Interference with activities like following conversations, learning new things, or remembering appointments.
• Difficulty processing information to make decisions
• Problems using information immediately after learning it

For more information on Schizophrenia, go to

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia