GIC Health Articles D Through F

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Why Your Eyes Need Regular Checkups
(summer 2004)

It is easy to take your eyesight for granted -- until something goes wrong. Most people are very visually oriented, and sight is the sense they rely on most. Think of how much you would miss out on without your sight - seeing your children and grandchildren, reading a book, watching a movie, doing your job, playing a sport, driving - losing your eyesight would be devastating. Yet, are you up to date on your eye exams? Eye exams are an important part of health maintenance for everyone.

Regular eye exams are one of the best ways to protect your vision, even if you do not wear eyeglasses or contact lenses. For adults, having eye exams helps detect early signs of eye diseases. Several eye diseases can cause permanent damage before symptoms appear. For people who have prescription eyewear, exams are critical for ensuring that their prescription is up-to-date and the strength is adjusted as needed. Regular eye exams are an important part of children's development. Sometimes children who are not performing well in school have an underlying vision problem. Children do not usually complain about poor vision, as they are not aware of what "normal" sight is.

There are three kinds of eye specialists:
1. Ophthalmologists have a medical degree (M.D.) and many provide comprehensive eye care services including complete eye exams, diagnosis and treatment of complex eye diseases, prescribing corrective lenses, and performing eye surgery.
2. Optometrists have a doctor of optometry (O.D.) degree and provide many of the same services as ophthalmologists, with the exception of treatment of complex eye diseases and performing eye surgery.
3. Opticians fit and sell eyeglasses and some fit and sell contact lenses.

When you visit an ophthalmologist or optometrist for an eye exam, he or she will perform a series of tests to check for refractive error, which can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery. The provider will also look at the outside and inside of your eye with special equipment to see whether you have signs of eye or other diseases, such as cataracts, macular degeneration, corneal ulcers, diabetes and hypertension. He or she will also perform a glaucoma test. Glaucoma is a progressive disease that can cause permanent blindness; early detection and treatment are critical for preserving your eyesight. Because glaucoma is usually asymptomatic in its early stages, this is a critical test.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you should have your eyes checked every year. If you do not wear glasses or contacts, and have no symptoms of eye trouble, check with your vision and health plan to find out the scheduled frequency of coverage and how to locate a network provider. (Many union employees have vision benefits through their union. Managers with the GIC Dental/Vision plan have eye exam benefits through Davis Vision. Some health plans have limited vision benefits.)

Smile! Indicators of a Good Dental Visit
(Fall 2003)

Cavities and periodontal (gum and bone) disease are the most common dental problems. Both are caused by bacteria and can be prevented from progressing by good oral care and regular dental visits. If your dentist and hygienist complete the following at every preventive visit, you can be assured that they are looking out for your smile and well-being:
· Discuss your medical history, including current medications, smoking status and oral hygiene habits.
· Discuss whether x-rays are needed to determine if there are cavities between the teeth and to look at the bone surrounding the teeth. A loss of bone is an indication of periodontal disease. Keep in mind that x-rays are not always necessary at every visit and x-rays should be limited. Cavities should be filled and sealants should be recommended for children whose back teeth have deep grooves.
· Feel for abnormalities on the outside of your face, mouth and neck, also looking carefully inside the mouth for signs of oral cancer.
· Check for pockets around your teeth with a tiny instrument that measures the depth of the space between the tooth and the gum. You and your provider should look for bleeding gums or redness, a sign of gingivitis or the beginning stages of gum disease.

If your dentist finds gum problems, it is very important that you work to improve your home care and eliminate risk factors such as smoking. Treatment will include scaling thoroughly below the gum to remove hardened plaque and bacteria, which are the source of the infection. This may require more than one visit, depending on the severity of your disease. Be sure to thoroughly discuss any treatment plans with your dentist, as well as the cost. Remember that most dental plans have a calendar year maximum. Contact your Plan to better help you prepare for necessary oral treatment and the corresponding expense.

Keeping Your Eyeglasses In Shape
(winter 2004)

Taking care of your eyeglasses will keep them looking new and you seeing your best. Follow these five easy steps for longer lasting eyeglasses:

1) Always remove your eyeglasses with both hands. Using one hand will result in splayed frame arms.
2) Rinse off your glasses with lens cleaner or water. Don't use household cleaners, such as Windex or ammonia. These can damage the coatings of the lenses. Every other week clean off the frames with soap and water to help ensure that the acidity of your skin does not wear down the frame. Only use mild detergents without a moisturizer and rinse well.
3) Wipe off the glasses with a lens cleaning cloth or cotton cloth only. Do not use worn clothing, which can have imbedded dirt. Tissues are not recommended either, as they are made from wood derivatives and could scratch the lenses.
4) Never lay your glasses face down. Keeping the lens surface face up helps to prevent lens scratches.
5) When not wearing your eyeglasses, store them in a proper fitting case. A hard case gives the best protection. This will keep dust off them and prevent them from being inadvertently crushed or damaged if something falls or drops on them.

Tips For Trips
Avoiding Falls Can Save Your Life (summer 2001)

If you are elderly, a fall can be life threatening. Falls are the second leading cause of accidental death in the United States. One third of older adults who fall, sustain a hip fracture and are hospitalized, die within a year. Falls result in health care and rehabilitation costs of $70 billion per year.

Prevention is the best medicine. Although some of the following tips may require a minor investment, the benefits to your own and your family's quality of life is invaluable:
· Stay active -- find an activity that you enjoy such as gardening, walking, water aerobics or Tai Chi. Check with your doctor about what is appropriate for you.
· Follow your doctor's orders for medications - be sure your doctor knows all prescription and over-the -counter medicines you are taking to avoid side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, or low blood pressure
· Has your hearing changed? Call a doctor to have your hearing checked as dizziness can occur with hearing loss.
· Have your eyes examined once a year - seeing your surroundings is key
· Avoid clutter and keep pathways clear
· Check lighting, especially in halls and stairways. Use night lights and have flash lights accessible
· Wear well-fitting slippers and shoes with non skid soles
· If needed, add safety equipment to your bathroom such as grab bars, tub seat, adhesive rubber inserts on the bottom of the tub, and a hand held shower
· Remove or tack down throw rugs
· Add hand rails to all stairs
· Pick up spills immediately

The Centers for Disease Control offers other helpful tools on their web site.

Fever, Sore Throat, Muscle Aches of Flu Can Lead to Serious Complications
High Risk Enrollees - Get Your Flu Vaccine!
(fall 2003)

Whether you are in a store, on the train, at the movies, or at home with loved ones this fall and winter, you could be exposed to this year's strain of influenza (the flu). For most, flu is an unpleasant inconvenience with symptoms ranging from headaches to fever and chills and a sore throat. However, especially for the elderly and other high-risk individuals, the flu can be deadly. An average of 36,000 deaths in the U.S. are caused by influenza.

The flu is highly contagious. If a person with the flu coughs, sneezes or even just talks, he or she will send the virus into the air where others can inhale it into their nose or throat. A person with the flu is contagious a day before symptoms start for a period of up to a week. Children are contagious even longer.

If you or a household member falls within any of the following categories, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you get a flu shot in October or earlier:

· People 50 years of age and older
· Young children from 6 months through 23 months of age
· Health care workers
· People with long-term health problems, such as heart disease, lung disease or asthma, and residents of long-term care facilities

Others who want to reduce their chances for getting influenza may wait until November or even December to get their flu shot. The vaccine begins to offer protection two weeks after getting the shot. Influenza season usually peaks between January and March. Influenza viruses change often, so it is important to get vaccinated annually. Before getting vaccinated, talk with your doctor if you have ever had a serious allergic reaction to eggs or to a previous dose of influenza vaccine. To find out where you can get your flu shot, contact your doctor or health plan. For additional information about flu and the vaccine, visit the Massachusetts of Department Public Health web site.