Path to improved well being

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), any U.S. resident could experience a power outage. However, customers in Alabama, Iowa, Connecticut, Oklahoma, and Louisiana experienced the most time with interrupted power in 2020. Severe weather was a factor in all these states.

If you or another person in your home relies on medical equipment, plan ahead for a power outage.

• Make a list of everyone in your household who relies on electricity for medical needs. This could include breathing machines (CPAP, respirators, ventilators), power wheelchairs and scooters, oxygen, suction, or home dialysis equipment, and even a refrigerator to store medicine, such as insulin. Post this list in an area in your home that everyone (including babysitters or overnight guests) can read.
• Plan for how you will power/manage each item in the event of a power outage. You plan may include backup batteries, a generator, and even asking local authorities (such as a hospital, fire station, and energy provider) for assistance. It’s best to reach out to these sources in advance of a power outage to ask how and if they can help. Also, determine which items could become an emergency depending upon the amount of time the power is out. For example, if you must refrigerate medicine, you can go longer without power if you don’t constantly open and close the refrigerator door.
• Identify emergency lighting, safe heating alternatives, and backup power sources for your mobile devices, appliances, and medical equipment.
• Create an emergency power plan that includes model and serial numbers for your medical devices.
• Have all equipment instruction manuals located in one easy place to find in the event of a power outage. Read the user manual or contact the manufacturer to find out if your medical device is compatible with batteries or a generator.
• Fully charge your cellphone, battery-powered medical devices, and backup power sources if you know a disaster, such as a hurricane, is coming.
• If possible, buy manual alternatives for your electric devices that are portable, dependable, and durable. For example, a manual wheelchair, walker, or cane as a backup for an electric scooter.

Things to consider

Power outages can impact everyone differently, based on where you live and your community’s age and utility infrastructure. For example, people who live in rural areas and places with an aging infrastructure may experience more frequent and longer-lasting power outages. They may also have limited access to the supplies they need to prepare for power outages. Power outages can also put people at increased risk for post-disaster hazards, such as food and carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Backup power sources

There are two types of backup power solutions and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Things to remember for each, include:

Battery

• If you use hearing aids, keep a supply of hearing aid batteries on hand.
• Create a plan for how to recharge batteries when the electricity is out.
• Check with your vendor/supplier to find alternative ways to charge batteries. Examples include connecting jumper cables to a vehicle battery or using a converter that plugs into a vehicle’s cigarette lighter or accessory outlet. If you substitute a vehicle battery for a wheelchair battery, the charge will not last as long as a charge for a wheelchair’s deep-cycle battery. If you use a motorized wheelchair or scooter, try to store a lightweight manual wheelchair for emergency use.
• Stored extra batteries require periodic charging even when they are unused. If your survival strategy depends on storing batteries, closely follow a recharging schedule.
• Know the working time of any batteries that support your systems.
• When you have a choice, choose equipment that uses batteries that are easily purchased from nearby stores.

Generator:

• Make sure use of a generator is appropriate and realistic. A 2,000 to 2,500-watt gas-powered portable generator can power a refrigerator and several lamps. (A refrigerator needs to run only 15 minutes an hour to stay cool if you keep the door closed. So, you could unplug it to operate other devices.).
• Operate generators in open areas to ensure good air circulation. The challenge when you live in an apartment is knowing how to safely store enough gasoline. Have a gas siphon kit on hand.
• Test your generator from time to time to make sure it will work when needed. Some generators can connect to the existing home wiring systems.
• Always contact your utility company regarding critical restrictions and safety issues.

The Food and Drug Administration’s “How to Prepare for and Handle Power Outages” guide for home medical device users is another useful planning resource. Use it to organize your medical device information, identify the supplies for the operation of your device, and know where to go or what to do during a power outage.

Life support needs

Contact your power and water companies about your needs for life-support devices (home dialysis, suction, breathing machines, etc.) in advance of a disaster. Many utility companies keep a “priority reconnection service” list and map of the locations of power-dependent customers for use in an emergency. Ask the customer service department of your utility companies if this service is available. Note that even if you are on the “priority reconnection service” list, your power could still be out for many days following a disaster. It is vital that you have power backup and other options for your equipment. For example:

• Ventilator users should keep a resuscitation bag handy. The bag delivers air through a mask when squeezed.
• If you receive dialysis or other medical treatments, ask your health care provider for the plans in an emergency and where you should go for treatment if your usual clinic is not available after an emergency.
• If you use oxygen at home, check with your doctor to see if you can use a reduced flow rate in an emergency to extend the life of the system. Label your equipment with the reduced flow numbers so that you can easily refer to them. Avoid areas where there are gas leaks or open flames and post “Oxygen in Use” signs in your home. You should also use battery powered flashlights or lanterns rather than gas lights or candles when oxygen is in use (to reduce fire risk) and keep the shut-off switch for oxygen equipment near you so you can get to it quickly in case of an emergency.

Questions to ask your doctor

• Will a power outage immediately affect my condition or put me in danger?
• How long will mine or family member’s home medical device last without electricity?
• Can the power company or fire station help in the event of a power outage?
• Will my medical equipment alert me if the power outage occurs in the middle of the night while sleeping?
• How should I prepare for a power outage when traveling with my medical device?

Resource

Americans with Disabilities Act National Network: Emergency Power Planning for People Who Use Electricity and Battery-Dependent Assistive Technology and Medical Devices

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: #PrepYourHealthForPowerOutages

CompleChild.org: Surviving a Power Outage with Complex Medical Issues

Read.gov: National Preparedness Month

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Kids carry a lot in their backpacks: homework, books, lunch, jackets, sports equipment. But fully loaded backpacks come with risks. Backpacks not worn correctly or that are too heavy can hurt your child. Damage to their spine as well as sore backs and shoulders, headaches, and even a change in the way they walk can be because of heavy backpacks.

Many children carry more than they should in their backpacks. They should not carry more than 10% of their own body weight. For example, if your child weighs 80 pounds, their backpack should not weigh more than 8 pounds. Use your bathroom scale to weigh your child’s backpack when it is fully packed.

Path to improved health

When shopping for a backpack for your child, take them with you. Let your child try on backpacks. Make sure the backpack isn’t any wider than your child’s body. Also make sure it doesn’t hang more than 4 inches below their waist. These guidelines will help make sure the backpack isn’t too big.

Also look for a backpack with these elements:

• Two wide, padded shoulder straps
• Padded back
• Strap that fastens around the waist
• Multiple compartments to spread out the weight
• Made of lightweight material

Once your child starts using the backpack, there are many steps you can take to make sure they aren’t carrying too much in it.

• Always make sure your child is carrying their backpack with a strap over both shoulders, instead of just carrying it on one shoulder. This ensures that the weight is evenly distributed, putting less strain on muscles and joints.
• Tighten the shoulder and waist straps so that they are snug against the body.
• Make sure the backpack rests in the middle of your child’s back. This puts the backpack over the strongest muscles in the back and abdomen. Encourage your child to only carry what is necessary for school.
• Position the heaviest items in the bottom of the bag.
• Teach your child how to safely pick up a heavy backpack. Your child should bend at the knees and lift with the legs. This protects the back and shoulders.

Things to consider

Keep a close eye on your child and how they carry a backpack. The backpack may be too heavy if:

• Your child complains about pain or numbness in the back or shoulders
• You see red marks on the shoulders
• You notice your child is slouching or leaning

If the backpack is too heavy, take everything out of it to see what’s in it. Consider whether any of the items can be left at home or school and not carried in the backpack. Encourage your child to make frequent stops at their locker at school.

Questions for your doctor

• How can I treat my child’s pain already caused by a heavy backpack?
• Are rolling backpacks a good idea?

Resources

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Backpack safety

National Safety Council: Backpack Safety: It’s Time to Lighten the Load

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What is vibrio vulnificus infection?

Vibrio vulnificus s a type of germ (bacteria) found in warm seawater. It comes from contaminated shellfish (especially oysters) or other seafood.

You can get an infection from eating raw or undercooked oysters and other seafood. It can also happen if you have an open wound that comes into contact with the ocean.

V. vulnificus is not a common infection. It is not contagious. This means that you can’t get it from other people.

Symptoms of vibrio vulnificus infection

Symptoms of V. vulnificus infection may include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. If your immune system is weak because you have liver disease, kidney disease or diabetes, V. vulnificus infection can cause more severe symptoms. These may include a high fever and chills, low blood pressure, redness, swelling and blisters on the skin.

If you get V. vulnificus infection because of contact with an open cut, you may get a severe skin infection. If not treated, V. vulnificus infection can spread to your bloodstream and become life-threatening.

If you think you have a V. vulnificus infection, you should see your doctor or go to the hospital right away. Do not wait because the infection can be life threatening if left untreated.

What causes vibrio vulnificus infection?

You can get V. vulnificus infection if you eat contaminated shellfish (especially oysters) or other seafood. If you have an open cut and go in the ocean or touch raw seafood, you can also get this infection.

How is vibrio vulnificus infection diagnosed?

Your doctor may test your blood, stools or any blisters on your skin to tell if you have a V. vulnificus infection.

Can vibrio vulnificus be prevented or avoided?

Avoid eating raw or undercooked shellfish and other seafood, especially if you have an illness that weakens your immune system. Cook seafood thoroughly to kill any germs, including V. vulnificus bacteria. Wash kitchen utensils in hot, soapy water.

Do not touch raw seafood juices if you have an open cut or wound. If you have an open cut or wound, avoid seawater activities, such as swimming, fishing, or boating, until the cut has fully healed.

How is vibrio vulnificus infection treated?

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection. In very severe cases of V. vulnificus infection, where a cut or a wound is infected, you may need surgery or amputation (removal) of the affected limb(s).

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• I have kidney disease. Should I avoid eating shellfish?
• What treatment is best for me?
• I think I have Vibrio vulnificus infection. Should I go to the emergency room?
• My arm is infected. Will I have to have surgery?
• How long will I feel sick?

Resources

Centers for Disease Control: Vibrio vulnificus and wounds

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What is tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is an inflammatory disease. It occurs when your tonsils become infected by a virus or bacteria. Tonsils are the oval-shaped areas of pink tissue at the back of your throat. There are two tonsils, one on each side. They help fight infection by reacting to germs that enter through your nose and mouth. Infected tonsils become inflamed and swollen.

Tonsillitis is more common in children than adults.

What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?

Swollen tonsils often are the first sign of tonsillitis. It may feel like your throat or neck glands are swollen. Other tonsillitis symptoms may include:

• Redness
• Sore throat
• White or yellow spots or film on your tonsils
• Trouble swallowing
• Fever
• Chills
• Bad breath
• Ear pain
• Headache
• Hoarse voice or loss of voice (laryngitis)
• Trouble sleeping or sleep apnea (when breathing stops briefly during sleep)

Children who have tonsillitis may have stomach pain. This is more common when strep is the cause of tonsillitis.

Contact your doctor if your child has symptoms of tonsillitis. This includes:

• A sore throat that lasts more than two days (with or without a fever or stomach pain)
• A fever above 103°F
• Extreme illness, fatigue, or weakness
• Labored breathing or swallowing

If your child can’t breathe or is drooling because they can’t swallow, get emergency care right away.

What causes tonsillitis?

Viral infections cause most cases of tonsillitis. For example, the virus that causes mononucleosis, or mono, (called the Epstein-Barr virus) can cause tonsillitis. Bacterial infections only cause tonsillitis about 15% to 30% of the time. The main bacteria are a certain type of streptococcus, or strep. In these cases, the illness may be called strep throat.

How is tonsillitis diagnosed?

Contact your doctor if you or your child has symptoms of tonsillitis. Your doctor will ask about symptoms. They will check your ears, nose, and throat for swelling and signs of infection.

Your doctor will use a swab to take a sample from the back of your throat. The sample may be used for a rapid strep test or a throat culture. Both tests can show if your infection is caused by strep or another kind of bacteria. A rapid strep test only takes a few minutes to show results. A throat culture must be sent to a lab and takes 24 hours or more. It is more reliable than a rapid stress test, which can give a false negative result. The doctor may order both tests to ensure a diagnosis.

In some cases, your doctor may do a blood test to determine the cause. For example, a blood test can check for mono.

How is tonsillitis treated?

Treatment for tonsillitis varies based on the cause. For a bacterial infection, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Be sure to follow your doctor’s orders and take all the medicine on time. If you don’t, your infection may come back. Antibiotics also help reduce your risk of infecting others. You won’t be contagious after about 24 hours of treatment. If tonsillitis is caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t help.

There are some things you can do at home to help relieve your symptoms:

• Drink plenty of fluids. This includes warm, soothing liquids, such as soup, broth, or tea with honey and lemon.
• Eat soft foods, especially if it hurts to swallow.
• Gargle with warm salt water (1/4 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water).
• Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and pain. Keep in mind that children younger than 18 years of age should not take aspirin. It can cause a serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.
• Suck on a throat lozenge or hard candy.
• Use a cool-mist humidifier to moisten the air.
• Rest your body and your voice.
• Change your toothbrush as you start to get better. A “dirty” toothbrush can re-infect you.

If your tonsils are so swollen that it’s hard to breathe, your doctor may prescribe steroids.

Can tonsillitis be prevented or avoided?

Tonsillitis is not contagious, but the infections that cause it are contagious. It is spread through contact with other people. You can prevent getting and giving it by:

• Washing your hands often
• Not sharing food and drink with others
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick

Living with tonsillitis

Surgery to remove the tonsils (tonsillectomy) used to be common. Today, doctors only recommend surgery if tonsillitis is severe or recurring (chronic). A tonsillectomy is an outpatient surgery, meaning you don’t have to stay in the hospital.

If tonsillitis is left untreated, pus can collect in the back of your throat behind your tonsils. This is called an abscess. If you have an abscess, your doctor will need to drain it with a needle. In some cases, you may need a tonsillectomy to remove the abscess.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• What is the cause of my tonsillitis?
• How long does it take to get test results? What do the test results mean?
• What medicines can I take and what are the side effects?
• Is there anything else I can do to relieve my symptoms?
• My child gets tonsillitis a lot. Do they need surgery to remove their tonsils?
• What are the benefits and risks of a tonsillectomy?
• If I have mono or strep throat, will I get tonsillitis?

Resources

MedlinePlus: Tonsillitis

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Sometimes, life’s challenges force us to seek help. Whether it’s illness, joblessness, homelessness, or natural disasters, social service agencies can help. It’s important to seek this help because these social issues can often negatively impact your health. There are government and charitable agencies at the federal, state, and local levels designed to provide medical and financial assistance. Most government agencies have local offices. Non-governmental agencies can help, as well. These include local food pantries, churches, and other charitable organizations in your own backyard.

Path to improved well being

These common federal assistance programs can help people and families who qualify as low income. Low-income criteria changes from time to time, so don’t let that stop you from determining your eligibility:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net. It offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families.
• Medicaid: Health insurance is costly. Access to affordable health insurance is possible when qualifying for Medicaid.
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): This program links individuals and families to programs in their state or territory for assistance.
• Head Start: Designed to promote school readiness of children under 5, Head Start assists low-income families through education, health, social and other services.
• Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Keeping your home utilities on is important throughout the seasons. LIHEAP can help families that qualify for assistance.
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Food and Nutrition: WIC provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education. This is designed to serve low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women. It includes infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk.
• County health clinics: Nearly every community has Community Health Centers that provide affordable, basic health care services. These centers can often provide referrals to specialized care. This includes mental health, substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS, among other things.
• Internet: Check with your local internet provider. Some will provide lower pricing to people who meet certain income and/or disability criteria.
• Call 211: Dial 211 on your phone to learn about resources in your area that can help with paying bills, finding food, and directing you to other sources of help.

Common sources of charitable giving at the local level:

• Good Will: This nonprofit organization provides job assistance for people in need. As part of that, Good Will operates retail stores across the country. These low-priced, recycled treasures help many families afford clothing and household items.
• Churches: Contact churches of all faiths in your community. Many offer assistance to families in need.
• Food pantries: search the internet for a list of food pantries in your community. These provide families in need with non-perishable (canned, boxed) food. Sometimes, families can access perishable (meat, produce) foods, as well.
• The Salvation Army, The American Red Cross: The Salvation Army and The American Red Cross are most helpful when you or your family is affected by a natural disaster. These organizations provide food, shelter, and other assistance to those in need.
• Safety net hospitals: These medical centers and hospitals are in various communities. They provide health care and other health-related services to patients with little or no insurance or with Medicaid.
• Library: If you cannot afford internet service, the public library is a good source for limited use. Check your local library for details. The library often also has information about other local resources.

Things to consider

There are a number of resources to help people with health and financial assistance. There are some things to consider.

• Be prepared to prove your income level. This includes your job history and number of family members when you apply. Also, you will have to apply to each service. There is no “one size fits all” application. Some of these agencies conduct annual reviews of your income and situation, so you will likely be required to complete review paperwork each year.
• Wait time. Social service agencies are busy processing requests for assistance. Be sure to ask how quickly you can access services once you qualify.
• Red tape/paperwork. Some people call it “red tape.” But it’s really just paperwork. The paperwork can be overwhelming at times. Sticking with it can provide relief.
• Taxable benefits. Ask the staff if you will be taxed for the benefits you receive.
• Social service agencies take this seriously. If you are lying about your circumstances, you are committing fraud. Eventually you will get caught.
• Rules and restrictions. Every social service has rules and restrictions. For example, you may not be allowed to purchase unhealthy food items (candy) with SNAP. Not all medical care is covered by Medicaid or by community health centers. Understand what you can and can’t do with the services you are provided.

Questions to ask your doctor

• Where can I find social services to help my family?
• What healthy foods are best for me to purchase for my family?
• Can I get help in completely the paperwork/application?
• Does child support count as income?

Resources
Healthcare.gov
United Way: Public benefits and community resources
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Social Services
USA.gov: Government benefits

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