Medical

Focus on lifestyle changes to move towards Health

No Comments »Written on May 10th, 2012 by jonckie
Categories: Medical, Paramedics and Emergency Medical Response
Tags: ,

Elizma de Jager in photo by Nick van der Leek

The human body is an amazing machine which can achieve some pretty amazing feats. The 2012, London Olympic Games is a few months away now and the excitement will soon be palpable. Yet millions of viewers of this years games will be enjoying it from their most favorite arm chair.

Innovation has brought various technological marvels to be and these marvels can be observed all around us. From offices integrated with local area networks or DNLA to fast availability of delivery services which will bring you pretty much anything you need to your doorstep. All of these have one thing in common, they reduce time spent on unnecessary travel thus saving time and making your life easy, but some of these comforts come at a price. A price you might end up paying with your life.

Today's youth do things a little bit different to what the generations of the past use to. Back in the day we ran to our friends who lived a few blocks away to get the cricket game at the local park going and it would keep going till our parents would come and find us or it got to dark to see the ball. Today a text, email, instant message or social media post will suffice as notification to your friends to log onto their favorite games console's network so that the session can commence.

Fact is today's living is easy and we are paying for it with our bodies. Every movement we make takes energy and converts fat or substance into sugar which fuels the body. It's basically the same as with a car and a fuel tank. You need fuel to move. Problem is when comparing the body to an automobile our tanks and fuel reserves out weigh the usage and the bodies fuel gauge does not have a limit, you can just keep on adding and adding.

How do we curb the problem then? By making small adjustments to our daily activities you can really make a difference. How about going up to the third floor coffee room instead of the one 20 feet away. Instead of waiting for the elevator, take the stairs. Remove the batteries from the remote and get up from the couch to change the channel or adjust the volume. The more you move the better.

A small adjustment and a different view towards the definition of physical effort may change your life. Start today and start moving for health.

Andre Visser, ER24

Celebrate World Red Cross Day on the 8th of May

No Comments »Written on May 8th, 2012 by jonckie
Categories: Medical, Paramedics and Emergency Medical Response, Telemedicine
Tags: , ,


Every year on the 8th May is marked as the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. This day is celebrated for two reasons. One is for the birthday of the founder of the organisation Mr Henri Dunant and the second reason to celebrate the hard work that all members from the Red Cross and Red Crescent do throughout the year in helping others.

The international committee of the Red Cross was founded in 1863 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Red Cross was started during the war time to help with first aid and to protect the solider or member of public life, no matter the circumstances and would be protected under the International Human Rights Law. The flag for the Red Cross is a Red Cross on a white back ground.

The Red Cross is based all over the world helping in war torn countries and providing medical assistances in countries that have diseases. Feeding schemes are also set up by the Red Cross when natural disaster occurs, giving out food and blankets to the people in the time of need.

In South Africa some schools have been trained by the Red Cross Society in First Aid. There is Red Cross youth groups as well training the youth of today in compassion to human kind.

ER24 would like to thank the Red Cross Society for all the hard work and dedication that they do all year round. Without you some paramedics would have not taken up the calling of Emergency Care and continue the good work that you have shown the world.

Also view:

South African Red Cross

Energy Drinks enjoy increasing popularity among young South Africans

1 Comment »Written on March 20th, 2012 by jonckie
Categories: Insurance Sponsorship, Medical
Tags: , ,

Photo by Denese Lups /Phototalk

    Who is the target market for companies manufacturing sports drinks? Is it necessarily those who actively participate in sport? We have given attention to the benefits of energy drinks on the Arrive Alive website and have long believed that the targeted consumer is not necessarily only our sportsmen and women. A rather interesting study reveals that this is in fact true:

  • As the name implies, sports drinks are generally intended for active people, yet a high percentage of South African sports drink consumers in fact do not participate in sport activities at all.
  • There are currently 8.5 million (25%) sports drink consumers in South Africa (adult population +15 years) according to the latest AMPS 2011A data i.e. people who had personally consumed in the past 7 days. The number of sports drink consumers had increased from 7.8 million (24% of adults) in 2009 to 8.5 million (25% of adults) in 2011.
  • By taking a closer look at the lifestyle and sport interests of South African sports drink consumers, the report shows that there is a strong interest in sports especially for Soccer (51%), Cricket (23%) and Rugby (20%). But, when it comes to an active participation in sport activities, the percentages are very low. While 89% of sports drink consumers stated that they are interested in sports, only 53% had been actively involved in sport activities in the past 12 months.
  • The most popular sports that consumers had participated in the past 12 months were Soccer (18%), Billiards/Pool/Snooker (10%), Walking/Hiking (9%), Swimming (7%) and Jogging/Running (7%).

Energy Drinks enjoy increasing popularity among young South Africans (Source: AMPS 2011A, Adults 15+ years):

  • In line with the international trend, energy drinks are enjoying increasing popularity among South Africans, just over 6 million South African adults (15+ years) had consumed an energy drink in the past 7 days.
  • Energy drinks definitely appeal to the younger consumer segments. Approximately 72% of its drinkers are between the ages of 15 and 39 years old, more than 4.4 million consumers, with males comprising 52% of the market.
  • Results of the Analytix BI report highlight a trend of increasing energy drink consumption in the past 7 days. Between 2009 and 2011, the proportion of consumers that were classified as “Medium” consumers of energy drinks (drank 3-5 cans/bottles in the past 7 days) had increased from 18% to 20% and the proportion of “Light” energy drink consumers (drank 1-2 cans/bottles in the past 7 days) had subsequently declined from 77% in 2009 to 75% in 2011.

[Information with credit to Analytix BI]

ABOUT ANALYTIX BI:

Analytix Business Intelligence is a Proudly South African market research company that conducts integrated quantitative and qualitative research to deliver holistic consumer-centric insights, customer value propositions and marketing strategy. Our strength in quantitative surveys and analysis is enriched by significant expertise in gaining qualitative insights from ethnographic-style, in-home research to provide a 360-degree understanding of the consumer. We ensure you have the right information-based foundation to create successful marketing and communication strategies. In addition to a comprehensive desk research service, we have more than 50 affordable, pre-packaged consumer intelligence reports that are created by expert analysts - saving your valuable time and resources.

On Driver Tiredness , Fatigue and Drowsiness also view:

Half (47%) of Global Employees Agree Their Workplace is Psychologically Safe and Healthy according to Survey

No Comments »Written on March 16th, 2012 by jonckie
Categories: Life, Medical, Paramedics and Emergency Medical Response
Tags: , , , ,

Worker injured in industrial accident

New York — A global average of half (47%) of employees in 24 countries agree their current workplace is a ‘psychologically safe and healthy environment to work in’ finds a new survey conducted by global research company Ipsos for Reuters News. A further three in ten (27%) disagreed while one quarter (26%) place themselves in the middle of their assessment.

The United States and Canada ranked highest of the 24 nation workplaces to have the psychologically healthiest workplaces, according to employees in those countries. A majority of Americans (64%) and Canadians (60%) agree with the statement. They are followed by majorities in: India (57%), Australia (56%), Indonesia (55%), Great Britain (55%), South Africa (55%), China (54%), Turkey (53%) and Brazil (52%).

Three in ten (27%) global employees gave their workplaces the lowest marks for being psychologically safe and healthy with those workers from Argentina (44%), Mexico (43%), Hungary (42%) and Spain (38%) reflecting the strongest disagreement followed by Russia (36%), Poland (35%) and France (32%).

Demographically, those most likely to agree with the statement (rate 7, 8, 9 or 10) have a high household income (52%), have completed a high level of education (51%) and are over the age of 50 (50%). Conversely, those most likely to disagree (rate 1, 2, 3 or 4) have a low household income (31%), have low or medium education (28%).

Ipsos surveyed a total of 14,618 employees in 24 countries to rate on a scale of 1 to 10, (where 1 means strongly disagree and 10 means strongly agree) how strongly they agree or disagree with the following statement: ‘Overall, my current workplace is a psychologically safe and healthy environment to work in.’ The top group of employees were those who scored at least 7 out of 10, the second group was in the middle range (rate of  5 or 6 out of 10) and the lowest or most likely to ‘disagree’ group rated their workplace as a 1, 2, 3 or 4 out of 10.

Agree

10-9-8-7

6-5 Disagree

4-3-2-1

Total 47% 26% 27%
United States 64% 17% 19%
Canada 60% 19% 22%
India 57% 28% 17%
Australia 56% 22% 22%
Indonesia 55% 29% 16%
Great Britain 55% 25% 19%
South Africa 55% 20% 25%
China 54% 32% 15%
Turkey 53% 27% 20%
Brazil 52% 31% 17%
Belgium 50% 29% 20%
Sweden 50% 23% 26%
Germany 44% 26% 29%
Saudi Arabia 42% 25% 30%
Russia 41% 24% 36%
Italy 40% 31% 29%
South Korea 39% 32% 30%
Hungary 39% 19% 42%
Japan 36% 39% 24%
Spain 36% 26% 38%
Argentina 36% 20% 44%
France 35% 32% 32%
Poland 33% 32% 35%
Mexico 32% 26% 43%

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Global @dvisor poll conducted between on behalf of Reuters News. The survey instrument is conducted monthly in 24 countries via the Ipsos Online Panel system. The countries reporting herein are Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United States of America. An international sample of 21,245 adults (14,618 employees) aged 18-64 in the US and Canada, and age 16-64 in all other countries, were interviewed between December 6 and December 19, 2011. Approximately 1000+ individuals participated on a country by country basis with the exception of Indonesia, Poland, Sweden, Russia and Turkey, where each have a sample 500+. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to the most recent country Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/-3.1 percentage points for a sample of 1,000 and an estimated margin of error of +/- 4.5 percentage points for a sample of 500 19 times out of 20 per country of what the results would have been had the entire population of the specifically aged adults in that country been polled.

-30-


For full tabular results, please visit our website at www.ipsosglobal@advisor.com.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. In October 2011 Ipsos completed the acquisition of Synovate. The combination forms the world’s third largest market research company.

With offices in 84 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across six research specializations: advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, public affairs research, and survey management. Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of €1.14 billion ($1.6 billion U.S.) in 2010.

Visit www.ipsos-na.com to learn more about Ipsos’ offerings and capabilities.

ER24 Paramedics attending to worker after fall through roof

IMPERIAL and Active Education to take to the field with 27,000 learners

No Comments »Written on March 15th, 2012 by jonckie
Categories: Insurance Sponsorship, Medical
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Diversified industrial services and retail group IMPERIAL Holdings and its Ukhamba Community Development Trust have partnered with school sports coaching specialist Active Education to present 35 schools in Soweto and Orange Farm with the opportunity to develop basic physical skills in a fun and  healthy environment under the guidance of expert coaches.

The partnership will be launched today (14 March 2012) at 12:00 at a small sports event held at King Zwelithini Primary School in Emndeni, Soweto. The session will showcase physical education lessons, skills training and friendly matches among the learners. Among the guests will be Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Lebogang Maile, principals from the various schools as well as IMPERIAL executives.

“IMPERIAL I-Active programme has the potential to introduce 27,000 learners to the wonders of sports participation in a fun, creative and structured manner through the medium of physical education,” says Active Education founder Bruce Smuts.

Active Education takes a holistic approach to physical education, providing extra curricular and age group team coaching as well as organising sports days, tournaments and festivals.

The primary and high school programmes they will be bringing to Soweto will offer the schools a choice of coaching in 16 different disciplines, including cricket, rugby, swimming and even skateboarding.

“Our programme, which is run in conjunction with the Gauteng Department of Education, is all about maximum participation, education, building confidence and self-worth and, of course, skills transfer,” he adds.

Tak Hiemstra, IMPERIAL executive director for strategic development, shares why this initiative scored with the company, “We believe that the abundance of sporting opportunities in South Africa can help our children develop physically and mentally. IMPERIAL is proud to partner with Active Education to help develop the talent that will take advantage of such opportunities in years to come.”

Smuts adds, “The lessons are age specific and so is the equipment we use. We chose our coaches not only for their personal sporting abilities but also their responsibility, consistence and an affinity for working with junior and senior students.”

Coaches are recruited from local communities and trained by Active Education which also manages its own large-scale talent identification programme. Active Education is the logical and justifiably proud partner for the Supersport ‘Let’s Play’ initiative.

ENDS

About IMPERIAL Holdings

IMPERIAL is a diversified industrial services and retail group with activities spanning  logistics, car rental and tourism, distributorships, automotive retail and related financial services. IMPERIAL operates in South Africa, Africa, Europe and Australia.

IMPERIAL is a major road user in southern Africa with its sheer size and geographic footprint putting the group in a great position to make a difference:

  • 460 million kilometres were travelled by its southern African transport fleet last year.
  • There are 5,500 trucks in the logistics fleet and additional access to almost as many sub-contractors vehicles.
  • 96,453 new and 54,746 used cars were sold in South Africa last year through IMPERIAL.
  • One in every three car rental transactions in South Africa is made through IMPERIAL.
  • IMPERIAL operates 600 vessels on the waterways of Europe with over 1 million tonnes combined load capacity, and transports in excess of 53 million tonnes per annum in Europe.

IMPERIAL is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, and is run on a decentralised management structure that actively encourages entrepreneurship, innovation and industry best practice. The company employs 40,000 people, who are responsible for the growth and continued success of the group that began as a motor dealer in downtown Johannesburg in 1948.

About Active Education

Founded in 1998 by Bruce Smuts, Active Education specialises in school sports coaching. It trains coaches to run physical education lessons, provide extracurricular and age-group team coaching as well as organising sports days, tournaments and festivals.

120 full-time coaches work in over one hundred government and private schools in Johannesburg and Durban.

The Kids in Action programme uses positive teaching methods, creativity, specialised sporting equipment and exercises to equip children aged three to seven with general sporting competency: flexibility, agility and ball skills.

Life skills, like persistence, courage, cooperation, decision-making, self-worth, goal setting and confidence, are built into the lessons that we’ve designed.

Kids in Action coaches are specifically selected for their ability to communicate with young children; the bond that develops between a child and their coach is integral to a successful coaching process.www.activeeducationsa.com

Education and Safety for the Youth of Today

1 Comment »Written on March 6th, 2012 by jonckie
Categories: Paramedics and Emergency Medical Response
Tags: , , ,


Education plays a big part in a human’s existence and we all need to be educated on different aspects of life. Every small thing from being potty trained to the safe way of moving a vehicle from one lane to the other was taught to us by a mentor, teacher, parent or book. Fact is we very rarely hinge on our animal instincts to get us through the day in this modern day and age. It is with this that we acknowledge our educators and most modern format of education by having an entire week dedicated to schools awareness.

The latest statistics indicate that on average 14 167 086 pupils head to no less than 35 231 educational institutions to receive their daily dose of lectures from no less than 452 971 teachers and lecturers. That being said the system itself is huge and requires a massive support structure to function on a daily basis. Lift clubs, leave by the minute deadlines and endless arguing as to what the morning soundtrack should be could make for a stressful commute.

Before you reach the age of 18, commuting to school either means a tiresome walk, cycle, carpooling or shot-gunning it with your parents while sitting in bumper to bumper traffic. Do we ever take the time to think about the inherent dangers of our children’s commute to and from their educational institution and have you as a parent taken the time to educate your child at home of these dangers? Once confronted with a medical emergency will your child know what to do in your absence? These are the kind of questions we as parents need to ask ourselves.

Schools and teachers do their best to be up to date with first aid, but children are children and teenagers are a different ball game all together. I remember vividly being in a few situations where I was confronted with an emergencies being unable to recall even my dads phone number, not because I didn’t know it, I bet I can still send him a please call me from a 3310 blind folded, but confronted with a not so normal situation I hit a blank.

We educate our children to not run with scissors, but what happens when someone else was running with the scissors and your child happened to be the unfortunate victim or witness. Could they react in the appropriate manner and take the necessary action to resolve the matter? At school there’s a subject for this called Life Orientation.

Some private schools offer first aid courses to learners who want to be educated in this subject. This would work in a perfect world, but today’s generation-Y is the generation of Facebook, Twitter &Playstation. Will your child volunteer to attend a first aid course? ER24 offers a wide range of first aid courses nationwide and include:First Aid Level 1, 2 and 3, Sports First Aid, a Basic CPR Course and Family and Friends CPR. All training initiatives considered and still your rebellious teenager refuses to let go of his Beats earphones to acknowledge your advice and existence. What can you do?

Certain steps can be taken to assist your child in an emergency even if he or she is unprepared for the situation. By saving the ER24 emergency number, 084 124, under phonebook entries such as Emergency and Ambulance your child my react instinctively when confronted with an emergency by reaching for his or her cell phone. By instructing your child to activate speed dial 1 to reach an ambulance can save their life. By saving your own phone number under the abbreviation ICE, In-CASE-of-Emergency, paramedics can dial your number to acquire vital information necessary to treat your child.

ER24 commends all the teachers, lecturers, janitors, office personal and after school aunties around our great nation for the tireless and sometimes unrewarding work they do in educating our youth and leaders of tomorrow. As parents we still need to take responsibility and make time to inform and educate our children of the dangers of being human in today’s modern age. Accidents happen and you and your child need to know what to do should such a situation present itself. Remember to call 084 124 for Real Help Real Fast.

Andre Visser, ER24

South Africans urged to pay more attention to diabetes and the need for healthy lifestyles

No Comments »Written on March 5th, 2012 by jonckie
Categories: Medical, Paramedics and Emergency Medical Response
Tags: , ,

South African doctors are now seeing more patients with diabetes than with HIV/Aids and this has resulted in an increase in the number of newly diagnosed diabetes patients.

Specialist physician, Dr Adri Kok, says that unhealthy lifestyles have a direct negative effect on the increase in the number of people who have type two diabetes.

This non-communicable disease currently affects about six-million of the country's population. Dr Kok says that more attention needs to be paid to diabetes in South Africa.

According to Dr Kok, diabetes is associated with peoples way of life and the difficulty with obesity which is a parallel problem that South Africa experiences.

"I think in South Africa, we do not have exact figures but we see many more patients with diabetes than for example HIV/AIDS," added Dr Kok.

Does diabetes pose a significant road safety risk and do we understand this medical condition?

Diabetes is a life-long condition where you have too much sugar in your blood, due to a lack of insulin. This high blood sugar level, if left untreated, can cause irreversible the damage and ultimately lead to death.

Symptoms of diabetes include

• Blurred vision

• Dry skin or skin infections

• Nausea

• Recurring infections

• Wounds or cuts that won’t heal

• Unexplained weight loss

• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet

How can Diabetics manage Diabetes?

• Diabetes is a treatable condition. Keep a positive attitude and take note of the changes you have to make to your lifestyle to control the disease.

• Eat a healthy diet to help keep your blood sugar in control and to maintain a healthy body weight.

• Get regular exercise to help regulate your blood sugar. It will also reduce your risk of heart disease, and help to control your weight.

• If drugs are prescribed to help keep your blood sugar in control, take them as instructed. Too little medication will make your blood sugar rise higher that usual, and too much will cause your blood sugar level to drop.

• Take good care of your feet. Diabetes affects the nerve function and blood flow to the feet, increasing your risk of infection.

• Get regular eye exams. Changes in your eyesight caused by diabetes often have no symptoms until the damage is quite advanced.

Diabetes need not pose a significantly higher risk to road safety! Awareness of the symptoms and constant monitoring of their health should help all our friends with diabetes to Arrive Alive!

Also view:

Diabetes and Road Safety

Medical Tourism Association SA launches Web Portal

No Comments »Written on February 23rd, 2012 by jonckie
Categories: Medical, Paramedics and Emergency Medical Response
Tags:

In a move designed to showcase South Africa's high quality facilities and services for health, wellness and medical care in foreign markets, the Medical Tourism Association of South Africa (MTASA), will be launching a web portal in collaboration with a number of stakeholders at the Mediclinic Morningside on 23 February 2012.

“As a collective, we are here to ensure that medical tourists experience excellent service and high quality care throughout their stay in South Africa,” explains MTASA member Lorraine Melvill, of Joburg-based Surgeon & Safari, one of the country’s pioneering medical concierge consultancies, established in 1999. “The value chain includes numerous steps and players, products and services and the website www.medicaltourismassociation.org.za gives potential visitors a convenient information portal of services and facilities to get them started.”

Over the past 10 years Johannesburg has played host to thousands of visitors seeking health, wellness and medical services – often combined with short holidays either prior to or post their treatments and procedures. One company in particular, who has played a significant role is medical evacuation specialists ER 24, "We are excited about our membership with the medical tourism association and offer our expertise in medical evaluation, foreign patient facilitation and aero-medical evacuation to assist patients across Africa that have little or no access to quality healthcare," says Marc Fourie, Marketing Manager of ER24.

Such is the demand for these services that South Africa has emerged as a medical tourism destination of choice amongst African travellers more especially and the medical tourism sector, as a niche market with significant growth potential for the country, has been earmarked for development by national government. The intention of launching the portal is to bring about initiatives that advocate and showcase South Africa's world class medical facilities, services and personnel and thus position the country as a premier destination of choice for health / wellness and medical care, enabling its members to excel in this regional and globally competitive market, with a clear code of conduct in place.

"As a vital travel and medical services hub on the African continent, Johannesburg hosts a large proportion of medical tourists in South Africa," says Phelisa Mangcu, Acting CEO of Joburg Tourism Company (JTC). "In our role as the City of Johannesburg's destination marketing arm, we are supporting and amplifying MTASA's efforts by also unveiling our own medical tourism portal on the JTC website: www.joburgtourism.com to coincide with their national launch today".

The Medical Tourism Association of South Africa (MTASA) is a Section 21 non-profit trade association, which provides a common platform for diverse industry players with a collective interest in the medical tourism value chain. The launching of the MTASA web portal offers the industry an opportunity to commit to common values - integrity, transparency, accountability, direct communication, sound fiscal management and good corporate governance - that are conducive to the benefits of industry and consumers.

Also view:

Road Safety Advice for Foreigners travelling in South Africa

What are my career opportunities in Trauma Counselling?

No Comments »Written on February 21st, 2012 by jonckie
Categories: Medical, Paramedics and Emergency Medical Response, Q&A
Tags: , ,

Question:

I found your info on the internet and I was wondering of you could assist me with some information.

I just completed my BA in psychology but I am working in an unrelated field. I am contemplating doing my honors in trauma counseling but I am not sure of the career possibilities. Could you give me some type of indication? I am looking for a career change and this is something I am drawn to.

Thank you, I really appreciate your assistance.

Answer:

I trust this mail finds you well.

If you decide to do Honours in trauma counselling then once completed you can do a practical internship in trauma counselling through UNISA and can write a board exam for the Health Professions Council of SA to become a registered counsellor. Once you are a registered trauma counsellor then you can practice as a trauma counsellor on an independent basis or you can work with a company doing trauma counselling.

If you just decide to do your Honours in trauma counselling then you will still be able to be a trauma counsellor but may not necessarily practice independently, but can work or volunteer as a trauma counsellor at an organisation. It is better to become a registered trauma counsellor because you can charge medical aid rates which is easier for clients. Or you can work in a company that offers face-to-face or telephonic trauma counselling.

Your main career path would thus be to practice as a trauma counsellor. There are also many places you can volunteer as a counsellor whilst you do your Honours, such as the Police station or Victim support centre near you.

I hope this answers your question and if you have any questions about doing a trauma counselling internship through UNISA you can call them or email them for more info; it is called the BPSYCH Equivalence programme. HospiVision is also an organisation based in Pretoria which helps with UNISA trauma counselling internships, training and volunteering. You can also look them up on the internet.

Have a great day!

Kind Regards,

Kerry Wheater
Trauma Support Coordinator

ER24


Manor 2, Cambridge Manor, Cnr Witkoppen & Stonehaven, Paulshof
P.O. Box 242 Paulshof 2056
Tel:  011 319 6500

Emergency: 084-124

Website: www.er24.co.za

GPS: S -26 02.142 / E 28 03.162

Also view:

Trauma Counselling and Road Safety

Protect yourself and your family by adopting a “healthy body– healthy mind” attitude.

No Comments »Written on February 15th, 2012 by jonckie
Categories: Medical, Paramedics and Emergency Medical Response
Tags: ,


Healthy Lifestyles Awareness Day

We’ve all heard the hype around “healthy mind – healthy body”, but what does this really mean, and what impact does it have to you and your health?
With the 17th of February being “Healthy Lifestyles Awareness Day”, we would like to tackle the issues around lifestyle and illness from an Emergency Services perspective.

There is a long list of ailments and illnesses with associated onset relating to unhealthy living, and more particularly, unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise. Every day we transport patients by ambulance, and see patients who are in hospital with various ailments and illnesses. One of the diseases with more and more reported cases per day, and which is now being called an epidemic, is Diabetes Type 2.

Diabetes Type 2 is the preventable type of diabetes, with only a small percentage of cases relating to family history and genetics. The cause is almost always related to a diet high in sugar, fats and a lack of daily physical exercise. With the body having to convert these sugars at a high rate every day using insulin, cells become increasingly resistant to taking up the sugars to use them as required, and the sugars then stay in the blood stream. By not being physically active, the metabolism slows down, promoting the body to store more fats, thereby impacting the problem.

Once Diabetes Type 2 is diagnosed, a person will need to start taking chronic medication, which will aid in the uptake of the sugars so that the body may still be able to use them. Every cell in the body uses these for energy, and if the cells do not obtain the required amount, they will be unable to work at their optimum.

The most important organ to consider in the body with regards to healthy living is the heart. When you are depriving your body of appropriate nutrition or you are living an unhealthy lifestyle, the heart suffers the most. The heart needs the best care in order to keep the other organs functioning as they should.
Simply changing your mind set when it comes to health, nutrition and exercise can prevent onset of chronic illness or at least significantly reduce the possibility of getting a chronic illness that could have been otherwise prevented.

Take the necessary steps today to protect yourself and your family by adopting a “healthy body – healthy mind” attitude.

Vanessa Jackson, ER24

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