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Show Page 10 The Ogden Valley news Volume XVIII Issue XXIV March 15, 2011 Importance of Foot Care Often Overlooked In People with Diabetes By Trent Henderson, address the problem immediately. P.T., D.P.T. Performance West Physical Therapy, Eden People who have diabetes take on a lot of extra responsibilities to help keep their bodies healthy. Diet, exercise, and proper medication are just a few things diabetics need to do to stay healthy. Another important aspect that diabetics need to be aware of is proper foot care. Wounds on the feet and lower legs can sometimes be hard to detect due to the decreased feeling in the lower extremities that often affect diabetics. The other problem with diabetes is the increased time it takes to heal a wound in the extremities. This combination can lead to serious problems including loss of limbs or in extreme cases their lives. Proper foot care is essential to safeguard diabetics against infection. This can be done by taking a few minutes at the end of each day to detect any abnormalities that may have occurred during the day. The first step is to inspect the skin of the entire foot, including in between toes and the lower leg. Bony prominences are especially susceptible to these wounds because of the little amount of soft tissue protection available. If you find any redness, skin loss, or blister its imperative you The second step is the proper washing and drying of the feet. To wash your feet use warm, not hot water and lightly scrub the foot. The use of hot water can lead to burns because of the decreased sensation in the feet. When drying the feet use a soft cloth and use a dabbing or blotting motion to help insure the integrity of the skin. Scrubbing hard while washing or drying can rub skin off and cause a wound on the foot. Another important aspect of foot care is toenail trimming. Always use safety clippers when trimming nails. Never use scissors! When you cut the nails leave plenty of room out of the bed to lower the chances of having an infected, ingrown toenail. The most important thing to consider if you have diabetes with foot neuropathy is proper footwear. Make sure you wear comfortable, supportive shoes that fit properly and do not cause any ill effects. Taking care of your feet is very important for diabetics. It only takes a small wound on the foot or lower leg to cause an infection that will be very hard to treat and eventually heal. Only a few minutes each day will ensure the health of not only your feet but the health of your whole body. For more information, contact Trent Henderson at Performance West Physical Therapy, 801-745-3200. More Accolades for Valley Ski Team On February 24 - 26, Ogden Valley Ski Team athletes traveled to Bogus Basin, Idaho for the Trudi Bolinder Memorial J1-J2 (ages 15-18) Qualifier. Skiing super-G all three days, Peter Papineau Jr. carried away two gold medals and one silver, while Davis Anderson finished fifth in two out of three races, ending the weekend with a bronze. Both athletes earned a spot at the Western Region Junior Championships to be held March 8 – 13 at Bogus Basin. Papineau currently leads the Intermountain Division in Intermountain Cup points. Also, on February 24 - 26, the Junior Olympic athletes competed in McCall, Idaho for the Brendan Armstrong Memorial J3 (ages 13-14) Qualifier. Skiing super-G all three days in the female J3 class was Isabel Torres who finished in the top fifteen in two out of three runs. In the male J3 class, Ryan Totman captured two out of three finishes in the top ten. Michael Townsend finished strong, placing in the top fifteen on Saturday. At the beginning of March the Junior Varsity team skied the super-G, giant slalom, and slalom in the Snowbasin Kombi race, while the Development team headed to Snowbird for their final Youth Ski League race before competing in the YSL Championships at Wolf Mountain March 11 - 13. EDEN TEEN cont. from page 1 can lead to significant toxicity of the central nervous system and heart, and even death. Chronic exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide can lead to depression, confusion, and memory loss. The Wheelers stated that the carbon monoxide came from a seal that had worked its way lose somehow through the years in their home’s heating system flue, which extended from the boiler down in the basement, up through the wall, and, finally, up through the roof to the outside. The broken seal allowed the gas to escape from the pipe and into the home. Pauli Wheeler stated, “If any good has come from this, it’s that many people have been made aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. So many people have come up to me, and have told me that they are now installing carbon monoxide detectors in their home, or making sure the batteries work in the detectors they already have. Wheeler added, “Our family would like to thank all of those who have helped our family—from the emergency responders and others in the community whose thoughts and prayers have been with us. They made a difference.” ... Because life is too short to hate your hair. Happy St. Patrick’s Day 801-745-4000 2555 WOLF CREEK DR. EDEN STORE HOURS: MON. - SAT. 7 AM - 10 PM SUNDAY 7 AM - 9 PM One lb. Loose Pistachios $1.00 Expires OFF4/1/11with coupon 7 oz. Dubliner Irish Cheese in the 50c OFF with coupon Hot Deli Expires 4/1/11 2 Liter Shasta 25c OFF with coupon Expires 4/1/11 Be safe. Practice the DO’s and DON’Ts of Carbon Monoxide What is carbon mon- of CO—your oil or gas furnace, gas water heater, oxide? Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death. Where is CO found? CO is found in combustion fumes, such as those produced by cars and trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, and gas ranges and heating systems. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces. People and animals in these spaces can be poisoned by breathing it. What are the symptoms of CO poisoning? The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. High levels of CO inhalation can cause loss of consciousness and death. Unless suspected, CO poisoning can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic other illnesses. People who are sleeping or intoxicated can die from CO poisoning before ever experiencing symptoms. What is CO poisoning? Red blood cells pick up CO quicker than they pick up oxygen and they bind 200 times stronger to red blood cells. When this happens oxygen cannot bind with red blood cells to distribute proper amounts of oxygen to your brain and other vital organs. If there is a lot of CO in the air, the body may replace oxygen in blood with CO. This poisoning blocks oxygen from getting into the body, which can damage tissues and result in death. Who is at risk from CO poisoning? All people and animals are at risk for CO poisoning. Certain groups — unborn babies, infants, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory problems — are more susceptible to its effects. Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized due to CO poisoning. Fatality is highest among Americans 65 and older. Placement of CO Detectors - Proper placement of a carbon monoxide (CO) detector is important. If you are installing only one carbon monoxide detector, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends it be located near the sleeping area, where it can wake you if you are asleep. Additionally, detectors should be on every level and in every bedroom of a home, which provides extra protection against carbon monoxide poisoning. Homeowners should remember not to install carbon monoxide detectors directly above or beside fuel-burning appliances, as appliances may emit a small amount of carbon monoxide upon start-up. A detector should not be placed within fifteen feet of heating or cooking appliances or in or near very humid areas such as bathrooms. When considering where to place a carbon monoxide detector, keep in mind that although carbon monoxide is roughly the same weight as air (carbon monoxide’s specific gravity is 0.9657, as stated by the EPA; the National Resource Council lists the specific gravity of air as one), it may be contained in warm air coming from combustion appliances such as home heating equipment. If this is the case, carbon monoxide will rise with the warmer air. Installation locations vary by manufacturer. Manufacturers’ recommendations differ to a certain degree based on research conducted with each one’s specific detector. Therefore, make sure to read the provided installation manual for each detector before installing. If the CO detector alarm goes off, IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 Make sure it is your CO detector and not your smoke detector. Check to see if any member of the household is experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning. If they are, get them out of the house immediately and seek medical attention. Tell the Doctor or EMS Professional that you suspect CO poisoning. If no one is feeling symptoms, ventilate the home with fresh air, turn off all potential sources gas range and oven, gas dryer, gas or kerosene space heater and any vehicle or small engine. Have a qualified technician inspect your fuel-burning appliances and chimneys to make sure they are operating correctly and that there is nothing blocking the fumes from being vented out of the house. How can I prevent CO poisoning from my home appliances? Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year. Do not use portable flameless chemical heaters (catalytic) indoors. Although these heaters do not have a flame, they burn gas and can cause CO to build up inside your home, cabin, or camper. If you smell an odor from your gas refrigerator’s cooling unit have an expert service it. An odor from the cooling unit of your gas refrigerator can mean you have a defect in the cooling unit. It could also be giving off CO. When purchasing gas equipment, buy only equipment carrying the seal of a national testing agency, such as the American Gas Association or Underwriters’ Laboratories. Install a battery-operated CO detector in your home and check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall. How do I vent my gas appliances properly? Contact a trained professional All gas appliances must be vented so that CO will not build up in your home, cabin, or camper. Never burn anything in a stove or fireplace that is not vented. Have your chimney checked or cleaned every year. Chimneys can be blocked by debris, birds’ nests, beehives and a variety of other items. This can cause CO to build up inside your home or cabin. Never patch a vent pipe with tape, gum, or something else. This kind of patch can make CO build up in your home, cabin, or camper. Horizontal vent pipes to fuel appliances should not be perfectly level. Indoor vent pipes should go up slightly as they go toward outdoors. This helps prevent CO or other gases from leaking if the joints or pipes are not fitted tightly. How can I heat my house safely or cook when the power is out? Never use a gas range or oven for heating. Using a gas range or oven for heating can cause a buildup of CO inside your home, cabin, or camper. Never use a charcoal grill or a barbecue grill indoors. Using a grill indoors will cause a buildup of CO inside your home, cabin, or camper unless you use it inside a vented fireplace. Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal—red, gray, black, or white—gives off CO. Never use a portable gas camp stove indoors. Using a gas camp stove indoors can cause CO to build up inside your home, cabin, or camper. Never use a generator inside your home, basement, or garage or near a window, door, or vent. How can I avoid CO poisoning from my vehicle? Have a mechanic check the exhaust system of my car every year. A small leak in your car’s exhaust system can lead to a buildup of CO inside the car. Never run a car or truck in the garage with the garage door shut. CO can build up quickly while your car or truck is running in a closed garage. Never run your car or truck inside a garage that is attached to a house and always open the door to any garage to let in fresh air when running a car or truck inside the garage. If you drive a vehicle with a hatchback, when you open it, you also need to open vents or windows to make sure air is moving through your car. If only the hatch is open, CO from the exhaust will be pulled into the car. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Captain Rock Toone with the Weber Fire District at <rtoone@weberfiredistrict.utah.gov> After a long day Let Us Serve You Hours Tuesday-Saturday: 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Sunday Brunch: (all you can eat) 10:00am-2:00pm Sunday Dinner: 3:00pm-8:00pm 508 Ogden Canyon www.grayclifflodge.com (801) 392-6775 PINEVIEW HOME SERVICES 801-644-8511 All Your Home Needs in One Place! French Bread from the Bakery 50c OFF with coupon Expires 4/1/11 Package Corned Beef in the with coupon Meat Dept $1.00 OFF Expires 4/1/11 Weekly Lawn Mowing Sprinkler Repairs Minor Landscaping Spring & Fall Yard Cleanup Snow Removal Pest Control Handyman Services Hot Tub Servicing Cleaning Services *Specializing in condo/home rentals Local & Reliable since 1994. Licensed, Bonded, and Insured Caretaker for Condo Rentals and Vacation Homes Window Cleaning Carpet Cleaning Alarm Installation CPR Certified Babysitters |