askthedoctor
Safe Service
Volunteer service missions can be enjoyable and rewarding,
but be sure to take precautions to protect your health.
By Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, D.O.
A
s summer approaches, many Also, learn about and practice blood/bodily
churches and nonprofi t organiza- fl uid precautions and bring or make sure
tions sponsor volunteer missions gloves, goggles or eye glasses, and other
in the U.S. or to developing countries supplies are available. Remember malaria
around the world. People of all ages — prophylaxis if you will be in a malaria zone.
sometimes entire families — might spend a Bring any OTC and prescription
week or two building and repairing homes, medications you might need, including
working in schools, setting up medical sunscreen and insect repellent. Pack pro-
clinics, assisting in orphanages, or partici- tective clothing (comfortable closed-toe
pating in ecological or environmental proj- shoes, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, a
Don’t Be a Hero
ects. Consider several health issues before hat). A headlamp provides light for night-
in the Heat
you participate: time walks and can help prevent falls.
a73 If you’re laboring out- Be aware of your general health status Take steps to prevent heat-related ill-
side in hot weather and
and know your physical limits. Start slow- nesses, which can lead to heatstroke and
find you aren’t feeling
well, stop working, get
ly, and don’t overexert yourself, especially death. The most important precaution is to
out of the sun, and rest.
if you are over 50 years old and therefore stay hydrated. Bring a water bottle, fi nd a
in the heart attack age range. source of potable water, and drink through-
Attend pre-deployment meetings to out the day. Check your urine to determine
fi nd out what you can expect and what you whether you are hydrated; if it is darker
should pack. Consider what you’ll be doing, than usual or you are urinating less often, it
and plan ahead. It might be diffi cult to pur- is usually because of dehydration. Dehydra-
chase extra items once you are deployed. tion increases your risk of blood pressure
Even if you don’t suspect any dental changes, falls, headaches, impaired judg-
problems, see your dentist before you go. ment, and heatstroke. Be alert for the subtle
A dental emergency can become a painful symptoms of heat-related illness: changes
crisis in a remote area. in perspiration, nausea, headache, heat
Make certain your tetanus vaccination cramps, and dizziness or fainting.
is up-to-date (administered within the past Staying healthy will enable you to be
10 years). The organism that causes tetanus a volunteer, not a patient. MO
is common in soil, so this shot is especially
important if you will be working outdoors
— Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, USPHS-Ret.,
or in construction. Consider a rabies vacci-
D.O., M.A., is vice president, Health Sciences,
nation if you will be working with animals
Battelle Memorial Institute, Arlington, Va.
or in areas where rabies is endemic. Don’t
James Calderwood Jr. (contributor) studies
pet or play with stray animals. If you antici-
Health Care Management at the University
of Pennsylvania. Find more health and wellness
pate being exposed to any blood or bodily
resources at
www.moaa.org/wellness. For sub-
fl uids, get the hepatitis B vaccine series. mission information, see page 18.
4 6 M I L I T A R Y O F F I C E R M AY 2 0 0 9 PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT
MMay_ask
dr.indd 46ay_ask
dr.indd 46 44/2/09 8:18:24 PM/2/09 8:18:24 PM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100