Picking the Right Sunscreen and Bug Spray

Not sure what type of sunscreen has the best protection or whether you should pick bug spray with or without DEET? With so many options it can get confusing. So we’ve pulled together some safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to make summer a breeze for you and your family!

Avoid Sunscreen/Insect Repellant Combos

While it seems like an easy win, combination products should actually be avoided. This is because sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, but the inset repellant should not be reapplied that often.

When to use DEET

DEET is the active ingredient in many repellant products. According to the AAP, you should use insect repellants containing DEET when you want to prevent insect-related diseases that are transmitted through ticks and mosquitoes. DEET should NOT be used on children younger than 2 months old.

The current AAP and CDC recommendation for children older than 2 months of age is to use 10 – 30% DEET. Ten percent provides protection for two hours, while 30% protects for about five hours. Choose the lowest concentration that will provide the required length of protection.

How to Choose a Sunscreen

When picking a sunscreen, go for the broad-spectrum option. This means it protects against both UVB and UVA rays. For most people, SP of 15 or 30 will be fine. If possibly, the AAP recommends avoiding the sunscreen ingredient oxybenzone because of concerns about mild hormonal properties.

For babies younger than 6 months old, use sunscreen on small areas of the body and keep them out of direct sunlight. For babies 6 months and older, apply sunscreen to all areas of the body while being careful around the eyes.

For more summer safety tips, check out the AAP blog. If you have questions, our experts at Plymouth Primary Care & Clinic are always here to help. With special training in both family medicine and pediatrics, we’re here to help you live your healthiest life possible.

Recipe: Lemon-Blueberry Bars

What’s better in a summertime dessert than the nice tang from fresh fruit? This easy-to-eat bar is packed with blueberries – an antioxidant to give your dessert a little healthy boost.

It only takes three easy steps to whip up this tasty treat:
https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/7945848/lemon-blueberry-bars/

Liver Health Matters Month

It’s easy to forget about your liver as it quietly does its job every day. Most people are unaware of the importance of liver health and how you can check on the important organ. That’s why Liver Health Matters, a month-long initiative, was created.

The liver is located on your right side, midway between your waist and arm pit. It’s the largest organ in our bodies and serves many important functions – filtering out toxins, metabolizing our food to help with digestion and storing vitamins.

According to the American Liver Foundation, there are more than 100 different types of liver disease, which can be caused by many different factors such as viruses, genetics, autoimmune disease, excessive use of alcohol, poor diet or obesity and reactions to medications or chemicals. Early detection with liver disease is key because your liver is able to regenerate and repair itself with a well-managed treatment plan.

If you want to learn more about preventing liver disease, speak to your family medicine doctor. You can schedule an appointment at Plymouth Primary Care & Clinic online or by calling 252-793-4500.

The Heart of our Hospital

Join us in saying thank you to our entire team at Washington Regional Medical Center May 8-14 during National Hospital Week. We continue to be inspired by our healthcare workers every day and are grateful for their dedication and passion for providing care to our community.

This recognition week dates back to 1921 when President Harding declared the first National Hospital Day. He chose May 12 in honor of iconic nurse Florence Nightingale’s birthday. In 1953, it was expanded to National Hospital Week to give hospitals more time for public education about medical care.

Recipe: BLT Chopped Salad

If you’re a fan of a BLT, then you’ll love this springtime shift on the classic. It has all your favorite ingredients – plus a few tasty extras – combined for a light, indulgent salad. Combine kale, tomatoes, bacon, feta and corn for this low-maintenance version: https://www.wellplated.com/blt-chopped-salad/

National Women’s Health Week

Let’s face it ladies – many of us are guilty of it. We take care of everyone else before ourselves and often neglect our own health. But not this week. May 8-14 is National Women’s Health Week and it’s a time to focus on prioritizing our own health – both mental and physical.

A key to staying healthy is preventive care. At Washington Regional Medical Center, we want to help you stay healthy whether that’s through annual check-ups with your doctor or routine screenings to prevent health problems or detect them early. The Norma Lorraine Avignone Women’s Health Center offers a growing range of diagnostic services all focused on women’s needs, including 3D mammography.

Once you’ve scheduled your screening or visit with your doctor, take a look at other ways you can build a foundation of good health for National Women’s Health Week. Here are just a few:

  • Get moving and stay active – Focus on getting your heart beating faster through moderate intensity exercise 20 minutes a day.
  • Nourish from the inside out – Make sure your diet includes important nutrients like vitamin D and calcium.
  • Find healthy ways to manage stress – Spend a few minutes each day doing your favorite calming activities like yoga or listening to music.

For all your healthcare needs, call WRMC at 252-793-4135.

National Minority Health Month

Every April, we celebrate National Minority Health Month. The recognition month was created to build awareness about the disproportionate burden of premature death and illness in people from racial and ethnic minority groups. In recent years, the minority community has been experiencing another health inequity from COVID-19, which has disproportionately affected communities of color. According to the CDC, data shows that some racial and ethnic minority groups – particularly Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and American Indian or Alaska native people are at increased risk of getting sick, having a more severe illness, and dying from COVID-19.

That’s why this year’s theme – Give Your Community a Boost – is focused on educating about the continued importance of vaccination, including boosters, as one of the strongest tools we can use to protect communities of color. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. You can get your vaccine and booster at Washington Regional Medical Center. Just call us at 252-793-4135.

National Minority Health Month originated in 1915 with the establishment of National Negro Health Week by Booker T. Washington. In 2002, National Minority Health Month received support from the U.S. Congress and the month was created to promote educational efforts on the health problems facing minorities.

Recipe: Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings

Looking to mix up your wing routine with an easy new recipe? Then try this twist on wings – cauliflower coated in a sticky, spicy and perfectly sweet sesame sauce. Toss them in your air fryer for a few minutes then enjoy these crispy, healthy bites: https://eatwithclarity.com/air-fryer-sesame-cauliflower-wings/

Thankful for Our Laboratory Team!

Providing fast, reliable laboratory results is key to providing healthcare that heals at WRMC. That’s why we’re excited to recognize our laboratory professionals April 18-24 as part of Medical Laboratory Professionals Week!

Our lab team, located at our medical center and our Plymouth Primary Care Rural Health Clinic, are highly qualified, board-certified professionals. They’re available around the clock – 24/7 – to provide accurate and timely test results.

Thank you to our dedicated lab professionals for the vital role you play in healing our patients! Learn more about lab services at Washington Regional Medical Center.

The Importance of Getting Your Zzz’s

Sleep is an essential part of overall health at all stages of life – from babies to adults. That’s why the month of March is dedicated to bringing awareness to the importance of a good night’s sleep.

Forming healthy sleeping habits starts right away. Baby Sleep Day, observed annually on March 1, was created by the Pediatric Sleep Council just a few years ago to focus on the importance of a baby’s sleep. After all, when babies sleep well, parents are better rested.

As babies age, their sleep patterns and sleep needs change, and not all babies are able to create their own sleeping and waking patterns. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, sleep issues affect 25 to 50 percent of children. You can help your newborn form these patterns with a consistent bedtime routine. Here are some helpful suggestions from Stanford Children’s Health.

Our pediatric experts at Plymouth Primary Care Rural Health Clinic are here to help. If you have questions about sleep patterns, co-sleeping or concerns about your baby’s sleep issues, let our doctors help and give us a call at 252-793-4500. Our team specializes in treating patients of all ages, including newborns, and are here to help answer any questions you may have.

And don’t ignore the importance of sleep for mom and dad. During Sleep Awareness Week, March 13-19, take a little time to  make sure you’re getting optimal sleep. You can learn more about the awareness week and get sleep tips from the National Sleep Foundation.