DIRECTOR'S REPORT–Thomas H. Young, Director

Whew! A Close Call!

Some of you were aware, and many were not, of the labor troubles brewing with the Tropicana Hotel. The problems were so serious that the Seminar was in jeopardy of being cancelled if we were not able to find a new venue.

I am very happy to be able to report that a last minute settlement was reached between the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and the Tropicana and our show will go on as scheduled.

We are really looking forward to a great Seminar and to seeing all of you as we expand your knowledge of the Health Benefit Plan and healthcare in general.

Speaking of knowledge and health care, check out the Health Benefit Plan’s website and look into our latest effort at helping the membership with health information.

First Health’s on-line directory link now provides an option to "click on" General Health Information which provides access to Healthwise® Knowledge base. This will lead you into a whole storehouse of information headlined as Health Topics, Medical Tests, Medications and Support Groups.

We are excited to be able to join First Health in expanding the memberships’ ability to better understand their health issues and to be better consumers as they increase their understanding of these issues.

You can all be sure that we are carefully watching the Medicare Prescription Drug effort that, at the time of this writing, is going to Joint Committee in order to resolve the differences between the House and Senate.

How this action affects the FEHB plans is not yet clear, so there isn’t much else to say until the final document is sent to President Bush for signature.

SEMINAR UPDATE

More to See and Do –

How about a trip to Paradise on the Las Vegas Strip??

Your trip begins with a sight you’d never expect to see on the Las Vegas Strip — a Volcano. The Mirage volcano has been a signature attraction since the resort opened in 1989. It is situated on three acres of water and is 54 feet high and circulates 119,000 gallons of water per minute. The "show" plays every fifteen minutes from 7:00 pm until midnight and is free to the public. During the volcano’s eruption, flames shoot into the night sky, transforming a tranquil waterfall into a fiery giant.

You should note that the show may be cancelled during times of high winds or inclement weather.

Once inside the Mirage, you are greeted by a lush indoor rainforest situated under a 100-foot high dome. Four full-time gardeners spend over 160 hours each week maintaining more than 100 different types of plants. Over 300 fresh orchids and 1000 bromeliads are placed along the walkways.

One of the most popular attractions of the Mirage is located behind the Front Desk — a 20,000-gallon saltwater aquarium. The aquarium is home to angelfish, puffer fish, tangs, sharks and other exotic sea creatures. It has more than 1,000 coral-reef animals representing 60 species from Australia, Hawaii, Tonga, Fiji, the Red Sea, the Marshall Islands, the Sea of Cortez and the Caribbean. The tank is 53 feet long, eight feet from top to bottom and six feet from front to back. The acrylic used in the aquarium is four inches thick. The interior was created to simulate a coral reef — however, to preserve the living reefs in the ocean, no live coral is used in the tank.

The Mirage is also home to one of Las Vegas’ top Illusionists — Siegfried & Roy. They have dedicated their lives to help save the Royal White Tigers by establishing their own Royal White Tiger breeding line. These tigers are used in their performances at the Mirage.

Unlike conventional tigers that are usually black with gold markings, the white tiger is white with black stripes, pink paws and beautiful ice blue eyes. The purest of these animals are snow white and have no stripes. There are only a few dozen white tigers in the world, which make them rarer than the panda.

Siegfried and Roy decided to share their beautiful tigers with the people that visit the Mirage and have developed an open air home where the public can view them throughout the day and evening. Look for the Tiger Habitat at the Mirage entrance closest to Caesars (the entrance with the moving sidewalk). The tigers will be on your left as you enter the Mirage.

The tigers are rotated continuously in and out of the facility throughout the day. When not appearing in the Habitat, they enjoy their own spacious living environment and can be seen in the lush tropical environment of Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat.

Just past the Mirage’s beautiful pool area lies Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden where the Royal White Tigers, White Lions, panthers, leopards and a four-ton Thai ceremonial elephant name Gildah live. Palm trees and lush foliage that is similar to their natural habitats surround their home.

You will be able to get "up close and personal" with these beautiful animals, as well as sit and enjoy the coolness of this tropical paradise far from the sights and sounds of the Las Vegas strip.

Before you enter the Secret Garden, you come upon the 2.5 million gallon Dolphin Habitat. This is home to a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. It was built to provide a healthy environment for the Mirage’s dolphins as well as to educate the public about these beautiful marine mammals.

Tours are conducted throughout the day (see schedule below).

Summer Hours (beginning with Daylight Savings Time):

Weekdays

Winter Hours (beginning with Standard Time):

Weekdays

*Please note that the Secret garden is closed every Wednesday.

Admission:

Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat – $10.00 per person

Wednesdays and after the Secret Garden closes - $5.00 per person

Free at all times for children 10 years old and under when accompanied by an adult.

For those of you who have been to Las Vegas before, or have read about it and hoped to visit it, the show at Buccaneer Bay at Treasure Island will be closed until October 26 in order to develop a new battle production.

HEALTH IN THE NEWS

Food of the Month

Honeydew Melon

Just in time for the hottest days of the year, the sweet, cooling honeydew melon ?is   here to do its magic.

It’s not only good; it’s good for you. Honeydew is a great source of foliate and potassium. One cup of honeydew has just 60 calories and provides 70 percent of your daily requirement of vitamin C. It contains a lot of water too, which could keep you hydrated on a hot summer day.

Foliate has become well known for its ability to prevent birth defects, so it’s especially important for women of childbearing age. It also does important things for adults. Foliate is an essential ingredient when cells are dividing rapidly, because it carries fragments of proteins. When foliate levels are low, some fragments are left behind. The newly formed cells may be defective. This process can create cellular changes in adults that may lead to cancer.

In another area, the body uses foliate to control levels of homocysteine. Too much homocysteine in the blood can lead to heart disease say doctors at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio.

Foliate is full of surprises. Doctors at the American Health Foundation in Valhalla, New York, say the soluble fiber in melons is very important for colon health. Statistically, it reduces the number of polyps in the colon and reduces the risk of colon cancer.

Don’t forget potassium. It’s the most important mineral for keeping blood pressure down, and honeydews have a lot of it, more than any other melon.

Is it a stroke?

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, this lack of awareness can spell disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say any bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

• Ask the individual to smile.
• Ask him or her to raise both arms.
• Ask the person to speak a simple sentence.

If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

After discovering that a group of nonmedical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness, and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions.

They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association’s annual meeting in February. Widespread use of this test would result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and preventing brain damage.

You can enjoy "forbidden foods"

Many Americans eventually get tired of their diet fare and suddenly binge on their favorite indulgences. But researchers now say many "forbidden foods" are actually healthful.

•Beef. Doctors at the Tufts University say there are excellent nutrients in beef, like iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. Much of the fat in beef is stearic acid, which does not raise cholesterol. They do advise, however, that a 3-ounce serving is best. Forget the 12-ounce steak.

•Avocados. This fruit has been scorned for its high fat content. Doctors at UCLA Center for Human Nutrition say, however, that the fat in avocados is monounsaturated. It helps lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol.

•Dark chocolate. Studies at the University of Pennsylvania say you should feel no guilt when you indulge in dark chocolate. It contains antioxidants that increase good cholesterol by as much as 10 percent.

•Nuts. Nuts contain unsaturated fats, magnesium, and vitamin E, which is hard to find in other foods. They also have small amounts of alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may prevent heart rhythm abnormalities, say doctors at Harvard School of Public Health.

•Cheese. Eating cheese helps you protect your bones one way and protect your teeth in two ways. The calcium in cheese guards both bones and teeth; but cheddar, parmesan, and swiss help to neutralize acid in the mouth says Joy Bauer, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Total Nutrition (Alpha Books).

The doctors give one caution about these great foods. They are fairly high in calories. It’s OK to enjoy them occasionally (probably not every day), and in small portions.

If you can eat the foods you love, even in small portions, you’re not likely to eat a huge amount in one sitting.

WHO redefines SARS

The World Health Organization now defines severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) as pneumonia or another serious respiratory ailment that includes acute respiratory distress.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention accepts the new definition and says that near the end of April, only 35 people in the U.S. qualified as having "probable" cases of the disease.

Previously, the CDC included people with broader symptoms such as fever, cough, and recent contact with SARS. There had been no SARS deaths in the U.S. up to the end of April.

Vegetarians need more B12

Meat, fish, and other animal products are the main sources of vitamin B12. That means vegetarians should make sure they get enough of this important nutrient from sources such as vitamin supplements.

Pregnant or nursing women put their infants or unborn children at risk of seizures and delays in speech and motor development if they are B12 deficient.

A report published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly describes these effects in children who had been breast-fed by vegetarian mothers who consumed no foods or supplements containing B12.

New guidelines for diabetes

The American College of Physicians (ACP) presents new guidelines for treating diabetes. They will help doctors and patients to consider all aspects of the condition. The three target levels every diabetic should be aware of are:

• A1C: Less than 7 percent.
• Blood pressure: Lower than 135/80.
• LDL cholesterol: Lower than 100.

Doctors think some diabetics take their medicine regularly for only a few days before their appointments so their blood sugar levels are acceptable. Testing for these other factors, however, should tell the doctor much more about the patient’s physical condition.

Thermoregulation can keep you going even in the dog days of summer.

Your body decreases blood flow to the skin when you’re cold and increases it when your skin is hot. That’s thermoregulation. If your skin is cold, you start to shiver as your body sends heat to protect vital organs.

When your skin is hot, blood flow to the skin is increased to trigger sweating. Your skin is cooled as sweat evaporates, and that prevents overheating your body’s core.

Sometimes the system doesn’t work, mainly in older people, children, and people taking certain medications. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can occur if there is an increase in core temperature.

Heat exhaustion causes cold, clammy, or sweaty skin. It causes weakness, fatigue and a cold sweat. Cool yourself by getting out of the sun and having cool drinks, and you could bring your temperature back to normal.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency that can be fatal without immediate treatment. It causes headache, vertigo, fatigue, and hot, dry skin. Body temperature may climb as high as 106 degrees Fahrenheit.

It’s actually easy to keep your cool even in the dog days of summer. Here’s how:

• Drink plenty of water so your body can cool you with sweat.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, and try to stay inside during the hottest part of the day.
• Air conditioning is helpful, and fans will keep air moving so sweat can evaporate.

When the heat index rises above 90, or if it stays hot for several days, do whatever is necessary to stay cool. If nothing else, go to an air-conditioned theater, sit around at an air-conditioned mall, or ask for heat-emergency assistance from your community.

Three ways to fight carpal tunnel syndrome

Ergonomic changes in offices and factories have significantly reduced the number of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) cases diagnosed each year.

CTS occurs when there is pressure on the median nerve that travels through the tunnel formed by the wrist’s carpal bones. The tunnel also houses tendons. When the membrane covering the tendons swells, the compressed median nerve causes pain and other symptoms. Here’s what to do:

1. Minimize activities that make symptoms worse. Wear a forearm splint at night to keep your wrist from bending. Swollen membranes can shrink, relieving pressure and discomfort for people with mild to moderate CTS.

2. If this isn’t effective, a doctor can inject a small amount of cortisone into the tunnel. Usually the condition improves in a few days, but no more than three injections a year are allowed.

3. Surgery is considered if splints and shots haven’t reduced the pain. Doctors writing in HealthNews say the surgeon cuts the transverse carpal ligament to relieve pressure on the nerve. Up to 90 percent of patients report that the operation is successful and pain is gone. It may take several months to regain hand strength.

Summer time, and the grillin’ is easy ...

The temperature is warm, the breezes cool, and everybody’s hungry: It’s time to fire up the grill!

Grilling out is a social event, not only for your own group, but also for neighbors who are drawn by the aroma, and just "accidentally" stop by at dinnertime. Be sure to have a few extra hamburgers and hot dogs available, because this could turn out to be a party.

And it’s probably going to be a healthy party too. You can serve great-tasting, in-season vegetables and fruits, just like the nutritionists always say you should.

To be certain that your techniques for safe grilling are up-to-date, nutritionists at HealthSouth in Birmingham, Alabama give these instructions:

1. Wash your hands and cooking surfaces often. If you’re grilling in the park, have a jug of clean water handy, and remember to pack moist towelettes and paper towels.
2. Keep all raw meats away from other foods. Wrap them before placing meats in the ice chest to prevent juices from reaching other foods. Pack fruits and vegetables separately. Wash anything you use to prepare raw meats before using them for other food.
3. If you marinate foods, do it in the refrigerator, not on the kitchen counter. Foods spoil quickly in hot weather.
4. Check the internal temperature of grilled meats with a food thermometer before serving: T-bone steaks, 115 degrees; hamburgers, 160 degrees; hot dogs, 165 degrees; chicken breasts, 170 to 175 degrees.
5. Keep those cold foods cold. Place refrigerated perishable food in an insulated cooler with several inches of ice, ice packs, or containers of frozen water. Pack drinks in a separate cooler. The beverage cooler will probably be opened more frequently.

You can keep holiday celebrations safe

Ground fireworks are a big part of 4th of July celebrations today. That’s partly because big things that explode are prohibited in many places, but the beauty and variety of ground displays is the primary reason for their popularity.

The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) says ground fireworks for home use usually require an area of up to 15 feet in diameter. They rise up to 15 feet in the air, and they make very little noise.

Bottle rockets are far more dangerous. Some can fly 300 feet, and they make a huge noise. Firecrackers and missiles, which are the smallest bottle rockets, are the most dangerous.

The Association warns consumers that bootleg fireworks are extremely dangerous. Though you have no way of knowing for sure how much explosive they may have, some contain up to 140 times more than legal fireworks.

Any firework can be dangerous if misused. Remember these safety tips from APA:

• Use only those fireworks that are legal in your area.
• All fireworks activity should be supervised by an adult.
• Adults should do all the lighting. Younger children should never be allowed to handle fireworks.
• Use an open area that is clear of people and flammable materials.
• Keep a hose or bucket of water handy for emergencies.
• Never relight duds. Soak them in water and discard.
• Read all directions before lighting a firework.
• Don’t use fireworks that don’t have a label. They may be very strong or have a short fuse. Legal fuse range is 3 to 6 seconds.

THE PHARMACY CORNER

The Sun and Your Skin

Introduction:

Sunlight can have a major effect on the skin, leading to premature skin aging, sunburn and skin cancer. Nearly 1.3 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year due to overexposure of the sun. More than 90% of all skin cancer occurs on sun-exposed skin. Understanding the dangers of sun exposure and limiting the overexposure of sunlight may help reduce this risk.

Sunlight is composed of two types of ultraviolet (UV) rays: UVA and UVB. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and break down elastin fiber, thereby causing skin-aging, sunburn, and adding to the effect of the UVB rays. UVB rays affect the outer layer of the skin causing sunburn, which can promote skin aging. UVB rays are also the main cause of skin cancer. The sun’s harmful effects are increased by wind and from the reflection of water, snow and sand. Even on cloudy days UV rays can reach the earth and cause skin damage.

Skin type affects the degree to which some people burn and the time it takes them to burn. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies skin type on a scale from 1 to 6. Individuals with skin types 1 and 2 have fair skin and tend to burn more rapidly and severely compared to skin types 4, 5 and 6.

Prevention:

An important preventive measure is to avoid overexposure to the sun.

• Avoid direct exposure to the sun from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
• Minimize exposure to reflected sunlight from water, sand and snow that can quickly burn your skin.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing long-sleeved, tight knit clothes made from light fabric to protect the skin, as well as wearing a broad-brimmed hat to help shield the face. Furthermore, wearing 100% UV ray-absorbent sunglasses can help protect the eyes from complications like cataracts.

Another measure to prevent skin damage is the use of sunscreens. Sunscreens contain chemical ingredients that absorb UVB rays or physical blockers (like zinc oxide) that reflect or block both UVA and UVB rays. Many sunscreens contain the combination of two ingredients to provide broad-spectrum protection from the sun. Sunscreens are available in different forms such as creams, ointments, gels and sprays. All the sunscreens are marked with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) number, which describes how much more sun exposure the skin can handle before getting sunburned. A user can determine the duration of effectiveness simply by multiplying the SPF by the length of time it takes for him or her to suffer a burn without sunscreen. For example, SPF 8 means that one can be exposed to the sun eight times longer without burning. About one ounce (two tablespoons full) of sunscreen should be applied to the sun-exposed areas of the body approximately 20 minutes before going outdoors and should be re-applied every two hours or immediately after swimming or activities which may cause you to sweat. It is recommended to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF or at least 15 or higher on all exposed skin, even on cloudy days.

Drugs that Cause Phototoxicity:

Many prescriptions and nonprescription drugs can increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight and increase the risk of getting sunburn. Some common medications include certain antibiotics (e.g., Cipro, Levaquin, Dynacin, diuretics or water pills and sulfonylureas, or drugs used for diabetes, such as Amaryl. Direct exposure to sunlight should be limited while taking these types of medications. It is also recommended to apply sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 before exposure to sunlight.

Tips for Choosing Sunscreen:

It is recommended to —

Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

• Look for sunscreen with an SPF or 15 or higher.
• Look for water-resistant sunscreen if the individual will be exposed to water (through either sweating or swimming).
• Use a cream or lotion on the face, since the gel can sting around the eyes.
• If the individual has acne, a light texture sunscreen may be helpful.

Return to HBR Reports, NALC Health Benefit Plan HomePage or NALC Headquarters HomePage.

This page was last updated on October 9, 2003.

If you have any questions or comments about our health benefit plan, please write to the National Association of Letter Carriers Health Benefit Plan at 20547 Waverly Court, Ashburn, VA 20149 or call 1-703-729-4677. For automated general benefit information, call 1-888-636-NALC.