Northwest Hospital & Medical Center - Health Tip of the Day

Health Tip for 5/17/2012

You love to run – or, at least you used to. Now there are times you do it because you feel like you’re supposed to. Or maybe you skate or play soccer, but somehow the magic is gone. Dr. Mark Lacambra, family medicine specialist at Olympic Medical Center, says the problem may be that you’re over-training.

"If you’re stuck at a plateau in your training, where you just aren’t improving like you think you should, you may be putting in too many hours," Dr. Lacambra says. "A sudden drop in performance can be a sign, too."

Instead, try some cross-training for a week or so. For example, if you’ve been training for a marathon but not getting past the wall at 13 miles, take a break and try a few games of tennis instead.

Health Tip for 5/15/2012

It’s time again to clean the gutters on the house, way up there by the roof. Before you haul the ladder out of the garage, though, Dr. Hunter Hodge, director of emergency services at Northwest Hospital, says to take a look at the condition of your ladder.

"Make sure the ladder doesn’t have any cracks or broken joints, especially if it’s been stored for a few months. Then set the ladder on stable, flat ground – not on rocks or in mud, for example," Dr. Hodge says. "Remember that some gutters can’t support the weight of a ladder, and can give way once you’re up at the top, so check that out in advance."

Also, many home ladders can only support up to 200 pounds, so if you’re buying a new ladder, look at the labels, to make sure it can handle the weight of the person using it.

Health Tip for 5/14/2012

At long last, we’re seeing more sunlight and no snow. Time to grab the bikes and strollers and head out for some exercise, right? Before you take off, though, Dr. Hunter Hodge,director of emergency services at Northwest Hospital says to give your sports equipment a safety check.

"Many people put their bikes away for the whole winter, and forget that some repairs were needed," Dr. Hodge says. "Chains come off because they weren’t lubricated, or other problems occur since the bikes haven’t been used for months. These breakdowns can result in anything from a sprained wrist to broken bones."

Before that first spin around the neighborhood, check the bike, rollerblades, strollers and other outdoor sports equipment to make sure that everything is in great condition. Most of all, remember to wear your helmet if you’re biking, skating or boarding!