Tear open your skin with a garden tool while planting or trimming and you may be at risk for tetanus. Older people are particularly at risk because they often have not been vaccinated against the bacteria.
A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that by age 70, about 70 percent of people tested for tetanus immunity were unprotected, says a report in the May issue of the Johns Hopkins Medical Letter. Many people either have never had tetanus vaccinations or haven’t kept up with booster shots.
Although just 20 to 50 cases of tetanus are reported annually in the United States, the mortality rate among people older than 60 is 52 percent.
It is commonly believed that stepping on a rusty object causes the problem, but, in fact, the danger is in having an open wound come in contact with the soil, which contains Clostridium tetani, the bacterium that causes tetanus. Deep puncture wounds usually are associated with tetanus, but the bacterium can enter through splinters and scrapes as well.
In short, you should get a tetanus shot immediately if you aren’t sure whether you’ve ever been vaccinated or don’t have any idea how long it has been since your last vaccination. Keep a record of the shot so you can get a booster every 10 years thereafter.
Nutrients for kids
Even if your kids don’t have a weight problem, they may be shortchanging their future health if they aren’t getting enough nutrients and fiber. It’s best to change your children’s diets before the 6th grade, because habits are harder to break after that, notes a feature in the May issue of Redbook.
Here are the five things children need most and where to get them:
– Calcium, to build strong bones. Offer two to three servings of low-fat dairy product daily.
– Iron, to prevent anemia, fatigue and depressed immunity. Offer meat, eggs, and cooked spinach, or iron-fortified cereals at least three times a week.
– Potassium, to help muscles contract, manage blood pressure and fortify the nervous system. Offer fruits and vegetables, especially baked potatoes and bananas.
– Fiber, which controls blood sugar, appetite and weight. Offer whole-grain breads, fruits and vegetables.
– Vitamin E, to protect against heart disease and help with immune and nervous system function. Offer almonds, avocados or cereals fortified with vitamin E.
Stress and aging
If you think that stress is leaving permanent worry lines all over your face, you could be right. A study by research psychologist Elissa Epel at the University of California at San Francisco has confirmed a documented link between psychological stress and cell aging.
A story in the May issue of More magazine explains how chronic stress affects the DNA of white blood cells. Epel’s team studied female caregivers of chronically ill children and found that the cells of those women had aged 9 to 17 additional years.
Epel says your stress level is high enough to cause cell damage if you perceive that you have no control over a situation or don’t have the skills or resources to overcome it.
Cancer info
For quick and reliable cancer information, Bottom Line Personal recommends the following resources:
– The Cancer Information Service, cis.nci.nih.gov, 800-422-6237. sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, for statistics, research and personal responses to questions.
– Association of Cancer Online Resources, www.acor.org, a network of support groups with a searchable archive.
www.FindCancerExperts.com, with contact information for nationally recognized pathologists.
– American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org, 800-227-2345, offers help with treatment decisions, plus otherresources.
