Return to the home page.

Mosquito season is around the corner and with it comes the West Nile Virus.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) has included 2 new products in addition to DEET products to help us keep mosquitoes away. Picaridin (also know as "Cutter-Advance") and oil of lemon eucalyptus. Both products have shown to offer lasting protection against mosquito bites. Also the Environmental Protection Agency has determined they are safe to use in humans. Oil of lemon eucalyptus has not been approved for children under 3 years old. Therefore, avoid it in children who are 3 years old or younger. It is plant based and although relatively new product, it provides protection similar to that seen with low concentration of DEET products. Always read the instructions in bottle before using any of these products.

DEET has been used for many years and is considered safe to use on children 2 months and older. For all other children use products with DEET with a concentration between 10 and 30%.

It is important for people to know their options about repellants and make them part of regular outdoor activities during the warm months and apply it according to label instructions and reapply when they are starting to get bitten. It only takes a few seconds to put on a repellent and doing so can reduce your risk of becoming infected with West Nile Virus.

Make sure to get rid of mosquito breeding sites such as standing water around the house or yard and protect yourself when you are outdoors.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death overall in the United States and a leading cause of disability. Stroke caused more than 162,000 deaths in 2002, and is estimated to cost more than 56 billion dollars in both direct and indirect costs in 2005. Each year about 500,000 persons suffer a first stroke and about 200,000 suffer a recurrent stroke. Risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol intake, increasing age, prior stroke or heart disease, diabetes, family history of stroke, and socioeconomic disadvantage.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes these major signs of stroke:

" Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms or legs
" Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
" Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding others
" Sudden severe headache with no known cause
" Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination

If you think someone is having a stroke, you should call 911 immediately.

Medicare will now pay for one Physical Exam.

This new benefit applies to those of you with Medicare Part B whose coverage begins after January 1, 2005. Medicare will cover only a one-time preventive physical exam within the first six month that you become eligible for Part B.

Remember, you are responsible for 20% of the Medicare approved amount after the yearly deductible is paid.