The WELLalarm Blog

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WELLtip: How To Tell a Cold From The Flu

Just as the H1N1 was sweeping the headlines, a particularly nasty cold virus swept through a friend's son's school. Parents reported flu-like symptoms, but what made it just a cold? How can you tell? Here are a few tips to help you tell the difference.

1. Fever
The flu usually comes with a high fever. Some people occasionally experience a fever with a cold, but this is uncommon.

2. Speed of onset
Flu symptoms will come on suddenly within three to six hours. You will feel terrible quickly. Cold symptoms tend to emerge more gradually.

3. Nasal congestion
A cold almost always involves nasal congestion. This is less common with the flu.

4. Aches and pains
You may experience aches and pains with a cold, but they are usually mild and manageable with acetaminophen. Aches are much more severe with a flu. People suffering from the flu will also experience more severe fatigue.

5. Coughing
Coughing in a cold is usually productive. With the flu, it is usually dry and unproductive.

A cold usually dissipates after about a week, but if not treated, the flu can lead to more serious conditions like bacterial infections or pneumonia. If you are in doubt, see your doctor!

To read more about the differences between colds and the flu, see the following links:
FluFacts.com
WebMD
FamilyDoctor.org

Stephanie Cion on Neuropathy

Click here to watch our founder, Stephanie Cion, and learn more about neuropathy.

Thomas the Tank Engine Helps Autistic Kids Recognize Emotion!

A UK study sponsored by Autistic Society found that Thomas the Tank Engine's appeal to Autistic children stems from “the clear facial expressions of the characters, the pacing of the program and the easy-to-follow story lines” as reported by CNN. 

In a CNN article released today Anthony Warren of Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) is quoted as saying “one of the reasons Thomas is particularly stimulating and motivating for children with autism is that it's very predictable.

"Children can understand the clear visual messages -- the big smile on the front of the engine," he said. "The messages it communicates are very concrete, not abstract. And the emotions are primary emotions. It's uncomplicated."

Capitalizing on these findings, Aspect, an Australian Non-profit, has developed a game based on the cartoon to based on the characters that is now available on their website.

Catch WELLalarm's Founder, Stephanie Cion on abcnews now with Tory Johnson

Watch Stephanie on ABCNewsNow

Hospitals Using Social Media Tools for Marketing: Twittering from the OR? A Bit Much?

What is going on here? In an increasingly competitive world, facing an economic crunch, hospitals are increasingly leaning on new social media marketing opportunities to reach new patients and expand their brand. More than 250 hospitals now use YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or blogs, said Ed Bennett, Web strategy director for the University of Maryland Medical System said in todays NYT article.

Hospitals now have facebook pages. Hospitals are posting video casts of surgeries on Youtube. Docotors are tweeting from operating rooms during procedures. This brings up a serious of endless ethical, privacy and yes, legal questions to say the least. To name a few:

• Are you invading a patient’s privacy?
• What is something goes wrong and a patient’s family finds out via twitter?
• If you show only the good outcomes, is it “false” advertising?
•  Do doctors really need this distraction during surgery?

Apparently, it is working in a number of ways – expected and unexpected. According to the same NYT article, “In one unexpected marketing success, after Methodist advertised a coming brain-surgery Webcast, a man called, volunteering to be the patient. Methodist agreed. “He told Dr. Sills that if he was operating live on the Web, he must be pretty darn good,”

Personally, I am a strong advocate of demystifying healthcare…but I have to wonder if this inst going to far…any thoughts?

WELLtip: Managing your seasonal allergies

Maybe it's the cold, wet spring we have had, but I have been hearing from friends that their seasonal allergies are especially acute this year. Staying indoors with the windows closed isn't an option for everyone. What can you do to go on with your life but minimize symptoms?

1. Avoid high-pollen times. Check Pollen.com to find out the pollen count forecast; it's a good idea to start taking your medication just before a high-pollen day. Additionally, pollen counts are highest in the morning, so if you can avoid going outdoors any time of the day, this is it.

2. If you spend time outdoors, remove your clothing and wash it as soon as you return so the pollen doesn't follow you back indoors. Watch out for pets who play outdoors as well.

3. If possible, replace carpets and rugs (which can trap allergens) with hard flooring. This is especially helpful in the bedroom. If you cannot change your carpeting, do vacuum it daily.

4. Wash your sheets and towels in hot (130 F/54 C) water to kill spores.

5. Minimize humidity in your home. This may include running your air conditioning, but fixing leaks and ridding your home of any collecting water will also help.

6. If you are concerned about taking medications, talk with your doctor about trying homeopathic remedies.

The best part of seasonal allergies? They go away eventually. In the meantime, hang in there!

Need to find a doctor? How do you know if they are any good?

Today healthcare consumers have another resource to find top medical doctors in specific fields. USA Today, in cooperation with Qforma has released its “Most Influential Doctors” database recognizing thousands of medical leaders in 300 metro areas through out the United States. Doctors falling into this category not only see a vast number of patients in their specific field but also constantly cooperate with their peers to share their data and experiences.

 According to the studies methodology doctors where chosen based on the following criteria: “books and articles they have published, the studies they have carried out, academic achievements, referral patterns, diagnoses, procedures, their prescribing activity, their hospital affiliations and similar information.” http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/qforma-most-influential-doctors.htm

Coupon Code - 15% off ANY Item in WELLalarm's Estore during Neuropathy Week

In honor of Neuropathy awareness week receive 15% of any item in our estore with the coupon code through June 13, 2009: neuropathy

WELLalarm will be donating 15% of profits from any WELLalarm Circle of Health Medical Alert Necklace purchased to The Neuropathy Association this year!

Learn how CIDP (a form of neuropathy) inspired Stephanie Cion to found WELLalarm!

Food Allergy Awareness Week and You

This week is Food Allergy Awareness Week! Since 1997, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network has made an extra push to “Take Action, Prevent Reactions” during this week every year.

How can you and your family participate? Check out FAAN's "Get Involved" page online. The organization has created a calendar of events for you to follow, from creating a Food Allergy Action Plan (see FAAN's template) to telling your story to your local media, and reading Alexander, the Elephant Who Couldn't Eat Peanuts. You could also spread the word with allergy awareness posters and start planning a Food Allergy PAL™ Day fundraiser for next year.

This is also an excellent opportunity to get the word out among your local school administrators and elected officials. FAAN is trying to get proclamations from all 50 states and has provided sample letters and templates for you to send to your governor (download here).

As an extra-special way to mark the week, you could present your child with a WELLalarm™ peanut allergy ID bracelet. The charm bracelet comes with 12 months of free Platinum Service Plan and includes the Parental Alert System™, which immediately notifies you via email or text in a crisis. This is an excellent way to raise awareness of peanut allergies among your child's friends and teachers--and to help your child take ownership of his or her food allergies in a positive way.

However you mark Food Allergy Awareness Week, the resources are out there to help you. Help others to "take action, prevent reactions" and you may end up saving a life!