Guest guest Posted June 16, 1999 Report Share Posted June 16, 1999 http://www.duff.net/zapper/update.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ eGroups.com home: - Simplifying group communications ZapUpdate June 16th, 1999 Greetings Everyone! For you readers in the northern hemisphere, the warm to hot summer temperatures are just about everywhere. Whether you are down the road from me here in Florida, or way up north in Moose Jaw... it's time to think about taking special precautions. First, and foremost, don't get dehydrated! Sweating in the heat is normal, but be sure to replace lost fluids. You've read it before. It's still true: Plain water is best. It's a lot more important for people with heart problems. For people with arrhythmia related conditions, there is an added danger: Loss of fluids also means depletion of electrolytes. Since I am not a doctor, I hesitate to tell you how YOU should deal with that - each of us is different and this is something you really should discuss with your doctor. While a sport drink like Gatorade might be great for one person, it could be disastrous for someone else. While a banana might work for me it could be bad for you. With most of us under orders to steer away from sodium, that presents another set of problems. If you have not chatted with your physician lately about these issues, now may be a good time. Many ZAP•Readers, including your editor, take medicines such as cordorone, amioderone, or pacerone which increases our photosensitivity. For us, too much time in the sunlight can do a lot more than give us a sunburn. None of the so called "sunscreens" (which works for most people) will give us the protection we need. So, make sure you have a hat, long sleeve shirts, and sun glasses available for any outing. Most medicines which may increase our solar sensitivity come with literature to explain this. If in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist. I am not 100% sure yet, but I may have run into my first negative side effect of taking cordorone. Most people taking part in our weekly ZAP•CHAT have heard my recent complaint of putting on extra weight... despite eating right, exercising as I should, and sweating a lot working in the yard. Last week when I started taking an extra daily nap and the "huffing and puffing" became more noticeable, I went to see the family doctor. A simple blood test revealed hypothyroidism... the thyroid is not cranking out enough of the hormone it makes. After doing a considerable amount of research, I find this problem is not uncommon among people taking cordorone. So, while I am always reluctant to suggest treatments... I am quick to suggest undergoing every test available to give doctors the best idea of what is going on inside your body. That said, you may want to discuss adding the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone(TSH) test to your current routine of checks on your body's chemistry. If your thyroid output is below normal, you will probably get some type of hormone replacement therapy. If that happens, make sure you get your blood clotting times checked routinely, because drugs such as Synthroid can alter the normal effect of Warfarin, Coumadin, and other blood thinners. With sodium a component of the thyroid medicine, you'll need to watch your diet even closer. More and more people are making use of the ZAPPER BBS and ZAP•List, with more and more family members exchanging thoughts, too. Check into both forums when you have a chance - you just might be able to help someone by offering an answer no one else can. It's really great to see so many people helping others. I applaud you all! Incidentally, we are working on organizing a new service using the ICQ system. That way, when any of us anywhere in the world are online at the same time... we'll get notified and can get together for an impromptu chat session. I'm still trying to figure it out and will build a directory of our readers when I do. To get ready for this new service, download the free software at http://www.icq.com/. When you do, add my ICQ# to your file: 40897839. And if you have advice in getting this thing operational, email me! Please stay well..... Duffey, Zapper Publisher eGroups.com home: www. - Simplifying group communications Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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