A Massage at Tahoe Blog

      With summer just around the corner, El Dorado County health officials are encouraging residents to prepare now to stay cool and healthy in the upcoming months.
      “We are asking people to take steps now to ensure their air conditioner is working properly and have a plan in place to stay cool and prevent summer heat injuries,” said Dr. Dean Kelaita, interim county health officer.
     Each summer brings the potential for heat waves. According to Kelaita, summer heat waves can be extremely dangerous and can cause serious medical problems, especially for people who are very young, elderly, or have chronic medical conditions.
     “It is more difficult for these individuals to regulate their body temperatures and to adjust to extreme changes in heat,” reports Kelaita. “We understand that the high cost of electricity bills have prevented some individuals from using their air conditioners in the past. While it is important to conserve energy, when temperatures rise above 100 degrees, electric fans are not sufficient to adequately cool a person, especially those who are most vulnerable to the heat.”
       The El Dorado County Department of Human Services (DHS) has programs to assist low-income individuals with summer heat planning. One program is available to make homes more energy efficient and to repair or replace air conditioners or evaporative coolers. Another program provides assistance once per year to pay for high energy costs, such as a high electric bill during a summer heat wave. For more information on these programs, or to see if you qualify, contact DHS at (530) 621-6150.
The following are tips on how to stay cool and healthy during hot weather:* Drink plenty of fluids, such as water and low-calorie sports drinks, to replace salts and minerals lost through sweating.
* Stay indoors in an air-conditioned building. If your home does not have sufficient air conditioning, visit a friend, relative or other location in the community, including libraries, grocery stores, or shopping centers where the air conditioning is working.
* Pace yourself and avoid heavy exertion in the heat.
Never leave a child or an animal in a parked vehicle, even for a few minutes. Temperatures can quickly rise to dangerous levels in a matter of minutes.
*Check in on neighbors, relatives and friends, particularly those who may be isolated.

     For more information and additional tips to stay cool and healthy during the summer, visit www.edcgov.us/publichealth.

Here are three breakfast drink choices from RealAge.com:
Orange juice: A study showed that joint inflammation may be less likely in middle-aged people whose diets are rich in beta-cryptoxanthin. And oranges are brimming with it — as well as anti-inflammatory vitamin C.
Coffee: Researchers think the brew may improve insulin sensitivity. Men in a study who gulped four 8-ounce cups a day had a whopping one-third reduction in type 2 diabetes risk.
Apple juice: This sweet drink is swimming with the brain-boosting chemical acetylcholine, which feeds memory and juices up learning skills.

     Staying hydrated is critical no matter what your level of physical activity. In Lake Tahoe, with a base elevation of 6,200 feet, it is even more imperative. Plus, the dry air creates an even greater need to consume water.
    The H20 water bottle is one of the latest products to hit the market. Besides being environmentally correct by using a bottle over and over instead of buying water at a store, this one comes with a built in filter.
    The manufacturers say it will get rid of chlorine, trihalomethanes and heavy metals.
I haven’t tried the bottle. After all, what comes out of my tap in South Lake Tahoe is the best darn water I’ve tasted.
    For more information, go to www.endbottledwater.com.

      There is no minimum or maximum age for massage. Last year I took an infant massage class from Rosemary Manning. It was fantastic.
      My friend’s little one was squirmy, but seemed so appreciative of the body work.
We switched off between working on Clarke and working on the doll. The doll helped us become adept at the strokes, while working on Clarke allowed us to see how a baby is not to just stay still.
      It’s wonderful to introduce children of all ages to healthy touch. Infants can easily get their first massages out of the bath while lotion is applied. It is just as relaxing for them as it is for adults. Think about how much they are using those tiny muscles to sit up, crawl, and hold that sippy cup.

Amy Wechsler is a doctor and skin care expert with RealAge. She recently wrote a book titled “The Mind-Beauty Connection: 9 Days to Reverse Stress Aging and Reveal More Youthful, Beautiful Skin.” 

Although I have not read the book, RealAge says, “(Wechsler’s) unique expertise allows her to untangle the psychological from the physical and offer practical, insightful solutions that produce amazing antiaging results.”

 RealAge says Wechsler is one of only two doctors in the country currently board certified in dermatology and psychiatry.