MEDSTAR FAMILY CHOICE SPRING IN THIS ISSUE uu. D.C. Healthy Families/ D.C. Healthcare Alliance. Spring Asthma - Allergy Tips...

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1 MEDSTAR FAMILY CHOICE SPRING 2016 D.C. Healthy Families/ D.C. Healthcare Alliance IN THIS ISSUE uu Spring Asthma - Allergy Tips... 2 Be Prepared for Spring Asthma and Allergies... 2 Asthma and Allergy Tips for Adults and Children... 2 Urgent Care/ MedStar PromptCare... 3 Join Our Consumer Advisory Board... 3 Emergency Care... 3 Eczema... 4 Gum Disease... 5 Upcoming MedStar Family Choice Events and Education Classes... 6 Asthma and Allergies Word Search... 7 Information on Public Transportation Service... 7 Here When You Need Us... 8 Schedule Your Diabetes Testing... 8 WE ARE DC WASHINGTON

2 SPRING 2016 Spring Asthma - Allergy Tips Give your child his or her asthma controller or medicine as prescribed. Contact your child s doctor if he or she needs refills. Watery, itchy eyes, sneezing or dry, scratchy throat are all signs of allergies. Beware of your child s triggers. Consult with your doctor about triggers. MedStar Family Choice will cover over-the-counter allergy medication. Limit open windows, so pollen won t enter the home. Use a damp mop to clean up dust inside the home. MedStarFamilyChoice.com 2 Be Prepared for Spring Asthma and Allergies Spring is here! With warmer weather and longer days, you might want to open windows and doors. The cool breeze of an open window might feel good, but this can affect your asthma and allergies. Spring can cause sneezing, runny noses and asthma attacks. Asthma can be started by many things, such as dust mites, mold, pets, exercise, cold air, and viral infections, as well as pollen. About half of people with asthma also have allergies or will have allergic reactions to grasses or pollen. Many people with asthma find that their symptoms are worse during certain times of the year, like spring. When pollen from various plants are present in the air, it can cause allergic and asthmatic reactions. There are forms of allergic reactions, such as rashes, contact dermatitis and hives. It is important to know what the triggers are for each of your family members, especially your kids. It is recommended that if you have allergy symptoms, you should consult your doctor. Asthma and Allergy Tips for Adults and Children Allergies can cause asthma attacks for both children and adults. Here are some tips to help manage asthma: Clean up surface dust inside your home. Limit open windows or walking in areas with heavy triggers in the air (examples: fresh cut grass, pollen, flowers, dust, etc.). Use an asthma controller and or allergy medicine everyday as prescribed. Call your doctor for refills on your asthma controller and allergy medications.

3 MEDSTAR FAMILY CHOICE Urgent Care/MedStar PromptCare When you have a problem, do not wait too long to get medical care. If your problem is not life threatening and/or you are not at risk of disability, but you are worried and you cannot see your doctor soon enough, go to an urgent care clinic. For assistance deciding if a urgent care clinic is the right place to go for your care, call the Nurse Advice Line at The Nurse Advice Line can also provide you with urgent care locations that are close to your home. These urgent care clinics offer extended hours on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The wait times are significantly less. Join Our Consumer Advisory Board We Want to Hear From You: Improve the quality of health care. Understand and resolve member questions and issues. Help us make a difference in our member s health care. Refreshments are provided. Transportation is provided, if needed. To find out more information, contact our Community Relations/Outreach staff at Emergency Care You should only visit the emergency room (ER) when you need care right away for a serious, life-threatening, sudden injury or illness. We understand that it can be hard to know the difference between what is or is not an emergency. When you are unsure if you are experiencing a medical emergency, you should call the Nurse Advice Line for help at The Nurse Advice Line can help you decide where to go for your care. It pays to think about the right place to go. It will often take longer for you to be seen in the emergency room and you may be exposed to other illnesses while in the waiting room. If you have an emergency, call 911 or go to the emergency room. Black History Month events 3

4 SPRING 2016 Eczema Eczema is a skin disorder that more than 30 million Americans have. There is no cure for eczema; however, it can be managed. Eczema can appear all over your body. There is no limit to the places eczema can appear on your body. Common places for eczema are on your elbows and behind the knees. A common area for eczema for babies is on their face (cheeks and chin). Eczema symptoms become less severe as children grow into adulthood. Eczema looks different on different people. People can get eczema on different places of their body. No two people are alike. Generally, people with eczema suffer from dry, sensitive skin. This is why it is important to keep your skin moisturized during the colder months or to consult with a doctor about remedies and creams. Symptoms of Eczema Symptoms are different for everyone. Eczema is often known as an intense itch of the skin. Eczema comes and goes. There are times when eczema is apparent and other times where eczema is clear. If you think you have eczema or an intense rash, please consult with your doctor. Triggers of Eczema The causes of eczema are unknown. You might be predisposed due to a hereditary gene in your family. Many scientists and even doctors believe eczema is the cousin to asthma and allergies. Meaning, it is likely that you could have all three or two of the three health issues. Irritants of Eczema Soaps and detergents Shampoos and dishwashing liquids Bubble bath Disinfectants like chlorine Contact with juices from fresh fruits, meats and vegetables Stress Eczema Prevention Checklist: Moisturize every day. Wear cotton or soft fabrics. Avoid rough, scratchy fibers and tight clothing. Take lukewarm baths and showers, using mild soap or nonsoap cleanser. Gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel. Do not rub. Apply a moisturizer within three minutes after bathing to lock in moisture. 4

5 MEDSTAR FAMILY CHOICE Gum Disease Diabetes Tobacco use People with diabetes are more likely to have gum disease because gum disease is an infection. If you don t have your diabetes under control you are more at risk. The link between gum disease and diabetes goes both ways. Gum disease can increase blood sugar, which puts you at risk for problems. A recent study found that when you have your gum disease treated, your diabetes can get better. Genetics Respiratory Disease Pregnancy and menopause in women Recent studies have shown that bacteria from the mouth can move into the lower respiratory tract. This can cause infections. If you have a lung condition, it can make it worse. Gum disease is a serious infection that can lead to tooth loss and cause other health problems. Gum disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film that forms on the teeth. Research shows that infections in the mouth harm the rest of your body. Other things that can hurt your gums are: Stress Medications Clenching or grinding your teeth Diabetes How to prevent gum disease: 1. B rush your teeth properly twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. 2. Floss your teeth once per day. 3. U se a mouth rinse. Listerine is a good choice and has been approved by the American Dental Association. Pregnancy For a long time, we ve know that smoking, drinking alcohol and using drugs can cause babies to be born too early and too small. Now we know that women with gum disease are also more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small. Regular dental checkups while pregnant are very important. 4. Visit your dentist two times per year, every six months for a checkup. Researchers think that there is a link between gum disease and the following health problems: Heart Disease If you have gum disease you are almost twice as likely to have heart disease. Bacteria in the mouth from gum disease and cavities can enter the bloodstream and attach to fat in the arteries of the heart. This causes clots, which can lead to heart attack and stroke. 5

6 SPRING 2016 Upcoming MedStar Family Choice Events and Education Classes We invite you to attend these upcoming education classes and Family Fun Days: Topic Date Time Location Office of Latino Affairs Food Distribution HPV Education Class Martha s Table Family Fitness and Asthma Awareness Day May 10, :00 a.m. to noon Luz del Mundo 1222 Rhode Island Ave., NE Washington, DC May 18, :00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Joyful Market at Kipp DC 2600 Douglas Rd., SE Washington, DC June 4, :00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Barry Farm Recreation Center 1230 Sumner Rd., SE Washington, DC Seating is limited. RSVP is required. Gift card drawings. Winners must be present to win. Children s activities will be available during the meeting. FREE food will be provided during each class. For more information and to RSVP, call (press 112). D.C. Healthy Families: For transportation, call Youth Matters

7 MEDSTAR FAMILY CHOICE Asthma and Allergies Word Search F E Z S R Y M C Y E R Y M T U S R E W O L F R R C E U E R L B E H P I W E O Y R L Y D O N J Z I M E T S U L T I E I H G V E T N A H P O L L E N C S C A E S W H T T A O R F S I A Q L N K S H A I A N O S E N Z S M S V R A N L K E T W O E C L N E O L H R W E W R H G U O C K A A A R A G H R K B L K K H T U L R Q I Y V V Y P I D X H V E E E S M Z Z I K D X O B P R D N Y C S D Q R C N V A I A J H I U A E F T V G W P E V I Information on Public Transportation Service SmarTrip cards: After MedStar Family Choice transportation books a member on public transportation for a health appointment, the member will be sent a SmarTrip card in the mail. The SmarTrip card will have enough funds for the member to get to and from their upcoming health appointment(s). Members must call MedStar Family Choice to schedule transportation to all future appointments so enough funds can be added to the SmarTrip card. L Y B N R Q W P W Z M G V K N BREATHE EARS WATERY SORE MEDICINE INHALE FLOWERS COUGH POLLEN SHORT THROAT NOSE RED SNEEZE INHALER PAIN RELIEF GRASS *SmarTrip cards supplied by MedStar Family Choice may only be used to travel to covered health services. Abuse of a MedStar Family Choice SmarTrip card may result in a suspension from the public transportation benefit or termination from the health plan. 7

8 SPRING 2016 MEDSTAR FAMILY CHOICE Here When You Need Us At MedStar Family Choice, we know a health problem can happen when you least expect it. Our nurse advice line is here 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Just pick up the phone call. If you have an illness, injury or just a question about your health, our nurse advice line can help you get the care you need whenever you need it. Call any time. Schedule Your Diabetes Testing A1C lets you see if your overall diabetes control is on target. If your A1C is high (more than seven), your doctor can change your diabetes treatment plan to help get better control and prevent complications. LDL is your bad cholesterol. If your LDL is high, your doctor can treat it so you can prevent heart disease. Microalbumin, or protein in your urine, might mean that diabetes has affected your kidneys. If microalbumin is high, your doctor can provide treatment. The MedStar Family Choice member newsletter is a publication of MedStar Family Choice. Submit new items for the next issue to katrina.m.hawkins@medstar.net. 901 D St., SW, Suite 1050 Washington, DC PHONE MedStarFamilyChoice.com This program is funded in part by the Government of the District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance. Kenneth Samet MedStar Health CEO Katrina Hawkins, MPH Editor/Copywriter Tallulah Anderson Managing Editor David Finkel President Cyd Campbell, MD Medical Director Leslie Lyles Smith Executive Director 16-MFCDC