Baby Boomer Health – MRSA & Walking

Welcome to this weeks edition of Baby Boomer Health – MRSA and Walking

Show Notes:

MRSA or methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus
    Killed 18,000 Americans in 2005 – more than the aids virus
    Hospital stays have tripled since 2000
    1/4 to 1/3 of us carry colonies of MRSA in our nose or on skin
        No problem
        Unless gets into skin through cut or scrape
    Hospitals and now in the community such as schools or gyms
    Prevent
        Do not share personal materials
        Personal hygiene – wash your hands
            Mass General reduced its rate of infection by 50%
        Care for wounds and cover them
    Only use antibiotics when really necessary to reduce resistance
   
Walking
    We all know it is good for us
    Many studies have shown health improvements with walking
    New study
        30 minute brisk walk 6 days a week – about 11 miles a week
        Trim waistline
        Reduce risk for metabolic syndrome
            3 of 5
            Large waistline
            High blood pressure
            High level of triglycerides
            Low level "good" cholesterol
            High blood sugar
        Before – 41% metabolic syndrome
        After – 8 months – 27% metabolic syndrome
        More exercise was a little better

Listen to the Podcast: