T.J. Samson | Destination Health | June 2020

Wellness 4 DESTINATION HEALTH Ouch! You got me. What’s worse than buzzing, biting mos- quitoes? The diseases they sometimes spread. Here are some ways you can protect yourself. Don’t give mosquitoes an opening. Use window or door screens, and repair or replace screens as needed. Or run your air conditioner, if available. Reduce mosquito breeding sites. Get rid of standing water, such as in empty flower- pots, plant trays, buckets or other containers. Change birdbath water weekly. Show less skin. When outdoors, skip the shorts and tank top. Wear long-sleeve shirts (tuck-in style for better protection), pants and socks whenever possible. Mosquito menace: Beat the bite Keep bugs away. Use EPA-registered insect repellent with an active ingredient such as DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Read the label directions and warnings before using bug spray. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Know their M.O. Mosquitoes are active both day and night and live indoors and outdoors. From pasta to breads to cere- als, foods made from grains are dietary staples. But for people with celiac disease, many of these foods are off-limits because they can’t tolerate gluten—a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. AN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE Celiac disease is a disorder in which the body’s immune sys- tem reacts to gluten by attacking the lining of the small intestine. This damage keeps the body from absorbing many important nutrients. People of any age can get ce- liac disease, and the tendency to develop it often runs in families. Symptoms include: ●  ● Abdominal pain or bloating. ●  ● Diarrhea or constipation. ●  ● Extreme tiredness. ●  ● Weight loss. ●  ● An itchy skin rash. ●  ● Bone or joint pain. ●  ● Hair loss. ●  ● Lactose intolerance— a problem digesting milk products. If you think you have celiac disease, talk to your doctor, since other conditions share simi- lar symptoms.There are several blood tests that can help diag- nose the disease. A biopsy of tissue from your small intestine can confirm it. AVOIDING GLUTEN If you are diagnosed with celiac disease, there is only one treat- ment: avoiding foods made with gluten.That requires reading food labels carefully and not eating any food that contains wheat, rye or barley. Gluten is also found in less obvious ingredients, such as semolina, farina and graham flour. Gluten is even in some medicines and supplements, and it may also be in processed foods, such as: ●  ● Soups. ●  ● Sauces. ●  ● French fries. ●  ● Soy sauce. ●  ● Processed lunch meats. Fortunately, rice, corn, mil- let, quinoa and many other grains contain no gluten. So you can eat foods made with those grains. And more and more gluten-free foods are available in stores and restaurants. It’s important to remember that celiac disease is a serious condition—unless you eat a gluten-free diet, you will damage your small intestine. Your doctor or a dietitian can help you stay gluten-free. Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; UpToDate Access to health care at the click of a button T.J. Regional Health clinics are now offering visits via tele- health, an interactive audiovi- sual system that allows patients to access quality health care from the comfort of their own homes. Patients who need refills, follow-up appointments or new consultations with a specialist can call the T.J. Health Pavilion or any T.J. clinic to schedule a virtual visit. These visits are conducted on a smart- phone, tablet or computer with almost no wait time, and they are covered by most insurance plans. Because HIPAA compliance is a top priority, T.J. telehealth visits are conducted securely to ensure strict patient privacy and confidentiality. As part of the visit, the doc- tor, nurse practitioner or physi- cian assistant has the ability to order lab work, x-rays, and other tests if they are urgently needed. Patients can also schedule an in-person visit with their provider, if it is deemed emergent or necessary. Celiac disease: When gluten is a problem