Hometown Health Addresses Hand Washing, Children’s Summer Safety, More

The Texas A&M Health Science Center is pleased to provide the latest installment of "Hometown Health" with the following tips:

School of Rural Public Health
“Happy Birthday” for hand washing

Everyday objects like the gas pump, shopping cart and door handles are prime locations for germs to live, but there are methods to limit their health threat.

Sing “Happy Birthday” twice, and that’s how long it takes to properly wash your hands. While there are plenty of hand sanitizers and disinfecting wipes and sprays, none compare to a 20-second scrub.

Hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, including the common cold, staph infections and the flu. Three necessary ingredients of proper hand washing are water, soap and friction. Combine all three for at least 20 seconds, and the germs won't see their next birthday.

When soap and water are unavailable, alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be substituted.

Barbara Quiram, Ph.D., associate professor at the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health and director of the USA Center for Rural Public Health Preparedness, says that when it comes to fighting germs, people are more likely to do something that is convenient.

"Hand sanitizer is great because you can keep it in your pocket, carry it in your purse and even keep it in a desk drawer or your car," Dr. Quiram said. "And, everyone has their hands on a remote control."

So after watching television, it would be a good practice to sing "Happy Birthday" twice while washing your hands.

College of Medicine
The basics on celiac disease

"Gluten-free" labels seem to be popping up everywhere - from the grocery store aisle to restaurant menus. So what does gluten-free mean, and just exactly who follows a gluten-free diet?

Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. For most people, gluten poses no trouble. But for those with celiac disease, gluten can be a big problem.

Celiac disease is a lifelong autoimmune intestinal disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is ingested, making it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients.

The symptoms of celiac disease are gas and bloating, changes in bowel movements (either diarrhea or constipation), weight loss, fatigue, weakness and vomiting. Left untreated, it can lead to long-term health problems such as iron deficiency anemia, osteoporosis, vitamin deficiencies, intestinal cancers, diabetes and more.

Although a gluten-free diet means no wheat, barley or rye, those with celiac disease do have other options such as rice, corn, soy, potato, tapioca, beans, quinoa, millet, buckwheat, flax and nut flours. Research also shows that pure, uncontaminated oats consumed in moderation are tolerated by most people with the disease.