FitSugar

Gifts For the Camper

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:00:54 -0800

Here at Sugar, holiday season is already in full swing - have you started your gift list? To make holiday shopping a breeze for you, we'll be offering up a bevy of gift ideas in the coming weeks for all the special fit folk in your life.

Everybody loves camping - mom, dad, even the kids. Whether your special someone is a car camper or a backpacker, we've got gear picked out especially for them. Start shopping to enjoy the outdoors together!

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Fit Gift Guide: The Camper

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0800

My Dad taught me the joys of camping. This holiday season, I decided to celebrate the outdoorsy side of him with presents to help him out when he is roughing it in the woods. I think these gifts would be great for any camper in your life, from the seasoned camper to the newbie.

Coleman 2-Burner Stove: If you need to boil some pasta or beans while camping, this two-burner stove will cook your food fast so you can spend more time exploring.
Coleman Camping Coffeemaker: There's no reason you should go without your morning cup of coffee just because you're in the woods. This coffeemaker can make up to 10 cups of coffee, and can also be used to make hot chocolate, tea, or instant soup. The only snag is you need to use it with the camp stove.
Petzl Tikka LED Headlamp: A headlamp is a must so you can see at night and have both hands free. It weighs less than three ounces, requires only three AAA batteries (that are included), and lasts for 120 hours. The lamp body can be tilted to direct the light where you need it.

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Fit Gift Guide: Camper

FitSugar — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 02:30:00 -0800

The gift-giving holidays are just around the corner and to spare you some of the last-minute shopping stress the Sugar sites are creating ever-helpful gift guides.

Here are some essentials for the camper in your life. Great gear is so important when out in the woods in order to stay safe and comfortable, and these gift ideas are sure to be loved by anyone who loves the outdoors.

Petzl Tikka Plus LED Headlamp: This super-strong flashlight is worn on your head, so you can see in the dark and have both hands free. Use it when walking, cooking, going to the bathroom, or looking for firewood.

Marmot Angel Fire +15 Sleeping Bag: This goose down sleeping bag is designed to fit a woman's body. It's wider at the hips and narrower at the shoulders, and has a hood so you'll stay cozy warm even in frigid weather. I love the heater pocket near the feet that can hold heat packets so your tootsies won't freeze. This sleeping bag is great for temperatures 15°F or higher.

REI Mountain 3 Tent: This tent can sleep three people, but would be really comfy for two campers (it's big enough to hold a full-size blowout mattress). The tent is simple to set up with only five poles, and has two doors so you can get in and out easily. It can be used through all four seasons, is waterproof, leak proof, and weighs under 10 lbs. when packed up.

Petzl Tikka Plus LED Headlamp ($34.95)

Marmot Angel Fire +15 Sleeping Bag ($199)

REI Mountain 3 Tent ($349)

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Hantavirus

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:56:09 -0700

Illustrations

Hanta virus

Respiratory system overview

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Hantavirus is a disease characterized by symptoms that resemble the flu, followed by respiratory failure.

Alternative Names

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Hantavirus has probably caused people to get sick for years in the United States, but it was not recognized until recently.

A 1993 outbreak of fatal respiratory illness on an Indian reservation in the Four Corners area led epidemiologists to the discovery of hantavirus as the cause. (The Four Corners area is at the border of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.) Since that discovery, hantavirus disease has been reported in every western state, and in many eastern states.

Hantavirus is carried by rodents, particularly deer mice, and is present in their urine and feces. The virus does not cause disease in the carrier animal. Humans are thought to become infected when they are exposed to contaminated dust from the nests or droppings of mice.

The disease is not, however, passed between humans. Contaminated dust is often encountered when cleaning long-vacated dwellings, sheds, or other enclosed areas.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that rodents carrying hantavirus have been found in at least twenty national parks and that it is possible that the virus is in all of the parks.

Epidemiologists at the CDC suspect that campers and hikers may have a higher chance of contracting the disease than most people. This is due to the fact that they pitch tents on the forest floor and lay their sleeping bags down in musty cabins.

So far, however, of the more than 100 cases that have been reported in the U.S., only two were directly linked to camping or hiking. Most people who are exposed have come into contact with rodent droppings in their own homes.

The initial symptoms of hantavirus disease closely resemble the flu. The disease begins abruptly with fever, chills, muscle aches , headache, nausea and vomiting, and malaise. A dry cough may be present. The fever may be higher in younger people than in older people.

For a very short period, the infected person feels somewhat better, but this is followed within a day or two by an increased respiratory rate caused by a seepage of fluid into the lungs. The initial shortness of breath is subtle and the patient may be unaware of it, but progression is rapid. The patient ultimately develops respiratory failure.

An effective treatment for hantavirus is not yet available. Even with intensive therapy, more than half of the diagnosed cases have been fatal.

Symptoms

Chills
Dry cough
Fever
General ill feeling (malaise)
Headache
History of exposure to mice droppings, nest, or contaminated dust
Muscle aches
Rapid shallow breathing
Respiratory failure
Shortness of breath

Signs and tests

A doctor may notice signs of:

Hypoxia (decreased levels of oxygen in the blood, causing the skin to have a bluish tinge)
Hypotension (decreased blood pressure)
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

Tests include:

CBC (will show elevated white blood count)
Platelet count (will be less than 150,000 and decreasing)
X-ray of the chest (may show material invading the lungs, involving both lungs)
Liver enzymes (LDH will be elevated)
Serum albumin (levels will be decreased)
Hematocrit (will be increased, showing an increase in the levels of red blood cells)
Serological testing for hantavirus

Treatment

Because the breathing problems progress rapidly and there is a high death rate, treatment must occur in the hospital, often with admission to an intensive care unit.

Oxygen therapy is used, and regulated by close monitoring of the blood gases. Respiratory support with a breathing tube (endotracheal tube) and ventilator becomes necessary in severe cases.

IV ribavirin treatment is experimental and is under evaluation for its effectiveness. Ribavirin is an antiviral medicine.

Expectations (prognosis)

Hanta virus is a serious infection with a death rate (even with aggressive treatment) exceeding 50%.

Complications

Cardiorespiratory failure
Death

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you develop flu-like symptoms after being exposed to mouse urine or feces (excreta), or dust that may have been contaminated with mouse excreta.

Prevention

Avoid exposure to rodent urine and feces. When hiking and camping, pitch tents in areas without rodent droppings, avoid rodent dens, drink disinfected water, and sleep on a ground cover and pad.

Keeping a clean home diminishes the chance of contracting hantavirus. This includes clearing out potential nesting sites and maintaining a clean kitchen.

If you must work in an area where contact is possible, follow these recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

When opening an unused cabin, shed, or other building, open all the doors and windows, exit the building, and allow the space to air out for 30 minutes.
Return to the building and spray the surfaces, carpet, and other areas with a disinfectant. Leave the building for an additional 30 minutes.
Spray mouse nests and droppings with a 10% solution of chlorine bleach or equivalent disinfectant, allow to sit 30 minutes, and using rubber gloves place the materials in plastic bags, seal, and dispose of the bags in the trash or incinerator. Dispose of gloves and cleaning materials in the same manner.
Wash all potentially contaminated hard surfaces with a bleach or disinfectant solution. Vacuuming should be avoided until the area has been thoroughly decontaminated and then should only be done (the first few times) with adequate ventilation. Surgical masks may provide some protection.

Review Date: 1/29/2007

Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_001382

Colorado tick fever

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:51:18 -0700

Overview

Definition
Alternative Names
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Symptoms
Signs and tests
Treatment
Expectations (prognosis)
Complications
Calling your health care provider
Prevention

Illustrations

Deer ticks

Ticks

Tick imbedded in the skin

Antibodies

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Colorado tick fever is an acute viral infection transmitted by the bite of the Dermacentor andersoni tick.

Alternative Names

Mountain tick fever; Mountain fever; American mountain fever

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

This disease most commonly develops from March to September, with the highest numbers of infections occurring in May and June.

Risk factors are recent outdoor activity and recent tick bite. The rate of Colorado tick fever is high in Colorado, where blood tests have shown that up to 15% of campers have previously been exposed to virus that causes the disease.

The disease is much less common in the rest of the United States.

Symptoms

Symptoms start about 3 to 6 days after the tick bite. Symptoms of fever continue for 3 days, stop, then come back 1 to 3 days later for another few days.

Sudden fever
Excessive sweating
Severe muscle aches
Joint stiffness
Headache
Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
Nausea and vomiting
Generalized weakness
Occasional rash (may be light-colored)

Signs and tests

Tests will be done to confirm infection. These may include:

Complement fixation to Colorado tick virus
Immunofluorescence for Colorado tick fever -- will be positive if the person has the disease

Other blood tests may include:

Liver function tests
Creatine phosphokinase
Complete blood count (CBC) -- will show a lower-than-normal number of white blood cells.

Treatment

Make sure the tick is fully removed from the skin. Take a pain reliever if necessary (do not give aspirin to children; it is associated with Reye's syndrome in some viral illnesses). If complications develop, treatment will be aimed at controlling the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis)

The disease is usually self-limiting and not dangerous.

Complications

There is a risk for aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, and hemorrhagic fever, but these complications are extremely rare.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you are unable to fully remove a tick embedded in the skin, if you or your child develop symptoms suggestive of this disease, if symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment, or if new symptoms develop.

Prevention

When walking or hiking in tick-infested areas, tuck long pants into socks to protect the legs, and wear shoes and long-sleeved shirts. Ticks will show up on white or light colors better than dark colors, making them easier to remove from your clothing.

Check yourself and your pets frequently. If you find ticks, remove them immediately by using a tweezers, pulling carefully and steadily. Insect repellent may be helpful.

Review Date: 8/8/2006

Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_000675

Giardiasis

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:48:35 -0700

Overview

Definition
Alternative Names
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Symptoms
Signs and tests
Treatment
Expectations (prognosis)
Complications
Calling your health care provider
Prevention

Illustrations

Digestive system

Giardiasis

Institutional hygiene

Digestive system organs

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Giardia is an infection of the small intestine caused by a protozoa, Giardia lamblia.

Alternative Names

Giardia; Traveler's diarrhea - giardiasis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Giardia outbreaks can occur in communities in both developed and developing countries where water supplies become contaminated with raw sewage. It can be contracted by drinking water from lakes or streams, where water-dwelling animals such as beavers and muskrats, or domestic animals such as sheep, have caused contamination. It is also spread by direct person-to-person contact, which has caused outbreaks in institutions such as daycare centers.

Travelers are at risk for giardiasis throughout the world. Campers and hikers are at risk if they drink untreated water from streams and lakes. Other risk factors include unprotected anal sex, exposure to a family member with giardiasis, and institutional (daycare or nursing home) exposure.

Symptoms

Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Gas or bloating
Abdomen swollen or distended
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Headache
Low grade fever

The time between being infected and developing symptoms is 7 - 14 days. The acute phase lasts 2 - 4 weeks.

Signs and tests

Tests that may be done include:

EIA test to check for Giardia
Enteroscopy
Stool ova and parasites exam
String test (rarely performed)

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

Treatment

Some infections go away on their own. Anti-infective medicines may be used. Cure rates are generally greater than 80%. Drug resistance may be a factor in treatment failures, sometimes requiring a change in antibiotic therapy.

In pregnant women, treatment should wait until after delivery, because some of the drugs used to treat the infection can be harmful to the fetus.

For severe symptoms, paromycin can be used with caution..

Expectations (prognosis)

Spontaneous resolution is common, but persistent infections have been reported and require further antibiotic treatment. Some people who have had Giardia infections for a long time are slow to resolve their symptoms even after the infection has gone.

Complications

Dehydration
Malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract)
Weight loss

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if diarrhea or other symptoms persist beyond 14 days, or if blood in the stool or dehydration occur.

Prevention

Water purification methods such as boiling, filtration, and iodine treatment should be used when surface water is used. Hikers or others using surface water should consider all sources as potentially contaminated.

Workers in daycare centers or institutions should use good handwashing and hygiene techniques when going from child to child or patient to patient.

Safer sexual practices, especially regarding anal sex, may decrease the risk of contracting or spreading giardiasis.

Review Date: 7/25/2007

Reviewed By: Kenneth M. Wener, MD, Department of Infectious Diseases. Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_000288

What's Your Favorite Spring Sport to Watch on TV?

FitSugar — Sat, 03 May 2008 02:30:00 -0700

In the world of professional sports, Spring offers a mixture of playoffs and opening games. And if you're into watching sports on TV, you must be a happy little camper. There are basketball playoffs, hockey playoffs, baseball is just starting to gear up, and there's golf on the weekends. Seeing sports on TV gets me excited to play a few games myself. So I was wondering . . .

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Inflatable Kayak: Cheap and a Great Workout

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Kayaking is great exercise to do in the summer and early fall. Not only does it completely work your upper body, but you're near water so if you get overheated, you can always jump in. While cooling off, you can tread water, which will work your lower body. A complete body workout!

Kayaks can be rather pricey though, so if you don't want to spend a large chunk of change, check out the Coleman 2-Person Inflatable Touring Kayak.

This kayak comes with two 86" aluminum paddles, and is made out of tough 22 gauge PVC. It can hold two people comfortably (I love the back rests), or a capacity of 395 lbs. This little kayak also comes with a cargo net attached for storing sunscreen, water bottles and anything else little you may need.

It inflates easily (you'll need to buy a separate air pump) and grows to about 11' x 36' long. Plus it only weighs 22 lbs so it's great to pack along if you are camping near a lake. Order it from CampersLand on sale for $69.99.

Fit's Tips: My safety warning - This isn't a real kayak, so it's definitely not as durable or easy to steer. This should only be used for fun and short excursions on calm lakes.

Backpacking: The Essentials

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 10:15:00 -0700

If you love to camp, you'll love backpacking. Basically instead of packing all your stuff in your car and driving to your campsite, and enjoying nature with people all around you, you pack all your gear into a backpack and hike to a remote and way more private location. No neighboring campers playing acoustic versions of their favorite Metallica tunes until the wee hours of the morning.

I would start off slowly and just do an overnight trip. There is a lot less food and water to pack if you are only going for an overnight. I tell you though, chances are high you are going to love it and start planning longer and longer trips. Serious backpackers go for weeks at a time.

Before heading out, it's a good idea to get a book on the basics of backpacking like Backpacking: One Step at a Time ($18.05). It'll give you life-saving tips on how to enjoy yourself in the wilderness, and how to have the least impact on the environment.

Having good gear is essential and you'll need lightweight hiking boots (sneakers are not sturdy enough when you're carrying extra weight on your back), and a good sized backpack. Since you're carrying all your stuff, you want to carry only what you NEED, and you want to get lightweight versions of everything. You'll need a lightweight tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. You'll also need enough food for your trip as well as layers of clothes - warm stuff because it can get cold at night.

Want to see what I pack? Then read more

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Planning a Vacation? Go Green and Plan with Ideal Bite

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 11:00:00 -0700

Summer says vacation like no other season, and if you are planning your next vacation might I suggest planning an eco-vacation. My friends at Ideal Bite think eco-tourism is so great that they wanted me to share a few tips with you. So much so that they decided to sponsor this post.

Taking an eco-adventure will not only take you off the beaten path, ensuring that your trip is unique, but it will also enrich the local environment as well as benefit the people of your destination. This way you can put your tourism dough where your heart is by supporting sustainability and local economies. If you are not a camper, that doesn't mean you can't vacation green. There are a variety of boutique green hotels just waiting for you.

Ideal Bite has created a reference list to help you plan your ideal eco-adventure vacation. My favorite idea from the list is the Relief Riders International, a guided horseback trip where you help the Red Cross by distributing books to kids along your route. Books, horses and an exotic clime - what more could you want out of a vacation?

I am curious if any of you have gone on an eco-adventure? If you have, I'd love to hear about it. Share some details in the comments section below.