Spring Into Action Against Allergies

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Spring arrives today and the DuPage County Health Department has suggestions for people with hay fever to limit their exposure to pollen and mold.

Spring marks the beginning of symptoms for people who cope with this allergy. Seasonal hay fever is one of the most common kinds of allergies. About 35 million Americans suffer from hay fever. Symptoms include sneezing, stuffiness, a runny nose, and itchiness in your nose, the roof of your mouth, throat, eyes or ears. Sometimes the symptoms can turn into chronic respiratory problems, such as asthma. Read more →

Use Daylight Saving To Get Healthier

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The DuPage County Health Department urges DuPage County residents to add some physical activity to their lives as they “spring forward” into Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, March 10, 2013.
 
The health department recommends that residents use the extra hours of daylight to add some “healthy habits” to their lives. For example:

    Use the extra hour of daylight in the evening to go for a walk,
    begin your gardening when the weather is a little warmer
    begin a new outdoor hobby such as golf or tennis.

District 87 Receives FUTP60 Grant!

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 The Glenbard District 87 Wellness Committee is pleased to announce that it is the proud recipient of a $15,500 grant from Fuel Up to Play 60, a program founded by the Midwest Dairy Council and NFL, in collaboration with the USDA.  This initiative provides opportunities that empower students to take charge in ‘choosing good-for-you-foods’ and in exercising for at least 60 minutes per day. Fuel Up to Play 60’s nationwide funding-program offers schools up to $4,000 each to help increase awareness of and access to nutrient-rich foods and physical activity opportunities for students. Funding for this competitive program is provided by the Midwest Dairy Council.  By making changes in their daily school routines, today’s teens can make a difference — not only in their own lives, but also in their communities — by modeling and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Read more →

Have You heard about RxBox?

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RxBOX is a free service offered to DuPage County residents by the Health Department, in partnership with a dozen municipal and county law enforcement agencies, to safely remove unwanted medications from homes, as well as keep prescriptions away from teens and contribute to a better environment.

Launched by the Health Department in 2009, the RxBOX program has now collected a total of 26,282 pounds or 13 tons of medications in the past four years.  Approximately 11,000 pounds—or 5.5 tons—of unwanted medications were deposited in 2012, compared to approximately 7,000 pounds during the previous year.

Residents are encouraged to cleaning out their medicine cabinets in 2013 and drop off unwanted prescriptions at a participating police department that is convenient for them.
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How Oriental Medicine Views a Cold or Flu

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Even though it’s cold and flu season, not everyone gets sick. If you’re able to fend off a contagious cold or flu, it may be because you have strong Wei Qi (pronounced “way chee”) according to oriental medicine experts. On the other hand, if you seem to catch every virus going around, you may have weak Wei Qi.

“Wei Qi is another way of referring to the body’s immune system or first defense against infection,” says Dr. Yihyun Kwon, a faculty member in the acupuncture and oriental medicine program at National University of Health Sciences.

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BE A FLU FIGHTER

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Due to widespread influenza activity in DuPage County and throughout Illinois, the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) is encouraging residents to get a flu shot now to protect themselves for the rest of the flu season.

To reduce the spread of influenza and other contagious diseases, it is always important to practice the following: • Clean -properly wash hands frequently or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer • Cover -cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or with your sleeve (not your hand) when you cough or sneeze • Contain -contain your germs by staying home if you are sick, and try to avoid close contact with people who are sick

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