Five tips for keeping your
family healthy before, during and after a hurricane
(NAPSI)—The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts
there may be an above average hurricane season this year. Across the state,
many will stock batteries, flashlights and bottles of water, but some may
neglect the importance of having a plan in place if a family member gets sick
during a natural disaster.
"Those in the path of a natural disaster are often so focused on
other priorities that it's easy to forget that everyday life, including
general illness, doesn't stop when serious storms are forecasted," said
Dr. Zaid Fadul, a
board-certified family physician and flight surgeon for the U.S. Air Force.
"Having a hurricane plan must include planning for how you and your
loved ones will receive general medical care for children's fevers, upper
respiratory infections and other illnesses that may still occur."
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prioritize your family's
health regardless of the weather. We asked Dr. Fadul
for the top five ways to take care of your family's health before, during and
after a storm. Here's what he said:
1. Mind Your Medications. In
the event of a hurricane or other disaster, getting to your local pharmacy
may be impossible, if it's open at all. Work with your treating physician or
virtual care service to make sure your medications are
stocked prior to an event and that you have a pharmacy locator in case of
evacuation.
2. Check Your First-Aid Kit.
First-aid kits are rarely thought about until they are absolutely needed.
Make sure you have an ample supply of bandages, alcohol swabs, pain
relievers, etc., to manage everything from cuts and scrapes to headaches.
Keep dust masks nearby and even a whistle in case you need to signal for
help.
3. Download The Right Apps. Get
information from trusted sources like the Red Cross. Download the Red Cross
mobile app at www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/mobile-apps
to monitor more than 35 different emergency alerts and to help you find a
shelter where food, beds and access to virtual health care are readily
available.
4. Be Smart About Stress.
Feeling anxious during an emergency is practically inevitable, but there are
ways to manage stress and stay focused. Try breathing exercises (concentrate
on just breathing for five minutes), tackling one item at a time on a to-do
list, or even taking short breaks. When stress and anxiety are high, consider
talking to a psychologist or therapist during the stressful days before,
during or after a hurricane. Many are using telebehavioral
health services like BetterHelp (BetterHelp.com) to seek professional
help regardless of time of day or location.
5. Use Virtual Care. A child's
fever or stomachache, or an adult's respiratory infection, is not going to
wait for the storm to pass and may very well get worse if you do wait. In
many areas, physicians will also have evacuated or care will be harder to
access. This is where virtual care is a powerful resource for so many. Find
out before a storm hits if you have access to virtual care services like Teladoc, by visiting Teladoc.com/DisasterPrep.
Teladoc has thousands of board-certified physicians
across the country who are ready to provide care.
For emergencies, call 911, but for nonemergency
illnesses, virtual care is a smart option to get quality treatment in a
timely manner, even during a hurricane.
"While it's so important to prepare for storm damage, limited
resources, and evacuation, it's also vital that every person in the path of a
natural disaster prepare for health-related concerns. Advancements in
technology, particularly with virtual care, have helped to remove barriers to
care during a storm. Know your virtual care options and use them," added
Dr. Fadul.
Learn More
For further information, visit www.Teladoc.com/DisasterPrep.
“Make virtual care a part of your #hurricaneprep. 5 tips from #Teladoc
on how to get ready and stay healthy during the storm. http://bit.ly/2MIPBsX”
On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)