Diabetes Website
I just wanted to bring to your attention, the debut of my website about diabetes. I included information such as symptoms, complications, and how to manage diabetes. You can find it at the following address:
http://www.tcnj.edu/~dekovit2/diabetesmellitus.html
This is the first complete website that I have created. It is about a topic that I think is very important in our world today. I hope the information that I have provided is useful to those who suspect they, or a family member, may be afflicted with diabetes.
Enjoy the website!
Exercise, Exercise, Exercise!!
Probably since the day you were born, everyone has been telling you to exercise, get healthy, and get in shape. They say, “It’s good for you!” But you are never really sure what the benefits of a 30 minute a day, 3-5 day a week exercise program are. Well here’s a short list (in no particular order) just to get you going:
1. Reduces the risk of the preventable diseases that I talked about earlier such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, stroke, etc.
2. Increases muscle tone and makes you feel and look healthier
3. Reduces the amount of stress in your body
4. Allows you to sleep and rest better
5. Helps reduce feelings of depression
6. Increases your immune system’s ability to fight illnesses
7. Helps increase bone density (prevents osteoporosis, especially in post-menopausal women)
8. Allows the body to recover quicker from injuries
9. Reduces the risk of some cancers, such as colon cancer
10. Helps control cholesterol levels and blood pressure
11. Can lower blood pressure in people who already have hypertension
12. Keeps joints flexible, which aids in preventing injuries (such as strains, sprains, and muscle pulls)
13. Increases psychological well-being by giving confidence and a positive self-image
The list certainly does not end here. I’m sure you can think of many more benefits of an exercise program. So, what are you waiting for? Get to the GYM!
Diet, Exercise, and Hypertension
Most people do not realize how serious the hypertension epidemic is in our country. There is a huge misconception that only older people have high blood pressure and younger people do not have to worry about it. This is certainly not the case.
The truth is that because of a decrease in exercise and activity and an increase in calories and fats in our diets, hypertension is starting to affect every age group. There are many reports of children with high blood pressure. Smoking, obesity, too much consumption of salt and alcohol, stress, and genetics can all contribute to hypertension.
There are many dangers associated with hypertension. The increased pressure along the walls of the blood vessels results in atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis makes the heart have to work extremely hard to pump blood to the body.
Hypertension is a very serious condition but it can be managed with a well-balanced diet, exercise, and sometimes, the aid of medications. Magnesium, potassium,calcium, and fiber in our diets are known to help lower blood pressure. Potassium, in particular, helps prevent hypertension as well.
Regular physical activity is recommended for everyone, not just people who are afflicted with these types of illnesses. Exercise causes a change in the hormones of the body. Exercise decreases stress on the body, which helps reduce the secretion of stress hormones into the blood stream, resulting in lower blood pressure.
As you can probably tell already, I am a huge fan of WebMD.com. It is one of the most useful health resources on the web. I encourage you to check out this site. You can find anything and everything for all types of illnesses, diseases, and conditions.
In addition to preventable diseases…
A physical therapist must be aware of these preventable illnesses and diseases that people are afflicted with. PT’s have to know the mechanisms that cause these problems, the damage these illnesses cause (or can cause), and how to give the patient a good outlook on changing their lifestyle after an event such as a heart attack or a stroke.
In addition to knowing about preventable diseases, PT’s should know about the numerous injuries that can occur as a result of sports and also, injuries from falls, car accidents, improper weight training, etc.
Knowing about illnesses, injuries, and diseases helps a physical therapist better understand their patient and the patient’s needs. Before a PT meets with their client, they can have a clear understanding of the problem at hand and some possible solutions to getting the patient back to normal physical functioning.
Preventable Health Problems
I find the allied health field to be extremely fascinating and interesting. Though I am focusing on Physical Therapy as my future career, I am greatly interested in the American culture in regards to poor diet, lack of exercise, and the persistence of preventable diseases and illnesses.
Having been an EMT for three years, I experience this first hand. Typically, the general public thinks of emergency services as having to deal with blood, guts, and car crashes. In reality, a majority of my patients have some sort of illness that could have been prevented if they had changed their life style. Many patients that I encounter have Type II diabetes (adult onset due to a poor diet), atherosclerosis, angina, CHF, hypertension, emphysema, and a host of other problems.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people in our society know that trans fats, cholesterol, cigarettes, and alcohol (among many other things) are awful for our bodies, but continue to eat and use them. This poisoning of our bodies and the absence of exercise leads to unnecessary suffering.
For your own health, I encourage you to check out some of the websites that I have on my blog roll. They are very informative and will help transform an unhealthy, sedentary life style into a more healthy and active one.
PT Experience
When applying to any graduate program, the school wants to see that the prospective student has experience or exposure in the particular field of study for which they are applying. For most PT schools, they suggest 80 hours of volunteer and/or paid experience working under or with a licensed Physical Therapist.
I was walking through Packer Hall on the campus of The College of New Jersey this past week. I noticed two postings on the billboard for job opportunities. Both of them were in the physical therapy field. I would have applied for the positions, however, I am currently employed on campus. Between classes and work, I unfortunately cannot participate. I do plan to do my volunteering over this upcoming summer. If you live in the Trenton area and you are interested in going into the Physical Therapy field, these positions would be a great opportunity to gain experience and knowledge. Physical Therapy Aides: Hamilton Physical Therapy Services-offices in . 609-530-0011 . 908-806-2000. www.sportsphysicaltherapy.com flemingtonaide@sportspti.com
Ewing,
Hamilton, and RobbinsvilleMain office:
1881 Olden Avenue, Ewing, NJ
8 Bartles Corner Road, Suite 101, Flemington, NJ
Allowing people to trust you…
I have been a volunteer EMT for the past three years with the Waretown First Aid Squad. There is nothing in this world that can compare to the satisfaction that I get from helping people who are in distress.
If there is one thing I have learned while working with the public, especially when they are in a vulberble situation, is how to get people to trust me. When I enter the scene, I have to look and act professional. I must also be calm, cool, and collected. If I freaked out and buckled under the stress, I would be doing the patient no good. If I seem like I have everything under control, the patient will feel better about trusting me with their health and they will be more likely to cooperate.
The key to getting people to do what you want is demonstrating leadership qualities and telling them exactly what you want. This is true for any situation in which you are working with people.
It is imperative that PTs act in a professional manner. They must be able to identify normal reactions to activities or exercises and be able to analyze the response of their patient.
No two patients are the same, so in either situation, a professional will have to adapt in order to reassure their patient that they are in good hands and, ultimately, gain their trust.
PT Settings
One of the most significant factors that people are concerned with when choosing an occupation is the work environment. There are different atmospheres to suit different people. What I happen to like about physical therapy is the variety of environments that a PT can work in.
First, what most people think of, is an outpatient setting. It is typically an office, sometimes within a hospital, but often times not, with a designated area with all kinds of equipment. In this surrounding, PT’s can work with very young patients, teens, adults, and geriatric patients. PT’s rely on their clients to come to them.
Next, is a rehabilitation center within a nursing home facility. This setting is a bit more stressful and can be difficult. Often, a PT will have to work with a patient several times a week in these settings to try to restore function. Unfortunately, many people in these facilities are in poor health and are trying to recover from a devastating injury or illness. This puts a lot more pressure on the PT. Also, because PT’s tend to build relationships with their clients, it may be difficult for them when/if their patient passes away. In this setting, PT’s also have their own room with special equipment and their patients are brought to them.
Another setting is in a patient’s home. Some PT’s choose to do house calls. This is especially beneficial for clients who cannot leave their home due to physical incapabilities or inability to get transportation to an outpatient center. PT’s have to travel with their equipment and they rely heavily on a patients’ cooperation and willingness to practice the exercises the PT assigns to them.
In addition to the surroundings listed, PT’s may also practice in schools, only with children, with athletic teams, etc. The field of physical therapy is very flexible and no matter what setting they are practicing in, PT’s must work under pressure and they rely on the cooperation and willingness of their patient.
Planning Ahead
Since I started here at TCNJ, I have been researching Physical Therapy and graduate schools that offer programs in physical therapy. Until recently, Physical Therapists held a Masters Degree. The most recent change in the field has been a shift to a Doctorate Degree. Just about every graduate school I look at lists the same/similar pre-requisites in order to get into their program. Bear in mind that each school has its own preference, but the basics are as follows:
Biology I (with lab)
Biology II (with lab)
General Chemistry I (with lab)
General Chemistry II (with lab)
Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab)
Anatomoy & Physiology II (with lab)
Physics I (with lab)
Physics II (with lab)
General Psychology
English/Composition
Becoming a physical therapist requires a great deal of hard work and dedication. If you are interested in persuing a career in this field, you must research the schools you are considering applying to and plan ahead. Knowing what your graduate school wants ahead of time will save you a lot of time and aggrevation in the long run.
What is Physical Therapy?
So, this is my first blog ever. I thought I’d start off with a bit of background. I am a student at the College of New Jersey. I am a Health and Exercise Science major and I am focusing on Physical Therapy. Throughout my research on the profession and graduate schools, I found some interesting information; I hope it’s useful to others.
First thing’s first, what is a Physical Therapist? Well, PTs work with two types of therapy: habilitative and rehabilitative. In rehabilitation, PTs help restore lost function to people who have had injuries, accidents, or are recovering from surgery. They manipulate external anatomy to try to illicit an internal response. This allows the patient to resume every day activities without pain, stiffness, or discomfort. Physical Therapists also help people who have never had function to begin with. This is called habilitation. For instance, someone with cerebral palsy is born with a disorder in which they experience uncontrolled reflex movements and muscle tightness. Physical Therapists can work with these patients to loosen the muscles and prescribe exercises for the patients to practice to make life easier and less painful.
Physical Therapy is a growing field. As the Baby Boomer generation becomes older, there is a large demand for trained personnel in all areas of the allied health field.
