HealthyLife Articles

Category: Medical News

  • Alcohol – Know Your Limits

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of three different cocktails.

    Drinking too much, even just one time, can harm your health. Take a look at what too much alcohol can do to the body.

    Brain:Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication signals. This causes problems with thinking clearly and making decisions. It can also affect mood and behavior. These effects can be long-term.

    Heart:Alcohol can cause an irregular heartbeat and can interfere with the heart’s ability to pump blood. Too much alcohol may increase the risk of stroke and high blood pressure.

    Liver:Drinking too much can permanently damage the liver. In some cases, heavy drinking can lead to liver failure, liver cancer, and death.

    A moderate amount of alcohol may be safe for most people who don’t have health problems. For people who drink alcohol, a moderate amount is:

    *  Women: No more than 1 drink per day

    *  Men: No more than 2 drinks per day

    Drunk driving

    Driving after you’ve had too much alcohol can be deadly for you and others. Just two alcoholic drinks can affect your ability to drive. One person in the U.S. dies every 53 minutes due to an alcohol-related car crash. Help prevent these tragedies by:

    *  Choosing a designated driver

    *  Calling a cab when you’ve had too much alcohol

    *  Not letting friends drink and drive

    *  Offering non-alcoholic drinks at parties and reminding guests not to drink and drive

    Behavior Problems

    Drinking too much can lead to violence, risky behavior, and even suicide or homicide.

    Sources: National Institutes of Health, American Liver Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Diabetes-Related Vision Loss Increasing

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of older women with thumbs up at an eye doctor appointment.

    More than 30 million Americans live with diabetes today. Living a healthy life with diabetes is possible, but it is a serious disease that requires proper medical care.

    Diabetic retinopathy is a possible complication of diabetes. It is caused by damage in the blood vessels of the eye’s retina. It is also a leading cause of vision loss and blindness.

    Diabetic retinopathy rates are rapidly increasing, according to the National Eye Institute. From 2000 to 2010, diabetic retinopathy cases increased 89 percent from 4.06 million to 7.69 million. And, that number is expected to nearly double by the year 2050.

    Keeping eyes healthy

    If you have diabetes, there are ways to lead a healthy life and avoid problems like diabetic retinopathy. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease recommends:

    *Keep blood glucose (blood sugar) levels under control.High blood glucose damages the blood vessels on the retina over time. The blood vessels may become blocked, cutting off blood supply to the retina. Work with your doctor to set a target blood glucose number. Get clear instruction from your medical team on how you can meet your goal. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and certain diabetes medicines may be needed.

    *Track your blood pressure.Many people associate blood pressure with heart disease, but it matters for diabetes too. Long-term high blood pressure also harms your retina’s blood vessels. Be sure to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Ask your doctor how often it should be checked. If you need blood pressure medicine, take it exactly as your doctor prescribes.

    Early signs of eye problems

    Diabetic retinopathy may not have any early signs or symptoms. That’s why it’s important to keep blood sugar and blood pressure under control, even if you feel fine.

    If you notice any of the following problems, see your doctor:

    *  Double vision

    *  Blurry vision

    *  Seeing rings, flashes or spots

    *  Eye pain or a feeling of pressure in the eye

    *  Trouble seeing out of the corner of your eye

    You can take steps to manage diabetes. Talk to your doctor, nutritionist, and medical team about keeping your eyes – and your entire body – as healthy  as possible.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Is It The Flu?

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image with the words "Fight the Flu" written in a banner.

    Influenza, or the flu, circulates every winter and leaves thousands of people sick with a cough, aches, fever, and fatigue. The flu is much more serious than a cold: thousands of people die each year from flu-related complications. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize they have the flu until it’s too late. By then, they may have exposed people at work, school, or other public places. Here’s how to know if you have the flu, or just a cold:

    Chart showing symptoms of the cold vs the flu.

    When you come down with a cold, your symptoms usually appear very gradually over a few days. They often start with a sore throat followed by a runny nose. The flu often hits hard, very quickly. Symptoms appear suddenly and the exhaustion and aches can quickly become severe.

    If in doubt, try to stay home and stay away from others when you’re sick. In particular, try to avoid exposing young children and older adults, who may be more likely to suffer from flu-related problems. Wash your hands frequently and encourage others in your household to do the same.

    If you think you have the flu, call your doctor right away. You may be able to take an antiviral medication (brand name: Tamiflu), which can decrease your symptoms and the amount of time you are sick. Antiviral medications should be taken within 48 hours of the start of symptoms.

    Finally, talk to your doctor about getting a flu shot each year: it’s the number one way to help avoid getting – and spreading – the flu!

    Sources: Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Opioid Addiction And Overdose

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of medication pills.

    Opioid misuse is one of the biggest health problems facing the U.S. today. The National Institutes of Health says about 2 million people in the U.S. have an opioid misuse disorder.

    Opioids are powerful medicines used to treat pain. They may be prescribed to people after they have surgery or get injured. Some of the most common prescription opioids are oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine and morphine.

    Opioid medicines affect the brain and can make the user feel relaxed and happy. When used for short periods and as directed, they are considered safe. But sometimes, people can become addicted to them. They may also build up a tolerance over time, which means they need higher and higher doses of the medicine to feel its effects.

    If a person builds a tolerance and/or becomes addicted, they can overdose on opioids. This can lead to brain damage, coma and death. About 30,000 people die each year from opioid overdose in the U.S.

    Treating opioid use disorder

    Help is available for people who are addicted to opioids. Two medicines, buprenorphine and methadone, work to lower cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Another medicine, naltrexone, blocks opioids from working and can reduce cravings for the medicine.

    Behavioral therapy for addiction to prescription opioids can help, too. It works by changing people’s thoughts and behaviors about opioid use. Behavioral therapy is a proven treatment, especially when used with medicines.

    Emergency overdose treatment

    When someone overdoses on opioids, their breathing may slow down or stop. Their pupils may be small like pinpoints. A medicine called naloxone (Narcan®) can reverse an opioid overdose and save their life.

    Naloxone is a prescription drug that stops opioid overdose if given in time. Paramedics, emergency room doctors and other first responders have naloxone available to treat people with opioid overdose. In some states, you may need a prescription. Other states will sell naloxone without a prescription. It is available in nasal spray and a shot (injection).

    If you or a loved one has an opioid misuse disorder, don’t wait. Talk to a doctor today to get help.

    Sources: National Institute on Drug Abuse, World Health Organization

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • So Do You Really Need That Vitamin?

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Concept image of young women with cooking pan and different vitamins words above.

    Before taking a daily vitamin or dietary supplement, you might want to think about what you’re really consuming, suggests a Kansas State University human nutritionist.

    “Supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration like other drugs are regulated, which is something I think a lot of people don’t realize,” said Brian Lindshield, assistant professor of human nutrition.

    Lindshield researches supplements to see if the ingredients listed on the label actually match what is found in the bottle. You don’t always get what you pay for and think you’re getting.

    If you want to get the most accurate product, look for the bottles with the more descriptive labels. Also, paying a little extra will usually get you the ingredients you are seeking.

    “You should probably avoid buying the cheapest supplement available because if the manufacturer is cutting corners to get the price really cheap, they probably are not using the same standards that the manufacturers of more expensive products are,” Lindshield said.

    Another tip: Don’t expect supplements to make up for a poor diet. “Vitamins and minerals will prevent deficiency, but it’s not going to make up for a lot of the chronic disease risks that come with an unhealthy diet,” Lindshield said.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Under Pressure: What To Know About Glaucoma

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of eldery women getting her eyes checked.

    Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness for people over 60, so it’s important to know what you can do about it.

    Glaucoma happens when too much fluid builds up in the eye. This extra fluid causes pressure that damages the optic nerve. This damage cannot be undone once it happens. It can lead to loss of all or part of your vision. But, glaucoma can be managed and the damage to vision can be decreased with proper medical care.

    People at highest risk for glaucoma

    Anyone can get glaucoma. But certain groups of people may be more likely to get it, including:

    *  People with a family history of glaucoma

    *  African Americans over age 40

    *  Anyone over age 60, but Mexican Americans are especially at risk

    *  People who have high eye pressure, thin corneas or optic nerve problems

    *  People with high blood pressure that’s not well controlled

    Signs and symptoms

    Glaucoma often doesn’t have early signs and symptoms until damage has already been done. That’s why getting regular eye exams is so important. For many people, the first sign of glaucoma is loss of their peripheral (side) vision.

    Don’t assume you don’t have glaucoma because your eyes “feel fine.” Many people develop glaucoma without any symptoms.

    Illustration of eye with excessive pressure which can lead to glaucoma.

    What can you do about glaucoma?

    Glaucoma has no cure, but there are things you can do to slow it down and save your vision:

    *  If you have glaucoma, take your medicines every day. Ask your eye doctor how often you need to be seen, and stick to your appointments.

    *  Get a complete eye exam at least every 2 years or as often as recommended. This includes a dilated eye exam.

    *  Even if you don’t have glaucoma, ask your eye doctor about your risk. This includes telling your doctor about any family history of glaucoma.

    People with certain risk factors for glaucoma may be given special eye drops. These drops can lower the risk of getting glaucoma but they must be used regularly to be effective.

    If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, you and your doctor will discuss what treatment is best for you. It may depend on what type of glaucoma you have and how severe it is. Treatments may include:

    *  Eye drops that lower pressure in the eye

    *  Surgery done with a laser that helps the eye drain fluid better

    *  Traditional surgery that may include placing a new drainage tube in the eye

    Save your sight – see your eye doctor to get checked for glaucoma!

    Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology, National Eye Institute

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Alcohol And Meds Don’t Mix

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of alcohol and pills.

    You may have heard that you shouldn’t drink alcohol and take medicines together. This combination is very dangerous because:

    1.  If you take aspirin and drink alcohol, this raises the chances of bleeding in your stomach.

    2.  Drinking alcohol with cold or allergy medicines can make you very sleepy.

    3.  Even small amounts of alcohol taken with sleeping pills can cause dizziness or fainting.

    4.  Alcohol combined with some pain relievers can cause liver damage.

    5.  Taking alcohol with certain blood thinners can cause bleeding.

    If you take any medicines and drink alcohol, even occasionally, talk to your doctor.

    Sources: National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Institute on Aging

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Are You Washing Your Hands The Right Way?

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Water drop illustration with the words "Wash your hand".

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says washing your hands is like a “do-it-yourself” vaccine. Washing your hands properly and at the right time will slash your risk of getting sick with illnesses like colds, flu and stomach bugs that cause diarrhea and vomiting.

    Handwashing seems simple. But, there are some steps you must take to ensure your hands are truly clean.

    The five steps

    1.  Wet your hands with clean, running water. It can be warm or cold. Then turn off the water and apply soap to your hands.

    2.  Rub hands together to get a lather. Cover the palms, backs of hands, between the fingers and under the nails.

    3.  Continue scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. Count to 20 slowly or sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.

    4.  Rinse all the soap off under clean, running water.

    5.  Dry your hands using a clean towel. If one is not available, allow them to air dry completely.

    Don’t touch your face – a win-win

    It’s impossible for hands to stay clean all the time. Even if you’ve just washed them, try to avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth. This will help keep you from letting germs into your body.

    Also, this habit helps protect those around you. If you’re sick and you touch your face, you could be putting germs onto your hands that can be spread to others.

    What about hand sanitizer?

    Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are handy to keep in a pocket or purse. Hand sanitizers do clean, but they may not remove all germs, the CDC says. They also won’t remove chemicals or visible dirt very well.

    In short, keep hand sanitizer with you, and use it when you’ve touched something that may be germy (like a door handle or ATM buttons). But, get to a sink to wash your hands whenever you can.

    Good hand hygiene is good for everyone – except germs. Wash up to stay healthy!

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Do You Know The Early Warning Signs Of Parkinson’s Disease?

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Close up image of two elderly hands holding.

    A recent nationwide survey conducted by the National Parkinson Foundation revealed that most Americans would wait to see their doctors if they were experiencing tremors (shaking), even though tremors are an early sign of the disease.

    Parkinson’s affects nerves and muscles and can affect movement and coordination, especially with walking. The disease is a result of changes in the brain that researchers now know can be associated with both genetics and environmental toxins.

    Parkinson’s develops slowly, with only subtle symptoms early on, including these:

    *  Tremors and shaking

    *  Trouble moving or walking

    *  Loss of facial expression

    *  Dizziness and fainting

    *  Stooping or hunched over

    *  Trouble sleeping

    *  Soft or low voice

    *  Small handwriting

    *  Loss of smell

    *  Constipation

    For more information about Parkinson’s disease and the National Parkinson Foundation, visitwww.parkinson.org.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Is Your Heart Older Than You?

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of man suffering a heart attack.

    The year you were born reveals your age. It’s part of your identity. But despite the number on your driver’s license, your heart may be telling a different story.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 75 percent of Americans have hearts that are older than their actual age. For men, the average heart age is 8 years older, and for women, it’s 5 years. This means many people are at high risk of heart attacks and strokes – even if they don’t know it.

    Your “heart age” is based on certain risk factors you may have for heart disease. This includes lifestyle habits, your body mass index, and certain health problems. You can lower your heart age by adopting heart-healthy habits such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and not smoking.

    Signs of a heart attack

    *  Pressure, squeezing, or pain in the chest

    *  Pain in the jaw, neck, upper back, arms, or abdomen

    *  Trouble breathing

    *  Feeling dizzy or nauseated

    *  Cold sweats

    If you experience these symptoms, call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency room.

    Source: American Heart Association

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine