HealthyLife Articles

Category: Medical News

  • Understanding Psoriatic Arthritis

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of women's arm rash.

    Psoriatic arthritis (PA) is an inflammatory autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. Up to 1 in 3 people with the skin condition psoriasis will go on to develop PA.

    Most people who experience PA have had psoriasis for ten or more years. However, it is possible to develop PA without showing symptoms of psoriasis. PA is most likely to develop in middle age, though it can occur at any age. It can even occur in children.

    Signs & symptoms

    The most common symptom of PA is pain and swelling of the joints. The joints most likely to be affected include the fingers, ankles, wrists, and knees.

    Swelling of the fingers and toes is also common. This is called dactylitis, which causes discomfort and difficulty bending or using the fingers. In addition, the swelling can lead to stiffness and decreased range of motion, especially in the morning.

    Other symptoms of PA include fatigue, redness of the eyes, and pitting of the nails.

    Though PA is predominantly a joint condition, some organs of the body may be affected. For example, the digestive system, lungs, and heart can be damaged if the condition is left untreated.

    Diagnosis & treatment

    While there is no diagnostic test for PA, doctors make a diagnosis based on their observation, a health history, and by ruling out other possibilities. Tests that may be used include X-rays to assess the bones and joints and blood tests to look for markers of inflammation.

    Prompt treatment of PA is essential to prevent damage to the joints or organs. Unfortunately, there is no cure for PA, but many treatment options are available to manage pain and decrease inflammation.

    A primary care doctor, rheumatologist, and dermatologist may all be part of the care team for treating PA.

    Living with PA

    Thanks to the many effective treatments available, people with PA can reduce the side effects of the condition and lead active, healthy lives.

    In addition to medical resources, lifestyle habits such as exercise and eating an anti-inflammatory diet can help manage symptoms.

    If you have PA, always talk to your doctor to find out what activities or lifestyle choices are right for you.

    Sources: Arthritis Foundation, National Psoriasis Foundation

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Flu Shot Faqs

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Flu vaccine in bottle.

    Every year, millions of people get the flu. Some get very sick and need to be hospitalized. Thousands of people die from the flu every year.

    This year as we battle COVID-19, getting a flu shot is more important than ever. Flu shots decrease the chance that you will be hospitalized or die from the flu. This helps ensure that hospitals will not become overwhelmed with flu and COVID-19 patients.

    Won’t last year’s shot help me?

    Everyone needs to get a flu shot every year. There are two reasons why:

    *  Your immune system’s protection from the shot gets weaker over time.

    *  Flu viruses are always changing, so you need a shot that has this year’s flu strains in it.

    Will a flu shot increase my risk of getting COVID-19?

    No. Studies have shown that a flu vaccine will not put you at risk for COVID-19. But it will help protect you from the flu, which also protects your loved ones and people around you!

    Will the flu shot give me the flu?

    The flu shot is made from inactivated flu virus. An inactivated virus cannot give you the flu. Some people notice side effects from the shot like aches or a mild fever. These side effects last only a day or two. This is much milder than getting the flu, where fever, aches and other symptoms last a week or longer.

    What if I’m not high risk?

    Everyone 6 months of age and older should get the flu shot, even if they have no health problems. Even young, healthy people – including children – can become very sick with the flu.

    When more people get the flu shot, we help protect people who are high risk, including babies, older adults and people who are allergic to the shot.

    Is it too late to get a flu shot?

    Even if you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, it’s not too late. After getting the shot, you won’t have immunity right away. It takes about two weeks for your body to develop antibodies to the flu.

    Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Prevention Is Key: Hpv & Cervical Cancer

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of 4 female doctors.

    Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by a virus known as HPV. More than 79 million people in the U.S. have HPV.

    Screening tests can detect HPV and cervical cancer, and the HPV vaccine can prevent it. Still, the American Cancer society says more than 13,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer were diagnosed in 2018. Plus, more than 4,000 women died from this cancer.

    It’s time to learn more about treating, preventing and screening for this cancer so more lives can be saved.

    What is HPV?

    Human papilloma virus, or HPV, is a common virus. It is spread through sexual contact.

    There are different types of HPV. Sometimes, the body is able to get rid of the HPV infection on its own. But, this doesn’t always happen.

    Some types of HPV cause genital warts. Others cause changes in the cervix that can turn into cancer if not treated early.

    Get tested, get treated

    At one time, cervical cancer was a leading cause of cancer deaths for American women. But, when the Pap test was developed, cervical cancer deaths dropped significantly.

    A Pap screening test can find changes in the cervix before they become cancer. It can also find cervical cancer early. This means the cancer can be treated when it’s easier to cure. Ask your doctor about how often you should get a Pap test. Sometimes, the cells from a Pap test are also tested for HPV.

    A Pap test is usually done during a pelvic exam. The doctor uses a swab to get some cells from the cervix. The cells are sent to a lab and tested for cancer and/or HPV.

    A shot for cancer

    Today, there is a vaccine that may prevent cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine can prevent infection and provide immunity against many types of HPV.

    Clinical trials show the HPV vaccine provides almost  100 percent protection against cervical changes that can lead to cancer and genital warts.

    Ask your doctor about the HPV vaccine for yourself or your kids. The vaccines can be given to kids as young as 9. Both boys and girls can benefit from the HPV vaccine because HPV can also cause cancers of the penis, anus and throat.

    Sources: American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Cervical Cancer Coalition

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Vaccines & Autism: The Facts

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Young child and teacher.

    Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a brain disorder that happens while the brain is developing. It can cause challenges with social, communication and behavioral skills.

    Although experts don’t know all the causes of autism, they do know one thing: vaccines and autism are not linked. Vaccines are safe.

    Still, some people believe that vaccines cause autism. This may be due to a report from 1998 that said there was a link between them. However, the doctor who was responsible for the report used a study that was small and flawed. The study had errors and problems. The doctor’s license was later revoked.

    The causes of autism

    Sometimes, a child gets diagnosed with autism around the time of getting vaccines. This can make it seem like the vaccines caused autism.

    Medical experts say there is no link to vaccines and autism. Numerous studies found that children who get vaccines are not more likely to get autism than children who don’t get vaccines. Although experts have spent years looking for a link between the two, they have not found one.

    There is no single cause of autism. Experts think that genetics and things in the environment might combine to increase a child’s risk.

    Thimerosal and safety

    Some vaccines contain a preservative called thimerosal. Thimerosal contains small amounts of mercury. Some people thought thimerosal could be causing autism.

    Experts removed thimerosal from most childhood vaccines just to be safe. However, even after thimerosal was removed from vaccines, cases of autism did not go down. Experts found that kids who had vaccines which contained thimerosal did not have a higher risk of autism.

    Ask your doctor

    If you ever have questions about your child’s vaccines, ask your doctor. They can give you the facts and evidence about vaccines so you can make an informed choice. Don’t rely on information on the Internet, which may not be true. It could even put your child’s health at risk.

    Source: Autism Speaks, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Get The Facts About Stuttering

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Adult helping child with speech.

    Speech is an important part of communicating. Yet millions of people cope with a speech disability every day.

    What is stuttering?

    Stuttering is a problem that affects how your speech flows. People who stutter may:

    *  Stretch words out for too long when speaking

    *  Have pauses where they can’t get a word out

    *  Repeat whole words or parts of words

    *  Have uncontrolled movements when speaking, such as trembling in the jaw or excessive blinking

    Scientists don’t fully understand why stuttering happens. But we do have plenty of facts about this speech disorder. Learn more about what it is and how you can help someone who has it.

    FACT #1: Stuttering isn’t related to intelligence.

    Stuttering isn’t a problem with being confused or less intelligent. In fact, many intelligent and successful people have dealt with this speech disorder.

    FACT #2: Finishing a word or sentence for someone is not helpful.

    People who don’t understand stuttering may get frustrated or impatient when someone stutters. They may just want to say the word for them so they can keep talking. This is not helpful and could make stuttering worse.

    FACT #3: Stuttering is not caused by stress or being tense.

    Experts believe that people who stutter may have some brain differences. These  differences affect how a person’s brain works when they speak. But it’s not caused by anxiety, stress or a mental health condition. However, being stressed could make stuttering worse for a person who already has the disorder.

    FACT #4: Stuttering is more common in children.

    Many children stutter while they are learning how to speak and understand others. Most of the time, children stop stuttering before they become adults. They may need help from their doctor and a speech-language pathologist. If you’re concerned about your child’s stuttering, talk to their pediatrician.

    If you have concerns about stuttering, finding words or other speech issues, talk to your doctor about seeing a licensed speech-language pathologist.

    Sources: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, National Institutes of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Questions About Metabolism

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Women flexing arm while holding a fork in the other hand, with the word "Metabolism".

    Your body has a process for taking food and turning it into energy. This is known as your metabolism. Some diets and exercise plans claim to raise metabolism so you can lose more weight. How does this work, and is it even true?

    Does exercise boost metabolism?

    Exercise burns calories, and you’ll continue to burn some more calories after you’re done. But don’t count on exercise to rev up your metabolism so you can eat much more than usual.

    If you exercise and then eat a lot of calories, this can lead to weight gain. Even if your workout is long and hard, watch out for high-calorie foods and drinks if you’re trying to lose extra pounds.

    Use exercise for its amazing health-boosting powers. But be careful about how many calories you eat. Exercise can’t drastically change your metabolism.

    Does muscle burn more calories than fat?

    Having more muscle can boost your metabolism a little. But it’s only a small amount. Most of your metabolism is controlled by other organs like your brain, kidneys, liver, heart and lungs. Building muscle mass is still valuable. Lifting weights boost bone health. It can help you with everyday tasks and balance. Just don’t count on it to change your metabolism very much.

    Can certain foods boost metabolism?

    Green tea, caffeine or hot peppers can boost your metabolism for a short time. But it’s not enough to help a person lose weight.

    Green tea has health benefits but be careful with caffeine. The Food and Drug Administration says adults should get no more than 400 mg of caffeine each day. That’s about three or four cups of coffee. Some people are sensitive to caffeine and should get much less than this amount. Remember, caffeine can also be found in tea, energy drinks and some sodas.

    If I eat regular meals, does that speed up metabolism?

    There are some benefits to spreading your meals out each day. You want to eat on a regular schedule so you don’t get too hungry. If you’re famished, you’re more likely to overeat and take in a lot more calories.

    But there isn’t any evidence that says eating regular meals will help boost metabolism. Instead, follow your hunger cues. Eat when you’re hungry and stop when you start to feel full and satisfied.

    Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • What Is ‘Lazy Eye’?

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Young child at the eye doctor office.

    Lazy eye, also known as amblyopia, is the most common cause of vision impairment in children.

    Amblyopia

    Amblyopia means that the vision in one eye is reduced because of a problem with the brain and eye communication. Amblyopia is not a disease, but is a result of another vision problem. Usually, amblyopia can happen when a child has:

    *  Strabismus, which is when the two eyes can’t work together to focus on one object. They may point in different directions. Strabismus may cause a crossed eye, known as esotropia. It may also cause one eye to turn outward, known as exotropia.

    *  One eye that is more nearsighted or farsighted.

    *  One eye that has an astigmatism and can’t see as well as the other eye.

    *  A cataract in one eye that causes blurred vision.

    In all of these cases, the brain can start to “ignore” the signals it gets from the weaker or blurred eye. It starts using the stronger eye by itself.

    When the brain doesn’t use one eye during childhood, the eye and brain connection doesn’t develop well. Over time, the vision in the weaker eye gets worse because the proper brain connections were not formed.

    Steps you can take

    All children should get an eye exam before age 4. If there is a family history of amblyopia, childhood cataracts or other eye problems, get their eyes checked during infancy.

    Treatment for amblyopia usually involves the child wearing an eye patch. They wear the patch over the stronger eye, forcing the brain to use the weaker eye. Your child’s eye doctor will tell you how and when they should wear the patch.

    It can be difficult for a child to get used to the eye patch. Try these tips:

    *  Use positive words to explain that the patch will help them see better.

    *  Allow them to pick out a color or design for their eye patch that they like.

    *  If the patch isn’t a good solution for your child, ask the eye doctor about special drops that blur vision in the strong eye for the same effect. The blurring effect is temporary.

    Don’t wait! Getting amblyopia treated during childhood can help your child have good vision as an adult.

    Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology, National Eye Institute

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Get To Know An Aed

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Person training to use an AED.

    Automated external defibrillators help a person who is in cardiac arrest. They can deliver an electric shock to help get the heart beating normally again.

    You may have seen AEDs at places like stores, malls, hotels or gyms. Many public places have them and they are usually mounted on a wall.

    What is cardiac arrest?

    Cardiac arrest and a heart attack are not the same thing.

    In a heart attack, a blockage stops blood flow to the heart. But with cardiac arrest, the heart’s electrical rhythm isn’t working properly. The heart stops pumping, or is “arrested.” A heart attack can cause cardiac arrest.

    Why should I learn to use an AED?

    Sudden cardiac arrest is a major cause of death. An AED is the only way to restore a person’s heart rhythm during cardiac arrest. Knowing how to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is also helpful.

    You still need to call 911 if someone is in cardiac arrest. But it takes a few minutes for an ambulance to arrive. In those minutes, an AED could be life-saving.

    When to use one

    If a person has cardiac arrest, they will be completely unresponsive. If the person cannot talk or wake up, check to see if they are breathing. If they aren’t breathing and don’t have a pulse, start CPR and ask someone else to get the AED, if possible.

    What to do

    Even if you’re not trained, you can use an AED on someone in cardiac arrest. The machine helps guide you along. Here’s what to do:

    *  Call 911 or have someone else call.

    *  If possible, have someone do chest compressions or CPR while someone else gets the AED ready.

    *  Turn on the AED.

    *  Remove clothes from the person’s chest. Dry their skin with a cloth if needed.

    *  Put the pads on the chest as pictured on the pads.

    *  Do not place AED pads on top of a pace maker.

    *  First, the AED will measure the person’s heart rhythm. Don’t touch the person while this happens.

    *  If the person needs a shock, the AED will tell you.

    *  The AED will tell you when it gives a shock and what to do next. Stand back while it gives a shock through the pads.

    Together, CPR and an AED can save lives.

    Sources: American Heart Association, American Red Cross

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Questions About A1C Answered

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Paper with A1C printed along with pills and syringe.

    Your A1C number is one of the most common markers your doctor may use to check for or monitor your blood sugar. For someone with diabetes or prediabetes, A1C is a crucial tool to assess your blood sugar management over time.

    Compared to blood glucose levels which measure how much sugar is in your blood at that exact moment, A1C gives a snapshot of your average blood glucose levels over about three months.

    What does A1C measure?

    A1C measures the percentage of red blood cells (or hemoglobin) in your blood that have glucose attached to them.

    It is normal for hemoglobin to pick up some glucose from the bloodstream. However, someone who has prediabetes or diabetes has too much glucose in their bloodstream. As a result, a higher percentage of hemoglobin in the blood will end up holding sugar.

    Because the lifespan of a hemoglobin cell is about 3-4 months, the A1C test can give a big picture look at your blood glucose control over time.

    What is an ideal A1C?

    In general, A1C levels fall into three categories:

    *  Normal: Under 5.7%

    *  Prediabetes: Between 5.7% and 6.4%

    *  Diabetes: Over 6.5%

    When it comes to an “ideal” A1C, that depends on your individual situation and the goals you set with your doctor. For people with diabetes, a common goal is for A1C to be below 7%. Talk to your doctor to find out your ideal A1C.

    Factors that influence A1C

    Anything that affects your blood glucose levels will impact your A1C. The most common factors include:

    *  Body weight – overweight or obesity interferes with blood sugar control.

    *  Nutrition – a poor diet can impair blood sugar regulation.

    *  Movement – a sedentary lifestyle increases your risk of prediabetes and diabetes.

    *  Iron deficiency anemia – can result in a falsely high A1C due to low total hemoglobin.

    *  Illness or stress – glucose levels are naturally high when physically or mentally stressed.

    Can I reduce my A1C?

    Yes. If your doctor tells you your A1C is high, they may recommend lifestyle changes to improve your blood glucose control.

    *  Exercise: Getting a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity each week can improve your glycemic control.

    *  Weight loss: Studies have shown that losing 5% to 10% of body weight may modestly lower A1C.

    *  Eating a healthy diet: A mostly plant-based diet that is low in processed and junk foods is a good option for weight management and glycemic control.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • What Is Lymphoma?

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Illustration of vein with blood cells.

    There are several different types of blood cancers. About half of all blood cancers are lymphomas. Lymphoma is cancer in the lymph system. The lymph system is part of the immune system that fights off illnesses and infections. It also helps control the flow of fluids in the body.

    Lymphoma is not one type of cancer. It is a group of many types.

    Hodgkin lymphoma is one type. It was named after the doctor who discovered it. All other lymphomas are called non-Hodgkin lymphomas. There are more than 60 types of non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

    What’s the difference?

    Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas affect lymphocytes, which are cells in the lymphatic system. Doctors can tell which type of lymphoma a person has by looking at their cells under a microscope.

    Hodgkin lymphoma has a special cell with two centers, or nuclei. These are known as Reed-Sternberg cells, and they only occur in people with Hodgkin lymphoma.

    Similar signs

    Even though there are different types of lymphoma, the signs look alike. Some signs include:

    *  A painless lump in the neck, armpit or groin

    *  Excessive sweating

    *  Fever

    *  Trouble breathing

    *  Weight loss

    *  No appetite

    *  Feeling weak

    *  Itching

    Know the risk

    Lymphoma can attack almost any area of the body. Often its symptoms are hard to spot, or they may be blamed on other health issues. That’s why it’s good to know if you’re at a higher risk of getting lymphoma. Risk factors include:

    *  Having a close relative with lymphoma

    *  Previously being exposed to radiation or chemotherapy

    *  Long-term exposure to chemicals

    *  Having a weakened immune system

    Talk to your doctor

    There is no surefire way to prevent lymphoma. However, you can get regular checkups and talk to your doctor about your health. Ask them about your risk of cancer and ways you can lead the healthiest life possible. If you notice changes in your health or symptoms, tell them.

    Sources: American Cancer Society, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine