HealthyLife Articles

Category: Uncategorized

  • I Cannot Tell Afib

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Illustration of a normal heart vs a heart with AFib.

    Atrial fibrillation or AFib is the most common heart arrhythmia or irregularity in the U.S. It affects up to 4 million people.

    AFib needs to be taken seriously. It increases the risk of stroke by as much as 5 times and can contribute to heart failure and other heart conditions.

    When someone develops AFib, the upper chambers of the heart, the atria, beat rapidly and irregularly. “The atria quiver instead of squeezing normally. This causes slow blood flow, which leads to clots and stroke,” said Dr. Eric Rashba, Director of the Heart Rhythm Center at Stony Brook University Heart Institute.

    People with AFib often feel a fluttering in their chest, an unexplained racing of the heart, or that their heart is skipping beats. Other symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, and lack of energy. Up to 10% of AFib patients have no symptoms at all.

    AFib can be related to high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid, congestive heart failure, or diseased heart valves. It is important to be diagnosed and treated early.

    The longer you wait for diagnosis and treatment, the more AFib progresses and becomes increasingly difficult to treat. Your doctor can refer you to a heart specialist. Initial treatment is medication. New procedures are also available.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Get Immunized

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of a needle and immunizations.

    Each August, National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) encourages all people to protect their health by being immunized against infectious diseases. This year, the National Public Health Information Coalition is coordinating NIAM activities and along with CDC is focusing on four weekly themes:

    A Healthy Start

    If you are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy, get vaccines as advised by your health care provider. These include vaccines for flu and whooping cough.

    Today’s childhood vaccines protect against 14 serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, including polio, measles, whooping cough and chickenpox. Most childhood vaccines are given during a baby’s first 2 years. That’s why it feels like so many vaccines so soon. Learn which vaccines a child needs from birth to age 6 atwww.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/easy-to-read/child.html.

    Back to School

    Schools are highly prone to outbreaks of infectious diseases because students can easily transmit illnesses to one another as a result of poor hand washing, uncovered coughs and dense populations. Check out the immunization schedule for all recommended vaccines for ages 7 to 18 atwww.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/easy-to-read/preteen-teen.htm.

    Off to the Future

    Because some diseases can spread quickly in settings like college dorms and classrooms, many colleges and universities have vaccine requirements for school entry. College-age students should get vaccines not yet received in childhood and follow the adult vaccine schedule, as needed.

    Not Just for Kids

    Did you know that adults age 19 and older need a Tdap vaccine for whooping cough if they did not get it as a teen? Adults should also get vaccines for: tetanus / diphtheria every 10 years, shingles at age 60 or older, and pneumonia at age 65. See CDC’s adult vaccine schedule for these and other vaccines atwww.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/adult/adult-schedule-easy-read.pdf.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Small Changes Your Heart Will Love

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of a basket filled with fruits and vegetables.

    You may know the basics of heart health that include a healthy diet, exercise, healthy weight, and avoiding tobacco. But, don’t let these major goals overwhelm you. Instead, take small steps each day that add up to big heart-healthy benefits.

    Say bye-bye to beige and eat the rainbow.

    Look at your plate’s color before you eat a meal. If it’s mostly browns, such as breads, pasta and meat, see if you can brighten it up with fruits and vegetables. Leafy greens, yellow peppers, carrots, blueberries and strawberries are just a few of the brightly colored foods that are great for your heart.

    Cut back on sodium when you can.

    If you’ve been eating salt for years, it can be hard to cut it out completely. But you may not taste the difference if you gradually replace some of the salt in your diet with herbs and spices without sodium. Cutting back on sodium can reduce your risk of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. Many processed foods already contain high amounts of sodium, and adding salt to food greatly increases sodium intake for many people.

    Walk, if you can’t run.

    For many people, jogging, running, or other high-intensity workouts aren’t possible. Fortunately, you don’t have to choose a tough workout to get heart benefits. Start walking just a few minutes a day. Increase the amount of time you walk when you can until you are walking 30 minutes a day most days of the week. Brisk walking can be just as beneficial to your heart as running.

    If you use tobacco, keep trying to quit.

    Quitting tobacco is hard, and many people struggle to succeed. You may have strong urges to use tobacco or you may slip up and start again after you’ve quit. When this happens, be patient with yourself. Understand that many people have to quit several times before they’ve quit for good. When you quit, your heart – and your entire body – will start to heal. You’ll reduce your risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and many other serious diseases. Talk with your health care provider about prescription medication or nicotine replacement therapy.  Many of these treatments are now covered by insurance.

    Source: American Heart Association

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Top Excuses For Not   Getting A Flu Shot (And Why You Should)

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of blocks that spell out "flu vaccine".

    Seasonal flu is caused by a virus that can fly through the air, hitch a ride on a handshake, hug or kiss, and is extremely good at infecting people and making them sick.

    It can spread by person-to-person contact or it can land on a surface, such as a doorknob, handrail, or elevator button, only to be picked up by the next unsuspecting person to come along. Maybe even you.

    The best way to avoid the flu this year is to get the widely available flu vaccination from your family doctor, pharmacy, or one of the many flu vaccine clinics sponsored by local health departments, says Dr. Katharine Garnier, a family physician at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Osteopathic Medicine.

    Still, some people routinely avoid this annual shot. For those who are looking for a reason not to get inoculated, Dr. Garnier (humorously) gives her top 10 unwise reasons not to get a flu shot this year:

    1. I’m feeling incredibly lucky this year.

    2. The vaccine is inexpensive so it probably doesn’t work.

    3. I’m not afraid of body aches … or headaches … or sore throats … or dangerously high fevers … and I never get sick!

    4. I like the idea of having a real reason to call in sick for work.

    5. That cute little paper mask over my nose and mouth is a trendy fashion statement.

    6. Getting really, really sick is a great way to lose a few pounds without dieting.

    7. I’m not planning to leave my house, or let anyone in, for the next six months anyway.

    8. I’m anxious to find out if my insurance company really will cover a hospital stay.

    9. I went to the county fair and didn’t get swine flu, so I must have a natural immunity.

    10. Getting sick with the flu will give me a reason to visit relatives I don’t really like so that I can share the virus with them!

    Protect yourself and others. Get a flu shot.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • You May Need To Get Tested For Hepatitis C

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of doctor talking to a patient.

    An estimated 3.2 million Americans are infected with chronic hepatitis C, a viral infection of the liver. Among those are larger numbers of Veterans and baby boomers.

    The CDC recently recommended that all baby boomers in the U.S. (those born between 1945 and 1965) get a simple one-time blood test for hepatitis C. They estimate that this testing could identify more than 800,000 additional people with the disease.

    Here’s what we know:

    *  Chronic hepatitis C won’t go away on its own.

    *  Many people living with hepatitis C are not aware they have the condition and may go years without showing symptoms. Hepatitis C is treated with a combination of medications.

    *  The rate of hepatitis C among people born in 1945 through 1965 is about 4%, compared to about 1% among other Americans. That difference is likely due to risky behaviors among this group.

    *  You can get hepatitis C from infected blood or body fluids. Today, the most common way people get infected is by needle-sharing during intravenous drug use. Most new infections occur among drug users. In addition, an infected pregnant woman can infect her unborn baby.

    *  Since 1992, when reliable blood screening procedures became available, the risk of transmission of hepatitis C by blood transfusion has fallen to less than one per million units of transfused blood, according to the CDC. Rarely, the virus can be transmitted through sexual intercourse.

    *  Hepatitis C is not transmitted through shaking hands, coughing, sneezing, breastfeeding, or sharing cups and utensils.

    *  Hepatitis C can cause serious liver problems.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Beware Of Hidden Weight-Loss Ingredients

    WELL-BEING

    Image of different supplements.

    Many so-called miracle supplements and foods (including teas and coffees)-often touted for weight loss-don’t live up to their claims, says the FDA. Worse, they can cause serious harm.

    Hundreds of products are marketed as dietary supplements but actually have hidden active ingredients contained in prescription drugs, unsafe ingredients that were in drugs that have been removed from the market, or compounds that have not been adequately studied in humans.

    Many of these tainted products are imported, sold online, and heavily promoted on social media sites. Some can also be found on store shelves.

    And if you’re about to take what you think of as “natural” dietary supplements, such as bee pollen or Garcinia cambogia, you should be aware that the FDA has found some of these products also have hidden active ingredients contained in prescription drugs.

    The only natural way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you take in by combining healthy eating with physical activity.

    Under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act (as amended by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994), dietary supplement firms do not need FDA approval before marketing their products. It is the company’s responsibility to make sure its products are safe and that any claims made about such products are true.

    Bottom line:

    Just because you see a supplement product on a store shelf does not mean it is safe.

    Look for these potential warning signs of tainted products:

    *  Promise of a quick fix, for example, “lose 10 pounds in one week”

    *  Use of the words guaranteed or scientific breakthrough

    *  Marketed in a foreign language or through mass emails

    *  Touted as herbal alternatives to an FDA-approved drug or as having effects similar to prescription drugs

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Foot Health Tips For Summer

    WELL-BEING

    Image of bare feet on grass.

    When warm weather arrives, many people break out the flip-flops, sandals or forego shoes altogether. But the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons says this can be harmful to your feet if you’re not careful.

    Many flip-flops and summer shoes contain little to no support or protection. This increases your chances for foot injuries. They can also aggravate conditions such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, and other painful foot problems.

    You can still enjoy summer and keep your hard-working feet healthy by following these tips:

    *  Don’t go barefoot in public bathrooms. If you have a cut on your foot, it can get infected. You could also get a foot fungus or plantar wart. Use flip-flops in these cases to protect your feet.

    *  If you have diabetes or neuropathy, never go barefoot – even indoors.

    *  Don’t rely on flip-flops for daily wear. Use them in place of going barefoot around the pool, or in public bathrooms. Instead, choose sandals or lightweight shoes that have good arch support and are designed for comfort.

    *  Use sunscreen on the tops and bottoms of your feet any time they are exposed.

    *  Wear closed-toed shoes to mow the lawn or do yard work.

    *  If sandals are rubbing or causing blisters, don’t wear them. Don’t pop blisters. This leaves the foot open to an infection.

    *  Wear proper walking shoes and socks to the airport when traveling for summer vacation. Never try out new shoes on vacation. Pack shoes that you know are comfortable and won’t rub or cause blisters or pain.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • I Love My Cellphone

    WELL-BEING

    Image of a smart phone on a bench.

    You’ve done it: driven back home to search for your forgotten phone. Dug under the car seats. Called yourself to find a lost phone. Or, worse, watched your phone ring silently when you were in a situation where you couldn’t answer it.

    Cellphone use has become a common part of life as mobile devices have become one of the most popular ways to communicate. Research from the University of Missouri has found that cellphone separation can have serious psychological and physiological effects on iPhone users, including poor performance on mental tests.

    The researchers say these findings suggest that iPhone users should avoid parting with their phones during daily situations that involve a great deal of attention, such as taking tests, sitting in conferences or meetings, or completing important work assignments, as it could result in poorer mental performance on those tasks. But use common sense and proper business etiquette about texting, talking, and checking emails in those venues.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Making Your Health Care Wishes Known

    WELL-BEING

    Image of doctor talking to patient.

    It’s a tough topic to think about, but also a necessary one. What are your wishes for your own health care if you were unable to communicate?

    Most people don’t think about this kind of scenario, especially if they are healthy. But if you are in a serious accident or become severely ill, you may not be able to tell your family what you want. This is when an “advance directive” can be very useful for you and your family.

    Advance directives: what are they?

    An advance directive is a document that states your desires about your care when you cannot speak for yourself. If you are admitted to the hospital, the doctor may ask if you have an advance directive. It may describe:

    *  Care you want if you have an illness that won’t get better.

    *  What you want if you are permanently in a coma or unconscious.

    *  Treatment that you don’t want to receive.

    *  Treatment you do want, regardless of how sick you are.

    Advance directives can have different parts that help in different ways. You may have one or more of these:

    *A living will.This is a written, legal document. It covers what treatment you want if you were terminally ill or would not wake up from a coma. It can list specific things you would like done depending on how sick you are.

    *Durable power of attorney (DPA).It names a person to make health care decisions for you. A DPA becomes active any time you cannot make medical decisions for yourself. Sometimes it is called a Medical Power of Attorney or health care proxy. Only use a DPA if you have someone you trust to make these decisions. Talk to your DPA about their role and your health care wishes.

    *Do not resuscitate order (DNR).If a person’s heart stops or they stop breathing, hospital staff will give CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. If you have a DNR, you are telling hospital staff that you do not want CPR given to you. You do not have to have a living will or DPA to have a DNR.

    Some states do not consider living wills or DPAs to be official legal documents. Even if it’s not legal, an advance directive or DPA can be very helpful. It can help your family and/or doctor make decisions you want so you get the care you desire. Your doctor or an attorney can tell you about your state’s laws. All states recognize and honor DNR orders that are in a patient’s medical record. An attorney does not have to do a DPA or living will. Many people fill them out themselves.

    What do I put in an advance directive?

    If you’re thinking about getting an advance directive, you may be wondering what it should say. Your doctor or an attorney can help you, and you may want to think about it for a while.

    Health care items that are often listed in a living will include:

    *  Ventilation (artificial breathing machines)

    *  Dialysis (machines that work for kidneys that are failing)

    *  Tube feeding (used when a person  cannot eat or drink)

    *  Palliative care (care that keeps you comfortable, such as pain relief measures)

    *  Organ donation or donating organs to be used for research

    Why do I need an advance directive?

    Most medical experts agree that an advance directive is helpful. It makes your preferences about medical care known before you become sick or injured. It means your loved ones will not have to make hard decisions about your care while you are sick.

    An advance directive can give you peace of mind. If you feel strongly about receiving certain treatments, an advance directive helps ensure that your wishes will be honored. It gives you more control over your own health care.

    Where do I start?

    An advance directive doesn’t have to be hard. It can be short and simple. You can:

    *  Get a form from your doctor.

    *  Write down your own wishes yourself.

    *  Discuss your wishes with your DPA.

    *  Meet with an attorney to write an advance directive.

    *  Get a form from your local health department or Area Agency on Aging in your area.

    It’s a good idea to have your doctor or an attorney look at your advance directive. This ensures your wishes are in line with state laws. It also gives you a chance to answer questions and make sure your wishes are understood. When you are done, have your advance directive notarized. Give copies to your family and your doctor.

    You can change or cancel your advance directive. This can be done when you are of “sound mind,” which means you are able to think and communicate clearly. Any changes you make must be signed and notarized according to the laws in your state. Make sure that your doctor and family members know about the changes.

    Sources: Medicare.gov, American Academy of Family Physicians

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Ragweed

    WELL-BEING

    Image of ragweed.

    Maybe you’ve never been allergic to ragweed. You may not be miserable at the end of summer during ragweed season like a lot of other people.

    But even if you’ve never had a problem with seasonal hay fever caused by ragweed, don’t assume that runny nose and itchy eyes are caused by a cold.

    The truth, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, is that anyone can develop an allergy-including an allergy to ragweed-later in life.

    Scientists think it may be you’ve always had the allergy, but it might have taken exposure to another allergen to trigger your symptoms. If symptoms won’t go away, lasting more than 2 weeks, you probably have allergies.

    Common allergy symptoms include itchy eyes and nose, as well as sneezing, but the mucus is typically clear.

    You’ll want to talk with your doctor first about over-the-counter medications to try to relieve those annoying symptoms.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine