HealthyLife Articles

Category: Uncategorized

  • Do Genetic Tests Really Work?

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Women holding a swab near her mouth.

    You may have seen ads for genetic tests. These tests claim to tell you about your health. They might tell you if you’re at risk for a certain disease or if you should eat a certain diet.

    Big promises from companies

    At-home genetic tests may sound exciting, and companies advertise them as “the answer” to many health issues. But the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say you should be careful about using these tests.

    Before you spend a lot of money on one, keep in mind that the test may not have any science to back up its claims. Others may give you some good information, but the information is only useful if you also have a complete medical exam.

    The FDA and CDC say that genetic tests are complex. They say that the results can be hard to understand without having appropriate medical knowledge.

    Just a snapshot

    Many genetic tests look at a few of your body’s genes. But you have more than 20,000 genes in your body. If you get a “positive result” for certain genes, it could mean:

    *  You have a certain disease.

    *  You have a higher risk of getting certain diseases.

    *  You are a carrier for a certain disease.

    But even a positive result doesn’t tell the whole story. You may never get the disease that comes back “positive.” Or if you do, it may not be severe enough to cause any serious health problems.

    A negative result means the lab didn’t find any unusual changes in your genes. While this can be good news for certain diseases, it’s not foolproof. It doesn’t mean you’ll never get a disease or have health problems. It’s also possible that the test didn’t look at other genes that could be important.

    Many factors at play

    Genes are only one piece of each person’s health story. Your environment and your lifestyle also play huge parts in your physical and mental health. Don’t rely on genetic tests to make any health promises. Instead, see your doctor regularly and follow a healthy lifestyle. That can mean more than a few genes.

    When genetic tests are part of a medical exam, they can be helpful. Your doctor can help you decide if you need genetic tests. If you do need them, make sure a medical professional reads your results.

    Source: Federal Trade Commission

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Lower Your Breast Cancer Risk

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Couple jogging on side walk.

    A risk factor is something that changes your chances of getting a disease. Knowing which risk factors you have can be helpful.

    You may be able to make changes that lower your risk of breast cancer. Also, you can have screenings done to catch it early, when it is easier to treat and cure. Talk with your doctor about getting regular mammograms to detect breast cancer.

    These are risk factors that a person may be able to change.

    Alcohol

    Drinking alcohol raises your risk of breast cancer. The more alcohol a person drinks, the higher the risk.

    The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that women have no more than one drink a day. If you don’t drink, don’t start. The lowest risk is in women who don’t drink alcohol at all.

    Manage weight

    Having more body fat after menopause can make estrogen levels higher. Higher estrogen raises the risk of breast cancer. Being overweight can also raise insulin levels. Higher insulin levels are linked to breast cancer.

    The ACS recommends people work to stay at a healthy weight or lose weight if they are overweight. Weight loss can be difficult, so ask your doctor if you need help.

    Using hormone therapy

    Some women use hormone therapy after menopause. Hormone therapy may also be called HRT, HT or menopause therapy. This can help with menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.

    Hormone therapy increases the risk of breast cancer. But, the risk may go back down after about five years of stopping treatment. Hormone therapy can also increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and blood clots.

    If you need hormone therapy for menopause symptoms, talk to your doctor about it. Usually it’s best to use it at the lowest dose for the shortest amount of time.

    Smoking

    Smoking increases the risk of cancer, including breast cancer. Ask your doctor if you need help quitting.

    Not being active

    Getting regular exercise can lower your breast cancer risk. While exercising five days a week is best, try to exercise whenever you can. Even a small amount of exercise is better than none.

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

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Understanding Epilepsy

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Purple ribbon and brain to represent epilepsy awareness.

    Epilepsy is a broad term that encompasses a variety of brain disorders that cause seizures. It is one of the most common brain conditions and can affect people of any age.

    Signs & symptoms

    The primary symptom of epilepsy is seizures. A seizure is a brief change in brain activity. It can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes.

    Someone may be diagnosed with epilepsy if they have two or more seizures unrelated to another cause, such as a fever or low blood sugar.

    Seizures can look different in different people. Signs may include:

    *  Confusion

    *  Staring

    *  Rapid blinking

    *  Twitching or shaking

    *  Falling to the ground

    *  Loss of consciousness

    *  Body stiffening

    Causes

    While the cause of epilepsy is unknown for many people, certain conditions impact the brain and may lead to the development of epilepsy:

    *  Brain tumor

    *  Traumatic brain injury

    *  Infection in the brain from a virus, bacteria, or parasite

    *  Stroke

    *  Oxygen deprivation of the brain

    *  Certain genetic disorders

    *  Certain neurological diseases

    Treatment

    If left untreated, recurring seizures impact quality of life, increase the risk of injury, and may shorten life expectancy.

    Common treatments include:

    *  Medicine: Anti-seizure medication works by controlling improper brain signals.

    *  Surgery: This can remove the affected area if seizure activity occurs in only one part of the brain.

    *  Diet: A specialized ketogenic diet may be effective for some types of epilepsy, especially in children.

    *  Nerve stimulation: An implanted device stimulates the vagus nerve to reduce seizures.

    Self-care

    Successful epilepsy treatment takes the combined efforts of healthcare professionals and the person with epilepsy. Many self-care practices aid in reducing seizure triggers and keeping the body healthy:

    *  Take all medications as prescribed.

    *  Keep a record of seizures and any potential triggers.

    *  Get plenty of sleep every night.

    *  Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.

    *  Get regular physical activity and movement.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Fight Back Against Radon

    WELL-BEING

    Women yawning while driving.

    Radon can get into your home and cause serious health problems. But you can take steps to remove this dangerous gas that you can’t see, taste or smell.

    Radon is a natural radioactive gas. When uranium breaks down in the soil, it makes radon. Then, radon can seep into a home’s foundation, causing health problems for the people who live there.

    Why is radon harmful?

    When you breathe in radon, its natural radioactive particles can get trapped in your lungs. Radon is a leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. If you smoke and breathe radon, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

    How do I know if I have radon?

    The only way to know if a home has radon is through a radon test. You can buy radon tests at hardware stores or online. Your local health department may sell them.

    Radon tests are easy to use. Usually, you let the test stay in your basement or the lowest point in your house for a few days. When the test is complete, you mail it in. The testing company sends you the results.

    If your test results say your radon level is 4pCi/L or higher, take a second test to be sure. If the average between the two tests is 4pCi/L or higher, you need to fix the problem. You can do this with radon removal, also called radon mitigation.

    How do I get rid of radon?

    Removing radon from a home requires special skills and tools. Choose a qualified radon mitigation contractor to fix your home.

    Ask your state radon office for names. Many states require radon professionals to be licensed, certified or registered for your added safety.

    New homes aren’t safe

    No matter how old or new your home, radon can get in. It seeps in through foundation seams, joints and cracks. It can also get in through a sump pump or drain located in the basement.

    If you’re buying a home, make sure the home has been tested for radon or that it has a radon mitigation system in place.

    Source: Environmental Protection Agency

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Say Goodbye To Bad Habits

    WELL-BEING

    Doctor holding apple in one hand and a donut in the other hand.

    Experts say that to stop an unhealthy habit, you must replace it with a healthy habit. Here’s how to get started.

    *Set a date.Make a plan for when you intend to quit your bad habit. Put it in your calendar or planner.

    *Stop the triggers.For instance, don’t eat in front of the T.V. if you tend to overeat while watching it. Eat at a table without distractions.

    *Keep track.Anytime you avoid your unhealthy habit, write down your victory. You’ll see how far you’ve come. This can help you stay motivated.

    *Be kind to yourself.Promise yourself a healthy reward when you meet a certain milestone. And, don’t focus on setbacks or mistakes. Instead, be proud of the things that you did well.

    Source: National Institutes of Health

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Save Time. Be Organized.

    Stress Management

    Women organizing linens in baskets.

    Manage your time to help you manage the stress that comes with unfinished business.

    *  Keep a “To Do” list. Use a method that works best for you. Examples are paper post-its, computer software/apps, a daily or weekly planner, and your smartphone.

    *  Prioritize and assign times to complete tasks. Check off ones you finish.

    *  Clear clutter in your workspace and house. Organize your piles into files.

    Create and maintain healthy work habits. When you get to work, use your “To Do” list to plan your day. Spend the last 10 minutes organizing your space and putting things in their place.

    Avoid distractions while you work. Assign time to check and respond to emails and phone calls.

    Don’t check your personal email and text messages on work time.

    Page from HealthyLife Weigh book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 5 Wellness Factors

    Personal Safety

    Slices of lime and kiwi, with bottles of oil and herbs.

    Wellness is more than not being sick. It includes:

    1.  Your physical health

    2.  Your mental and emotional health

    3.  Your social and community health

    4.  Your financial health

    5.  Your spiritual health

    Wellness goals include:

    *  Feeling healthy and having the energy to do your daily activities

    *  Having a purpose and being satisfied with your life

    *  Giving and receiving support from others with a sense that you belong

    *  Being able to manage your economic resources to support your health and well-being

    Take Action: Think Positive

    Studies have shown that optimism can significantly lower the risk of coronary heart disease.

    1.  Focus on solving problems, not being overwhelmed by them.

    2.  Train your thoughts to look at the glass as half full, not half empty.

    3.  Practice gratitude by writing down three good things you are grateful for that happen each day.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine