HealthyLife Articles

Category: Uncategorized

  • Hair Loss: More Than Skin Deep

    WELL-BEING

    Image of man with thining hair.

    Hair loss is a common issue among men and women alike. The U.S. National Library of Medicine says about 50 million men and 30 million women have some degree of hair loss or baldness. Most of the time, this is due to hereditary hair loss.

    Sometimes, however, hair loss is a sign of a health problem. Hair loss can sometimes be caused by:

    *  Thyroid problems

    *  Diabetes

    *  Low iron in the blood (anemia)

    *  Prostate cancer in men

    *  High blood pressure (hypertension)

    *  Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women

    Hair loss doesn’t always mean you have a serious illness. Sometimes hair falls out for a little while and then starts to grow back. Some of the reasons this happens include:

    *  Hair breakage from chemicals like perms and hair color

    *  Hairstyles that pull on the hair, such as tight ponytails and braids

    *  A stressful event, such as a death in the family

    *  Stress on the body from major surgery, childbirth or some illnesses

    *  Brushing hair too hard or too often

    *  Some prescription medicines, including those for arthritis, cancer, depression, gout, heart disease and high blood pressure

    *  Hormone changes, such as during pregnancy or menopause

    If you notice sudden hair loss, it’s important to find out the cause. If you notice large amounts of hair falling out when combing or washing your hair, or thinning or bald spots, make an appointment with your doctor.

    Common hair loss treatments

    Knowing the cause of your hair loss is the first step to treatment. For instance, if iron levels are low, your doctor may recommend an iron supplement. Treatments for common hereditary hair loss include:

    *  Topical minoxidil (brand name Rogaine, which can be purchased in stores)

    *  Finasteride (prescription medicine for men only)

    *  Topical or oral estrogen or other hormones (prescription for women only)

    *  Hair transplant surgery

    Source: American Academy of Dermatology

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Keeping Track Of Medicines

    WELL-BEING

    Close up image of hands holding medications.

    Did I take my medicine? If you find yourself asking that question often, try these tips to help you keep track.

    *Keep them in an accessible spot.As long as they’re out of reach of children or pets, the best place for your medicine is a place you’ll see it.

    *Write it down.Purchase a small notebook and write down each medicine as you take it. Be sure to record the date, time, and what you have taken.

    *Use technology.Today’s smartphones have alarms you can use to remember your medicines. Set separate alarms for each medicine and have them repeat daily. Don’t have a smartphone? Check out “talking” pill boxes. Take the medicine as soon as the alarm goes off. Don’t wait – or you may forget!

    *Know what to do if you miss a dose.Some medicines should be “made up” at the next dose, but others should not. It may be dangerous if you forget certain life-saving medicines.

    Medicines we use the most

    The most frequently prescribed medicines in the U.S. are:

    *  Pain relievers

    *  Lipid-lowering medicines (to lower cholesterol or triglycerides)

    *  Antidepressant medicines

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • New You

    WELL-BEING

    Image of smiling man.

    Why wait to create a new you? Live your best life now. This advice comes from researchers at Washington University:

    *Learn something new.Take a class in a subject you enjoy or are curious about. Check your community colleges for noncredit continuing education classes. Rekindle your love of learning.

    *Volunteer.It’s good for your physical and mental health whether you’re building a house for someone, ladling out soup for the homeless, or collecting canned goods. You’ll make valuable community connections.

    *Get your social media house in order.The Internet and social media have opened up exciting new avenues to connect with others and new vistas to share preferences in films, books, and music. Have fun. But be cautious. Check your default privacy settings. Log out and see what your profile looks like to the outside world. Make sure passwords are complex – Use upper and lowercase letters and a special character, such as $. Don’t use the same password for all social media accounts.

    *Rediscover the library.The digital revolution has changed your local library. You can often download books online. Consider how much your library offers: novels and nonfiction works for all ages, how-to books, music CDs, movies on DVD or videotape, maps and reference works. Read the latest magazines or journals.

    *Step away from your desk.Physical activity improves health, lowers stress, and increases productivity. And if those weren’t reasons enough, research shows that exercise reduces the risk of diseases such as breast cancer, colon cancer, and Alzheimer’s.

    *Pay down your credit card debt.Put extra money toward the loans with the highest interest rates. Consolidate several small debts.

    *Use your smartphone to quit smoking.You can tap into apps for messages of support and access websites that give step-by-step encouragement.

    *Kick the car habit.Leave the SUV in the garage and try alternate means of transportation such as the bus or train, bicycling, walking, or park-and-ride commuting.

    *Parents:Make every day count. Happy, well-adjusted children need happy, well-adjusted parents.

    *Get more sleep.

    *Consume more culture.The arts not only educate and entertain, they help us to better understand ourselves and others. Visit your local museums, galleries, theaters, dance companies, and music halls.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • This Home Fix Can Save Your Life

    WELL-BEING

    Illustration of a house.

    It’s odorless, colorless, and causes lung cancer. You could be breathing it every day and not know it. It’s radon, and it’s a major health threat in nearly all areas of the country.

    What is radon?

    Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is found in soil. It makes its way into buildings through cracks, joints, and gaps in the basement or foundation. Once inside, it can build up and result in dangerously high levels. High levels of radon can cause lung cancer. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today. Only smoking causes more deaths from lung cancer.

    The CDC estimates that more than 20,000 people die every year from lung cancer caused by radon. Even people who have never smoked can get lung cancer from radon. But, if you smoke, your chance of lung cancer is even higher.

    How do I know if my house has radon?

    The only way to detect radon in your house is through a radon test. Many hardware stores carry these tests, or you can get a test through your state’s radon office. Follow the instructions exactly as listed on the test. The tests are not expensive and are easy to use. Usually you need to leave the test in your house for a set amount of time. Then, you’ll follow instructions to mail it to a lab to get your results.

    No level of radon is safe. But, if your test shows a level of 4 or higher, you need to fix your house.

    How do I get rid of radon?

    There is an effective way to get radon out of your house and keep it from coming back. A radon mitigation system involves putting a special pipe device in your basement. The pipe has a fan inside that blows the radon back outside.

    Every state has radon removal companies who can install these systems. The Environmental Protection Agency says you should use a company that is accredited by the National Radon Safety Board or the National Radon Proficiency Program.

    Radon is one health problem no one should live with. Get a radon testing kit today. Your health and life are worth it.

    Take action against radon

    To order a radon test kit, call: 1-800-SOS-RADON

    (1-800-767-7236)

    For answers to radon questions, call: 1-800-55-RADON (557-2366)

    For questions about fixing radon levels in your house, call: 1-800-644-6999.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • What’s Parked In Your Garage?

    WELL-BEING

    Image of items stored in a garage, such as a ladder.

    Gasoline and other poison hazards may be stored unsafely in your garage. The Home Safety Council and the American Association of Poison Control Centers promote safe practices around hazardous products in the garage and storage areas:

    *  In homes with young children, see that child-resistant caps are on all dangerous products. These include charcoal lighter fluid, paint thinner, antifreeze, and turpentine. Store the products out of sight and reach-or better yet, locked up.

    *  Store only a small amount of gasoline and always in an approved container designed and labeled for gasoline. Never bring gasoline indoors.

    *  Keep all products in original containers with original labels.

    *  Never transfer dangerous products to glass jars, soft drink bottles, or other containers.  Harmful products could look like common drinks and be taken by mistake. Also, containers may leak or break. It is easy to forget what product was placed in which container.

    *  Use a siphon hose if you must transfer gasoline. Never try to siphon gasoline or other fuels by mouth.

    Every Poison Control Center in the country can be reached by calling the nationwide hotline at (800) 222-1222. Post the hotline near home phones and on your cell phone.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • What To Do About Liver Spots

    Mature Health: Over Age 50

    Image of women looking in a mirror examing her face.

    Years spent soaking up the sun can result in circular patches of light brown pigmentation, called liver spots or age spots, on your face, arms, neck, and the back of your hands. Liver spots have nothing to do with the liver, though; they’re “superfreckles”-areas of dark pigment triggered by overexposure to the sun. Here’s what you can do to minimize liver spots.

    *  Apply a concealer (cover-up cream) that matches your skin tone.

    *  Always apply a sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher 30 to 45 minutes before you go outdoors.

    *  Apply an over-the-counter bleaching cream to the discolored areas. (These products can take months to work and lighten spots only slightly.)

    If these tactics don’t help, consult a dermatologist. He or she may recommend one of the following medical treatments for liver spots.

    *  A prescription bleaching cream.

    *  A prescription peeling cream, like Retin-A.

    *  Chemical peels (a mild acid is applied with a cotton swab to each patch of pigment).

    *  Dermabrasion (the skin is numbed, then rubbed with a high-speed electrical device).

    These treatments all produce some discomfort and sometimes leave a permanent white spot where the skin has been treated, however.

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

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 6 Things To Know Before Taking Any Medicines

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of women reading medication information.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that adverse drug events (ADEs) are a serious public health problem. An ADE is when an injury occurs after taking medicine. With 82 percent of Americans taking at least one medication, ADEs could happen to almost anyone.

    ADEs can be serious, and even deadly. They may include:

    *  Side effects from a medicine

    *  Interactions with other medicines or supplements

    *  Allergic reactions to a medicine

    *  Overdoses

    *  Taking the wrong dose or type of medicine

    You can avoid ADEs with a few simple steps. Do these things today to keep yourself and loved ones safe:

    1.Be aware of any interactions before you take a medicine.Some medicines should not be taken with certain foods, such as grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Others can cause side effects if taken with certain herbs and supplements. Because of possible interactions, be sure your doctor knows everything you take, including natural supplements, vitamins and herbs. If you’re caring for an aging family member, keep track of all their medications and show the list to their doctors during appointments. If you see more than one doctor, make sure all your doctors know which medications you take.

    2.Keep them secure, out of reach from others.Something that’s safe for you to take could be dangerous – or even deadly – to a child or pet. Keep all medicines out of reach of kids and pets, preferably with child-proof packaging.

    3.Take only the dose you are prescribed.If you feel your medication isn’t working, talk to your doctor about options. Taking a higher dose than what’s prescribed or mixing it with other medications can lead to serious side effects or overdoses.

    4.Don’t share your medicines.It can be dangerous to give someone a prescription drug that wasn’t prescribed to them. Even over-the-counter medicines should be used with caution, especially if a person has health conditions or is taking other medicines.

    5.Keep medicines in their original bottles.Putting medicines in other containers could lead to someone accidentally taking the wrong medicine. It also makes it more difficult to keep track of what you’re taking.

    6.Dispose of expired or unneeded medicines correctly.Using a drug “take-back” program is a safe option. If you must throw them away, don’t flush them. Put them in the household trash with kitty litter or coffee grounds. For complete information on medicine disposal, visit the FDA website atwww.fda.gov.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Better Health Is In Your Pocket

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of doctor holding up a smart phone.

    Most people spend time every day on their smartphone or tablet. Why not put that time to good use by downloading an app that can help you improve your health? There are thousands of health apps available to suit many different health goals and personality types. Check out some of these health apps you can start using today:

    Relax Melodies by Ipnos Software(for iPhone and Android)

    Quality sleep and stress management are an important part of good health. This app lets you choose your favorite sounds to create a personalized relaxing song that helps you relieve stress and sleep better.

    Calorie Counter by MyFitnessPal(for Android)

    For those trying to make better food choices or lose weight, sometimes knowing how much you eat can make a big difference. This app allows you to track food intake and exercise with a large food database. Connect with other users for encouragement and support.

    Diet Controller by Margaret Dangerfield(for iPhone)

    This app can help you view your eating and fitness activities on your devices. Log and track your daily food intake with a USDA-based food database. Users also can create charts and reports while tracking nutrients, calories and exercise.

    Hydro Coach by Codium App Ideas(for Android) orWater App by Inspiring Life Technologies(for iPhone)

    Drinking water is an easy, healthy way to fight fatigue and may help you consume fewer calories. These apps are designed to help you track how much you’re drinking and to offer reminders when it’s time for another glass.

    Quitter’s Circle by Pfizer Inc. and the American Lung Association(for iPhone and Android)

    For those trying to quit smoking, this app allows you to create a personalized quit plan, connect with others for support, get quitting tips, and celebrate milestones.

    Hundreds of health-related apps are available today – and many of them cost less than $10. Try an app that suits your life for a high-tech way to be healthier!

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Don’t Be Rash

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of rash on a person's arm.

    It’s itchy and red. Maybe painful. A rash is your immune system’s way of saying, “I’m protecting you.”

    When skin cells detect something suspicious (such as poison ivy or chickenpox), they begin a chain reaction that leads to inflammation or swelling. Doctors call it dermatitis. But you might think of it as a rash.

    Rashes can be caused by bacteria, viruses, drugs, allergies, genetic disorders, and even light. So it’s important to find out what is causing the rash. Most rashes clear up and go away quickly. Others may need care over a long time.

    Call your doctor if any of these are true, advises the NIH News in Health:

    *  Your rash is so uncomfortable or painful it interferes with daily activities or sleep.

    *  The rash is on your face.

    *  Your rash looks worrisome or seems infected.

    *  You break out in a rash after taking a new medication.

    *  Your rash lasts for several days.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine