HealthyLife Articles

Category: Uncategorized

  • Can An Aspirin A Dayprevent A Heart Attack Or Stroke?

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of aspirins shaped into a heart.

    Scientific evidence shows that taking an aspirin daily can help prevent a heart attack or stroke in some people, but not in everyone. It also can cause unwanted side effects.

    According to Dr. Robert Temple at the FDA, one thing is certain: You should use daily aspirin therapy only after first talking to your doctor, who can weigh the benefits and risks.

    Who Can Benefit?

    “Since the 1990s, clinical data have shown that in people who have experienced a heart attack, stroke or who have a disease of the blood vessels in the heart, a daily low dose of aspirin can help prevent a reoccurrence,” Dr. Temple said. (A dose ranges from the 80 mg in a low-dose tablet to the 325 mg in a regular strength tablet.) This use is known as “secondary prevention.”

    However, after carefully examining scientific data from major studies, FDA has concluded that the data do not support the use of aspirin as a preventive medication by people who have not had a heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular problems, a use that is called “primary prevention.” In such people, the benefit has not been established but risks-such as dangerous bleeding into the brain or stomach-are still present.

    If your doctor recommends daily aspirin to lower the risk of a heart attack and clot-related stroke, read the labels carefully to make sure you have the right product. Some drugs combine aspirin with other pain relievers or other ingredients and should not be used for long-term aspirin therapy.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Great American Smokeout

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of a man breaking a cigarette in half.

    Every year, on the third Thursday of November, the American Cancer Society asks tobacco users to make a plan to quit on this day, or plan in advance and then quit smoking that day.

    Earlier this year, the Surgeon General’s office released The Health Consequences of Smoking-50 Years of Progress. The report showed that adult smoking rates have fallen from about 43% in 1965 to about 18% today, but more than 42 million American adults and more than 3.5 million middle and high school students continue to smoke.

    Get help to quit

    Quitting tobacco is not easy. Nicotine is as addictive as cocaine or heroin.

    *  Use a nicotine replacement product, such as a patch, gum, or lozenges. Use as directed.

    *  Ask your doctor about prescribed medications that can help you quit.

    *  Take part in a non-tobacco use program  and events at work or in your community.

    *  Use the “Get Help to Quit” resources listed on this page.

    Ready, set, go…

    *  Set a quit date. The CDC advises doing this within 2 weeks.

    *  Write down the top reasons you want to quit.

    *  Tell others so they can encourage you. Ask others not to smoke around you.

    *  Get rid of tobacco products and related items from your home, car, and workplace. This includes matches, lighters, and ashtrays.

    *  Avoid drinking while you’re quitting cigarettes. Drinking alcohol can trigger cravings for a cigarette.

    *  When you get the urge to smoke, dip, or chew, take a deep breath through your mouth. Slowly exhale through pursed lips. Repeat 5-10 times.

    *  Have sugarless gum or mints or drink water.

    *  Hold a pen, stress ball, or other small object to keep your hands busy.

    *  Put the money you used to spend on tobacco products in a “ciggy” bank.

    *  Don’t give up if you relapse. Most people try several times before they succeed!

    Get help to quit

    American Lung Association

    800.LUNG.USA (586.4872)

    www.lungusa.org/tobacco

    National Cancer Institute’s Smoking Quitline

    877.44U.QUIT (448.7848)

    www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/smoking

    National Network of Tobacco Cessation Quitlines

    800.QUIT.NOW (784.8669)

    Smokefree Women

    www.women.smokefree.gov

    U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

    www.smokefree.gov

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Life After Stroke: 9 Tips For Caregivers

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of older women in wheelchair being helped by relative.

    A stroke can impact a person’s life in many ways. If you are caring for someone who recently had a stroke, you may be overwhelmed. With more than 7 million stroke survivors living today, you’re not alone. You can make life after a stroke a little easier for yourself and your loved one with these tips.

    1. Ask questions. If you’re not sure about a medication or other needs, talk to the doctor, nurse or therapist. Take notes, if possible.

    2. Focus on stroke prevention. People who have a stroke may be at higher risk of having another one. A healthy diet, exercise, regular doctor visits and taking medications as prescribed can help reduce this risk.

    3. Take falls seriously. People who have had a stroke may be more likely to fall. Seek medical care right away if a fall causes severe pain, a head injury, bruising or bleeding. Talk to a doctor if a fall happens more than once, even if it’s minor.

    4. Keep an eye out for problems like dizziness, balance problems or trouble walking. This may mean the person needs physical therapy to help with their recovery and improve their mobility.

    5. Keep track of progress. Stroke recovery may happen quickly, or it may take months or years. Write down progress your loved one has made each day or week. This can be helpful to the doctor during follow up visits.

    6. Be aware of depression. Up to 50 percent of stroke survivors get depression. This can harm their recovery. Talk to your loved one’s doctor if you notice they have symptoms like a loss of interest in activities, sadness or hopelessness.

    7. Don’t go it alone. A number of resources can help both you and your loved one with stroke recovery. Many support groups for survivors and their caregivers are available. Ask your case manager or social worker for help finding these groups.

    8. Know your loved one’s insurance benefits. There may be limits to how long insurance will pay for stroke rehabilitation. Be sure you are aware of the coverage limits and any costs. Ask your case manager or social worker if you’re not sure how to do this.

    9. Take a break when you can. Even the best caregiver needs some time off. Find a trusted friend or family member who can fill in for you. Try to get exercise, such as walking, to help combat stress and improve your sleep. A regular meditation practice may also help.

    Source: American Stroke Association

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Rx Painkiller Deaths On The Rise

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of open pill bottle with 3 pills next to the bottle.

    From 1999 to 2010, deaths from prescription pain relief drugs increased more than 400 percent in women and 265 percent in men. These facts are from a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

    “Prescription painkiller deaths have skyrocketed in women (6,600 in 2010), four times as many as died from cocaine and heroin combined,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “Stopping this epidemic in women – and men – is everyone’s business. Doctors need to be cautious about prescribing and patients about using these drugs.”

    Use Rx pain relief medicines wisely

    *  Let your doctor know about all prescribed and OTC medicines you take. This includes ones that treat depression, anxiety, or sleep problems. It includes vitamins and herbal products, too.

    *  Ask your doctor the risk of addiction when he or she prescribes sleeping pills, strong painkillers, etc. Find out how long you should take the medicines. Ask if there are ways to help treat your problem without them.

    *  Find out how much alcohol, if any, can be taken with your prescribed medicines.

    *  Follow the guidelines that your doctor and pharmacist provide with every prescription.

    *  Do not take another person’s prescribed medicines.

    *  Do not share your medicines with others.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • The Grapefruit Effect

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of pill bottle with warning about grapefruit.

    Grapefruit can interact with your drugs. And your doctor may not be aware of it. An article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal points out that drug interactions with grapefruit were noted more than 20 years ago.

    Recently, more and more commonly prescribed newer drugs are found to interact with grapefruit (the fruit and the juice) and can cause serious side effects. Problems can occur even if the grapefruit is eaten hours before taking certain medications.

    Adverse effects include sudden death, acute kidney failure, respiratory failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, bone marrow suppression in ill people, and other serious side effects.

    There are more than 85 drugs that may interact with grapefruit, and 43 can have serious side effects. Other citrus fruits such as Seville oranges, often used in marmalade, limes and pomelos also contain the active ingredients (furanocoumarins) that interact with grapefruit.

    The best advice is to discuss all your medications with your doctor and pharmacist and ask about interactions with grapefruit.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • When Allergies Get Real Serious

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of candy bar with warning "Not suitable for Nut allergy sufferers."

    A severe allergic reaction can be life threatening. It’s called anaphylaxis. The symptoms begin within minutes of eating a trigger food or after a bee sting or touching poison ivy. Some drugs can cause these serious reactions too. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America offers this safety advice:

    *  Know the symptoms: flushed skin, rash, tissue swelling, stuffy nose, sweating, panting, nausea, stomach cramps, rapid pulse, wheezing, convulsions, or fainting.

    *  Know what you’re allergic to: check food labels and ingredients. Ask at restaurants if you’re unsure if a menu item contains something you’re allergic to. Skin or blood tests done by a specialist can confirm that you’re sensitive to certain substances that can cause a severe reaction.

    *  Carry an auto-injectable epinephrine device that allows you to use a rescue medication until emergency help arrives.

    *  Wear a medical alert bracelet to let others know of your allergy.

    *  Anaphylaxis is a 9-1-1 medical emergency.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Are Natural Sleep Aids Safe?

    WELL-BEING

    Image of different supplements.

    Many herbal and “natural” sleep supplements are available in stores today. Although they claim to help you sleep without side effects, experts say you should use caution before taking one.

    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers these natural remedies to be “dietary supplements.” This means they are not regulated as strictly as medicines. In fact, the companies that make these supplements don’t have to get FDA approval before selling them.

    Herbs and supplements can interact with medicines you already take. Be sure to talk with your doctor before taking any natural supplement. And parents should not give any natural supplements to children without first talking with the child’s pediatrician. These supplements can have effects on children’s growing bodies.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Don’t Make Me Choose

    WELL-BEING

    Image of women looking up at the words, 'Yes' and 'No'.

    Having more choices is generally considered a good thing, until you actually have to choose that one cell phone, one prescription drug plan, or one car model from among a dozen or so options. Economists call that problem choice overload, and the frustration it causes can lead to poor decisions.

    To help people make better choices when confronted by a large number of options, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology studied two decision-making strategies that break down the options into smaller groups that can be evaluated more effectively. Like the Final Four basketball elimination, the best technique goes like this when you have to choose from many options:

    *  Divide the options into piles of 4.

    *  Choose the best option from each pile.

    *  Put the winners from the first round into a new finalist pile.

    *  Choose the best option from winners of the earlier 4 selections.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Hot-Weather Problems To Avoid

    WELL-BEING

    Image of a water bottle being poured into a glass.

    Summer’s brutal heat brings with it the dangers of deadly dehydration and other hot-weather health issues. Dr. Richard N. Bradley, associate professor of emergency medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center, says, “Don’t push it too hard. When possible, stay inside your air-conditioned homes or go to places that have A/C.”

    If you notice someone acting confused and the person has been out in the hot sun, seek help immediately for any of these hot-weather problems. Be alert to the symptoms of heat-related illnesses such as cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

    *Heat crampsare painful, brief muscle cramps that occur during exercise or work in a hot environment. The cramps are usually felt in the calves, thighs, abdomen, or shoulders.

    *Heat exhaustionoccurs when the body is not able to maintain normal functions because of the excessive loss of body fluids and salts. In effect, the body is trying to protect itself from a greater rise in body temperature. The symptoms include heavy sweating, intense thirst, dizziness, nausea and a weak or rapid pulse.

    *Heat strokeis a life-threatening emergency. It is the result of the body’s inability to regulate its core temperature. As the body’s water and salt supplies dwindle, its temperature rises to extreme levels. The symptoms include a body temperature above 104ºF (although heat stroke can occur at lower body temperatures), disorientation, confusion, or coma. The skin may be hot and dry or sweaty.

    Drink plenty of water, no alcohol. Drink throughout the day, even when you’re not thirsty.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Like It Loud? Your Ears Don’t

    WELL-BEING

    Image of man listening to music with headphones.

    What do a lawn mower, a motorcycle, and a music player have in common? They can all cause permanent hearing loss.

    Many people assume that only extremely loud sounds, such as gunshots, can damage the ears. But any loud noise, such as power tools, headphones turned up too loud, lawn equipment, or a concert, can lead to hearing loss. This is known as noise-induced hearing loss.

    Noise-induced hearing loss often happens gradually, so you don’t realize the damage that’s being done over time. For instance, being around loud machinery every day or listening to loud music in earphones regularly can cause hearing damage that adds up. The National Institutes of Health states that 26 million Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have hearing loss caused by excessive noise.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says anything over 85 decibels can damage hearing. The louder it is, the faster it can cause hearing loss if used regularly and/or for long periods. Normal conversation is 60 decibels, and a hair dryer is around 90.

    Save your hearing

    The best way to prevent noise-induced hearing loss is to avoid loud noises whenever you can. But, this may not be possible if your job requires you to be around certain equipment. If you can’t avoid it, always wear proper hearing protection. This includes earplugs and/or ear muffs that have a noise reduction rating (NRR) listed.

    If you notice you have trouble hearing, talk to your doctor.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine