HealthyLife Articles

Category: Uncategorized

  • Stis And Infertility:Get The Facts

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of couple looking out a window.

    Millions of people in the U.S. contract sexually transmitted infections (STIs) each year. In fact, the CDC reports that in 2014, a staggering 2.86 million new cases of chlamydia and 820,000 cases of gonorrhea were reported.

    Many of these cases occurred in teenagers or young adults. In addition, thousands of people have chlamydia or gonorrhea and don’t know it. If these diseases go untreated, a woman can get pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This is an infection in a woman’s reproductive organs that can become serious. Not only can it cause pain, fever, bleeding, and other issues, but women with PID may not be able to get pregnant.

    Fortunately, PID can be treated with antibiotics if caught early. But waiting too long to get treatment can lead to permanent damage.

    All sexually active men and women should talk to their doctors about their risk for STIs, and get tested and treated for these infections as needed.

    Early treatment for STIs could save your fertility and your health.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Understanding Enlarged Prostate

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of older male smiling.

    Benign prostatic hyperplasia, sometimes called BPH or enlarged prostate, is a condition where a man’s prostate gland gets larger. It is the most common prostate problem for men older than age 50. And, up to 90 percent of men over age 80 have it.

    An enlarged prostate is not cancer, and for many men, it’s not serious. But, it can cause some symptoms that are bothersome, such as urinating too frequently, trouble starting or stopping urinating and incontinence. This happens when the prostate gets too large and blocks the urethra, which lets urine out of the body. Or, it can stress the bladder as it tries to force urine past the blockage.

    In rare cases, an enlarged prostate can cause serious problems such as kidney damage. That’s why it’s important to talk with a doctor about enlarged prostate and to follow your doctor’s recommendations.

    Don’t ignore these signs

    Enlarged prostate is usually not serious. But, some symptoms could signal a more serious problem. Get medical care right away if you notice any of these signs:

    *  Complete inability to urinate

    *  Fever and chills along with frequent and painful urination

    *  Blood in urine

    *  Severe pain in lower belly and/or urinary tract

    How enlarged prostate is treated

    Treatment is based on symptoms and lifestyle. Many men who have mild symptoms find that lifestyle changes can help. Some recommendations include:

    *  Drink less fluids, especially before bedtime or when you won’t be near a bathroom.

    *  Avoid caffeine and/or alcohol. These can irritate the bladder and increase urination, which can worsen symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

    *  Avoid medications that can cause urination problems, including cold medicines with decongestants, antihistamines for allergies, diuretics and some antidepressants.

    *  Train your bladder, which means to gradually hold urine for longer periods.

    *  Exercises to strengthen muscles in the pelvic floor region of your body.

    *  Prevent and/or treat constipation, which can irritate a stressed bladder.

    Lifestyle changes usually help improve quality of life for men with an enlarged prostate. But if they don’t, your doctor may discuss medications or minimally invasive procedures. Surgery is usually not needed, but it is an option for severe cases.

    Fortunately, this common health issue can be managed and treated. Get regular checkups with your doctor or urologist to keep symptoms under control.

    Sources: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • All About Red Blood Cells

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Lab tube with blood.

    Blood nourishes every part of the body. Red blood cells are a major component of blood and a key player in how the body receives the oxygen it needs.

    What they do

    Red blood cells contain a special protein called hemoglobin that carries oxygen from the lungs and delivers it to the organs and tissues. Once a red blood cell drops off oxygen, it picks up carbon dioxide and returns it to the lungs to be exhaled when you breathe out.

    Every cell in the body relies on oxygen delivery from red blood cells. To keep a constant supply of healthy red blood cells, the bone marrow produces an impressive 2 million cells every second.

    Measuring red blood cells

    When you go to the doctor, they often order a complete blood count (CBC) to assess the health of your blood. Several of those values provide information about your red blood cells:

    *  Red blood cells (RBC) – the number of red blood cells in a specific volume of blood

    *  Hemoglobin – the amount of hemoglobin (by weight in grams) per the volume in blood (in deciliters)

    *  Hematocrit – how much of the blood is made up of red blood cells

    *  MCV – the average size of red blood cells

    *  MCH – the amount of hemoglobin in each red blood cell

    *  MCHC – the average amount of hemoglobin in a group of red blood cells

    When red blood cells are high

    Common causes include:

    *  Dehydration

    *  Kidney disease

    *  Heart disease

    *  Lung disease

    *  Smoking (causes scarring of lung tissue)

    *  Conditions of the bone marrow

    What to do:

    If your doctor finds your red blood cell values are higher than normal, they may do further testing to identify a cause. Staying well-hydrated keeps your blood cells healthy and in the right concentration.

    When red blood cells are low

    You may experience fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and irregular heart rates. Common causes include:

    *  Anemia

    *  Malnutrition

    *  Certain types of cancer

    *  Kidney disease

    *  Liver disease

    *  Certain medications

    What to do:

    A healthy diet high in iron and other vitamins and minerals is essential for red blood cells. Leafy greens, beans, nuts, seeds, fish, meat, and iron-fortified foods keep blood cells healthy. Your doctor may also recommend supplements or medications.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Brighter, Whiter Smile

    WELL-BEING

    Image of older couple smiling.

    Whitening procedures and products can help restore a whiter smile. But there’s a dark side to whitening your teeth, according to the Pennsylvania Dental Association. Certain tooth whitening procedures being done by nondentists at salons, spas, and even shopping malls may not be what’s right for you.

    The association says to have a thorough exam performed by a licensed dentist before having any tooth whitening procedure. You may have problems with some of the solutions especially if you have many fillings, crowns, and extremely dark stains.

    After a thorough exam, your dentist can determine if bleaching is right for you. The following are common treatment options your dentist may recommend:

    *Prescription bleaching kits.These are dispensed by a licensed dentist and contain peroxides that will bleach the tooth enamel. Gel whiteners are placed in a tray similar to a mouth guard. By obtaining the bleaching solution from your dentist, he or she can make a custom-fitted tray specifically designed to fit your teeth. Poorly fitting trays can irritate your gums and cause tissue burning.

    *Zoom whitening.Also known as power whitening, this is a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide gel coupled with a high-intensity light used to whiten the teeth. This in-office procedure takes about one hour. The teeth whitening lasts about three years.

    *Whitening toothpaste.This will not change the natural color of teeth, but some contain a special chemical or polishing agent to help remove stains from the tooth surface.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Gas Leak

    WELL-BEING

    Illustration of 911 Emergency written.

    Be aware of all the possible signs of a gas leak, including a distinct unpleasant smell. The odor is added to natural gas to help identify leaks.

    If a leak is suspected:

    *  Stay calm.

    *  Don’t light a match, candle, or cigarette, and don’t turn any electrical devices on or off, including light switches, or use any device or equipment that could cause a spark.

    *  Immediately evacuate the area where the leak is suspected and from a safe location call your gas company or 911.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • If You Help Others, You’Ll Be Healthier

    WELL-BEING

    Image of a group of volunteers.

    The benefits of volunteering or helping other people seem to pay off for the giver and not necessarily the receiver.

    Providing tangible help to others protects your health and may lengthen your life, according to a 5-year study by researchers at 3 universities.

    The lead researcher Dr. Michael J. Poulin, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Buffalo, says, “Giving assistance to others may offer health benefits to the giver by buffering the negative effects of stress.” The study was published in the American Journal of Public Health.

    Here’s why giving works. The study subjects were people from Detroit. They told researchers they had experienced stressful events during the past year such as serious illness, burglary, job loss, financial troubles, or death of a family member. They also reported the amount of time they had spent in the past year helping friends, neighbors or relatives who did not live with them. They did errands, shopping and housework. They also provided transportation, child care and other tasks.

    The researchers concluded that helping others reduced the risk of illness and death by protecting the givers, even though they themselves had significant life stress. The social interaction was an important factor.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • National Preparedness

    WELL-BEING

    Image of emergency kit.

    Floods, tornadoes and hurricanes are common stories in the news. Would you and your family be ready for these weather disasters and other unexpected events, such as a house fire or a terrorist attack?

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the US Department of Homeland Security wants you to learn what you need to do to be prepared for a variety of disasters. Its website,www.ready.gov, takes you through the following steps to make preparation easier:

    *  Be informed

    *  Make a plan

    *  Build a kit

    *  Get involved

    Each of these areas covers what to do when you are at home, as well as other locations. These include workplaces, schools, and college campuses. You will also find out ways to address caring for pets, aiding family members with access and functional needs and safely shutting off utilities.

    Pre-financial disaster planning is also important. Disasters leave many people without access to finances or with expensive damages. Learn what documents, such as your house deed and insurance policies to keep in a safety deposit box or other safe place away from your home. Make copies of important documents and keep them in your emergency kit or an emergency financial first aid kit (EFFAK). Get a complete list of what to put in the EFFAK fromwww.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/29791.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has many resources and tools to help you be prepared for disasters. Access these fromwww.cdc.gov/features/beready.

    Some disasters strike without warning, so get started today to be prepared.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Safer Winter Driving For Under $30

    WELL-BEING

    Image of car driving down a snowy road.

    Rain, fog, snow, ice, and sleet-all the challenges of winter driving. You can’t control the weather, but you can take care to be prepared (and spend less than $30 to be safer), say auto claims experts from MetLife.

    *  Cold weather can cut the life of a car battery in half. Buy a battery tester for less than $1, and check the health of your battery to make sure you won’t be left stranded out in the cold.

    *  Check to see if your antifreeze is at the recommended 50/50 ratio of antifreeze to water to protect your car’s cooling system from freezing. Buy an antifreeze tester for less than $2.

    *  Properly inflated tires guarantee the best possible contact with the road, giving you more control. Check your air pressure to make sure it matches your tire guidelines. Air pressure drops as the temperature drops.

    *  If your windshield wipers leave a streak across the windshield, it’s time to invest in winterized wiper-blade refills (around $7).

    *  Top off the windshield wiper fluid and always carry an extra gallon ($2).

    *  Buy an ice scraper and de-icer for about $2 to break up any ice that might be blocking your vision or clogging your locks.

    *  If your car is stuck in snow or ice, have a folding snow shovel (about $7) and a bag of cat litter (around $2) handy to dig yourself out and provide traction for your tires on the slippery surface.

    *  Keep free stuff from your home in your car: old blankets, hats, gloves.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine