HealthyLife Articles

Tag: prevention

  • Helping Teens Stay Drug-Free

    FAMILY LIFE

    Father and teen son smiling.

    Most parents don’t want to think about their teen using drugs. They assume their teen is doing OK. They may also think it would be obvious if their teen was into drugs or alcohol.

    Unfortunately, even teens with great parents sometimes take risks and make dangerous choices.

    Why do teens take risks?

    A teen’s brain is very sensitive to emotions and doing things that feel good. Plus, their brains aren’t fully developed yet.

    This means they are not ready to make rational decisions all the time. They may also struggle with mental health issues like depression or anxiety. It can be all too easy to slip into using drugs or alcohol.

    What can parents do?

    A good relationship with your teen is important. This can help them feel they can talk to you about challenges they are facing. This also means they might come to you if they have a problem with drugs or alcohol. Here are some tips to help you stay connected:

    *Be a great listener.Talk with your teen about their daily life. Give them a chance to express their opinion. Don’t interrupt. If they tell you something upsetting, try to remain calm. Ask them how you can help.

    *Help them find activities.Teens do well if they have an outlet for fun and stress relief. This may be music, sports, religious activities or volunteering.

    *Know your teen’s friends.Encourage your teen and their friends to hang out at your house.

    *Don’t solve their problems for them.Parents want to help their teen when they need it. But it’s often more effective to teach them skills to help them solve their own problems. If they have a fight with a friend, talk with them about ways they could work it out themselves. Offer your support but try not to step in.

    *Talk about tough stuff.Help your teen figure out what to do if they are being pressured into something. Show them that they can turn to you. Do they feel comfortable calling you if they need a ride home from a party? Can they talk to you about peer pressure and drinking?

    Source: National Institutes of Health

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Home Safety Checklist

    Home Safety

    *  Keep your doors locked.

    *  Use a peephole in the front door.

    *  If you live alone, arrange for daily contact with a neighbor, relative, etc.

    *  Clearly post emergency numbers. Teach children how to call 9-1-1, etc. for help.

    *  Stock first aid supplies. In case of accidental poisoning, call the Poison Control Center (800.222.1222) for advice.

    *  Install smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide detector. Check them every 6 months. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.

    *  Never smoke in bed or when you feel drowsy. Better yet, don’t smoke at all!

    *  If you use a space heater, make sure it has an emergency shut off.

    *  Plan an escape route in case of fire. Practice it with all household members every couple of months.

    *  Keep flashlights handy.

    *  Use night lights.

    *  Keep stair areas well lit.

    *  Have snow and icy patches cleared from the sidewalk and steps.

    *  Be careful or stay home if it is icy or slippery outside.

    *  Monitor your medication use. Let your doctor know if medicine(s) affect your vision, balance, etc. If prescribed sedatives or tranquilizers, be careful when you take them. They can increase the risk of falls.

    *  Don’t get up too quickly after lying down, resting, or eating a meal. Low blood pressure can cause dizziness.

    *  Wear nonslip, snug-fitting shoes and slippers.

    *  Use safety mats or nonskid tape in your tub and shower. Install grab bars in the shower and tub, too.

    *  If you use a shower bench, use one with rubber tips on its legs.

    *  Before getting in the tub, test the bath water. Make sure it is not too hot.

    *  Never lock the bathroom door.

    *  Use a cane or walker, if necessary.

    *  Install handrails on both sides of the stairs. Keep clutter off stairs.

    *  Don’t use loose area rugs. See that carpet on stairs is nailed down securely.

    *  Arrange furniture so there is a clear path for walking. Test if furniture is sturdy enough to lean on.

    *  Clear away phone or electrical wires from walk paths.

    *  Use a step stool with a safety rail.

    *  Be alert to spills or wet floors.

    *  To pick up things, bend at your knees and keep your back straight. Don’t stoop.

    Healthier at Home book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Know Your Heart Risk

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Winter image of hands wearing red gloves making a heart shape.

    One reason heart disease is so deadly is due to its silent nature. Often, people do not know they have heart issues until they experience a heart attack or stroke.

    There’s plenty of good news, though. The risk factors for heart disease are fairly easy to spot. Taking steps to understand your heart numbers and manage your risk can decrease your chance of heart disease. And even if you already have heart disease, you can improve your odds by addressing your risk factors.

    Numbers to know

    Regular check-ins with your doctor are key to monitoring heart health. Your doctor will check your blood pressure, blood lipids, and overall health to determine your heart disease risk. Here are some numbers that could signal cause for concern:

    *  Blood pressure equal to or higher than 130/80 mm/Hg

    *  Total blood cholesterol ≥200 mg/dL

    *  LDL cholesterol  ≥100 mg/dL

    *  HDL cholesterol less than 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women

    *  Fasting blood sugar equal to or higher than 100 mg/dL

    *  Waist circumference greater than 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women

    Habits that put you at risk

    While the numbers your doctor tests for can indicate your heart disease risk, they are not the only factors to watch out for. Your lifestyle habits can tell you a lot about the health of your heart. Here are some habits that can increase your risk:

    *  Smoking

    *  Drinking more than 1 drink a day for women or 2 drinks a day for men

    *  Eating too much salty food

    *  Not eating enough fruits and vegetables

    *  Consuming a diet high in red meat and processed foods

    *  Being sedentary, or getting less than 150 minutes of exercise a week

    What to do next

    If any of these risk factors apply to you, talk to your doctor about your heart health. A long and healthy life requires a healthy heart.

    There are many effective treatments for heart disease, but the best plan is prevention. Taking steps to address your risk factors can make all the difference. Your doctor may recommend:

    *  Changes to your diet

    *  More exercise

    *  Cutting back on alcohol

    *  Quitting smoking

    *  Getting more sleep

    *  Medication

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Home Safety

    Home Safety

    General Home Safety

    Food Safety

    Home Security

    Prepare for Disasters

    Prevent Choking, Suffocation, & Drowning

    Prevent Falls

    © 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

  • Home Safety 2

    Home Safety

    Mother sitting in an office chair, talking on the phone, with 2 young kids

    Keeping your home safe takes planning. Get checklists of what to do for all areas of your home.

    The number one cause of unintended deaths in the home is poisoning. This is from drugs, solids and liquid substances, gases and vapors, etc. The 2nd leading cause of unintended deaths in the home or a group residence is from falls.

    To help prevent falls, use safety rails and mats and nonskid rugs. Keep pathways clear of ice and clutter.

    Install smoke alarms as advised by your city’s or county’s code. Check smoke alarms once a month to see that they still work.

    Keep all poisons out of children’s reach. Put child-resistant latches on cabinet doors. Follow use and storage instructions on product labels. Install carbon monoxide detectors, too.

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

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Prevent Child Abuse With Strong Families

    FAMILY LIFE

    Young child cuddled up with teddy bear.

    Child abuse affects hundreds of thousands of children each year. Even if you don’t know someone affected by child abuse, you can help prevent it. It starts with knowing its causes and risk factors.

    Why does abuse happen?

    If a parent or caregiver has these risk factors, child abuse is more likely to happen:

    *  Low self-esteem

    *  Poor impulse or temper control

    *  Untreated mental health conditions like depression or anxiety

    *  Substance abuse

    *  Lack of education or knowledge about child development

    *  Unemployment or poverty

    In addition, if a child has special needs or a challenging temperament, they are more likely to be abused. Babies and young children, because they require constant care, are also more likely to be abused than older children. Teens are at a higher risk of sexual abuse than younger children.

    Protective factors

    Protective factors are things that lower the risk of child abuse or neglect. Protective factors include:

    *  Having resources for things everyone needs, like food, transportation and housing

    *  Access to safe schools and health care

    *  Parents who have ways to cope with stress

    *  A strong family support system of family and friends

    *  Children who have self-esteem, confidence and independence

    *  Parents and children who communicate well with each other

    What to do if you suspect abuse

    If you suspect that someone is abusing or neglecting a child, there are resources to help.

    *State child abuse and neglect agencies:Contact your local child protective services office or law enforcement agency.

    *Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline:1.800-4-A-CHILD  (1-800-422-4453). Professional crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 170 languages. All calls are confidential. The hotline offers crisis intervention, information and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service and support resources.

    Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Child Welfare Information Gateway

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Immunize Or Your Health Care Costs Could Rise

    Medical Exams

    Women wearing face mask, smiling, showing bandage on arm where she got a vaccine.

    Vaccines prevent many diseases that could have a costly impact, resulting in doctor’s visits, hospitalizations, and premature deaths. Sick children can also cause parents to lose time from work.

    *  Learn about vaccines you and your children need fromcdc.gov/vaccines.

    *  Find if and which vaccines are covered benefits of your health plan.

    *  Contact your local health department about its vaccine services.

    *  Find out about free or low-cost vaccines for kids from the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program atcdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/index.html.

    *  Beginning in early fall, read local papers and store ads to find out where flu shots will be given. Find out if and when flu shots will be given at work.

    ays to Well-Being book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Prevention Is Key: Hpv & Cervical Cancer

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of 4 female doctors.

    Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by a virus known as HPV. More than 79 million people in the U.S. have HPV.

    Screening tests can detect HPV and cervical cancer, and the HPV vaccine can prevent it. Still, the American Cancer society says more than 13,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer were diagnosed in 2018. Plus, more than 4,000 women died from this cancer.

    It’s time to learn more about treating, preventing and screening for this cancer so more lives can be saved.

    What is HPV?

    Human papilloma virus, or HPV, is a common virus. It is spread through sexual contact.

    There are different types of HPV. Sometimes, the body is able to get rid of the HPV infection on its own. But, this doesn’t always happen.

    Some types of HPV cause genital warts. Others cause changes in the cervix that can turn into cancer if not treated early.

    Get tested, get treated

    At one time, cervical cancer was a leading cause of cancer deaths for American women. But, when the Pap test was developed, cervical cancer deaths dropped significantly.

    A Pap screening test can find changes in the cervix before they become cancer. It can also find cervical cancer early. This means the cancer can be treated when it’s easier to cure. Ask your doctor about how often you should get a Pap test. Sometimes, the cells from a Pap test are also tested for HPV.

    A Pap test is usually done during a pelvic exam. The doctor uses a swab to get some cells from the cervix. The cells are sent to a lab and tested for cancer and/or HPV.

    A shot for cancer

    Today, there is a vaccine that may prevent cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine can prevent infection and provide immunity against many types of HPV.

    Clinical trials show the HPV vaccine provides almost  100 percent protection against cervical changes that can lead to cancer and genital warts.

    Ask your doctor about the HPV vaccine for yourself or your kids. The vaccines can be given to kids as young as 9. Both boys and girls can benefit from the HPV vaccine because HPV can also cause cancers of the penis, anus and throat.

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

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Patient Safety

    Medical Care

    Doctor helping patient walk.

    Although estimates vary, as many as 251,000 people a year die in U.S. hospitals due to medical errors, also called Preventable Adverse Events (PAEs).

    Take an active role in every decision about your health care. If needed, have a family member or friend oversee your care.

    “Wrong-site” surgery includes operating on the wrong person, the wrong organ, or the wrong limb.

    Before you are taken into surgery, make sure the surgery is the one scheduled for you. Mark the body part to be operated on, too. Use the marker, etc. the doctor gives you to do this.

    Find out about patient safety from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement atihi.organd the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality atahrq.gov.

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

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine