HealthyLife Articles

Tag: prevention

  • Nosebleeds

    Ear, Nose & Throat Conditions

    Signs & Symptoms

    *  Bleeding from a nostril.

    *  Bleeding from the nose and down the back of the throat.

    Causes

    Nosebleeds are often caused by broken blood vessels just inside the nose. Risk factors include:

    *  A cold or allergies.

    *  A dry environment.

    *  Frequent nose blowing and picking.

    *  Using too much nasal spray.

    *  A punch or other blow to the nose.

    A nosebleed is serious when heavy bleeding from deep within the nose is hard to stop. This type occurs most often in the elderly. It can be caused by: Hardening of nasal blood vessels; high blood pressure; and medicines that treat blood clots.

    Treatment

    Self-care treats most nosebleeds. A doctor can pack the nostril to stop the bleeding or do a treatment that seals the blood vessel that bleeds.

    Questions to Ask

    Self-Care / Prevention

    *  Sit with your head leaning forward. Pinch the nostrils shut. Use your thumb and forefinger to gently squeeze the nose’s midsection.

    *  Hold for up to 20 minutes without stopping. Use a clock to time this. Breathe through your mouth while you do this. Repeat a second time, if needed. If a second attempt fails, go to an urgent care center or hospital emergency department. Don’t take aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

    *  For the next 24 hours, elevate your head above the level of your heart. Also, try not to blow your nose, lift heavy objects, or exercise hard.

    *  Use a humidifier or cool-mist vaporizer to add moisture to household air.

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

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Prediabetes: Are You At Risk?

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Prediabetes infograph.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Sexually Transmitted Infections (Sti)

    Sexual Health

    Smiling couple.

    Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are also called STDs. They are infections that pass from one person to another through sexual contact. STIs can be present without any symptoms.

    Latex and polyurethane condoms reduce the spread of HIV and other STIs. They do not get rid of the risk entirely. Use a condom correctly and every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Do this unless you have sex with only one partner and neither of you has an STI.

    Barriers made of natural membranes, such as lamb skin, do not give good protection against STIs. Buy condoms that state, “Protect against disease” on the package label. Also, do not use a male condom and a female condom at the same time.

    Oil-based or petroleum lubricants can damage latex condoms. If a lubricant is used for sex, use a water-based one, such as K-Y Brand products.

    If you are sexually active, talk to your doctor about screening tests for STIs.

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

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Prevent Diabetes

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of home testing glucose machine surrounded by vegetables.

    Diabetes may run in your family, but you can avoid or delay its development.

    You can reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes by eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of physical activity, and losing  excess weight, according to NIH in Health. Type 2 diabetes occurs due to problems related to a hormone called insulin. When your body digests food, it’s broken down and converted to glucose and other molecules, which then travel through the bloodstream. Insulin signals cells to let glucose in for use as an energy source.

    In a person with type 2 diabetes, either the body’s cells have trouble using insulin or the body isn’t making enough insulin. As a result, glucose can build up to harmful levels in the blood. That’s why people with diabetes often have high blood glucose levels.

    These high levels raise your risk for heart disease, kidney problems, blindness, amputations, and other serious conditions.

    Being overweight, obese, or inactive increases the risk to develop type 2 diabetes. You can change these risk factors. Losing just 5-10 percent of your weight and exercising 30 minutes a day on 5 days a week goes a long way to lower your risk.

    Steps to prevent diabetes

    *  Move more. It doesn’t matter what activity you do, as long as you enjoy it.

    *  Choose healthy foods. Eat fiber-rich fruits and vegetables.

    *  Maintain a healthy weight. With healthy eating and physical activity, you can drop pounds and keep them off.

    *  Set reasonable goals. Start with small changes, even walking 15 minutes a day. Add 5 minutes per day next week and so on. Goal: 30 minutes, 5 days a week.

    *  Record your progress. Keep a diary of what you eat and drink and the number of minutes you exercise to stay focused on your goal.

    *  Keep at it. Making even small changes is hard in the beginning. If you get off track, start again.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Avoid Injury

    Healthylife® Weigh

    Part 5

    Senior couple streching before workout.

    Learn how to do an exercise before you try it. Watch someone demonstrate it, either in person or in a video. If possible, do the exercise with someone who can correct poor form.

    Warm up before moderate or intense exercise. Start slowly. You should gradually start breathing harder and feel your heart rate increasing.

    Cool down after moderate or intense exercise. Cool down slowly. Do the activity that you were doing (e.g., walking, biking), but more slowly.

    Possible Cool Down

    *  Brisk walking: Walk around slowly

    *  Swimming: Walk in shallow end of pool

    *  Cycling: Cycle slowly on flat surface or walk

    *  Aerobics: Walk or stretch slowly

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Prevent Ear Infections

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of doctor looking into a child's ear.

    “Most children will have at least one ear infection by the time they are 2 years old,” said Dr. Heather Gomes of the Boys Town National Research Hospital. “For those children who have recurring ear infections, further evaluation and treatment by an ear, nose and throat physician is recommended to avoid delays in speech and language skills.”

    The top 5 tips to prevent ear infections –

    1. Protect your child from secondhand tobacco smoke.

    2. Reduce your child’s exposure to colds during the first 2 years of life as much as possible.

    3. Breast-feed your baby during the first 6 to 12 months of life.

    4. Bottle-feed your child by holding the bottle at a 45-degree angle.

    5. Discuss with your doctor any significant symptoms such as excessive spitting up or stomach pain because this is a risk factor.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 10 Tips To Lower Your Risk For Colorectal Cancer

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of older women smiling.

    UCLA experts encourage you to protect your colon health:

    1. Get regular colorectal cancer screenings starting at age 50 if you are at normal risk.

    2. Talk to your doctor about screenings before age 50 if you are at higher risk. This could be due to a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, other cancers or inflammatory bowel disease.

    3. Eat between 25 and 30 grams of dietary fiber each day. Fiber is in fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads and cereals, nuts, and beans.

    4. Eat a low-fat diet. Colorectal cancer has been associated with diets high in saturated fat.

    5. Eat foods with the B-vitamin folate. Good sources are leafy green vegetables.

    6. Drink alcohol in moderation and quit smoking. Alcohol and tobacco in combination are linked to colorectal cancer and cancers of the stomach and intestines.

    7. Exercise for at least 20 minutes 3 to 4 days a week.

    8. Report to your doctor any persistent symptoms  such as:

    * Blood in the stool

    * A change in bowel habits

    * Weight loss

    * Narrower-than-usual stools

    * Abdominal pains or other gastrointestinal complaints

    9. Maintain a healthy weight.

    10. Get more information atwww.cancer.org(the American Cancer Society website).

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Questions Answered About Mers

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Illustration of lungs with MERS.

    As concern increases about Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS, in the Middle East and in Asia, Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, answers questions on what we need to know about this emerging infectious disease.

    What is MERS?

    It is a serious lower respiratory infection caused by the MERS coronavirus. This emerging viral pathogen was first acquired from camels, but now has limited human-to-human transmission.

    What are the symptoms?

    The symptoms include fever, cough, and respiratory symptoms that could lead to respiratory failure and other organ system breakdown. This infectious disease is similar to SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) that caused a severe and highly lethal outbreak in South China in 2002-2003. Some data from previous SARS outbreaks indicate that 13% of cases may have no symptoms and this could also be true for MERS.

    How is it spread?

    The mode of spread is still not well known. In general, it involves close contact, especially in health care settings. For SARS, a related coronavirus, sneezing and cough seems to facilitate transmission.

    Is there a treatment? Is there a vaccine?

    There is no proven antiviral treatment, yet, for MERS. Several prototype vaccines are in different stages of development.

    Who is at risk? Any groups more at risk?

    For about 30 to 40%, of people who get MERS, the disease is fatal. At greatest risk of dying are the elderly and those with underlying heart and lung disease or diabetes.

    Should we be concerned?

    The MERS epidemic in South Korea looks as though it will be contained soon with all new cases appearing among the estimated 3,000 people in quarantine. However, in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere on the Arabian Peninsula, new cases continue to appear. Individuals thinking about travelling to the Arabian Peninsula should consult their doctor if they are elderly or have underlying chronic disease conditions.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine