Posts Tagged Wellness
Autoimmunity and Salt: Are You Low Sodium Yet?
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on March 11, 2013
Have you adjusted your diet to a low sodium version yet? If not, you have another reason to do it as soon as possible. High salt foods have been shown to raise blood pressure, increase the risk of edema (swelling) and numerous other health problems due to the retention of water caused by excess salt. With the right amount of salt we are able to hold onto just enough water for our bodies to funcgtion properly and electrolytes to move to the body parts where they do the most good. Reducing your salt intake is important for many reasons: a lower sodium intake has been associated with other health benefits, including a reduced risk of dying from a stroke, reversal of heart enlargement, and a reduced risk of kidney stones and osteoporosis.
If the risk of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure isn’t enough to scare you into skipping those super salty fries and salty snacks like chips, maybe a new study linking high salt intake to autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis would make a difference. The specifics of how they are linked has to do with high levels of salt that produce higher levels of TH17 cells in your body. These cells produce an inflammatory protein: interleukin-17. I have recent experience with an autoimmune disease, hyperthyroidism or Graves Disease. Antibodies are produced that cause the thyroid to become overactive, producing excessive levels of thyroid hormone. Could this be caused by excess salt? It is certainly possible and makes me want to look at my overall sodium intake. Now I’m in a position of needing to take replacment thyroid hormone for the rest of my life because my body is attacking my thyroid. Did my days of fast food and bags of chips and dip for dinner do me in? Maybe and I’m lucky. This is an easy autoimmune disease to treat. arthritis and diabetes are much more difficult and painful.
It’s easy to have your blood pressure tested and to be tested for inflammation or water retention that can lead to health problems including heart disease and hypertension. If you aren’t sure where to begin, check out a great way to reduce sodium in your diet: the DASH diet. It’s not too late to start and you may have time to delay the onset of one of these diseases if you start today without the salt shaker.
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Do You Know the ABCs of Heart Disease?
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on February 1, 2013
Today is the 10th “National Wear Red Day” to promote heart health and awareness of heart disease risks and prevention. Did you put on something red this morning? Are you aware of your own risks or are you planning to think about it “one day” when you have time? Ignoring warning signs and risk factors won’t pay off in the end, so today is a good day to do a few simple things. You don’t have to do it all today, or this week, but each little step gets you closer to a healthier, longer life.
The Million Hearts Initiative, launched by the Department of Health and Human Services has a very quick way to check your risks and help you pick one or two goals that will help you focus on what’s important rather than a huge list of changes. The ABCs of heart health are something you should think about every day to keep you on the right track and focused on your heart. Start with a visit to get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked so you have a starting point and then get going with these easy steps:
A: Appropriate Aspirin Therapy for those who need it
B: Blood Pressure Control
C: Cholesterol Management
S: Smoking Cessation
Think about these when you start the day, when you talk to your health care provider or get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked and at any point that you know you can make a difference. Or pick one and focus on that first to get started. Taking care of your health isn’t rocket science, but it does take some attention to detail: Your Details. Start today! Red shirt or not, you can make a difference in your health right now.
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Obesity: It’s a Bigger Problem Than You Might Think
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on January 7, 2013
Many Americans know that obesity is a problem in the United States both for adults and for children. In addition, this is the time of year when we all start to think about how things went (or grew) last year and what we want to do better during 2013.
Have you decided that you are going to lose weight, eat better, exercise or any combination of these? If so, good luck and I hope that the gym membership and healthy food in the fridge gets put to good use! If you can stick to it for 3 weeks you may have a chance to really establish a good habit.
Knowing that obesity is a problem for so many of us isn’t surprising. What is surprising is that many people are unaware of how many ways being overweight or obese impacts their health. A recent poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates that although most of us know obesity is related to heart disease and diabetes we are unaware of other serious effects including:
- Higher risk of cancers of the colon, breast, protate and uterus
- Greater difficulty locating tumors
- Arthritis – the vicious cycle of gaining weight makes it more difficult to exercise and shed pounds which helps to improve arthritis
- Infertility
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Respiratory problems such as sleep apnea and asthma
If more Americans were aware of the additional risks of being overweight or obese, it might motivate them to work harder to shed excess weight. It is not only about looks but about the ability to live a longer, healthier life. Since now is the perfect time to jump on the health bandwagon you should start with a baseline of your current health with blood tests for cholesterol, blood pressure and overall heart health, along with your weight and measurements so you can create a picture of where you want to be and what changes or improvements you’ll need to make to reach your goals. According to the survey most people support posting nutritional information in restaurants so as this information becomes available we need to take advantage of it. The majority of Americans are against any government restrictions including food taxes and restrictions on what we are able to buy. This means it is up to each of us to make the right choices for so many reasons!
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CDC States 2012-2013 Flu Vaccine is an Excellent Match
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on December 7, 2012
Have you had your flu shot yet this year? Or are you one of those that doesn’t believe they’re safe, think they’re unnecessary or just never get around to getting it? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) this year’s vaccine is an excellent match for the flu 
strain making the rounds this year. In addition, the flu strain that is expected to be prevalent is one that is usually associated with a very severe flu season. So, if you think it’s a waste of time, the CDC will disagree with you, especially this year. The strongest flu activity right now is in the south and southeast but this is just the beginning of the season and it will spread so a flu vaccine is valuable now and continues to be so later in the flu season. As of early November 37% of the population has already received the vaccine and the CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 6 be vaccinated.
Perhaps you believe that you shouldn’t need to put vaccines in your body and you don’t really care about whether you have to take some time off from work this year. What about all of the elderly and children that you will come into contact with over the next few months, whether you know them or not? Children under 2 and the elderly are most at risk of contracting the flu and of developing complications that can be very serious and even deadly. Getting a flu vaccine is as easy as popping into a local pharmacy or lab testing facility, where no appointment is needed and the wait is very short.
If you’ve ever thought about getting a flu shot and just haven’t made the time, this is the year to do it and feel good that it will make a difference for you and for others you will run into who really can’t afford to get the flu!
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Managing Blood Sugar – The Diabetics Ongoing Struggle
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on November 8, 2012
Have you been diagnosed with diabetes? If you are like many diabetics, you are discovering (or have already found) that maintaining a steady blood sugar level is easier said than done. November is American Diabetes Month and worth our attention because this disease is one of the largest health issues our country currently faces. An estimated one in three Americans will develop diabetes by 2050 if we don’t make major changes to our 
lifestyles. If you have already been diagnosed with Type 1 as a child or young adult or Type 2 as an adult, the prevention information isn’t much use to you. I already have it so what do I do now? Your doctor has most likely already discussed diet and exercise with you and, if you are overweight, suggested that you need to lose some. Based on current research studies here are some tips:
- Follow your doctor’s advice and lose some weight. Even though recent studies, specifically one conducted by Look AHEAD subsidized by the National Institutes of Health, are now showing that losing weight may not affect your risk of having a stroke or a heart attack, the benefits to you from even small amounts of weight lose are huge: Improved hemoglobin A1c readings (which look at average blood sugar levels for the past three months), better blood pressure numbers, better fitness and, less medication required to control the diabetes. Overall, losing weight is one of the best things you can do for yourself if you are overweight, whether or not you have diabetes.
- Tight Control: This method as described by the American Diabetes Association is not for everyone and should be followed in conjunction with advice and supervision from your doctor. The intent is to keep your blood sugar levels as close to non-diabetic levels as possible. There are risks of hypoglycemia and weight gain, but this method can prevent or control the onset or progress of complications from diabetes, providing you with additional years of healthy, active life.
- Frequent testing of your blood glucose level. Even if the tight control idea is too much for you, consider testing your blood sugar more often. This is a step in the right direction and, in conjunction with weight loss and exercise, can help you control your blood sugar better by letting you know where you stand before you eat and two hours after eating. Getting a hemoglobin A1c test every few months will also let you know how you are doing and help you make adjustments.
If you are pre-diabetic or obese and worried about the possibility of developing diabetes you may want to consider drinking black tea. Studies are showing a very high correlation between a low incidence of diabetes and the consumption of black tea.
Controlling your diabetes, however you choose to do it, is key to preventing many of the devastating complications of diabetes such as amputations and blindness. There is no doubt that managing your blood sugar is difficult, time consuming and an overall hassle, but the rewards are extremely high.
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Heart Health Needs to Come First!
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on October 18, 2012
It’s hard not to notice all the pink around us right now…from scarfs and umbrellas to NFL socks and neon pink shoes. For many people who have been personally touched by cancer and specifically, breast cancer, these signs of support for the search for a cure are deeply meaningful. Unfortunately, for others who haven’t been affected the pink has become overwhelming. Are you aware that 
more women die of heart disease than all types of cancer combined? For those who are at a high risk of breast cancer either through genetics (mothers, aunts and sisters who have had it) or through lifestyle (obesity, smoking, lack of exercise) getting mammograms, self exams and possibly CA-125 tests can be critical.
For the rest of us, after we’ve taken the basic preventive steps and tests, there is all the rest of our lifestyle and genetics to look at. How many of us have had grandparents, parents and siblings with heart disease and are on statins to lower cholesterol? I have it coming at me from both sides of my family. Have you taken the first important step to have your cholesterol and blood pressure checked? Do you try to eat healthy or have you given up because losing weight and taking a walk is just too hard? If it matters to you, go ahead, wear pink. But do it while you’re having a salad or going to the gym or out for a walk. In the long run, this will save many more lives.
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Would You Recognize the Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on September 6, 2012
Ovarian cancer has been called the “silent killer” for years but this isn’t completely accurate. Do you know what to watch for? If you suspect a problem what should you do next? There is a lot of information out about breast cancer screening: mammograms, sonograms and self examination, but not much about ovarian cancer, which is the deadliest of gynecologic diseases and the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women. The good news is that 90% of early ovarian cancer can be cured, but because women aren’t aware of the warning signs, it isn’t usually found until the cancer is at an advanced stage.
The Ovarian 
Cancer National Alliance has laid out guidelines for symptoms that may indicate ovarian cancer. Although these symptoms aren’t definitive should be checked to rule out cancer. The symptoms include:
- Bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Urinary urgency or frequency
- Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
If you have any of the symptoms listed above and have had them for several weeks or are at a high risk of breast or ovarian cancer either through family history or the presence of the BRCA gene mutation you should definitely speak to your doctor. The CA 125 test (Cancer Antigen 125) can be a valuable tool for detecting ovarian cancer, but shouldn’t be used alone. This test, in conjunction with a transvaginal ultrasound, a vaginal exam and a discussion of symptoms with your doctor, should be the next step. An elevated level on the CA 125 test, with symptoms and the evidence from a transvaginal can help you and your doctor make a determination about whether a biopsy is needed. A definitive diagnosis can only be made with a biopsy.
If a biopsy and/or surgery is necessary, studies have shown the most successful results with a gynecologic oncologist performing it because they are more familiar with the process for reducing a cancerous tumor as much as possible and performing the multiple biopsies necessary to determine the correct stage of the disease to allow for the right treatment.
This month is ovarian cancer awareness month. The intention and the hope is that drawing awareness to the disease will save lives and put pressure on the medical community to come up with a better detection test, like the pap smear for cervical cancer or the mammogram for breast cancer. Be aware of your risk and the symptoms and take action if you suspect a problem as soon as possible. Don’t let this “silent killer” catch up with you. Pay attention to potential warning signs your body is trying to send you!
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Prostate Test: Are You Confused?
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on July 20, 2012
If you are a male over 50 have you had a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test? Should you? The results of a new study, the Prostatectomy Versus Observation Trial (PIVOT) study provided a lot of information but how you and your doctor should interpret the information doesn’t seem any clearer than before. The message that is clear is that each person is different and men will need 
to make decisions based on what they are comfortable with. If you have more than 10 years to live then having a PSA test makes sense, but surgery may not. Prostate surgery carries signficant risks of unwanted and unpleasant side effects like urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Physician responses are mixed on these results which suggest that there is not a significant difference in survival for those who had surgery during the study period (1994 and 2002) and those who maintained a watch and wait attitude.
Men who have a aggressive prostate cancer, those with high Gleason scores between 7 and 10 and those with high volume prostate cancer, appear to have benefited most with surgery. A large percentage of men over 85 have prostate cancer but their cause of death is from something else. Up to two-thirds of men who have received a diagnosis of prostate cancer have a low PSA value or low-risk disease, but nearly 90% receive early intervention — typically surgery or radiotherapy. The study appears to show that the early intervention may cause more harm than good. So what would you do? Deaths due to prostate cancer have dropped 50% since the early 1990′s when PSA testing became more common. Ultimately, each man is on his own, wading through the research and their own personal health, to make the decision. And isn’t that true for most important decisions anyway? Read up all you want, but take the precautions that make sense, like knowing your PSA score, and then muddle through.
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How Are You Celebrating Men’s Health Month?
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on June 26, 2012
Do you wait until the last minute to make your doctor’s appointment? Do you put it off completely and never get around to it at all? This month is Men’s Health Month and the Men’s Health Network is trying to get you to pay attention. Many people feel too busy to take care of themselves until something’s wrong. The truth is that most disease is either preventable or easily treatable if it’s caught early enough. Waiting and hoping that the day you are sick will never come is the wrong approach. 
It has been proven that one of the best ways to stay healthy is to get tested, establish a baseline, and then track your test results over time. Critical tests that should be on your list, whether you get the tests at a doctor’s office, health fair or lab testing facility, include a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test, a Testosterone test, and basic chemistry and lipid panels. Establishing a baseline for your PSA level allows you and your doctor to be aware of changes. Everyone’s levels are different so a change is an important factor in catching prostate problems early.
As men age their testosterone levels may drop which can cause fatigue, low libido, depression, and even diabetes and coronary artery disease. Until recently most people, including doctors, thought that reduced testosterone was a normal part of aging, but it is now recognized as a deficit that can lead to other serious disorders. New research shows that men taking supplemental testosterone due to low levels lost weight, in addition to other expected benefits like more energy and increased libido! Obesity causes numerous health problems. What if low testosterone is an underlying cause of obesity? With one simple test and follow on treatment some diseases can be avoided.
Most of us are aware that we should be having our cholesterol levels checked and adjusting our lifestyles to keep these levels low, it’s easier said than done. Getting poor lipid test results may be what you need to motivate you to really change things. Knowing where you are is essential to getting where you want to be: a long, healthy life. Even just making the appointment and working hard to keep it can be the first step to a not only a healthier month but a healthier life.
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Are You Protecting Your Kidneys?
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on March 5, 2012
You may be damaging your kidneys without realizing it. Do you drink a lot of soda every day? Even if it’s diet? Do you smoke? These habits are two of the top five that can be putting stress on your kidneys. March 8th is World Kidney Day and March is National Kidney Month, sponsored by the American Kidney Foundation. Your kidney works 24 hours a day filtering toxins out of your body. If your kidney stops working your only alternative is using a dialysis machine and anyone who has ever done this can tell you it is 
not a pleasant way to spend a day.
You can be careful about what you ingest to protect yourself and your kidneys from long term damage starting right now! Get tested with a simple Chemistry Panel to identify Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Calcium (Ca), Creatinine (Cr) and Glucose which check for a range of problems that affect the kidneys, including kidney disease. Whether your test results show possible issues with your kidney or not, you should stop doing the following 5 things to prevent future damage:
- Long term use of over-the-counter painkillers, known as NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs). 3-5% of new cases of kidney disease every year are blamed on the useruse of NSAIDs.
- Smoking: Smokers are more likely to need dialysis or kidney transplants due to the damage that smoking does to the kidneys.
- Consuming large quantities of salt. I think we’ve all been made aware through the media that too much salt can cause hypertension (or high blood pressure) but this high blood pressure can damage the kidneys over time and is the leading cause of kidney failure.
- Drinking a lot of sodas every day, diet or not. Studies show that consuming two or more sodas every day is linked with a higher risk of developing kidney disease.
- Exposure to the dye used in Angiograms and CT scans. Discuss the risks with your doctor before you undergo a procedure like this.
Is avoiding some of these items worth it in the long run? To live a normal life where I don’t need to be connected to a machine for natural bodily functions: I say yes! You get to make your own choice.
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CDC H1N1 Flu Updates:- Press Briefing Transcript: Dr. Thomas Frieden's Remarks at the 2010 Influenza Workshop for Journalists
- HHS News Release: WHO Declares End to 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic
- WHO Statement on H1N1 in post-pandemic period
- UPDATE: 2009 H1N1 Flu International Situation Update
- UPDATE: 2009 H1N1 Flu International Situation Update
- MMWR: Regional Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccination Campaign -- Skokie, Illinois, October 16--December 31, 2009
- UPDATE: 2009 H1N1 Flu International Situation Update