Health Tips A to Z

Stress is our body’s reaction to an event or change.  To some degree it is part of our every day life. Each day we experience it in some way – when we deal with traffic, can’t find something, sleep past the alarm, company arrives unexpectedly… Even positive changes in our lives can result in stress – moving, getting married, beginning a new job…

Every person has different levels of stress in their lives. What is stressful for one person may not be stressful for another. Every person reacts to stress differently.

In small doses, stress may be beneficial. It gives you a boost of energy. It makes you more alert. It keeps you focused.

As the level of stress increases or if it persists, it may be a problem. Stress can affect our physical and mental functioning. It becomes harder for us to handle. We could become less able to cope with it in a positive way.

How does stress make you feel?

Initially, your heart beats faster and you will breathe faster. You are preparing to meet the challenge. Over the longer term, you may feel angry or helpless. You can also have a headache, aches in you neck, jaw or back, have difficulty sleeping and have problems with weight gain or weight loss.

It’s important to handle stress in a positive and healthful way. When you can remove yourself from the stress – do it. When that isn’t possible, create a plan to help you manage the stress.

Pre-Diabetes is becoming more common in the USA.  As many as 50 million individuals  have pre-diabetes.

In pre-diabetes, your blood sugar levels not in the normal range.  They are higher than normal, but not as high as with diabetes.

What does this mean?

When you have pre-diabetes, you are at risk for developing kind 2 diabetes.  You are at risk for developing heart illness.  You are at risk for stroke.  Many individuals  go on to develop kind 2 diabetes within 10 years.

Diabetes can cause  damage in nearly every part of your body.  It can lead to blindness, damage to your heart and blood vessels, kidney problems, stroke and nerve damage.  For women, diabetes can complicate pregnancy.  

What can you do?

There are several things you can do.  

o  Manage your blood sugars.  

o  Lose a little weight – 5-7% of your current body weight.  This can be done with moderate diet changes and physical activity. This can help to delay and even prevent the development of kind 2 diabetes.

High blood sugar levels can cause  teeth and gum problems. When you’re older than 45, have diabetes and smoke, you’re at increased risk for developing gum disease. Gum disease also known as periodontal disease, can result in mouth pain, difficulty chewing and even tooth loss. Gum disease can even make your blood sugars harder to control.

What you can do –  

•  Manage your diabetes. Make certain to keep your blood sugar level in a good range.

o  Make certain to take your diabetes medicines as directed.

o  Follow your diabetes consuming plan.

o  Be physically active at least 30 minutes a day, for most days of the week.

•  Brush after meals and snacks. Be certain to use a soft toothbrush.

•  Floss your teeth at least daily.

•  Tell your dentist when you have diabetes.

o  Have your teeth checked and cleaned on a regular basis.

o  If you’ve dentures, keep them clean.

o  Tell your dentist if your dentures don’t fit correctly or if your gums are sore.

o  Call dentist for any problems with your teeth or gums.

If you have questions or concerns about managing your diabetes, speak to your health care team for help.

Smoking harms nearly every major organ in the body. Some of the chemicals from tobacco smoke include carbon monoxide, tar, arsenic and lead. All of these are poisonous. Tobacco also contains nicotine. Nicotine causes the addiction to tobacco products. Tobacco smoke contains at least 60 known cancer-causing substances.

Cigarette use of tobacco is responsible for –

o  Nearly 30% of all cancer deaths in the USA.

o  More than 75% of all lung cancer deaths.

o  Most cancers of the larynx (voice box), mouth, esophagus and bladder.

Cigarette smoking causes chronic emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It also causes heart disease, stroke and cataracts.

Your risk increases with the exposure of cigarette smoke over your lifetime.

Make certain to use of tobacco during pregnancy can cause  complications including stillbirths and low birth weight. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has also been linked to smoking during pregnancy.

When you stop use of tobacco, there are major and immediate health benefits.

Health benefits include reducing the risk of lung and other cancers, heart attack, stroke and chronic lung illness.  The sooner you quit, the greater the health benefit.

Make sure to use of tobacco = single most preventable cause of death in the USA.  Consult with your healthcare team about getting help to stop use of tobacco.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is an inflammation of your joints. Joints are where two bones come together, like in your knees or your fingers.  The word “arthritis” is used to describe more than 100 different kinds of problems that people  can have with their joints.  The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis.

What parts of the body are most widely affected by arthritis?

Arthritis primarily affects the knees, hips, hands, and spine.

What are the signs of arthritis?

The symptoms vary. Most individuals  with arthritis have pain, aching, stiffness, and swelling in and around their joints. Sometimes their joints look red and feel warm.

How long do the symptoms last?

Joints could  be stiff for about an hour, usually early in the morning. Some individuals  have pain or tenderness in their joints all the time.

Is there a cure for arthritis?

There’s no cure for arthritis. Arthritis is treated by relieving pain so that individuals  can enjoy life more.

Should I exercise when I have arthritis?

Moderate exercise assists to reduce the pain and stiffness. Walking, swimming, riding a bike, gardening, or dancing are all easy on your joints. Being physically active can also give you more energy. You might even feel better.

Can arthritis be prevented?

Maintaining a healthful weight lowers the risk of developing arthritis in your knees. Protecting your joints from injury can also reduce your risk.

Hepatitis A virus may cause  serious liver disease. Hepatitis A is found all over the world. It is common in countries with poor sanitary conditions. Hepatitis A is contagious.

You can get Hepatitis A by close contact with someone who has it. You can get it by eating food prepared by someone with Hepatitis A. You can also get Hepatitis A by drinking dirty water that contains the virus.

Everybody, namely people  with Hepatitis A should clean their hands often with soap and water. Make certain to always clean after using the restroom or changing a diaper. Clean your hands before eating or preparing food.

You can also get Hepatitis A by drinking water that contains the virus.

There is a safe vaccine to help prevent Hepatitis A. You won’t get Hepatitis A from the vaccine.

Talk with your main care provider about getting the Hepatitis A vaccine if –  

•  You’re planning to travel to a country where many individuals  have Hepatitis A

•  You have been told that you have chronic liver illness, including infection with Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C

•  You use illegal drugs

•  You are a man who’s sex with men

•  You have a blood clotting-factor disorder

You will need to get a sum of two shots. You should get the second shot 6 months to 12 months after the first one. After each shot, you could have some soreness where the needle went in. You could also feel tired or have a headache.

What is pre-diabetes?

In pre-diabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not as high as with diabetes.

Pre-Diabetes is becoming more common in the USA. As many as 50 million individuals  have pre-diabetes.

What if you’ve pre-diabetes?

Pre-diabetes increases your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. A lot of individuals  with pre-diabetes create type 2 diabetes within 10 years.

People  with pre-diabetes are also at risk for developing heart disease, or having a stroke.

Diabetes can damage nearly every part of your body. It may make you blind, damage to your heart and blood vessels, or cause kidney problems, stroke, or nerve damage. For women, diabetes can complicate pregnancy.

When you have pre-diabetes, you can decrease your risk of developing diabetes by –  

•  Losing some weight. If you’re overweight, attempt to lose ~5 percent of your body weight by making small changes in your diet and getting regular exercise. This can help to delay, or even stop you from having kind 2 diabetes.

Need some helpful tips on losing weight?

•  Talk with your health care team for help in losing weight.

Second-hand smoke is the smoke that is exhaled by a smoker and the smoke released from a pipe, or the burning end of a cigar or cigarette.

Second-hand smoke is a cancer causing-agent for men, women and children.

o  Second-hand smoke contains at least 60 cancer causing-substances.

o  Breathing second-hand smoke is a risk factor for the development of lung cancer.

o  Second-hand smoke is responsible for almost 3,000 deaths each year.

o  It’s a known risk factor for cancer in the nasal sinus, lung infections and heart disease.

o  Second-hand smoke is linked with cervical cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer.

Second-hand smoke contains poisonous substances, including carbon monoxide, tar, arsenic and lead.

Chronic coughs, wheezing, chest discomfort, poorer lung function, irritation of your eye and nose, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and low birth weights are all linked to second-hand smoke.

No amount of second-hand smoke is safe.

Consult with your loved ones who smoke and encourage them to quit – for your health and theirs.

Consider wearing a mouth guard.

A mouth guard can help to protect your teeth from injury during sports.

What’s a mouth guard?

A mouth guard is designed to help cushion the mouth and your teeth.  The guard generally covers the up per teeth and minimizes risk of broken teeth and injuries that can occur from broken or chipped teeth. Mouth guards range from being ready made to custom fitted.

Who ought to wear a mouth guard?

Children and adults should use a mouth guard.

If you participate in an activity that could cause  injury to your mouth or play contact sports – football, ice hockey, basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer or volleyball – you should consider wearing one.

A mouth guard can decrease the risk of mouth-related injuries to your lips, tongue and soft tissues of mouth. They also can help to avoid chipped or broken teeth, nerve damage to a tooth and even tooth loss that can result from a blow to the mouth.

Your teeth are meant to last a lifetime. Taking care and protecting your teeth can help them to stay healthy.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is also called coronary artery disease (CAD), is the most common type of heart disease.

CHD develops when one or more of the coronary arteries (arteries that supply blood to the heart muscles itself) becomes narrow. This results from a buildup of cholesterol. This buildup decreases the blood flow to the heart muscle.

What can happen?

As coronary heart disease develops, damage to the heart occurs and the following conditions may develop –  

Angina

When the heart isn’t getting enough oxygen, a individuals might feel pain or discomfort in the chest. This is known as angina. Signs of angina include –  

•  Discomfort or pressure felt in the chest.

This can range from a vague ache to a crushing sensation.

•  Pain or pressure in the left arm, shoulder, or throat.

•  Difficulty catching your breath.

Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when a weakened heart cannot pump efficiently. Fluid builds up in the ankles, legs, and lungs.

Heart Attack

If blood flow to any part of the heart is completely blocked, the cells in that part of the heart start to die. This causes a heart attack. Signs of a heart attack can include –  

o  Pain or pressure in the chest, shoulders or arms (most commonly on the left side), neck or lower jaw

o  Shortness of breath

o  Weakness

o  Rapid heart beat

o  Lightheadedness or faintness

o  Profuse sweating

o  Nausea or vomiting

When these symptoms occur, get help fast.  Call 911 right away.