Health Moments

February is heart month. Today we will discuss Heart Attacks, causes, treatment and prevention. Most heart attacks are the end result of coronary heart disease, a condition that clogs arteries with fatty, calcified plaques that supply the blood flow to the heart. In the early 1980s, researchers confirmed that the precipitating cause of nearly all heart attacks is not the obstructive plaque itself, but the sudden formation of a blood clot on top of plaque that cuts off blood flow in an already narrowed vessel. While the step-by-step process leading to heart attack is not fully understood, major risk factors are well-established. Some can be controlled. Of these, the main ones are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle. Stress is also believed to raise the risk, and exertion and excitement can act as triggers for an attack. Men over the age of 50 with a family history of heart disease are predisposed to heart attack. High levels of estrogen are thought to protect premenopausal women fairly well from heart attack, but the risk increases significantly after menopause. High-Normal Blood Pressure Raises Heart Risks in Men Treatment after a heart attack. People recovering from a heart attack are urged to get back on their feet as quickly as possible, which reduces the chances of blood clots forming. Gentle exercise is recommended, but nothing that requires significant exertion. Long-term recovery from heart attack requires psychological and lifestyle adjustments: Habits such as smoking, heavy drinking, and eating high-fat foods need to go. As a preventive measure, most heart attack survivors take a daily aspirin tablet to thin the blood. Other drugs may also be prescribed, depending on the patient. Some patients require invasive procedures to improve blood flow to the heart over the long term. The two most common procedures are angioplasty -- a technique that widens clogged arteries by breaking up plaques -- and coronary bypass surgery, which diverts blood flow around clogged arteries. Lifestyle After a Heart Attack Regular aerobic exercise greatly enhances efforts to prevent or recover from a heart attack Mind/Body Medicine After a Heart Attack, meditation Yoga, etc. Reducing stress by training the mind and body to relax may be one of the risk factors that you can control to help prevent a heart attack and can aid in recovery State of mind is another important consideration in heart attack recovery. People with a positive attitude about recovery tend to do much better. Nutrition and Diet After a Heart Attack The basic goals of a heart-healthy diet are to keep salt, sugar, and saturated fat to a minimum to control cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight. Eating magnesium-rich foods such as nuts, beans, bran, fish, and dark green vegetables may help prevent a heart attack. Magnesium protects the heart directly and indirectly, by stabilizing heart rate, reducing coronary artery spasm, and combating such conditions as atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. Eating root vegetables such as carrots may also help prevent heart attack. These vegetables lower cholesterol over the long term and reduce blood-clotting activity. Consider getting a pet. Pet owners recover more quickly from heart attacks -- probably because of reduced stress levels -- and tend to live longer than people without pets. Just be sure to choose a pet that fits your lifestyle. Heart Attack Prevention Stay in touch with friends and family. Research shows that people with poor social support are more vulnerable to heart disease. Also, seek ways to control feelings of anger and hostility; these emotions may add to heart attack risk. Assess your heart attack risk profile and make appropriate changes to diet and lifestyle early. Know your numbers, CHOL and Glucose levels, Bp and weight. Then take small steps, make small changes to bring them into normal range. Talk with your doctor about taking an aspirin daily. Studies have shown that this regimen significantly reduces the risk of a heart attack. Call Your Doctor About a Heart Attack if: You or someone you are with manifests signs of a heart attack. Seek emergency help without delay. Your angina (chest pain) no longer responds to medication; this may indicate that a heart attack is under way. Your angina attacks become more frequent, prolonged, and severe; as angina worsens the risk of heart attack increases. You are taking aspirin to prevent heart attack and your stool appears black and tarry. This may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding and could be a sign that aspirin has thinned your blood too much, a problem that can and should be corrected. Thank you for your time and attention. Please visit web MD and search on heart disease. http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-attack-causes-treatments?page=3&print=true
MI, Micardial Infarction, AKA Heart Attack	Feb 16, 2012 by kgough
Good morning Church and happy new year to all, today’s topic is urinary incontinence. It is one of those topics that a lot of people want to know about, but are too shy to discuss with their health care provider or pharmacist it affects men and women. What causes incontinence? It is the loss of muscle tone; this can be due to an injury or disease as well as stress incontinence that is caused by conditions that stretch the pelvic floor muscles, such as: Childbirth and Weight gain When these muscles can't support your bladder well, the bladder drops down and pushes against the vagina. This puts extra pressure on the bladder when you cough, sneeze, laugh, exercise, or other activities that causes the bladder to leak. This is the most common type of urinary incontinence in women. A chronic cough from can make stress incontinence worse. What can I do about this? Urinary Incontinence treatment Options and products There are surgeries, procedures and medication that can help. As well as performing Kegel exercises daily and limiting your intake of caffeine. Learn and practice this exercises and do not cut out all caffeine, some is good for your heart. But for others -- including those who decline surgery or aren't candidates for surgery or medication -- urinary incontinence products become long-term options for relief. Some urinary incontinence products are available over the counter; others require a doctor's prescription. Here are some urinary incontinence products to consider: 1. Pads and Protective Garments for Urinary Incontinence Some pads have fragrances that might cause the skin to become irritated. "If you get a rash, change products. Protective undergarment products for urinary incontinence are "more absorbent than they used to be.” 2. Adult diapers and plastic-coated underwear are also effective urinary incontinence products. 3 Protective bedding, such as a plastic mattress protector, is also a useful urinary incontinence product. 4. Self-Training Devices for Urinary Incontinence Pelvic muscle training devices can help you strengthen and tone pelvic floor muscles, the root of the problem. In a company-funded study of one device for urinary incontinence, 44 women completed the program over 16 weeks. At the end, 43% said they were dry and 36% reported at least 50% improvement in the number of leaks daily. Another urinary incontinence product is a kit of vaginal weights to strengthen the muscles. A vaginal pessary, or bladder pessary, is another type of urinary incontinence product. A pessary is inserted into the upper vagina. "Pessaries help in some cases," They must be removed and cleaned at least monthly to avoid the risk of infection. They are generally fitted in doctor's offices, and typically used for a year or so before replacement. The typical cost is about $55 plus doctor's office fees. Urinary Incontinence Products for Men 1. Designed for men with urine incontinence, urine drip collectors are pads slipped over the penis like a glove. Made of super absorbent material, they are disposed of after use. Urine drip collectors are sold over the counter in drugstores and cost about $1 or $2 a piece. 2. Incontinence penile clamps are external devices made of soft foam or other materials that wrap around the penis, putting pressure on the urethra and stopping the flow of urine, but not blood flow. These must be carefully used -- if swelling or skin breakdown occurs, call your doctor. They're removed to empty the bladder and discarded when soiled. Cost is about $10 each. Some are available over the counter, others by prescription. 3. Adult diapers For more information visit WEBMD.com and search on Incontinence. http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/management-09/incontinence-products Thank you for your time and attention and please talk with your health care provider about your options.
Urinary Incontinence	Jan 5, 2012 by kgough
The truth is : Holiday cheer can be difficult to come by if you're facing emotional pain caused by a loss. Experts urge us to call in our inner strength -- to find bits of holiday joy in the middle of the grief. Loss of a loved one, loss of a job, a divorce, illness, when a child leaves home for college, or when a child gets married. These are some of the things that can create a sense of loss." Even at the best of times, the holidays are stressful -- but when there's an additional emotional burden, they're especially difficult," 1. "When there's a loss or a change in our lives, our traditions must change -- and It's important to be open to new traditions. Take the best of the old, borrow from new people in your life, and create new traditions." 2. Open Your Heart "Holidays symbolize a time when people come together," "The holidays represent memories accumulated during your lifetime," 3. "Allow little miracles by opening your heart and experiencing connections with loved ones. You're entitled to find some joy." Accept the Sadness 4. If we can welcome the full range of emotional experience as part of a normal, healthy life, it takes some of the misery out of normal unhappiness and grief. "If we allow ourselves to have those emotions, they will actually pass more quickly than if we push them away.” The feeling of separation is greatest during the holidays. "It's important to let yourself cry when you need to. You have to experience the sadness to get past it," Then call a friend and meet or do something equally comforting/and or fun. 5. Let Go of Perfectionism Be open to what spontaneously occurs. "Then you won't feel the pressure to turn every holiday dinner into a perfect meal. So the cranberry sauce doesn't taste quite right -- so what? Focusing on flaws makes for an unhappy experience. If your son has a bad haircut, just let it go. Enjoy your conversation and time with him. 6. Transform Old Traditions Examine the most special aspects of the old tradition. Think about what makes traditions special and incoporate it unto your new traditions. 7. Say 'No' If You Need To Creating new traditions is part of healing -- but it can be hard. "When a loved one dies, your heart's not in it. You don't feel like doing it. "Do what you can," . "Maybe you want to go somewhere so you won't be at home during the holiday. If you want to leave town, take a vacation. You've got to do what feels right for you." 8. Scale back on decorating the house if you don't feel like it. "Find joy in doing things in a smaller way." Honor Your Loved One Light a special candle to celebrate someone you love. "It's important to find ways to honor your loved one -- a way that feels comfortable for you," "Make cookies that grandmother used to make. Or serve dad's favorite main dish in his honor. Watch their favorite movie together. These are all ways to connect with that person." A visit to the cemetery is a tradition for many people. Take that moment to talk heart-to-heart with your loved one. Or use a journal to have a conversation. Get out the photo albums. With a death in the family, it helps to focus on the richness of a life well-lived. "When you share stories about that person, you're filling your heart with that person -While there is sadness, there are often a lot of happy, funny, rich memories that can be shared. " 9. For the child who has lost a parent, it helps to talk about school, about things they knew made their parent proud. 10. Discover Small Joys Tune into small joyful moments. "When you hear the laughter of children, focus on how good that feels. When you eat a piece of pie, really taste it. -- and in that moment, you're outside your grief."Also, look for opportunities to laugh. Laughter is good medicine. "Give yourself permission to find things that make you laugh." 11. Talk to others About your feeling, such as a friend, family or clergy member, pray and be thankful for your blessings. A cautionary note: "If it feels impossible to imagine the holiday as anything but unbearable, you might be severely depressed,". "You need to see a doctor." Symptoms of depression include: sadness, loss of enjoyment, loss of energy, feelings of hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, digestive problems, change of appetite, and thoughts of death or suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of depression, get advice from your health provider. For more information visit. http://www.webmd.com/depression/holidays07/grief-during-holidays?page=3
“When Sadness Clashes With Celebration”	Dec 31, 2011 by kgough
Get your Flu Vaccine unless, your health care provider advises you not to!!! Flu season is here and lasts thru May. If you have chronic health problems or are on long term drug therapy, call your doctor at the first signs and symptoms, do not wait a day or two. Each year multiple people die from the flu and are hospitalized for complications from the flu. There is prescription medication that can be given to you to lessen the duration of the flu and decrease the major complications; however it must be given in the first 48 hours. Signs of the flu: „Ï Fever of 100 degrees or greater „Ï Body aches „Ï Dry cough „Ï Feeling tired „Ï Muscle/body aches Go see your provider, if you start to get better and then get worse go see your doctor again. Drink plenty of fluids, get your rest, and take a multivitamin and/or Vitamin C. For more information visit: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/flu-overview-facts www.mayoclinic.com
The FLU !!! AKA: Influenza	Nov 13, 2011 by kgough
When Midlife Crisis Turns Into Depression Not everyone glides through their midlife transition easily. In midlife, people need to be aware of symptoms of serious depression, such as: Change in eating habits Change in sleeping habits, fatigue Feelings of hopelessness Restlessness, anxiety or irritability Feeling of guilt, helplessness or worthlessness Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex and hobbies Thoughts of suicide or attempts at suicide Physical aches or pains such as headaches or gastrointestinal upset that don't respond to treatment Midlife Crisis: Path to Depression or Growth? The midlife transition can be enlightening for some but also tough. Whether a midlife transition will develop into serious depression or into an opportunity for growth depends on a number of factors, including support from partners and other loved ones. When Midlife Crisis Turns Into Depression: What Helps? Behavior or "talk" therapy, as well as prescription antidepressant medication, can help treat major or clinical depression,. In a study that looked at medication alone, talk therapy alone, or a combination in 656 persons with chronic depression. They found that the combination produces a faster, fuller remission of chronic depression. For more information visit webmd.com Thank you.
Midlife Crisis	Oct 19, 2011 by kgough
The Home Safety Council recommendations for being safe in and around your home related to: Grilling Swimming and pool safety Backyard safety Please visit Home Safety Council, online, for more information. July Health Moment:Hepatitis A lot of sickness and conditions can lead to inflammation of the liver, for example drugs, alcohol, chemicals, and autoimmune diseases. There are number of viruses that cause hepatitis. The most common signs and symptoms are yellowing of the skin and eyes called as jaundice, dark urine, fatigue, nausea, vomiting & abdominal pain. It can take months to a year to feel well again. The most common hepatitis viruses are types A, B, and C. Causes: It is spread when an individual ingests something that is infected with stool. It is spread by contaminated blood and body fluids. As well as sharing needles and infected mothers passing it on to their unborn child. It is spread by direct contact with an infected person's blood, getting a tattoo or body piercing with unsterilized tools, sharing drug needles, or sexual contact with infected person. For more information on hepatitis, visit http://www.health-diseases.org.
June is Safety Month and July Hepatitis	Jun 13, 2011 by kgough
Complications of HTN: Hardening on the arteries Stroke Heart Disease Kidney Disease Eye Disease Diabetes Pre Eclampsia Erectile Dysfunction Metabolic Syndrome For more information visit: www.wedmd.com/hypertension
The bad things that can happen to you if your blood pressure is HIGH!!!	Jun 13, 2011 by kgough
Break the cycle. Talk with your children about the risks of sexual activity. Inform then on how to protect themselves and prevent pregnancies. Encourage and remind your children that marriage should come first and then children, not the other way around. Even if you had a teen pregnancy you can do all you can to prevent it from happening to your children with education, open communication and preventive measures. We want our kids to grow up and experience life as an adult, not as a single parent.
Prevent Teen Pregnancies, 19 is a teen. BREAK/STOP THE CYCLE!!	Jun 13, 2011 by kgough
"Your Health is your Wealth!" Dr. Wendi Elamin Take care of yourself. "Prevention is better than a cure." Search WedMd.com for health information.
Resources	May 19, 2011 by kgough