While we often blog about health issues affecting women, we can't forget about the many wonderful men out there in our lives! We want you to be just as healthy so that we have many years to spend together. Just like us women, you need to get screened and go to your regularly scheduled checkups to prevent any unnecessary ailments.
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) the following are guideline men should follow, of course this can change according to other predisposing factors and your own medical doctors professional opinion.
Blood Pressure - Once a year, especially if your blood pressure is higher than 120/80 mmHg. Doctor will monitor this condition and recommend lifestyle modifications or medication as needed.
Cholesterol - Once a year starting at age 35 or earlier if you have risk factors such as smoking, diabetes or a family history of heart disease.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Ask your doctor if you should be tested, based on your sexual history or activity. **Remember, there is NO test for men for the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) at this time but there is a vaccine (Gardasil) for males between the ages of 9-26.
Blood Glucose - Take note of this, especially if you are overweight or have a family history of diabetes.
Weight and Obesity - You should know what you body mass indes (BMI) is. If you BMI is above 25, take action immediately to safely lose the appropriate weight to put you in a healthier range.
Colorectal Cancer (Colon Cancer) - Schedule a screening starting at age 50 or earlier if you have a family history.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm - If you are between the ages of 65 - 75 and have been a smoker, ask your doctor if you should have this one-time screening.
During these annual screenings, you should also discuss prostate screenings and testicular self exams with your doctor. You can also ask about any vaccinations you might need such as the flu shot. Please be honest about any symptoms you are experiencing or any changes since your last visit. Take full advantage of your medical appointment to discuss any health concern. Your doctor is there to help you and keep you well.
Please welcome Dr. Ponce-GonzálezAHRQ Scientific Review Officer, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services who explains the new "Conoce las Preguntas" (Know the Questions) campaign.
What are some of the reasons that AHRQ launched this campaign?
We need Latinos to engage with their doctors. Research shows that Hispanics tend to seek medical treatment advice from friends, co-workers, and even casual acquaintances rather than going to the doctor, unless they are very sick. Also, a variety of fears prevent Latinos from going to the doctor and asking questions: fear of the exam, fear of the diagnosis and fear of the unknown. The proportion of Hispanics who report having poor communication with their health providers is widening and the percentage who regularly get important screening tests to check for diabetes or cancer is not improving. In fact, according to AHRQ’s National Healthcare Disparities Report, 47% of adult Hispanics reported not having seen a doctor in 2008, compared to the 29% of adult non-Hispanics.
Why do you believe Latinos are more prone to asking for medical advice from their family or friends rather than going directly to a medical professional?
They often face challenges in getting access to health care services and have a higher rate of uninsurance. Language and cultural barriers also play an important role. The campaign message is so important because by getting a diagnosis from a doctor rather than guesses from co-workers, friends or family, you can ensure better health care and better health.
What steps will this campaign take to ensure that Latinos will decrease the fear of asking questions, or speak up if they do not understand what is going on during their visit to the doctor?
AHRQ is providing sample questions for the Latino community that they can bring to their medical appointments. These are available on AHRQ’s Spanish-language website at www.ahrq.gov/preguntas. The ads are humorous and make light of our fears to help add some levity to the topic and help make real behavioral changes. The TV spots show how confusing some of the advice of family and friends can be and how easy it is to ask the right person—the doctor. There is also a mobile program where users can receive tips via text message. You can opt-in by texting “preguntas” to 80676.
What barriers and circumstances specific to Latinos were noticed and recognized prior to launching this campaign?
Some Latinos don’t communicate openly with their doctors because of language, culture and other perceived barriers. The message that the AHRQ is trying extend to the community is that there’s nothing to fear—answers are empowering. This self-assurance regarding their own health helps create an understanding between patient and doctor. In short, don’t be afraid to speak up – effective communication is vital to your health.
What key questions or tests should a woman in her 30s 40s and 50s ask for when visiting her medical doctor? Can AHRQ provide this answer?
AHRQ provides resources in both Spanish and English to help women determine which preventive medical tests they need and when they need to get them. Women: Stay Healthy at Any Agecan be found on AHRQ's web site AHRQ - Healthy Womanor Mujer: Mantengase saludable a cualquier edad at AHRQ - Mujer: Mantengase saludable AHRQ also features questions patients can bring to their medical appointments to help them get safer care AHRQ - Questions are the answers This list features questions that will help patients talk more easily to their doctor and that can also be customized.
For additional information in English and Spanish, be sure to visit their website at: www.ahrq.gov/preguntas
For the most part when we talk about our hearts we associate it with feelings of different emotions like love, anxiety, and even fear. We can feel it beating against our chest when we have to make a huge speech, or feel it flutter when we see the one we love. The human heart beats about 100,000 times a day and 35 million times a year, making it one incredibly hard working organ! It never takes a break but will work a little easier if we know how to prevent and treat heart disease. There are several risk factors for developing heart disease, and according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) having just one risk factor doubles your chance of developing heart disease. Here are seven tips to improve heart health according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
Get Moving - Exercising for 30 minutes a day will reduce your heart disease risk.
Control Cholesterol - A blood test will let you know your total cholesterol number. A total cholesterol level higher than 200mg/dl means it's time to take action AHORA. Your doctor and a nutritionist can help you make a reasonable plan and set goals according to your needs.
Eat Better - Make sure you are eating nutrient rich foods, like vegetables, fruits, whole grain products and lean protein. An occasional indulgence is fine but should not be a habit. Food should not be treated as a reward, we eat to live and so our body can function.
Manage Blood Pressure - High blood pressure is the biggest single risk factor for heart disease. Make sure you check your blood pressure regularly. Be aware of stress and how it can affect your body. A well rounded diet and sometimes medication can help to lower your blood pressure.
Lose Weight - If you are overweight (usually having a Body Mass Index greater than 25), you are at a higher risk for heart problems and diabetes. This is a national epidemic and we all need help, gentle advice and guidance to bring toward healthier guidelines. Improve your chances for success by forming your own team of medical professionals and seek support from your family.
Reduce Blood Sugar - If you are a diabetic, work closely with your doctor to manage blood sugar through medication and diet.
Stop Smoking - Talk to your doctor about a quit plan. This is not easy by any means and you need to set realistic goals with time frames. Ask yourself, why do you smoke? Is it a reward, a way to cope with stress? Once you start examining why you are smoking it may help you get on track with dealing with the real issues and allowing you to be in the right state of mind to finally quit.
Heart disease is a manageable condition. There's always time to do right by your HEART!
We have been writing a health blog for four months now and encouraging everyone to be their own health advocate. I was feeling a little bit of a hypocrite because honestly I was just focusing on my "coochie", visiting my GYN-Oncologist every three months and forgetting to check the rest of my body. So on Women's Health Week I made my doctor's appointment to have a routine check-up. Wowww what an awakening!!! A few weeks later, my results were in and the doctor told me I wasType 2 DIABETIC.
A cervical cancer diagnosis changed my life, and here I am facing another potentially deadly diagnosis. I had to stop, take this news and start educating myself on this disease. Now along with changing my eating habits, I also had to make exercising a part of my daily routine. No excuses!
Diabetes is caused by a problem in the way your body makes or uses insulin. Insulin is needed to move blood sugar (glucose) into cells, where it is stored and later used for energy. When you have type 2 diabetes, the body does not respond correctly to insulin, it is insulin resistant. This means that your fat, liver and muscle cells do not respond normally to insulin, and as a result your blood sugar does not get into your cells to be stored for energy. Family history and genetics play a large role in Type 2 Diabetes. Low activity level, poor diet, and excess body weight (especially around the waist) significantly increase your risk for Type 2 Diabetes.
Other risk factors include:
Age greater than 45 years
HDL cholesterol of less than 35 mg/dL or triglyceride level of greater than 250 mg/dL
Fortunately, with a proper diet and oral medication and also monitoring my blood glucose level everyday, I will be able to keep my diabetes under control.
P.S. A routine check-up should also include dental and vision screenings.
Twenty-four years ago, I was born in Puerto Rico. Upon birth, I was diagnosed with Spina Bifida (myelomeningocele), which means that my spinal cord failed to develop properly within the first 28 days of my mother’s pregnancy. Spina Bifida, in its most severe form (which I have) is the #1 cause of paralysis in children in America, and it is more common than muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and cystic fibrosis combined. What’s more, Spina Bifida is more prevalent among Latinos than in any other ethnic group.
My family didn’t know any of this before I was born. I didn’t really come to learn any of these statistics until around age ten myself. You’re probably thinking I wish I had known this all before. The truth is, it doesn’t matter. I know the facts now and use them to help present and future generations. One of the biggest misconceptions circulating in the Spina Bifida community is that “there’s no one else like me.” Totally false! Although each person with Spina Bifida is different, and each case varies in severity, there are currently 166,000 people living with Spina Bifida in the U.S. alone, as reported by the Spina Bifida Association of America at the beginning of this year. I remember as a young fifth-grader feeling struck by the reality that very few people actually knew what Spina Bifida was, even highly educated, professional people. I sometimes found myself having to explain what Spina Bifida is to doctors and teachers! I realized then that I had to do something to change that.
I began writing letters to celebrities, public figures, and public officials, telling them about my experiences with Spina Bifida and urging them to become a spokesperson for the cause. Sometimes I would get a reply, even an encouraging one, along with an autographed picture. But most of the time, it was “no thank you.” “Sorry, I can’t help you right now.” Then, in August of 2009, while starting my senior year at the University of Central Florida, Mami and I were discussing ways to promote my cause. We both realized it was time for me to start a blog. That’s how Holdin’ Out for a Hero was born.
Every day for one year, I profiled a different public figure, company or non-profit organization known for his/her/their charitable contributions. I blogged about it, then I personally contacted them. Some actually replied, most notably Chef Gordon Ramsay of “Hell’s Kitchen” (who is Honorary Patron for the Scottish Spina Bifida Association—don’t believe me?) and PBS’ Judy Woodruff, who has a son with Spina Bifida. What I realized during that year is that connections are the key to leading a successful campaign of any sort. You need to know someone, who knows someone, who knows someone, and so on and so forth.
A very pivotal piece of the puzzle has been my online community outside of my blog—namely on Facebook and Twitter. I created a Facebook like page and also marketed Holdin’ Out for a Hero on Twitter. One thing I realized is that it pays off to cultivate a following on Twitter for your cause. One of the best things I did was seek out people who are similar to me—so I went back to my Latino roots, engaging in Thursday night Twitter chats using the #LATISM hashtag. Latinos in Social Media helped me to connect with people who are just as passionate, driven and compassionate as I am about a cause. Using the power of the Internet, I read extensively on the subject of Spina Bifida. I searched for peer-reviewed articles on different aspects of this condition. What I found, startled me—approximately 50 percent of babies with Spina Bifida are aborted. People like me. It breaks my heart to even think of it, because I was born into such a loving environment. Both Papi and Mami wanted me, no matter what.
What I didn’t find, disturbed me even more—I couldn’t find evidence of any national awareness campaign for Spina Bifida! Where was all the information? And then, I automatically switched to my “diffusion of responsibility” mode. I thought, “someone should do something about this!” I immediately realized that person should be me. If you’re passionate about something getting done, you might as well do it yourself! I also began receiving E-mails, Facebook messages, and Tweets from mothers of children with Spina Bifida—whose Ob/Gyns had initially advised them to abort. They claimed the child would “have no quality of life,” “it would be a monster.” This was the latest in a string of epiphanies for me on my journey. An effective awareness campaign could not only raise research dollars and improve quality of life—it could literally save lives.
I’ve learned a lot in the past nearly two years about how to raise awareness more effectively. I’m taking my Mami’s advice by “thinking globally and acting locally,” as I now serve on the board of directors for the Spina Bifida Association of Central Florida. I also began contributing as a health writer for the LATISM blog. I’ve also learned a lot about myself. I feel privileged to have learned what many people with Spina Bifida don’t ever learn—I am not alone. I don’t live in a vacuum. And I have a voice. So do you. Own it—and use it for good!
ABOUT LAURA TELLADO: Laura is a journalist/blogger from Puerto Rico dedicated to generate public awareness of Spina Bifida, a neural tube defect of the spinal cord that is the #1 cause of paralysis in children in America. Follow Laura on Twitter @Laurita86. Read more about her campaign at her blog: http://holdinoutforahero.org/
Summer is here, we finally made it! Mother Nature has decided to finally be kind to us after giving us such a brutal winter (at least here on the east coast). While we revel in being able to do all of our favorite outdoor activities in the sun, making sure of course to apply sunscreen to our bodies, we also need to be aware of our favorite little vampires waiting for us - aka ticks, mosquitos and fleas. Lurking in grass, leaves, hiking trails and many place in between, those little critters are just waiting to attach their fangs on us and our poor little pets. Some of them carry Lyme disease, a bacterial illness caused by a bacterium called a "spirochete", spread when they bite us. What can we do short of donning a life size net or putting our kids in a bubble? The Center for Disease Control (CDC) offers some tips to help prevent an infection:
Stay away from high grass, piles of leaves and stay in the middle of the path when hiking on a trail.
Use a good repellant with 20 percent or more of DEET. Parents should apply to their children also, up to 30 percent is acceptable per the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Take a bath or shower as soon as possible when you come home from being outdoors to wash off those critters. This also gives you a chance to see and remove any crawling on your body.
If you are someone that likes to camp outdoors a lot or spends a lot of time working outside in the woods, grass etc., then you may want to consider investing in clothing, footwear, and tents that contain permethrin .
Left untreated it will spread to your joints, heart and nervous system causing all sorts of havoc on your body. However if you treat with the correct antibiotics early enough, your chances increase for a complete recovery. Have fun out there and make sure to inspect yourself, your children and pets.
