Start the School Year Healthy

The school year will start sooner than you think, and while you are busy getting your children all their school supplies and clothes, make sure you also find time to schedule a well-child visit.

The summer is a good time for your pediatrician to evaluate your child's overall health, to make sure that their development and immunizations are up to date. 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that vaccinating your child against vaccine preventable illnesses is one of the most important ways you can keep your child healthy.

If you have a teen (male or female) in the family, ask their pediatrician about the HPV vaccine, and also the free Screen Mental Health Check -Up.  Screening for mental health does not mean that your child has mental problems, but should be taken as a preventative measure, just like routine check-ups to make sure your child is adapting to all the changes in their lives.  I'm sure most of us can still remember when we were high school. Some of us had great memories, while others did not. It's a time when teens are in the limbo stage of not being a child anymore, but not yet an adult.

Academic and social pressures are nothing like when the two mujeres went to high school, and I'm sure for most of you reading this. If you have spoken even briefly to a younger niece, nephew, neighbor etc.,you were probably like us, amazed at how "advanced" or how much they are subjected to at such an early age. Add to that a new academic environment and social pressure; all of which can all make teenagers feel very stressed out! Introducing the importance of mental health checkups takes away from any stigmas and also gives them a safe space to voice their feelings.  

Also don't forget to visit the dentist! Regular dental checkups can help prevent tooth decay and identify problems that are easier to treat if they are found early.

Have a Great School Year!!!

For more information visit:  American Academy of Pediatrics 

                    Teen Screen National Center for Mental Health Check Up

Heart disease and the C-Reactive Protein test

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We cannot stress enough to our hermanas that heart disease is often a "silent killer". Two out of three women suffer from heart disease, and more often than not our symptoms are subtle and not the severe chest pain often associated with heart attacks. This can be attributed to having blockages not only in our main artieries, but also in the smaller arteries that supply blood to the heart.

Inflammation, or swelling of the arteries is one of those symptoms, and has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, sudden death, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. C-reactive protein is known as HS-CRP, US-CRP or CRP for short. It is a protein produced by the liver and found in our blood which serves as a "marker" or indicator that our body is in a heightened state of inflammation in response to an acute injury or infection. It has also been shown that people with elevated CRP levels are four and one-half times more likely to have a heart attack, as compared with people who have normal levels of the protein.

A blood test is done to determine your CRP levels, and is often done at the same time as your cholesterol screening. It can be done at any time of the day and fasting beforehand is not necessary. The American Heart Association recommends the HS-CRP test as part of their routine screening for those who are at risk for heart disease. The Cleveland Clinic has also used this test routinely for patients who are at-risk and found that it has been very useful for people with one or two risk factors for a heart attack or stroke. Normal CRP values vary from lab to lab. Generally, there is no CRP detectable in the blood.


According to the American Heart Association:

• You are at low risk of developing cardiovascular disease if your hs-CRP level is lower than 1.0mg/L
• You are at average risk of developing cardiovascular disease if your levels are between 1.0 and 3.0 mg/L
• You are at high risk for cardiovascular disease if your hs-CRP level is higher than 3.0 mg/L

A HS-CRP Test combined with a full evaluation from your medical doctor can provide you with a more comprehensive overall view of your total cardiovascular risk. Knowing the results to this test can help you develop a better plan to improve your cardiovascular health. Ask you physician about the CRP blood test, be your own health advocate.
                       

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Don't forget, the New York chapter of Tamika & Friends, Inc. is having its annual 5K "Walk To Beat The Clock" on September 17, 2011 at Carl Schurz Park. Register yourself today at www.walktobeattheclock.org.

Tamika and Friends-NY Chapter Fourth Annual Walk September 17, 2011

Cervical cancer - have you heard of this horrible disease? The more I talk with women and various groups they tell me they "have heard of it" but do not know the facts nor how common it actually is. It is a cancer of the cervix, the opening from our vagina to the uterus and caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).

www.tamikaandfriends.org

Some Facts
There are many strains of HPV, some cause genital warts, while others (mainly 2 strains) are responsible for up to 70% of all cervical cancers. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Approximately 20 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. Another 6 million people become newly infected each year. HPV is so common that at least 50% of sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives. This means that you probably have had the HPV virus or know someone who has without even knowing because for the most part, it is symptomless. For many of us, our body's immune system resolves it on its own. Do you have a better understanding on how cervical cancer can develop? No pap test --> no HPV Test --> symptomless --> cervical cancer. The brutal facts are that I have listened to too many young women who are in the "prime" of their lives and are now dealing with issues that are preventable. Do not be a statistic! Do not let this disease rob you of your ability to become a mother or take your life. Educate and empower yourself. Take the time to put your health first, do your own research and make the necessary appointments today.

Stop the Shame, Fear and Protect Yourself

While cervical cancer is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), we must stop the stigmas or shame. Continuing to do so will only rob the lives of so many people we love. Learn the facts! Having HPV does not mean you are sexually promiscuous, nor that your current partner has cheated on you. HPV can be spread through oral, anal, and vaginal sex, and can be present for 10 years without you even knowing. There are also two vaccines available Gardasil and Cervarix for women and men. Ask your medical doctor for more information to see if you are eligible to receive these vaccinations and get yourself, your daughters and sons vaccinated. Take a moment to acknowledge any fears you may have and then LET IT GO! A diagnosis of cervical cancer does not mean a death sentence! In fact our founder Tamika Felder, is a cervical cancer survivor along with the New York Chapter President, Patti Murillo-Casa.

Walk to Beat the Clock 
The New York Chapter of Tamika & Friends, Inc., the amazing organization that I am proudly 1st Vice President of, will be having a 5K "Walk to Beat the Clock". It is our way of raising awareness, honoring those women who have passed and celebrating survivors, advocates and our friends. This year I ask you to come join us in our moment of solidarity and help us make a statement that we will no longer remain complacent and walk to beat cervical cancer, which takes the life of a woman every 2.5 hours.

Men are also welcome and encouraged to come to the walk. Why? Because HPV affects you too! Throat cancer, commonly seen in those who have a history of smoking and heavy drinking, is also caused by the HPV virus. The actor Michael Douglas' throat cancer, believed to be located at the base of his tongue is where those cancers caused by HPV originates. No one is immune, this virus and cancer does not care what race you are or how much money you have.

Blessings to you all!
This years walk will be filled with an overwhelming amount of positive energy, support and surprise appearances from my celebrity friends. Form a team, come on your own and meet new friends, or consider sponsoring or donating to our cause if you are unable to make it. It will however surely be a day you will not want to miss!! As always, I am humbled that you take the time to speak to me personally or through my blogs, sharing your own journeys. Thank you for your continued support and love.

xxoo Ms. New York Belleza Latina 2011 
 
Register for the walk here: www.walktobeattheclock.org
Our facebook page: www.facebook.com/TamikaandFriendsNewYorkChapter
Main facebook page: www.facebook.com/TamikaandFriends
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Syndrome W: Is your Waist Talking to You??

Mid-life in a woman comes with so many changes and surprises. There are hormonal changes, irregular menstrual cycles and now we can add Syndrome W to the list.

Have you been exercising at a fairly active level? Not indulging in potato chips or ice cream and yet your mid section still won't go away? Then maybe Syndrome W is what is getting in the way of reaching your fitness goals. If you are exercising regularly, eating right and yet you still continue to  gain weight, your waist line continues to expand or you suffer from low energy levels, then this is something you might need to check out.

Syndrome W is a common metabolic disorder due to abnormality in insulin levels. Your medical doctor should perform a glucose tolerance test, not just a blood sugar test because your insulin levels can be elevated and your blood sugar levels can be totally normal. This means that a person who is insulin resistant can still have normal blood glucose levels, but their insulin levels are as much as 40 percent above normal to maintain it that way.

Dr. Harriette Mogul, the director of research of adult endocrinology at New York Medical College, has study Syndrome W and is the author of Syndrome W: A women's guide to reversing mid-life weight gain explains that if you are:

1. Gaining weight for no apparent reason while you are still physically active
2. Gaining weight around your waist instead of gaining all over as would be the normal way people gain
3. Blood Pressure has been creeping up
4. Bad cholesterol has been creeping up
5. Increased fatigue
6. Elevated insulin levels even though your blood glucose levels were normal

You may be suffering from what is classified in a whole spectrum of disorders called insulin resistance. Syndrome W is easily corrected when properly diagnosed. Part of the treatment is a unrestricted calorie but low glycemic diet and medication that helps to balance their insulin resistance. If you think you may be suffering from Syndrome W, be sure to talk openly with your doctor about your concerns and to test you for insulin resistance. For more information, you can also visit Dr. Mogul website.

I Promise Myself

 

 Most of the time we are blogging about women's health, but we wanted to share with all of you one of our favorites, "I Promise Myself" by Christian D. Larson.  

Christian D. Larson (1874-1962) was an outstanding and highly influential early New Thought leader and teacher.

Have a Great Day!!