The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that 56,000 men will learn that they have bladder cancer this year. This is at a rate much higher than women. In fact, according to information supplied by the American Cancer Society (ACS), “Bladder cancer is more common among men than women and more common among whites than blacks. The chance of a man having this cancer is about 1 in 26. For women, it is about 1 in 86.”

No one knows for sure what causes bladder cancer, but smokers do develop it at twice the rate as non-smokers. And it is also known that the older a man is, the greater his chances of developing it. Arsenic and chemicals in the work place also increase a man’s chances of getting it, as does a strong family history of the disease.

The symptoms can vary from person to person, but one of the main signs is blood in the urine. There can also be recurrent urinary tract infections, and the man may have trouble urinating, including the need to “push” urine out. There may also be the development of a mass. As with other cancers, symptoms may be confusing. The NCI warns, “People with these symptoms should tell their doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.”

Once diagnosed, treatment must begin right away in order to aid recovery. If the cancer has not spread into the muscle, chances for surviving are higher. Surgery, which removes any tumors and cancerous cells, chemo-therapy injected into the bladder either before or after surgery, and even radiation can treat this type of cancer. After surgery, a catheter must be inserted, and a stent between the kidney and bladder can be necessary.

After my own father was diagnosed with bladder cancer a month ago, survivors have suddenly started to share their bladder cancer stories. People have stated that their family members have lived for as many as 15 years with this cancer, sometimes described as a “nuisance.” That gives me hope that my dad will live for a long time; however, I realized that this type of cancer isn’t hyped in the media, even though it affects thousands of individuals. Just like breast and ovarian cancers in women have come to the forefront in media, cancers that men suffer from need to be talked about as well. Why? Because more lives could possibly be saved with the proper education.

If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with cancer of any type, check out the NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237) and at LiveHelp (http://www.cancer.gov/livehelp). These sources can help you locate programs, services, and NCI publications (NCI).

What does this information mean to you? The good news is that with low influenza activity across the nation, there have been fewer visits to doctors, and fewer deaths contributed to the flu and/or pneumonia; however, just because the flu is not prevalent now, doesn’t mean that there won’t be an upsurge in cases in the coming new year.

As the CDC explains, “Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people.” As you can see, even health officials don’t know what effect a specific flu season will have on the American population until it is over.

What a person needs to do to prevent catching the flu in the coming months remains relatively easy. First, make sure to get vaccinated; there is plenty of vaccine still available. Next, wash your hands, especially after going to public places, including clinics, grocery stores, and schools. You can also carry anti-bacterial hand gel with you to kill the germs if you can’t get to a sink for soap and water. It is also a good idea to teach yourself not to touch your face with your fingers, including the eyes, as doing so aids transmission of the virus. Finally, if you know someone is sick with the flu, stay away from them if at all possible.

Of course there are a few more ways to ward off the flu, as well as other illnesses. Make sure you eat a balanced diet, full of vitamins and minerals, and get plenty of rest. The last thing you want is for your immune system to be worn down if you have been exposed to the influenza virus.

Finally, remember high risk groups for the flu as presented by the CDC.  These people must use all prevention measures available to them.
1. Pregnant women
2. Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
3. People 50 years of age and older
4. People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
5. People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
6. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
*Health care workers
*Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
*Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

Unfortunately, science has not progressed to the point where such a pill exists; however, if we arm ourselves with knowledge, the negative effects of disease can be reduced, or in some cases, even eliminated. Read on to learn more.

1. Family History
Do you understand the important role that family history plays in your chances of becoming ill? For example, if one of your close family members developed cancer before the age of 50, you may be at greater risk of contracting the disease yourself. In addition, if your mother or father suffered from elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, you may be prone to the same conditions. For the above reasons, make sure to have early, and often, health screenings. The good news is that most insurance companies cover these tests. If you haven’t seen a doctor in several years, and your family historically suffers from a specific disease, make an appointment to get checked out.

2. Hygiene
It is true that the simple act of washing the hands frequently (with warm, soapy water) decreases your chances of becoming ill. Think of all the surfaces your fingers touch each day: door handles, stair railings, phones, shopping carts, pens, and keyboards. Did you know that cold and flu viruses can live on these surfaces for several hours? By simply washing your hands, you can prevent a bout with seasonal influenza, or something worse.

3. Condoms
Sadly, many people do not realize that using condoms helps to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, Chlamydia, and Hepatitis. They also don’t realize that these types of diseases do not only affect the young. Recent news stories have argued that those over 50 years of age are more and more at risk due to high divorce rates.

4. Smoking
If you want to avoid developing lung cancer and/or emphysema, refrain from smoking. Of course there are other reasons why people get these diseases, but smoking has been linked to thousands upon thousands of cases. Even if you’ve smoked for years, quitting now increases your chances of NOT becoming ill. Another bonus of quitting smoking is reduced chances for suffering from gingivitis.

5. Exercise
The symptoms of many diseases can be lessened or alleviated through regular exercise. People who have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic can actually keep diabetes at bay with healthy eating and with a regular exercise program. Even something as simple as walking has been shown to keep the brain, as well as the bones, healthier. And those that suffer from arthritis actually report less pain after exercising.

No – there is not magic pill to prevent disease, but knowledge is the next best thing!

“No states reported widespread, regional or local influenza activity. Sporadic influenza activity was reported by 19 states (an increase from 18 states last week), the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Thirty-one states (a decrease from 32 states last week), Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands reported no influenza activity.”

Citizens need to know that even though there is little flu activity right now across the nation, it is still unknown whether this flu season will be mild. In addition, cases of the flu tend to peak after the first of the year, so people need to remain vigilant in taking measures to stop the spread of illness throughout the coming months.

One way to avoid coming down with the flu is by getting vaccinated. Health care providers, health departments, and pharmacies all offer flu shots for $25 – $35 (in most cases). It is recommended that every citizen, 6 months or older, should receive the vaccination, which takes approximately two weeks to begin to offer protection. The good news is that the CDC contends that plenty of the flu vaccine is currently available.

Another way citizens can increase their chances of avoiding this sometimes debilitating respiratory virus is by washing their hands with soap and water. If these are not available, alcohol-based hand rubs should be used. Although not always feasible, staying away from those who are sick with seasonal influenza can offer protection as well.

The CDC suggests that people avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. This is because, “germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.” They also urge people to practice healthy behaviors, such as exercising, eating nutritious foods, drinking plenty of water, managing stress, and getting plenty of sleep.

On December 4th – 10th, National Influenza Vaccination Week will highlight the importance of getting flu vaccinations even as late as after the holiday season. On their website, the CDC offers educational information and public service announcements for the yearly event to help spread the word that seasonal influenza can have devastating effects on individuals, as well as on schools and businesses. Also to be highlighted during the week is the fact that those with special health concerns, such as asthma or diabetes, should be especially careful to avoid contacting the flu.

To learn more about National Influenza Vaccination Week, about influenza in general, or about current flu activity, click on this link.

Influenza should not be taken lightly. This is because it can cause death in vulnerable populations. Your best protection is prevention, so make sure to regularly wash your hands, avoid those who are sick with the virus, and most importantly – get your flu shot. You’ll be glad you did.

Do you understand the basics of dental care? See if you can pass the following quiz.

1. How often should you brush your teeth?
2. How often should you floss our teeth?
3. How often should you schedule a cleaning at a dental office?

Did you know the answers to these questions? If not, read on.

You should brush your teeth at least twice daily, once in the morning and again at bedtime, with a tooth paste that contains fluoride. You should also floss daily. There are many types of floss available, from mint to cinnamon flavored, and you can choose from waxed or un-waxed versions. Finally, your teeth should be professionally cleaned and checked every six months at a dental office. This includes yearly x-rays to see if decay has begun. If a dentist does find signs of decay, he or she should fill the cavity as soon as possible.

In addition to tooth decay, you also need to understand that your gums suffer from improper dental care as well. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection caused by bacteria that gets under the gum tissue and begins to destroy the gums and bone. Teeth become loose, chewing becomes difficult, and teeth may have to be extracted. Gum disease also may be connected to damage elsewhere in the body; recent studies link oral infections with diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and premature, low-weight births.”

Further information from the CDC proves that gum disease is common. Consider the following facts from their website.

*Advanced gum disease affects 4%–12% of U.S. adults.
*Half of the cases of severe gum disease in the United States are the result of cigarette smoking.
*The prevalence of gum disease is three times higher among smokers than among people who have never smoked.

Preventing gum disease is the same as preventing tooth loss. You should brush and floss regularly, and you should visit the dentist’s office every six months for cleanings. If you haven’t seen a dentist in several years, be on the look-out for tender gums that seem to be pulling away from your teeth. Bleeding gums also need to be addressed.

In addition to the tips listed above, there are other ways to help keep your mouth healthy. Eat a well-balanced diet, avoid hard candies or candy that sticks to the teeth, limit sugary drinks (try lifesource water instead), and quit smoking or using chew tobacco.

Although your grandparents may have had dentures, you won’t need to if you take proper care of your teeth and gums. By being diligent about brushing, flossing, and dental visits, you can help your teeth to last a lifetime; you can avoid tooth loss and gum disease.

1.  Weight Issues

Each of us experiences weight loss and weight gain; however, if you begin losing weight for no reason, or you gain weight extremely rapidly, an illness could be the culprit. Consider these examples:

* Charles had always been healthy, but a few months ago he felt a new found vigor.  He started to lose weight without exercising more, and he couldn’t fall asleep.  Soon, however, he began to be troubled by vision problems; his eyes began to bulge.  After losing another 10 pounds, he decided to see a doctor…the diagnosis – hyperthyroidism.

* Sue noticed her pants seemed to feel tighter every day. At the end of a month, she had gained nine pounds, and she couldn’t zip any of her zippers.  One day at work, she noticed her abdomen was swollen on one side.  It also hurt to touch the area.  She went to the emergency room, and ended up having emergency surgery for a 10 pound growth…the diagnosis – ovarian cyst.

 2.  Thunderbolt Headaches

Tension headaches affect most Americans.  We live our lives at a frenzied pace, which many times causes our heads to hurt.  There are also headaches caused by drinking too much or even from caffeine withdrawal. Yet, when you experience a headache with a new and sudden intensity of pain, it would be smart to visit a doctor.  This is what happened to Jane:

* Jane knew her headaches seemed different, yet she couldn’t pin point exactly what made them unique.  One fall afternoon she was walking with her daughter. They were in the stairwell of an apartment building.  Suddenly, Janet felt intense pain and blacked out.  Soon after the incident, Janet met with her doctor…the diagnosis – malignant brain tumor.

 3.  Changing Moles

Most people have moles.  They are symmetrical, raised markings on the skin.  Although the number of moles each person has varies, the important thing to realize is that moles can turn cancerous.  Tom found out too late that his mole meant bad news.

* One afternoon, Tom’s wife noticed the mole on his back seemed larger than normal, and it had started to grow only on one side.  A visit to the doctor the next week confirmed the doctor’s suspicion – skin cancer.

 4.  Shortness of Breath

After we exercise, we many times experience the feeling of not being able to catch our breath; however, we know that if we rest, our breath will return shortly.  But what happens when we can never catch our breath?

* Bob, a prominent member of his community, sat on the city council.  He began noticing that his breathing seemed harder and harder to control. It became especially bad when he had to speak at the podium.  Finally, at his wife’s insistence, Bob went to the clinic…the diagnosis – Congestive Heart Failure.

The lesson to be learned from all of these examples:  listen to your body.  When something is not right, have it checked out by your doctor. (All names have been changed).

Get Vaccinated

Although the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) doesn’t know exactly which virus will be the main cause of seasonal influenza this year, they have a good idea which one will likely be the culprit. They recommend “…a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine is designed to protect against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season.”

While flu season generally peaks during January and February each year, it can appear as early as October, and last as late as May. Most local health departments begin offering the vaccination in early to mid October. You can also choose to get the shot at your doctor’s office, or even at your local pharmacy. If you don’t have insurance, making a few phone calls will help you find the best price.

You should know that if the CDC doesn’t pick the exact strain of the virus that ends up circulating in 2011 and 2012, you still will have some protection from it if you have a flu vaccination. They explain, “A less than ideal match may result in reduced vaccine effectiveness against the variant viruses, but it can still provide some protection against influenza illness.”

Think Prevention

In addition to recommending the flu vaccine to prevent the disease, the CDC says that other steps are necessary as well. First and foremost, become an expert hand washer. Keep your hands clean by using soap and warm water, and remember to wash them frequently. If soap and water are not available, you can also use an alcohol-based hand lotion designed to kill germs. Next, stay away from sick people, and if you are sick yourself, do not go to work.

Other ways to stay well (and to keep others healthy):
1. Refrain from touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with your fingers.
2. Sneeze and cough into a tissue or into your sleeve if no tissue is available.
3. Eat a healthy diet, including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
4. Get plenty of sleep to make sure your immune system is not worn down.
5. Clean common surfaces, such as door knobs and telephones, frequently when someone in your household is sick.

Buy Supplies

Just in case, buy the following supplies now. They are great to have on hand if you come down with the seasonal flu. (This advice is for ADULTS only).

1. Humidifier – Moist air may make a sick person with congestion breathe easier.
2. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen – These medicines work wonder in reducing fevers in adults.
3. Cough syrup and lozenges – Adults can treat coughs and sore throats with medicines.
4. And plenty of tissues!

Still don’t know? Well, the roots of the illness stem from the sustained consumption of liquids infused with this substance – ethanol. Simply put – those that suffer from this illness are addicted to drinking.

You probably have guessed by now, the answer is alcoholism.

Almost everyone has been touched in some way by this disease. Maybe you have a parent, a sibling, a co-worker, or even a spouse who has suffered because of alcoholism. This disease does not discriminate. It affects people of both sexes, and of all economic backgrounds – the young, the middle-aged, and the old.

In my part of the country, alcohol consumption goes hand in hand with almost every occasion. Around here, if you host a birthday party, a holiday party, a graduation celebration, a class reunion, or even a Baptism…guests expect some form of alcohol to be served. Maybe it’s our German heritage, but Wisconsin is notorious for drinking. Sad to say, but our largest institution of higher learning, the University of Wisconsin – Madison, regularly makes the list of top party schools in the country.

Because of the availability of alcohol, as well as the social pressure to drink, many in my community have struggled with alcohol addiction. Several can be classified as “functioning” alcoholics. They make it to work most days, yet some days they have hangovers, and other days they can’t concentrate, because they need a drink. Others are “binge drinkers,” who only get drunk on the weekends; however, they drink to such a degree that they black out.

Are these people bad people? They are not. They suffer from a disease, just as someone suffers from diabetes or from multiple sclerosis. They need compassion and help, not disdain.How can you tell if someone you know and love is an alcoholic? According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Alcoholism is a disease with four main features:

• Craving – a strong need to drink.
• Loss of control – not being able to stop drinking once you’ve begun.
• Physical dependence – withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating or shakiness after stopping drinking.
• Tolerance – the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to get “high.”

And if they are an alcoholic, you need to know that the NIAAA states that drinking can increase the risk of certain cancers. It can cause damage to organs. It can cause birth defects, and it increases the risk of death from car crashes.

As you can see, alcoholics damage their body with repeated consumption of beer, wine, and mixed drinks. The key thing to remember is that many may begin drinking innocently enough, but soon, drinking can turn to an addiction – the disease called, alcoholism.

There’s a sadness that permeates my life. It’s a nagging ache that makes its presence known, day after day, year after year. I’ve known this sadness since the age of seven, and I’m almost 48. That’s a lot of years to wrestle with a demon.

The cause of this sadness is cancer.

Cancer is as much a part of my life as my most personal attributes, a stable force. It never goes away; I guess it’s similar in a way to my unchanging love of words or even the color of my eyes. You see, my family has suffered terribly because of cancer. Aunts, uncles, cousins, my grandmother, and my mother have waged battles with this formidable foe – some died very young, some died a little older, one is currently battling the illness for the fourth time, and there are several in remission.

So far, I have been lucky. I’ve gotten married, had children, and been able to watch them grow.

Recently, I saw an advertisement for a show called the big C airing on Showtime. Curious, I had to find out about the storyline. What I learned is that the plot surrounds a woman and her family who confront her cancer diagnosis with humor. On the big C web page, the star – beautiful and fit Laura Linney – stands defiant in the face of death…an hourglass in her hand. There is a look of resolve on her face, and her golden hair flows like a crown around her head.

To me, cancer looks nothing like that. Cancer is a shaved skull weeping blood after brain surgery. It’s a cotton swab doused with water touching the lips of someone who can no longer swallow. It’s uncontrollable nausea, retching so fierce it leaves a person exhausted. No, cancer is not pretty like Ms. Linney.

I realize that each person must deal with cancer in his or her own way. Some may embrace the big C, but I will never be able to watch an episode. How could I ever laugh at something that has killed real people, including children and family members I have loved?

And it’s hard to believe that cancer (and its implications) can fit into neat, hour-long episodes, including such things as character development and inspirational soundtracks. Cancer itself is erratic and ugly…its true soundtrack is that mind-numbing sadness I mentioned earlier.

Believe me; I have searched for the up-side of having had cancer as a life mate. And what I’ve found relates back to the hourglass in Laura Linney’s hand I described above. Since I was a child, I haven’t taken time for granted. I am mortal. Each day presents itself to me as a gift. I drink in everything good, from the hug of my child to the tangy sweetness of a just-picked raspberry. Should I thank cancer for giving me this heightened awareness of life’s brevity?

No, instead, I’ll just keep going as I have been for the past 41 years – praying for better cancer treatments, or better yet for a cure. And I’ll accept shows like the big C, as anything that raises awareness of this dreaded disease deserves my praise.

Of course many will argue that it’s impossible our entire population will become overweight. There are athletes, fashion models, and others who will not join in this trend. That’s true, but can we deny that the average size woman in the United States is 165 lbs., when in comparison, in the 1960’s the average woman was 140 lbs.? And can we deny that our children are becoming heavier at an alarming rate… with a plethora of video games and television shows to tempt them into inactivity?

Maybe it’s not destiny that everyone will become heavier than they would like, but it is important to realize that many are joining this negative trend. And it’s equally important to realize that obesity matters. The ramifications of carrying too much weight around are profound. Not only will we be less able to get around comfortably, think tiny airplane seats, we also will do our bodies damage. The negative health effects of obesity boggle the mind.

Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explain that obesity is caused by more than just overeating. They state, there “…are a variety of factors that play a role in obesity. This makes it a complex health issue to address.” In fact, it is a combination of genetics, the environment, and individual behaviors that affect how much Americans weigh.

How, then, can we make sure we do not become a statistic? It’s easy: exercise more and eat less. Remember when you were a child and you had a seemingly endless supply of energy? Well, you can regain that energy by exercising more. Even when you are dead tired, push yourself to work out; you will be surprised by the energy rush you feel. You could also strive for walking 10,000 steps per day. This amount of walking will have a positive impact on weight control.

When it comes to eating, strive to eat more unprocessed foods, such as raw fruits and vegetables. Steer clear of heavily processed foods, including fried and sugar-laden foods. You may not know it, but those specialty drinks you love may have more calories than you could ever imagine. For example, one medium café latte (16 ounces) made with whole milk can have as many as 265 calories, and your strawberry fruit smoothie may be full of sugar.

Finally, if you’re gaining weight at a fast rate, make sure to visit your doctor. You may have polycystic ovarian syndrome or Cushing’s disease. Even steroids and some anti-depressants cause weight gain.

I don’t know if we will all be heavy in 2050. Frankly, even if this prediction is fiction, it is still a wake-up call. It lets every American know, obesity matters.

Research shows that gout affects men more than women (but a woman’s risk increases after menopause), and factors such as high alcohol intake, use of diuretics, and high meat and seafood intake increase a person’s chances for contracting gout. In addition, gout may run in a family.

What exactly is gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis known for the very painful flare-ups it causes in joints, especially at the base of the big toe. Some sufferers maintain that the pain is so severe that it makes walking difficult and sleeping impossible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes gout as, “a rheumatic disease resulting from deposition of uric acid crystals (monosodium urate) in tissues and fluids within the body. This process is caused by an overproduction or under excretion of uric acid.”

A flare-up of gout is marked by a hot, red and swollen joint(s). These flare-ups can be treated by anti-inflammatory medicines, and may be prevented by diet, weight-loss, and medicines. One key indicator of gout is that flare-ups can be followed by periods of being symptom-free.

Gout – Six Quick Facts

1. When gout sets in, the pain is most severe in the first 12 – 24 hours.

2. Gout is diagnosed using a blood test and/or a joint fluid test.

3. People who experience gout may develop kidney stones as well. In fact, those that think they have gout should see a doctor right away to help prevent the variety of complications this disease can cause.

4. Many people will turn to cherry juice to help alleviate the symptoms of gout. Talk to your doctor about this strategy before using it.

5. Gout affects the big toe, but it can also affect the foot, the ankles, the knees, the wrist, and the hand.

6. Correct hydration remains key during an attack of gout. Talk to your doctor to make sure you drink the right amount of liquids.

Gout – Four Interesting Statistics

1. An estimated 3.0 million adults had gout in 2005, and 6.1 million adults have ever had gout.

2. The incidence of gout among black men was almost twice that among white men (3.1 vs. 1.8 per 1,000 person-years; follow up period 26 to 34 years).

3. In about 50% of cases, gout affects the big toe.

4. Many people with gout have a family history of the disease. Estimates range from 20 to 80 percent.

Gout – Famous Sufferers

Sir Isaac Newton, Alexander the Great, Queen Anne, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and current actor, Jared Leto.

What Causes Lyme Disease?
The bite of a tiny insect called a tick transmits Lyme disease. The Centers for Disease Control explains that “…the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, normally lives in mice, squirrels and other small animals. It is transmitted among these animals – and to humans – through the bites of certain species of ticks. In the northeastern and north-central United States, the black-legged tick (or deer tick, Ixodes scapularis) transmits Lyme disease. In the Pacific coastal United States, the disease is spread by the western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus). Other major tick species found in the United States have not been shown to transmit Borrelia burgdorferi.”

What are the Symptoms of Lyme Disease?
Symptoms of Lyme disease may occur anywhere from three to thirty days after being bitten by a tick. One of the first symptoms of Lyme disease is a circular rash around the tick bite. Over the course of several days, the rash can spread as large as 12 inches and develop a bulls eye-like appearance. Those infected can also have flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, chills, fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. If left untreated, patients may develop shooting pains, numbness on the face, arthritis, and host of other unpleasant symptoms. A unique characteristic about this disease is that not all patients will have the exact same symptoms.

What are the Treatments for Lyme Disease?
In most cases, antibiotics can treat the illness. Some patients, however, may have recurring symptoms.

How Can I Avoid Becoming Infected?

1. Stay away from areas where ticks are known to frequent, including areas with thick grasses, dense brush, and lots of leafy material.
2. Check your skin and clothes for ticks each time you return home from a walk in the woods or when working in the yard.
3. Take extra care during the months of June, July, and August when ticks are most active.
4. Wear long pants, long sleeves, and socks when in tick infested areas. Light colored clothing may also help you spot ticks.
5. Use an insect repellent.

I Found A Tick! How Do I Remove It?
Grasp the mouthparts with tweezers as close as possible to the skin. Be careful not to squeeze or crush the body of the tick. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite site with disinfectant and/or soap and water. You may wish to call a doctor if you have concerns about tick removal. Do not attempt to remove ticks by using petroleum jelly, lit matches, or other home remedies (Courtesy of New York State Department of Health).

It is true, for some people pasta, bread, cereal, and cake may make them sick!

Although health care providers are diagnosing celiac disease more effectively, The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center states that 97% of people with the illness do not know they have it, and a child will visit an average of eight pediatricians before he or she is diagnosed with it. One reason for the lack of diagnosis is that this disease can strike at any age, from infancy to late adulthood.  Because 3 million people in the United States suffer from celiac disease, it makes sense to learn more about it.

What causes celiac disease?

When a person with celiac disease eats products with gluten in them their immune system reacts by attacking the small intestine, specifically the villi. This damage prevents the small intestine from absorbing nutrients. Research has shown that some people may have a gene that makes them susceptible to the illness.

What are the symptoms?

The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center states that although the symptoms differ from patient to patient, most suffer from one or more of the following:

• Recurring abdominal bloating and pain
• Chronic diarrhea/constipation
• Vomiting
• Liver and biliary tract disorders
• Weight loss
• Pale, foul-smelling stool
• Iron-deficiency anemia that does not respond to iron therapy
• Fatigue
• Failure to thrive or short stature
• Delayed puberty
• Pain in the joints
• Tingling numbness in the legs
• Pale sores inside the mouth
• A skin rash
• Tooth discoloration or loss of enamel
• Unexplained infertility, recurrent miscarriage
• Osteopenia (mild) or osteoporosis
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression

If a doctor thinks a person has celiac disease, he or she will order a screening test to detect antibodies in the blood. Final confirmation of the illness is made by a biopsy of the small intestine.

Are there any treatments?

The only treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet. This can be very difficult to follow at first, as people need to recognize which foods contain gluten. Of course breads, pastas, cakes, and cereals contain gluten, but many processed foods contain it as well. It can even be found in some vinegars, soy sauces, and salad dressings. With the help of a dietician, however, following a gluten-free diet is doable.

Is there hope?

Yes! When a patient follows a gluten-free diet, healing of the small intestine can begin. Negative symptoms usually begin to disappear as well. Although learning to avoid foods containing gluten may be difficult as first, most adapt to the new diet fairly quickly.

If you want to learn more about celiac disease, talk to your health care provider. In addition, you can visit the University of Chicago’s celiac disease website. It is a comprehensive resource that offers facts sheets, research articles, and even videos on this topic.

Overview
In 2010, an estimated 785,000 Americans had a new coronary attack, and about 470,000 had a recurrent attack. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and about one every minute will die from one (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). In essence, heart disease touches all of our lives in some way, from losing loved ones… to being affected ourselves.

Hope Through Prevention
These are scary statistics; however, each of us can lower our risk of heart disease through preventative measures. The American Heart Association (AHA) has come out with a new program to help citizens make heart care a priority. “Life’s Simple 7” provides a blueprint for healthy heart living.

The AHA strongly suggests that people take the following steps:

1. Get Active.
2. Control Cholesterol.
3. Eat Better.
4. Manage Blood Pressure.
5. Lose Weight.
6. Reduce Blood Sugar.
7. Stop Smoking.

It is worth a visit to the AHA website to learn more about how to implement these simple seven steps into your life. Also, an interactive tool on the site can assess where you already stand concerning these important factors.

Women Need More Education
For years, the general public thought that only men suffered from heart disease. Not true. Women are at risk as well. Many national campaigns promote the issue for women, but “The Heart Truth” from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is one of the best known.

A little red dress symbolizes the movement. Introduced in 2002, the dress reminds and inspires women to protect themselves. The NHLBI states, “The campaign’s goal is to give women a personal and urgent wakeup call about their risk of heart disease.” A sobering statistic from the organization supports the effort. Amazing as it may seem, one in four women in the United States dies from heart disease! Compare that to breast cancer deaths in women – one in 30.

Much like the AHA, the NHLBI offers ways to prevent this terrible disease. By doing just four things—eating right, being physically active, not smoking, and keeping a healthy weight, a woman can reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as 82 percent.

“The Heart Truth” website provides plenty of additional information. Check it out here. You’ll find enlightening facts such as that, “the most common cause of heart disease is narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart itself.”

Visit Your Medical Provider Regularly
Common sense also tells us that in order to love our hearts, we must visit a health care provider. Health screenings such as blood pressure and cholesterol checks need to be completed on a regular basis. Doctors/nurses can also give useful advice on losing weight and quitting smoking. Loving your heart means finding a health care provider you want to visit annually.

Three Ways to Show Your Heart “Love” Today

1. Eat a piece of fresh fruit.
2. Increase your activity level – take the stairs, park farther from the entrance at work or at a store.
3. Stop smoking – if you don’t smoke, stay away from second-hand smoke.

A Love Letter to Your Heart
Long associated with love, hearts need special care too. This February, make a vow to learn more about heart disease and how you can prevent it. By changing a few things about you and how you live your life, you can improve your chances of being around a long time for the ones you love.

The Scottish Health Study, released in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, reports on the dangers of watching television.  According to the study, spending two or more hours of leisure time in front of a television (or other screen) on a daily basis is harmful to your health.  How harmful?  It doubles your risk of heart disease.

How can you improve your health and quality of life?  A few simple changes may help:

• Reduce the number of television shows you watch.  One hour a day is fine for relaxing.
• Find new hobbies.  While you may be tired at the end of the day, there are plenty of activities that can be done that require limited physical exertion.  Some ideas include reading, knitting, and solving crossword puzzles.
• Prepare for tomorrow.  Want 15 minutes more sleep in the morning?  Instead of watching tv, prep your coffee pot, make lunches, lay out items needed for breakfast, pick out tomorrow’s outfit.
• Talk with your child, your spouse, or a long-distance friend.  Whether it is in person or on the phone, take that time to reconnect.
• Take a walk after dinner.  If weather and street conditions allow, take a short walk.  A little exercise can be invigorating.  Plus, it’s an activity that can involve all household members.

Don’t jeopardize your health by being a couch potato.

Dr. Thomas Seman, President of North Shore Pediatrics, offers the following suggestions:

• Drink cold liquids to soothe the throat
• Alternately, drink hot liquids to soothe the throat
• Gargle with antiseptic mouthwash
• Take NSAIDs, such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen
• Use anesthetic throat spray or lozenges
• Eat popsicles

Please note, that while these suggestions are similar to recommendations for a child with a virus, there is one important difference, strep throat also must be treated with antibiotics.  If your child has a sore throat with other symptoms, such as fever, white and red patches in the throat, and nausea, you should have your child examined by his or her pediatrician.

A person who has strep throat is contagious for 24-48 hours before symptoms appear and for 24 hours after antibiotics have been started.  To prevent re-infection or the spread of germs, Dr. Seman suggested taking the following actions after being on antibiotics for 48 hours:

• Clean the sick person’s toothbrush in the dishwasher or replace it.
• Any glasses or water bottles used should be cleaned.
• If the child has a blanket, favorite toy, or stuffed animal, or drools when he sleeps, those items need to be cleaned.  Plush toy should be placed in a dryer for at least 20 minutes.
• Mouth guards should be cleaned.

Many men have a difficult time talking when it comes to personal issues like health and emotions, and breast cancer affects both. Whether it’s pride or ego or just plain fear, it is important not to let such things get in the way of communication. Talking about your experience will help you and others with similar issues. Communication promotes awareness and awareness is the key to coping with male breast cancer (MBC).

African American actor, Richard Roundtree, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993. He underwent treatment and kept silent about his breast cancer until years later. Now he is an advocate, informing people about the disease. Peter Criss, drummer for the legendary rock band, KISS, recently revealed that he, too, is a breast cancer survivor. He reminds us that there is no shame in a man receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. Other male public figures who have survived breast cancer include Louisiana district judge, Tucker L. Melancon; former Massachusetts senator, Edward Brooke; and former Cleveland Browns fullback, Ernie Green. Televison actor, Bill McGhee, and radio/TV announcer Rod Roddy lost their battles with MBC.

One name you may not readily recognize is John W. Nick. Get to know him. Nick was a successful and respected businessman, a member of the New York Stock Exchange. He died from breast cancer in 1991, prompting his daughter, Nancy, to establish the John W. Nick Foundation (www.nickfoundation.org) to promote awareness about MBC by providing information, education and support.

The first and best advice for a man when a woman he loves suffering from breast cancer is to obtain as much knowledge as possible about the cancer, the treatments, and the effects of both. Knowing what to expect can help lessen the stress involved in dealing with the inevitable changes that will take place. Equally important is for him to remove his ego from the equation. Listen intently to her and respond appropriately, with humility and patience, to her wants and needs.

Remaining positive and strong for her will not be easy, and a man should not try to be the tough guy all the time. Putting up a front and not being honest about how the cancer is affecting him will only get in the way of any progress that might be made. Getting away once in a while is recommended. A round of golf or a round of drinks may be just the ticket, but whatever he does, a man should never avoid talking about his feelings and fears with a good friend or family member. Deserved or not, men have a reputation for bottling up their feelings. Some men do have a hard time opening up emotionally, so it is difficult for them to share emotionally charged information with even their closest friends. Fortunately for them, there are now support groups and online forums for anonymous disclosure.

Ultraviolet light causes skin to lose elastin, which is a primary factor in the formation of wrinkles. Elastin fibers are what help skin maintain elasticity. Without it, time and gravity will take its toll on the skin, stretching it and creating a rough and wrinkly surface, giving a premature appearance of aging.

Prolonged exposure to the sun can also lead to precancerous lesions known as actinic keratoses. They occur frequently in lighter-skinned people with blond or red hair and blue eyes. These lesions can be worrisome, as, unlike the benign sebhoorric keratoses, they very often lead to malignant carcinomas.

Skin cancer is another major pitfall of exposure to the sun’s reckless ultrviolet rays. In areas where sunlight is prevalent, and people receive extensive exposure, especially as children and teens, squamas cell and basal cell carcinomas are more common. The risk of malignant melanomas is also quite high.

In rarer cases, there may be an adverse allergic reaction to sunlight which can produce blotchiness, rashes, or blemishes on skin. These types of reactions can be brought on or intensified by the use of certain prescriptions, including antidepressants, antibiotics and blood pressure medication.

Take precautions when going out into the sun, especially for prolonged periods of time. When choosing a sun screen, look at the Ultraviolet Protection Factor, or UPF. The higher the number, the better the UV protection. Wearing hats with a brim at least three inches wide can help protect your head, ears and neck from burning, as well as protecting your eyes.

First of all, when picking out glasses, you must make sure that you are not just picking out the ”cool” glasses that do not block the UV rays.  There are plenty of sunglasses out there that look snazzy that also do their job as eye-protection. Cheap glasses can actually do you more harm than good. For instance, if you have sunglasses that do not have any UV ray protection, then you would, obviously, increase your disclosure to UV rays. Because the sunglasses will keep some of the light out, you won’t realize that you are still exposing yourself to these rays and the UV light could cause damage to the retina. Another risk is that because there is less light, your iris opens to permit more light in, but when you wear cheap glasses, you allow the UV rays in along with the light.

You should wear the glasses if you think that you are outside long enough to get a sunburn or tan. Wearing them will greatly decrease the chance of  age related eye diseases. Some of these diseases include cataracts (cloudy formations on the lens inside the eye), yellowing of the white part of your eye, and photokeratitis (sunburn of the surface of the eyeball– the cornea).

Sunglasses also provide protection from glares. Good sunglasses could releave you from glare using polarization.

Have fun out in the sun, but make sure to protect your eyes from any UV damage!

Carbohydrates raise glucose levels, but your body needs carbs for fuel, so choose complex carbohydrates that are absorbed more slowly to avoid glucose spiking. Whole grains over processed, and baked over fried are wise choices. When it comes to carbs, a good rule of thumb is to avoid anything “white”. White rice, white flour and white sugar are all highly refined and too quickly absorbed to promote better health. Proteins should be lean, and preferably grilled, broiled, baked or steamed. Vegetables are best when fresh or frozen and raw or steamed, as they maintain more of their natural goodness that way. Be wary of canned vegetables, as they are often packaged with lots of added sodium. Roasting or grilling fresh vegetables is a great way to bring out flavor without boiling out nutrients; and never fry your vegetables. Fresh and frozen fruits are fine, but be aware of the sugar content in prepackaged fruit products like applesauce.

Beverages can be tricky as well. Fruit juices are highly refined and often contain massive amounts of sugar. Instead of sodas, choose water or sparkling waters. Drink unsweetened tea, or use minimal artificial sweetener. Avoid energy drinks; sports drinks with electrolytes are better. If you are a coffee drinker, you should take your coffee black or with skim or low-fat milk and sugar substitute. eight gain which makes it more difficult to control your diabetes. Paying close attention to the foods you choose is imperative for optimal health. Managing your diabetes can sometimes be a hassle, but making healthy food choices is easy when you know the pros and cons.

I am not well versed in all of these diets, but I recently heard about the RAVE diet, so I figured I would share this diet with this site’s readers. The RAVE diet has nothing to do with partying and dancing, as the name might suggest. You may want to do a little dance once you go through this diet because you feel so good about yourself, but that is not what I am here to write about.

Outlined by Mike Anderson in his book, The RAVE Diet & Lifestyle, the RAVE is a diet that promotes making people’s immune systems stronger and more efficient. In the book he urges people to understand that the cure for cancer already exists– it is the immune system.

By keeping your immune system in pristine health, you should be able to prevent and even reverse cancer. It has been done before, but somehow cancer patients do not often opt for the natural way. The RAVE diet stresses that plant-based diets are the only ones that strengthen the immune system. The animal-based diets feed cancer, while plants feed your immune system.

Here is what RAVE stands for:

• No Refined foods
• No Animal foods
• No Vegetable oils
• No Exceptions & Exercise

It’s simply an an old-fashioned, plant-based, whole foods diet based exclusively on whole fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds. Essentially, it’s a vegan diet, but it so much more than just that. There is a link between this type of diet and major diseases– particularly, cardiovascular disease.

Not only does the RAVE diet help support the immune system, but it also is used to simply lose weight.

As for credibility about Mike Anderson,  the RAVE diet website states, “Mike Anderson is a medical researcher, author and filmmaker whose mission to inform the public about how simple changes in diet and lifestyle can cure our biggest health problems.”

As many as one in three North Americans will develop one form of cancer or another in their lives. What many people are unaware of is that cancer can be prevented in many instances by living a healthy lifestyle. It has been estimated that 75 percent of the deaths that are cancer related could have been prevented. Here we offer some preventative measures for you.

Topping the list is smoking. If you smoke, quit, and if you don’t smoke, do not start! Besides lung cancer, smoking has been linked to other types of cancer, such as throat cancer and stomach cancer. In fact, avoid all types of tobacco and steer clear of second-hand smoke at every opportunity.

Engage in as much physical activity as you possibly can. Exercise alone, with a partner, or in a group. Exercise strengthens the body and also helps to keep extra pounds at bay. All of these things taken together lower your chances of developing cancer.

Eat as healthily as possible. Consume vegetables of all different colors. Choose foods that are abundant in their vitamin, mineral and antioxidant content. Include plenty of leafy green vegetables in your daily diet, such as broccoli, kale, bok choy and spinach. Eat whole grains, low fat dairy products, seafood and berries often. Reduce your consumption of saturated fats and trans fats, as well as fried and greasy foods.

Instead of brewing a cup of java in the morning or regular tea, drink green tea. Green tea is rich in ingredients that help to fight cancer, and it is also plentiful in terms of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. But don’t just drink it in the morning, any time of the day that you want a warm liquid treat, make yourself some green tea!

Get seven to eight hours sleep every night. Sleep often is not recognized as an important aspect of being healthy (and staying healthy), but it is significant. Sleep provides the body with the time it needs to rest and heal.

Is red meat really that bad for your health? The truth is that there are really no studies done that will prove that consumption of red meat directly causes the diseases mentioned above. Results of studies just seem to suggest that red meat consumption may contribute to the likelihood of acquiring diseases.

So, what is in red meat that makes it look bad? Red meat contains a lot of heme iron, which is quite different from the kind of iron that is found in plants. The strongly absorbed iron content of red meat is linked to the increased risk of diabetes. Red meat also contains saturated fat, which is thought to cause different forms of cancer. Grilled red meat also produces carcinogens.

But meat has been part of the human diet for thousands of years. If the human race has lived with it for thousands of years, probably it is not as bad as how it is made to appear in some studies. Red meat is a good source of phosphorus, protein, iron, zinc, selenium, magnesium, and B vitamins, especially B1, B3, B6, and B12. Vitamins and minerals in red meat also are absorbed easily by the body. Although red meat contains carcinogens, it also has conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA, which helps reduce the risk of cancer. Our body also needs important nutrients that only can be sourced from meat. As to the cholesterol and saturated fat in red meat, it could be good for our health because our bodies need some cholesterol and saturated fat. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Composition Handbook states that every day a body needs 1,500 to 2,000 mg of cholesterol and 8.7 grams of fat, which we can get from 3 ounces of red meat.

I guess the bottom line here is that red meat is not harmful if it is part of a balanced diet. Moderate amounts of red meat in your diet are not bad for your health. Just do not consume it in excess because it will surely be bad for you.