2016 Archived Newsletter

Living with Type 2 Diabetes Managing diabetes can be challenging, but support from family members can make it much easier.  Here are four key steps to help you control your diabetes and live a long, active life. Step 1:  Learn about diabetes.  Talk with your doctor or...

Can the Right Diet Help Fight GERD? How can your diet help prevent or relieve gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?  You may need to avoid certain foods and drinks that make your particular symptoms worse.  Some dietary changes that can help reduce your symptoms...

Understanding Common Tests Blood tests are used to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes because, early in the disease, type 2 diabetes may have no symptoms.  All diabetes blood tests involve drawing blood.  Measuring glucose levels via finger-stick devices is not...

Stay Soft and Smooth with These Tips Want great skin, even during winter’s driest months?  Try these tips: Don’t overdo the hot water. Hot water removes skin’s natural oils more quickly.  Warm water is best for bathing. Stick with gentle cleansers. Soaps can strip...

Heart Healthy, Diabetes Friendly – and Delicious! Almost everyone loves meatballs in tomato sauce, from those meat-and-potatoes-only guys to picky children.  This recipe is so easy, fast and delicious that it will become your go-to recipe when you are at a loss as to...

The 2016 Great American Smokeout is Nov. 17 Need help quitting smoking?  The Great American Smokeout is the perfect time to set a goal and a quit date.  There are many resources available to help: Decide on a quit date. Choose the Great American Smokout date or...

Reducing Your Risk Many factors can influence your breast cancer risk. You can’t change some, such as getting older or your family history, but you can help lower your risk by taking care of your in the following ways: Maintain a healthy weight. Exercise regularly (at...

Older Adults and Medication Use As we age, our bodies change. Medicines may affect you differently as you get older because your body processes them differently. You may take more medicines now than when you were younger. Even medicine that you’ve taken before or have...

How Does Diabetes Affect Your Teeth and Gums? If you have diabetes, make sure you take care of your mouth. People with diabetes are at risk for mouth infections, especially periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease can damage the gum and bone that hold your teeth...

Keep Your Baby’s Skin Healthy and Comfortable Diaper rash is a common form of inflamed skin (dermatitis) that appears as a patchwork of bright red skin on your baby’s bottom. It is often related to wet or infrequently changed diapers, skin sensitivity and chafing. (It...

Heart Healthy, Diabetes Friendly – and Delicious! This is a quick and flavorful pasta salad with asparagus, tomatoes and Italian dressing. Perfect for a potluck or light dinner. It’s tangy and light with a touch of sweetness. Serves 8 as a side salad, but be careful –...

You Can Lower Your Risk There are a number of things you can do to help reduce your risk for lung disease: Stop smoking. If you smoke, the most important thing you can do is stop. Talk to your doctor about the best way to quit. All kinds of smoking (cigarettes,...

Why Get Vaccinated? Influenza (“flu”) is a contagious disease that spreads around the U.S. annually, usually between October and May. Flu is caused by influenza viruses, and is spread mainly by coughing, sneezing and close contact. Anyone can get the flu. It strikes...

Lactose Intolerance Lactose intolerance is a common digestive disorder. It means your body can’t digest lactose, the sugar found in milk products. After eating foods with lactose, you may have nausea, cramps, bloating, gas or diarrhea. Lactose intolerance is not...

The term “home healthcare” covers a wide range of healthcare services that can be given in your home for an illness or injury. Examples of skilled home health services include: Wound care for pressure sores or a surgical wound Patient and caregiver education...

While acute pain is a normal sensation triggered in the nervous system to alert you to possible injury, chronic pain is different. Chronic pain persists. Pain signals keep firing in the nervous system for weeks, months, even years. There may have been an initial...

Heart Health, Diabetes Friendly – and Delicious On weekdays, you want something quick and easy to cook and serve the family. A delicious and healthy choice is boneless, skinless chick breasts. But plain old grilled chicken breasts can certainly become BORING after...

What Allergy Sufferers Need to Know Each spring, summer and fall, plants release tiny pollen grains to fertilize other plants of the same species. Most of the pollens that cause allergic reactions come from trees, weeds and grasses. These plants make small, light and...

Staying Active Can Help Ease Pain It has been quite some time since doctors told people with arthritis to “rest their joints.” We now know that physical activity can help reduce pain and improve function, mobility, mood, and quality of life for most adults with many...

Share the Road – Safely – with School Buses As the TV commercial says, “They’re going baaaack!” If you find yourself driving behind a school bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. It will give you more time to stop once the...

Stay Smart, Stay Safe Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related disorder. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. The body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke...

Is It Time for the Shingles Vaccine? Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful skin rash that develops on one side of the face or body. It can also cause damage to hearing or vision. The shingles vaccine reduces the risk of developing shingles and the long-term pain that...

Heart Healthy, Diabetes Friendly – and Delicious! Most everyone – whether meat lover or vegetarian – enjoys a sweet and savory treat from the grill. This recipe is perfect for grilled vegetables, chicken, pork or beef. If marinating both vegetables and one or two...

Is Your Child Ready for Contact Lenses? If you’re considering whether your child is ready for contact lenses, you will want to talk with your optometrist or ophthalmologist. You should also consider: Is your child mature enough to safely wear contact lenses? He or she...

Know Your SPF Whether you’re headed to the pool or just running daily errands, it’s smart to apply sunscreen before you go outside, even on slightly cloudy days. Don’t forget to apply it to all exposed skin. Get help for hard-to-reach places such as your back. Most...

Keep Them Safe with These Tips Ahh, summer vacation.  A chance to ditch those office shoes and set your little piggies free! But it’s wise to stay smart when it comes to protecting your feet at the pool or beach – and even in hotel rooms – says the American Podiatric...

Are You Getting Enough? Calcium is the most plentiful mineral found in the body. The teeth and bones contain the most calcium. Nerve cells, body tissues, blood and other body fluids contain it as well. Many foods contain calcium, but dairy products are the best...

Great Home Care Makes a Difference Gum disease begins when plaque builds up along and under the gum line. This plaque causes infections that hurt the gum and bone that hold teeth in place. Sometimes gum disease makes your gums tender and more likely to bleed. This...

Heart Healthy, Diabetes Friendly – and Delicious! Afraid of cooking fish? Many people hesitate at the thought of cooking seafood, but you don’t have to be and expert to cook it, here is a great way to cook lean white fish such as cod. (And yes, the frozen fillets turn...

Here’s Help for Ingrown Toenails Ingrown toenails are nails whose corners or sides dig painfully into the soft tissue of the nail grooves, often leading to irritation, redness and swelling. Usually, toenails grow straight out. Sometimes, however, one or both corners...

Is That Headache a Migraine? Migraine is a medical condition affecting more than 29 million Americans.  It can occur in both men and women but is more common in women.  A migraine headache is usually an intense, throbbing pain on one side, or sometimes both sides, of...

Talk with Your Doctor Caregiver stress is caused by the emotional and physical strain of caregiving.  Caregivers report much higher levels of stress than people who are not caregivers.  Many caregivers are providing help or are “on call” almost all day.  Sometimes,...

Have Fun and Protect Your Family on July 4 Who can picture July 4 in American without fireworks?  They’re part of the celebration, of course.  But fireworks can be dangerous, causing serious burns and eye injuries.  It’s always best to attend a community celebration...

What Is the “Dawn Phenomenon”? All people have the “dawn phenomenon” whether they have diabetes or not.  The dawn phenomenon is a surge of hormones that the body produces daily between about 2:00 and 8:00 a.m.  People with diabetes don’t have normal insulin responses...

Heart Healthy, Diabetes Friendly – and Delicious! June’s warmer weather means cookouts with family and friends. To complement those delicious entrees on the grill, bring something healthy that will not spoil in the heat and that everyone can enjoy. Our Black Bean and...

When Should You See a Gynecologist for the First Time? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that teenage girls start seeing a gynecologist between the ages of 13 and 15. If you don’t go at that time, you should make sure to visit a...

Know the Common Triggers Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways – the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. If your child has asthma, the inside walls of her airways become sore and swollen. In the U.S., about 20 million people have asthma....

Your Doctor Can Help Not sleeping well can lead to a number of problems. Older adults who have poor nighttime sleep are more likely to have depressed mood, attention and memory problems, excessive daytime sleepiness, and more nighttime falls. They are also more likely...

What’s on the Label? All non-prescription, over the counter (OTC) medicine labels have usage and warning information so consumers can properly choose and use the products. The label contains the following information: Active Ingredients: The therapeutic substance and...

Studies Examine Connection Between Gum Disease, Other Health Issues In some recent studies, researchers have observed that people with gum disease (when compared with people without gum disease) were more likely to develop heart disease or have difficulty controlling...

Welcome to Our New Healthy-Recipe Feature Looking for something healthy and quick for a weeknight meal? This broccoli chicken stir fry is just the ticket. Before prepping and chopping the veggies and gathering the spices, put the chicken into the freezer so that it...

When Should You Get a Bone-Density Test? There are tests you can have done to find out your bone density – how strong or fragile your bones are. One test is called dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA or dexa). A DXA scan takes X-rays of your bones. Screening tools...

Fight Back with These Tips It’s spring! And that means lots of pollen is in the air, triggering allergy symptoms in millions of people. This condition is called seasonal allergic rhinitis, commonly referred to as hay fever. Hay fever can lead to sinus infections and...

Healthy Kids’ Treats Don’t Have to Be Boring Snacking is a major pastime for many kids – and that’s not necessarily bad. Nutritious snacking can help your child curb hunger throughout the day, as well as provide energy and important nutrients. Some tips: Keep junk...

Vitamin C: Where Should You Get It? Fruits and vegetables are the best sources of vitamin C. Other good food sources include red and green peppers, kiwi, broccoli, strawberries, Brussels sprouts and cantaloupe. The Vitamin C content of food may be reduced by prolonged...

Only a Test Can Tell for Sure Strep throat is an infection most commonly caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. The bacteria are spread through contact with droplets after an infected person coughs or sneezes. If you touch your mouth, nose or eyes after touching...

Managing Your Medications As you age, it is important to know about your medicines to avoid possible problems. You may be faced with more health conditions that you need to treat on a regular basis. It is important to be aware that the use of more medications, along...

Oral Care for Your Baby Your baby may not yet have her first tooth, but you can still take care of her gums in preparation for a lifetime of good dental care. Simply wipe your child’s gums with a wet washcloth or a clean gauze pad after each feeding. Begin brushing...

Make Sure Those New Shoes Fit Wearing comfortable shoes that fit well can prevent many foot problems. Check out these tips: Shoes size may change over time, so always have your feet measured before buying shoes. The best time to measure is at the end of the day when...

You Can’t Feel It, But Monitoring Is Important Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood.  High blood pressure, sometimes called hypertension, happens when this force is too high.  Healthcare workers check...

Tips for Maintaining Healthy Teeth and Gums As we get older, there are certain areas of our oral health that require more attention.  These tips can help: Continue to practice good oral hygiene. Careful tooth brushing and flossing to reduce dental plaque can help...

Make That Snack a Healthy One “If you choose carefully and plan ahead, sensible snacks can be part of any healthful eating plan,” says registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spokesperson Isabel Maples.  “Snacks can prevent overeating...

Testing Saves Lives Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in the colon or rectum.  The colon and the rectum are parts of the large intestine, which is the lower part of the body’s digestive system.  During disgestion, food moves through the stomach and small...

Build a Basic Emergency Supply Kit You probably already have a first-aid kit in your home (and you should keep one in your car, as well).  But have you created a basic emergency supply kit for your family?  The Federal Emergency Management Agency suggests stocking...

Eating Right for Healthier Kidneys According to the National Kidney Foundation, one in three Americans is at risk for developing kidney disease and approximately 26 million Americans have the disease.  If you have chronic kidney disease, what you eat and drink can...

It’s Been a Long, Dry Winter – Here’s Help Many older people suffer from dry spots on their skin, often on their lower legs, elbows and lower arms.  Dry-skin patches feel rough and scaly.  There are many possible reasons for dry skin, such as: Not drinking enough...

Help Lower Your Family’s Heart-Disease Risk with These Tips Want to serve your family meals that will leave them satisfied while also helping to protect them from heart disease and stroke? Limit these ingredients to items considered special treats. Saturated fats....

How Do Cavities Develop? When a tooth is exposed to acid frequently – for example, if your child eats or drinks frequently, especially foods or drinks containing sugar and starches – the repeated cycles of acid attacks cause the enamel to lose minerals. A white spot...

What’s the Difference? There are two main forms of diabetes: Type 1 Diabetes This form of diabetes develops when the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, known as beta cells, are destroyed. The destruction of the beta cells limits the making and release of...

Get Active to Help Relieve Arthritis Pain Long gone are the days when doctors told people with arthritis to “rest their joints.” In fact, physical activity can reduce pain and improve function, mobility mood and quality of life for most adults with many types of...

Educate Your Child about the Dangers Similar to cigarettes, hookah smoking delivers the addictive drug nicotine and it is at least as toxic as cigarette smoking. Hookahs are water pipes that are used to smoke specially made tobacco that is usually flavored. Hookah...

Help Prevent the Spread of Colds Hand washing is one of the best ways you and your family can help prevent the spread of colds. Wash your hands often. To wash your hands correctly: Rub soap onto wet hands for 20 seconds. Make sure to get under your fingernails. Dry...

A Powerhouse Nutrient Vitamin B12 helps keep the body’s nerve and blood cells healthy and helps make DNA, the genetic material in all cells. It also helps prevent a type of anemia, called megaloblastic anemia, that makes people tired and weak. You can get the...

Follow Our Top Five Tips for a Healthy 2016 Ready to get healthier?  We’re here to help you start your year off right.  Check out the ideas below and let’s go! If you smoke, make a plan now to quit. When choosing a quit date, sooner is better.  Many smokers choose a...

Reduce Your Cervical Cancer Risk Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cervix, which is the lower, narrow end of a woman’s uterus.  It is preventable.  When cervical cancer is found early, it is highly treatable and is associated with long survival and good...

Do You Believe This Common Myth? Myth:  I should avoid grain products such as bread, pasta and rice when trying to lose weight. Fact:  Unless you have a particular allergy or digestive issue, grains can be considered a healthy part of any diet, including a weight loss...

There’s Help for Caregiver Stress There is little doubt that the stress of chronic caregiving for a spouse or family member has significant effects on one’s health.  Some signs of caregiver stress are: Feeling overwhelmed, lonely, guilty, sad or constantly worried...

What Every Woman Should Know Genital/vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is often called a “yeast infection.”  It occurs when there is overgrowth of the normal yeast in the vagina.  Nearly 75% of all adult women have had at least one yeast infection.  VVC occurs more...

Halt the Salt for a Healthier Heart Most American adults (and children, too) are eating too much sodium.  In fact, we are eating an average of about 3,400 mg of sodium per day.  The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human...

Exercise Safely in Winter with These Tips Almost everyone can exercise in a safe way during cold weather.  But if you have certain conditions, such as asthma or heart problems, check with your doctor before you work out in cold weather.  Your doctor can review any...