APRIL 30th is PanCan Day!!

PanCan day is a great day to support Pancreatic Cancer patients and research for pancreatic cancer.

There are walks all over the nation on this day.  There is a local event in Indianapolis. The AMS Foundation is supporting teams that are raising funds. Team Tiger Lily Tony  is the AMS Foundation team if you would like to support us. Some of us will be walking come join us.

Per the pancreatic cancer action network more than 62,000 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2022. That is equal to every day 170 people are being told they have pancreatic cancer. It is now the 10th most common diagnosis of cancer in the U.S. 

Symptoms are vague and often not seen early. That is why donating to help support research and treatment option is so important. 

For more information about pancreatic cancer, symptoms and treatments visit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network website:

https://www.pancan.org

-February 2022-

Cardiac Awareness

 Hearts are the symbol of February.   Have you checked your heart healthy lately? 

You frequently see ads for $49.00 heart scan but have you had one or know what it is?  A heart scan is a simple noninvasive test that indicates the amount of plaque in your arteries. It is a CT scan of your body that determines the amount of plaque in your arteries. The amount of hardening plague is a key indicator to your risk of a heart attack.  A clogged artery causes a decrease or blockage of oxygen rich blood to your heart that can lead to coronary heart disease and heart attacks. Men over the age of 35 and women 40 and older qualify for the scan. It is usually not billed to insurance. A heart scan for Valentine’s Day may not seem as romantic as roses but could save a life.

Other types of heart test can also help indicate heart disease:

Carotid Artery Screening (Plaque) is an ultrasound of the carotid arteries screening for fatty plaque buildup, a leading cause of strokes.

 Ultrasound of Abdomen can detect an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. This is an enlargement and weakening of the abdominal aorta that can lead to it rupturing and bleeding internally.

Ultrasound and blood pressure measurements can be used to detect peripheral artery disease in your legs (this is plague buildup also)

EKG are also quick and easy; electrodes are placed on arms and legs to monitor the heart’s rhythm. Atrial Fibrillation is abnormal and increase the risk of having a stroke by 5 times.

Scout oath and law remind us to stay physically fit, meaning being able to exercise   and maintain muscle strength. Being physically fit helps keep your heart healthy. The heart is viewed as the strongest muscle in the body because it works continuously pumping 2 ounces of blood with every beat.  It pumps approximately 2,500 gallons of blood a day recirculating throughout the body.

7 Habits to a Healthy Happy Heart (Applies to all ages)

No Smoking: The chemicals in tobacco can damage the heart and blood vessels, causing High blood pressure.

Regular exercise (at least 30 minutes of activity that increases the heart rate a day is the goal),

Maintain a healthy weight: 

Eat a healthy diet consisting of a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, beans, nuts, low fat dairy, whole grains, and healthy fats.

 Manage your stress level with physical activity, relaxation exercises or meditation.

Good sleep habits:  have a regular bedtime and wake-up time, keep your room dark and quiet.

A yearly physical exam should include a Blood Pressure check, a physician listening to your heart for any irregular rhythm or beat.  Adults should have their Cholesterol levels monitored and have type 2 diabetes screening completed.

GET ACTIVITY THIS MONTH

Start an exercise routine this month. 

Find a new activity that gets you moving.

Set a goal to be exercising ___minutes a week by __ date.

Exercising releases endorphins, reducing your level of pain, anxiety and stress.  Since your level of stress or pain decreases you feel happier. 

-December Article-

Happy Holidays! It is a wonderful time of the year to gather with friends and family. It is also the time of year that germs love to be shared. There are some habits that can help keep each other healthy 

Washing hands is a simple effective way to not spread germs. The first week of December is National Hand washing awareness week (isn’t fun there is a week or day for everything).  It is recommended to wash your hands by briskly rubbing them together with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and take care to wash the tops and palms and in between your fingers. Rinse and dry.   Hands should be washed before handling food, before eating, after you blow your nose, use the restroom, wash your hands when you get to work, when you get home, before you play with your kids or kiss your spouse. Hand washing is very effective in decreasing the spread of viruses like the flu or Covid and colds. 

Eating healthy and adequate rest are also great ways to keep your immune system healthy.  If you don’t eat your fruits and vegetables vitamin supplements are a good option.  7 to 8 hours of sleep are recommended a night, but what is important if feeling rested when you wake up. 

If you don’t feel rested or wake up feeling tired or if your partner tells you that snoring is an issue, discuss this with your MD. These are often signs of sleep apnea. A sleep study is a simple way to determine if you are having sleep apnea (this is when you stop breathing for a few seconds or more in your sleep)

Many of us try to make everything happen during the holidays but we are not perfect nor are we super humans. Stress can lead to getting sick. We can’t avoid all stress but remembering to give yourself and others some grace and relax occasionally can be a key to staying healthy. Instead of trying to have the perfect decorations or the exact present, focusing on the reason for Christmas, the birth of Jesus and God’s love for each of us represented  by him sending us his son, can help us relax and enjoy the season.. Sharing your love and God’s love with others is the greatest gift you can give to others and yourself.

-September 2021 -

HOW WELL CAN YOU SEE?

Can you image not seeing the sun rise or set each day?

Our vision and eyes are a vital part of how we function each day. There are millions of people that suffer from visual impairments due to genetic disease or accidents.  Many visual impairments are correctable but often go undetected due to people not having regular eye exams Vision problems rarely have any warning signs but can be seen during a routine vision exam by an eye doctor.

A yearly vision exam can detect common eye disorders like, 

-Diabetic retinopathy

-Glaucoma

-Cataract

-Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

-Farsightedness

-Nearsightedness

-Strabismus

-Or rare more unusual issues

When detected vision issues can often be corrected with glasses, contacts, possibly surgery to minimize vision loss or medications to correct issues can be used. 

Healthy eyes keep you safer when driving, working, and playing. Preventing eye injuries is also important, always seek medical attention for eye injuries to prevent potential vision loss or damage.

Eyes are an organ that can be donated if they are kept healthy during your life.

-August 2021 -

August is Vaccine awareness month. No better time to informed on vaccines and what they can do for you. Check out what the CDC recommends on vaccinations that could be useful for you.

-June 2021-

JUNE HEALTH TIPS

Summer is a great time to be out in the sun but be aware and take care of the largest organ in your body. YOUR SKIN!

The UV rays of the sun are the major cause of skin cancer. Skin Cancer is commonly found on areas of the body that are exposed to the sun. However, skin cancer can develop in areas of skin not exposed to sun. Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells.  When it detected in early stages can  be removed and treated without further spread.Early detection of skin cancer gives you the biggest opportunity of successful treatments. Checking your skin for signs and suspicious changes in moles or freckles is the best way to catch it in early stages.

Basal Cell Carcinoma can appear as a pearly or waxy bump or a flat fleshed colored or brown scar like lesion or a bleeding or scabbing sore that heals and returns.  It generally  appears in sun exposed areas like neck or face.

Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as a firm red nodule or a flat lesion with scaly crusty surface. This type often appears on the face, ears and hands.  People with darker skin  are at a higher risk of  squamous cell carcinoma being found on areas that are not exposed to sun.

Melanoma has several ways it can appear, as a large brownish spot with darker speckles, a mole that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds, a painful lesion that itches or burns, dark lesions  that appear, small lesion with irregular border and portions that appear red, pink, white, blue or blue black.

It is important to have any skin changes reported to a physician and checked. Not all changes are skin cancer but it is best to always determine the cause of the changes. Skin Cancer that is untreated can spread and lead to excessive problems so apply that sunscreen, wear a hat and check your skin on a regular basis.

Have a safe, health summer and Make it a great day

- April 2021-

Stress Management

How do you manage stress? Everyone experiences stress but in different ways. There is no one definition for stress but it can be described as a physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension. Stress is the reaction to feeling anxious or threatened.

Reactions to stressful events can be disbelief, shock, and numbness, feeling angry, sad, frustrated, or helpless. Often accompanied by difficulty concentrating or unable to making decisions It can cause headaches, stomach issues, back pain, muscle strain. Long term or unresolved stress can lead to heart attacks or stroke.

We cannot avoid stress, but we can recognize it!  Ways to cope with stress depends on each individual and the situation. When you are feeling stressed first you need realize if it is something you can or cannot control. Try to not be anxious or worry over situations you have no control over. Take control of your reaction, find something to focus on that you can control.  Take a deep breath and think of something that is calming.

Taking care of yourself by eating healthy, getting exercise, fresh air, regular sleep pattern and giving yourself a break if feeling stressed. Have activities that help you relax and unplug from the world. It is healthy for us to occasionally be quiet and still.

 Share your problem and how you are coping with a friend or family member. Seek help from a pastor or counselor or MD if you are overwhelmed with the feeling of stress. It is not necessary to solve your problems alone and often much easier to face with the help of someone else.

-March 2021-    

COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS

Around the 50th birthday, everyone jokes about getting a colonoscopy and how they dread it. Having one done can save your life!  Colorectal cancer is the 2nd leading cancer to result in death and it is preventable. However,+ caught in early stages it has a 90% cure rate. Men and women are equally at risk of developing colon cancer as they age. African Americans and Hispanics are at a higher risk of being diagnosed in advanced stages of colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer generally develops from benign (non cancerous) polyps found in the lining of the colon and rectum. A polyp is mushroom like growth on the lining. Polyps rarely cause any pain or issues so without a screening the polyp is not detected early.  The polyps can be removed before becoming cancerous.

Daily ways to prevent colorectal cancer include a low-fat diet, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, and regular exercise.  At the age of 50 or earlier if there is a family history of inflammatory bowel disease, polyps, or colorectal cancer. A family history of breast, ovarian or endometrial cancer are also high risk indicators. Speak with your physician regarding the best screen methods for you. Screening options range from fecal blood test to a colonoscopy.

Regardless of your age if you are having any of the following symptoms for more than 2 weeks consult your physician for an exam:

• Blood in or on the stool

• Change in bowel habits.

• Stools that are narrower than usual

• General stomach discomfort (bloating, fullness, and/or cramps)

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely.

• Frequent gas pains

• Weight loss for no apparent reason

• Rectal bleeding

• Constant tiredness, or new fatigue during activity that was previously tolerated. 

SPREADING KINDNESS

Romans 12:10  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.

 Making the world a kinder gentler world is taking one step at a time by each one of us. Take a step each day, each hour to reach out to another with an act of kindness. That act is simple as a smile, open a door, pick up a piece of trash, anything that makes the world a littler happier or easier for someone else.   Do these acts without expecting anything in return or judging actions of others.

-February 2021-       

Cardiac Awareness 

 Hearts are the symbol of February.   Have you checked your heart healthy lately?

Scout oath and law remind us to stay physically fit, meaning being able to exercise   and maintain muscle strength. Being physically fit helps keep your heart healthy. The heart is viewed as the strongest muscle in the body because it works continuously pumping 2 ounces of blood with every beat.  It pumps approximately 2,500 gallons of blood a day recirculating throughout the body.

7 Habits to a Healthy Happy Heart (Applies to all ages)

• No Smoking: The chemicals in tobacco can damage the heart and blood vessels, causing High blood pressure.

• Regular exercise (at least 30 minutes of activity that increases the  heart rate a day is the goal),

• Maintain a healthy weight: 

• Eat a healthy diet consisting of a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, beans, nuts, low fat dairy, whole grains, and healthy fats.

•  Manage your stress level with physical activity, relaxation exercises or meditation.

• Good sleep habits:  have a regular bedtime and wake-up time, keep your room dark and quiet.

• A yearly physical exam should include a Blood Pressure check, a physician listening to your heart for any irregular rhythm or beat.  Adults should have their Cholesterol levels monitored and have  type 2 diabetes screening completed.

GET ACTIVE THIS MONTH!

Start an exercise routine this month. 

Find a new activity that gets you moving.

Set a goal to be exercising  ___minutes a week by __ date.

Exercising releases endorphins , reducing your level of pain, anxiety  and stress.  Since your level of stress or pain decrease you feel happier. 

-January 2021-                          

January is Cervical Cancer awareness month. Cervical Cancer can be caused by HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infection that does not resolve Generally there are no warning signs of early stages of cervical cancer. It is important for women to have pap smears and HPV test done routinely after the age of 21. Please consult your primary physician for advice on routine exams.

HPV vaccine can reduce the risk of cervical cancer and other cancers. The vaccine is available for males and females. It is given around the age of 11 but can be given as early as nine or later in the teen years. It will either be given in two or three shots depending on the age of recipient. Please consult your physician for further information on the vaccine

SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD)

Many people feel a little down and sluggish after the holidays and the beginning of the new year. However, you are not alone in these feelings and it is ok to express it to someone else.. Get help and take steps to get have hope and get back on track.

If you are feeling depressed most of the day, lost interest in activities you usually enjoy, have trouble sleeping, lack of energy, changes in your appetite, difficult concentrating or feeling hopeless—these are all symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. The specific cause of SAD is unknown, but some factors are reduced sunlight, your circadian rhythm and melatonin levels.  It is important to discuss how you are feeling with someone and to tell your physician, there are medications and therapies that can help. It is also helpful to get fresh air every day, enjoy the sun when it shines ( or try photo therapy lights), have a sleep routine and exercise.