Health & Lifestyle

Men's Health Must Become a Priority for the Nation

By Dr. Henrie M. Treadwell

     Women's health advocacy is making tremendous strides, with government, foundations, non-profits and private industry leading the charge for greater awareness and treatment of health conditions impacting women. But unfortunately the same intensity has not been unleashed to adequately address health problems for men.

     While outreach efforts have raised the awareness of breast cancer, urged women to seek proper prenatal care and lead to critical research into the major health problems of women, there seems overall to be far less advocacy for men. As a result, there has been far slower progress at addressing the chronic illnesses disproportionately striking men.

     In fact, the health conditions of African American men exemplify the disparity, with black men experiencing some of the poorest health outcomes of any demographic in American society. The National Center for Health Statistics says life expectancy for a black male child born in 2004 is 69.5 years, compared with 75.7 years for white males born the same year.

     To be sure, the statistics tell a bleak story about the health outcomes of African American men. Black men have higher death rates than women for all the leading causes of death. Moreover, black men suffer from higher rates of prostate cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke and other chronic illnesses.

The reasons for these disparities range from the impact of racial discrimination to poor access to healthcare services to the barriers caused by poverty to a lack of information about preventive care and many other factors.

     What's clear, however, is that if research, preventive awareness and unhealthy behavior for men are ever going to change, it will take an advocacy effort similar to what feminists did for the women's health movement. Clearly, it was the campaign by women's activists that changed the nation's attitude towards women's health. Now, the same is needed to help change health outcomes for men.

     In parts of the country, there are advocacy programs that are making a difference. In 2008, the Lorain (Ohio) County Branch of National Urban League in partnership with Community Voices: Healthcare for the Underserved at Morehouse School of Medicine and Pfizer launched a Save Ours Sons program for 42 African American males.

     The program's objective was to develop a national, replicable health education model to reduce diabetes and obesity in African-American men, as well as connect program participants with comprehensive primary healthcare providers. The six-week program had a tremendous impact. At the start of the program only eight participants had a regular physician. After the intervention, 29 had a primary care physician. In addition, there were other healthy results. For instance, the participants:

     * Increased exercise levels (98% exceeded goal of 150 min/week)

     * Decreased obesity and overweight status by 7%

     * Decreased hypertension by 23%

     * Increased health insurance enrollment by more than 58%

     * Increased local media attention about African-American men's health by 400%.

     Meanwhile, in Detroit the 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the American Cancer Society joined together to sponsor an awareness campaign aimed at reducing deaths from prostate cancer. Members of 100 Black Men are visiting locations in the community, such as churches, barbershops and community centers to distribute information about prostate cancer, while giving advice on how to improve their overall health.

     Programs, such as these, are helping in local communities. But advocacy for improving the health of men also must become a national cause.

     It's time for men's health to become a top priority for the nation.

Exercise Tips for Lowering Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, which affects about 1 in 3 American adults, increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. Exercise and a healthy diet are important ways to prevent high blood pressure. Exercise also boosts the effectiveness of blood pressure medication if you already have hypertension.

Put the Fun Back in Exercise

     Find activities you enjoy and aim for 30 minutes a day of “exercise” on most days of the week. Daily housework, gardening, washing windows, using the stairs, carrying your groceries, walking at the mall, or riding bikes with the kids all add up to exercise that benefits your heart.

Hit the Gym

     You don't need to belong to a gym to become more active. But some people find it easier to focus on their workout in a gym setting. As an added bonus, the trainer at your local fitness center can teach you how to use the equipment properly to avoid injury.

Strengthen Your Heart

     Strengthening or resistance exercise with free weights, weight machines, or by doing abdominal crunches or curl-ups can boost heart health if done twice to three times a week. Resistance exercise lowers blood pressure, reduces body fat, and increases muscle mass and metabolic rate.

     Can’t Take the Heat? Then Swim

     Heart-pumping conditioning exercise is important for lowering blood pressure. But if you can’t take the heat, try swimming at your local “Y” or fitness center. Swimming for 30 minutes reduces the amount of circulating adrenaline in the body and relaxes blood vessels. Swimming can help lower your pulse rate and lower blood pressure.

How Much Exercise Is Enough?

     If you have moderate increases in blood pressure, 30 minutes of brisk walking may be enough to keep you off medication. If you already take medication for high blood pressure, 30 minutes of moderate exercise --working hard enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat-- can help your medications work more effectively.  If you don’t have high blood pressure, being physically active can help keep it normal. 

Getting Started

     Haven’t exercised in a while? Start slowly to prevent injuries. Gradually increase your exercise time as you get stronger. For instance, start with 10 to 15 minutes of exercise you enjoy, such as walking around the block or on a treadmill, or riding a stationary bike. Every few days, increase the time you spend exercising until you reach the goal of 30 minutes each day.

Pace Yourself to Avoid Injury

     If you’re new to exercise, remember to pace yourself. Select a low- to moderate-intensity exercise such as yoga, cycling (leisure), gardening, mall walking, water aerobics, or swimming (moderate pace). Slowly increase the intensity and duration of your exercise as you become more fit.

Make Exercise Convenient

     Make sure exercise fits your busy schedule. You can work out while the kids are at soccer practice, before or after work, or even during your lunch break. If it’s hard to get out of the house, consider getting a stationary bike or treadmill to use while watching the evening news or while the baby naps.

Know the Safety Tips

     No matter what exercise you do, be aware of your limitations. If the exercise or activity hurts, then stop! If you feel dizzy or have discomfort in your chest, arms, or throat, stop. Also, go slower on hot and humid days or exercise in an air-conditioned facility.

Junk in the trunk: Healthier than you think

By Syleena Johnson, BDO Staff Writer

Blackdoctor.org--Finally! A study that shows that the voluptuous figures of countless black women possess more benefits than just aesthetic perks. News from the study reports that fat in the butt and thighs of women may help them live longer. According to the study, unlike unhealthy belly fat, the type of fat found in the thighs and backside may actually help reduce disease.

"The fact that body fat's distribution is quite important for your health has been known for some time now," said lead researcher Konstantinos Manolopoulos of the University of Oxford in England. Manolopoulos and his colleagues detailed their findings in an article in a recent International Journal of Obesity.

The review also suggests a mechanism for conveying those benefits. The next step is to figure out how our bodies decide where to store fat, say, in the stomach versus the butt.

"Once this is understood then one could think about therapeutic approaches to make use of that," Manolopoulos said. "Maybe to make use (of it) in a preventive way by redistributing the fat."

Don’t take this news the wrong way though. This is only true to a certain degree as obesity increases your chances of developing chronic health conditions.

When looking through the studies, the researchers found that not all fat is created equal.

Butt Fat vs. Stomach Fat

According to MSNBC, stomach fat is considered more metabolically active than lower body fat. While that may sound good, as this fat breaks down easily, the result is a release of substances called cytokines, which have been linked to cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and diabetes. In fact, research on mice reported in 2008 revealed that belly fat boosts inflammation and is linked with hardening of the arteries—known to increase the risk of heart attacks.

But scientists think lower body fat, like that around the hips and thighs, produces beneficial hormones that protect against these diseases, though more research is needed to firm up this expectation.

In addition, this lower body fat also traps fatty acids. While this long-term storage can make it tricky to slim down your butt and thighs, it's healthier for you if some fat stays put.

"If fatty acids are not stored in fat but in other organs like the liver or the arteries, this makes you prone to develop diabetes and heart disease," Manolopoulos said. "One moment on the lips, forever on the hips. It really is exactly this phenomenon; the fat that goes there stays there"; that is, on the hips and thighs.

Manolopoulos reported that the most compelling evidence for the link comes from population studies showing the more fat individuals have in the hind area, the less likely they are to develop diabetes and heart disease later in life. Other evidence includes instances of Cushing's syndrome, in which patients lose their hip and thigh fat while gaining stomach fat. These patients are known to have an increased risk for diabetes and heart disease.

The Role of Genes and Gender

Scientists aren't sure how the body decides where to store fat, but it's partially genetic. That genetic force can be seen in the gender differences in how fat gets stored, with women having much more of the healthy, lower-body fat than men. And females have a much lower risk for heart disease, Manolopoulos said.

"As long as you are female and your hormones are female hormones, you are protected from cardiovascular disease," Manolopoulos said. "The moment you go into menopause and your hormones change, you lose your typical female appearance and gain stomach fat. At the same time, your risk for heart disease and diabetes becomes comparable to men of the same age."

“Heart Your Health” by Controlling Your Blood Pressure
 

  While February is a month for many people to express love through gifts and candy, it’s also American Heart Month. During the month and every day, it’s important to not only acknowledge your blood pressure, but also control it for your heart’s health.

     High blood pressure – also called hypertension – happens when there is increased pressure against the heart. The heart eventually gets tired of working against this pressure that can cause heart attacks, strokes and other health problems. Hypertension is also known as the “silent killer” because its symptoms do not surface while causing damage.

     Yuen Ting (Cathy) Lau, Pharm.D., BCPS, assistant professor of pharmacy practice at the Texas A&M Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, says an increase in blood pressure by 20 degrees can double the risk of a heart attack, and a significant decrease can cause heart failure or possibly death.

     “National studies show that 72 percent of hypertension patients know they have the disease, 60 percent are being treated, and only 30 to 35 percent have their blood pressure under control,” she says.

     The most common prescribed medication to control hypertension is hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), commonly called the “water pill.” Patients typically complain that side effects incurred with this medication are bothersome, but Dr. Lau stresses otherwise.

     “Frequent urination is a reoccurring complaint with the water pill, but it really is effective for controlling blood pressure,” Dr. Lau says.

     Patients on HCTZ should speak with their prescriber before choosing to stop taking it, Dr. Lau advises. Depending on the patient’s health profile, other medications may be available to treat hypertension.

News You Can Use About: Hypertension

   What is hypertension?—Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. Untreated hypertension increases the strain on the heart and arteries, eventually causing organ damage. Hypertension increases the risk of heart failure, heart attack (myocardial infarction), and stroke. Fortunately, treatments for hypertension are effective and usually easy to take.  Hypertension (also called essential hypertension) does not have a known underlying cause.

     Hypertension is a common health problem. In the United States, approximately 32 percent of African-Americans and 23 percent of white people and Mexican-Americans have hypertension. Hypertension is more common as people grow older. As an example, among people over age 60, hypertension occurs in 65 percent of African-American men, 80 percent of African-American women, 55 percent of white men, and 65 percent of white women

     How do I know if I have hypertension? — If your average blood pressure is consistently over 120/80 you may have high blood pressure.  Blood pressure less than 140/90 but greater than 120/80 is considered pre-hypertension, a mild form of hypertension. Blood pressure greater than 140/90 is considered uncontrolled high blood pressure.  All forms of elevated blood pressure should be evaluated by your doctor.

     How is hypertension treated?—Making lifestyle changes is an important first step in the treatment of high blood pressure. In some patients, lowering sodium (salt) and alcohol intake, keeping weight in the ideal range, engaging in regular aerobic exercise, and stopping smoking may be sufficient to control high blood pressure. However, many patients also require one or more medications to lower the blood pressure.

     There are various medications that are commonly used to treat high blood pressure.  Although generally well tolerated, high blood pressure medications can cause side effects; the side effects depend upon the specific drug given, dosage, and other factors. Some people will respond well to one drug but not to another. Therefore, it may take time to determine the right drug(s) and proper dosage to effectively lower blood pressure with a minimum of side effects.

     How do blood pressure medications work? 

     Diuretics—Diuretics lower blood pressure mainly by causing more urination as the kidneys work to excrete more water and salt, enabling the body to eliminate extra fluid.  Because salt and fluid retention is very common in certain groups of people like African-Americans, diuretics are often very effective in these particular patients. In some cases, a potassium supplement is given because diuretics can cause potassium deficiency in 15-20% of patients.  The two most common diuretics are hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and chlorthalidone.

     Side effects are uncommon with low doses of diuretics.  Fatigue, dizziness, weakness, and other symptoms can occur as a result of decreased sodium, potassium, and water level. Other symptoms may include reversible impotence and gout attacks.

     ACE inhibitors —Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors block production of the hormone angiotensin II, a compound in the blood that causes narrowing of blood vessels and increases blood pressure. By reducing production of angiotensin II, ACE inhibitors allow blood vessels to widen, which lowers blood pressure and improves heart output.  One commonly used ACE inhibitor is lisinopril.

     In some patients, ACE inhibitors cause a persistent dry hacking cough that is reversible when the medication is stopped. Less common side effects include dry mouth, nausea, light-headedness, dizziness with standing, rash, muscle pain, or occasionally, kidney problems. A potentially serious complication of ACE inhibitors is angioedema, which occurs in 0.1 to 0.7 percent of people. People with angioedema rapidly (minutes to hours after taking the medication) develop swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat, which can interfere with breathing.  These symptoms are a medical emergency and the ACE inhibitor should be stopped immediately.

     What can I expect when I see my doctor? 

     Your doctor may consider using several other types of drugs such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, alpha blockers, and vasodilators, which will be discussed in future articles.  It is important to remember, however, that if you have high blood pressure, don’t wait for symptoms to show up before seeing the doctor.  High blood pressure, like diabetes, can progress for years without symptoms which is why it is sometimes called a “silent killer.”  You can expect your doctor to take multiple factors into account such as your personal and family medical history, gender, age, race, side effects, and cost. Because no two people are exactly alike and recommendations can vary from one person to another, it is important to seek guidance from a provider who is familiar with your individual situation.

     If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider. If you do not have a healthcare provider, Total Healthcare Center is here to provide your adult and children primary care, children dental and family planning services.   THC is located at 928 N. Glenwood, Tyler, TX 75702.  The Center can be contacted at (903)533-7400. 

     Total Healthcare Center provides quality, compassionate health and dental care to the community regardless of one’s ability to pay.

What It Takes to Get Fit

As Americans fight the rising tide of obesity and the health risks linked to excess weight and a sedentary lifestyle, most are told by experts to get more exercise.

     People trying to get fit along with raising families, managing a career, running a household and trying to get some sleep every night might well need some guidelines.

     With the understanding that when it comes to exercise, more is always better for your mental and physical health, U.S. government guidelines say that you can stay fit with a little more than two hours of activity a week.

     For most people, all it takes is 2 hours a week to help avoid an early death from heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or cancer.

     According to the guidelines, aerobic exercise should be done for at least 10 minutes. To get even more health benefits, adults should get at least five hours a week of moderate exercise or 2 hours a week of intensive exercise, the guidelines recommend.

     Children and adolescents need even more exercise, according to the government guidelines.

     They should try to get at least an hour of moderate or vigorous exercise each day and engage in intense exercise at least three days a week. Experts agree that this helps young people improve their hearts, lungs, muscles and bones as well as their self-esteem.

Seasonal Flu Vaccines Available Now at UTHSCT Flu Clinic

This is the prime time of year for seasonal flu in East Texas, but there’s a quick and easy way to protect yourself: get a flu shot.

     And, while seasonal flu vaccine has been in short supply since last fall, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler recently received a large shipment and is offering seasonal flu shots to the public.

     UTHSCT is holding a flu clinic from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in the first floor lobby of the Riter Center. This clinic offers flu shots to protect you from seasonal flu, not the new H1N1 influenza strain. UTHSCT is located at the intersection of U.S. 271 and Texas 155 in Tyler.

     “The flu season here is just getting started, so it’s not too late to get your seasonal flu shot. We have plenty of seasonal flu vaccine, and we want to make sure that everyone who wants a vaccination gets one,” said Melissa Maeker, UTHSCT’s director of pharmacy.

     Jeffrey Levin, MD, chairman of the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, said seasonal flu causes much illness and many deaths in the United States each year. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in an average year more than 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 people die from seasonal flu complications.

     “It’s especially important this year to get a seasonal flu shot, because we’ve already had an outbreak of a different flu strain, H1N1 flu. Having a seasonal flu vaccination will help in determining the proper treatment of people with flu-like illness,” Dr. Levin said.

     Although experts have determined that the H1N1 flu outbreak is subsiding, that’s not the case for seasonal flu, which usually becomes widespread this time of year.

     The CDC says that everyone older than 6 months of age who wants to reduce their chances of contracting the flu should get a flu shot. People who have a higher risk of developing serious complications from the flu are:

     * children aged 6 months to 19 years

     * pregnant women

     * people 50 years of age and older

     * anyone with a chronic medical condition

     * residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities

     * people who live with or take care of those at high risk for complications from the flu, including health care workers and household contacts and caregivers of children less than 5 years of age, especially those who take care of children less than 6 months of age.

     The cost is $25 per vaccination. Immunizations will be given at no cost to people with Medicare, if they have their Medicare card.

     For more information about the flu shot clinic, call (903) 877-7000.

H1N1 Flu ("Swine Flu") and You

What is  H1N1 (swine flu)?

     H1N1 (sometimes called “swine flu”) is an influenza virus causing illness in people. This  virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009.  This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of  H1N1 flu was underway.

     Why is H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”?

     This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes. Scientists call this a "quadruple reassortant" virus.

     Are there human infections with  H1N1 virus in the U.S.?

     Yes. Human infections with  H1N1 are ongoing in the United States. Most people who have become ill with this virus have recovered without requiring medical treatment.

     The Center for Disease Control (CDC) routinely works with states to collect, compile and analyze information about influenza, and has done the same for the  H1N1 virus since the beginning of the outbreak.

Is H1N1 virus contagious?

     The H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human.

How does  H1N1 virus spread?

     Spread of H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

     Can I get  H1N1 more than once?

     Getting infected with any influenza virus, including H1N1, should cause your body to develop immune resistance to that virus so it's not likely that a person would be infected with the identical influenza virus more than once. (However, people with weakened immune systems might not develop full immunity after infection and might be more likely to get infected with the same influenza virus more than once.) However, it's also possible that a person could have a positive test result for flu infection more than once in an influenza season. This can occur for two reasons:

     * A person may be infected with different influenza viruses (for example, the first time with H1N1 and the second time with a regular seasonal flu virus. Most rapid tests cannot distinguish which influenza virus is responsible for the illness. And,

     * Influenza tests can occasionally give false positive and false negative results so it's possible that one of the test results were incorrect. This is more likely to happen when the diagnosis is made with the rapid flu tests.

     What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?

     The symptoms of H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, including H1N1 and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.  Severe illnesses and deaths have occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

     How severe is illness associated with H1N1 flu virus?

     Illness with H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred.

     In seasonal flu, certain people are at “high risk” of serious complications. This includes people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions. About 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with this H1N1 virus have had one or more medical conditions previously recognized as placing people at “high risk” of serious seasonal flu-related complications. This includes pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.

     Young children are also at high risk of serious complications from  H1N1, just as they are from seasonal flu. And while people 65 and older are the least likely to be infected with H1N1 flu, if they get sick, they are also at “high risk” of developing serious complications from their illness.

     CDC laboratory studies have shown that no children and very few adults younger than 60 years old have existing antibody to H1N1 flu virus; however, about one-third of adults older than 60 may have antibodies against this virus. It is unknown how much, if any, protection may be afforded against H1N1 flu by any existing antibody.

     For more information on H1N1 flu, contact the: Northeast Texas Public Health District at 877-244-9641 or the Texas Department of State Health Services at 877-847-5009.  

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