Large numbers of Americans are stressed out. Many, extremely so. And far too many are failing to take adequate action to alleviate the stress in their lives. If we recognize the negative health implications of high stress levels - heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and depression, among others - then why are so many of us doing such a poor job at managing it? We tend to see our prospects as being far better than they may actually be, and particularly when compared to the next guy. This optimism lets us deal with hardship and take chances in life.

The 20% or so of people who do not have an optimism bias are clinically depressed. In fact, when things go really bad, people become more optimistic, not less, because that’s when we need it most. Optimism is better for your mental health. It eases your mind and actually lowers your stress. It also benefits your physical health. Optimistic people are more likely to follow doctors’ orders, to take vitamins, to eat better and exercise. Also, optimism can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you believe in a positive outcome, you are more likely to act toward it. The downside to the optimism bias comes into play when people’s healthy perceptions lull them into denial, rather than thoughtful action.

People believe they have a lot of control over their lives sometimes even when things are truly beyond their control. They explain to themselves that there are things they can do to avoid negative consequences. Risks that are a matter of choice don’t seem to scare us as much. It’s a whole other emotional language. The bottom line, though, is that stress is really a bad thing. They are running around freaking people out about rare diseases when stress is way worse as a contributor to an army of chronic illnesses, including certain cancers.

Two things to keep in mind: you want to be aware of the risk and you want to be clear about the psychology behind the way you read and assess the risk. When you know both, you will be better equipped to take action. People should become aware of their biases and understand how the brain creates these illusions. There is nothing wrong with people having the belief that they’re going to be okay, as long as it doesn’t end there. Encourage the optimism, but also stress the need for action.

“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another”.  ~William James

Researchers who examined published literature found that type of flu shots used to vaccinate 90% of Americans would only protect about 59% of the population, which is in plain contrast to the established estimates of 70-90% effectiveness, when there is a good match of vaccine to circulating strains. There is a need for new vaccines in order to further reduce flu-related illness and deaths. In order to understand, you’ll need to understand some specifics about the flu vaccine and a bit on how immunity works.

There is no single virus that causes the flu; there isn’t one flu vaccine that protects against all of them. A flu vaccine is designed to confer immunity against the strains of flu that are expected to be most common and most serious. For example the vaccine is kind of like a one-size-fits-all, even though there are more types of flu than covered by the vaccine and the flu types vary according to region. It takes time to produce vaccines, so a new vaccine can’t be instantly produced when a new type of flu starts to cause problems.

These virus parts correspond to parts of proteins floating around in your body. When the virus part contacts a chemical ‘match’, it stimulates the body to produce the cells and antibodies that can remove this particular intruder. Antibodies are proteins that float in body fluids and can bind to specific chemical markers. When an antibody binds to a substance, it essentially marks it for destruction by other cells. However, an antibody for one type of flu won’t necessarily bind to a virus part from another type of flu. A flu vaccine can only stimulate your immune system to protect you against the viruses in the vaccine, with some lesser protection against very similar ones.

You may not even get protection against the intended virus. Why? First, because viruses change over time. Second, the vaccine may not have given you enough stimulation to fight off the disease. Will your body win the fight when the real virus comes to call? Yes, if you have enough defenses built up. However, you will still get the flu if…..your body isn’t fast enough producing a response, get the vaccine and get exposed to the flu too soon (less than 2 weeks), too much time between vaccination and exposure (loses its effectiveness over time), you don’t produce enough of a response •overwhelmed by exposure to a high level of the virus, your body couldn’t recognize the initial virus piece (determined by genetics) , your body didn’t make enough antibodies/cells (common in older people or people with suppressed immune systems), the virus as changed beyond your body’s ability to recognize it , the part of the virus that was in the vaccine can’t be detected by the body in the intact virus.

Basically  the flu vaccine varies in effectiveness from year-to-year. Even in a best-case scenario, it won’t always protect against the flu. The CDC study didn’t say that the vaccine didn’t work; it says the vaccine didn’t protect people from getting sick. Even with imperfect effectiveness, the vaccine is indicated for certain people; However, the vaccine isn’t for everyone and certainly shouldn’t be required for otherwise healthy people.

A lot of people don’t take the risks of high cholesterol very seriously. In spite of everything, one out of six people have high cholesterol. A shocking 50% of Americans have levels of cholesterol above the advised limit. Could something so common to humans be such a high risk? Regrettably, yes. Cholesterol is a direct contributor to cardiovascular disease, which can lead to severe strokes and heart attacks. Despite all of the medicines and treatments we have now a days, cardiovascular disease is still the number one cause of death and illness in our civilization.

The World Health Organization estimates that almost 20% of all strokes and over 50% of all heart attacks can be linked to high cholesterol. But if you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol, don’t feel as bad because the good news is that high cholesterol is one risk factor for strokes and heart attacks that you can change. You just need to take action now, before your high cholesterol results in a more serious disease. When it comes to high cholesterol risks, it’s tough to keep the details straight. We might have an unclear idea of whether our cholesterol is good or bad, so it may be worth going over the basics.

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance circulating in your blood. Some of your cholesterol comes from the food you eat. But the majority of it is actually made in your own body, precisely in the liver. Cholesterol does have some good uses though. It is needed to make some hormones and it is an important job to our cells. But too much of it in the bloodstream can lead to serious trouble. Cholesterol comes in several different systems, but doctors focus mostly on two: LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.

LDL:

· Low-density Lipoprotein also called “bad cholesterol”. LDL cholesterol can clog your arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Most people should aim for a level of less than 100 mg/dL. However, people who already have heart disease may need to aim for under 70 mg/dL.

· Getting your LDL cholesterol checked helps determine your risk for heart disease. If your LDL cholesterol is high, treatment can reduce your chance of having a heart attack.

· Your optimal LDL levels depend on your other heart disease risk factors. Optimal levels for one person don’t necessary mean optimal level for a different person. It’s necessary to consult your doctor to determine the optimal LDL level for you.

HDL:

· High-density Lipoprotein is also known as “good cholesterol”. This type of cholesterol attaches to bad cholesterol and brings it to the liver, where it’s filtered out of the body. So HDL cholesterol reduces the amount of bad cholesterol in your system. You should aim for 60 mg/dL or higher.

· HDL particles are able to remove cholesterol from within artery atheroma and transport it back to the liver for excretion or re-utilization, which is the main reason why the cholesterol carried within HDL particles is sometimes called “good cholesterol”.

Remember folks ” Control it, Don’t ignore it”

Recent studies show that depressed women have a higher risk for having a stroke. Studies also found that women who used certain antidepressants were at higher risk for strokes also. Why you ask? ,well the researchers found that women with a history of depression had a related 29% increased risk of stroke. Women, who used antidepressants, had a related 39% increased risk of stroke.

Some of you may be asking yourselves is it the depression or the antidepressants that increases the risk? “I don’t think the medications themselves are the primary cause of the risk,” says senior author Dr. Kathryn Rexrode. “This study does not suggest that people should stop their medications to reduce the risk of stroke.”

Symptoms of depression can harm people from staying healthy, taking medications or living a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating right and exercising. Studies also show depressed women were more likely to be less active, gain more weight, and have medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, which all contribute to increased stroke risk. Antidepressants use is related to higher rates of inflammation, high blood pressure, and weight gain, also factors that increase stroke risk.

But these studies were limited to white registered nurses so this which may limit the findings in other women. These risks such as depression, diabetes, healthy weight and diet, healthy cholesterol, high blood pressure are all consistent. Patients and doctors need to understand the relationship of these risks of a stroke and depression and treat them together. Further studies are being planned to examine how depression and stroke are associated.

Women searching for a safe other way to hormone therapy to prevent bone loss and ease the symptoms of menopause are in for another disappointment. The latest in a series of studies finds that soy supplements, an increasingly popular substitute for hormone therapy, don’t stave off hot flashes, night sweats, and other uncomfortable menopausal symptoms.

Soy protein, a fixture of Asian diets, has been considered a possible alternative to hormone therapy for years, ever since researchers detected that women in Asia tend to have lower rates of bone loss and osteoporosis than their neighbors in America. However, clinical trials of soy in menopausal women have had mixed results. Likewise, the soy supplements did nothing to ward off hot flashes. In fact, 48% of the women who took soy experienced hot flashes, compared with just 31% percent of those in the sample group. Roughly one-third of the women in the soy group also reported constipation as a side effect, versus 21% in the sample group.

There were few serious effects in either group, but women taking soy showed no improvement regarding night sweats, insomnia, and loss of libido or vaginal dryness, compared with the placebo group. So for those women using soy products to reduce menopausal symptoms should really reconsider.

So if soy isn’t useful, what options are women left with? To prevent bone loss, women should stick with the basics. That means getting enough calcium and vitamin D, exercising regularly, and, in some cases, taking bone-strengthening drugs such as bisphosphonates. Urine tests showed that the women in the soy group had ate nearly 20 times as much soy as those taking the sample group, but researchers found no noteworthy differences in bone density.

Americans are increasingly sleep deprived and the sleepiest people are… you guessed it WOMEN. Studies show that women genuinly give up more sleep to take care of others, about two and half times more likely than men to take a night shift for caregiving. And when they get up, they stay up longer than men-an average 0f 44 minutes versus 30 minutes.

Professor Francesco Cappuccio from the University of Warwick’s Warwick Medical School led the research he declared that women sleeping less than 5 hours a night should try to get more sleep because,  “Sustained sleep curtailment, ensuing excessive daytime sleepiness, and the higher cardiovascular risk are causes for concern.”

There’s no question that more men suffer from hypertension than do women.  And there are far more men that have heart disease than women.  But remember, there are lots of variables to consider when assessing risk for heart disease.  Sleep is only one of them.  And for women, sleep plays a more significant role than other risk factors.

 Here are some of the Sleep Deprived Women of America

• Divorced and Separated Women
  Women who are divorced or separated were 9-points more likely than single women, and 6-points more likely than married women to say they get, at most, 5 hours of sleep a night.

• Non-Professional Women
  Women who do not work outside the home were 8 points more likely than all other women to get less sleep than they need. Meanwhile, female business professionals aren’t tossing and turning – they’re among the most likely to get a good night’s sleep.

• Northeast and West Coast Women
  Women living in the populous Northeast and West Coast have the more trouble sleeping than people in other regions.
   

• Minorities
  Hispanic women were 5-points more likely than African American women and 14-points more likely than White women to report not getting enough sleep (27%-22%-13%, respectively).

Getting a good night’s sleep, of course, is easier said than done. You have to tune out a host of temptations, from Letterman to the PTA to your e-mail inbox — and most of all, to ignore the workaholic wisdom that says you’re lazy for not living up to the example set by Madonna, Martha Stewart and other notorious self-professed never-sleepers. Of course, the truth is the opposite: You’ll be much more likely to be a professional powerhouse if you’re not asleep at the wheel.

Take a stand and ask for help with the nighttime duties, ladies!!

Are you having frequent heartburn that puts your chest on fire?? Is the bitter taste of acid in your mouth making you grab a drink of water?? You could be suffering from a case of heartburn.

How frequent heartburn happens???

1. Burning sensation is caused when acid comes from your esophagus to your stomach

2. The delicate lining of the esophagus becomes irritated, causing heartburn.

Tips for relieving heartburn:

1. Avoid common Heartburn triggers including any spicy food, chocolate, and alcohol

2. Eat slow and try eating portion sized meals

3. Avoid the couch after a meal, stay active

4. Smoking and being overweight can also trigger heartburn symptoms

5. Avoid denny’s or any late night meals (within 3 to 4 hours before bed) 

Day to day, people rarely think about their hearts and any particular strain it may be under. Of course if you have a history of heart disease that would mean your main concern is staying healthy. If you are not sure of the history of health in your family, you may want to do a little bit of an investigation. Ask members of your family, and more importantly make sure to speak with your family physician in order to get most of your questions answered…

Risk Factors: -high cholesterol, -high blood pressure, - diabetes, -cigarette smoking, - overweight and obesity, - poor diet, -physical inactivity, -alcohol use.

These things above need to either be controlled or eliminated if possible. These medical condidtions and life style choice play a major role in heart disease today, and if they can be controlled your chances of living a life free from multiple hospital visits are good.

As crazy as this may sound…. DON’T SMOKE!!!! Quit with the charing and pollution of your lungs.

Prevention is the main key to keeping healthy. Try your best to watch what you eat and maintain a healthy weight. No one is saying to starve yourself or maintain a body weight where you bones look like they serve the purpose of a hanger for your skin….that is crazy!

The misconception is that thin is in…ummm no. Everybody’s body type is different. Consult a nutritionist to get you on the right track. Keep your heart at mind when it comes to your daily activities. Have fun, but be smart about what you do to your body.

Anytime that you are feeling sick, the first thing that most people do is go to their local drug store to pick up OTC (over the counter) medicines to avoid a visit to the doctors office. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that because hey!…when you think about it most times the symptoms that you are feeling have come and gone once upon a time before.

OTC medications can help you feel better if they’re taking properly. If not, then you may very well end at your doctor for a visit. KEEP IN MIND: that it is important to always speak with your family doctor about any medicine that you are planning on taking.

 Here are a few questions you can ask: What are the possible side affects? (everyones medical history is different)

What does the medicine do?

How will I know if the medicine is working?

Also, make sure to inquire about daily activities that you may do that may interfere with the medicine you’re taking as well as foods that you can or cannot eat while taking these medications.

                           Another important thing to know about OTC medication is how long you should take them for. Only prescriptions state in writing how long and the amount for that particular medication. OTC medicines are not something that require administering over a life time, but just like prescription drugs, you need to know how much and for how long.

Most people purchase the brand name medicine as oppose to the generic brand. In all honesity the main difference is in the price an somewhat in the list of ingredient. This is why it is always important to read the labels so that know what your body is soon to be ingeesting. Once again you can always ask you pharmacist or doctor to compare the two for you if you are not sure.

These are just a few tips to help you get the most out of OTC medication! 

What is colorectal cancer?

This is a specific type of cancer that produces abnormal growth on the colon. This isn’t your everyday cancer. The most common type of colon cancer starts out as what is known as a polyp. The average time it takes for a polyp to become malignat is between 5-10 years. The earlier the discovery of a polyp and a successful removal of the growth, really does increase your chances at living life.

Most people don’t necessarily avoid doctors because they don’t have the time for a visit, however, it is simply just because certain kinds of visits other than a regular check-up, frankly are rather uncomfortable and worrisome. This is why we need to remember that our health is the most important thing to take care of and this is with regards to any health issue. Regular checks are a must…a necessity. Approximatley 50,000 Americans will die of colon cancer.

One particular way to gain information on your bodily functions about the colon is through a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is a screening and diagnostic test for colorectal cancer. With this procedure even the tiniest of polyps can be detected and removed.       

How ofter should one undergo a screening? 

For the most part you’re consider LOW RISK at the age of 50. The evaluation should begin at that age for most, for African Americans it should be at age 45.  You are considered HIGH RISK  if there shows to be a history of colon cancer or polyps in you family and that would mean you would need to go for a screening every 10 years. The regular screenings would be determined by you physician. 

Always remember that no matter how uncomfortable the doctor visit maybe, it is vital to staying healthy and alive.