November, 2020

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD is a condition that makes it hard to breathe. Although there is no cure, treatment can improve quality of life. To understand COPD, it may help to break down its name. Chronic means long-lasting. COPD is progressive--it gets worse over time. Obstructive refers to the fact that airflow is obstructed--air can't move freely in and out of the lungs. Obstruction may be from chronic bronchitis swelling and excess phlegm in the airways , emphysema damage to lu...

10 facts about diabetic retinopathy

Anyone with diabetes—type 1, type 2 or gestational—is at risk for diabetic retinopathy. So if you have diabetes, it's good for you to learn as much as you can about this eye disease, including these 10 important facts. 1. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar damages your retina—the light-sensitive lining found at the back of your eye. Sugar can block tiny blood vessels in your retina, causing them to bleed or leak fluid. Your eyes try to compensate by growing new b...

It's a Great Day to Quit Smoking

If you smoke, find your calendar and draw a big red circle around Nov. 16. That's the date for this year's Great American Smokeout--a day that everyone who smokes is encouraged to quit. The Smokeout has fallen on the third Thursday in November since 1976, when the California division of the American Cancer Society ACS convinced nearly 1 million smokers to quit for the day. The ACS took the event nationwide in 1977. Millions more people have quit smoking over the years. According to the American ...

Holiday Safety Is on the Menu

Food is a big part of how we celebrate the holidays. But you don't want spoiled food to spoil the fun. So remember to add a dash of safety with the foods you whip up. Doing so can help reduce the risk of foodborne illness, or food poisoning. That's a possibility in any kitchen. The culprit? Harmful bacteria that can find their way into foods. To help reduce this risk: Keep it clean. This is an important step to help keep bacteria from spreading. • Remember to wash your hands with soap and ...

Why You Need Health Checkups

Do you typically only schedule an appointment with a primary care provider when you're sick? If so, you're missing out. That's because seeing your provider when you feel healthy is one of the best ways to actually stay healthy. Why? Because these visits are a chance for your provider to make sure you're up-to-date on your screening tests and vaccines. That matters because screening tests can help find diseases early —from diabetes to certain cancers— when they're often easier to tr...

Is it Heartburn or GERD?

Heartburn happens. But if it happens too frequently, you might have a more serious condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. With GERD, that burning feeling in the chest and throat typically occurs two or more times a week. It happens when stomach acids rise up into the esophagus. Over time, severe GERD may damage the esophagus, which can increase the risk of cancer. So if you have ongoing heartburn, it's important to tell your doctor. If your doctor discovers the presence of GER...

Diabetes and COVID-19: What to do if you get sick

Severe illness from COVID-19 is more likely in people who have certain underlying medical conditions. One of these is type 2 diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , it's possible that people with type 1 or gestational diabetes are at higher risk too. And the danger goes both ways. Being sick may also make it harder for people with diabetes to control their blood sugar. So if you have diabetes, it's a good idea to know what to do in case you get sick. Plan ahea...

Understanding Pancreatic & Lung Cancer

The pancreas is a gland located between the stomach and spine. Its main function is to produce digestive juices that can break down food, and to make hormones that help us control our blood sugar levels. Most pancreatic cancers are not diagnosed at an early stage. Symptoms are hard to spot at its onset and can easily be confused with those associated with other disorders and diseases. As a result, the cancer has often spread before treatment can be rendered. For this reason, it is one of the dea...