Health Tip – Audio Version – “Bad signs early”
Health Tip – Healthy Next Step – What Are High Blood Pressure and Prehypertension? (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

It’s not high blood pressure, but it’s heading in that direction. And a lot of young adults have it.

It’s called prehypertension. And researchers have found that people with prehypertension by age 35 are more likely to have calcium in their heart arteries later in life. This means they’re at higher risk of a heart attack.

Mark Pletcher of the University of California, San Francisco, and his colleagues looked over data gathered with the support of the National Institutes of Health. About 20 percent had prehypertension.

“We think that if your blood pressure is over 120 over 80, that appears to be a risk factor for heart disease later in life, and shouldn’t be ignored.’’

Pletcher recommends regular physical activity, healthy eating and weight control.

Health Tip courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Last revised: September, 12 2008

Health Tip – Audio Version – “Better fed babies, better thinking adults”
Health Tip – Healthy Next Step – Child Care Lead to Unwanted Weight Gain in Infants (Healthfinder.gov)

A well-nourished youngster seems more likely to grow into a smarter adult. Emory University researcher Aryeh Stein found signs of that in Guatemala.

Stein followed village children who received atole, a nutritious food supplement, in infancy. He compared their mental abilities as adults with the abilities of villagers who had not gotten the supplement or who had gotten it at other ages.

“Children who received atole, 30 years later, scored better on a wide range of tests of cognitive functioning.’’

Stein says the finding is another reason to make sure kids are not undernourished. He notes, though, American children’s problems are more likely to be eating too much.

The study in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Health Tip courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Last revised: September, 15 2008

Health Tip – Audio Version – “Did your doctor tell you not to smoke?”
Health Tip – Healthy Next Step – Preventing Smoking and Exposure to Secondhand Smoke Before, During, and After Pregnancy (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Smoking is bad for you. And many pregnant women realize smoking is dangerous for them and for their babies. Smoking raises the risk of preterm delivery, stillbirth, and sudden infant death syndrome.

A researcher at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at data on smoking patterns of pregnant women in New Jersey. Van Tong found almost half of the smokers quit before they started prenatal care.

“More work is needed to increase the knowledge, promotion and referral of effective cessation programs for pregnant women.’’ (6 seconds)

The study is in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Health Tip courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Last revised: September, 16 2008

Health Tip – Audio Version – “Smoke and stroke ”
Health Tip – Healthy Next Step – Heart Disease and Stroke (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Smoking raises a younger woman’s risk of stroke, and smoking more raises it sharply.

John Cole of the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore found that in data on female stroke patients ages 15 through 49. He compared them to people of similar ages and backgrounds who had not had a stroke.

“One to 10 cigarettes per day increased risk 2.2 times, and 40 or more cigarettes, 9.1 times the increased risk.’’

Women in the middle on that range had increased risk, and curving upward with the number of cigarettes.

Former smokers had no more risk of stroke than women who never smoked. So Cole says smokers should quit, and nonsmokers should never start.

Health Tip courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Last revised: September, 17 2008

Health Tip – Audio Version – “Tanorexia”
Health Tip – Healthy Next Step – The Risks of Tanning (Center for Devices and Radiological Health)

Researchers say some people do – that people can develop a dependency on tanning, like they can to alcohol and other drugs. They need to tan a lot, feel bad when they’re not tanning, and do it even though they know it can harm them – from wrinkling to deadly skin cancer.

Carolyn Heckman of Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia found that in a survey of college students. Her study in the American Journal of Health Behavior was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

The study found about 27 percent reported symptoms of tanning dependency – what’s been called tanorexia.

Heckman is wary of ultraviolet rays. She says they basically cook your skin.

“I recommend that people limit their ultraviolet radiation exposure, both indoors and outdoors, and that they use UV protection like clothing, sunscreen and sunglasses.’’

Health Tip courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Last revised: September, 18 2008

Health Tip – Audio Version – “Diabetes and thinking”
Health Tip – Healthy Next Step – Unhealthy Meals Dull Older Diabetics’ Memory (National Library of Medicine)

Older people with longstanding or severe diabetes might have an increased risk of mild cognitive impairment – a slight decline in thinking ability.

Dr. Rosebud Roberts of the Mayo Clinic found that in people aged 70 and older. People whose diabetes started before age 65, lasted at least 10 years, had insulin treatment or complications of diabetes were more likely to have mild cognitive impairment.

“Take the medications, focus on exercise — focus on anything you can do to reduce the adverse effects of diabetes.’’

The study in Archives of Neurology was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Health Tip courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Last revised: September, 19 2008

Health Tip – Audio Version – “Aging wisdom”
Health Tip – Healthy Next Step – Prevention & Wellness (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)

How can we stay healthy as we age? New health checklists can help people 50 and older start a conversation with their doctors about preventive health care. This includes screening tests that may find disease early when it’s easier to treat, and taking medication. The checklists, created by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in partnership with AARP, are easy to carry with you to your next appointment.

Taking good care of yourself is important regardless of your age, but there are some diseases and conditions that you should pay special attention to as you get older. You can talk with your doctor about all of the things you can do to get healthy and stay healthy, including having the screening tests that are right for you. (15 seconds)

Health Tip courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Last revised: September, 22 2008

Health Tip – Audio Version – “Like to hear a story?”
Health Tip – Healthy Next Step – Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (Indian Health Service)

“A young Indian boy named Rain that Dances lived in a small Indian village.’’

And he does, in the Eagle Books by Georgia Perez – picture books supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Indian Health Service and tribal leaders concerned about preventing diabetes for future generations.

“The lessons of the wise animals, who really represent the wisdom of tribal leaders, can remind children of traditional ways to grow strong.’’

“Going back to some of the traditions, such as the food their ancestors used to eat, becoming active once again, and passing those traditions on to their children, are important.’’

The stories are also available from CDC as podcasts.

Health Tip courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Last revised: September, 23 2008

Health Tip – Audio Version – “Killer clot”
Health Tip – Healthy Next Step – The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism (U.S. Surgeon General)

A blood clot that starts in a deep vein, like you have in your legs, can break loose, travel to your lungs, block an artery, and maybe kill you.

The clot is called a deep vein thrombosis. When it reaches a lung, it can be a pulmonary embolism. And they contribute to about 100,000 deaths a year.

Too few people know about that, so Acting Surgeon Steven Galson has issued The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism.

“We’re not talking about Olympic-level athleticism here; we’re talking about taking a walk, a run, a bike – anything that promotes physical activity.’’

Health Tip courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Last revised: September, 24 2008

Health Tip – Audio Version – “Breast cancer and breastfeeding”
Health Tip – Healthy Next Step – Breast Cancer Prevention (PDQ®) (National Cancer Institute)

There’s a lot about breast cancer risk, such as their family history, that women can’t control. But they can do some things, and a study says breastfeeding is among them.

Amanda Phipps of Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center examined data on breastfeeding and risks of some types of cancer. Her study in the journal Cancer was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

“Women who’d breastfed for at least six months in their lifetime were much less likely to develop breast cancer than mothers who had never breastfed.’’

For the most common forms – which are less aggressive – the risk reduction was about 20 percent. For one less common but more aggressive form, the reduction was about 50 percent.

Phipps sees benefits in breastfeeding. So she recommends women go with what works.

Health Tip courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Last revised: September, 25 2008