FIGHTING THE 'SUPERMAN' SYNDROME: GETTING MEN TO GO TO THE DOCTOR
Men, particularly many young men, believe they're invincible. Driving fast cars, doing wacky stunts, living on junk food, smoking—if there's an element of risk involved, they'll do it. Nothing bad is ever going to happen to them. So why on earth would they ever set foot in a doctor's office?
Unfortunately, that attitude is the biggest risk of all. Because men who ignore their health, risk losing everything. Why is getting a man to see a doctor such a problem? "I think it's because most men between 20 and 50 feel fine, and they think if they feel fine then they must be healthy," says Jyothi Mamidi Juarez, M.D., an internal medicine physician on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Garland. "The other issue is that while women get into the health care loop when they start seeing a gynecologist in their teens or early 20s, men don't have anything to force them into the medical setting at a young age."
Even Dr. Juarez has to prompt her own husband to get screenings regularly—and he's a physician!
Here are some of men's most popular excuses for skipping the doctor, and why they just won't fly anymore.
But I Feel Fine:Some of the most common health problems exhibit no symptoms until they become severe. You don't feel high blood pressure, high cholesterol or high blood sugar, but left unchecked, they will lead to unpleasant consequences: diabetes, cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke. The only way to detect a problem is through a routine screening, and for that"¦you have to go to the doctor.
"When I see young, healthy male patients, I go over their risks for heart disease and other problems that may affect them in the future," Dr. Juarez says. "The risk of heart disease for men increases dramatically in their 40s and 50s."
I Think I'm Pretty Healthy:If you're missing regular checkups with a physician, you're also missing an opportunity to address lifestyle issues such as weight, diet and exercise, smoking, stress and mental health, alcohol and drug use, and sleep disorders. These all take a toll on health and contribute to a poor quality of life. Some men may hate that they're stressed out, they don't eat right and they can't quit smoking. But still, they don't see a doctor about it.
"They're afraid we're just going to yell at them," Dr. Juarez says. Not true. Working as a team, the physician and patient can come up with a plan to tackle these issues together.
Dad Never Went to the Doctor, Why Should I?
Right, and Dad had a heart attack at 53.
For more information about Baylor Medical Center at Garland, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com.
WHAT'S YOUR CHOLESTEROL IQ?
When was the last time you got your cholesterol checked? Did you understand the results? Were you given the total breakdown of HDL and LDL? Do you know what your cardiac risk level is?
With cardiovascular disease being the nation's leading killer, these are serious questions worth asking yourself. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for strokes and heart disease, so having your cholesterol checked every year is very important no matter how you feel.
Surprisingly, not all doctors will routinely check your cholesterol levels, so it is up to you to take charge of your body and request an annual blood workup. See how much you know about cholesterol by taking this true-or-false quiz from the American Heart Association.
1. Thin people don't have to worry about high cholesterol-False. Although overweight people are more likely to have high cholesterol, thin people should get their cholesterol levels checked regularly too. Often people who don't gain weight easily are less aware of how much fat they eat.
2. There's no need to get your cholesterol checked until you reach middle age-False. You should get your cholesterol checked at an early age—as young as 20. It's never too early to develop a heart-healthy lifestyle.
3. People on cholesterol-lowering medications don't need to worry about what they eat-False. Making healthy lifestyle changes along with taking your cholesterol-lowering medication is the best way to help prevent heart disease.
4. LDL (bad cholesterol) should be below 100 mg/dL-True. An LDL count over 100 is too high and presents risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
5. HDL (good cholesterol) should be 40 mg/dL or higher-True. In fact, the higher the HDL number, the better.
For more information about Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com.
IS CANCER IN YOUR GENETIC MAKEUP?
We all love to browse the hospital nursery to see the newly born babies. Some look like Dad, some look like Mom, and some may even have Mom's high risk of breast cancer too.
Our genes do more than determine hair and eye color—they make us who we are, inside and out. Whether or not you've had cancer yourself, a family history of early-onset colon or breast cancer, or ovarian cancer at any age, can point to hereditary cancer risk.
The Hereditary Cancer Risk Program at the Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center offers genetic counseling and testing for BRCA1/BRCA2, the gene mutations linked to high risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Under the direction of Joanne Blum, M.D., a physician on the medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center, the program has become the leading such center in Texas and one of the top in the nation.
Genetic testing for BRCA1/BRCA2 should be considered if you or your close relative has had breast cancer prior to age 50, ovarian cancer at any age, a family history of a male with breast cancer, Jewish heritage, or bilateral breast cancer. About half of the people who come to the Baylor program have breast or ovarian cancer, while the other half are concerned about a family history and want to be tested.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. According to C. Richard Boland, M.D., chief of gastroenterology on the medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas and an internationally renowned clinical researcher of colorectal cancer, of the 150,000 new cases every year, about 5 percent involve these inherited conditions linked to genetic mutations:
"¢ Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). This is a rare form of colon cancer that causes hundreds to thousands of precancerous polyps throughout the colon and rectum. "¢ Lynch syndrome. This syndrome, which causes only a handful of polyps, also is associated with other cancers, including endometrial, ovarian, small bowel, stomach and kidney.
A positive genetic test result doesn't mean developing cancer is inevitable. People simply need to redouble their efforts at prevention. "Fortunately, we have excellent preventive measures for colon cancer," says Dr. Boland.
For those at high risk, frequent colonoscopy and polyp removal—every two years—can dramatically reduce the chance that a cancerous polyp will develop. "If you do this, your likelihood of dying from colon cancer approaches zero."
For women at high risk of breast cancer, prevention options include extra-diligent monthly breast self-exams; a mammogram and a clinical breast exam every six months; taking tamoxifen, which has been proven to help prevent breast cancer in high-risk women; and prophylactic mastectomy, the surgical removal of both breasts.
For more information about Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com.
TIPS FOR PUTTING THE BRAKES ON CHRONIC STRESS
Everyday annoyances—traffic, deadlines, even what to have for dinner—can do more than leave you feeling burned out. The constant strain wears the body down, contributing to minor ailments like headaches and back pain and even to life-threatening conditions like heart disease.
It all goes back to our built-in "fight or flight" instinct, which came in handy when our ancestors were confronted with extremely stressful situations—such as being chased by a saber-toothed tiger. "The stress response primes the body for immediate action," says Joan Donley, M.D., a general internist on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano. "Our heart rate, breathing and blood pressure rise, we sweat, and the stress hormone cortisol releases more glucose into the bloodstream as fuel for our muscles," she says. Then once the "tiger" moves off, the stress is defused and everything returns to normal.
But what if you're not running from a tiger, just running to catch the bus every day? Being under constant low-level stress is like sleeping with one eye open, Dr. Donley says. Unchecked, low-level stress can lead to:
"¢ Decreased immune system function"¢ Increased cholesterol and triglycerides"¢ High blood pressure"¢ Fast heartbeat"¢ Increased blood glucose levels"¢ Digestive problems"¢ Anxiety"¢ Loss of mental sharpness
So how can you deal with chronic stress in a healthy way, and try to prevent illness down the road? Take your pick: progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, hypnosis, prayer, visualization, meditation, relaxing music—and make it part of your life.
"I recommend yoga and Pilates to many of my patients," Dr. Donley adds. Along with similar movement exercises like tai chi, they ease stress by developing body awareness and focusing on balance and breathing. "Any exercise is great," she says, "because it releases those 'feel-good' endorphins that have a beneficial effect on both body and mind."
Instant Stressbuster: Slowly take a deep breath in through your nose, hold it for three or four seconds, then let it out through your mouth. Repeat five times.
For more information about Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com.
DON'T LET OVARIAN CANCER SNEAK UP ON YOU
For breast cancer, there's the mammogram. For cervical cancer, the Pap smear. For ovarian cancer"¦nothing. How do you fight a cancer that hardly ever shows itself except when it's too late?
That's the pivotal question surrounding ovarian cancer, the fifth most common cancer among American women. According to the American Cancer Society, about 25,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. While not as common as breast or cervical cancer, ovarian cancer is more deadly: only 35 to 45 percent of women live five years past diagnosis.
As yet there's no screening test, no way to detect and diagnose ovarian cancer in its earliest stages, when the five-year survival rate tops 90 percent.
"Unfortunately, because ovarian cancer doesn't cause acute symptoms until it's well advanced, 70 to 80 percent of women who are diagnosed already have stage III disease," says Mark Messing, M.D., gynecologic oncologist on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine.
Ovarian cancer usually occurs in postmenopausal women ages 50 to 70, while some forms occur in younger women. Like breast cancer, it has a hereditary component and a relationship with the BRCA1 gene, which can increase your risk for the disease.
The signs of ovarian cancer are vague and non-specific. "Most of the symptoms are things postmenopausal women would expect to have, so they don't raise any flags," Dr. Messing says.
Symptoms include:- pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort- vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea and indigestion- unexplained change in urinary or bowel habits- unexplained weight gain or loss (particularly weight gain in the abdomen)- pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating or a feeling of fullness- pain during intercourse- ongoing fatigue- abnormal postmenopausal bleeding (rare)
"Unless you have a family history, understand that your risk of developing ovarian cancer during your lifetime is very low—1.4 percent, compared to a 9 or 10 percent risk of developing breast cancer," he says. "The most important things you can do for your health are stop smoking, get your annual mammogram, eat a healthful diet and exercise. And if you're 40 or older, schedule annual pelvic exams with Pap smears."
September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
For more information about Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com.
EXERCISE-INDUCED ASTHMA DOESN'T HAVE TO SIDELINE YOUNG ATHLETES
It's that time of year again: football games, playgrounds, outdoor activities, physical education classes and other sporting events. Many kids involved with these activities have asthma, and their parents may be concerned about exercise-induced asthma (EIA).
EIA is an attack of coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and prolonged and unexpected shortness of breath that occurs after about six to eight minutes of exercise. Some children with chronic asthma will have a flare-up when they exercise, and some children who don't have daily asthma symptoms will occasionally experience only EIA. Pollen and molds in the air, particularly ragweed in the fall, also can trigger the attacks.
"Anti-inflammatory medication such as an inhaled steroid should keep kids with asthma from having attacks triggered by exercise," says Mark Millard, M.D., a pulmonologist on the medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center. "If asthma is under good control, exercise-related attacks should rarely occur."
Kids who find they still experience EIA should carry two things with them at all times: their peak flow meter, to determine whether they are having an asthma attack, and an albuterol rescue inhaler.
"Albuterol is the most effective way to prevent or treat an asthma attack out on the playing field," Dr. Millard says. Warming up for a few minutes and pre-treating asthma with two puffs of albuterol 10 to 15 minutes before any exercise will provide protection for two to three hours. Albuterol can be used before exercise, to prevent EIA and to help control an attack, should one occur. The medication cromolyn also is an excellent EIA preventive, but it's not for treatment of an acute attack.
It's a myth that kids with asthma or EIA can't participate—and excel—in sports. "Kids with asthma should be able to do anything other kids can do, without fear of triggering exercise-induced asthma," Dr. Millard says. "In fact, asthma is more common among Olympic athletes than in the general population." Track star Jackie Joyner-Kersee and swimmer Amy Van Dyken both have asthma, but that didn't stop them from winning Olympic medals.
For more information about Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com.
HEALTHY EATING FOR KIDS Parents may fool themselves, but we all know that the majority of kids will reach right past a fresh-fruit assortment to grab the French fries behind it. Healthy, nutritious options might not be a kid's first choice when they're eating at school, so it's important for parents to teach them which foods are nutritious—and why healthy foods are important.
"Kids can learn at an early age that healthy foods—fruits, vegetables and whole grains, for example—help give them energy to fuel their activities and help their bodies grow and stay strong," says Susan Wesselman, a registered dietitian at Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie.
For parents, Susan suggests these tips to improve the health quotient of kids' lunches:
-Make it yourself. Texas has passed new legislation mandating school lunches be lower in fat and healthier, but some districts are still in the process of converting to the new guidelines.
-Pack milk money. A cup of low-fat or nonfat milk at lunch will provide the protein, calcium and energy kids need to grow.
-Offer options. Pack five or six assorted items instead of the same old sandwich-cookie-drink combo.
-Keep it simple. In many schools, the lunch period lasts just 15 to 20 minutes.
-Help beat the bell—peel oranges and hard-boiled eggs and include a fork or spoon.
-Fill the void. There are times—say, right after soccer practice—when your child would eat anything. Have healthy snacks on hand.
-Go cold turkey—or pizza or chicken. Lots of kids enjoy cold foods. Use these selections to add variety to the lunch routine.
For more information about Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com.
Baylor Medical Centers at Garland, Fort Worth, Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, and Waxahachie are affiliated with the Dallas-based Baylor Health Care System.
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