Diabetes, hypertension during pregnancy can be early warning
Newswise — DALLAS – September 22, 2016 – Most women who develop high blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy see their blood pressure and blood sugar levels return to normal a short time after the birth. But that doesn’t mean they’re off the health hook.
“These women are at higher risk for developing hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in the future and should be followed long term,” says cardiologist Dr. Monika Sanghavi, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
About 5 to 6 percent of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes and about 6 to7 percent develop high blood pressure during the course of their pregnancy, according to the National Institutes of Health. “Cardiologists call pregnancy nature’s stress test,” Dr. Sanghavi says.
While some consider it discouraging to get news of future heart risk at an early age, Dr. Sanghavi says it means there is plenty of time to make a difference.
Getting down to or maintaining a normal weight, eating a heart-healthy diet such as the Mediterranean diet, getting at least 30 minutes of exercise every day, and having your blood pressure or blood sugar levels checked on a regular basis by a physician who has an eye on your heart health are all measures that can make a significant difference, Dr. Sanghavi says.
Sweeten health prospects by cutting down kids’ sugary drinks
DALLAS – September 22, 2016 – The best way for parents to reduce the amount of sugar their kids consume is to eliminate sugary drinks, which can include sodas, juices, energy drinks, and sports drinks, says UT Southwestern Medical Center nutritionist Dr. Jo Ann Carson.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recently recommended that children between the ages of 2 and 18 consume no more than 25 grams of added sugar a day. “That’s the equivalent of just six of those white sugar packets,” says Dr. Carson, Professor of Clinical Nutrition with UT Southwestern School of Health Professions.
Children under 2 should have no added sugars, according to the AHA recommendations.
“Children who start consuming a lot of added sugar, particularly in beverages at an early age, are more likely to develop all the things that contribute to heart disease, such as high triglycerides, diabetes, and excess weight, all of which increase your chances of developing heart disease,” she says.
The average American child currently consumes about 80 grams of sugar a day, says Dr. Carson. A single 8-ounce glass of lemonade or a sports drink typically contains more than 20 grams of sugar, so switching children from sodas, juice drinks, and such to water and low-fat milk is a good start toward reducing added sugar consumption to recommended levels, she says.
Listen to Your Gut
DALLAS – September 22, 2016 – Being aware of your digestive system and its daily cycle can help you know when to get checked for colon cancer, according to physicians at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
“The old saying ‘listen to your gut’ holds true when it comes to your health,” says Dr. Amit Singal, a gastroenterologist at UT Southwestern. “If you notice differences that persist more than a week, contact your physician. Many conditions can cause digestive symptoms, but if it is cancer and you catch it early, you’ll have a better prognosis.”
Possible early symptoms that people should pay attention to include:• A change in the diameter of your bowel movements • Blood in your bowel movements • Black stools • Persistent lower abdominal pain or discomfort
Even without symptoms, everyone at average risk should be tested for colon cancer when they turn 50, says Dr. Singal, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Clinical Sciences. Several options for colon cancer testing are available. Having a full colonoscopy has the advantage of preventing cancer by removing polyps during the procedure, before they can grow to become cancerous. A stool test, known as FIT (fecal immunochemical test), also is an effective screening tool if done annually.
This year, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new blood-based test for colon cancer. This may be an option for average-risk patients who do not currently undergo screening, but colonoscopy and FIT are still the preferred screening tests, according to Dr. Singal, part of the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center.No matter which test you choose, it’s important to know your history. Dr. Singal suggests that people of any age who have a family history of colon cancer contact their physician to discuss their risk, especially those with relatives who were diagnosed under the age of 50.
About UT Southwestern Medical CenterUT Southwestern, one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation, integrates pioneering biomedical research with exceptional clinical care and education. The institution’s faculty includes many distinguished members, including six who have been awarded Nobel Prizes since 1985. The faculty of almost 2,800 is responsible for groundbreaking medical advances and is committed to translating science-driven research quickly to new clinical treatments. UT Southwestern physicians provide medical care in about 80 specialties to more than 100,000 hospitalized patients and oversee approximately 2.2 million outpatient visits a year.
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