Happy National Iced Tea Day – 2013

By Terry Orr

With the official start of summer just a few days away, the timing is perfect for National Iced Tea Day.

Chances are, it is already hot in your area. Today may serve as a good reminder to make and enjoy your first (of many) Iced Tea drink of the season. Have it plain, add a little lemon, or sweeten it with sugar. Iced Tea is certainly a favorite summer cooler of millions of Americans. And best of all, tea is good for your health!

It takes no imagination to decide how to enjoy this great day: Grab an Iced Tea and head out to the hammock strung under a shady tree.

Medicinal value:

Since ancient times, people have believed that tea has a wide range of medicinal uses. Modern research has given credibility to many of these beliefs and identified more in some cases research is not conclusive. Regardless of the final determination as to it's value over time, drink and enjoy because there is no research to suggest that it can hurt you and it just tastes good.

Here are some of the known or suspected medicinal applications:

Avoidance of heart disease

Cancer and tumors

Stomach ailments

Sore throats and colds (often flavored with honey)

Soothing, relaxing

The Origin of Iced Tea:

In 1904, English tea plantation owner Richard Blechynden set up a booth to sell hot tea at the St. Louis World Fair. It was a sizzler of a day, and fair visitors didn't want anything hot. Rather, they needed something to quench their thirst... something cold. He dumped some of his hot tea into ice and served it cold. It was an immediate hit. This was the first known use of iced tea. (Source: http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/June/icedteaday.htm)

Did you know?

Today iced tea accounts for about eight-five per cent of all tea consumed in the U.S, and that it is served in stores, vending machines, and restaurants across the country. With a wide range of varieties including bottled, boxed, sweetened, unsweetened, spiced, Thai, and chai brands, there is a flavor out there for just about ever tea lover. (Source: http://theyearoflivingunofficially.com/06/10/national-iced-tea-day/)

Sweetened or unsweetened, flavored or unflavored, celebrate Iced Tea Day with a nice, tall glass of your favorite iced tea!

 (Images from Google) 

Cancer Survivors

By Nurse Diane

In the recent headline, it was reported that movie star, Angelina Jolie had not only a double mastectomy, but also had her ovaries removed as a preventative measure to avoid acquiring cancer.  Her mother passed away several years ago, and most recently an aunt died from cancer.  I would not call her a cancer survivor, since she never had cancer, as far as I know, but she did cut the risk greatly.  There are many ways to avoid getting cancer, such as staying out of the sun, not smoking, getting checked regularly by your doctor.  However there are some times when even if you do all the right things, you still get cancer.

Once you have been diagnosed, you do have some options for survival.  You have Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, Surgery, and most important in my opinion, a positive attitude.

Every year we have a "Relay for Life" event that raises money for cancer research. At some time during this event, there is a survivor's walk. You can see the people who have been diagnosed with cancer, but have over come the dire predictions, and participate in this honorable exhibit.  Normally they can also be seen being accompanied by family members and friends as well.

Today is National Cancer Survivor's Day.  Wikipedia states that this  is a secular holiday celebrated on the first Sunday in June. The day is meant to “demonstrate that life after a cancer diagnosis can be a reality”. Though it is mainly celebrated in the United States, the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation is attempting to grow its popularity in other countries, with some success.

If you know someone who has beat cancer, congratulate them today and let them know you are thinking of them.  If you know someone who is battling cancer now, show your support, rally around them and encourage others to do the same.  Don't allow them to give up the fight, medical science is coming up with new effective treatments all the time, but a good positive outlook, and great support system helps in the battle just as much.

For more information and ways you can help, visit this site: http://www.aicr.org/patients-survivors/?gclid=CLzXt4m9w7cCFanm7Aodn3oAiQ 

(Images from Google) 

World No-Tobacco Day – 2013

By Terry Orr

(Former smoker of 20+ years)

America and most of the world has known for more than 50 years that smoking is hazard to our health and subsequently the dangers of second-hand smoke – yet it is still legal to smoke despite the dangers – not only to the individual smoker – but those folks near them being attacked by second hand smoke. The cost associated with smoking-related health in America exceeds $150 Billion Dollars – and I believe this figure is probably grossly understated. Between 5.4 and 6 million people die each year due to smoking-related health issues.

Just the Facts (Source: CDC):

Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body.  Smoking causes many diseases and reduces the health of smokers in general.

Smoking and Death

Smoking causes death.

The adverse health effects from cigarette smoking account for an estimated 443,000 deaths, or nearly one of every five deaths, each year in the United States.

More deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined.

Smoking causes an estimated 90% of all lung cancer deaths in men and 80% of all lung cancer deaths in women.

An estimated 90% of all deaths from chronic obstructive lung disease are caused by smoking.

Smoking and Increased Health Risks

Compared with nonsmokers, smoking is estimated to increase the risk of:

Coronary heart disease by 2 to 4 times;

Stroke by 2 to 4 times;

Men developing lung cancer by 23 times;

Women developing lung cancer by 13 times; and

Dying from chronic obstructive lung diseases (such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema) by 12 to 13 times.

Smoking and Cardiovascular Disease

Smoking causes coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.

Cigarette smoking causes reduced circulation by narrowing the blood vessels (arteries) and puts smokers at risk of developing peripheral vascular disease (i.e., obstruction of the large arteries in the arms and legs that can cause a range of problems from pain to tissue loss or gangrene).

Smoking causes abdominal aortic aneurysm (i.e., a swelling or weakening of the main artery of the body—the aorta—where it runs through the abdomen).

Smoking and Respiratory Disease

Smoking causes lung cancer.

Smoking causes lung diseases (e.g., emphysema, bronchitis, chronic airway obstruction) by damaging the airways and alveoli (i.e., small air sacs) of the lungs.

Smoking and Cancer

Smoking causes the following cancers:

Acute myeloid leukemia

Bladder cancer

Cancer of the cervix

Cancer of the esophagus

Kidney cancer

Cancer of the larynx (voice box)

Lung cancer

Cancer of the oral cavity (mouth)

Pancreatic cancer

Cancer of the pharynx (throat)

Stomach cancer

Smoking and Other Health Effects

 Smoking has many adverse reproductive and early childhood effects, including increased risk for:

Infertility,

Preterm delivery,

Stillbirth,

Low birth weight, and

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Smoking is associated with the following adverse health effects:

Postmenopausal women who smoke have lower bone density than women who never smoked.

Women who smoke have an increased risk for hip fracture than women who never smoked.

Conclusions

The World Health Organization, Cancer Organizations, and many others continue to implement and encourage countries and individuals to quit smoking. Quitting is NOT EASY – but with your personal support team – including your healthcare provider and family – it is doable! So please – start today – thank you.

Worldwide - 6 million people die each year from tobacco and 600,00 die from exposure to second-hand smoke.

Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month 2013

By Nurse Diane

My Father-in -law was self-employed.  He was one of the first in his community to write programs for the computer for companies for their billing.  He was also great in computer repairs, which was all very unusual since he had never been trained or studied any type of computer technology.  He taught himself by trying different things, and when he found something that worked, he would load his stuff in his van and go from town to town selling his ideas.   He drove an old emptied out work van, no seats or frills like air conditioning.  During the hot Mississippi Summer he would ride with his window down and his arm hanging out.   After many years of this he developed a small spot on his arm.  It was an unusual shape; it concerned him so he visited his doctor to get it checked.

He was fortunate.  He was diagnosed with a skin cancer, had it removed, the area healed, and he had no other problem.  He also started wearing long sleeved shirts or applying sunscreen when he went out in his van.

Although summer doesn't officially start until June 21, the temperatures are already soaring in some states, and hibernating people are once again outside enjoying the fresh air and fun.  This is the perfect time to remind you of the possibilities of skin cancer, and ways to prevent it.

To detect a possible Melanoma or skin cancer, there is a checklist that follows the abc's.

A:  Asymmetry, where half of the spot is different from the other half

B:  Border, where the mole is irregular, scalloped or poorly defined.

C:  Color, where the mole has different shades of tan, brown, black, and sometimes white, red or blue.

D:  Diameter, where the mole is larger than the size of a pencil eraser

E:  Evolving, or changing in size or shape.

More than 3.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed annually in more than 2 million people. There are simple measures you can take to prevent getting skin cancer.  Staying out of the sun, wearing protective clothing if you are out, and use sun screen all the time you are outside.  If you do notice a spot or mole pop up, get it checked by your doctor right away; early detection is the key for a quick recovery.  So have a great summer, but stay safe too!

(Images from Google) 

Brain Tumor

By Nurse Diane

Years ago, when you heard about someone having a brain tumor, the information was usually passed in hushed tones.  Prognosis for this type of condition was not very good, however, research, surgery and medications have helped to control even erase tumors of the brain.

There are two types of brain tumors.  Brain tumors are either primary or metastatic tumors. Primary brain tumors are those, which originate in the brain. Metastatic brain tumors are those, which originate from cancerous cells that have migrated from other areas of the body.

Metastatic brain tumors are also known as secondary brain tumors. Not all brain tumors are cancerous – benign brain tumors are non-cancerous tissue and are harmful only when they grow to a size that affects adjacent areas of the brain. Benign brain tumors tend to grow more slowly than malignant (cancerous) brain tumors.

Signs of a brain tumor include:

• Seizures;
• Headaches;
• Fatigue, tiredness and drowsiness;
• Impaired speech;
• Difficulties when swallowing;
• In infants, an increase in head size;
• Impaired vision;
• Vomiting;
• Poor body coordination;
• Behavioral and mood changes;
• Weakness in a limb or on one side of the body;
• Difficulties with balance; and or
• Tingling sensations and/or weakness in the arms or legs.

This week is Brain Tumor Action week. Each year over 190,000 people are diagnosed, mostly children.  Brain Tumor Action Week seeks to raise awareness about brain tumors, including raising awareness about incidence, diagnosis, treatment and care of people suffering from brain tumors. Specialty care and follow up care, rehabilitative services and clinical trials are activities, which can enhance the quality of life of people living with brain tumors.  For More information visit: http://www.whathealth.com/awareness/event/braintumour.html

(All images from Google) 

Prostate Cancer Month

By Terry Orr

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men (after skin cancer), but it can often be treated successfully. More than 2 million men in the US count themselves as prostate cancer survivors. [Source: American Cancer Society] 

Baby Boomers and Generation X men should all be leaning more about their own personal health, especially those disease that impact the male population beyond our fifties. Prostate Cancer heads the list of those we need to be tested for either yearly or every other year.

From the National Cancer Institute (www.cancer.gov) provides a handy and and very informative booklet - “What You Need To Know About Prostate Cancer.” There are other excellent online resources available.  I personally recommend reading them and write a list of question your might have to discus with your primary healthcare provider.

Stages of Prostate Cancer

Stage I.  The cancer is only in the prostate. It might be too small to feel during a digital rectal exam. If the Gleason score and PSA level are known, the Gleason score is 6 or less, and the PSA level is under 10.

Stage II.  The tumor is more advanced or a higher grade than Stage I, but the tumor doesn’t extend beyond the prostate.

Stage III.  The tumor extends beyond the prostate. The tumor may have invaded a seminal vesicle, but cancer cells haven’t spread to lymph nodes. See the picture of a seminal vesicle.

Stage IV.  The tumor may have invaded the bladder, rectum, or nearby structures (beyond the seminal vesicles). It may have spread to lymph nodes, bones, or other parts of the body.

10 Best Foods For Prostate Health by Prostate.NET are:

1. Brazil Nuts. Of all the different types of nuts, these natives of South America are an especially rich source of the mineral selenium, which is important for prostate health. In fact, just one ounce of Brazil nuts can contain as much as ten times the RDA for selenium. Research has shown that selenium intake is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
2. Broccoli is a source of some very critical nutritional benefits that are not listed on a nutrition label. As a member of the cruciferous family, which is also populated by cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, kale, and many other vegetables, broccoli contains high amounts of the phytonutrients sulforaphane and the indoles, both of which have anticancer properties.
3. The hot and spicy cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum), also known as chili peppers, is the source of this prostate-supportive spice. Cayenne peppers get their heat from a high concentration of a substance called capsaicin. While capsaicin is widely known for its ability to reduce pain, studies have also shown that it can help kill cancer cells, including prostate cancer cells.
4. Green Tea. The medicinal powers of green tea are attributed to antioxidant compounds called catechins, a type of polyphenol that has been shown to destroy certain bacteria and viruses, boost the immune system, and fight several forms of cancer, including prostate cancer. Although there are several different kinds of catechins, experts have identified epigallocatechin gallate, EGCG, as the most potent.
5. Mushrooms, and especially Asian varieties, offer great health benefits, including their ability to help fight cancer. One Asian mushroom that has a long history—more than 6,000 years—of proving its medicinal powers is the shiitake. These mushrooms contain lentinan, a type of beta-glucan, which has demonstrated anticancer properties. A 2009 study, for example, showed that shiitake mushrooms suppressed tumor spread in mice implanted with human colon and breast cancer cells. In an earlier study, lentinan inhibited development of human colon cancer in mice. Thus far, no studies have looked specifically at the impact of shiitake mushrooms on prostate cancer.
6. Pomegranates have recently been the subject of much research and discussion as scientists have been discovering more and more benefits of eating these unusual fruits. In particular, pomegranates are rich in antioxidants and a phytonutrient called ellagitannin, which is especially helpful in promoting prostate health. Test tube studies show that pomegranate extracts can slow the reproduction of prostate cancer cells and prompt the cells to commit suicide.
7. Pumpkin seeds offer some unique health benefits for the prostate, especially for men who have benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). This condition, which involves enlargement of the prostate gland, commonly affects men 50 years and older. One thing that contributes to BPH is overstimulation of the prostate cells by testosterone and another hormone, dihydrotestosterone. The oil in pumpkin seeds can help prevent the hormones from triggering multiplication of prostate cells.
8. Salmon.  Omega-3 fatty acids are an important nutrient for supporting prostate health, and a delicious, nutritious way to get these omega-3s is with salmon. The meaty texture and light taste of salmon is often enough to convince even people who are not fond of fish to enjoy this fish on occasion. The flesh of salmon varies in color from red to pink and orange, and some varieties of salmon have greater amounts of omega-3 fatty acids than others.
9. Tomatoes are a popular food as well as a superior source of lycopene, a phytonutrient, or more specifically a carotenoid, one of a group of yellow, orange, and red pigments found in plants. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that has proven itself in study after study to have properties that enhance prostate health.
10. Turmeric is a perennial plant whose roots are ground into this popular spice. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which gives the spice its bitter, peppery taste.

Please take action to get informed of the latest information regarding Prostate Cancer, get tested and talk about it with your doctor.  Thanks,

References and Links:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001418/ 

http://www.prostate.net/2010/articles/lists/10-super-foods-for-prostate-health/ 

http://www.pcf.org/site/c.leJRIROrEpH/b.5699537/k.BEF4/Home.htm 

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/48679807/ns/health-mens_health/ 

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/prostate 

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostatecancer/overviewguide/prostate-cancer-overview-diagnosed 

(All images from Google) 

January is Cervical Cancer Screening Month

By Nurse Diane

I was due for an appointment with the gynecologist later in the week. Early one morning, I received a call from the doctor's office to tell me that I had been rescheduled for that morning at 9:30 am. I had only just packed everyone off to work and school, and it was already around 8:45 am.

The trip to his office took about 35 minutes, so I didn't have any time to spare.

As most women do, I like to take a little extra effort over hygiene when making such visits, but this time I wasn't going to be able to make the full effort. So, I rushed upstairs, threw off my pajamas, wet the washcloth that was sitting next to the sink, and gave myself a quick wash in that area to make sure I was at least presentable. I threw the washcloth in the clothes basket, donned some clothes, hopped in the car and raced to my appointment.

I was in the waiting room for only a few minutes when I was called in. Knowing the procedure, as I'm sure you do, I hopped up on the table, looked over at the other side of the room and pretended that I was in Paris or some other place a million miles away. I was a little surprised when the doctor said, 'My, we have made an extra effort this morning, haven't we?' I didn't respond.

After the appointment, I went home. The rest of the day was normal ... some shopping, cleaning, and cooking. After school when my 6-year-old daughter was playing, she called out from the bathroom, 'Mommy, where's my washcloth?' I told her to get another one from the cupboard. She replied, 'No, I need the one that was here by the sink, it had all my glitter and sparkles saved inside it.'

Never going back to that doctor! Ever!

(Google Image)

A trip to the gynecologist is never pleasant.  Going to a cold impersonal office, shedding your clothes....laying on a table as hard as a rock, and putting your feet in stirrups that spread your legs wide open.  It is uncomfortable, embarrassing and totally necessary!  An annual PAP smear is crucial to detect any cancer cells, and speedy treatment.  The sooner any irregularities are detected, the quicker the response and possible cure.  Each year, approximately 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the United States. Yet cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers today.

To prepare for your exam, here are some instructions that will help ensure the best results:

Try to schedule the test on a day when you do not expect to be on your menstrual period. If your period begins unexpectedly and will be continuing on the day of your test, try to reschedule the appointment.

Avoid sexual intercourse 48 hours before the test.

Do not douche 48 hours before the test.

Do not use tampons, or vaginal creams, foams, films, or jellies (such as spermicides or medications inserted into the vagina) for 48 hours before the test.

(Google Image)

January is Cervical Cancer Screening Month.  If you didn’t make any resolutions this year, then a good one for you is to make every January your regular gynecologist visit month, and get screened for cancer!