by dsonnenfeld | Feb 21, 2019 | LITTLE HELPERS FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Heart disease is the number one
killer of both men and women. It takes
the life of one American every minute. In 2019, 3/4 of a million people in the
United will have a heart attack of die from coronary heart disease caused by
build- up and thickening of plaque in the arteries.
Nearly half of all Americans
have some form of heart disease, but less than half of all Americans recognize
the symptoms. The most recognizable symptom is the “feeling of an elephant
sitting on your chest.” Other less obvious symptoms include shortness of
breath, chest pain, arm and shoulder pain, especially down the left arm. This
is the symptom my husband had while he was experiencing an aortic aneurysm –
pain from his chest, traveling down his left arm.
In addition to these symptoms, women experience less obvious symptoms related to heart disease. These include pain in the upper abdomen, extreme fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Not only is heart disease a leading cause of death in women, but it is becoming more common in younger people as well.
Risk Factors
Risk factors include high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity and excessive alcohol
use. Stop smoking and drinking
excessively are obvious solutions. But
what about high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity.
Little Helpers for a Healthier Heart
Testing
Diet
Exercise
Testing
There are four tests you should expect
to take when seeing your doctor. They
are:
Blood pressure – ideally no higher than 120/80
Cholesterol (blood sample) – HDL (good)
cholesterol should be at least 50, while the LDL (bad) cholesterol should be no
more than 100.
Blood
sugar (blood sample) – 1 out of 3 Americans is pre-diabetic and 90% of them don’t
know it. Ask your doctor for a simple
blood sugar test. The optimal blood
sugar level should be under 100 when fasting.
Cardiogram
– is a simple, painless test in which a probe is rubbed over your chest and
actually shows your heart beating (it’s amazing to watch)!
Diet
The following recipe is from the Henry
Ford/Detroit Free Press Heart Smart Cookbook Third Edition.
Chicken Breasts with Dijon Cream Sauce
Cream sauces can add plenty of fat and
calories to recipes. In this recipe, the
fat and calories are reduced by using fat-free half and half in place of heavy
cream. Just a small amount of Dijon
mustard adds texture and a slight tangy edge.
Makes 4 meals in 30 minutes
Ingredients
4 (ounce each) boneless, skinless
chicken breasts
½ teaspoon coarsely ground black
pepper
2 tablespoons canola oil
½ cup fat free, less sodium chicken broth
½ cup dry white wine
1/3 cup fat free half and half
1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon cornstarch
3 tablespoons cold water
Directions
Sprinkle both sides of chicken breasts
with black pepper and salt.
Add canola oil to a large nonstick
skillet, and place it over medium-high heat until it’s hot.
Add chicken breasts to the skillet;
cook 7 to 10 minutes on each side or until the chicken is tender and no longer
pink (165 degrees). Remove chicken from
the skillet and keep it warm.
Reduce heat to medium – low. Add broth and wine to the skillet, stirring
to loosen browned bits.
In a small bowl or measuring cup,
combine the half and half and Dijon mustard; add mixture to the skillet. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes or until
sauce has thickened slightly.
In a small bowl, combine the
cornstarch and water, stirring until the cornstarch is dissolved. Gradually add the cornstarch mixture to the
sauce, heating to boiling, stirring constantly.
Boil and stir 1 minute.
Serve the chicken with sauce over
rice.
Nutritional information (per serving)
Calories……. 244 Sodium
……..480 mg.
From fat …… 36% Cholesterol……64
mg.
Fat……………..9g Calcium ……….32 mg.
Saturated ……1g
Fiber ……………0g
Trans …………0g Food
exchanges
Carbohydrates ….3g 3
lean meat, 1 fat
Protein …………26g
Exercise
According to health and fitness expert
Stephanie Mansour, we need to treat the heart like any other muscle. Take 220 and minus your age to get what
your maximum heartrate should be. You want to be between 50% and 85% of that
rate if you are taking your pulse or monitoring with tracking monitor. Three types of exercise should take place;
cardio, stretching and strength training.
Click here to see her demonstrate on the Today Show.
www.today.com/health/american-heart-health-month-6-exercises-work%20-your-heart-t148147
References:
Center for Disease Control www.cdc.gov
American Heart Association www.heart.org
Dr. Memet Oz www.doctoroz.com
Henry Ford Health System www.henryford.com/services/heart-and-vascular-institute
Stephanie Mansour www.stepitupwithsteph.com
by dsonnenfeld | Oct 3, 2018 | LITTLE HELPERS FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS
The following articles are from the Center of Disease Control. The Center offers an extensive amount of medical information on their website: http://www.cdc.gov.
Two of my grandchildren came down with the MRSA virus and it was no fun at all! Theirs were on the diaper area and at first looked like a rash. Well, these sores fill with fluid and are very painful. It was hard for the babies to sit or to be held without irritating these sores on their bottoms. If you suspect your child has this virus, get them on antibiotics immediately and maybe get one of those “donut” pillows for them to sit on.
FAQs(frequently asked questions) “MRSA” (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) about
What is MRSA?
Staphylococcus aureus (pronounced staff-ill-oh-KOK-us AW-ree-us), or “Staph” is a very common germ that about 1 out of every 3 people have on their skin or in their nose. This germ does not cause any problems for most people who have it on their skin. But sometimes it can cause serious infections such as skin or wound infections, pneumonia, or infections of the blood.
Antibiotics are given to kill Staph germs when they cause infections. Some Staph are resistant, meaning they cannot be killed by some antibiotics. “Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus” or “MRSA” is a type of Staph that is resistant to some of the antibiotics that are often used to treat Staph infections.
Who is most likely to get an MRSA infection?
In the hospital, people who are more likely to get an MRSA infection are people who:
- have other health conditions making them sick
- have been in the hospital or a nursing home
- have been treated with antibiotics. People who are healthy and who have not been in the hospital or a nursing home can also get MRSA infections. These infections usually involve the skin. More information about this type of MRSA infection, known as
“community-associated MRSA” infection, is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa
How do I get an MRSA infection?
People who have MRSA germs on their skin or who are infected with MRSA may be able to spread the germ to other people. MRSA can be passed on to bed linens, bed rails, bathroom fixtures, and medical equipment. It can spread to other people on contaminated equipment and on the hands of doctors, nurses, other healthcare providers and visitors.
Can MRSA infections be treated?
Yes, there are antibiotics that can kill MRSA germs. Some patients with MRSA abscesses may need surgery to drain the infection. Your healthcare provider will determine which treatments are best for you.
What are some of the things that hospitals are doing to prevent MRSA
infections?
To prevent MRSA infections, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers:
-
- Clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub before and after caring for every patient.
- Carefully clean hospital rooms and medical equipment.
- • Use Contact Precautions when caring for patients with MRSA. Contact Precautions mean:
- o Whenever possible, patients with MRSA will have a single room or will share a room only with someone else who also has MRSA.
- o Healthcare providers will put on gloves and wear a gown over their clothing while taking care of patients with MRSA.
- o Visitors may also be asked to wear a gown and gloves.
- o When leaving the room, hospital providers and visitors remove their gown and gloves and clean their hands.
- o Patients on Contact Precautions are asked to stay in their hospital rooms as much as possible. They should not go to common areas, such as the gift shop or cafeteria. They may go to other areas of the hospital for treatments and tests.
• May test some patients to see if they have MRSA on their skin. This test involves rubbing a cotton-tipped swab in the patient’s nostrils or on the skin. What can I do to help prevent MRSA infections?
In the hospital
• Make sure that all doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub before and after caring for you. If you do not see your providers clean their hands, please ask them to do so.
When you go home
• If you have wounds or an intravascular device (such as a catheter or dialysis port) make sure that you know how to take care of them.
Can my friends and family get MRSA when they visit me?
The chance of getting MRSA while visiting a person who has MRSA is very low. To decrease the chance of getting MRSA your family and friends should:
- Clean their hands before they enter your room and when they leave.
- Ask a healthcare provider if they need to wear protective gowns and gloves when they visit you.
What do I need to do when I go home from the hospital?
To prevent another MRSA infection and to prevent spreading MRSA to others:
- Keep taking any antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. Don’t take half-doses or stop before you complete your prescribed course.
- Clean your hands often, especially before and after changing your wound dressing or bandage.
- People who live with you should clean their hands often as well.
- Keep any wounds clean and change bandages as instructed until healed.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.
- Wash and dry your clothes and bed linens in the warmest temperatures recommended on the labels.
- Tell your healthcare providers that you have MRSA. This includes home health nurses and aides, therapists, and personnel in doctors’ offices.
- Your doctor may have more instructions for you.
If you have questions, please ask your doctor or nurse.
by dsonnenfeld | Oct 9, 2017 | LITTLE HELPERS FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS
LITTLE HELPERS FOR WINTER SKIN
Two-Minute Beauty Secret
Last year, this little secret came from Fox 2 Detroit’s own
Deena Centofanti
(WJBK) – We’ve all had the wish that our skin would look a little younger and fresher. America’s Holistic Plastic Surgeon Dr. Anthony Youn tells us all we need is two minutes in the morning and in the evening to make a big difference.
The morning’s routine is all about protecting your skin.
Dr. Youn has three steps for the morning. First, cleanse your skin. Second, apply an antioxidant like Vitamin C to fight off all the grime and debris, like pollution or smoke that damages our skin throughout the day. Lastly, use sunscreen. Many makeups have sunscreen built right in. Dr. Youn says we need to be using at least SPF 30.
The nighttime routine is all about rejuvenating the skin.
First, Dr. Youn says to cleanse the skin again to get rid of the day’s worth of grime that’s built up. Then, apply your anti-aging cream.
Dr. Youn says retinol-cased creams are the most scientifically proven to fight aging. They’re not too expensive, but they are aggressive. So, if that irritates your skin, Dr. Youn recommends growth factors or peptide-based creams.
And wouldn’t you know, cleansing products, vitamin C, retinol and sunscreen products are available from – you guessed it – me – from my Avon E-Store:
www.youravon.com/grammyslittlehelpers
AND THEY’RE ALL ON SALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.yourAVON.com/grammyslittlehelpers
Specials on all your favorites at Walmart.com!
http://www.fox2detroit.com/health/the-two-minute-routine-to-get-younger-fresher-skin#/
debbie@grammyslittlehelpers.com
by dsonnenfeld | Oct 5, 2017 | LITTLE HELPERS FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS, LITTLE HELPFUL NEWSLETTERS
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Rog and I were having our morning coffee while watching the news when Deanna Centofanti’s Healthworks report came on. “September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. According to the CDC, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the US, with more than 100,000 new cases diagnosed each year,” she said. Later that afternoon, the phone rang and I saw on the caller ID that it was from Roger’s doctor’s office.
“Hello, Mrs. Sonnenfeld?” I was a bit surprised to hear Dr. Burgoyne’s voice because usually a lady on his staff will make the phone calls.
“Yes,” I hesitate, bracing for bad news.
“Yeah, I’m glad I ran that PSA, on Roger. It came back high, as if that poor guy doesn’t have enough going on.”
“What exactly does that mean?” I asked, not wanting to hear the answer.
“Well, it means that his prostate is enlarged. It could just be enlarged, or it could be cancer. I’m going to refer him to an urologist. They will call you to set up an appointment within a few days. This is not an emergency. When the prostate enlarges it’s a very slow process, so if they don’t call you right away, don’t panic, just call me back.”
So what is prostate cancer?
Cancer is a term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade other tissues. The prostate is an organ about the size of a walnut and is part of the male reproductive system. It’s located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. When cancer forms in the prostate it is prostate cancer.
According to the Center for Disease Control, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men except for skin cancer. Most men with prostate cancer are over the age of 65, and won’t die from it as prostate cancer is a slow growing disease. It won’t cause health problems in men who have it.
Risks
Age – the older a man is, the greater the risk for prostate cancer.
Family History – Although no certain gene is known to increase the risk of prostate cancer, a man whose father, brother, or son has had prostate cancer is two to three times likely to get it as well.
Race – Prostate cancer tends to start younger, grow faster and is more common in African American males. It is the second most common cause of death from cancer among white, African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic men, and the fourth most common cause of death from cancer among Asian/Pacific Islander men.
Height – Fox 2 Detroit’s Healthworks editor Deena Centofanti reported on a recent study that linked height and body mass index to a man’s risk of getting prostate cancer. Doctor Eric Klein of Cleveland Clinic did not take part in the study, but says “It turns out that taller men, and men who have bigger body mass indexes are not, so much, at risk of any prostate cancer, but are at higher risk of high grade prostate cancer, and also are at higher risk of dying of prostate cancer,” he says.
Symptoms
- Difficulty starting urination.
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine.
- Frequent urination, especially at night.
- Difficulty emptying the bladder completely.
- Pain or burning during urination.
- Blood in the urine or semen.
- Pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that doesn’t go away.
- Painful ejaculation.
Screenings
Two tests are commonly used to screen for prostate cancer—
- Digital rectal exam (DRE): A doctor or nurse inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to estimate the size of the prostate and feel for lumps or other abnormalities.
- Prostate specific antigen (PSA) test: Measures the level of PSA in the blood. PSA is a substance made by the prostate. The levels of PSA in the blood can be higher in men who have prostate cancer. The PSA level may also be elevated in other conditions that affect the prostate. Most medical groups do not recommend this screening, as it may give false positive or false negative results.
Well, Roger’s primary care doctor did the PSA screening and the urologist did the DRE. Apparently the “number” for his PSA should be about 2 and Roger’s is almost 20. Because Roger is on blood thinners (Plavix and aspirin) and since the PSA was just done about two weeks ago, we have to wait about another two weeks to get another one. (Good thing this is a slow growing disease). Depending on the results of this next PSA, Rog may have to go to the next step, which is a biopsy.
A biopsy is when a small piece of tissue is removed from the prostate and looked at under a microscope to see if there are cancer cells.
A Gleason score is determined when the biopsy is looked at under the microscope. If there is a cancer, the score indicates how likely it is to spread. The score ranges from 2 to 10. The lower the score, the less likely it is that the cancer will spread. For more information, visit the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI’s) Prostate Cancer.
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate
Treatments
In an article published in Men’s Health Magazine, May 2017, Winning the Prostate Cancer War, Julie Stewart offers four treatment options (although there are many more). She asked Raj S. Pruthi, M.D., Chair of Urology at the University of North Carolina to weigh in on some common choices. Active Surveillance – Doctors carefully monitor cancer with blood tests, prostate exams and follow-up biopsies and initiate treatment if there is any sign of aggression.
- Radiation Therapy – Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) delivers radiation to the prostate, avoiding surrounding areas. Like surgery, radiation can affect urinary and erectile function.
- Radical Prostatectomy – Having the prostate removed in the robotic-assisted form of surgery where the doctor controls the instruments remotely within the patient’s body. Complications can include urinary problems and erectile dysfunction.
- Brachytherapy – Your doctor places small radioactive seeds into the prostate. They emit radiation for a few months before burning out.
In his book “Surviving Prostate Cancer,” Dr. E. Fuller Torrey, M.D. discusses his bout with prostate cancer. He offers several treatment options along with information on good candidates for each treatment, the procedures, complications, and how he made decisions based on his own individual case. Here’s a free 14 day download link:
https://archive.org/details/survivingprostat00torr
Dr. Andrew J. Roth, M.D. is a psychiatrist who provides patients and their families with emotional skills and strategies for coping with prostate cancer in his book “Managing Prostate Cancer.” Everything from managing anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness to keeping the flames of intimacy alive is addressed. Here is a link to a free 14 day download, but it will ask for credit card information, so if you use it don’t forget to cancel.
http://searchebook.club/?book=019933692X
Even though there is so much information on prostate cancer available, the bottom line is to talk to your doctor about your own personal situation. Here are some questions you can ask your doctor about prostate cancer screening:
►
Am I at a greater risk for prostate cancer?
____________________________________________________________________
►
At what age should I start to think about screening for prostate cancer?
____________________________________________________________________
►
If I get my blood test, and it is not normal, what other things could I have beside
prostate cancer?
____________________________________________________________________
►
What is a biopsy, and how is it done?
____________________________________________________________________
►
What are the side effects or risks of a biopsy?
____________________________________________________________________
►
If my biopsy shows some cancer cells, what does that mean?
____________________________________________________________________
Ask about all treatment options: close monitoring and follow-up visits, radiation, or
surgery to remove the prostate.
►
What are the side effects or risks of each treatment?
____________________________________________________________________
www.cdc.gov/cancer
Diet
According to Julie Revelant of Fox News Health, a study was done by American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The study showed that men who follow a vegan diet at a 35% lower risk of developing prostate cancer than men on non-vegetarian diets. She also revealed the Top 10 healthy foods that can decrease your prostate cancer risk:
- Broccoli
- Salmon
- Brazil Nuts
- Tomatoes
- Walnuts
- Berries
- Coffee
- Carrots
- Pomegranate Juice
- Soy
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/09/12/10-foods-that-can-help-prevent-prostate-cancer.html
I’m pretty sure Rog won’t go for a vegan diet, but I know he likes all the foods on this list. I found this recipe on line at Men’s Fitness Magazine.
Honey Garlic Chicken
The pungent—and delicious—garlic in this dish could help protect your prostate. This is so good, even if you’re not trying to be healthy!
by Toby Amidor, M.S., R.D.
Makes 4 Servings
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
20 minutes
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
2 eggs
1/2 cup brown rice flour or whole wheat panko bread crumbs
For the sauce:
1/2 cup honey
5 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 Tbsp brown rice flour
Optional: 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
How to make it
After cutting chicken into bite-size pieces, dip in small bowl with eggs, then roll in small bowl with brown rice flour/panko bread crumbs. (Salt and pepper are optional.)
Place on nonstick baking dish in preheated oven (400°) for about 15 minutes (until golden brown).
While chicken is baking, make sauce over stove on medium-high heat by combining honey, garlic, and into saucepan. In a small bowl, mix together 1 Tbsp of brown rice flour and 1/4 cup water. Add to saucepan, and continue to mix all ingredients together until thickened.
Add chicken to saucepan to coat each piece evenly. Remove from heat, and add optional sesame seeds. The chicken pairs great with brown rice and broccoli.
More Little Helpers
www.aarp.org/food/healthy-eating/info-02-2012/prostate
www.verywell.com/natural-prostate-cancer-prevention-88911
https://www.beaumont.org/conditions/prostate-cancer-symptoms
https://www.henryford.com/services/cancer/screenings
Please see my full disclaimer at www.grammyslittlehelpers.com
Thanks for reading and have a grand day!
debbie@grammyslittlehelpers.com
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
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