Asthma: Common and Costly
	More Americans than ever before are suffering from asthma. This chronic lung disease is characterized by inflammation of the air passages, resulting in temporary narrowing of the airways that transport air from the nose and mouth to the lungs. As the prevalence of asthma increases, so do the costs. Asthma results in about half-a-million hospitalizations each year in addition to 1.8 million emergency room visits and 10 million doctor’s office visits each year. For adults it is the leading cause of work loss. Among children, asthma is the leading cause of school absences from a chronic illness. People with asthma often experience: Shortness of breath Wheezing Runny nose Return to Top	Itchy eyes Tightness of chest or back Persistent coughing Headache Weak and tired feeling Asthma episodes are triggered by elements in the environment. These triggers vary from person to person and may include: Cold air Pollen Dust mites Mold Animal dander Tobacco smoke Paint fumes Smog Aerosol sprays Perfume Each case of asthma is unique. If you have asthma it is important to identify	and keep track of the factors that trigger your asthma episodes. To control your asthma avoid these allergens when possible by removing them from your environment. Asthma medications may be prescribed to relieve immediate symptoms of asthma. Long-term medications may also be used to reduce the frequency and severity of episodes over time. Breathe easier by talking to your doctor about a treatment plan that works best for you.
Breast Cancer: Early Dectection is the Key
Currently there is no proven way to prevent breast cancer. The best way a woman can protect herself is by practicing early detection and reducing her known risk factors. The combination of monthly breast exams, yearly clinical exams and regular mammograms beginning at age 40 are the best ways to detect breast cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages. Breast Self Exam: Beginning at age 18, every woman should examine her breasts once a month to check for physical changes. It is important to know what feels normal. The best time to do a breast self exam is one week after the start of your menstrual period. If you find any changes in your breast, visit your health care provider Return to Top	immediately. Clinical Breast Exam: Once a year your health care provider should give you a clinical breast exam. The exam consists of checking breasts for any changes, lumps or other warning signs of breast cancer through physical touch and appearance. Mammogram: Beginning at age 40, all women should have a mammogram once a year. Mammograms are x-ray images of breast tissue that help detect abnormalities too small to be detected through self or clinical exams. What is your breast cancer risk? Risk increases as women age. Family history of breast cancer increases a woman’s risk.	Personal history of breast cancer: A woman with a cancerous growth in one breast is 3 to 4 times more likely to develop cancer in a different location. Early onset of menstrual periods (before age 12) and/or late menopause increase breast cancer risk. Consuming two or more alcoholic beverages on a daily basis is associated with 1.5 times higher breast cancer risk. Obesity particularly after menopause increases risk. Never having children or having your first child after 30 slightly increases breast cancer risk. Smoking may also increase the risk of breast cancer.	What can I do to prevent breast cancer? Eat a well-balanced, low fat diet full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit alcohol consumption. Exercise Stop smoking. To learn more about breast cancer see the following websites: www.preventcancer.com www.breastcancer.org www.nationalbreastcancer.org
High Blood Pressure or "Hypertension" You Can't Feel it But It May Be There
Symptoms of high blood pressure can be frequent headaches and dizziness, but for most people with high blood pressure there are no symptoms. High blood pressure is not something that you feel as it damages the blood vessels to your eyes, brain, heart and kidneys. There are no symptoms to "warn" you that there is something wrong. Undiagnosed or untreated blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. High blood pressure indicates that your heart may be working harder to pump blood to your vital organs. Medication and lifestyle changes may help lower blood pressure to a normal Return to Top	level and stop the damage. People with a risk of high blood pressure include: People with blood relatives who have high blood pressure like a father, mother or sibling Men over 55 Women over 65 Post-menopausal women African-Americans,especially women Some women who take birth control pills People who get little or no physical activity People who smoke People who are overweight People with high cholesterol	People with diabetes Ask your doctor what a healthy blood pressure is for you. High blood pressure cannot be cured but it can be treated with medicine and lifestyle changes. Consider these lifestyle changes if you are diagnosed with high blood pressure: If you smoke, stop. Monitor your BP. Many drugstores have blood pressure machines that can be used for free. Increase your exercise to strengthen your heart muscle which will in turn increase its	efficiency to pump blood. Cut back on salt. Salt makes your blood retain water and sodium. This causes your blood to be pumped with greater force, straining the walls of the blood vessels. When eating, make healthy choices; practice portion control, trim the fat from meats and have your dressings served on the side.
Walk Yourself to Better Health: Challenge yourself to take 10,000 steps a day and you will be rewarded with better health and well-being.
Most of us take 5,000 to 6,000 steps a day in our daily activities. Increasing those steps to 10,000 has shown significant healthy rewards such as: Better weight management Lower blood pressure Improved glucose tolerance Better cardiovascular health Improved muscle tone Decreased risk of heart attack Decreased chance of developing type 2 diabetes Improved overall sense of well-being 1. BENCHMARKING: Wear your pedometer and Return to Top	follow your daily routine. Record your daily activity Record weekly activity 2. GOAL SETTING: Set a goal that will increase your first week’s activity. 20% is a good attainable goal to set, as it is an increase in activity that will produce results. Create a routine that will allow you to reach your goal. Record your daily results. 3. REACHING MAXIMUM POTENTIAL: Review your progress from	week to week Analyze daily routine for success Set a goal that will allow you to reach 6,000 to 10,000 steps a day. Also important to remember: If you have a health condition or have not done any regular physical activity for a long time (men over 40, women over 50), talk with your doctor before starting any new exercise program. Choose comfortable, supportive shoes, such as running, walking, or cross	training shoes, or light hiking boots. If you are going to do stretching exercises, be sure your muscles are warmed up first. Walk briskly for 10 minutes before stretching. Maintain a brisk pace. You should work hard to keep up your pace but still be able to talk while walking. Drink plenty of water before, during and after walking to cool working muscles and keep your body hydrated. If you're going for a long walk, include a cool-down period to reduce stress on your heart and muscles.