Preparation Tips for a Top-Notch Colonoscopy

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Chalky prep solutions, constant bathroom visits and a clear liquid diet are just a few horror stories you may have heard about colonoscopy prep. And while this process is admittedly not a walk in the park, many patients report afterwards that it wasn’t as bad as they’d anticipated. If you’re concerned about the preparation process for your upcoming colonoscopy, try some of these simple tricks to make it a little more bearable.

 

 

  • Ask your doctor about split-dose prep – A split-dose bowel prep involves drinking half of your bowel prep solution the night before your procedure and the other half on exam day. This method is often more palatable for patients and results in a more thorough cleansing of the colon.
  • Treat yourself – Wear your favorite cozy pajamas, load up on magazines and choose a new Netflix series to binge on throughout the day. A little extra pampering can help you maintain a positive attitude while you’re confined to the house.
  • Mix your prep solution with a flavored beverage – Chalky prep solutions taste much better when mixed with Gatorade, Kool-Aid or Crystal Light. Just be sure to avoid liquids that are red or purple, as these can interfere with getting accurate exam results.
  • Pamper your posterior – Flushable toilet wipes are much gentler than standard toilet paper during those frequent bathroom visits.
  • Count on loved ones for support – Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine! Ask your friends and family to keep your spirits lifted with funny texts, phone calls and Facebook messages.

Colonoscopy prep is never fun, but try to think of it as short-term sacrifice for long-term gain. If all goes well during your exam, you won’t need to schedule another one for 10 years. Commit to making your colon prep day a success, and enjoy a future without colon cancer!

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Exciting Improvements in Glaucoma Detection

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Every year, new technology is developed to treat eye diseases that threaten our vision. A group of researchers at University College London and the Western Eye Hospital have made a recent breakthrough in glaucoma detection. Using equipment that is already routinely used in hospital eye examinations, the research team developed a way to visualize individual nerve cell death.

Glaucoma refers to a family of diseases that is characterized by optic nerve damage, the nerve that transmits visual images to the brain. Increased inner eye pressure creates stress on optic nerve cells, causing cell death and irreversible vision loss.

The researchers believe that their simple, inexpensive diagnostic tool could revolutionize how glaucoma is diagnosed. One of the most challenging aspects of glaucoma is that it often has no symptoms in the early stages. This means that patients can lose a significant portion of their vision before the disease is discovered. There is currently no cure for glaucoma, so scientists must focus on early detection to prevent vision loss.

The new technique uses fluorescent markers that attach to cell proteins when injected into patients. Eye doctors can identify diseased cells because they will appear as fluorescent white spots. The research team hopes that this same technology may be instrumental in early diagnosis of other degenerative neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis.

Professor Francesca Cordeiro at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, research team leader, stated, “Detecting glaucoma early is vital as symptoms are not always obvious. Although detection has been improving, most patients have lost a third of vision by the time they are diagnosed. Now, for the first time, we have been able to show individual cell death and detect the earliest signs of glaucoma. While we cannot cure the disease, our test means treatment can start before symptoms begin” (Source: Science Daily).

Sitting Disease: Simple Ways to Stay Active

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You exercise regularly, you don’t smoke, and you do your best to eat a healthy diet. You’re the picture of perfect health, right? Not necessarily, if you’re like the majority of Americans. According to a 2008 Vanderbilt study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, the average American spends up to 7.7 hours per day sitting. This habit of physical inactivity can have several negative consequences that are detrimental to your health.

Sometimes referred to as sitting disease, habitual sedentary behavior has become a significant health concern in recent years. A 2010 study by the American Cancer Society found that women who sit more than six hours per day are 94 percent more likely to die than women who are more physically active. Men who are sedentary are 48 percent more likely to die than their standing counterparts. People who spend most of their day sitting are at greater risk of obesity, cancer and type 2 diabetes, and they have roughly the same risk of heart attack as someone who smokes (Source: Juststand.org).

In a day and age where we increasingly rely on technology for work, communication and entertainment, it can be challenging to find ways to work physical activity into your daily routine. However, studies show that even a small increase can have a dramatic impact. According to Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, adding just two minutes of light physical activity to every hour of sedentary behavior can lower your risk of dying by one-third!

Try adding some of these simple techniques to your daily routine to help you stay active, healthy and strong:

  • Use a standing desk – If you spend the majority of your day in front of a computer, consider moving your work station to a standing desk. You’ll burn 30 percent more calories throughout the work day, and you’ll power right through that midday slump.
  • Wear an activity tracker – It’s time to dust off that FitBit, sports watch or pedometer you got for Christmas and start putting it to good use! Tracking your daily physical activity is a great way to set realistic goals and identify areas that need improvement.
  • Set an alarm – Set a reminder on your watch, phone or computer to get up and move around for a few minutes every hour. You can walk around the office floor, climb the steps in the stairwell, or even do some light stretching at your desk.
  • Hit the gym – Experts agree that exercise alone is not enough to counteract the effects of prolonged sitting, but it is still crucial to your overall health. Try to set aside at least 30 minutes a day for light to moderate physical activity.

Physical activity doesn’t have to be complicated or rigorous to be effective. Find simple ways to stay moving throughout your work day to improve your health, boost your mental state, and decrease your risk of disease.

Cancer Survival Rates Improve, Researchers Say

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The recent report, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, tracked data of several different cancers from 1975 to 2014. Mortality rates for 11 of the 16 most common cancers declined between 2010 and 2014. However, racial disparities still exist for many common types of cancer, and some death rates continue to rise.

Many five-year survival rates increased among both blacks and whites, but racial disparities have increased in prostate cancer and female breast cancer. “We still have a lot of work to do to understand the causes of these differences, but certainly differences in the kinds and timing of recommended treatments are likely to play a role,” said Dr. Lynne Penberthy, associate director of the U.S. National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Research Program.

Mortality rates for cancers of the lung, colon, prostate and breast have decreased in recent years. However, researchers noted an increase in death rates for liver, pancreas and brain cancer in men and liver and uterine cancer in women.

The cancers with the highest survival rates were:

  • Prostate cancer – 99.3 percent
  • Thyroid cancer – 98.3 percent
  • Melanoma – 93.2 percent
  • Female breast cancer – 90.8 percent

Cancers with the lowest survival rates included:

  • Pancreatic cancer – 8.5 percent five-year survival rate
  • Liver cancer – 18.1 percent
  • Lung cancer – 18.7 percent
  • Esophageal cancer – 20.5 percent
  • Stomach cancer – 31.1 percent
  • Brain cancer – 35 percent

Dr. Stephanie Bernik, chief of surgical oncology at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York, was pleased with these findings. “It is encouraging to see that the immense drive to improving cancer survival is working, as overall survival from cancer continues to improve,” she said (Source: HealthDay).

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Enjoy the Summer Sun, but Protect Your Peepers!

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The sunshine is here to stay! It’s time to plant those petunias, take long walks in the neighborhood and enjoy lunch on the back deck. Your calendar is wide open, and you can’t wait to fill up those days with baseball games and outdoor concerts to soak in some sun.

To protect your vision and keep the tissues around your eyes healthy, here are some summer tips to protect those peepers:

Check the Clock
The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are most intense between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Try to avoid spending time in the direct sun during those hours, and enjoy your outdoor activities earlier in the morning or in the later afternoon and evening.

Buy a New Hat
Summer styles change each year, so buy a new hat that will protect your vision and make a fashion statement. The hats that provide the best protection against UV rays have a wide brim that will protect your face, ears and even your neck and shoulders.

Find Sunglasses You Love
It’s time to throw out that pair of sunglasses that are scratched up in the junk drawer and buy a new pair that you’ll look forward to wearing every day. Try something different like bright colored frames or a different lens shape. Whatever shape of lens you choose, go large! Big lenses offer more eye protection. One requirement should always stay the same, and that is a pair of sunglasses that offers 100 percent UV protection.

Apply Sunscreen Regularly
Wrinkles only look cute on dogs, so be generous with the sunscreen and remember to reapply often. Choose the correct sunscreen level for your skin tone, and don’t forget to check the expiration date of the product. If your sunscreen has expired, it is not providing the protective benefits that your skin needs. Throw it out and buy a new bottle (Source: Superior Vision).

Protecting your skin is easy, and you can show some style while you’re at it. Enjoy a fun-filled summer of all the outdoor activities you love most. Before you finish filling your calendar, set aside a day to have a comprehensive eye exam. Your ophthalmologist will test your vision, adjust your prescription and evaluate your eyes for several common diseases. An eye exam is an hour well-spent in the shade before going back out to play!

Swimming for Joint Pain Relief

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Experts say that swimming is one of the best full body workouts, particularly for individuals with arthritis. Here’s why swimming could be the perfect addition to your joint-friendly exercise routine.

  • It’s low-impact – Pool water provides buoyancy to support your body weight, cushion the joints and minimize pain.
  • It promotes weight loss – Excess weight is a major contributor to arthritis because it places undue stress on the joints. The average person burns anywhere from 400 to 600 calories during one hour of swimming, making it an excellent aerobic activity for weight loss.
  • It improves circulation – It doesn’t matter if you’re an expert swimmer or a novice. Just moving your body in the water will increase blood flow to the affected joints to reduce inflammation and relieve muscle tension.
  • It increases range of motion – Swimming keeps joints loose and limber, allowing you to work on increasing your range of motion.
  • It builds muscle – In addition to building cardiovascular fitness, swimming is a great muscle-building exercise. Water provides natural resistance for your muscles to work against, helping you increase muscle tone in a safe, low-impact environment.
  • It’s fun – The best kind of exercise routine is the one you stick with! Swimming is just as entertaining as it is effective, which means you’re more likely to stay committed.

If you need more variety than just swimming laps, try water walking, water aerobics, or water Zumba! There are plenty of options to keep you motivated, so try them all!

Antibiotic Use Could Influence Polyp Development

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This statistic may seem irrelevant, but the steady increase in antibiotic use is posing a serious global health threat. Our reliance on antibiotics leads to bacterial resistance.

A recent study suggests another danger of overusing antibiotics. The medical journal Gut published a study which found that long-term use of antibiotics significantly increased the chances of polyp formation, which could develop into colon cancer. Using data from the Nurses Health Study, researchers discovered that subjects who took antibiotics for two or more months between the ages of 20 and 39 were 36 percent more likely to be diagnosed with an adenoma or polyp compared to those who did not take antibiotics for an extended period during their 20s and 30s. The risk for adenoma development was even higher in the age category of 40 to 59. 

Although more research needs to be done to determine what exactly happens in the colon during antibiotic use, the theory is that antibiotics kill some of the normal gut bacteria, which allows for abnormal bacteria to thrive. Developing diarrhea after taking a course of antibiotics is quite common, and it could be a direct result of the elimination of the healthy gut bacteria.

Does this mean that doctors should stop prescribing antibiotics? The obvious answer to this question is “no.” Antibiotics are essential to treating bacterial infections, some of which could be fatal if left untreated. However, according to a study cited in the Washington Post, almost one-third of antibiotics that are prescribed in doctors’ offices, emergency rooms and clinics are not needed. This translates to 47 million unnecessary prescriptions distributed each year for viral conditions that do not respond to antibiotics. Some of these conditions include colds, sore throats, bronchitis, and flu.

Associate Professor Graham Newstead, the head of the colorectal unit at the Prince of Wales private hospital and director of Bowel Cancer Australia, shared some important insight. Newstead advises that antibiotics should be taken responsibly and only when necessary. “It does seem to indicate that people who have too many antibiotics might be at more risk of getting polyps than people who have less of them,” Newstead said. There is an undeniable link between antibiotics and polyps, and Newstead reminds us, “… not all polyps turn to cancer but the cancer comes from the polyps. If you have more polyps or tendency to get polyps then maybe you are slightly more at risk of getting cancer.”

Antibiotics are useful when prescribed correctly. This new study provides useful information to help patients examine their own symptoms before asking their doctor for an antibiotic. Matching an antibiotic to a condition which it will effectively treat will help prevent resistant strains of bacteria and may also help you prevent colon polyps (Source: The Guardian).

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6 Causes of Back Pain You Might Not Expect

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Back pain often occurs as a result of injury, overuse or mechanical issues, but not all causes of back pain are easy to identify. If you struggle with back pain that is chronic or recurrent, you may want to consider some of these surprising culprits:

  • Smoking – Smoking damages nearly every organ in the body, and some studies have linked it to chronic back pain. A study at Northwestern University found that smokers are three times more likely to experience chronic back pain than people who do not smoke. “We found that [smoking] affects the way the brain responds to back pain and seems to make individuals less resilient to an episode of pain,” researchers said.
  • Diet – Sugary snacks could be the reason for your back pain flare-ups. According to Vijay Vad, M.D., an assistant attending physiatrist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, sugars can spike inflammation and trigger back pain. Poor diet also leads to weight gain, which increases pressure on the back and may contribute to pain. Individuals who are overweight are four times more likely to develop back pain.
  • Cell phone use – Do you look down at your phone while texting or use your shoulder to hold your phone against your ear during conversations? This can place repeated strain in your neck that extends to the back. If your work requires you to use your phone and computer at the same time, consider purchasing a hands-free device to avoid neck strain. When texting, try holding your phone in front of you instead of placing it in your lap.
  • Stress – Stress can manifest itself through numerous physical symptoms, including back pain. If you notice that your stress symptoms and back pain tend to coincide, look into stress management techniques that can help relieve muscle tension. Yoga, meditation and stretching are excellent therapies to help clear your mind and relax the muscles.
  • Sedentary behavior – Lounging on the couch might seem like the perfect ending to a stressful day, but this habit could be the culprit behind your back pain. Sitting places pressure on the back discs, decreases blood supply and increases the risk of injury. Whether you’re sitting at a desk for work or on the couch watching television, try to take walking or standing breaks at least once every 30 minutes (Source: Huffington Post).
  • Footwear – The shoes you wear can change your posture, which in turn can affect back pain. Backless shoes or high heels create lack of stability and cause your body weight to be unevenly distributed over the spine. Opt for shoes that hold your feet firmly in place, and keep heels under three inches (Source: Health).

Get Your Man to do Something About His Health During Men’s Health Week

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Men have many strengths. They are experts at efficiency and completion of tasks, especially the “honey–do list.” But men tend to be weak in one area: communicating with their doctor.

You may not hear about Men’s Health Week on the news, radio or on your social media feed, but open your eyes and take a look around you. Hospitals, clinics and community centers will offer free programming and convenient health services to males around the country. The initiative is growing each year as people continue to spread the word. Men’s Health Week is always a valuable time to communicate about preventable conditions and diseases, available screenings, and early detection for those conditions. We all agree that preventing a disease is always easier and less expensive than treating a disease, so Men’s Health Week focuses on awareness and education.

Whereas women would rather talk through problems to discover possible solutions, men would rather do something proactive to solve the problem. If you have a man in your life who likes to be productive and tackle difficult tasks, you may want to encourage him to organize or participate in some activities such as:

  • Health Fair that offers free screenings for prostate cancer, blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney, liver, heart, and thyroid issues
  • Lectures by sports figures
  • Seminar on a condition or disease that runs in his family
  • Meatless Monday, a national health campaign to help Americans prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer – four of the leading causes of death in America
  • Softball Tournament and Home Run Derby which would also offer health screenings
  • Couch to 5k program
  • Community carnival that includes free blood pressure checks, tips on healthy eating, family safety tips, a workshop emphasizing the importance of regular check-ups, and a kids workshop

Distributing brochures about the dangers of smoking and how to get help to quit
Add celebrating Men’s Health Week to your man’s to-do list, and wait to see what happens. You may be surprised to see how much he enjoys taking an active role in his health. Sometimes men need a little bit of prompting to get started, but they will pick up the ball and run with this one.

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Symptoms of Cataracts

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The best way to prevent cataract-related vision loss is to know its symptoms. 

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, which is made of water and protein (Source: Mayo Clinic). As we age, the protein in the lens can clump together and blur an area of the lens.

The most common symptoms of this eye disease are:

  • Dim, blurry or clouded vision
  • Sensitivity to light and glare
  • The appearance of “halos” around lights
  • Increasing difficulty with night vision
  • Fading or yellowing of colors
  • Need for brighter light for reading
  • Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription

You may not notice any changes in your vision when the cataract is small. But as it grows, the cataract will distort more light that passes through the lens. You may gradually notice that it is becoming more challenging to read, drive at night or do activities like sewing.

Staying current with your comprehensive eye exams is the best way to detect cataracts as early as possible. Your doctor will be able to detect the presence of a cataract in an eye exam before you notice a change in your vision. Cataracts are reversible with surgery, so your eye doctor can discuss treatment options with you at your appointment. Stay one step ahead of cataracts by keeping up with your eye exams—and what better way to celebrate Cataract Awareness Month by scheduling an eye exam today?