John Fodor’s Health Corner

Yep, it’s getting to be that time of year. Better start thinking about getting a flu shot. There is plenty of flu vaccine, and anyone who wants to protect themselves from the flu can get vaccinated.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, October or November is the best time to get your vaccination. You can also wait and get your vaccination later, but the longer you wait the greater are your chances of coming down with the flu. The flu season can begin as early as October and last until May. You want to get your protection before the flu outbreaks start. For additional information log on to <http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm>.

Some people are at higher risk than others. Anyone in the following categories should definitely get their vaccination as early as possible:

Children aged 6 months until their 5^th birthday

Pregnant women

People 50 years of age and older

People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions

People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

There are also people who should not get vaccinated against the flu. They include:

Those who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs

Those who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination

Those who developed Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine

In addition, people who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

There is also nasal-spray vaccine that was approved for use on September 19, 2007 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (LAIV-FluMist). More information on the nasal spray is available at <http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00913.html>

Here are some important health facts that you might want to think about:

Fact: Approximately 90 million people in the U. S. will develop cancer in their lifetime. Why? What can you do to help reduce your risk of having cancer?

Fact: About two-thirds of adults in the U. S. are overweight or obese. Are You? If you are, what can you do about it?

Fact: Approximately 65 million people in the U. S. have high blood pressure. Have you had your blood pressure checked lately?

Fact: Fifty percent of the more than one million people who will have a heart attack this year will die from it. How can you reduce your risk of having a heart attack?

Fact: If you have a stroke, you are very likely to suffer long-term disability. How can you help prevent This from happening to you?

Fact: 20.8 million people in the U. S. have didabetes. What has caused this dramatic increase? How can you help reduce your risk of having diabetes?

To get the most out of your appointment with your doctor you, the patient, really need to take an active role in your health care. The appointment shouldn’t be a one way street with your doctor taking charge, doing most of the talking and asking most, if not all, of the questions. It is important for you and your doctor to work in a partnership if you are going to maintain your optimum level of health. In this partnership, you should be able to communicate freely with your doctor. Don’t let him or her do all of the talking. Ask questions and ask for explanations about things or terms you don’t understand. Before you meet with your doctor, make a list of the things you want to talk about or the things you want to know. During your appointment, don’t be afraid to take notes or to ask your doctor to write down instructions on the things you need to do.

The following has been adapted from The National Institutes of Health suggestions for getting the most out of your appointment with your doctor

If you are seeing the doctor for a specific disease or disorder, ask the following questions:

• What is my diagnosis?
• What caused my condition?
• Can my condition be treated?
• What are the treatments?
• How will this condition affect my body functions now and in the future?
• Should I watch for any particular symptoms and notify you if they occur?
• Should I make any lifestyle changes?

If you are going to receive specific treatment, ask the following questions:

• What is the treatment for my condition?
• When will the treatment start, and how long will it last?
• What are the benefits of this treatment, and how successful is it?
• What are the risks and side effects associated with this treatment?
• Are there foods, drugs, or activities I should avoid while I’m on this treatment?
• If my treatment includes taking a medication, what should I do if I miss a dose?
• Are other treatments available?

If your doctor wants you to take certain tests, ask these questions:

• What kinds of tests will I have?
• What do you expect to find out from these tests?
• When will I know the results?
• Do I have to do anything special to prepare for any of the tests?
• Do these tests have any side effects or risks?
• Will I need more tests later?

Make sure you understand your doctor’s responses by doing the following:

• If you don’t understand what your doctor is telling you, ask questions until you do understand.
• Take notes, or get a friend or family member to take notes for you. Or, bring a tape-recorder to assist in your recollection of the discussion.
• Ask your doctor to write down his or her instructions to you.
• Ask your doctor for printed material about your condition.
• Ask your doctor where you can go for more information about the things you don’t understand.
• Talk to other members of your health care team, such as nurses and pharmacists. They can be good sources of information.

See also <http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/TalkingWithYourDoctor/>

Not Getting enough sleep? Oh well, big deal, that will just make you a little tired, you say - WRONG.

The truth is your entire body pays the price when you don’t get enough sleep.

• Lack of sleep affects hormones that regulate hunger and can actually cause you to eat more, and the extra pounds can lead to other health problems
• Lack of sleep may increase your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease
• Extended periods of sleep deprivation may interfere with your body’s ability to metabolize blood sugar - this can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes)
• People who chronically lack sleep are more prone to becoming depressed
• Insufficient sleep can also make you irritable and can affect your relationship with others
• Lack of sleep can also interfere with the body’s ability to produce the growth hormone that helps build muscle mass and repair cells and tissues

So if you are having problems sleeping, it might be a good idea to check with your health care provider. In addition to causing a number of health problems, not being able to get a good night’s sleep may be a symptom of serious sleep disorders such as, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome and narcolepsy.

HEY - GETTING OLD MAY NOT BE SO BAD AFTERALL

Let’s face it; we all age, some of us more gracefully than others, some grudgingly and some bitterly. There are of course a few more aches and pains as we get older, our energy level may fall a bit, we may not be as agile or as strong as we were when we were younger, we may tire more easily and we may not be as sharp mentally as we once were. But if you think about it, there can be a lot of good things that happen as we age.

We generally have more time to relax and enjoy our surroundings.

We can enjoy doing things that we did not have time to do when we were younger.

Many of us are sexually more relaxed, and can still enjoy an active sex life.

We do not have the stresses of making a living and raising a family.

Through the years we have learned more about ourselves and have a better perspective of life.

We do not have to prove our worth to anyone else as we did when we were younger.

We are generally more confident and don’t have to “keep up with the Jones’.”

We know better what it takes to satisfy ourselves.

We have a greater capacity to give and receive love.

We have learned to appreciate those around us.

Most importantly we have learned how to take more responsibility for our health.

And the good news is there are a lot of things we can do to help maintain our health and vitality throughout the years of our life.