November has many health care awareness topics. Below are just a few for your information:
National Diabetes Month
November is National Diabetes Month in the United States, and November 14 is World Diabetes Day. According to the American Diabetes Association, Diabetes mellitus (MEL-ih-tus), or simply, diabetes, is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body's ability to produce and/or use insulin. Not sure what that means? This is the place to find out. We've covered all the basics here—and you'll find plenty of links to more in-depth information on a variety of topics and issues.
There are numerous life style changes that we can all incorporate in our daily lives to help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes and invest in our future health. By eating a healthy diet, increasing physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight, we are decreasing our chances of developing type 2 diabetes as well as other health issues like heart disease.
For more information, visit: American Diabetes Association - Diabetes Basics
November is also Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
According to the Lung Cancer Alliance, here are some facts about lung cancer:
Estimated Cancer Deaths in 2009
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States among every ethnic group... 1 in every 3 cancer deaths.
Lung cancer will kill:
- More people than the next four deadly cancers... combined.
- Over three times as many men as prostate cancer.
- Nearly twice as many women as breast cancer.
- An average of 437 people a day.
Percent of New Lung Cancer Cases
Over 60% of new cases are never smokers or former smokers, many of whom quit decades ago.
One in five women and one in twelve men diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked.
For more information, visit: http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/
Flu and Pneumonia Campaign
According to the CDC, it is recommended that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated against the flu every year, and it’s particularly important that people with diabetes, and certain other medical conditions, protect themselves from the flu with a flu shot, even if their diabetes is well-controlled.
What is influenza (also called flu)?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.
Signs and symptoms of flu
People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:
- Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue (very tired)
- Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
How flu spreads
Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or possibly their nose.
World Pneumonia Day is November 12.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that is usually caused by bacteria or viruses. Globally, pneumonia causes more deaths than any other infectious disease. However, it can often be prevented with vaccines and can usually be treated with antibiotics or antiviral drugs
For more information, please visit: CDC Seasonal Influenza (Flu) and CDC Pneumonia
National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month
Alzheimer's and dementia basics
- Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 50 to 80 percent of dementia cases.
Learn more: What We Know Today and Related Dementias.
- Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging, although the greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. But Alzheimer's is not just a disease of old age. Up to 5 percent of people with the disease have early-onset Alzheimer's (also known as younger-onset), which often appears when someone is in their 40s or 50s.
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Many people have trouble with memory — this does NOT mean they have Alzheimer's. There are many different causes of memory loss. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of dementia, it is best to visit a doctor so the cause can be determined.
Learn more: Visiting Your Doctor
Visit http://www.alz.org/ to learn more about Alzheimers and other dementia disorders and its devastating effects that are affecting thousands of people and their families nationwide.
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