Internet Information and Your Health

Health information once obtained from bought or borrowed hard copy books, magazines, and papers is now available on your computer in seconds. Many studies have shown that the Internet is rapidly becoming the main source of health information for patients and health care providers around the world.  This has made it a tool of preventive medicine individually and globally.  Many are able to "pre-diagnose" themselves and maintain wellness by the time they seek medical care.  This makes for a shorter differential diagnosis dilemma for your doctor; thereby, shortening the time for correct diagnosis and treatment.

Health literacy on line also includes abundant applications for your smart phone and computer, interactive social media, and websites from health providers and institutions.  One of the most interactive and informative is Twitter.  Lists such as these for doctors,  http://bit.ly/2XWKw29 and medical/health http://bit.ly/2GWkbvH  contain lots of information that links directly to sources. Most of these include websites as well as individual snippets of information called "tweets".  Searches for specific health information can also be done using the internal search box.

While the Internet may help diagnose, it far from replaces your doctor's advice. Use it as a health literacy tool to educate yourself.   Check out "What the Internet Does for You and Your Health" http://bit.ly/a3RAjw for more health literacy lessons. Best health!

Are You Too Old for Colon Cancer Screening?

Eighty" is the "new" fifty. Why? Many are in good health as natural and unnatural aging occurs.  This may be attributed to ongoing healthy lifestyle habits, good genes, as well as preventive screening.  In addition, early intervention and treatment of conditions found from preventive screening add additional healthy years.  Should preventive screening tests like colonoscopy be abandoned after 80 years of age?

Scientific studies report that one is more likely to die of something other than colon cancer after 80 years of life.  This may be interpreted to mean that at age 80, your last screening colonoscopy if positive for colon cancer, will really be a diagnosis you can live with until you die. In fact, the colonoscopy itself gets riskier with more complications as one gets older especially after 65.  Chronic conditions can potentially increase complications as well. Life expectancy is expected to decrease anyway in spite of the risk that cancer increases with age.

Though current guidelines are without an age limits, there is much controversy over whether colonoscopy after 80 is beneficial.  The risk of complications from colonoscopy as well as the prep and sedation get much higher after 65.  There is up to 75% higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation of the gut after 80.  Add more risk if chronic conditions like stroke or heart attack are part of the past medical history.

Much medical success and good health depend on you.  Individual assessment based on your medical history, physical exam and tests is key to obtaining the best outcome for you, regardless of "one size fits all" guidelines.  These guidelines are just that, a guide to help you and your doctor decide if you are too old for colon cancer screening via colonoscopy. 

Here's to making 100 the "new" fifty!

Best health!

Men's Health Month Memorandum: Check-up Time!

"If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself." — Mickey Mantle

Statistics show that men are less likely than women to get routine health checkups and physical exams. Men are more likely to seek medical attention when there is an acute problem, and once that has resolved not until another acute problem. Part of the reason for this is lack of health education. Men are also more prone to the "this can't be happening to me" syndrome. Is ignorance truly bliss? Short term, maybe. Long term, no.

So what is a fella to do? Make a yearly checkup routine. Do it around your birthday or holiday like Father's Day or Christmas as a gift to yourself (your most important asset!). In addition to a complete medical history (be sure to take your notes and questions http://bit.ly/122ZEeF) and physical exam, there are other things your doctor should do. This includes:

• complete blood panel including a PSA (prostate specific antigen) if over 40 or have a history of prostate cancer in your family - please note that PSA screening is very controversial as to if it should be done and should be discussed at length with your doctor as this test does save lives
• EKG, baseline at first physical then every 2-3 years - yearly if over 50, have risk factors such as smoking, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, increased cholesterol, family history of heart disease
• cardiac screening by a cardiologist if any signs or symptoms of heart disease especially if there is a family history of heart attack, angina
• colon cancer screening with stool guaiac cards - stool samples are placed on these and returned to your doctor who checks for blood (this should be done when a rectal exam is performed, but if for some reason it is not, be sure to get these cards)
• colonoscopy, baseline at 50, sooner if stool positive for occult blood or gross rectal bleeding, weight loss, stomach symptoms

Be sure to include regular visits to the dentist, and optometrist or ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Best health, guys!

by J.L. Richardson, M.D., family medicine doctor and author of Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.

Heart Health Check List

Heart disease and high blood pressure are leading causes of many health issues today.  High blood pressure (hypertension) affects about 1 in 3 people worldwide.  Studies have shown that screening and prevention can change this to healthier hearts.  As one gets routine physical check-ups for the entire body, the same should be done for the heart.

Basic check your heart list:
___Heart and vascular exam by health care provider
___Blood pressure*, pulse, weight, height
___EKG

___Blood tests

For further evaluation, especially if symptoms are present, and/ or a strong family history of heart and vascular disease see a cardiologist for more testing.

Tests may include:
___Doppler echocardiogram (checks heart valves, size, etc.)
___Stress test - nuclear, doppler or exercise (heart function)
___Heart MRI scan (artery disease)
___Interventional studies like cardiac catherization, angiogram (checks artery blockage, valves)

Help your heart and overall health with these tips:

1. Maintain a healthy weight.
2. Eat healthy small portions.
3. Exercise regularly - every little bit counts! Just do it regularly.
4. Keep blood pressure* under control.
5. Keep stress level low.
6. Get adequate sleep.
7. Take an aspirin a day if in a high risk group. Check with your health care provider.

*Add home blood pressure checks to your list.  It will help you and your heart!  http://mypatienthandbook.blogspot.com/2009/03/high-blood-pressure-home-checks_21.html

Best health!

Health Maintenance: How You Gain When You Maintain

Screening tests save lives. Talk to your doctor and do your own research on tests you need and how often. What the guidelines suggest and what you need may be different.

Common screening tests for women include:

1. mammogram/ MRI for breast cancer
2. PAP smear & HPV test for cervical cancer
3. stool check for blood (fecal occult blood test, colonoscopy)
4. EKG, ECHO (stress test if indicated)
5. bone density scan to check for osteoporosis
6. counseling for smoking cessation, alcohol/drug dependence, and domestic violence
7. evaluation for depression and other mental disorders if necessary
8. complete physical exam, and routine blood tests*


Common screening tests for men include same as above except mammogram and PAP smear.


Be sure your doctor goes over the test results with you and explains EVERYTHING! Leave with your questions answered! Be sure to follow up with your doctor to prevent any delays.

Get a copy of your test results. That way you will know if you were told everything and that the information is accurate. Research your results and diagnosis. Things you don't understand, ask again. Getting a second and sometimes third (because you were told different things by each doctor!) evaluation and assessment is sometimes necessary to get what is right for you.

Patients must be their own advocate and take charge of their health. Health maintenance and prevention are so important to one's quality of life. Make it an important part of yours - maintain and gain your best health!

*What Your Blood Tests Mean http://mypatienthandbook.blogspot.com/2012/03/what-your-blood-tests-really-mean.html

Basic Diagnostic Tests http://mypatienthandbook.blogspot.com/2012/04/basic-health-tests.html