The Importance of Colorectal Cancer Screening

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By Ashley Peoples| UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern

Photo by SHVETS production on Pexels.com

Have you been screened for colorectal cancer recently, or ever? Well, it may be time for a routine screening if you have not. Colorectal cancer screening is used to detect colorectal cancer. According to the CDC (2023), the screening test will look for cancer when a person does not have symptoms. The development of colorectal cancer comes from precancerous polyps in the colon rectum. The purpose of screening is to look for early detection of cancer. The age for screening has changed from 50 to 45-75 years old due to prevention. According to the CDC, if you are 76-85 years old, you should speak to your doctor about screening. Also, it is essential to know what colorectal cancer screenings are available.

The CDC has created a campaign called “Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign.” This campaign presents information to men and women 45 years and older on how imperative it is to get screened for colorectal cancer. The campaign was created in 1999 and is an excellent source for many people who do not know about colorectal cancer screening.

 Below are a few messages stated by the CDC through their campaign, “Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign,” that I found excellent motivators for health promotion.

  • “Screening for colorectal cancer saves lives.”
  • “Screening helps find colorectal cancer early when treatment can be very effective.”
  • “You need to get screened even if you have no family history. Most colorectal cancers occur in people with no family history of the disease”.

I urge you to get screened for colorectal cancer if you are 45 years or older, have never been screened, or if it is time for your routine screening. Getting recommended screenings is one of the most important things you can do for your health.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023a, January 25). Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/sfl/index.htm

Dementia: It is Not a Normal Part of Aging

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By Reginia Dodson | UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern

Photo by t4hlil on Pexels.com

With this disease becoming more and more common in the United States of America, people tend to think it is a normal part of aging when it is not. Dementia is at an all-time high today in the elderly community and is common in those at least 65. There were an estimated 5.0 million adults with dementia in 2014, projected to be nearly 14 million by 2060 (CDC, 2022).  Honestly, this may be one of the most heartbreaking disorders because it doesn’t only affect the person with the disorder but also the person’s loved ones. Watching a parent or grandparent slowly forget everything is a hard pill to swallow. Forgetting memories is tough, but it may not be as bad if you compare it to forgetting how to take care of yourself, forgetting your name, forgetting your family/friends, or even forgetting what year it is.

There are some risk factors when it comes to dementia. The first risk of dementia is age. The most substantial known risk factor for dementia is increasing age, with most cases affecting those 65 years and older. There also seems to be a link in heritage regarding dementia. Those with parents or siblings with dementia are more likely to develop dementia themselves. Some races or ethnic groups have a higher chance of developing dementia. Older African Americans are twice more likely to have dementia than whites. Hispanics are 1.5 times more likely to have dementia than whites. A person’s heart health has also put a highlight on dementia.  High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking increase the risk of dementia if not appropriately treated. Lastly, another major contributor to dementia is a traumatic head injury, mainly if it occurs repeatedly (CDC, 2022). Sadly, there is no cure for dementia. Only a matter of keeping that person comfortable or in a calm state.

References

What is dementia? | CDC. (2022, October 5). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/aging/dementia/index.html

Ouch…Mosquito Bites Can Cause Inflammation

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By Ashley Peoples| UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern

Photo by Jimmy Chan on Pexels.com

Have you ever wondered why mosquito bites cause inflammation? I may have the answer. When mosquitoes bite you, they typically bite off the part of the skin that is not covered by clothes. This leaves that bitten area of the skin red or inflamed, and a bump forms. The bump becomes swollen due to the mosquitoes feeding off your blood. According to the Mayo Clinic (2022) website, “Mosquito bites are caused by female mosquitoes feeding on your blood.”

Once the mosquito bites and ingests your blood, saliva is injected into your skin. Their saliva causes a reaction in your immune system that results in itching. According to researchers from the Mayo Clinic (2022), “The saliva triggers an immune system reaction that results in the classic itching and a bump.” The ways to prevent this are by lessening your exposure to mosquitoes, fixing tears or issues in screen windows, and placing a mosquito net over your sleeping area if you are sleeping outdoors.

Use effective insect repellents with ingredients such as DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and para-menthane-diol (PMD). Wearing protective clothing will help as well, such as a hat, long sleeve shirts, and pants. Using preventive medicine is helpful to prevent inflammation from mosquitoes. Vaccinations and medications that help prevent inflammation and reactions from mosquitoes are available by talking to your doctor. You can reduce mosquitoes around your home by regularly emptying outdoor flowerpots, unclogging roof gutters, getting rid of old tires in the yard, and emptying your children’s wading pools often.

  Mosquitoes bite during the day and at night. No one likes getting bitten by mosquitoes, so take control of the protection of your skin and be proactive by taking the necessary steps to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

References

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, October 26). Mosquito bites. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mosquito-bites/symptoms-causes/syc-20375310

Hypertension: The Silent Killer

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By Reginia Dodson | UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern

Photo by Vlada Karpovich on Pexels.com

Hypertension, high blood pressure, and “the silent killer” are all different names for a disease that 1 in 2 adults in the United States suffer from. This is a very alarming statistic for something called a silent killer. Sounds like something from a horror film. Even more alarming statistics show that this silent killer affects black men the most. “High blood pressure is more common in non-Hispanic Black adults (54%) than in non-Hispanic white adults (46%), non-Hispanic Asian adults (39%), or Hispanic adults (36%). A heightened response is required due to the disparities in high blood pressure control in African American men” (CDC). With such a disproportionate burden of hypertension in African American men, the CDC has put forth effort to provide resources on treatment and prevention. “With heart disease and stroke being the first and third leading causes of death and major causes of disability, national and international experts agree that now is the time to address these conditions and their risk factors. Disease burden and growing disparities among certain populations are characteristics of the heart disease and stroke epidemic. One of the populations greatly affected by this epidemic is African American men. African American men suffer disproportionately from high blood pressure, a known risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Because of this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (DHDSP) began to focus attention and resources on developing materials that provide answers” (CDC). The CDC has noticed a direct link between racism and high blood pressure among African American men. “Several studies found an association between racism and higher blood pressure levels in African American men. Perceived racism contributes to stress and low self-esteem, which can ultimately negatively affect blood pressure levels. The relationship between exposure to discrimination and blood pressure levels among African American men differs based on socioeconomic status” (CDC). 

Hypertension is often called the “silent killer” because it may show no symptoms. Hypertension puts you at risk for heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and other serious health problems. It is important that you know your numbers and act on them.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A Closer Look at African American Men and High Blood Pressure Control: A Review of Psychosocial Factors and Systems-Level Interventions. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2010.

Blood Pressure…..How to Monitor It

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By Reginia Dodson | UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

The two leading causes of death in the United States of America are stroke and heart disease. The cause for both can stem from uncontrollable blood pressure. Millions of adults suffer from high blood pressure, and what’s more alarming is that it often has no symptoms. The only way to be aware of the issue is to monitor blood pressure regularly. What is blood pressure? “When the heart pumps blood through the arteries, the blood puts pressure on the artery walls. This is known as blood pressure” (CDC). Every time you visit a doctor’s office, your blood pressure is usually measured and recorded. This can sometimes give early indication of other issues, like the presence of pain or anxiety. “Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: The first number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The second number, diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats” (CDC). Another name for high blood pressure is hypertension. “Your blood pressure changes throughout the day based on your activities. Having blood pressure measures consistently above normal may result in a diagnosis of high blood pressure (or hypertension). The higher your blood pressure levels, the more risk you have for other health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and heart attack” (CDC). What causes high blood pressure? There are a few factors that can cause high blood pressure. It can happen because of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as insufficient physical activity or a consistently unhealthy diet high in sodium. Diabetes can cause hypertension/ high blood pressure. Pregnancy can also cause high blood pressure as well. The best way to prevent high blood pressure is to be mindful of your diet and incorporate physical activity.

References

https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm

Ladies…When Aunt Flo is Too Heavy

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By Ashley Peoples| UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Ladies, how is the flow of your period? It is considered menorrhagia when the period is heavy and lasts for more than seven days. If bleeding heavily, your pad or tampon should be changed often. For example, if you are clotting or bleeding heavily, your pad or tampon should be changed every two hours. According to Bleeding Disorder in Women, “If you need to change your tampon or pad after less than 2 hours or pass clots the size of a quarter or larger, that is heavy bleeding. If you have this type of bleeding, you should see a doctor” (CDC, 2023).

If your heavy periods are not treated, your quality of life can be affected. Some possible causes of heavy menstrual bleeding are tumors, such as fibroids, that are not cancerous. Cancer in the uterus and cervix, certain types of birth control, and hormone-related problems can also cause heavy bleeding. Some tests can be used to understand why you are bleeding heavily. Some of the tests that can be used are blood, pap, and ultrasound tests. A blood test is used to check for anemia, problems with the way blood clots, and thyroid problems. Pap tests check for cancer by taking cells from the cervix to examine under a microscope for signs of cancer. An ultrasound test uses sound waves and a computer to show what your blood vessels, tissues, and organs look like and how they work and affect your blood flow (CDC, 2023).

 Treatment for heavy periods depends on the cause of the bleeding and how serious it is. Your physician may suggest taking an over-the-counter medicine such as ibuprofen. NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, can help reduce pain and the amount of bleeding. If you are showing signs of anemia, iron supplements can be used to get more iron into your blood to help it carry oxygen. Birth control pills can also make periods more regular and reduce the amount of bleeding.  Surgery may be required in some cases where bleeding is heavy to the point of affecting the quality of life.

Heavy-period bleeding is not discussed as much as it should be, and we must address this. Ladies, your period health is essential and part of your overall well-being. You do not have to be afraid to discuss this sensitive topic that needs your attention. Take care of yourself and your period health.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023b, June 23). Heavy menstrual bleeding. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/blooddisorders/women/menorrhagia.html

Black Women’s Maternal Health

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by SHVETS production on Pexels.com

Black women’s maternal health is a significant issue in the United States since it is responsible for critical care conditions. For example, the death rates of infants born by Black women are higher than their White counterparts. Despite their educational background, Black women are three times more likely to die due to maternal health issues than White women (CDC, 2023). The above situation denotes the critical disparities in care between individuals from the two ethnic groups. One of the underlying factors for the high maternal health issues among Black women is unconscious bias in healthcare. In other words, they do not receive quality care compared to White women (CDC, 2023). As such, they are predisposed to critical healthcare risks that increase the risk of infant deaths. Lack of quality healthcare delivery for the Black population is also responsible for maternal health challenges among Black women. Often, they live in neighborhoods with limited care resources. Thus, the quality of care is compromised, in most cases, leading to maternal death.

The maternal health issues among Black women can be improved. One of the actions that would facilitate this goal is to require the healthcare system to identify unconscious bias in care delivery. This initiative will instigate the removal of barriers to care and provide access for Black women. There is also the need to improve prenatal care delivery in Black neighborhoods (CDC, 2023). Other than the above measures, non-obstetric caregivers should be trained to handle pregnancy issues among Black women. It is also relevant to deal with potential stressors experienced by the target population (CDC, 2023). This initiative will provide an impetus for advanced care for Black women’s maternal care issues. It is also necessary to consider advising the affected people on the criticality of seeking medical help when they feel their health trajectory is not right. Everyone can play a significant role in working to prevent pregnancy -related deaths and improving maternal health outcomes.

Reference

CDC. (2023). Working together to reduce Black maternal mortality. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/maternal-mortality/index.html

Woman and Heart Disease – How can you reduce your risk?

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Heart disease refers to several kinds of illnesses that affect the cardiovascular system. In the United States (U.S.), it is the most common condition responsible for heart attack and high mortality rates. Based on the prevalence rates, the heart disease is the number one killer of women in the U.S. (CDC, 2023). Its occurrence among women is instigated by conditions such as heart attacks, arrhythmia, and heart failure. As such, heart disease leads to low quality of life and high mortality among women.

This topic hits home for me. A month ago, I lost a childhood friend to heart disease. On arriving at the hospital, she was diagnosed with a heart attack. The medical staff induced her into a coma, unfortunately, she did not survive. At her funeral I reflected on how our youth was filled with playing, running, laughing, and hugging my friend. After losing my friend, the situation made me think about my mortality, and what preventative measures I could take.

According to the Mayo Clinic, some steps to reduce your risk include:

  • Portion Control
    • Low calorie, nutrient rich foods like fruits, vegetables and fish
  • Eating whole grains, fruit and vegetables
    • Selecting whole-wheat bread as opposed to white bread
  • Limit unhealthy fats
    • Chose olive oil instead of butter
  • Choose low-fat protein
    • Skim milk, fish or beans are all good choices
  • Limit Sodium
    • Instead of table salt, try seasoning with herbs
  • For more tips check out the Mayo clinic link below

Though nothing can remove the pain I felt at the loss of my friend, I hope that we are learning enough about heart disease prevention that the rate of women dying from this disease lessens every day! What heart-healthy choices are you making each day?

References:

CDC. (2023). Lower Your Risk for the Number 1 Killer of Women. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/heartdisease/index.html#:~:text=Although%20heart%20disease%20is%20sometimes,disease%20in%20the%20United%20States.

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022b, April 28). 8 steps to a heart-healthy diet. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-healthy-diet/art-20047702

Breathe Deep – Ways to Help Reduce Air Pollution

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By Ashley Peoples | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Contributor: Amanda Benko | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

With the discussion of pollution in New York City, air quality is a focus of this issue that we should all be concerned about. According to the CDC, climate change affects the health of humans by an increase in “ground-level ozone and particulate matter air pollution” (CDC, 2020). This means that when there is a change in the ground level our health is impacted. Smog is something that most of us are familiar with, and it is related to asthma, as well as stroke, lung cancer, and heart disease (WHO, 2018).

According to the World Health Organization, some ways to avoid breathing polluted air include limit walking outside during peak traffic time (such as rush hour), if you are walking with a small child, lift them up (if able) above the level of exhaust. Other tips include limit spending time in high traffic areas when possible, limit use of vehicle during “air quality alert” days, and don’t burn waste or trash.

There are many clean air interventions that you can support. Globally, the WHO has initiated a BreatheLife campaign. This aims to reduce air pollution in countries, regions and cities, and as of 2018 the reach of this program was approximately 97 million. In the Birmingham area, there is a group called GASP (Greater-Birmingham Alliance to Stop Pollution), this group is laser focused on improving air quality in our city. Before 1970, when the Clean Air Act was passed, truckers referred to Birmingham, AL as “Smoke City”. GASP and other non-profits locally and globally can use your support (Byiton, 2018).

If you want to know more about the air quality history of Birmingham, check out this article by BHAM NOW: https://bhamnow.com/2017/08/17/smoke-city-birmingham/

To show support for GASP: https://gaspgroup.org/our-story/

References:

Byington, P. (2018). “Smoke City” – Birmingham air pollution our past and future. BHAM NOW. https://bhamnow.com/2017/08/17/smoke-city-birmingham/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020b, December 21). Air Pollution. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/effects/air_pollution.htm

The gasp story: Our mission, vision, values & more. GASP. (n.d.). https://gaspgroup.org/our-story/

World Health Organization. (2018, October 29). How air pollution is destroying our health. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/how-air-pollution-is-destroying-our-health

Helping Women dealing with Alopecia Areata and Hair Loss

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Angela Wilson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Athena on Pexels.com

For many women, having long, lustrous hair is a sign of youth, aesthetic beauty, and confidence. It is a brief snapshot of how we represent ourselves to the world. So, it is no wonder that if a woman starts to see her hair thinning, shedding, or coming out in copious amounts, it is time to stop everything to tend to this problem.

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease where cells in your immune system surround and attack your hair follicles. The causes of this disease include age, genetics, severe emotional distress, crash diets, hormonal imbalance, eccentric hair styles, and childbirth or other illness.  Alopecia Areata causes the hair to come out in clumps about the size of a quarter. The amount of hair loss varies from person to person and so do the effects. Some women experiencing alopecia may fully regrow their hair, while other women may never get their hair back.  Alopecia does not only occur on the head. Men and women can occur anywhere on the body, including eyebrows, eyelashes, armpits, and facial hair. 

Studies find that African American women are more vulnerable to alopecia than any other demographic. This may be attributed to certain hair practices conducive to their culture like braids and weaves. Chemically treated and/ or permed hair also make African American women more prone to alopecia (Lane, 2023). Alopecia typically does not cause pain or have symptoms.  As a matter of fact, women may be (otherwise), healthy. Most of the pain that women with alopecia experience is mental. They feel less attractive, embarrassed, saddened, frustrated, angry, shame, and even less of a woman.

There is good news though. There are many different options to treat female hair loss. They include the FDA approved drug, minoxidil, hormonal treatments such as anti-androgen therapy and estrogens, multi-vitamin and iron supplements, steroids, protein-rich plasma (PRP) injections, wigs, and hair restoration (NIH, 2023). If you are a woman who suffers from alopecia and are seeking treatment,  please do your research, consult a medical professional, and make the best choice for you.

References:

Lane, D. (2023, June 14). Black Women & CCC Alopecia: 5 things you must know. BlackDoctor.org. https://blackdoctor.org/black-women-central-centrifungal-cicatricial-alopecia-what-you-must-know/

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022a, March 26). Hair Loss- Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023, July 27). Alopecia areata. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/alopecia-areata