To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/. We are your NewsMagazine!
News from the American Heart and Stroke Association
American Heart Association Scientific Statements:
Videoconferencing can increase patient access to stroke specialists; immediate, thorough testing needed after “mini” strokes High-quality videoconferencing can increase patient access to stroke specialists, especially in rural and other underserved areas, and a transient ischemic attack (TIA), once known as a “mini” or “warning” stroke, should be treated with the same urgency as a full-blown stroke, according to two separate scientific statements and a policy statement published today in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.
American College of Cardiology/ American Heart Association joint science advisory:
More patients needed in clinical trials to find treatment for heart condition linked to certain strokes
The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology are calling on doctors to enroll more patients in clinical trials for catheter-based closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO), a condition caused when an opening between the two chambers of the heart fails to close at birth. Due to a lack of conclusive research on the management of PFO after stroke or transient ischemic attack, there is currently no clearly established treatment for this condition.
Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association
Walking often and far reduces risks in heart patients
An exercise program that burns a lot of calories reduced cardiac risk factors better than standard cardiac rehabilitation in overweight coronary patients, researchers report.
American Heart Association policy position statement: Comparative effectiveness research should inform decision making. Comparative effectiveness research should inform clinical decision making and enhance value for patients and the healthcare delivery system, according to an American Heart Association policy statement published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
________________________________________________________________________________
Meriden Health Department News and Events
It’s Spring Time – Let’s Start Walking!
Want to start your own walking program this spring? The Meriden Health Department can help! The Community Health Education office will be distributing free pedometers and walking logs every Tuesday in June as part of the Meriden Movers community walking program. Pedometers will be distributed June 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 starting at 5:30-6:00pm in front of the red bridge at the Quinnipiac River Linear Trail in South Meriden. Educational materials will also be available. When you get your pedometer, enjoy a walk down the trail! In the event of rain the walk will be cancelled. Call 630-4238 for more information.
Babysitters Training
The Meriden Health Department, Division of Youth Services, will be offering a Babysitters Training in July and August (dates and times will be announced). Learn about the basics of babysitting including ages and stages, basic care, safety, handling emergencies, and more! This is a free educational program designed for kids ages 11-15 years old. If you are interested and would like more information, please contact Jodie Schmidt at 639-5059.
Take a Hike - National Trails Day is June 6, 2009
Come celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday, June 6 from 10:00-11:30am at Dossin Beach Park, directly across the street from the Quinnipiac River Linear Walking Trail (Red Bridge) in Meriden. Meriden’s National Trail Partners will showcase educational exhibits, informational handouts and be on hand to answer your questions on Meriden’s natural resources and environmental issues.
Meriden’s National Trail Partners include the Meriden Conservation Commission, Meriden Land Trust, Quinnipiac River Watershed Association, and the Meriden Linear Trails Committee. In addition, the Meriden Health Department’s Meriden Movers community walking program will be giving out 50 free pedometers and walking logs to attendees (first come, first serve). The Quinnipiac River Watershed Association, as part of National Water Trails Day, will be providing canoe and kayak rides.
Wear your walking shoes and enjoy a morning walk down the trail. Light refreshments will be served. Bring the family and enjoy a great day outside!
CPR Friends and Family Program
Have you ever wanted to learn CPR but don’t have the time to sit in a long class or need certification? Hunters Ambulance and the Meriden Health Department will be offering the American Heart Association Friends and Family CPR program on June 25 from 3-4 and 4-5pm. In this class you will learn how to provide life-saving care to someone suffering from cardiac arrest or who is choking. The cost of the course is $30, which covers the cost of your very own Friends and Family kit to take home with you and teach others how to do CPR. Please call Hunters Ambulance at 514-5142 to register. Please register at least 3 days prior to the course. This course does not certify you in CPR, and no cards will be given.
Women’s Total Cholesterol Screening
Free total cholesterol screenings are available to women who live in Meriden. Screenings will be held on June 9, from 9:30-11:30am, and on June 25 from 1:30-3:30pm. Screenings are held at the Meriden Health Department, 165 Miller Street. Appointments for the screening are required, and are first come, first serve. Call 630-4234 to make your appointment. Screenings are funded by a women’s healthy heart grant through the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to
http://www.peoplespressnews.com/ . We are your NewsMagazine!
______________________________________________________________________
Diabetes: The Fastest Growing Epidemic in America. Are You At Risk?
By Lisa Zola, MS, MSN, APRN-BC
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the prevalence of diabetes has become epidemic in this country. Today, nearly 24 million children and adults have the disease and nearly 6 million people are unaware that they may have it. Another 57 million people have elevated blood glucose levels and are considered to have pre-diabetes. In just the past decade alone, the number of new cases of diabetes has increased by 90% and it is now estimated that one in three Americans born in the year 2000 will develop the disease in their lifetime.
What exactly is diabetes? Diabetes can be defined as a condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin, as seen in type 1 diabetes, or does not properly utilize insulin, resulting in insulin resistance, and eventual insulin deficiency as seen in type 2 diabetes. Insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreatic beta-cells, acts like a key to allow glucose to enter the cells where it is then used as fuel. When our body fails to properly use insulin, we end up with high levels of glucose in our blood. The problem with having too much glucose in the blood is that it makes the blood “sticky” and therefore, blood is unable to flow into the capillaries, which are the body’s smallest blood vessels. As a consequence, people with diabetes are at particular risk for cardiovascular disease, renal disease, vascular disease, and eye disorders.
Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because often times its symptoms go unnoticed. However, early detection and treatment is extremely important in order to decrease the chances of developing the complications associated with diabetes. Some symptoms of diabetes include: excessive thirst, excessive hunger, excessive urination, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, blurry vision, and irritability. The criteria for establishing the diagnosis of diabetes includes symptoms along with a random blood glucose level equal to or greater than 200 mg/dl; a fasting (at least 8 hours) blood glucose equal or greater than 126 mg/dl; or a 2-hour post-load glucose equal or greater than 200 mg/dl. Each of these criteria must be confirmed at least twice, unless overt symptoms of hyperglycemia are present. In addition, a fasting blood glucose between 100 mg/dl and 125 mg/dl signals pre-diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association has established risk factors for diabetes. These are:
• Family history of diabetes
• Age ≥ 45
• BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²
• Physical inactivity
• Ethnicity (African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American)
• Previously identified pre-diabetes
• History of gestational diabetes or delivery of a baby weighing >9 pounds
• High blood pressure (≥ 140/90 mm/Hg)
• HDL-C ≤ 35 mg/dl and/or triglycerides ≥ 250 mg/dl
• Clinical condition associated with insulin resistance (PCOS, acanthosis nigricans)
• History of vascular disease
Fortunately, there is good news amidst this growing epidemic. Type 2 diabetes is both treatable and preventable. Conventional treatment such as oral medications and insulin is typically how diabetes is managed; however, lifestyle changes may allow many people to put diabetes in remission or even avoid it altogether. Clinical trials such as the Diabetes Prevention Program study conclusively show that making dietary changes and increasing physical activity can make a huge difference in warding off diabetes. There are many dietary modifications that can be made, but simply by incorporating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet and limiting intake of processed foods and sugar sweetened beverages/soft drinks, the risk for diabetes can be decreased by more than 60%! Additionally, physical activity has been shown to be particularly effective in reducing the risk of diabetes. Regular exercise not only improves your body’s ability to use insulin and lower blood glucose levels, but it also helps to manage weight and reduce stress, both of which can actually raise blood glucose levels. Last, but certainly not least, studies have shown that a modest weight loss of even 5-10% of your overall body weight can enhance insulin sensitivity and lower blood glucose levels, as well as improve blood lipids and blood pressure.
When considering making lifestyle changes, it is important to understand that it is a process that takes place over time. There simply is no such thing as a quick fix when it comes to treating diabetes. While medications are useful for controlling symptoms, unfortunately, they do not treat the underlying cause of the disease. Small changes really do add up, and making just a few small changes in your lifestyle can have a big impact on your health.
Lisa Zola is a clinical nutritionist and owner of Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes LLC,
a nutrition center located in uptown Wallingford. For questions or to schedule an appointment she can be reached at 203.269.2852.
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to
http://www.peoplespressnews.com/ . We are your NewsMagazine!
____________________________________________________________________
Join Us for Coffee & Conversation
The Center for Successful Aging and MidState’s LaPlanche Clinic will be jointly sponsoring the next Coffee and Conversation on Monday, June 22 from 1:00 to 2:30pm at the Meriden Senior Center, 22 West Main Street.
This month’s event will feature a program called “All That Jazz: Jazz Throughout the Years”. Brian Cyr, a music teacher at Maloney High School, will talk about playing jazz music and how it has evolved over the years.
This program is part of a monthly coffee and conversation series that is held at the Senior Center. Programs are free and open to the public, and of course, coffee and refreshments will be served. Please call Jackie at 237-0300 or Rita at 630-4222 for more information.
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to
http://www.peoplespressnews.com/ . We are your NewsMagazine!
The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology are calling on doctors to enroll more patients in clinical trials for catheter-based closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO), a condition caused when an opening between the two chambers of the heart fails to close at birth. Due to a lack of conclusive research on the management of PFO after stroke or transient ischemic attack, there is currently no clearly established treatment for this condition.
Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association
Walking often and far reduces risks in heart patients
An exercise program that burns a lot of calories reduced cardiac risk factors better than standard cardiac rehabilitation in overweight coronary patients, researchers report.
American Heart Association policy position statement: Comparative effectiveness research should inform decision making. Comparative effectiveness research should inform clinical decision making and enhance value for patients and the healthcare delivery system, according to an American Heart Association policy statement published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
________________________________________________________________________________
Meriden Health Department News and Events
It’s Spring Time – Let’s Start Walking!
Want to start your own walking program this spring? The Meriden Health Department can help! The Community Health Education office will be distributing free pedometers and walking logs every Tuesday in June as part of the Meriden Movers community walking program. Pedometers will be distributed June 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 starting at 5:30-6:00pm in front of the red bridge at the Quinnipiac River Linear Trail in South Meriden. Educational materials will also be available. When you get your pedometer, enjoy a walk down the trail! In the event of rain the walk will be cancelled. Call 630-4238 for more information.
Babysitters Training
The Meriden Health Department, Division of Youth Services, will be offering a Babysitters Training in July and August (dates and times will be announced). Learn about the basics of babysitting including ages and stages, basic care, safety, handling emergencies, and more! This is a free educational program designed for kids ages 11-15 years old. If you are interested and would like more information, please contact Jodie Schmidt at 639-5059.
Take a Hike - National Trails Day is June 6, 2009
Come celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday, June 6 from 10:00-11:30am at Dossin Beach Park, directly across the street from the Quinnipiac River Linear Walking Trail (Red Bridge) in Meriden. Meriden’s National Trail Partners will showcase educational exhibits, informational handouts and be on hand to answer your questions on Meriden’s natural resources and environmental issues.
Meriden’s National Trail Partners include the Meriden Conservation Commission, Meriden Land Trust, Quinnipiac River Watershed Association, and the Meriden Linear Trails Committee. In addition, the Meriden Health Department’s Meriden Movers community walking program will be giving out 50 free pedometers and walking logs to attendees (first come, first serve). The Quinnipiac River Watershed Association, as part of National Water Trails Day, will be providing canoe and kayak rides.
Wear your walking shoes and enjoy a morning walk down the trail. Light refreshments will be served. Bring the family and enjoy a great day outside!
CPR Friends and Family Program
Have you ever wanted to learn CPR but don’t have the time to sit in a long class or need certification? Hunters Ambulance and the Meriden Health Department will be offering the American Heart Association Friends and Family CPR program on June 25 from 3-4 and 4-5pm. In this class you will learn how to provide life-saving care to someone suffering from cardiac arrest or who is choking. The cost of the course is $30, which covers the cost of your very own Friends and Family kit to take home with you and teach others how to do CPR. Please call Hunters Ambulance at 514-5142 to register. Please register at least 3 days prior to the course. This course does not certify you in CPR, and no cards will be given.
Women’s Total Cholesterol Screening
Free total cholesterol screenings are available to women who live in Meriden. Screenings will be held on June 9, from 9:30-11:30am, and on June 25 from 1:30-3:30pm. Screenings are held at the Meriden Health Department, 165 Miller Street. Appointments for the screening are required, and are first come, first serve. Call 630-4234 to make your appointment. Screenings are funded by a women’s healthy heart grant through the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/ . We are your NewsMagazine!
______________________________________________________________________
Diabetes: The Fastest Growing Epidemic in America. Are You At Risk?
By Lisa Zola, MS, MSN, APRN-BC
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the prevalence of diabetes has become epidemic in this country. Today, nearly 24 million children and adults have the disease and nearly 6 million people are unaware that they may have it. Another 57 million people have elevated blood glucose levels and are considered to have pre-diabetes. In just the past decade alone, the number of new cases of diabetes has increased by 90% and it is now estimated that one in three Americans born in the year 2000 will develop the disease in their lifetime.
What exactly is diabetes? Diabetes can be defined as a condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin, as seen in type 1 diabetes, or does not properly utilize insulin, resulting in insulin resistance, and eventual insulin deficiency as seen in type 2 diabetes. Insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreatic beta-cells, acts like a key to allow glucose to enter the cells where it is then used as fuel. When our body fails to properly use insulin, we end up with high levels of glucose in our blood. The problem with having too much glucose in the blood is that it makes the blood “sticky” and therefore, blood is unable to flow into the capillaries, which are the body’s smallest blood vessels. As a consequence, people with diabetes are at particular risk for cardiovascular disease, renal disease, vascular disease, and eye disorders.
Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because often times its symptoms go unnoticed. However, early detection and treatment is extremely important in order to decrease the chances of developing the complications associated with diabetes. Some symptoms of diabetes include: excessive thirst, excessive hunger, excessive urination, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, blurry vision, and irritability. The criteria for establishing the diagnosis of diabetes includes symptoms along with a random blood glucose level equal to or greater than 200 mg/dl; a fasting (at least 8 hours) blood glucose equal or greater than 126 mg/dl; or a 2-hour post-load glucose equal or greater than 200 mg/dl. Each of these criteria must be confirmed at least twice, unless overt symptoms of hyperglycemia are present. In addition, a fasting blood glucose between 100 mg/dl and 125 mg/dl signals pre-diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association has established risk factors for diabetes. These are:
• Family history of diabetes
• Age ≥ 45
• BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²
• Physical inactivity
• Ethnicity (African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American)
• Previously identified pre-diabetes
• History of gestational diabetes or delivery of a baby weighing >9 pounds
• High blood pressure (≥ 140/90 mm/Hg)
• HDL-C ≤ 35 mg/dl and/or triglycerides ≥ 250 mg/dl
• Clinical condition associated with insulin resistance (PCOS, acanthosis nigricans)
• History of vascular disease
Fortunately, there is good news amidst this growing epidemic. Type 2 diabetes is both treatable and preventable. Conventional treatment such as oral medications and insulin is typically how diabetes is managed; however, lifestyle changes may allow many people to put diabetes in remission or even avoid it altogether. Clinical trials such as the Diabetes Prevention Program study conclusively show that making dietary changes and increasing physical activity can make a huge difference in warding off diabetes. There are many dietary modifications that can be made, but simply by incorporating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet and limiting intake of processed foods and sugar sweetened beverages/soft drinks, the risk for diabetes can be decreased by more than 60%! Additionally, physical activity has been shown to be particularly effective in reducing the risk of diabetes. Regular exercise not only improves your body’s ability to use insulin and lower blood glucose levels, but it also helps to manage weight and reduce stress, both of which can actually raise blood glucose levels. Last, but certainly not least, studies have shown that a modest weight loss of even 5-10% of your overall body weight can enhance insulin sensitivity and lower blood glucose levels, as well as improve blood lipids and blood pressure.
When considering making lifestyle changes, it is important to understand that it is a process that takes place over time. There simply is no such thing as a quick fix when it comes to treating diabetes. While medications are useful for controlling symptoms, unfortunately, they do not treat the underlying cause of the disease. Small changes really do add up, and making just a few small changes in your lifestyle can have a big impact on your health.
Lisa Zola is a clinical nutritionist and owner of Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes LLC,
a nutrition center located in uptown Wallingford. For questions or to schedule an appointment she can be reached at 203.269.2852.
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/ . We are your NewsMagazine!
____________________________________________________________________
Join Us for Coffee & Conversation
The Center for Successful Aging and MidState’s LaPlanche Clinic will be jointly sponsoring the next Coffee and Conversation on Monday, June 22 from 1:00 to 2:30pm at the Meriden Senior Center, 22 West Main Street.
This month’s event will feature a program called “All That Jazz: Jazz Throughout the Years”. Brian Cyr, a music teacher at Maloney High School, will talk about playing jazz music and how it has evolved over the years.
This program is part of a monthly coffee and conversation series that is held at the Senior Center. Programs are free and open to the public, and of course, coffee and refreshments will be served. Please call Jackie at 237-0300 or Rita at 630-4222 for more information.
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/ . We are your NewsMagazine!
0 comments:
Post a Comment