EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 

HEALTH MINISTRY (VOL 11)

Picture of Dr. Patricia D. McKenzie

Dr. Patricia D. McKenzie

Episcopal Coordinator for Health Ministries

PART I.
NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES FOR NOVEMBER

FACTS:

  1. “Bladder cancer is the 6th most common cancer in U.S. Nearly 84,000 people were diagnosed in 2021. It is more common in males. Three times more men get the disease. Incidence is higher in the age group 75-84.  More Caucasians than any other ethnicities. However, there are more African Americans who do not survive the disease.  Bladder cancer may spread to lymph nodes nearby and it may reach the bones and the lungs. Talk to your Dr. if you notice the following:  blood in your urine and often there is no pain, frequent and urgent urination, pain in lower abdomen and back.  May get this cancer when you come into contact with tobacco, as smoking or breathing in tobacco smoke. Smoking is a big risk factor.   In the workplace, exposure to chemicals used to make plastics, paint and textiles. Your Dr. may refer you to a Urologist for the needed tests. Your options for treatment will depend on how much the cancer has grown. You should expect to return to your Dr. for re evaluation and further test even after surgery. You may even need to be referred to a certified sex therapist/counselor. Some patients have participated in peer support groups to help them deal with Erectile Dysfunction.  After treatment and surgery, healthy living will include recommendations for diet changes, a fitness plan and other lifestyle changes.”

B. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month.

Source: American Lung Association https://www.lung.org/

FACTS:

: “COPD is referred to as chronic bronchitis emphysema. This disease affects millions of Americans and is the leading cause of long-term disability and early death in U.S. It is often preventable and treatable, and there is no cure. The main cause is smoking, but nonsmokers can get the disease too. About 85-90% of cases are caused by smoking. Other causes include long term exposure to air pollution, secondhand smoke, dust fumes and chemicals which are often work related. Five steps to risk your risk: 1. Stop smoking 2. Don’t start smoking 3. Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke 4. Protect yourself from chemicals, dust and fumes in your home and at work 5. Fight for clean air in your community. Be alert to these symptoms and discuss with your Dr. Theses include chronic cough, shortness of breath while doing ever day activities, frequent respiratory infections, blueness of lips or fingernails, fatigue, wheezing, and producing a lot of mucus. Early detection is key to successful treatment. Your Dr. will ask you about your symptoms, write them down and share the list, and if family members have had COPD. You must understand your medical plan. Taking your medication at the right time can help you breathe better, do more of the things you enjoy, and have fewer flare ups or exacerbation of symptoms. A pulmonary rehabilitation program will include education, exercise training, nutrition advice and counseling. All are designed to help you rebuild strength and enjoy a fuller more active life. Also, getting emotional support is important and those professionals can help you handle feelings of fear, anxiety, depression or stress. To talk to experts, call the American Lung Helpline and Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) TTY for hearing impaired is 1-800-501-1068”.

National Diabetes Month. Source: American Diabetes Association,

FACTS:

“There is a short Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test. T A1C test is used to identify prediabetes. The goal for most adults is a reading of less than 7%. The higher the percentage, the higher the blood sugar level. Before you develop Type 2 diabetes, almost all persons will have prediabetes. There are no clear symptoms of prediabetes, so you may have it and not know it. The following symptoms are typical of diabetes-urinating often, feeling very thirsty, feeling very hungry even though you are eating, extreme fatigue, blurry vision, cuts/bruises that are slow to heal, weight loss even tough you are eating more, tingling pain or numbness in the hands/feet. Some people have symptoms so mild that they go unnoticed. Early detection and treatment can decrease the risk of complications. Healthy living includes nutrition and diet changes, physical fitness, can’t be overweight, keep extra weight off with a balance of exercise, healthy food and portion control. No fad diets! Practice positive self-talk and set realistic goals to help you succeed (For example: say I’m glad I decided to get out for a walk. Some exercise is better than nothing.) Always check your glucose level before exercising; the range is about 100to180mg/dl. Confirm your level with your Dr. Know that your emotions can influence you’re eating habits. You can assess your physical hunger using their Hunger-Satiety-Rating Scale. Alternatives to eating may include: drinking a glass of water or another zero-calorie beverage, take a walk to change scenery, read a book or magazine, work on a hobby. If you feel an emotional strain, always seek a professional for mental help. There are ways to lighten your mental load. For example, try telemedicine instead of routine appointments, stay organized, simplify the mealtime, and plan ahead and not at the last minute. You can manage Type 2 Diabetes, but changes are required.”

November 17 “Great American Smoke out.

Plan:

Plan to adopt a friend/ family member and help them start their journey toward a smoke-free life. This day is important because almost 34 million American adults still smoke and smoking is the single largest preventable cause of death. Smoking causes about 480,000 deaths every year, or about 1 in 5 deaths. Those who smoke include people in lower socioeconomic level, those without a college degree and African American/Black communities. No matter how long the person has been smoking, quitting improves health outcomes.”

American Lung Association “E-Cigarettes and Vaping. Know the Risks Visit smokefree.gov or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Reference: E-Cigarettes.SurgeonGeneral.gov Slogan: QUIT Don’t SWITCH.” 

Other Health Topics for This Month:

1. “Pancreatic Cancer: Source-Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, https://pancan.org/

Facing pancreatic cancer call (877-272-6226 and talk to a Case Manager at Pan Can Patient Services. You may also join their patient registry for assistance.” 

2. “ Epilepsy Awareness: Source-Epilepsy Foundation, https://www.epilepsy.com.”

3. Lung Cancer Awareness: Source-American Lung Association,  https://www.lungs.org/.”  

PART II.
HEALING AIDS FROM THE BALM IN GILEAD

PART III.
CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

“COVID-19 County Check.

FACTS:

”Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters-A. What You Need to Know: 1. Updated (bivalent) boosters became available September 2,2022. 2. CDC recommends everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines for their age group. Children and teens ages 6 months to 17 years and adults ages 18 years and older. 3. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from infection provides added protection against COVID-19. 4. If you recently had COVID-19 you may consider delaying your next vaccine dose (primary dose or booster) by 3 months from when your symptoms started or if you had no symptoms, when you first received a positive test. 5. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations forCOVID-19 vaccines. Note: COVID-19 vaccine and booster recommendations may be updated as CDC continues to monitor the latest COVID-19 data. B. Updated Boosters Are Recommended for Some People: CDC recommends that people ages 5 years and older receive one updated (bivalent) booster if it has been 2 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose, whether that was-1. Their final primary series dose or 2. An original (monovalent) booster. People who have gotten more than one original (monovalent) booster are also recommended to get an updated (bivalent) booster. (Note: Posted 11/6/2022) CDC facts are intended to help you make decisions about getting COVID-19 vaccinations. See your Dr. for diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.
A helpful tool provided by CDC is the COVID-19 Community Level Report. You may check your county and find out the level. There are three levels High, Medium and Low with recommendations for safety protocols for each level. The numbers are tabulated and the Levels are updated every Thursday by 8pm ET. When you are traveling and gathering, check the County Level and protect yourself and others.
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