Category: Medical Mondays

So You Think You Want Your PSA Tested?

Recently the US Preventative Task Force issued new guidelines for Doctors to follow regarding the use of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) for screening men for prostate cancer.

Their recommendation came from a communication actually dated November 2009, and now recommends against routine screening by the use of the PSA blood test in all men, not just those greater than 75 years old, as the old guideline stated.

This new recommendation is not supported by many in the medical community that deal with mens’ health and prostate cancer on a daily basis.

Here are some of the facts surrounding this controversy.

  • What is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA)? This a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland and is used as a ‘biological marker’ to detect disease of the prostate.
  • Why is the PSA test performed? The US FDA has approved the PSA to be used along with a digital rectal exam (DRE) to detect prostate cancer in men 50 years or older.
  • For whom might a PSA screening test be recommended? Prior to the USPTF report, Doctors recommended routine screening by PSA and DRE for men 50 years of age and older or younger if they had a family history or were high risk for prostate cancer.
  • What if the screening test results show an elevated PSA level? A man should discuss an elevated PSA test with his Doctor as there can different reasons for an elevation including prostate cancer, benign prostate enlargement, inflammation, infection, age and race.
  • What are some of the limitations of the PSA test? Detecting tumors does not always mean saving lives as prostate cancer tumors can be very slow growing or fast growing and aggressive. There can be false-positive and false-negative tests leading to unnecessary tests or false reassurance.
  • Why is the PSA test controversial in screening? It is not yet known for certain if this test actually saves lives and some of the follow up diagnostic tests and treatments for prostate cancer can cause harmful side effects.

The bottom line: PSA testing, by itself, is not recommended for screening for prostate cancer but requires discussion between the Doctor and the patient to determine his overall risk of prostate cancer and when this test should be performed.

The Spice of Life… and Health?

Certain spices and herbs not only can make your food have zing to it but can also contribute to better health.

Using spices and herbs can help you cut back your use of fat, sugar, and salt in your cooking, helping your waistline, blood pressure and overall health.

Here are some examples of spices and herbs found in most kitchens that can have health benefits:

  • Basil used in pizza and pesto has anti-inflammatory properties, contains flavonoids which can shield a persons cells from radiation, antibacterial capabilities.
  • Cinnamon for baked treats and warm beverages, has implications it can help lower blood glucose levels, increase insulin sensitivity and improve lipid profiles.
  • Cilantro found in salsas, guacamole and salads, contains anti-inflammatory properties, is a good source of iron, magnesium, and manganese, can also help control blood sugar and cholesterol.
  • Chili pepper or powder used to turn up the heat in food does that to you as well, raising your temperature and heart rate thought to increase your metabolism. Capsaicin, found in peppers, accelerates energy expenditure, increases fat oxidation, decreases fat intake, and has anti-inflammatory capabilities.
  • Garlic, for the Italian in all of us, has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral capabilities. It can also lower cholesterol, lower your risk for some cancers and fight heart disease.
  • Parsley, sometimes sitting lonely at the edge of the plate, is a great source of vitamins A, C, and K and contains antioxidants for heart health.
  • Mint seen in tea, ice cream, toothpaste and more, contains vitamins A and C, has antioxidants and can decrease your risk for some cancers, treat upset stomach and heartburn, loosen congestion and calm the soul.
  • Ginger found in asian dishes has good gastrointestinal relief and may play a role in preventing inflammation. Due to its antioxidant properties it may also help prevent some cancers and boost immunity.
  • Tumeric (curcumin) found in curry powder, the curcumin, which gives tumeric its yellow color, may reduce your risk for some cancers, reduce the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease, and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits as well.

So spice up you life and foods with this wonderful list of herbs and spices and get healthy!

RELAX! It Could Improve Your Health!

There are tremendous health benefits to be had when relaxation techniques are used to reduce the stress of responsibilities and tasks or the demands an illness can have on the body and mind.

Relaxation reduces stress by:

  • the heart rate.
  • Lowering blood pressure.
  • Slowing your breathing rate.
  • Increasing blood flow to major muscles.
  • Reducing muscle tension and chronic pain.
  • Improving concentration.
  • Reducing anger and frustration.
  • Boosting confidence to handle problems.

Relaxation techniques involve refocusing your attention on something calming and increasing awareness of your body.

Types of relaxation techniques:

  • Autogenic relaxation comes from within you and uses both visual imagery and body awareness. You repeat words or suggestions in your mind to relax and reduce muscle tension.
  • Progressive muscle relaxation focuses on slowly tensing and then relaxing each muscle group. This helps you focus on the difference between muscle tension and relaxation.
  • Visualization is when you form mental images to take a visual journey to a peaceful, calming place or situation. Try to use as many senses as you can, including smell, sight, sound and touch.
  • Hypnosis
  • Massage
  • Meditation
  • Tai Chi
  • Yoga

Relaxation takes practice and as you perform these techniques you will become more aware of muscle tension and other physical sensations of stress.

Make a conscious effort to practice a relaxation technique the moment you start to feel stress symptoms.

AIM EXTRA
How to be happy: Tips for cultivating contentment

  • Devote time to family and friends.
  • Appreciate what you have.
  • Maintain an optimistic outlook.
  • Feel a sense of purpose.
  • Live in the moment.
  • Surround yourself with happy people.

STRESS: Constant stress can put your health at serious risk

Our bodies stress reaction was meant to protect us.

When this system is constantly on alert, our health can pay the price.

Our stress response system produces chemicals in our bodies that have effects to help us deal with the stress.

The long-term activation of this system (caused by chronic stressors) can disrupt almost all of our bodies normal functions leading to health problems.

Common effects of stress:

On our bodies:

  • Heart disease: chest pain.
  • Sleep problems: insomnia.
  • Digestive problems: stomach upset, ulcers.
  • Obesity.
  • Headache.
  • Fatigue.
  • Muscle tension or pain.
  • Change in sex drive.
  • Worsening of skin conditions, eczema.

On our mood:

  • Depression or sadness.
  • Anxiety and restlessness.
  • Memory impairment and lack of motivation or focus.
  • Irritability or anger.

On our behavior:

  • Overeating or under eating.
  • Angry outbursts.
  • Drug or alcohol abuse.
  • Tobacco use.
  • Social withdrawal.

Your reaction to stress is likely different than anyone else.
Factors that can determine your response include genetics as your genes are unique to you, and life experiences like environmental factors and early stressful events.
Evaluate how you react to stress by determining what reactions/actions you have to stress.

Here are some unhealthy reactions to stressors:

  • Pain from muscle tension, stomach upset, shortness of breath, back pain, headaches, insomnia.
  • Overeating, even when you are not hungry and even under eating.
  • Anger or a ‘short fuse’.
  • Crying spells or jags.
  • Depression, feelings of hopelessness and anxiety.
  • Negativity and expecting the worse in a negative situation.
  • Smoking, drinking alcohol or drugs thinking this to be a way to relax.

These are some healthy reactions to stressors you should learn to develop:

  • Eating a healthy diet.
  • Get regular exercise.
  • Get plenty of sleep.
  • Practice relaxation techniques.
  • Foster healthy friendships.
  • Having a sense of humor.
  • Seek professional counseling when needed.

Next week we will outline the numerous benefits and types of relaxation techniques.

Teens and Alcohol

Binge drinking with teens:

  • Teens drink alcohol less often than adults.
  • But, they drink greater quantities when they do.
  • Teens are more likely to mix different types alcohol.
  • Binge drinking is defined as 5 or more drinks in one session.
  • 24% of teens admitted to binge drinking in the last 30 days.
  • All social and health problems related to drinking alcohol occur more frequently with binge drinking.

Teen stats:

  • Alcohol is the number 1 abused substance among US teenagers, above smoking and drugs.
  • Teens account for 11.4% of all alcohol consumed in the US.
  • 8th graders: 51.7% have tried alcohol and 15.2% have had one or more binges.
  • 10th graders: 70.6% have tried alcohol, 26.5% have had one or more binges and 1.9% have drank daily for at least a month.
  • 12th graders: 80% have tried alcohol, 30.8% have binged in the past 2 weeks and 3.6% use alcohol daily.

An adult is five times more likely to have alcohol dependence if their first drink is before age 15 than if at 21 years old.

Alcohol poisoning symptoms:

  • Confusion, stupor.
  • Vomiting.
  • Seizures.
  • Slowed breathing less than 8 x per minute.
  • Irregular breathing with gaps between breaths greater than 10 seconds.
  • Blue tinged skin or pale skin.
  • Low body temp (hypothemia).
  • Unconsciousness, “passing out”.
  • Slow heart rate.
  • No gag reflex.
  • Low blood sugar.

It is not necessary for all symptoms to be present.
A person unconscious or who cannot be aroused is at serious risk of dying.

When to call for help:

  • CALL 911 if: is unconscious, breathing less than 8 x per minute, repeated and uncontrolled vomiting. NEVER assume they will sleep off the alcohol.
  • CALL 800-222-1222 if conscious but have other symptoms of alcohol poisoning. This is Poison Control and all calls are kept confidential.
  • Try to provide as much information as possible like kind and amount of alcohol consumed and over what time-frame.
  • NEVER leave any unconscious person alone and DO NOT try to make them vomit.

MYTHS of things to do that help: black coffee, a cold shower, walking it off, sleeping it off. None of these work and the best treatment is time or a trip to the ER.

Duke University has shown teenage alcohol can seriously affect brain development, leads frequently to unplanned or unwanted sex and sometimes pregnancy, higher fatalities due to drunk driving, greater teen violence, more suicide attempts, homicides, poisonings and falls.