10 REASONS WHY YOU MIGHT BE AT RISK FOR HAVING A STROKE

With June being Stroke awareness month.  let's go through  some facts  that will help  us change our lifestyle in order to prevent the incidence of stroke. I say we,  because  high blood pressure runs in my family leaving me with no option but to monitor this factor closely. Undiagnosed high blood pressure or high blood pressure that is not monitored appropriately can be your risk for having a stroke.  It is estimated that 1.6 million Canadians are living with heart disease or the effects of a stroke and six million Canadian adults, or one in five, have high blood pressure as cited by the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to your brain is interrupted or reduced. This deprives your brain of oxygen and nutrients, which can cause your brain cells to die.

A stroke may be caused by a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or the leaking or bursting of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Some people may experience only a temporary disruption of blood flow to their brain (transient ischemic attack, or TIA).  Stroke is a leading cause of death and severe, long-term disability. This should be no surprise with the increase of  alternative medicine, wellness,  fitness coaches and products offering the optimal choice of changing your life expectancy.  It is slick marketing, relaxed regulations, and scientific illiteracy,  claiming the failures of  mainstream medicine? The most common narrative  that I hear when individuals are looking for answers is that they turn to alternative medicine  because mainstream medicine has failed them. But  not everyone can afford alternative medicine or personal  trainers, so let’s put you at an advantage by increasing your health care literacy.

As your health care advocate, I can’t explain how important it is to be literate about your health.   If you find yourself with a chronic illness such as diabetes, cholesterol, and  or high blood pressure  your risk for stroke increases as well.  In order to create awareness and make the necessary changes   we can’t ignore the fact that their are some risk factors that we can’t  change  such as  Age,  gender, race, or  family history. So what will you do with this information?  Generally as you  age this puts you at risk for health complications however poor or good  lifestyle options  can change this factor along with the right knowledge.  It  has been stated that women are more likely to suffer from strokes than men. Is this factor true? This is  cited by the heart and stroke foundation. Whether you are a man or a women being, aware of the signs or symptoms that your body is giving you, will be your best defence in seeking professional help. I am a firm believer in utilizing   our free healthcare system to investigate your concerns first before seeking alternative choices.  

It has been cited by the Heart and Stroke Foundation  that their are some risk factors that can be changed treated or controlled:

• High blood pressure — High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke and the most important controllable risk factor for stroke. Many people believe the effective treatment of high blood pressure is a key reason for the accelerated decline in the death rates for stroke.

• Cigarette smoking — In recent years, studies have shown cigarette smoking to be an important risk factor for stroke. The nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke damage the cardiovascular system in many ways. The use of oral contraceptives combined with cigarette smoking greatly increases stroke risk.

• Diabetes mellitus — Diabetes is an independent risk factor for stroke.  Many people with diabetes also have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and are overweight. This increases their risk even more. While diabetes is treatable, the presence of the disease still increases your risk of stroke.

• Carotid or other artery disease — The carotid arteries in your neck supply blood to your brain. A carotid artery narrowed by fatty deposits from atherosclerosis (plaque buildups in artery walls) may become blocked by a blood clot. Carotid artery disease is also called carotid artery stenosis.  

• Peripheral artery disease is the narrowing of blood vessels carrying blood to leg and arm muscles. It's caused by fatty buildups of plaque in artery walls. People with peripheral artery disease have a higher risk of carotid artery disease, which raises their risk of stroke.

• Atrial fibrillation — This heart rhythm disorder raises the risk for stroke. The heart's upper chambers quiver instead of beating effectively, which can let the blood pool and clot. If a clot breaks off, enters the bloodstream and lodges in an artery leading to the brain, a stroke results.

• Other heart disease — People with coronary heart disease or heart failure have a higher risk of stroke than those with hearts that work normally. Dilated cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart), heart valve disease and some types of congenital heart defects also raise the risk of stroke.

• Sickle cell disease (also called sickle cell anemia) — This is a genetic disorder that mainly affects African-American and Hispanic children. "Sickled" red blood cells are less able to carry oxygen to the body's tissues and organs. These cells also tend to stick to blood vessel walls, which can block arteries to the brain and cause a stroke.

• High blood cholesterol — People with high blood cholesterol have an increased risk for stroke. Also, it appears that low HDL (“good”) cholesterol is a risk factor for stroke in men, but more data are needed to verify its effect in women.

• Poor diet — Diets high in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol can raise blood cholesterol levels. Diets high in sodium (salt) can contribute to increased blood pressure. Diets with excess calories can contribute to obesity. Also, a diet containing five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day may reduce the risk of stroke (PDF opens in new window).

• Physical inactivity and obesity — Being inactive, obese or both can increase your risk of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. So go on a brisk walk, take the stairs, and do whatever you can to make your life more active. Try to get a total of at least 30 minutes of activity on most or all days.

If you are not sure about what you should be doing next  as your Healthcare advocate, I am available to help you navigate the health care system with ease.  

With my 15 years of  experience in Nursing, I have found that one’s ethnicity does play a role in their increased incidence of  chronic illness. Afro-Caribbeans and South East Asians and hispanics have been cited to be at  a greater risk than Caucasians for certain chronic illnesses and this is partly because these races  have a  higher risk  of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.  

This information is also to help you be at your best not only for yourself but for your entire family. Knowledge is power, only once applied. If  you have a person in your life that has high blood pressure, diabetes or cholesterol you should also be aware of the signs of stroke, this is important in helping someone you know receive medical attention sooner which can make a difference in the severity of the complications.

REMINDERS

• Check Blood pressure routinely know your numbers 120/80 is the norm but that may not be your norm

• If you have diabetes, monitor your own blood sugar routinely by having a accurate acucheck machine in your home. This will make you proactive in understanding right away if changes need to be made in your daily routine.

• If you have cholesterol make it a point to have routine blood work taken

Understanding both the medical and or preventative measures that is relevant to keeping you at your best will keep you on top of your healthcare needs. Lack of knowledge is the worst disease of all, let's work together to change this.

The most common health issues faced by employees fall into one of three categories: psycho social, physical environment and health risks, Michelle is also available to speak at your next event LEARN MORE

Sources 

https://www.accu-chek.ca/ca/en_CA/basics/whatisdiabetes.html

http://ontarioseniors.blogspot.ca/2013/06/strokes-are-silent-killer.html

http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/36/2/374.full

http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/AboutStroke/UnderstandingRisk/Understanding-Stroke-Risk_UCM_308539_SubHomePage.jsp

MEN'S HEALTH AWARENESS NEEDS SOME ATTENTION

 

The month of June has been dedicated to the awareness regarding Men's health which also included June 14 as being Men's Mental Health Day. As your advocate I believe that this is a platform to discuss ways in which we can improve the lives for all. The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to increase the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases amongst men and boys. During my working career, It has always been heart wrenching to watch families go through a health crisis, whether it is caused by a Mother or a Father. But let's face the facts women tend to have a better relationship with going to their Dr's at the first sign or symptom of a health concern. Going to the doctor isn’t everyone’s favourite thing in the world, but it’s important, both when you are sick and for preventive care. Men, however, are much more reluctant than women to go to the doctor, whether it’s for a regular checkup or for a pressing health concern. This is something that I have observed first hand with being a Nurse. Those who believe that the ideal man is the strong, silent type who does not complain about pain may lead to not seeking out preventative measures to keep your health on track. I understand that the not the fear of finding out what’s wrong holds merits for both men and women. In the spirit of men's health month, it is also important to develop conversations and practice regarding good health especially with young boys. You can do this by teaching young boys that it's ok to speak up about how they are feeling both physically and mentally. Remember healthy habits start early.


Ignoring even a mild health concern until it goes away could actually make it worse if treatment is required. The most commonly cited reasons as to why men don't seek medical attention or change unhealthy habits is normally because men have stated that they didn’t feel sick, or sick enough, to seek medical help. The problem with this reasoning, is feeling healthy doesn’t necessarily mean you are healthy. High blood pressure and high cholesterol don’t have obvious symptoms, but these conditions put men at risk for potentially fatal medical problems, such as cardiovascular disease or stroke. Many cancers are easy to miss until they progress and become difficult to treat.


Let's not forget to include that mental health is also a big part of men’s health concerns it has been cited that men are almost four times more likely than women to die by suicide. One reason is that men are more likely to use deadlier means — such as firearms. Treating mental illness and substance abuse can lower the risk of suicide. Men get treatment less often than women, though It's important to remember that mental health disorders are real medical illnesses that can't be wished away. This factor can change outcomes based on one's culture as well.

Some common mental health issues  include.

• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Anxiety disorders and PTSD
• Body image and eating disorders
• Depression

Other mental health conditions include bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

With June being the start of bbq season, there is  no time like the present to remind the men and boys in your lives that their health is important. It has been cited that Colon and prostate cancers are associated with diets high in fat and red meat.  It has also  been cited  that Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common form of cancer in men and the third most common form of cancer, after breast and lung cancer in women. The summer months are a great time to start  healthy changes like switching your steak  for chicken, making homemade burgers instead of processed burgers, adding veggies to the grill and of course we can’t forget about choosing healthier hot dogs which is always  a staple for any bbq grill. Another step that you can take should be reading the labels when buying hot dogs  and other products keeping in mind, that you want to use  brands with less sodium, less fat and less processing. Sounds hard? I know, but it can be done.

Tips for the guy in your life

• Eat healthy. Nutritious foods give you energy and may lower your risk of certain diseases. Focus on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or fat-free milk products. Learn nutrition basics and how to read a food label.

• Stay at a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can raise your risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Find out your body mass index, or BMI, to see if you're at risk. Eat healthy foods, control portion sizes, and be active to keep your weight in check.

• Get moving. Regular exercise is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Find out how much physical activity you need.

• Be smoke-free. Smoking is linked to many of the leading causes of death, including cancer, lung disease, and stroke. If you smoke, quit today! Also, avoid secondhand smoke.
• Get routine exams and screenings. Ask your doctor how often you need to be examined. Ask about screening tests for certain diseases and conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sexually transmitted infections, and certain types of cancer.

• Take any medications you need. Thousands of deaths could be prevented each year by taking medications properly. Make sure to follow your doctor's instructions for all medications, including those that help control conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Learn about medication safety.
• Avoid heavy drinking. Heavy drinking can lead to many problems, including high blood pressure, various cancers, psychological problems, and accidents. For men 65 and younger, drinking in moderation means no more than two drinks per day. Men older than 65 should have no more than one drink a day. Find out about drink serving sizes.

• Manage stress. Balancing work and family obligations can be challenging. But it's important to protect your mental and physical health. Find healthy ways to cope with stress.

• Get enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep can affect your mood and your health. Try certain changes that can improve your sleep. See your doctor if you think you have a serious problem. Sleep apnea, a common problem in which your breathing stops briefly, can increase the risk of accidents and certain health problems.

• Know your risks. Learn how your lifestyle affects your risk of health problems. For example, people who work with certain chemicals need to take protective steps, and men who have sex with men should talk with their doctors about particular concerns. You also should keep track of your family medical history and share it with your doctor.

• Stay safe. Safety means many things, like wearing seatbelts and helmets, having working smoke detectors, and following safety rules at work. It also means using condoms, washing your hands, taking care of your teeth, and wearing sunscreen. Take steps to protect yourself and others.

Men’s Health is  a family issue that shouldn’t be done alone. We should all  take steps to be healthier, Whether it’s your husband, partner, dad, brother, son, or friend you can help support the health and safety of the men in your life. This has been watching out for your health with
Michelle Smith Your Health And Social Advocate

I  take pride in working with adults – by helping them to recognize that character equals destiny…that success in careers, relationships, and life can be determined by the actions we choose to take or not take; that ultimately we are the architects of our own lives. As human beings, we have a tendency to concentrate on all the ways life can beat us up. I encourage people to shift to an “attitude of gratitude”, and to open up to the good fortune that surrounds all of us.
stay connected I am also available to speak at your next event learn more

RESOURCES 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/youth-mental-health-clinics-1.3654095

http://www.womenshealth.gov/mens-health/mental-health-for-men/index.html

http://www.womenshealth.gov/mens-health/tips-for-men-for-a-healthly-life/

http://www.eatingwell.com/healthy_cooking/healthy_cooking_101/shopping_cooking_guides/buyers_guide_to_healthier_hot_dogs?slide=2

Can we really avoid Cancer ?  early detection is  essential. That’s why knowing your risk is so important. 
take the quiz.....

https://www.mycanceriq.ca/?gclid=CNy3rqHnocQCFVKAaQod1VEANA

Colorectal cancer FAQs 
Red meat possibly linked to breast cancer


  http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/red-meat-possibly-linked-to-breast-cancer-1.2671915

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/meat-cancer-world-health-organization-1.3288355

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/red-meat-eaten-daily-raises-early-death-risk-1.1145553
 http://www.cbcf.org/ontario/Pages/default.aspx

http://janursing.blogspot.ca/2015/02/metime-did-you-pick-your-day-yet.html