Tag Archives: Health Prevention

A Call to Adjust Priorities within our Healthcare System

May 11, 2020Public Health, Health Prevention72 Hours Life, Behind the Curtain, Coronavirus, Health Prevention, Sterling Medical Advice, Straight No Chaser, There are 72 Hours in a Day, asksterlingmd, Covid-19, Preventive Health, SIMPCOJeffrey Sterling, MD

Introduction

This Straight, No Chaser makes a call to adjust priorities within our healthcare system. Can we take a moment and reflect on how poorly designed our healthcare system is? If COVID-19 has done anything (besides killing over 80,000 Americans – and counting), it has shown us how our outcomes are the consequences of our choices and priorities. The American health care system is the world’s best at identifying and treating diseases and their complications. It is not nearly as good at promoting health and preventing disease. Clearly these last two considerations aren’t the same. Sadly, stressors like COVID-19 reveal how fragile our public health infrastructure is. The diseases display the limits of waiting for disease to appear to begin a response. This is true even before you address healthcare disparities, which exist between rural and urban areas, various ethnic groups and within socioeconomic classes. It’s time to stop just lamenting our current level of unpreparedness.

A Call to Change

I again make a call for a revisiting of our public health system and placing health promotion and prevention on an equal footing has curative care considerations. This is consistent with the modern need for patients to assume more responsibility for their own care between physician visits. Prioritizing this level of activity also strengthens individuals for those times when diseases arise. The COVID-19 pandemic must be viewed as not a once in a lifetime pandemic as much as an examination of our system. It reveals real opportunities for improvement but for transformation of our healthcare system. It’s time for innovation.

Enough With Only Addressing Sick Care

It’s time to stop viewing the emergency room as an appropriate portal of entry into the healthcare system for over 20 million Americans. This leaves individuals presenting with advanced disease in imminent risk of death. How can that be viewed as an acceptable option? It’s time to start reprioritizing health as a way of life. We must weave the notion of health promotion into the fabric of society and have individual communities educated, engaged and empowered. Let’s stop playing games and politics with that which translates into length and quality of life. Let’s stop primarily viewing healthcare as a driver of 17% ($3.5 trillion) of the US economy and start viewing its delivery as a fundamental part of what it means to have a society.

Imagining the Future

How can it be viewed as a bad thing to have an infrastructure in place that allows us to stay ready instead of having to get ready. Imagine an America with a national infrastructure inclusive of personal protective equipment (PPE) already in a state of readiness, as we do with military bases? Why not have a national screening apparatus in place waiting to be deployed? Instead of just slotting emerging healthcare professionals into curative care professions, let’s prioritize the development of exclusively preventive care professionals. These initiatives amount to way more than ounces of prevention. This reconfiguration of healthcare provides jobs, better health care outcomes and a more efficient system all around. I have recently created an organization along these lines. America’s first managed preventive health care organization, named SIMPCO, will be addressing these challenges in communities around the world. Doing so successfully will allow us to better address spontaneous eruptions like COVID-19 when they arise without hundreds of thousands of excessive lives lost beyond the unavoidable. Much of what we need to be successful lies in the hands of individuals to know better, do better and thus, be better. The future is upon us. Knowledge is health.

Need Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

Are you a first responder? Does your job make you one of the first exposed? Courtesy of SI Medical Supply, you have an option to provide masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and no-touch thermometers for your family and loved ones. Importantly, getting these product does not deplete the supply needed by first responders and medical personnel. Orders are now being filled (without shipping delays!) for masks at www.jeffreysterlingmd.com or 844-724-7754. Other items are preorders with an expected delivery date of May 8th. Get yours now. Supplies are limited.

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Feel free to #asksterlingmd any questions you may have on this topic. Take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. As a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share! Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Receive introductory pricing with orders! Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample what you can get from http://www.docadviceline.com. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

Your Health Screening Guide

January 20, 2020General Health and Wellness, Public Health, Health PreventionHealth Prevention, Health screening, Straight No ChaserJeffrey Sterling, MD

Introduction

Health screening is a critical part of your self care. This is the third in the Straight, No Chaser series on self-empowerment. Therefore, today’s message should be clear. If you want to be in control of your health, you must know when and how to engage the system. Health screening is an example of appointments you can’t afford to miss. This post separately addresses health screening recommendations for men and women, ages 40-64. Vaccinations and child screenings will be discussed in a separate post.

Part One: Health Screening For Women – Ages 40 to 64

Women's health screening helps promotes early detection!

Blood Pressure Screening:

At age 40, you should have your blood pressure checked at least once a year. If you’re seeing a physician at any point during the year, this will be done. Be sure to ask for and document your numbers. Also, if you aren’t seeing a physician, many local pharmacies and various other community opportunities will allow you to stay aware of your blood pressure.
If you’re getting it checked on your own, remember the following numbers: if the top number (systolic) is above 120 or the lower number is more than 80, you should schedule an appointment with a health care provider.

Breast Exam

Although opinions are evolving about the benefits of breast self-exams in finding cancer or saving lives, it still remains the case that the benefits of early detection without much risk in performing exams render monthly exams harmless. As a result, you should discuss this with your physician, and contact him or her immediately if you notice any change in your breasts.

Cholesterol Screening

Cholesterol levels should be checked no less than every 5 years.

Colon Cancer Screening

All women between 50-75 should be screened along one of these guidelines:
- A stool test for blood every year
- A flexible sigmoidoscopy test every 5 years with a stool test for blood every 3 years
- A colonoscopy at least every 10 years, and perhaps more often with risk factors such as ulcerative colitis, a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal adenomas
Women under 50 years may need screening if a strong family history of colon cancer, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease exists.

Diabetes Screening

After age 45, all men should be screened every 3 years.
If your blood pressure is more than 135/80 mm Hg, or you have other risk factors for diabetes, you may be checked at any age.
If you are overweight, you likely will be screened at younger ages; ask if you should be checked whenever you engage the healthcare system.

Dental Exam

At these ages, you should be visiting the dentist once or twice a year for an exam, cleaning and screening for oral cancer.

Eye Exam

At ages 40-54: an exam every 2-4 years
At ages 55-64: an exam every 1-3 years
Exams may be needed more frequently if you have visual difficulties or a significant risk for glaucoma. If you have diabetes, you need an annual eye exam.

Heart Disease Prevention

At these ages, an examination is needed to quantify your risks for heart disease.
When you have a physical examination, specifically ask if you should be taking a daily aspirin.

Immunizations

Influenza: you should get a flu shot every year.
Shingles (herpes zoster): you may get a shingles vaccine once after age 60.
Tetanus-diphtheria: you should get a booster ever 10 years, assuming you’ve received the primary vaccine series – if not, you’ll need that first.

Lung Cancer Screening

You will receive annual screening for lung cancer if between ages 55-80 and you have a 30 “pack-year” smoking history and if you either are a current smoker or have quit within the last 15 years.

Mammogram

Ages 40-49: Your physician may or may not choose to have a mammogram performed every 1-2 years.
Ages 50-75: You should have an exam performed every 1-2 years (frequency based on your risk factors).
Mammograms may be recommended at earlier ages with strong family histories (e.g. mother or sister) of breast cancer.

Osteoporosis Screening

If you are under age 65 and have risk factors for osteoporosis, you should be screened.
All women over 50 years of age should have a bone density test after a fracture.

Pelvic Exam and Pap Smear

Women should have a Pap smear every 3 years, unless your physician is performing both a Pap smear and a human papilloma virus (HPV) test. If so, you are likely to be tested every 5 years. If you have had a total hysterectomy you will no longer receive Pap smears in the absence of a previous diagnosis of cervical cancer.
Do you have high risk sexual activity? If so, you should be screened for chlamydia, gonorrhea and other considerations at the physician’s discretion.

Physical Exam:

Yes, this is a very important and basic screening tool. Every year if not more often with every exam, your height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and respiratory (breathing) rate) should be checked.
Your annual exam will also assess your risks due to alcohol, tobacco and other illicit drug use. Also, it will screen for depression, inadequate diet and exercise, and improper use of seat belts and smoke detectors. You should expect to receive a skin exam as part of your physical exam.

Part 2: Health Screenings For Men – Ages 40 to 64

Blood Pressure Screening:

At age 40, you should have your blood pressure checked at least once a year. If you’re seeing a physician at any point during the year, this will be done. Also, be sure to ask for and document your numbers. If you aren’t seeing a physician, these days local pharmacies and various other opportunities through communities will allow you to stay aware of your blood pressure.
In case you’re getting it checked on your own, remember the following numbers. If the top number (systolic) is above 120, or if the lower number is more than 80, you should schedule an appointment with a health care provider.

Cholesterol Screening

Cholesterol levels should be checked no less than every 5 years.

Colon Cancer Screening

All men between 50-75 should be screened along one of these guidelines:
- A stool test for blood every year
- A flexible sigmoidoscopy test every 5 years with a stool test for blood every 3 years
- A colonoscopy at least every 10 years. Perhaps it may be needed more often if you have risk factors such as ulcerative colitis, a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal adenomas.
Men under 50 years may need screening if a strong family history of colon cancer, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease exists.

Diabetes Screening

After age 45, all men should be screened every 3 years.
If your blood pressure is more than 120/80 mm Hg, or you have other risk factors for diabetes, you may be checked at any age.
If you are overweight, you likely will be screened at younger ages. Therefore, ask if you should be checked whenever you engage the healthcare system.

Dental Exam

At these ages, you should be visiting the dentist once or twice a year for an exam, cleaning and screening for oral cancer.

Eye Exam

At ages 40-54: an exam every 2-4 years
At ages 55-64: an exam every 1-3 years
Exams may be needed more frequently if you have visual difficulties or a significant risk for glaucoma. Also, if you have diabetes, you need an annual eye exam.

Heart Disease Prevention

At these ages, an examination is needed to quantify your risks for heart disease.
When you have a physical examination, specifically ask if you should be taking a daily aspirin.

Immunizations

Influenza: you should get a flu shot every year.
Shingles (herpes zoster): you may get a shingles vaccine once after age 60.
Tetanus-diphtheria: you should get a booster ever 10 years, assuming you’ve received the primary vaccine series. Unfortunately, if you haven’t, you’ll need that first.

Lung Cancer Screening

You will receive annual screening for lung cancer if between ages 55-80, have a 30 “pack-year” smoking history and if you either are a current smoker or have quit within the last 15 years.

Osteoporosis Screening

Discuss with your healthcare provider if you’re between ages 50-70.

Physical Exam:

Yes, this is a very important and basic screening tool. Every year (if not more often with every exam), your height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and respiratory (breathing) rate) should be checked.
Your annual exam will also assess your risks due to alcohol, tobacco and other illicit drug use, depression, inadequate diet and exercise, and improper use of seat belts and smoke detectors.

Prostate Cancer Screening:

Discuss with your physician at age 45 if you’re African-American or have a family history of prostate cancer in a first-degree relative younger than age 65.
Discuss with your physician otherwise if your older than 50.
In case you’re wondering, prostate exams are no longer routinely done on men without symptoms. Furthermore, the PSA test is falling out of favor; the potential benefits of PSA screening haven’t been shown to outweigh potential harm done by treatment.

Testicular Exam

Testicular self-exams are no longer recommended (source: US Preventive Services Task Force). Your physician may choose to examine you based on risks and/or symptoms.

Health screenings help you know your status!

If this seems like a lot, well, you’re worth it. You can always print this out and compare notes with your physician. Odds are they’ll have all of this covered. The most important thing is to get checked!

Follow us!

Feel free to ask your Sterling Medical Advice expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. As a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Receive introductory pricing with orders!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

Health Self-Empowerment: 2020 Vision!

January 6, 2020UncategorizedSterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No Chaser, jeffreysterlingmd.com, 72 Hours Life, Health Prevention, jeffreysterlingbooks.comJeffrey Sterling, MD

Introduction

Straight, No Chaser is committed to health self-empowerment. In this new year, we’re going to help you have 2020 vision. Over the next ten weeks, we will systematically offer you an approach to becoming an active consumer of health. Simply put, gone are the days when you can afford (literally and figuratively) to leave 100% of your care in the hands of your medical team.

Health Self-Empowerment Series

Consider this series health self-empowerment. Here are the various topics we’ll discuss, all of which focus on health prevention. Let this be the year you move past sick care and googling.

1/13: The best ways to access health care (hint: it’s not the emergency room)
1/20: Health screening recommendations
1/27: Cost effective self-care
2/3: Stress and mental health management
2/10: Ten Questions to Ask Your Physician
2/17: Think healthy eating first, then diet
2/24: Think activity first, then exercise
3/2: Weight control
3/9: Avoiding accidents
3/16: Avoiding toxins
3/23: Putting it all together

You’ll notice that during this time, we are setting aside conversations about sick care and diseases. You should already know that there are over 2000 blog topics within Straight, No Chaser here at www.jeffreysterlingmd.com. You can find whatever you need in that regard by simply typing it in the search bar in the upper right corner. In the meantime, take control. After all, it is your life.

Follow us!

Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. As a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Straight, No Chaser In the News: Lead Poisoning

December 29, 2017Public Health, Toxicology/Drugs, Health PreventionMusculoskeletal System, General Health and Wellness, Health Prevention, mental-health, Neurology, Pediatrics/Kids Health, Public Health, Skin/Dermatology, There are 72 Hours in a Day, Toxicology/DrugsJeffrey Sterling, MD

In the news is the story of dozens of cases of lead poisoning in Flint, Michigan, resulting from elevated levels of lead in the city’s drinking water supply. This followed inadequate preventive treatment of the water supply, a necessary step in the provision of public health. It appears that the water had become contaminated from aging pipes in the Flint river, which became relevant after the city switched its water supply from Detroit sources in 2014. The number of poisonings has been so high the city has declared a state of emergency. In case you’re wondering, yes this could happen to you, but if you read on, we’ll tell you how to minimize your exposure.
What is lead poisoning? Why is it dangerous?
Lead is a chemical element (“mineral”) that is quite poisonous in humans. Swallowing or breathing lead dust can cause major health problems, both immediately (with a very high exposure), or more commonly, over time with ongoing exposures to low levels. The particular concern is in exposure to children. As is the case with head injuries or most any other type of insult to a developing child’s brain and nervous system, a significant risk to one’s mental development occurs. The younger the child, the more dangerous the exposure is; the highest risks are in the unborn.

How does one get poisoned? What are the risk factors?
Lead used to be very common in gasoline and house paint in the U.S., but lead based paint was banned in 1978. It is estimated that approximately 4 million Americans are still significantly exposed to potentially toxic levels of lead, because lead basically is everywhere, including old house paint, new toys, dust, dirt and gasoline. Children living in cities with older houses are more likely to have high levels of lead.
Here’s a quick list of lead exposures (there are many other potential exposures):

Homes, toys and furniture painted in the US before 1978 and any toys made outside the US (no, the paint doesn’t have to be peeling);
Plumbing, pipes, faucets and the water flowing through them;
Soil contaminated by car exhaust (think near expressways or busy streets) or house paint scrapings (think old abandoned buildings); and
Storage batteries

Take these exposures seriously, because lead exposure comes from swallowing, touching and/or breathing objects containing lead particles. Once in the body and bloodstream, it spread, causing damage throughout. Two notable areas of concern are the effects of lead on blood cells (causing anemia) and on bones (preventing healthy, strong teeth and bone function due to reducing the absorption of calcium.

How does lead poisoning get identified? What are the signs and symptoms?
Lead poisoning can affect many different parts of the body, and symptoms can range from nothing obvious to dramatic mental impairment. Symptoms are more prominent as blood lead levels get higher.
Lead is much more harmful to children than adults because it can affect children’s developing nerves and brains. The younger the child, the more harmful lead can be. Unborn children are the most vulnerable.
It’s important to reiterate that many with lead poisoning won’t have signs of illness early on. If you believe your environment poses a risk, you should ask to be checked. Symptoms are often nonspecific, but if you can remember groupings of symptoms, you’d be on the right track. Consider the following:

Behavioral problems may exist such as irritability, difficulty concentrating, sluggishness or fatigue.
Digestive tract problems may exist, such as loss of appetite, a metallic taste in one’s mouth, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, constipation and/or abdominal pain.
Neurologic problems may exist, such as headaches, muscle and joint weakness or pain, seizures.
Pale skin from anemia is also often a prominent finding.

Over the longer term, health problems include the following:

damage to the nervous system (such as poor muscle coordination, speech and language problems), kidneys, and/or hearing
decreased bone and muscle growth
developmental delay

The next Straight, No Chaser will address prevention and treatment strategies.
Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. As a thank you for being a valued subscriber to Straight, No Chaser, we’d like to offer you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!
Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.72hourslife.com. Receive introductory pricing with orders!
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
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Straight, No Chaser: Powerful Living

March 31, 2014General Health and WellnessGeneral Health and Wellness, Health Prevention, Hematology & Oncology/Blood Disorders/Cancer, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Public HealthJeffrey Sterling, MD

At “Straight, No Chaser,” our posts aim to inform and encourage you to manage your health. However, sometimes we experience lapses in health that are beyond our control. Today, in honor of National Women’s Month, we welcome Dr. Sheri Prentiss to the blog. As a breast cancer survivor and Susan G. Komen 3-Day Spokesperson, she shares a message of hope and empowerment in the face of just one such health challenge.

power
When you think of the most powerful women you know, who comes to mind? Some of us think of political figures like Hilary Clinton. Perhaps you think of Oprah or Beyonce or other entertainers.
It’s easy to recognize “power” in celebrity or status in the newsworthy, but true power is something much more subtle and sublime. Webster’s Dictionary defines powerful as “having power, authority, influence.” According to this definition, being powerful has nothing to do with being a public figure, a multi-millionaire or a politician.
While the world certainly needs revolutionaries, entertainers and politicians, what it needs MORE are everyday women, not using their power to position themselves over others, to re-write history or to be rich and famous, but who are creating awesome lives for themselves and others, just like the women I meet on every 3-Day event!

The world is in desperate need of women who channel their power into touching hearts with their authenticity, stirring emotions with their self-expression, and impacting their worlds with their “regular” lives. In doing these things, we DO change the world, we WILL re-write history, we will be remembered as women who knew and exercised their power.
power woman
What are the secrets of power-full living? How can you invite more power into your life? It’s easier than you think:
1. A powerful woman exercises her authority. This doesn’t this mean you go around bossing people around, but it does mean you stand up for your values, refuse to be a door-mat, take full responsibility for your life, reject the victim role, refuse to settle for less than you deserve in life and love and use your power to speak your mind.
2. A powerful woman spots her leaks and patches them right away. We all have an incredible capacity for power. Think of this capacity as a gas tank, power being the fuel that moves you. When you have a leak—even the tiniest pin-hole—you lose your power. Where in your life do you lose power? What people, activities, obligations or thought processes drain you of your power? When you find them, “patch” them by making whatever changes are necessary.

3. A powerful woman surrounds herself with other powerful women. Truth is, you won’t always feel strong and in control. Troubles, fears, and real-life problems have a way of draining our power. Women who are connected to other women can share their power. When one friend is low on power, another can siphon some of hers to share. When you’re driving on E and putter out on the side of life’s highway, a caring friend can pick you up and bring you to the nearest re-fueling station.

4. A powerful woman re-fuels regularly. Like fuel, power gets spent the more you move. The more you exercise your power, the more necessary it is to re-fuel. A powerful woman does this by connecting with inspiration on a regular basis, by expressing her creativity, by reading good books, by praying, meditating or exercising. There are a million different ways you can re-power. Pick what appeals to your heart and do it.
5. A powerful woman shares her power. It seems to go against what we think of as powerful, doesn’t it? The good news is, sharing your power doesn’t diminish yours. You can share your power perhaps by mentoring a teenage girl or by raising your kids to be strong and independent or by putting your arm around someone who’s sad and empty. There are countless ways you can share your power, and, unlike those dreadful fuel-leak energy-drains, this one actually works in reverse. When you share your power, the world becomes a little brighter, a little more beautiful, and YOU become even more power-filled. power wings
So my questions to you today are these: “Where is your point of power? What energizes you? Where do you lose power? How do you re-fill your tank? How can you share your power?”
Today, consider your amazing capacity for a power-full life … and start living it. Today, share my motto with me: L.I.V.E Everyday!^TM—Love myself and others…Inspire those around me…Voice my dreams and ambitions…Enjoy life.
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Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
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