March Heath Pages
Blood donors help Kentucky patients
Blood transfusions are needed by many Kentuckians. Cancer patients, for instance, often require blood transfusions to help rebuild their blood supply during cancer treatments. Trauma patients need blood immediately to get them stable. Those with blood disorders like sick cell anemia may also require transfusions, and organ transplants and other surgeries can’t happen unless blood is readily available.
These Kentucky patients depend on the generosity of blood donors to support them on their road to recovery.
Area donors are invited to give so others may live at the upcoming Kentucky Blood Center (KBC) blood drive:
Appalachian Family Care
Fri., March 31 from 2 – 6 pm
on the KBC Bloodmobile at 55 Cal Hill Spur in Pine Knot.
Everyone who registers to donate will receive a short-sleeve gray T-shirt. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can be made by calling 800.775-2522, ext. 3758.
Blood donors must be 17-years-old (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health, show a photo I.D. and meet additional requirements. Sixteen-year-old donors must have a signed parental permission slip, which can be found at kybloodcenter.org.
Founded nearly 50 years ago, Kentucky Blood Center is the largest independent, full-service, non-profit blood center in Kentucky. Licensed by the FDA, KBC’s sole purpose is to collect, process and distribute blood for patients in Kentucky hospitals.
All blood that is donated with KBC is returned to the Beaumont Donor Center where it is processed, prepared and stored for shipment to Kentucky hospitals.
Blood needs are ongoing. Red cells last only 42 days and must be continually replenished to adequately support Kentucky hospitals. Statistics show that one in seven hospital patients will require blood transfusions during their stay. However, only 37 percent of the population is eligible to donate blood and less than 10 percent does. All blood types are needed, and there is a particular need for type O negative blood since it is the “universal donor” and needed in emergencies when the patient’s blood type is unknown.
Diabetes Alert Day
American Diabetes Association Alert Day, observed annually on the 4th Tuesday in March, is a one-day wake-up call to inform the American public about the seriousness of diabetes, particularly when diabetes is left undiagnosed or untreated. Diabetes Alert Day 2017 is on Tuesday, March 28.
Diabetes affects more than 29 million Americans or about 9 percent of the United States population. It’s also estimated that one in every four persons with diabetes is unaware that they have the disease. Did you know that if you have a family history of diabetes, you have a greater chance of getting the type 2 diabetes? That means if you have a mother, father, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes, you have a greater chance of getting the disease.
There are many factors that increase your risk for diabetes. To find out about your risk, note each item on this list that applies to you.
• I am 45 years of age or older.
• I am overweight or obese.
• I have a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes.
• My family background is African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American or Pacific Islander.
• I have had diabetes while I was pregnant (this is called gestational diabetes).
• I have been told that my blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are higher than normal.
• My blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, or I have been told that I have high blood pressure.
• My cholesterol (lipid) levels are not normal. My HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol) is less than 35 or my triglyceride level is higher than 250.
• I am fairly inactive. I am physically active less than three times a week.
• I have been told that I have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• The skin around my neck or in my armpits appears dirty no matter how much I scrub it. The skin appears dark, thick and velvety. This is called acanthosis nigricans
• I have been told that I have blood vessel problems affecting my heart, brain, or legs.
If you have any of the items above, be sure to talk with your health care team about your risk for diabetes and whether you should be tested.
To take the free Diabetes Risk Test (English or Spanish) visit http://www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/diabetes-risk-test/ (you may take the test on-line or print and complete a paper copy.)
The diabetes educators at your local health department are ready to help you take the first steps to prevent as well as manage diabetes – just call the local health department and ask to speak to the diabetes educator! You may also find more information on our website at www.lcdhd.org/diabetes/ or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LCDHD or Twitter: www.twitter.com/LCDHD .
WORLD TB DAY IS MARCH 24TH
March 24th has been designated World TB Day in order to raise awareness and support for worldwide TB elimination efforts. This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes TB. TB has not disappeared – worldwide it still kills approximately a million people a year.
Fortunately, the rates in the United States have declined steadily since the 1990s, after a brief resurgence. In 2015, 9,563 individuals were diagnosed with active TB in the US, of those 67 were in Kentucky and 3 were in the Lake Cumberland District. Local health departments are responsible for ensuring TB patients receive treatment and people who may have been in close contact with these individuals are identified and tested.
TB most commonly affects the lungs, but can also cause infection of any organ of the body. One can become infected with TB by sharing living spaces with individuals who have active TB disease and are contagious; coughing contaminates the air with TB particles which may be inhaled by another person, who becomes infected. This infection can remain dormant (latent) for years and is non-contagious, but it can become active when an individual’s immune system weakens as can occur with advancing age, chronic diseases such as diabetes, use of immunosuppressant medication for rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune diseases or for cancer. Smoking can also increase the risk of TB activation.
More than half of TB cases in the US occur in foreign born individuals, who come from countries where TB is still relatively common. Testing for latent TB infection can be done using the TB skin test or the new gamma interferon blood tests (brand names, QuantiFERON test and T-spot test). TB Control Programs in the US and the CDC recommend that newly infected persons (those with positive skin tests or interferon tests) receive preventive treatment in order to lower their life time risk of progression to active disease.
On a separate note, it is important to point out that Kentucky is one of the unhealthiest states in our nation; but, a few healthy lifestyle choices could change this. First, eating normally proportioned helpings of nutritious foods including at least five fruits and vegetables a day can lower weight and reduce heart disease and diabetes. Second, exercising about 30 minutes per day can lower blood pressure. Third, avoiding the use of tobacco products can reduce several types of cancer. Finally, making sure you get your needed preventive screenings can detect diseases early and greatly increase your chances for a positive health outcomes, while receiving your recommended vaccinations can prevent acquiring disease in the first place. Visit our website at www.LCDHD.org and click the “52 Weeks to Health” banner to learn more about each of these areas.
While at our website fill out the Health Calculator & Wellness Profile to take the first step toward personal wellness AND to be entered for a chance to win $1,000.00.
Poison Preventions
Across the United States, around 800,000 kids each year are seen because of accidental poisoning. Of these, around 30 children will die according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Around 70% of non-fatal poisonings involve children ages 1 to 2.
Overall, around 24 million people call poison control centers every year. Although most of these accidental poisonings do not turn out to be serious, it illustrates just how common accidental poisonings in kids actually are.
Keep Your Home Poison Safe by Following These Simple Tips
General
• Install safety latches on cupboards for harmful products.
• Keep all products in original containers.
• Keep ashtrays empty and out of the reach of children (better yet, don’t allow smoking in or around your home).
• Keep alcoholic beverages out of the reach of children.
• Program the number for poison control in your cell phone and post it in your house—1-800-222-1222.
Kitchen
• Move cleaning products from under the sink to upper shelves or locked cabinets.
• Remove medicines including vitamins from countertops, windowsills and open areas.
• Store all household products away from food items.
Bathroom
• Keep all medicines, cosmetics, perfumes, mouthwashes, etc., out of sight and reach of children- or lock them up!
• Move drain and toilet bowl cleaners, etc., from under the sink to upper shelves of locked cabinets.
• Dispose of outdated medications appropriately.
Bedroom
• Remove medicines from dresser or bedside table.
• Keep perfumes, nail polish removers and powders out of reach of children.
• Know the names of the plants in your home. Keep them out of the reach of children and pets.
Laundry Area
• Keep all bleaches, soap, and detergents, out of reach of children or in a locked cabinet.
• If you use detergent packets, be sure they are stored out of reach.
Garage/Basement:
• Keep insect sprays, weed killers and fertilizers in locked storage.
• Keep turpentine, paints, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, rust removers, and motor oils in locked storage.
• Keep products in their original container with original labels.
On a separate note, it is important to point out that Kentucky is one of the unhealthiest states in our nation; but, a few healthy lifestyle choices could change this. First, eating normally proportioned helpings of nutritious foods including at least five fruits and vegetables a day can lower weight and reduce heart disease and diabetes. Second, exercising about 30 minutes per day can lower blood pressure. Third, avoiding the use of tobacco products can reduce several types of cancer. Finally, making sure you get your needed preventive screenings can detect diseases early and greatly increase your chances for a positive health outcomes, while receiving your recommended vaccinations can prevent acquiring disease in the first place. Visit our website at www.LCDHD.org and click the “52 Weeks to Health” banner to learn more about each of these areas.
While at our website fill out the Health Calculator & Wellness Profile to take the first step toward personal wellness AND to be entered for a chance to win $1,000.00.
Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission and Kentucky Poison Control Center.
