Friday, March 11, 2016

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month


March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of death from cancer. Colorectal cancer affects all racial and ethnic groups and is most often found in people ages 50 and older.
The best way to prevent colorectal cancer is to get screened regularly starting at age 50. There are often no signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer – that’s why it’s so important to get screened.

To increase awareness about the importance of colorectal cancer screening, Lakewood Family Medicine is proudly participating in Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. In 2012, Michigan alone saw 4,547 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 1,721 people died from colorectal cancer.

 People over age 50 have the highest risk of colorectal cancer. You may also be at higher risk if you are African American, smoke, or have a family history of colorectal cancer.

·         At LFM, we recommend colon cancer screening for all adults starting at age 50, unless there are additional symptoms or risk factors (such as being a smoker or having a parent or sibling with colon cancer). If you are concerned about your possible risk factors, schedule an appointment with your Primary Care Provider today.

·         If you are 50+ and have not been screened for colon cancer, schedule an Annual Physical Exam with your Primary Care Provider to discuss what you can do to be screened for colorectal cancer.

 

Everyone can take these healthy steps to help prevent colorectal cancer:

·         Get screened starting at age 50.

·         Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.

·         Get plenty of physical activity and eat healthy.

For more information, visit http://www.ccalliance.org/get-information/what-is-colon-cancer/

Thursday, March 3, 2016

What You Need to Know About the Zika Virus


If you’ve read a newspaper or turned the news on over the past month, you’re sure to have heard about the Zika Virus.

What is the Zika Virus? The Zika Virus is a disease that is spread by mosquito. Zika is currently spreading in Mexico and several South American Countries. Click this link to view all countries where Zika is currently spreading: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/active-countries.html

What are the symptoms? There are many symptoms of Zika. Some of the most common symptoms include: fever, joint pain, red eyes, rash, headache, and muscle pain. It can take anywhere between a few days and a week from exposure to the virus to develop symptoms. The symptoms of Zika are typically mild and do not require hospitalization.

How is treated? If you have Zika, it is important to treat any symptoms you may be experiencing.

·         Tylenol can be helpful in reducing pain and fever.

·         Water to prevent and treat dehydration

·         Rest!

·         Taking NSAIDs like Aspirin or Ibuprofen is NOT recommended.

How can I prevent getting the Zika Virus? How can I prevent spreading the Zika Virus?

You can prevent getting the Zika Virus by protecting yourself against mosquito bites in areas where Zika is spreading. You can do this by: wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants. If possible, stay where there are windows or screens to keep mosquitos out. Use insect repellant according to directions on the bottle. Also, use mosquito netting as appropriate.

If you have Zika, you can prevent the spread of Zika by staying away from any mosquitos during the first week of your illness. This is important because if you have Zika and get bit by a mosquito, the mosquito that bit you can bite someone else and give them Zika.

Zika & Pregnancy The Zika Virus can be harmful to the pregnant woman’s unborn child. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) recommends that pregnant women should postpone any travel to any area where Zika is spreading. If travel is necessary, it is important for the woman to talk with her doctor about steps to prevent developing Zika. Why is this important? There appears to be a link between the Zika Virus and a condition known as microcephaly. Microcephaly is a birth defect where a baby’s head is smaller than is expected. This condition can cause significant long term health issues including: hearing loss, decreased vision, and intellectual disabilities.

Want to know more about the Zika Virus? Visit www.cdc.gov