Prostate Cancer Awareness
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer, other than some kinds of skin cancer, among men in the United States.
In 2004, 189,075 men in this country were diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 29,002 men died of the disease. In fact, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the United States, after lung cancer, and the seventh leading cause of death overall for men in this country.
Speak with your physician regarding screening methods and risks.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Bowtie Pasta with Roasted Garlic and Eggplant
Preparation Time:
1 hour, 40 minutes
Number of servings: 6
Vegetables per serving: 1
Ingredients:
1 package (12 oz) dried large bow tie pasta
2 Tbsp fresh parsley
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 bulb garlic, roasted
6 cups eggplant, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
4 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
3 cups (about 3 medium) chopped tomatoes
Directions: Separate roasted garlic cloves, peel and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine eggplant, vinegar,
3 Tbsp olive oil, oregano and pepper. Mix thoroughly and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Place eggplant mixture, with liquid, on a baking pan. Bake in a preheated 425°F oven for 25 minutes. Stir every 5 to 6 minutes. About 10 minutes before eggplant is completely cooked, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet. Add tomatoes and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes.
At the same time, cook pasta in a pot of boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and divide cooked pasta on 4 serving plates. Cover pasta with roasted eggplant. Cover with equal portions of tomato-garlic mixture and top with parsley. Serve immediately sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1/6 recipe Calories 370
Calories from Fat 100
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Cholesterol:
Know Your Numbers and Your Risk
Knowing your cholesterol numbers is important when trying to identify risk factors for chronic heart disease or stroke because you will be better able to manage your health.
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the lipids (fats) in the bloodstream and in all of your body's cells. It is an important part of a healthy body because it forms cell membranes and some hormones. However, a high level of cholesterol in the blood - hypercholesterolemia - is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack.
What is HDL Cholesterol?
HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein. HDL is "good" cholesterol because it seems to lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. That means that unlike other cholesterol levels, the higher your HDL cholesterol, the better. You can raise your HDL cholesterol by quitting smoking, losing excess weight and being more active.
40 to 59 mg/dL = The higher, the better
What is LDL Cholesterol?
LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. This is the main carrier of harmful cholesterol in your blood. A high level of LDL cholesterol means there is a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. Diet and exercise can help reduce LDL levels, along with prescribed cholesterol medication.
100 to 129 mg/dL = Near or above optimal
What are triglycerides?
Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in your body and serves as a major energy source. They come from food, and your body also makes them. As people age, gain excess weight or both, their triglyceride and cholesterol levels tend to rise. Many people who have heart disease or diabetes have high fasting triglyceride levels. Some studies have shown that people with above-normal fasting triglyceride levels (150 mg/dL or higher) have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.
Less than 150 mg/dL = Normal
How can I learn more?
A cholesterol screening can provide you with important information to discuss with your health care provider. Check with your employer to see whether screenings will be offered at your worksite. Taking a small blood sample from a finger is one common way that cholesterol levels can be measured and results are provided within minutes.
If you have questions regarding onsite cholesterol screenings, please contact Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Michigan at (248) 967-8755.
Source: Information provided in part by the American Heart Association |
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VNA Flu-Busters Working Hard to Serve You
Influenza, or "the flu" is a serious respiratory illness caused by viruses.It spreads easily from person to person anywhere: home, school, work, the supermarket, or even on the bus. People can also be infectious (able to pass on viruses) before they even know they have influenza. Healthy adults can transmit influenza from one day before becoming sick and up to five days after visible illness.
In an average year, the flu causes 36,000 deaths, mostly among those aged 65 years or older, and more than 200,000 hospitalizations in the United States. Lost productivity is also a major consequence of widespread influenza epidemic. For instance, in the U.S. in 1996, the influenza epidemic was estimated to have resulted in 192 million bed-days, 70 million work-loss days.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) an annual flu vaccine, either the flu shot or the nasal-spray, is the best way to reduce the chances that you will contract the flu.
When should I get a flu vaccination?
The CDC recommends that people get their flu shot as soon as vaccine becomes available in their community. Vaccination before December is best since this timing ensures that protective antibodies are in place before flu activity is at its highest. As long as flu viruses are still spreading in the community, vaccination can provide protective benefit. The "flu-season" in the United States is usually from November through April.
Flu shots are a cost-effective, simple and quick way to prevent the flu. Worksite flu clinics are being scheduled now. For questions on how to schedule yours, contact the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Michigan's Flu-Busters Program at (248) 967-8755 or www.vna.org.
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Caregiving Tips for Your Loved Ones
Based on an AARP study, adult children do not begin to be concerned about their parents' ability to live independently until health problems begin to affect their independence. In essence, very few people are actually prepared for the rigors of caring for older adults.
Planning reduces stress and helps you handle unexpected situations. Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Michigan has a free consumer's guide full of 125 tips for caregivers that can help reduce stress. Here is one tip from the booklet:
Begin discussions regarding your parent's or loved one's wishes for care options as soon as possible, ideally before there is any sign of need. You may encounter resistance to this topic. Be patient and try again to find out their preferences.
For a complimentary copy of VNA's Caregiving Tips, a consumer's guide, please call (800) 882-5720 or visit www.vna.org. |
Healthy at Work is published by Visiting Nurse Association, Inc., to provide general health information. It is not intended to provide medical advice, which should be obtained directly from a physician. © 2008. | |
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