About 1 out of every 33 babies in the United States is born with a birth defect. These can be minor or severe, ranging from structural (e.g., cleft lip or spina bifida) to functional and developmental (e.g., Down syndrome or cystic fibrosis).

January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. While not all birth defects can be prevented, there are some ways to increase your chances of having a baby not affected by congenital conditions or disabilities. It comes down to being your healthiest self both before and during pregnancy.

Keep in mind that whatever’s best for you is best for the baby.

The CDC recommends that you see your health care provider regularly and start prenatal care as soon as you think you may be pregnant

Formerly called juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent diabetes, 10 percent of those diagnosed with diabetes suffer from type 1. Its symptoms, and the resulting diagnoses, most often occur in childhood or early adolescence, but can strike adults as well.

Onset
When a person is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, it means that their pancreas does not generate insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps move glucose from food into cells to generate energy. Without insulin, too much glucose, or sugar, stays in the blood. Over time, high blood sugar can lead to many serious complications, including:

• Heart disease
• Blindness
• Nerve damage
• Kidney damage

Symptoms and Diagnosis
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes may include the following:

• Being very thirsty
• Urinating often
• Feeling very hungry or tired
• Losing weight without trying
• Having sores that heal slowly
• Having dry, itchy skin
• Losing the feeling in your feet or having tingling in your feet
• Having blurry eyesight

A blood test can show if diabetes is present. If it is, insulin is required to control blood sugar levels.

Self-care
Although it is a lifelong condition that requires constant treatment and management, there is a lot that can be done in order to prevent further health complications:

Make a commitment to diabetes management.

• Learn all you can about type 1 diabetes.
• Make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine.
• Establish a relationship with a diabetes educator, and ask the diabetes treatment team for help when needed.

Identify yourself.

• Wear a tag or bracelet that says you have diabetes.
• Keep a glucagon kit nearby in case of a low blood sugar emergency—make sure friends, coworkers and loved ones know how to use it.

See doctors often. Regular diabetes checkups do not replace yearly physicals or routine eye exams.

• Schedule a yearly physical to check for any diabetes-related complications and to screen for other medical problems. 

• Schedule regular eye exams to check for signs of retinal damage, cataracts and glaucoma.

Keep immunizations current. High blood sugar can weaken the immune system.

• Get a flu shot every year.
• Get a tetanus booster shot every 10 years.
• Your doctor may recommend the pneumonia vaccine or other immunizations as well.

Take care of your teeth. Diabetes may leave you prone to gum infections.

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
• Floss your teeth once a day.
• Schedule dental exams at least twice a year.
• Consult your dentist immediately if your gums bleed or look red or swollen.

Pay attention to your feet. High blood glucose from diabetes can cause nerve damage and low blood flow.

• Wash your feet daily in lukewarm water.
• Dry them gently, especially between the toes, and moisturize with lotion.
• Check your feet every day for blisters, cuts, sores, redness or swelling.
• Consult your doctor if you have a sore or other foot problem that does not start to heal within a few days.

Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control.

• Eat healthy foods.
• Exercise regularly.
• Take any prescribed medications.

Do not smoke. Smoking increases your risk of various diabetes complications, including heart attack, stroke, nerve damage or kidney disease.

• Smokers who have diabetes are three times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than non-smokers who have diabetes.
• Talk to your doctor about ways to stop smoking or using other types of tobacco.

Drink responsibly. Alcohol can cause either high or low blood sugar, depending on how much you drink and if you eat at the same time. If you choose to drink:

• Do so only in moderation.
• Make sure a meal is included.
• Remember to include the calories from any alcohol you drink in your daily calorie count.

Take stress seriously. Stress makes it easy to abandon your usual diabetes management routine. The body’s hormones produced in response to prolonged stress may prevent insulin from working properly, which only makes matters worse. To take control:

• Set limits.
• Prioritize your tasks.
• Learn relaxation techniques.
• Get plenty of sleep.

Between 90% and 95% of those diagnosed with diabetes in the United States have Type 2 diabetes. Formerly called adult onset diabetes or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, the condition is increasing at an alarming rate due to the current obesity levels in the United States.

About the Condition
Type 2 diabetes causes the body to resist insulin, a hormone that controls the absorption of sugar. As a result, a normal glucose level cannot be maintained. People can develop Type 2 diabetes at any age, including during childhood years. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 is usually preventable with a balanced diet and exercise. Unfortunately, once present, Type 2 diabetes cannot be cured, and can be life-threatening if left untreated.

Causes and Risk Factors
While it is not completely understood why some people develop Type 2 diabetes, research has shown the following factors significantly increase the risk of developing the disease.

• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Genetics
• High blood pressure
• Abnormal cholesterol levels
• Ethnicity (being African American, Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian or Asian American)
• Age (risk increases as you get older, especially after age 45)
• Having pre-diabetes—left untreated, it likely will develop into Type 2 diabetes
• Previously or currently having gestational diabetes
• Giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds

Symptoms
If you’re concerned about diabetes, or if the following symptoms appear, book your appointment here at Trinity Health Center for a diabetes screening:

• Increased thirst and frequent urination
• Extreme hunger
• Weight loss despite eating more than usual
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Slow-healing sores or frequent infections
• Patches of dark skin in folds and creases of the body

Testing
It is recommended that anyone 45 years of age or older consider getting tested for diabetes, as well as those under age 45 who are overweight. The following tests are used for diabetes diagnoses:

• Fasting plasma glucose test: This measures blood glucose after abstaining from eating for at least eight hours.
• Oral glucose tolerance test: This measures blood glucose after at least eight hours without eating and two hours after drinking a glucose-containing beverage.
• Random plasma glucose test: During this test, the physician checks blood glucose no matter when the last meal was consumed. This test is administered in addition to an assessment of symptoms such as increased thirst and urination, and unexplained weight loss.

Positive results should be confirmed by repeating the fasting plasma glucose test or oral glucose tolerance test on another day.

Management
Those diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes need to follow a stringent daily plan to ensure that blood glucose is kept in the proper range, such as:

• Following a specific meal plan
• Being physically active
• Taking prescribed medication, including insulin if needed
• Testing blood glucose as recommended
• Keeping daily records of blood glucose levels and any unusual issues that come up during the day

Dangers and Complications
Left uncontrolled, there are several serious complications that can arise from type 2 diabetes, such as:

• Heart and blood vessel disease
• Blindness or eye disease
• Kidney failure
• Nerve damage
• Osteoporosis
• Skin infections
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Gum infections
  

Prevention
Take the following precautions to help avoid developing Type 2 diabetes:

• Get a routine diabetes screening.
• Make healthy food choices—select foods low in fat like fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Monitor salt intake and choose foods with a low salt content.
• Get more physical activity—aim for 30 to 60 minutes of moderate physical activity a day. If a long workout is not possible, break it up into smaller sessions spread throughout the day.
• Lose excess weight—even a loss of 10 pounds may lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
• For more information, contact the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.

Currently the third-leading cause of death in the United States, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has no cure and the damage it causes is irreversible. Fortunately, a majority of COPD cases can be avoided through simple lifestyle changes.

The Basics
COPD is a lung disease in which the airways are partially obstructed, making it difficult to get air in and out. Over time it will make breathing increasingly difficult. COPD develops slowly, and it may take many years before symptoms are noticed. It is usually diagnosed in those middle-aged or older. COPD is not contagious; however, there are several risk factors that greatly increase your chance of developing it.

Risk Factors

• Smoking—Former or current smokers are at the greatest risk and account for 90 percent of those suffering from COPD.
• Pollution—Intense or prolonged exposure to air pollution can cause irreversible lung damage.
• Genetics—Studies have shown that some people may have a genetic predisposition to the development of respiratory conditions, including COPD.
• History—People who have a history of frequent or severe lung infections, especially during childhood, may be at an increased risk.

Symptoms
Common symptoms associated with COPD include a phlegm-producing cough that won’t go away, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness and frequent throat clearing.

Prevention
Not smoking is the most effective way to prevent the development of COPD, and the best way to slow or stop its progression. It is also important to stay away from secondhand smoke. Reduce your exposures to other lung irritants such as pollution, dust, and certain cooking or heating fumes. Try to stay inside when the outside air quality is poor.

Treatment
COPD’s effect on your lungs cannot be reversed, but there are things you can do to feel better and slow future damage. Medicine and pulmonary rehabilitation are often used to help relieve symptoms, allowing patients to breathe easier and stay active.

More people die from lung cancer than from any other type of cancer. While many people think that smokers are the only ones at risk, lung cancer affects smokers and nonsmokers alike. Exposure to asbestos and radiation, as well as smoking tobacco products or exposure to second-hand smoke, contribute to the disease.

Causes and Risk Factors
Smoking is the leading risk factor for developing lung cancer, and is accountable for almost 90% of all lung cancer cases. A smoker’s risk for getting lung cancer is 30 times greater than the risk of a nonsmoker. In addition to smoking, lung cancer can be caused by several factors, including exposure to:

• Radon
• Radiation
• Pollution
• Lung disease
• Asbestos
• Secondhand smoke

Signs and Symptoms
Catching lung cancer early gives you the best chance of survival, and recognizing the symptoms is the first step. The most common symptom is a persistent cough that worsens over time. Other common symptoms associated with lung cancer include:

• Constant chest pain
• Blood-tinged spit
• Coughing up blood
• Shortness of breath, wheezing or hoarseness
• Repeat occurrences of infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis
• Fever for no apparent reason
• Swelling of the neck and face
• Loss of weight due to a decrease in appetite
• Fatigue

Prevention
Researchers continue to study the causes of lung cancer and ways to prevent it. Smoking tobacco products remains the number-one cause of lung cancer, while not smoking remains the number-one preventative measure. Quitting smoking at any age can lower your chances of getting lung cancer.

Do you struggle to get a good night’s sleep? If so, you’re likely feeling fatigued throughout your day, which can cause serious problems for your health, your job and your life.

Symptoms of Fatigue
Fatigued individuals typically experience drowsiness, mood changes, loss of energy and appetite, headaches, and a lack of motivation, concentration and alertness. Men and women often differ in their symptoms—men may become angry, while women more often feel sadness.

Fatigue in the Workplace
Going to work fatigued even occasionally impairs your ability to perform your job at the highest possible level. The above symptoms are obviously not conducive to productivity, and can also create a safety hazard depending on the job.

Health Concerns
Studies show that fatigue can lead to other medical conditions, such as depression, anxiety, high blood pressure and diabetes. Similarly, many health conditions can cause the poor sleep that produces fatigue.
In addition, while many people suffer simply from trouble sleeping, others have more serious sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or insomnia.

Sleep Hygiene
There are certain ways you can improve your sleep, referred to as “sleep hygiene.”

• Strive for seven to eight hours a night. This may involve changing the schedule you’re used to, but it’s vital to make sleep a priority.
• Keep a regular schedule—try to go to bed and wake up the same time each day, including weekends.
• Create a good sleep environment, including comfortable room temperature, minimal noise and sufficient darkness.
• Keep track of habits that help you fall asleep, like relaxing music or reading before bed. Repeat those activities each night.

Healthy Habits
There are some specific habits that will help you not only sleep better, but lead a healthier lifestyle in general:

• Eat nutritiously. Good eating habits can help you sleep better and feel energized all day. Also, avoid big meals right before going to bed.
• Exercise regularly. This also helps your sleep quality and daytime energy level. Just be sure to avoid vigorous exercise close to bedtime.
• Avoid caffeine and nicotine three to four hours before going to bed.
• Limit alcohol before bed, as it can reduce sleep quality.

Migraine headaches are episodic, recurrent, throbbing headaches that usually occur on one side of the head. Migraines last from several hours to several days, and are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound.

Types of Migraine
Migraines are classified into two types: classic or common. Classic migraine, or migraine with aura, is a migraine that is preceded by visual disturbances such as flashing lights, jagged lines or distorted images. There can also be neurological symptoms including numbness or weakness on one side of the body, severe dizziness or difficulty speaking. These pre-headache symptoms are the aura, which is an indication of the impending headache.
Common migraine is simply a migraine that sets in without an aura. However, many common migraine sufferers do notice subtle indications that a migraine is coming several hours or days before it starts. These symptoms include feeling elated, energetic, thirsty, hungry for sweets or feeling drowsy, irritable or depressed.

Causes
The exact cause of migraine headaches is unknown. Experts believe that migraines are hereditary, and that 60% of adults with migraines and 90% of children with migraines report a family history of the condition. 

Several theories exist about their cause. Migraine pain is believed to be primarily related to abnormal constriction and dilation of blood vessels surrounding the brain. The reasons for these changes in blood vessels are unclear. One theory blames changes in the trigeminal nerve system—a major pathway in the brain—and another suggests that imbalances in the brain chemical serotonin might be the culprit.

Triggers
A number of factors can generate migraines. Keep in mind that these triggers do not cause the pain associated with a migraine attack, but rather activate a chemical imbalance that already exists. Such triggers include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Certain foods like fermented, pickled or marinated foods
• Chocolate
• Food additives such as monosodium glutamate, sodium nitrate, aspartame and caffeine
• Hormone fluctuations due to oral contraceptive use, hormonal therapy, pregnancy or the menstrual cycle
• Changes in sleep habits and meal times

Before being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, most people develop “prediabetes,” a serious medical condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal.

People with prediabetes often have no signs or symptoms, or don’t recognize them because they develop slowly over a period of time.

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Risk Factors
If you are overweight and age 45 or older – You should be checked for prediabetes during your next routine medical office visit.
If your weight is normal and you are over age 45 – You should ask your doctor during a routine office visit if testing is appropriate.
If you are under age 45 and overweight – Your doctor should recommend testing if you have any other risk factors for diabetes, including:

• High blood pressure
• Low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides
• History of gestational diabetes or delivering a baby weighing 9 pounds or more
• Family history of diabetes
• Belonging to an ethnic or minority group at high risk for diabetes, including African-Americans, 
• Latinos, Native Americans, or Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders
  

Screening and Diagnosis
Screening guidelines for prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes are as follows:

• Fasting blood glucose of 100 mg/dl or lower is considered normal.
• Fasting blood glucose elevated to 100 - 125 mg/dl indicates pre-diabetes.
• Fasting blood glucose elevated to 126 mg/dl or higher indicates diabetes.
• If your blood glucose levels are in the normal range, follow-up tests should occur every three years. If your results indicate prediabetes, you should be re-tested every one to two years after your diagnosis.
  

Prevention and Treatment
If diagnosed with prediabetes, you can and should do something about it. Studies show that people with this condition can prevent or delay the development of Type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes, including:

• Moderate weight loss (reducing total body weight by 7 percent)
• Regular exercise (30 minutes a day, 5 days a week)
• For some people with prediabetes, early enough intervention can actually return elevated blood glucose levels to the normal range.
  

"True silence is the rest of the mind, and is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment." - William Penn

This #WorldSleepDay, Trinity Health Center is here to remind you how important sleep is for your health and wellness.

Sleep ensures your body is recharged and ready for the next day.

? It improves brain function, memory, and problem-solving skills.

? It also boosts immunity and lowers stress levels.

? More importantly, sleep prevents excess weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease.