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health, but it just doesn't always get the attention it needs--until a health
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reacting to poor health. Visit the different areas of healthfulfilling.com
to make good health a priority and to find credible information about
various areas of health from a health professional.

Be sure to keep visiting as we will be continuing to add information on
various areas of health, nutrition and wellness, and for updated news
on Nutrition and Health, visit the section below.   It's about getting
healthy, being healthful, and fulfilling your health goals!

1/26/09 Another Good Reason To Prevent High Blood
               Pressure, It Could Be Linked To Dementia

A recent study by the University of Pittsburgh indicates that there could
be a correlation between high blood pressure and dementia. The
study involved women age 65 and older who had high blood pressure
of 140/90 or higher at the beginning of the study. The researchers
assessed blood pressure anually and performed magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) scans to check white matter lesions in the brain.

White matter lesions are associated with increased risks for dementia
and stroke. When the same hypertensive group of women had the MRI
done 8 years later, they had more white matter lesions compared to
the participants who did not have high blood pressure. The lead author
of the study, Dr. Lewis Kuller, MD, Dr. P.H., suggests that young and
middle aged women should try to control blood pressure in order to
prevent problems later. This study was published by the Journal of
Clinical Hypertension last month.

Another study done by the journal Stroke in 2006, showed similar
findings indicating a correlation between elements of high blood
pressure and dementia in Japanese American men.

Given that high blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease and
stroke, it provides a necessity to try to prevent high blood pressure.
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, one in three
adult Americans has high blood pressure, yet another alarming
statistic to alert people of the need to take assertive measures to
become aware of sodium intake and make necessary changes to
implement healthy eating habits and exercise.

11/20/09 The "When And What" About Mammograms and
                  Cervical Testing

This week has been a very busy one for women's health. Earlier this
week, many women and health professionals were concerned about
the new recommendations for mammography screening from the U. S.
Preventive Task Force (USPTF), which stated that routine
mammography screening should start at age 50 for women, and that
routine mammography should then be performed every two years for
women ages 50-74. The USPTF updated recommendations also
advise not teaching breast self examinations. They also add that
women who want to begin mammography before age 50 should speak
with their physician for individualized recommendations. Previously,
the USPTF recommended routine mammography for women age 40
or older every one to two years. The new recommendations for
mammography screenings by the USPTF are based on studying the
balance of benefits vs. harm.

Many health organizations, and gynecologists are not agreeing with the
new recommendations from the USPTF. The American Cancer
Society (ACS) is continuing to recommend that women should have a
routine mammogram and clinical breast exam annually beginning at
age 40. The Susan G. Komen For The Cure Organization also
continues to recommend an annual mammogram for women at
average risk of breast cancer, beginning at age 40. The American
College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) recommends routine
mammography screenings every one to two years beginning at age
40-49, then annually starting at age 50, and also recommends breast
self examinations.

Today, ACOG released new recommendations for cervical
screenings. They recommend first cervical screening to begin at age
21, every two years for women under age 30, and once every 3 years
for women over age 30, who have had 3 consecutive negative cervical
cytology tests.

Since there are likely to be many questions about these new
recommendations for mammography, self breast examinations, and
cervical screenings, be sure to consult with your physician about
individualized recommendations. You can also find more information
and details on the new recommendations by the USPTF, at
www.ahrq.gov, go to Spotlight on right hand column, and Updated
Task Force Screening for Breast Cancer Recommendation. To find
more information regarding current mammography guidelines of other
organizations, visit the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org,
the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology at www.acog.org,
or Susan G. Komen For The Cure at www.dslrf.org.

11/12/09 Swine Flu Vaccine-Still Need One If You Had Type A
                  Flu or H1N1 (swine) flu?

Since the flu has been widespread across the nation, many children
and some adults have had some type of flu already. Lately, most
physician offices have been testing for Type A influenza, which could
be several types of flu, including seasonal and H1N1. The H1N1
vaccine is starting to be available in some pediatrician offices and
health departments in limited quantities. So if an individual tested
positive for Type A flu, or tested positive for H1N1, should they still get
the H1N1 vaccine? According to the www. flu.gov, since being tested
positive for Type A influenza does not identify or isolate the exact type
of flu virus, there is no way to know if it was H1N1, unless a separate
test was done, called the reverse transcription-polymerase chain
reaction test, (RT-PCR). Therefore, people who tested positive for
Type A influenza are recommended to get the H1N1 vaccine,
especially if they are in the recommended age group, or risk category.
If a person had a RT-PCR test done, and tested positive for H1N1,
flu.gov recommends that these persons may still want to get the H1N1
vaccine, although they may have built some immunity against a repeat
H1N1 infection. They report that even if a person who had H1N1 has
immunity against a repeat infection, it is not harmful to still get the
vaccine. For more information on this topic, as well as other questions
about swine flu, other influenzas, and vaccines, visit the Frequently
Asked Questions section at www.flu.gov

11/02/09 November Is National Diabetes Awareness Month

Chances are that you know someone who has diabetes. From 1997
to 2007, diabetes has been on the rise in the United States, and the
incidence has doubled in those 10 years for the age group of 18-44
years, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The
American Diabetes Association reports that 1 in 5 Americans are at
high risk for developing diabetes. The World Health Organization
(WHO) reports that more than 180 million people worldwide have
diabetes, and that this number is likely to more than double by 2030.

Being aware of the risk factors and general information about the
disease is critical to help prevention. Diabetes can be Type 1 or Type
2. Type 1 diabetes usually is diagnosed in children or young adults, in
which there is not enough insulin produced by the body. 5-10% of
people with diabetes have Type 1. Type 2 is more often diagnosed in
adults, and is the most common form of diabetes. The body doesn't
produce enough insulin, or the cells do not use insulin efficiently. Insulin
is the hormone that helps keep blood sugar normal.

Diabetes has become a serious concern among children as well. The
CDC reports that in the past 2 decades, Type 2 diabetes has been
reported amongst children and adolescents with increasing frequency.
Since diabetes does not have a cure, it needs to be managed
carefully, especially since it is a risk factor for other diseases such as
heart disease, and kidney disease.

Some risk factors for diabetes, according to the American Diabetes
Association, include:

An impaired glucose level, or fasting blood glucose
Being overweight
Physical inactivity
Family history of diabetes
Age 45 or older
High blood pressure
High triglycerides, low HDL (good cholesterol)
Certain ethnic groups
Women with gestational diabetes during pregnancy, or giving birth to a
baby 9 pounds or more

With diabetes being an imperative health concern, health
professionals are also screening patients for pre-diabetes, which is
when blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough
to be diagnosed as diabetes. Normal fasting blood glucose is under
100 mg/dl. Fasting blood glucose for pre-diabetes is 100-125 mg/dl.
Pre-diabetes is a type of warning that can help alert someone to make
changes in order to possibly prevent developing diabetes.

To get more details on prevention and/or management of diabetes,
visit the following organizations, where you can do a risk assessment,
find information about various topics dealing with diabetes, and also
understand and get support about the emotional side of living with
diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association          www.diabetes.org
Dlife (Diabetes Resource)                           www.dlife.com
Behavioral Diabetes Institute                       www.behavioraldiabetes.org

10/8/09   Breast Cancer Awareness-Find The Facts And
Preventive Information

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in which the goal of many
cancer, health, and breast cancer organizations is to get the word out
about facts about breast cancer and helping women take steps toward
prevention as well. According to the American Cancer Society, breast
cancer remains the leading cancer of women in the United States,
however the death rate from breast cancer continues to drop, and the
number of survivors is growing.

A decreasing death rate, which has been seen since 1990, is definitely
encouraging, and hopefully this trend will continue. Researchers and
health organizations are attributing lower death rates from breast
cancer to early detection through mammography and improvements in
treatment. Becoming equipped with knowledge about the disease via
efforts such as National Breast Cancer Awareness month gives
people a resourceful opportunity to become aware and to help prevent
the disease.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends the following steps
in helping prevent breast cancer:

Annual mammogram and breast exams for women over 40.

Healthy eating to help weight control since being overweight or obese
may increase breast cancer risk.

Regular physical activity, 30 minutes daily, 5 or more days per week.
45-60 minutes daily is better to help reduce breast cancer risk.

Limit alcohol to no more than 1 drink per day as alcohol is clearly
linked to an increased risk for developing breast cancer.

The ACS strongly encourages speaking with your physician about any
changes in your breasts or any concerns, this conversation can save
your life.

There is a vast amount of useful and important information about
breast cancer and prevention, along with health issues for women from
many organizations. Be sure to visit the sites below for updated
information on breast cancer and women's health, and to ask your
physician or gynecologist for other specific personal recommendations
pertaining to your health.

American Cancer Society        www.cancer.org

National Breast Cancer
Awareness Month                      www.nbcam.org

Dr. Susan Love Research
Foundation                                  www.dslrf.org

Susan G. Komen For
The Cure                                      ww5.kome

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