Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis)

Since there is a lot of the stomach flu (gastroenteritis) going around, I thought I’d share some links to some helpful information.  I had a round of it earlier in the week and it’s no fun.  Stomach flu is contagious so it’s important that you wash your hands frequently when around a sick person and when you are the one who is sick.

Symptoms of stomach flu include:

-Diarrhea

-Nausea/vomiting

-Low-grade fever

-Abdominal aches and pains

When to see a doctor:

Call your doctor if:

You're not able to keep liquids down for 24 hours

You've been vomiting for more than two days

You're dehydrated — (you are excessively thirsty, have dry mouth, deep yellow urine or little or no urine, and severe weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness

You notice blood in your bowel movements

You have a fever above 104 F

If you have an infant, call your baby's doctor right away if your baby:

Has vomiting that lasts more than several hours

Hasn't had a wet diaper in six hours

Has bloody stools or severe diarrhea

Has a sunken fontanel — the soft spot on the top of your baby's head

Has a dry mouth or cries without tears

Is unusually sleepy, drowsy or unresponsive (1)

If you have diarrhea and/or vomiting, you should stick to a liquid diet such as water, low-fat chicken broth, non-caffeinated sports drink or tea.  Once the symptoms pass, you can move on to bland foods such as pretzels, crackers, bananas, chicken, and boiled potatoes.  Stay away from any kind of fatty or heavy foods.

(1) Taken from Viral Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

For further information, check out these links:

Hand Washing: Do's and Dont's (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Prevent the Spread of Norovirus (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Stomach Flu: How Long Am I Contagious? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Healthy Nutrition for Kids

The kids in this country are gaining more weight than ever before.  Parents need to get their children eating healthy at a young age so they will grow up knowing what kinds of foods are good for them.  It’s never too early to start.  Rachael Ray formed the Yum-O organization (www.yum-o.org) to help fight childhood obesity.  She has some great recipes for kids of all ages.  If you get young children involved in the kitchen at an early age, they will develop a healthy respect for food.  The Yum-O site has a great recipe search engine where you can limit your searches to different age groups to find recipes that will be appropriate.

Good nutrition starts at home.  Here are some tips to help you:

Be careful what kinds of foods you buy.  You need to limit the amount of junk food your kids eat.  Instead of things like French fries, try fresh fruits and vegetables instead.  Make sure you read the labels because very often, things labeled “low fat” have a lot of sugar in them.

Make sure you serve a variety of healthy foods so your kids won’t get bored with the same thing over and over again.  Pay attention to portion sizes because a lot of times, appropriate portion sizes are smaller than you think.

Stay away from really sweet fruit juices, soda, sports or energy drinks, and sweetened iced tea.  Encourage your children to drink plenty of water or milk.

Encourage your children to get plenty of exercise.  Limit their time in front of the TV or computer.  Encourage your children to get involved in a sport they enjoy.

For more information on healthy nutrition for kids, check out these links:

Tips for Healthy Children and Families (American Academy of Family Physicians)

Healthy Eating and Physical Activity across Your Lifespan: Helping Your Child (Tips for Parents) (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Childhood Nutrition (American Academy of Pediatrics)

Diet and Nutrition (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)

Health and Nutrition Information for Preschoolers (Dept. of Agriculture)

Kids Eat Right (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics)

Heart Health and Physical Fitness

Heart disease is the number one killer in the U.S. It is also a major cause of disability. There are many different forms of heart disease. The most common cause of heart disease is narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart itself. This is called coronary artery disease and happens slowly over time. It's the major reason people have heart attacks.


Other kinds of heart problems may happen to the valves in the heart, or the heart may not pump well and cause heart failure. Some people are born with heart disease.


You can help reduce your risk of heart disease by taking steps to control factors that put you at greater risk:

• Control your blood pressure

(The single most important risk factor for stroke.)  More information can be found at High Blood Pressure (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

• Lower your cholesterol

As blood cholesterol levels rise, so does the risk for cardiovascular disease.  For more information on lowering your cholesterol, visit: High Blood Cholesterol: What You Need to Know (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) and Treating High Cholesterol: A Guide for Adults (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)

• Don't smoke

Smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the United States. Visit Smoking and Your Heart (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) for more information.

• Get enough exercise (see information below)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No. 1 killer in America.  In 2004, about 871,000 adults in the United States died of CVD, accounting for about 36 percent of all deaths.

Lack of physical activity is a risk factor for coronary heart disease.

Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and most Americans are not physically active enough to gain any health benefits. Swimming, cycling, jogging, skiing, aerobic dancing, walking or many other activities can help your heart. Whether it's included in a structured exercise program or part of your daily routine, all physical activity adds up to a healthier heart.  Check out these sites:

Get Active (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)

Guide to Physical Activity (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

Physical Activity Improves Quality of Life (American Heart Association)

The Exercise Habit:  How much exercise do I need?

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/physical/basics/059.html

Physical Activity for Everyone: Energize Your Life!

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/everyone/index.htm

Heart Medications

Are you confused by all the different kinds of heart medications such as Antiplatelet Agents, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors, Beta Blockers, statins, etc., etc...

There are so many different kinds of medications that it's hard to keep them all straight.  The American Heart Association has a great resource on heart medications, that you should definitely check out if you need information on these medications.  Check it out at Cardiac Medications (American Heart Association).

Here are some other great web sites to check out:

"ACE Inhibitors" and "ARBs" to Protect Your Heart? (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)

MedlinePlus: Blood Thinners (National Library of Medicine)

Check this resource out if you take herbal supplements and heart medications:  Herbal Supplements May Not Mix with Heart Medicines (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Heart Month Preview

I'm getting a jump start on February, which is National Heart Month.  I thought I'd start off with a brief introduction on heart disease.

Heart Diseases/Prevention

Heart disease is the leading cause of the death in the U.S. Over one quarter of all deaths are from heart disease. It is also a major cause of disability. The risk of heart disease increases as you age. You have a greater risk of heart disease if you are a man over age 45 or a woman over age 55. You also are at greater risk if you have a close family member who had heart disease at an early age.

Fortunately, there are many things you can do reduce your chances of getting heart disease. You should

• Know your blood pressure and keep it under control
• Exercise regularly
• Don't smoke
• Get tested for diabetes and if you have it, keep it under control
• Know your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and keep them under control
• Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables
• Maintain a healthy weight

Visit these sites for more information:

5Medication-Free Strategies to Help Prevent Heart Disease (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Cardiac RiskAssessment (American Association for Clinical Chemistry)

Heart andVascular Diseases (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

Heart Disease (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Especially for women:

Healthy HeartHandbook for Women (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - Large PDF file

Heart Disease in Women: Understand Symptoms andRisk Factors (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

For more links on heart disease, visit the MedlinePlus Heart Diseases page.

Fire Safety

There was a tragic fire this morning in the city where I live that killed 2 precious children, ages 4 and 7.  The investigators did not find any working smoke detectors in the house.  Right now, the cause of that fire is unknown, but in the United States, cooking is the main cause of home fires. Cigarettes are also a big risk - they are the leading cause of fire deaths.

Here are some fire safety do's and don'ts:

 • Don't leave the stove or oven unattended when they are on.

 • Don't let children use kitchen appliances unsupervised.

 • Don't smoke in bed.

 • Do make sure your smoke alarms work.

 • Do have fire extinguishers on every floor and in your kitchen.

 • Do have an escape plan.

 • Do make sure your electrical appliances and cords are in good condition.

Make sure you have working smoke alarms in your home.  They can warn you at the very beginning of a fire and give you that precious extra time to get out of your house should there be a fire.  Check the batteries frequently.  A good habit to get into is to replace the battery twice a year—when you change your clocks in the spring at the start of Daylight Saving Time and in the fall, when we switch back to standard time.  For a detailed guide to smoke alarms, check out Smoke Alarms from the U.S. Fire Administration.

Some city fire departments offer reduced price or free smoke alarms and will install them for you so call the non-emergency number for your local fire department for details.

Here are some other helpful links to check out for more information:

Heating Fire Safety (United States Fire Administration)

Bedroom Fire Safety (United States Fire Administration)

Home Electrical Fire Prevention (United States Fire Administration)

Escape Planning (United States Fire Administration)

Fire Extinguishers (National Fire Protection Association)

Portable Fire Extinguishers (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

Fire Safety for Older Adults and Their Caregivers (United States Fire Administration)

Influenza (Flu)

Although flu season is off to a slow start nationwide, it’s a good idea to be prepared and to recognize the symptoms in case you do come down with the flu.

Symptoms of the flu come on suddenly and are worse than those of the common cold. They may include

• Body or muscle aches
• Chills
• Cough
• Fever
• Headache
• Sore throat

 TYPES OF FLU:

Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory infection caused by several different kinds of flu viruses.

Here are descriptions of 3 types for flu from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:

Seasonal Flu

Seasonal flu is the term used to refer to the flu outbreaks that occur yearly, mainly in the late fall and winter. Researchers estimate that between 5 and 20 percent of Americans come down with the flu every flu season.

Pandemic Flu

Pandemic flu refers to particularly virulent strains of flu that spread rapidly from person to person to create a world-wide epidemic (pandemic).

Avian (Bird) Flu

In nature, the flu virus also occurs in wild aquatic birds such as ducks and shore birds. It does not normally spread from birds to humans. However, pigs can be infected by bird influenza (as well as by the form of influenza that affects humans) and can pass on the flu to humans. In 1997, researchers discovered that a virulent bird influenza had skipped the pig step and had infected humans directly, causing a number of deaths in Asia.

FLU PREVENTION:

There are many things you can do to protect yourself from the flu:

•Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.

•Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth since this spreads germs.

•Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

•Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and then throw the tissue away immediately.

•If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.

TREATMENT:

Over-the-counter medications may relieve some flu symptoms.

Your health care provider may prescribe antiviral medications to make your illness milder and prevent serious complications.

Your health care provider may prescribe antibiotics if your flu has progressed to a bacterial infection.

Treating flu symptoms without medications:

Get plenty of rest

Drink clear fluids like water, broth, sports drinks, or electrolyte beverages to prevent becoming dehydrated

Put a humidifier in your room/house to make breathing easier

Gargle salt water (1:1 ratio warm water to salt) to soothe a sore throat

Cover up with a warm blanket to calm chills

For more information on the flu, check out these sites:

Flu (Influenza) (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

Flu.gov (Dept. of Health and Human Services)

Key Facts about Influenza (Flu) and Flu Vaccine (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month

Since January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, I thought I'd re-post some information that I provided a couple years ago, as well as some updated links.

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the eye's optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness. While glaucoma can strike anyone, the risk is much greater for people over 60. It usually happens when the fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises, damaging the optic nerve. Often there are no symptoms at first, but a comprehensive eye exam can detect it.

People at risk should get eye exams at least every two years. They include
• African Americans over age 40
• People over age 60, especially Mexican Americans
• People with a family history of glaucoma

Early treatment can help protect your eyes against vision loss. Treatments usually include prescription eyedrops and/or surgery.

For more information on glaucoma, visit these great web sites:

Fast Facts on Glaucoma

About Glaucoma

NIH Senior Health Glaucoma

National Eye Institute Glaucoma Facts

Medline Plus Interactive Tutorial

More information from MedlinePlus

 

January is Thyroid Awareness Month

Your thyroid is a gland that is located in your neck.  It produces hormones that help your body function properly.  There are a number of different thyroid diseases, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and Graves’ disease.

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland is underactive and doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone.  This causes some of the body’s functions to slow down.  Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, dry skin, and feeling colder.

Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid gland is overactive and produces too much thyroid hormone and this causes a speed up in body functions.  Some of the symptoms include nervousness, irritability, excessive perspiration, increased heart rate and anxiety.

Graves' disease is caused by a generalized overactivity of the entire thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). It is named for Robert Graves, an Irish physician, who described this form of hyperthyroidism about 150 years ago.  Besides the other symptoms of hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease also can cause eye problems.

Check out the links at the end of this article for more information on these thyroid diseases, including treatment information.

SURGERY FOR THYROID DISEASES/CANCER

Surgery is used as a treatment for many thyroid diseases, including an enlarged thyroid, nodules, overactive thyroid, and cancer.

Depending on what condition you have, there are a number of surgical options: biopsy or lumpectomy, removing only a small part of the thyroid; lobectomy, removing half the thyroid; subtotal thyroidectomy, removing almost all the thyroid, except for a small part on each side of the neck; near-total thyroidectomy, only leaving a small part of the thyroid on one side of the neck; and total thyroidectomy, removing the whole thyroid gland.

You should ask your surgeon questions so you understand your options.  You should ask about the risks involved with the operation, as well as how much of the thyroid your surgeon will be removing.  Once you decide on the surgery, your surgeon will give you instructions you need to follow before your surgery.  You will also meet with an anesthesiologist before the surgery.  If you’ve had an allergic reaction to anesthesia in the past, make sure you tell the anesthesiologist.  This should be in your medical record.  Depending on what type of surgery you have, the surgery will usually last between 2-2 ½ hours.  Most people will be able to go home the day after the surgery and you will receive instructions on what to do to take care of yourself.

Thyroid Cancer:

Anyone can get thyroid cancer but there are certain factors that may increase your risk.  Women have a higher rate of thyroid cancer than men.  You are at a higher risk if you are between 25 and 64.  Having a family member with thyroid disease also increases your risk.  Also, if you are of Asian descent, you are at an increased risk.

You should see your health care provider if you have a lump or swelling in your neck.  They may order a variety of tests to diagnose the problem, including which type of cancer you may have.   If surgery is recommended, depending on what type of cancer you have and how far it has spread, you will have one of the surgeries described above.

For more information, check out these links:

http://www.thyroid.org/patients/patient_brochures/surgery.html Thyroid Surgery (American Thyroid Association)

Thyroid Cancer (PDQ): Treatment (National Cancer Institute)

General Thyroid Information:

Frequently Asked Questions about Thyroid Diseases (American Thyroid Association)

Thyroid Function Tests (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Thyroid Hormone Treatment (American Thyroid Association)

Thyroid Medications (Food and Drug Administration)

Graves' Disease (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Hyperthyroidism (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Hypothyroidism (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Thyroiditis (American Thyroid Association)

Weight Loss

With the start of the new year comes all those resolutions that you’re going to eat better and lose weight, especially after over-indulging during the holidays.  Many times we start out strong but lose our resolve after a short time.  Below are some links to help you get started on healthy eating and weight loss options.  Not all diets are safe or effective so check out the links below for helpful information.  

Helpful Tips:

Better Health andYou: Tips for Adults (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Weight Loss Tip: First,Make Sure You're Ready (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Teen Weight Loss: SafeSteps to a Healthy Weight (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Healthy Eating:

20 Ways to Revive Your Healthy-Eating Plan (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Just Enough forYou: About Food Portions (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Diet Plans:

Consumer Diet andLifestyle Book Reviews (American Dietetic Association)

Weight-LossOptions: 6 Common Diet Plans (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Other:

Physical Activityand Weight Control (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Obesity and Weight Loss (National Women's Health Information Center)

Toy Safety Shopping Tips

I know that this is a little late for Christmas shopping but I thought I’d share some tips with you from the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Under Age 3:

Avoid buying toys that are intended for older children since these may have small parts that pose a choking danger for younger children.

Never let children of any age play with uninflated or broken balloons because of the choking danger.

Avoid anything that has balls or marbles that are 1.75 inches or less, again because of the choking hazard they pose to young children.

Make sure toys are well-made with tightly secured parts since young children can be rough with toys.

Avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.

Ages 3 through 5:

Avoid toys that are made of thin plastic since it may be easily broken into small, sharp pieces.

Look for crayons, paint sets and other art materials with the designation "ASTM D-4236." This means the product has been reviewed by a toxicologist and, if necessary, labeled with cautionary information.

Teach older children to keep their toys away from their younger brothers and sisters.

Ages 6 through 12:

When buying a bicycle for a child, make sure you also buy a helmet and that your child wears it.

If buying a toy gun, make sure it is brightly colored so that it is not mistaken for a real gun.

Adults should periodically check toys for all children to make sure there aren’t any broken parts or potential hazards.  Damaged or dangerous toys should be repaired immediately or thrown away if the toy is not repairable.

Teach children of all ages to put their toys away when they’re done playing with them so they or others will not trip over them or fall on them.

READ THE LABEL...

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission requires toy manufacturers to meet stringent safety standards and to label certain toys that could be a hazard for younger children. Look for labels that give age recommendations and use that information as a guide. Labels on toys that state "not recommended for children under three ... contains small parts," are labeled that way because they may pose a choking hazard to children under three. Toys should be developmentally appropriate to suit the skills, abilities and interests of the child.

Drunk Driving During the Holidays

The U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that 40 percent of traffic-related deaths during Christmas and New Year's involve drunk drivers -- a 12 percent increase over the rest of the month of December.

The agency offered the following information on the effects of alcohol to clear up some common misconceptions:

Alcohol acts quickly. Alcohol interferes with people's coordination, driving skills and judgment well before physical signs of drunkenness appear. Continued alcohol consumption can prolong reaction time and can cause people to lose control and become aggressive, making driving safely much more difficult.

Alcohol's effects last. Alcohol continues to enter the bloodstream and affect the brain and body for hours after consumption. Driving late at night compounds the sedative effects of alcohol because people are naturally more tired at night. Driving abilities may continue to be impaired the morning after a night of drinking.

Coffee doesn't help. Caffeine does not help reduce the effects of alcohol on people's coordination or ability to make good decisions. Only time will allow the body to metabolize or break down alcohol and return to normal.

For more information on alcohol and driving, check out these links:

Drugged Driving (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

Impaired Driving: Get the Facts  (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Drunk Driving (Insurance Information Institute, Inc.)

Coping with Holiday Stress

The Christmas season can be a stressful time for people with all the parties, reunions and over-commercialization of the holiday.  Financial constraints can cause feelings of guilt if you cannot afford to buy the hot items of the season.  You hear messages from the advertisers that make it seem that there is something wrong with you if you don’t have the latest gadgets.  With all the activities going on during the season, it’s easy to overcommit yourself and this can cause an increase in stress.  All this can cause stress and depression.  Stress can cause headaches, difficulty sleeping, overeating and excessive drinking.

Here are some tips for coping with stress and depression during the holidays from Mental Health America:

• Keep expectations for the holiday season manageable. Try to set realistic goals for yourself. Pace yourself. Organize your time. Make a list and prioritize the important activities.
• Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Don’t put the entire focus on just one day (i.e., Thanksgiving Day). Remember that it’s a season of holiday sentiment, and activities can be spread out to lessen stress and increase enjoyment.
• Remember the holiday season does not banish reasons for feeling sad or lonely; there is room for these feelings to be present, even if the person chooses not to express them.
• Leave “yesteryear” in the past and look toward the future. Life brings changes. Each season is different and can be enjoyed in its own way. Don’t set yourself up in comparing today with the “good ol’ days.”
• Do something for someone else. Try volunteering some of your time to help others.
• Enjoy activities that are free, such as taking a drive to look at holiday decorations, going window shopping or making a snowperson with children.
• Be aware that excessive drinking will only increase your feelings of depression.
• Try something new. Celebrate the holidays in a new way.
• Spend time with supportive and caring people. Reach out and make new friends, or contact someone you haven’t heard from in a while.
• Save time for yourself! Recharge your batteries! Let others share in the responsibility of planning activities.

© copyright Mental Health America: downloaded 12/8/11 from  http://www.nmha.org/index.cfm?objectid=c7df954d-1372-4d20-c80ed0a7ab69d250

The University of Alabama has a great web site that has all kinds of information on handling holiday stress.  The main page is at http://www.pal.ua.edu/stress/holiday_stress.php and there are links to more information from that page.

FDA approves first generic version of cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor

For immediate Release:

FDA approves first generic version of cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the first generic version of the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium tablets).

Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. has gained approval to make generic atorvastatin calcium tablets in 10 milligram, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg strengths. The drug will be manufactured by Ohm Laboratories in New Brunswick, N.J.

People who have high blood cholesterol levels have a greater chance of getting heart disease. By itself, the condition usually has no signs or symptoms. Thus, many people do not know that their cholesterol levels are too high.

“This medication is widely used by people who must manage their high cholesterol over time, so it is important to have affordable treatment options,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “We are working very hard to get generic drugs to people as soon as the law will allow.”

Not all cholesterol in your blood is bad. There are three kinds of blood cholesterol that you should know about: high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides. HDL (good cholesterol) helps keep cholesterol from building up in the arteries. LDL (bad cholesterol) is the main source of cholesterol buildup and blockage in the arteries, which can prevent proper blood flow to your heart and lead to a heart attack. Triglycerides can lead to hardening of the arteries.

Atorvastatin is a statin, a type of drug that lowers cholesterol in the body by blocking an enzyme in the liver. Atorvastatin is used along with a low-fat diet to lower the LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. The drug can raise HDL cholesterol as well. Atorvastatin lowers the risk for heart attack, stroke, certain types of heart surgery, and chest pain in patients who have heart disease or risk factors for heart disease such as age, smoking, high blood pressure, low HDL, or family history of early heart disease.

In the clinical trials for Lipitor, the most commonly reported adverse reactions in patients were: inflammation of the nasal passages, joint pain, diarrhea, and urinary tract infection.

Generic drugs approved by FDA have the same high quality and strength as brand-name drugs. The generic manufacturing and packaging sites must pass the same quality standards as those of brand-name drugs.

Information about the availability of generic atorvastatin can be obtained from Ranbaxy at http://www.ranbaxyusa.com/newsdisp011211.aspx.

For more information on cholesterol, visit these sites:

Cholesterol (Food and Drug Administration)

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: What is Cholesterol?

High Blood Cholesterol: What You Need to Know (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

High Cholesterol: Understand Your Risks (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Men's Health

While the life-expectancy gap between men and women has decreased, it's no secret that men still need to pay more attention to their bodies. Several things work against men. They tend to smoke and drink more than women. They don't seek medical help as often as women. Some men define themselves by their work, which can add to stress.

There are also health conditions that only affect men, such as prostate cancer and low testosterone. Many of the major health risks that men face – like colon cancer or heart disease - can be prevented and treated with early diagnosis. Screening tests can find diseases early, when they are easier to treat. It's important to have regular checkups and screenings.

For more information on men’s health, visit these sites:

Osteoporosis in Men (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)

PROSTATE CANCER:

The prostate is the gland below a man's bladder that produces fluid for semen. Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages. It is rare in men younger than 40.

Levels of a substance called prostate specific antigen (PSA) is often high in men with prostate cancer. However, PSA can also be high with other prostate conditions. Since the PSA test became common, most prostate cancers are found before they cause symptoms. Symptoms of prostate cancer may include

-Problems passing urine, such as pain, difficulty starting or stopping the stream, or dribbling

-Low back pain

-Pain with ejaculation

Prostate cancer treatment often depends on the stage of the cancer. How fast the cancer grows and how different it is from surrounding tissue helps determine the stage. Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or control of hormones that affect the cancer.

Detailed Guide: Prostate Cancer (American Cancer Society)

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer.html

For more information on prostate cancer, visit MedlinePlus at:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/prostatecancer.html