Evaluating Consumer Health Web Sites

From time to time I like to repeat posts that I think are important in case you missed them the first time around.  A while back I posted information on evaluating health web sites.  I think it is important to repeat that from time to time to remind everyone of the importance of making sure the information is authoritative and up-to-date.  Here is some helpful information on how to evaluate health web sites:

Since it is possible for virtually anyone to post information on a web page, it is important to evaluate the information you find. Here are some points to look at when evaluating health sites:

1. Who developed this site? Is an author clearly identified? Are the credentials of the author listed?

It is always best to seek information from a “known quantity”. Find out as much as you can about the author or organization posting the health information. This may be expressed in listed credentials about the person or a description of the organization providing the site.

2. Does the page show when it was last updated? Are the links to other resources still active?

Many people have placed information on the web as a one-time effort without ever providing updated information. A date on the page will help you to assess if the information is current. Check to see if the links are current. If they aren’t, this may mean that the page hasn’t been updated.

3. Is contact information provided so that you can e-mail, call, or write the author?

Direct connection to the organization or author provides a mechanism for you to ask questions about the origin of the information on the site, and the authority of the author.

4. What is the purpose of the information?

Assess the reason for the information provided. Is the language of the article persuasive, trying to lead you to purchase something or join a program or is the information provided for informational purposes only? If the page is designed for commercial purposes, there may be conflict of interest with the information provided. It is best to stick with non-commercial sites.

5. Can the information be verified in other sources?

If a web site is not well documented, it is especially important to verify the information you find in other sources. If any questions arise about information discovered in any source, those questions should be directed back to a health care provider.

Here are some quality health web sites:

MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine

NOAH (New York Online Access to Health)

HealthFinder from the National Health Information Center

Spring Cleaning: Tips for Doing it Safely

Spring is here.  (Actually, it has been feeling like summer in many parts of the country.)  With spring, comes more outdoor activities and it is important to keep safety in mind as you do those spring cleaning chores.  I thought I'd repeat my post from last year with some great spring cleaning tips:

Keep safety in mind during the springtime cleaning spree. So says the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) in a recent press release. Many people take advantage of the weather to clean both the inside and outside of their home, but there are many hazards associated with this springtime ritual. 

Statistics show that thousands of people injure themselves during their annual clean, whether it be using a step ladder, a lawn mower or moving furniture. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) urges people to take the proper safety precautions to reduce the number of spring cleaning-related accidents

STATISTICS:
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:
- In 2010, more than 35,500 people injured themselves using a stepladder;
- Over 41,000 Americans injured themselves while gardening or using gardening equipment;
- More than 127,000 were injured while operating a lawn mower.

AAOS SAFETY TIPS:-
- Proper techniques for lifting, carrying and bending should be part of any spring cleaning project to avoid back injuries:
- Separate your feet, shoulder-width apart and keep your back upright and bend at the knees while tightening the stomach muscles.
- Lift with your leg muscles as you stand up; don’t try to lift any object by yourself if it is too heavy or an awkward shape.

- When gardening, avoid prolonged repetitive motions during activities such as digging, planting, trimming and pruning and take frequent breaks.

- Use a sturdy step stool instead of a counter or furniture – such as a chair or the couch – when dusting high hard to reach areas.

- Ladders used for chores – such as washing windows, painting, cleaning gutters and trimming trees – should be placed on a firm, level surface. Never place a ladder on ground or flooring that is uneven, soft or wet.

- Use care with extension cords: be sure they are properly grounded. To avoid tripping or falling, do not drape extension cords across spans of crossing walkways.

- When working on a ladder, over-reaching or leaning too far to one side can make you lose your balance and fall. Your bellybutton should not go beyond the sides of the ladder. Never climb a ladder without a spotter.

- When mowing the lawn, be sure to wear proper footwear and eyewear for protection:

- Use a mower with a control that stops it from moving forward if the handle is released. Never pull backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary – carefully look for others behind you when you do.

- Children should be at least 12-years-old before they operate any lawn mower, and at least 16- years-old for a ride-on mower.

- Read product labels for proper use and wear protective clothing and gloves when using chemicals for gardening or cleaning. Store all chemicals at the appropriate temperature, which is usually indicated on the package – in a place that is out of reach of both children and pets and never place chemicals into unmarked containers or containers labeled for a different substance.

- Take frequent breaks and replenish fluids to prevent dehydration and keep a cell phone within reach in case of accident or injury.

Here are some links to other useful information:

Gardening Health and Safety Tips (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Lawnmower, Snowblower Safety (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)

Ladder Safety Guide (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)

Adaptive devices for gardening

This is a little different from the kinds of things I write about, but I wanted to share some useful links with you since spring is quickly approaching.  Actually, the way the weather has been in much of the country, it's felt like spring for most of the winter!  With spring comes gardening and there are many people who have trouble gardening because of health issues.  Whether it's a lifelong disability or arthritis later in life, gardening can literally be a pain.  If you enjoy gardening but have trouble because of health issues, here are some links to web sites that sell items that will make gardening easier:

WWW.WRIGHTSTUFF.BIZ

WWW.ARTHRITISSUPPLIES.COM

WWW.WAYFAIR.COM

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), so called because it causes swelling and inflammation in the digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It may affect any part of the GI tract, but it usually affects the ileum or lower part, inflammation leads to abdominal pain and diarrhea. It is similar to other inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis, which causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of the large intestines. However, in Crohn's disease, the inflammation can extend deeper, involving all layers of the intestines.

The exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown. Current theories suggest that in people with Crohn's disease, the body has an abnormal immune response which causes white blood cells to accumulate in the lining of the intestines, leading to chronic inflammation, ulcers, and bowel injury. There may be a hereditary component as well.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Crohn's disease range from the moderate to the severe. There may even be periods of remission when the symptoms subside completely. When the disease is active, symptoms may include the following:

- Diarrhea

- Abdominal pain and cramping

- Blood in the stool

- Ulcers in the intestine

- Reduced appetite and weight loss

Crohn's disease may lead to complications. The most common one is blockage of the intestine. Crohn's disease may also cause ulcers that tunnel through affected areas and surrounding tissue, creating fistulas (abnormal connections between organs) or anal fissures (cracks). Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies may also occur due to inadequate dietary intake or poor absorption. Anemia may also be present in some due to intestinal bleeding. Other complications may include the following:

- Arthritis

- Eye inflammation

- Skin disorders

- Diseases of the liver or bile ducts

- Delayed growth or development in children

There is also evidence that Crohn's disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases may increase the risk of colon cancer.

Treatment

There is no cure for Crohn's disease. The goals for treatment are to control the inflammation, thereby reducing the symptoms of pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Treatments may also be aimed at correcting nutritional deficiencies. To accomplish these goals, a combination of treatments may be necessary including medications and nutritional supplements; surgery; and lifestyle changes.

Anti-inflammatory drugs including corticosteroids are often the first step in the treatment of Crohn's disease. Medications called immune system suppressors may also be prescribed. Antibiotics are used to heal fistulas and abscesses. In addition to controlling inflammation, other drugs can be used to relieve the symptoms, including anti-diarrheals and pain relievers. Nutritional supplements may be needed including iron supplements to treat anemia; calcium and vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis: and vitamin B-12 shots. Additional nutritional therapies including high-calorie liquid formulas; enteral nutrition (diet given via feeding tube); or parenteral nutrition (nutrients injected into a vein) may sometimes be necessary.

When medications can no longer control the symptoms of Crohn's disease, surgery may be necessary. It has been estimated that nearly three-quarters of all people with Crohn's disease will need surgery at some point. The doctor may recommend surgery to close fistulas or drain abscesses. Another common surgery is a strictureplasty, a procedure that widens a segment of the intestine that has become narrowed by disease. Surgery is also performed to remove damaged parts of the intestine. Some people who have the disease in their large intestine must have the entire colon removed (colectomy). In these cases, a small opening or stoma is made in the abdominal wall and the tip of the ileum is brought to the skin's surface where waste is collected in a pouch. The majority of colectomy patients live normal, active lives.  Surgery is not a cure and it is not unusual for people with Crohn’s disease to have more than one operation.

Lifestyle changes can help the per­son with Crohn's disease feel more in control of their health, since they can help control the symp­toms and lengthen the time be­tween flare-ups. No special diet has been proven to treat or prevent Crohn's disease, but it is important that people with Crohn's disease eat a nutritious diet, avoiding foods that seem to worsen symp­toms. A food diary may help the patient track foods, which cause symptoms to flare. In addition, eat­ing 5 or 6 small meals throughout the day may be better than eating 2-3 larger ones. It is also very im­portant to drink plenty of fluids, particularly water, due to the fluid loss from diarrhea. Alcohol, caf­feine and carbonated drinks may worsen symptoms. Some people with Crohn's disease notice that signs and symptoms flare or worsen when they are under stress. Since stress is unavoidable, it is important for people with Crohn's disease to learn to manage it. With your doctor's approval, a moderate exercise program can reduce-stress, relieve depression, and help normalize bowel function. Other stress reduction techniques that may be helpful include biofeed­back and regular relaxation and breathing exercises like yoga or meditation. Classes, books, CDs or DVDs may assist in learning these techniques.

For more information and support, contact the following:

Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America

1-800-932-2423 or 212-685-3440

www.ccfa.org

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse

1-800-891-5389

www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov

Written by C. Robeson

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Colorectal cancer is the 4th most common cancer in men and women.  Fortunately, if it is caught early, it is often curable.

Men and women over the age of 50 are at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.  Other risk factors include:

- Polyps - growths inside the colon and rectum that may become cancerous

- A diet that is high in fat

- A family history or personal history of colorectal cancer

- Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease

Symptoms can include blood in the stool, narrower stools, a change in bowel habits and general stomach discomfort.  However, you may not have any symptoms when the cancer first develops.  That is why it is important to get regular screenings if you are 50 years old or older.  

Colonoscopy is a common screening procedure.  Other screening methods are:  Fecal occult blood test. Sigmoidoscopy, Double-contrast barium enema, Digital rectal exam, and Virtual colonoscopy.

Treatment:

Local therapy: Surgery and radiation therapy are local therapies. They remove or destroy cancer in or near the colon or rectum.

Systemic therapy: Chemotherapy and biological therapy are systemic therapies. The drugs enter the bloodstream and destroy or control cancer throughout the body.

For more information, check out these links:

Colorectal Cancer (PDQ): Screening (National Cancer Institute)

What You Need to Know about Cancer of the Colon and Rectum (National Cancer Institute)

Colorectal Cancer: Overview (American Cancer Society)

Colorectal Cancer (National Cancer Institute)

Get Tested for Colorectal Cancer (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)

What Is Colorectal Cancer? (American Cancer Society)

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)