Take care of your liver and it will take care of you. Most people are not aware of the many important jobs the liver does within the human body. The average liver weighs about 3lbs and is one of the largest organs in the human body. I bet you didn’t know that the liver has well over 500 functions that it performs daily in the body. Some of the functions of the liver are:
* metabolizing proteins, fats, and carbohydrates
* storing vitamins, minerals and sugars
* filtering blood
* creating bile
* storing extra blood and
* clotting factors
What happens if you don’t take care of your liver? If you consume alcohol, the amount you drink should be limited because alcohol can damage and destroy liver cells. The damage may lead to inflammation of the liver known as alcohol hepatitis and or scarring of the liver known as cirrhosis. Medication can also cause harm to the liver so it is very important to follow the directions as prescribed for the medication but also ask questions about how the medication will affect the liver. Lastly avoid breathing in or touching toxins because toxins can hurt liver cells.
The liver our body’s filter and laboratory is vital to sustain our lives so please be sure to thank your liver every day for all the hard work it does. I know I am working on thanking mine. How do you thank your liver? You thank your liver by eating healthy and exercising regularly this helps the liver perform well. So raise a glass of water and drink to the liver the large organ that handles many jobs on a daily basis without it our bodies would be in trouble.
The month of May’s Amplify Your Expertise on liver awareness was sponsored by the American Liver Foundation. www.liverfoundation.org
May also has other monthly health awareness focuses here are a few:
*Arthritis Awareness Month sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation www.arthritis.org
* Hepatitis Awareness Month sponsored by Hepatitis Foundation International www.hepfi.org
* Better Hearing and Speech Month sponsored by the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery www.entnet.org
* Better Sleep Month sponsored by the Better Sleep Council www.bettersleep.org
* Lupus Awareness Month sponsored by the Lupus Foundation www.lupus.org
* Stroke Awareness Month sponsored by the National Stroke Association www.stroke.org
and
* Ultraviolet Awareness Month sponsored by Prevent Blindness America www.preventblindess.org
There are many more unnamed monthly observances. Next week we observe Children’s Mental Health Week sponsored by the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health www.ffcmh.org
Occupational Safety and Health Week in North America sponsored by the American Society of Safety Engineers www.asse.org/ naosh and lastly Run a mile days sponsored by the American Running Association www.runmile.org
I strongly suggest that you look into the listed and unlisted observances for the month of May to Amplify Your Expertise.
-VHHughes
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
April 2013 - National Minority Health and Disparities Month
Welcome to April’s
Expand Your Expertise. April is filled with monthly health observances. Some of
the month long observances include National Alcohol Awareness Month, National
Cancer Control Month, National Child Abuse Prevention Month, National Donate Life
Month, and National Humor Month. The weekly health observances of April include
but are not limited to National Public Health Week April 1-7, National Week of
the Ocean April 7-13, National Library Week April 14-20, and National Volunteer
Week April 21-27. A few of April’s daily health observances are the National
Day of Hope on April 3rd, World Health Day on April 7th,
and National Healthcare Decisions Day on April 16th.
Our focus for Expand
Your Expertise is National Minority Health and Disparities Month sponsored by
the Office of Minority Health Resource Center. The Office of Minority Health
(OMH) was created in 1986 and is dedicated to improving the health of racial
and ethnic minority populations through developing health policies and programs
that will help eliminate health disparities. (Office of Minority Health, 2013).
“OMH programs address disease prevention, health promotion, risk reduction,
healthy lifestyle choices, use of healthcare services, and barriers to
healthcare.” (Office of Minority Health, 2013). It is through partnerships with
communities and organizations in the public and private sectors the OMH focuses
on eliminating health disparities, national planning to identify priorities and
coordinated responses. (Office of Minority Health, 2013). “The purpose of the
National Partnership of Actions to End Health Disparities (NPA) is to improve
nationwide cohesion and coordination of strategies and actions to eliminate
health disparities and achieve health equity.” (Office of Minority Health,
2013). The five goals of NPA are to increase awareness, leadership strength on
every level, improved health and healthcare, improved cultural and linguistic
competency, lastly data availability, and coordination, utilization and
diffusion of research and evaluation of outcomes. (Office of Minority Health,
2013). Reference: Office of Minority Health. (2013). About OMH. Retrieved
online. March 31, 2013. www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov
Henderson-Hughes Health
Partners (H3P) mission is aligned with the practice of the Office of Minority
Health. The more people we help obtain a better understanding of health and
healthcare through the services at H3P, the end result will be more people with
better healthier lives. It is no coincidence that our open house is during
Public Health Week for we are a champion of Public Health. Our motto is
knowledge that leads to healthy lives and it is through our various
partnerships and our own healthcare knowledge that we will help others achieve
the healthy lives they deserve and seek.
VHHughes
March 2013 - Hemophilia Month
The month of March has a few health observances such
as American Red Cross Month, Brain Injury Awareness Month, National Colorectal
Awareness Month and Workplace Eye Wellness Month to name a few. Our focus for
the month of March is Hemophilia Month. Hemophilia month is sponsored by The
National Hemophilia Foundation.
Hemophilia is defined according to the National
Hemophilia Foundation as a genetic bleeding that prevents normal blood.
Uncontrolled and spontaneous bleeding is the main symptom of hemophilia. There
are two types of hemophilia, A and B. Hemophilia A is a deficiency of clotting
Factor VIII (factor 8). The recessive trait located on the X chromosome causes
hemophilia a. Hemophilia B also known as “Christmas disease” is a result of a
deficiency in factor IX. Although there is no cure currently for hemophilia
there are treatments that help prolong the lives of those infected with
hemophilia through infusion of manufactured human plasma or using recombinant
technology. “Hemophilia occurs 1 in
5,000 live male births, of these 80% are hemophilia A and 20% are hemophilia
B.” (The National Hemophilia Foundation, 2013).
von Willebrand disease is another bleeding disorder
that prevents blood from clotting and is genetically based. Affecting both men
and women, “von Willebrand factor which is a protein that affects platelet
function.” (The National Hemophilia Foundation, 2013). This disease has three
categories type 1 is the most common and mildest form of the disease. Type II
where von Willebrand disease has sub classifications of IIa and IIb. “In Type
IIa, the level of von Williebrand factor is reduced as is the ability of
platelets to clump together.” (The National Hemophilia Foundation, 2013). “In
Type IIb, although the factor itself is defective, the ability of platelets to
clump together is actually increased.” (The National Hemophilia Foundation, 2013).
Type III is severe von Williebrand disease. “These people have a total absence
of von Williebrand factor and factor VII levels are often less than 10%.”(The
National Hemophilia Foundation, 2013).
Hemophilia related HIV/AIDS occurred when factor
products were created in the late 70’s and early 80’s from human blood. Some of
those donations came from people who were infected with the HIV virus and this
resulted in about 60% of hemophiliacs that were treated with the contaminated
blood products contracting the HIV virus. Today most of the blood products are
man-made.
In the state of Arizona there is an agency that can
help hemophiliacs. The Arizona Hemophilia Association located in Phoenix,
Arizona has programs to help hemophiliacs and their families. Youth programs
such as HAPY (Hemophilia Association Program for Youth) is an educational and
recreational program for ages 8 to 15 that helps build self-esteem and
increases the knowledge of bleeding disorders. HAPY Jr. for ages 4 to 7 was
created for younger children to learn about hemophilia on their level. Lastly
EPIC is where teens learn about hemophilia.
There are camp programs where children can go for a
week to have fun, learn, and make new and lasting friendships.
There are educational outreaches that can help with
finding health insurance, medical treatments, and educational programs for the
families. An annual women’s retreat that focuses on daughters, sisters, wives,
and mothers who have inherited bleeding disorders. Emergency financial
assistance is also available to families in need. Educational scholarships are
available through the Arizona Hemophilia Association for students. There are
also client services available to hemophiliacs from various places within the
state of Arizona. The Thrombosis Center is located in Tucson, Arizona deals
with bleeding/clotting disorder management, outpatient and inpatient care, and
care of person and families with thrombophilia. The treatment center at Phoenix
Children’s Hospital serves children and adults with bleeding disorders as well
as children with clotting disorders.
Hemophilia although a very frightening disease is
very much controllable. Just as we highlighted the Arizona chapter that deals
with hemophilia issues there are chapters nationwide that can help people in
other states. Check out the National Hemophilia Foundations page to find the
chapter for your state.
Reference: The National Hemophilia Foundation
(2013). Fast Facts. Retrieved online February 27, 2013. http://www.hemophilia.org/NHFWeb/MainPgs/MainNHF.aspx?menuid=259&contentid=476
February 2013 - Wise Health Consumer Month
Welcome
to amplify your expertise my monthly blog for Henderson-Hughes Health Partners
(H3P) that focuses on little or unknown health care subjects. The month of
February is known nationally as Heart month sponsored by the American Heart
Association. Amplify your expertise for the month of February will focus on
Wise Health Care Consumer month which is sponsored by the American Institute
for Preventive Medicine. Wise Health Care Consumer month is to help people
receive the right care at the right time in the right place. This can only
happen if the consumer is an active member in their own health care by knowing
which symptoms can receive self treatment and which symptoms require treatment
from a medical professional.
Recently I proved myself to be a wise health care consumer by stepping in as an advocate for my oldest daughter who was in her final weeks of her third trimester of her pregnancy with her second son and experiencing pain. I took her to the hospital to be checked out. One of the first things that I noticed that as soon as she was hooked up to the fetal monitor, the pulse rate alarm began to sound. I began asking the nurse why was the alarm sounding and the nurse said it was that her pulse was high but it was nothing to be alarmed about. The nurse then placed the alarm on silent and left the room.
My daughter was admitted to the hospital for observation and was released the next day. The run back and forth to the hospital game had started and my daughter and I were the contestants. We play this game for majority of the week until I finally had enough on Saturday, February 2, 2013 and I called my daughter’s doctor answering service requesting that her doctor call me immediately. The doctor called about ten minutes after my calling the answering service and I explained to the doctor that he needed to do something about the pain my daughter was having at the end of her pregnancy. The doctor responded with two options for us. The first option was to come to the hospital that he was currently at and be checked out or wait until Monday and go into the office to be seen. I told the doctor there was no way that we were going to wait until Monday when my daughter was in so much pain and it was not getting any better.
We arrived at the hospital and were taken to an observation room. The nurse told me if my daughter had no dilated past 2 centimeters she would just be discharged from the hospital because she was less than 39 weeks and the state of Arizona did not allow induction of pregnancies less than 39 weeks unless it was an emergency. My daughter who was at 38 weeks of pregnancy was checked by the doctor and he found that she was dilated to 4 centimeters and it had just been twenty-four hours that passed. Once again my daughter is hooked up to the fetal monitors and her pulse rate is high but this time so is her blood pressure. Her systolic (top number) kept rising over 140. The doctor came in and told us that in order for him to schedule an induction, my daughter needed to have three blood pressure reading at or over 140. The criteria were met in less than an hour and the induction process started. Deondre Martin was born February 3, 2013. The birth of my grandson should have relieved my daughter of her pain, high pulse rate, and elevated blood pressure. Her blood pressure did return to normal after the delivery of the baby and she was discharged from the hospital on February 5, 2013 only to return to the emergency room on February 6, 2013 because her feet were swollen like water balloons in addition to her ankles and legs.
After running tests and speaking with my daughter’s doctor, the emergency room doctor discharged her and told her to make an appointment with her doctor as soon as possible. My daughter’s appointment was on Friday, February 8, 2013. It was at this appointment when she learned that she had preeclampsia. Like most women who have giving birth, my daughter and I knew that preeclampsia was a pregnancy related problem that was relieved with the birth of the baby. What a surprise to find out that a woman can develop preeclampsia after giving birth. The Mayo Clinic defines postpartum preeclampsia as a rare condition that happens when a woman who has high blood pressure and excess protein in her urine after having a child. In most cases post partum preeclampsia develops 48 hours after childbirth but can take as long as four to six weeks to develop after childbirth.
If left untreated post partum preeclampsia can result in seizures and thus requires prompt treatment of the patient. Signs of postpartum preeclampsia to look for are high blood pressure 140/90 or greater; excess protein in the urine; severe headaches; changes in the vision including temporary loss of vision, blurred vision, or light sensitivity; upper abdominal pain (usually under the ribs on the right side); nausea and vomiting; decreased urination; and sudden weight gain (typically more than 2lbs per week). Risk factors are high blood pressure during a recent pregnancy, obesity, or a cesarean delivery. The complications are post partum Eclampsia which is post partum preeclampsia with seizures; pulmonary edema, stroke, and the HELLP syndrome which stands for hemolsysis (destruction of red blood cells), elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count. Just as with preeclampsia in pregnancy, postpartum preeclampsia does have the risk factor for future cardiovascular disease.
Although it seemed like a long journey to obtain the final diagnosis on postpartum preeclampsia, if I had not continued to stay on my daughter about seeing her doctor in the midst of her frustration of the lack of care she was getting neither she nor my grandson would be here today. Get to know your health and in my case your families health you could save someone’s life even your own. -VHHughes
Recently I proved myself to be a wise health care consumer by stepping in as an advocate for my oldest daughter who was in her final weeks of her third trimester of her pregnancy with her second son and experiencing pain. I took her to the hospital to be checked out. One of the first things that I noticed that as soon as she was hooked up to the fetal monitor, the pulse rate alarm began to sound. I began asking the nurse why was the alarm sounding and the nurse said it was that her pulse was high but it was nothing to be alarmed about. The nurse then placed the alarm on silent and left the room.
My daughter was admitted to the hospital for observation and was released the next day. The run back and forth to the hospital game had started and my daughter and I were the contestants. We play this game for majority of the week until I finally had enough on Saturday, February 2, 2013 and I called my daughter’s doctor answering service requesting that her doctor call me immediately. The doctor called about ten minutes after my calling the answering service and I explained to the doctor that he needed to do something about the pain my daughter was having at the end of her pregnancy. The doctor responded with two options for us. The first option was to come to the hospital that he was currently at and be checked out or wait until Monday and go into the office to be seen. I told the doctor there was no way that we were going to wait until Monday when my daughter was in so much pain and it was not getting any better.
We arrived at the hospital and were taken to an observation room. The nurse told me if my daughter had no dilated past 2 centimeters she would just be discharged from the hospital because she was less than 39 weeks and the state of Arizona did not allow induction of pregnancies less than 39 weeks unless it was an emergency. My daughter who was at 38 weeks of pregnancy was checked by the doctor and he found that she was dilated to 4 centimeters and it had just been twenty-four hours that passed. Once again my daughter is hooked up to the fetal monitors and her pulse rate is high but this time so is her blood pressure. Her systolic (top number) kept rising over 140. The doctor came in and told us that in order for him to schedule an induction, my daughter needed to have three blood pressure reading at or over 140. The criteria were met in less than an hour and the induction process started. Deondre Martin was born February 3, 2013. The birth of my grandson should have relieved my daughter of her pain, high pulse rate, and elevated blood pressure. Her blood pressure did return to normal after the delivery of the baby and she was discharged from the hospital on February 5, 2013 only to return to the emergency room on February 6, 2013 because her feet were swollen like water balloons in addition to her ankles and legs.
After running tests and speaking with my daughter’s doctor, the emergency room doctor discharged her and told her to make an appointment with her doctor as soon as possible. My daughter’s appointment was on Friday, February 8, 2013. It was at this appointment when she learned that she had preeclampsia. Like most women who have giving birth, my daughter and I knew that preeclampsia was a pregnancy related problem that was relieved with the birth of the baby. What a surprise to find out that a woman can develop preeclampsia after giving birth. The Mayo Clinic defines postpartum preeclampsia as a rare condition that happens when a woman who has high blood pressure and excess protein in her urine after having a child. In most cases post partum preeclampsia develops 48 hours after childbirth but can take as long as four to six weeks to develop after childbirth.
If left untreated post partum preeclampsia can result in seizures and thus requires prompt treatment of the patient. Signs of postpartum preeclampsia to look for are high blood pressure 140/90 or greater; excess protein in the urine; severe headaches; changes in the vision including temporary loss of vision, blurred vision, or light sensitivity; upper abdominal pain (usually under the ribs on the right side); nausea and vomiting; decreased urination; and sudden weight gain (typically more than 2lbs per week). Risk factors are high blood pressure during a recent pregnancy, obesity, or a cesarean delivery. The complications are post partum Eclampsia which is post partum preeclampsia with seizures; pulmonary edema, stroke, and the HELLP syndrome which stands for hemolsysis (destruction of red blood cells), elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count. Just as with preeclampsia in pregnancy, postpartum preeclampsia does have the risk factor for future cardiovascular disease.
Although it seemed like a long journey to obtain the final diagnosis on postpartum preeclampsia, if I had not continued to stay on my daughter about seeing her doctor in the midst of her frustration of the lack of care she was getting neither she nor my grandson would be here today. Get to know your health and in my case your families health you could save someone’s life even your own. -VHHughes
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