You’re more important than you know.

You touch lives. You give smiles. You are someone’s favorite person. Your health matters.

A retired Navy petty officer, Don smoked a pack a day for more than 40 years. After receiving a flyer in the mail explaining the risk factors for those with a smoking history, he decided to schedule a lung screening. He was shocked to discover that he had early-stage lung cancer. As a husband, father, and active grandparent, he is now cancer-free and living a happy life surrounded by his loving family.

Four out of 10 adults will develop cancer in their lifetime, but screening tests can catch cancer early and help save lives. Give yourself and those who love you peace of mind, schedule a routine cancer screening and take control of your health today.

To see Don’s story and to learn which cancer screenings might be right for you and to schedule an appointment, visit getscreenednow.com or call 314-310-7574

For the lives you touch.

Spring/Summer 2022-23

Articles In This Issue

10 Health Briefs

12 The Patient’s Advocate Heart & Vascular Health

14 Can You Exercise Your A-fib Away?

16 Shingles Increases Odds of Stroke and Heart Attack

17 Leg Cramps and Pain? It Could Be PAD

18 Heart Attack Deaths Fell Over

20 Years

19 If Someone Collapsed, Could You Perform CPR?

20 Marijuana, Meth, Cocaine & A-fib

21 Exercise OK for Inherited Enlarged Heart

22 Deadly Form of High Cholesterol Can Catch Blacks by Surprise Cover Story

24 When the Doctor Became Critically Ill

Neurology & Stroke

26 Depression Ups Odds for a Stroke, and vice-versa

28 Severe Seizures Are Rising, Especially Among Minorities

29 Hints That a Sleeping Pill Might Help Prevent Alzheimer’s

30 Two Diets May Reduce Brain Plaques, Alzheimer’s Risk

31 Americans’ Odds for Parkinson’s May Be Higher Than Thought

32 Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s Disease: How They Differ

33 Is It Parkinson’s? These 10 Signs Could Tell

Cancer Prevention & Treatment

34 Only 1 in 7 Cancers Are Caught Through Cancer Screenings

36 Just Half of Those with a Positive Stool Test for Colon Cancer Get Follow-Up Colonoscopy

38 U.S. Cancer Deaths Decline

Overall, But Prostate Cancers Make Rebound

Diabetes Care & Prevention

40 Spinal Cord Stimulation May Ease Diabetic Neuropathy

42 40-Year Study Finds Weight-Loss Surgery Extending Life Spans

43 Certain Class of Diabetes Meds Could Cut Dementia Risk

Kidney Disease

44 Had a Kidney Stone? This Diet May Help Prevent Another

45 Debunking Myths About Organ Donation

Better Breathing

46 Advent of Electric Cars Is Already Improving Health

47 Global Review Finds Vaccination Cuts Odds of Long COVID in Half

48 The Most Common Sleep Disorders

51 New Screening Questionnaire Might Spot More Cases of Hidden COPD

Aches & Pains

52 Many Turn to Marijuana to Ease Chronic Pain in Place of Opioids

54 Emergency Care Vs. Urgent Care: Knowing Which Is Needed

56 What Exercise Regimen Works Best to Ease Lower Back Pain?

57 Natural Ways to Manage Arthritis Pain

Mental Health

58 For Adults with ADHD: Let’s Make Now Better So Later Is Easier

60 Could Bacteria in Your Gut Help Spur Depression?

61 Americans Are Getting More Comfortable Talking Over Mental Health with Their Doctors

62 Acts of Kindness Could Be Natural Antidepressants

Women’s Health

64 Everything You Ever Wanted to Ask about Hot Flashes

66 MRI Might Boost Cancer Detection for Women with Dense Breasts

Aging & Caregiving

67 Good Sleep Could Keep Illness at Bay as You Age

68 Drug and Alcohol Fatalities Among U.S. Seniors Have Tripled Since 2000

70 Brisk Walk Daily Can Prevent Early Death

HEALTH&CARE JOURNAL is published twice a year by HealthCom Network LLC and distributed to Missouri and Illinois homes in the St. Louis Metro area. Article topics are chosen to provide helpful information about health and care topics of interest.

Opinions expressed in articles and editorials are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of HealthCom Network. While every effort is made to assure accuracy, we are not responsible for how information found in HEALTH&CARE Journal is used. Readers are encouraged to consult with their healthcare providers for advice about their own care.

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71 Quiz: Seniors, How Much Do You Know About Exercise?

72 Quiz Answers

74 Book Review & Healthy Humor