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Health
Sun Health Presents Community Education Classes, Resources and Support
Each month, Sun Health Wellness presents health education and fitness classes designed to help participants learn about health conditions, discover new trends in prevention and treatment, improve strength and flexibility, prevent physical disability, delay cognitive decline, and more. They also provide support groups and resources pertaining to a variety of health concerns.
Many classes are offered at low or no cost thanks to the generous support of donors to the Sun Health Foundation. Registration is required for most classes, regardless of costs. Register online at SunHealthWellness.org or call 623-207-1703. Class locations (whether on Zoom or in-person) are available on the website as well. Below is just a sample of the classes offered this month; see the website for full details.
NUTRITION Nutrition and Lifestyle for Weight Loss, Tuesday, May 10; 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
A lifestyle approach to weight loss that can help you make simple changes to maintain a healthy weight for life. Banner Health Registered Dietitian, Lauren Pellizzon, MS, RD, will discuss nutrition and lifestyle changes to help with weight loss.
Keep Your Food Safe: Food Prep and Cooking Basics, Friday, May 13; 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Food safety means knowing how to buy, prepare, and store food to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses, like salmonella and E. coli. Join Sun Health Registered Dietitian Tiffany Tutt, EP-C to learn cooking and preparation techniques that preserve nutrients and avoid an upset stomach.
BRAIN & MEMORY HEALTH Dementia Friends Info Session, Tuesday, May 17; 1-2 p.m.
Arizona will experience the largest increase in people developing Alzheimer’s and related dementias over the next five years. People with dementia need to be understood and supported in their communities. You can help by becoming a Dementia Friend. Join Janice Greeno from Banner Sun Health Research Institute for this discussion and walk away with the tools to implement your dementia friendly community.
HEALTH & WELLBEING Hemorrhoids, Rectal Bleeding and Other Common Anorectal Problems, Tuesday, May 17; 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Anorectal disorders can be caused by many things, including diet, lifestyle, body structure and bacteria present in body waste. The most common of these are: fecal incontinence, hemorrhoids, anorectal abscesses, fistula, and anal fissures. The risk of developing colorectal cancer is equal for men and women and increases with age. Join Dr. Sushil Pandey, colorectal surgeon from Abrazo, to discuss the most common causes for anorectal symptoms and complaints.
Common Changes in Female Anatomy As You Age, Thursday, May 26; 9:30-11 a.m.
As a woman enters her 60s and 70s, there is more concern about the vulva – the outside of the vagina. Aging changes can cause irritating or painful symptoms. One such condition, lichen sclerosis, causes skin changes related to decreased estrogen production. The condition can cause a lot of itching and irritation and can be pre-cancerous. The vulva should be examined closely during the annual visit, particularly after age 55, to treat and manage skin conditions and potentially detect early-stage cancer.
RESOURCES & SUPPORT GROUPS Dementia Caregiver Support Group, Wednesday, May 4, 11, 18, 25; 3-4 p.m.
This telephone support group is led by Sun Health Wellness’s Memory Care Navigator, Marty Finley. Call 623- 471-9571 and enter PIN number 9571. The line will only be active at the scheduled time.
Memory Cafés, Tuesday, May 10 and 24; 10-11:30 a.m.
Memory Cafés provide social opportunities and resources for people living with memory loss and their care partners. Caregivers participate in an educational and/or support session while people with memory loss actively participate in a cognitive engagement program. Registration is not required. Held virtually and telephonically. Call 623-832-6637 for details.
Diabetes Connection Support Group, Monday, May 16; 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Whether you are new to diabetes or dealing with a new set of challenges, the Diabetes Connections Support Group is here to help ease the burden of diabetes. Connecting with other people living with diabetes can be relieving, encouraging, and empowering. Support can offer a sense of being understood and provides opportunities to share wisdom and practical information. Join us this month to learn from educators and others just like you who are encountering and overcoming similar situations.
Health
Timely Health Updates From Local Experts
May is National Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness Month and Stroke Awareness Month. We checked in with local health experts to find out more about these two important health issues.
NATIONAL SKIN CANCER AND MELANOMA AWARENESS MONTH
Information Courtesy of Justin Moser, M.D. Did you know that more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined? You might think it’s unlikely to affect you until you’re older, but one specific type of skin cancer – melanoma – is one of the most common cancers you’ll find even among young adults. Melanoma also accounts for a large majority of skin cancer deaths due to its aggressive nature.
Especially in the hot and sunny climate we enjoy here in Arizona, skin cancer and melanoma deserve our attention. The best thing you can do for your skin is wear a good SPF sunscreen (30 or greater) that protects your skin against UVA (aging rays) and UVB (burning rays). Put it on every couple of hours that you’re outside – even if it’s cloudy.
With proper care and monitoring, you can prevent skin cancer or catch it early, which lessens the chance you’ll be dealing with an advanced stage of cancer. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on your skin for anything suspicious, and why getting regular skin checks from a dermatologist is so critical.
It’s recommended that you begin annual skin screenings in your 20s or 30s, but if you’re in the sun a lot or have a family history of skin cancer, you should talk to your doctor about being screened sooner. The good news is that proper screenings catch skin cancers earlier. The earlier skin cancers are treated, the higher the chance of a cure. Even with melanoma, if it’s detected early, the fiveyear survival rate is 99%.
Justin Moser, M.D., is with HonorHealth Research and Innovation Institute Melanoma Clinic.
STROKES NEED FAST RESPONSE: MAY IS STROKE AWARENESS MONTH
Information Courtesy of the Comprehensive Stroke Center at Abrazo Central Campus Did you know that stroke has no age limits, and younger adults are increasingly affected by stroke and its risk factors? Strokes happen when blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. In either case, parts of the brain become damaged or die. Every minute counts when a stroke is suspected.
Stroke affects about 800,000 people in the U.S. each year. Risk factors commonly associated in older adults, such as hypertension, diabetes, tobacco use and obesity are now being seen in younger stroke patients, according to Lisa Ziomek, Stroke Care Coordinator at Abrazo Central Campus.
More than 87 percent of strokes in the U.S. are ischemic strokes, caused by a clot that cuts off blood flow to a part of the brain. These types of strokes are largely treatable if a patient gets to a hospital that can provide the right treatment in time.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a simple test to act FAST if you think someone may be having a stroke: • Face – Ask the person to smile, does one side of the face droop? • Arms – Can the person raise both arms? Does one arm drift downward? • Speech – Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange? • Time – If you see any of these signs, call 911 right away.
Also, note the time when the symptoms first appear, this helps health care providers determine the type of treatment needed.
CLEAN COLONIC
COLON HYDROTHERAPY
COLON HYDROTHERAPY: Also known as a Colonic
Carolyn Berry
Owner
New Client Special
2 Colon Hydrotherapy Sessions for $150.00
For best results it is suggested two sessions, two days in a row.
4 Locations
GLENDALE 18589 N 59th Ave #116 SCOTTSDALE/PHOENIX 4744 E Thunderbird Rd Suite 4,
TEMPE 2034 East Southern Ave Suite B FOUNTAIN HILLS 16178 E. Avenue of the Fountains #100
