18 minute read
February
from March 10 edition
Options & References for a Healthier Life
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
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In the United States, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common and second most lethal cancer. More than one–tenth of CRC cases (11% of colon cancers and 18% of rectal cancers) have a young onset (ie, occurring in individuals younger than 50 years). The reasons why the incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing in younger patients remain unknown, although genetic predisposition, environmental factors, fewer early cancer detections in this population or a combination of these factors are thought to play a role The CRC incidence and mortality rates are decreasing among all age groups older than 50 years, yet increasing in younger individuals for whom screening use is limited and key symptoms may go unrecognized. When apparently average–risk young adults present with CRC–like symptoms (eg, unexplained persistent rectal bleeding, anemia, and abdominal pain), endoscopic work–ups can expedite diagnosis. Early screening in high–risk individuals and thorough diagnostic work–ups in symptomatic young adults may improve young–onset CRC trends. Yet, stage-specific survival in patients with young-onset CRC is comparable to that of patients with later-onset cancer. Primary care physicians have an important opportunity to identify high-risk young individuals for screening and to promptly evaluate CRC symptoms.
Source: http://www.mdlinx. com/gastroenterology/
Colorectal Cancer Symptoms
Colorectal cancer first develops with few, if any,
symptoms. It is important not to wait for symptoms before talking to your doctor about getting screened. However, if symptoms are present, they may include: • A change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool • Feeling that your bowel does not empty completely, rectal bleeding, or finding blood (either
bright red or very dark) in your stool • Finding your stools are narrower than usual • Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas, pain, or feeling full or bloated • Losing weight with no known reason • Weakness or fatigue • Having nausea or vomiting
These symptoms can also be associated with many other health conditions. Only your doctor can determine why you're having these symptoms. Usually, early cancer does not cause pain. It is important not to wait to feel pain before seeing a doctor.
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Know the Facts
Colon cancer has become a reality for many people younger than age 50, and it’s the only population where incidence rates are on the rise. In the U.S., approximately 10% of colon cancer cases are diagnosed in individuals under age 50.
Colon cancer incidence and mortality rates are increasing in the under 50 population (young-onset), while decreasing in those over 50. Young-onset rectal cancer incidence has increased at nearly twice the rate of young-onset colon cancer. Young-onset has a preference for the distal colon (the segment of your colon right before the rectum begins) or rectum and often presents at an advanced stage.
Screening is recommended to start earlier than age 50 in those with a family history of colon cancer or advanced adenomas (noncancerous tumors), and in those with hereditary genetic syndromes associated with increased risk. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease or other conditions increasing risk may also benefit from close follow-up.
Individuals under 50 who have symptoms that may be consistent with colon cancer need to seek medical attention so the appropriate testing can be done and deserve a prompt and thorough examination.
Physician-related delays (e.g., missed symptoms, initial misdiagnosis) have been estimated to occur in 15-50% of young-onset colon cancer cases.*
Discussions of lowering the screening age for the average-risk population have begun. As it stands, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) feels there is insufficient evidence for lowering the screening age to 40 years in the average-risk population.
NEW PATIENT SPECIAL!
When to see a doctor
If you notice any symptoms of colon cancer, such as blood in your stool or a persistent change in bowel habits, make an appointment with your doctor.
This information compiled from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute
See more at: http://ccalliance. org/nevertooyoung/facts. html#sthash.3RI1OnqK.dpuf
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Options & References for a Healthier Life
Dealing With Dizziness
You need your sense of balance to stand, walk, bend down, drive, and more. If it gets disrupted, you may struggle to work, study, or even do simple daily activities. Balance problems also increase the risk of dangerous falls.
“Balance is really your sixth sense,” says Dr. David Newman-Toker, a neurologist at Johns Hopkins University. “But we’re not usually aware of it unless it’s broken.
Many things can affect your balance. Being hungry or dehydrated may make you feel lightheaded. Some medications can make you feel dizzy. Health problems that affect your inner ear or brain can also throw off your balance. These may include infection, stroke, or a tumor.
Usually, a disruption in balance is temporary. But some things can cause long-term balance problems. So how do you know when to be concerned?
“If your symptoms are severe, or last for a long time, that’s an indication to have things checked out,” says Dr. Michael Hoa, an ear, nose, and throat specialist at NIH. “Pay attention to things that aren’t normal for you.”
You may feel like you’re moving, spinning, or floating, even if you’re sitting or lying still. Or you could feel like you’re suddenly tipping over while you’re walking. You might have blurred vision or feel confused or disoriented.
Pinpointing the Problem
Tiny organs in your inner ear form the core of your balance system. They communicate with your brain to give you a sense of your body’s position.
“But your balance system isn’t just your inner ear,” Hoa says. “It’s input from your eyes. It’s your muscles, joints, and spine. It’s your vision.” That makes balance disorders tricky to diagnose. “A change in any part of the system could contribute to changes in your balance,” he says. “Sometimes that makes it hard to distinguish one balance disorder from another.”
A new balance problem can sometimes signal a medical emergency, like a stroke. So it’s important to get symptoms checked out as soon as possible.
“The most important things to tell your health care provider are the timing and triggers for your symptoms,” says Newman-Toker. This will help them narrow down the possible cause.
Getting Help for a Balance Disorder
Photo credit: Adobe Stock photo
WISE CHOICES— LIVING WITH A BALANCE DISORDER
To help prevent falls and other accidents: • Avoid walking in the dark, either inside or outside. • Wear low-heeled shoes or walking shoes. • Use a cane or walker, if necessary. • Add handrails to stairwells and bathrooms in your home. • Stay physically active to improve your balance and strength. A physical therapist can help you learn to exercise safely. • Talk with your health care provider about whether it’s safe to drive.
Common Causes of Balance Problems
Identifying what’s causing a balance problem can be complicated. Several disorders have similar symptoms.
An infection or inflammation of the inner ear can trigger dizziness and loss of balance. This is called labyrinthitis. Inflammation can also affect the nerve that sends signals about balance to the brain. This is called vestibular neuritis.
The most common cause of dizzy spells is called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV. This occurs when tiny crystals in the inner ear fall out of place. BPPV can cause a brief, intense sense of vertigo triggered by certain changes in the position of your head. The spells last less than a minute.
A less common, but recurrent, cause of balance problems is Ménière’s disease. This can cause vertigo, hearing loss, and a ringing or buzzing sensation in the ear. It’s not known what causes this condition. But people living with it often have extra fluid in their inner ear.
To determine what’s causing your symptoms, your health care provider can do different tests. These include a hearing exam, blood tests, or tests to measure your eye movements. If these tests can’t rule out a stroke, you may also need an MRI scan.
Because some balance disorders can look similar, people may not always get the right diagnosis and treatment on the first try, says Newman-Toker. You may need to visit another doctor or try different treatments before you feel better.
Finding What Works
Some balance disorders have straightforward treatments. But others can be tricky. For BPPV, a trained health care provider can perform a series of simple head movements. These move the loose crystals back in place.
Ménière’s disease is harder to treat. Lifestyle changes like stopping smoking and eating less salt can sometimes reduce symptoms. New drugs are now being tested to treat Ménière’s disease in clinical studies.
Currently, few effective drugs exist for long-term balance problems, says Dr. Anat Lubetzky, a physical therapist at New York University. “For many people, the solution to a balance problem is balance rehabilitation.” Rehabilitation teaches you ways to adapt to dizzy spells. It also focuses on strengthening muscles and preventing falls.
“People with balance disorders can enter a vicious cycle of the fear of falling,” Lubetzky says. “They may avoid activity, which can then create muscle and bone problems.”
That, in turn, can increase the risk of more falls. “You have to gain your confidence back,” she says.
Summary
As people build their skills, the scenes can get busier and noisier. The team hopes that these programs will help people regain their confidence in busy environments without leaving the safety of the clinic.
Whether it’s rehab, medications, or other treatments, it may take time to find something that works for you.
“If things don’t go how you’ve been told to expect them to, be aware that you might actually not have the right diagnosis,” Newman-Toker says. You may need to go back to your health care provider or see a specialist.
It may also take time to gain your confidence back. In the meantime, anyone living with a balance disorder—either temporarily or permanently—can also do simple things at home to prevent falls and accidents.
Source: https://newsinhealth.nih. gov/2021/11/dealing-dizziness
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MARCH 10–16, 2022
FROM FISHING TO FOOTBALL, THE HARD WORK OF ALL ATHLETES DESERVES RECOGNITION B1
Daley deals in Eagles’ first two wins
Beaufort’s Mason Connelly slides safely into second base following a bad throw to Lucy Beckham shortstop Owen Everson during the bottom of the second inning of their Region 7-4A game Monday night at Beaufort High School. Beaufort won 12-0. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
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PJ Daley tossed a gem, and six Eagles had multiple hits as Beaufort High baseball opened Region 7-4A play with a 12-0 win over visiting Lucy Beckham on Monday after dropping its final three games in the PBR Showdown over the weekend at Shipyard Park.
Daley struck out seven and walked two over four innings of one-hit ball to earn the win, and Mason Connelly struck out two to work around three walks in the fifth to finish the abbreviated shutout.
Connelly led the 15-hit attack, going 3-for-3 with a double, a walk, and two runs, and Hunter Rast, Carter Bowersox, Tommy Winburn, Chase McKelvey, and Zach Talbert each added a pair of hits as the Eagles swung it well throughout the lineup.
Rast, Bowersox, Winburn, and Talbert each drove in two runs, and McKelvey doubled and scored twice.
Daley also turned in a stellar outing in the Eagles’ opener, and Rast led an opportunistic Eagles offense in a 2-0 win over Stratford on Thursday at Shipyard Park in Mount Pleasant.
Daley struck out five over 5 2/3 innings, scattering three hits and two walks, and Talbert recorded the final four outs in order with two strikeouts to finish off a season-opening shutout, but it didn’t start so smoothly.
Daley walked the tightrope in the top of the first, as Thomas Purcell led off the game with a single and moved to second on a ground out, but he had to hold up to make sure Brett Marrs’ bloop double to right got down, preventing him from scoring. Bowersox snared a Harry Wiggins line drive at first, and Daley got a grounder to end the threat.
It was mostly smooth sailing from there, and it didn’t take the Eagles long to give him a cushion. Logan Brutcher drew a leadoff walk and moved into scoring position on Talbert’s sacrifice bunt, and Rast came through with a single up the middle to put Beaufort on the board.
The Eagles added an insurance run in the fifth, when Talbert started the inning with a walk, Rast singled, and Daley moved both into scoring position with a sacrifice. McKelvey’s grounder to second did the job with one out, bringing home Talbert for a 2-0 lead. Talbert relieved Daley after a two-out walk in the sixth and ended the inning with a strikeout, then retired the Knights in order in the seventh. Rast was 3-for-3 with an RBI, and Hudson Mullen went 1-for-2 with a walk for the Eagles.
The Eagles dropped their next three games in the tournament, though, getting shut out by Wando (5-0) and Ashley Ridge (11-0) before giving up three runs in the seventh to lose 7-4 to Northwestern on Sunday.
Rast and Mullen had great weekends at the plate, as Rast was 6-for-14 with a triple and two RBIs, and Mullen was 4-for-10 with a triple and an RBI. Brutcher and Connelly added three hits each. Tommy Winburn gave the Eagles four strong innings of relief against Wando, and Malcom Webb and Talbert combined to keep Beaufort in the game with Northwestern until a one-out error opened the door for the Trojans to score three runs in the seventh.
Beaufort (2-3, 1-0) was slated to travel to Lucy Beckham to conclude the series Wednesday.
GIRLS SOCCER ROUNDUP
BA bounces back vs. War Hawks
After being blanked 10-0 by Hilton Head Prep on Tuesday, Beaufort Academy girls soccer got back in the win column with a 5-0 victory at Colleton Prep on Wednesday.
Claire Tumlin and Margaret Hiers each scored a pair of goals, and Madi McDougall added one for the Eagles. Mads Trice made four saves to preserve the clean sheet for BA.
Creek blanks Hawks in region opener
Taelyr Daugherty scored two of Battery Creek girls soccer’s three goals and Natalie Cruz-Woodley added a third as the Dolphins defeated Region 8-3A foe Hanahan 3-0 on Thursday at Whale Branch.
Daugherty's first goal put Creek on the board just 10 minutes into the game, but it was the only score of the half as the Dolphins took a 1-0 lead to the break.
The freshman forward added her second goal late in the second half to put the Dolphins up 2-0 and Cruz-Woodley sent a direct free kick into the back of the net in stoppage time.
Battery Creek outshot the Hawks 13-5, as a strong Dolphins defense limited the Hawks’ chances and Anna Moore recorded the shutout with five saves.
The Dolphins (4-1, 1-0) couldn’t continue the momentum Friday at Wade Hampton, as the Red Devils netted the game-winner after the break for a 3-2 win.
Sophia Felix and Ruthie Floyd each had a goal and an assist, and Anna Moore made four saves for the Dolphins.
Eagles can’t find net vs. Bobcats
Beaufort High put up a strong defensive effort, but visiting Bluffton found its offense late to defeat the Eagles 2-0 to open Region 7-4A play.
After a defensively-played first half, the Bobcats broke the stalemate with 12 minutes to go. Angelina Facendo knocked in an Emmaline Parrott corner to grab the lead, and Anna Parrott added a key insurance goal off a through ball with three minutes to play. Chapelyn Terodemos held it down between the pipes for Bluffton, recording four saves and a clean sheet.
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Beaufort High School’s Lele Cooler, center, tries to control the ball against Bluffton during a scoreless first half Friday night at Beaufort. The Lady Bobcats bested the Lady Eagles during the second half and came away with a 2-0 win. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
BOYS SOCCER ROUNDUP
Warriors end Eagles’ hot streak
John Paul II boys soccer opened its season with a 5-1 road win over Beaufort Academy on Monday, handing the Eagles their first loss of the season.
Jackson Ogden netted a hat trick and Nic Richardson dished out three assists to lead an impressive offensive performance for JPII. Anthony Hill had a goal and an assist, and Austin Floyd added the final tally for the Golden Warriors.
Sam Rembold and Peter Torinese paced the defense in front of keeper Evan Slusne, who made seven saves, allowing just Gavin Midyette’s second goal of the season.
JPII (1-0, 1-0) is on the road again Friday at Irmo. BA (3-1, 2-1) hosts Holy Trinity on Thursday.
BA boys start with three straight wins
Zeke Gonzalez, a brace from Evan Rankin, and goals from Sammy Siler and Patrick Good, the Eagles were in command from the start.
Freshman keeper Isaac Leslie had his first clean sheet of the season with help from a stingy defense anchored by Jack McDougall, who was named BA’s man of the match.
A day earlier, BA routed Hilton Head Prep 7-1 at home. After taking a 1-0 lead to halftime, the Eagles erupted for six goals in the second half to claim their first region win of the season.
Andrew Butterfield scored a hat trick to lead the way, while Grady Lamm added a goal and two assists, and Braydon Dineen, Siler, and Luke Miller each tallied a goal.
Mighty Lions edge Patriots in PK shootout
first half, the teams were deadlocked again at full time at three goals apiece. Neither side could break through in two overtime periods, sending the match to penalties.
Jennings came up with two big saves in the shootout and six overall while his teammates came through in the clutch to win the shootout 3-1.
Banks Scarpa, Ashton Stacks, and Michael Smith each scored a goal in regulation and converted penalties in the shootout to lift the Mighty Lions to the win.
Dolphins bounce back to down Red Devils
Battery Creek’s boys continued their hot start to the season with a 7-2 win at Wade Hampton on Friday, scoring five goals and shutting out the Red Devils in the second half.
Isaac Vega and Ashton Morgan each scored a pair of goals, and Talmedge Magbee, Juan Jaimes, and Ivan Huerta added a goal apiece for the Dolphins, who limited the Red Devils to four shots on goal with Noah Northway making two saves.
The Dolphins mustered only five shots, three on goal, compared to Hanahan's 19 in a 1-0 home loss to open the region campaign Thursday.
Jonathon Cruz and Juan Jaimes each notched two shots on Hanahan's keeper while Magbee took the other shot on goal.
Battery Creek (4-1, 0-1) was slated to return to Region 8-3A play Tuesday at Academic Magnet.
Bucs start regular season with back-to-back wins
Bridges Prep boys soccer kicked off its regular-season slate by knocking off the defending SCISA 1A state champions Thursday, downing Holy Trinity on the road 5-1.
Both teams found the back of the net towards the end of the first half to draw even, but the Bucs rode a dominant four-goal second half and a brilliant performance from goalkeeper Darick Fisher to pull away from the Mighty Lions.
Sophomore Zaire Nelson led an impressive offensive output, scoring two goals while Clay Sanders, Liam Sanders, and Timothy English each added one. Fisher shut down the Mighty Lions in net in the second half and finished the match with six saves.
The Bucs picked up their second straight victory with a 6-0 shutout of the War Hawks on the road Friday, as English netted a pair of goals and assisted on another, and Michael Legier added a brace to lead the way.
Zaire Nelson and Liam Sanders also scored goals for the Bucs, and Jeremiah Ponder had an assist. Clay Sanders made three saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Bridges (3-1) hosted Royal Live Oaks for a region game Tuesday.
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Bobcats down Eagles in region opener
Luis Rojas scored a pair of goals and Humberto Rodriguez added one to lead the Bobcats to a 3-1 home win over the Region 7-4A rival Eagles to open the regular season Friday.
Beaufort (0-1, 0-1) travels to James Island for a region clash at 7 p.m. Friday.
