Tag Archives: medical moments

Medical Moment: March is Colorectal Cancer

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism,

By Dr. Afriyie Randle
WKTV Community Contributor

Just how deadly colorectal cancer can be came to light with the death of actor Chad Bostwick, best known for the movie “The Black Panther.” After a four year battle, Bostwick died on Aug. 28, 2020.

Per the Centers for Disease Control, colorectal cancer, also known as color cancer, bowel cancer, and rectal cancer, affects both women and men and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Every year, approximately 140,000 people in the U.S. get colorectal cancer and more than 50,000 people die from it. 

The American Cancer Society predicts that 1 in 21 men and 1 in 23 women with develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime.

Regular screenings for cancer can improve or save your life. These screenings began at age 50 are essential for preventing colorectal cancer. If you are 50-75, get screened regularly.

Symptoms include various gastrointestinal issues that include: diarrhea, constipation, right red blood during bowel movements, black stool, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating and feeling that your bowel does not empty properly after a bowel movement. You may have unexplained weight loss along with fatigue or tiredness. Men may experience unexplained iron deficiency while women may experience unexplained iron deficiency after menopause. A lump in the abdomen or back may be felt on exam by a medical provider.

Please keep in mind that most of these symptoms may also be indicative of other illnesses so please see your primary care provider if symptoms are present for longer than four weeks. 

Medical Moments: Knowing the signs of dementia

3-bottom, Health, , ,

By Dr. Afriyie Randle
WKTV Community Contributor

In past 100 years, the average life expectancy of a man in the United States has gone from 40 to 77 with women going from 40 to 88. With the average life expectancy continues to increase so does the likelihood of older adults suffering from four or more chronic diseases.

Amongst these chronic diseases, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia reign supreme. Although both disorders are common, they are not a result of “just getting old”. In other words “getting old” doesn’t necessarily mean you will get dementia.

Mild dementia: In early stages of dementia your loved one may not experience any symptoms though changes in the brain are present. Family members or spouses may notice small abnormalities that are indeed so small that one may dismiss them as normal forgetfulness. This can include forgetting a meeting, loosing your keys, or misplacing an item.

Moderate dementia: In moderate dementia signs of memory changes are more evident. Ability to maintain ones household is more difficulty because bills aren’t being managed. Forgetfulness in regards to managing medication and eating is apparent. Next the individual requires more assistance with activities of daily living such as dressing, remembering addresses and hygiene.

Severe dementia: In severe dementia, constant supervision is required. Loosing control of bowel and bladder may be present. Personality changes are noticed. Speech starts to decrease and the ability to recognize loved ones wane. The individual is unaware of his/her surroundings and is unable to communicate their needs.

Dementia effects the patient and the family. The total lifetime cost of care for someone with dementia is estimated to be nearly $350,000. Learn to recognize early and late signs will allow for your love one to be cared for appropriately and always contact your health provider with questions. 

Medical Moments: Reducing your alcohol intake

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , ,

By Dr. Afriyie Randle
WKTV Community Contributor

Social isolation has effected us in so many different ways. Some have chosen to take advantage of this pandemic to spend time with family, focus on themselves or take a vacation, while social isolation and other COVID-19 related life changes has lead to an increase in use and abuse of alcohol.

Social media outlets have made memes about “quarantinis” and COVID drinking, making light of a truly serious condition. Unwinding with a “quarantini” or a glass of your favorite spirit might seem like a good way to cope with the stress of this pandemic, but for some people, too much alcohol is a problem.

Quarantini memes make fun of a serious concern.

Consuming alcohol can weaken your body’s ability to fight off infections leading to depression, anxiety, obesity and liver disease. In addition, excess alcohol many lead to such conditions as hypertension (high blood pressure), strokes and heart attacks. ti also could lead to increase susceptibility to contracting COVID-19.

Instead of going down the road of the misnomers of alcohol abuse, let’s take a look at what happens when you actually stop abusing alcohol.

 

1. Improved health with decreased sicknesses. Alcohol impacts your immune system’s ability to fight off disease.

2. You will dodge accidents and fatal injuries. Even cutting back your drinking by a third can lower the number of injuries and sick days.

3. Your heart gets healthier. Reducing your alcohol intake may lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and nay decrease your chances of stokes and heart attacks.

4. The liver heals. The live is responsible for helping your blood clot along with breaking down fats, proteins, and sugars.

5. Weight loss. Alcohol accounts for so many empty and non-nutritional calories.

6. Ease depression and anxiety. Alcohol is actually a downer working as a depressant to slow down vital bodily functions.

7. Decrease your cancer risk.

8. Improve your libido. In women, reducing alcohol use may improve vaginal lubrication and in men, it may decrease erectile dysfunction.

 

9. Restful nights/daytime sleepiness. Alcohol disrupts rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage that is essential in learning and making or retaining memories.

10. Clearer thinking. As mentioned above, reducing your alcohol intake increases your ability to retain and make memories.

Always be mindful of your alcohol intake and drink responsibly. 

Medical Moments: Seasonal Affective Disorder

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health,

By Dr. Afriyie Randle
WKTV Volunteer Contributor

While some may enjoy all the winter activities, there are others who are facing some of the darkest periods of the year.

These are people who may suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that is related to changes in the season. SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. For most, it starts in the fall and well into the winter months although some can have the verse of Spring and Summer Affective Disorder.

This past year has been one like no other with stress brought on by the COVID pandemic, an election and unprecedented movements such as the Black Lives Matter movement which may have further complicated those dealing with SAD.

Not able to adhere to exercise routines or to take a trip to sunny or warmer climates or just having access to the therapist presents obstacles.

Don’t brush off your feelings as a case of the winter blues or just being in a funk. If you find you are losing interest in what you enjoy doing, can’t focus or are even having suicide thoughts, make sure to tell someone.

It is normal to have some sad days but if those days outweigh the good, then you should talk to someone. Remember, you matter. 

Medical Moment: Dealing with stress

3-bottom, medical moment, ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

There is no argument, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted how people live their everyday lives.

Limited contact with family and loved ones, working from home, and limited travel have all added to the stress levels people are experiencing during this time period, according to Dr. Afriyie Randle in the latest Medical Moment.

During these times, people have experienced angst, anxiety, depression, and overall mental stress, Randle said. According to the Centers for Disease Control, by late June 2002, 40 percent of adults reported struggling with mental health or substance use. About 11 percent reported they had seriously considered suicide. 

“The first thing you should know is that it is OK to not be OK,” Randle said, adding that people should be gentle with themselves during this time.

 

Other tips are:

Do what you can when you can and be fine with it

Learn your triggers and what sets you off and reduce your exposure to it

Stop the negative feedback loops with positive re-enforcement

Just breathe and take a break

Seek out positivity and uplifting people

Mediate on your own

Seek professional help through organizations like Network 180.

“Step away and do something that is entertaining and fun whether that is spending time with family, watching a movie or reading a book,” Randle said. “Accept that it takes time to change and don’t beat yourself up for the way you feel.”