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Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease is a progressive degeneration of brain cells. It results in a loss of memory, confusion, anxiety, depression and eventually death. An early symptom of Alzheimer's is loss of short-term memory—not just simple forgetfulness. It is also characterized by thinking difficulties and personality changes.
[More Alzheimer's disease information]

The two most common forms of arthritis, of the more than 100 different forms, are osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis; both are chronic conditions that cause pain of the joints and inhibit movement.

Resources:

Arthritis Foundation
P.O. Box 7669
Atlanta, GA 30357-0669
(404) 872-7100

Autism

Recent reports that autism is now being diagnosed as frequently as 1 in every 150 children have raised public awareness. Autism is a topic that has created great and passionate debate among people who are autistic, parents of autistic children, scientists, physicians and others. Rather than enter into the various debatable issues, this article will attempt to provide basic background information in an evenhanded way and allow you, the reader, to become more familiar with an increasingly important issue. [Read more]

1. What is avian influenza "bird flu"?
   Bird flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and some strains can make domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them. More information on human and avian influenza is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
   
   The current bird flu virus that is causing concern around the world is a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strain called H5N1 HPAI (also known as the Asian bird flu virus) that causes severe bird flu. HPAI is a form of bird flu that can spread rapidly in flocks causing high mortality in the affected birds. It is important to note that most strains of bird flu are considered to be a low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) and typically cause little or no clinical illness in infected birds. The LPAI strains in domestic poultry pose little health risk to humans at this time.
   
   
2. Can people get bird flu directly from infected birds?
   Yes, although it is a rare occurrence, people have become infected with the Asian bird flu and other bird flu viruses directly from birds. Most human infections have occurred after people had extensive exposure to infected chickens, ducks, turkeys or their environment. Generally, infections with bird flu have resulted only in a mild eye inflammation (conjunctivitis). However, many people in Asia who were infected with the current Asian bird flu strain developed typical influenza symptoms of fever, cough, muscle aches, and headache and the illnesses were fatal in a high proportion of reported Asian bird flu cases. Since 2003, there have been more than 100 cases of human infections in Asia due to infection with the Asian bird flu virus. There has been very limited spread of infection from person to person, but a few cases have occurred among healthcare providers and family members.
   
   
3. Why is there so much concern about the Asian bird flu?
   The Asian bird flu virus causes severe disease in domestic chickens, ducks, and turkeys, which results in high levels of viral contamination of the birds and their environment. As the Asian bird flu virus persists and spreads geographically, more people are exposed to it. Each human infection poses a risk that the Asian bird flu virus will adapt into a new strain of flu virus that is highly infectious for humans. Such an event could lead to a severe, worldwide outbreak known as an influenza pandemic. People would not be immune to this new strain of the flu virus, so many exposed people would become ill. The Federal government is taking steps to protect the public health in the event of an influenza pandemic, including fostering the development of vaccines and treatments.
   
   
4. Have there been reports of Asian bird flu-infected birds in the United States?
   At this time, there have been no reports of Asian bird flu strains circulating in wild or domestic birds in the United States. The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is collaborating with the U.S. Department of Interior to develop sampling plans to look for Asian bird flu virus in migratory birds in the Unites States. It is possible that infected migratory birds will be identified; however, exposure to the virus in migratory birds rarely causes human infections.

There are at least 15 different types of breast cancer, each classified according to where it develops, how far it has spread and the appearance of the cancer cells. Even though breast cancer is the number two leading cause of cancer deaths among women, more women develop breast cancer than any other type of cancer.

Articles:
Preventing cancer - what's a woman to do? By Dr. Sandra Brooks.

Resources:
American Cancer Society
(800)ACS-2345

National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations (NABCO)
9 East 37th Street, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10016

National Cancer Institute
Cancer Information Service
(800) 4-CANCER

Although the nutrition and activity guidelines are intended to reduce overall cancer risk, certain dietary and physical activity habits affect the risk for developing specific types of cancer. This section summarizes the relation of diet and physical activity factors to the common cancers in the United States.

Bladder cancer
The major risk factors for bladder cancer are tobacco smoking and exposure to certain industrial chemicals. However, drinking more fluids and eating more vegetables may lower the risk of bladder cancer.

Brain cancer
There are no known nutritional risk factors for brain cancer.

Breast cancer
The risk of breast cancer is increased by several factors that cannot be easily changed:

• Having your first period before age 12
• Not having children or having your first birth after age 30
• Late age at menopause
• Family history of breast cancer

Other factors that increase risk, however, can be changed by:

• Limiting the use of hormones (hormone replacement therapy)
• Reducing alcohol consumption
• Breast feeding
• Avoiding obesity
• Being physically active

Some studies also suggest that diets high in vegetables and fruits decrease the risk for breast cancer, although this evidence is much weaker than for other cancer sites. Alcohol increases risk to some extent, however, and exercising longer and harder may be linked to a reduced risk of breast cancer.

The best advice to reduce the risk of breast cancer is to:

• Engage in vigorous physical activity at least 4 hours a week
• Avoid or limit your intake of alcohol to no more than one drink per day
• Reduce lifetime weight gain through the combination of limiting your calories and exercising regularly

Colorectal cancer
The risk of colorectal cancer is higher for those with a family history of colorectal cancer. In addition to diet and physical activity, several other factors are linked to this cancer. Risk is increased by tobacco use and may be decreased by use of aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and, possibly, by hormone replacement therapy. Currently, however, neither aspirin-like drugs nor postmenopausal hormones are recommended to prevent colorectal cancer because of their potential side effects.

Some studies show a lower risk of colon cancer among those who are moderately active on a regular basis, and more vigorous activity may even further reduce the risk of colon cancer. Being inactive is linked more to an increased risk of cancer of the colon than cancer of the rectum. Diets high in vegetables and fruit may lower the risk and diets high in red meat may increase the risk of colon cancer. Some evidence shows that folic acid supplements may reduce the risk of colon cancer.

The best advice to reduce the risk of colon cancer is to:

• Increase your physical activity
• Eat more vegetables and fruit
• Limit intake of red meats
• Avoid obesity
• Avoid excess alcohol

In addition, it is very important to follow the ACS guidelines for regular colorectal screening because finding and removing polyps in the colon can prevent colorectal cancer.

Endometrial cancer
Studies of endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus) show that obesity and use of hormonal replacement therapy after menopause increase risk. The link to weight is thought to result from the increase in estrogen levels that occurs among postmenopausal women who are overweight.

The best advice to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer is to maintain a healthful weight through diet and regular physical activity.

Kidney cancer
Kidney cancer risk is increased among those who are overweight. The reason for this is unknown. The best nutritional advice to lower risk for kidney cancer is to avoid becoming overweight.

Leukemias and Lymphomas
There are no known nutritional risk factors for leukemias or lymphomas.

Lung cancer
More than 85 percent of lung cancers result from tobacco smoking. Many studies have shown that the risk of lung cancer is lower among both smokers and nonsmokers who consume at least five servings of vegetables and fruits a day. Although healthful eating may reduce the risk of lung cancer, the risks from tobacco smoking, chewing tobacco and snuff remain substantial. Using high doses of beta-carotene and/or vitamin A has increased (not decreased) lung cancer risk among smokers.

The best advice to reduce the risk of lung cancer is to avoid tobacco use or exposure and to eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruits every day.

Oral and esophageal cancers
Tobacco (including cigarettes, chewing tobacco and snuff) and alcohol, alone and especially when used together, increase the risk for cancers of the mouth and esophagus. Obesity increases the risk for cancer occurring in the lower esophagus and at the junction of the esophagus and stomach; this is likely due to the increased acid reflux, in which stomach acid flows up into the esophagus. Eating recommended amounts of vegetables and fruit probably reduces the risk of oral and esophageal cancers.

The best advice to reduce the risk of oral and esophageal cancers is to:

• Avoid all forms of tobacco
• Restrict alcohol consumption
• Avoid obesity
• Eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruits each day

Ovarian cancer
There are no firmly established nutritional risk factors for ovarian cancer, although fruits and vegetables in the diet may lower risk.

Pancreatic cancer
Tobacco smoking, adult-onset diabetes, and impaired glucose tolerance increase the risk for pancreatic cancer. Some studies have also associated obesity and physical inactivity (both factors strongly linked to abnormal glucose metabolism) with increased pancreatic cancer risk. A diet including fruit and vegetable is associated with a reduced risk.

The best advice to reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer is to:

• Avoid tobacco use
• Maintain a healthful weight
• Remain physically active
• Eat five or more servings of vegetables and fruits each day

Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is clearly related to male sex hormones, but just how nutritional factors might increase risk remains uncertain. Several studies have found that eating large amounts of red meats and dairy products is associated with increased risk of prostate cancer. In addition, a high-calcium intake, primarily through supplements, has been linked to an increased risk for more aggressive types of prostate cancer. Other studies suggest that diets high in certain vegetables (including tomatoes, beans and other legumes) may be associated with decreased risk. The evidence for these associations is limited, however. The possibility that specific nutrients in foods, notably vitamin E, selenium and lycopene, may protect against prostate cancer is being investigated.

For now, the best advice to reduce the risk of prostate cancer is to:

• Limit intake of animal products, especially red meat and high-fat dairy products
• Eat five or more servings of vegetables and fruits each day

Stomach cancer
The rates of stomach cancer are decreasing as a result of the reduced prevalence of chronic stomach infections by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Year-round consumption of fresh foods made possible by refrigeration and other improvements in food preservation methods also have likely helped to reduce the rates.

At this time, the best advice to reduce the risk of stomach cancer is to eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruits daily.

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the lipids (fats) in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. It is normal to have cholesterol. It's an important part of a healthy body because it's used to form cell membranes, some hormones and other needed tissues. But too high a level of cholesterol in the blood is a major risk for coronary heart disease, which leads to heart attack. The two principal lipoproteins are high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), sometimes called good cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), sometimes call bad cholesterol.

Resources:

American Heart Association — Cholesterol

Cholesterol Tracker Chart — American Heart Association

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily activities. There are two types of diabetes: Type 1, or insulin-dependent diabetes, is when the body does not produce any insulin, most often occurring in children and young adults; Type II diabetes is the body's inability to make enough, or properly use insulin, occurring in older adults; and gestational diabetes, it occurs during pregnancy and disappears following delivery, it is more common in women over 25 years of age.

Diabetes often has no symptoms. When they do occur, symptoms include:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Weight loss
• Blurry vision
• Increased fatigue
• Irritability

Resources:

Health Risk Assessment: American Diabetes Association

American Diabetes Association
1701 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311
(800) DIABETES (1-800-342-2383)

National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases

Depression, characterized by intense feelings of sadness, frustration, helplessness and despair, is a clinical disorder requiring intervention and treatment. It is a common condition that affects many Americans each year, and twice as many women as men are likely to be diagnosed. Women may experience depression as a result of hormonal shifts during pregnancy, after delivery of a child and during menopause.

Seasonal depression
The expectation that holidays are joyful times with families gathered round the Christmas tree is imbedded in our culture and tradition; however, for some individuals feeling less than joyful causes them to feel even more out of step with others and can compound feelings of depression. If you know you are not quite getting into the “spirit” of the season, here are some coping strategies that may be helpful.

Resources:

Online Depression Screening Test

National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663 U.S.A.
Voice (301) 443-4513; Fax (301) 443-4279

4therapy.com NETWORK - Depression
13223 Ventura Blvd., Suite E
Studio City, CA 91604
Telephone: (888) 4therapy
Fax: (818) 380-0142

Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge-eating disorder, are the result of many psychological, biological and sociological factors. Eating disorders are complex issues that need to be addressed through professional help, including medical and psychological treatment and lots of support.

Basic principles for the prevention of eating disorders

1. Eating disorders are serious and complex problems. We need to be careful to avoid thinking of them in simplistic terms, like "anorexia is just a plea for attention" or "bulimia is just an addiction to food." Eating disorders arise from a variety of physical, emotional, social and familial issues, all of which need to be addressed for effective prevention and treatment.
2. Eating disorders are not just a "woman`s problem" or "something for the girls." Males who are preoccupied with shape and weight can also develop eating disorders as well as dangerous shape control practices like steroid use. In addition, males play an important role in prevention. The objectification and other forms of mistreatment of women by others contribute directly to two underlying features of an eating disorder: obsession with appearance and shame about one`s body.
3. Prevention efforts will fail, or worse, inadvertently encourage disordered eating, if they concentrate solely on warning the public about the signs, symptoms and dangers of eating disorders. Effective prevention programs must also address:
   • Our cultural obsession with slenderness as a physical, psychological and moral issue.
   • The roles of men and women in our society.
   • The development of people`s self-esteem and self-respect in a variety of areas (school, work, community service, hobbies) that transcend physical appearance.
4. Whenever possible, prevention programs for schools, community organizations, etc., should be coordinated with opportunities for participants to speak confidentially with a trained professional with expertise in the field of eating disorders and, when appropriate, receive referrals to sources of competent, specialized care.

From National Eating Disorders Association

Resources:

Eating Disorder Assessment
4therapy.com NETWORK
13223 Ventura Blvd.
Suite E
Studio City, CA 91604
Telephone: (888) 4therapy
Fax: (818) 380-0142

National Eating Disorders Association at
603 Stewart St., Suite 803, Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 382-3587

National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663 U.S.A.
Voice (301) 443-4513; Fax (301) 443-4279

Adopt a physically active lifestyle—from the American Cancer Society

Adults: Engage in at least moderate activity for 30 minutes or more on five or more days of the week; 45 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous activity on five or more days per week may further reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer.

Children and adolescents: Engage in at least 60 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for at least five days per week.

Examples of moderate and vigorous physical activities

Helpful ways to be more active

• Use stairs rather than an elevator
• If you can, walk or bike to your destination
• Exercise at lunch with your workmates, family or friends
• Take a 10-minute exercise break at work to stretch or take a quick walk
• Walk to visit co-workers instead of sending an email
• Go dancing with your spouse or friends
• Plan active vacations rather than only driving trips
• Wear a pedometer every day and watch your daily steps increase
• Join a sports team
• Use a stationary bicycle while watching TV
• Plan your exercise routine to gradually increase the days per week and minutes per session

Maintain a healthful weight throughout life.

Balance caloric intake with physical activity.

Lose weight if currently overweight or obese.

Being overweight or obese is associated with an increased risk of developing several types of cancer:

• Breast (among postmenopausal women)
• Colon
• Endometrium
• Esophagus
• Gallbladder
• Pancreas
• Kidney

Resources:

American Cancer Society

Grief and loss

Experiencing loss and the emotions that accompany loss are an essential part of the normal process of acknowledging the death of a loved one and starting to rebuild a life without that person. Grieving that loss is an individual process. This resource is designed to answer basic questions about the process of grieving and to provide comfort to those who have lost someone dear to them. It may also be helpful to someone who is supporting someone who is grieving, providing insight into that very unique and human process. [Read more]

Heat stress/heat stroke

Congregations can make a significant difference in identifying and protecting people who are most vulnerable to heat related emergencies. Excessive heat — temperatures ranging 10 or more degrees above the typical seasonal high — is dangerous.  During an average summer more than 100 people die each week from heat events. In Chicago, during a single week in 1995, the lives of more than 700 people, most of whom were over age 65, were lost. [Read more]

Cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death for both men and women, refers to any of a number of conditions that damage the heart or the arteries that carry blood to and from the heart. If the coronary arteries (the large blood vessels that carry blood to and from the heart) become diseased or blocked, a heart attack may result. Heart attack symptoms can differ between men and women.

Resources:

February - Women’s Heart Awareness Month Go Red for Women

American Heart Association

American Heart Association - A message for women - Heart disease and HRT (hormone replacement therapy)

Cardiovascular risks for African American Women

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the organism that causes the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS applies to the most advance stages of HIV infection where those affected are more susceptible to infections that generally do not affect healthy people. In people with AIDS, these infections are often severe and sometimes fatal because the immune system is so ravaged by HIV that the body cannot fight off certain bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and other microbes.
[ More HIV/AIDS information ]

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is typically a mild and controllable illness that affects the liver. Learn more about the Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E virus and how to prevent contracting it.
[ More about Hepatitis ]

Hypertension (medical term for high blood pressure)

New guidelines for hypertension prevention and management were recently released in "The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure." The following are the key messages individuals need in order to understand and closely monitor their blood pressure values. The report calls for physicians and public health officials to intensify their efforts to detect and treat high blood pressure, because the incidence of hypertension-related deaths has stopped declining, and fewer than 30 percent of hypertensive patients have their blood pressure under control. The JNC VI report outlines the current standard of care for treating hypertension.

Key Points

• Some 45 million Americans with blood pressure levels once considered normal or borderline actually have "prehypertension," say new government guidelines that urge them to exercise, avoid salt and make other changes to stave off full-blown high blood pressure. It's a major change that affects people with blood pressure as low as 120 over 80 - once thought to be a good level but now considered not good enough.
• Scientists now say that damage to arteries from the pressure of blood pounding through them begins to increase at levels as low as 115 over 75. Even a small jump from that low to 130 over 85, a level previously considered in the normal range, means a doubling of the risk of later death from heart disease, say the guidelines by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
• There is new emphasis on at least delaying the gradual rise in blood pressure that so many Americans see with age. Still, the report promises to be a shock for people told for years their blood pressure was healthy, only to learn they're now considered "prehypertensive" unless their level is below 120 over 80.
• Persons with the highest cardiovascular risk—those with diabetes, heart failure, or renal failure—should begin treatment with both lifestyle modifications and antihypertensive drugs, even if their blood pressure is in the high-normal range of 130-139/85-89 mm Hg. In these patients, the goal blood pressure is 130/85 mm Hg or lower, whereas the goal in persons without these risk factors is 140/90 mm Hg or lower.
• About 50 million U.S. adults have hypertension. Untreated hypertension can damage the kidneys and lead to stroke, heart attack, and heart failure. Heart disease and stroke are the first and third leading causes of death, respectively, in the United States.
• Hypertension is defined as systolic blood pressure averages of 140 mm Hg or greater and/or diastolic blood pressure averages of 90 mm Hg or greater. The systolic pressure is the pressure of blood in the vessels when the heart contracts. Diastolic pressure is the pressure of the blood between heartbeats when the heart is at rest.

For additional information please go to the following links.

• American College of Cardiology
• Journal of the American Medical Association
• Federal hypertension info

Health considerations for Katrina relief workers
Pam Evans, RN MSN

Pam Evans, is a Parish Nurse at 1st Presbyterian in Derby, Kansas.

Much help is still needed in the areas of the country hard hit by Hurricane Katrina last year. Many churches are sending volunteer work teams composed of adults and youth. However, volunteers who do not adequately prepare may find their ability help decreased and if they become ill while volunteering could add to the strain on the existing systems. The following considerations should be important aspects of your planning if you are intending to go and work. [Read more]

Menopause is the end of menstruation, usually confirmed when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. It happens when the ovaries stop releasing eggs due to the ultimate decline in the ovarian hormones of estrogen and progesterone.

Peri-menopause is the gradual period of change leading into menopause. During peri-menopause, the ovaries produce increasingly less estrogen and ovulation can become infrequent. Hormones fluctuate, causing irregular periods and physical and emotional changes.

One way to offset these effects is through hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Learn more about HRT and alternative therapies, the benefits and risks associated with HRT and where to find more information.

Resources:

MEDLINEplus Health Information
8600 Rockville Pike,
Bethesda, MD 20894

Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.
(800) 230-PLAN — For the Planned Parenthood nearest you

The North American Menopause Society
Post Office Box 94527
Cleveland, OH 44101, USA
Telephone: (440) 442-7550
Fax: (440) 442-2660

Nutrition (from the American Cancer Society)

Eat a variety of healthful foods, with an emphasis on plant sources.

• Eat five or more servings of a variety of vegetables and fruits each day
• Include vegetables and fruits at every meal and for snacks
• Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits
• Limit French fries, snack chips and other fried vegetable products
• Choose 100% juice if you drink fruit or vegetable juices
• Choose whole grains in preference to processed (refined) grains and sugars
• Choose whole grain rice, bread, pasta, and cereals
• Limit consumption of refined carbohydrates, including pastries, sweetened cereals, soft drinks and sugars
• Limit consumption of red meats, especially those high in fat and processed
• Choose fish, poultry, or beans as an alternative to beef, pork and lamb
• When you eat meat, select lean cuts and smaller portions
• Prepare meat by baking, broiling, or poaching, rather than by frying or char broiling
• Choose foods that help maintain a healthful weight
• When you eat away from home, choose food low in fat, calories, and sugar and avoid large portions
• Eat smaller portions of high-calorie foods. Be aware that "low fat" or "fat free" does not mean "low calorie" and that low-fat cakes, cookies, and similar foods are often high in calories
• Substitute vegetables, fruits, and other low-calorie foods for calorie-dense foods such as French fries, cheeseburgers, pizza, ice cream, doughnuts and other sweets

Weight management

Dieting is a huge industry in the United States. Between the pills that will take care of our excessive appetites, the diets that either eliminate of one food group or another, or the diets that propose eating only from one food group, confusion reigns! 

One way of determining your optimal weight is by using the Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI describes relative weight for height. One is considered overweight if the BMI is between 25 and 29.9, and obese if the MBI is 30 or more. According to data collected as part of Healthy People 2010, approximately 108 million adults in the US — 58 percent — are overweight or obese.  Go to the Partnership for Healthy Weight Management Web site for an easy calculator and a BMI chart to see how your BMI measures up (or to find the ideal weight for your height — as opposed to the ideal height for your weight.)

In an attempt to provide sound advice, the United States Department of Agriculture has developed a new version of the food pyramid that is familiar to many of us. This pyramid is more individualized and offers individualized planning and tracking online.

The most important way to control one’s diet is to be aware of what one is eating. This awareness extends to the labels on the foods. To be certain that you are not taking in calories or nutrients you do not need, or missing nutrients you do need — read!

To summarize:

About fats

• Consume less than 10 percent of calories from saturated fatty acids and less than 300 mg/day of cholesterol and keep trans fatty acid consumption at zero or as low as possible.
• Keep total fat intake between 20 to 35 percent of calories, with most fats coming from sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids such as fish, nuts and vegetable oils.
• When selecting and preparing meat, poultry, dry beans and milk or milk products, make choices that are lean, low fat or fat-free.
• Limit intake of fats and oils high in saturated and/or trans fatty acids, and choose products low in such fats and oils, such as vegetable oils. Use Olive oil whenever possible as it has added benefits.

About carbohydrates

• Choose fiber-rich fruits and vegetables. If you choose carbs, select whole grains and brown rice rather than the simple carbs that are metabolized very quickly by your body. Choose and prepare foods and beverages with little added sugars or caloric sweeteners, such as amounts suggested by the USDA Food Guide and the DASH Eating Plan.
• Reduce the incidence of dental caries by practicing good oral hygiene and consuming sugar- and starch-containing foods and beverages less frequently. 

About sodium and potassium

• Consume less than 2,300 mg (approximately 1 tsp of salt) of sodium per day. If you eat foods that might be likely to contain MSG or other flavorings, remember these too are high in sodium. When cooking, select flavoring marked “powder” rather than “salt” to enhance flavor without adding sodium.
• If you must buy canned products, select those marked “No Salt.” Watch prepared products.
• Choose and prepare foods with little salt. At the same time, consume potassium-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables.
• Remember your nutritional guidelines when eating out. If you are curious about what is in a food, ask. 
• Read the complete dietary guidelines. 

Resources:

American Caner Society
Nutrition and Activity Assessment/Quiz

American Dietetic Association
216 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60606
(800) 366-1655

USDA Food Guide Pyramid

Osteoporosis is a bone-weakening disorder resulting in bone mineral loss and increased risk of skeletal frailty and fracturing. Even though osteoporosis is thought of as a disease of old age, young women, especially highly trained female athletes with amenorrhea and those suffering from anorexia and bulimia nervosa are at increased risk.

Resources:

National Osteoporosis Foundation
1232 22nd Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037-1292
(202) 223.2226

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral intercourse. Some can be spread through kissing and touching. There are more than 30 types of viral and bacterial STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital warts, genital herpes, human papilloma virus (HPV), hepatitis B and C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Some are treatable and some are curable. Many women don't have symptoms until serious and permanent damage has occurred.

Resources:

American Social Health Association
P.O. Box 13827
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

American Social Health Association
Teen Sexual Health

CDC National STD and AIDS Hotlines
(800) 342-2437 or (800) 227-8922 — English
(800) 344-7432 — en español
(800) 243-7889 — TTY (Deaf access)
std-hivnet@ashastd.org

The Female Health Company
Female Condom

National Herpes Hotline
(919) 361-8488

Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.

Stress is the body's response to demands. A stressor is the demand itself. Such demands can include everyday life events such as getting up, going to work or school, being at work or school, rushing home to fix dinner, meeting deadlines, spending time with the family, being sick, being a single parent, being in an unhappy relationship, and trying to juggle work, family and social commitments.

The feeling of stress refers to the physical response the body mounts to a perceived threat, whether the threat is real or imagined, physical or psychological. Negative stress can cause a number of physical and mental health problems. Stress has long been associated with heart disease and types of depression and anxiety disorders. While the symptoms of stress may be treated as they appear, it is necessary to deal with the origins of stress through such things as relaxation techniques and lifestyles changes.

Resources:

Stress Management

4therapy.com NETWORK
13223 Ventura Blvd., Suite E
Studio City, CA 91604
Telephone: (888) 4therapy
Fax: (818) 380-0142

West Nile virus

Learn about the West Nile virus at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Get up-to-date government statistics, complete information on risks, symptoms and prevention measures, as well as suggestions for how congregations can help members deal with the national health crisis.