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Change the channel: TV a bad dietary influence Want a diet that's sure to clog arteries and lead to high blood pressure? Of course not, but if you look to your TV for inspiration, that's exactly what you'll get. In fact, if you let TV ads be your nutrition guide, you would get 25 times the daily recommended servings of sugar and 20 times the recommended servings of fat—but less than half the recommended servings of fruit, vegetables and dairy a day. That’s according to a study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Researchers looked at what would happen if you ate 2,000 calories worth of food that is advertised on TV. Then they examined ads shown during 84 hours of prime-time programming and 12 hours of Saturday morning broadcasts during one month. The ads featured products heavy on saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, while light on fiber, potassium, calcium and vitamins A, E and D. So be kind to your heart: Don't let a clever ad influence your shopping list! After menopause: Gotta go? Is it your imagination or has your ability to control your bladder diminished since you went through “the change?” No, it's not all in your head. With the onset of menopause comes the end of the production of estrogen, the hormone that helped control menstruation and bodily changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Some experts believe that estrogen also keeps the lining of the bladder and urethra in tip-top shape. Without estrogen, the muscles that control the bladder weaken. So, what can you do to get back in control? The first step is to talk with your physician. Incontinence comes in different forms (stress, urge), and different treatments, such as avoiding alcohol and acidic foods and doing Kegel pelvic floor exercises, can improve your quality of life. Your bladder problems may not be entirely chalked up to menopause either. Infections, diabetes-related nerve damage and heart problems are just some of the conditions that can cause leaking. Good cholesterol may be your cancer ally You've heard that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the good kind and that, in higher levels, it protects your heart. Now, researchers think it may lower your risk of cancer, too. Reviewing 24 randomized controlled studies, researchers found that a 10 milligram per liter increase in HDL is associated with a 36 percent lower cancer risk for an average of four-and-a-half years of follow-up—independent of cancer risk factors such as smoking and obesity. Authors of the study, which appears in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, point out that the results do not prove that HDL cholesterol actually lowers cancer risk. But the fact is that HDL has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and may help the immune system attack cancerous or precancerous cells. While the jury may be out on the matter, treat your body right by raising your HDL cholesterol levels: Exercise regularly, eat well, don’t smoke and drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Pain relievers: Handle with caution Do you turn to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, to help knock out headaches or other minor pains? Danish researchers warn that even people who have no cardiovascular problems may increase their risk of dying from a heart ailment by taking these medications. Analyzing the health records of more than 1 million Danes with an average age of 39, researchers discovered that: People taking ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) increased their risk of stroke by 29 percent compared to those not taking NSAIDs. People using diclofenac (Voltaren and Cataflam) had a 91 percent increased risk of death from all cardiovascular diseases. In large doses, diclofenac doubled the heart attack risk, and rofecoxib (Vioxx) led to a threefold increased risk of a heart attack. Taking naproxen (Aleve) actually slightly lowered the risk of death from cardiovascular problems.    NSAIDS raise blood pressure and have an artery-blocking effect, which can help explain the increased risks. Although the overall risk for healthy people was small, the best advice is to talk with your physician before taking any medication regularly and consider alternative medications or dosages for your pain. Check out McCullough-Hyde's hospital happenings! McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital has a new, updated Web site. Check out our work in progress at www.mhmh.org. Visit McCullough-Hyde's at www.mhmh.org and click on "Calendar" for a complete event listing, including our monthly Lunch & Learn series. McCullough-Hyde offers vascular ultrasound screenings Monday through Friday. Vascular ultrasound screenings could help you avoid possible stroke, heart disease or death. Call 513-524-5400 to schedule your appointment. A physician's order is not required, and test results are sent to you and your physician. Cost for all three ultrasounds (abdominal, carotid and legs) is $75. Read Hot Health Topics on McCullough-Hyde’s Web page and click on HealthWise.
	McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital 110 N. POPLAR ST. / OXFORD, OH 45056 / 513-523-2111 / www.mhmh.org Community Health is designed to provide general health news and wellness information. This information is not designed to, nor should it, be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or nutrition or exercise program.
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