Have you tested your home for radon yet? If not, now is the time to do it.

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Radon is an odorless, tasteless gas that has been found in 40 percent of the homes in Idaho that have been tested. It’s the leading cause of lung cancer for nonsmokers, and the only way to know it’s in your home is to test for it. The dangerous gas causes more than 21,000 deaths a year in the United States, and it’s a very serious health issue in Idaho

How does radon get into homes?

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium. It seeps from soil into homes and buildings through crawl spaces, and cracks and openings in foundations. It tends to build up the most in winter, when people have their homes closed up tight against the cold. That’s why now it’s a good time to test for it in the lowest level of your home where you spend time. Continue reading “Have you tested your home for radon yet? If not, now is the time to do it.” →

Screenings and HPV vaccine are best ways to prevent cervical cancer

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Women who are thinking about their goals for the new year should start the year off right by getting screened for cervical cancer, especially if it’s been awhile since your last screening, or you’ve never had it done. Getting screened regularly for cervical cancer is important for all women because that is the most effective way to find the disease early so it can be treated. It is highly treatable when it is found early enough, but in order to find it, women have to get screened.

Who does cervical cancer affect?

Cervical cancer most often affects women over the age of 30. Almost 13,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer this year in the United States and more than 4,000 women will die from the disease. In Idaho in 2015, an estimated 45 women were diagnosed and 17 women died from cervical cancer.

Who is most at risk?

Almost all cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. HPV is a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sex. Those who become sexually active at an early age or who have several sexual partners are at a greater risk, but anyone who has ever had sex is at risk for HPV. Not getting screened or being HIV positive increases a woman’s risk for cervical cancer, and smoking doubles it.  Continue reading “Screenings and HPV vaccine are best ways to prevent cervical cancer” →

High radon levels can put your health at risk

On By idhwmediaIn Public Health2 Comments

Nearly 40 percent of Idaho homes that have been tested for radon showed unsafe levels. Radon is a problem in Idaho and high levels have been found in every county. Long term exposure to high levels of radon can increase your risk of developing lung cancer. The good news is radon problems can be fixed with mitigation.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell or taste. Radon rises up from the soil and invades homes and buildings through crawlspaces, foundation cracks and openings. When radon gets trapped indoors it can reach harmful levels. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, with the Environmental Protection Agency estimating that radon causes 21,000 deaths in the United States each year. Continue reading “High radon levels can put your health at risk” →

Make your 2017 goals simple, realistic

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It’s almost the new year. It’s time to put cap on 2016 and look ahead to what you’d like to accomplish in 2017. But New Year’s resolutions can seem daunting. They’re often huge goals that might not be clearly defined. Tackling a large goal all at once is overwhelming, which is probably why resolutions have such a bad reputation. If you really want to change something in your life, like your health, you should start with one simple thing and focus on that. Small victories will build momentum toward your larger, long-term goal.

You mean goals like exercising more, or eating healthy foods more often?

Those are good ideas, but for change to happen, you should be more specific. For instance, set a goal to walk for 10 minutes a day. If you do that every day for a week, you will have walked for an hour and 10 minutes. Slowly increase your daily time until you’re walking for 30 minutes a day, and you’ll easily surpass the recommended 2.5 hours of physical activity a week.  Continue reading “Make your 2017 goals simple, realistic” →

Southern Idaho man has died from a flu-related illness

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A southern Idaho man over the age of 50 has died from an influenza-related illness. This is Idaho’s first influenza-associated death of the season, and a reminder that the influenza season is here. Last flu season, 26 people were reported to have died from flu-related illnesses in Idaho.

“We’d like to express our condolences to the family of the man who died,” says Dr. Leslie Tengelsen, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s State Influenza Surveillance coordinator. “This underscores the idea that influenza is in our communities, as well as how important it is for all of us to take precautions to avoid influenza infections, which can be serious for even otherwise healthy people. Now is the time to visit your health care provider, local public health district, or pharmacy to get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated today will help protect you and your family over the holidays and for the rest of the influenza season.”

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that infects 5 to 20 percent of the population every year. Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and sometimes a cough and sore throat. Most people who get influenza recover after a few days, but some people may develop serious complications and even die. Every year, the flu contributes to an estimated 36,000 deaths in the United States, along with more than 200,000 hospitalizations.  Continue reading “Southern Idaho man has died from a flu-related illness” →

Managing your diet during the holidays? We’ve got some tips for you.

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The holidays are tough for anyone who tries to eat a healthy diet, but it’s an especially difficult time for families living with diabetes. Tempting holiday treats show up at work, at school, and at home, as well as at parties. We also seem to eat out much more often at this time of year. But if you plan ahead, it’s possible to stick to your eating plan during holiday gatherings with family and friends.

How many Idahoans are dealing with diabetes?

7.6 percent of adults in Idaho had a diagnosis of diabetes in 2014, which is actually down from 2013, when 8.4 percent had received a diabetes diagnosis. So that’s great news! But it’s still the 6th overall leading cause of death in our state.

So if you’re going to a holiday party, are there some strategies you can use beforehand to stay on track?

These tips work well for everyone who is watching what they eat, including people who do not have diabetes. Before a party, plan ahead by checking with the host to see what food will be served. Eat a healthy snack before you go so you don’t overeat while you’re there. You can also make a nutritious dish to take so you know there will be at least one that will be relatively healthy. And throughout the holiday season, drink plenty of water and stick to your daily exercise plan. Even though you’re busy with holiday festivities and preparations, you should aim for about 2.5 hours of physical activity a week.  Continue reading “Managing your diet during the holidays? We’ve got some tips for you.” →

How to keep your party guests healthy over the holidays

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Holiday parties will offer a tempting array of goodies this winter, but it’s important to remember the basic food safety rules, both as a guest and as a host. Nearly 1 in 6 Americans (or about 48 million) get sick each year from contaminated food, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reducing that number by just 10 percent would keep nearly 5 million people from getting sick each year.

What is the most common cause of food poisoning?

There are more than 250 agents that can cause foodborne disease including viruses, bacteria, parasites, toxins, and foreign objects. Norovirus is the most common virus to cause food poisoning, while Salmonella is the most common and deadliest bacterial cause. E. coli, campylobacter, shigella, and listeria are also fairly common causes.

Continue reading “How to keep your party guests healthy over the holidays” →

Wash Your Hands: Clean Hands Save Lives

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As cold and flu viruses start to make the rounds, it’s a good time to be reminded about how important it is to do something very simple for your health: Wash your hands, and wash them often. It’s really the very best thing you can do (besides getting your immunizations) to avoid getting sick or spreading germs to others.

This seems like a simple concept, but let’s start with the basics anyway. When should you wash your hands?

After using the toilet is No. 1, but you also should wash your hands before, during and after preparing food, before you eat anything, before and after caring for someone who is sick, after changing a diaper, after holding or petting an animal, and after blowing your nose or coughing or sneezing into your hands. Any time you’ve been outside your home and you’ve touched money, or stair railings or elevator buttons – anything that lots of other people have touched – it’s a good idea to wash your hands.  Continue reading “Wash Your Hands: Clean Hands Save Lives” →

Alzheimer’s disease is not part of the normal process of aging, and it affects millions

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We all hear jokes about “senior moments” or walking into a room and then promptly forgetting why. But Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is not the normal process of aging and really is nothing to laugh about. Alzheimer’s is a serious disease that is the 7th leading cause of death in Idaho and the 6th leading cause of death nationally. It affects millions of Americans and their families.

Tell us what Alzheimer’s actually is. It’s more than just memory loss, right?

That’s right. It is a progressive disease that starts with mild memory loss that could lead to a person not knowing how to speak or how to carry out their daily activities. It involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language. Scientists are learning more every day, but they still don’t know what causes it. Continue reading “Alzheimer’s disease is not part of the normal process of aging, and it affects millions” →