Soul Pitt’s Healthy You! Health and Wellness Resources in Pittsburgh

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– Medical expert Dr. Ken Taylor explains the health priorities that should be on everyone’s New Year’s Resolutions list this year. –

While many Americans are focusing on the most popular health resolutions – to lose weight, eat better, exercise more or quit smoking – far too many will overlook three commonly ignored but critically important health priorities. OBGYN and women’s health expert Dr. Ken Taylor says explains why three commonly ignored health issues deserve top billing for health resolutions in 2012.

1) Focus on your digestive health. Millions of Americans suffer daily from common digestive problems such as heartburn, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, reflux and other gut conditions that would make Clint Eastwood blush. What’s worse: many people don’t even know their digestive health is suffering or don’t understand how it affects their overall health – from allergies, acne and chronic fatigue to arthritis, autoimmune diseases, cancer and more. [Read More] »

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Dr. Nancy J. Williams (also known as just Dr. Nancy), holistic healing doctor & CEO/Visionary of First Fruit Natural Healing Home, had a fear of heights, so she tackled that fear head-on by jumping out of a plane. “Initially it’s one of the most fearful and terrifying feelings you can have, hanging off the wing of a plane and then your instructor instructs you to let go,” she explains. “But once your parachute opens and you are gliding, you feel a peace and internal stillness come over you.”

That wasn’t the first time Nancy faced down her fears and took a leap of faith. She worked for nearly 20 years as an air traffic controller, becoming the first African American female to be certified at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Although she was earning six figures, Nancy walked away from her corporate job to follow her path of divine purpose.

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By: Jude A. Lauffer, BSEd., RN, BC, Gateway Health Plan^®

How many times have you heard those words? Do you know what a “touch of sugar” means? Your life or the life of someone you know may depend on knowing that answer.

Diabetes is quickly rising to the level of an epidemic and causes major complications when it is untreated or poorly managed. A lifestyle with limited or virtually no activity coupled with poor choices in diet are leading to obesity and increasing the risks for diabetes. Most people can name at least one individual they know with diabetes, but can you name the things that put people at risk?

Risk factors that cannot be changed are age and race. African American adults face a serious and disproportionate likelihood of developing diabetes. They are twice as likely as non-Hispanic white adults to have been diagnosed with diabetes by a physician.ⁱ

If you are African American, you already have a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. This list from the American Diabetes Association identifies other risk factors and notes the first four also pertain to children. The more risk factors you can check off, the higher your chance of developing diabetes; and, type 2 diabetes is rising steadily in the pediatric population.

• Certain racial and ethnic groups (e.g., Non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanic/Latino Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and American Indians and Alaska Natives)
• People with a family history of diabetes
• People who are overweight
• People who do not exercise regularly
• People over age 45
• People with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and/or impaired fasting glucose (IFG)
• People with low HDL cholesterol or high triglycerides, high blood pressure
• Women who had gestational diabetes, or who have had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth

Personal empowerment comes from the awareness of risk factors with emphasis placed on prevention. Personal empowerment also motivates family and friends. The first step to empowering you is to make a doctor visit for an annual physical and follow through with lab tests the doctor orders. The reason is: A Touch of Sugar. [Read More] »

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Blindness or low vision affects more than 3.3 million Americans aged 40 years and older. This number is predicted to double by the year 2030. The diabetes epidemic and our aging population will contribute to this increase, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

One of the leading causes of blindness and low vision is glaucoma. Prevent Blindness America reports that while glaucoma typically affects adults over the age of 40, African Americans or those of Afro-Caribbean descent are more likely to get glaucoma at a younger age. Individuals are also at risk if they:

…have a blood relative with glaucoma;

…have diabetes;

…have had an eye injury or eye surgery, even as a child;

…are very nearsighted;

…and/or have taken steroids for a long-term basis.
Symptoms of glaucoma can include the following:

• Loss of vision, particularly side vision
• Blurry or foggy vision
• Difficulty adjusting to dark rooms
• Rainbow-colored rings around lights

Glaucoma can be treated, and if detected early, you can protect your eyes against serious vision loss. “The most important thing you can do today is schedule an eye exam,” said Dr. Rhonda Johnson, medical director of health equity and quality services at Highmark. “If you have not had a dilated eye exam, now is the time. With this type of exam, where eye drops are given to allow for a closer look into the eye, your eye doctor can check for glaucoma and other eye diseases.” Encourage your family members, friends and loved ones also to get an eye exam.

“Get the most out of your eye doctor appointment,” Dr. Johnson adds. “Write down your questions before your appointment; tell your eye doctor about any medications you are taking and if you have diabetes or a family history of glaucoma. Ask your doctor to write down any medication instructions so they are clear and understandable when you get home.”

Here are some tips from the CDC for maintaining healthy eyes all year long:

Enjoy foods that benefit your eyes. Fruits and vegetables—particularly dark leafy greens, such as spinach, kale or collard greens—can help keep your eyes healthy. There are also eye health benefits from eating fish, such as salmon, tuna and halibut that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing diabetes and other conditions, which can lead to vision loss. Talk to your doctor about a weight-loss plan.

Wear protective eyewear. Wear appropriate safety glasses, goggles, safety shields or eye guards when playing sports, doing projects at home or at your worksite. And remember your sunglasses. Choose sunglasses that block out 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B radiation.

Don’t smoke. Smoking is just as bad for your eyes as it is for the rest of your body. Research has linked smoking to an increased risk of developing conditions such as optic nerve damage and cataracts.

Rest your eyes. If you spend a lot of time at the computer or focusing on any one thing, you may forget to blink, causing your eyes to tire faster. Try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds.

Clean your hands and your contact lenses properly. Always wash your hands thoroughly before putting in or taking out your contact lenses. Make sure to disinfect and replace contact lenses as instructed.

Dr. Johnson is the medical director of health equity and quality services at Highmark Inc. She leads Highmark’s efforts to reduce racial and ethnic health care disparities among Highmark members through clinical interventions and improvements in health literacy, language access and health plan cultural competency.

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The holiday season is here. What does this time of year mean to you?

Is it a time filled with family, friends and excitement, or do the holidays bring you stress, overeating, excess drinking of alcoholic beverages and too little physical activity? Unfortunately for many of us, it is a time of weight gain and stress.

While the few pounds the average American gains between Thanksgiving and the new year doesn’t sound all that bad, the truth is that most people don’t lose the weight.

“When you add up one to three pounds every year during the holidays, the net gain is simply excess weight gain,” said Rhonda Moore Johnson, M.D., medical director at Highmark Blue Shield. “Not only can this change your appearance and self-esteem, it increases the risk for heart disease, diabetes and even cancer.”

The key to managing your weight during the holidays is to make healthy food choices and to not overeat. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind this holiday season:

• Listen to your body. Stop eating when you are no longer hungry.
• Keep a food diary. Write down everything you eat – it will surprise you!
• Don’t snack on foods you don’t love. Instead, save room for your favorite holiday treats that you don’t get any other time of the year.
• Remember, smaller is better. Just taste and eat smaller portions of the foods you really like.
• Drink water. Try for six to eight glasses every day.
• Out of sight, out of mind. Avoid having tempting foods around you.
• Exercise most days of the week. Stay fit during the holiday season by being active. It will also help you beat some of the stress that often comes this time of the year.
• Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages. And, please, don’t drink and drive.

Feed your spirit, not just your body

• Find the true spirit of the holidays and share it with the people you love and care about.
• Reach out for support if you need it.
• Stay in the present. Try not to be consumed by things that happened in the past.
• Schedule “quiet time” to refresh your mind, body and spirit.
• Take in all of the free sights – drive through different neighborhoods to see the holiday lights.
• Volunteer. Helping those less fortunate will help to keep the value of the holidays in perspective.
• Read a new book or watch a movie, especially old favorites that will make you laugh.
• Keep your holiday “to do” list manageable.
• Get a good laugh. Humor helps – have fun!
• Smile and practice random acts of kindness. Give someone a big hug.

Dr. Johnson is the medical director of health equity and quality services at Highmark Inc. She leads Highmark’s efforts to reduce racial and ethnic health care disparities among Highmark members through clinical interventions and improvements in health literacy, language access and health plan cultural competency.

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The statistics are widely published. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that more than one half (54.3 percent) of Americans are obese, with black women comprising the most overweight segment of the U.S. population, followed by Hispanic women. The statistics indicate that 78 percent of us are overweight – that’s nearly four out of five black women – and 54 percent of us are obese. African-American women are suffering from obesity at an alarmingly disproportionate rate compared to women of other races.

There are a variety of reasons that black women gain more weight than other women. In my new book, Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out!, I dedicate an entire chapter on all the reasons black women gain weight and provide solutions that meet our unique needs. Never before has there been a weight loss book that focuses on the unique reasons that black women gain weight and provides solutions for sistas who want to lose weight permanently! In this article, I want to provide you with 3 reasons why black women gain more weight than other women to get you started.

Black Woman Have a Slower Metabolism

Genetically, African-American women tend to have a slower metabolism, according to research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. A University of Pennsylvania Medical Center study found that black women have “a biological disadvantage” that makes it more difficult to lose weight. Researchers have found that even at rest, overweight black women burn nearly 100 fewer calories daily compared to their overweight white peers. While this news may seem like gloom and doom for black women who want to lose weight, know that it is a challenge that can be overcome. In my new book, Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out!, there is a chapter dedicated to the 12 ways to speed up your metabolism so you can lose weight effortlessly. [Read More] »

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HAIR IS STANDING IN THE WAY OF EXERCISE AND HEALTH FOR MANY BLACK WOMEN

Whether natural or relaxed, curly or straight, research shows hair is a common barrier to exercising and physical activity for many African-American women. According to a study by Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in North Carolina¸ about one-third of black women surveyed exercised less because they were concerned it would jeopardize their hair.

It’s a finding that comes as no surprise to black women throughout the U.S., many of whom are all too familiar with forgoing the treadmill, gym class or the jogging trail for the sake of salvaging their recently washed or styled hairdo. Renowned OBGYN and women’s health expert Dr. Ken Taylor says this hair versus health dilemma is causing havoc in many of his black female patients, and is contributing to the obesity epidemic among black women.

“All women want to look their best, and hair is an essential part of the equation. But for the hair textures of many black women, the scalp doesn’t replenish oil as quickly and they don’t have to wash their hair as frequently as other women,” says Dr. Taylor. “This means a decision to workout for many black women is a greater time commitment to wash their hair more frequently, and to risk damaging or drying out their coif.”
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Yes, they are all very successful
Yes, they all work hard to achieve their goals
You could even say they are all famous
in some type of way…

But they all also share something that
each of them struggle with daily….

What’s that?
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Expert advice from Dr. Rhonda M. Johnson

As your calendar starts to fill up with fall activities, make sure to include flu shots on your family’s list of things to do. Here are the five reasons I get a flu shot and make sure my family does too:

1. It helps us stay well. If you have ever had the flu, you know how awful you feel. Flu symptoms usually start suddenly and include fatigue, fever, headache, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and body and muscle aches that can last about two weeks.

2. It protects our loved ones. The flu virus is highly contagious. We put ourselves at risk for getting the flu and spreading it to those around us if we don’t get a flu shot.

3. It helps us stay active. If we get the flu, we miss out on things that are important to us. It takes time away from work or school and other activities we enjoy.

4. It’s safe. Flu vaccines have a very good safety record. Serious reactions are very rare. You cannot get the flu from the vaccine.

5. It saves lives. African-Americans experience more long-term health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease than other groups. Having any one of these conditions can increase our risk of getting life-threatening complications from the flu.

Won’t you join me in getting a flu shot this year? Here is some more information about influenza and how to keep you and your family healthy this upcoming flu season. [Read More] »

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