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THE BEST WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM
5
COMMON CANCERS
Is Your Thyroid Affecting Your Weight? Pregnancy After 35: Three Common Misconceptions Family Health Night
YOUR LINK TO HEALTH INNOVATIONS, NEWS AND TIPS IN FORT BEND AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES
Is Your Thyroid
AFFECTING YOUR WEIGHT? A small organ can have a big impact on your metabolism
The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped organ located at the front of your neck, is only a few inches wide, but it is extremely important. “The thyroid makes hormones Dr. Mohammed that are essential for Ansari the metabolism and function of virtually every organ in the body,” said Dr. Mohammed Ansari, a board-certified endocrinologist at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. “So when thyroid problems develop, they affect every other part of the body.” Women are more likely than men to develop thyroid problems, as are people who have diabetes, an autoimmune
disease, a family history of thyroid problems or those who have received radiation to the chest or neck. Women who are pregnant or who recently gave birth are also susceptible. Most thyroid problems fall into three categories: hyperthyroidism (the body makes too much thyroid hormone), hypothyroidism (the body makes too little thyroid hormone) and growths (cysts, nodules or cancer).
UNDERACTIVE THYROID
Having an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) slows down the body’s metabolism and often leads to weight gain and other symptoms
DID YOU KNOW?
Sources: Obesity Action Coalition, American Thyroid Association
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Schedule Now
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mohammed Ansari or another endocrinologist in your area, call 281.205.4514 for a physician referral.
PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK
7 million Americans have hyper- or hypothyroidism. 2 Females are five to eight times more likely than males to have thyroid problems. Nearly one in five women will develop a thyroid issue after giving birth. To produce thyroid hormones, the body requires iodine. Because the salt Americans eat is usually iodized, the United States has a very low rate of iodine deficiency, unlike some other countries. Much of the weight gained with hypothyroidism is water and salt. When treated, patients with hypothyroidism can lose up to 10 percent of their body weight.
such as fatigue, mood swings, forgetfulness, depression, muscle aches, dry skin, brittle nails, hair loss, cold intolerance, slow heartbeat and constipation. If you’re experiencing symptoms or have difficulty losing weight, it’s worth asking your doctor about checking your thyroid levels with a simple blood test. One study found that 25 percent of patients undergoing weight loss surgery had undiagnosed hypothyroidism, according to the Obesity Action Coalition. “The slowing of metabolism in hypothyroidism can most certainly lead to weight gain,” Ansari said. “But not all people who are overweight have thyroid problems. Being overweight or obese may be due to other reasons like poor dietary habits, lack of exercise, side effects of some prescribed medications, and several other medical and psychiatric conditions.” n
PREGNANCY
AFTER 35 Three misconceptions about conceiving in your late 30s and what you should believe
W
hether you were climbing the corporate ladder, unsure if you wanted children, or were simply waiting for the right time, you’ve found yourself wanting to conceive after 35. Unfortunately, a cursory Google search on the topic has left you stressed and confused before you’ve even had a chance to consider baby names. It’s true that there are some challenges that come with putting off pregnancy, but a lot of what you’ll read is not just inflammatory but flat-out untrue. “The biological clock is a fact of life, but there is nothing magical about age 35,” said Dr. Shaeequa Dasnadi, medical director of neonatology at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. “Yes, it might take longer — sometimes more than six months — to get pregnant after age 35. But a study by Duke University found that 82 percent of women ages 35 to 39 became pregnant within a year.” Here are three common misconceptions about pregnancy after 35, and what’s true.
PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK
MISCONCEPTION: Women can’t conceive
naturally after 35. TRUTH: The 20s may be a woman’s most fertile decade, but that doesn’t mean she won’t be able to conceive after that. “A woman’s fertility is still fairly high in her late 30s,” Dasnadi said. “Real reductions come only after 40. The study conducted by Duke
University concluded that women who have sex twice a week became pregnant naturally within a year.” MISCONCEPTION: Conceiving after 35 means you’ll likely have a baby with Down syndrome. TRUTH: The risks of having a baby born with Down syndrome do increase with age, but the chances are still pretty low throughout the 30s. “Most babies with Down syndrome are born to women younger than 35,” Dasnadi said. “At age 30, the risk is one in 1,000. At age 35, it’s about one in 400.” MISCONCEPTION: There is nothing a woman can do to affect her fertility. TRUTH: Women can increase their chances of getting pregnant and having healthy pregnancies by scheduling a preconception physical; eating a healthy diet; being moderately physically active; maintaining a healthy weight; taking folic acid; avoiding smoking and drinking; reducing stress; and seeing their doctors for routine prenatal visits. Because the risk for pregnancy complications rises with age, women who conceive after 35 are encouraged to deliver at a facility able to handle preterm births. In partnership with Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Birthing Center has a Level II neonatal intensive care unit staffed by highly trained nurses and expert neonatologists. n
See a Specialist
To make an appointment with an obstetrician-gynecologist at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital or another physician in your area, call 281.205.4514 for a physician referral.
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THE
BEST WAYS to protect yourself from
5
COMMON CANCERS
I
t seems every time you check your email there’s another story or news alert about some household item or behavior that causes cancer. “It’s hard to know where to start when it comes to protecting yourself,” said Dr. Sindhu Nair, a board-certified hematologist/oncologist with Houston Methodist Oncology Partners. “But the worst thing you can do is nothing at all.” Here, we’ve compiled the most important steps you should take to reduce your risk for developing the five most common types of cancer.
BREAST CANCER
PROTECTION STRATEGY
Get your mammogram Screening is important for early detection of breast cancer. Mammograms can detect most breast cancers before symptoms occur. Houston Methodist Breast Care Center
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at Sugar Land recommends a yearly mammogram starting at the age of 40 for women who are at average risk. For those who are at higher risk because of a family history of breast cancer or from a personal history of other types of breast disease, screenings may include additional or more frequent testing. OTHER IMPORTANT STEPS TO TAKE
To help reduce your risk of breast cancer, make lifestyle changes that will also improve your overall wellness, such as maintaining a healthy weight with diet and exercise. Body weight has been found to play a role in several types of cancer, including breast cancer. In fact, the World Cancer Research Fund estimates one in five cancer deaths is related to excess body weight. Being overweight doesn’t seem to have an effect on breast cancer in premenopausal women, but it has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer in women after menopause, according to the American Cancer Society.
PROSTATE CANCER
PROTECTION STRATEGY
Eat a heart-healthy diet Although researchers don’t yet understand why, diet seems to play an important role in prostate cancer. Some experts have estimated that eating a healthy diet could reduce the risk of prostate cancer by up to 30 to 50 percent, according to AARP. Past studies have shown that certain foods such as cruciferous vegetables and tomatoes may offer some protection against prostate cancer, but the American Cancer Society simply recommends eating a low-fat diet similar to the heart-healthy diets.
PSA. Men with an average risk for prostate cancer should talk to their doctor at age 50 about screenings. Men with increased risk should have this conversation earlier.
LUNG CANCER
PROTECTION STRATEGY
Don’t smoke Almost everyone has heard a story of someone who has had lung cancer and never smoked. But the reality is, 90 percent of lung cancers can be attributed to smoking, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smokers and former smokers are 15 to 30 times more likely to develop lung cancer than nonsmokers. “But it’s really never too late to cut your risk,” Nair said. “Talk to your doctor about effective ways to quit.” Screening for lung cancer with low-dose CT scan is recommended by the American Cancer Society for those age 55 to 74 who have smoked for at least 30 pack-years, currently smoke or who have quit in the last 15 years, and are in relatively good health. OTHER IMPORTANT STEPS TO TAKE
Not smoking isn’t always enough. Secondhand smoke leads to nearly 3,000 lung cancer-related deaths per year, according to the National Cancer Institute. Also avoid carcinogens at work and test your home for radon.
COLON CANCER
PROTECTION STRATEGY
Get your colonoscopy Most colorectal cancers start out as polyps — small growths — inside the colon. During a
colonoscopy, a screening test for colon cancer, doctors can actually remove polyps before they turn cancerous. Today’s five-year colon cancer survival rate is 90 percent, and that’s largely due to early detection. If you’re 50 or older, talk to your doctor about getting screened. OTHER IMPORTANT STEPS TO TAKE
Talk to your doctor about starting a low-dose aspirin regimen, which has been found to reduce the risk of colon cancer by up to 40 percent, according to the American Cancer Society. Limit red and processed meats. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Limit your alcohol consumption and avoid smoking.
SKIN CANCER
PROTECTION STRATEGY
Be sun safe Sun damage is the No. 1 cause of skin cancer, with about 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers being attributed to ultraviolet radiation exposure, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Avoid the sun during peak hours of the day (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.) and wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeve shirts, long pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses when outside. And don’t forget to apply sunscreen every day. Daily use of SPF 30 or higher can reduce the risk of developing melanoma by as much as 50 percent. OTHER IMPORTANT STEPS TO TAKE
Check your skin monthly for new or changing moles and have your doctor perform a skin check annually. “And of course, stay away from tanning beds,” Nair said. n
OTHER IMPORTANT STEPS TO TAKE
“There is some evidence that too much calcium may play a role in prostate cancer,” Nair said. The Prostate Cancer Foundation recommends not taking any supplements that include calcium and aiming to consume less than 1,500 milligrams per day. Prostate cancer screenings are also very important. Screenings include a rectal examination and a lab test called prostate specific antigen, or
We’re Here to Help To schedule an appointment with Dr. Sindhu Nair or another hematologist/oncologist in your area, call 281.205.4514 for a physician referral. To schedule your annual mammogram at our Breast Care Center, visit houstonmethodist.org/appointments or call 281.242.PINK (7465).
HOUSTONMETHODIST.ORG/SUGARLAND 5
Attention, Men:
Your Doctor Wants to See You There’s still some truth in the old axiom that “men won’t go to the doctor,” but fortunately times are changing More and more men — from teens on up — are recognizing that their doctor can play an important role in keeping them active and healthy. And they are taking a Dr. David hands-on approach to Braunreiter health that includes regular visits to the doctor.
“Your doctor can be a valuable coach and teammate in the quest for a healthy lifestyle,” said Dr. David Braunreiter of Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, who is board certified in both family medicine and sports medicine. “When patients come to us for advice and assistance — along with regular checkups — we can develop a game plan that is tailored to their specific needs and help them avoid many of the common health issues that impact men.” Braunreiter notes that teenagers and young men in their 20s and 30s often have questions about specific exercise options, such as weightlifting or running, and whether or not they should take nutrition supplements. As men reach their 40s, 50s and beyond, their concerns also include aging
issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic pain, and colon or prostate cancer. By asking questions and understanding their personal interests and longterm goals, Braunreiter is able to help his patients, regardless of age, make good choices and develop healthier habits. That includes recognizing the importance of seeing a doctor on a regular basis. “Intuitively, most men understand that avoiding the doctor won’t make a health issue go away. In fact, it often makes the situation worse,” said Braunreiter. “The smartest approach is to develop a relationship with a doctor you trust and work together to protect your health.” To schedule an appointment with Dr. David Braunreiter, visit houstonmethodist.org/appointments or call 281.690.4678. n
Family Health Night FATHER & SON SESSION Wednesday, Aug. 17 – 6:15 p.m. Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Brazos Pavilion Conference, Rooms B&C Fathers and their preteen or teen sons will receive key wellness and screening information. Event only open to parents with children.
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To register, visit events.houstonmethodist.org/ sl-familyhealthnight or call 281.205.4514.
Protect Yourself with
REGULAR SCREENINGS Don’t skip a checkup with your OB-GYN
In today’s busy world, it’s easy for women to overlook their annual visit to an obstetriciangynecologist. But physicians who specialize in women’s Dr. Lauren health issues say Swords regular screenings are the key to early detection and treatment of a number of serious issues. “Unfortunately, many women put their family members’ health issues ahead of their own,” said Dr. Lauren Swords, a board-certified obstetriciangynecologist at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. “Women who are busy working, raising children or caring for elderly parents sometimes miss the
screenings that play an important role in staying healthy.” Here are some basic guidelines: AGES 9–11 – Girls should begin the series of immunizations designed to protect against the human papillomavirus (HPV) — a common sexually transmitted infection that can lead to a wide range of cancers. AGES 19–39 – Beginning at age 19, women should have an annual clinical breast exam and Pap test, which are vital to the early identification of breast and cervical cancer. Sexually active patients should be checked for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and HIV. Patients in this age group who have not completed the HPV vaccination series should do so.
Family Health Night MOTHER & DAUGHTER SESSION Wednesday, Aug. 17 – 6:15 p.m. Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Brazos Pavilion Conference, Rooms A&D
PHOTO BY ISTOCK
Mothers and their preteen or teen daughters will receive key wellness and screening information. Event only open to parents with children. To register, visit events.houstonmethodist.org/ sl-familyhealthnight or call 281.205.4514.
The annual checkup is also a good time to ask about all helpful immunizations. For example, some people lose immunity gained from the rubella vaccine as they age. “Since rubella can cause birth defects if contracted by the mother in early pregnancy, I always ask if patients are thinking of starting a family so that we can give them a booster,” said Swords. “I also recommend an annual flu shot to my patients.” AGES 40–64 – In addition to an annual clinical breast exam and Pap test, Houston Methodist recommends that women in this age group have an annual mammogram. Regular screenings for high cholesterol and diabetes should also begin around age 45, and tests for thyroid conditions should begin at age 50. For patients who have new sexual partners, STD tests are recommended. To screen for colon and rectal cancer, patients 50 and over should also have a baseline colonoscopy, with follow-ups as recommended. Swords recommends an annual fecal occult blood test for patients in between their scheduled colonoscopies. AGES 65 AND OLDER – Women in this age group can stop scheduling annual Pap tests, but they should continue to have clinical pelvic exams, breast exams and mammograms. Annual bone density tests are also recommended, beginning at 65. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lauren Swords or another obstetrician-gynecologist in your area, call 281.205.4514. n
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LEADING MEDICINE IN GREATER HOUSTON Just around the corner Houston Methodist has locations throughout the Greater Houston area to best serve you near your home or workplace. Our locations include hospitals, and emergency care and imaging centers.
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SPECIALTY HOSPITAL . Houston Methodist St. Catherine Hospital
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9. Houston Methodist Kirby Emergency Care Center 1. Houston Methodist Pearland Emergency Care Center 11. Houston Methodist Sienna Plantation Emergency Care Center 12. Houston Methodist Voss Emergency Care Center
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16. Houston Methodist Imaging Center
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