Harmful effects of obesity

Who is obese? 

A person’s weight can be calculated using many types of tests. According to studies the recommended weight of a person will depend on their height and age. A person’s weight is considered normal when their BMI is ideal i.e., their weight to their height and age correlates. A person is considered overweight if their BMI is 10%-20% higher than normal. A person is deemed to be obese if their BMI is more than 20% above normal.

Tests to check obesity 

There are several tests by which obesity can be diagnosed.

1.    Hydrostatic body fat test.

2.    Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

3.    Calipers test

4.    Bioelectrical Impedance, or BIA.

5.    Height/weight charts.

6.      Body mass index.

What Causes Obesity? 

People look at a person who is obese and wonder why they don’t do anything about it. They assume that an obese person eats too much and doesn’t exercise. That may be true in some cases, but quite often there are other reasons that could lead to a person being obese. Some of the reasons for obesity are:

Hereditary 

Some people are unfortunate, because obesity runs in their family and they are already prone to it. They will have to work twice as hard as other people to keep the weight off. Sometimes they succeed and sometimes they don’t.

Medical reasons 

There is some medical reason why a person is obese. Some of them area:

·         Thyroid problems

·         Insulin resistance

·         Water retention

·         Gastric problems

Most of these can be helped with the right medication. But this doesn’t mean that the medication will make the problem go away. Along with the medication a good exercise and diet program is essential

Depression 

It is a well known fact that people who are depressed have eating disorders. Some may not eat at all, giving rise to other problems. Some binge and become obese. The only way to treat obesity in this case is to fix the underlying cause which is depression.

Risks of obesity 

People who are obese face a lot of health problem. Some of them are:

·         High blood pressure

·         Diabetes

·         Heart disease

·         Joint problems

·         Sleep apnea

·         Osteoarthritis

·         Respiratory problems

·         Cancer

·         Metabolic syndrome

·         Psychosocial problems

Some of these are physical problems and some are mental problems but they all stem from being obese. People who are obese are prone to health problems as it takes extra effort for the heart to pump blood. The joints of an obese person has to take many times the weight that it is constructed to take. This leads to pain and sometimes in severe cases, can even lead to fractures.

The sad part is that after a point, an obese person finds it difficult to exercise as their body is too big to handle. A person who has reached that point of obesity needs a full crew of experts to help them lose weight. This would include a trainer to make an exercise program that the obese person can handle, a dietician to make sure that they eat right, a doctor to monitor the health of the person, a counselor or psychiatrist to motivate the person and advice them. The family of the obese person should also be a part of this program as the support and encouragement of family is necessary. There are many medicines and supplements that help, but they should be taken with supervision.

It is important to recognize that obesity is an illness and should be treated as such. With the right help, it can be reversed.

Reference: 

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Obesity/Pages/Causes.aspx

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/bmi_tbl.pdf

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/obesitys-surprising-effects/story?id=19376609

What are Lamaze classes?

The Lamaze method was created by Ferdinand Lamaze, a French obstetrician. It was introduced to our country in the late 40s, early 50s and has become a must do for parents who are about to have a baby. It was originally developed to help women get through the pain of labor easily, but now it has branched out into other areas like helping parents understand the change a baby will bring in their lives, to good parenting techniques.

According to Lamaze International, the goal of Lamaze classes is to "increase women's confidence in their ability to give birth."

Benefits of attending a Lamaze class 

There are several benefits to attending a Lamaze class.

1. You learn to cope with the rigors of giving birth by learning to control your breathing and learning to manage the pain 

2. Your partner could attend the class with you or a parent or friend and they can be there to help you through your delivery. If they have attended the classes with you, they will be well versed in what needs to be done and their encouragement will be helpful. 

3. Meeting other parents to be helps in relieving the stress of pregnancy. Talking about what each one is going through helps you understand the next stage in your pregnancy and what to expect. Giving advice to those who have not yet reached your stage in pregnancy also helps. 

4. These classes prepare you for the initial days, soon after childbirth, which can get quite stressful for some. They give you tips on how to cope with the various problems that you may face like evening blues, inverted nipples, sore nipples etc. 

5. Quite a few women go through post partum depression. The faster this is recognized and help given, the better for the mother and baby. It not only helps women understand and recognize their own symptoms of post partum depression but it also enlightens the partner on what signs to look for. This is very helpful and can go a long way in helping the mother and baby. 

Tips to finding a good Lamaze class 

It is important to find a good instructor. The instructor should be well informed in the different areas of pregnancy, birthing and post delivery.

They should be a friend, confidante counselor and pregnancy expert rolled into one.

If your instructor is certified by Lamaze International, then you know they have passed a rigorous examination and have met the standards of the NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies). Lamaze International is the only certification program offered for childbirth educators.

Ask friends or family who have taken Lamaze classes to recommend someone. There is nothing like the recommendation of someone who has attended a class and has found the instructor good and the classes beneficial.

The instructor should be up to date with the latest information on pregnancy, birthing techniques and parenting tips.

Other factors to consider 

Pick a place close to home for your classes. As you near your due date, you will find it difficult to travel long distances.

The size of the class is important. There should not be too many people. You should find a class where there are enough people to form a group, but where you also get individual attention.

Make sure that you join a program that works for your schedule. If you have a job, you may want to find a class that suits you and your partners’ working hours.

This is a beautiful time in your life. Enjoy it and make it a wonderful experience.

Reference: 

http://pregnancy.about.com/library/cbequiz/bl_cbetype_quiz.htm

Steps for Creating a Healthy Food Environment

by Gina Schlocker, RD, IHC Staff Wellness Coordinator 1/6/2014

One of the most important ways to achieve a healthy lifestyle is to create an environment that supports healthy living.  This is true for our physical, mental and social well being.

Although some aspects of our environment can feel at times out of our control, one aspect, our food choices, is within our power. This includes at home, work, school and with our family, friends, and co-workers.

The following steps will help you get started on the road to a healthier lifestyle by surrounding yourself with a healthy food environment.

Toss the Junk

                Go through your refrigerator, freezer, and cabinets and throw out the junk foods. Chips, cookies, ice cream, regular sodas, candies and any other processed foods you know aren’t good for you and your family.  Throwing away these foods is not wasting since these are harming your health and are not real food anyway. 

Take Time to Meal Plan

                When you plan ahead, you are in control, you are more likely to stick to your healthy eating and avoid instant gratification junk foods.  Use whole foods as ingredients in your meals and snacks and make extra so you can take homemade foods for lunch during workdays. Limit eating restaurant foods to once a month.

Make a List

 Make a list of foods you need for your meals before going to the grocery store.  If you are mindful of the barrage of marketing tactics you face during your trip through the market aisles, you can outsmart the temptations and stick to purchasing the foods only on your healthy food list. And make sure not to shop when you are hungry.

Turn it Off

Turn off the TV, smart phone notifications, silence your phones, and turn off work computers.  Eat at the table with your family. At work, avoid eating at your desk.  If it’s a nice day, go outside to the park with friends.

Keep it Simply

                The more simple and basic your food choices, the easier it will be to control.  Choose with your family basic meals that incorporate healthy whole foods that everyone can enjoy and are easy to prepare.

Social Events

                Pressure from family, friends and co-workers can sabotage your efforts to follow a healthy lifestyle.  Be aware if your social events are always surrounding by unhealthy foods or always going out to eat. Plan events that do not center around unhealthy foods.  Real support comes from people who will always respect you and will not constantly tempt you to eat out or eat junk foods.

Get Support

                If you need a jump start on healthy food planning, healthy food choices or ways to purge your home of processed foods, contact an IHC Registered Dietitian to help start your new healthy life!

INDIAN HEALTH CENTER OF SANTA CLARA VALLEY

Medical  •  Dental  •  WIC/Nutrition  •  Counseling  ·  Community Wellness & Outreach

Phone (408) 445-3400     Fax (408) 448-1041

www.indianhealthcenter.org

The importance of flossing and the right way to do it

Do you visit the dentist regularly? Most people go to the dentist only when they have a problem with their teeth. Like any other check up, dental checks are important. The mouth can be a harbinger for things to come. Every dentist will stress the need for flossing, but few patients actually follow it. There is also a right way to floss. Flossing is not just about removing debris from the mouth. It is also to prevent the buildup of bacteria.

Why floss? 

People do not understand the importance of flossing. They brush their teeth twice a day, and feel that they are doing everything right to make sure that their teeth is clean. But what they don’t realize is that brushing the teeth with a toothbrush, cleans only the outer exposed surfaces of the teeth. The teeth are individual pieces with gaps between them. This space between the teeth needs to be cleaned too. You will find ads that say, a toothbrush or toothpaste is designed in such a way that it takes care of the space between the teeth. Maybe, some do to an extent, but nothing can take the place of flossing. Flossing takes care of interdental space.

How the different procedures for your tooth work 

The toothbrush removes plaque which is a bacterial film that covers the open surfaces of the teeth. Toothpaste adds and enhances that, because it contains fluoride that helps decrease the amount of bacteria in your mouth. A mouthwash also helps avoid bacteria, and like the toothbrush can partially remove the bacteria from the interdental cavity. To round it off, flossing must be done to ensure that your teeth are white and shiny and free from bacteria.

Gum protection 

The tartar and plaque buildup not only looks ugly, gives off a bad odor but also creates a buildup of bacteria. When you floss as often as you brush, this build up is prevented. If you let the bacteria build up, it could lead to inflammation and swelling off the gums and in the worst case scenario, you may end up with cavities, and the tooth may have to be extracted.

What is the Right Way to Floss? 

To floss the right way, here are some tips

1. Take out 18 inches of floss, wind one end of the floss around the middle fingers of both hands, leaving a stretch of floss between them to use. 

2. Stretch the piece of floss string between your two fingers tightly. 

3. Now slide it into the interdental area and move it up and down. 

4. Curve the floss under the base of each tooth, making sure that it reaches below the gum line. 

5. Now move it between the teeth around the gum line 

6. This must be done gently as the gums are sensitive and could get cut or bruised if flossed forcefully. 

7. As you finish each area, wind the used floss around one middle finger while unwinding a bit of clean floss from the other middle finger. 

8. What kind of floss should you use? 

There are nylon and PTFE floss. Nylon is available in a waxed form or unwaxed and comes in different flavors. The one drawback is that the nylon is made of thinner, smaller stands that may tear or break when you are flossing. PTFE floss is more expensive, but is made of a single filament that is easier to use.

If you are still unsure about how exactly to use the floss, consult your dentist. He will show you how to use the floss correctly. Floss everyday and keep the dentist away!!

Reference: 

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2379.aspx?CategoryID=74

Common causes for asthma

Asthma is an inflammatory illness that affects many people. It can affect anybody, but the reasons that it affects people, vary. Some people have asthma when they are children and it disappears once they are older. For others, it manifests later in life. There is no particular reason for why it is triggered and when it will manifest. When someone has an attack, their airways get inflamed and clogged with mucus making it difficult to breathe.

Some reasons why asthma attacks happen

Allergy 

Many people are prone to allergies. But this doesn’t mean that everyone who is prone to allergy become asthma sufferers. But studies have shown that people who are prone to allergies, are more prone to bouts of wheezing. This is called an allergic asthma attack. It is important to figure out what the patient is allergic to. It could be certain kinds of pollen from flowers or weeds. It could be due to certain smells. Some people are allergic to types of food.

Genetic 

Asthma can be hereditary. Many families have a history of asthma and it may manifest at some point in their lives. The strength of the wheezing spell can vary. For some, it can be a light wheeze while others may actually have to be hospitalized due to a bad bout.

Weather 

Studies have shown that cold weather is a trigger for asthma in many people. They are perfectly fine all through summer and autumn, but the first hint of the cold, and the wheezing starts. This can continue well into spring.

Stress 

Many people get an asthmatic attack as a reaction to stress. They get a wheeze if their stress levels go up. It could be due to the fact that as stress increases, the body releases hormones and adrenaline and this may trigger an asthma attack.

Obesity 

Obesity has been linked with asthma. The reason could be that a person who is obese, gets short of breath, when doing any kind of hard work, and this may result in a wheezing spell that may lead to full blown asthma.

Sinusitis and respiratory infections 

Some people suffer from sinusitis and other kinds of respiratory infections. These illnesses produce mucus that clogs the airways and this might, if not treated, trigger asthmatic attacks.

Help for asthma sufferers 

There has been a lot of advancement in providing help for people who suffer from this illness. For those who have wheezing spells once in a while, there is an inhaler with a drug that frees the clogged airways from mucus. A small puff of this inhaler is enough, to help relieve the wheeze.

For chronic asthma sufferers, there are nebulizers that helps clear their breathing tubes. Earlier, this was only available in hospitals and when a bad asthmatic bout occurs, one would have to rush to the hospital. But now there are compact smaller units available that can be used at home. Doing breathing exercises and yoga has been found to help patients who suffer from this illness.

If you suffer from asthma, you should try and find out what the trigger for your asthma is. If it is caused by outside influences, you should take care to avoid them. If it is triggered by something you cannot control, you should see your doctor and figure how best to control the illness. It is also important to educate your loved ones on what to do if you get a spell of wheezing. Sometimes if you get a bad attack, you may not be able to help yourself and they need to know how to help you.

By taking a bit of care you can be in control over your asthmatic attacks.

Reference: 

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/asthma/causes.html

ELDER’S LUNCHEON AT CWO!

At the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley’s (IHC) Wellness Center, there was and Elders’ Lunch, Gathering, and Bingo! Over on East Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose, the Indian Health Center likes to celebrate its diverse patient population by providing opportunities for learning about health, diabetes prevention, and culture. At the luncheon, Bingo was a big hit! Everyone loved playing, and of course winning! The prizes were various, some in connection to Indian art, and others were oriented to eating better and living a healthy lifestyle. In the end, everyone won, as the elders were fed some delicious food, and quenched their thirst with some pure, healthy water!

Healthy eating, and of course, a healthy lifestyle, is the core of the Community Wellness and Outreach (CWO) Program at the Indian Health Center. This Elders Lunch, which took place on October 4^th, 2013, occurs monthly, as a way to get American Indian elders together—thereby increasing community ties, and sustaining a healthy living. These gathering are important because they provide a helpful opportunity to have friends, and the community, support each other to achieve health goals. Children, family, and other community members are always welcome at these events; the IHC appreciates all of its community members, and the more the merrier! Intergenerational and a diverse crowd helps to keep these events and spaces open and free—and very fun indeed!

The CWO Program has long been a pride jewel of the Indian Health Center—winning National Health Awards in their efforts to fight diabetes and help patients overcome their health struggles. In a human and personal way, the CWO Program makes medicine accessible, and help to bring wellness to the lives of the community. Having the event take place in the CWO gym, made for a great setting for this luncheon—as fitness and eating goals are of upmost importance here. “Eat your vegetables, and be sure to stay active!” was great mantra a buzzed in the air at this luncheon!

Craig Pasqua, Chair of the Board of Directors of the IHC, had a bit to say about his love and appreciation of the elders and the IHC. He gave a great speech about the joy he felt when he enters the doors of CWO, and seeing his community being well and motivated to stay healthy.  He was happy to have this Elder’s lunch, and was please to say he wanted to see these events continue!

After some food, everyone seemed happy to play the regular bingo, but this breast cancer awareness bingo was also extremely engaging! Playing with key words affecting breast cancer, such as smoking, and ensuring a regular breast exam made the game fun—bingo and discussion of these words were open and alive! This was definitely a safe time and place to talk about health! Good foods, and healthy behavior, were promoted from the elders themselves. And, this is how the CWO works! Keeping engagement and openness for wellness of the community and the individual!

Please join us for our next Elder lunch, and contact Fred Clay for more details at <fclay@ihcscv.org>.

 --

by Cuauhtemoc Peranda, MFA - Staff Writer

What American Indians should know about Covered California

What American Indians should know about Covered California

What Is Covered California?

Covered California is the new health insurance marketplace (or “exchange”) that makes it simple to purchase affordable, high-quality health coverage and offers access to financial assistance (if eligible) to help pay.

What are the protections for American Indians in Covered California?

-No cost-sharing for certain income levels:

Members of a federally recognized Tribe, and under 300% federal poverty level, will not have to pay co-pays or deductibles when they enroll in Covered California.

-No cost sharing at Indian Health Programs:

A federally recognized Tribe does not pay co-pays or deductibles when they receive items or services from a Tribal or urban Indian clinic.

-Ability to buy insurance and switch plans at any time:

Member of a federally recognized Tribe are entitled to enroll in/or change their health insurance plan once a month, rather than once a year.

-Not subject to the individual mandate:

Members of a federally recognized Tribe will not face a penalty if they do not have health insurance. Also, any American Indian who have received (or are eligible to receive) serves through a Tribal or Urban Indian clinic can apply for a hardship exception from the individual mandate through Covered California.

I already received services from my Indian health program, why do I need to enroll in Covered California?

By enrolling you will be covered for services that your Tribal or Urban Indian clinic does not provide, such as a medical specialist, tests, emergency room visits, and hospital care. Additionally, your community has more IHS resource for health care when you have health insurance.

What specific Benefits can I expect to receive when I enroll in Covered California?

Your covered California health plan will include at minimum 10 essential benefits:

-Ambulatory patient services

-Emergency Services

-Hospitalization

-Maternity and newborn car

-Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavior health treatment

-Prescription drugs

-rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices (to help people with injuries, disabilities, or chronic conditions gain or recover mental and physical skills)

-Laboratory services (e.g., blood tests)

- Preventative and wellness services and chronic disease management

-Pediatric services, including dental and vision care

If I enroll in Covered California, can I continue going to my Indian Health Program?

Yes. With Covered California, you can sign up for a health plan that makes your Tribal or Urban Clinic you “Indian Health Home”- your provider of choice and your partner in navigating Covered California.

How much will it cost for me to enroll in Covered California?

Go to CoveredCa.com or visit your local Tribal or Urban Indian clinic to find out. The amount of financial assistance you may receive for a health plan depend on household income and number of individuals in the family.   (Also, members of a federally recognized Tribe will not have to pay out-of-pocket expenses, such as co-pay and deductibles.)

What if I already have health insurance?

If you already have health insurance through your job (or are Medi-Cal eligible), you do not qualify for Covered California health plans.

Can I determine if I am Medi-Cal eligible through Covered California?

Yes. Under Medi-Cal expansion, income eligibility has increased to 138% of FPL and the program now accepts childless adults and other newly eligible populations. (American Indians will not have to pay Medi-Cal premiums or out-of-pocket costs.)

What documentation will I be ask to provide?

You will need your social security card. Additionally, in order to verify your eligibility for American Indian Status, you will need to provide your Tribal Identification Card, BIA form, or Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB).

What should I do next?

Ask you Tribal or Urban Indian Clinic for help to see if you qualify for a Covered California Plan or other programs, such as Medi-Cal. The information that you provide is confidential.