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health Defender Special Edition
Respiratory diseases plague Blacks By LAGLORIA WHEATFALL Defender
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healthy lung and respiratory system is essential to quality of life, but for many AfricanAmericans, their well-being is threatened with every breath they take. According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the second most common cancer in African-Americans, and cancer itself is the second leading cause of Dr. Michael Byrd death. Statistics from the Centers for Disease and Control show that chronic lower respiratory disease – including asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema – is the No. 6 cause of death for African-Americans. Influenza and pneumonia is the No. 11 cause of death. A number of causes can be identified in developing respiratory diseases, such as inhalation of toxic agents, accidents and smoking. Infections, genetic factors, and anything else that affects lung development, either directly or indirectly, can cause respiratory symptoms.
Quitting smoking, however, is the No. 1 way to fight many lung and respiratory illnesses. In the U.S., cigarette smoking is linked to about 90 percent of lung cancers, and smoking is also the primary risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). “Smoking among African-Americans is a serious problem as this population suffers disproportionately from deadly and preventable diseases associated with smoking,” said Michael Byrd, M.D., an otolaryngologist affiliated with Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital. Byrd cited American Lung Association (ALA) statistics that show African-American men are 34 percent more likely to develop lung cancer than white men, even though their overall exposure to cigarette smoke is lower. Black women tend to smoke less than white women, but the two groups have similar lung cancer rates. “Besides increasing the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and many other diseases, smoking causes a wide range of respiratory illnesses…,” Byrd said. “Smoking also worsens asthma and counteracts asthma
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Famous Blacks impacted Jerome Bettis – The former NFL running back was diagnosed with asthma at age 14 after passing out during high school football practice. “Even the hardest hitting players in the National Football League cannot take my breath away like asthma,” he said. Sherman Hemsley – The star of “The Jeffersons” and “Amen” died of complications from lung cancer in 2012 at the age of 74. According to reports, Hemsley suffered from a rare respiratory condition, superior vena cava syndrome. Bernard “Bernie Mac” McCullough – The comedian and actor died in 2008 at the age of 50 after suffering from the respiratory disease sarcoidosis. Scientists believe sarcoidosis is an immune system disease brought on by a failure of the body’s natural defense system. Shaquille O’Neal – The former NBA superstar has sleep apnea and uses a continuous positive airway pressure device to help him breathe easier at night. “...I feel good, got a lot of energy, everything is working,” he said.
medication by worsening airway inflammation.” In addition to lung cancer, asthma is another problem impacting African-Americans, who are three times more likely to be hospitalized and three times more likely to die from asthma. “More Americans than ever before say they are suffering from asthma,” Byrd said. “The ALA says it is one of this country’s most common and costly diseases with more than 10 million outpatient visits and 479,000 hospitalizations. “Asthma is more common among children (7 to 10 percent) than adults (3 to 5 percent). With nearly five million asthma sufferers under age 18, it is the most common chronic childhood disease, affecting more than one child in 20.” Sleep apnea – repetitive pauses during sleep – is another common respiratory problem among African-Americans. “Generally, African-Americans face a higher risk for sleep apnea than any other ethnic group in the United States, and people with a family history of obstructive sleep apnea are at increased risk of developing the condition,” Byrd said. “Strong evidence suggests that obesity may increase the risk of obstructed breathing during sleep,” Byrd added. “The lack of awareness by the public and healthcare professionals have resulted in the vast majority of people with the illness remaining undiagnosed and, therefore, untreated.”
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DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 20 | 2014
Inside Asthma affects all ages 3B Memorial Hermann Health System
Nurse Health Line provides answers 4B What takes your breath away 6B Texans Children’s Hospital
Pregnant women and flu shots 8B MD Anderson Cancer Center
Quit social smoking, reduce cancer risk 10B Smokers most likely to develop COPD 12B
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health
Cold or flu? Know the facts
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By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender
ach winter, countless Americans ask the question, “Do I have a cold or the flu?” The flu (short for influenza) and the common cold are both contagious respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because both illnesses often have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them. Colds can occur at any time of the year, but are most common in the winter or rainy seasons. Colds are usually milder than the flu, and symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing and sore throat. Dr. Michael Byrd of Memorial Hermann Southeast said cold sufferers often make the mistake of running to their doctors for antibiotics. “In years past, doctors recognized when their patients left empty-handed they felt less satisfied,” Byrd said. “Consequently, this led some physicians overprescribing antibiotics. The unfortunate result was that over time, this approach may have done more harm than good. Using antibiotics
when not absolutely necessary can lead to resistant bacteria strains in the body or ‘super bugs.’ “The two predominant types of pathogenic agents that can make people sick are bacteria and viruses,” Byrd explained. “Bacteria are biotic organisms that can be both harmful and helpful. Viruses are non-living agents that need a host in order to replicate and cause illness to the host. Antibiotics are very effective against bacteria, but not at all effective against viruses.” Byrd said there is no cure for a viral infection such as the common cold, and it needs to run its course in about a week. He added that most colds are transmitted by coughing, sneezing, touching contaminated surfaces, shaking hands and other person-to-person contact. According to the CDC, flu activity peaks between December and February. However, seasonal flu outbreaks can occur as early as October and activity can last as late as May. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness and dry cough are more common and intense. “For some people, the flu can be deadly,” Byrd said. “The virus can cause serious health problems in young children, pregnant women, older adults, and anyone with a serious medical condition, such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease. These groups run a high risk of being hospitalized because of the flu. “An annual flu vaccine does not provide 100 percent protection against the flu, but it comes close. The CDC recommends, and Memorial Hermann strongly supports, an annual flu vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and older,” he said.
Message from the Publisher
Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
As Houston’s Leading Black Information Source, the Defender is committed to informing and educating our readers. We are proud to bring you another special health edition, this time focusing on lung and respiratory diseases. From children with asthma to adults with COPD, respiratory diseases affect millions of Americans. According to the American Lung Association, there are steps you can take to keep your lungs healthy: 1 Don’t smoke. Cigarette smoking is the major cause of COPD and lung cancer. 2. Avoid exposure to pollutants such as second-
hand smoke, air pollution and toxic chemicals in the home and workplace. 3. Prevent infection. Avoid crowds during cold and flu season. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use good oral hygiene. Get vaccinated against the flu. 4. Get regular check-ups, which are an important part of disease prevention. Also in this edition, you will find important information from our partners MD Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Hermann Health System and Texas Children’s Hospital. We all share a common goal – to help you and your loved ones lead better, healthier lives.
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NOVEMBER 20 | 2014 | DEFENDER
health Asthma affects Blacks of all ages
cockroach, animal dander (the shed skin of your pets), molds and mildew, and the pollens of trees, grasses and weeds. Allergy testing can help you to find out hile asthma is a complex disease for if you or your child is allergic.” anyone, asthma-related problems are With asthma killing thousands of people each much greater for African Americans. In year, Farber said if asthma problems occur more fact, the latest statistics show that havthan twice a week, interrupt sleep more than twice ing asthma problems and risk of death from asthma is a month, or if asthma attacks are bad enough to about double in Blacks compared to whites. require oral steroids (such as prednisone) more than Overall, around 25 million twice a year, daily medicine Americans have asthma with mil- “When a pregnant mother may help. lions being children. “The challenge is that these smokes or is exposed Those disturbing statistics are medicines may not make you feel to the smoke of others, why medical professionals are gobetter, and have to be used every asthma and wheezing day to work,” he said. “These mediing all out to educate people about the disease – both how to prevent illness in the child is much cines include the inhaled corticosteit and how to treat it. roids (brand names QVAR, Flovent, more common.” Asthma is a chronic inflamPulmicort, Asmanex, others). matory disease of the lungs in “Inhaled medicines are not which the bronchial airways sometimes narrow as a as simple to use as you might think,” Farber said. result of various triggers. People with asthma have “Be sure to have your doctor, nurse, or pharmalungs that are overly sensitive and they are susceptible cist review how to use the inhalers with you. For to such substances as pollen, dust, or cigarette smoke. those with mild asthma, montelukast (brand name Asthma does not go away nor can it be cured. Singulair) can help. It comes as a pill and is not a The cause of asthma is unknown, however, it is steroid.” thought that there are environmental and hereditary One of the primary concerns of parents factors associated with it. When a person has asthma when it comes to asthma is determining these factors can cause an attack to occur. Identifying the difference between simple coughing and avoiding those things that can “trigger” an attack and wheezing and asthma. can help keep asthma under control and even help in “Shortness of breath, coughing, its treatment. “The most important steps start before birth,” said Dr. Harold Farber, pediatric pulmonologist at Texas Children’s Hospital. “Prevention involves a number of steps, [including] avoiding tobacco smoke and tobacco smoke exposure. When a pregnant mother smokes or is exposed to the smoke of others, asthma and wheezing illness in the child is much more common.” Because of the carcinogenic chemicals in tobacco smoke, Farber said the entire family should be nonsmokers. “The harms of smoke exposure do not stop at birth. Smoke exposure, from any source, increases problems with coughing and wheezing.” Farber said the key to controlling asthma is being mindful of what you breathe. “Often, the worst air is in our home. Eliminating smoke (anything that burns) and strong smelling chemicals (including air fresheners and cleaning agents) is important. “Allergens can be important triggers of asthma – but only if you are allergic to them. As asthma is a breathing problem, the allergens that cause asthma are the ones you breathe in – dust mites, By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender
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and wheezing can be caused by many things, not always asthma,” Farber said. “One easy way to tell if symptoms are from asthma is if a quick relief inhaler (such as albuterol) or levalbuterol (brand name Xopenex) helps. “These quick relief medicines should start working in just 15 minutes, but only last for a few hours and don’t fix the underlying problem causing the asthma. If you are using the quick relief inhaler correctly and it does nothing to relieve the symptoms, the problem is probably not asthma.” An asthma specialist – a pulmonologist or an allergist – can also perform lung function testing. “If the test is performed at or near a time of asthma symptoms and the test is perfectly normal, the problem is probably something other than asthma,” he added. For more information on Blacks and asthma, visit www.notonemorelife.org.
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DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 20 | 2014
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Free Nurse Health Line provides answers when you need them
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By MEMORIAL HERMANN
nyone with or without insurance can now talk directly with a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling the Nurse Health Line at toll-free 855-5777979 or 713-338-7979. If you live in Houston or one of the surrounding counties, you may call night or day, weekday or weekend, and reach an experienced registered nurse who will carefully evaluate your health needs and advise you on the best course of treatment for your illness or injury. From diaper rash to migraine headache, this free service is available
regardless if you have • Figure out Nurse Health Line insurance or a primary options to treat a care provider. When sick child. toll-free your child has a fever • Talk over your of 102 degrees or you health concerns with or have a nagging cough a registered nurse. at 2 a.m., the free Nurse • Locate a nearby Health Line helps clinic or low-cost you to: health care provider • Get help with both kid and adult with extended hours of operation. medical complaints. • Find some much-needed peace • Decide when and where to go for of mind. treatment. The free Nurse Health Line features • Get help after your doctor’s office bilingual staff and language interpreters has closed. who are a valuable source of reliable and • Find a better way to get medical caring health information, education, and care than sitting for hours in an support. emergency room. All calls to the Nurse Health Line
855-577-7979 713-338-7979
are confidential and answered by a staff of professionals who are experienced in assessment of clinical situations. To help patients who call, nurses use their training, experience, evidence-based decisionsupport tools, and peer-reviewed materials to conduct their assessments. While manned by staff from Memorial Hermann Health System, the Nurse Health Line is funded through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Texas Health and Human Services Commission and open to everyone. It is not designed to assist with lifethreatening conditions or emergencies. People with life-threatening conditions and emergencies should immediately call 911.
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FEELING SICK BUT NOT SURE WHAT TO DO? SPEAK WITH A REGISTERED NURSE FOR ANSWERS TO YOUR HEALTH QUESTIONS. When you or a family member is feeling sick, but you’re not sure if you need to see your doctor or go to the hospital, call the free Nurse Health Line. Experienced nurses will help you decide when and where to go for medical care. These trained nurses are available around the clock, seven days a week to answer your health questions by phone. Anyone living in Harris or the surrounding counties can use this free service. Funded through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Free 24/7 Nurse Health Line 713.338.7979 (Toll-Free) 1.855.577.7979 Individuals with life-threatening conditions and emergencies should call 9-1-1.
sponsored by Memorial Hermann Community Benefits Corporation
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DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 20 | 2014
WHAT’S TAKING YOUR BREATH AWAY
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By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender
roper breathing is essential to good health, and the average adult takes 15 to 20 breaths a minute or more than 20,000 breaths a day. When your respiratory system is threatened however, your quality of life is diminished. Here are four common respiratory ailments along with the causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lungs. It tends to be more serious for infants and young children, adults 65 or older, people who have other chronic health problems, and people who have weak immune systems as a result of diseases or other factors. It is the leading cause of death in children ages 5 and under worldwide Causes: Approximately one-third of pneumonia cases in the U.S. each year are caused by respiratory viruses. The flu virus is the most common cause of viral pneumonia in adults. Other viruses that cause pneumonia include respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, herpes simplex virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome. Other causes include bacteria, infectious agents such as fungi and various chemicals. Symptoms: Cough (with the possibility of bloody or green or yellow mucus), a mild or high fever, shaking chills, shortness of breath (which may only occur when you climb stairs), sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough, headache, excessive sweating and clammy skin, loss of appetite, low energy and fatigue, confusion (especially in older people). Prevention: Get a flu shot every year since the flu is a common cause of pneumonia. Get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia if you are at high risk for it. Wash your hands frequently. Don’t smoke, since tobacco damages your lung’s ability to fight off infection, and smokers have a higher risk of getting pneumonia. Treatment: Depends on the type of pneumonia you have and its severity. Most people can be treated at home by drinking plenty of fluids to loosen secretions and bring up phlegm, getting lots of rest, and controlling fever with aspirin or ibuprofen. (Do not give aspirin to children). Sources: CDC, American Lung Association
Sinus infection
Sinuses are empty cavities around the eyes, within the cheek bones and behind the nose. Their main function is to warm, moisten and filter air in the nasal cavity. A sinus infection (also called sinusitis) occurs when the sinuses and nasal passages become inflamed. There are two types of sinusitis. Acute sinusitis is caused by bacteria growing in the sinuses, and symptoms are present for four weeks or less. Chronic sinusitis is when swelling and inflammation of the sinuses are present
for longer than three months. Causes: Most sinus infections are caused by a virus. Other causes include allergies, pollutants such as airborne chemicals or irritants, fungal infections, structural problems within the nasal cavity and a weak immune system. Symptoms: Headaches, nasal congestion or discharge, postnasal drip, cough, fatigue and bad breath. Prevention: Practice good hand hygiene. Avoid close contact with people who have colds or other upper respiratory infections. Avoid cigarette, cigar or pipe smoke. If you have allergies, avoid things that trigger allergy attacks such as pollen, dust mites, mold, animal dander, insect stings, certain food and medications. Avoid breathing dry air and use a humidifier. Treatment: Most people with acute sinusitis recover without any prescribed medications. If the cause is a bacterial infection, antibiotics can shorten the duration and reduce the severity of symptoms. Other options are to use decongestants or nasal sprays, get plenty of rest, stay hydrated by drinking water and try pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen. With chronic sinusitis intranasal corticosteroid sprays may be appropriate but only under the care of a doctor. Your doctor may prescribe an antifungal medication if a
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ngus is involved. When treatments or medications fail, endoscopic sinus surgery could be an option. Sources: CDC, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
leep apnea
More than 12 million Americans have sleep apnea, a disorder that causes you to stop eathing briefly while you sleep. If left untreated it can cause serious health problems ch as high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and work-related or driving accidents. It is diagnosed based on medical and family histories, a physical exam and sleep study sults. There three types of sleep apnea: 1. Obstructive sleep apnea usually occurs when your airway has collapsed or is ocked during sleep, causing shallow breathing or breathing pauses. 2. Central sleep apnea occurs when the part of your brain that controls breathing esn’t send correct signals and you make no effort to breathe for brief periods of time. 3. Complex sleep apnea is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea. Causes: Risk factors for obstructive and complex sleep apnea are being overweight, moking, high blood pressure, family history of sleep apnea, gender (males are more likely have sleep apnea than females), being 65 or older and using alcohol or sedatives before
ng the Houston area for over 80 years
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going to sleep. Risk factors for central sleep apnea are male gender, heart disease and stroke or brain tumor. Symptoms: Excessive sleepiness during the day, waking up abruptly perhaps with a loud snort or choking feeling, loud or chronic snoring, insomnia or waking in the morning with a sore throat, dry mouth or headache. Prevention: Lose weight through diet and exercise. Don’t smoke. Treatment: Obstructive sleep apnea can be treated with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, an adjustable airway pressure machine, or surgery to remove tonsils or adenoids, repair nasal passages or remove extra tissue from your throat or nose that is blocking your airways and causing snoring. Central or complex sleep apnea can be treated with CPAP, adjustable airway pressure, oxygen, adaptive servo-ventilation (adjusts pressure while you sleep based on recorded breathing and sleep patterns) or specific treatments for medical problems such as heart disease. Source: American Lung Association
Tuberculosis
TB is an infectious disease that usually infects the lungs, but can attack almost any part of the body. It is spread from person to person through the air, and is usually spread between family members, close friends and people who work or live together. TB bacteria usually attack the lungs, but can attack other parts of the body such as the kidney, spine and brain. If not treated properly it can be fatal. TB was once a leading cause of death in the United States, but rates have declined over the last 20 years. It is often a disease associated with socioeconomic factors such as poverty – two-thirds of all cases of TB in the U.S. affect Blacks, Hispanics and Asians, and TB rates for Blacks is eight times greater than for whites. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. It can remain dormant for years and not cause any TB disease. People who have latent TB infection do not get sick and do not spread the bacteria to others, but some people with latent TB infection eventually get the disease. Causes: TB is caused by the infectious agent known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is a small, slow-growing bacterium that can live only in people. Symptoms: Persons with active TB can exhibit such symptoms as a persistent cough, constant fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, coughing up blood and night sweats. Prevention: Do not spend long periods of time in rooms with anyone who has active TB until that person has been treated for at least two weeks. Use protective measures such as face masks if you work in a facility that cares for people who have untreated TB. When traveling abroad, avoid close contact or prolonged time with known TB patients in crowded, enclosed environments. Treatment: Patients with active TB can be treated with a combination of prescription drugs for six to 12 months, including isoniazid (INH), pyrazinamide and ethambutol. Those with inactive TB can be treated with preventive therapy, such as the daily dose of INH. Sources: CDC, American Lung Association, National Institutes of Health
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healthnotes Flu, RSV are greater threats than Ebola in U.S.
Should pregnant women get flu shots?
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ypically starting in late November or early December, influenza (flu) season will be here, so it’s important families get vaccinated as soon as possible. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu. But what if you are pregnant? Should you still get vaccinated? The answer is simple: Yes. Pregnant women should get vaccinated against the flu. Pregnant women, especially in the second and third trimester, are more likely to have complications from flu, rarely even death. In fact, the flu can lead to serious problems for an unborn baby, including premature labor and delivery. Getting vaccinated protects against these bad outcomes, and also protects the baby against flu until the baby first can be vaccinated at age 6 months. So the best way to protect yourself and your unborn child from influenza is to get vaccinated. And it’s important to remember that pregnant women should only get the flu shot, not the nasal spray known as FluMist. (FluMist contains live virus and should not be given to pregnant women, because it may not be safe.) The flu shot is available at most doctors’ offices and all local pharmacies. “It takes up to two weeks for inactivated influenza vaccine to become fully effective,” says Dr. Carol Baker, executive director of the Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research at Texas Children’s Hospital. “The best time to get this vaccine is as soon as it is available. Even a late vaccination can be beneficial because the flu season can last through March and April.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccination helps protect women during pregnancy and their babies for up to six months after they are born. One study showed giving flu vaccine to pregnant women
was 92 percent effective in preventing hospitalization of infants for flu. Baker adds, “As a pediatric infectious disease specialist and executive director of the Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research at Texas Children’s Hospital, I am dedicated to finding the best ways to stop children and their parents from getting preventable diseases. “I know the dangers the flu can pose to pregnant women and their unborn children. So I urge you to disregard the myths and misperceptions that often circulate about the flu vaccine. The flu shot cannot cause a person to develop influenza, because the virus in the vaccine has been killed.” During the 2013-14 flu season, about half of pregnant women protected themselves and their babies from flu by getting a flu shot. This is significant progress. However, almost half of pregnant women and their babies still remain unprotected from influenza. Make sure to protect yourself and your baby – get vaccinated.
In the last couple of months we have all seen our fair share of news coverage on Ebola. It’s not uncommon with the surplus of information for it to begin to cause some anxiety among parents. While the likelihood of an Ebola outbreak is extremely low, it is still important to stay informed. Texas Children’s Hospital is fully prepared if an Ebola case appears in Houston. But, with so many people worried about its spread, why aren’t they also taking every precaution to protect themselves against other diseases? For instance, why are individuals not having the same reaction to the flu (influenza)? The flu is a preventable disease that affects hundreds of thousands of individuals every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on average, more than 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized each year from the flu, with up to 49,000 dying from it. Yet many people still refuse to get vaccinated. In fact, less than half of the U.S. population receives the flu vaccine each year. The CDC also reports only 45 percent of children ages 6 months to 17 years received the influenza vaccination in the last 12 months. Only 26 percent of adults 18 to 49 years of age received theirs. And what about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)? “While there isn’t a vaccine in place for RSV, there are many ways in which parents can actively protect their infant or child from contracting this respiratory virus, including proper hand hygiene and making sure anyone in contact with your infant does the same,” says Dr. Paul Checchia, medical director of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Texas Children’s. “It’s also important to keep your baby away from others who are sick, especially with cold or flu-like symptoms – which is why a flu shot is also important for all family members.” While RSV is not as deadly as the flu, it can spread very rapidly among children. So what’s most important to remember about RSV is it can be prevented. As many communities are taking precautions to protect against Ebola, let’s not forget about these other diseases affecting so many of us every year. The flu and RSV have regularly impacted our community in more devastating ways than Ebola has. Please get vaccinated: Everyone 6 months or older is recommended for flu vaccination. It’s the best way to protect yourself and others.
How vaccines are like your baby’s car seat Did you know the number one cause major injury or death. The same of death for children over the age of applies for vaccines. 12 months are auto accidents? Did you Consider the influenza vaccine. also know that before children ever died Whether it’s a child at school, a from auto accidents, most died from teen walking around the mall or an infections? Now we have methods to infant at home with their parents, prevent both. With steady improvements chances are they will not be exposed and newer technology, we can protect or infected with these germs on any our children with the right car seats given day. But on the one day it and vaccines. does happen, no parent should ever There’s an interesting analogy have to regret missing the chance between protecting babies from auto to vaccinate their child from a now accidents and choosing to vaccinate vaccine-preventable disease. But Dr. Matthew Wigder against diseases like the flu. While it’s some parents do not view vaccines unlikely a random car ride to the grocery store or like car seats. school will involve an auto accident, on the rare Unfortunately, each year in the United States chance you need it, a car seat can save a child from healthy children die from seasonal influenza,
which many disregard as a mild illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2013, 90 percent of pediatric deaths were in unvaccinated children and as of March of that year, 105 children had died from a flu-related illness. “Two main reasons why parents opt-out of getting their family vaccinated is the fear of short term mild illness as a vaccine side-effect and not fully understanding the severity of the flu virus,” says Dr. Matthew Wigder, pediatrician at Texas Children’s Pediatrics Westchase. “Short term worries, such as side-effects should be the least concerning part of getting vaccinated. It’s important to focus on how severe the flu could be to your child in the long run if they were to get sick.”
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Texas Children’s Health Plan covers children from newborns to teenagers. We even cover adults and pregnant moms through STAR Medicaid. Families with children who qualify for CHIP pay $50 or less a year. Those who qualify for Medicaid pay nothing. CHIP and STAR Medicaid offer a wide range of benefits including checkups and shots, dental services, medications, and more. With Texas Children’s Health Plan you also get: ■
Over 2,100 doctors.
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A 24-hour nurse hotline.
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Transportation to doctor visits at no cost.
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Pregnancy support program and classes.
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Help losing weight through the Keep Fit Program.
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Learn how to play soccer from the Houston Dynamo coaches.
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Fun, free member events!
For more information, to receive an application, or to find an event in your
MK-1208-007
area, visit us online or call today.
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DEFENDER |NOVEMBER 20 | 2014
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Quit social smoking to reduce your cancer risk
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Know the health dangers
By MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
Casual smoking doesn’t only cause bad breath and stale, smoky clothes. It also increases your risk for: • Lung, esophageal, stomach and pancreatic cancers • Heart and lung disease • Premature aging and death • Cataracts • Respiratory tract infection “There are more than 7,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke,” Prokhorov said. This includes cancer-causing substances like tar, acetone, butane and formaldehyde, and chemicals people consider occupational hazards. “Workers wear gas masks and special suits to handle these chemicals while smokers willingly inhale these substances to have a good time,” Prokhorov warned. “Think before you puff.”
ou may enjoy a cigarette or two when hanging out with friends, working late or to relieve stress. But this social or casual smoking habit could be cutting your life short. “It’s a huge misconception that a few cigarettes here and there won’t hurt you,” said Alexander Prokhorov, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Behavioral Science at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “Smoking any amount can increase your risk for cancer and tobacco-related diseases.” Furthermore, many casual smokers consider themselves non-smokers. So when their habit becomes more frequent, they don’t notice. “Every time you take a puff, you’re taking a gamble that you’ll become nicotine dependent. And that’s a dangerous game to play,” Prokhorov says. Nicotine is the addictive ingredient in tobacco products. It’s not just cigarettes, though, that are causing harm. “Tobacco companies know fewer people are smoking conventional cigarettes, so they introduce new forms of nicotine and tobacco,” Prokhorov said. “They’re advertising trendier products, like hookahs, electronic cigarettes and flavored cigars, to make people believe smoking is a fun and safe activity.” Your best bet? Don’t smoke at all. Below, Prokhorov shares tips to help you avoid social or casual smoking, so you’ll live a longer, healthier life.
Try socializing in different ways
Finding new ways to mingle with friends will most likely help you avoid smoking triggers. • Make a gym date. Exercise is one of the best ways to improve your health. Invite a friend to try a workout class. After a few trips to the gym sans smoking, you’ll start to breathe easier. •Go to the movies. Catch the latest flick and enjoy healthy theater snacks, like popcorn without butter, instead of a cigarette. • Visit smoke-free places. Ask your friends to try a restaurant or bar that doesn’t allow smoking. • Host game night. Invite friends to play your favorite board games in a smoke-free place. “There are all kinds of ways to have fun without hurting yourself and the people around you,” Prokhorov says.
Avoid trendy tobacco products
Joining your friends at a hookah bar or café may seem harmless. Hookahs are water pipes that create flavored tobacco vapor. Yet, they’re not safe alternatives to cigarettes. Hookahs contain nicotine and cancer-causing chemicals. Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are smokeless electronic devices heating up the market. Users inhale a vapor of liquid nicotine similar to the way a smoker puffs on a cigarette. The liquid nicotine inside comes in hundreds of different flavors. “E-cigarettes are unregulated, so no one knows what dangerous chemicals could be inside,” Prokhorov said. He believes e-cigarettes are novel ways to introduce tobacco smoking to teens and a gateway to conventional cigarettes. “These trendy tobacco products also help sustain society’s nicotine dependence,” Prokhorov adds. His advice? Steer clear of these products to stay cancer-free.
Acknowledge your smoking habits
Do you bum cigarettes off friends when drinking or smoke a cigar on Sunday afternoons? Your behavior may
Get support from family and friends
fly under the radar because you feel like you’re not really a smoker. Nearly one-quarter of smokers have only a few cigarettes a day, or smoke only every now and then. You can recognize your smoking habits by keeping a journal. Answer these questions: • When and where do you smoke? • How many cigarettes, cigars or other tobacco products do you smoke? • Why do you choose to smoke? • What triggers you to smoke? “People need to be more health conscious when it comes to smoking,” Prokhorov said. “People read nutrition labels and count calories, but don’t think twice about what they inhale.”
Tell your loved ones about your decision to quit smoking – even if you kept your habit hidden. Getting support from family, friends and co-workers can make it easier to quit for good. Plus, if your family or friends are part of your smoking circle, they’ll be less likely to offer you a cigarette. They may even quit with you.
Visit your doctor
Your doctor can be your best quitting advocate and provide cessation resources and tools, like nicotine replacement therapies or counseling services. Your doctor also can better assess your risks for cancer and other diseases if he or she knows you smoke. So, start today. Kick your social or casual smoking habit to the curb and enjoy a healthier life.
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NOVEMBER 20 | 2014 | DEFENDER
husband’s son’s best Friend’s
Your dad’s Lungs are Worth Fighting For MoM’s grandMa’s uncLe’s
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with lung cancer, insist on MD Anderson, the nation’s top-ranked cancer hospital. Our world-renowned cancer experts are at the forefront of lung cancer discoveries and have pioneered the most advanced life-saving treatments available today. We create customized treatment plans with options such as minimally invasive surgery and innovative radiotherapy techniques. When your loved one is fighting lung cancer, you can never give up. We’re here to help. Contact us today.
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Scan to hear from some of our lung cancer survivors.
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DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 20 | 2014
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health
Smokers most likely to develop COPD
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By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender
hronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and serious health condition. It refers to two lung diseases, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Both diseases are characterized by obstruction to airflow that interferes with normal breathing. According to the CDC, more than 15 million people in the U.S. are known to have COPD, and many have symptoms of both conditions. The most common cause of COPD is smoking. In a Q&A with the Defender, two experts from MD Anderson Cancer shed light on COPD. They are Lewis Foxhall, M.D., vice president
for health policy, and Maher Karam-Hage, MD., associate medical director of the Tobacco Treatment Program. Defender: COPD is the third leading cause of death in America. Why is the number of deaths so high? Karam-Hage: That is due to emphysema which is an irreversible process, and ultimately leads to respiratory failure in severe COPD cases which causes poor oxygenation to the different body organs including the brain. In mild to moderate cases it can be due to cardiovascular events (heart attacks, strokes, etc.) or cancer, especially lung cancer. Defender: What steps can COPD patients take to better their condition? Foxhall: If a person with COPD still smokes they should try to quit. Avoiding secondhand smoke is also important as well as avoiding air with high levels of pollution. Getting an
annual flu shot and if recommended the pneumonia vaccine is a good way to avoid complications of these infections which may make COPD worse. Lung disease specialists, pulmonologists, may have specific medical recommendations for treatment depending on the person’s condition. Karam-Hage: They need to stop smoking as soon as possible, as smoking is the cause of COPD in 80 percent of the cases. Especially if their condition is still mild or moderate. Even though it is not a reversible process, stopping smoking will stop the progression of the disease and ultimately death rates. The other 20 percent would need to identify the cause if it is a disease and either treat or eliminate the exposure if there is an environmental agent involved. Defender: What advice do you have for someone who has tried to quit smoking but can’t? Foxhall: Most people make several attempts before they are successful. If the only attempts have been “cold turkey” there are several things that may help. Free counseling is available in Texas at 1-877YES-QUIT or online at www.yesquit.org. For people who are very dependent on the nicotine in cigarettes, most nicotine replacement products can be purchased without prescription. Other effective medications are available by prescription that will also be helpful.
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