Important Health Reminders

The following reminders address some of the health issues that adults face. Take a moment to look them over. Contact your doctor if you have questions or concerns.

Diabetes

Every year, about 1 million adults are diagnosed with diabetes.

• If you have diabetes, it is important to keep your A1c level at less than 7% to help avoid complications such as diabetic retinopathy (eye disease), kidney disease, nerve damage and heart disease. You should have your A1c checked at least every six months.
• People with diabetes should also ask their doctor about having a microalbumin test, which determines how much albumin (a protein in your blood) is in your urine. High albumin levels may be an early sign of kidney disease.

For more information about diabetes, visit priorityhealth.com and click on "Health & Wellness," then select "Diabetes" from the drop-down menu under "Health Condition Centers."

Tobacco Cessation

Smoking is harmful to those who light up as well as those around them. About 3,000 nonsmokers die of lung cancer every year because of secondhand smoke. Smokers and their friends and family should know that:

• Tobacco use causes disabling conditions as people age, including heart and circulatory disease, emphysema, and cancer.
• Tobacco use accelerates the rate of decline of bone density with age. By age 70, smokers have less dense bones and a higher fracture rate than nonsmokers. Female smokers are at greater risk for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Interested in quitting smoking? Visit priorityhealth.com and click on "Health & Wellness," then "Stop Smoking Program."

Alcohol and Drugs

Here is some information about the risks of drinking alcohol and using drugs:

• Drinking in moderation - up to one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men - may be no cause for concern. Although alcohol abuse is less common among older adults, misuse at earlier ages may negatively affect you in your later years.
• Heavy drinking raises your risk for certain types of stroke and cancer. It can also cause cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, and problems with your immune system.

If you think you or someone close to you might have a problem, visit priorityhealth.com and click on "Classes & Resources," then "Substance Abuse" for more information. You can also call our Behavioral Health department at 1-800-673-8043 for a confidential assessment or referral to a behavioral health specialist.