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The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Job 33:4, NKJV
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Gut Health is Important for All Ages
Colorectal cancer remains the third most common cancer in the U.S. Recent trends show that more young people -- those between 20 and 49 years of age -- are being diagnosed with it. This highlights the need to take steps to catch it earlier to try to prevent it.
Top 4 Tips to Lower your Risk of Colorectal Cancer
- Get screened when it’s time. A colonoscopy is an exam to look inside the large intestine (colon) and rectum to see if there are any changes. Historically, screenings were done at age 50. Due to increased cases in younger people, the American Cancer Society now recommends a first screening at age 45.
Take home stool sample tests, like Cologuard, can give doctors some useful information and might be a good first step. Check with your care team about what is right for you.
- Know family history of polyps or cancers. Knowing what cancers your sisters, brothers, parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents have had is important and may change when and how often you need screening.
- If you have any of these symptoms, talk with your doctor or health care team.
• Changes in or inconsistent bowel movements, constipation, diarrhea or leaking
• New or unexplained abdominal pain
• Cramps and gas
• Unusual looking stools - Healthy stool is usually a soft, formed bowel movement that is typically brown in color
• Blood in your stool
- Make healthy lifestyle changes.
• Exercise regularly, try to walk as much as possible
• Drink more water
• Cook meals at home. Include more fiber, like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans and lentils
• Limit alcohol
• Stob tobacco use
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Save the Date for the Wellness Fairs
North Wilkesboro: Wilkes Training Center
April 20, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Boone: OCC Warehouse
May 3, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
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Blood Drive
North Wilkesboro, Training Center Parking Lot
Friday, March 17, 2023
12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Boone, OCC Parking Lot
Friday, March 17, 2023
12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
To make an appointment go to redcrossblood.org and use
sponsor code: samaritans purse or call 1-800-RED-CROSS
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Join the Samaritan's Purse team at the New River Marathon
Saturday, May 13th
Marathon, 1/2 Marathon, and 5K (runners and walkers).
Sponsored by the Samaritan’s Purse Wellness Committee.
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Know Your Risk for Diabetes
With diabetes, the body’s blood sugar, or glucose, level is too high. Over time, too much glucose circulating in the blood can hurt your heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves.
There are two main types of diabetes:
- With type 1 diabetes, your pancreas makes too little or no insulin. People with type 1 diabetes need insulin treatment to replace or supplement the body's own insulin. Type 1 diabetes mostly affects children and young adults.
- With type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t use insulin the way it’s supposed to. Most cases of diabetes are type 2. The good news is that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle habits.
Prediabetes is when your blood sugar is high, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Think of it as a red flag to take action to be able to prevent diabetes.
Did you know?
- 1 out of 10 – have diabetes
- 1 in 3 adults – have prediabetes
- About half of expectant moms with gestational diabetes (diabetes in pregnancy) will go on to develop type 2 diabetes.
- Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Facts, Stats, and Impacts of Diabetes
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Get a Head Start on Seasonal Allergies
It’s nearly that time of year – the days grow longer, buds start to appear on tree branches and new blades of grass begin sprouting.
If you’re one of the over 50 million Americans who suffer with seasonal allergies, these early signs of spring are also a reminder to plan ahead to avoid the sniffling, sneezing, tickly throat and itchy eyes.
Here are 5 tips to help you manage your allergies.
- Take medicines early, ideally 2-3 weeks before allergy season starts. If you take medicine to relieve your allergy symptoms, remember that they work best when you take them well ahead of the blooms of spring.
- Try a nasal rinse. A saline nasal wash or neti pot can do wonders to help flush out dust, pollen and other irritants and relieve nasal symptoms. Ask your care team which they recommend and always be sure to use cool boiled water or buy distilled or sterile water.
- Keep an eye on daily pollen levels with your weather app or morning news report so that you can try to spend less time outdoors on days when they’re high. Pollen counts are often highest in the mornings and reach their peak by midday or early afternoon.
- Shut windows in your home, office and car. It might be tempting to open your windows and doors and let some fresh air in after the long winter months, but doing so will let pollen in.
- Look for other ways to keep pollen in the outside world.
For example:
• Take off your shoes off when you come home.
• Change your clothes – or better yet rinse off any pollen that might be on your skin or hair – after spending time outdoors.
• Brush or bathe pets – their coats can be a magnet for pollen and other allergens!
Always reach out to and talk with your care team or on-site clinic provider if you have new or worsening allergies. In some cases, prescription medications or allergy shots may be needed.
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