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Of Interest: Cholesterol

September is National Cholesterol Education Month, a good time to get your blood cholesterol checked and take steps to lower it if it is high. It's also a good time to learn about lipid profiles and about food and lifestyle choices that help you reach personal cholesterol goals.

Over 65 million Americans have high cholesterol levels! When there is too much cholesterol (a fat-like substance) in your blood, it builds up in the walls of your arteries. The build up of cholesterol in your blood causes artery walls to narrow and become inflexible and blood flow to the heart is slowed down or blocked. If enough blood and oxygen cannot reach your heart, you may suffer chest pain from the blockage. The result can be a heart attack.

Of Interest: Going Back to School

As the days of summer wind down, kids are heading back to school. For parents, teachers, and caregivers, the start of the school year is often exciting, but it can be difficult for kids of all ages. Peer pressure, bullying, and social anxieties can take their toll on kids in hallways and classrooms. Practical information is available for you as your child moves from basking in the summer sun to zippering up a backpack. Whether kids are starting second grade or senior year, resources are available to keep them mentally healthy and drug free.

Check out the Back to School section of SAMHSA's "Family Guide" for ways to make the best out of school time for your children.

Of Interest: Whole Grain Goodness

Whole grains are often overlooked. In fact, surveys indicate that the majority of Americans are lucky if they consume even one serving of whole grains a day. Start making whole grains a part of your balanced diet because they are an important part of your digestive health and may reduce the risk of some cancers and chronic diseases.

Next time you make a sandwich for lunch or cook pasta for dinner, experiment a little. Use whole wheat bread or pasta instead of the traditional white stuff we've all grown used to eating.

Picture of whole-wheat flour and whole-wheat baked goods

Of Interest: It's Back to School Time!

Many schools require that your child's immunizations be up-to-date before they begin the school year. Make sure your child is ready for school--check the Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule.

You can also get a personalized immunization schedule based on your child's date of birth. Use the Instant Childhood Immunization Scheduler to print this handy chart of what age to get which vaccine, for what disease, and the exact recommended vaccination date. There's even room to record the date when the vaccination was received.

Of Interest: Poison Ivy

Do you enjoy the outdoors when the weather is warm? If so, be sure to watch out for this three-leafed monster. The oily sap from the poison ivy plant comes from the plant's stems, leaves and fruit. If you come into contact with the plant, a blistering skin rash may form. Depending on how much sap you get on your skin and the sensitivity of your skin, the rash can range from mild to severe.

The best way to avoid the rash is to learn what the plants look like and stay away from them. If you come into contact with the plants, wash your skin and clothing right away. If you develop a rash, question your pharmacist or doctor on how the rash should be treated.

Of Interest: Children's Eye Safety

Eye injuries are the leading cause of blindness in children in the United States, and most injuries occurring in school-aged children are sports-related. These injuries account for an estimated 100,000 physician visits per year at a cost of more than $175 million.

All children who play sports should use protective eyewear. Protective eyewear is made of ultra-strong polycarbonate, which is 10 times more impact resistant than other plastics. This material does not reduce vision. Student athletes who have vision in only one eye or a history of eye injury or eye surgery should especially use protective eyewear.

Of Interest: Hurricane Awareness

A hurricane is a severe tropical cyclone with wind speeds that can exceed 155 mph. Hurricanes are classified into five categories based on their wind speed, central pressure, and damage potential. The catastrophic damage that hurricanes can cause will affect coastlines, as well as hundreds of miles inland. The high winds and heavy rains can not only destroy buildings, roads, and bridges, but also they can knock down power lines and trees. In coastal areas, very high tides called storm surges cause extensive damage, as well.

Although there are no guarantees of safety during a hurricane, you should take actions to protect yourself by mapping out a disaster plan. Be aware of new safety issues created by the severe weather such as washed out roads, contaminated buildings, contaminated water, gas leaks, and damaged electrical wiring.

Of Interest: Aphasia Awareness Month

Aphasia is a symptom of brain damage caused by damage to the portions of the brain that are responsible for language. This symptom can result from a brain tumor, infection, head injury, or dementia that damages the brain. Aphasia is most common in adults who have suffered a stroke.

Aphasia can be divided into four broad categories: expressive, receptive, anomic or amnesia, and global. Treating aphasia requires rehabilitation with a speech pathologist, although in some instances people have recovered with little or no treatment.

Of Interest: Rip Currents

Rip Currents don’t pull you under the water — they pull you away from the shore. This is a common misconception, but the risks are still high. Every year in the United States over 100 people are reported from drowning due to rip currents. If you are caught in one, never swim against the rip current; swim parallel to the shore.

Take precautions! Never swim alone, make sure a lifeguard is around, and stay away from piers and jetties where rip currents are known to form. Do not test the ocean; rip currents can drag even the strongest swimmers out to sea.

Of Interest: Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal muscles of the body. Sometimes, muscles that control eye movements, facial expressions, chewing, talking and swallowing become very weak. Other muscles affected may be those that control breathing or neck and limb movements.

This disease is not directly inherited nor is it contagious. MG most commonly affects young adult women and older men, but it can occur at any age. MG can be controlled, and there are many therapies available to help reduce muscle weakness.

Of Interest: Men's Health Week

The life-expectancy gap between men and women has shrunk to 5.2 years, the narrowest since 1946! Although the gap is sliming, men's health is still a major issue. Men tend to lead far less healthy lifestyles than women for several different reasons. When problems do arise, their "tough-guy" image sometimes keeps them from seeking medical help.

Many of the major health issues that men are faced with can be prevented and treated if they are diagnosed early. Staying healthy at any age is possible if you get into a routine of healthy activities and regular medical checkups.

Of Interest: Cruise with Confidence

All Aboard! Setting sail on a luxury liner is a common vacation getaway for travelers. Their opulence, however, comes with tight surroundings. Cruises put you in close quarters with a high volume of vacationers which enables illness to spread easier. Although infrequent, there is always a possibility that person-to-person contact and contaminated food or water could make you sick.

Before boarding, know the tricks of the trade for keeping you and your family healthy. Wash your hands and keep hands away from your face. Ask the cruise line for alternative options if you’re sick prior to embarking.
Learn more cruise tips>>

Of Interest: Bicycle Blunders

Helmets are not optional. Make sure your child wears a helmet when he/she is riding their bike no matter how nerdy they think it looks. Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of a brain injury by 88%.

If you wear a helmet your child is more likely to wear one too. Each year some 140,000 children are treated for head injuries in emergency rooms from bicycle accidents. Be a role model-wear a helmet.