Attention Baby Boomers: Get Your Hepatitis C Testing

If you were born between the years 1945 and 1965, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is suggesting a screening hepatitis C test.  To many of you this may sound odd or not applicable however the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 76% of those with Hep C are baby boomers.  What does this mean for you?

Hepatitis C is a virus that is mostly transmitted through unscreened blood transfusions (screening for transfusions began in 1992), unscreened organ donation, blood transfer through needles (drugs, improper medical or tattoo handling), unprotected sex with someone who has hepatitis C, and from a positive hepatitis C mother to her baby.  It is a stubborn virus in that it can live outside the body at room temperature for up to four days.  The concern with the virus is that it can take years for any symptoms or liver damage to occur leaving many to have contracted the disease and not yet realize it.  Symptoms may also be quite general such as fatigue, right upper abdominal pain, itchy skin, and nausea however as the liver worsens then liver enzymes increase on blood tests.

The main problem with hepatitis C is that it can become chronic over many years leading to liver cancer, liver cirrhosis and liver failure. Testing requires a simple blood test done at your health care provider’s office or lab and is important as many baby boomers may have partaken in risky behavior when they were younger and have since cleaned up their lifestyle and do not feel sick therefore do not think they are affected.  Boomers may have also had a blood transfusion as a child which potentially put them at risk but they do not remember it or have forgotten about the incident.

For those who go on to develop chronic hepatitis, routine monitoring of the liver is important through a liver enzyme blood test and liver ultrasound in order to determine if there is damage or inflammation.  Unfortunately there is no vaccination for hep C and the medication treatments can be very helpful but come with a lot of harsh side effects.  Lifestyle changes to protect liver health are important such as eliminating all alcohol, being very aware of medications and hormones as they are filtered through the liver, eating healthy, clean foods, keeping blood sugar and cholesterol in the normal range and maintaining a healthy weight.  Dietary choices such as leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, garlic, onions, dandelion root, milk thistle, beets, artichoke and fiber are all known liver friendly foods.

Do not be a statistic with hepatitis C.  Please talk with your health care provider about getting this simple test and be pro-active with your health.  

References:

1.       Garcia, J.  (2013).  Hepatitis C: USPSTF Recommends All Baby Boomers Be Screened.  Web.  24 June, 2013.   Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/806836

2.       Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  (2012).  Hepatitis C FAQs for the Public.  Web.  26 June, 2013.  Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/cFAQ.htm#statistics

How Much Alcohol do you Drink?

Alcohol consumption is a large part of the American culture in that it is used in celebration, toasts, as a form of bonding, at sporting events, after bad days and during the holidays.  It is advised that men not drink more than 2 drinks per day, and women keep it to 1 drink per day however recent research in the February 2013 Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that 18 percent of men and 11 percent of women are drinking above and beyond this recommendation. 

In a given week, how many alcoholic beverages do you drink?  Wine with dinner? Cocktails with the girls? A beer to relax?  While moderation is important and the occasional drink may be okay, remember that alcohol has other implications that may get in the way of your health.  First, alcohol increases the risk of certain cancers, particularly breast, liver, mouth, colorectal, and throat.   Second, alcohol requires a lot of processing by the liver which can interfere with the processing of other important substances such as medications, chemicals, and hormones.  Third, liver processing, especially at night, can lead to insomnia or 3am wake-ups.  Fourth, alcohol is not calorie free therefore it can cause weight gain and (depending what your drink of choice is) increases in blood sugar levels.  Fifth, ongoing alcohol consumption can further depress mood disorders, lead to a decreased memory and worsen psoriasis and other skin disorders.

Alcohol addiction is an important health concern to recognize in both yourself and the people you love.  Many choose alcohol as their coping mechanism when times are stressful or things are tough however other healthier options are available.  Even though the current recommendation for women is 7 drinks per week, remember that a drink is typically considered 5 ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of hard liquor or 12 ounces of beer and 7 drinks may be too many for you and your health goals.  With that said, how many drinks do you really have? 

References:

1.       Grens, K.  Too Many Americans still Drink too Much: Study. Web.  25 February, 2013

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_134308.html

2.       Bagnardi, V., Rota, M., Botteri, E., Tramacere, I., Islami, F., Fedirko, V.,   Scotti, L., M., Jenab, Turati, F., Pasquali, E.,  Pelucchi, C., Bellocco, R.,  Negri, E., Corrao, G., Rehm, J., Boffetta, P., and  La Vecchia, C. Light Alcohol Drinking and Cancer.  Web. 25 February, 2013.         http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/778949

3.       Kazakevich, N., Moody, M., Landau, J., and Goldberg, L.  Alcohol and Skin Disorders.  Web.  25 February, 2013.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/742538