Portland observer., November 21, 2012, Page 7, Image 7

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No Immunity for
Heart Disease
Best odds are in the
healthiest adults
An eye care professional tests for diabetic retinopathy (leaking blood vessels).
Diabetic Eye Diseases and Vision Loss
Rates to increase with
growing population
Diabetes affects nearly 26 million people in the United States
while 79 million people are estimated to have pre-diabetes, a
condition that puts people at increased risk for diabetes.
All people with diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, are at risk for
diabetic eye disease, a leading cause of vision loss and blind­
ness.
Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems includ­
ing cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma that diabetics
may face as a complication of the disease. Diabetic retinopathy,
the most common diabetic eye disease, is the leading cause of
blindness in adults 20-74 years of age.
“The longer a person has diabetes the greater is his or her risk
of developing diabetic eye disease,” said Dr. Paul A. Sieving,
director of the National Eye Institute. “If you have diabetes, be sure
to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year.
While all people with diabetes can develop diabetic eye
disease, African Americans, American Indians and Alaska Na­
tives, and Hispanics and Latinos with diabetes are at higher risk
of losing vision or going blind from it.
With early detection, timely laser surgery, and appropriate
follow-up care, people with advanced diabetic retinopathy can
reduce risk of blindness by 90 percent.
Research has shown that people with diabetes who maintain
good control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol can
slow the development and progression of diabetic eye disease.
In addition to having annual comprehensive dilated eye
exams, people with diabetes should take your medications, reach
and maintain a healthy weight, add physical activity to your daily
routine, control your blood sugar, blood pressure, and choles­
terol, and kick the smoking habit.
For more information on diabetic eye disease and tips on
finding an eye care professional or financial assistance for eye
care, visit nei.nih.gov/diabetes or call the National Eye Institute
at301-496-5248.
(AP) — Here's a reality check for health­
conscious baby boomers: Even among those in
good shape, at least 1 in 3 will eventually develop
heart problems or have a stroke.
The upside is that that will happen about
seven years later than for their less healthy
peers.
The findings come from a study published in
the Journal of the American Medical Associa­
tion, where researchers pooled data from five
major studies involving nearly 50,000 adults
aged 45 and older who were followed for up to 50
years.
The best odds are in the healthiest adults —
those who don't smoke, have diabetes, high
blood pressure or high cholesterol. Still, among
55-year-olds in that category, about a third can
expect to develop heart or other cardiovascular
problems as they age.
Researchers found that the healthiest 45-
year-olds lived up to 14 years longer free of heart
ailments than those with at least two risk factors.
The healthiest 55-year-olds lived up to about
seven years longer than their less healthy peers.
While prevalence o f heart disease and related
deaths have declined nationwide in recent years,
more than 82 million Americans— roughly one-
third — have some form of cardiovascular dis­
ease, according to the American Heart Associa­
tion.
Most people in the analysis had high blood
pressure or at least one of the other risk factors.
The results shouldn't be discouraging, said
lead author Dr. John Wilkins, an assistant pro­
fessor of preventive medicine and cardiology at
Northwestern University's medical school in
Chicago.
Maintaining an optimal lifestyle, by eating
sensibly and staying active, is still the best way
to live a long, healthy life, he said.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ THE_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
SPINACOLUM N
An ongoing series of questions and answers about Am ericas natural healing profession
Part 28. Industrial Injuries:
What to do if you are hurt on the job
: I w as liftin g a heavy an excellent track record with helping I’m sure your employer would just as
object on the job site and my back problems like yours. We make every at­ soon not have expenses like that. Speak
just collapsed on me. I have since gone
tempt possible o get you back on the job to your employer today about having a
to several company doctors only to safely as soon as possible - often within Chiropractic consultation. If you have
get yet another pain pill. One doctor a few days. This is obviously beneficial had a lifting injury or suffer from pain,
has mentioned surgery. What do you not only to you but your company as well. why don’t you call us today. A life of
think I should do?
It is not uncommon for a workmen’s com­ suffering is indeed a wasted life. Don’t
You sh o u ld im m e d ia te ly pensation back surgery to run $100,000. let it be yours.
- quest to see a Chiropractor.
Approximately 90% of back injuries
have the capacity of being helped
2124 NE Hancock, Portland Oregon 97212 • P h o n e : ( 5 0 3 ) 2 5 7 * 5 5 0 4
through Chiropractic. Our office has
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Flowers' Chiropractic Office
Dr. Billy R. Flowers