Men, Learn To Take Control of Your Health

“Recognizing and preventing men’s health problems is not just a man’s issue. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, men’s health is truly a family issue,” said Congressman Bill Richardson in 1994. That statement today is still as relevant as it was in the 90’s because of the continuous decline in men’s health.

Men’s Health Month was created to highlight preventable health issues and encourage early detection of disease among men of all ages. It’s important as men, to proactively maintain your health. You can do so by establishing a health baseline, ensuring regular visits with your doctor and getting to know how your body works. Ranging from heart health, testosterone levels and various cancers, it’s extremely important to know what’s going on inside of your body. Check out the wide range of tests that are offered for men.

How will you encourage the people in your life to take control of their health during men’s health month?

Bone Marrow Donation Is Easier Than You May Think

Most people believe that becoming a bone marrow donor requires a lot more than it actually does. Robin Roberts, Good Morning America co-anchor, addresses this issue head on through many on-air discussions and in her newly released memoir, “Everybody’s Got Something.” Below is a small excerpt from the book.

“I had been told that one day I would wake up and not even think about cancer. When I woke up that Sunday morning before the Oscars, cancer was the furthest thing from my mind. As far as I was concerned it was in my rearview mirror.”

Roberts has become a leader in providing information to the public about the bone marrow donation process. She is an advocate for a similar organization to our partner organization, Delete Blood Cancer. The donor specimens from both organizations go into the same donor registry, so regardless you will be registered into the donor bank.

A lot of people are unaware at how easy it is to be a donor. All it takes is a cheek swab and signature on a couple of documents prior to review. Through Delete Blood Cancer and similar organizations, you can impact someone’s life. Find a location to donate here.

How To Get Involved With World Blood Donor Day

World Blood Donor Day is coming up, June 14th. Every year the World Health Organization (WHO) hosts this day to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products. Every community, family and organization is encouraged to consider donating blood on the 14th. It truly makes a difference for those in need and helps to save lives.

Another way to help save lives is to consider becoming a blood marrow donor through the efforts of Delete Blood Cancer, an organization we have partnered with to help people who have blood cancer find bone marrow donors.

Every little bit helps, and these two initiatives are a way to share that. Read Denis Urbina’s story to see how much a donor can impact the community.

“Denis Urbina, a driver, is much familiarized with the process of blood donation and its importance, as he has been saving lives for 20 years. He tells us proudly his altruistic work. He said that one day he was asked to go to the Nicaraguan Red Cross to take care of some tasks and while he was completing them, a woman reached out to him to ask him a favor, telling him that her family members was in the emergency room at Bertha Calderon and she needed blood.

Without a doubt, Denis, who is always willing to help the others and look for solutions, said yes. This was the start of his altruistic work, expressing that that day, when he gave the woman the evidence of his donation, he felt relieved to help her.

Donors such as Denis, who said he donates blood twice or three times a year, are examples of citizens who dedicate their lives to save lives. He says that if he were to encounter a similar situation that took him to start being a voluntary donor, he would do it with pleasure, as he is conscientious of the necessity and wants to take the opportunity to encourage young people to do it as well.”

To read other stories of changed lives,  visit here.

Men, Learn How To Manage Your Health

As mentioned prior, men’s heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. More than half of deaths in heart disease in 2009 consisted of male victims. Detailed information and other statistics about men’s heart health are provided on the CDC’s website.

In addition to that, Men’s Health Magazine compiled an extremely intriguing perspective on the various and multiple reasons as to why American men die young. Everything from prostate cancer, to medical errors, to infectious disease, to diabetes and more is addressed.

Bringing up serious health issues in men is for a reason. In order to prevent these diseases controlling the lives of men, it’s important to be proactive in managing your health and to be aware. By completing routine tests, routine physicians visits and truly maintaining your health, you are taking a step towards taking control of your health. As the Affordable Care Act continues to evolve, it’s important to know how to move forward with taking control of your health. For example, knowing costs of treatments, lab tests and/or procedures upfront can help you make your healthcare as affordable as possible.

To learn more visit www.anylabtestnow.com/aca.

Celebrate Safety During National Safety Month

The National Safety Council celebrates National Safety Month each June to bring attention and highlight key safety issues. Each week features different topics, which are listed below:

Week 1: Prevent prescription drug abuse

Week 2: Stop slips, trips and falls

Week 3: Be aware of your surroundings

Week 4: Put an end to distracted driving

Bonus week: Summer safety

This year’s theme is, “Safety: It takes all of us.” It was inspired by the commitment to reduce risks of common safety issues. The National Safety Council encourages you, your family, your coworkers and your friends to find creative ways to reduce safety risks in all aspects of your life in hopes of avoiding preventable accidents and tragedies.

As we participate in supporting National Safety Month, we want to encourage you to reduce your health risks by evaluating your health. Explore the many helpful and informative tests we offer so that you can take control of your health.

Budget For Your Family’s Health

The way you managed your family’s healthcare budget has changed now that the Affordable Care Act is in action. It’s always a difficult task managing your family’s health, not to mention the cost that goes along with that. Maintaining your health savings account will help you to do just that.

Health savings accounts are funds set up by employers, but completely owned by you. You can deposit pre-tax money to pay for medical expenses that are considered qualified by the IRS. (See Publication 502 for specifics). The money is available as needed and is available on a HSA debit card or through reimbursements. You must have a High Deductible Health Plan and you cannot be covered by any other insurance plans to allow for contributions.

Your family benefits in multiple ways:

• HSAs can be saved for future healthcare needs and if not used, can be passed on to heirs.

• The unused money in the account earns tax-free interest.

• Money deposited into your HSA reduces your taxable income.

HSAs give your family options when dealing with medical expenses. Lab tests are covered with HSAs and we accept HSA debit cards. Due to our upfront pricing, you can manage your lab testing budget easily. Visit www.anylabtestnow.com/aca to learn more.

How To Stop Hepatitis

In 2011, there were an estimated range of 2,700 actual new cases of Hepatitis A, 18,800 of Hepatitis B and 16,500 of Hepatitis C in the United States according to the Center for Disease Control. As these numbers continue to climb, join us in taking part in Hepatitis Testing Day, today, May 19 to stop that number from increasing. We are supporting the cause and hope you do too.

May has been deemed Hepatitis Awareness Month and in light of that, the CDC and its public health partners work hard to bring awareness to the epidemic and encourage people to get tested. It’s extremely important to get tested because if Hepatitis is left untreated, it can turn into serious health issues including liver failure. Another reason getting tested is so important is because the disease can remain dormant in your body for years without causing any symptoms. Don’t let it go unnoticed if you may be affected.

Check out the ABC’s of viral Hepatitis provided by the CDC to learn more and get tested today.

Become Aware of Your Food Allergies

A surprising 15 million people are affected by food allergies. Allergic reactions to different kinds of food can affect the skin, gastrointestinal tract, the respiratory tract and sometimes even the cardiovascular system. Reactions are different for everyone, but if not properly treated can be threatening. Symptoms and timing of symptoms vary for each individual, which is why it’s so important to know your body.

Diagnosing an allergy on your own is not recommended, as the root of the allergy could be from something else other than your first inclination and can result in unnecessary dietary changes. Talking with an allergist and getting the recommended tests is the best way to determine the best plan of attack on your food allergies. We offer a selection of allergy tests that can help you with your food allergies.

“In 1998, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, now FARE, created Food Allergy Awareness Week to educate the public about food allergies, a potentially life-threatening medical condition.” Learn more about how you can get involved with this year’s Food Allergy Awareness Week here.

Stroke Awareness – It’s Preventable

May is an important month! We talked about the importance of allergy testing last week, and this week we want to shine a light on stroke awareness. May was designated by President George H. W. Bush as National Stroke Awareness Month. The National Stroke Association works hard each year to bring awareness of strokes in hopes to conquer them. Check out their resource center for programs, activities and tons of valuable information.

A stroke happens after a blood clot blocks an artery or when a blood vessel breaks. This causes interrupted brain flow to the brain. Brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs when this happens.

“When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area of the brain are lost. These abilities include speech, movement and memory.  How a stroke patient is affected depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged.” -Read more from the National Stroke Association here.

Did you know that up to 80% of strokes are preventable?

In order to prevent a stroke, check out our PLAC® Test. It’s a test that measures an increased enzyme caused by inflamed arteries. It can help your physician assess your risk and susceptibility for heart attacks and stroke. Support National Stroke Awareness Month by getting informed, spreading the word and getting tested!

Bless You! National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America encourages you to get informed about asthma and allergies as the season is upon us. That’s why they’ve deemed May as Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.

When spring arrives, the flowers bloom, the weather warms up and the sun comes out more! However, spring also means an overload of pollen, which makes a lot of people’s allergies act up.

Allergies become apparent when your body is exposed to something that it considers to be harmful and, as a result, creates antibodies to protect itself for the next exposure. The next time your body comes is exposed, histamines are released, causing those allergic reactions and symptoms that seem to come around spring time. Want to see where your city ranks in the 100 most challenging places to live with allergies? Check it out here.

It’s important to monitor your allergies, so check out all of the convenient allergy tests we offer and get yours tested in honor of Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.