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Health matters: Here’s what you need to know about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

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It’s November National Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month.

It’s time to raise awareness of lung disease in our communities. By understanding the causes, reducing risk aspects, and actively in search of available treatments, we will work to improve COPD care and fill the health care gap – not only in November, but every month.

To have fun the condition, we wanted to spread awareness and shine a lightweight on what Black communities need to know. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a severe lung disease that affects greater than 14 million adults within the United States, and ladies are particularly in danger. Dr. Chidinma Chima-Melton, board-certified pulmonologist, says: “The shocking thing is that many people don’t even realize they have it. Black women and men often experience more severe symptoms and are more likely to be hospitalized or die from the disease compared to other groups.”

Additionally, Dr. Chima-Melton describes below essentially the most common symptoms of COPD, its causes, treatments and ways to reduce the chance.

Common symptoms of COPD:

  • Chronic cough (lasting greater than eight weeks, often with mucus)

According to Dr. Chima-Melton: Why Black Communities Are Harder Affected:

Several reasons explain why COPD is commonly more severe in black communities:

Environmental hazards: Some communities of color are situated in areas with poor air quality, similar to cities with heavy traffic or industrial pollution, in addition to some agricultural regions where there are a lot of airborne chemicals.

Access to health care: There are fewer lung specialists (pulmonologists) in black neighborhoods, making it harder for people to get the care they need. Additionally, health care disparities mean many Black patients receive a COPD diagnosis later or could have less access to insurance-covered treatments similar to inhalers.

Education and management: There are insufficient resources and programs focused on educating Black communities about COPD and its treatments, worsening the results of the disease.

    What is COPD? COPD includes two central lung diseases: emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

    • Emphysema damages the air sacs within the lungs, making it difficult for oxygen to be delivered to the bloodstream.
    • Chronic bronchitis leads to constant inflammation of the airways, causing constant production of mucus and a persistent cough.

    Doctors diagnose COPD using lung function tests and imaging tests similar to chest CT scans. Although there isn’t any cure, treatments similar to inhalers (which open the airways or reduce inflammation) will help slow the disease and make symptoms more manageable.

    What causes COPD?

    The leading reason behind COPD is smoking, and the tobacco industry has long targeted black communities with specific brands of cigarettes. However, genetic aspects similar to alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency also can lead to COPD, even in non-smokers. This genetic form is rare, but when detected early, it will probably be cured, making early diagnosis crucial.

    As the disease progresses, individuals with COPD may need supplemental oxygen. Severe cases will be life-threatening and significantly affect quality of life.

    New Treatment Advances:

    In the past, inhalers, steroids and antibiotics were used to treat COPD exacerbations. Recently, the FDA approved latest injectable drugs called biologics. These biologic medicines help reduce the frequency of COPD flare-ups, which is significant because flare-ups may cause lung function to rapidly decline and respiration problems to worsen. By reducing these flares, patients can maintain a greater quality of life.

    I would not say that black women are necessarily more predisposed to COPD, but certain risk aspects are specific to women, and particularly black women.

    Why COPD affects women in a different way: :

    Women could also be more susceptible to the harmful effects of tobacco smoke because smoking causes lung function to deteriorate more quickly than men. Among non-smokers with COPD, the bulk are women who’re more sensitive to causes of the disease unrelated to smoking, similar to environmental pollution and passive smoking.

    The exact reasons for these gender differences usually are not fully understood. However, one explanation is that girls have smaller lungs than men, which can lead to greater exposure to harmful substances from the identical amount of cigarette smoke. Additionally, black women are more likely to smoke menthol cigarettes, which usually are not only more harmful but in addition more addictive. Research shows that 84.9% of black women who smoked within the last 30 days selected menthol cigarettes. Hormonal differences and genetic aspects might also play a task in increasing the chance of developing COPD in women.

    How to lower your risk: If you have COPD or are in danger, listed below are some steps to protect your lungs.

    Quit smoking: This is crucial thing you can do. Smoking is crucial risk factor you can control.

    Get vaccinated: Vaccines for pneumonia, flu, RSV and COVID-19 can prevent respiratory infections that cause dangerous COPD exacerbations.

    Stick to your treatment plan: Take your medications, use oxygen if prescribed, and consider pulmonary rehabilitation. Pulmonary rehabilitation includes exercises and education that help individuals with lung disease feel higher and live longer.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

7 things you can do if you think you’re sweating too much

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Sweating is a way for the body to chill down, a bit like an internal air conditioner.

When your body temperature rises (since it’s hot outside or you exercise), sweat glands throughout your skin secrete a watery fluid. When the liquid evaporates, it takes heat with it, protecting us from overheating.

But sweating can vary from individual to individual. Some people could get a bit of dew under their arms, others may feel like they may fill a swimming pool (perhaps not as dramatically, but you get the thought).

So what’s a traditional amount of sweat? And what’s too much?

Why do some people sweat greater than others?

How much you sweat depends upon many aspects aspects including:

The average person sweats at a rate of approx 300 milliliters per hour (at a temperature of 30°C and humidity of roughly 40%). However, because you can’t measure the quantity of your individual sweat (or weigh it), doctors use a unique measure to evaluate the impact of sweating.

They ask if sweating interferes with on a regular basis life. Maybe you stop wearing certain clothes due to sweat stains or you feel embarrassed, so you don’t go to social events or work.

If so, it’s a so-called disease state excessive sweatingwhat affects tens of millions of individuals everywhere in the world.

As you might expect, people affected by this condition most frequently report problematic underarm sweating. However, sweaty hands, feet, scalp and groin might also be an issue.

Excessive sweating could also be a symptom of one other disease, e.g hyperthyroidism, fever or menopause.

But excessive sweating cannot have an obvious cause, and the causes of this so-called primary hyperhidrosis are somewhat mysterious. People have a traditional variety of sweat glands, but scientists consider they simply produce excessive amounts of sweat when exposed to triggers reminiscent of stress, heat, exercise, tobacco, alcohol and spicy spices. There might also be a genetic link.

Okay, I’m sweating loads. What can I do?

1. Antiperspirants

Antiperspirants, especially those with aluminumThey are the primary line of defense and have been designed to scale back sweating. Deodorants only stop unpleasant body odor.

Aluminum chloride, hexahydrate, aluminum chloride or weaker tetrachlorohydrex aluminum and zirconium glycinate they react with sweat gland proteins to form a plug. This plug temporarily blocks the sweat ducts, limiting the quantity of sweat reaching the skin’s surface.

These products may contain as much as 25% aluminum. The higher the proportion, the higher these products work, however the more they irritate the skin.

Make sure you buy antiperspirant, not deodorant.
Okrasiuka/Shutterstock

2. Beat the warmth

This could seem obvious, but staying calm can make an enormous difference. This is because you have less heat to lose, which causes your body to provide less sweat.

Avoid highly regarded and long showers (you’ll have more heat to lose), wear loose clothing fabricated from breathable fabrics reminiscent of cotton (this can help sweat evaporate more easily), and carry a small hand-held fan to assist your sweat evaporate.

When exercising, try it ice bandanas (ice wrapped in a shawl or cloth after which applied to the body) or wet towels. They can be worn across the neck, head or wrists to lower body temperature.

Also try to switch when or where you exercise; If possible, try to seek out cool shade or air-conditioned places.

If your sweating remains to be affecting your life after taking the primary two steps, consult with your doctor. They will help you find the most effective strategy to cope with this problem.

3. Medicines

Some medicines may help regulate sweating. Unfortunately, a few of them can also cause uncomfortable side effects reminiscent of dry mouth, blurred vision, abdominal pain or constipation. So consult with your doctor about what’s best for you.

Your GP might also refer you to a dermatologist – a health care provider like me who makes a speciality of skin conditions – who can recommend a wide range of treatments, including among the following.

4. Botulinum toxin injections

Botulinum toxin injections usually are not used solely for cosmetic reasons. They have many applications in medicine, including: they block the nerves that control the sweat glands. They do this for months.

The dermatologist normally gives injections. But they’re only subsidized by Medical care in Australia under the arms and if you suffer from primary hyperhidrosis that can not be controlled with the strongest antiperspirants. These injections are given as much as thrice a yr. It just isn’t subsidized within the case of other diseases, e.g. hyperthyroidism or other areas, e.g. face or hands.

If you don’t qualify, you can get these shots privately, but it would cost you a whole bunch of dollars for treatment that can last as long as six months.

A healthcare worker giving a man a Botox injection under his arm
In some cases, injections can be found under Medicare.
Satyrenko/Shutterstock

5. Iontophoresis

This involves using a tool that passes a weak electric current through water to the skin decreased sweating in your hands, feet or armpits. Scientists aren’t sure how exactly it really works.

But it’s the one way to manage sweating within the hands and feet, which doesn’t require drugs, surgery or botulinum toxin injections.

This treatment just isn’t subsidized by Medicare and never all dermatologists provide it. However, you can buy your individual device and use it, which is frequently cheaper than using it privately. You can ask your dermatologist if that is the proper option for you.

6. Surgery

There is a procedure where the nerves within the hands are cut, which prevents them from sweating. This is very effective however it may cause sweating somewhere else.

There are also other surgical options that you can talk to your doctor.

7. Microwave therapy

This is newer treatment which stimulates the sweat glands to destroy them in order that they can now not work. This just isn’t quite common yet and is kind of painful. It is out there privately in several centers.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

After being laid off, I decided to start Slow Living

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My corporate job made me redundant in February 2024.

When I received that email and lost access to my important source of income, it shook me to my core. And while I missed the soundness of a full-time job, I didn’t miss the late nights, chaotic deadlines, and private exhaustion that had grow to be normal for me. I subscribe to a robust, independent black woman narrative that places ambition above all else. Something should have modified.

Finding resources to maintain self-care is usually a challenge after we lead busy lives. According to the State of Self-Care for Black Women report developed by EXHALE founder and CEO Katara McCarty and published in 2023, 77% of Black women imagine there’s a necessity for more well-being tools and resources tailored to them needs. While being laid off got here as a whole shock, I knew that the routine I was trying to maintain was affecting my mental health. I had to work, but I also needed rest.

“We must start by decolonizing our minds. We have been colonized with the belief that “the harder I work, the more I get.” However, increasingly Black women are realizing that life is more fulfilling while you truly live it on your personal terms. When conditions are gentler, filled with freedom and rest, you might be almost more productive by approaching life from that place,” McCarty shared.

Getting more rest as I considered every part became a priority. So as a substitute of immediately on the lookout for one other 9-5 job, I wanted to prioritize things I couldn’t do before. Even though I thought this transition was nearly me, it wasn’t.

The viral trend of “slow living” has grow to be a well-liked topic in recent times. From the results of the pandemic to people selecting to live more consciously just because those that select to live “slower” prioritize self-care, recent passions, or tapping into their creative sides somewhat than running on the company hamster wheel. Slow living can include quite a lot of things, reminiscent of adding yoga to your morning routine, not answering your phone after 7 p.m., postponing a task in your to-do list until the subsequent day and replacing it with guilt. Slow living is not only about, literally, moving slower; it’s about living more freely and fewer according to the expectations set by others.

“We are a society that likes to be on the move, go, go. And when you get laid off or are thinking about a career change, it’s a season of reflection. The most common misconception about slow living is that something is wrong” – trauma therapist Jaquinta Jackson, ed. LPC told me in conversation. “On social media it looks as if everyone seems to be doing something. So while you’re not moving, you’ll be able to internalize it and think, “I’m not doing enough or I’m lazy.” But the fact is that we must accept that we’re stationary.

As a reformed “busy bee,” staying still was uncomfortable at first. So I can attest that when I compared myself to others, I felt like I wasn’t doing enough. But after some time, I leaned into the silence to reflect and embrace the solitude. In the start, I focused on applying to as many positions as possible. Every day I committed to repeatedly sending out my resume, rewriting my cover letter, and sending multiple emails to my network about potential opportunities. But the energy put into the job search was as exhausting as my previous job. So I decided to use less and create a routine that may help me get used to every day somewhat than “overcome” it. I incorporated journaling, devotional reading, and morning exercises. In the afternoon, I focused more on writing and gaining inspiration, gaining knowledge on topics that might strengthen my skills, and ended the evening with a gathering with friends or family. While every day could also be different, this relaxed routine makes room for other areas of my life.

Fortunately, not having a busy schedule has improved my mental health. Less stress from meetings and work stimulated the will to write full-time and pursue other passions. Taylor Tucker, who went from senior technology consultant to screenwriter, says slow living has helped her gain more confidence in her many talents.

“The biggest lesson I’ve learned from slow living is that I am who I think I am,” Tucker says. “Even though everything is slower, I know that the results of my work and passion will still come. My work has been verified. Previously, I worked in a corporation, and now I write. No one actually told me, “Oh, I like this.” But now I’m starting to hear it. And I thought, wow, I’ve wanted to do this all along. And now I know that with extra time, I do it.”

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Denzel Washington opens up about weight loss, drug and alcohol use

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Denzel Washington is aging gracefully, and it’s no accident. The actor, who’s on a press tour for his latest film, shared more about his recovery journey. Although the 69-year-old Washington is a unprecedented actor, he struggles with common problems resembling weight gain. In a recent interview, the actor admitted that two years ago he was not satisfied along with his appearance and due to this fact made changes.

“I look at photos of me and Pauletta at the Oscars for Macbeth and I just look fat with all that dyed hair,” the legend said within the winter issue of Macbeth. Esquirewhere he’s the quilt star with a head stuffed with gray hair.

He continued: “I said, ‘Those days are over, man.’ To begin his journey to a more optimal weight, Washington accepted help from a friend.

“My good friend, my little brother, Lenny Kravitz, said, ‘D, I want to set you up with a coach.’ And he did, and he is another man of God. I started with him last February,” Washington said.

“He prepares meals for me and we train, and now I weigh 190 pounds and am on my way to 185.”

“I feel like I’m getting stronger,” the Golden Globe winner added. “Strong is important,” he told Esquire. “I’m doing everything I can.”

The labor paid off, because the two-time Oscar-winning actor looks leaner and more limber than ever in his latest film.

In addition to planning training and meals, Washington also talked about his past alcohol consumption throughout the interview. Washington found wine “difficult” and his addiction to it developed progressively over time.

“I used to be never hooked on heroin. I’ve never been hooked on coke. I actually have never change into hooked on hard drugs. I shot the identical way they shot, but I used to be never punished,” he said. “And I never became hooked on alcohol. I had the proper idea for wine tastings and so on – and that is the way it was to start with. And this can be a very subtle thing. I mean, I drank one of the best.

The actor shared that he also has a wine cellar in his house. “I learned to drink the best. So I’ll drink my ’61s and ’82s and everything we drank. I loved wine, and now I was pouring $4,000 bottles because that was all I had left,” Washington said.

The actor added that he would also call Gil Turner Fine Wines & Spirits on Sunset Boulevard and ask for 2 bottles of one of the best “this or that.”

When Washington’s wife of over forty years, Pauletta, asked why the actor kept ordering two bottles, he replied: “Because if I order more, I’ll drink more. “So I limited it to two bottles and drank both during the day.”

The actor made it clear that he would never drink alcohol while working or preparing for work.

“I might clean up and return to work – I could do each. Regardless of the numerous months of shooting, bang, it is time to wrap up. Then boom. Three months of wine and time to get back to work,” she said.

The actor also said within the interview that he didn’t drink while filming the 2012 series, during which he played an alcoholic pilot.

“I’m sure I did it as soon as I finished. “It was getting close to the end of drinking, but I knew a lot about waking up and looking around not knowing what had happened,” he told Esquire.

“I did a lot of damage to my body. We’ll see. I was clean.”

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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