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Community Info Health News
 How To Reach Us: St. Louis Front Page Community News P.O. Box 1354 St. Louis, MO 63188 http://www.slfp.com Voice: 314-771-0200 Fax: 314-771-0300 To submit news, contact: editor@slfp.com  |
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Americans Underestimate the Consequences of Allergies Says Survey CHICAGO, (PRNewswire) September 2, 2002 - Ninety-four percent of allergy sufferers report in a recent survey that their quality of life, often including their work productivity, sleep, concentration, and even their sex lives, is affected by their allergies. However, despite this, only 50 percent of allergy sufferers consider the disease to be a serious medical condition and nearly two-thirds (64 percent) did not see an allergist or other doctor the last time their symptoms acted up. This fall, about 50 million Americans will suffer from allergic symptoms. Seasonal allergies are caused by pollens or mold spores, and year-round allergies are caused by indoor allergens. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), sufferers often confuse allergy symptoms with the common cold because the conditions may mimic each other. In fact, of those sufferers surveyed, 41 percent thought they had a cold or virus when they first began suffering with allergies. Indicators of a cold include a stuffy nose, sneezing, sore scratchy throat, fatigue and sometimes a fever. Some of the signs of seasonal allergies can include watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, congestion or itchy throat. Because these symptoms are easy to confuse, the ACAAI notes that it is imperative to involve an allergist or personal physician when any of these symptoms linger. In response, the ACAAI sponsor of the survey, has issued a call to action for allergy sufferers to take their condition seriously and seek the advice of an allergist or personal physician to mitigate symptoms and feel good again. "Allergies and their symptoms not only cause quality of life consequences such as fatigue, impaired work performance and general malaise, but also, insufficiently treated allergies often lead to serious conditions such as sinus or ear infections, asthma and sleep problems," said Dr. Bobby Lanier, president of ACAAI. "What people need to know is that there is no need to suffer the health and quality of life consequences of allergies, and they should seek the help of a medical expert."  American Heart Association Launches Program to Help Women Improve Their Health DALLAS, (BUSINESS WIRE) August 25, 2002 - Across the country, women are finding it harder and harder to maintain healthy lifestyles. A survey conducted in June 2002 by the American Heart Association revealed that 75 percent of women do not make healthful choices when it comes to diet and exercise. Physical inactivity and poor nutrition choices contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease, the No. 1 killer of women. "Studies have shown that women realize what it takes to reduce their risk for heart disease and want to reduce that risk, but they often aren't equipped with the tools they need to help them do so," said Rose Marie Robertson, M.D., director of the Vanderbilt Women's Heart Institute and past American Heart Association president. As a result, the American Heart Association is launching Simple Solutions, a free educational program sponsored by the California Walnut Commission that is designed to help women learn how to make simple lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke. To meet the needs of survey respondents, Simple Solutions will provide participants with a series of communications including healthy recipes, nutrition and exercise tips which will reinforce the theme that living a healthy life can be achieved by taking one simple step each day. "The Simple Solutions program is just what women need to help them maintain healthy lifestyles," Julie Moran, former Entertainment Tonight host and Simple Solutions spokesperson, said. "My grandmother died of a heart attack at a young age, and I want to help prevent other women from suffering that same fate." Program participants can learn how to cut calories and increase physical activity with the help of tips such as:
The American Heart Association spent about $382 million during fiscal year 2000-2001 on research support, public and professional education, and community programs.
ST. LOUIS, (Newstream) July 29, 2002 - Five million Americans go to the emergency room each year with chest pain. While most patients are found to be fine and sent home, five percent have a heart attack soon after leaving the hospital. A simple, 15-minute test could save your life. It's a scan that measures blood flow in the heart of patients complaining of chest pain and recently the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology said it was the most accurate way to diagnose a heart attack. Baptist Hospital in Miami is one of only a handful of hospitals nationwide that have been using the test for the past seven years. The hospital has been using the scan to dramatically lower the risk of misdiagnosed heart attacks to nearly zero. The scans also means a reduction in unneeded hospital stays. According to medical professionals, standard tests such as an E-K-G can often miss a heart attack, but the blood flow scan is nearly a hundred percent accurate. Archived Stories: Health Officials Issue Hot Weather Tips Use of Internet for Health Care Information Increases, Says Harris Interactive Poll West Nile Virus Underlines Threat From Mosquito-Borne Diseases McDonnell Foundation Awards Grants for Research Linking Brain and Behavior St. Louis Ranks 24th in Spring Allergy Cities St. Louis is Ranked Ninth Fattest City Kids Not as Healthy and Fit as They Could Be Asthma Is A Growing Concern in St. Louis More Americans Change Their Eating Habits Due to Heath and Nutrition Concerns TFTC Challenges Comfrey Products Promoted via Internet What's the Difference Between Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke? Think Sparklers Are Safe? Think Again, Says SLUCare Opthalmologist Four-day Local Pollen Forecast Desktop Tool Helps Allergy Suffers Electronic Meal and Health Management Tool  The SLFP.com - Community Info is presented in conjunction with the St. Louis Front Page and Southwest Illinois News. The sites are owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan St. Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 1996 - 2008 Moore Design Group . |
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