Health Conditions For Which You May Be At Risk

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We have good news; Black people live longer. According to the CDC, the death rate has decreased by about 25% in 17 years, but a new analysis shows that younger African Americans live or die from many diseases that are typically found in older white Americans.

Chronic disease risk factors can be “dumb” or undiagnosed during your 20th, 30th, or even 40th year of life. That’s why we’d like to join our friends at TYLENOL® to share information about two of the most common medical conditions you should know about right now so that you can proactively protect yourself – high blood pressure and diabetes.

High blood pressure
More than 40% of non-Hispanic African Americans have high blood pressure. It develops earlier in life and is usually more severe. Heart.org reports that it could be because of the high rates of obesity and diabetes, but researchers have also found that there could be a gene that makes African Americans much more sensitive to salt. In people with this gene, just one extra gram (half a teaspoon) of salt can raise blood pressure by up to 5 mm Hg.

The best way to know if you have high blood pressure is to get it checked regularly. Once the blood pressure is above 130 systolic or 80 diastolic, you can enter phase one of hypertension. If you can find yourself with these numbers, there are ways you can get your high blood pressure under control. Exercising and following a healthy, low-sodium diet are great ways to get started. You can also quit smoking and cut down on caffeine and alcohol. Be sure to speak to your doctor as there are medications out there that can help you control your numbers. And double-check which over-the-counter medications are right for your situation.

diabetes
According to the U.S. Department of Health for Minority Health, non-Hispanic blacks are twice as likely to die from diabetes as non-Hispanic whites. Diabetes occurs when your blood sugar (sugar) is too high. Insulin transports blood sugar to your cells in order to use it for energy. In type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or use it well, so too much glucose stays in your blood without reaching the cells. Over time, health issues such as heart disease, nerve damage, eye problems, and kidney disease can develop.

The National Institutes of Health cited a study that found that biological risk factors, including a combination of body mass index, waist circumference, fasting glucose levels, lipids, blood pressure, and lung function, may be responsible for higher diabetes rates in blacks compared to ours white colleagues. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, treat it with a balanced diet that focuses on a good mix of starches, fruits, vegetables, proteins, and fats. Then take a look at carbohydrate counting, serving sizes, and adding in some exercise.

When diet and exercise aren’t enough, you can use insulin and other diabetes medications that are designed to lower your blood sugar levels. Their effectiveness may depend on the timing and size of the dose. So keep them in the right place and talk to your doctor if your blood sugar levels are too low or persistently high. the dosage or timing may need to be adjusted. And finally, be careful with over-the-counter medications and do your research to find a recommended pain reliever. The American Heart Association identifies acetaminophen (TYLENOL®) as a pain reliever option that should be tried first in patients with or at high risk of cardiovascular disease as it is not known to be at risk of heart attack, heart failure, or stroke other increased pain relievers, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) without aspirin, can do this. Just ask your doctor before ingesting anything so you know how it can affect your blood sugar levels. Also, speak to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about blood pressure or diabetes.

Click here to return to the Johnson & Johnson Empowerment Health Equity Hub and learn more about how you can support a healthy, active lifestyle.

source https://dailyhealthynews.ca/health-conditions-for-which-you-may-be-at-risk/