Hepatitis C - Why Baby Boomers Should Get Tested

Hepatitis C and Baby Boomers (1945-1965)

*Repost* Brought to you by: CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) https://www.cdc.gov/knowmorehepatitis/

Hepatitis C Overview

Hepatitis C is a serious liver disease that results from infection with the Hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C has been called a silent epidemic because most people with Hepatitis C do not know they are infected.

While some people who get infected with Hepatitis C are able to clear, or get rid of, the virus, most people who get infected develop a chronic, or lifelong, infection. Over time, chronic Hepatitis C can lead to serious liver problems including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. But many people can benefit from available treatment options that can eliminate the virus from the body and prevent further liver damage.

Why should people born during 1945-1965 get tested for Hepatitis C?

In 2012, CDC started recommending Hepatitis C testing for everyone born from 1945 – 1965. While anyone can get Hepatitis C, up to 75% of adults infected with Hepatitis C were born from 1945 - 1965

Most people with Hepatitis C don’t know they are infected so getting tested is the only way to know.

• Baby boomers are five times more likely to have Hepatitis C than other adults.
• The longer people live with Hepatitis C undiagnosed and untreated, the more likely they are to develop serious, life-threatening liver disease.
• Liver disease, liver cancer, and deaths from Hepatitis C are on the rise.
• Getting tested can help people learn if they are infected and get them into lifesaving care and treatment.

Why do baby boomers have such high rates of Hepatitis C?

The reason that baby boomers have high rates of Hepatitis C is not completely understood. Most boomers are believed to have become infected in the 1970s and 1980s when rates of Hepatitis C were the highest.

Transmission

How do you get Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is usually spread when blood from a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. This can happen through multiple ways.

Before widespread screening of the blood supply began in 1992, Hepatitis C was spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants. People with clotting problems who took blood products prior to 1987 could have been exposed to Hepatitis C. Sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs was and is a very efficient way to transmit the virus. People have also become infected with the Hepatitis C virus from body piercing or tattoos that were done in prisons, homes, or in other unlicensed or informal facilities.

Although uncommon, outbreaks of Hepatitis C have occurred from poor infection control in health care settings. In rare cases, Hepatitis C may be sexually transmitted. Babies born to mothers with Hepatitis C can get infected during childbirth. Still, many people do not know how or when they were infected.

Hepatitis C is not spread by casual contact, kissing, hugging, sneezing, coughing, breastfeeding or sharing food, eating utensils or glasses.

Symptoms

Many people with chronic Hepatitis C do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. People with chronic Hepatitis C can live for decades without symptoms or feeling sick.

When symptoms do appear, they often are a sign of advanced liver disease. Symptoms of Hepatitis C can include: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, grey-colored stools, joint pain and/or jaundice.

Information on Testing

The only way to know if someone has Hepatitis C is to get tested. Doctors use a blood test, called a Hepatitis C Antibody Test, to find out if a person has ever been infected with Hepatitis C. The Hepatitis C Antibody Test looks for antibodies to the Hepatitis C virus. Antibodies are chemicals released into the bloodstream when someone gets infected. The antibody test results will take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to come back, although new Rapid Antibody Tests are available in some settings.

• A Non-reactive or a negative Hepatitis C antibody test result means that a person does not have Hepatitis C. However, if a person has been recently exposed to the Hepatitis C virus, he or she will need to be tested again.
• A Reactive or a positive Hepatitis C antibody test result means that Hepatitis C antibodies were found in the blood and a person has been infected with the Hepatitis C virus at some point in time.
  
  A reactive antibody test does not necessarily mean a person still has Hepatitis C. Once people have been infected, they will always have antibodies in their blood. This is true if even if they have cleared the Hepatitis C virus. A reactive antibody test requires an additional, follow-up test to determine if a person is currently infected with Hepatitis C.

Living with Chronic Hepatitis C

How is chronic Hepatitis C treated?

Medications, called antivirals, can be used to treat many people with chronic Hepatitis C. There are several medications available to treat chronic Hepatitis C, including new treatments that appear to be more effective and have fewer side effects than previous options. For current information on approved treatments for Hepatitis C, please visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

However, not everyone needs or can benefit from treatment. It is important to be checked by a doctor experienced in treating chronic Hepatitis C. He or she can determine the most appropriate medical care. Decisions about starting treatment are based on many factors, such as the type of virus, the condition of the liver, and other health conditions. Whether or not to be treated or when to start treatment should be discussed with your doctor.

To protect your liver, you can:

• Ask your doctor before taking any prescription, over-the-counter medications, supplements or vitamins. For instance, some drugs, such as certain pain medications, can potentially damage the liver
• Avoid alcohol since it can increase the speed of liver damage
• Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B

• Page last reviewed: January 27, 2015
• Page last updated: January 27, 2015

• Content source: 
  • Division of Viral Hepatitis and
      National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
        
    
    

National Nutrition Month

National Nutrition Month!

March is National Nutrition Month... we know it's now the end of March, but you should never stop focusing on nutrition and food!

EVERYTHING YOU EAT AND DRINK MATTERS

Brought to you by: Choose My Plate: https://www.choosemyplate.gov/variety

VARIETY

Choose a variety of foods and beverages from each food group to build healthy eating styles. Include choices from all the MyPlate food groups to meet your calorie and nutrient needs when planning or preparing meals and snacks.

FOOD GROUPS

Fruits

Focus on whole fruits. Whole fruits include fresh, frozen, dried, and canned options. Choose whole fruits more often than 100% fruit juice.

• All About the Fruits Group
• Nutrients and Health Benefits
• Tips to Help You Eat Fruits

Vegetables

Vary your veggies. Vegetables are divided into five subgroups and include dark-green vegetables, red and orange vegetables, legumes (beans and peas), starchy vegetables, and other vegetables. Choose vegetables from all subgroups.

• All About the Vegetable Group
• Nutrients and Health Benefits
• Tips to Help You Eat Vegetables

Grains

Make half your grains whole grains. Grains include whole grains and refined, enriched grains. Choose whole grains more often.

• All About the Grains Group
• Nutrients and Health Benefits
• Tips to Help You Eat Grains

Protein Foods

Vary your protein routine. Protein foods include both animal (seafood, meat, poultry, and eggs) and plant sources (nuts, beans and peas*, seeds, and soy products). Choose a variety of lean protein foods from both plant and animal sources.

• All About the Protein Foods Group
• Nutrients and Health Benefits
• Tips to Help You Eat Protein Foods

*Note: Beans and peas are also part of the Vegetable Group.

Dairy

Move to low-fat or fat-free milk and yogurt. Dairy includes milk, yogurt, cheese, and calcium-fortified soy beverages (soymilk). Choose fat-free (skim) and low fat (1%) dairy foods.

• All About the Dairy Group
• Nutrients and Health Benefits
• Tips to Help You Eat Dairy

OILS

Oils are part of healthy eating styles because they provide nutrients for the body, like fatty acids and vitamin E. They also enhance the flavor of your food. Some oils are eaten as a natural part of the food such as in nuts, olives, avocados, and seafood. Other oils are refined and added to a food during processing or preparation such as soybean, canola, and safflower oils. Choose the right amount of oil to stay within your daily calorie needs.

Put Your Best Fork Forward...

National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day, also celebrated in March, increases awareness of registered dietitian nutritionists as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and recognizes RDNs for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives.

The 2017 National Nutrition Month® theme is "Put Your Best Fork Forward."

5 Tips to Kick Bad Eating Habits to the Curb

Reviewed by Taylor Wolfram, MS, RDN, LDN

Published January 11, 2016

Brought to you by: Eat Right: http://www.eatright.org/resource/health/weight-loss/your-health-and-your-weight/out-with-the-old-in-with-the-new
March is National Nutrition Month, when the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reminds everyone to return to the basics of healthy eating. It is also the time of year when the Academy celebrates expertise of registered dietitian nutritionists as the food and nutrition experts.

Are you guilty of skipping breakfast, ordering takeout, getting jitters from coffee overload and counting potato chips as part of a viable eating plan? It's time to kick those habits to the curb and start eating right. Here's a guide to help you get started.

Eat Breakfast

There's no better way to start your morning — and the year — than with a healthy breakfast. "It provides your body with the fuel it needs to make energy to keep you focused and active throughout the day," says Jessica Crandall, RDN, CDE, AFAA, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Spokesperson. Not only that, but if you are trying to lose weight, fueling your body regularly "will help you from possibly making unhealthy decisions later in the day based on hunger," adds Crandall.

The key to a good breakfast is balance. Include lean protein, whole grains and fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables.  For example, oatmeal cooked with low-fat milk and sliced almonds and berries or crust-less quiche with mixed veggies, low-fat cheese and a slice of whole-wheat toast.

Cut Back on Caffeine

Too much caffeine can interfere with sleep, make you jittery and cause you to lose energy later in the day, says Jim White, RDN, ACSM-HFS, Academy Spokesperson. Keep your caffeine intake in check by limiting regular coffee to 3 cups or less per day, and watch what you put into it. Skip unwanted calories and sugar by drinking it as plain as possible.

Need to wean off? White says to try three things: switch to half decaf or tea, drink plenty of water and eat small, frequent meals to keep up energy.

Bring Lunch to Work

How do you make bringing lunch to work easy? "Have your arsenal of food for the week. Have the right foods to put together," says White. "By stocking up the fridge, you're setting yourself up for success."

White suggests preparing the week's lunches over the weekend — bake chicken, chop veggies, steam rice. Make sure your options include a combination of lean protein and carbohydrates. For example, whole-grain bread with turkey, 1 cup of veggies and a piece of fruit. Or, try a salad with veggies and chicken, a piece of fruit and a 100-calorie cup of low-sodium soup. It doesn't have to be a full meal. "If you're crunched, get a snack," says White. Go for fat-free or low-fat yogurt and fruit, whole-wheat crackers and low-fat cheese or hummus and baby carrots.

Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and veggies add color, flavor and texture, plus vitamins, minerals and fiber to your plate. Crandall recommends picking one fruit or veggie you've never tried each time you go to the grocery store. "It's a great way to discover new options," she says.

Don't let winter stop you from enjoying produce either. It might be harder to find fresh options, but frozen and canned are great alternatives.

Cook Dinner at Home

Making meals at home doesn't have to zap the last bit of your time and energy. The trick is to plan ahead. "If the week is cramped for you, then prepping on the weekend is a great time saver," says Crandall. Choose options you can make in advance. For example, cook a batch of soup you can portion out for lunches or dinner during the week, or bake a whole chicken to slice for sandwiches, wraps and casseroles, suggests Crandall.

Use shortcuts such as pre-cut or frozen veggies and keep staples on hand such as low-sodium broth, herbs and lemons for flavoring. A quick and easy idea is to turn leftover beef into stew with beans, no-salt-added diced tomatoes and pre-cut veggies.

Quick Tips

For breakfast eat …

• Berries with low-fat cottage cheese and high fiber cereal
• Whole-wheat English muffin with peanut butter
• Whole grain cereal with low-fat or fat-free milk
• Oatmeal with a side of hard-boiled or scrambled egg

For lunch try …

• Oil-based salad dressing instead of a cream-based dressing
• Salad with as many veggies as possible
• Ordering an appetizer as a meal
• Splitting an entrée or save half for later

For dinner use …

• Pre-cut veggies
• A slow cooker
• Leftovers
• Extra veggies in stir-fry, meatloaf, spaghetti sauce and soup
• Frozen fruit for desserts

Reviewed January 2017

Tags

• Health
 
• Weight Loss
 
• Your Health and Your Weight

January: National Glaucoma Awareness Month

THE MEDICARE BLOG

THE OFFICIAL BLOG FOR THE U.S. MEDICARE PROGRAM. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT WWW.MEDICARE.GOV

01.15.17

by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR GLAUCOMA

Are you at a high risk of getting glaucoma? Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes loss of vision—usually side vision—by damaging the optic nerve, which sends information from your eyes to your brain.

Fortunately, you can help prevent vision loss by finding and treating problems early—and Medicare can help. We cover a glaucoma screening once every 12 months for people at high risk for glaucoma. You’re considered at high risk if you answer “yes” to one or more of these questions:

• Do you have diabetes or a family history of glaucoma?
• Are you African American and 50 or older?
• Are you Hispanic American and 65 or older?

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month—the perfect time to check on your eye health.

TUESDAY TIPS - 2017 Edition

Start your NEW YEAR off right!

Part One: 

1. Start your day by stretching

Stretching wakes you up, improves flexibility, helps circulation, and gives you more energy.

2. Push your alarm back 1 minute every day

This will help you transition into getting up bright and early.

3. Put unhealthy food low in your fridge

Studies show less food and drink is consumed if it’s harder to get to.

4. De-Clutter your life / house

Find a “purge list” online and make a check list for de-cluttering each month. This will keep you feeling fresh all year!

5. Revisit old photographs

Looking at personal photos has been shown to boost moods more than eating chocolate, watching TV, or listening to music.

6. Simple Savings

Start envelopes for vacation, holidays, etc. Put a little money / spare change in the envelopes each month rather than coming up with it all at once. 

Start your NEW YEAR off right!
Part Two: 

7. The 1% Trick

Don’t go from 0 to 100. Take each day to implement a little something more towards your goal (Exercise, Diet, Etc.)

8. Write out your goals

And print a couple copies. It’s easy to forget about them if they’re only in your mind—this will help hold you accountable.

9. Yearly Homeowners maintenance

Plan the year with a monthly To-Do list for household upkeep. This is less overwhelming than doing it all at once.

10. Plan weekends ahead of time

Anticipating a fun event boosts overall happiness, so plan a weekend adventure early in the week.

11. Limit your spending to budgeted amounts

Budget for eating out, clothes, entertainment, etc. Buy AMEX gift cards each month w/ balances dedicated to that, and don’t spend beyond that gift card!

12. Make your bed everyday

Making your bed gives you a feeling of accomplishment and is correlated with better productivity / less stress & could lead to other good habits.

Brought to you by: Senior Benefit Services

www.sbsteam.net

800-627-2768

Holidays + Health

Holiday Health for Seniors
11 Tips for keeping healthy this holiday season. 

Repost - Brought to you by: Care.Com
https://www.care.com/c/stories/5708/holiday-health-for-seniors/

While the holidays are a time of gatherings with family and friends, they can also be a source of stress, as exercise schedules might be disrupted for shopping excursions and rich holiday meals make it difficult to adhere to a particular diet. Staying healthy can be a challenge during this time of year, especially for seniors. Get a senior's caregiver involved to help manage expectations at this time of year.

According to Amy Fuchs, a licensed clinical social worker and owner of The Elder Expert, LLC in Saddle River, New Jersey, one of the difficulties of the holiday season is not knowing an elderly relative's limits. "You can anticipate that they might need help, but they might not express to you that they've slowed down," Fuchs says.

Robyn Golden, a licensed clinical social worker and director of the health and aging department at Rush University in Chicago, agrees. "Offer older relatives options and ask them what they want to do, but don't assume their limitations," she advises.

To help seniors stay healthy during the holidays, reduce their stress and avoid the holiday blues, keep the following tips in mind:

1. Make Healthy Choices
   From rich meals to tempting and tasty homemade snacks, the holidays are a time for many to indulge in food -- or overindulge. Try to plan meals with other events in mind.
   For example, if a big dinner is planned for New Year's Eve, consider serving a lighter lunch of salad or soup. "You don't want to deny anyone of the food they like to eat at this time of year, but you don't want anyone to gorge themselves, either," Fuchs says.
2. Stay Hydrated
   Drinking water is one way you can stay healthy during the holidays. "Senior citizens, especially, need to drink plenty of fluids, as not drinking enough water could cause hospitalization," Fuchs says. To make it easier to stay hydrated, have water easily accessible at home and keep bottled water in a purse or bag when running errands.
3. Follow Dietary Restrictions
   Some seniors must follow special diets, such as one that is low in sodium. It can be difficult to adhere to a diet during busy, stressful times, especially if there aren't any healthy options available. "When people get stressed, they tend to overeat and don't stick to their diets," Golden says. To make it easier to follow dietary guidelines, keep healthy options like fresh-cut vegetables and fruit on hand.
4. Drink in Moderation
   "Drinking too much can impair functions, and for some senior citizens, drinking alcohol with certain medications can have adverse side effects," Golden says. Consider offering fun, alcohol-free drinks so everyone can celebrate the holidays.
5. Keep Exercising
   In many parts of the country, the holidays are synonymous with cold weather and snow. To stick to an exercise schedule, bundle up and invite your parents for a walk around the block if the sidewalks are dry. If it's snowing or icy outside, drive to an indoor shopping mall and walk a few laps while window-shopping.
   For more information, read our article on Exercise and Fitness for Seniors ?
6. Shake up Traditions
   Between cleaning the house and cooking for a crowd, hosting a big holiday meal can be a source of stress. If an older relative traditionally hosts a big holiday meal, consider passing the tradition on to the younger generation of family members. If the relative insists on hosting, Fuchs recommends younger family members volunteer to clean or prepare part of the meal.
7. Decrease Gifts
   For many senior citizens, especially those on a fixed income, the holidays can be a financial challenge due to purchasing gifts for many family members. To reduce stress from paying for gifts, consider having a family grab bag, where everyone contributes one gift.
8. Rest after Traveling
   For some senior citizens, the holidays are a time to travel long distances to visit family and friends. Whether they travel by car, rail or plane, keep in mind that an older relative might want to rest upon arrival. Golden suggested offering the options of watching television or taking a nap instead of planning a day of shopping and visiting.
9. Make Homes Accessible
   If older relatives are visiting your home for the holidays, ensure your home is safe and accessible. "Be mindful of hazards in your home. For instance, someone with a cane could trip over area rugs," Fuchs advises. Consider having your relative sleep on the first floor of your home. If that's not possible, let them stay in a room close to the bathroom. In addition, use nightlights in the hallway so they don't stumble in the dark.
10. Take Breaks
    Between parties and shopping, the holidays often involve busy days and late nights. If you are planning an all-day outing, carve some time for a nap or a way to relax for a bit, even if it is just to sip tea in a cafe. Little kids, seniors and everyone in between will appreciate it.
11. Stay Involved
    Recognize that senior citizens still want to feel they are part of the holidays. For many, that may include helping out with holiday preparations. "It's fine to reduce senior citizens' stress by offering to hold the holiday event at your home instead of theirs, but still keep them involved by having them cook a favorite dish or maybe help decorate the home," Golden says.

With a few preventative measures and a willingness to change some traditions, senior citizens can stay healthy and follow their diets, while also having fun with their family members this holiday season.

Megan Horst-Hatch is a Chicago-based mother, runner, baker, gardener, knitter and other words that end in "-er." Her work can be found here.

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Exercize @ Work

Work Out at Work

You are more likely to exercise if it’s a regular part of your day. You can make it happen if you put exercise at the top of your “to do” list, and look for easy ways to add physical activity to your regular schedule:

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

• Take a walk with co-workers during your lunch break. An exercise buddy can help you stick with your plan to be more active!

• Instead of sending an e-mail, walk down the hall and talk with a co-worker.

• Park away from your office and enjoy the walk.

• Join your company’s fitness center if there is one.

Fit exercise into your busy work day. Find 10-minute workout breaks throughout the day. There are a variety of strength, balance, and flexibility exercises you can do right at your desk.

Upper-body strength exercises: Try the chair dip and wall push-up.

Lower-body strength exercises: Do the knee curl and chair stand; then get up and do the toe stand, back leg raise and side leg raise.

For balance: Stand on one foot or walk heel to toe.

Flexibility exercises: Move around a little to warm up; then stretch your thigh, calf, and ankle. Also try the stretches for your neck,upper body, chest, and back. These are great after you’ve been sitting for a while hunched over your computer!

Be active 4 ways everyday: Endurance, Flexibility, Balance, Strength

*Repost* from Go4Life

Read more at: https://go4life.nia.nih.gov/tip-sheets/work-out-work

Go4Life is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.