CityView Magazine

Get screened for diabetes If you are physically inactive; have a close relative with diabetes; are black, Native American, Latino, Asian or a Pacific Islander or have: hypertension; a low HDL cholesterol or a high triglyceride level; delivered a baby weighing more than nine pounds or have a history of gestational diabetes or polycystic ovarian syndrome, you are at increased risk for diabetes and should be screened at any age. Everyone else should be screened by age 45 and every three years after that, according to the American Diabetes Association. As of January 2009, hemoglobin A1c, a non-fasting blood test, has been approved for screening. Tip: If you’ve been diagnosed with “pre-diabetes,” exercise and weight loss can delay the onset of diabetes up to 11 years. A shot in the arm If you think vaccines stop because you’re all grown up, think again. The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for smokers and people who suffer from asthma and everyone starting at age 65. Surprisingly, the pneumococcal Vaccine does not prevent pneumonia but does prevent pneumococcal meningitis and pneumococcal bacteremia, both of which have high fatality rates. Tip: Don’t forget about your tetanus booster, due every 10 years. Know your numbers Cholesterol that is, both HDL and LDL. Screenings are recommended for men starting at age 35, women at 45. Tip: These tests can be done even if you’ve eaten. Get screened for HIV The Centers for Disease Control recommends routine HIV testing in everyone 13 to 64, regardless of risk. It’s estimated that 25 percent of the one million Americans with HIV are unaware that they are infected. Tip: All pregnant women should receive a routine HIV test in their first trimester and some should have this repeated in their third trimester. Treating HIV during pregnancy can reduce transmission to your baby from 25 percent down to less than two percent. Get a pap smear Cervical cancer screenings begin at age 21 or three years after start of sexual activity. Tip: This test will still be needed even with the new HPV vaccines. CityViewNC.com | 59

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