Quality management of your health condition can greatly improve your health outcomes, even with diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and cancer. It's important to Know Your Numbers!
Cancer is a complex group of diseases which are related to genetics, lifestyle, and other unknown factors. When cells in a part of the body begin to to grow abnormally, cancer starts. Once this starts, cancer cells will continue to grow, forming new abnormal cells. These cancerous cells can also invade other tissue, which is something normal cells do not do. Out-of-control growth and invading other cells are what distinguish cancerous cells from normal cells.
Screening is one of the most important tools in the fight against the many forms of cancer. By including recommended screenings in your annual health review with your provider, you can improve your health outcomes and have peace of mind. Recommended screenings include:
Remember to discuss these screenings with your healthcare provider to learn more and make an informed decision about recommended screenings.
While not all cancers are preventable, many can be prevented by avoiding tobacco, regularly exercising, and maintaining a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and low-fat proteins.
The American Cancer Society offers guidelines for body weight, nutrition, and physical activity, which may help lower your risk for certain cancers. They also offer answers to common questions people have about food choices, physical activity, and dietary supplement use.
Cancer is an insidious disease and can impact your body, mind, family and work. You may need strategies to help with challenges and questions that present with a cancer diagnosis. National Cancer Institute has publications which may assist you in your journey.
Find out more about what we are doing in New York State to help those living with cancer.
Children and Young Adults:
National Cancer Institute. (Fact Sheet)
Health Disparities
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Cancer Institute
Local Resources:
Hudson Valley Cancer Resource Center
Miles of Hope
Sparrow's Nest
HealthQuest
Additional Resources:
Cancer en Español
NYS Cancer Prevention
Prevent Cancer Foundation
Cardiovascular or heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. While great strides have been made, it is still vitally important to understand your risks for heart disease, and how to take steps to minimize those risks.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when plaque (cholesterol) builds up in the arteries supplying blood to the heart, narrowing the arteries which can cause chest pain. CAD is the most common type of heart disease and is linked to heart attacks and cardiac arrest.
Heart Attack: A heart attack happens when the blood supply to the heart muscle is restricted or cut off, causing the cells of the heart muscle to die. Without quick treatment, the muscle can be permanently damaged or the heart can stop beating altogether. Know what a heart attack is, if you are at risk, what the warning signs and symptoms are, especially for women, and steps you can take to reduce your risk.
Cardiac Arrest: Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating completely.
High blood pressure (hypertension) - The following resources provide information to help you learn how you can improve your blood pressure:
A stroke is a blockage or hemorrhage of a blood vessel leading to the brain leading to a loss of oxygen. Symptoms include weakness or paralysis in parts of the body, speech difficulties, loss of consciousness, or death. Immediate medical treatment can reduce the potential for permanent brain damage. Learn more by visiting the AHA/American Stroke Association.
Depression is common after a stroke, heart attack, cardiac surgery or new diagnosis of heart disease. These emotions may be the result of not knowing what to expect or not being able to do simple tasks without becoming overly tired. When a depressed mood is severe and accompanied by other symptoms that persist every day for two or more weeks, treatment is necessary to help you cope and recover. If you, or someone you love, is battling depression, the Dutchess County HELPLINE is here to help 24/7/365.
AHA’s Coping with Feelings
American Psychological Association
Dutchess County HELPLINE
NIH
Stress Management
Physical Activity
American Heart Association (AHA)
AHA National Walking Day
Healthy Eating
Tobacco Use
New York State Smokers’ Quitline
Please see our Health & Wellness page for more tips for improving your health.
Annual Heart Walk Dutchess County
AHA National Walking Day
Annual Go Red for Women Heart Luncheon
Go Red for Women
African Americans | (Fast Facts)
Asian Americans
Hispanic/Latino Americans
Diabetes is a disease in which your blood sugar/blood glucose levels are too high. Glucose comes from the foods you eat. Your body naturally produces a hormone called insulin, which helps glucose get to the cells and organs when and where it is needed for energy. You may be diagnosed with diabetes if your body does not produce enough insulin, or has difficulty making enough insulin to manage the glucose in your blood. Without enough insulin, the cells and organs don’t get the glucose they need.
Pre-diabetes means your blood sugar/blood glucose is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Having pre-diabetes puts you at a higher risk of getting Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes means your body does not make or use insulin well. It was previously called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes, and may account for more than 90% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes means your body produces very little or no insulin. It was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes and is usually found in 5% of those with diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes women may get due to their pregnancy. If not treated, it can cause problems for the mother and their baby. Gestational diabetes develops in up to 10% of all pregnancies but usually disappears when a pregnancy is over.
Living Healthy with Diabetes Program A FREE 6-week program designed for people living with diabetes or the people who care for them. Enter your zip code to see a listing of programs offered throughout Dutchess County and across the country.
The Center for Diabetes Management of Mid Hudson Regional Hospital of Westchester Medical Center.
Working with a professional diabetes educator can also help individuals to learn how to manage their disease and be as healthy as possible:
American Association of Diabetic Educators
AADE's Find a Diabetes Educator
Additional resources:
American Diabetes Association - What Can I Eat?
American Heart Association's Living Healthy With Diabetes
National Diabetes Education Program
Please see our Health & Wellness page for more tips for improving your health.
Obesity has become epidemic in the United States for all age groups and an ongoing topic in science news and public health. In order to address obesity issues and encourage improving the nation’s health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working to implement policy and environmental strategies to make healthy eating and active living accessible and affordable for everyone.
The Weight of the Nation campaign is a four-part documentary series featuring case studies, interviews with our nation’s leading experts, and individuals, families and communities struggling with obesity.
