Page 23 - Florida Sentinel 5-13-16 Online Edition

Health
10 Must-Have Tests For Black Women
Age-Specific Tests That Women Need In Your 20s
Eye Exam
Who to see: Ophthalmolo-
gist
Why: Studies have shown
that Black women’s vision tends to be more at risk than that of Black men or other groups. Also, two thirds of blindness and visual impair- ment cases occur in women. Many eye problems, such as glaucoma and retinopathy, are detected only via exam. Plus,
checkups can help pinpoint re- lated health concerns, such as high blood pressure and dia- betes.
How often: At least once between the ages of 20 and 29 and twice between ages 30 and 39. Wear glasses or contacts? Take meds that affect your vi- sion? Got diabetes? Go annu- ally.
STD Screening
Who to see: Your gynecolo-
gist or GP
Why: Some of the highest
rates of STD contraction occur in Black women, including for HIV. More bad news: chlamy- dia and gonorrhea, which can cause pelvic inflammatory dis- ease, are on the rise, as is syphilis.
How often: Annually if you’re 24 or younger, or if you’ve had sex with multiple or new partners in the past year, regardless of age. Pregnant? Get screened ASAP.
Here are the 10 primary med- ical exams that ALL women need (including what age you should have them, what kind of doctor gives them, and why you need them).
• Pap Smear
• Clinical Breast Exam
• Skin Cancer Screening • Hearing Test
• Immunizations
• Blood Pressure
• Cholesterol Panel • BMI/Weight
Do I Need To Get Tested More Often?
For different reasons, certain women should be tested for par- ticular illnesses and conditions more often, or earlier, than what is routinely recommended for the general public.
Here are some of the health ex- ceptions that you should be aware of:
If you have a family history of heart disease...
Go for regular cholesterol checks. (Your doctor will deter- mine the best schedule). Also, if you’re experiencing symptoms, ask if certain screening meth- ods, such as an electrocardio- gram or an exercise treadmill test, are right for you.
If you have a family history of breast, ovarian or colorectal cancer... Find out how old each first-degree relative was when diagnosed. Some docs recom- mend beginning screening 10
years earlier than the age of the diagnosis of the youngest af- fected relative. Have multiple first-degree relatives who’ve had ovarian or breast cancer? Perhaps talk to a genetic coun- selor to assess your risk.
If you are overweight or obese...
In addition to regular blood- pressure checks, keep close tabs on your glucose levels. Also, it’s important to note that shedding just 5 to 10 percent of your weight can neutralize your dia- betes risk. Thyroid problems can also cause weight gain, so ask your doctor for a test.
Age-Specific Tests That Women Need In Your 30s
Thyroid Check Who to see: Your GP
Why: Hypothyroidism, an un- deractive thyroid, affects women as much as seven times more than men. Undetected, it can lead to weight gain, joint pain, infertility and even heart disease.
How often: Once every five years starting at age 35.
HPV Test
Who to see: Gynecologist
Why: Two types of HPV cause about 70 percent of all cervical cancers. After age 30, women
are less likely to clear the can- cer-causing infections.
How often: Request an HPV test with your Pap. If both re- sults are normal, you may not need to be screened for another three years. But no matter how old you are, if your Pap comes back abnormal, ask your doc about getting tested.
Mammogram Who to see: Radiologist
Why: Black women have higher death rates from breast cancer. This X-ray helps detect changes in breast tissue that
can signal breast cancer.
How often: Annually. While a government task force re- cently changed their recom- mendation to yearly screenings starting at age 50, the American Cancer Society still urges Black women to start their screenings earlier, and to get a baseline mammogram around 35 (ear- lier if there is a family history of breast cancer). If may help to get a mammogram when your breasts are less tender, usually during the week right after your
period.
Age-Specific Tests That Women Need In Your 40s
Blood Sugar Check Who to see: Your GP
Why: It’s no surprise that Type 2 diabetes — the most common type of diabetes — is one of the biggest health chal-
lenges facing African Ameri- cans, and especially African- American women. African Americans also have high rates of at least two of diabetes’ most serious complications: amputa-
tion and kidney failure. Fasting glucose levels shouldn’t exceed 100 to 125 mg/dL. Higher? Could be diabetes.
How often: Once every three years starting at age 45.
Stick Out Your Tongue: Here’s What Your Tongue Color Really Means
Sticking your tongue out at the doctor to say “Ahhh” seems like a routine thing to do when you go to the doctor’s office. Of- tentimes, it often seems point- less because the doctor usually takes a look and goes right ahead with the next part of the examination. But little do you know, the tongue itself can re- veal a lot about your health without you saying a word, es- pecially if it changes colors.
Here’s what you need to know if your tongue changes any of these colors:
White Coating / White Spots
A white tongue, or white spots on your tongue, could be an in- dication of:
Oral thrush: a yeast infection that develops inside the mouth. It appears as white patches that are often the consistency of cot- tage cheese. “Oral thrush is most commonly seen in infants and the elderly, especially den- ture wearers, or in people with weakened immune systems,” says Dr. Allan. “People with di- abetes and those who are taking inhaled steroids for asthma or lung disease can also get it. Oral thrush is more likely to occur after you’ve taken antibiotics.”
Leukoplakia: a condition in which the cells in the mouth grow excessively, which leads to white patches on the tongue and inside the mouth. Leuko- plakia can develop when the tongue has been irritated. It’s often seen in people who use to- bacco products. Leukoplakia can be a precursor to cancer, but isn’t inherently dangerous by itself. If you see what you think could be leukoplakia, con- tact your dentist for an evalua- tion.
Oral lichen planus: a net- work of raised white lines on your tongue that look similar to lace. We don’t always know what causes this condition, but it usually resolves on its own.
Red Tongue Vitamin deficiency: Folic
acid and vitamin B-12 deficien- cies may cause your tongue to take on a reddish appearance.
Geographic tongue: This condition causes a map-like pattern of reddish spots to de- velop on the surface of your tongue. Different shades of red patches can have a white border around them, and their location on your tongue may shift over time, but geographic tongue is usually harmless.
Scarlet fever: an infection that causes the tongue to have a strawberry-like (red and bumpy) appearance.
Kawasaki disease: a condi- tion that can also cause the tongue to have a strawberry-like appearance. It is seen in chil- dren under the age of 5 and is accompanied by a high fever. It demands immediate medical evaluation.
Black Tongue and/or Hairy
Much like hair, the papillae on your tongue grow through- out your lifetime. In some peo- ple, they become...... excessively long, which makes them more likely to harbor bacteria.
When these bacteria grow, they may look dark or black, and the overgrown papillae can appear hair-like.
Fortunately, this condition is not common and is typically not serious. It’s most likely to occur in people who don’t practice good dental hygiene.
Those with diabetes and tak- ing antibiotics or receiving chemotherapy may also develop a black hairy tongue.
FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 11-B