What You Need And When (NAPSA)—Most diseases in their earliest, most treatable stages don’t cause any symptoms or pain. That is why it’s so important to check for disease with regular scheduled screening tests. “Patients often think that if they feel O.K., then they don’t need to see a doctor. But with many diseases, by the time you feel pain or have symptoms, it could be too late,” said Peter S. Johnson, MD, FCAP, a pathologist at Broward General Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “There are better, safer, less painful ways than a heart attack to learn you have high cholesterol and blood pressure.” That is why the College of American Pathologists (CAP) recommends regular health screens. If you are 40 or older, talk to your doctor about these tests: Cholesterol Testing The CAP recommends that patients have their cholesterol checked every five years, starting at age 35. If you smoke, have diabetes, or if heart disease runs in your family, you should start at age 20. Diabetes Testing The CAP recommends all adults age 45 or older have a fasting glucose test. This test should be repeated every three years. Mammograms About 80 percent of breast cancers occur in women over age 50. The CAP recommends that women in their 40s or older have a screening mammogram on a regular basis, every one to two years or earlier based on family history. Colon Cancer Screening Colon cancer is the second leading cancer killer among adults. Your physician may recommend one or a combination of screening tests, depending on your risk factors and health history. Fecal occult blood tests plus flexible sig- moidoscopy every five years are the preferred testing options. Pap Testing The risk of cervical cancer increases with age. Most invasive cervical cancers can be prevented if women have Pap tests and pelvic exams. Prostate Cancer Screening Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. More than 80 percent of prostate cancers occur in men 65 and older. A rectal exam and a blood test that measures for Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) are two screening methods. “Remember, testing is only the first step,” said Dr. Johnson. “Practicing healthy behaviors like good eating, regular exercise, and not smoking can really help minimize many of the physical limitations that accompany advancing age.” T h e C o l l e ge of A m er i c an Pathologists provides a free Web site that reminds people to schedule annual health tests such as mammograms, colonoscopies and Pap tests. Visit MyHealthTest Reminder.com to select the day on which you would like to be reminded to schedule a screening. On that date, you will receive an e-mail reminding you to call your doctor or health care provider to schedule an appointment. Understanding Celiac Disease (NAPSA)—There may be comforting news for people who don’t understand their digestive distress. A leading medical professional organization and its foundation, representing pediatric gastroenterologists, are educating the public about celiac disease, a common genetic disease, and launching a new Web site, www.celiachealth.org. Celiac Disease GI symptoms may include: • Abdominal cramping • Bloating and gas • Diarrhea • Constipation Celiac Disease Non GI symptoms may include: • Anemia • Stunted growth • Poor weight gain • Chronic itchy rash Individuals with the disease are affected by gluten—a protein in wheat, barley and rye—which inflames and damages the intestine. Early diagnosis and treatment may decrease the frequency of associated disorders including intestinal malignances, osteoporosis and infertility. A major problem is under-recognition of the disease. To address this, the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and the Children’s Digestive Health and Nutrition Foundation developed new scientific guidelines about celiac disease in children for physicians and launched a public awareness campaign. A new patient brochure and soon-to-be available gluten free diet guide along with other materials may be found on their Web site at www.celiachealth.org. The campaign is made possible by grants from the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research and Prometheus Laboratories, Inc. Is Work Making You Fat? by Kat Carney (NAPSA)—Whether it’s the tall vanilla latte you grab on your way into work, the donuts served at your morning meeting or the pizza that your boss orders because there is no time to take a lunch, working can be a very fattening proposition. As CNN Headline News health anchor for more than three years, my work routine certainly helped me put on the pounds. I spent my days doing research at a computer, writing and broadcasting on-air in a busy studio environment. The irony was that as a health reporter, I was covering every weight loss method in the book. I tried countless programs but just couldn’t find one that fit into my busy lifestyle. Finally, after struggling with my weight for years, I have taken off 41 pounds and feel great. I discovered NutriSystem.com. Here are some work place tips that I learned along the way that can benefit anyone who wants to lose weight and feel great. • Eat a balanced breakfast Like mom said, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. To make things easier, write out several easy-to-prepare meals so you don’t have to think about what to eat. Better yet, stock up on healthy, prepackaged, “grab & go” breakfast options. Using NutriSystem foods made this really easy for me to do. • Plan your lunches ahead of time. When you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Whether you plan your lunches the night before, or even over the weekend, having a plan will help you avoid diet-disasters at work. Former CNN Headline News Health Anchor Kat Carney went from size 16 to size 8 within four months. • Keep healthy, single-serving snacks in your office. Don’t starve yourself during the workday. Make it easy to have a healthy “pick me up.” • Find ways to sneak in extra physical activity. Park further from the building. Walk to your co-worker ’s office rather than sending an e-mail. Don’t keep a trash can near your desk (so you have to get up each time you need to throw something away). Take a walk around the building during your lunch hour. • Stay hydrated throughout the day. Keep a large bottle of water at your desk and sip throughout the day. Maybe add a slice of lemon or lime. For other great tips and free weight loss counseling, go to NutriSystem.com. • Ms. Carney was CNN Headline News health anchor for three years. Drink To Your Health Should Children’s Flatfeet Be Treated? (NAPSA)—Do flatfeet in children naturally correct with age? Or do they require immediate medical attention? The bottom line for parents, according to James Thomas, DPM, FACFAS, a spokesman for the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, is to watch your child’s walking pattern regularly, with and without shoes, to check for flattening arches and see the doctor if the child complains about pain. “When parents notice flat arches in their children, they often don’t know if the problem is serious,” Thomas said. “The good news is flat arches are common and treatment usually isn’t required unless there is pain.” Thomas explained that in most flatfoot cases, the foot stays flat when standing and the arch returns to normal when sitting or lying down. This condition is known as flexible flatfoot. It can affect infants or may not show up until years later. The condition can occur in one foot or might affect both feet. Most children with flatfeet have no symptoms but when they occur, symptoms may include: • Pain, tenderness or cramping in the foot, leg or knee • Outward tilting of the heel • Awkwardness or changes in walking • Difficulty with shoes • Lower energy levels when participating in physical activities • Voluntary withdrawal from physical activities. Although flat arches usually improve over time, if the condition doesn’t improve by the age of 10 (the age the arch should be fully developed), a foot and ankle surgeon should be seen for proper diagnosis of the problem and treatment. Treatment may first include activity modifications or limitations, stretching exercises, shoe orthotics and nonprescription pain relievers. If the child doesn’t respond to initial treatment, surgery might be needed to relieve pain and improve foot function. For further information about flatfeet in children and to locate a foot and ankle surgeon, visit www.FootPhysicians.com. Dogs and humans are the only animals with prostates. Eighty-five percent of all people killed by lightning are male. 2 (NAPSA)—Here’s news many Americans may find easy to swallow: when you want to make the least of yourself, there are several types of drinks that can help. For example: • Sports drinks contain various levels of electrolytes and carbohydrates that quickly fuel the body and replenish fluids, yet most sports drinks contain only 70 calories per serving. • Juices and juice drinks, along with other low-calorie beverages, can offer benefits without sacrificing taste. Some drinks are even fortified with calcium, vitamin C, and other essential vitamins and minerals. • For dieters keen on colas, in addition to no-calorie diet beverages, several companies have recently introduced mid-calorie drinks. These alternatives offer great taste but just half the carbohydrates and calories. • An increasing number of consumers choose bottled water to satisfy their thirst throughout the day. Bottled water offers convenience and “quench” in one package. • Many beverage companies also offer enhanced and flavored waters which provide great taste and nutritional benefits. Whatever drink you reach for, remember to balance your favorite beverage with physical activity. Establish an exercise routine that suits your lifestyle. Work out at least three times a week for at If you’ve a thirst for healthy living you may be glad to know it does come in bottles—of low-calorie and highly nutritious drinks. least half an hour at a time. Cardiovascular exercises, such as walking, are good for your heart and overall well-being. Strength training exercises, including weight lifting, can help you build stronger muscles. At the same time, it will speed up your metabolism so you can have a better chance of reaching your target weight. To help you stay on your exercise regimen, try working out with a friend or family member who’ll keep you on the go when you want to backslide. Play soccer, run races, go sledding or skating, bicycle, play games or go swimming. Consider joining a team; sign up to play office softball or volunteer to coach little league football.