PETER'S PRINCIPLES - NEW IN PRINT
Cheryl from Chesterfield Township emails that asthma runs in her family. She wants to know more about some of the subtle warning signs for the dangerous condition.
Cheryl, when we think of asthma we usually picture wheezing and inhalers. That can be an accurate image in some cases but not all. Symptoms can be much less severe and often go unrecognized.
It can be a danger sign if you have wheezing or shortness of breath during any of the following activities: Exercise, sleeping, laughing, crying, being in cold air, being around airborne toxins like cigarette smoke and exposure to allergens. Some symptoms can be tougher to spot. In some kids it can be as simple as a cough. A detailed exam by a doctor is the best way to be sure if a problem exists. Sometimes the condition can be diagnosed by something as simple as an airflow test.
The main thing is to find out if the condition is present so the right steps can be taken to avoid a potentially life threatening situation.
Jill from Ann Arbor is looking to cut her chances of getting breast cancer and emails for tips.
Jill, keeping your weight in check should be one of your top priorities! We know that excess weight can boost the chances for breast cancer. Now we are learning that how much weight is gained and when it happens can be a prime predictor for getting the disease.
Researchers tracked 63,000 postmenopausal women. They found those gaining 21 to 30 pounds between the ages of 18 and 40 had a greater risk than those with a gain of 5 pounds or less. Women who gained 70 pounds or more had nearly double the risk! So far there is no conclusive evidence that shows losing weight once it is on will help counter the problem. But since the increased risk is tied to high estrogen levels triggered by weight gain, it is a good bet that weight loss can only help!
