“Folic acid is also helpful in producing red blood cells which help prevent anemia during pregnancy. The most important benefit of folic acid intake before and during pregnancy is that it protects against neural tube defects.  In order to work optimally, you must start taking folic acid at least 1-2 months before you get pregnant.  The neural tube, which eventually develops into the baby’s nervous system, is formed during the first few weeks of pregnancy and if the proper amount of folic acid is present in the mother’s body at this point, it reduces or eliminates the risks of defects in the child.”

babyMed (babymed.com)

“Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a congenital heart defect with four components: 1) large ventricular septal defect (VSD), which is a hole between the two ventricles or pumping chambers in the heart; 2) pulmonary stenosis, which is narrowing beneath or in the blood vessel leading to the lungs; 3) overriding of the aorta, in which the aorta lies directly above the ventricular septal defect; and 4) as a result of these events, the right ventricle becomes thickened or hypertrophied.”

Cleveland Clinic

“Congenital heart defects are the most common types of birth defects. Birth defects are health conditions that a baby’s born with that change the shape or function of one or more parts of the body. They can cause problems in overall health, how the body develops, or in how the body works.”.

March of Dimes (www.marchofdimes.org)

“We know that not all birth defects can be prevented. But, we also know that women can increase their chances of having a healthy baby by managing health conditions and adopting healthy behaviors before becoming pregnant. Make a PACT, a commitment to yourself, to get healthy before and during pregnancy by actively trying to plan ahead, avoid harmful substances, choose a healthy lifestyle, and talk with your healthcare provider.”

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

“”The loss of a loved one is life’s most stressful event and can cause a major emotional crisis. After the death of someone you love, you experiencebereavement, which literally means “to be deprived by death.”

MHA  Mental Health America

“Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cells disorders. People who have sickle cell disease have an abnormal protein in their red blood cells. In the United States, most people who have sickle cell disease are of African ancestry, but the condition is also common in people with a Hispanic background. Because the disease runs in families, couples planning to have children can have genetic testing.”

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

“Doctors can get a quick and painless “snapshot” of bone health using a simple X-ray test called DXA. This test measures bone mineral density and helps determine risks of osteoporosis and fracture. Dr. Sikon recommends testing for women within two years of menopause. Earlier tests are recommended for men and women with certain diseases and for those taking medications that increase risk, such as long-term steroid therapy.”

Cleveland Clinic

Yes we have had infections brought into America from other countries with society getting the idea especially thanks to our media that it a possible crisis like with Ebola, Measles to simply the flu but let’s look at the crisis that is so clear, in front of our faces with warnings day in and day out but society ignores them. Chronic diseases are crushing healthcare and major issues are primarily in prevention and control of ourselves in treating ourselves more healthy.

Our healthcare system is good at treating short-term problems, such as broken bones and infections. Medical advances are helping people live longer. But obesity is reaching epidemic proportions. The population is aging. We need to do a much better job managing chronic diseases.

Chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, and Alzheimer’s disease take a heavy toll on health. Chronic conditions also cost vast amounts of money. The trends are going in the wrong direction:

• Obesity increases the risk of developing conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. The rate of obesity in adults has doubled in the last 20 years. It has almost tripled in kids ages 2-11. It has more than tripled in children ages 12-19.
• Without big changes, 1 in 3 babies born today will develop diabetes in their lifetime.
• Average healthcare costs for someone who has one or more chronic conditions is 5 times greater than for someone without any chronic conditions.
• Chronic diseases account for $3 of every $4 spent on healthcare. That’s nearly $7,900 for every American with a chronic disease.
• These chronic diseases drive healthcare costs at an alarming annual rate:
• Heart Disease and Stroke: $432 billion/year.
• Diabetes: $174 billion/year.
• Lung Disease: $154 billion/year.
• Alzheimer’s Disease: $148 billion/year.The human cost of chronic diseases cannot be ignored:
• The Human Cost:  Chronic diseases cause 7 out of every 10 deaths.
• Chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease are the leading causes of disability and death in the US.
• About 25% of people with chronic diseases have some type of activity limitation. This includes difficulty or needing help with personal tasks such as dressing or bathing. It may also mean being restricted from work or attending school.
• Today, Americans suffering from chronic diseases face rising healthcare costs. They also receive lower quality care and have fewer options.
• Health insurance co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses continue to rise. In many cases, choices and care are limited.
• The disabling and long-term symptoms that often come with chronic diseases add to extended pain and suffering. This decreases the overall quality of life.The financial and human costs of chronic diseases can no longer be ignored.
• There is a way we can prevent this and it would be keeping your weight ideal for your height within the therapeutic body mass index range (calculate it for free online).  If you need to lose weight you’ve come to the right blog.  Do it through diet, exercise balanced with rest and practicing routine healthy habits that prone you to having a healthy body overall which prevents disease.  So many diseases are due to these factors not practiced daily =  good diet with exercise, healthy habits and a therapeutic weight for your height.  If we had most of American citizens living this way certain diseases would be decreased terribly helping our country out with this economy of ours with the health care system.  If you need assistance in reaching these healthy practices   Do you want a better fit body or even an overall healthier family including grandchildren to even our country than take the action NOW.  For your goal in playing a part in living healthier and spreading the good news would benefit you and all around us.  Also, for the next decade & generation to be healthier will help Americans holistically in their lives all around (including our health care showing a spread of disease in lower percentage due to healthier dieting and activity choices by our people, who are so important in helping to decide where the health of the present and future of the US citizens lies.  Should it take our government to make a move (finally after so many years)?   I know I wouldn’t want them making the last move in our society and if you want to take part in joining me (at almost 50 y/o) than go to healthyusa.tsfl.com and be a part of making our home a healthy USA.
• We must face the epidemic of chronic diseases. If we don’t, the human costs will continue to soar. We might even face a lack of available or affordable care when it is needed most.

REFERENCES:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic Disease Overview: Costs of Chronic Disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/overview.htm. Accessed July 24, 2007.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overweight and Obesity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/trend/index.htm. Accessed July 24, 2007.
• American Diabetes Association. The Dangerous Toll of Diabetes. American Diabetes Association Web site. Available at http://diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/dangerous-toll.jsp. Accessed May 18, 2007.
• Partnership for Solutions. Chronic Conditions: Making the Case for Ongoing Care, September 2004 Update. Partnership for Solutions Web site. Available at http://www.partnershipforsolutions.org/DMS/files/ chronicbook2004.pdf. Accessed July 24, 2007.
• Mensah G, Brown D. An overview of cardiovascular disease burden in the United States. Health Aff 2007; 26:38-48.
• American Diabetes Association. Direct and Indirect Costs of Diabetes in the United States. American Diabetes Association Web site. Available at http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/ cost-of-diabetes-in-HYPERLINK “http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/cost-of-diabetes-in-us.jsp”us.jsp. Accessed September 20, 2007.
• Alzheimer’s Association. Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures 2007. Alzheimer’s Association Web site. Available at http://www.alz.org/national/documents/Report_2007FactsAndFigures.pdf.QUOTE FOR THE WEEKEND:Mitch Daniels (born April 7, 1949) is an American politician who is the president of Purdue University and former Governor of Indiana. A member of the Republican Party, he served two terms as governor from 2005 to 2013.)“With the chronic obesity in America, it’s more important than ever to not only feed kids healthy foods but to teach them how to make healthy choices on their own.” Jennie Garth (American actress and film director)

“Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) occurs when your thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine.”

MAYO CLINIC