Tag Archives: Jeffrey Sterling

November Is American Diabetes Month

November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention, to raise awareness, and to improve understanding of diabetes among people with diabetes as well as those who provide care to them.

Did you know that more than 30 million adults and children – that’s one in 10 people – in the United States has type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and another 85 million Americans are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes? Less than ten percent of all adult diabetes cases diagnosed each year is type 1 diabetes. People who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes can lower their risk if they make healthy changes. Examples of healthy changes include eating healthy, getting more physical activity, and losing weight.

Learn more about what you can do to help those with diabetes live a healthy life.

  • Encourage people to make small changes, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
  • Talk to people in your community about getting regular checkups, including getting their blood pressure, and cholesterol checked.
  • Ask doctors and nurses to be leaders in their communities by speaking about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity.

Did you know that adults with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to die from heart disease or stroke as people without diabetes? The good news is that the steps you take to manage your diabetes can also help lower your chances of having heart disease or a stroke.

For more information and resources about diabetes management, Dr. Jeffrey Sterling, MD, encourages you to speak with your family doctor to learn more about what you can do to keep yourself healthy.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Detecting Breast Cancer Early

Each October, we wear pink to show our support for breast cancer awareness. This empowering campaign helps to shed light and bring awareness to this disease that affects one in eight women. Each year, an estimated 250,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed in women in the U.S., according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and is the second leading cause of cancer death as well.

There is no known cause for breast cancer, although women with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop breast cancer. Some risk factors, such as drinking alcohol, can be avoided. But most risk factors, like having a family history of breast cancer, can’t be avoided. There is much that we know and much that we have yet to understand. However, we do know that cancer spreads in three important ways: 1.) Damaged cells replicate, creating more damaged cells and tumor growth. 2.) The body’s hormones and chemicals can accelerate the growth of some tumors. 3.) Lymph and blood vessels can carry the cancer to other areas of the body.

Breast cancer can’t be prevented, but you can take important steps to help detect it earlier, increasing your risk of finding it before it spreads. Regular breast cancer screenings are crucial for early detection and treatment. This October, Dr. Jeffrey Sterling hopes you’ll encourage the women you love, especially yourself, ladies, to schedule an appointment with a gynecologist for a routine examination.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month

We highlight the importance of vaccinations for people of all ages each August during National Immunization Awareness Month. This is the perfect reminder for you, your family, and friends to stay up to date on these life-saving shots. Vaccines aren’t only important for children but adults as well as they help to prevent dangerous and sometimes deadly diseases from spreading rampantly. Vaccines offer the power of protection for yourself and your family against serious diseases, like the flu, measles, whooping cough, cancers caused by HPV, pneumonia, and many more.

Immunization Facts
Vaccines are among the most effective ways to protect against serious diseases. Many vaccine-preventable diseases are no longer common thanks to vaccines, which are tested to ensure they are safe and effective for children and adults to receive at the recommended times. As children head back to school this month, make sure vaccination is at the top of your checklist.

National Immunization Awareness Month is the perfect opportunity to talk to your doctor or other healthcare professionals to ensure you, your children, and your family are up to date on the recommended vaccines. Dr. Jeffrey Sterling encourages you to talk to your primary care physician about the vaccines you need to be protected against serious diseases.

Stay Sun Safe During UV Protection Month

Every July, we bask in the warmth of the sun’s rays. For some parts of the country, it’s a much-anticipated welcome from the long, cold months of winter. Although, even if you’re fortunate to live in a warm and sunny climate all year long, July ushers in even warmer days as the sun moves closer to Earth.

While we celebrate these glorious days of summer by spending as much time outdoors as possible, soaking in those rays poolside, along the beach, or hiking, it’s important to remember to protect your skin and eyes from the damaging effects of the sun during UV Safety Awareness Month.

As you likely already know, the sun emits radiation known as UV-A and UV-B rays. UV-B rays have short wavelengths that reach the outer layer of your skin. UV-A rays have longer wavelengths that can penetrate the middle layer of your skin.

By taking proper precautionary steps to protect yourself and your family from UV rays, everyone can enjoy the sun and outdoors safely without damage to your eyes, premature skin aging, or skin cancer. Minimize the risk that comes with sun exposure by following these three simple guidelines by Jeffrey Sterling, MD, a national leader in community-based medicine, healthcare, and public health.

  1. Choosing the right sunscreen is so important. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that your sunscreen have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, and should protect against both UV-A and UV-B rays.
  2. Apply your sunscreen frequently. When out in the sun, it’s important that you apply at least one ounce of sunscreen every two hours. You should apply it more often if you are sweating or swimming, even if the sunscreen is waterproof.
  3. Cover up with a wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective clothing to shade your skin.

By taking proper precautions, you can enjoy the beautiful, sunny days of summer without fear of sun damage to your skin and eyes.