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Top 10 Diagnoses - MacDill AFB* |
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MacDill AFB personnel and their dependents have the following Top 10 Diagnoses* based on a review of their utilization of medical care. Additional information is available under links in some of the categories.
1. Hypertension or High Blood Pressure
increases your chance (or risk) for getting
heart disease and/or kidney disease, and for having a stroke. It is especially
dangerous because it often has no warning signs or symptoms. Regardless of race,
age, or gender, anyone can develop high blood pressure. It is estimated that one
in every four American adults has high blood pressure. Once high blood
pressure develops, it usually lasts a lifetime.
You can prevent and control high blood pressure by taking action!
Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) -
Based on the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute clinical guidelines and research studies, this online
guide provides up-to-date practical information on preventing and controlling high blood pressure (hypertension).
D.A.S.H. Diet - Dietary
Approaches to Stop Hypertension
-
Lower your blood pressure by changing your eating habits. The DASH diet is based
on findings from the "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension" clinical study
that found that elevated blood pressure levels can be reduced with an eating
plan low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, and rich in fruits,
vegetables, and low fat dairy products. Includes a form to track food habits
before starting the plan and a chart to help with meal planning and food
shopping. Provides a week's worth of sample menus, and recipes for some of the
heart-healthy dishes featured in the menus.
2.
URI - Upper Respiratory Infections
-
The term upper
respiratory infection (URI) includes the common cold, sore throats, and flu.
URIs are usually caused by a virus but may also be due to bacteria or other
organisms. An upper respiratory infection is rarely serious but often causes
bothersome symptoms. These websites presents comprehensive information on URIs
-signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options and prevention.
Upper Respiratory Infections URI
- Common symptoms of an upper respiratory infection such as a cold include a runny nose, post-nasal drip, cough and nasal congestion. It is often difficult to know the difference between an acute upper respiratory infection and influenza. Click title link for more information. - A cold is a contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract characterized by inflammation (swelling and irritation with presence of extra immune cells) of the mucous membranes, sneezing, and sore throat. Colds are caused by more than 200 different viruses known as rhinoviruses. They are not caused by the same viruses responsible for influenza ("the flu"). Colds spread through exposure to droplets from the coughing or sneezing of others with a cold or by hand contact with objects contaminated by someone with a cold. This website presents comprehensive information on colds, causes, treatment options and prevention.
3. Low Back Pain -
We tend to assume that when the back pain goes away, the problem goes away. Not necessarily - you are left with weak muscles, ligaments and joints. This could lead to a vicious cycle of additional pain and further weakness. This cycle of pain begins from the first time you experience any symptoms. Historically, the heart muscle, weakened by the pain of a heart attack, was treated by rest, medication and activity avoidance.
How is a weakened heart muscle treated today?
Simple exercise.
Back Pain - Back Care -
MedLine
Plus Health Information on Back Pain and Back Care including News,
General/Overviews, Anatomy/Physiology, Clinical Trials, Diagnosis/Symptoms,
Prevention/Screening, Rehabilitation, Specific Conditions/Aspects & Treatment.
Information in English & Español/Spanish
4. Hyperlipidemia (High Cholesterol) -
A high level of cholesterol in the blood is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease which leads to heart attack. Cholesterol is a waxy substance found among the lipids (fats) in the bloodstream and in all the body's cells. Some cholesterol is needed by the body to form cell membranes and perform other functions. Cholesterol and other fats can't dissolve in blood and are transported as part of large molecules called lipoproteins. These include Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), the bad cholesterol, and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), the good cholesterol. You can reduce LDL by making proper food choices and increase HDL through exercise. If that doesn't work your physician may prescribe cholesterol lowering medications. The following programs will help you to lower cholesterol through dietary choices and also to discuss your specific situation with your physician.
National Cholesterol Education Program-
From the US National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, the best information on how
to reduce cholesterol and adopt a healthier lifestyle whether you have or want
to prevent heart disease.
New Cholesterol Guidelines - Detection, Evaluation & Treatment- This website presents National Institute of Health's Third Report of the Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III [ATP III]) constitutes the National Cholesterol Education Program's (NCEP) updated clinical guidelines for cholesterol testing and management. The ATP III guidelines, which provide evidence-based recommendations, build on previous ATP reports and expand the indications for intensive cholesterol-lowering therapy in clinical practice. Information available for consumers & professionals.
Online Tool for Estimating Your 10-year Risk of Having a Heart Attack- The risk assessment tool from National Cholesterol Education Program uses information from the Framingham Heart Study to predict a person’s chance of having a heart attack in the next 10 years. This tool is designed for adults aged 20 and older who do not have heart disease or diabetes.
Understanding The Food Label- Regulated by US Food and Drug Administration, the food labels on all grocery items offer more complete, useful and accurate nutrition information than ever before. Includes a food label graphic you may click to find the relevant sections of this document.
5.
Diabetes - A group of diseases characterized by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. Diabetes can be associated with serious complications and premature death but people with diabetes
can take steps to control the disease and lower the risk of complications.
Diabetes Risk Assessment - Could
you have diabetes and not know it? Sixteen million Americans have diabetes
- one in three does not know it! Take this online test to see if you are
at risk for having diabetes. Diabetes is more common in African Americans,
Hispanics/Latinos, American Indians, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders. If
you are a member of one of these ethnic groups, you need to pay special
attention to this test.
MedlinePlus Info on Diabetes -
Latest news, general overviews, alternative therapy, clinical trials, diagnosis/symptoms, disease management, nutrition, prevention/screening, research, specific conditions/aspects, and treatment.
Meals For You - An incredible online resource with over 8000 recipes. Includes recipes that are low calorie, low fat, low
cholesterol, low sodium, high protein and high fiber. Also many recipes for special diets, diabetics, people with high blood pressure (hypertension) etc.
6.
Chronic Sinusitis -
With chronic sinusitis, the cavities around nasal passages
(sinuses) become inflamed and swollen. This interferes with drainage and causes
mucus to build up. This common condition is also called chronic rhinosinusitis.
Chronic Sinusitis Info from Mayo Clinic
7.
Neck Pain - When
your neck is sore, you may have difficulty moving it. People often describe this
as a stiff neck. If neck pain involves nerves you may feel numbness, tingling or
weakness in your arm, hand, or elsewhere.
Medline Info on Neck Pain - Trusted information
from U.S. National Library of Medicine.
8. Lower Leg Joint Pain -
Leg
pain is a common symptom and complaint.
Medline Information on Leg & Joint Pain
9. Otitis Media -
is a
middle ear infection that 75% of children experience at least one episode before
they turn 3 years old.
Medline Information on Otitis Media
10. Allergic Rhinitis -
Rhinitis is severe nasal congestion with a group of symptoms that include runny nose, obstruction in the nasal passage, itching and sneezing. These symptoms may develop as a result of colds or environmental irritants, such as allergens, cigarette smoke, chemicals, changes in temperature, stress, exercise, or other factors. When rhinitis lasts for longer than 6 weeks, the condition is called chronic rhinitis, and is most often caused by allergies. This website provides comprehensive information on rhinitis.
Allergic Rhinitis
Calculate Your BMI (Body Mass Index)
- The National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute's obesity guidelines propose that doctors use body mass index (BMI) to assess patients because the index is simple, correlates to fatness, and applies to both men and women. To determine BMI, weight in kilograms is divided by height in meters squared. To calculate your body mass index at this site, insert your weight in pounds and select your height. Click on the Compute button to see your body mass index. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight and one 30 or above is considered obese.