prevention

Screening in medicine: what they are and why to do them

26 February 20246 January 2024 by clemente.ferrara

In the medical field, it is really crucial to be able to identify a disease in time as, if detected at an early stage, the chances of treatment and thus cure are greatly increased. This is precisely what Screening in Medicine is all about. It is a series of organized activities ( more like medical examinations) aimed at a large part of the population with the purpose of early and rapid detection of the presence of a disease in people who, at first glance, do not show symptoms.

Obviously, the condition identified through Screening must still be curable or at least its course must be modifiable as a result of early diagnosis. Otherwise, there would be no advantage in detecting a particular disease early.

Screening

Although there are different types of screening in medicine, aimed at detecting different diseases affecting human beings, all of them indiscriminately must comply with certain basic and indispensable characteristics. First and foremost, they must be highly safe examinations with an extremely minimal rate of side effects and risks to the patient. Another very important feature concerns the technical nature of the screenings; in fact, they should neither be too complex to perform (for doctor and patient) nor bothersome and/0 invasive for those undergoing treatment. Finally, the most important feature is undoubtedly reliability. In fact, Screenings must be absolutely efficient and reliable in detecting a disease and avoid revealing misdiagnoses.

Some tips

Screenings are highly recommended for those individuals who have an increased risk of developing a disease (e.g., for hereditary diseases). For these people it is appropriate to repeat checks at regular time intervals for as long as the disease is most likely to develop and especially for as long as any medical treatment is likely to have the best results in terms of duration and quality. It is also useful to articulate multiple levels of investigation since a possible positivity to a pathology does not always equate to a certain diagnosis but can give excellent indications on possible subsequent (more detailed) controls to undergo.

For a screening to be effective, the population to be screened must be precisely identified, the time interval to be allowed to elapse between screenings must be precisely calculated, and iter-therapeutic examinations must be organized in case of positivity at primary screening. Only with careful prevention and continuous monitoring of one’s physical condition can one defend oneself, or at least fight a potentially life-threatening disease more effectively.

Sun erythema: some practical tips against sunburn

26 February 20246 January 2024 by clemente.ferrara

In summer, you know, it is time for sun, sea and well-deserved relaxation. Days spent at the beach or pool are a pleasant alternative to the many hours of work or study spent at the office and school. However, we need to protect ourselves with due care from the sun’s rays, especially during the hottest hours, as improper exposure to the sun’s UV rays could lead to serious consequences for our skin, many of which are truly painful. The most prevalent of all is undoubtedly sun erythema, or as it is more commonly called, sunburn, due to prolonged and excessive exposure to sunlight without proper protection for the skin.

Erythema is a true first- or second-degree burn that usually occurs 6 to 12 hours after sun exposure and brings with it: reddening of the skin, blisters, vesicles, highly itchy skin papules, extreme sensitivity of the skin to touch, and skin dryness.

The main remedies for sunburn

The first thing to do when you find yourself battling a sunburn is to moisturize the reddened skin with specific lotions, creams or milks for immediate relief and pain relief. It is then appropriate to take a cold shower or apply an ice pack (wrapped on a soft cotton cloth) to the most affected and painful areas. It is also helpful to apply soothing compresses to the skin and to wrap arms and legs with cloths soaked in cool water, which should be replaced as soon as the pain starts again.

After a shower or a cool bath, gently dry the skin with an extremely soft cloth, so as to avoid scratching or irritating the reddened skin even more, and nourish the skin with an oil specifically for sunburn. Application of creams and other moisturizing compresses should be done for 7 to 10 days following the sunburn.

Absolutely avoid

In a condition such as this, it is absolutely inadvisable to continue sun exposure in the days immediately following the erythema. One should not forcefully scratch or scrape the skin as this may increase irritation and consequently pain, let alone break up any blisters or boils formed as a result of the burn, to avoid infection and complications in healing. It would also be best not to dry the skin with rough sponge cloths (although they may be an aid against itching at first impression) since they can aggravate the redness.

To avoid sun erythema, it is necessary to expose oneself to the sun armed with a good amount of sunscreen, which should be rubbed on the skin every 2 hours and after every bath in the water. Avoid sun exposure from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: during these hours, the risk of sun erythema is higher. It is also not recommended, especially for young children, to avoid direct exposure to the sun, but to use bandannas, caps and goggles.

Seven rules to follow to avoid fall flu

25 February 20246 January 2024 by clemente.ferrara

The sweet summer days have now left us. With the arrival of autumn, and the resulting drop in temperatures accompanied by increasingly frequent rains, the risk of getting sick also increases. Influenza, coughs, colds and sore throats are just some of the ailments we can run into if we are not careful to carry out good preventive work. Just along these lines in the journal Psychology Today, Canadian physician Susan Biali Haas published the seven basic rules for preventing the onset of the flu symptoms mentioned earlier. Let’s see together what they are.

The 7 rules for good prevention

Sleep: sleeping well, and for the right amount of time, is a great way to prevent fall flu. For adults, it is recommended to sleep at least 7 hours a day, as lack of sleep causes a significant lowering of immune defenses, exposing our bodies to the risk of getting sick
Proper Diet: another basic rule is to stick to a healthy and balanced diet. Never skip breakfast and have at least three full meals a day that include fruit and vegetable intake, avoiding foods and drinks that contain high sugar content.
Sports: physical activity, in addition to its already known benefits, is also useful for flu prevention. Playing sports in fact reactivates blood circulation by boosting our immune system.
Hand washing: perhaps many of you already know this, but proper hand hygiene can greatly reduce the risk of infection. Therefore, it is important to avoid touching our mouth, nose and eyes if our hands are not perfectly clean.
Watch out for stress: Another factor to watch out for is stress. In fact, when one is stressed, due to a hectic and restless life, the body puts into circulation a series of hormones that weaken the immune system.
Laughter: although it may seem unusual to you, but having relationships with people who are pleasant to us, who instill optimism in us, helps strengthen our immune system.
Avoid the cold: the last rule, which may seem trivial, is perhaps one of the most important. Covering yourself well and avoiding the cold is essential to avoid getting sick. In fact, a warm body will have a better chance of resisting a virus attack.

These are some of the most important tips for enduring this first wave of autumn cold weather to avoid getting sick and seeking medical attention. Increased attention to compliance with these rules is of great importance especially for children, who are often the first “victims” of the fall flu.

Sunglasses: an important act of prevention

26 February 20246 January 2024 by MinnieLuongo

It is not only about looks but also about health and prevention for our eyes. In fact, they too need protection in summer. Just like the skin. Yet only 15 percent of Italians always use sunglasses, while 30 percent rarely use them. And the most at-risk groups, represented by the extreme age groups, are the most exposed: 60 percent of children between two and six years old forget to wear them, and among the elderly this percentage is even higher.

Beware of the sun

But why is the sun one of the greatest dangers to our eyesight? Eighty percent of the information that reaches our brains goes right through our eyes, which are therefore always operational, in any situation. In addition to the long duration of exposure to light, however, it should be pointed out that ultraviolet rays, as is true for the skin, can damage the retina, the sensitive tissue of the eye, triggering degenerative processes over time that are responsible for declining visual acuity in old age.

That’s why sunglasses, hat and T-shirt are essential to defend yourself from UV rays, especially where there are reflective surfaces, such as sand and water at the seaside, rocks and glaciers in high mountains. Even children with corrective means, must be provided with graduated sunglasses. And remember that light-eyed individuals are the most vulnerable. Therefore, the use of certified lenses preserves the health of our eyes.

The rules to follow

1) Seeking advice from the optician, choose sunglasses according to the use to be made of them and the places to which you are to go. For example, whether it is to be worn every day, for sports or driving, whether it will be used in the city or on vacation.

2) Minimize exposure to the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

3) For nearsighted people, brown sunglass lenses are preferable, while for farsighted people, gray-green is better, with lenses that can be either graded or progressive.

4) Remember to wear glasses even in the shade and even if the sky is cloudy, to protect your eyes from reflected radiation.

The benefits of red wine

22 February 20246 January 2024 by Alessia Giannino

According to research conducted by theUniversity of Alberta in Canada, drinking one glass of wine a day is equivalent to one hour of physical activity. Researchers have found that red wine contains a substance known as resveratrol, through which it provides benefits similar to those obtained after an hour at the gym. It’s not about giving up sports for good, but taking advantage of the properties of grapes without overdoing it. In fact, just drinking one glass of red wine a day can prevent heart disease, increase muscle strength and regulate blood circulation.

Despite being one of the oldest beverages in the world, the benefits of red wine have only recently been discovered. In the past it was mainly used for entertainment, relaxation and accompanying meals. Today it is also used to treat diseases and disorders such as diabetes, dementia, and osteoporosis. Wine also serves to regulate tobacco-induced damage to blood vessels, either through relaxation or vasodilation

The leader of the research team, Jason Dyck, recommended having a glass of wine to accompany lunch or dinner, without overdoing it with the excuse that it is good for your health. Moreover, experts point out that these kinds of benefits come only from red wine, which could become a complement to the exercise program.

Red wine is made from the must of dark grapes, which are harvested from the vines during the grape harvest. Wine processing is completed with maceration, must, fermentation, filtration, clarification and finally bottling. It is also good for health because it contains polyphenols, which come from the grape skin and seeds, which protect the heart.

One idea might be to alternate gym days with wine drinking days. Research also establishes that drinking a glass of wine every night and continuing to lead a sedentary life does not help the body or the organism at all.

Melanoma, doubts about generalized screening but all agree on the importance of prevention

16 February 20246 January 2024 by Renato Torlaschi

Because melanoma cases have been steadily increasing, U.S. citizens have been asked to undergo early screening for this most dangerous skin cancer for a few years now. But some dermatologists wonder whether widespread screening of people without symptoms has resulted in overdiagnosis, with loads of anxiety and unnecessary treatments. An account of the ongoing debate was reported on Medscape, the portal dedicated to medical and scientific popularization.

While the number of melanoma cases diagnosed in the United States doubled from 1982 to 2011 and continues to grow, mortality rates have decreased only slightly. From 2007 to 2016, deaths from melanoma fell by 4 percent in adults up to age 50 and 2 percent in those older.

“The large increase in diagnosed melanomas should be associated with a sharp decline in mortality,” argues Ade Adamson, dermatologist and professor at the University of Texas. But this is a very sensitive discussion because we are led to believe that screening healthy people and early detection will save lives, regardless of the type of cancer.”

According to Adamson, the technological advances contribute to the diagnosis excessive, and brings up the example of skin scanning instruments that detect small changes that the eye cannot see: but even for an expert it is difficult, sometimes impossible, to distinguish the malignant lesion of a melanoma from a benign one in its early stages. Damage such as misdiagnosis, overdiagnosis, cosmetic effects due to biopsies, and side effects associated with medications, as well as the inevitable psychological distress for patients, can result.

However, there are those who think differently. Joel Cohen, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology, believes that early diagnosis is absolutely essential: “intercepting a very small melanoma is something to celebrate.” After all, according to data provided by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, five-year survival rates for people whose melanoma is detected early are 92 percent; however, if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, the rate drops to 23 percent.

However, experts all agree on one fact: prevention is the first important step in avoiding skin cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology urges everyone to follow a few behaviors: limit sun exposure, especially during the middle hours of the day; wear protective clothing such as wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, long pants and long-sleeved shirts; generously apply a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, even on cloudy days; reapply sunscreen every two hours; avoid tanning beds; and have your skin checked for new or suspicious spots.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/912697

Obesity: the OECD quantifies its costs, which are also very heavy for Italy

14 February 20246 January 2024 by Redazione My Special Doctor

Obesity-related diseases will cause more than 90 million victims in OECD countries over the next three decades, with life expectancy reduced by nearly three years; economically, too, the consequences will be significant, with a 3.3 percent reduction in GDP and an average of about $360 per year burdening the budgets of each citizen. The figures were provided by the OECD itself, in a report that outlines a very worrying landscape for Italy as well.

Although the prevalence of obesity in our country is lower than in most of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s member countries, its impact is considerable. Italians live an average of 2.7 years less due to being overweight, which is responsible for 9.0% of health care spending, above the average of other countries. If we could change our dietary regimen, with a 20 percent reduction in our intake of sugar, salt, calories and saturated fat, we could prevent 688,000 noncommunicable diseases by 2050, save 278 million annually in health care costs and increase employment and productivity by an amount corresponding to the equivalent of 18 thousand full-time workers.

The OECD urges authorities to take public health actions to promote healthier lifestyles, which have a positive impact on the population and are a good investment: on average, for every euro invested, up to six euros are returned in economic benefits. And, for Italy, it is especially important to turn our eyes to the future and think in terms of prevention, given that we are now the fourth-largest country in the world in terms of childhood obesity, clear evidence of the progressive spread of unhealthy habits and lifestyles.

” Children – OECD experts declare – They pay a high price for obesity: they do less well in school and, when they grow up, are less likely to complete higher education; they also show less satisfaction with life and are three times more likely to be bullied, which in turn may contribute to lower school performance.”

Frequently, moreover, children’s obesity or overweight status will be maintained into adulthood, with an increased risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, and reduced life expectancy. In the European Union, women and men with the lowest incomes are 90% and 50% more likely to be obese, respectively, than those with the highest incomes, reinforcing inequalities. In access to employment, individuals with at least one chronic disease associated with overweight are at a disadvantage and, when they do have a job, they are more often absent and are less productive.

Source:

OECD. The Heavy Burden of Obesity. The Economics of Prevention. Published on October 10, 2019

New flu season kicks off: recommendations for preventing it

14 February 20246 January 2024 by rosanna.feroldi

Once again this year, with the first case found in Parma in a 6-year-old girl in late September, the flu season has officially begun. Although it will take a while to get into full swing, aided by the still mild temperatures that do not allow viruses to multiply and spread efficiently, one should not feel too safe. In a few weeks, the situation will be quite different, and the likelihood of finding oneself in bed with a high fever, cold, cough, general malaise, and bone pain will be decidedly high for everyone.

Experts predict that about 6 million Italians will fall ill and that the viruses circulating will be particularly aggressive. To avoid the discomforts and risks of complications associated with the most classic and frequent of winter ailments, the Ministry of Health and all health institutions at the international level recommend, as they do every year, taking the seasonal flu vaccine, which is effective and safe at all ages (starting from the 6th month of life) and in any category of people, including the period of pregnancy and lactation (unless specific individual contraindications are extremely rare).

Vaccination is especially important for the elderly (over65 years old), people with chronic respiratory (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-BPCO, cystic fibrosis, etc.), cardiovascular (heart failure, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, etc.), metabolic (diabetes, etc.), blood (coagulation disorders, anemia, etc.), or immune system (congenital or acquired immunodeficiency) diseases.) or the immune system (congenital or acquired immunodeficiency), as well as cancers, chronic inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, etc.) and/or malabsorption, renal or hepatic failure, and other conditions that increase the risk of severe complications (pneumonia, respiratory and cardiometabolic decompensation, encephalitis, etc.) and influenza mortality.

In all these cases, as well as in pregnancy, those in occupations in contact with the public, at high risk of virus transmission, and/or of public utility (health care personnel, veterinarians, animal keepers, law enforcement, etc.) and blood donors, the flu vaccine is offered free of charge by the National Health Service (NHS). The rest of the population will have to pay for it out of their own pockets, but at a cost of a few euros, certainly less than the cost of the drugs that would be needed to keep flu symptoms under control.

The preparations available today for influenza vaccination are numerous, have different characteristics, and can be tri-valent (i.e., able to protect against three types of viruses) or quadri-valent (i.e., able to protect against four types of viruses). Those trivalents indicated for the 2019-20 season, based on the types of viruses expected to have the greatest prevalence in the coming months, contain the following antigens: A/Brisbane/02/2018 (H1N1)pdm09; A/Kansas/14/2017 (H3N2); a B/Colorado/06/2017 (B/Victoria/2/87 lineage). In addition, the quadrivalent vaccines available in Italy contain B/Phuket/3073/2013-like (B/Yamagata lineage) as the fourth antigen.

The vaccine to be taken should always be agreed upon with the family doctor or, in the case of children, with the Freely chosen Pediatrician, who will also take charge of its administration through a harmless subcutaneous injection in the upper arm or, for younger children, in the thigh (alternatively, one can contact the nearest Vaccination Center). In order not to be blindsided by the viruses before you have developed sufficient immune protection (it takes about 15 days after the vaccine is administered), it is recommended to get vaccinated between late October and early November or, at any rate, by mid-December (also in view of the fact that Christmas celebrations are at very high risk of infection). However, if you have not been sick before, you can take the vaccine even in early January.

In addition to the seasonal vaccine, to reduce the risk of contracting the flu and other seasonal illnesses carried by viruses and bacteria, it is important to adhere to well-known and proven rules of hygiene and practical prevention. That is: wash hands often, with soap and water or disinfectant preparations; avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes with hands that are not perfectly clean; limit spending time in crowded enclosed places (public transportation and offices, cinemas, theaters, stores, gyms, etc.); avoid being near people with suspected respiratory symptoms or who are already ill; support the body’s defenses through healthy diet (including fresh foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants), good hydration (1.5-2 liters of fluids per day), sufficient sleep, moderate physical activity, avoiding smoking and stress; ventilate the rooms in which you stay often, especially if there are family members or co-workers with cold symptoms.

Sources: EpiCentro-Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS)(www.epicentro.iss.it/influenza/Raccomandazioni-Ministero); Ministry of Health – Influenza portal(www.salute.gov.it/portale/influenza/homeInfluenza.jsp)

Urological prevention: isn’t it men’s stuff?

11 February 20246 January 2024 by rosanna.feroldi

When it comes to the prostate, many Italian men are aware of the risks and do not underestimate them in theory, but take little action to reduce them in practice through the most valuable and effective weapon available: urological prevention. Although the situation has improved from a few years ago, the picture that emerges from the recent survey conducted by SWG for the Italian League for the Fight against Cancer (LILT) indicates that still a large share of the male population is not paying enough attention to diseases that can affect the genitourinary system, starting with prostate cancer: the second most frequent malignancy among men after lung cancer.

Although the majority of Italian males (81%) know that prostate cancer is common (especially after age 50) and more than half (53%) fear it, in general there is modest knowledge about it (28%) and poor ability to recognize its characteristic manifestations (moreover, often late). In addition, only one in four men undergo an examination to check the status of the prostate gland, either on their own initiative or after experiencing some urinary symptoms.

“The fact that 80 percent of men have never visited a urologist,” commented Francesco Schittulli, LILT president, on the occasion of the presentation of the survey results, “is a worrying statistic, because it means that visits are only resorted to when pathologies are already manifest and overt, when instead it would be fundamental, especially over the age of 50, to make periodic check-ups, as mammography is for women. With the “Blue Path” campaign, in which many of our sections scattered throughout the country are involved in various initiatives, LILT intends to raise awareness among men about the importance of prevention and awareness of the risks, sometimes related even to small, often overlooked ailments, to keep away so many aggressive male health diseases.”

“Undergoing early detection examinations still remains a female prerogative,” added Marco Alloisio, president of LILT Milan, “even though 62 percent of men are aware that urological checkups are the main way to effective prevention. To paraphrase the title of the SWG research, “it is not a male thing” to take care of one’s health, even though data tell us that one in 9 men gets prostate cancer and testicular cancer is the most frequent male neoplasm among the under-50s. It is, therefore, important to strengthen and spread information campaigns aimed at the male audience as much as possible, so that the healthy habit of taking care of oneself will also spread to men, as it already does to women. There is also a need for further involvement of general practitioners: their persuasive power with patients is high and, with regard to male cancers, can make a difference in bringing men closer to checkups.”

In addition to protecting your physical health, undergoing periodic urological checkups allows you to avoid unnecessary anxiety about “suspicious” urinary symptoms, such as difficulty in releasing urine, poor stream, the need to go to the bathroom often, or some initial défaillance in sexual intercourse not necessarily related to simply advancing age. In most cases, these problems are related to the presence of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH): an annoying, but not serious and well manageable disorder, especially if treated from the onset. But sometimes, entirely similar symptoms can also be brought about by prostate cancer that is relatively advanced and/or located in the middle part of the gland.

Early detection of prostate disease is undemanding: to implement it, it is sufficient to perform PSA assay and a specialist urological examination once a year from the age of 50, or from the age of 40 if there have been cases of prostate cancer in one or more men in the same family.

For years, LILT has been engaged in male awareness activities through the “Blue Path” to spread the culture of prevention and early diagnosis to men as much as possible. Adopting proper lifestyles (not smoking, eating healthily, moderating alcohol consumption, engaging in physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight) has been shown to reduce the risk of becoming ill with malignancies, while undergoing periodic checkups allows us to catch any urological diseases in the bud for which there are effective and, often, decisive treatments if implemented early, avoiding the need for more challenging treatments with more variable outcomes.

Source: Italian League for the Fight Against Cancer – LILT(www.lilt.it/oldportal/pubblicazioneea2c.html?id=541&area=1160)

NUTRITION AND DIET	NATURE, SPORTS, PLACES	CULTIVATING HEALTH	MENOPAUSE	MOM IN SHAPE
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE	HEART SURGERY	MEDICINES AND MEDICAL DEVICES	PARENTING	THE CULTURE OF HEALTH
HEALTH UTILITIES	GENERAL MEDICINE	NATURAL MEDICINE, THERMAL	MIND AND BRAIN	NEUROVEGETATIVE DYSTONIA
WAYS OF BEING	HEALTH AND SOCIETY	HEALTHCARE AND PATIENTS	SEXUALITY	OLDER AGE
CANCERS	EMERGENCIES

NUTRITION AND DIET	NATURE, SPORTS, PLACES
CULTIVATING HEALTH	MENOPAUSE
MOM IN SHAPE	TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
HEART SURGERY	MEDICINES AND MEDICAL DEVICES
PARENTING	THE CULTURE OF HEALTH
HEALTH UTILITIES	GENERAL MEDICINE
NATURAL MEDICINE, THERMAL	MIND AND BRAIN
NEUROVEGETATIVE DYSTONIA	WAYS OF BEING
HEALTH AND SOCIETY	HEALTHCARE AND PATIENTS
SEXUALITY	OLDER AGE
CANCERS	EMERGENCIES

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM	RESPIRATORY SYSTEM	UROGENITAL SYSTEM	HEART AND CIRCULATION	SKIN
INFECTIOUS DISEASES	EYES	EARS, NOSE, AND THROAT	BONES AND LIGAMENTS	ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
NERVOUS SYSTEM

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM	RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
UROGENITAL SYSTEM	HEART AND CIRCULATION
SKIN	INFECTIOUS DISEASES
EYES	EARS, NOSE, AND THROAT
BONES AND LIGAMENTS	ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
NERVOUS SYSTEM

Screening

Some tips

The main remedies for sunburn

Absolutely avoid

Prevention

The 7 rules for good prevention

Beware of the sun

The rules to follow

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