Come out and join us for our next Diabetes Support Group meeting on Thursday June 5th. We’ll be meeting in the Adult Day Care room at the River Hospital in Alexandria Bay at 6PM.

For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, contact us or check out the Events & Announcements page.

"Eat well. Live well. Be well."

Since May is National Stroke Awareness Month, we’re spreading the word about strokes. Last week we talked about the need to Act F.A.S.T. when you suspect someone’s having a stroke, but how do you know if you or someone you love is at risk for a stroke in the first place. There are several risk factors for stroke, some that you can’t control, and some that you can. Either way, it’s important to know what your risk level is and to do what you can to minimize it.

Factors You Can’t Control

• Your age – The older you get, the greater your risk of having a stroke. After age 55, your risk for stroke doubles every 10 years.
• Your gender – Men are more likely to have a stroke, but that doesn’t leave women off the hook. If a woman does have a stroke, she’s more likely to die from it.
• Your race – African Americans are twice as likely as Caucasians to have a stroke, and Hispanics, Asians and Pacific Islanders also have a greater risk than Caucasians.
• Your family history – If someone in your family has had a stroke, your risk of stroke also increases.
• Your own history – If you have had a stroke or ministroke in the past, your chances of having another stroke within 5 years increases by up to 40%.

While you can’t change these risk factors, it’s important to talk to your doctor about other ways you can reduce your risk of having a stroke.

Factors You Can Control

• High Blood Pressure – The higher your blood pressure, the greater your risk of stroke. Make sure to have your blood pressure checked regularly and, if it is high, speak with your doctor about getting treatment.
• Atrial Fibrillation (AF) – If your heart beats irregularly, you’re at higher risk of getting a stroke. If you have a history of AF, or if you believe you may be having AF but have not yet been diagnosed, speak with your doctor about your concerns and discuss treatment options.
• High Cholesterol – If your combined cholesterol levels are greater than 200 mg/dL, your stroke risk is increased. Find out how you can reduce your cholesterol to a healthy level.
• Diabetes - If you have diabetes, you have a 2 to 4 times greater chance of having a stroke. To decrease your risk, work with your doctor to manage your blood sugar with diet, exercise and medication if necessary.
• Smoking - If you’re a smoker, your risk of having a stroke is twice that of a non-smoker. Do what you can to quit and you’ll reduce your risk greatly.
• Drinking alcohol – Less than two drinks per day seems safe, but if you drink more than 2 drinks per day, your stroke risk may be increased by as much as 50%.
• Obesity - Being overweight makes you more likely to have many of the risk factors mentioned above, which may increase your risk for stroke. Losing weight, along with improving any of the other risk factors, can reduce your stroke risk.

For more information about stroke and stroke risk factors, visit the National Stroke Association and use their Stroke Risk Scorecard to determine your risk level. Recognizing your risk brings you one step closer to preventing a stroke in the future. Know your risk.

"Eat well. Live well. Be well."

According to the USDA, Fairbank Reconstruction Corp., of Ashville, N.Y., issued a recall of more than 20,000 pounds of beef that may contain bits of plastic. You may find this meat in stores near you. If you’ve purchased any of the following, discard it or return it to the store where you purchased it. Check the recall information for other brands involved in the recall that are distributed in Massachusetts, Maryland, Connecticut and New York.

• 1.3-pound trays of “Price Chopper Fresh Ground Beef Sirloin Patties, 90% Lean 10% Fat.” The labels on the bottom of the package bear a “Sell-by” date of “05/13/08″ as well as the establishment number “EST. 492″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• 1.3- and 3-pound trays of “Price Chopper Fresh Homestyle Ground Beef Round Patty, 85% Lean 15% Fat.” The labels on the bottom of the package bear a “Sell-by” date of “05/13/08″ as well as the establishment number “EST. 492″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• 3-pound trays of “Price Chopper Pub Style Ground Beef Chuck Patty, 80% Lean 20% Fat.” The labels on the bottom of the package bear a “Sell-by” date of “05/13/08″ as well as the establishment number “EST. 492″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• 1.3-pound trays of “Price Chopper Fresh Homestyle Ground Beef Chuck Patty, 80% Lean, 20% Fat.” The labels on the bottom of the package bear a “Sell-by” date of “05/13/08″ as well as the establishment number “EST. 492″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.

For questions about the recall, or if you have concerns about this product, contact the Fairbank Farms’ toll-free hotline at (800) 724-1136. If you have eaten this meat and have any health concerns please contact your doctor immediately.

"Eat well. Live well. Be well."

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and according to the National Stroke Association:

The goal of this annual campaign is to ensure that all Americans understand they can “Save a Life” by knowing about stroke risk factors, prevention, symptom recognition and Acting F.A.S.T. to treat stroke.

Knowing what stroke symptoms are and how to recognize them can mean the difference between life and death. If you suspect someone is having a stroke, act F.A.S.T.:

• F is for Face – Ask the person to smile and look for drooping on one side.
• A is for Arms – Ask the person to raise both arms and check for drifting of or difficulty lifting one arm.
• S is for Speech – Ask the person to repeat a short phrase and listen for slurring or strange speech patterns.
• T is for Time – If you notice any of these symptoms, immediately call 911.

The sooner a stroke victim receives treatment, the better her chances for survival and recovery and the lower her chance of severe brain damage. Know these symptoms and watch for them. Your F.A.S.T. action could save a life.

"Eat well. Live well. Be well."