June 4, 2007

12:10: The Health Roundup, with Jay, Jamie and Jimmy.

12:20: According to the results of a new study published in New England Journal of Medicine, patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) or advanced kidney cancer treated with TORISEL live 49 per cent longer than patients treated with interferon-alpha, a widely used treatment. TORISEL is the only targeted therapy proven to extend overall survival in these patients and is currently under priority review with Health Canada.

Guest: Dr. Anil Kapoor, Oncologist at the Juravinski Cancer Centre and Associate Professor of Surgery at McMaster University.

12:35: As the summer inches closer, the air is getting hotter, heavier and thicker. This time of year is especially difficult for those with Asthma. How do asthmatics cope, how can it be treated, what brings on an attack?

Guest: Dr. David Higgins

12:45: DayNight Pharmacy segment.

Guest: Irene.

June is Stroke Awareness Month !!

What is a stoke and how do I prevent one from happening ?

A stroke is a sudden loss of brain function. It is caused by the interruption of flow of blood to the brain. ( ischemic stroke) or the rupture of blood vessels in the brain ( hemorrhagic stroke). The interruption of the blood flow or the rupture of blood vessels cause brain cells (neurons) in the affected area to die. The effects of a stroke depend on where the brain was injured, as well as how much damage occurred. A stroke can impact any number of areas including your ability to move, see, remember, speak, reason and read and write and muscular loss. In a small number of cases, stroke-like damage to the brain can occur when the heart stops (cardiac arrest). The longer the brain goes without the oxygen and nutrients supplied by the blood flow, the greater the risk of permanent brain damage. Brain injuries can also result in uncontrolled bleeding and permanent brain damage. This is usually referred to as an Acquired Brain Injury. About 80% of stokes are ischemic, which means they are caused by the interruption of blood flow to the brain due to a blood clot. The buildup of plaque (fatty materials, calcium and scar tissue). A TIA which is also known as a mini-stroke is caused by a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain. The warning signs are similar to an ischemic stroke except they can go away within a few minutes or hours. Many people can have a TIA stroke and not even know it. It is important that you know the warning signs that may put you at risk, and seek emergency help.

What can I do to prevent a stoke?

The risk factors for a stroke can be divided into two categories, those you can't change and those in which you can.

You can't change your age, gender, ethnic origin, family history or prior stroke history. But you can change your high blood pressure, whether you choose to smoke, food intake, which can effect high cholesterol, diabetes, alcohol and extra weight you might want to lose, with combined healthy eating and moderate exercise. High Blood Pressure is the single most important stroke risk factor that you can control. Have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis, reduce or eliminate salt from your diet, sensible increase of physical activity and taking your blood pressure meds your doctor prescribes. Your lifestyle will have a direct impact on your body. You should not ignore the signs your body is telling you. Listen to your body.

Irene recommended: Omega-3 , fish oils, and folic acid. In recent studies folic acid has proven to reduce stroke by 18%.