Bessie Mae Family Health Center

January 2014

Contents
Word from our CEO: .......................................................... 1 National Health Awareness Month: Cervical Cancer Awareness Month ............................. 2 Glaucoma Awareness Month: ...................................... 2 National Birth Defects Prevention Month: ................. 4 Thyroid Awareness Month:.......................................... 4 5 Diet Resolutions of NEW YEAR: ..................................... 6 Annual Toy & Coat Drive 2013: ......................................... 8 Free Health Screenings at Bessie Mae: ............................... 10

Dear Friends, Happy New Year! This will be the best year of your life. It is so vitally important that we improve the healthcare and educational opportunities for men, women and children in the community this year. It is the real purpose why we at the Bessie Mae Womens/Family Health Center work hard every single day to provide quality health and wellness advice to everyone. For the most part, nowadays, governmental policy

that affects health care delivery in Essex County will definitely broaden the population that receives health care whether its through public or private sector insurance programs and companies. This year, we will work even harder to see that we align our goals, objectives and vision with the nations healthcare reform as well as help with the major health policy creation and changes. We are your health provider and will give you what

you have come to expect from a health providerphysically and mentally and with that being said, we are still here and with you on your journey to better health in 2014!

Esney M. Sharpe

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Bessie Mae Family Health Center Recognizes National Health Awareness Month
Glaucoma Awareness Month Birth Defects Prevention Month Thyroid Awareness Month
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. Bessie Mae Family Health Center wants you to know that theres a lot you can do to prevent cervical cancer. About 79 million Americans currently have HPV (human papillomavirus), the most common sexually transmitted disease. HPV is a major cause of cervical cancer.

HPV Vaccines May Prevent Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer, a disease that affects the female reproductive system, is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sex.

cy virus (HIV) infection ), also may be vaccinated through age 26 years.

The good news?

HPV can be prevented by the HPV vaccine. Cervical cancer can often be prevented with regular screening tests (called Pap tests) and follow-up care. In honor of National Cervical Health Awareness Month, Bessie Mae Family Health Center encourages:

Although all women are at risk for cervical cancer, it occurs most often in women over age 30. For women over age 26 years, the best way to prevent cervical cancer is to get routine cervical cancer screening, Cervical cancer is a highly prevent- as recommended. able disease because screening tests (such as the Pap test), and vaccines Start the New Year rightcall to prevent HPV infections are avail- your doctor today to discuss the able. When cervical cancer is found HPV vaccine, cervical cancer early, it is highly treatable and asso- screening, or to schedule a Pap ciated with long survival and good smear. quality of life. HPV vaccines protect against the types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer.
www.vaccines.gov/more_info/features/ cervicalhealthawareness

HPV vaccines offer the greatest health benefit to persons who receive all 3 doses before exposure to Women to start getting regular HPV through sexual activity. RouPap tests at age 21 tine HPV vaccination is recom Women to get the HPV vaccine mended for girls and boys at age 11 before age 27 or 12 years. Vaccination also is rec Parents to make sure their preommended for females through age teens get the HPV vaccine at age 11 26 years and for males through age or 12 21 years who have not been vac Men to get the HPV vaccine if cinated previously. Any man who you are under age 22 has sex with other men, and men with compromised immune systems Taken from www.healthfinder.gov (including human immunodeficien-

Glaucoma Awareness Month, an important time to spread the word about this sightstealing disease.
Currently, 2.7 million people in the United States over age 40 have glaucoma. The National Eye Institute projects this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030, a 58 percent increase. Glaucoma is called "the sneak thief
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of sight" since there are no sympwww.glaucoma.org. toms and once vision is lost, it's Request to have a free educapermanent. As much as 40% of tional booklet sent to you or a vision can be lost without a person friend. noticing. Connect with us on Facebook or Glaucoma is the leading cause of follow us on Twitter for regular preventable blindness. Moreover, updates on glaucoma research, among African American and Lati- treatments, news and information. no populations, glaucoma is more Share information about glaucoma prevalent. Glaucoma is 6 to 8 times with your friends and family. more common in African Americans than Caucasians. What is Glaucoma? Over 2.7 million Americans, and over 60 million people worldwide, have glaucoma. Experts estimate that half of them dont know they have it. Combined with our aging population, we can see an epidemic of blindness looming if we dont raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision. The World Health Organization estimates that 4.5 million people worldwide are blind due to glaucoma.

case in which another disease causes or contributes to increased eye pressure, resulting in optic nerve damage and vision loss.

Facts and Statistics

Help Raise Awareness

In the United States, approximately 120,000 are blind from glaucoma, accounting for 9% to 12% of all cases of blindness. Here are three

ways you can help raise awareness:

Talk to friends and family about glaucoma. If you have glaucoma, dont keep it a secret. Let your family members know. Refer a friend to our web site,

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, according to the World Health Organization. In the most common form, there are virtually no symptoms. Vision loss begins with peripheral or side vision, so if you Glaucoma is a group of eye diseas- have glaucoma, you may not noes that gradually steal sight without tice anything until significant viwarning. Although the most com- sion is lost. mon forms primarily affect the middle-aged and the elderly, glau- The best way to protect your sight coma can affect people of all ages. from glaucoma is to get a comprehensive eye examination. Then, if Vision loss is caused by damage to you have glaucoma, treatment can the optic nerve. This nerve acts begin immediately. like an electric cable with over a million wires. It is responsible for Glaucoma is the leading cause of carrying images from the eye to blindness among Africanthe brain. Americans. And among Hispanics in older age groups, the risk of There is no cure for glaucoma glaucoma is nearly as high as that yet. However, medication or surfor African-Americans. Also, sibgery can slow or prevent further lings of persons diagnosed with vision loss. The appropriate treat- glaucoma have a significantly inment depends upon the type of creased risk of having glaucoma. glaucoma among other factors. Early detection is vital to stopping Risk Factors the progress of the disease. Watch Are you at risk for glaucoma? a video from the research scientists Those at higher risk include people working to find a cure. of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent. Other high-risk groups Types of Glaucoma include: people over 60, family There are two main types of glau- members of those already diagcoma: primary open-angle glauco- nosed, diabetics, and people who ma (POAG), and angle-closure are severely nearsighted. Regular glaucoma. These are marked by an eye exams are especially important increase of intraocular pressure for those at higher risk for glauco(IOP), or pressure inside the eye. ma, and may help to prevent unWhen optic nerve damage has oc- necessary vision loss. curred despite a normal IOP, this is www.glaucoma.org/news/glaucomacalled normal tension glaucoma. awareness-month Secondary glaucoma refers to any
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January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month.

Bessie Mae Family Health Center encourage women to consume folic acid in fortified foods or suppleEach year, birth defects affect apments, or a combination of the two, proximately one in 33 newborns in Health-care professionals can help in addition to a varied diet rich in the United States . prevent birth defects by encourag- folate. Additional information about ing women of childbearing age to folic acid is available at 1. Birth defects are a leading cause manage health conditions and adopt www.cdc.gov/folic acid. of infant mortality, accounting healthy behaviors before becoming for approximately 20% of infant pregnant. Additional information is www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ deaths available at www.cdc.gov/
mm6201a4

2. Babies who survive and live with birth defects are more likely to have life-long physical and cognitive challenges. In the United States each year, the total hospital costs of children with birth defects exceed $2.6 billion. 3. Evidence suggests that use of tobacco or alcohol, uncontrolled diabetes, failure to consume 400 g of folic acid daily, and failure to achieve and maintain a healthy weight before and during pregnancy might be associated with birth defects.

birthdefects. January 612, 2013, is National Folic Acid Awareness Week. CDC urges all women of childbearing age who are capable of becoming pregnant to consume 400 g of folic acid every day, before becoming pregnant and during pregnancy, to help reduce the risk for neural tube defects (major birth defects of the brain and spine).

table salt, seafood, bread and milk. Your thyroid extracts The thyroid gland is a small, this necessary ingredient butterfly-shaped gland locatfrom your bloodstream and ed in the base of the neck just uses it to make two kinds of below the Adam's apple. Altthyroid hormone: thyroxin, hough relatively small, the also called T4 because it contains thyroid gland plays a huge role in Think of your thyroid as a car enfour iodine atoms, and triiodothyroour body, influencing the function gine that sets the pace at which nine, or T3, which contains three of many of the bodys most imyour body operates. An engine pro- iodine atoms. T3 is made from T4 portant organs, including the heart, duces the required amount of enerwhen one atom is removed, a conbrain, liver, kidneys and skin. En- gy for a car to move at a certain version that occurs mostly outside suring that the thyroid gland is speed. In the same way, your thythe thyroid in organs and tissues healthy and functioning properly is roid gland manufactures enough where T3 is used the most, such as vitally important to the body's over- thyroid hormone to prompt your the liver, the kidneys and the brain. all well-being. cells to perform a function at a certain rate. Once T4 is produced, it is stored

About Your Thyroid

How Your Thyroid Works

Just as a car cant produce energy Excerpted from The Harvard Medi- without gas, your thyroid needs fuel to produce thyroid hormone. This cal School Guide to Overcoming Thyroid Problems by Dr. Jeffrey R. fuel is iodine. Iodine comes from Garber, published by McGraw-Hill. your diet and is found in iodized

within the thyroids vast number of microscopic follicles. Some T3 is also produced and stored in the thyroid. When your body needs thyroid hormone, it is secreted into your bloodstream in quantities set
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to meet the metabolic needs of your When Things Go Wrong cells. The hormone easily slips into the cells in need and attaches to The HPT axis is a highly efficient special receptors located in the network of communication. Norcells nuclei. mally, the thyroid doles out just the right amount of hormone to keep Your car engine produces energy, your body running smoothly. TSH but you tell it how fast to go by levels remain fairly constant, yet stepping on the accelerator. The they respond to the slightest changthyroid also needs some direction; es in T4 levels and vice versa. But it gets this from your pituitary even the best networks are subject gland, which is located at the base to interference. of your brain. No larger than a pea, the pituitary gland is sometimes When outside influences such as known as the master gland bedisease, damage to the thyroid or cause it controls the functions of certain medicines break down comthe thyroid and the other glands that munication, your thyroid might not make up the endocrine system. produce enough hormone. This Your pituitary gland sends messagwould slow down all of your es to your thyroid gland, telling it bodys functions, a condition how much thyroid hormone to known as hypothyroidism or unmake. These messages come in the deractive thyroid. Your thyroid form of thyroid-stimulating horcould also produce too much hormone (TSH). mone sending your systems into overdrive, a condition known as TSH levels in your bloodstream hyperthyroidism or overactive rise or fall depending on whether thyroid. These two conditions are enough thyroid hormone is promost often features of an underlyduced to meet your bodys needs. ing thyroid disease. Higher levels of TSH prompt the thyroid to produce more thyroid When considering thyroid disease, hormone. Conversely, low TSH doctors ask two main questions: levels signal the thyroid to slow First, is the thyroid gland inapprodown production. priately producing an abnormal amount of thyroid hormone? And The pituitary gland gets its inforsecond, is there a structural change mation in several ways. It is able to in the thyroid, such as a lump read and respond directly to the known as a nodule or an enlargeamounts of T4 circulating in the mentknown as a goiter? Though blood, but it also responds to the one of these characteristics does not hypothalamus, which is a section of necessarily imply that the other is the brain that releases its own horpresent, many thyroid disorders dismone, thyrotropin-releasing horplay both. mone (TRH). TRH stimulates TSH production in the pituitary gland. Out of Gas This network of communication between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the thyroid gland Sometimes the thyroid cant meet is referred to as the hypothalamic- your bodys demands for thyroid hormone, even though TSH levels pituitary-thyroid axis (HPT axis). increase. As your body slows

down, you may feel cold, tired and even depressed. You may gain weight, even though youre eating less. There could be a number of reasons why your thyroid is not performing well. For example, if your body isnt getting enough iodine, your thyroid cant make enough thyroid hormone, but it will try to respond to rising TSH levels by working harder and harder anyway. This can cause your thyroid to become enlarged and develop into a goiter that looks like a protrusion or large swelling in your neck. Goiters used to be common, but they have become much less common in developed countries because of iodinefortified foods. In other cases, your thyroid comes under attack by your bodys own immune system. Normally, substances called antibodies protect you from dangerous bacteria and viruses. But in this condition, known as Hashimotos thyroiditis, your antibodies mistake your thyroid for a foreign invader. Hashimotos thyroiditis involves the presence of two types of antibodies called antithyroid peroxidase (antiTPO) and antithyroglobulin (antiTG) antibodies. These antibodies play a role in the destruction of the thyroid by the immune system. Over time, your defenseless thyroid, inflamed and scarred, surrenders and fails. Ailments like Hashimotos thyroiditis that result from an abnormal immune response are called autoimmune diseases. Hashimotos thyroiditis is but one form of thyroiditis an inflammation of the thyroidthat causes hypothyroidism.

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the gland where the doctor can feel them during an examination. If they Sometimes your thyroid keeps develop inside the gland, however, churning out more thyroid horthey may not be apparent to the mone, even when your pituitary gland completely shuts down TSH touch. Nodules throw off communiproduction, a clear signal that your cation between the thyroid and the body has had enough. Yet the thy- pituitary gland because they inderoid appears oblivious to the lack of pendently produce thyroid hormone and do not depend on TSH to prosignals and continues to produce too much, pushing your metabolism duce hormone. into overdrive and speeding up your bodys processes. This is hy- A type of single nodule, called a perthyroidism. If youre hyperthy- solitary toxic adenoma, causes roid, your pulse may be racing, you hyperthyroidism in the same way by producing thyroid hormone at its feel irritable and overheated, and own whim, regardless of the mesyou have trouble sleeping. You may lose weight in spite of a good sages from the pituitary gland. appetite and experience anxiety and Not all nodules cause thyroid imnervousness. As with hypothyroid- balance. There are different kinds of single nodules that can range ism, you may develop a goiter; in this case, your thyroid enlarges be- from the size of a pea, or even smaller, to the size of a plum, or cause your thyroid is working so even bigger. Most are completely hard overproducing thyroid horharmless and dont affect thyroid mone. function in the least. These include A toxic multinodular goiter is to fluid-containing nodules called blame for hyperthyroidism in many cysts and adenomas, which are solpeople over 60 years old. This oc- id but equally harmless. A very curs when the thyroid enlarges and small percentage of nodules are develops nodules, which are essen- cancerous. Cancerous nodules do not directly affect thyroid function tially lumps of thyroid cells that form as part of the thyroid. Nodules and therefore do not cause an overmay develop on the outer surface of active or underactive thyroid. Another cause of a revved-up thy-

Revved Up

roid is Graves disease, an autoimmune disease that is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States. As with Hashimotos thyroiditis, antibodies attack the thyroid, but in this case they stimulate the thyroid to overproduce thyroid hormone. The kinds of antibodies present in Graves disease are known as thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAb), including one kind known as thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSIs). They work by mimicking TSH, attaching to the TSH receptor on the thyroid gland and confusing the thyroid into producing too much hormone. In addition to symptoms of hyperthyroidism, some people with Graves disease develop thyroid eye disease. Its features vary from case to case and may be characterized by swollen, bulging, red eyes; widely open eyelids; and double vision. In its most severe form, diminished visual acuity may be present.
www.thyroidawareness.com/about-yourthyroid

5 DIET RESOLUTIONS FOR NEW YEAR Why overhaul your diet in a day when you can take small steps over time - and still reach your diet goals!
By Wendy C. Fries -WebMD Feature

Are you making bold resolutions on January 1 to "eat right" -- whatever that means? Stop trying to overhaul your entire diet in a day! Resolve to think small and you can reach any diet goal -- one focused step at a time. Why not start with these simple tips?

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New Year's Diet Resolution No. 1: Go Slow

Resolving to get more fiber in your diet this year? Maybe more fish or fresh fruit? Any diet change is easier if you take slow, small steps. For example: 1. Vow to add a piece of produce to your brown bag
lunch daily. 2. Designate a day as fish day. Package up a single serving of your favorite whole-grain cereal, then treat it as your midmorning snack.

2. Brush or floss your teeth. 3. Pay attention -- look at each piece of food you plan to
eat. Busy your hands with a glass of water, a cup of tea, or cleaning off the table.

New Year's Diet Resolution No 5: Stack the Odds in Your Favor

Don't forget to help yourself succeed, and to reach out for help when you need it.
Buddy up with a friend or family member with diet and weight loss resolutions. Then share your ideas, plans, and successes regularly. 1. Leave the temptations -- ice cream, chips, soda -- at the grocery store. Promise yourself you'll cater to cravings only outside the home, in one-serving portions. Socialize with non-food events. Get your friends together in the park, for a hike, or at the movies.

New Year's Diet Resolution No 2: Water, Water, Everywhere

Water: It's cheap, fat-free, and gives your body a quenching boost. Find the idea of eight cups a day daunting? Think small: 1. Drink one glass first thing in the morning, before you
brush your teeth. 2. Tempted by more soda? Another glass of wine? Drink a cup of water with a splash of your favorite beverage in it first. Resolve to drink one more cup of water today than you had yesterday.

Bonus New Year's Diet Resolution: Baby Your Body

Prevention: It's a lot less daunting than treating a chronic condition, so do the little things that keep your body thriving. 1. Get moving 30 minutes a day most days. Go for a

New Year's Diet Resolution No. 3: Go for the Gold ... and Red ... and Purple

walk, give the car a good scrub, take a hike. Whatever gets the blood pumping qualifies! Get those tests you know you need. Cholesterol checks, Colorful produce is packed with disease-fighting plant prostate exams, pap smears -- stay ahead of the game compounds, so when you shop, reach for a rainbow. by staying healthy. 1. Designate a color-a-day. Maybe Mondays are yellow, Get all the snooze-time you need. Sleep helps body and with grapefruit, golden apples, or corn starring in meals, soul recharge, stay healthy, and cope with stress. while Tuesdays are purple with plum and eggplant. 2. Get the kids involved and go for a theme: Build a Take enough steps and you'll reach any goal. Resolve green pizza with emerald bell peppers and artichokes, or a to make a few small diet resolutions this year and then red produce-infused chili. just watch how far you'll go! Vary the rainbow -- pick up a new-to-you fruit or veggie the next time you shop.

New Year's Diet Resolution No 4: Tackle Mindless Munching

You're chatting with friends around the dinner table or watching a DVD -- and you just keep nibbling. Try these tips to reign in the munchies: 1. Pop a stick of gum or a sugar-free mint in your mouth.
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Bessie Mae Family Health Center 2013 Annual Toy & Coat Drive

The Bessie Mae Women's / Family Health Center celebrated is 2nd Annual Toy and Coat Drive on December 24, 2013. There were hundreds of toys and coats donated by our partners Verizon Wireless and the local community food bank in Orange, NJ. We were able to bless our patients, clients and the community this year in a very special way. We would like to thank our partners for helping us make this year a joyous and memorable holiday for many. We were blessed by

one of our clients, Ms. Terri Miller, who sang inspirational Christmas and Holiday songs as we distributed the gifts to everyone. Her beautiful professional singing voice rang all through the center in a soft and joyful way thank you Ms. Miller for taking time from your busy schedule to spread joy throughout the center !

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Bessie Mae Family Health Center 2013 Annual Toy and Coat Drive

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Free Health Screenings at Bessie Mae Womens /Family Health Center *for those who are eligible*
Breast / Cervical Screenings Colorectal / Prostate Screenings STI / STD Screenings Pregnancy Testing HIV Rapid Testing TB Testing and more!

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Bessie Mae Womens /Family Health Center Would like to Thank All the Vendors For their Support and Contribution
New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services Jois Angels Kingdom Church Repairer of the Breach Community Fellowship Victory Cathedral Arts Unbound WIC (Women, Infant & Children) Elegance Plan, LLC Lovin-Hart Big Als Professional Multi Cleaning Services Saint Michaels Medical Center-NJCEED, In The Pink Program Bio-Reference Washington Shop Pharmacy Verizon Wireless Shop Rite Supermarket (Wake Farm) Purple R.E.I.G.N. The Wellness Center of America The Mattie Berry Family The Unity Way of Essex and West Hudson The Urban League of Essex WOCAWomen of Color Association Spread The Purple Agency Coach Caryl On Call Urban Life Counseling Center , Inc. Open Arms Adoption Agency St. Barnabas Hospital ER Department

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