A Healthy You

Madisonhealth Blog

Thanksgiving is a holiday in which Americans gorge themselves with food. The following are ways to help you stay healthy during this holiday season. Listen to yourself With so many friends and family members around, it can be easy to allow opinions about what foods should be eaten and how much to creep in. Listen only to yourself during Thanksgiving dinner. If you feel moments of stress or loss of control, slow down and try to remind yourself about the true importance of this holiday—not food, but thankfulness. Try for Lower Calories It’s challenging to keep the pounds off during the holidays. The temptation to eat high-calorie food is everywhere. Here are some suggestions for cutting your calories: Enjoy your holiday comfort foods, but try a lower-calorie version. Use lower-calorie ingredients or prepare meals differently. For example, if your macaroni and cheese recipe uses whole milk, butter, and full-fat cheese, try...
New research from scientists at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah and collaborators at University of Utah Health (U of U Health) sheds light on the complex process that occurs in the development of human sperm stem cells. This is the first study to characterize the changes human sperm stem cells undergo as they mature. The results have implications for understanding male infertility as well as cancer development and were published today in the journal Cell Stem Cell. Previous studies of sperm stem cells have been limited to model systems, including mice. But this first study of developing human sperm stem cells revealed this process was much more complex in humans than had been previously understood. Using genome analysis tools, scientists outlined the multistage process that sperm stem cells undergo during their normal development. “This information yields new insights into how sperm stem cells function and develop...
A new study highlights a new research method using the recently developed CRISPR technique. In short, CRISPR is a technology that allows researchers to cut out a section of DNA that causes a disease, like cancer, and then replace the section with normal, healthy genes. Jay Gertz, PhD, a researcher at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah, and his team have developed a new technique involving CRISPR. But instead of cutting out certain sections of DNA, this new technique blocks other things from binding to the DNA, including proteins such as estrogen receptor, which is a key driver in the development of breast and uterine cancers. “With this technique, we are targeting regions of the genome, called enhancers, which are really important in turning genes on and turning genes off and play a key role in cancer development,” said Gertz. “These areas are challenging to study, and...
People with an inherited syndrome called familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) have a 100% lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer if they do not seek appropriate medical care. Recent findings published by researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah identified a promising prevention treatment for patients with FAP. A new study takes these findings a step further by reporting that the treatment led to a near-complete blockade of cancer growth pathways in polyps isolated from FAP patients. Further, these patients showed evidence of activated immune responses aimed at destroying pre-cancerous polyps. The findings were published today in the journal Cancer Prevention Research. FAP is an inherited disorder that occurs in about 1 in 10,000 people. Patients with FAP develop hundreds to thousands of precancerous growths called polyps in their large and small intestine. Many of these people choose to have surgery to remove their colon, but they may...
Liver cancer can be hard to find early. Signs of liver cancer may not show up until the disease has progressed and is harder to treat. It’s important to know if you are at risk for liver cancer and be aware of signs of the disease. Early detection is the key to having the best possible outcome with any ailment, including liver cancer, says Robin Kim, MD, a Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) researcher and a liver transplant surgeon at University of Utah Health. Liver Cancer Risk Factors Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Certain risk factors make some people more likely to develop liver cancer. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer, and not having risk factors doesn’t mean that you will not get cancer. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of these...
The results of a national cancer survey find a significant number of childhood cancer survivors are worried about keeping their health insurance, to the point of letting it affect their career decisions. The findings were published today in JAMA Oncology. Anne Kirchhoff, PhD, an investigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) and assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Utah, led the study. Her goal was to examine the prevalence of job lock in full-time, employed childhood cancer survivors. Job lock is when an employee stays at a job in order to keep work-related health insurance. The study found 23 percent of childhood cancer survivors reported job lock, compared to just under 17 percent of the survivors’ siblings who never had cancer. “Even with protections and expansions of insurance coverage in the U.S., this study proves there is still quite a bit of worry about insurance,” says Kirchhoff, “and it’s...
The radiation emitted by cell phones is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Many Americans use cell phones and wonder if there are any health risks. The only consistently recognized biological effect of radiofrequency energy is heating. The ability of microwave ovens to heat food is one example of this effect of radiofrequency energy. Radiofrequency exposure from cell phone use does cause heating to the area of the body where a cell phone or other device is held (ear, head, etc.). However, it is not sufficient to measurably increase body temperature, and there are no other clearly established effects on the body from radiofrequency energy. People who say cell phones are safe reference statements by the FCC and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and point to peer-reviewed studies which conclude that cell phone use is not associated with an increased risk of brain tumors or the onset of other health problems....
The start of college means it’s time for young women to take charge of their health. Dr. Aparna Sridhar, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California, Los Angeles, offers several tips in a university news release. Know your health status. Talk to your parents and your doctor to make sure you’re up-to-date with health screenings, shots, and prescriptions. Ask about the status of allergies and other health issues. Know how to get health care on campus. Find out the location of the closest health center that accepts your insurance. Keep track of menstrual cycles. Being aware of your cycle will allow you to provide specifics to doctors if there’s an issue. “When I ask my patients when their last period was, the first thing they do is open their cellphone. Many women are tracking their cycles through apps now,” Sridhar said. You might also want to track your...
Are you ready for our communities biggest health and wellness event of the year?! Join us for our Annual Community Wellness Weekend! DAY 1 – WELLNESS FAIR Friday, May 4th from 2pm-7pm With more than 70 vendors in attendance, our goal is for you to reach your health and wellness goals with local resources at your fingertips. http://www.idahowellness.org/community-wellness-fair/ Highlights of Vendor Fair- – FREE to PUBLIC, No entrance fee! – Refreshments for all – $1000’s in door prizes, and screenings – Prescription Drop Box – Health and Wellness Information for ALL AGES DAY 2- WELLNESS CONFERENCE Saturday, May 5th, 8:00-12:30  A complimentary breakfast and lunch will be served, please reserve your spot:  This event CME Credited event is for EVERYONE of ALL AGES. Like the vendor fair, it is FREE! Bring your neighbors, family, extended family, and church to this informational, motivational health event. http://www.idahowellness.org/community-wellness-conference/ *This community event is hosted and sponsored by Madison...

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