| JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL | MAY | JUNE |
| JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER |
January is a great time to schedule your annual preventive health checkups. Be prepared when you see your physician by bringing your ID card, a list of questions and a pad to take notes.
Women: Protect yourself with Pap tests
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. The Pap test is a simple and painless test, which you should have performed regularly. It detects abnormal cells in and around the cervix. Women who are or have been sexually active and women over age 18 should have an annual Pap test.
Talk to your health care provider about how often you need a Pap test.
Also, ask your doctor about screening for the HPV virus when you schedule your Pap test. By receiving this test, you could detect cervical cancer when it is most treatable.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Good oral health care is important for your teeth and general health. With proper dental care and regular checkups, your teeth will last you for life. Brush with a fluoride toothpaste after meals and floss regularly.
Take this to heart
February is not only the month of love, but also American Heart Month. Heart disease is a common condition that could affect you and your friends or relatives. You can show that you love your heart by doing the following:
- If you smoke, stop smoking. Put cigarettes and cigars out for good.
- Get active. Walking is an easy way to exercise your heart.
- Be sure to have your cholesterol checked and take steps to lower your cholesterol level if necessary.
- Maintain a proper weight. Work with your physician to design a nutrition and exercise plan for life.
March is National Nutrition Month. Eating the right foods will help you live a longer, healthier life. Illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure can be prevented or controlled through a healthy diet. Remember: It’s never too late to start eating right.
Take Care of Yourself
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of death from cancer. If it is caught early, it can be treated. If you are 50 years of age or older, you should have tests regularly. But if you are a high risk patient or if you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may need testing before age 50 or more often.
The tests you may need are:
- Fecal occult blood test
- Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy
Ask your health care provider at what age you should be tested and how often you need these tests.
April is National Youth Sports Safety Month. To help your children have fun and stay safe while playing sports, make sure they have proper equipment and play in a safe environment. Check playgrounds and sports fields for hazards such as glass, rocks debris and potholes.
Keep your kids on the road to good health
April 21-28 is National Infant Immunization Week. The following are common shots that your children need to prevent serious diseases and to keep them healthy:
· DTP or DTaP( diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough)
· MMR ( measles,mumps,rubella)
· Polio
· HiB ( H influenza type B)
· Varicella
· Pneumococcal ( pneumonia)
· Hepatitis B
Call your child’s pediatrician and schedule a visit today to find out the specific immunization requirements for your child. Be sure to tell the doctor about any allergies your child may have to make sure the vaccination will not cause an adverse reaction.
May 13-19 is Women's Health Week.
Take action against asthma
Avoiding asthma attacks means knowing how to control and manage asthma effectively. It is important to stay away from common triggers:
· Pets with fur or feathers
· Cigarette smoking, especially in your home.
· Pollen on clothes and sheets from drying clothes outdoors.
· Sweeping linoleum tile and wood floors with a broom or dust mop. Use a damp mop instead.
· Dust mites. Wash sheets, blankets, pillows, throw rugs and stuffed animals to kill dust mites.
· Damp areas, such as basements, with visible mold or mildew.
Ask your physician to help you design an asthma management program, to control symptoms and prevent flare-ups or attacks.
June 11-17 is Men’s Health Week. Men can take care of their health by following some simple tips:
· Eat a diet with 30 percent fat or less
· Fill up on fiber
· Watch your blood pressure
· Make sure you get enough calcium
· Exercise for 30 minutes per day
· See your doctor for regular checkups
Find and keep a healthy weight
It is important to maintain a healthy weight. Weighing too much or too little can lead to health problems. You can maintain your weight by eating a healthy diet and getting regular physical activity. Talk to your physician about what a healthy weight is for your and how you can achieve it.
By eating a nutritious diet that has a balance between carbohydrates, proteins and fats, you can lower your risk factors for developing heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.
July is a good time to have your cholesterol checked, and it is important to have it done regularly. Too much cholesterol can clog your blood vessels, cause heart disease and other serious problems. Ask your doctor what a healthy cholesterol level is for you and how often you need it checked.
July is UV Safety Month. Protect your eyes when outdoors.
Play it safe this summer
Drowning is a preventable cause of accidental death. Follow these tips to help protect yourself and your family before taking the plunge:
· Learn CPR. Call your local Red Cross chapter to find out what classes they offer.
· Enforce basic rules like “don’t run near the water,” “always swim with a partner”and “no dunking.”
· Choose a beach, lake or pool that has a lifeguard on duty.
· Don’t count on water wings or rafts to help keep your kids afloat. Swimming lessons from a qualified instructor are best.
· Let your kids know that swim time is over if there is thunder or lightning.
August is Children's Eye Health & Safety Month.
Keep your blood pressure low and stay “heart healthy”
High blood pressure is called “the silent killer” because you can have it and not experience any symptoms. Maintaining a healthy blood pressure can help protect you from heart disease, stroke and kidney problems.
Have your blood pressure checked regularly. If you have high blood pressure, talk to your physician about how to lower it by:
· Changing your diet.
· Exercising.
· Losing excess weight.
· Taking prescribed medicine, if necessary.
September is Baby Safety Month.
Basic back-to-school tips
September is back-to-school time. Make sure your children are ready for the first day of school by reviewing safety rules for riding, walking and biking to and from school. Doing this will help ensure your youngsters have a safe school year.
If your children walk or bike to school, make sure they know to cross the street only when the light is green, to walk with a buddy and wear reflective material. When riding in cars, always be sure that their seat belts are securely fastened.
If your children are home alone after school. They should always know who to call in an emergency, and that company without adult supervision is not allowed.
October is a perfect time to get your flu shot. Even if you had one last year, it will not protect you this year, since the flu strains change every year. Call your doctor to schedule an appointment to receive this important vaccine.
Regular mammograms can make a difference
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A mammogram is one of the best ways to detect breast cancer early. Women should receive a baseline screening between ages 35 and 39, and receive one annually beginning at age 40. Follow these three steps for early detection:
· Perform a breast self-exam (BSE) monthly.
· Have a clinical breast exam by a trained health care professional every year.
· Have regular mammograms as recommended by your physician.
Talk to your physician to see if you can change any behaviors to reduce your risk of breast cancer. And remember, breast cancer is treated more successfully when detected early. Schedule your mammogram today.
November is American Diabetes Month. Lower your risk for diabetes by keeping your weight under control; eat low-fat meals with lots of fruit, vegetables and whole-grain foods and stay active most days of the week.
Snuff out a bad habit
November 15 is the Great American Smokeout. Ask your physician to help you stop smoking. Also, the NJ Quitline ad NJ Quitnet can help you quit by offering individualized solutions:
· Call the Quitline at 1-866-NJ-STOPS or visit the Quitnet Web site at www.nj.quitnet.com.
Some other tips include:
· If you try to quit and fail the first time, don’t give up.
· Keep a journal to record your progress.
· Make a list of reasons to quit.
· Try to avoid triggers like alcoholic beverages or coffee.
December is safe Toys and Gifts Month, so give a safe gift this holiday season. Follow the suggested age levels on the toy’s package and consider the child’s abilities.
Have a safe and happy holiday season
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Now that the holiday season has arrived, many people will be celebrating with parties and other events. Here are some safe and healthy tips for the upcoming festivities:
· Dress warmly. Wear loose-fitting, layered, lightweight clothing, and wear a hat to prevent loss of body heat.
· If you drink, do so in moderation.
· Nibble. Taking small samples of holiday treats and slowly enjoying them will make you less likely to overeat.