Mayo Clinic Health Letter - Tip of the Month - September

Thursday, September 26, 2002

High Triglycerides — A Red Flag for Heart Disease

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — You have your cholesterol levels under control, but now your doctor says you still have high triglycerides. Triglycerides, like cholesterol, are a blood fat. Research suggests that high levels increase risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Severely high levels put you at risk for pancreatitis, a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas.

For most people, lifestyle and diet changes can significantly lower triglyceride levels. The September issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers these tips to reduce triglycerides:

 Cut back on sugary foods, such as cookies and pop. In some people, this leads to a large decrease in triglyceride levels.

 Cut back on alcohol.

 Lose excess weight.

 Increase exercise to at least 30 minutes a day nearly every day.

 Eat fish high in omega-3 fatty acids such as mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon.

 Consider medications if diet and lifestyle changes don't help. Ask your doctor about your options.

Early Help May Prevent Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A car crash, an assault, military combat or disasters caused by nature or people, all can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Left untreated, PTSD can be a disabling anxiety disorder. Some research suggests that the use of cognitive behavior therapy in the first weeks after a traumatic event may prevent the potential development of PTSD, according to the September issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.

Signs and symptoms associated with PTSD include reliving the event in flashbacks, nightmares or physical reactions; avoiding people and places that remind you of the incident; emotional numbness or detachment; difficulty concentrating; sleep disturbances irritability; and survivor guilt.

If you have symptoms after a traumatic event, check with your doctor. Early intervention may help.

Nasal Sprays: An Alternative to Pills and Shots

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Nasal sprays aren't just for allergies. Nasal forms of medication can provide a safe, effective alternative when pills or injected drugs are impractical or ineffective, according to the September issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.

Conditions being treated nasally include osteoporosis, migraines and water-retention-and- elimination disorder (diabetes insipidus). Nasal sprays also are used to help in smoking cessation. Other applications are under study.

When given nasally, medications are absorbed through mucous membranes. In some cases, this allows delivery directly to the brain. Nasal delivery makes it possible for the drugs to take effect more quickly than pills.

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