Baton Rouge physician, Grammy winner BeBe Winans add voice to the Power to End Stroke campaign

More than 100,000 African Americans have a stroke every year and are almost twice as likely to have a stroke compared to Caucasians.

But stroke is avoidable. For this reason, the American Stroke Association initiated the Power to End Stroke campaign including me and Gospel artist BeBe Winans.

As you know, I returned to my hometown of Baton Rouge after graduating from medical school and began championing health awareness by frequently taking health-conscious messages to local schools, organizations, conferences, and prisons. Dubbed “Tha' Hip Hop Doc,” I've taken the cue from many of you and decided to made good use of this newfound "fame" in joining the ASA Power to End Stroke campaign.

Last month, I joined BeBe Winans, the impassioned tenor who has won four Grammy Awards, to add voice to the campaign.

Both BeBe and I are concerned about the alarming number of lives ended as a result of a stroke. And, what's most troubling is the fact that a stroke doesn’t have to be debilitating or deadly.

If more people know their risks, control risk factors—such as high blood pressure and diabetes—and work with their doctor to eliminate or manage your risks, they may prevent stroke.

If you know the warning signs and get prompt medical attention, rehabilitation and survival are possible—even probable. But many people don’t know what to look for or what the risks are.

BeBe and I took the camera to urge you and other Americans to call the American Stroke Association at (888) 4-STROKE or visit Stroke Association.org/power to learn signs and risks of stroke. The Power to End Stroke campaign is supported nationally by the Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership.

Depression and Hip Hop: Are they related?

Images of strength have dominated hip-hop since its inception in the early 1970’s. MC’s often professed superiority over other MC’s with lyrical wizardry and dominance on the microphone. Weakness was not an option, especially outward signs of weakness. However, when it comes to saving your life or the life of someone you love, we have to admit that hip hop artist and those who love hip hop are at risk for one of the most common medical problems seen in the doctors office: Depression. Not that hip-hop itself has any direct relationship to this disease, but you must realize that no one is exempt and we must all be aware of the signs and symptoms of this treatable disease.

The untimely death of hip-hop DJ David “Disco D” Shayman is only a testament to this issue. I never met Disco D and I don’t know all the circumstances surrounding his death, but one thing I can tell you is that depression, left untreated, can lead to loss days of work, destruction of families, and in its worse form, SUICIDE! The old saying that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem is very true. Once a person commits suicide, the opportunity to resolve issues and make amends is gone. Disco D will be missed, and I’m sure he would want those who loved his music to learn more about this problem. So, lets define depression, its signs and symptoms, and options for treatment.

Depression or a depressive disorder is a disease that affects the entire body. It is by no means a sign of weakness and does not have to be prompted by the death of a loved one, divorce, or losing your job, although these situations can be a factor. Depression is an extreme form of sadness that a person cannot pull himself out of or resolve easily with out help. There are several types of depression including major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder. We will focus on major depression. Symptoms of major depression include problems sleeping (insomnia or oversleeping), loss of interest in things one normally does, feelings of guilt, decreased energy, decreased concentration, changes in appetite (not eating at all or overeating), decreased sex drive, and thoughts of suicide. If you have a family history of depression, this also increases your risk of getting the disease. These symptoms usually have to be present consistently for more than two weeks.

In general, women experience depression about twice as often as men, however, men with depression are 4 times more likely to commit suicide than women. There are also studies that show there may be an increased risk of heart disease in both men and women who are depressed.

Once the diagnosis is made, treatment must begin immediately! There are medical problems that can cause depression, such as thyroid disorders and viral infections, but once they are ruled out, the usual course of treatment includes consultation with a psychologist or psychiatrist, medications, and group or one-on-one therapy. Do not let depression take you out of the game. If you or someone you love is exhibiting any of the above signs or symptoms, seek help right away! It could very well save your life. (c) 2007 Rani Whitfield. This article was published October 2007 at http://allhiphop.com.

Alcohol: Is it Good or Bad For You?

Despite what most people thing alcohol is the second most commonly abused legal drug in the United States after tobacco. There has been some debate over whether alcohol is good or bad for those who do drink. The difference between what’s “good versus bad” is in the amount and frequency that one drinks. To date, there has been no universally accepted standard drinking definition. Alcohol abuse is a major cause of preventable death in the United States. Heavy drinking can damage the liver and heart, cross the placenta and harm and unborn child, increase the chance of developing certain cancers, plays a role in depression and violence, and is a major cause of problems with relationships. The assumed benefits, if one drinks in moderation, include improving cholesterol, reducing one’s risk of heart disease, potentially protecting against type 2 diabetes and preventing gallstones.

But before we get all excited about the rum and cola you had last night, lets take a look at the numbers: 14 million Americans meet the criteria for alcohol abuse or alcoholism; alcohol plays a role in 1 in 4 cases of violent crime; more than 16,000 people die each year in automobile accidents in which alcohol was involved; alcohol abuse costs more than $180 billion dollars a year. Alcoholism cuts across gender, race, and nationality in the United States. 17.6 million people, about 1 in 12 adults, abuse alcohol or are alcohol dependent. In general, more men than women abuse alcohol and problems are highest among young adults age 18-29 and lowest among adults ages 65 and older. There is research that shows that the risk for developing alcoholism runs in families; however, lifestyle plays a major role as well.

Ethanol, the active ingredient in alcoholic beverages can affect the body in many ways. It is classified as a sedative significantly impairs judgment the more you consume. Long-term users of ethanol are often defined as problem drinkers or alcoholics. Alcoholics are both physically and psychologically dependent on the drug, while problem drinkers are only psychologically dependent. Heavy and binge drinking overtime can cause inflammation of the liver called hepatitis and eventually lead to scarring of the liver called cirrhosis. Cardiomyopathy, an enlarged and poorly functioning heart, is also a major long-term side effect. Cancers that have been linked to alcohol abuse include those of the mouth, throat, esophagus, colon, and breast. Certain individuals should never drink and they include pregnant mothers, recovering alcoholics, those with diseases of the liver, and individuals taking medicines that interact with alcohol. As mentioned earlier, ethanol can cross the placenta and put an unborn child at risk for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. These children are born with facial deformities, abnormal behavior, and mental retardation, just to name a few.

In most cases, alcoholics deny that they have a drinking problem. Signs and symptoms of alcoholism include binge drinking; drinking alone; nausea, sweating, shaking, and seizures if some one is coming off a binge drinking session; depressed mood, irritability, and legal problems. Unfortunately, there is no cure for alcoholism, but the good news is that it is treatable. Treatment programs use a combination of both counseling and medications to help people stop drinking. The bottom line is that if you don’t already drink, there is no reason to start. You can get similar if not better benefits for your heart by exercising and eating a healthy low fat diet. If you already drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Men should drink no more than two drinks a day and women no more than one. Women have less total body water than men, so therefore it takes less alcohol to have an effect on women. The principles of good health for the most part have not changed. A good diet, regular exercise, and seeing your doctor on a regular basis is the key to longevity. If you don’t already drink, don’t start. If you do, do so in moderation and remember to never drink and drive.

For more information on alcohol visit www.niaa.nih.gov. (c) 2007 Rani Whitfield. This article was published September 2007 at www.eurweb.com