Marg helgenberger's - The Christ Hospital

what’smaking newsin women’shealthhealthheadStroke signs: Still amystery to manyA new oral cancerprotection brewing?Your coffee-drinkinghabit might notbe entirely bad foryou, according tofindings that coffeeconsumptionis associated withfewer cancers of themouth, pharynx andesophagus. Japaneseresearchers evaluated the diets of more than38,000 people. They found that compared topeople who did not drink coffee, those whosipped a cup or more a day had only half therisk of developing these cancers. The risk reductionwas noted even among people at high riskfor these cancers, such as those who drank alcoholor smoked. The research was published inthe American Journal of Epidemiology.Quick: List the warning signs of stroke and what you should do if you think someone is havingone. Give up? Many people—especially those most likely to suffer a stroke—can’t namethe warning signs, according to researchers at the International Stroke Conference in San Diego.In 2007, they polled more than 86,000 people by phone and found that fewer than two in fiveknew all of the stroke warning signs: sudden weakness in the face, arm or leg; sudden severeheadache with no known cause; sudden vision problems in one or both eyes; sudden confusionor difficulty speaking; and sudden dizziness, loss of balance, loss of coordination or problemswalking. Many of those polled also didn’t know to call 911 immediately. Older adults, prior strokesufferers, minorities, people with lower incomes and people with less education fared poorly inthe poll. Researchers stress the importance of knowing the warning signs, as the quicker you’retreated for stroke, the better your odds of surviving and limiting any stroke-related disabilities.© istockphoto.com/Megan TamaccioWomen’s Health Today