Intro to Heart disease

[Announcer] A sizable number of Kansans already know what it takes to live a healthy life: don't smoke, eat fruits and vegetables every day, and exercise regularly. But why aren't we incorporating these simple lifestyle changes when they're often vital to living a better life? KMUW's Sam Hendren talks to several members of the healthcare community about improving the health of Wichita. Heart disease is the leading cause of premature death in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, 40 percent of deaths in Kansas in 2000 were caused by heart attacks and related cardiovascular diseases. The American lifestyle contributes to the disease: super sizing meals, sitting around watching television, and surfing the web. Some factors that lead to heart disease can't be controlled, such as age and heredity, but many others can be changed for the better. Adrianne Wilson reports. Nearly 13,000 Kansans will be diagnosed with some form of cancer this year. Cancer is not a new disease. It has existed throughout human history, but over the past 30 years medical science has made great

strides in treating the disease. As part of KMUW's year-long long series Chronic Illness: Acute Answers, Sam Hendren reports on cancer treatment and prevention efforts in Wichita. A persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood. Decreased energy, fatigue, restlessness, irritability, loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed, including sex. Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, despair. These are some of the symptoms of depression. Every year about 18.8 million American adults suffer from this prevalent form of mental illness. But depression can be effectively treated with prescription drugs and other kinds of therapy. KMUW's Sam Hendren reports. The number of US children under age 19 living with type one diabetes where insulin needs to be injected to meet the body's needs, is about 123,000 according to the National Institutes of Health. Problems associated with treating this life-threatening chronic illness

in young people are tremendous. They must be closely monitored or monitor themselves to avoid long term damage to organs of the body: the eyes, kidneys, and heart. A sudden drop of blood sugar can lead to a hypoglycemic coma, which may cause brain damage, even death. KMUW's Sam Hendren reports. One in 13 American adults, nearly 14 million people, abuse alcohol or are alcoholics. Sometimes the results are devastating. Innocent deaths caused by drunk drivers, the breakup of families, poor job performance, and incarceration. But treatment for the disease is available. AA may first come to mind, but other forms including counseling, prescription drugs, and support group therapy may all play an important part in overcoming the addiction. KMUW's Sam Hendren reports. According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention,

obesity among Americans is now an epidemic. In 1999, 61 percent of Americans were either overweight or obese and the numbers are on the rise. The health consequences are staggering: high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, non-insulin dependent diabetes, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, gallstones, gout, osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, and respiratory problems. Obesity is linked to some types of cancer such as endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon. It's also linked to pregnancy complications and psychological disorders such as depression, eating disorders, distorted body image, and low self esteem. Poor nutrition and physical inactivity account for some 300,000 premature deaths in the United States each year. The cost of obesity in the US every year is more than 117 billion dollars. KMUW's Sam Hendren

reports.