Full Text
Yes July 2008 HEAT RELATED EMERGENCIES 5 Strength Training Tips for Women Men's top 10 health threats: Mostly preventable Wellness Newsletter Camden County Board of Commissioners Danny Daniels — Nurse Case Manager 202 East 4th Street, P.O. Box 99, Woodbine, GA 31569 Email: [EMAIL REDACTED] Phone: (912)729-8940 Fax: (912)729-1059 ---PAGE BREAK--- HEAT RELATED EMERGENCIES Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion, & Heat Stroke Definitions Heat cramps is a condition where you develop multiple with cramps in your legs and/or abdomen develop. Heat exhaustion is a condition whose may include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse, a result of your body overheating. Heat stroke is the most severe emergency and is manifested by the inability to continue to sweat. This is a dire emergency that needs 911 intervention. Causes of heat related emergencies include exposure to high temperatures, particularly when combined with high humidity, and strenuous physical activity. Without prompt treatment, heat related emergencies may rapidly progress from heat cramps, to heat exhaustion, to heat stroke. Fortunately this progression is preventable. Signs and of heat related emergencies may come on suddenly and resemble those of being in shock. Your skin may feel hot and moist and appear flushed. Other possible include: § Heavy sweating § Faintness § Weak, rapid pulse § Low blood pressure § Nausea § Low-grade fever § Headache § Dark urine Causes Your body's heat combined with environmental heat results in what's called your core temperature — your body's internal temperature. Your body needs to regulate the heat gain (and in cold weather, heat loss) from the environment to maintain a core temperature that's normal, approximately 98.6 F (37 Impaired cooling mechanism In hot weather, your body cools itself mainly by sweating. The evaporation of your sweat regulates your body temperature. However, when you exercise strenuously or otherwise overexert in hot, humid weather, your body is less able to cool itself efficiently. As a result, your body may develop heat cramps, the mildest form of heat-related illness. Signs and of heat cramps usually include heavy sweating, fatigue, thirst and muscle cramps. Prompt treatment usually prevents heat cramps from progressing to heat exhaustion. You usually can treat heat cramps by drinking fluids containing electrolytes (such as Gatorade or other sports drinks), getting into cooler temperatures, such as an air-conditioned or shaded place, and resting. ---PAGE BREAK--- Other causes Besides hot weather and strenuous activity, other causes of heat exhaustion include: § Dehydration, which impedes your body's ability to sweat and maintain a normal temperature § Alcohol use, which can affect your body's ability to regulate your temperature § Overdressing, particularly in clothes that don't allow sweat to evaporate easily Risk factors Anyone can develop heat related illness, but certain factors increase your sensitivity to heat. They include: § Young or old age. Infants and children younger than 4 and adults older than 65 are at higher risk of heat exhaustion. The body's ability to regulate its temperature isn't fully developed in the young and may be inhibited by illness, medications or other factors in older adults. Both age groups tend to have difficulty remaining hydrated, which also increases risk. § Certain medications. Drugs that affect your body's ability to stay hydrated and respond appropriately to heat include those that narrow your blood vessels (vasoconstrictors, such as ergotamine), regulate your blood pressure by blocking adrenaline (beta blockers, such as atenolol), rid your body of sodium and water (diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide), alleviate allergy (antihistamines), calm you (tranquilizers, such as phenothiazines, butyrophenones and thioxanthenes), or reduce such as delusions (neuroleptics, such as olanzapine). § Obesity. Carrying excess weight can affect your body's ability to regulate its temperature and cause your body to retain more heat. When to seek medical advice If you think you're experiencing a heat illness, then first try to cool off by: § Moving to a cooler place § Drinking cool water or sports drinks § Resting with your legs elevated above heart level Contact your supervisor or call 911 if your signs or worsen or if they don't improve within 30 minutes. Seek immediate medical attention if your body temperature reaches 104 F (40 C) or higher. Complications Untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke, a life-threatening condition that occurs when your body temperature reaches 104 F (40 C) or higher. Heatstroke requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent damage to your brain and other vital organs or death. Treatments and drugs In most cases, you can treat heat related illness yourself by doing the following: § Rest in a cool place. Getting into an air-conditioned building is best, but at the least, find a shady spot. Rest on your back with your legs elevated higher than your heart level. § Drink cool fluids. Stick to water or sports drinks. Don't drink any beverages that have alcohol or caffeine, either of which can contribute to fluid loss. § Apply cool water to your skin. If possible, take a cool shower or soak in a cool bath. Don't use alcohol on your skin. ---PAGE BREAK--- § Loosen clothing. Remove any unnecessary clothing and make sure your clothes aren't binding. If you don't begin to feel better within a half-hour using these treatment measures, seek prompt medical attention. You may be given intravenous (IV) fluids to help you rehydrate. Immersion in cold water, misting your skin, and placing you in front of fans or using cold or ice packs and cooling blankets are some of the techniques that may be used to bring down your body temperature. Prevention You can take a number of precautions to prevent heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses. When temperatures climb, remember to: § Wear loose fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Excess, dark or tight clothing holds in heat and doesn't let your body cool properly because it inhibits sweat evaporation. § Avoid sunburn. If you're going to be outdoors, wear a lightweight, wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella to protect yourself from the sun, and apply sunscreen to any exposed skin. Having sunburn reduces your body's ability to rid itself of heat. § Seek a cooler place. Being in an air-conditioned building, even for just a few hours, is one of the best ways to prevent heat exhaustion. If your home doesn't have an air conditioner, consider spending time at a library or shopping mall. At the least, find a well-shaded spot. Fans alone aren't adequate to counter high heat and humidity. § Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated will help your body sweat and maintain a normal body temperature. § Take extra precautions with certain medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether the medications you take make you more susceptible to heat exhaustion and, if so, what you can do to keep your body from overheating. § Avoid hot spots. When parked in the sun, your car can reach a temperature of more than 160 F (71 Let the car cool off before you drive it. Never leave children or anyone else in a parked car in hot weather for any period of time. It's best not to exercise or engage in any strenuous activity in hot weather, but if you must, follow the same precautions and rest frequently in a cool spot. Taking breaks and replenishing your fluids during that time will help your body regulate your temperature. If you're otherwise healthy, your body can adapt to heat after several weeks, and its ability to regulate its temperature becomes more efficient. You'll still need to take precautions, but working or exercising in heat should become more tolerable. ---PAGE BREAK--- Water: How much should you drink every day? Water is essential to good health, yet needs vary by individual. These guidelines can help ensure you drink enough fluids. How much water should you drink each day? Studies have produced varying recommendations over the years, but in truth, your water needs depend on many factors, including your health, how active you are and where you live. Though no single formula fits everyone, knowing more about your body's need for fluids will help you estimate how much water to drink each day. Health benefits of water Water is your body's principal chemical component, making up, on average, 60 percent of your body weight. Every system in your body depends on water. For example, water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues. Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don't have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired. How much water do you need? Every day you lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water. Several approaches attempt to approximate water needs for the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate. Eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Another approach to water intake is the "8 x 8 rule" — drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day (about 1.9 liters). The rule could also be stated, "drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day," as all fluids count toward the daily total. Though the approach isn't supported by scientific evidence, many people use this basic rule as a guideline for how much water and other fluids to drink. Dietary recommendations. The Institute of Medicine advises that men consume roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day and women consume 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day. Even apart from the above approaches, if you drink enough fluid so that you rarely feel thirsty and produce 1.5 liters (6.3 cups) or more of colorless or yellow urine a day, your fluid intake is probably adequate. Factors that influence water needs You may need to modify your total fluid intake depending on how active you are, the climate you live in, your health status, and if you're pregnant or breast-feeding. § Exercise. If you exercise or engage in any activity that makes you sweat, you need to drink extra water to compensate for the fluid loss. An extra 400 to 600 milliliters (about 1.5 to 2.5 cups) of water should suffice for short bouts of exercise, but intense exercise lasting more than an hour (for example, running a marathon) requires more fluid intake. How much additional fluid you need depends on how much you sweat during exercise, the duration of your exercise and the type of activity you're engaged in. ---PAGE BREAK--- During long bouts of intense exercise, it's best to use a sports drink that contains sodium, as this will help replace sodium lost in sweat and reduce the chances of developing hyponatremia, which can be life- threatening. Also, continue to replace fluids after you're finished exercising. § Environment. Hot or humid weather can make you sweat and requires additional intake of fluid. Heated indoor air also can cause your skin to lose moisture during wintertime. Further, altitudes greater than 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) may trigger increased urination and more rapid breathing, which use up more of your fluid reserves. § Illnesses or health conditions. Signs of illnesses, such as fever, vomiting and diarrhea, cause your body to lose additional fluids. In these cases you should drink more water and may even need oral rehydration solutions, such as Gatorade, Powerade or CeraLyte. Also, you may need increased fluid intake if you develop certain conditions, including bladder infections or urinary tract stones. On the other hand, some conditions such as heart failure and some types of kidney, liver and adrenal diseases may impair excretion of water and even require that you limit your fluid intake. Staying safely hydrated It's generally not a good idea to use thirst alone as a guide for when to drink. By the time you become thirsty, it's possible to already be dehydrated. Further, be aware that as you get older your body is less able to sense dehydration and send your brain signals of thirst. Excessive thirst and increased urination can be signs of a more serious medical condition. Talk to your doctor if you experience either. To ward off dehydration and make sure your body has the fluids it needs, make water your beverage of choice. Nearly every healthy adult can consider the following: § Drink a glass of water with each meal and between each meal. § Hydrate before, during and after exercise. § Substitute sparkling water for alcoholic drinks at social gatherings. If you drink water from a bottle, thoroughly clean or replace the bottle often. 5 Strength Training Tips for Women These days, many women have jumped on the cardio bandwagon and are making a point of hitting the treadmill or the elliptical machine a few times a week. Not a bad idea, considering government guidelines for heart health recommend engaging in 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise three to four days per week. However, not enough women emphasize strength training in their workout routines. Perhaps it's a fear of getting hurt or doing it "wrong," but many women avoid weights altogether and think of the free- weight section of the gym as the area where the bodybuilders hang out. The following five tips will help educate and encourage you to venture into that muscle-bound area of the gym to get the most out of your weekly workout routines. 1. Vary your workout with an interval program. This means that instead of working at the same pace on the treadmill or stationary bike for an hour or more, you should alternate quick bursts of speed with a recovery period. Combine this with a strength training regimen and you're on your way to fitting into those skinny jeans. ---PAGE BREAK--- 2. Make it a priority to lift weights three times a week. Beginning a lifting routine once a week is better than not lifting at all, but you aren't going to notice too many changes. Twice a week is better, but still isn't going to give you the results you want. However, any more than three times a week and your muscles won't have enough time to recover between workouts. 3. Increase the weight you lift over time and lift enough weight to make a difference. It's important to find the right balance between going for the heaviest weight in the room and going for the lightest. You want to make sure you are lifting enough to make a significant difference. Experts advise choosing a weight you can lift for at least 8-10 reps. Once you can lift a particular weight consistently for 12 reps, go to the next highest weight and go back to lifting it at 8-10 reps and so on. (Note: To learn more about how much weight you should be lifting, read Chelsea Cooper's exercise series, "A Total-Body Workout in Five Easy Steps," online at www.toyourhealth.com. The five-part series began in July 2007.) 4. Exercises that work smaller muscles won't necessarily get you the best results. Small and large muscles need to work together, as part of a larger complex system, to get you the results you want. That means you need to work the chest, back, shoulders, biceps, triceps and legs. Remember, it's about getting your entire body in shape, not just specific areas or muscle groups. 5. Traditional crunches aren't the answer. It's hard to find the motivation to do crunches in the first place, but having to lie flat on the hard floor to perform this exercise would make even the most die-hard workout junkie come up with an excuse. An alternative to traditional crunches is to perform the same motion on an exercise ball. This will help provide some cushion for your back and allow you to work all of your abdominal muscles by providing a complete range of motion. Now that you've got the basics down, it's important to remember that just getting started is half the battle. There isn't necessarily a one-size-fits-all strength training regimen for women. Start off slowly and build up your stamina. Remember, the first rep and the last rep should look the same, even if you start to slow down toward the end. A simple strength training routine will help you tone your body so you can wear that new summer bathing suit with confidence and tone up those hips and thighs for your skinny jeans. It doesn't necessarily mean you'll make the cover of a fitness magazine, but you'll sure look great at that summer wedding or barbeque, and you'll feel great about yourself. ---PAGE BREAK--- Men's top 10 health threats: Mostly preventable What most threatens men's health? Find out the leading killers and how to reduce your risk. Do you know what threatens men's lives the most? The list is surprisingly short. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2003, just over a million American men died. Nearly 80 percent of them died of heart disease or one of the nine other leading causes of death among American men. Here's a snapshot of the 10 leading killers of American men in 2003, the most recent year for which these statistics are available from the CDC: Rank Cause Percentage of male deaths 1 Heart disease 28.0 2 Cancer 24.0 3 Unintentional injuries 5.9 4 Stroke 5.1 5 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 5.1 6 Diabetes 2.9 7 Influenza and pneumonia 2.4 8 Suicide 2.1 9 Kidney disease 1.7 10 Alzheimer's disease 1.5 Total 78.7 These CDC statistics show men are at higher risk of death than are women in most of these categories. As a result, the average American man lives 5.3 fewer years than does the average woman. In 2003, male life expectancy was 74.8 years. Female life expectancy was 80.1 years. It's unclear why men have a shorter life span than women do. Inherited traits and male sex hormones may play a role, affecting such characteristics as body fat distribution. Specifically, men are more likely to accumulate fat around the abdomen (apple-shape obesity), which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and stroke. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to put on extra weight around the hips (pear-shape obesity). While unhealthy, this type of fat distribution is not linked as closely to potentially fatal conditions. Socially sanctioned "male" behavior also may predispose men to premature death. CDC statistics show men are more likely to smoke, drink, use illicit drugs and engage in casual sex than are women — all of which can increase their risk of serious diseases. Males are also more likely to take risks and behave aggressively, which may partly ---PAGE BREAK--- explain why they have a higher risk of dying from accidents, suicide and homicide. Young men are especially at risk. In young men, accidents, suicide and homicide are among the most frequent causes of death. In young and middle- aged men, AIDS is on the top 10 list. While experts are continually working to understand the underlying causes of death in men, one thing is clear: By recognizing the leading threats to your life, you can take steps to reduce your risks — and avoid the leading causes of death. No. 1 — Heart disease According to the American Heart Association, in 2004, over 410,000 men died of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in both sexes. Because men usually develop heart disease 10 to 15 years earlier than women do, they're more likely to die of it in the prime of life. About one-fourth of all heart-disease-related deaths occur in men ages 35 to 65. You can reduce your risk of heart disease by making healthier lifestyle choices and getting appropriate treatment for other conditions that can increase your risk of coronary artery disease, such as high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure. Some preventive measures you can take: § Don't smoke or use other tobacco products. § Eat a varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and avoid high-fat foods. § Maintain a healthy weight. § Get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. § Have your cholesterol tested. § If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under control. § Get regular blood pressure checks. § Take a daily dose of aspirin, if your doctor OKs it. No. 2 — Cancer In 2003, the CDC recorded nearly 288,000 men who died of cancer, the second-leading cause of death for both sexes. Lung cancer — 90 percent of it caused by cigarette smoking — is the most common cause of cancer death in both sexes. In 2003, 89,964 men died of lung cancer. The CDC also notes that prostate cancer and colorectal cancer are the second- and third-leading causes of cancer death in men. Some preventive measures you can take: § Don't smoke or use other tobacco products. § Eat a varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and avoid high-fat foods. § Maintain a healthy weight. § Get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. § Limit your exposure to sun and use sunscreen. § Drink alcohol only in moderation, if at all. § Be aware of potential cancer-causing substances (carcinogens) in your home and workplace, and take steps to reduce your exposure to these substances. § Have regular preventive health screenings. § Know your family medical history and review it with your doctor. ---PAGE BREAK--- No. 3 — Unintentional injuries In 2003, accidents killed 70,532 men, according to the CDC. Motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause. More than twice as many men as women died in traffic accidents. Male drivers involved in such accidents were almost twice as likely as female drivers to be intoxicated. To reduce your chances of a fatal crash: § Use your seat belt every time you drive. § Don't exceed speed limits. § Don't drive after drinking alcohol. § Don't drive while sleepy or under the influence of drugs. The CDC recorded poisoning as the second-leading cause of fatal unintentional injury to men in 2003 — 13,176 men died of it. In comparison, 6,281 women died of poisoning that year. To reduce your risk of poisoning: § Place carbon monoxide and smoke detectors near bedrooms in your house. § Have fuel-burning appliances inspected each year. § Store household products in their original containers. § Read and follow label instructions for household products. § Turn on a light when giving or taking medicine and follow label instructions. § Ventilate areas in which you use chemical products. § Post the poison control number, [PHONE REDACTED], by each telephone in your home. Falls and drowning were the third- and fourth-leading causes of fatal unintentional injury to men. In 2003, falls caused 8,910 deaths among men, compared with 8,319 deaths among women. Drowning accounted for 2,632 deaths among men and 674 deaths among women. Common-sense precautions such as using a safety ladder, placing nonskid mats in showers and tubs, and never swimming alone in a large or unfamiliar body of water can reduce the risks. Workplace accidents — which include some vehicle crashes, poisonings, falls and drowning — are a significant cause of fatal injury to men, partly because men are concentrated in dangerous occupations such as agriculture, mining and construction. No. 4 — Stroke In 2004, over 58,000 men died of stroke, according to the American Heart Association. Although stroke affects equal proportions of men and women, men have better chances of surviving than women do. You can't control some stroke risk factors, such as family history, age and race, but you can control the leading cause — high blood pressure — as well as contributing factors such as smoking and diabetes. Additional preventive measures: § Lower your intake of cholesterol and saturated fat. Get your cholesterol checked. § Get regular blood pressure checks, and if it's higher than normal, take measures to control it. § Don't smoke. § Control diabetes. § Maintain a healthy weight. § Get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. § Manage stress. § Limit alcohol consumption. § Talk with your doctor about taking a daily dose of aspirin. ---PAGE BREAK--- No. 5 — Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) In 2003, according to the American Lung Association, 60,714 men died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a group of chronic lung conditions that includes and chronic bronchitis. It's strongly associated with lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths among men. The main cause is smoking. Men who smoke are 12 times as likely to die of COPD as are men who've never smoked. Some preventive measures you can take: § Don't smoke. § Avoid secondhand smoke. § Minimize exposure to workplace chemicals. No. 6 — Diabetes The American Heart Association reports that in 2004, 35,000 men died of diabetes, a disease that affects the way the body uses blood sugar (glucose). Excess body fat, especially around the middle, is an important risk factor for diabetes. About 80 percent of people who have the disease are overweight or obese. The diabetes complications most likely to be fatal are heart disease and stroke, which occur at two to four times the average rate in people with diabetes. Men with diabetes haven't benefited as much from recent advances in heart disease treatment as have men without diabetes. An estimated one-third of men with the most common form of diabetes don't know they have it. Many are unaware of the disease until they develop complications such as impotence (erectile dysfunction), nerve damage causing pain or loss of sensation in the hands or feet, vision loss, or kidney disease. Some preventive measures you can take: § Maintain a healthy weight. § Eat a varied diet, rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat foods. § Get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. § Get your fasting blood sugar level checked periodically. § Know your family's diabetes history and discuss it with your doctor. No. 7 — Influenza and pneumonia In 2003, 28,778 men died of pneumonia and influenza, according to the CDC. These lung infections are especially life-threatening to people whose lungs have already been damaged by COPD, asthma or smoking. The risk of death from pneumonia or influenza is also higher among people with heart disease, diabetes or a weakened immune system due to AIDS or immunosuppressive drugs. You can reduce your risk of complications and death from pneumonia and influenza by getting immunized. A yearly flu shot is up to 90 percent effective in preventing influenza in healthy adults. The pneumococcal vaccine can reduce the risk of getting pneumonia by more than half. ---PAGE BREAK--- No. 8 — Suicide In 2003, the CDC noted 25,203 men committed suicide. Men commit suicide four times as often as women do, partly because they're more likely to use deadlier means — such as firearms — when they set out to take their own lives. Depression — which is estimated to affect 7 percent of men in any given year — is an important risk factor for suicide. But male depression is underdiagnosed, partly because men are less likely than women are to seek treatment for it. In addition, men don't always develop standard such as sadness, worthlessness and excessive guilt. Instead, they may be more likely to complain of fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances and loss of interest in work or hobbies. Alcohol or drug abuse — which is more common in men — can mask depression and make it more difficult to diagnose. People at risk of suicide may: § Be depressed, moody, socially withdrawn or aggressive § Have suffered a recent life crisis § Show changes in personality § Feel worthless § Abuse alcohol or drugs § Have frequent thoughts about death § Talk about death and self-destruction If you find yourself avoiding others, feeling hostile and worthless, thinking about death and using alcohol and drugs to numb your pain, talk with your doctor. In an urgent situation, an emergency room or crisis center can help. Friends or family members may be the first to notice your uncharacteristic behavior. Take their advice and seek help. If you or someone you love is depressed, remove any access to firearms in the home. Don't expect to be able to overcome the feelings of depression without medical help. This is a disease, not something you can "snap out of." No. 9 — Kidney disease Kidney failure, most often a complication of diabetes or high blood pressure, took the lives of 20,481 men in 2003 says the CDC. Control of diabetes and high blood pressure can prevent or slow the progression of kidney disease. Another cause of kidney failure is overuse of medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) that are toxic to the kidneys. Some preventive measures you can take: § Drink plenty of fluids. § Exercise regularly. § Maintain your proper weight. § Don't smoke. § Get checked regularly for diabetes and high blood pressure. § Limit your use of over-the-counter pain relievers. § Take all medications only as directed. ---PAGE BREAK--- No. 10 — Alzheimer's disease About 4.5 million older Americans — both men and women — have Alzheimer's disease. In 2003, 18,335 men died of Alzheimer's, which usually develops in people age 65 or older. But statistically there are more women who have the disease, because women live longer than men — and the older you are, the more likely you are to have Alzheimer's. The American population has more and more older adults each year. Consequently, the number of people with Alzheimer's has more than doubled since 1980 and continues to increase. As men live longer because of improved treatments for other conditions, they are more likely to die of Alzheimer's. Although experts are doing promising research into preventing Alzheimer's, currently there's no proven way to prevent the onset of the disease. Taking steps to improve your cardiovascular health may help: § Lose weight if you're overweight. § Exercise regularly. § Control your blood pressure. § Keep your cholesterol levels in normal ranges. While there is some controversy about whether it's effective, some research indicates doing intellectually challenging activities may help delay the onset of dementia. It certainly can't hurt — and it may help maintain your mental fitness. Putting health risks into perspective It's important to understand that this ranking of health risks applies to the entire population of American men, no matter what their age. Although heart disease is the No. 1 lifetime health threat to men, it tops all other causes of death among men in only two age groups: ages 45 to 54, and age 65 and over. From childhood until age 44, accidents are the most significant threat to men's lives. Cancer emerges as the leading killer only in men ages 55 to 64. The top killers also vary somewhat among men from different ethnic groups. Black men, whose life expectancy is shorter than that of men from other races, are at higher risk of death by homicide and AIDS. American Indian men are more likely to die of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. More white men die of Alzheimer's disease than do men from other groups. In men of Asian or Pacific Island descent, the top two killers are the same as for men of other ethnic groups, but their order is reversed — they are more likely to die of cancer than of heart disease. Hispanic men are at higher risk of death by accidental injury, at least partly because the population of Hispanic men is younger than average. The bottom line: Be concerned about health risks, but don't panic. Do all you can to lead a healthy lifestyle — eat healthy foods, stay physically active, don't smoke, get regular checkups and guard against accidents. By making these preventive measures a way of life, you'll increase your chances of staying vital and active into your 80s and 90s — well beyond the statistical average of 74.8. ---PAGE BREAK---