CARE Program Newsletter - January 2016

The cervix is the lower end of a woman’s uterus. It connects the uterus and the vagina. Cervical cancer can develop when cells lining the cervix grow in a disorderly fashion. This cancer is usually caused by a virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV. HPV is spread through sexual contact. Most women who are sexually active have been exposed to HPV. In most cases, a woman’s body can fight HPV. In some, it can cause cervical cancer.

Get screened! Pap screenings are FREE at the Travis County Employee Health Clinic.

Does every woman with HPV get cervical cancer?

No. Doctors don’t yet know why some women with HPV get cervical cancer while others do not. But certain risk factors increase the risk of a woman with HPV getting cervical cancer. They include:

• Smoking
• Staring sexual activity at an early age (16 or younger)
• Having many sexual partners (the more partners, the higher the risk)
• Having other STDs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or HIV/AIDS
• Using birth control pills

Luckily, cervical cancer is a slow-growing disease. A regular Pap test can help find any abnormal changes in the cervix that need to be checked.

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

Symptoms of cervical cancer usually don’t appear until precancerous cervical cells become cancerous and invade nearby tissue. Precancerous changes in the cervix don’t cause pain or abnormal bleeding. So there is usually no way for a woman to know that she has precancerous cervical cells. The most common symptom of cervical cancer is abnormal bleeding. This could include:

• Any spotting or bleeding that occurs between normal periods, after sexual intercourse or
• douching, or during a pelvic exam
• Menstrual bleeding that lasts longer and is heavier than usual
• Increased vaginal discharges
• Painful intercourse
• Bleeding after menopause

These symptoms can also be caused by conditions other than cervical cancer. See your doctor if you have any of these problems.

How can cervical cancer be prevented?

Regular pelvic examinations and Pap tests to identify and treat precancerous conditions are the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer. You can help prevent sexually transmitted diseases like HPV by limiting your number of sexual partners, avoiding partners with high-risk sexual histories, and using a condom. There is now a vaccine that can help prevent several common types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer. This vaccine is approved for use in young

men and women ages 9 through 26. Not all types of HPV virus are prevented by this vaccine, though, so females still need routine Pap tests. Smoking is also linked to cervical cancer – another good reason to not smoke.

(UHC, 2012)

Healthy Pregnancy Owner’s Manual

Whether this is your first child or you have other children, you need information on diet choices, risk factors and exercise programs to make sure your pregnancy is as healthy as possible.

UnitedHealthcare® has created the Healthy Pregnancy Owner’s Manual, an educational, interactive guide with easy-to-read tips on how to stay healthy during your pregnancy. Inside you'll find information on all things baby-related including pre-conception health to taking care of your newborn. It’s designed for you to read cover-to-cover in a reasonable amount of time – and easy-to-access to find answers to your questions and to calm your concerns.

The manual will help you work closely with your doctor during every phase of your pregnancy before and after delivery. You can even access the information online with your doctor during your pre-delivery check-ups. When reading the Healthy Pregnancy Owner's Manual for the first time, pay close attention to the What Now? Section, which describes the specific pregnancy programs offered to you through your health plan.

To view the Healthy Pregnancy Owner's Manual, visit:mypregnancymanual.com/uhc. 

Visit myuhc.com and click on Register Now (found on the left side of screen). Once registered on myuhc.com, click on Rally Health Survey found on the right side of screen.

It is fun and interactive! Earn Rally coins for taking the survey and use them to win awesome stuff, such as gift cards and an iPod.

The sweepstakes is offered by United Healthcare. Get started now to get a measure of your overall health!

Employees completing the RALLY Health Survey

Psychotherapy offered by a trained and licensed therapist can often successfully treat relationship problems and many mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. Many different types of professionals offer psychotherapy (talk therapy). Some of them can also prescribe medication if needed.

Psychiatrists

A psychiatrist is a medical or osteopathic doctor with special training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional illnesses. Like other doctors, psychiatrists can prescribe medication. A psychiatrist should have a state medical license and be board-eligible or board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Psychologists

A psychologist has an advanced degree from an accredited graduate program in psychology and two or more years of supervised work experience. Most states require a doctoral degree and a state license for psychologists. Psychologists can make diagnoses, do psychological testing, and provide therapy.

Clinical social workers

Social workers have a master’s degree in social work from an accredited graduate program. They are trained to make diagnoses and provide individual and group therapy. Their qualifications should include a state license and membership in the Academy of Certified Social Workers.

Licensed professional counselors

A licensed professional counselor has a master’s degree in psychology, counseling or a related field. Licensed counselors are trained to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders. They are required to have a state license.

Marriage and family therapists

A marriage and family therapist (MFT) has at least a master’s degree and two years of supervised clinical experience. They are trained to diagnose and treat mental health and substance abuse problems from a family perspective. They can provide individual, couples, family and group therapy.

Certified mental health counselors

These professionals have a master’s degree and several years of supervised clinical work experience in mental health. They can diagnose and provide treatment for many emotional and mental health issues. They are certified by the National Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors.

Certified alcohol and drug abuse counselors

Certified alcohol and drug abuse counselors have specific clinical training in alcohol and drug abuse. They can diagnose substance abuse issues and provide individual and group counseling. They must carry a state license.

Psychiatric nurses

These are registered nurses (RNs) with a master’s degree in psychiatric and mental health nursing. They may also be called advanced practice registered nurses, psychiatric nurse practitioners or psychiatric clinical nurse specialists. They can diagnose and treat people with mental health disorders, and in most states they can prescribe medication. They are certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and must have a state license.

Pastoral counselors

Pastoral counselors are clergy with a degree in mental health and extensive supervised clinical practice. As a result, they approach emotional issues from both a psychological and a spiritual perspective. They are required to have certification from the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

Choosing a therapist

Picking a therapist is a very personal matter. It’s fine to get a name from a friend or family member. But a therapist may work well with someone you know and yet not be a good match for you. To choose a therapist, first talk with him or her on the phone or in person. Find out about licensing and level of training, approach to psychotherapy, fees and any specialty area. Some therapists focus on one area, such as treating depression, traumatic stress, substance abuse or grief. If you feel the therapist is a good fit for you, the next step is to make an appointment. But if you are not satisfied after meeting in person, keep looking. The type of training or license a therapist has is not the most important factor. What matters most is how well you connect with the therapist. You should be able to talk openly and feel heard and understood.

(UHC, 2012)

Understanding the negative effects of smoking, drinking and taking drugs is the first step in making positive changes. Many people are able to replace substance use with coping strategies that not only help manage their symptoms, but strengthen their overall health.

Substance Abuse

About half of people with mental illness abuse alcohol or other substances. People with mental illness may use substances as a way of feeling accepted by peers or altering their moods. The desire to feel better is completely understandable; the paths people take to achieve this are what make the difference.

Substance abuse is when someone has a consistent habit of using a lot of alcohol, prescription or over-the-counter drugs unnecessarily or using illegal drugs. Once people are in the habit of taking drugs, the substances have been shown to change brain chemistry. That can get in the way of your ability to make decisions and can make you crave and seek out substances more. This cycle, if it's not interrupted, can turn into addiction.

Substance abuse is physically dangerous. It can get in the way of your basic functioning, like your ability to socialize, be in good physical health and do your job and in extreme addiction cases, even cause death.

Drug abuse and dependence can negatively affect almost every organ in the body. Drug abuse can lead to:

• A weakened immune system Increased risk of heart conditions
• Collapsed veins and infections of the blood vessels and heart valves
• Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain
• Liver damage or failure
• Seizures, stroke and widespread brain damage
• Death

In addition to creating health challenges, substance abuse can challenge personal relationships and can lead to problems with the law.

Getting Help for Substance Abuse

A confidential online screening program can help you decide if it may be time to seek help for your substance use.

Talk to your primary health care provider about wanting to change your substance use habits. They can help you identify what methods to try and recommend an expert. Integrated care, which addresses your health needs from several angles at once such as psychological and substance-related, may be an important element of your recovery.

There are many ways to get sober and no one right path. Treatment options can include:

• Prescribed drugs to ease withdrawal and reestablish normal functions
• Treatment facilities where you can stay while they help you withdraw
• Outpatient behavioral treatment programs you can visit for help changing your habits
• Social support, like family, friends and community organizations

Contact Deer Oaks EAP for help.

If you do not have health insurance, publicly-funded treatment centers are available. For more information on these facilities in your state, call 800-662-HELP or visit findtreatment.samhsa.gov. - see more...

Increase servings of fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains.

Research consistently shows that a diet high in antioxidant-rich plant foods may offer protection from several types of cancer.

• Whole, plant-based foods provide a wide array of vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and phytonutrients. These are plant compounds that have been shown to help fight disease.
• Experts do not know which of the many compounds in these foods are most helpful, so a wide variety of all types is best.
• Look for fruits and vegetables of varying colors and flavors.
• Wash them thoroughly first.
• Try different types of whole grains such as barley, quinoa and bulgur.
• Add beans to soups and salads.
• Toss raw nuts into casseroles or cereal.

A whole foods diet (with limited amounts of processed foods) is also helpful for weight control. Obesity is a known cancer risk.

Choose whole foods over supplements.

• Don’t rely on supplements to protect against cancer. They do not give you the same benefits as a healthy diet.
• Experts believe that it is the combination of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals in whole foods that contribute to cancer protection. They don’t think it’s the isolated compounds in a supplement that help.

Get enough calcium and vitamin D

Several studies have suggested that foods high in calcium and vitamin D may help cut the risk for some types of cancer. But a high calcium intake, mainly through supplements, has been linked with higher risk for prostate cancer.

• Both men and women should try to get the recommended levels of calcium, mainly from food sources. Recommended Daily Amounts of Calcium and Vitamin D
• More research is needed to define the best levels of intake and blood levels of vitamin D to reduce cancer risk. A balanced diet, supplements and limited sun exposure are usually the best methods of getting vitamin D.

Limit red and processed meats

A diet that is high in red meats and processed meats (cured, smoked and salted) may raise our risk of certain types of cancer.

• Experts say this may be due to nitrites. These are preservatives that are added to many luncheon meats, hams and hot dogs to maintain color and to prevent bacterial growth.
• Methods of cooking meats at very high temperatures (frying, broiling, or grilling) may create cancer-causing compounds that can increase risk.

(UHC, 2011)

To register for an upcoming Source4Women online seminar, visit Source4Women.com and click on “Online Seminars & Events.” All seminars are recorded and archived for viewing after the live seminar date.

Q: How long do health coaching appointments take?

A: The first appointment is in person and lasts 45-60 minutes. Any follow up appointments can be done in person or over the phone and usually last 10-30 mins.

Q: Where does the appointment take place?

A: We recommend that the first Health Coaching appointment takes place at your Travis County worksite. Becky will be able to travel to your location. Follow up visits can be done over the phone or in person.

Please note: Break rooms, cubicles, lobby's, etc. are not appropriate locations for health coaching appointments. Privacy is important as you will be discussing personal health information. Please reserve a private room prior to the appointment. If you would prefer to meet away from your specific location, you can request to meet with Becky at 700 Lavaca.

Q: How soon can I make an appointment?

A: Depending on the time of year, Becky schedules appointments out from 1-3 weeks depending on her availability and your location.

Q: How many times and how often do I or should I meet with the Health Coach?

A: The amount of visits will vary based on your specific health goals. There is no set "limit" of visits; your number of visits will be determined by your progress. The time between appointments will also be determined according to individual needs and progress.

Q: How much does health coaching cost?

A: Health Coaching appointments are free of charge, with no co-pay. It is a service that is included in your benefits offered by UnitedHealthcare and Travis County full time employees who are enrolled in the UnitedHealthcare medical plan.

Q: Who is eligible for Health Coaching?

A: Anyone who has UnitedHealthcare benefits with Travis County is eligible. IE: Employees, spouses, retirees, dependents (over 18 years of age.

Q: When are appointments available?

A: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Special exceptions can be made for those that work special shifts.

Q: What can Becky help me with?

A: Becky is able to assist with making improvements to their overall health and wellness, and provide resources and recommendations based on your needs. She can work with you on setting and achieving nutritional, health, and fitness goals. In certain cases she may also refer you to your primary care doctor, employee assistance program, registered dietician or onsite nurse.

Q: How do I set up an appointment?

A: Please contact Becky at [email protected] or 512.542.4346.

About Becky Howell

Becky Howell has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science from the Arizona State University. She has over 25 years of experience in the health and fitness industry and was most recently the health and fitness Program Manager for Freescale in Austin. She is excited about her new Health Coaching role with Travis County and is passionate about helping others reach their health and fitness goals through progressive, realistic and lifelong lifestyle choices.

How can a Health Coach help me?

Becky is available to meet with you to discuss any lifestyle behaviors you may want to improve such as weight loss, nutrition counseling, and disease prevention. Your Health Coach will help you create and achieve personal health goals.

Will my personal information that I share with my Health Coach be protected?

Yes, all of your personal health information will be protected in accordance with HIPAA. None of your personal information will be shared with your employer.

What other services does my Health Coach offer?

Your onsite Health Coach will plan and implement worksite wellness events and activities such as:

• Increase understanding of modifiable health risks
• Coach employees to develop personal health behavior goals
• Teach employees how to navigate UnitedHealthcare myuhc.com wellness tools and resources
• Refer employees to appropriate wellness programs and services
• Plan, design, implement and evaluate workplace wellness programs
• Provide noninvasive health screenings and health education
• Overall, your Health Coach will inspire and motivate you to achieve optimal health and wellbeing.