Lifestyle changes improve prognosis

Q: I had a mild heart attack, but it scared me a lot and I am trying to do what I can to prevent another one and get healthier than I was before it happened. Can you help?

Roger F., Akron, Ohio

A: Congratulations on your commitment to improving your health. If you can look at your situation as an opportunity instead of a debit, you can do a lot to improve today.

Take meds as prescribed. Get 30 to 60 minutes of exercise five days a week; no smoking; and adopt a diet that helps you achieve and maintain a healthy weight and control your cholesterol and blood sugar. Push your doc to get you to a blood pressure of 120/80, a LDL cholesterol of under 70, and to help you reduce overall inflammation so a blood test shows an MPO of less than 1 and an hs-CRP of less than 1. You’ll be around for a lot longer if you do.

Q: I am having trouble with urinary incontinence, my breath is bad and I get so sweaty it’s embarrassing. I’m well through menopause, and nobody else my age (57) seems to be dealing with all this. What’s going on?

Stephanie W., Bayshore, N.Y.

A: Urinary incontinence is a common problem, affecting 30% of women age 30 to 60, according to the American Urological Association. Depending on the cause, Kegel exercises may strengthen pelvic floor muscles, bladder training can help you learn to hold it, and some medications and topical estrogen can relieve symptoms.

Bad breath afflicts most folks at one time or another. When it’s constant it can be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). Most usually, however, it comes from poor dental hygiene, gum disease and infrequent professional teeth cleaning. Make a dentist appointment.

As for hypersweating: According to the Cleveland

Clinic, what is called focal hyperhidrosis is an inherited skin disorder, and it usually shows up before the age of 25. If you develop excess sweating later in life it may be related to a medical condition.

Make doc appointments to take care of each condition. You will feel so much happier and less worried.