Sunday marks the first of March and regardless of whether it roars in like a lion or sneaks in like a lamb, there are a few things you can do this month (besides watch college basketball) that will catapult you into spectacular shape by spring. March has numerous health observances and health care recognition dates so that if you heed the warnings and take precautionary measures your body as well as your home and car can get a spring checkup.
First of all, have your blood sugar levels checked, particularly if you have a history of diabetes or if you are overweight. Type II diabetes, not to be confused with juvenile diabetes, occurs later in life and can be more easily managed if diagnosed early. Type II diabetes, also known as adult onset diabetes, means the person is non-insulin dependent but his/her body does not metabolize sugar as it should. As with any disease, early detection is the best case scenario for an effective treatment regime. The American Diabetes Alert Day is Tuesday, March 24. Those at risk for Type Il diabetes are those with weight problems, who are inactive, over the age of 45, a family history of diabetes or women who developed gestational diabetes while pregnant.
It is also a good idea, particularly if you are over 50 or have a family history, of getting your colonoscopy this month. This outpatient procedure allows your internist/surgeon to examine the inside of the large intestine (colon and rectum) and check for polyps or cancer. A screening colonoscopy is recommended for anyone 50 years of age or older or for anyone who has a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps.
March also is the month set aside to recognize Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. CFS is a debilitating and complex disorder characterized by an unrelenting fatigue that is not improved with rest. It may get worse after physical or mental activity. This is a tricky disorder as there are no identifiable causes and no real specific diagnostic tests. Talk to your primary care physician if you are experiencing chronic fatigue, muscle pain, impaired memory and insomnia.
Problem gambling is another issue that is being addressed this month. March 1-7 is the week the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) will host its annual awareness campaign. This year's campaign includes its own Youtube page.
According to recent statistics as many as 15 million people just in America alone have a problem with gambling. Free literature is available on the Web site and Youtube page or interested individuals may call toll free 1-800-522-4700 to talk to a professional or by e-mailing ncpg@ncpgambling.org.
Save Your Vision Month is also this month. Which reminds me... I need to make an appointment for an eye checkup as well. It is important to maintain regular checkups because examinations can detect eye problems at their earliest stage — when they're most treatable. Regular eye exams, according the American Academy of Ophthalmology, can give your eye doctor a chance to help you correct or adapt to vision changes. Even if you think your eyes are healthy, you need to schedule regular eye exams.
Other observances for the month of March include Patient Safety Awareness, Kick Butts Day, Mental Retardation Awareness Month, Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month, School Breakfast Week and Safe Spring Break Week.
***
A veteran Cumberland County Playhouse singer, dancer and actor has step ball heeled his way onto the Academy Awards stage. Nathaniel Flatt, 26, a student of the oh-so-talented Kiersten Mays, and who has more than 15 CCP shows and a host of dance performances under his belt, was one of the featured dancers at Sunday's Academy Awards. Flatt, of Cookeville, is also part of the new boy band V-Factory. Nathaniel's mom, Lana, says, "He was as excited about this as anything he has done lately. He was in awe of the setting and the production and said adrenaline was flowing. He saw lots of people backstage as well. I was so nervous for him... but he was very calm. He was going to a cast party afterwards."
Nathaniel also appeared on television's Grease reality show, has done several music videos and was featured in several major ad campaigns for Target, Sony, Heinz and Disney. If you want to check out some of V-Factory's new music, it's available on iTunes for 99 cents. Their latest song is "Lovestruck."
Lifestyles
AROUND THE TOWN: Kick your body into high gear in March
- Lifestyles
-
-
Widows Sons support TAD
The Widows Sons Masonic Riding Association, Dry Bones Chapter, held a benefit motorcycle ride May 19 to benefit the Teens Against Drugs (TAD) Center in Crossville.
-
New Corvette Club shares love for flair, design
If you were reaching maturity during the 1950s through '60s, you were probably either a Chevy guy or a Ford guy. While Chevy guys had reason to admire Ford Thunderbirds and Mustangs, the Chevy sports car enthusiasts have had an ace-in-the hole with the advent of the first production Corvette in 1953 — only six months after it debuted as a GM prototype.
-
Arts festival coming in September
Mark on your calendar the dates of September 14-15 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) for the Plateau Arts Festival at the Plateau Creative Arts Center, 451 Lakeview Drive (off Peavine) in Fairfield Glade.
-
PLEASANT HILL RAMBLINGS: Award-winning artist shares talent with community
Not everyone has the pleasure of living next door to a “real live artist” – not just a Sunday painter as many of us are, but an award-winning career artist who has had 20 solo exhibitions, been accepted into various juried shows and garnered numerous awards.
-
2012 Tennessee Senior Chess Tournament winners honored
The chess tournament was a great success, with a total of 18 players representing Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia and Kentucky. They took home many prizes, plaques and cash playing open section.
-
PLATEAU GARDENING: Photographing plants and blossoms
I keep a monthly photographic plant journal. With a digital camera, photography enthusiasts like myself can take lots of pictures at little cost. Not surprised plants are my favorite photo subjects, are you?
-
Celebrating Tennessee state parks
Come celebrate National Trails Day and the 75th anniversary of Tennessee State Parks, Saturday, June 2.
-
GIVING BACK: Take a look at state of our waste
The county recently submitted its solid waste report to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. In the past year, the county collected and landfilled 52,462 tons of waste. Another 6,067 tons of materials were collected and recycled. A total of 58,829 tons of waste were collected by the county.
-
The River WILD!
The Big South Fork of the Cumberland River winds its way through the 125,000 acres of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area before flowing into the Cumberland River and Lake Cumberland in Kentucky. It’s a free-flowing river, with no dams to control release of the water, but the scenery and the magnificent rock formations make it a favorite of paddling enthusiasts who watch the weather to see if they can get out and explore areas that are hard to reach by foot.
-
Farmer's Market opens for business June 2
The Cumberland County Farmer’s Market will officially open the growing season as it has every year since 1978. This year’s “opening” will be Saturday, June 2, at the traditional location on Livingston Rd., next to the fairgrounds. Selling will begin early (6:30 a.m. or so), although some vendors may set up a few hours later in order to provide the freshest vegetables picked just that morning. There is usually a good selection until well after noon.
- More Lifestyles Headlines
-
California's Foie Gras Ban About to Begin
6-Year-Old Going to National Spelling Bee
Video Essay: Funky Winkerbean Comic Turns 40
On Thailand Trip, Suu Kyi Visits Migrants
Raw Video: Pink Diamond Auctioned for $17.4M
Hurricane Andrew Remembered, 20 Years Later
Sister Says She Reported Brother in Patz Killing
Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
