T.J. Samson | Destination Health | December 2018

December 2018 3 Health Smoking Some things you may not know Everyone knows that cigarette smoking causes lung cancer and heart disease, but you may not be aware that it is linked to many other lesser known health issues as well. None of these get nearly the same level of attention, so I want to make you aware of them. As a urologist, I treat diseases of the urinary tract.This includes the kidneys, bladder, and pros- tate and the other reproductive organs. In my area of medicine, cigarette smoking is known to cause kidney cancer and bladder can- cer. It is also linked to prostate cancer, infertility and erectile dysfunction. Bladder cancer is the fifth most common type of cancer. It involves the lining of the blad- der and can be deadly. Seeing blood in the urine is how this is usually first found. Treatment may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and even the surgical removal of the bladder. It is caused, not only by smoking directly, but by secondhand smoke as well. So you don’t have to be a smoker yourself, you just need to live with one. Kidney cancer is the eighth most com- mon cancer. Not only does smoking cause kidney cancer, but those who get this cancer often have a more advanced and aggressive type.This means that even if their cancer is treated, they may be less likely to survive than people who don’t smoke. Prostate cancer is the most common lethal cancer found in men and the second leading cause of cancer death. Genetics and age play an impor- tant role in determining who gets prostate cancer, but the type of prostate cancer is influenced by smoking. As with kidney cancer, men who smoke are more likely to have a more aggressive type of prostate cancer.This makes it more deadly. Impotence and infertility can also be caused by smoking. Men who have smoked for more than 10 years have a much higher rate of impotence.The risk increases both with the amount that is smoked and with the number of years. Women who smoke are also more likely to be infertile and, compared to women who don’t smoke, take longer to conceive.The problem is almost as bad for women who live with smokers as it is for women who smoke themselves. There is a silver lining. All of these negative effects of smoking can be reversed by quitting. It won’t occur overnight, but it will occur. So if you are a smoker, or live with one, I encourage you to see your doctor to learn more and get started on a path to a healthier life. If you are insured through Medicare , you may not know that you qualify for free, annual wellness visits with your primary care provider. Seeing your provider regularly is essential to both your current and future health. WHAT IS A WELLNESS VISIT? If you have been enrolled in Medicare Part B for more than 12 months, you are eligible for one free wellness visit each year. (If you just enrolled, don’t worry—you also receive a free “welcome” visit.) These appointments allow your provider to monitor your well- being and detect and treat new health concerns as early as possible. WHAT DOES A WELLNESS VISIT INCLUDE? ●  ● You will fill out a questionnaire to help your provider assess your health. ●  ● Your provider will measure your height, weight and blood pressure. ●  ● He or she will also screen for any issues with memory or cognition. ●  ● You will review your medical history together and talk about risk factors or treat- ment options for any current conditions. ●  ● Your provider will create a health care plan for your next five to 10 years. This may include recommended screenings, vaccines or new medications. There may be additional costs if you need tests or procedures that are not covered by Medicare. HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR MY WELLNESS VISIT? 1 Bring any relevant medical information with you, for example, vaccine records and current prescriptions. 2 Know your family medical history. Your provider will use this information when recommending other tests or health checks. 3 Make a note of anything you might want to discuss. For example, do you want to plan advance directives or think about making your home safer? And, equally as important, schedule your next annual visit as soon as possible.This will help you protect your health and make the most of your Medicare coverage. Sources: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; HealthinAging.org; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Mitchell Wiatrak, MD Urologist T.J. Health Partners Make the most of Medicare’s free wellness visits