Issue of the Month

As Muslims, we believe that our bodies are a gift from God and that it is our responsibility to care for it to the best of our ability so that we may fulfill the purpose of our creation: submitting to God. Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said a strong believer was better than a weak believer (Saheeh Muslim). He was talking in terms of faith and character but also indicating that physical strength i.e. optimum health and fitness were desirable, providing God gave us the ways and means of attaining such strength. Our goal, in this new series, is to bring you current and accurate information to help you take better care of your health, as well as well as provide you with practical tips to do so. We will be covering many topics, such as heart disease, mental health and diet. As we embark on this quest for better health, we hope that you will join us and make the intention to learn and implement a healthier lifestyle.

Obesity

Obesity is having too much body fat, but is not the same as being overweight. The causes and risk factors are many for obesity and is usually a result of eating too much food and not exercising regularly, though there is a genetic component as well. Obesity can cause a person to develop several debilitating diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. It is becoming more common in the United States to see younger people with obesity and related issues. In this month, we try to learn more about obesity, its effects, and ways to prevent it.

Newest Article:

How Malnutrition Causes Obesity

Previous Articles:

The Obesity Epidemic
What is Obesity?

March 2012: Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease is a lifelong inherited autoimmune condition affecting children and adults. When people with Celiac Disease eat foods with gluten, it creates a toxic reaction in the small intestine and does not allow food to be absorbed properly. One in 133 people are affected by this disease in the United States. Some common symptoms include abdominal cramping, intestinal gas, bloating, chronic constipation or diarrheas. Join us this month to find out more about Celiac Disease and how to manage the disease.

Testing and Diagnosing for Celiac Disease

Gluten in Makeup

February 2012: Arthritis

Do your joints hurt? Do you they feel stiff or swollen? Is your pain affecting your ability to move and go about your daily activities? If so you may be one of the 50 million Americans affected by arthritis, the leading cause of disability in the U.S. Arthritis is a type of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints. It predominantly affects older people but can also be found in children and young adults. There are over 100 different types of arthritis, some of which have no cure. In most cases, however, physical therapy, life style changes and medications can help a person manage their condition. Join us this month to find out more about arthritis symptoms, prevention and care.

Juvenile Arthritis
Managing Arthritis
What is Arthritis?

January 2012: Breast Cancer

Every year, with the coming of October, everything becomes pink due to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We see lots of products promoting pink and asking us to donate to breast cancer projects. Unfortunately, breast cancer is a disease that affects people year round. It is estimated that each year, nearly 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and nearly 40,000 die from it. Approximately 1,700 men will be diagnosed and 450 will die from breast cancer as well. Early detection is key to surviving breast cancer. This month, we'll try to learn more about breast cancer as it is the 2nd most common cancer in women in the U.S. after skin cancer.

Breast Cancer Prevention
Breast Self Exam
What is Breast Cancer?

December 2011: Diabetes

We continue our series with diabetes. 8.3 % of Americans today have diabetes and about twice as many are pre-diabetic. The term "diabetes mellitus" refers to a group of diseases that affect how your body uses blood glucose, commonly called blood sugar. If you have diabetes, no matter what type, it means you have too much glucose in your blood, although the reasons may differ. Too much glucose can lead to serious health problems. Diabetics have an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, neuropathy (nerve damage), skin and mouth infections, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, retinopathy (eye damage) and nephropathy (kidney damage). Careful management, including medical treatment and lifestyle changes, can greatly reduce your risk for life-threatening complications. Tune in every Tuesday to find out more on how you can prevent and treat diabetes.

Reversing Diabetes
Diabetes Management
Diabetes Complications
Diabetes Overview

November 2011: Heart Disease

We begin our series with heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women (one person dies from a coronary event every minute). Worldwide, approximately seventeen million people die of cardiovascular diseases every year, not to mention the millions of people who experience heart disease caused disabilities. The saddest part of the story is that cardiovascular diseases are largely preventable and even reversible according to some studies. Check out the first article below and make sure you tune in every Tuesday for more information about how to prevent heart disease and recognize its symptoms.

Preventing and Reversing Heart Disease
Recognizing Symptoms of Heart Disease
Overview of Heart Disease
Decreasing Risk for Heart Disease