What Is a Colonoscopy? Why Colon Cancer Screening Matters

Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers. But it is also one of the most preventable.

Screening can help doctors find problems early before cancer starts or spreads.

One common screening test is called a colonoscopy.

This test lets doctors check the colon for growths that can turn into cancer. Finding and removing these growths can help keep you healthy.

What Is a Colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy lets a doctor look inside your colon. The doctor uses a small camera on a flexible tube to check for

• Polyps (small growths)
• Irritation or swelling
• Signs of cancer
  

Some polyps can turn into cancer over time. Doctors can remove them during the test to help prevent colon cancer.

Who Should Get Colon Cancer Screening
Most people should begin screening around age 45. Your doctor may ask you to get screened before 45 if you:

• Have a family history of colon cancer.
• Have certain digestive conditions.
• Have had colon polyps before.
  

Talk to your doctor to decide what when you should get screened.

What to Expect During a Colonoscopy
Many people can feel nervous about the test. But screening is common and safe. During a colonoscopy:

• You receive medicine to help you relax.
• Most people feel little or no pain.
• The test usually takes less than 1 hour.
  

Your doctor will tell you what you need to do before getting tested.
 
Signs to Talk With Your Doctor About
Some symptoms should be checked by a doctor. Talk with your doctor if you have:

• Blood in your stool
• Stomach pain that will not go away
• Unexplained weight loss
• Changes in bowel habits
  

These symptoms do not always mean cancer. But you should still talk to your doctor if experience any of these symptoms.

Screening Saves Lives
Colon cancer often develops slowly. Screening helps doctors find problems early. Early treatment can lead to better health outcomes.

If you are age 45 or older, talk with your doctor about screening.

Need Help Finding a Doctor?
If you do not have a doctor or you need help finding one, we are here to help. Call us today.

• CHIP/STAR Members: 713.295.2294 or 1.888.760.2600 (TTY 7-1-1)
• STAR+PLUS Members: 713.295.2300 or 1.888.435.2850 (TTY 7-1-1)
• Marketplace Members: 713.295.6704 or 1.855.315.5386 (TTY 7-1-1)
• Medicare (D-SNP) Members: 713.295.5007 or 1.833.276.8306 (TTY 7-1-1)

Understanding Developmental Disabilities in Children

Children grow, learn, and develop at their own pace. Some children may need extra help as they get older. This may be because of a developmental disability.

Hearing this can feel scary for many parents. But you are not alone, and help is available.

A developmental disability can affect how a child learns, talks, or acts. With the right help and care, many children can build important skills and reach their milestones.

What Is a Developmental Disability?
A developmental disability often begins during childhood. It may change how a child learns, talks, moves, or acts with others.

Some examples of developmental disabilities are:

• Autism
• Cerebral palsy
• Intellectual disabilities (a condition that affects how a child learns or understands)
• Speech or language delays

Every child grows and develops in their own way. Some children may need more support.

Why Early Support Matters
Early support can help children build important skills like:

• Talking and communicating
• Moving and coordination
• Social interaction
• Learning new tasks

Signs Parents May Notice
Some signs that a child may need extra support are:

• Not talking as expected for their age.
• Trouble with making eye contact.
• A hard time walking or moving.
• Challenges with learning or behavior

If you notice these signs, talk to your child’s doctor.

Support for Families
Many services can help children with developmental disabilities. These may include:

• Speech therapy
• Physical therapy
• Behavioral therapy
• Special education services

You Are Not Alone
Learning that your child may need extra help can feel overwhelming. It is important to know that you are not alone and help is available.

Your child’s doctor can help you find services that help your child’s development. If you notice any signs of developmental disabilities, start by talking with your doctor.

Need Help Finding a Doctor?
If you do not have a doctor or you need help finding one, we are here to help. Call us today.

• CHIP/STAR Members: 713.295.2294 or 1.888.760.2600 (TTY 7-1-1)
• STAR+PLUS Members:Ìý713.295.2300 or 1.888.435.2850 (TTY 7-1-1)
• Marketplace Members:Ìý713.295.6704 or 1.855.315.5386 (TTY 7-1-1)
• Medicare (D-SNP) Members:Ìý713.295.5007 or 1.833.276.8306 (TTY 7-1-1)

Diabetes and Kidney Health: Why Kidney Tests Matter

Your kidneys clean your blood every day. They remove waste and extra fluids from your body. They also help with your blood pressure.

If you have diabetes, your kidneys may need extra care. High blood sugar can damage your kidneys over time. This can lead to kidney disease.

The good news is that regular tests can help find problems early.

How Diabetes Affects the Kidneys

Think of your kidneys like a coffee filter. Blood flows through tiny filters inside your kidneys. These filters get rid of waste from your body.

High blood sugar can damage these filters. When that happens, waste can stay in your body.

Kidney damage often happens slowly. You may not notice it at first. This is why kidney tests are important if you have diabetes.

Kidney Tests for those with Diabetes
Your doctor may ask you to get a kidney test each year. These tests are easy and fast.

• Urine Tests checks for protein in your urine. Protein may be a sign of kidney damage.
• Blood tests help see how well your kidneys clean your blood.
  

Your doctor may also check your blood pressure. High blood pressure can make kidney disease worse.

Signs of Kidney Problems
Kidney disease may not cause symptoms early. But as time goes on, you may notice:

• Swelling in your feet or ankles
• Feeling very tired
• Trouble focusing
• Changes in how often you urinate

If you see these changes, talk to your doctor right away.

How to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
Some ways that you can stay healthy are:

• Check your blood sugar often.
• Take your medicines like your doctor tells you.
• Keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.
• Eat balanced meals.
• Stay active.
• Do not skip yearly tests.

Talk With Your Doctor
Kidney tests can help find problems early. If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor about getting tested at your next visit.

Need Help Finding a Doctor?
If you do not have a doctor or you need help finding one, we are here to help. Call us today.

• CHIP/STAR Members: 713.295.2294 or 1.888.760.2600 (TTY 7-1-1)
• STAR+PLUS Members: 713.295.2300 or 1.888.435.2850 (TTY 7-1-1)
• Marketplace Members: 713.295.6704 or 1.855.315.5386 (TTY 7-1-1)
• Medicare (D-SNP) Members: 713.295.5007 or 1.833.276.8306 (TTY 7-1-1)

Did you set a health goal at the start of the year?

Maybe you wanted to eat better, move more, drink more water, or schedule a checkup. Then life got busy. Work, family, school, or daily stress made it hard to keep going. If you’ve fallen off track, you are not alone. This happens to many people every year.

The good news is that you can start again today.

You don’t need a new year, a new month, or even a Monday. You just need one small step. Starting over does not mean you failed. It means you are trying again. That is all that matters.

Taking care of your health can help you feel better day to day. You may have more energy. You may sleep better. You may feel less stressed. Small changes can add up over time. You do not have to change everything at once. In fact, it is better if you don’t.

Pick one simple healthy habit and focus on that. Here are some ideas for one healthy step you can take today.

• Take a short walk or exercise a couple of days a week.
• Drink one extra glass of water each day.
• Add fruit or vegetables to one meal.
• Go to bed a little earlier.
• Make a call to schedule your yearly checkup if you have not had one yet.

Choose something that feels easy for you to do. If it feels too big, make it smaller. Even something like a five or ten minute walk is better than not exercising at all. If you miss a day, don’t quit. Just start again the next day. Progress is not about being perfect. It is about staying consistent over time. Some things that can help you are:

• Setting a reminder on your phone.
• Asking a family member to join you.
• Keep healthy snacks where you can see them.

Remember, small changes in your routine can make healthy habits easier to keep.

If you have not seen your doctor this year, this is also a good time to schedule a visit. Regular checkups can help find problems early and keep you on track. If you have questions about your health, your doctor can help guide you.

You deserve to feel your best. Starting again is always a strong choice. Today is a great day to take one small step.

Need Help Finding a Doctor?

If you don’t have a doctor or need help finding one, we’re here to help. Call us today.

• CHIP/STAR Members: 713.295.2294 or 1.888.760.2600 (TTY 7-1-1)
• STAR+PLUS Members:Ìý713.295.2300 or 1.888.435.2850 (TTY 7-1-1)
• Marketplace Members:Ìý713.295.6704 or 1.855.315.5386 (TTY 7-1-1)
• Medicare (D-SNP) Members:Ìý713.295.5007 or 1.833.276.8306 (TTY 7-1-1)

Feeling Unsteady on Your Feet? Talk to Your Doctor About Preventing Falls

Do you feel wobbly sometimes? Do you worry about falling when you walk? If you do, you are not the only one.

Many people have trouble with their balance as they get older. But the good news is you can prevent most falls. Feeling unsteady is your body’s way of telling you to pay attention to your health. It is not something you just have to live with.

Talking to your doctor is the best first step. It can help you stay safe, active, and able to do things for yourself. At ÐßÐßÊÓƵ, we want to help. Let’s look at why you might feel unsteady and what you can do about it.

Why Do I Feel Unsteady?

Your sense of balance is based on many parts. Your brain, inner ears, eyes, and muscles all have to work together. If one part has a problem, it can make you feel off-balance.

Here are some common reasons for balance problems:

• Health Problems: Some health issues can make you feel dizzy or off-balance. This can be caused by problems with your inner ear, low blood pressure, or arthritis. Damage to the nerves in your feet, called neuropathy, can also be a cause. Neuropathy is common in people with diabetes.
• Side Effects from Medicine: Do you take several kinds of medicine? Sometimes, the combination of medicines can make you feel sleepy or dizzy. This can make it more likely you will fall.
• Eye Problems: When you cannot see well, it is hard to see things you could trip over. This could be a step, a rug, or a cord on the floor. Even small changes to your eyesight can affect your balance.
• Hearing Problems: Your ears are very important for your balance. If you have trouble hearing or have a problem with your inner ear, you might feel unsteady.
• Not Moving Enough: If you do not move your body much, your leg muscles get weak. Your bones can also become weak. Weak muscles and bones make it hard to keep your balance. It is also harder to stop yourself from falling if you stumble.
• Environmental Hazards: You may have items in the home such as loose rugs, slippery or uneven floors, poor lighting, stairs, no proper railing, furniture at dangerous heights or clutter. Any of these can lead to a fall.

Ìý

First Step: Talk To Your Doctor

The most important thing you can do is call your doctor for a visit. Be open about your worries. Tell them if you have fallen. Also, tell them if you are afraid you might fall.

Your doctor can check to see how likely you are to fall. This is called a fall risk assessment. To do this, your doctor will:

• Ask you about any falls you have had.
• Look at all the medicines you take to see if any of them are making you dizzy. This is called a medication review.
• Check your blood pressure when you are sitting and when you are standing.
• Test your strength, how you walk, and how well you can keep your balance.
• Discuss vision and hearing screening
• Talk about possible home fall hazards

We know it can be hard to get to the doctor. Your ÐßÐßÊÓƵ DualCare Aligned (HMO D-SNP) or ÐßÐßÊÓƵ DualCare Access (HMO D-SNP) plan gives you 48 one-way trips each year to see your doctor. You can also talk to a doctor from the comfort of your home using a Telehealth visit.

Easy Ways to Prevent Falls

After you speak with your doctor, there are many easy things you can do to stay safe.

Make Your Home Safer

Many falls happen at home. Look around for things that could make you trip or slip.

• Clear your floors. Move piles of stuff, small rugs, and cords out of the way.
• Have grab bars installed in your bathroom. You can place them next to the toilet and in the shower.
• Use non-slip mats in the tub and on the shower floor.
• Add more light to your home. Make sure halls, stairs, and bathrooms are bright. Use night lights so you can see at night.
• Keep things you use often in a place where you can reach them easily. This will help you avoid using a step stool.

Your plan has benefits to help. You receive an allowance each month for Over the Counter (OTC) items. You can use it to buy things like non-slip bath mats or vitamins that your doctor suggests. Your plan also provides In-home Support Service from Papa Pals. A Papa Pal can be a friend to talk to. They can also help with basic cleaning jobs to keep your home safe.

Stay Active

Moving your body gently can make you stronger and improve your balance. Walking, swimming, and tai chi are all good choices. Ask your doctor what kind of exercise is safe for you. Another benefit of your plan is 24 visits for chiropractic care each year. This may help if you experience pain while walking. Consider non-slip shoes for outside activities as well as for around the home.

Check Your Eyes and Ears

Seeing and hearing well is also important for good balance. Make sure to schedule annual eye and ear appointments. Your plan gives you an allowance to help pay for vision care and hearing aids each year to help you see and hear your best.

ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Cares

Your health and safety are what’s most important to us. You do not have to be afraid of falling. By talking to your doctor and taking these easy steps, you can feel safer and more confident. We are your neighbors, and we want to help you get the care you need.

If you have questions about your benefits or need help finding a doctor, please call Member Services at 1.833.276.8306 (TTY users should call 711).

Sources:

1. “.” Mayo Clinic.
2. “.” National Institute on Aging.Ìý
3. “.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, STEADI – Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries.