HealthyLife Articles

Author: AIPM

  • Flu Shot Faqs

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Flu vaccine in bottle.

    Every year, millions of people get the flu. Some get very sick and need to be hospitalized. Thousands of people die from the flu every year.

    This year as we battle COVID-19, getting a flu shot is more important than ever. Flu shots decrease the chance that you will be hospitalized or die from the flu. This helps ensure that hospitals will not become overwhelmed with flu and COVID-19 patients.

    Won’t last year’s shot help me?

    Everyone needs to get a flu shot every year. There are two reasons why:

    *  Your immune system’s protection from the shot gets weaker over time.

    *  Flu viruses are always changing, so you need a shot that has this year’s flu strains in it.

    Will a flu shot increase my risk of getting COVID-19?

    No. Studies have shown that a flu vaccine will not put you at risk for COVID-19. But it will help protect you from the flu, which also protects your loved ones and people around you!

    Will the flu shot give me the flu?

    The flu shot is made from inactivated flu virus. An inactivated virus cannot give you the flu. Some people notice side effects from the shot like aches or a mild fever. These side effects last only a day or two. This is much milder than getting the flu, where fever, aches and other symptoms last a week or longer.

    What if I’m not high risk?

    Everyone 6 months of age and older should get the flu shot, even if they have no health problems. Even young, healthy people – including children – can become very sick with the flu.

    When more people get the flu shot, we help protect people who are high risk, including babies, older adults and people who are allergic to the shot.

    Is it too late to get a flu shot?

    Even if you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, it’s not too late. After getting the shot, you won’t have immunity right away. It takes about two weeks for your body to develop antibodies to the flu.

    Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Home Equity Loans – Are They Safe?

    FINANCIAL HEALTH

    Image of young family outside of home.

    A home equity loan is a loan for a set amount of money. You get the loan by using equity, or value, in your home. Each month, you make payments on the loan to gradually pay it back.

    There is some risk involved with home equity loans. If a person doesn’t make the payments, the lender can foreclose on their home. But they can be a good way to borrow extra money for home upgrades or other large expenses. Here’s what you need to know.

    Choose a lender carefully

    You can ask friends and family for recommendations. Then, look at what each one offers. Banks, credit unions and other lenders may all have different interest rates. They may also have different payment terms for the loan.

    Ask questions

    Your lender should explain the home equity loan to you. If you don’t understand something, ask. Make sure you know:

    *  The interest rate of the loan

    *  The monthly payment amount

    *  Annual percentage rate (APR), which includes fees and other charges

    *  Fees that may be charged for applying or closing on the loan

    Get your credit score

    When you apply for a loan, the lender will usually check your credit score. This is a number that tells the lender about your financial history. It includes things like how many accounts you have, late payment history and debt.

    Your lender can tell you your credit score when they check it. You also have a right to see a free copy of your credit reports once each year. You can get your free report atannualcreditreport.com.

    Shop around

    You can talk with more than one lender before you choose one. If lenders know you are looking at other options, this can help you get the best deal.

    Ask each lender for the lowest interest rates and fees. You can also ask them to beat the terms of another lender.

    Read carefully

    Before you sign, read the loan closing papers. They should match what you agreed to. Don’t sign if you’re not sure.

    Source: Federal Trade Commission

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Helping Kids Make Health Decisions

    FAMILY LIFE

    Couple with young daughter.

    Children can learn how to be a part of their own health care. This can start when children are young, but it’s never too late. Here are some ways to empower them to make medical decisions.

    From ages 5 to 10 years old, kids can talk with the doctor at their appointments.

    Your child’s doctor should talk to your child when it’s appropriate. They can use language the child will understand.

    Once your child is 11 years old, let them do most of the talking at the doctor’s office.

    Ask your child if they want you in the room during appointments. Encourage them to ask the doctor questions about their health.

    Teenagers can take the lead in their doctor appointments. Talk with them about their health conditions and medications so they can discuss them with their doctor.

    Teach your teen how to schedule a doctor’s appointment and call for a medication refill. These are skills they will need when they leave home.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Health Screenings For Men

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Blue stethoscope on a blue table.

    Men can face health challenges at each stage of life. A yearly visit with a primary care doctor ensures access to the appropriate screenings. While some screenings are a standard part of routine medical care, a doctor may recommend additional screenings specific to a man’s health and family history.

    Men aged 18 to 39

    *  Blood pressure

    *  Cholesterol and heart disease screening

    *  Physical exam

    *  Diabetes screening

    *  Eye exam

    *  Dental exam

    *  Infectious disease screening, including STIs

    *  Immunizations

    *  Skin self-exam

    *  Testicular exam

    Men aged 40 to 64

    *  Blood pressure

    *  Cholesterol and heart disease screening

    *  Physical exam

    *  Diabetes screening

    *  Eye exam

    *  Dental exam

    *  Infectious disease screening, including STIs

    *  Immunizations

    *  Skin self-exam

    *  Testicular exam

    *  Colon cancer screening

    *  Lung cancer screening

    *  Osteoporosis screening

    *  Prostate cancer screening

    Men aged 65 and over

    *  Blood pressure

    *  Cholesterol and heart disease screening

    *  Physical exam

    *  Diabetes screening

    *  Eye exam & hearing test

    *  Dental exam

    *  Infectious disease screening, including STIs

    *  Immunizations

    *  Skin exam

    *  Colon cancer screening

    *  Lung cancer screening

    *  Osteoporosis screening

    *  Prostate cancer screening

    *  Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Hand Washing Or Sanitizer?

    WELL-BEING

    Close up image of person washing hand with soap and water.

    If there’s one habit that’s good for everyone’s health, it’s hand washing. But is hand sanitizer just as good as soap and water? Maybe not. Hand sanitizers:

    *  Do not get rid of all germs.

    *  Don’t work well when hands have dirt or grease on them.

    *  May not remove dangerous chemicals, like pesticides and heavy metals.

    Hand washing does all these things – when you use soap and water and scrub for at least 20 seconds.

    Use hand sanitizer when you can’t get soap and water. But always choose the sink and soap when you can!

    Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Get Up To Date On Vaccines

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Smiling man showing bandaid on upper arm where he got a vaccine shot.

    Vaccinations aren’t just for kids. Adults need them too.

    How they work

    Vaccines stimulate your immune system to create antibodies against common diseases. Antibodies are specialized proteins that recognize and neutralize viruses or bacteria. If you are exposed to the disease, your body will be ready to fight it.

    Why they matter

    Some people are more vulnerable to diseases such as COVID-19 or the flu, even if they are vaccinated. When you get vaccinated, you protect your loved ones and vulnerable people in your community.

    Vaccines you need

    Your doctor is the best resource for information on the vaccines you need. Here are a few your doctor may recommend:

    *  Seasonal flu

    *  Tdap or Td (Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)

    *  COVID-19

    *  Shingles

    *  HPV (Human papillomavirus)

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Get The Facts About Stuttering

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Adult helping child with speech.

    Speech is an important part of communicating. Yet millions of people cope with a speech disability every day.

    What is stuttering?

    Stuttering is a problem that affects how your speech flows. People who stutter may:

    *  Stretch words out for too long when speaking

    *  Have pauses where they can’t get a word out

    *  Repeat whole words or parts of words

    *  Have uncontrolled movements when speaking, such as trembling in the jaw or excessive blinking

    Scientists don’t fully understand why stuttering happens. But we do have plenty of facts about this speech disorder. Learn more about what it is and how you can help someone who has it.

    FACT #1: Stuttering isn’t related to intelligence.

    Stuttering isn’t a problem with being confused or less intelligent. In fact, many intelligent and successful people have dealt with this speech disorder.

    FACT #2: Finishing a word or sentence for someone is not helpful.

    People who don’t understand stuttering may get frustrated or impatient when someone stutters. They may just want to say the word for them so they can keep talking. This is not helpful and could make stuttering worse.

    FACT #3: Stuttering is not caused by stress or being tense.

    Experts believe that people who stutter may have some brain differences. These  differences affect how a person’s brain works when they speak. But it’s not caused by anxiety, stress or a mental health condition. However, being stressed could make stuttering worse for a person who already has the disorder.

    FACT #4: Stuttering is more common in children.

    Many children stutter while they are learning how to speak and understand others. Most of the time, children stop stuttering before they become adults. They may need help from their doctor and a speech-language pathologist. If you’re concerned about your child’s stuttering, talk to their pediatrician.

    If you have concerns about stuttering, finding words or other speech issues, talk to your doctor about seeing a licensed speech-language pathologist.

    Sources: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, National Institutes of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Get More Of These 4

    HEALTHY EATING

    Dishes filled with berries, nuts and fruits.

    The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans state that four nutrients are a “public health concern.” Many people are not getting enough:

    *  Calcium

    *  Fiber

    *  Potassium

    *  Vitamin D

    Try these tips to get more:

    1.  Eat more vegetables, fruits and legumes. These foods are rich sources of fiber and potassium. High-fiber bran cereal and shredded wheat also pack a fiber punch.

    2.  Eat more yogurt and drink milk. Both are good sources of calcium, potassium and vitamin D. Avoid sweetened yogurt. Instead, buy plain yogurt and add fresh fruit.

    3.  Eat seafood that’s high in vitamin D. This includes salmon, trout, whitefish, herring and tuna. Pregnant and nursing women should ask a doctor how much seafood they can eat.

    4.  Consider healthy foods that have vitamin D added, like soy milk, orange juice, dairy products and cereals.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Fun Ways To Reduce Family Stress

    SUCCESS OVER STRESS

    Grandfather, father, and young son playing basketball.

    Spending time with people you care about can be a powerful stress reliever. This is true for every person in your family. Finding activities you all enjoy can strengthen family bonds, reduce everyone’s stress, and bring more fun into your life. Here are some stress-relieving activities that can work for the whole family.

    Plan a craft night

    Creative activities are a great way to relax together. Put on some music and get out crafting, drawing, or painting supplies. If you’re not much of a crafter, consider signing up the family for a class or a night out at a local craft shop.

    Play a sport

    Find a sport you all enjoy. Plan a weekly or monthly time to play together as a family. Keep it low stakes and focused on fun. Being active as a family can relieve stress and put everyone in a more positive mood.

    Watch a comedy

    Turn on a show everyone finds funny or look up some silly online videos. Instead of each family member retreating to their own screens, make time to watch something together. Choose something that will get everyone laughing to reduce stress and promote family bonding.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine