HealthyLife Articles

Author: AIPM

  • Kitchen Shortcuts For Faster Homemade Meals

    HEALTHY EATING

    Image of man prepping food in the kitchen.

    It’s hard to find time to get a home-cooked meal on the table when meal times come around. Many people are juggling work, responsibilities with family, housework and kids’ activities, to name a few.

    Plus, for those who aren’t experts in the kitchen, cooking dinner can seem like an impossible task. But, if you learn to take some shortcuts, it can be easier than you think. Try these tips to help you make a homemade meal with fewer hassles:

    *Purchase a few meals at once.If you can’t shop for a whole week, aim for three meals. Get the ingredients for those meals, and you’ll be ready for half of your week without any extra trips to the store.

    *Do a big chopping session.Clean and chop all veggies and fruits at once while you’ve got out your cutting board and knife. Then, put the ingredients in bags or containers with lids, and put them in the fridge or freezer. Once you’re ready to cook dinner, your chopped ingredients are ready to be cooked or thrown into the dish you’re preparing.

    *Freeze extra.Consider buying extra onions, carrots, green beans, or other veggies that frequently need to be chopped. Chop up more than you need, put the extras in freezer bags, and freeze until the next time you need them.

    *Make a big batch of rice or whole grains.When cooking rice, quinoa, or other grains, cook extra, place it in bags, and freeze. Simply thaw and microwave your grains when you’re ready to use them.

    *Plan ahead.Tackle the next meal before you go to bed the night before. Start thawing any frozen meats or other ingredients in the fridge. Make sure you have the ingredients and recipe you need for the next day.

    *Double up.Whenever possible, make a double recipe and freeze the extra. Soups, stews, meats and tomato-based sauces often freeze well. Frozen leftovers make a quick and nutritious meal on a busy night.

    *Check out make-ahead meals for the slow cooker.You can find slow cooker freezer meals online that allow you to make it ahead, throw the prepped meal in a bag, and freeze. Then, you have a meal that’s ready to put into the slow cooker in the morning to be ready for dinner time.

    Most successful meals come down to planning in advance. This means you may need to do the prep work the night before or on the weekend. Though it requires some effort to make a home-cooked meal, it’s worth the time and energy. You’ll be able to make a healthy meal for you and your family and may save some money, too.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Know About Prostate Cancer

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of prostate cancer ribbon.

    Experts at Mount Sinai Medical Center offer this prostate cancer prevention advice:

    *Age is the strongest risk factor:Almost two-thirds of prostate cancers are found in men over the age of 65.

    *Family history can be important:Having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man’s risk of developing this disease.

    *Race is a factor:Prostate cancer occurs more often in African-American men than in men of other races.

    *Follow a healthy diet:Eat more low-fat, high-fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables, and limit intake of red or processed meat.

    *Diagnose cancer early:Speak with your doctor about your risk for prostate cancer and the benefits of screening. For men at high risk, screening should be considered at age 40.

    Screening works

    Screenings consists of a PSA blood test, which measures the level of PSA, a protein that is produced by the prostate gland, and a digital rectal exam, which can uncover physical abnormalities of the prostate that may be a sign of cancer.

    NOTE:

    Prostate cancer screening guidelines vary with different health groups. Ask your doctor at what age you should discuss prostate cancer screening. Ask about the benefits and risks of PSA blood tests.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Know The Facts About Alzheimer’s Disease

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of elderly man with hand on chin.

    According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s today. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. When someone has trouble thinking, memory loss or behavioral changes, it can be devastating to the person and their family.

    Alzheimer’s starts with mild symptoms, but gets worse over time. A person may start to forget more and be less able to do things for themselves. In its later stages, a person often needs constant care and may be unable to do daily tasks, such as feeding themselves.

    Treating Alzheimer’s today

    Although there is no cure, there are treatments available that can improve the symptoms. Certain medicines can help someone with Alzheimer’s have more independence, dignity and comfort for a longer period of time. But, they don’t stop the disease.

    Because each person’s health is different, only a doctor can help you decide which medicine may be right for you or your loved one. Medicines are often started at the lowest dose and increased, if needed.

    Medical experts continue to research Alzheimer’s and hope to find a cure.

    Can it be prevented?

    Experts don’t know how to prevent Alzheimer’s, though they are trying to find out. Living a healthy lifestyle with exercise, a good diet, and not smoking definitely helps the body. They believe these things may help the brain stay healthy too. If you’re concerned about memory loss or signs of Alzheimer’s, talk to your doctor.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Know The Signs Of Autism

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of father and young son.

    Autism affects about 1 in 68 children in our country today, according to the CDC. Autism is a developmental disability that can affect how a person interacts with others, learns, and behaves. For some people, the symptoms are severe. Others can lead fairly normal, independent lives.

    Although experts don’t know what causes autism in many cases, they do know that treating it early can help improve symptoms. Many children with autism show some signs between one and two years of age.

    Now is a great time to learn the early signs of autism and talk to your child’s physician if needed. Some signs to watch for are if your child:

    *  Doesn’t respond to his or her name

    *  Doesn’t point, wave, or gesture

    *  Doesn’t look people in the eye or respond to facial expressions

    *  Doesn’t like physical contact with others

    *  Repeats words or phrases over and over, often without knowing what they mean

    *  Performs repeated body movements such as rocking, spinning, or twirling hands or fingers

    *  Has obsessive interests in only a few activities

    *  Gets very upset with change or differences in routines

    *  Is very interested in organization, such as lining things up in a certain way

    *  Talks in a “robot-like” voice with no emotion or change in tone

    If your child has one of these signs or you notice any unusual behavior, it doesn’t mean your child has autism. But, you should talk with your child’s doctor if you are concerned or have questions about your child’s well-being.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Latex Allergy

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Close up image of a medical ID.

    If you are allergic to latex, you usually know it. You can react with sneezing or worse symptoms because your body is reacting to proteins in natural rubber latex, which is made from the rubber tree.

    The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America suggests you do this:

    *  Always wear a medical ID that alerts others about your allergy if you need emergency care.

    *  Ask doctors, dentists, and others who examine you to wear latex-free exam gloves. Carry gloves with you to give your dentist or doctor.

    *  Check labeling. Do not assume a product labeled “hypoallergenic” is latex-free.

    *  Know that latex can be found in some elastic in clothing, rubber bands, condoms, balloons, disposable diapers, and many more products.

    *  If you’re allergic to latex, you may have reactions to bananas, kiwi, and cantaloupe, which contain some of the same allergens found in latex.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Learn How To Check Your Credit Report

    FINANCIAL HEALTH

    Image of finger pointing to the words 'Credit Report'

    The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says everyone should check their credit report at least once a year. The information on your credit report could affect your ability to get a mortgage, car loan, a credit card or other loans. It can also affect the interest rate you get. Usually, a higher credit score makes it easier for you to get a loan and a lower interest rate. Most credit scores range from 300-850.

    You are entitled by law to a free report from all three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) once every 12 months. Take advantage of it – and check it over carefully when you receive it.

    But what should you look for when you get your report? Errors can happen, so be on the lookout for:

    *  Wrong name, phone number or address

    *  Accounts that don’t belong to you (this can happen when two people have similar names, or as a result of identity theft)

    *  Closed accounts reported as open

    *  Being listed as owner of an account where you are only an authorized user

    *  Accounts incorrectly reported as late or delinquent

    *  Wrong dates of payments, when the account was open or delinquency dates

    *  Same loan or debt listed multiple times (possibly with different names)

    *  Past errors that were corrected that may show up again

    *  Incorrect current balance or credit limit

    *  Accounts that appear more than once with different creditors listed (especially in the case of delinquent accounts or accounts in collections)

    If you find errors, contact:

    *  The credit reporting company who sent you the report, or

    *  The creditor or company that provided the incorrect information. This is known as the “furnisher” of the information.

    Your credit report tells you how to dispute inaccurate information. Sample dispute letters are available atwww.consumerfinance.gov. Go to Consumer Tools, then click on Credit Reports and Scores. You can use these letters if you find something incorrect on your credit report.

    How do I get my report?

    Many websites claim to offer free credit reports. But, some of them are trying to sell other products or services. To get your free credit report authorized by federal law, visit:

    *  AnnualCreditReport.com, or

    *  Call 1-877-322-8228

    This website offers free reports only, not scores. Your credit score is available for a fee. You do not have to buy any products or services advertised onannualcreditreport.com.

    You can also contact the credit agencies directly if you have questions or problems with your report:

    *  Equifax: 1-866-349-5191

    *  Experian: 1-888-397-3742

    *  TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Learn To Love Exercise

    BE FIT

    Image of gym shoes with laces shaped as a heart.

    We know exercise improves our health and well-being. So why do so many of us struggle to get and stay active?

    Maybe we need to look at exercise in a different way. Look at it as something you want to do for yourself and not as a chore or something you have to do. You can look forward to exercise, and even learn to love it, with these tips:

    *Think about who you are.If you are social, look into group classes and activities. “Home bodies” might enjoy using exercise DVDs or online programs in their living room. If you enjoy nature, use your neighborhood or local walking paths to get fresh air. Sports fans might like to join a softball or soccer team.

    *Branch out.Take a chance on a new activity such as dance classes, rock climbing or water aerobics. You may discover a new way to get exercise that is fun and exciting for you.

    *Be a kid again.If you loved basketball, skating or swimming as a child, who says you can’t do it now? Look for local adult clubs or gatherings that include your favorite childhood activities.

    *Add variety.Being bored with exercise will lower your motivation. Change things up, such as walking two days a week and an aerobics or swimming class on the weekend.

    *Find your rhythm.Your favorite music can help you enjoy a walk, jog or weight lifting session. Load your favorite upbeat songs on a music player or smartphone and take it along for your workout. Be careful not to turn it up too loud. You still need to hear what is going on around you. And, prolonged use of headphones at high volumes can cause hearing loss.

    Source: National Institutes of Health

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Let’s Move

    BE FIT

    Image of women ice skating.

    Tis the season to-get active. Here are a few activities and steps suggested by the government’s “Let’s Move” initiative for active families:

    *  Give children toys that encourage physical activity such as balls, kites, and jump ropes.

    *  Encourage children to join a sports team or try a new physical activity.

    *  Limit TV time and keep the TV out of a child’s bedroom.

    *  Allow a safe walk to and from school a few times a week.

    *  Walk around the block after a meal.

    *  Make a new house rule: no sitting still during TV commercials.

    *  Find time to spend together doing  a fun activity: family park day, swim day, or bike day.

    *  Issue a family challenge to see who can be the first to achieve a physical activity goal.

    *  Encourage schools to hold recess before lunch to increase physical activity before mealtime.

    *  Volunteer to help with after-school physical activity programs or sports teams.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Life After Stroke: 9 Tips For Caregivers

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of older women in wheelchair being helped by relative.

    A stroke can impact a person’s life in many ways. If you are caring for someone who recently had a stroke, you may be overwhelmed. With more than 7 million stroke survivors living today, you’re not alone. You can make life after a stroke a little easier for yourself and your loved one with these tips.

    1. Ask questions. If you’re not sure about a medication or other needs, talk to the doctor, nurse or therapist. Take notes, if possible.

    2. Focus on stroke prevention. People who have a stroke may be at higher risk of having another one. A healthy diet, exercise, regular doctor visits and taking medications as prescribed can help reduce this risk.

    3. Take falls seriously. People who have had a stroke may be more likely to fall. Seek medical care right away if a fall causes severe pain, a head injury, bruising or bleeding. Talk to a doctor if a fall happens more than once, even if it’s minor.

    4. Keep an eye out for problems like dizziness, balance problems or trouble walking. This may mean the person needs physical therapy to help with their recovery and improve their mobility.

    5. Keep track of progress. Stroke recovery may happen quickly, or it may take months or years. Write down progress your loved one has made each day or week. This can be helpful to the doctor during follow up visits.

    6. Be aware of depression. Up to 50 percent of stroke survivors get depression. This can harm their recovery. Talk to your loved one’s doctor if you notice they have symptoms like a loss of interest in activities, sadness or hopelessness.

    7. Don’t go it alone. A number of resources can help both you and your loved one with stroke recovery. Many support groups for survivors and their caregivers are available. Ask your case manager or social worker for help finding these groups.

    8. Know your loved one’s insurance benefits. There may be limits to how long insurance will pay for stroke rehabilitation. Be sure you are aware of the coverage limits and any costs. Ask your case manager or social worker if you’re not sure how to do this.

    9. Take a break when you can. Even the best caregiver needs some time off. Find a trusted friend or family member who can fill in for you. Try to get exercise, such as walking, to help combat stress and improve your sleep. A regular meditation practice may also help.

    Source: American Stroke Association

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine