HealthyLife Articles

Category: Uncategorized

  • Tastes Better, Still Harmful

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of e-cigarettes.

    More than two out of every five middle and high school students who smoke report using either flavored little cigars or flavored cigarettes, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study, based on data from a 2011 National Youth Tobacco Survey, is CDC’s first attempt to measure usage of flavored little cigars and cigarettes by youth in the U.S. The findings were published online in the Journal of Adolescent Health on Oct. 22, 2013.

    “Flavored or not, cigars cause cancer, heart disease, lung disease and many other health problems. Flavored little cigars appeal to youth and the use of these tobacco products may lead to disfigurement, disability and premature death,” CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden said in an agency news release. “We need to take comprehensive steps to reduce all tobacco use for all of our youth.”

    One reason flavored cigarettes and little cigars appeal to young people is because the candy and fruit flavors mask the harsh taste of tobacco. The flavored little cigars are also more affordable. Unlike cigarettes, they are not taxed in most states and can be bought individually or in doubles, so teens do not have to buy a whole pack at a time.

    Little cigars have become more popular in recent years. Sales have increased 240 percent from 1997 to 2007, with flavored brands making up almost 80 percent of the market share.

    The CDC also reported that e-cigarette (electronic cigarette) use among young smokers has doubled, due in part to brands that come in flavors such as bubble gum, gummy bear, orange cream soda and cotton candy.

    Health officials are concerned that flavored tobacco products obscure the health risks of smoking and entice young people into continued use of tobacco.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Warning Sign For Fragile Bones

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of older women with a broken arm.

    A broken wrist is a warning sign, according to the International Osteoporosis Foundation. If you’re an adult age 50 or over and have broken your wrist, get tested for osteoporosis, they urge.

    Osteoporosis is a chronic “silent” disease that causes bones to weaken and become more fragile and breakable. At age 50, up to 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men will go on to suffer a brittleness fracture in their lifetimes. Fractures can result in pain, disability, loss of quality of life and independence, or even early death.

    Consider these facts from the IOF:

    *  A first fracture doubles the risk for future fractures.

    *  One in 4 women who suffer a vertebral (spinal) fracture will experience another fracture within one year.

    *  50% of all hip fractures come from 16% of the postmenopausal women with a history of fracture, including wrist fractures.

    *  Despite the fact that a first fracture is a clear warning sign, only 2 in 10 patients with initial bone breaks get a follow-up test for osteoporosis or risk of falls.

    *  Osteoporosis can be treated and bones can become stronger.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • The Dangers Of Distracted Driving

    WELL-BEING

    Image of women driving while looking at her phone about to hit a pedestrian.

    Though driving a car may seem like a simple task, it requires quick reflexes, concentration and reasoning. When a driver is distracted, some – or all – of these important skills can be lost.

    Distracted driving means the driver is doing something other than focusing on the road ahead. It can be anything that takes the driver’s mind off of driving, hands off the wheel or eyes off the road. In the age of smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices, it’s easy to get distracted when driving – even for just a second.

    Though it seems harmless, a quick glance at a phone to read a text can be dangerous or even deadly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. That’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed if you’re going 55 miles per hour. In that amount of time, a driver can hit a pedestrian, run a red light or stop sign, or crash into another vehicle.

    The NHTSA says nearly 3,500 people died and almost 400,000 were injured in 2015 due to distracted driving crashes. Here’s what we can do to help stop distracted driving:

    *  Never use a phone while driving. Put it in the back seat or out of reach to reduce the urge to look at it “just for a second.”

    *  Talk with your teens about distracted driving and tell them that the texts can wait. Lead by example.

    *  Sign a pledge to not drive distracted and stick to it. Ask family members and friends to sign it too. The “It Can Wait” pledge is available atitcanwait.usaa.com.

    Did you know?

    There are laws that prohibit distracted driving. Talking on a hand-held cellphone while driving is banned in 15 states and the District of Columbia. Text messaging is banned for all drivers in 47 states and the District of Columbia.

    To learn about your state laws, go towww.iihs.org/iihs/topics/laws/cellphonelaws.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Grab On

    WELL-BEING

    Image of tub and shower with grab bars.

    You don’t have to be a senior to risk falling in a steamy, slippery bathroom. Grab bars provide extra support through unique anchoring systems that can support up to 500 pounds of pressure, depending on the manufacturer, according to Lifetime Products.

    When installing safety grab bars, look for places where you are most likely to lose your balance:

    *Tub/Shower.Install grab bars at a lower level to help bathers with raising and lowering. A grab bar at waist level or slightly higher is ideal to help with stepping in and out of the tub, as well as to hold for extra balance while washing and shampooing when showering.

    *Toilet.Install a grab bar on the wall near the toilet for support when sitting down and standing up. Some toilet-paper holders are specifically designed to double as safety bars.

    *Towel racks.Regular towel racks aren’t designed to support the weight of someone leaning on them and will loosen over time and eventually detach from the wall, which could lead to serious injury. Install safety towel bars and/or towel shelves that are designed to provide support.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Is Bad Breath A Health Problem?

    WELL-BEING

    Image of women placing tooth paste on tooth brush.

    After eating foods like onions or garlic, your mouth may smell less than pleasing to those around you. Usually, brushing, flossing and using mouthwash or sugar-free mints can get your mouth fresh again. Although bad breath is sometimes just bad luck, it can also be a sign of a health problem.

    When bad breath is normal

    Many people have bad breath in the morning. Even if you brushed and flossed well before bed, you may not have great-smelling breath when you wake up. This is because bacteria in the mouth multiply and make sulfur compounds while you sleep. These sulfur compounds usually smell stinky.

    Morning breath may be worse than normal if you slept with your mouth open. This is because the bacteria and sulfur compounds thrive in a dry mouth. If you have a stuffy nose from a cold, your morning breath may be worse for a few days. Floss at night before bed to help minimize morning breath.

    Other ways to help prevent dry mouth include drinking plenty of water throughout the day and avoid using tobacco products.

    Tooth decay and gum disease

    Tooth decay, also known as cavities, can smell bad because bacteria can live inside the holes or cavities in the teeth.

    Not brushing and flossing every day can lead to gum disease. This is sometimes called gingivitis or periodontitis. With gum disease, sticky bacteria called plaque collects in the mouth. Plaque smells bad, and people with gum disease usually have more plaque than normal.

    Besides persistent bad breath, signs of tooth decay and gum disease include:

    *  Tooth pain

    *  A very sensitive tooth

    *  Red, swollen or bleeding gums

    *  Loose teeth

    *  Gums pulling away from the teeth

    See your dentist if you notice these problems. Gum disease and cavities can be treated, but it’s better if you catch these problems early. Most people should see their dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning.

    Health problems and bad breath

    Bad breath can be a sign of a health problem. If bad breath continues despite good dental care, it may be a sign of a sinus or throat infection. Breath that smells fruity or like rotten apples can be a sign of diabetes. In rare cases, breath that smells like ammonia or rotten eggs can be a sign of a serious kidney or liver problem.

    Your breath may be trying to tell you something. See your dentist and doctor if you’re concerned about bad breath so you can find out the cause and get treatment if needed.

    Sources: American Dental Association, National Institutes of Health

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Navigate Open Enrollment

    WELL-BEING

    Image of 2 people talking.

    Make the most of your benefit plan, especially during open enrollment periods. Here are money-saving tips from HighRoads, a benefits management company.

    *Get your plan materials.Some companies are giving you a Summary Plan Description online, via mobile apps, as well as on paper. It’s good to know how you can access this information during open enrollment and throughout the year, in case you want to review it again when you are in need of a particular medical service. Take time to read the plan.

    *Calculate your costs.Many employers provide cost calculators to help project your total cost for the coming plan year. The total cost includes the premium you pay as well as your share of the deductible and coinsurance. Take the time during open enrollment to think through your potential medical needs and calculate your anticipated expenses before selecting a plan. It may save you hundreds in the long run.

    *Consider an account.Your employer may offer you the option of a health care account, whether it is a flexible spending account, a health reimbursement account, or a health savings account. These accounts can help you save money on qualified medical expenses that aren’t covered by your health care plan, such as deductibles and coinsurance. Each account has a different set of rules about how and when you can spend the money, but each is worth considering because the savings you’ll see can add up quickly.

    *Is prevention covered?One of the benefits of health care reform is an extended list of preventive care benefits that must be offered by new health care plans for free. Preventive services such as colonoscopy screenings, Pap smears and mammograms for women, well-child visits, and flu shots for all children and adults must be offered without out-of-pocket costs. However, these benefits are only for new health plans and don’t apply to “grandfathered” plans that haven’t significantly changed in a few years.

    *Use wellness incentives.More employers than ever before are offering incentives such as premium discounts, low deductibles, gym memberships, or prizes to employees and their family members for health improvement.

    *Know your deadlines.No matter what changes you may make, if any, during this year’s open enrollment period, don’t let your selection deadlines slip by without action.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Sharing A Bathroom And The Dangers Of Tooth Brushing

    WELL-BEING

    Image of tooth brushes in a cup.

    Leaving your toothbrush out on the bathroom counter subjects it to picking up all kinds of yucky germs, not only your own but those from others, and we’re talking about fecal coliforms (you can guess what those are). Toilet flushing or just being around other people’s poor hygiene can contaminate the toothbrushes.

    Tooth brushes stored too close together promotes cross contamination of germs.

    A study presented to the American Society for Microbiology examined toothbrushes in group bathrooms at a college campus. Turns out the problem is not your own germs, but those from other people who share the bathroom space.

    Lesson learned-if you share a bathroom, don’t leave your toothbrush around. Even if you rinse it in hot water or mouthwash, it can still get contaminated. Putting it into a case is even worse because the environment inside the cover helps the nasty germs grow.

    Solution? Let the bristles dry out somewhere else, such as in your bedroom.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • The Buzz About Alcohol

    WELL-BEING

    Image of lemon water.

    Drinking at social events or bars and the ease that a little buzz provides make it hard to limit yourself when friends gather around a pitcher of beer. Dennis Donovan, director of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute at the University of Washington, has advice for how to drink moderately-or not at all.

    *Count your drinks.In many cases, people lose track of how much they’ve had. This is especially true when sharing a pitcher of beer and someone refills the glass.

    *Know a standard serving size.Large wine glasses, higher alcohol content in some beers, and generous liquor pours in mixed drinks make the “I only had one!” claim questionable.

    *One drink, one hour.Most people’s bodies can process about one drink per hour. Pace yourself to one drink an hour or so, and every hour or two you might take a drink “off” and have water or another non-alcoholic beverage instead. Also, make sure to eat.

    *Ginger ale looks like a cocktail.Teetotalers not wanting to attract attention or questions can stick to ginger ale or other non-alcoholic drinks that look like cocktails.

    *Say no.Firmly, confidently turn down drinks and become resistant to social pressure and arm-twisting. Practice saying: “No, I’ve reached my limit” or “I’m not drinking tonight.”

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine