HealthyLife Articles

Category: Uncategorized

  • What To Know About Moldy Food

    HEALTHY EATING

    A squash that has mold on it.

    All foods can collect mold over time. Have you ever found moldy food and wondered if it was safe to eat? It depends on the food.

    What is mold?

    Molds are tiny, microscopic fungi. They have threadlike roots that can invade soil, plants and yes, the food we eat. They may look like fur or fuzzy green patches. Sometimes mold looks like white dust.

    Some molds can be dangerous to people. They can cause allergic reactions and breathing problems. Other molds can produce poisonous substances called mycotoxins.

    Roots go deep

    Mold’s roots can be hard to see and can be deep in the food. Moldy foods may also have bacteria in them that you can’t see.

    By the time you see mold on the surface of food, the mold roots may have already invaded it. So if you try to cut off the “bad part,” you could still be eating some mold. But there’s good news: You can save a few foods that have small amounts of mold on them.

    Can you eat moldy food?

    Some hard foods are safe to eat if you see mold on the surface. This is because the mold roots can’t invade them. But you have to remove the mold you can see before eating. A few foods you can eat include:

    *  Firm or hard fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, bell peppers and cabbage.

    *  Hard cheeses, such as cheddar, provolone, parmesan and Swiss.

    *  Hard salami and dry-cured country hams.

    Here’s how you can remove the mold and eat these foods safely:

    1.  Cut at least one inch around and below the mold spot.

    2.  Don’t touch the mold with your knife.

    3.  Discard the entire area you cut away.

    4.  Wash your hands.

    Other fruits, vegetables, cheese, breads and meats aren’t safe to eat if you see mold. Throw them away.

    Source: United States Department of Agriculture

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Know Your Rights With Rebates

    FINANCIAL HEALTH

    Person holding a bag of gifts.

    The holiday shopping season is here, and with it comes big sales and big purchases. Some stores and companies advertise big rebate offers to get you to buy. These offers may promise you a certain amount of money back, either immediately or after you send in a form.

    Usually, you buy the item, fill out and send in some paperwork, and wait for the rebate money to come in the mail. You probably need the sales receipt, a form and the packaging from the item. Sometimes you get a rebate within a month, but many rebates take longer – up to 12 weeks.

    The Federal Trade Commission says people should beware of rebates that take too long to show up – or never come at all. Companies are required by law to send the rebate within the promised timeframe. If there’s no timeframe listed, the timeframe is usually 30 days.

    Follow these tips if you buy a product with a rebate:

    *  Make sure you follow all the steps on the rebate form. Enclose all of the required paperwork.

    *  Make a copy of all your paperwork. You’ll want these records if your rebate doesn’t show up or if there’s a problem.

    *  Keep track of the date you sent the rebate. Contact the company if your rebate doesn’t show up when they promised it.

    If your rebate is late or never shows up, you can file a complaint. Contact the Federal Trade Commission, your state Attorney General or your local Better Business Bureau.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Avoid Holiday Debt

    Financial Health

    Small, mini shopping cart with 2 ornaments inside cart.

    Give yourself a present. Keep holiday spending within your means.

    *  Set a limit on what you will spend.

    *  Make a list before you shop.

    *  Buy from stores that offer layaway plans.

    *  Avoid impulse buying. Leave your credit cards at home.

    *  Shop less – in stores, online, and while watching TV.

    *  At family gatherings, discuss ways you can all spend less on gifts. Make a resolution to start a monthly savings account to use for holiday spending.

    *  Comparison shop. Check out prices online and in-store ads. Use coupons for items on your list.

    *  Pay with cash or a debit card.

    *  Don’t go overboard, even during sales. You’ll save 100 percent on items that you don’t need.

    *  Don’t charge more than you can pay off when your balance is due.

    ays to Well-Being book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • E-Cigarettes: Are They Safer?

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Man with hoodie vaping.

    Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, are often advertised as a “safer cigarette.” E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that contain liquid. The liquid heats up when it’s turned on. When someone smokes an e-cigarette, they inhale the vapor from the liquid inside.

    E-cigarettes are also called JUULs, vapes, vape pens, e-pens and e-hookahs. Smoking e-cigarettes is often called “vaping.”

    Is vaping safe?

    E-cigarettes don’t contain tar or tobacco like regular cigarettes.

    But, the liquid inside an e-cigarette contains high levels of nicotine. Nicotine is addictive, so it’s hard to stop using it. It also raises blood pressure and can lead to a heart attack.

    The liquid in e-cigarettes also contains other chemicals, which may include:

    *  Acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde, which can cause lung and heart disease

    *  Acrolein, a weed killer that can cause lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

    *  Diacetyl, which can cause serious lung disease

    *  Benzene, which is found in car exhaust

    *  Volatile organic compounds, which are chemicals that can cause cancer

    *  Propylene glycol, which is toxic to cells

    *  Heavy metals, including nickel, tin and lead

    The vapor that a person breathes out of an e-cigarette is called secondhand emissions. It may also contain some of these chemicals. This can make e-cigarettes harmful to people who are nearby, even if they’re not smoking it.

    A major problem with youth

    The American Lung Association says e-cigarette use among teens is becoming an epidemic. E-cigarette fruit and candy-like flavorings often appeal to kids and teens. They may think that e-cigarettes are safe. According to the U.S. Institutes of Health, most kids believe the liquid inside is for flavor only.

    Nicotine contained in the vaporized liquid is especially harmful to young people. Nicotine can damage a teens’ developing brain. It also makes them more likely to smoke regular cigarettes later.

    Get help quitting

    The Food and Drug administration says e-cigarettes are not a safe or effective way to quit smoking. Instead, you may be replacing one unhealthy habit with a different one.

    If you want to quit smoking or vaping, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or go tosmokefree.gov

    Sources: American Lung Association, National Institutes of Health

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Myths About Underactive Thyroid

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of women holding her neck with an illustration of the thyroid gland on top.

    One of the most common thyroid problems is hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid.

    Hypothyroidism means the thyroid gland isn’t making enough thyroid hormones. This can cause a number of symptoms, including:

    *  Fatigue

    *  Trouble with learning or remembering

    *  Dry hair, nails or skin

    *  Constipation

    *  Sore muscles

    *  Weight gain or bloating

    *  Heavy or irregular menstrual periods

    Although hypothyroidism is a common problem, there are many myths about it. Read on to learn about some common myths – and what you should know and hypothyroidism.

    Myth:You can’t lose weight if you have a thyroid problem.

    Fact:Many people can get to a healthy weight with hypothyroidism after getting on the proper dose of thyroid medication. They may need to work with a nutritionist or other health provider and get plenty of exercise. But losing weight is doable.

    Myth:You can’t get pregnant if you have hypothyroidism.

    Fact:Many women can get pregnant with an underactive thyroid. They should work with their doctor to make sure they are on thyroid medication that is safe and effective. It’s important to take thyroid medication consistently and carefully throughout pregnancy.

    Myth:Only older women have hypothyroidism.

    Fact:Thyroid problems can affect anyone, of any age. But women older than 60 years are at an increased risk for hypothyroidism.

    Myth:People with underactive thyroid need to take iodine.

    Fact:People with hypothyroidism should be on a medication that their doctor prescribes. Taking iodine supplements is usually not needed.

    Myth:High doses of thyroid medicine are better.

    Fact:Having too much thyroid hormone can lead to health problems like rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, bone loss and can even become life threatening. Work with your doctor to be sure your thyroid blood levels are within a healthy range.

    Myth:I can manage underactive thyroid with a healthy diet.

    Fact:A healthy diet is great for everyone, including people with underactive thyroid. However, even the best food choices cannot replace missing thyroid hormones. A person needs to take their thyroid medication as their doctor prescribes to replace these hormones.

    Source: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Understanding Multiple Sclerosis

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Women in wheel chair.

    Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common condition affecting millions of people across the world.

    What is MS?

    MS is an autoimmune disease. Your immune system is designed to fight off invaders like viruses and bacteria. Autoimmune means the immune system attacks healthy tissue by mistake.

    With MS, the immune system attacks a protective coating on the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. When this coating, called the myelin sheath, is damaged, the nerves have trouble sending signals.

    Types of MS

    Most people with MS have relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). RRMS causes MS symptoms over a few days or weeks, known as a relapse. Then, MS symptoms go away for months or even years. When symptoms go away, this is called remission. The relapse and remission cycle repeats itself over time.

    Other people may have symptoms that slowly get worse. They don’t have periods of remission. This is known as primary progressive or secondary progressive MS.

    Symptoms of MS

    MS symptoms are very different from person to person. They can also change over time. Symptoms include:

    *  Feeling tired (fatigue)

    *  Weakness

    *  Loss of balance

    *  Numbness or tingling

    *  Stiff muscles or spasms

    *  Blurry vision

    *  Dizziness

    *  Loss of control of bladder or bowels

    *  Trouble with memory, learning or attention

    *  Speech problems

    *  Shaking

    *  Seizures

    If you have one or more of these symptoms, it doesn’t mean you have MS. However, you should see your doctor to find out the cause.

    How is MS treated?

    If you have MS, see your doctor regularly. Treatment can help slow the disease and manage symptoms. There are different medications available to treat MS, and physical therapy is helpful for some people. A doctor who specializes in treating MS can recommend the best treatment for you.

    While there is no cure, treatments for MS continue to improve. With a doctor’s help, many people with MS can manage their symptoms and feel their best.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Secure Your Home For Vacation

    WELL-BEING

    Small wooden home on table with hands protecting it.

    When you’re gone on vacation, you want to know your home is safe and secure. Ideally, you want to avoid letting your home look unoccupied and unwatched.

    Tips to protect your home while away

    *  Set lights on timers, both inside and out.

    *  Check doors and windows before you leave.

    *  Arrange for lawn care or snow removal.

    *  Have the post office hold your mail until you return.

    *  Cancel other deliveries.

    *  Enlist a neighbor to keep an eye on things.

    *  Check if your local police department offers vacation home checks.

    *  Invest in a security system.

    *  Install a video doorbell.

    *  Don’t post about your vacation on social media.

    *  Hire a housesitter to visit or stay at your home while you’re away.

    *  Invest in quality locks on all exterior doors.

    *  Leave a car in the driveway.

    *  Set up motion-activated lights in the backyard.

    *  Turn off your garage openers.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine