HealthyLife Articles

Category: Uncategorized

  • 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

  • Housing Options

    Mature Health: Over Age 50

    Some people find the upkeep for a house too demanding. Health concerns may not allow some people to meet these demands. Consider other housing options:

    *  Condominium. This is a townhouse or apartment that is privately owned. A fee is charged to cover maintenance of items like the lawn, swimming pool, etc.

    *  Co-Operative. This is a housing facility where everyone owns a share. People live in unit apartments and vote on key issues.

    *  Rental. A landlord takes care of maintenance. Residents pay a monthly rental fee plus a security deposit.

    *  Retirement Community/Assisted Living Facility. Residents live independently, but have services available to them. These include recreation activities, meals served in a common area, transportation. Often a social worker or counselor is on site. There may be age restrictions.

    *  Federal Housing. This is independent living for those over 62 years old with low to moderate incomes.

    *  Group Housing/Adult Custodial Care Homes. These provide room and board for those in need of nonmedical care. Help with daily living makes this option well suited for Alzheimer’s patients.

    *  Life Care at Home (LCAH). Services are given in one’s own home. Start up and monthly fees apply. A manager personalizes a program of care to meet the client’s needs.

    *  Intermediate Care. This is a residence for those who should not live alone, but can manage simple personal care, like dressing. Meals are provided. Cleaning services and nursing care are offered on site.

    *  Nursing Homes. These are designed for people who require care 24 hours a day. These are medically supervised. Find and compare nursing homes in your area atwww.medicare.gov/NHCompare/home.asp.

    Health at Home Lifetime book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 6 Steps To Reduce Your Risk For A Stroke

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of an older couple stretching before a workout.

    According to the World Stroke Organization, you can take these 6 steps to reduce your risk of stroke-a blockage or bleeding in your brain:

    1. Know your personal risk factors: high blood pressure, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol.

    2. Be physically active and exercise regularly.

    3. Avoid obesity by keeping to a healthy diet.

    4. Limit your alcohol intake.

    5. Avoid cigarette smoke. If you smoke, seek help to stop.

    6. Learn to recognize the warning signs of a stroke: a sudden numbness, especially on one side of the body; sudden trouble speaking or seeing; loss of balance; and a sudden severe headache with no apparent cause.

    Stroke is a call-911 medical emergency!

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Be Ready For Winter – Indoors And Out

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of warm dressed women outside in winter.

    When winter arrives, will you be ready? Being prepared for winter weather is more than having a warm coat and boots in your closet. No matter where you live, you can be prepared and safe all winter long with a few tips fromReady.gov:

    *Use space heaters carefully.Keep them out of reach of little ones. Space heaters get very hot and can burn children’s hands. In addition, some may cause a fire if they are within five feet of furniture or draperies. Keep a working fire extinguisher near space heaters.

    *Have a family plan.Talk to each member of your household about where to go and what to do if you are separated when a storm strikes. Have cell phone numbers programmed into your phones. Keep supplies like blankets and extra food and water in each car.

    *Be aware of carbon monoxide.Anything that runs on gasoline, propane, or kerosene should never be used inside your home or garage. This includes generators, heaters, camp stoves, and grills. They can give off carbon monoxide, which can be deadly. Only use these outdoors and at least 20 feet away from your home.

    *Get your vehicle serviced.Before bad weather comes, get any problems, the battery and antifreeze checked out. Top off fluid levels…Make sure you have good windshield wiper blades.

    *Consider getting a NOAA radio.This can run on batteries if the power goes out and will alert you to a variety of weather hazards.

    *Stay inside.Many people end up with frostbite or injuries from trying to shovel snow during very cold weather. If you can, postpone shoveling until it’s safe to go outside. If you must go outdoors, take frequent breaks indoors to warm up.

    Signs of frostbite

    Frostbite is a dangerous condition that can lead to permanent skin damage or even loss of a limb, according to the Centers for Disease Control  and Prevention. Signs of frostbite include:

    *  Numbness

    *  White or grayish skin color

    *  Skin that feels hard or waxy

    *  Slurred speech

    *  Confusion

    If you think you have frostbite, get inside to a warm area as soon as possible. Loosen or remove wet or tight clothing. Remove jewelry. You may immerse the affected skin in warm water. Do not rub or massage the area. Don’t use hot stoves or heating pads, as the skin can easily burn. Get medical help as soon as possible.

    No matter where you live, it’s wise to be prepared for weather emergencies. Be ready for old man winter before he takes you by surprise.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Does Stress Causeulcers?

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of man holding his stomach in pain.

    A peptic ulcer, commonly called an “ulcer,” is a sore in the stomach caused by acid. Although many people believe that stress causes peptic ulcers, research has shown this is not the case. But there’s a catch: if you already have an ulcer, high stress levels can make it worse.

    The American College of Gastroenterology states that peptic ulcers are actually caused by two things: bacteria and some medicines.

    Helicobacter pylori infection:This bacteria, also called H. pylori, is the most common cause of peptic ulcers. Scientists aren’t sure why some people get infected with this bacteria, but genetics may be partly to blame. If you have symptoms of a peptic ulcer, your doctor may test you for this bacteria. If your test is positive, the infection can be treated with antibiotics and medicines that reduce stomach acid. Once the infection has been treated, your ulcer should go away. If you are prescribed antibiotics, be sure to take the entire course as instructed by your doctor.

    Medicines:Long-term use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can cause peptic ulcers in some people. NSAIDs include pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Taking these occasionally will not cause an ulcer, but if you take them for a long time or at high doses, you increase your risk.

    Know the symptoms

    Peptic ulcers often cause burning pain in the stomach or abdominal area. The pain may be worse when you lie down at night or when your stomach is empty. If you have symptoms of an ulcer, your doctor may refer you to a specialist to get further tests done. Proper diagnosis and treatment can usually cure an ulcer.

    If you are taking NSAID medicines and are diagnosed with an ulcer, your doctor may talk with you about finding another treatment.

    If you have an ulcer, you do not have to follow a bland diet. Spicy or rich foods do not make an ulcer worse. Following a healthy diet, however, can improve your health and will help your ulcer heal as quickly as possible after treatment. Visitchoosemyplate.govfor the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • How To Stop A Nosebleed

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of man using a nasal spray.

    When the furnace fires up and the humidity drops, the nose is most at risk. Nosebleeds can range from a simple, brief annoying amount of bleeding to life-threatening bleeding, according to Dr. Peter Shepard, an ear, nose, and throat expert.

    The nose has a collection of blood vessels called Kiesselbach’s plexus. This area is located at the front of the septum, the cartilage that divides the nose. Vessels from several different main trunks all meet in this spot and are very close to the surface. This is also the area of the nose that tends to dry out the most.

    If the surface cracks, the vessels will bleed. The size of the vessels determines how bad the bleeding is. People are more at risk if they have high blood pressure, take blood thinners, use oxygen, or have a deviated nasal septum.

    The best treatment for nosebleeds is avoiding them in the first place. Unless you can take an extended trip to Hawaii, you’ll want to work on improving the humidity inside your nose.

    Apply Vaseline at the front of your nostril twice a day. Saline spray can be kept with you and used throughout the day.

    If you do have a bleed, a few simple things will usually stop it.

    *  Apply pressure by squeezing the soft part of the nose between your thumb and index finger. Lean forward so you don’t swallow any blood (do not hold your head back, as some suggest).

    *  If that is not enough, oxymetazoline (Afrin) nasal spray can be a miracle drug for nosebleeds. It is a decongestant but works for nosebleeds since it causes blood vessels to tighten. Blow the blood out of the nose, spray twice, and then apply pressure for 15 minutes.

    *  If the bleeding won’t stop, go to the emergency room.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Pain, Pain, Go Away

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of a man's back in pain.

    We’ve all experienced pain. But when pain doesn’t go away, it’s called chronic pain, and it can be tricky to treat, according to the NIH News in Health. Chronic pain can come from low-back problems, cancer, migraine, fibromyalgia, and other conditions. Long-term pain can affect your daily life and lead to depression.

    Some pain medications target inflammation, too, but come with side effects. NIH scientists are looking for ways to control pain. The following techniques may bring some relief:

    *  Keep your weight in check. Extra weight can slow healing or make some pain worse especially in the back, knees, hips, and feet.

    *  Exercise. If pain keeps you inactive, ask your doctor whether exercise might help.

    *  Get enough sleep. It will improve healing and your mood.

    *  Avoid tobacco, caffeine, and alcohol.

    *  Get the right medical help. If your regular doctor hasn’t found a helpful approach for your pain, see a pain specialist.

    *  Join a pain support group. Talk with others about how they deal with pain.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine