HealthyLife Articles

Category: Uncategorized

  • Foot Health Tips For Summer

    WELL-BEING

    Image of bare feet on grass.

    When warm weather arrives, many people break out the flip-flops, sandals or forego shoes altogether. But the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons says this can be harmful to your feet if you’re not careful.

    Many flip-flops and summer shoes contain little to no support or protection. This increases your chances for foot injuries. They can also aggravate conditions such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, and other painful foot problems.

    You can still enjoy summer and keep your hard-working feet healthy by following these tips:

    *  Don’t go barefoot in public bathrooms. If you have a cut on your foot, it can get infected. You could also get a foot fungus or plantar wart. Use flip-flops in these cases to protect your feet.

    *  If you have diabetes or neuropathy, never go barefoot – even indoors.

    *  Don’t rely on flip-flops for daily wear. Use them in place of going barefoot around the pool, or in public bathrooms. Instead, choose sandals or lightweight shoes that have good arch support and are designed for comfort.

    *  Use sunscreen on the tops and bottoms of your feet any time they are exposed.

    *  Wear closed-toed shoes to mow the lawn or do yard work.

    *  If sandals are rubbing or causing blisters, don’t wear them. Don’t pop blisters. This leaves the foot open to an infection.

    *  Wear proper walking shoes and socks to the airport when traveling for summer vacation. Never try out new shoes on vacation. Pack shoes that you know are comfortable and won’t rub or cause blisters or pain.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • I Love My Cellphone

    WELL-BEING

    Image of a smart phone on a bench.

    You’ve done it: driven back home to search for your forgotten phone. Dug under the car seats. Called yourself to find a lost phone. Or, worse, watched your phone ring silently when you were in a situation where you couldn’t answer it.

    Cellphone use has become a common part of life as mobile devices have become one of the most popular ways to communicate. Research from the University of Missouri has found that cellphone separation can have serious psychological and physiological effects on iPhone users, including poor performance on mental tests.

    The researchers say these findings suggest that iPhone users should avoid parting with their phones during daily situations that involve a great deal of attention, such as taking tests, sitting in conferences or meetings, or completing important work assignments, as it could result in poorer mental performance on those tasks. But use common sense and proper business etiquette about texting, talking, and checking emails in those venues.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Making Your Health Care Wishes Known

    WELL-BEING

    Image of doctor talking to patient.

    It’s a tough topic to think about, but also a necessary one. What are your wishes for your own health care if you were unable to communicate?

    Most people don’t think about this kind of scenario, especially if they are healthy. But if you are in a serious accident or become severely ill, you may not be able to tell your family what you want. This is when an “advance directive” can be very useful for you and your family.

    Advance directives: what are they?

    An advance directive is a document that states your desires about your care when you cannot speak for yourself. If you are admitted to the hospital, the doctor may ask if you have an advance directive. It may describe:

    *  Care you want if you have an illness that won’t get better.

    *  What you want if you are permanently in a coma or unconscious.

    *  Treatment that you don’t want to receive.

    *  Treatment you do want, regardless of how sick you are.

    Advance directives can have different parts that help in different ways. You may have one or more of these:

    *A living will.This is a written, legal document. It covers what treatment you want if you were terminally ill or would not wake up from a coma. It can list specific things you would like done depending on how sick you are.

    *Durable power of attorney (DPA).It names a person to make health care decisions for you. A DPA becomes active any time you cannot make medical decisions for yourself. Sometimes it is called a Medical Power of Attorney or health care proxy. Only use a DPA if you have someone you trust to make these decisions. Talk to your DPA about their role and your health care wishes.

    *Do not resuscitate order (DNR).If a person’s heart stops or they stop breathing, hospital staff will give CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. If you have a DNR, you are telling hospital staff that you do not want CPR given to you. You do not have to have a living will or DPA to have a DNR.

    Some states do not consider living wills or DPAs to be official legal documents. Even if it’s not legal, an advance directive or DPA can be very helpful. It can help your family and/or doctor make decisions you want so you get the care you desire. Your doctor or an attorney can tell you about your state’s laws. All states recognize and honor DNR orders that are in a patient’s medical record. An attorney does not have to do a DPA or living will. Many people fill them out themselves.

    What do I put in an advance directive?

    If you’re thinking about getting an advance directive, you may be wondering what it should say. Your doctor or an attorney can help you, and you may want to think about it for a while.

    Health care items that are often listed in a living will include:

    *  Ventilation (artificial breathing machines)

    *  Dialysis (machines that work for kidneys that are failing)

    *  Tube feeding (used when a person  cannot eat or drink)

    *  Palliative care (care that keeps you comfortable, such as pain relief measures)

    *  Organ donation or donating organs to be used for research

    Why do I need an advance directive?

    Most medical experts agree that an advance directive is helpful. It makes your preferences about medical care known before you become sick or injured. It means your loved ones will not have to make hard decisions about your care while you are sick.

    An advance directive can give you peace of mind. If you feel strongly about receiving certain treatments, an advance directive helps ensure that your wishes will be honored. It gives you more control over your own health care.

    Where do I start?

    An advance directive doesn’t have to be hard. It can be short and simple. You can:

    *  Get a form from your doctor.

    *  Write down your own wishes yourself.

    *  Discuss your wishes with your DPA.

    *  Meet with an attorney to write an advance directive.

    *  Get a form from your local health department or Area Agency on Aging in your area.

    It’s a good idea to have your doctor or an attorney look at your advance directive. This ensures your wishes are in line with state laws. It also gives you a chance to answer questions and make sure your wishes are understood. When you are done, have your advance directive notarized. Give copies to your family and your doctor.

    You can change or cancel your advance directive. This can be done when you are of “sound mind,” which means you are able to think and communicate clearly. Any changes you make must be signed and notarized according to the laws in your state. Make sure that your doctor and family members know about the changes.

    Sources: Medicare.gov, American Academy of Family Physicians

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Ragweed

    WELL-BEING

    Image of ragweed.

    Maybe you’ve never been allergic to ragweed. You may not be miserable at the end of summer during ragweed season like a lot of other people.

    But even if you’ve never had a problem with seasonal hay fever caused by ragweed, don’t assume that runny nose and itchy eyes are caused by a cold.

    The truth, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, is that anyone can develop an allergy-including an allergy to ragweed-later in life.

    Scientists think it may be you’ve always had the allergy, but it might have taken exposure to another allergen to trigger your symptoms. If symptoms won’t go away, lasting more than 2 weeks, you probably have allergies.

    Common allergy symptoms include itchy eyes and nose, as well as sneezing, but the mucus is typically clear.

    You’ll want to talk with your doctor first about over-the-counter medications to try to relieve those annoying symptoms.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Stranded In A Storm?

    WELL-BEING

    Image of young women looking out the car window.

    Whether you’re stuck in your car or at home or elsewhere, know how to extend your cell phone’s battery life, advises the Auto Club Group.

    In an emergency, do this:

    *  Turn the phone off. Only turn it on when you are expecting or making a call.

    *  If you’re in an area with no reception, turn off the phone to prevent it from constantly searching for service. Even with automatic power-save features, this function can take up to 30 minutes and it is depleting your battery.

    *  Limit use of the vibrate function on your phone. Use a ring tone because it uses less of the battery’s power.

    *  Don’t use extra features such as the Internet, WiFi, GPS, a camera, and a hands-free device.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Use Spirituality To Boost Wellness

    WELL-BEING

    Image of women sitting in open field reading a book.

    Good physical health involves eating right, exercise and getting enough sleep. But many medical experts believe good health goes beyond physical things. There is some evidence to suggest that healthy spirituality can be linked to overall well-being.

    First, think about what spirituality is to you. It is something that connects your mind and spirit to something bigger than yourself. It can be your religion, morals, or something you’re passionate about, such as music, art or nature. Spirituality differs for everyone.

    An important part of overall health

    The American Academy of Family Physicians says a person’s spirituality can play a role in how they feel physically. Things like positive thinking, religious beliefs, prayer, meditation and other mindful activities can help you feel better and even help prevent some health problems.

    Spirituality may also help you cope better with stressful events and illnesses. While spirituality alone cannot heal illnesses or injuries, it may help in supporting a person’s overall health.

    How to improve spiritual health

    Anyone can work to improve their spiritual health. Think about things in your life that help you feel peaceful, comforted, joyful or connected. Make time regularly to do the things that fulfill you spiritually:

    *  Go to a religious meeting or service

    *  Take a meditation or yoga class

    *  Play your favorite sport

    *  Read a book

    *  Take a walk in a peaceful place

    *  Listen to relaxing or inspiring music

    Good spiritual health can help you live a healthier life. When you have a healthy spirit, you may be able to deal with challenges, such as a chronic illness or stressful events. Though it can’t solve all of life’s problems, spiritual practices can help you feel better and manage some of life’s struggles.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Don’t Be Duped By Antiwrinkle Creams

    Mature Health: Over Age 50

    Image of women looking in a mirror examing her face.

    Don’t be misled by over-the-counter skin care products that claim to get rid of wrinkles. There’s no such thing. The closest thing to a wrinkleremoving cream is retinoic acid, a synthetic form of vitamin A. Applied to the skin surface, retinoic acid increases blood flow and stimulates skin cells called fibroblasts to produce new collagen (a protein that keeps skin smooth). This process can help to reduce tiny wrinkles and make deep wrinkles less noticeable. Retinoic acid also speeds up the rate that your skin’s cells move to the surface and die off to be replaced with new cells, so your skin looks younger.

    Retinoic acid is available as Retinol in over-the-counter products and by prescription under the trade name Retin-A. Regular vitamin A has no effect on wrinkles, whether it’s taken orally or applied directly to the skin.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 10 Habits For Healthy Weight

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of feet on a scale.

    1.  Drink more water. Staying hydrated can give you more energy to be active.

    2.  Don’t drink soda. Sugary drinks add extra calories and no nutrition. Try to cut back or skip them all together.

    3.  Get exercise. Don’t worry about getting exercise every single day. If you miss a day or two, start again. Don’t give up.

    4.  Eat more fruits and vegetables. Replace high-calorie foods like French fries, potato chips or processed foods with fresh or frozen fruits and veggies.

    5.  Focus on sleep. Being rested helps control hunger and may help you prevent weight gain.

    6.  Eat only when hungry. Treats are tempting but save them for special occasions.

    7.  Control food portions. Start with small amounts of food on your plate and eat slowly. Then, go back for more food only if you’re still hungry.

    8.  Keep a food diary. Write down everything you eat. This may help you understand where you could make better food choices. You can also use an app on your phone or computer to do this.

    9.  Don’t eat in front of the TV. Instead, eat without distractions at a table. This can help you avoid mindless overeating.

    10. Try strength training. Exercises like leg lifts and push-ups build muscle. This helps you burn more calories, even while resting.

    Look for more healthy, proven ways to lose weight atwww.familydoctor.org. This website has advice on healthy food choices, exercise basics, and more.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine