HealthyLife Articles

Category: Well-Being

  • Quit Bugging Me

    WELL-BEING

    Image of insect repellant.

    As you enjoy the great outdoors, you may not see a bear, but you might encounter biting and stinging critters such as ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects.

    Bring along your own make-at-home first aid kit that includes assorted bandages and basic medicines such as a 1 percent hydrocortisone anti-itch cream, suggests Dr. Janyce Sanford, an ER doctor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

    Use insect repellant with DEET. Include tweezers to remove ticks (the best way is to pull straight up in an easy motion). And if anyone is sensitive to bee or wasp stings, carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) when camping or hiking.

    Find out who in your party knows CPR before you might need it. Carry emergency supplies of food and light, and make sure you practice common sense.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Stop The Spending Cycle

    WELL-BEING

    Image of colorful shopping bags.

    Going overboard on one shopping trip, especially around the holidays, does not mean you have a shopping addiction. It’s normal to overdo it once in a while. And, everyone buys things that aren’t truly needed at times.

    But, if you think you or a loved one might have a shopping addiction, there is help. Often times, a shopping addiction is the result of another health issue like depression. Talk with your doctor about your feelings and symptoms. Antidepressants or other medications may be helpful.

    Or, you may wish to talk with a counselor about things that are bothering you. Sometimes, emotional burdens or troubles can make you look for happiness in things like shopping. If you are able to deal with those problems, you may not feel the need to shop as much.

    There are also support groups for people with a variety of addictions. Debtors Anonymous can help people who have gone into debt from too much spending.

    Don’t be afraid to seek help. The sooner you can address the problem, the sooner you can get your life back on track.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Unexpected Ways To Be Happy (And Healthy)

    WELL-BEING

    Image of a couple jumping in a puddle while it's raining.

    *It’s easy being green.Make vegetables a central part of your diet. Dark green foods provide essential vitamins and nutrients to your body that protect you from many of life’s worst diseases. The FDA recommends 3 to 5 servings a day for pristine health. This is not as hard to accomplish as it sounds. Examples of one serving include 2 broccoli spears, 3 tablespoons of green beans, or 3 sticks of celery.

    *Brush your teeth.Brushing and flossing your teeth not only prevents tooth decay but gum disease, which has been linked to heart attacks and strokes. Healthy gums are one more way to keep that heart pumping strong.

    *Hear ye, hear ye!Pick up your local newspaper once in a while. There is more information out there than you can imagine. Sift through the bounty of news because when it comes to your health and health care, no one is more responsible than you are. Take time to understand what’s going on in the world.

    *Be a small fry.Order smaller portions. Even the small fries at fast food drive-throughs.

    *Give yourself a break.Not only are vacations an important part of maintaining your sanity, but there are many other positives about getting away. Studies  have shown that employees come back  to work post-vacation more creative and more productive.

    *Scrub a dub dub.The easiest way to avoid infectious diseases-a common cold, the flu-is by washing your hands often.

    *Then lend a hand.A study at Vanderbilt University found that volunteer work was good for both mental and physical health. People of all ages who volunteered were happier and had better physical health and less depression. Think about something you like to do in your spare time and find a match atwww.volunteermatch.org.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 4 “S”S For Smooth Skin

    WELL-BEING

    Young female with a jar of lotion.

    Winter is hard on your skin. Dry indoor air, frequent washing and cold outside air can make skin itchy and painful. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and an important barrier. Protect it!

    1.  Stay safe with germs: Don’t skip handwashing because your hands are dry. You could end up sick or may spread germs to others. Instead, keep hand cream in your purse, pocket or desk. Apply the cream after you wash your hands.

    2.  Short showers: A long, hot shower strips skin of its protective oils. Keep showers and baths short and not too hot.

    3.  Slather moisturizer: After bathing, apply a rich cream or ointment before skin is fully dry. Petroleum jelly is a low-cost and effective choice.

    4.  Skip harsh soaps: Many products contain drying detergents. These can leave skin feeling irritated and dry. Look for products that don’t contain alcohol or fragrances.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Beware Of Hidden Weight-Loss Ingredients

    WELL-BEING

    Image of different supplements.

    Many so-called miracle supplements and foods (including teas and coffees)-often touted for weight loss-don’t live up to their claims, says the FDA. Worse, they can cause serious harm.

    Hundreds of products are marketed as dietary supplements but actually have hidden active ingredients contained in prescription drugs, unsafe ingredients that were in drugs that have been removed from the market, or compounds that have not been adequately studied in humans.

    Many of these tainted products are imported, sold online, and heavily promoted on social media sites. Some can also be found on store shelves.

    And if you’re about to take what you think of as “natural” dietary supplements, such as bee pollen or Garcinia cambogia, you should be aware that the FDA has found some of these products also have hidden active ingredients contained in prescription drugs.

    The only natural way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you take in by combining healthy eating with physical activity.

    Under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act (as amended by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994), dietary supplement firms do not need FDA approval before marketing their products. It is the company’s responsibility to make sure its products are safe and that any claims made about such products are true.

    Bottom line:

    Just because you see a supplement product on a store shelf does not mean it is safe.

    Look for these potential warning signs of tainted products:

    *  Promise of a quick fix, for example, “lose 10 pounds in one week”

    *  Use of the words guaranteed or scientific breakthrough

    *  Marketed in a foreign language or through mass emails

    *  Touted as herbal alternatives to an FDA-approved drug or as having effects similar to prescription drugs

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 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