HealthyLife Articles

Category: Well-Being

  • Health News: Sorting Fact From Fiction

    WELL-BEING

    Older man on reading on a tablet.

    Misinformation is rampant in the internet age. While technology allows us to stay up to date and connected, it can also amplify false information and spread confusion.

    Finding reliable health information is especially important as you want to make good choices for your long-term health. But, it is all too easy to get tripped up by pseudo-science and unqualified individuals who present themselves as experts.

    So, how do you sort fact from fiction?

    Know how to spot reliable sources

    *  Look for .gov, .org, and .edu websites as most reliable.

    *  Check the authors’ credentials.

    *  Compare suspicious information to the information onmedlineplus.gov.

    *  Be skeptical of information on social media or .com sites that you can’t verify from a more reliable source.

    Ask good questions

    *  Does it sound too good to be true?

    *  Is the source linked to a reputable national or global health institution?

    *  What is your emotional reaction?

    *  Are the headline and content straightforward or sensationalized?

    *  Can the information be verified by other trusted sources?

    Dig a little deeper

    A quick internet search can tell you know the kinds of websites that are sharing the information. Check for .gov, .org, or .edu sites on the first page of results. You can also go to a fact-checking website such as:

    *Snopes.com

    *Factcheck.org

    *Quackwatch.org

    *Healthnewsreview.org

    Keep an open mind

    We all have a health philosophy that guides our choices. This can be useful, but it becomes a problem when we only believe information that aligns with our bias. This prevents us from learning and growing, and from changing our minds if our bias turns out to be incorrect.

    Instead of immediately accepting or rejecting new information, stay curious. Be open to the possibility there is more to learn.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Step Up To A Longer Life

    WELL-BEING

    Elderly couple walking.

    Could something as simple as walking help you live longer? Some recent research says it’s possible. Here’s what to know:

    1.  Researchers had 17,000 older women wear a device each day to count their steps.

    2.  They tracked the women for four years.

    3.  Those who took between 4,400 and 7,500 steps each day were less likely to die during those four years.

    4.  Walking more than 7,500 steps is also good for your health!

    Researchers said this is helpful for people who may think that 10,000 steps is overwhelming. Try to walk 4,400 steps or more each day, and you could see some important health benefits.

    Sources: Journal of the American Medical Association, National Institutes of Health

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • How Caffeine Affects Your Brain

    WELL-BEING

    Two people walking and talking.

    Every day, millions of people wake up with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Caffeine in these products helps you feel alert. But how does caffeine work – and what does it do to your brain?

    Adenosine and sleepiness

    Your body naturally makes a chemical called adenosine. It builds up in your body during the day. As levels get higher, you start to feel tired.

    Caffeine blocks adenosine from working on brain cells. This prevents you from feeling sleepy. But it can’t fool your body forever. Over time, your body makes more adenosine. Then you need more caffeine to get the same “perk-up” effects.

    Adenosine is one of the reasons it’s hard to quit caffeine. When you suddenly stop, your body must start making lower levels of adenosine again. This takes time. You might feel more tired or get headaches while your body adjusts.

    Sensitivity varies

    Have you ever had too much caffeine? You might feel sick to your stomach or like your heart is racing. You may also feel anxious or nervous.

    But not everyone has this reaction. Some people break down caffeine faster than other people. How fast you process caffeine depends on your genes.

    Who should skip caffeine?

    Avoid caffeine if you have:

    *  Acid reflux or other digestive problems

    *  Trouble sleeping or sleep disorders

    *  High blood pressure

    *  Heart conditions

    Children, teens and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are often advised to stay away from caffeine, too.

    Is caffeine safe?

    For most healthy adults, a little caffeine each day is OK. But choose sources without lots of added sugar, such as overly sweetened coffee drinks and sweet teas. And if you’re tired all the time, make sure you’re:

    *  Getting enough sleep

    *  Eating a healthy diet

    *  Drinking enough water each day

    *  Getting regular exercise, which can boost your energy levels

    Talk to your doctor if you have questions about caffeine and your health.

    Source: National Institutes of Health

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • How Your Surroundings Affect Your Health

    WELL-BEING

    Clean organzied room.

    Most people spend a lot of time in their home or their workplace. And the things around you can affect how you feel. Your surroundings can affect your:

    *  Breathing

    *  Heart rate

    *  Blood pressure

    *  Stress levels

    *  Brain chemicals

    You may not notice these changes. They often happen without you realizing it. But these changes can affect your health.

    Are your surroundings healthy?

    To find out whether your surroundings are good for you, trust your feelings. If you’re not sure, ask yourself:

    *  Does this room make me feel relaxed or tense?

    *  Do I feel happy or sad when I walk in?

    *  When I look at an item, how does it make me feel?

    *  Do certain sounds or smells make me cringe or feel on edge? Or do sounds and smells make me feel relaxed or peaceful?

    Some people find that just thinking about certain places make them feel stressed. For instance, you may feel anxious about going to the hospital or the doctor’s office.

    Why your surroundings matter

    If you have past experiences with a place or thing, this will shape how you feel about them now. For instance, with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), surroundings can trigger bad memories.

    PTSD can be triggered by sights, sounds, smells or places. If this happens to you, talk to your doctor. You can get help working through these emotions and any bad memories that harm your mental well-being.

    Make your surroundings good for you

    Find ways to change your surroundings so they remind you of good things. Try these tips:

    *  Get plenty of daylight during the day.

    *  Add artwork, items or photos that make you feel happy. Nature paintings and photos are helpful for many people.

    *  Add a flower or plant to your space to help you think about nature.

    *  Listen to nature sounds on your phone or a CD.

    Get help from your doctor

    A mental health provider can help you break connections that are causing bad memories or negative feelings. Work with your doctor to find resources that can help you balance your health and happiness.

    Source: Veterans Health Administration

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Tips To Quit Smoking

    WELL-BEING

    Cigarette broken in half.

    If you’re ready to quit, here are some ways to take the first steps.

    Make a plan

    Going cold turkey is rarely successful. Instead, put together a plan that anticipates obstacles and brainstorm solutions.

    Practice quitting

    Go longer between smokes and try techniques to get through cravings. Find what works and what doesn’t.

    Talk to a healthcare professional

    They may have resources such as helpful tips, referrals, and medications. Working with a counselor increases your chance of success.

    Find a safe substitute

    Keep your mouth and hands busy with something else. Toothpicks, straws, or cinnamon sticks are safe substitutes.

    Be active

    Quitting smoking can leave you feeling jittery and irritable. Plan activities that get your body moving to release your jitters.

    Stay busy

    Plan activities or gatherings with non-smoking friends to keep you distracted in the early days of quitting.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Breaking Bad Habits

    WELL-BEING

    Close-up image of a person breaking a cigarette in half.

    Bad habits may be hard to change, but it can be done. Smoking, for example, can be stopped. So can alcohol abuse.

    If you could only … but why don’t you? Scientists at the NIH study what happens in your brain as habits form. They come about through repetition. Brushing your teeth in the morning is a good habit. Reaching for a cigarette-bad habit.

    Habits trigger pleasure centers in your brain. First, focus on becoming more aware of your bad habits. Then try these strategies to counteract them:

    *  Avoid tempting situations. If you don’t buy candy bars, it won’t be as easy to eat one.

    *  Prepare mentally. Think about how you want to handle it and mentally practice what you plan.

    *  Enlist support. Ask friends, family, and coworkers to support your efforts to change.

    *  Replace unhealthy bad habits with healthy ones. Exercise or try a new hobby.

    *  Reward yourself for small steps.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Garage Door Safety

    WELL-BEING

    Image of garage door opener.

    Follow this safety advice from the Overhead Door Corporation:

    *  Keep the garage door opener control button out of the reach of small children. And do not let children play with garage door remote controls.

    *  Never place fingers between door sections. Explain the dangers to children and consider pinch-resistant door panels.

    *  Consult the owner’s manual and learn how to use your garage door’s emergency release feature.

    *  Each month, inspect the springs, cables, rollers and pulleys for signs of wear. Do not try to remove, adjust or repair these parts or anything attached to them. These parts are under high tension and should only be fixed by a trained door technician.

    *  Test the reversing mechanism, monthly, too. Place a 2×4 board or a roll of paper towels in the door’s path. If the door does not reverse after contacting the object, call a qualified professional for repair. If the garage door opener has not been replaced since 1993, get a new one that has safety beams and an auto-reverse as standard features.

    *  Do not leave the garage door partially open. When activated again, it may travel downward and come in contact with an object in its path. This also compromises a home’s security.

    *  Never leave the remote control in the car when given to a parking attendant. A stolen remote leaves you more susceptible to home invasion. Always lock your car when left unattended. Store the remote out of sight.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • If At First You Don’t Succeed

    WELL-BEING

    Image of man crushing a cigarette.

    Anyone who has tried to quit smoking knows it doesn’t always happen on the first try. But what many smokers don’t realize is that they are not alone in their failed quit attempts. A quit attempt is defined as not smoking for at least one day with the intent of not starting again.

    A survey from the American Lung Association (ALA) found that 6 out of 10 former smokers were not able to successfully quit on their first try and required many attempts to quit smoking for good.

    “The American Lung Association wants every smoker to know that they are not alone in their unsuccessful quit attempts, and that with each quit attempt they become one step closer to becoming smoke-free,” said ALA National President and CEO, Harold P. Wimmer.

    The ALA’s Quitter in You campaign (www.QuitterInYou.org) acknowledges that multiple quit attempts are normal and are necessary steps along the way to quitting for good.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Mow Safely

    WELL-BEING

    Image of person mowing the lawn.

    Lawn mowers are powerful machines. Careless injuries harm children and adults alike each year, according to these concerned medical groups: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (the docs who reattach fingers!).

    Prevent injuries by following these lawn mower safety tips:

    *  Only use a mower with a control that stops the mower blade from moving if the handle is let go.

    *  Children should be at least 12 years of age before operating a push lawn mower and age 16 to operate a driving lawn mower.

    *  Wear sturdy shoes (not sandals or sneakers) while mowing.

    *  Prevent injuries from flying objects, such as stones or toys, by picking up objects from the lawn before mowing begins. Have anyone who uses a mower or is in the vicinity to wear polycarbonate protective eyewear at all times.

    *  Do not pull the mower backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary, and carefully look for children behind you when you mow in reverse.

    *  Always turn off the mower and wait for the blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, inspecting or repairing lawn mower equipment, or crossing gravel paths, roads, or other areas.

    * Use a stick or broom handle (not your hands or feet) to remove debris in lawn mowers.

    *  Do not allow children to ride as passengers on ride-on mowers and keep children out of the yard while mowing.

    *  Drive up and down slopes, not across to prevent mower rollover.

    *  Keep lawn mowers in good working order. Before using a lawn mower for the first time in a season, have it serviced to ensure that it is working correctly.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine