HealthyLife Articles

Tag: awareness

  • The Facts About Donating Organs

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Illustration of organs.

    Thousands of children and adults are in need of an organ transplant. The biggest needs are for kidneys, followed by livers.

    Being an organ donor

    Adults over the age of 18 can register at organdonor.gov. Select your state and register. Organ donors who are under age 18 will need authorization from their parents. You can always go back to the website later and change your organ donation status, too.

    People with health conditions can donate

    Having a health issue doesn’t mean you can’t be an organ donor. People with many different health conditions have been successful organ donors. The transplant team can decide which organs can be used – and even one organ can save a life.

    Tell friends & family

    Sometimes a person is registered to be a donor, but their loved ones don’t know. Then, they don’t allow the organs to be donated when a person dies. If you’re serious about donating your organs, make sure you tell your close relatives and friends.

    Medical care

    The medical team who cares for a person at a hospital is separate from the organ transplant team. Every possible effort is made to save a person’s life, regardless of their organ donation wishes.

    No costs to an organ donor’s family

    Any costs related to an organ transplant are paid by the recipient. Their costs are usually paid by their insurance.

    Organ donation doesn’t interfere with funeral wishes

    Organs are carefully removed with surgery. People who are organ donors can still have an open casket funeral.

    Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Mindfulness 2

    Healthylife® QuitWell™

    Part 2

    Image of man walking his dog.

    Mindfulness means you are fully aware of what you are sensing in the current moment. Mindfulness can help you get through a stressful or uncomfortable time without your usual tobacco/nicotine use. It can also:

    *  Give your mind a chance to think creatively and come up with the answers to tough questions.

    *  Help you gently pull yourself back to the present when your mind wants to go somewhere else.

    *  Exercise greater control over your actions and your energy.

    *  Understand yourself more.

    *  Lower inflammation in the body.

    *  Activate areas in the brain that give you feelings of calmness.

    Mindfulness Exercise

    Practice mindfulness while you listen to music, walk, run, eat, or sit in traffic. You can also try this the next time you feel the desire to have a cigarette, dip, or puff from your vape:

    *  Try to physically pause your body. Sit or stand still. Maybe you can lean against the back of a chair or a wall. Get comfortable.

    *  Focus on your breathing or anything in the present, such as the sounds you hear or an object in your sight.

    *  As thoughts pop up in your mind, notice them without judging them. Picture your thoughts like clouds floating by-let them go by. Return your focus to what you see, hear, and feel.

    *  Notice the feelings you have about smoking/your habit and what may be making you feel that way. Be aware of what is helping you do what you want and what is not helping.

    *  When your mind starts to drift, imagine gently guiding it back to the present, as if you’re helping a child that has strayed off the path.

    The craving may have gone away or is now much less. If this is the case, try to do something else while the craving continues to fade.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • The Skinny On Processed Foods

    HEALTHY EATING

    Turkey deli on cutting board.

    White bread, packaged cookies and turkey bacon. What do these foods have in common? They are all processed foods. Processed food is the opposite of “whole food,” or food in its natural state.

    What does “processed foods” mean?

    It means the food has been changed from its natural state. White bread, for instance, may contain wheat flour that has been bleached and stripped of some of its nutrients. Packaged cookies may have bleached and stripped flour in addition to added sweeteners, artificial colors, preservatives and flavors. Turkey bacon is cured, processed and packaged.

    Not all processed  foods are bad

    There is a difference between foods that are minimally processed and “junk foods.” Frozen vegetables, for instance, may be considered “minimally processed.” They are not quite the same as picking the vegetables right from a garden. But if they don’t have added sugar or salt, frozen vegetables are a very healthy option.

    In addition, some foods that are considered “processed” can help people eat better. Canned fruit (without added sugar) or bagged salads are a convenient option for many people. They eliminate the extra work of gathering the food, washing it and cutting it.

    Sugar & salt overload

    Many processed “junk” foods contain too much added sugar or salt. Also, they may have little to no fiber or vitamins.

    Processed foods, including crackers and packaged snacks, are a major reason that people get too much sodium in their diets. Too much sodium raises the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.

    Many processed foods also contain added sugars. The American Heart Association says we should limit added sugars to 6 teaspoons a day for women and 9 teaspoons for men. One 12-ounce soda exceeds that amount. Too much added sugar increases risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

    Processed = weight gain?

    A recent study by the National Institutes of Health suggests that processed foods can cause weight gain. Participants who were given processed foods ate about 500 calories more per day than people who ate unprocessed foods. They also gained weight, while the people who ate unprocessed foods lost weight. You don’t have to cut all processed foods out of your diet. But cutting back on them – and eating more whole foods – will help you work toward a healthier weight.

    Sources: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Heart Association, National Institutes of Health

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Mindfulness 3

    SleepWell® Program

    Week 4

    Image of women sitting out in nature.

    Mindfulness means you are fully aware of all aspects of what you are sensing in the present moment.

    *  You focus on current thoughts without judging them.

    *  You put past thoughts and what the future has in store out of your mind.

    Mindfulness Exercise

    *  Set aside five (or more) minutes. Find a place with no distractions. Get comfortable.

    *  Focus on your breathing or anything in the present, such as the sounds you hear or an object in your sight.

    *  As thoughts pop up in your mind, let them go without judging them. Return your focus to what you see, hear, feel, or are doing in the moment.

    You can also practice mindfulness while you listen to music, walk, run, garden, or with any activity.

    Take a Rest from Your Emotions

    Detach yourself from your thoughts and emotions. Imagine sitting on a hill and viewing your thoughts and feelings at the bottom of the hill. Observe your thoughts as they pass by. Or, you can stop and think about them. Tell yourself: “I have control over when and how I think about a situation.”

    Allow your emotional reactions to a situation or issue take a rest for a bit. This helps your mind use logical thinking.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • The Truth About Fast Food

    HEALTHY EATING

    Burger with french fries and fire.

    When life gets busy, it’s tempting to reach for the convenience of traditional fast food options. Just as the name says, it’s fast and is found pretty much everywhere. However, these types of food come with real downsides.

    Many traditional fast food options do not provide quality nutrition and may even be harmful to your health.

    Why we eat fast food

    A few common reasons people choose fast food include:

    *Lack of time:Long work hours and packed extracurricular schedules leave little time for home-cooked meals.

    *Convenience:Adults with little free time or few cooking skills may prefer the ease of ready-to-eat food.

    *Food environment:Some communities lack adequate access to grocery stores that carry fresh, whole food. Fast food may be all that is available nearby.

    *Financial resources:Fast food is more expensive than food prepared at home. As income goes up, the use of fast food tends to increase as well.

    Health impact of fast food

    An occasional fast food meal isn’t a problem for most people. However, regular consumption carries several health risks:

    *  Fast food is high in fat, saturated fat, salt, sugar, and calories.

    *  Portion sizes are often very large.

    *  Fast food restaurants rely on highly processed food ingredients and offer few fresh fruits and vegetables.

    Diets high in processed food, fat, calories, sugar, and salt may increase your risk of many chronic diseases, including:

    *  Obesity

    *  High blood pressure

    *  Heart disease

    *  Type 2 diabetes

    *  Cancer

    Better options

    If you find yourself stuck choosing fast food, try some of these better options when you order:

    *  Opt for broth soups and salads.

    *  Choose low-fat dressings on the side.

    *  Look for whole-grain bread or bagels instead of croissants or biscuits.

    *  Get the regular or junior size to avoid excessive portions.

    *  Order the single patty without bacon or cheese. Ask for extra lettuce and tomato.

    *  Skip the soda and lemonade. Choose plain or sparkling water.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Understanding Epilepsy

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Purple ribbon and brain to represent epilepsy awareness.

    Epilepsy is a broad term that encompasses a variety of brain disorders that cause seizures. It is one of the most common brain conditions and can affect people of any age.

    Signs & symptoms

    The primary symptom of epilepsy is seizures. A seizure is a brief change in brain activity. It can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes.

    Someone may be diagnosed with epilepsy if they have two or more seizures unrelated to another cause, such as a fever or low blood sugar.

    Seizures can look different in different people. Signs may include:

    *  Confusion

    *  Staring

    *  Rapid blinking

    *  Twitching or shaking

    *  Falling to the ground

    *  Loss of consciousness

    *  Body stiffening

    Causes

    While the cause of epilepsy is unknown for many people, certain conditions impact the brain and may lead to the development of epilepsy:

    *  Brain tumor

    *  Traumatic brain injury

    *  Infection in the brain from a virus, bacteria, or parasite

    *  Stroke

    *  Oxygen deprivation of the brain

    *  Certain genetic disorders

    *  Certain neurological diseases

    Treatment

    If left untreated, recurring seizures impact quality of life, increase the risk of injury, and may shorten life expectancy.

    Common treatments include:

    *  Medicine: Anti-seizure medication works by controlling improper brain signals.

    *  Surgery: This can remove the affected area if seizure activity occurs in only one part of the brain.

    *  Diet: A specialized ketogenic diet may be effective for some types of epilepsy, especially in children.

    *  Nerve stimulation: An implanted device stimulates the vagus nerve to reduce seizures.

    Self-care

    Successful epilepsy treatment takes the combined efforts of healthcare professionals and the person with epilepsy. Many self-care practices aid in reducing seizure triggers and keeping the body healthy:

    *  Take all medications as prescribed.

    *  Keep a record of seizures and any potential triggers.

    *  Get plenty of sleep every night.

    *  Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.

    *  Get regular physical activity and movement.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Mind Your Mindless Munching

    Weight Control

    Women in kitchen, writing in a journal.

    *  Calories from snacking throughout the day add up quickly.

    *  To find out how many calories you get from snacks, keep a food journal.

    *  Use a tracking tool, such as smartphone apps like MyFitness Pal.

    *  Once you see where excess calories come from, eat less and move more.

    *  Instead of snacking while watching TV, do some seated exercises, walk in place, or ride a stationary bike. Or turn off the TV and go for a walk.

    *  Do stretching exercises at your desk.

    *  Walk the perimeter of the mall.

    *  Have the coffee. Skip the doughnut. Calories Saved: 300+.

    *  Omit the large soft-pretzel and 16-ounce soda while you shop. Calories Saved: 640+.

    Page from HealthyLife Weigh book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Choose An Exercise That Suits Your Body Type

    Fitness

    Image of women doing water aerobics.

    Exercise can do wonders to get rid of unwanted pounds and tone up flabby muscles. But it can’t turn a short, stocky person into a tall, willowy reed, or a slightly built person into a brawny bruiser. However, your body type may make you better suited to some activities than to others. Most people fall into one of three categories: endomorphs, mesomorphs, or ectomorphs, based on their overall build, distribution of body fat, muscle tone, and height. (Some people show characteristics of more than one type.)

    Endomorphs may be described as:

    *  Chubby, round, or soft looking.

    *  Broader at the hips than at the shoulders.

    *  Small-boned.

    *  Not very muscular.

    *  Carrying a higher-than-average amount of body fat.

    Endomorphs are poor candidates for jogging or any activity that calls for high impact with the ground. They’re good candidates for low-impact or nonimpact activities like biking, walking, or swimming, which minimize strain on the body frame.

    Mesomorphs are usually described as:

    *  Big-boned, with a strong, muscular physique.

    *  Broad-shouldered, with a narrow waist.

    *  Rugged looking.

    Mesomorphs are good candidates for walking, and short-distance running (like 5-kilometer races) but not marathons, martial arts, or sports requiring balance, power, and agility (like power lifting, tennis, or boardsailing).

    Ectomorphs are usually described as:

    *  Tall, with a long, slender neck.

    *  Having narrow shoulders, chests, and hips.

    *  Relatively long limbed.

    *  Having small wrists and ankles.

    *  Having little body fat.

    *  Having difficulty developing powerful muscles.

    Ectomorphs are poor candidates for swimming (since they have so little body fat for buoyancy) and sprinting. They’re good candidates for jogging, skipping rope, basketball, tennis and other racquet sports, and cross-country skiing.

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

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • A Bucket Of Ice

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of a bucket filled with ice.

    Have you taken the ice bucket challenge? What do you know about the disease you were raising funds for?

    Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rapidly progressive, fatal neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles.

    According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, ALS attacks nerve cells that control muscles in the arms, legs, and face. Eventually use of limbs and speech stop. Voluntary movement is lost. And with that comes loss of the ability to breathe.

    There is no test to diagnose it. There is no cure. And no one knows who will get it and who does not. Ongoing research is looking for answers.

    Lou Gehrig was a baseball legend, the first baseman for the New York Yankees who developed the disease that ended his incredible career and his life.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine