Mom and registered nurse gives testimonial on how she uses Google Health. She has set up 5 Google Health profiles, for her daughter, parents and friend.
Tags: Google, Health, Linda, Macomber, Testimonial
Unless you guard your health, your odds of catching a cold or the flu are greater in the winter months than at any other time of the year. That’s because the traditional holiday parties, dinners and get-togethers (as well as winter’s colder weather) keep us indoors and in close contact with groups of people, any one of whom has the potential to give you something more than a holiday fruitcake during this cold-and-flu season. In fact, colds are so common that it’s nearly impossible to completely avoid catching one. Most adults average two to four colds a year; young children, with their immature immune systems, suffer from an average of six to eight colds a year.
Unfortunately, there’s no medication that will cure a cold or the flu — antibiotics work on bacterial infections, not viruses — but there are ways to make yourself more comfortable while your illness runs its course (typically, seven to nine days for a cold, and three or four days for the flu). Getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of liquids, for example, is a good way to help yourself heal. Staying well-hydrated helps keep the lining of your nose and throat from becoming too dry, which helps mucus flow out of your body. But stick with water or juice; caffeinated beverages (such as coffee, tea and colas) and alcoholic beverages can lead to dehydration.
If your throat is sore try gargling with salt water, and run a cool-mist humidifier to help relieve your stuffy nose. Take care, however, to keep the humidifier clean to avoid mold build-up, which can be harmful if inhaled. Over-the-counter medications can often bring some relief from nasal congestion, fever, muscle aches and sore throat, but choose those that are appropriate for your specific symptoms, rather than reaching for the multi-symptom medicine. And remember never to give aspirin (or medicines that contain aspirin) to children and teen-agers who have flu-like symptoms because of the possibility of developing Reye’s syndrome.
Certain herbals may be beneficial when you have a cold or the flu. Echinacea and goldenseal are thought to have anti-viral properties and may stimulate your immune system. These herbals should be taken at the first sign of illness to decrease the severity of symptoms and help your body fight infection.
Of course, the best plan is to practice cold-and-flu prevention before anyone spreads germs along with their holiday cheer. The following steps can give you a head start toward a healthy holiday season:
Wash your hands often. Cold and flu germs lurk everywhere and you pick them up whenever you touch a doorknob, handrail, telephone, shopping cart, or even when shaking someone’s hand.
Keep your hands away from your nose, eyes and mouth. Germs can easily enter your body by these pathways.
Clean surfaces you touch with a germ-killing disinfectant. (Also, a solution of 1 part bleach mixed with 10 parts water is effective in killing viruses.)
Don’t smoke, and avoid being with people who are smoking. Inhaled smoke can further irritate your throat and worsen a cough.
If possible, avoid contact with people who have a cold.
Overall, your body’s best defense against the viruses that cause colds and flu is a healthy immune system. Make sure your immune system is functioning in top form by getting the nutrients you need. Vitamins A, C, E and the B-complex vitamins are immune-system boosters; and echinacea, calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc also help strengthen your immune system. As always, it’s best to get your nutrients by eating a balanced diet, but that’s often easier said than done, especially at this hectic time of year. The best solution, then, is to take a nutritional supplement to ensure you’re giving your body what it needs to stay healthy.
Getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and reducing your stress can all help your immune system fight off the germs that cause illness. Stress seems an all-too-common part of the holiday season, but studies have shown that people who are stressed are more susceptible to illness. Try deep-breathing techniques, get a massage, meditate or set aside some time just to listen to music. Research has also shown that the more social you are, the less likely you are to get sick. One theory is that having social contacts and support is less stressful than keeping to yourself. Whatever the reason, you can enjoy those parties and get-togethers without worrying about catching a cold or the flu. Just remember the prevention techniques for healthy holidays!
In this fast paced life, people do not have time to pay heed on their health. Therefore, they face a number of health ailments. If you are a health conscious person, then it is advised to explore current health articles. Most of the current health articles usually pressure headaches, increasing morbid obesity disorders, hypocalcemia, hunger pains, source of skin rashes in infants, and a number of other gastric related disorders.
Individuals need to be concerned with their health and the health of their families. In order to avoid some diseases, you need to pay attention on current health articles publish on the World-Wide-Web. There are a number of websites available abreast with health articles you can browse through to get information. If you have a particular health problem that you want the most up-to-date information about, then the internet is the best place. Having the extensive information means extending your life.
One of the common problems among people is hypocalcaemia. Hypocalcemia can be caused by the loss of calcium or insufficient entry of calcium into the circulation. The menace varies from an asymptomatic biochemical abnormality to a severe chaos, depending on the duration, severity and rapidity of development. If you want to know extensively about hypocalcemia, then you should explore current health articles on the web.
There are a number of website come up that specially focus on about current health articles. But to maintain a good health, people not need only to continuously receiving the current health and fitness articles, but also they should follow tips written by the healthcare experts.
Of late, there are wide selections of health problems people are suffering from. Some ailments can be avoided by following tips. Therefore, people need to get updated with latest health problems by reading articles focused on health. Individuals can find the current health articles on a variety of sources such as books, catalogues or classified ads. But, one of the reliable and up-to-date sources is the internet.
Are you looking for websites that provide extensive information on current health issues? If you answer is yes, then do not need to go here and there. Make a search through the internet and thus you will come across websites offering a wide selection of information on current health issues. So, make search and get fruitful result.
Health – is a term we use daily with the notion that it evokes the same meaning in everyone, according to its context. But it might actually be hugely beneficial to the intense Health-care debates, to ponder what conditions amount to a healthy person. In colloquial usage of Health we tacitly understand Health to mean Physical Health, because only Physical Health is measured and expressed by normative numericals in the realm of scientific consensus.
This makes us to all but ignore the fact well documented, that Physical Health, which is defined as the absence of detectable illness, is only that part of Health which can be easily articulated But the symptoms of the evident loss of Physical Health is just the final stage of a disorder in one of the 5 non-physical health constituents, which in balanced combination comprise the so-called Holistic (Wholistic) Health. However, the term “Holistic Health” lacks a universally acceptable definition, because no one really knows how to weigh and quantify each of the five non-physical Health elements: Mental Health, Emotional Health, Spiritual Health, Social Health and Intellectual Health. While the role of each one of these constituents is being analyzed in separate articles, here we’ll search for common grounds in understanding the function of the Mind.
The subject of Mental Health has filled entire libraries; it is the most notable element of Total Health, or Optimal Health, next to Physical Health, yet its definition is far from unanimous. The WHO (World Health Organization) defines Mental Health as: “a being of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”. This seems to be the result of a compromise after endless bickering of member nations. We may wonder about the practical use of such “Definitions”, but it drives home the point that Mental Health rarely evokes an identical common understanding even among people from the same culture. Just how subjective are terms like: “realizes his or her own abilities”? Is my rating of my abilities mirrored by society? Then: “can cope with the normal stresses of life” – who is there to define “normal”? Who is setting the standard for “productive and fruitful work”? And finally: what about “contribution to his or her community” – is there a benchmark and who is setting it?
The NIH (U.S. National Institute of Health) posts a refreshingly simple definition on its Medline Plus web site: “Mental Health is how we think, feel and act as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices.” But then comes the scary part as it continues: “Mental illnesses are common – they affect about one in five families in the U.S. It is not your fault if you have one. These disorders – depression, phobias, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and many others – are real diseases”…
Really? Does that mean 20% of the U.S. population is mentally impaired? The “NIMH” (National Institute of Mental Health) may deliver an explanation, as they add to the above, conditions like Eating Disorders, Borderline Personality Disorders “BPD” (ever heard of that illness?), ADD and ADHD, and so on. In that light, 20% seems actually a low number. Scary nonetheless, if these are “clinically diagnosed” cases, who diagnosed them and by what measures? Could the pharmaceutical industry have something to do with this? What about the phenomenal growth rate of drugs like Prozac, Ritalin, or the amphetamines Adderal, Dexedrine, Benzedrine, Desoxyn? According to CESAR web site (Center for Substance Abuse Research) sales of Ritalin in the U.S. increased by 500% in eight years! Antidepressants Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil are among the top ten revenue generating drugs in the U.S. and if you turn on the TV you can witness aggressive direct to consumer advertising of “Mental Health” drugs. According to Science Daily (Aug.4, 2009) “Antidepressants are now the most commonly prescribed class of medications in the United States. (…) Between 1996 and 2005, the rate of antidepressant treatment increased from 5.84 percent to 10.12 percent or from an estimated 13.3 million to 27 million individuals.”
While the scope of this article is the attempt to position Mental Health as a vital element of overall Health, better understood as Vitality, we have to consider the commercial interests that drive and subsequently distort the assessment of the individual Health elements. It is ll known that drugs are prescribed to treat Physical illness, based on analyzed symptoms. The standards used for analysis are normative (see article on Physical Health) at least to a degree that is reproducible and objective by numerical values produced by biochemistry analyzers.
How is Mental Health analyzed and expressed, what are the objective standards that determine depression? How can a person be mentally screened by the definition of the WHO? What then are the standardized criteria that lead to a Healthy versus Non-Healthy verdict? But even the NIH definition fails to give us confidence: “how we think, feel and act as we cope with life” – is obviously a highly volatile condition that can change daily. To base a judgment on a single day’s feeling and action is akin to deciding on a surgery based on a single blood sample – with potentially far reaching consequences. While we generally accept the Medical Doctor as the authority to decide over Physical Health, in Mental Health the authority question becomes murky: will the Medical Doctor, the Psychiatrist, the Psychologist and the Theologian agree on the same diagnosis, let alone therapy?
These questions give a whole new meaning to Holistic Health and Mind-Body interaction, a term which is commonly understood to refer to: the person being treated as one or a “whole being”, where body, mind and spirit constitute the wholeness. In light of the ambiguities, it is little surprising that even the term Holistic Health is stigmatized. No one doubts the existence of mind-body interaction, but in absence of an acceptable normative assessment, Holistic Health can’t be established as a Health-care discipline. Then – again – there is the impediment of commercial interests’ interference and distortion: First, the prescription drugs that are taken for Physical symptoms, often cause adverse effects on the person’s Mental state. If the Mental Health of a person on prescription drugs is assessed, it is most assuredly different. Second, the pharmaceutical industry has discovered Mental Health as an unlimited revenue source, and is frolicking over the lack of normative definitions. Analysis of pharmaceutical sales statistics imply that a lot of people are being treated that a few years ago would have been considered perfectly Healthy. It is not far-fetched to suspect the industry lobby to have invented some of the “Mental pathologies” that were completely unknown just a few generations ago.
It follows that Mental Health should never be analyzed without considering the other 5 constituents that comprise a person’s Health and Vitality as these are highly interdependent. In addition, we have to consider the person’s lifestyle, in particular the exposure to toxic chemicals in food, water, air, household and workplace; as these are known to have profound effects on Body and Mind.
Finally, one may be declared Healthy for the absence of Physical Symptoms, while being depressed or otherwise mentally challenged. But unresolved mental trauma will eventually manifest in physical symptoms. A person who is inflicted by mental distress can usually be recognized by a lack of Vitality. In contrast, if we acknowledge a vivacious person’s great Vitality, we infer a “great state of mind” even if the person may battle a physical illness; and there are plenty of studies that confirm the valuable healing effects of a great state of mind.
Men do not get it. They stay clear of the fresh foods that can help them live longer. More so than women. And despite the fact that many studies show eating a diet loaded with fruits and vegetables can protect you from all manner of cancers. Not to mention they are good overall protectors of your health.
So the most easy of mens health tips to apply is to simply eat more vegetables. Eat more fruits.
Especially since it all counts. Whether you drink 100% juice, eat fresh, or whatever. Its all good and all good for you. Dried, frozen, juiced or fresh.
To that end here are some proven mens health tips that can help you eat healthier.
For one when it comes to fruit and vegetables the key is eating a variety of colors. Thats because each fruit or veggie presents its own mix of minerals, vitamins and disease fighting compounds – phytochemicals?
Carrying extra pounds? As they are low in calories and fat and high in fiber, fruits and vegetables help you watch your weight. Plus being mostly water they give you that full feeling that helps you eat less.
While there is no specific fruits or veggies to eat that trims your cancer risk to zero, studies have proven that eating a variety of fruits and vegetables daily reduces your overall risk.
Another easy way to eat more fruit daily is to begin your day by blending up a smoothie. Tropical fruits like pineapple or kiwi add vitamins, go with anything, and give you an easy way to work in a couple more varieties and colors into your diet. Plus they can jump start your morning in a flavorful way.
Least I forget in this list of mens health tips, we are talking roughly nine servings a day. Sadly is only 4% of men manage to do that. 4%! Yet heres how you can be among them.
You could drink a V8.
Snack on raisins or celery sticks with a dab of peanut butter.
Vegetable soup.
Stick extra leafy lettuce on your sandwich.
While watching TV eat a grapefruit or a handful of baby carrots.
Theres always apple sauce.
Frozen grapes are great too. Whole or cut in half. Those or frozen berries can pop in your mouth instead of potato chips. But like salty chips you cant eat just one.
Those on a budget can make sure to buy what is in season. Or find a local farmers market. Or buy frozen on sale. Anything frozen is just as loaded with nutrients.
So see? Its easy to give your body the tools to fight chronic disease.
Bottom line roughly half of what you eat should be something grown on a plant. Half! If you pick up nothing else from this list of mens health tips and eating – pick up that. You should eat more servings of fruits and vegetables starting today.
More Mens Health Articles
When I visited my library the other day, I came across the Senior Citizen’s Handbook: Laws and Programs Affecting Senior Citizens in Virginia.
Financial Assistance
It’s a slender, oversized book, with chapters on Financial Assistance, explaining in detail everything you need to know about Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Pensions and Veterans Benefits, the Food Stamp program and Federal Tax Relief.
Health Care
There’s also a section on Health Care, discussing in detail Medicaid, Medicare, Medigap and Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Long-term Care Insurance, Alzh eimer’s Disease, and Injury and Illness Prevention.
Long Term Care
They also discuss Long Term Care in detail, including Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Adult Day Care, Home Care, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities.
Housing
This section discusses Landlord-Tenant Issues, Rental Assistance Program, and Reverse Mortgages.
Then they get into the legal stuff, called Preparing for the Future
Divorce for the elderly, Real estate transfers, Probate and estate administration, Advance Directives, Power of Attorney, Guardianship, and Funeral Services.
Protection of Legal Rights
Consumer Guide – credit cards, telemarketers, unscrupulous practices, Age Discrimination, Discrimination based on disability, and Elder abuse.
Finally, there’s a list of all sorts of helpful contacts for seniors.
Okay…here’s the kicker. This book is copyright 2004…so it’s 4 years out of date.
Every State Has A Senior Citizen’s Handbook
That’s why it’s important for senior citizens to become familiar with the internet, and know how to find things on it. Obviously, you’re familiar with it – otherwise you wouldn’t have found this blog, but too many seniors are afraid to try computers because they think it’s too hard.
And heck, 20 years ago that may have been true. But these days computers are so simple to operate that any senior, if shown how to do it by someone patient and knowledgeable themselves, can learn how to do it.
Go to your favorite search engine. I use www.google.com Type in “Senior Citizen’s Handbook” and your state in the search box, and then let it rip.
In addition to a website for each state dedicated to Senior Citizens, you can also download this handbook as a PDF. That means that you can open the file and read it (using a program called Acrobat Reader, which is free.)
Because all of the files are electronic, they can be updated within days of a rule being changed … so that these files never go out of date. (Of course, that’s always assuming that the state involved has enough money to pay a webmaster to update the files…!)
So take a tour of the web, and find the handbook for your state, and read up on everything you need to know.
For more information go to http://www.seniorservicematch.com/formindex.php
Fill out their short survey to find services and information that match your needs.
Related Senior Citizens Care Articles
With a carefully chosen office staff and a group of amazing CAREGivers we are able to better the lives of so many seniors. We feel truly honored to be in so many homes and positively affect so many different people’s lives. We would like to thank all of our CAREGivers, clients, and health care professionals in the industry for supporting our dream. This is a challenging business to do well and all of you have made it possible.
Visiting Angels Senior Home Care 605-334-8600 1-877-334-8600 www.yellowbook.com
Video Rating: 0 / 5
We all know people who suffer from high blood pressure and that usually means an adjusted diet, exercise, and even medications. But if you have low blood pressure, does that mean you are in the clear? Not necessarily, especially as we get older. Today on Good Morning Maryland @ 9′s “Elder Care” series, Jamie talked to Dr. Alicia Arbaje from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine about everything blood pressure related. They especially talked about why low blood pressure could cause problems as we age and why we should monitor our blood pressures when we are not at the doctor’s office.
Video Rating: 5 / 5
Elder care and rehabilitation services are meant for the aged who live by themselves, are sick or handicapped, or cannot look after themselves properly. Rehabilitation refers to the gradual process of regaining a person’s lost physical and mental capabilities. The rehabilitation centers for the elderly mainly aim at improving the life of these old individuals. Psychology has an important role to play in rehabilitation programs. The caregivers in rehab centers adopt a psychological approach in treating patients. The goal of every rehabilitation program is to help the affected person lead a normal and active life. Traditional rehabilitation strategies combined with social contacts can help increase the involvement of patients in these programs.
Elder care deals with the care concerns and the other issues associated with the aged people. Old age characterized by weakness and ill-health, make the aged depend on other people even for doing their daily activities. With proper elder care services, we can help improve the life of our elders. The caregivers for elder care should be selected after thorough screening, making sure they would give the necessary care for the patients. Different rehabilitation services are available for the aged people such as pulmonary rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation and more. While searching for a rehabilitation center, make sure it is a good facility and that your loved ones will get proper care and attention.
Elder care services focus on fulfilling the personal and social requirements of the older generation. Elder care services combine care management and care giving to provide superior services to the aged. Elder care and rehabilitation services provide comfortable, secure living accommodations to the elderly in a loving and safe environment for a long period.
The elderly patients in the rehab centers, away from their dear ones long for good companionship and wish to discuss their joys and sorrows. The caregiver should be one with the ability to listen and interact with them patiently. In today’s busy life with the younger generation living away for their job requirements, the demand for old age homes has increased so much that these have become a great necessity in the society.
Tags: Care, Elder, Rehabilitation
University of Toronto Professor Esme Fuller-Thomson and the stresses of taking care of mom and dad. Esme Fuller-Thomson is a professor of Social Work at the University of Toronto. For more information see her bio.
Nursing home staff talk about what it is like working in long-term care. Everyday we celebrate the work of nursing home staff. This short tribute stars nursing staff from “Nursing Home Heroes.”
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Tags: Boomers, Care, elderly, Esme, FullerThomson
