3 Ways to Take Charge of Your Recovery

December 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ContentSurgery is a big undertaking that can make a person feel vulnerable, helpless, and not to mention you may be in pain. There are many things that you can do to take charge of your recovery; possibly cutting down the recovery time and making you feel comfortable.

Communication
It is very important to communicate to your doctors, nurses, and family members during your recovery. From the minute you wake up after your procure, to the last doctor’s appointment, do not be afraid to ask questions and ask for help. Let people know how you are feeling and what you need to be comfortable. If something doesn’t seem right, don’t hesitate to call the doctor. Ask a family member or friend to help you when you have follow-up doctor’s appointments. This is the time to rely on your family and friends, and they will be happy to help you.

Gain Strength
Depending on the type of surgery you’ve had, your recovery may require more or less strength regaining. No matter what type of procedure you’ve had done, you will come out feeling week. With your doctor’s approval, slowly build up your strength by walking short distances, doing basic exercises, or perhaps getting a trapeze attached to your bed to help you move your body. Some people will require physical therapy after surgery. If you do, be sure to follow the therapist’s instructions and complete all home exercises. This will only speed up your recovery time and prevent complications.

Be Healthy
It is important to stay healthy during your recovery time. Eat a well-balanced meal to speed up the healing process and regain strength. Don’t forget those fruits and veggies and drink lots of water. If possible, get a small refrigerator to keep next to your bed to make it easy to grab a healthy snack or drink. Don’t overwork yourself. Napping and resting is essential for healing and speedy recovery.

Filed Under: Health Medicine Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Keep a Daily Diabetic Journal

December 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ContentIF you have diabetes, it might feel like food and blood glucose levels rule the world. Whether you have type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes, it is important to follow a healthy diet low in sugar and carbohydrates. It is also important to keep track of your glucose levels by testing your blood several times a day. To help you control your diabetes and to easily provide your diet and sugar levels to your doctor, keep a daily diabetic journal.

It is as simple as purchasing a small notebook that can fit into your pocket or purse. Keep a pen clipped onto the pages as a place holder, as well as to ensure you always have a writing implement readily available to add information to your daily diabetic journal.

Write the date at the top of the page. Then write down everything that you eat at each meal. You may want to include nutritional information or points for each food that you eat. This way, you will know how many calories, carbohydrates, and sugars you’ve eaten so far in the day, and how many are remaining for the rest of the day. If you are unsure of the diabetic diet, visit a nutritionist.

You will also want to write down each time that you test your blood sugar, as well as the results of the blood test. This will help you see how what you eat affects your blood glucose levels. It also helps the doctor to analyze your diet and your glucose numbers to make sure your medications are working correctly.

For those that may want a little more style, go ahead and purchase a fancy planner or binder to use as your daily diabetic journal. Those that are creative can create a daily diet template with Microsoft Word or other similar computer program. Make a bunch of copies and place them into your fancy journal planner.

Filed Under: Health Insurance, Health Medicine Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Tips for Testing Your Own Blood

December 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ContentPeople with diabetes or pre-diabetes may be asked to test their blood several times a day. To many, this is too scary to even consider. If there is a family member or friend is available to test your blood sugar levels, or if you have to do it yourself, there are a few tips to make testing your blood an easy process.

First, make sure your hands are clean. This goes both for the person getting pricked and the one doing the pricking. The best way to clean the puncture site is to use a small square of gauze soaked with rubbing alcohol. These can be purchased at many pharmaceutical and department stores.

The least painful place to insert the needle is on the side of the finger, close to the corner/edge of the nail. The skin here is a little thicker and isn’t as sensitive as the tip of the finger. Right before making the finger prick, take a deep breath in and as you slowly exhale, prick the finger.

Then squeeze the site to get a good sized drop of blood onto the testing strip. Insert the test strip into the blood glucose monitor and wait for the results. Every glucose monitoring machine works a little differently, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use. Many of the new monitors only require a tiny drop of blood and may allow for alternate testing sites, such as your forearm. Many diabetics report that the pain of a poke on the arm is less than a poke on a finger.

Your finger should stop bleeding quickly, since the needle used to prick the finger is very small. If needed, apply a small bandage.

To minimize pain, prick a different finger each time you test your blood. After you’ve tested every finger and thumb, start back on the first finger, but use the needle on the opposite side of the original poke.

Filed Under: Health Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

5 Fun Ways to Increase Your Lifespan

December 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Most people want to live as long as they possibly can, as healthy as they can. Why not find some fun ways to increase your lifespan. After all, living healthy doesn’t have to be all about strict diet and long hours of exercise. Here are 5 fun ways to increase your lifespan:

1. Eat Dark Chocolate
Eating chocolate will not only make you feel happier, but dark chocolate contains large amounts of antioxidants, which prevents the body from aging. It is also reported that eating a small bit of dark chocolate a day may lower your cholesterol and your blood pressure, all while providing an energy boost.

2. Play Brain Games
No matter how old you are, exercising your brain is just as important as exercising your body. Playing brain games and puzzles will keep your mind sharp in a fun way. It is also a great way to socialize with others and to be involved in the world.

3. Have More Sex
When we have sex, a variety of beneficial chemicals are released into the body. Some experts say that frequent sex can extend our life by years. Sex and touching is also a great way to bond with others, increase self-worth, and strengthen relationships.

4. Drink Red Wine
Antioxidants work to protect your body against aging and red wine is jam packed with it. There have been a few studies done on the effects of drinking red wine and all studies show that drinking a glass or two of red wine will keep your body young, thus you may live longer.

5. Play
Humans need to exercise to stay healthy, but who said it can’t be fun exercise. Instead of walking on a treadmill or climbing stairs at the gym, take the kids outside for a good old fashioned game of chase or tag. Get the neighborhood together and play baseball or kickball.

Filed Under: Health Insurance Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

What is Hypothermia?

December 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ContentHypothermia is the condition that describes a reduction in body temperature, which can be fatal if left untreated. There are three stages of hypothermia, from mild to life threatening. Hypothermia can cause organ failure because the body is too cold to run properly.

Stage 1 Hypothermia
When a person’s body temperature drops between one and three degrees from the normal average of 98.6 F (37 C), they are in the first stage of hypothermia. Many people have experienced this condition, with symptoms of mild shivering, goose bumps, and numb hands. A good example is when children are swimming in a cold pool, and they start to shiver and their lips turn blue, but they don’t want to get out! To return the body to it’s normal temperature, get out of the cold and elements and warm up with blankets.

Stage 2 Hypothermia
When a body temperature drops to as low as 91.4 F (35-33 C), this is considered as stage 2 hypothermia and is dangerous. Symptoms include confusion, arm and leg numbness, blue lips, hands, and feet. A person with stage 2 hypothermia may also have trouble moving their muscles properly. Shivering is the body’s way of generating heat, so a person with hypothermia will begin to shiver and shake a lot more than just an average chill.

Stage 3 Hypothermia
This stage of hypothermia is characterized by a body temperature of 90 F (32.22 C) or lower and is fatal if not treated. Shivering may subside, but the hypothermic person will have difficulty moving and will be very confused. The heart beats faster and organs will begin to fail if not treated. The hospital will treat patients with hypothermia by wrapping them in warm blankets and they may use warm intravenous fluid to help improve circulation and warm up the organs.

Filed Under: Health Insurance, Health Medicine Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Feeling Tired? It Might be Sleep Apnea

November 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Many people suffer from the disorder called sleep apnea, though very few actually realize that they have the problem. Sleep apnea is defined as abnormal pauses while breathing while a person is sleeping. It has been shown that these pauses can either be brief – lasting just a few seconds, to much longer – lasting up to several minutes. For most people, it takes someone else noticing the problem. Most people will not notice that they are having sleep apnea on their own.

Some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea include a restless sleep, tiredness throughout the day, and loud snoring. Men are much more likely to develop sleep apnea than women, but it can occur in anyone, including children. The elderly are also more likely to develop the disorder. The risk factors for sleep apnea also include weight and whether or not you smoke.

In some cases, sleep apnea can be helped with just a few lifestyle changes. For example, if you are a smoker, quitting smoking can help lower your risk of having sleep apnea, or if you already have sleep apnea, not smoking can help it cease. For some people, staying away from muscle relaxants, especially at night, can help as well. If you are overweight and have sleep apnea, you may want to try to lose weight, as this will help the apnea go away. Many people have found that sleeping at an elevated angle helps them get a better night’s sleep, because the apnea is not as bad. There are surgical options in very severe cases of sleep apnea, but in most cases this is not required.

If you are concerned that you may have sleep apnea, consult with your doctor. Sleep apnea is diagnosed by an overnight sleep study, so be ready to spend the night in the hospital.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Health Medicine, Health Tips, Medical Services Tagged With: , ,

What Does Bell’s Palsy do?

November 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN - OCTOBER 26: A leishmania...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

There are quite a few disorders and diseases that can cause partial face paralysis. Usually, if a person has paralysis of the face, it is found to be a stroke, brain tumor, or other disorder within the brain. If no cause can be found, it is said to be Bell’s palsy. Basically, what Bell’s palsy is, is a complete or partial paralysis of the face that is unexplained. Generally this occurs in either the right or left side of the face, but in about 1 percent of cases can be seen through the whole face.

Many doctors who have studied Bell’s palsy believe that the cause of the disorder is that the facial nerves start to swell. This is generally caused by an inflammatory condition, though the cause of the swelling may also be unknown. Without any treatment, many people start to show improvement within about two weeks. There are treatments for Bell’s palsy, though since there is so little information about the condition, it can be difficult to treat effectively. Currently, steroids have been shown to have the best recovery time. If starting on steroids for this disorder, it has to be treated early to have any effect. It is currently thought that certain viruses can lead to Bell’s palsy, and stress is also a huge factor for many people who have gotten the disorder.

There are some major complications that can occur with Bell’s palsy. A complete loss of taste is one of the side effects that can have huge implications for many people. Infections in the cornea can also happen, because many times with Bell’s palsy, a person can not close the affected eye.

Though it can be difficult to diagnose, since other things such as stroke must be ruled out first, it has been said that over 40,000 people are diagnosed with Bell’s palsy each year.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Health Medicine, Health Tips, Medical Services Tagged With: , ,

Stress and Healthcare

October 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Stress is a problem that exists well outside of the common scope of medical services, but its impact on health and healthcare is significant. In addition to the physical symptoms and problems with stress, it can also impact your ability to fight disease or heal. High levels of stress can heavily impair your health and well being, and there are few direct medical treatments for it. However, there are many techniques that you can do to reduce and manage your stress.

Some of the problems with high stress levels include physical side effects, such as headaches or an upset stomach. In severe cases, the physical manifestations of stress can be as strong as hypertension. In addition, studies have shown links between high levels of stress and developmental problems in children. However, the mental damages of intense stress are just as pronounced in healthcare, such as depression, wild mood swing and an inability to concentrate. Stress has also been linked to panic attacks and panic disorder, severe psychological problems for anyone who has experienced them. These are only a few of the problems and possible connections made by healthcare professionals with stress.

However nasty the effects of stress are, there are a number of things you can do to reduce levels of stress without involving medical services or healthcare professionals. Some techniques are basic, such as maintaining an exercise regimen to reduce your stress levels on a regular basis. In addition, long term habits, even if you are in a high stress job for example, can break the negative impacts of stress without medical services. Some of these habits include a healthy diet and maintaining some hobbies that will work to reduce stress. As long as you can work to keep stress levels low, the healthcare effects that you might experience can be kept at bay, and your health maintained.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Health, Health Tips, Medical Services Tagged With: , ,

Herbal Medicine in Healthcare

October 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Herbal medicine or Phytotherapy is a medical service that is both newly popular and ancient in our society. On the surface, the explanation of it is very simple, using naturally occurring plants as medicines and various treatments for a whole range of medical problems. However, what is not so easily explained is how effective this healthcare service is. Questions of both the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicines are constant, and answers are difficult to come by.

While herbal medicine has existed since the first societies, and man has found the uses of various plants, healthcare analysis of herbal medicine’s effectiveness has been slow in coming. In fact, the effectiveness of herbal medicine varies from herb to herb. For example, medical service has been found for aloe vera as an effective treatment for first or second degree burns. While on the other hand, St. John’s wort has been embroiled in controversy; with one study finding it effective in treating depression and another saying it is no better than a placebo. A major hurdle to medical services and research is that many herbal treatments have not yet been subjected to the intense clinical tests that many healthcare institutions require to prove a compound’s effectiveness.

In addition to measuring an herb’s effectiveness, there are still safety tests that need further completion. Many herbs can, if not properly used, prove to be highly toxic or harmful to a user. Like tests for effectiveness, healthcare research is hampered by the fact that herbs are very difficult to get regular tests from, in terms of dose size and strength of the plant. In addition, since the medical mechanics of some herbs is still obscured or not researched yet, there is the potential for dangerous interactions when herbal medicines come into contact with more common medical treatments. While herbal medicine is still in the air for effectiveness and safety, it is always best to use your healthcare professionals before using any possible treatment or plan.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Health, Health Tips Tagged With: , ,

Healthcare Solutions for Migraines

October 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
DSC00182
Image by frances bell via Flickr
Migraines are a debilitating condition that impact people of all ages, leaving them practically nonfunctional while they are in the grip of a headache. Little is known about the core causes of migraine headaches, and subsequently there are few medical services available to stop the headaches altogether. However, there are a number of healthcare methods and treatments available that can be put to work to minimize the impact of the headaches, or elude the onset of them.

On the front line of migraine avoidance are common painkillers such as aspirin or anti-vomiting agents to combat specific symptoms. Typically, these begin with very simple over the counter drugs, and in some cases can evolve into larger and more potent doses of painkillers. While this is the frontline defense, painkillers are rarely effective when used alone. Other drugs can go to work in effecting the brain chemistry to treat migraines. For example, healthcare research has found an effect of SSRIs and antidepressants in the treatment of migraines, primarily as a prophylactic. Medical services have found that antidepressants block the receptors of the brain that are associated with migraines; however they do have a cost in terms of side effects. In addition to all of these, some kinds of steroids and ergot alkaloids are both possible avenues of treatment, but you should always consult a healthcare specialist before embarking on any treatment.

Another major area of migraine management is avoidance of the triggers, and lifestyle changes to minimize their outbreak. Healthy actions such as frequent exercise and avoiding excessive use of caffeine or alcohol both contribute to migraine avoidance. Likewise, an observant patient and medical services can work to identify what events or situations trigger the migraine, and changes in lifestyle can avoid those events and protect the sufferer. These are only a few of the most basic healthcare avenues of migraine management, and many more exist, but if you need treatment, you should always contact a healthcare specialist about any new or change in treatment.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Health, Health Tips Tagged With: , ,
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »