Vital Facts About Flu

Did you know that flu poses a high risk for people with health conditions?

Here are the facts:

1. If you have a heart condition, you need a flu shot every year. Each shot changes every year to fight different types of viruses.
2. Instead of spray or mist, get the flu shot.
3. Flu can be fatal. More than 35,000 people in the US die every year because of flu.
4. People can still have flu virus and can contaminate others for up to 4 days without the symptoms. They can further spread it for another 3-4 days after the symptoms start.
5. The health risks of the flu shot are much lower than the risks of getting the flu when you have health problems.
   

Learn The Facts About Sleep Apnea

Do you get enough sleep but feeling still tired? Do you snore loud? If so, then you may have sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common type and this is caused by collapsing of the soft tissue at the back of the throat during sleep and stops the air flow into the lungs. Breathing can stop for more than 10 seconds at a time while you sleep. Then, when you start breathing again, you may have a loud choking sound.
Most overweight people or have high blood pressure have sleep apnea.
Treatment and management is important. If left untreated, it can cause serious health problems such as higher risk for heart disease and stroke.
Your doctor may also prescribe something to help keep your airways open while you sleep.

Sleeping Tips:

• Avoid alcohol and medications that cause drowsiness because they make your throat muscles relax.
• Try to lose at least 10% of your body weight if you're heavy. It helps.
• Sleep sideways instead of on your back. This will keep your tongue from relaxing into the back of your throat.
  

Health Secrets of the Longest-Lived People On Earth

These people love to walk and exercise. They foster strong family ties, where elders are respected. Their diet consists mostly of simple, satisfying and healthy foods such as breads, noodles, rice, grains topped with generous portions of bok choy, mushrooms, fruits and veggies. They also eat beans, seeds, nuts, fish, eggs and poultry products. When it comes to meat, they only eat a little which they consider a condiment, or at most, a side dish.
The interesting part is that they are fond of the phrase "hara hachi bu", (from Okinawa, Japan) - which means only eating until one is 80% full.
I takes your brain about 20-30 minutes to know that you've had enough to eat.
So, as you enjoy your meal, take a moment to think - "Am I almost full yet?" If so, stop eating. In just a few minutes, you'll probably feel completely satisfied - and happy that you didn't keep eating until you were uncomfortably stuffed.

Onions For Bug Bites!

Did you know that you can stop the stinging of a bee bite or itchy mosquito bite by rubbing it with an onion? Onions have anti-inflammatory powers, and even doctors recommend them for asthma sufferers who want to breathe freely.

Just a short tip, but a big help, don't you think? ;).

Get Ready for Better Health

Taking an active role in your health and working with your doctor will put you on your way to a healthier lifestyle. This is important to do if you have an ongoing condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma or back pain.

Before your next doctor visit, gather the following items and information to help you and your doctor make the most of your time.

• A list of your medications and nutritional supplements, with dosages.
• A record of any symptoms, for how long they've happened, and when and what makes them better or worse.
• An organized list of questions
• Paper and pen to take notes.

When you're at the doctor's office, make sure that you ask the following questions about your condition:

• Do I need to update the treatment plan for my condition?
• What should I do during an emergency?
• Do I need a follow up visit?

I will be having my doctor's appointment coming June 24....this is a good guideline. :)).

"Take As Diected"-Take It To Heart

Do you take any prescription drugs? How about over-the-counter (OTC) medications? If you do, take a look at the guidelines below. They can give you an update on how to make sure your medications keep you healthy and safe:

• Always read and follow the label directions on all prescription and OTC products. And pay close attention to your doctor's or pharmacist's directions for taking the medication.
• Take only the correct amount and number of doses at the time of day as written on the label. Taking a smaller dose to save money or a bigger dose for faster results is risky for your health. It may lead to bad side effects.
• If you think the amount you take needs to be adjusted, call your doctor to discuss making any changes.
  

Abuse and Neglect in Illinois Nursing Homes

We can not deny the fact that there are many cases of elderlies out there who are in the nursing homes taken cared of but abused and neglected. It's just a sad thing to think that in a nursing home where trained and high skilled staffs are present, cases of negligence are still quite alarming. This is a time for critical action to enhance quality of care and improve staffing levels to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, particularly when a "total patient care" approach is to be implemented.
Horwitz, Horwitz and Associates, Ltd. is a firm that helps its clients ensure that their injuries are being acknowledged, as well as to ensure that the client can get his/her compensation to the fullest extent of the law. It's also the firm's mission to help pursue cases on illinois nursing home neglect, ensuring the client understands his/her rights and to protect these rights. You can easily and conveniently find chicago nursing home abuse attorneys at Horwitzlaw.com site, get to know them more by browsing through their full bio's and you can even ask them questions for free! Do you have questions about nursing home care? Then prepare to join attorneys Michael Carter and Jeffrey Schlapp of Horwitz and Associates, Ltd. in answering your questions each week and learn more ways how you can prevent abuse and neglect to your elderly loved ones, as well as how they can receive that dignified caring they deserve.
Visit Horwitz, Horwitz and Associates, Ltd. today and find an illinois nursing home negligence lawyer if your loved ones or your family rights have been violated particularly an elderly member of your family. If you think your loved one is either abused or neglected, don't hesitate to contact them and get a free consultation with an experienced attorney immediately.

Cosmetic Surgeons in Beverly Hills

Plastic Surgeons in Beverly Hills are not hard to find. Lookingyourbest.com is an online site of plastic surgery information as well as a plastic surgeon directory in which you can easily find the right cosmetic surgeon. Lookingyourbest can further help you in your search for surgeons specializing in breast augmentation, facial rejuvenation, facial surgery and even body contouring. Breast Augmentation in Beverly Hills might be perfect for you if you prefer finding plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills that specialize in this type of surgery. Breast Augmentation in Beverly Hills is a surgical procedure enhancing the size of your bust by using saline or silicone breast implants. Many women prefer choosing this procedure in Beverly Hills due to advances in implant technology and surgical techniques. It's always a vital thing to understand your goals when you decide to undergo Beverly Hills breast enhancement as well as choosing your surgeon because it is your surgeon whom you will be communicating with in relation to your goals and expectations and in return would be your surgeon who gives you a feeling of confidence. Plastic Surgeons in California can help you provide informations not only about breast implants, but as well as other cosmetic procedures such as facelift surgery, liposuction and other cosmetic related procedures. By finding a qualified and competent plastic surgeon in California can help you to be assured that you can gain that perfect surgery experience you want it to be.

Silent Killer: Nightmare ("Bangungot")

What u need to know about NIGHTMARE or BANGUNGOT & some realities.

This information came from a US-based pharmacist. Nightmare or "bangungot" in Tagalog is one of the most common silent killers in the Philippines and mostly affects men. I am not sure if this is common to some countries as well. But here are some vital informations.

IMPORTANT: Never go thirsty when going to bed and be
sure you have plenty of water during your 8-hour rest.
Bangungot has killed a male nurse of UERMMH. It is sudden death in adults which cause them to die while sleeping. Many theories have been put forward as its cause. However, here is an article which
sheds some light to the cause of this malady. Please read on:

Article from THE PHILIPPINE STAR:
The reported cause of actor Rico Yan's death is nightmare or
bangungot. Medical investigators in China , Japan and several Asian
countries who performed autopsies on persons who died from "acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis" found out that the majority of them had
eaten NOODLES as their supper. This was a startling finding.

However, it wasn't the noodles that caused nightmares but
DEHYDRATION. Imbibing even with a few drinks of alcohol or just
eating noodles immediately before bedtime compound this on an empty stomach will trigger an electrolyte imbalance and other factors that causes a person to dehydrate or lose water.

It is therefore advisable for a person to take several glasses of
water before bedtime if he had a few or several alcoholic drinks.
Avoid eating noodles before bedtime, but if you can not avoid it,
all ow at least two hours for the body to digest the noodles before
hitting the sack and drink plenty of water.

The most important thing is, never go thirsty when going to bed and
be sure you have plenty of water during your 8-hour rest.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs

Here is a good site that will help you on how to get rid of bed bugs. The site serves as a guide on informations about bed bugs and pets. In case you don't know, your pets, both dogs and cats can be infested with bed bugs too. So, you are not alone, huh? We don't have pets at home but I think few years ago, we got bed bugs on our bed. Everytime I wake up in the morning, I got scratches on my back and had some traces of bug bites. So, I bought a bed bug spray to kill those pests away. I think it worked. Visit the site today and learn more on how to get rid of those pests and protect your pets from them.

Show Off That Beautiful Smile!

Good dental hygiene creates good beautiful smiles. And beautiful smiles boost self-esteem. Plus, it's a big bonus to get compliments about your smile too, right? ;) Beverly Hill dental is a place where you can have that beautiful smile come true. Meet Dr. Maddahi, a Beverly Hills dentist that uses a unique combination of art and dentistry and considered as one of the leading cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles today. He provides complete smile makeovers using advanced dental techniques with a painless system that uses air instead of metal to drill teeth. As a patient, you will be taken cared of with a given options and you will be guaranteed a safe and excellent service with a relaxing environment. Visit Dr. Maddahi today to have that beautiful, natural smiles in you :).

Smart Snack Choices Under 100 Calories (4)

Midnight
You can't sleep and you've got the munchies.

5 mini vanilla wafers and 4 oz. sugar-free pudding, 100 calories
1/4 cup chocolate sorbet and 1/2 cup strawberries, 81 calories
1 1/2 cups light microwave popcorn, 50 calories
3 gingersnaps and 1/4 plain nonfat yogurt, 100 calories
1 low-sugar frozen fruit ice pop, 40 calories
1 rice cake and 1/4 cup lowfat cottage cheese, 89 calories
1 pudding pop, 80 calories
1/2 slice of raisin toast and 1/4 cup ricotta cheese, 90 calories
3 large graham crackers, 90 calories
6 oz. frozen orange juice eaten as sorbet, 90 calories

Smart Snack Choices Under 100 Calories (3)

8:30 PM
You want something to nosh on in front of the TV.

1/3 cup lowfat, frozen yogurt, 75 calories
Two 4-ox jell-o sugar free low-calorie gelatin snacks, 20 calories
1/2 cup lowfat cottage cheese, 80 calories
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce, 80 calories
1 cup steamed skim milk, 80 calories
2 large graham crackers with 1 tsp peanut butter, 91 calories
4 oz ready-to-eat pudding made with skim milk, 100 calories
2 cups plain popcorn sprinkled with 2 tbsp parmesan cheese, 100 calories
1/3 cup ready-to-eat cereal with 1/2 cup skim milk, 90 calories
1/2 of a pita bread with 1/4 cup tuna (water packed) and a 1 tsp lowfat mayo, 95 calories

Health - Important Notice

Reduce the amount of TEA you consume.
Do not eat bread which has only JUST been toasted
Keep your distance from hand phone CHARGERS
Drink more WATER in the morning, less at night
Do not drink coffee TWICE a day
Reduce the amount of OILY food you consume
Best sleeping time is from 10pm at night to 6am in the morning
Do not have HUGE meals after 5pm
Do not take alcohol more than one glass/cup/serving a day
Do not take pills with COOL water
Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine before sleeping
Getting LESS than 8 hours of sleep affects your health
People used to napping will not get old easily
When battery is down to the LAST grid/bar, do not answer the phone
The radiation is 1000 times
Answer the phone by LEFT ear
It'll spoil your brain directly by using right ear
Do not use headphones/earphone for LONG period of time
Rest your ear awhile after 1 hour

Reasons To Smile

These tips can help boost your happiness while keeping you young at heart.

• Tweak Your Thinking. "Unhappy, pessimistic people look at problems as permanent, and they throw in the towel right away." On the other hand, people who are happy and optimistic look at problems as challenges, and they focus on finding solutions.
• Count your blessings. Research has shwon that people who express gratitude on a regular basis are more optimistic and healthier, on average, than those who don't. Cultivating greater gratefulness can be as simple as keeping a daily journal in which you write about things, large and small, that you're thankful for.
• Be a do-gooder. Volunteering is another proven way to promote better mental and physical well being. When you're unhappy or depressed, keeping your mind off yourself is important. Plus, volunteering is a good way to get out and make friends-a great antidote to loneliness and isolation.
• Get moving. Exercise is an excellent way to relieve stress, reduce anxiety and depression, and enhance psychological well-being. Aerobic exercise-the kind that makes you breathe hard and increase your heart rate for a sustained period of time-reduces the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Plus, it's fun, if you pick an activity you enjoy. That's something to smile about! :)
  

How To Detect The Presence of Abuse and Neglect

Abuse may be physical, psychological, sexual, or financial. Victims of abuse typically live with the abuser. Neglect involves witholding food or other necessities. Red flags for abuse and neglect include a family history of alcoholism, drug abuse, or violence; economic stress; cognitive impairment; caregiver experience; and blaming personalities.

DO's for Screening:

• Suspect abuse when the patient has injuries in various stages of healing or that aren't readily explained. A caregiver who's unwilling to leave her side is another red flag.
• Assess the patient's general appearance, posture and mental status. Is she clean and appropriately dressed? Does she appear withdrawn, anxious, depressed, cognitively impaired or delirious? Poor eye contact with her caregiver and reluctance to return to her living situation are also signs of abuse.
• Assess for signs of malnourishment, such as a low serum albumin level and electrolyte imbalances, and for signs of dehydration, such as weight loss and poor skin turgor. Look for skin abnormalities such as bruises, scars and abrasions. Does she have pressure ulcers? Look for restraint marks on her wrists and ankles and cigarette burns anywhere on her body. Assess her for orbital ecchymosis, subconjunctival hemorrhage, and signs of ruptured tympanic membrane. Forced feeding may cause lip bruises and lacerations. Also assess for whiplash injuries (neck stiffness, shoulder pain, headache, paresthesia, hoarseness, difficulty of swallowing or chewing).
• Suspect rib fractures if she has chest pain or assymetrical chest movement. crepitations during arm or leg range of motion may indicate a fracture.
• Very gently palpate her abdomen. Extreme tenderness may signal an underlying injury.
• Check her rectum and genitalia for bruising, bleeding, or discharge. Torn, stained, or bloody underclothes and difficulty walking or sitting due to genital discomfort are signs of sexual abuse.
• If you suspect abuse, ask the caregiver to leave so you can interview the patient alone. Ask her, "Does anyone ever hurt you?"
• Say to the suspected abuser, "Caring for your loved one must be difficult. Do you ever feel as if you're going to lose control?"
• If you suspect abuse, follow agency policies and state laws for reporting and documenting your findings and subsequent interventions. Notify adult or child protective services.

DONT's for Screening:

• Don't interview a possible victim in the presence of the possible abuser.
• Don' be judgemental with either the victim or the abuser.
  

Where Skin Cancer Strikes!

According to Dr.Darrell Rigel, Skin cancer can crop up anywhere. But certain body parts are more vulnerable than others. Here's what you should know about your...

• NOSE "One third of all skin cancers happen here because it catches so much sun."
• LIPS 4% of skin cancers are on the upper lip, a high number for such a small area. Protect them with SPF 15 balm.
• EYES Nearly 1 in 10 skin cancers occur around the eyes, which makes big sunglasses a smart trend :)
• WHERE YOU PART YOUR HAIR, AND YOUR EARS Up to 4% occur here.
• CHEST,NECK,BACK AND SHOULDERS Since these places get lots of summer sun, women often develop basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers here.
• HANDS The backs of the hands are the 3rd most common spot for skin cancer to crop up.
• LOWER LEGS The leg has become the most common site for melanoma in women. Wearing shorts and skirts, but skipping SPF is the likely reason.
• PALMS, FEET AND NAILS Experts don't know why but women of African, Asian, Native American or Latin heritage may be prone to melanoma in areas such as the soles of the feet, palms and under nails.

BUT WAIT! Here's a little-known fact: Did you know that skin cancer can develop on the genitals? "It's uncommon, but we do see skin cancer on areas that haven't had any UV exposure," says Martin Weinstock, MD, PH.D, professor of dermatology at Brown University in Povidence, Rhode Island, and the American Cancer Society's skin cancer advisory group chair. Ask your ob-gyne to watch for anything suspicious.

What Really Are Trans Fats?

You may be wondering what they are and why manufacturers keep using them in foods. Trans fats are made when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil-a process called hydrogenation, or partial hydrogenation. The result is that the fat stays solid at high temperatures and thus lengthens the shelf life of foods. Unfortunately, it may also shorten the "shelf life" of those who eat them.

Almost all experts agree that trans fatty acids are bad for you. That's why FDA now requires manufacturers to list the amount of trans fats in their products.

The bottom line is: To the degree you reduce your intake of saturated fat and trans fatty acids, you reduce your risk of a heart attack and other illnesses. In the new dietary guidelines, the American heart Association now recommends cutting saturated fats to less than 7% of calories and trans fats to less than 1% of total calories in your diet. So, what can you do to protect yourself and your family?

• Reduce your intake of foods high in trans fats, which include most fried foods and many commercially prepared cookies, cakes, crackers and snack foods. If the label says "hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated", avoid it. In general, steer clear of foods that contain more than 3 grams of trans fats or saturated fats per serving.
• Cut your consumption of foods high in saturated fats. which includes meat and dairy products as well as some tropical oils, such as palm oils and coconut oils.
• Support efforts to require restaurants to disclose the amounts of trans fats and saturated fats in the foods they serve. Food manufacturers are required to do so, but not restaurants, even though more than 1/3 of calories are consumed outside the home.
• Instead of butter, try margarines that are low in both trans fats and saturated fat. Check the labels.
• When cooking at home, use oils that are low in trans fats and saturated fat, such as olive oil and canola oil, which have the added advantage of being high in the protective omega-3 fatty acids. All fats are dense in calories, so use even "good fats" sparingly.
  

How To Deal With Insomnia

Are you an insomniac? Don't underestimate the dangers of insomnia. If you're overweight, sleep apnea could be the cause.

At night, keep away from bright light. In the morning, open the shades and go out for a walk to tell your brain, "This is the start of the day." OTC medication sleep aids is worth trying, but if you suffer for more than 3 weeks, see a doctor.

Stress often plays a role in insomnia. Don't exercise or eat at the end of the day, and avoid or limit caffeine, alcohol and nicotine. A warm bath can help too. Also, try taking 1,000mg of calcium (may calm your muscles and nerves, helping you sleep.)

Go to bed and get up the same time daily. Keep your room dark and quiet and remove distractions. no working in bed). Have a cup of herbal tea, such as chamomile, to relax your body. Try eating a healthy diet of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and low-fat protein to feel better and sleep better.

Lying in bed, starting from your legs and moving up to your head, tense your muscles one at a time, then release. Your body will feel more relaxed, like a rubber band after it's been stretched. And try soothing alternate-nostril breathing. Exhale through one nostril, using your fingers to close the opposite nostril. Breathe in and out; then switch back and forth.

Are Nuts Healthy?

There are all kinds of nuts. Some are even better than others. Nuts are healthier snacks than chips or candies, but they may lose up to 10% of their healthy oils when roasted. Cooking them at high temperatures may even cause the formation of chemicals that promote aging.

Here are some guides to nut snacking, from the most healthy to the least:

• raw and freshly refrigerated
• freshly roasted or dry roasted (in your oven)
• roasted in their own fat and salted (in a package)
• Roasted in partially hydrogenated fat, and even worse if they're sugared.

Nuts are known to decrease risk of heart disease and cancer. Walnuts rank highest in healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Always check the expiration dates. since nuts can go rancid quickly. Store them in the fridge to keep them fresh.