Health Screenings PSA

There are many health dangers that could happen at a moments notice that could kill you or do significant damage to you.  Heart disease, stroke, cancer, and many more scary conditions exist out there.  We all want to make sure we are in the clear, who doesn't want to make sure they're healthy after all?  It's important to get tested but there's a danger to over testing when you don't need it.  Not only is it expensive but it may have unforeseen consequences.  Places that offer free health screenings will also offer you additional screenings at cost playing on your fear of the unknown.  Your insurance could see the results of every screening you undergo, raising your risk score, ultimately increasing your insurance or preventing you from having the insurance you need for being "too high risk."  When in doubt always consult your personal physician before undergoing a series of tests.  Your doctor will be better at identifying your health risks from already knowing your medical records and family history.  They'll know that if you don't have a history of heart disease in your family that you'll be a low risk and can perform low cost, non invasive, screenings should you need that assurance.  No need getting several Xrays for conditions you would have a very low risk of developing, excess radiation comes with its own problems.  Health screenings need review from the FDA before they are available to the public, but they don't regulate how the screenings are applied, leading to companies using fear mongering to persuade you to get tests you don't need.  Don't let that discourage you from getting screenings if you truly feel that you need it, just have a bit of skepticism if a company is trying to sell you on taking more screenings than what you initially came for, and when in doubt ask your doctor for their professional opinion!

Speaking of PSA, Banks Ladd wanted us to film a PSA about Trust Planning and that is available on our YouTube Channel!

Identifying headaches

As we grow older, we are prone to more headaches an migraines, but what are the causes? Turns out there are many factors, and there are even causes we aren't aware of.  Here are some causes that can help you identify what you might be going through right now!

Caffeine Withdrawal:  If you regularly consume coffee or a caffeinated beverage and didn't drink at your usual time, you might be undergoing a withdrawal headache.  These happen because your brain learns to function on caffeine and a break in its supply will throw off your equilibrium and lead to a painful ache.  You can either resume your caffeine supply to fix it, or wean yourself off with headache medication that has caffeine in it, to get your brain used to not having caffeine in its system.

Rebound Headaches:  If you regularly take OTC pain medications, your nervous system can become sensitive and make your aches and pains much worse.  You should see your physician if you are still feeling pains after taking 2-3 OTC pills per week.

Dehydration:  This one is a simple fix but is very easy to overlook.  If you aren't drinking enough water per day, ideally 16 ounces or more, your body may suffer dehydration headaches.  This is also the reason hangovers exist, alcohol dehydrates the body, and when you wake up with a splitting headache you'll need to drink plenty of water to quell it.  Most people who never get hangovers, are ones who regularly drink water with alcohol consumption.

Barometric Headache:  Changes in weather affect the atmosphere pressure, also known as Barometric Pressure.  While we don't feel it, the atmosphere around us is always exerting a pressure on us, and when the weather changes (most abruptly in thunder and lightning storms) the differentials in pressure can cause a headache.  There's not much you can do to prevent this other than take some headache pills when you feel a headache come on.

Hunger Headache:  This headache is very similar to a dehydration or caffeine headache.  When you don't eat, your body is lacking in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to function.  The term "brain food" applies here, if you aren't getting nutrition, your brain isn't getting what it needs to function properly, triggering a headache.

Sleep Deprivation:  If you haven't been getting proper rest, then neither has your brain.  You need to see a sleep specialist if you consistently suffering from insomnia, or sleep apnea, as these will trigger frequent headaches.  Not only will sleep deprivation give you headaches, it will also increase your risk for heart troubles.

There are many more causes for headaches, and some of them could be signs of serious problems, so when should you see a doctor?  If you feel weak, begin to lose your vision, have balance problems, or trouble talking, you should see a doctor right away.  And if you suddenly have a headache that feels like the worst pain of your life, you may be having an aneurism, and should call 911 as soon as possible.  Sudden headaches like that can also be referred to as a "thunderclap".

Also a new video was released today! Go check out our YouTube channel! Be sure to like, comment and subscribe if you would like to see more!

Presidents Birthdays

Did you know that some of our most famous presidents share birthdays this month? There are four actually! We only celebrate two of the four though.  George Washington (February 22, 1732), William Henry Harrison (February 9, 1773), Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809), and Ronald Regan (February 6, 1911). We only celebrate George Washington's birthday and Abraham Lincoln's Birthdays for how significant their terms meaned to the United States.





As George Washington was the first president of the United States of America, it's only natural that we celebrate his birthday as a holiday.  However, it wasn't until 1971 that we move the celebration to every 3rd Monday as President's day, so employees and students would get a 3 day weekend rather than have the week, awkwardly, split up with time offs.









As for Abraham Lincoln, we recognize his birthday because he was a huge civil rights advocate and recognized as a hero for making slavery illegal.  In New York his birthday was first recognized as a holiday in conjunction with, a former abolitionist, Fredrick Douglas's birthday on the 14th.  Starting the movement of becoming Black History week, and eventually growing to Black History Month today.




In other news, have you been to our Youtube Channel as of late?  We have a couple new videos!

Charla Ruby has done an outstanding job ever since we hired her last year, and she has earned our Employee of the Month Award for February 2019!

And we were recently at the Nix Center for their Volunteer Fair! Come by and see some of the photos we took!

Tips for Good Heart Health

It's February and that means it's Heart Health Awareness month!  Our hearts are one of the most important organs in our bodies, being the organ that provides blood to all your organs.  Without it, oxygen couldn't get from your lungs to your brain, nutrients from your stomach to your body, and so on!  So with that established, let's look at ways you can keep your heart healthy!

(all tips researched and provided by the Cleaveland Health Clinic)
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-things-to-do-daily-to-keep-your-heart-healthy/

1) Avoid Trans Fats, Eat Healthy Fats

While you may be thinking, aren't all fats unhealthy? This is actually a myth, only Trans Fats are the bad fats.  They lead to raising your LDL cholesterol levels, which is the bad kind that clogs arteries.  Find foods that say 0% Trans Fats, and eat other fatty foods.  HDL is the good cholesterol and improves blood flow.  Look up foods that raise your HDL levels to help your heart!

2) Don't sit too long. 

Studies have shown that sitting for extended periods of time is harmful to your health.  Of 800,000 observed people, the people who sat the most had a 147% increase in cardiovascular problems and a 90% increase in death.  So what can you do to reduce your chances of risk? Experts say 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous exercise per week will drastically reduce health risks, also investing in a standing desk or taking short walks throughout the work day will also help.

3) Maintain Good Dental Hygiene. 

Now this one most people wouldn't think to associate with Heart Health, but poor dental hygiene breeds bacteria in your mouth, and that bacteria can move into the blood stream and increase your chances for heart disease and stroke! Always floss and brush your teeth daily to combat gum disease.

4) Proper Sleep.

We all know sleep is important, but studies have shown us that of 3,000 people who get under 6 hours of sleep became about twice as likely for heart attacks and strokes.  Not sleeping interrupts your bodies natural processes and can lead to heart problems.  Shoot for 7-8 hours of sleep each night, and see a sleep specialist if you are having troubles like insomnia or apnea.

5) Avoid Smoking and 2nd Hand Smoking.

It's no secret that tobacco products lead to many conditions like heart failure, lung cancer, and many more.  However, did you know that 2nd hand smoke is just as harmful to you?  Exposure to tobacco smoke contributes to 34,000 heart disease deaths and 7,300 lung cancer deaths. Avoid smoking areas, and make sure to let your smoking families and friends know not to smoke around you.  If you personally smoke, then there are many methods available to quit, nicotine patches, gum, and E-cigarettes/Vape mods are far cleaner options for your body to help wean you off of harmful tobacco products.

Ageism

As life goes on we all continue to age, but aging shouldn't be something that defines who we are.  They always say "age is just a number" and in a sense that is true, we shouldn't hinder ourselves because we're "getting old" but we should also be aware that our limits are changing.  That we should enjoy life as much as possible but don't go overboard and hurt yourself.  Our society, and many societies for that matter, view aging as growing weak and frail, waiting for the inevitable.  Ageism has even grown to the point where it affects our choices in the medical field; for example: if someone has a stroke in their 40s, the family will fight tooth and nail, getting as much medical care as possible to return them back to their highest function as possible.  Now, if someone in their 70s has a stroke, the family tends to focus on getting care to help them cope with their new conditions, rather than treat them.  Ageism also affects how a family will interact as well, as someone gets older, families feel that they need to help out more and a couple case studies showed that some elderly lost their independence because of their family over assisting around the house.  Rather than absorbing all responsibility, caregivers need to learn to share responsibility with their loved ones, helping out where they are truly needed, and promoting independence where possible because as we get older we gradually become less able to do things, but that doesn't mean we need to lose our independence all at once.  Don't let ageism define you, but don't let pride keep you from receiving the help you need.  There is no shame in admitting you need help in something you could do before, in fact it takes a strong person to admit they need help.

In other news! We are still doing our Evening Support Groups.  This coming tuesday will be the First Tuesday of February, so call us at 251-445-4204 to RSVP.  We hold our Support Groups every 1st and 3rd Tuesday from 6pm to 7pm over at Volunteers of America Southeast! 1204 Hillcrest Rd, Mobile, AL 36609

Healthy living for a healthy mind!

Living healthy and sleeping right are some of the best methods to keep your body strong and make it last long!  First one should start with a proper diet, avoid processed and fast foods.  Not everyone has time for home cooking, but you should at least start the day with some fresh produce like a banana or an apple.  Eating healthy isn't enough to keep yourself in peak condition, proper diet must always be followed with exercise.  Dietitians and Fitness experts alike recommend working out 4-5 times a week for about 20-30 minutes, whether it be jogging, swimming, lifting weights, any form of exercise is better than no exercise, just make sure to keep a consistent schedule.  As always, you should consult your doctor before attempting any drastic changes in diet or exercise, you need to make sure its something your body can safely handle.




When the day comes to an end, everyone should get around 7-8 hours of rest each night.  However you may have trouble getting to sleep either because you have insomnia, or noises in the night interrupt the REM cycles in your sleep.  What is REM sleep? Its a unique form of deep sleep identified by "Rapid Eye Movement."  One way to maintain consistent REM sleep is by using white noise machines.  White noise is used to drown out distracting noises through the night with a uniform sound, because if you sleep in silence, your hearing is much more sensitive and you will be disturbed at the slightest sound.  Some white noise machines are very expensive, but one of the cheapest methods (and one that I use) is just buying a 10 dollar box fan from Walmart and set it to low through the night.  Other white noise machines can produce relaxing sounds like crickets, rain, a flowing stream, and many other sounds that might better suit you.








Now white noise machines might not work for everyone, as an absolute last resort you can talk to your doctor about getting some sleep aids.  Melatonin is a vitamin that you can purchase over the counter and Zquil is another sleep aid readily available without prescriptions, both of these are designed to aid in falling asleep and staying asleep until you are rested.  If you are going to attempt sleep aids, I would highly recommend speaking with your doctor first, then try it on a weekend so you can see how it affects you before you take it on a night before you have to go to work.  If your sleep aid is too powerful you can sleep through your morning alarms.

How ever you make choices to improve your life style, one should always consult their medical professional before making commitments.  It's their job to know how your body works, and they'll be the best resource to getting you on track to better health!

New Years Resolutions

Happy New Years everyone, I hope your first week of the new year is going well! Have you gotten used to writing 2019 yet? Me neither!  Man, 2018 was a crazy year full of highs and lows, one can only hope that we can make this year better than the last.

It's January so that means this month is Glaucoma Awareness month! Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 60, and is the condition where fluid pressure within your eye damages your optic nerve.  As modern medicine stands, there is currently no cure, but many treatment options are available.

There are a couple variants of Glaucoma with different symptoms, like Open Angle and Acute Angle.  Open Angle Glaucoma causes severe tunnel vision and patchy blind spots in your center or peripheral vision.  Acute Angle Glaucoma can cause eye pain, blurred vision, halo's in light sources, eye redness and severe headaches.

Unfortunately even with treatment, people with Glaucoma will still suffer from total blindness in about 15-20 years.

This year we are starting a new Evening Support Group session, on every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month from 6 pm to 7 pm.  Come on over, its totally free, we just require an RSVP before you attend. Learn about dementia, what fellow caregivers like yourselves have to handle on a daily basis, and even about some tips on what you can do for help!

Hey Remember that I Spy Give Away? Well, we had a lot of great submissions and it took some deliberating but, I would like to Congratulate David Carpenter for winning I Spy!

It was a lot of fun and we hope to see you guys for the next giveaway when we host it!