[et_pb_section bb_built="1"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.101" background_layout="light"]
Staying with a doctor you’re not happy with can be as harmful as staying in a bad relationship. Why do we stay? Because it’s easier than making a change. Everyone hates change!
*You and your doctor don't see eye to eye on things.If you value a warm bedside manner, a doctor who spouts commands may not be the best fit for you. Some people want a doctor that is empathetic, or may want their doctor to provide more options for their treatment.
*Your physician doesn’t respect your time. Do you wait routinely an hour or more only to feel your doctor is speed-doctoring through your visit? Or worse, they don’t even look you in the eye?
*A doctor should be open and thorough about whycertain treatments are recommended. They should explain why they are opting for that treatment. It’s also important they use terms you understand rather than medical jargon.
*Doctors need to know intimate details you may notshare even with your family. If you are unable to talk about those details, your doctor may not be the best match.
*Your insurance company no longer contracts withyour current doctor. This can actually be as much a reason to change insurance companies as well as doctors.
On the other hand, if you are considering making a change, don’t take the decision lightly. Before ending a relationship with a doctor, make sure you request copies of your records so you can take them to your new doctor. The new doctor may request them, but you can’t be sure that will happen in a timely manner. According to HIPAA regulations, you have the right to request your medical records.Sources: Center for Disease Control (CDC); Medicare.gov activebeat com healthline com livestrong com
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
Update on Shingles Vaccine 2019
[et_pb_section bb_built="1"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.101" background_layout="light"]
Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in the body (reason is unknown) and the virus can reactivate year’s later…causing shingles.
A new shingles vaccine, called Shingrix, was licensed by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration in 2017. CDC recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of Shingrix, two to six months apart. Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles and PHN (long lasting pain). Shingrix is the preferred vaccine, over Zostavax®, a shingles vaccine in use since 2006.
The shot is not covered by Medicare Parts A and B. Generally, Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) cover the shingle’s shot. It will be subject to your plan’s annual deductible and copays depending on the tier level on your specific Part D plan. Since the shots are subject to your drug plan’s annual deductible, and since it consists of two shots given (2- 6 months apart), you may want to do these two shots within the same calendar year.
Foods to avoid when suffering with shingles
1) Dark Chocolate.
2) Nuts.
3) Alcohol & Caffeine.
4) Food and juices with high amounts of sugar, refined or processed foods.
5) Gelatin, candy gum-mies, marshmallows, some cereals & non-fat yogurt.
6) Soy, bean sprouts, some cereals, imitation meats & dairy. Protein powers also contain soy.
7) Grains (breads, pastas, oatmeal, buckwheat all contain high levels of arginine.)
8) Sorry, but beer is also listed.
Foods that promote healing
Foods containing Vitamin A, B-12, C and E plus the amino acid “Lysine.” Orange and yellow fruits, green leafy vegetables, red meat, eggs, chicken, wild-caught fish, dairy, whole grains, legumes, beans, tomatoes, and spinach.
Sources: Center for Disease Control; Medicare.gov, activebeat com, healthline com, livestrong com
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
Worst breakfast foods… 2019
[et_pb_section bb_built="1"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.101" background_layout="light"]
1. Bagel with Cream Cheese. Skip the high calorie and fatty cream cheese. Instead, use low-fat cottage cheese or natural nut butters like almond, peanut, and soy.
2. Supermarket Boxed Cereals. Fruit Loops, Cocoa Puffs, Honey Nut Cheerios; these store-bought cereals are meant to appeal to the sweet tooth and are jam-packed with sugar. Look for a cereal rich in whole grains (oats, barley, etc.). Use raw honey or real maple syrup as a healthy way to start your day.
3. Breakfast Smoothie. If you buy your smoothie at the local café, they are full of refined sugar. Most store-bought varieties contain full-fat milk, cream, or even ice cream. Blend a healthy version at home with Greek yogurt, unsweetened almond or skim milk, and fruit.
4. Donuts or Store-Bought Muffins. DUH!!!
5. Store-Bought Granola.Most contain up to 10 grams of fat and 400 calories per serving, which outweighs even a glazed donut. Yet it looks so healthy on the box…. honey, brown sugar, oats, dried fruits. Trust me, it isn’t.
6. Pancakes and Sausageor Breakfast Burritos. DUH!!!
7. Take-Away Sandwiches. Deceives you that this is a balanced breakfast…. egg, meat, cheese, and toast. Can be full of fat and you’ll be hungry in a few hours.
So… do your body good by choosing healthier options like fresh berries, whole grains, Greek yogurt, and nut butters to name a few.
[et_pb_section bb_built="1"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.101" background_layout="light"]
Flip Flops are a very popular and fashionable footwear to keep our feet cool in the summertime. But flip flops can cause us pain because they give us very little support, especially in our arches. If you can bend them in half, don’t buy them. They should only bend at the ball of your foot where your foot naturally bends. Also, make sure your toes don’t bend over the edges; this can lead to injuries when you trip and/or fall. You should not walk in them for long periods of time, as this can cause plantar fasciitis, tenderness, or inflammation in your heels.
Neck Pain from cell phones. It’s called “text neck” mainly because our heads and necks are bent downward most of the time checking our phones. It’s very common to develop shoulder, neck, and lower back pain as well. According to health.com and nytimes.com, young adults are growing small “horns” (bone spurs) at the base of the skull where the head bends down to look at cell phones and other devices. Disc problems are also occurring due to this bad posture.
Text Thumb: Does your thumb pop or snap when you bend it? Does it cause you any discomfort? This is due to the repetitive motions you use to click, drag, swipe and drop. In more serious cases, the thumb may even get locked into a curling position. Your doctor may recommend cortisone injections but can be restored to full mobility.
Elbow, back, and shoulder pain can come from carrying heavy loads, such as laptops, especially when we add accessories to the carrying case. As a rule, don’t carry more than 10% of our body weight. You may want to invest in a bag that has a wide strap. Don’t forget there are many “rolling” options available with wheels.
Ponytails. Do you notice that your head aches after a day wearing a ponytail? This doesn’t affect everyone, but it can be painful. Gee whiz, I wonder if the girls from the 1950s experienced this as well? Maybe their black and white saddle oxfords balanced them out while riding in their 57 Chevys? Those were the “good ole days”! Anyone remember?
As Mr. Miyagi, in the Karate Kid used to say: “Everything in balance”.
Medicalnewstoday.com / health.com / nytimes/com / digitalresponsibility.org
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
Why am I not losing weight on low-carb diet?
[et_pb_section bb_built="1"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.101" background_layout="light"]
Low carbs can be effective in losing weight, but why do people stop losing before reaching their goal?
You can lose a lot during the 1st week or so because most of the loss is water loss. Other reasons can be:
*Too many carbs: Go to calculator.net/carbohydrate-calculator for your specifics.
*Too much fruit: Berries are okay at breakfast or as dessert. For some people, the sugar and fructose are too much. While berries are packed with antioxidants and nutrients, they are not your friends if you are overweight and trying to lose.
*Dairy: While full of protein and calcium, it also has approximately 5% carbs. Butter is fine and won’t spike your insulin.
*Nuts: Very easy to overeat. Cashews have highest carbs (20%). Make sure the nuts don’t include dried fruit. Trail mixes are the worst. Walnuts, pecans, Macadamia, and hazelnuts are lowest in carbs.
*Not enough good fats: Avocados, olive oil, and coconut oil keep your appetite under control.
*Too many sweeteners (i.e., artificial, honey, agave, nectars): Get off the sugars. They affect appetite and trick you into thinking you can eat more if there is no real sugar in a recipe. Ditch the diet sodas.
*Fake Foods: avoid or limit low-carb products like protein bars, low-carb breads, and sugar-free chocolate.
*Cheating: With even “small cheats” your system enters a “fight or flight” scenario and slows weight loss.
*Too many calories: They DO matter at day’s end. *You may have an issue with some medicines. Talk to your doctor. Some meds will tend to cause weight gain.
Healthy weight loss takes time. Don’t have unrealistic expectations. Be patient! Everyone is different. This is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. One that can be won with steady and consistent methods that work for you. Also remember, healthy exercise is also a key component of this process. Talk to your doctor before beginning any exercise regimen.
Healthline.com / dietdoctor.com / ditchthecarbs.com / Mayo Clinic Die
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
Why is sugar bad for you? June 2019
[et_pb_section bb_built="1"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.101" background_layout="light"]
There are no downsides to giving up sugar or even cutting back (other than cravings). So why don’t we? We all love sugar, and, in many cases, are addicted to it. What’s a birthday without our cake? Not fun. It all comes down to our choices. Here’s how sugar can increase your health risks.
Sugar crowds out nutritious foods. There is zero nutrition in sugar or high carbs, and that’s why we’re hungry a lot of the time. Sugar also causes insulin resistance and constant release of insulin, which often leads to pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. It’s also the biggest cause of obesity. Most of us do not realize that sugar, not fat, causes heart disorders.
According to the Mayo Clinic, research suggests a connection between diabetes and Alzheimer’s, especially Type 2. However, this research is still in the initial stages with no final conclusions yet.
Sugar also...
*suppresses your immune system and can cause depression.
*affects macular degeneration because sugar decreases the health of small blood vessels.
*causes wrinkles by attacking elastin and collagen which keep skin supple.
*causes inflammation in the body. Inflammation is involved in arthritis, heart disease, and macular degeneration.
*can cause osteoporosis (weakening of our bones). Main culprits are sugary drinks.
*increased estrogen production in men [man boobs], especially in young boys like never seen before.
*damages kidney vessels, which in turn affects the ability of the kidneys to regulate excretion.
*can cause men to lose their mojo. Sorry but true. It affects good blood flow and hormone levels + damages nerves.
Foods high in sugar: salad dressings, BBQ sauce, dried fruits, granola, ketchup, spaghetti sauce in a jar, sports drinks and soft drinks, chocolate milk, flavored coffee from coffee houses, protein bars, vitamin waters have a lot of hidden sugars, canned fruit, canned baked beans, some breakfast cereals.
Foods that reduce high sugar levels: whole grain breads, most fruits (blueberries/apples/grapes), oatmeal, bran, garlic, cold-water fish, nuts, legumes, sweet potatoes or yams. Exercise also helps to reduce the effects of too much sugar.
Unless we cook everything from “scratch” at home, it’s impossible to avoid foods that have sugar. Our modern-day lifestyle does not typically allow us to live like this as perhaps our grandparents did. If we are more aware of hidden sugar in foods, we can make better food choices and reduce the amount of sugar we’ve become accustomed to eating.
P.S. I’m still having that slice of birthday cake, but maybe not a 2nd piece.
WebMD / Verywellhealth.com /Universityhealthnews.com/Mayo Clinic.org.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
What is CRP 2019
[et_pb_section bb_built="1"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.101" background_layout="light"]
No, it’s not a radio station.
I wondered about exactly this when I received results from my blood test. While my number was very low, I wondered whether I should worry about this test result. Here’s what I found:
It stands for C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and it’s a blood test marker which measures the inflammation in your body. CRP is produced in the liver in response to the degree of inflammation found in the body. It can be caused by a wide variety of conditions, ranging from stress to infection to cancer. So why is this important? High CRP levels can indicate there is inflammation in the arteries of the heart, which could indicate a possible risk of a heart attack. High CRP levels may also indicate a degree of rheumatoid arthritis.
Normal CRP levels are below 3.0 mg/L, but reference ranges often vary between labs.CRP tests can detect levels below 10.0 mg/L. CRP levels greater than 10 mg/L “may” suggest an acute coronary process such as a heart attack. This blood test must be ordered by your doctor. Typically, these high levels may be linked to stress, smoking, excessive alcohol, and diet. I then remembered someone very close to me who was a heavy smoker and how the doctor actively urged him to quit, as his CRP numbers were high. Sadly, he didn’t.
What can you do to control/lower these levels? Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric and is a strong anti-inflammatory agent. Some studies indicate it can be more effective than aspirin and ibuprofen. Also, these following foods are useful as well in help-
ing to reduce inflammation: apples, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, celery, cabbage, figs, kale, pears, pumpkin and pumpkin seeds,
and winter squash.
Most importantly, talk to your doctor to determine if CRP levels could affect your health. Sources: Mayo Clinic, American Heart Association, Web MD
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
What a difference 40 years make April 2019
[et_pb_section bb_built="1"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.101" background_layout="light"]
I hope you enjoy these humorous comparisons as much as I did when I first read them. How true they are!!!
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
Is Prolia covered by Medicare 2019
[et_pb_section bb_built="1"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.101" background_layout="light"]
There is an antibody in Prolia (Denosumab) that slows down the weakening of bones. It signals the cells that break bone down, preventing these cells from forming. The FDA has approved twice-a-year Prolia injections to treat osteoporosis in people with a high risk of fractures. It is usually administered to the patient in a doctor’s office.
Possible side effects include serious allergic reactions, low blood calcium, severe jaw bone problems, unusual thigh bone fractures, and increased risk of broken bones. After stopping Prolia, serious infections, skin problems, and bone, joint, or muscle pain, can occur.
Foods that increase bone density are milk, cheese, dairy foods, green leafy vegetables, broccoli (but NOT spinach, and especially NOT fish where you eat the bones, such as sardines).
Prolia is administered in your doctor’s office or a medical clinic. The drug could be considered a covered item under Medicare Part B “if” Medicare determines the drug is medically necessary. Pre-authorization is required before Medicare will pay for your treatment.
Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B help pay for an injectable drug for osteoporosis and visits by a home health nurse to inject the drug, if you meet these conditions:
1)You’re a woman.
2) You’re eligible for Part B and meet the criteria for Medicare home health services.
See Medicare.gov.
You have a bone fracture that a doctor certifies is related to postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Your doctor certifies that you’re unable to learn to give yourself the drug by injection, and your family members and/or caregivers are unable and unwilling to give you the drug by injection.
Most Medicare plans will require you to obtain their authorization before they will provide coverage for this prescription. You’ll need to contact your plan, and they may require you to have your health care provider to fill out paperwork indicating why you need this prescription. If you do not receive authorization or don’t want to go through this process, you may want to consider using a GoodRx discount instead of Medicare to find the best price for this prescription.
Medicare plans typically list Prolia in Tier 4 of their formulary. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the cost of the drug, and the Part B deductible applies. You pay nothing for the home health nurse visit to inject the drug.
To find out how much your test, item, or service will cost, talk to your doctor or health care provider. The specific amount you’ll owe may depend on several things like Other insurance you may have. How much your doctor charges. Whether your doctor accepts assignment. The type of facility, and where you get your test, item, or service.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
Reducing the use of Statins- 2019
[et_pb_section bb_built="1"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.101" background_layout="light"]
I recently read an article by Dr. Elizabeth Klodas, who is a practicing cardiologist and the creator of Step One Foods. She trained at Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and other fine medical institutions in the world.
Her opinion is that many doctors routinely prescribe a pill to treat high cholesterol and high blood pressure, without addressing why the patient is experiencing this problem in the first place. Dr. Klodas, trying to find a better and healthier solution for treatment, founded a company that formulates foods to help lower cholesterol, backed by pharmaceutical- level science.
In other words, with all the foods in a grocery store, none have been subjected to scientific scrutiny. Yet many claim they may help lower cholesterol. An example is that a cereal may make this claim, but the sugar content is equal to 3 cookies.
The American Heart Association’s latest cholesterol guideline is 120 pages long with only one paragraph devoted to diet. Its main focus is who to put on which drug and at what dose. Two decades ago, the National Institute of Health’s cholesterol guidelines mandated that changing a person’s diet should be tried for three months as the first step before prescribing drugs When Dr. Klodas approached big food companies and investors with her ideas, she was told that ingredients such as real almonds, walnuts, pecans, oat bran, and blueberries were too expensive and suggested artificial sweeteners and flavorings as the “status quo” additives.
In her ‘blind’ test study, changing diets resulted in a 20% to 30% cholesterol reduction. This data was submitted to AHA and is due to be published in the future.
Not everyone’s cholesterol will respond equally to a diet change. Some people should be on statins even if their cholesterol is perfect.
We are NOT suggesting a person should stop taking their medications. This information is simply “Food for Thought”. Nor are we advocating Dr. Klodas’ opinions.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]