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Health Department

7 Lifestyle Changes That Can Assist Your Body’s Natural Defenses to Keep Cancer at Bay

The General Consensus is you cannot do anything to prevent cancer, but new research suggest about 330,000 cancer cases each year in the US can be prevented, if we did 7 things, to build our bodies Natural defenses.
The lifestyle changes suggested here may be effective in lowering the risk of breast, colon and stomach cancers.
Lifestyle Tip 1C Eat a Healthy Diet
a. Choose food from the basic four food groups, for example at each meal have a fruit (banana or apple)
b. Vegetable (broccoli, carrots)
c. Whole grains( whole wheat bread, brown rice)
d. Dairy (glass of milk or yogurt).
Lifestyle Tip 2: Get Regular Exercise
Research has shown exercising 3 times a week, it could be as simple as a brisk 30 minute walk that can help reduce your cancer risk.
Lifestyle 3: Limit Red Meat
Choose fresh fish, like salmon, cod and have chicken instead of red beef, pork or lamb.
Lifestyle Tip 4: Avoid sugary drinks and Fats
By limiting soda and certain types of fruit juices. Always check label for sugar content. Be careful of your consumption of fried foods for example French and anything that is fried in general.
Lifestyle Tip 5: Limit use of Salt
Many foods have high sodium content; limit your intake of processed meats (deli meats), canned soups. Choose the one that are low in sodium like reduced sodium ham and canned soups.
Lifestyle Tip 6: Limit alcohol Intake
The American Cancer society suggest that people who drink alcohol should limit themselves to 2 drinks per day for a male and 1 drink per day for a female.
Lifestyle Tip 7: Stop Smoking
It is well known that smoke can cause cancer. If you are a smoker try to quit by enrolling in a smoking cessation program, they are offered in many communities and health insurance plans.
One of the best ways to prevent cancer is by combining a healthy lifestyle with the appropriate screening exams, to spot cancer early when it is easier to treat.
Hope this article was helpful to you.
This article by no means covers the entire spectrum of cancer but does give you a general idea of some of the more common sense things that you can do to help you stay healthy and live a long life. As with all health related concerns it’s absolutely necessary to ensure any concerns is addressed with your health care provider.…

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General Article

Cat Toys – How to Choose the Best Toys For Your Cat

Cat Toys – How to Choose the Best Toys For Your Cat

Does your cat walk around as if he is looking for something to do? Does he have a toy box full of toys but doesn’t play with them? What is wrong that all those toys just don’t excite him?

Well for starters, every cat has his own unique personality. Each cat has different preferences about food, cat litter, favorite scratch places, beds and even toys. Some cats need to be coaxed into play. Play releases energy, stress and provides healthy exercise. Lazy cats left to their own devices will sleep and eat, resulting in becoming overweight. While fat cats are cute they are not healthy.

Try playing with your feline friend using several different types of toys. Balls rolled across the floor, little mice tossed over his head across the room or toys that jingle or rattle. Try different types of toys until you find something that arouses your fur baby. He needs to run and play. Playing is your cat acting out his natural instinct to hunt and release energy.

Something should be of interest to your kitty to play with. Try interactive toys such as a mouse or other toy attached to a string or cord. Drag it around in front of him and in back of him. Let him see it and then drag it into areas where he can’t see it. Cats are always interested when something goes out of their field of view but they saw it go somewhere! Most kitties’ interests are peaked when they are watching something that is moving and it goes behind something. Just as a cat would watch a real mouse run to and fro and run behind something. Pole toys are an excellent play activity that not only encourages your cat to play, they also help to create a bond between you and he (or she).

When kitty has toys that fail to get him to play, possibly he or she is not interested in the types of toys that are in his toy box. Battery operated toys are available that move or make a noise that is irresistible to cats. Rotate the toys so he thinks he has new toys all the time. Place catnip toys in zip lock bags to keep the catnip scent fresh. Kitties that are house bound need exercise, we need to encourage them to play and use their muscles. Laying around and getting fat is not good for your fur baby. Ask any veterinarian and they will confirm. Prevent your cat from becoming overweight by encouraging them to stay active.

There are so many types of cat toys available these days. Understanding your cat and what excites him or her is the first clue in purchasing toys that will be played with. A cat can never have enough toys!…

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Health Policy

Deciding Deductibles – Nothing From Nothing Leaves Nothing

Insurance deductibles are a conundrum for both insurance consumers and health care policy makers. How large should your deductible be? What kind of policies should our government encourage? High deductibles reduce utilization and lower costs, but can result in treatment delays and financial hardship. This underlying tension is a key to the health care debate, any solution that limits costs will have negative impacts, choices will need to be made. Essentially, high deductible policies are a bet with the insurance company that your medical expenses will be less than the additional premium paid. Unfortunately, this bet requires the ability to see into the future, a talent few of us have mastered.
The health savings plans, designed to fill the gap with tax free savings, further complicates the issues involved. The LA times article decries how high deductible policies discourage patients from seeing doctors, which may in some (non-documented) cases delay treatment. The irony is that this result is precisely what high-deductible policies are designed to achieve. Low/no deductible policies encourage over-utilization, over-treatment, and raise costs by generating a consumer expectation to pay little or nothing for routine care. Medical cost escalation exists in part because people have become accustomed to such free care. Forcing people to pay for their own care will make doctors and drug companies more sensitive to costs. High deductible policies will act as a barrier to obtaining care, which is similar to the Kaiser method (June 30).
Roadblocks to obtaining medical care screen out self-limiting problems, and reduce expenses. There will be some missed early diagnoses, but little negative impact for most people. Nurses lines, online advice sites, and empowered patients could fill the gap now filled by useless doctor visits. I have a high deductible policy for my family. Being a physician, I am able to handle most of the small things myself(one advantage to being a doctor). However, the final irony I have discovered is that most policies pay so little for routine services that I ended up paying a large amount our of pocket anyway, deductibles may not matter that much after all.…

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Health Facts

Arthritis: Ways To Make The Pain Bearable

Effective treatments against arthritis are available. Use the information in this article to learn new ways to manage your arthritis and the pain that comes with it.

Joint pain can be relieved through the use of both hot and cold packs. Alternate use of a heating pad and an ice pack for even better results. Consult with a doctor, as he or she might have additional tips for using temperature to soothe arthritis pain.

If you have arthritis and still want to get in shape, try aquatic exercises. Individuals with arthritis can find aquatic activities soothing and relaxing. Many find it easier to stretch their muscles and joints in this type of environment. Most gyms offer swimming classes for those who wish to learn.

Being able to relax and avoid stress is key to properly managing arthritis. When your body and mind are stressed, hormones such as excess cortisol circulate and trigger increased inflammation and pain, which aggravates arthritis. Try to come up with some good coping mechanisms to reduce your level of stress, such as taking a daily walk or meditating for a few minutes.

Arthritis pain can sometimes be reduced by using aromatherapy methods. The relaxation brought by aromatherapy has been scientifically proven to be beneficial to any chronic condition. When you use aromatherapy to relax, the whole body relaxes – including arthritic joints.

Consider meeting with a therapist. Therapy can help you learn to cope with your limitations while still remaining self-sufficient. It is also a chance to connect with other people, reminding you that you are not alone. Arthritis sufferers also are more likely to develop conditions like depression, so going to therapy, whether individual or group, can address these important concerns.

If you are suffering from arthritis, turn to music that is relaxing. Many aches and pains caused by arthritis are eased when your body relaxes listening to this type of music. Relaxing music is also a great way to fall asleep if the pain from arthritis is keeping you up.

Physical therapy is recommend to anyone suffering with arthritis. If these symptoms interfere with your ability to function, a physical therapist can give a set of exercises to improve your range of motion and lessen inflammation in your joints. Follow this plan religiously, and you will start to feel positive results.

Always make plans well in advance. Maintain a solid plan and understand what you need to do in the event of a flare-up. Take the time to rest while doing physical work, and know your limitations.

Speak to a healthcare professional early and start treatment immediately. You can significantly reduce damage to joints by getting started with treatment as soon as you can. It is best if you seek out advice from a health professional and start your treatment ASAP.

There are a lot of things you should know when you are going to manage your arthritis, but you will have to spend the time putting your best effort into it. These arthritis tips are a great start to understanding your condition or the symptoms that you are experiencing so you can begin treatment and pain management.…

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Health Facts

Your Back Can Get Better By Following Some Simple Advice

Unfortunately, if you visit the doctor due to back pain, there’s not much they can do for you other than giving you medication and advising you to keep movement to a minimum. This article can help you deal with your back pain.

People sometimes have to endure much pain before they are able to see a specialist for their back pain. A lot of people have discovered that lying flat on one’s back with one’s knees bent is the least painful resting position when dealing with a back injury. This position allows the lower back muscles and the tendons in the lower hips and thighs to relax.

Do not repeatedly stress your muscles in the same manner, no matter what you are doing! Do not move the same way for a long stretch of time, especially when you are doing tasks that you need to repeat, like cooking or cleaning. Make sure you switch the way you are standing and move around frequently.

If you are suffering from back pain try laying down in the same position you would sit in a chair. Sitting this way increases your comfort level while reducing pressure so that your back stops hurting. But, feel free to use whatever position feels most comfortable; just make sure you aren’t twisting your spine when you sit.

Drink a half gallon of water a day. Proper nutrition has many health benefits, not just alleviating back pain. Staying well-hydrated can help you to stay fit and lean, meaning your back doesn’t feel the strain that excess weight can bring. Water is also necessary to lubricate your joints, providing relief to your back.

If you suffer from back pain, a good rule of thumb is to make sure you know what is in a box before you lift it. You could be in for a very heavy and painful surprise. Never rely on what the picture looks like on the box to determine how heavy it is. Some things that don’t look heavy can be extremely heavy.

Treat your back pains with the simplest remedies first. Avoiding intensive activity for a couple of days can help. While resting your back, ask your doctor about common anti-inflammatory analgesics for pain relief. These include ibuprofen, acetaminophen and naproxen. Cold compresses can calm inflamed tissues, and heat can be helpful in soothing tight muscles.

Some conditions that result in paralysis can be corrected through surgery, but it’s dependent upon how extreme it is and the situation. There are other back conditions, although rare, where there is no other option but surgery. In most cases, these conditions are degenerative afflictions or situations that do not have a specific cause, symptoms or cure.

Contrary to what many people believe, it is crucial that people who suffer from back pain exercise often. Many think that exercising a sore back will make the pain worse, but it can actually help the pain. The stretching involved with exercise, as well as increasing strength in muscles, can ease tension and relieve back pain.

Back pain is one of the many things that can alter your plans for the day. If you are a back pain sufferer, you can use the information from this article to get your life back.…

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Nutrition

What You Ought To Know About Acid Reflux

Acid reflux sufferers are no strangers to misery. It doesn’t matter what causes the problem, but it does matter that the sufferer take the necessary steps to solve it. Learning all you can from articles like this one is a great first step.

Acid reflux can be exacerbated by the way you eat. Eating quickly or too much are major factors. This is not the way to eat your food, and it only worsens your condition. Don’t gorge until you feel as if you could pop. Instead, eat only until you feel somewhat full. You should also make a conscious effort to eat more slowly. Chew slowly, and even go so far as to lay down the fork every so often.

You should keep track of what you ate before experiencing acid reflux. Most acid reflux sufferers find that certain foods trigger their acid reflux. Once you find what foods trigger your acid reflux, you will be able to eliminate them from your diet.

Acid reflux can be so incredibly hurtful at times that it may cause you to think it could be a heart attack. Extreme pains in the chest should never be ignored. Having acid reflux does not stop you from suffering from a heart attack. Contact your doctor to learn what you should do. You don’t need serious health issues because of a wrong self-diagnosis.

Avoid wearing clothes that are too tight. Suspects include pantyhose, waistbands, and tight belts. These kinds of garments put pressure on your digestive area that you don’t need or want. This can lead to heartburn and reflux symptoms. Wear clothes that are looser around your middle and offer more comfortable.

Losing weight can definitely help your fight against acid reflux. Obesity is a major cause of acid reflux. Just losing a small amount of weight can help. Don’t go on a crash diet, though.

Acid reflux can be triggered by certain foods in most people. The consumption of these items should be limited to avoid reflux. Stay away from things like tomatoes, milk and alcohol.

Eat your food slowly. Try only eating until you’re almost full. Relax, sit upright at a table and chew your food thoroughly. The faster you eat, the worse you’ll feel when done. A great way to slow down your eating is to place your fork or spoon down on the table between each and every bite you take.

Get in shape. Extra weight, especially around your abdomen, can cause you to have more frequent acid reflux. Belly fat increases pressure on the stomach, almost urging it to reflux. Sometimes, losing even a few pounds will make a big difference.

The ability of a food to produce acid is in no way related to is pH level. Lemons and other foods with acid contain a lot of alkaline once they have been digested. When you have acid reflux, this could be confusing. Know the pH balance of your food if you have acid reflux.

Rather than waiting for the discomfort to become unbearable, consider starting today to find relief. You have the advice you need for making necessary changes. Eat well, get plenty of exercise and use the other tips here and you will feel better right away.…