10 Tips to Prevent Cancer

What is known about cancer prevention is still evolving. However, it's well accepted that your chances of developing Cancer are affected by the lifestyle choices you make. If you're concerned about Cancer prevention, take comfort in the fact that some simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference. Consider these ten tips which can easily be implemented into your daily routines.

Get Sweaty

In a University of Vermont study, the fittest men were 68% less likely to develop lung cancer and 38% less likely to develop colorectal. Cardio and resistance training keep your immune system strong to fend off wayward cells.

Skip Anything Fried

Those who eat fried foods once or more per week have up to a 37% higher risk of cancer. Oil that’s heated to high temperatures develops carcinogenic compounds in food.

Sip Pomegranate Juice

Researchers found that pomegranate juice may stunt cancer growth. Sip about 16oz. of the juice per day, which is rich in polyphenols, isoflavones, and ellagic acid.

Get Screened

If there’s a screening for a type of cancer and you’re eligible for it, get it. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that if everyone over 50 had regular colon cancer screenings, 60% of deaths from the disease could be prevented. Talk to your doctor about screenings for colorectal, prostate, testicular, skin, and lung cancer.

Snack on Blueberries

The fruit is brimming with a compound called pterostilbene that may slash precancerous lesions that could lead to colon cancer. Aim for a cup and a half of blueberries per day - pour them over your cereal, snack on them fresh, or dump them into a daily smoothie.

Befriend Fiber

People on a high-fiber eating plan - about 17 grams per 1,000 calories, had a 19% decrease in kidney cancer risk. Fiber may block cancer-causing toxins from traveling from your intestines to your kidneys, the study reports.

Get Help to Stop Snoring

People with severe sleep apnea are almost five times as likely to die of cancer as those who snooze more soundly, according to researchers at the University of Wisconsin. With sleep apnea, levels of oxygen in your blood dip. This can cause small existing tumors to grow new blood vessels, giving them fuel to develop faster and spread through your bloodstream more quickly.

Stand Up

More than 92,000 cases of cancer a year can be blamed on sitting too much, a study by the American Institute for Cancer Research suggests. Taking a quick stretch occasionally and using an Exercise Peddler at your desk can help reduce levels of molecules in your body that are linked with cancer risk.

Down the Sunshine Vitamin

People who supplemented their diets with 1,000 IU of Vitamin D every day decreased their risk of cancer by as much as 77%. Vitamin D is also available in salmon, sardines, and shiitake mushrooms.

Go Nuts

Eat three Brazil nuts every day, which deliver healthy selenium. A Harvard study found that this amount is associated with a 48% lower incidence of advanced prostate cancer.

7 Flu-Fighting Foods

Officials at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention warn that it’s important for older adults to get their flu shot as soon as possible to give the vaccine time to take effect. In an effort to cut down on illness, it’s important that family members and those who work around people 65 or older get vaccinated and have flu essentials handy - such N95 Respirators. Commonly known as flu masks, N95 Respirators can help prevent the flu from further spreading. And don’t forget to boost your body’s immune system with these natural flu-fighting foods.

1. Black-Eyed Peas: These nutritious legumes are rich in zinc, a trace mineral that keeps your immune system in working order.
2. Carrots: They’re rich in beta-carotene, which your body uses to ward off respiratory infections.
3. Tea: Green, black and oolong tea all contain naturally occurring compounds that reduce the risk of flu, including quercetin, a powerful antioxidant, and L-theanine, an amino acid found naturally only in tea.
4. Yogurt: Probiotics, the beneficial bacteria found in yogurt and other fermented foods, strengthen the immune system. 
5. Tomatoes: Vitamin C-rich tomatoes help fight colds and flu by boosting the body’s natural defense system in the same way their citrusy relatives do.
6. Mushrooms: These nutritional powerhouses heighten the body’s resistance to viral infections by increasing the activity of natural killer cells, a vital part of the immune system.
7. Almonds: These popular nuts are a rich source of the antioxidant vitamin E, which helps your body ward of viral infections.

If you do feel any flu symptoms, test your temperature with a VeraTemp Non-ContactThermometer. This innovative thermometer will make your life easier and prevent any cross contamination. 9 out of 10 deaths and more than 60% of hospital stays that are flu-related occur in people that are 65-plus. The National Council on Aging urges older adults to talk to their doctors about which flu vaccine is most appropriate this season. For the latest flu updates visit www.cdc.gov/flu

Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

5 Questions for Your New Doctor

Beginning in 2014, many people will be forced to see new doctors - thanks to the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”). Establishing a good relationship with your doctor is a key aspect to staying in good health. “Asking questions opens the dialogue,” says Matthew Bernard, chair of family medicine at the Mayo Clinic. Bernard adds that patients should always feel comfortable asking questions. Here are five questions to ask any new doctor:

1. What are your office hours?

If you have a busy schedule, find a doctor that offers evening, early-morning or weekend hours to accommodate your agenda. It’s also a good idea to inquire about the average wait time when seeing the doctor and how far in advance you need to make an appointment.

2. Who will be seeing me if I have an emergency?

The Affordable Care Act means thousands of people will be entering the healthcare system and adding to doctors’ already-heavy patient loads. Thomas DeBerardino, a sports medicine doctor in Farmington, Connecticut recommends asking who you will be seeing: a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or doctor.

3. What is the specialty of the doctor/practice?

Inquire about specialists in the office and if the doctor partners with others within the community. Ask what hospitals the doctor or practice is affiliated with and which specialists the doctor uses when needed.

4. Do you use electronic medical records?

Electronic records make it easier to transfer doctors and for specialists to communicate with each other. While you shouldn’t write off a doctor that doesn’t use electronic records, it’s something to take into account when picking a provider. If an office does use electronic records, be sure to inquire about the security.

5. How long until I can expect test results?

Limit confusion when it comes to getting test results and other medical information. Doctors in general want to know as quickly as you want to know. If the patient expectations are set up front, it saves a lot of phone calls.

Spot a Stroke F.A.S.T.

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked because of a blood clot or rupture. Both of these actions cause brain cells to die and damage may occur to your brain. When brain cells die you can even lose basic functions such as speech or movement. Everyone is affected differently depending on where the stroke occurred and how much damage was caused. There are many people who have completely recovered from strokes, but almost 70% of survivors will have some type of disability. You can keep your health in line by monitoring yourself on a regular basis with home diagnostic equipment.

F.A.S.T. is the easiest way to remember the signs of a stroke. When you spot the signs, you’ll know what to do.

• Face Drooping - Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven? 
• Arm Weakness - Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? 
• Speech Difficulty - Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "The sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly? 
• Time to call 911 - If someone shows any of these symptoms (even if the symptoms go away), call 911 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Look at the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared.

Beyond F.A.S.T. there are still other symptoms you should know. The following may all be symptoms when someone is suffering from a stroke:

• Numbness or weakness of the leg. 
• Confusion or trouble understanding. 
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes. 
• Dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. 
• Severe headache with no known cause.

If you’re having a stroke, it’s critical that you get medical attention right away. Immediate treatment may minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death. Thanks to recent medical advances, stroke treatments and survival rates have improved greatly over the last decade. Products like the 5Star Urgent Response could be the difference between life and death during a stroke. A significant number of stroke victims don’t get to the hospital in time for treatment; this is why it’s so important to identify a stroke immediately and be able to act fast.

Sources

American Stroke Association

Diabetic Foot Care

If you’re Diabetic, proper foot care will drastically decrease your chances of additional health risks. Aside from frequent foot examinations by your physician, there are multiple things you can do on your own to preserve the healthy condition of your feet.

Nerve damage, also known as Diabetic Neuropathy, can lead to a sore, an infection, or even gangrene! With damaged nerves, you might not always feel pain, heat, or cold in your legs and feet. A blister, cut, or cracks in your skin can quickly become worse because you didn’t know it was there.

What to look out for…

• Corns and Calluses are thick layers of skin caused by too much rubbing or pressure on the same spot.
• Blisters can form if shoes always rub the same spot. Wearing shoes that do not fit or wearing shoes without socks can cause blisters.
• Ingrown toenails happen when the edge of a toenail grows into the skin.
• Bunions form when your big toe slants toward the small toes, causing bones at the base of your big toe to protrude. Pointed shoes often cause bunions.
• Plantar warts are caused by a virus and usually form on the bottoms of the feet.
• Hammertoes form when weak muscles cause tendons to shorten and then the toe curls under your foot. You may get sores on the bottoms of your feet and on the tops of your toes.
• Dry and cracked skin can happen because the nerves in your legs and feet are not “receiving the messages” to keep your skin soft and moist.
• Athlete's foot is a fungus that causes itchiness, redness, and cracking of the skin.

Dry or damaged skin can become cracked – which allows germs to enter and cause infections. Applying lotion on your feet can be very soothing and help prevent dry, cracking skin. Take this opportunity to really inspect your feet for any cuts or cracks. Pay special attention under your toes and between them.

As far as protecting your feet from extreme heat or cold, it’s best to avoid walking barefoot. Comfortable footwear is imperative! But not to be confused with the need for special Diabetic socks! Moisture-wicking socks from Zockster are a great option. These high-quality bamboo socks absorb five times more moisture than cotton socks and are naturally anti-bacterial.

Another nasty side effect of Diabetes is poor blood flow. It’s important to keep the blood flowing to your feet at all times. Try simple exercises such as wiggling your ankles and toes occasionally. It’s also best to avoid sitting on your legs, or crossing them for too long.

Although proper foot care may seem like a burden, it is actually quite simple. Wearing the proper socks and applying cream to your feet can easily become part of your daily routine. In turn it will help you stay away from the traumatic side effects that can accompany Diabetes.

Is your wallet a pain in the back?

Coined as “Credit Carditis” on Seinfeld, lower back pain that’s caused by a wallet carried in your back pockets is no longer a joking matter. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has formally documented “Wallet Sciatica” as a legitimate medical condition. They attribute 200,000 annual deaths in the United States to the deep vein thrombosis and painful sciatica a heaving wallet causes.

Aside from the inefficiency of a hefty wallet, its health risks are colossal. Although we’re accustomed to carrying our wallets in our back pockets, sitting on such a bulky object offsets posture and creates lower back pain.

Minimizing what you keep in your wallet is not the sole factor in back pain management and lower back pain relief. To relieve the discomfort in your spine many physicians suggest the use of a lumbar back support like the TemCare Pro LSO. Remember, any large object stored frequently in your back pocket such as a large handkerchief or golf balls can cause discomfort in the lumbar region.

Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Smoking and Its Harmful Effects on Those with Diabetes

Smoking is indisputably harmful across the board to all people, but for those who suffer from Diabetes, smoking can create specific, unique health issues.  Those with Diabetes have a weakened body that allows the harming effects of nicotine to be more of a danger.

Firstly, those who smoke have an increased risk for Type 2 Diabetes.  People who have a family history are already at risk, but increase their chances of developing Type 2 Diabetes by up to 3 times that of a non-smoker, according to the American Journal of Epidemiology.  So if you smoke, this is yet another reason to quit before Diabetes or Cancer develops.

Diabetes is a disease that affects multiple functions of your body; it can cause nerve damage and lower the oxygenation in your blood stream. Nerve damage is a serious Diabetes symptom. Autonomic neuropathy is specifically a very dangerous form of nerve damage because these are the nerves that send warning signals from the spinal cord to the brain.  With those nerves damaged, your body losses its ability to warn itself and will result in ill adjustment of your blood pressure and heart rate. 

Cigarette smoke can also cause another danger by hardening and narrowing large and small blood vessels resulting in reduced blow flow to the rest of the body, also known as a drop in perfusion.  This is particularly dangerous because if your oxygenated blood does not reach its intended destination, the tissue in your extremities is likely to not function properly.  One occurrence of this is erectile dysfunction, a symptom that can have profound emotional and psychological impact on an individual.  This in itself is a very persuasive reason to give up smoking altogether, but for those who have been affected by this unfortunate symptom, the erectile dysfunction vacuum systems has proven to be an effective treatment . 

Once free of cigarettes your body will right some of the oppressed areas that have been affected.  As soon as you quit smoking you can see results like your heart rate and blood pressure returning to a lower state just after in the first hour, after the first day your carbon monoxide level returns to normal and at one year your risk of a coronary disease is cut in half compared to non-smokers.  Nicotine is the main driving factor that gives Diabetes suffers such a hard time controlling blood sugar levels.  Total eMedical has a great selection of diabetes testing supplies and monitors and critical tools for managing Diabetes.  We can also help you obtain these critical devices by working with your insurance company or Medicare that in many cases will cover your costs.

Prevent developments of nerve damage, improper blood follow and the onset of Type 2 Diabetes by quitting smoking today. Total eMedical is committed providing the best of Diabetic supplies to help you control the condition, but we strongly urge lifestyle changes – such as diet, exercise and quitting smoking.  We are a family owned and operated company that would like to make you feel as one of our own.  Let us be there for you on your way to a healthy and happy life!

Sources

American Journal of Epidemiology

American Diabetes Association

Web MD