Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2016

Helpful Healthcare Links: March 24, 2016

There’s a lot going on in healthcare news this week. I have rounded up a few great health topics to share with with you in hopes that this information will assist you in making the best healthcare choices for you and your family. Here are the trending news topics for this week:

The Senate Health Committee passes Mental Health Reform Act, setting out to change mental health coverage within the election year. The committee has approved four bills in addition to the Mental Health Reform Act to combat drug abuse. The law would require private health insurers to give equal benefits to both mental and physical health.

Fluoride is not only used for children, but it’s beginning to treat older adults in preventing cavities. One study reveals that fluoride in both children and adults makes it difficult for bacteria to stick to the teeth.

No-Drill Dentistry: Fluoride Treatments Can Prevent Cavities in Adults.

A new study finds how to cut the allergy risk for children early on. Those with high-risk babies who fed their children a soupy, peanut-butter mash (between 4-11 months of age) were 80 percent less likely to develop a peanut allergy by age 5.

Peanut Mash in Infancy Cuts Allergy Risk. New Study Adds to Evidence.

A new research letter reveals that those leaving hospitals going to rehab centers or long-term care hospitals have germs still on their hands. One in four adults leaving the hospital in the study showed a superbug (virus or bacteria) on their hands. The letter suggests revising hand hygiene for patients and not just physicians.

Patients Leave The Hospital With Superbugs On Their Hands.

For more healthcare tips for you and your family, check out my latest offering in dealing with unexpected healthcare: When Life Happens: What to do about unexpected health concerns. This is a bit different than my other books. When Life Happens is a workbook filled with information, tips, and tricks for getting through accidents, difficult diagnoses, rehabilitation, and what to do with the kids through it all. But it also has activities to guide you through your situation. You can find it here.

Posted on Monday, March 14, 2016

How to Change Your Diet After a Diagnosis

You’ve been given a diagnosis and the advice to change your diet. Now what?

First, continue the conversation with your doctor. If he or she is the person who recommended dietary changes, they should have given you some guidelines. If you didn’t receive any instructions, call the doctor’s office to ask for more information.

You’ll want to know what your diagnosis is, and how diet affects you because of it. Ask which foods are recommended and which foods are restricted. Ask if they have any recommendations of where you can go for more information or recipe ideas.

As you review the list of approved foods, consider which of your usual meals will still work. Also think about which meals will work if you substitute a restricted ingredient with an approved ingredient. Working with your familiar meals where possible will lessen the feeling that something is being taken away from you.

Once you have your “yes” and “no” foods, and know which of your recipes you can work with, do some research to add to your meals and snacks plan. The Internet can be a great resource. Search using your diagnosis as one of your keywords. For example, “recipes for cardiac patients.”

You might also try the cookbook section of your local bookstore. There are cookbooks out there for all sorts of diets, including for certain medical conditions, like diabetes, for example.

Diagnoses can come with a lot of anxiety, and receiving food restrictions can feel like even more is being lost. With good planning and a little creativity, your new diet can satisfy you nutritionally and bring comfort.

Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2016

Helpful Healthcare Links for March 10, 2016

Getting your weekly healthcare news is important. We want to ensure that you are up-to-date in health news so that you are able to make the best health care choices for you and your family. Here are a few trending topics this week:

If you can’t kick the morning coffee habit, there’s great news for you! According to the updated Dietary Guidelines for 2015, coffee is actually part of a healthy diet. As long as you’re only consuming 3-5 cups per day, there are limiting effects of caffeine on your health.

Your Black Brew is A-Ok With Nutritionists.

A new study finds that people may have more control over their risk of Alzheimer’s disease as they age. After researchers looked at 30 years of records from over 5,000 people, they found that incidents of dementia declined around 20 percent each decade, starting from 1970.

Can Dementia Be Prevented? Education May Bolster Brain Against Risk.

Doctors are finding a new approach to treat depression, hoping they can better assist their patients. A study suggests that many doctors often fail in treating and assisting patients with depression because of insurance, time constraints and other elements.

Doctors Often Fail To Treat Depression Like A Chronic Illness.

The United States Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) reports that Medicaid coverage will be offered to include Flint families affected by Flint’s lead contaminated water. The Obama administration reports that it will cover 65 percent of those costs for pregnant women and 99 percent for children and the state will cover the rest.

Check out our helpful healthcare links. Healthcare news that works for you!

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Be sure to check out my newest offering When Life Happens: What to do about unexpected health concerns. This is a bit different than my other books. When Life Happens is a workbook filled with information, tips, and tricks for getting through accidents, difficult diagnoses, rehabilitation, and what to do with the kids through it all. But it also has activities to guide you through your situation. You can find it here.