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Health Tests Every Man Needs

February 3, 2014 by

You’re always on top of scheduling your annual exams, your mammogram, and your dental and vision appointments…but how about the men in your life? Do they take care of their medical tests, or do you handle it?

Do you know which tests they should have each year? Here is a quick primer to health exams men need and when to schedule them.

Prostate-specific antigen test (PSA)

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A simple blood test measures the level of prostate-specific antigen, which is a protein produced by the prostate, a gland just below the bladder.

High levels of PSA may be associated with prostate cancer, but an increased PSA could also signal a benign condition of the prostate. The doctor will do a digital prostate exam on men over 40 during the annual physical. An enlarged prostate can be uncomfortable and interfere with urination.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

Caused by a ruptured blood vessel in the stomach, an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) typically has no symptoms, and up to 50 percent of people with AAA die before reaching the hospital. The test for AAA is a simple ultrasound and is recommended for men ages 65 to 75 who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes during their lifetimes.

Skin cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute, over 40,000 men are diagnosed with melanoma, the most deadly (yet curable) form of skin cancer, each year. The best way to prevent it is to do a skin self-check each month and look for new moles, moles that have changed shape or color, or sores that are taking too long to heal. When your man goes in for his annual physical, have him ask his doctor to do a skin check.

Colonoscopy

Start screening your men (and yourself) at age 50. The American Cancer Society says colorectal cancer is the second most prevalent cause of cancer deaths for Americans. If it runs in your family, start screening earlier per your doctor.

While it may seem a bit embarrassing or painful, a colonoscopy is quick and painless. The preparation is a bit awkward, but it’s well worth it. Colonoscopy detects colon cancer early and at its most treatable, and the doctor will remove any suspicious growths as he or she finds them.

Cholesterol

This test for men (and women) should happen every five years after the age of 35. If you’re diabetic, a smoker, or obese, start screening no later than age 20. The test is a simple blood draw and measures total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol (good and bad cholesterol, respectively), and triglycerides. High triglycerides correlate to metabolic syndrome, which is related to heart problems and type 2 diabetes.

If you have any questions about tests for the men in your life, don’t hesitate to ask us!

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Is It Time to Give Up Soda?

January 27, 2014 by

Yes, it is, for several reasons we’ll outline below, and we’ll also give you some tips for giving it up. Coke, Pepsi, soda, pop, tonic…whatever you want to call it, you need to kick it to the curb. Get ready to enjoy life without soda pop!

It’s empty calories.

If you drink regular soda, you’re getting around 150 calories that do nothing for your body. In contrast, drinking water, herbal tea, or even sparkling water diluted with juice will save you at least 100 calories, if not more. Do the math if you drink three or four sodas a day.

Diet soda is no better. Artificial sweeteners confuse your body into thinking it’s getting sugar, which triggers an insulin release, which can lead to weight gain and type 2 diabetes.

Regular pop contains high fructose corn syrup.

This stuff is poison. No one should be taking it in for any reason. Contrary to what the corn industry tells you, HFCS is not metabolized like other sugars. It’s unnatural, and the fructose goes right to the liver, causing fatty liver. It also causes blood sugar spikes, and contains contaminants such as mercury. Any independent nutrition expert will recommend against HFCS, and so do we.

Diet pop gives you an excuse to eat more.

When you’re taking in no beverage calories, you may rationalize eating more, which leads to weight gain.

How to stop pop…

Try some of these steps to reduce your soda intake and start drinking more healthy beverages.

  • Take it slowly. Don’t expect to quit soda cold turkey. Reduce gradually over several months if you drink more than two or three a day. Try reducing by one pop a day for two weeks, then cut out one more pop a day for three weeks, etc. Make a schedule that works for you.
  • Keep substitutes handy, such as flavored water, sparkling water, rice or almond milk, and fruit juice. While these drinks aren’t ideal because they contain sugar, they’re a good bridge from pop.
  • Just don’t buy it. If it’s not in your house, you can’t drink it. Make it hard to get soda. If you have to go out and buy it, you may be less likely to drink it.
  • Don’t allow your family to bring it into the house, either. They don’t need it either. It doesn’t matter if the kids are young—now is the time to break the soda habit.
  • While you may have an initial withdrawal that may not be fun, after a month of no soda pop, you’ll look and feel better. Keep reminding yourself of that when the pop urge strikes.

What’s your best tip to give up soda?

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What Are Air Purifiers and Do They Work?

January 20, 2014 by

Air purifiers remove toxins from the air, typically through air movement through specially designed filters. Often, those who have allergies and lung issues buy air purifiers to help them breathe better and have fewer illnesses.

Which toxins does a purifier eliminate from the air?

The list of allergens and contaminants air purifiers can remove from the air is a long one:

  • Pet dander
  • Pollen
  • Mold
  • Dust
  • Dust mites
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as paint fumes and gases emitted from new buildings, carpet, or furniture

Purifiers cannot remove 100% of the contaminants, but they can reduce the numbers considerably. The documentation for any purifier you choose should tell you exactly which allergens it captures and how clean you can expect your air to be.

How does a purifier work?

The most common purifiers sold for home use are filter-based, activated carbon, and ionizers.

Filter-based purification forces air through a filter, which traps toxins that are larger than the filter’s holes. HEPA filters typically remove almost all particles that are larger than 0.3 micrometers, so they are effective for larger airborne particles.

Activated carbon systems remove chemicals from the air, but they do not remove large particles. The carbon alters the chemical state from a gas to a solid. It’s typically used along with filter-based purification, but you will sometimes find it used alone.

Ionizers create charged particles, or ions, that attach to airborne toxins and draw them to a electrically-charged plate. Ionizers do produce a small amount of ozone—and possibly nitric oxide—which is unacceptable to some.

How do I know the purifier is worth the money?

Read the documentation and the packaging carefully. Possible considerations may be filter replacement frequency, area covered, air changes per day or per hour, amount of electricity used, and ease of cleaning. Think about these issues before you begin looking for a purifier.

Some purifiers may create more noise than you’d prefer, so when you buy one, ask to plug it in so you can gauge the sound level. The documentation should specify the amount of noise in decibels.

Most portable purifiers use HEPA technology, and the Department of Energy has guidelines companies must follow in order to claim HEPA on their packaging and advertising. If you see “HEPA-like” or “HEPA-type,” look elsewhere, as the manufacturer is not using true HEPA technology.

Do your research on any purifier you are considering. Google it to see reviews, but beware websites that have many reviews, mostly good; they may be trying to sell purifiers. Check Consumer Reports, manufacturer’s websites, and sites that sell many units, such as Amazon and Best Buy. Talk to friends and family who have purifiers to see how they like them.

If you get the right purifier for your home and your needs, you’ll feel yourself breathing better and getting sick less often. You’ll notice a significant difference when you walk into your home from outside. In short, air purifiers ARE worth it, but you need to do your homework first.

Visit our Facebook page and tell us how you like your air purifier!

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Have You Had Your Mammogram?

January 13, 2014 by

diep and mammogramThe mammogram, or x-ray of the breast and surrounding tissue, is the most effective diagnostic tool for breast cancer that we have today. All women should receive annual mammograms beginning at age 40, or earlier with a family history of breast cancer.

According to www.breastcancer.org, mammograms have been shown to lower the risk of death from breast cancer by 35% in women over age 50. It also means that more women who are found to have breast cancer early can keep their breasts.

In 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force questioned the need for mammograms in women under 50, and they recommended that screening mammograms begin at 50 instead of 40. Several prominent groups, including the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have emphatically stated that screening needs to begin at 40 instead of 50.

One risk of mammography is the rate of false negatives and false positives among younger women or women with dense breast tissue. Dense breasts can hide cancers, and mammograms can identify a perfectly normal variation in breast tissue and raise the alarm that it’s cancerous. Because of these mammogram drawbacks, we recommend that you not only perform monthly self-exams, but you should also have a secondary form of breast screening done, such as an ultrasound or an MRI.

Many women worry about the pain, but for most women it is merely uncomfortable for a few minutes. A mammogram compresses your breast (to reduce the thickness of the tissue) between two x-ray plates that are attached to a camera that takes photos of your breast. More than a couple pictures may be necessary for younger women or those with dense breasts.

From beginning to end, a mammogram takes about 20 minutes and involves much less radiation exposure today than in years past. According to the American Cancer Society, the radiation received during mammogram is about the same amount a person naturally gets in a 3-month period.

Typically, at least one radiologist reads your mammogram, and if two read it, the chances of missing a problem go down. If you are concerned, you can also have your mammogram analyzed by a computer through computer-aided detection (CAD). Software reviews mammogram images and marks areas of suspicion, and then the radiologist examines each area to see if it needs further evaluation.

Have you had a mammogram, and if so, do you have any words of advice?

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Why Avoiding Sugar is Good for Your Health

January 6, 2014 by

We all know sugar isn’t good for us, especially in excessive amounts. But do you know why avoiding sugar is one of the smartest health decisions you can make? Following are just a few reasons why you might want to leave the candy and cakes at the store and not put them in your shopping cart.

Sugar has no nutritional value.

You do not need to ingest sugar. Yes, your body runs on glucose, but it can get that from vegetables, fruit, and any other naturally occurring carbohydrate. Your body can also make glucose from protein and fat if necessary.

There is no reason to eat sugar other than to satisfy a sweet tooth. Sugar is nothing more than empty calories with no nutritional value whatsoever. And high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is one of the worst things you can eat. The added fructose turns to fat in the liver.

Sugar raises your blood sugar levels.

When your blood sugar levels are high, your pancreas pumps out extra insulin to drive the sugar into your cells to be used for energy. However, prolonged high blood sugar levels and prolonged insulin release cause the cells to become resistant to insulin.

When the cells become resistant to insulin, the pancreas churns out even more insulin, and the cycle continues. The beta cells in the pancreas become damaged and unable to produce insulin, which leads to type II diabetes. Avoiding sugar stops this cycle.

When you eat sugar, you want more, and you’re rarely satisfied.

You can become addicted to sugar. Just as with other addictive substances, eating sugar causes a dopamine release in the brain. This pleasurable sensation causes you to seek out more sugar, and similar to other addictions, you must eat more and more to get the same dopamine “high.”

When you stop eating sugar, you stop the addiction from developing or getting worse. To stop sugar, first record how much of it you eat in a week. Focus on serving sizes—many of us eat more than one serving of foods at a time.

Gradually cut back on sugar, as quitting cold turkey can cause you to feel worse before you feel better. Find natural foods to substitute for the junky sugar stuff.

Visit our Facebook page and tell us how you reduce or eliminate sugar from your diet!

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25 Fun New Year Resolutions

December 30, 2013 by

Every year, we make resolutions to do better in an area of our lives—and most of the time, they’re forgotten by the end of January. Why not make a fun resolution this year?

In 2014, resolve to…

  1. Eat one piece of good dark chocolate every day.
  2. Give and receive one hug and one kiss every day.
  3. Read one book for fun every month.
  4. Enjoy yourself on the weekends without worrying about work.
  5. Buy at least one bottle of wine you’ll enjoy (without worrying about the price tag).
  6. Tell one person you love him or her every day.
  7. Go outside and play at least once a week.
  8. Have a spa massage.
  9. Have a spa pedicure.
  10. Have a spa manicure.
  11. Have all three at once.
  12. Take your best friends out to dinner at least once.
  13. Allow them to take you out at least once.
  14. Buy yourself flowers for no reason.
  15. Buy that pair of earrings or that bracelet you’ve had your eye on.
  16. Eat ice cream. Whenever you like. For one week.
  17. Take up a new hobby. There’s something you’ve always wanted to try.
  18. Visit a state you’ve never been to.
  19. Point your car in one direction and drive for an hour. Stop the car, get out, and walk around. Just be in the moment and enjoy what you see.
  20. Play with a puppy or kitten.
  21. Play with a toddler.
  22. Turn up your radio and SING.
  23. Have a date night every week. If you’re single, have a date night a month with your friends.
  24. Listen and hear what people tell you.
  25. Open your heart to someone it was previously closed to.

What’s your New Year’s Resolution?

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How to Do a Sugar Cleanse Safely and Effectively

December 23, 2013 by

How to Do a Sugar Cleanse Safely and EffectivelyOne of the best things you can do for your health is reducing or avoiding sugar. Your body does not need sugar in the form we typically eat it. Yes, your body uses glucose, but any carbohydrate you eat is broken down to glucose, so vegetables and grains give you everything you need. Simple carbs like candy, cola, and fruit juice are unnecessary and cause weight gain, sluggishness, and many other problems in the body.

Many people look and feel better after they stop using sugar, and often they decide to do a sugar cleanse or sugar detox. When you take a break from sugar, you lose fat, increase energy, and lift your mood and spirits. Anxiety decreases, and you greatly reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.

A common time period for a sugar cleanse is three weeks. Here is a typical sugar detox schedule with what you can expect.

First, a few ground rules… remember, this is just for 21 days.

  1. No sugar, candy, soda of any kind (including diet), cakes, cookies, you get the idea.
  2. No high fructose corn sugar, hydrogenated oils (trans fats), alcohol, deep-fried foods.
  3. No white foods—no bread, instant rice, pasta, tortillas, potatoes. These are all simple carbohydrates.
  4. No fruits or fruit juices.
  5. Drink plenty of water… at least 8 glasses a day. Ideally, you should be drinking half your body weight in ounces each day. This is water.

(Remember, after the 21 days, you can add back small amounts of fruit and other carbohydrates you enjoy… however, you still want to avoid the simple sugars, fake ingredients such as trans fats, and artificial sweetener.)

So what can you eat?

Beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, eggs, organic poultry and red meats, most vegetables, brown rice, fish. Think anything you can pick, grow, or slaughter.

When you start the cleanse, you may feel a little sluggish or not quite yourself. You may find yourself thirsty, sleeping more, or feeling lightheaded. Some people feel moodier and irritable for up to the first week. These symptoms will pass—your body is getting used to not having any sugar. You may also have some detoxification symptoms, such as diarrhea, upset stomach, runny nose, or skin breakouts. These are normal.

So those are the negative effects you may have for a short time. What positive effects can you expect as the cleanse moves forward?

  • Weight loss
  • Fewer or no sugar cravings
  • Feeling of being lighter
  • Better sleep and ease in waking up
  • Energy boost
  • Happier moods
  • Brighter eyes, shinier hair, clear skin

If you’d like to experience immediate better health and fat loss, a sugar cleanse is a good place to start.

Have you ever tried one, and how did it work for you?

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5 Tips For Stress-Free Christmas Shopping

December 16, 2013 by

5 Tips for Stress Free Christmas ShoppingChristmas shopping can be mentally and physically stressful, and one way to keep yourself grounded is to be careful and patient while shopping. The crowds can cause anxiety, and trying to find the right gifts can be time consuming and difficult. We have a few tricks we use to get through Christmas shopping—hope they help you too.

Go shopping during slow times whenever possible.

This may sound crazy, but if you can shop late at night, especially during the week, you’ll avoid the rush and most of the other shoppers—and your store experience can be extremely peaceful. You’ll be surprised how few people are out late at night.

Don’t try to do too much.

Some shoppers try to take care of their entire list in one day, and the stress it causes is enormous. Split your list so you’re not stressing yourself out to buy all the gifts at once. Your body and your brain will thank you.

Look online.

Nowadays, there is no need to leave your home to Christmas shop if you don’t want to. You can buy anything and everything you need online. You save time, money, and energy if you use your computer to do your shopping. And the great thing is, depending on the stores you use, you could conceivably get most or all of your shopping done in one or two online sessions.

Ask for help.

Your family can help you do your shopping—there’s no need for you to feel like you have to do everything yourself. Or if you’d rather do the shopping, ask them to do the other tasks, such as decorating, cleaning the house, sending out Christmas cards, or cooking.

Take care of you.

Listen to your body. If it tells you to slow down, do it. Don’t push yourself, especially if you’re tired. Standing in line, dodging other shoppers, and walking across parking lots can take their toll. Be kind to yourself, and you’ll enjoy shopping more and get more done.

What’s your favorite Christmas shopping tip?

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Tips For a Healthy and Fun Holiday Party

December 9, 2013 by

Holiday Parties - Safety TipsWe all love the merriment of the holidays, and parties are the best part of the festivities for many of us. However, it’s easy to get carried away, but we have the following tips to avoid that (and perhaps avoid a hangover or unwanted weight gain).

Decide what you’re going to eat and drink ahead of time.

If you have some idea of what you’ll be served, you can plan your indulgences before you go. You can determine what you’ll drink and eat. When you go to a party and are prepared, you’re less likely to overdo it. If you’re offered alcoholic beverages you’ve never had before, just have one…you never know how you might react if you have more.

Also, if you know you’ll be served hors d’oeuvres only, you can decide whether to eat a meal before or after the party. If you’ll be drinking, it’s a good idea to have substantial food in your stomach.

Drink one glass of water or juice for every alcoholic drink.

This will help pace your drinking and reduce your chance of a hangover, since you’ll keep yourself hydrated. You might also consider having a cocktail with fruit juice so you have some vitamin C in your system.

Follow the one-plate rule.

Fill your plate just once, and choose the smallest plate you can to avoid overeating. Your waistline will thank you! While you want to have some fun sugary foods, fill the majority of your plate with veggies, fruit, nuts, and meat.

Keep an eye on your designated driver, or call a taxi.

Hopefully you decide upon a sober driver before you enter the party, but if you don’t, call a taxi. Your designated driver can have one or two drinks when you get to the party, as long as you’re there for at least two hours.

If your driver overindulges, or you end up alone for some reason, it’s much better to pay for a taxi ride than for a drunk-driving incident—and it’s much safer for everyone involved.

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5 Tips to Stay Flu Free

December 2, 2013 by

How to Stay Flu Free This Winter

This time of year can be a difficult one if you’re trying to stay healthy and avoid the flu. It seems like everyone is sick and the germs are all around you. Keeping the flu away may not always be possible, but here are a few ways you can protect yourself.

Wash your hands properly.

The best way to avoid colds and flu is to practice effective hand hygiene. Here’s how:

  1. Use warm water, not hot, and wet hands thoroughly.
  2. Apply plenty of soap (does NOT have to be antibacterial), and work up a lather for 20 seconds. The friction is what really kills the germs. Count slowly to 20, or sing your favorite childhood song two or three times. Rub your hands together briskly, and make sure you wash everything from wrists to fingertips. Don’t forget knuckles, cuticles, and under fingernails.
  3. When you rinse, make sure you keep your hands below your elbows. Don’t touch the sink or the faucet.
  4. Leave the water running, and use at least two clean paper towels to dry your hands.
  5. Grab another dry paper towel and turn off the faucets. Use whatever you can to open the door… your elbow, another towel, or the bottom of your shirt. The bathroom door is typically teeming with germs.

Always wash your hands when you get home from being out in public, especially after shopping.

Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize… and don’t touch your face!

Carry alcohol-based sanitizer with you for those times you can’t wash your hands or you’re handing things others touch (such as shopping carts). Follow the directions on the sanitizer. Again, friction is your friend when it comes to hand hygiene.

The easiest way to transmit the flu or cold is to touch your face. Keep hands away!

Get plenty of sleep.

Don’t allow yourself to run down. Sleeping is your body’s way of recharging, and that recharge includes your immune system. Know how much sleep you need to be healthy—for most adults, it’s at least 7 hours a night.

Eat right.

Part of keeping your immune system healthy is feeding it properly. Eat plenty of fruits and veggies, and make sure you’re eating enough healthy fats and protein. Keep sugar and starches to a minimum, and drink plenty of water.

Avoid people who are sick.

If you don’t need to be around sick people, don’t do it. It’s difficult to keep the flu away if you’re spending several hours with someone who has it. Ask coworkers to keep their distance and cough into their sleeves.

The key to avoiding the flu is to constantly be vigilant and observant.

What tricks do you use to prevent flu?

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