Health and Wellness 34

How to Work Out Without Excuses

By d-mars.com News Provider

It’s all-too-common for those embarking on a regular exercise routine to skip a planned workout for one reason or another. Here are some of the most common excuses that people make not to exercise, along with some solutions to overcome these challenges:

“I need low-impact exercises.” Many traditional workouts are tough on joints, which over time, can cause overuse injuries or exacerbate existing conditions. To achieve your fitness goals pain-free, consider low-impact exercises such as yoga, swimming, and elliptical machines.

“I don’t have the space to work out at home.” Whether you live in a small apartment or just can’t dedicate too much space to a home gym, there’s good news. Certain manufacturers of exercise equipment have your back and are developing versatile, sleek fitness equipment to address your needs. At less than 23 pounds, the Cubii Total Body+ (available now for pre-order) is a good example of a compact machine offering a low-impact, approachable and achievable workout that targets everything from abs and arms to quads and calves. With a low-impact motion, you can hit eight key muscle groups using one machine. Its elliptical component features 12 resistance levels that can be adjusted from your phone, and its resistance bands range from 2 to 7 pounds, allowing you, to tone, sculpt and strengthen your upper body, no matter what your fitness level is.

“I’m not seeing results.” If you’ve been working out for a little while and haven’t seen immediate results, don’t get

discouraged. Whether your fitness goal centers around weight loss or getting toned, it’s important to remember that little changes add up over time.

“I’m just not motivated.” If keeping the exercise spark alive is difficult, consider turning to tech. New apps that connect to your equipment via Bluetooth, like the Cubii App, can send you reminders to get moving, as well as help you track your goals. They can also help you stay accountable by allowing you to connect with a fitness community and compete with friends, or join live and on-demand classes.

“I don’t have any time.” Between work, family, and other commitments, finding the time to hit the gym

for an hour or more isn’t always possible. But practicing self-care and prioritizing your own health and wellness is essential.

What you may not realize is that a high-quality workout doesn’t need to happen in a specific place or require a lot of time. In fact, some forms of exercise can occur while you’re working or watching TV.

What’s more, even a short burst of activity is very beneficial to getting you strong, boosting your metabolism and energy, and improving your mood.

That’s where a great versatile piece of equipment for the home or office can come into play.

For example, unlike a traditional standalone piece of fitness equipment, the Cubii Total Body+ is a 2-in-1 system that combines cardio with upper body strength training for a full-body workout you can do anytime, anywhere. To learn more about how to get active today, visit cubii.com.

Creating a new exercise habit can be an uphill struggle, especially if you are short on time, space or motivation. Luckily, new tools are emerging that can help you work out without excuses.

Source: StatePoint

Is Your Sleep Apnea Under Control?

By d-mars.com News Provider

High-quality sleep is fundamental to your health and happiness. However, for the 10-30% of U.S. adults living with sleep apnea, a good night’s rest is not guaranteed.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a respiratory condition where airways narrow during sleep, causing short periods when you’re not breathing. Incredibly common, it’s estimated that there are millions of Americans with undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea. Uncontrolled sleep apnea is associated with a number of challenging symptoms, including Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS). This symptom, which can linger even after one begins being treated for sleep apnea, is often described as feeling excessively drowsy. If you experience EDS, you might even fall asleep when you shouldn’t. For example, sleepiness at work or while you’re watching kids, along with drowsy driving, could put you and others at an increased risk of accidents and injury.

Not everyone being treated for sleep apnea expe riences complete symptom relief. This is why the American Lung Association, with support from Jazz Pharmaceuticals, is encouraging the public to recognize their own or a loved one’s sleep challenges.

“The first step to better sleep is to share your unresolved symptoms with your healthcare provider. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea after participating in a sleep study, your doctor will work with you to manage the condition,” says Dr. Atul Malhotra, a board-certified pulmonologist, intensivist, and research chief of Pulmonary,

“Unfortunately, some patients continue to experience lingering symptoms,” says Dr. Malhotra. “It’s important to address these concerns with your doctor.”

You’ll know if your treatment is working based on how you’re feeling. Are you less sleepy during the day? Do you have higher energy levels? Does your bed partner notice less snoring, gasping, or sleep disruptions? To help your doctor understand what you’re experiencing at your appointment, it’s important to distinguish fatigue, which is a lack of energy, from sleepiness, which is an inability to stay awake.

For more information about sleep apnea and EDS visit lung.org.

Everyone deserves the benefits of high-quality sleep. If you have difficulty getting a good night’s rest, be sure to talk to your doctor about your symptoms right away.

Source: StatePoint

After Two Years, It’s Time to Resume Health Screenings and Procedures, Anesthesiologists Advise

By d-mars.com

The pandemic caused massive disruptions in health care, from cancellation of elective surgeries to patients putting off critical screenings and procedures, including colonoscopies, mammograms, knee or hip replacement surgeries, and even in some cases more urgent heart procedures. As a consequence, many preventable health problems may show an alarming increase in the near future. Anesthesiologists who provide anesthesia or sedation for many of these procedures urge patients to get back on track and schedule their test, screening, or surgery as soon as possible, especially because some hospitals and health systems are experiencing a backlog.

Nearly one in four people experienced a disruption to their plans to have a procedure or test during the past year. Of those, 16% said they are planning to reschedule, but haven't yet, and 10% aren't planning to reschedule at all, according to the National Poll on Healthy Aging. Nearly 10 million cancer screenings were missed during the pandemic, according to cancer researchers.

"With safety measures in place and COVID-19 numbers decreasing, it is vital for everyone to resume their lifesaving and life-changing screenings and procedures," said Randall M. Clark, M.D., FASA, president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). "Your health and well-being may depend on it."

If you are scheduling a long-delayed screening or procedure that requires anesthesia or sedation, ASA recommends seven ways to ensure you are prepared and as healthy as possible.

Practice healthy behaviors

Adjusting your diet to include healthier choices in the weeks leading up to your surgery or procedure can help you become stronger and recover quicker. Exercise can also help reduce complications and hospital stays, so if you are active, keep it up, and if not, consider working with your doctor to increase activity levels in the weeks before surgery. Losing weight can help too, as excess weight can make it more challenging to administer anesthesia safely.

Stop smoking

Smoking increases the risk of anesthesia-related problems such as wound infections, pneumonia, and heart attacks. Quit smoking as soon as possible before the procedure - preferably a week or more before - and for as long as possible afterward. Quitting even the day before surgery helps.

Connect with your anesthesia care team

Be sure your anesthesia care is led by an anesthesiologist, a medical doctor who has 12-14 years of education and clinical training to deliver safe, high-quality care. Whether you have an appointment with your anesthesiologist in advance of your procedure or meet them

immediately before, be sure to share details about your overall health, medications you are taking, use of recreational drugs (including marijuana) and alcohol, your previous experience with anesthesia, your fears and any questions you have. If you have concerns, reach out to schedule a call or meeting with the anesthesiologist in advance.

Understand COVID-19 testing

You likely will be tested for COVID-19 a day or two before your surgery. If you have had COVID-19 recently, your surgery may be delayed for your own safety. Unvaccinated patients may need to wait seven weeks after a COVID-19 infection before having a procedure, depending on the severity of symptoms.

Know what - and when - to eat and drink

When your surgery is planned, your anesthesia care team will let you know when to stop eating or drinking prior to the procedure. The answer may vary depending on factors such as the type of anesthesia you are having and the time of day your procedure is scheduled. In many cases, you will be told to stop eating eight hours before the surgery, but you may be able to drink clear fluids such as coffee, water, or pulp-free juice up to two hours before.

Don't assume you should stop your medications

In most cases, you should continue taking your medications before the procedure because they are important to your health. There are exceptions, so be sure your surgeon and anesthesiologist know which medications - both prescription and over-the-counter - you are taking, as well as any vitamins and supplements, so they can direct you.

Learn about your pain management options

Many people assume opioids

are the only drugs that will relieve post-surgical pain. In fact, there are many pain management alternatives that don't carry the same risk of misuse, including ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Your anesthesiologist will work with you to develop a safe and effective plan to help you manage your pain.

Advance preparation can help ensure you are ready for a procedure, but it's important to take that first step by scheduling your important test or surgery without delay. Download ASA's "The Path to Safe Surgery" fact sheet for more information.

Source: BPT

Benefits of Taking Aspirin and the Main Reasons People Take It

By d-mars.com

Provider

There is no more familiar item in your medicine cabinet than a bottle of aspirin.

Aspirin has been sold for over a century as an over-the-counter medication and millions of people take it. Aspirin is used to help treat pain associated with headaches and arthritis, and for fever reduction.

People also take low-dose aspirin daily as part of their doctor-recommended plan following a heart attack or clot-related stroke for secondary prevention to prevent another

heart attack or clot-related stroke. There are about 40 million vascular patients who may be on an aspirin therapy plan as advised by their doctor.

"Aspirin is an important and trusted medication with benefits for a number of different purposes," said Mayme Lou Roettig, RN, executive medical director, PLx Pharma Inc. "It can also have side effects and needs to be tailored to individual patient benefit versus risk profile. Although aspirin is sold over the counter, doctors may recommend using aspirin for secondary prevention. Your medical condition is unique to you, and your doctor can help determine what you need, and what to be careful about."

Benefits of taking aspirin

Here are the primary reasons people take aspirin. Pain relief: Aspirin is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) effective for the temporary relief of minor aches and pains and to reduce fevers. Aspirin is just one of several NSAIDs available. It's always a good idea to ask your healthcare provider which specific NSAID(s) would be most beneficial to you given the type of pain you're experiencing, and your medical history.

Heart attack: According to the American Heart Association, about 720,000 people in the U.S. have their first heart attack every year and an additional 335,000 will have a recurrent heart attack or a secondary event.

In the U.S. a heart attack occurs every 40 seconds. Heart attacks occur when the blood flow to the heart is blocked by a blood clot. A blocked artery prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching a vital section of the heart. If the blood flow is completely disrupted, that part of the heart can die. While lifestyle changes, such as improving your diet and increasing exercise, can help prevent a heart attack, aspirin can reduce the risk of another heart attack by 31% by making blood platelets less likely to stick together in a clot.

Stroke: The American Heart Association also reports that about 610,000 people experience a new stroke in the U.S. and 185,000 have a recurrent or secondary event. Stroke is the leading cause of serious longterm disability. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is diminished or disrupted preventing brain tissue from getting needed oxygen and nutrients. Some brain cells begin to die, which can lead to loss of functions controlled by that part of the brain, such as walking or talking. Like a heart attack, lifestyle changes help reduce the chances of having a stroke, and aspirin is clinically shown to help lower the risk of another clot-related stroke.

are taking physician-advised aspirin therapy stop taking it due to gastrointestinal (GI) issues, which is the most common side effect. This includes rare gastric ulcers or gastric bleeding as well as more common dyspepsiaalso known as indigestion or upset stomach discomfort. If you were recommended aspirin by your physician to prevent another heart attack or stroke and experience side effects such as stomach discomfort or gastrointestinal issues, you should contact your doctor right away. Roettig suggests speaking to your doctor if there are alternatives that may help avoid or minimize potential side effects.

Enteric Coated Aspirin

Enteric Coated Aspirin

Aspirin has been around for more than 100 years. Enteric-coated aspirin, the most commonly used formulation, was developed more than 50 years ago with the intention of preventing aspirin from dissolving in the stomach. The enteric-coated formulation was designed to help protect the stomach lining from irritation, especially for those who take aspirin on a regular basis. However, studies have not definitively demonstrated that enteric-coated aspirin protects the stomach from irritation. According to the FDA class Aspirin Professional Labeling, enteric-coated aspirin products are erratically absorbed from the GI tract.

Some studies have found that patients may not get the full effect of aspirin from a dose. This is an important consideration for patients who are trying to prevent another heart attack or clot-related stroke.

A novel delivery system for aspirin

A novel delivery system for aspirin

There is a unique over-the-counter aspirin recently approved by the FDA available on shelves nationally - Vazalore®.

Vazalore is a liquid-filled aspirin capsule, available in 81 mg and 325 mg doses, which delivers aspirin differently from plain and enteric-coated aspirin products. The special complex inside the Vazalore capsule and its delivery system allows for pH-dependent targeted release of aspirin, limiting its direct contact with the stomach. Vazalore delivers fast, reliable absorption for pain relief plus the life-saving benefits of aspirin to help prevent another heart attack or clot-related stroke.

Visit www.vazalore.com to learn more about aspirin and its benefits.

Source: BPT

Common side effects of aspirin

Common side effects of aspirin

Patients on aspirin therapy regardless of the dosage form may experience side effects and stop taking it. In fact, some patients who

News

Benefits of taking aspirin

Men Under the Influence of Women Are More Likely to Take Better Care of Their Health

By d-mars.com News Provider

Men are notorious for avoiding the doctor and ignoring warning signs when it comes to their health. New research confirms this isn't just a myth with 2 in 5 men saying they've put off seeing a doctor until their symptoms were urgent and 1 in 3 men avoiding the doctor altogether out of fear of finding something wrong.

Men also are more likely to smoke, drink and take more risks. Yet a surprising 84% of men rate their health as "excellent" or "good" in a Men's Health Survey conducted by MDVIP and Ipsos, suggesting that they mistakenly believe they're healthier than they really are.

"Men are typically on the defensive, waiting for an emergency to happen before seeking medical care - when it's sometimes too late," said Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP. "What they need is to play better offense."

The key to improving men's health

What, or rather who is the key to helping men be more proactive about their health? Women. An impressive 4 in 5 men say their spouse/partner plays an important role in their health and nearly half say they have gone to see a doctor because their spouse/partner insisted on it.

Whether you're a man who wants to take steps to improve your health, or you have an important man in your life who needs encouragement, here are tips to get the journey started.

Here's how women can help men get on track

Women make 80% of the health care decisions for their households. If you are a woman, know that you have a lot of influence and that your partner really listens to you. Make sure you bring up any observations or concerns you have about his health, even if it may feel difficult or uncomfortable at first. It could be a matter of life and death.

Here are things you can do:

* Partner with him to make healthier choices such as going for daily walks, cooking nutritious meals, and stocking the pantry with healthier snacks.

* Watch for unusual symptoms or changes that might indicate a serious issue, such as a mysterious mole on his back, unexplained pain, or fatigue.

* Urge him to see his primary care doctor when something's amiss, or help him find a physician if he doesn't already have one. MDVIP's Find a Doctor tool can help you locate doctors in your area who limit their practice size, allowing them to spend more time with patients compared to traditional practices.

Here's how men can turbocharge their own health

Just as you do regular maintenance on your car to keep it running well, like oil changes and tire rotations, here's what you need to do to minimize your own health issues down the road:

* See your primary care physician for regular preventive care - Schedule an annual check-up where you can ask questions and discuss any health concerns you may have. Make sure you're up to date on routine lab work and important screenings based on your age and medical history.

* Know your numbers - Learn about key health indicators including your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and body mass index (BMI). All this information can help you understand your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other serious conditions - and help catch problems in the early stages when they are much more treatable.

* Take the Men's Health IQ Quiz to find out what you know - and learn what you don't know - about important factors relating to your health and wellness.

Helping men become more proactive about their health can empower them, and their significant others, to enjoy better wellness and quality of life for years to come. And having women in their corner to support them may be just the prescription men need.

Learn more about men's health and find helpful resources at MDVIP. com/MensHealth.

Source: BPT

It’s Time to Focus On Whole Person Health

By d-mars.com News Provider

The COVID-19 pandemic has shined much-needed light on "whole person health" by highlighting the correlation between behavioral health and overall wellness. Many people with behavioral health challenges experienced worsening symptoms throughout the pandemic, while others struggled with conditions for the first time and didn't know where to turn.

Understanding whole person health - and where to find resources that can help you support both your mental and physical health - is key to protecting and improving your overall well-being.

Whole person health is the recognition that our mental and physical health are interconnected and that an illness rarely affects a single body part or system. When you consider that nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness, and six in 10 adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease, it's easy to consider how one might impact the other.

Benefits of whole person health and how to take action

According to Dr. Rhonda Randall, D.O., Chief Medical Officer at

UnitedHealthcare, implementing integrated health care approaches has positive outcomes for patients, physicians, and caregivers. By exploring health behaviors (like smoking, physical activity, and eating habits), the community and environment where we live and work, genetics, behaviors, and socio-economic influences on our health, physicians and patients create a comprehensive picture of the patient's goals and create a comprehensive plan of care.

Here are three key ways this approach can help you, or someone you love - and how to take action.

1. Improve one area, improve the rest. Research shows that improving one area of a person's physical, emotional and mental health can benefit the others. For example, we have long known that gut health is directly linked to mental health, but whole health argues these connections run throughout the entire body.

Take action: Take a moment to reflect on your health - what are you missing, and what are your goals? Make a list, then talk about it with your care team. Together,

you can make a plan to address the changes you'd like to make.

2. Make mental health checks part of your regular health routine. As we age, chronic, or ongoing, conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, chronic pain, and others, tend to surface more frequently, but research suggests mentally healthy adults reported the fewest chronic diseases of all ages. By starting to care for your mental and behavioral health as soon as possible, patients can help safeguard the body for its future.

Take action: Just as we make yearly visits to our primary care physicians, it's essential to prioritize regular mental health maintenance checks, whether with your physician, a specialist, or free self-assessment tools. It's no secret that, for many, the pandemic has intensified and worsened mental health issues. The silver lining? Broad recognition has reduced the stigma and more than ever, virtual tools are available to help maintain treatment plans, improve access and remove cost

barriers.

3. Prioritize preventive care to reduce health care costs. Chronic conditions, frequent trips to specialists, and prescriptions are key drivers behind expensive out-ofpocket healthcare costs. By investing in whole health - examining diet, exercise, and mental health, in conjunction with regular primary care visits - you can improve your health as well as your long-term financial health.

Take action: As you build your health team, look for professionals who subscribe to the whole health model and will proactively seek to coordinate care with other providers supporting your physical and mental health. When physician teams communicate effectively, patients become centered in their care.

Taking charge of your whole health

Taking charge of your whole health

More and more, patients can be the drivers of their own health care journeys. Minor changes such as investing in selfcare, improving lifestyle choices, and early behavioral intervention if needed are key steps in ensuring overall wellness.

For more health and wellness information, visit UHC.com.

Source: BPT

Benefits of whole person health and how to take action