Health and Wellness 35

Ways to Reset Your Routine and Build a Healthier Lifestyle

By d-mars.com News Provider

ife is messy and full of distractions. How many of us planned to go to bed early only to stay up streaming our favorite shows? What about scheduling time to work out, then getting caught up in work and running out of energy? Even when you're highly motivated, it's easy to get sidetracked. That's OK. The key is finding ways to reset, bring yourself back into balance, and set yourself up for lasting success.

Motivation is a driving force for change, but not all motivation is equal. Some motivation is controlled by outside forces like praise, while a powerful one comes from within and is tied to your values. For example, you may choose to be active because you love a certain activity. When a habit is personally meaningful, you are more likely to sustain it.

"Building healthy habits takes time and dedication, but doesn't have to be overwhelming," says Alyssa Burnison, MS, RD, LN, and the director of program and nutrition, lead registered dietitian, and licensed nutritionist at Profile Plan. "Incorporating just one of the following tips can make a world of difference."

1) Give yourself a break: The first step in the reset process is to give yourself a break. Life is hard and we all slip up from time to time. Forgive yourself, approach your journey with compassion, and don't waste time on shame, frustration or guilt. You're here now and ready to commit to yourself.

2) Start the planning process: Prior planning prevents poor performance. Take stock of what condition your habits are in. Have you slipped up on good habits and need to rebuild them, or do you need to start from scratch? Do you have to eliminate bad habits before you can build new ones? Write down your good and bad habits so you can monitor them throughout your process.

3) Make motivation part of your routine: Be sure you've defined your "why" - the reasons you want to build new habits. Then, find ways to remind yourself of your why. Put notes on a mirror or a kitchen cabinet. Change your phone background to a photo or quote that motivates you. Find any way that reminds you why your efforts are worthwhile.

4) Start small: Setting a large goal can be intimidating and feel unachievable. Instead, break larger goals into smaller, specific steps that will work for you. You don't need to hit the gym for an hour

every day to see results. Start by finding ways to increase activity throughout the day. Take the stairs more often or park further away from the building. Small changes add up quickly.

5) Link a new habit to an existing one: The easiest way to make a new habit stick is to connect it with an ingrained one. Instead of just walking to get your mail, extend your trip and walk a few blocks as well.

recipe ideas. Try a new exercise like rock climbing. Build a relaxing bedtime routine you can look forward to.

8) Don't give up too soon: It takes time to build a routine. You won't create healthy habits by doing them once or twice. On average, it takes at least two months, and sometimes up to a year, for a new habit to become routine.

9) Track your progress: To make a new habit stick, you have to build accountability. Make a plan, then track your progress. Habit trackers will help you monitor your meals, build your self-care plan and track your progress toward your healthy habit goals. You can create your own or find one to download online. Profile's can be found at profileplan.com/profile-planner.

6) Cut comparison: Comparison is your biggest enemy. No two people have the same journey, and you are sabotaging yourself by comparing your progress to others'. Focus on reminding yourself how far you've come.

7) Make it exciting: Whether you're trying to eat better, exercise more, or simply build healthy habits like better sleep hygiene, make it exciting for yourself by trying new things. Visit food blogs for

10) Find support: Create your own cheering section by asking friends and family to support you. Make healthy recipes together or go for group walks. If you need even more help, coaches can be an amazing resource for support and guidance.

"Embrace just a few of these ideas and you'll be headed in a healthier direction," says Burnison. "You can always add on as you make progress - that's what our coaches tell Profile Plan members."

Source: BPT

Feeling Down About Thin or Shedding Hair? Simple Steps To Healthier, Fuller Locks

By d-mars.com News Provider

Hair is an important part of your personal style every day and when a special event is approaching, such as a wedding, reunion, or big birthday, it can help you look and feel your best. If you're experiencing thinning hair or hair loss, it's important to know you're not alone. There are some steps you can take to get healthier hair and boost your confidence, so you can look and feel like the best version of yourself.

"If you've noticed your hair doesn't seem as thick as it used to be or more is falling out than normal, don't be alarmed. Learning about the causes of hair loss and how you can keep your hair healthy can make a positive impact, no matter your age," said Dr. Elizabeth Houshmand, board-certified dermatologist and Viviscal spokesperson.

Hair shedding versus hair loss

It's normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs a day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. You may temporarily shed more than this for a few months due to stressors such as giving birth, losing a significant amount of weight or recovering from an illness or operation. As your body readjusts, shedding should go back to normal levels.

Hair loss is different because it occurs when the hair stops growing - this can be caused by things such as medical treatments like chemotherapy, where hair will start to grow again when the treatment stops, or hereditary hair loss, where you have inherited genes that cause hair loss.

Dr. Houshmand shares some ways to help maintain hair health and encourage thicker, fuller, healthier hair: Nourish from the inside: Healthy hair starts from within, so it's important to look at your diet and eat nourishing foods. Protein is particularly important be-

Wash every other day: A dirty scalp can be itchy and irritating, leaving hair dry and brittle. Washing every other day is the ideal frequency for most people to promote hair health. Use a balanced shampoo and conditioner that gently cleanses the hair and scalp, leaving your hair looking fuller and thicker, like Viviscal Gorgeous Growth Densifying Shampoo and Conditioner. Learn more at Viviscal.com.

Mind wet hair: Remember, wet hair is weaker and therefore more vulnerable. Switch up your bathing routine by detangling before your shower rather than after to protect strands. Additionally, consider using a microfiber towel when drying your hair, which is gentler and wicks water away much faster than a standard cotton one.

Celebrity hairstylist and Viviscal ambassador Marissa Marino agrees with Dr. Houshmand about the importance of a proactive approach to healthy hair. She added the following insight based on her expert experience:

Cut heat: When possible, cut down using heat styling tools or turn the heat down to the lowest effective setting. Explore alternatives that don't use heat, such as rollers.

Go loose: That slick ponytail or braid may look chic, but it can damage your hair if worn on a regular basis. These styles pull at the roots and can cause breakage mid-strand.

cause it's a building block for hair, so stock up on lean meats, Greek yogurt, beans, and nut butters. Some foods you may not realize are high in protein include avocado, peas, quinoa, and chia seeds.

Boost vitamin intake: Supplements can make a big difference in hair health. For example, Viviscal Hair Growth Supplements are clinically proven and specifically formulated with AminoMar™, a proprietary marine collagen complex, along with key vitamins to help achieve thicker hair in as little as three months. This 100% drug-free formula helps with hair diameter and hair shedding.

Deep condition: On wash days, leave the conditioner on your hair for longer periods of time so it really nourishes hair. Strive for 3-5 minutes before rinsing. Use this time to relax, meditate and destress.

"It's time to normalize the conversation about thinning hair and hair loss," said Marino. "These conditions are common and with a few simple steps, you can help your hair be its healthiest yet."

Source: BPT

This School Year, Prioritize Whole Health - Physical and

By d-mars.com

News Provider

As back-to-school season gets underway, it's important to ensure that your child is ready for the school year, both physically and emotionally, by scheduling a well-child visit.

Annual well-child visits are doctor appointments for preventive health services which are essential for ensuring a child's growth and tracking developmental milestones. The well-child visit is also the time for routine immunizations to prevent diseases like measles, polio, hepatitis B, chickenpox, whooping cough, and other serious diseases.

"Like vaccines, which prevent physical health conditions, speaking with your child's primary care physician regularly about mental health concerns is also an essential part of overall preventive care," said Rhonda L. Randall, D.O., and chief medical officer at UnitedHealthcare. "Your annual wellchild visit is also an opportunity to have a conversation with your child's physician. It's best to have these conversations when problems or warning signs first appear, so your physician can take the appropriate steps to best treat them."

If you're not sure what questions to ask your child's primary care physician during an annual well-child visit, consider the following:

Ask what vaccines are appropriate for your child's age - and how to make up any that have been missed. You can refer to the list of child and adolescent vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at CDC.gov/vaccines. In addition to other childhood vaccines, both flu and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended by the CDC for everyone 6 months of age and older. If you are concerned about childhood vaccines, ask the pediatrician about common side effects, which are typically very mild, such as pain or swelling at the injection site, and can include low-grade fever or rash.

Discuss changes in your child's behavior. Some common warning signs that your child's mental well-being isn't where it needs to be include persistent sadness, withdrawing from or avoiding social interactions, displaying outbursts of extreme irritability, drastic changes in mood, behavior, or personality, changes in eating habits, difficulty sleeping, frequent headaches or stomachaches, difficulty concentrating, changes in academic performance or avoiding or missing school.

Ask for guidance on how best to support your child. Whether you have concerns about your child's nutrition, exercise, sleeping patterns or behavioral changes, your child's primary care physician is a great place to start. With so many young children experiencing mental and emotional health challenges, it's important to create opportunities for them to share how they are really doing. Remember that these can be sensitive topics for your child to discuss. Empathy and patience go a long way to help children and adolescents feel listened to and comfortable.

Don't forget to bring your sports physical forms. It's great if your child participates in school sports. The wellness visit is an

opportune time to make sure your physician is aware that your child is a student-athlete and address any concerns like nutrition, prior injuries, and family history.

Ask for recommendations for other health care professionals, if needed. For example, if your child hasn't seen the dentist in a while, if their vision screening indicated that they need to see an eye doctor, or their mental health screening has raised concerns, ask which health care professionals in your plan's network they would recommend.

"If you haven't already, now is the time to schedule an appointment with their pediatrician, to give your child a healthy start to the school year," added Randall. "Regular well-child visits are essential in making sure your child is up to date on immunizations and that their developmental milestones are on track - including their mental well-being."

To learn more about recommended preventive care for your child, visit UHC.com.

Source: BPT

Like vaccines, which prevent physical health conditions, speaking with your child’s primary care physician regularly about mental health concerns is also an essential part of overall preventive care,” said Rhonda L. Randall, D.O., and chief medical officer at UnitedHealthcare. “Your annual wellchild visit is also an opportunity to have a conversation with your child’s physician. It’s best to have these conversations when problems or warning signs first appear, so your physician can take the appropriate steps to best treat them.”

Your Child’s and Mental

What You Need To Know About Heel Pain

By d-mars.com News Provider

Very common in adults and on the rise in chil dren, heel pain continues to be the number one reason patients seek care from foot and ankle surgeons. While experts say there are many reasons for heel pain, including bursitis, Achilles tendonitis, bone bruises, fractures, growth spurts, and nerve pain, the most common cause is plantar fasciitis, a condition that one in 10 people will suffer from in their lifetime.

According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), plantar fasciitis can have serious repercussions if left untreated. Here’s what to know:

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that extends from the heel to the toes in which the fascia becomes irritated and then inflamed. Symptoms include pain on the bottom of the heel, pain in the arch of the foot, and swelling on the bottom of the heel. For many, the pain is worse upon arising and increases over a period of months.

A telltale sign of mechanical issues in the foot, those with overly flat feet or high-arched feet are more prone to developing plantar fasciitis. Lifestyle factors can also play a role. Wearing non-supportive footwear on hard, flat surfaces puts abnormal strain on the plantar fascia. This is particularly evident when one’s job requires long hours on the feet. Obesity and overuse may also contribute to plantar fasciitis.

How is it Treated?

“We typically treat plantar fasciitis conservatively, at first,” said Michael J. Cornelison, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon and president of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. “This can include a combination of remedies, including rest, exercises that stretch the calf muscles, orthotics, icing the heel, over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, supportive footwear, and physical therapy.”

Most patients respond well to conservative treatments. However, depending on the severity of the plantar fasciitis, additional therapies may be required, including:

• Injection Therapy: Growth factor injections and platelet-rich plasma injections are used to boost the body’s healing response and help repair injured tissue.

• Shockwave Therapy: This in-office treatment uses sound waves delivered over the skin to slightly damage the tissue and stimulate the body’s natural repair process. This helps the plantar fasciitis heal and relieves pain symptoms without making an incision. Patients can expect to be up and moving immediately after treatment, but it may take three to six months to see results.

• Ultrasonic Treatment: In this newer procedure, a small incision is made into the heel of the foot and a probe directs ultrasonic energy at the fascia to break down bad tissue and help the healing process. A diagnostic ultrasound tool is used to create an image of the inside of the foot and guide the probe. Patients may need to wear a boot immediately after the procedure for up to two weeks and they can expect to see improvements anywhere from three to six months after the procedure.

• Surgery: Also called a plantar fasciotomy, this minimally invasive, minimally traumatic surgical treatment involves making a small incision through the heel into the damaged tendon to try to lengthen it and relieve tension. Patients tend to recover in six to 10 weeks, but it may take up to three months to resume exercise and more vigorous activities.

No matter what kind of treatment a patient undergoes, the underlying causes that led to the condition may remain. Preventive measures, such as wearing supportive shoes, stretching, and using custom orthotic devices, are the mainstay of long-term treatment for plantar fasciitis.

For more heel pain information and to find a foot and ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealthFacts.org, the patient education website for the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Source: StatePoint

Senate Dems Pass Huge Climate, Health, and Tax Bill

By d-mars.com

News Provider

Senate Democrats took a critical step toward reducing inflation and the cost of living by passing the Inflation Reduction Act.

Proponents said the measure would make a big difference for many Americans by locking in savings on health insurance premiums and reducing the cost of prescription drugs by allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices.

The bill, when signed by President Joe Biden, should also lead to creating family-sustaining jobs and cutting energy costs by making the most significant investment in history in combating climate change, Democrats have claimed.

The country will pay the bill’s $739 billion price tag by making corporations pay their fair share. Those making less than $400,000 annually won’t see tax increases.

Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking vote in a deadlock Senate to ensure passage.

“I’m thrilled we were finally able to pass this historic, once-in-a-generation investment in our country’s future that will lower costs for Georgians, create clean energy jobs and reduce the deficit all at the same time,” said Georgia Democratic Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock.

“I’m especially proud the legislation includes two provisions I introduced to cap insulin costs for Medicare patients at $35 a month and to limit the cost of prescription drugs for seniors. This bill will strengthen health care access and lower health care costs for people across Georgia.”

Warnock said the legislation would make a real change in people’s lives.

“From saving seniors money by allowing Medicare to directly negotiate drug prices, to expanding vital health care subsidies, to greening the economy, this legislation will make a lasting impact on Georgians’ lives,” Warnock stated.

Experts and economists said the Inflation Reduction Act would save American households thousands of dollars.

“This bill will reduce the cost of prescription drugs, make health insurance more affordable, cap out-of-pocket costs, reduce your energy bill, reduce the federal deficit, and bring down inflation,” Florida Democratic Rep. Val Demings said.

“As the daughter of a maid and a janitor, every dollar mattered in our household, and I’ll always fight to protect working families.”

Demings said the deal builds on work

she did in the House to allow Medicare to negotiate the cost of prescription drugs, bring down energy costs, and create significant new jobs by fighting climate change.

“Senate Republicans tried and failed to block this legislation because it takes on their biggest backers: prescription drug companies, fossil fuel companies, and billionaire tax cheats,” Demings remarked.

“I’m going to put Florida families first and support policies to bring down costs for working people even if it cuts into the profit margins of these special interests.” Senate Republicans, all of whom opposed the package, lashed out.

“This is not about inflation reduction. This is all about Democrats spending on things they want to spend money on,” Utah GOP Sen. Mitt Romney asserted.

“It’s another taxing and spending bill,” he insisted.

Biden said he ran for president promising to make government work for working families again, and that is what this bill does.

“This bill caps seniors’ out-of-pocket spending for prescription drugs at $2000 per year – no matter what their drug bills would otherwise be, seniors will not have to spend more than $2,000,” Biden stated

“Additionally, 13 million Americans, covered under the Affordable Care Act, will see their health insurance premiums reduced by $800.”

Biden continued:

“This bill tackles inflation by lowering the deficit and lowering costs for regular families. This bill also makes the largest investment ever in combatting the existential crisis of climate change.

“It addresses the climate crisis and strengthens our energy security, creating jobs manufacturing solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles in America with American workers. In addition, it lowers families’ energy costs by hundreds of dollars each year.

“Finally, it pays for all this by establishing a minimum corporate tax so that our richest corporations start to pay their fair share. It does not raise taxes on those making under $400,000 a year – not one cent.”

Source: National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)

As

Monkeypox Hits African American Community Hard, Biden Administration Increases Vaccine

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior

The Biden-Harris administration announced it would increase America’s supply of monkeypox vaccine by making an additional 1.8 million doses of Bavarian Nordic’s Jynneos vaccine available for ordering (on 8/22/22).

According to a White House Fact Sheet, the Department of Health and Human Services has set aside 50,000 doses of vaccine from the Strategic National Stockpile, which enables health departments that host large-scale events could request in addition to their existing allocations and supply.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released data from 43 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, which revealed that African Americans comprise 26 percent of monkeypox cases compared to 12 percent of the population.

The CDC noted that Hispanic people accounted for 28 percent of cases while comprising 19 percent of the population.

Additionally, CDC officials reported that areas with high numbers of cases that did not submit case reports are more racially and ethnically diverse.

“As such, the reported data may understate disparities,” CDC officials noted.

“Moreover, the share of cases among Black people has risen in recent weeks, suggesting widening disparities for this group.”

According to the White House, the BidenHarris Administration has delivered nearly 1 million doses of JYNNEOS vaccine to jurisdictions – the world’s most extensive JYNNEOS MPV vaccine program.

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration announced the Emergency Use Authorization of the JYNNEOS vaccine to be administered intradermally in individuals 18 years of age and older determined to be at high risk of MPV without compromising the level of immune response achieved or the safety of the vaccine.

“The action means that each vial of vaccine can be used for up to five doses since the appropriate dose

for intradermal administration is 0.1mL versus 0.5mL required per dose administered subcutaneously,” Administration officials remarked.

The CDC also released a “robust set of resources and tools to help jurisdictions train providers and health care professionals on how to administer the vaccine intradermally.”

Administration officials said in less than ten days following FDA’s EUA on intradermal administration, some of the country’s largest counties have transitioned completely to intradermal administration of the JYNNEOS vaccine for eligible adults, including Los Angeles County, California, and Fulton County, Georgia.

The increased availability of vaccine doses has enabled more jurisdictions to offer second doses to eligible individuals.

The JYNNEOS vaccine is administered in two doses, four weeks apart, for maximum protection, White House officials offered.

They said the Biden-Harris Administration has also significantly increased the availability and convenience of orthopoxvirus tests, expanding the capacity of tests from 6,000 tests per week to 80,000.

Further, the Administration has taken a number of steps to make TPOXX, a treatment for MPV, more accessible to prescribe, and today’s announcements build on those actions.

“The number of additional doses made available to a jurisdiction will be based on the size and nature of the event and the ability to reach attendees at highest risk for MPV,” Administration officials said.

Source: National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)