To Our Seniors and Medicare Enrollees
by Douglas Hanson, MPA, CEO of Stellis Health, PA We understand how difficult it can be to learn about the various Medicare plans. The options and choices have created…
3 Lesser-Known Risk Factors for Type II Diabetes
Patients who have type II diabetes end up with high blood sugar because their body does not make enough insulin, the hormone that triggers body cells to remove sugar from the blood stream. Some patients with type II diabetes do make plenty of insulin, but their body’s cells have become resistant to it.
In either case, type II diabetes can have lasting effects on the body — such as vision damage, kidney damage, and nerve damage — particularly if untreated or poorly treated. Many people know that being overweight and eating too much sugar can increase their risk of developing type II diabetes, but these are not the only risk factors. Here are three lesser-known risk factors that you should be aware of.
What Senior Citizens Can Do in Autumn to Stay Healthy This Winter
If you’re not a fan of the winter season, you may not want to start thinking about the colder months until you have to. Perhaps you don’t even want to think about flu season, snow, and frigid temperatures. However, beginning to prepare now for the challenges winter brings will help keep you happy and healthy in the coming months.
Think About Your Healthcare
Make sure routine and preventative healthcare visits are up to date and get a flu shot. If you’ve been putting off getting a physical examination or discussing nagging health issues with your doctor, now is the time to make an appointment. Winter storms and road closures can make it difficult to travel to appointments during the winter months.
4 Common Causes of Unplanned Weight Loss in Seniors
Many older adults lose weight as they age, which is not necessarily a good thing. When an older adult loses five percent or more of their weight over a period of six months (and they are not specifically working on weight loss), this could be cause for alarm. As a caregiver or family member, here are some of the possible causes of weight loss to explore with your older relative and their doctor.
1. Social Isolation and Depression
Have You Scheduled Your Child’s Back-to-School Physical?
Summer is coming to an end and the start of a new school year is just around the corner. In addition to back-to-school shopping, parents should also schedule their child’s annual physical. Here are some commonly asked questions parents have.
Is an Annual Physical Really Necessary?
The American Academy of Pediatricians recommends school-aged children receive a physical examination every year. An annual exam ensures your child is growing and developing normally. An annual exam can also detect any areas of concern and allows parents the opportunity to discuss their child’s physical and behavioral health with the pediatrician.
The Truth About Boys And The HPV Vaccine
In 2006, pharmaceutical company Merck introduced a vaccine to prevent 4 major strains of human papillomavirus, or HPV. Commercials explained how the vaccine benefits girls and women by protecting them from many types of cancer, including mouth, throat, and cervical cancer.
Unfortunately, boys and men were not mentioned in earlier commercials even though 66% of men will be infected by HPV at least once during their life. Parents who wish to protect their children need to learn more about HPV and how the vaccine protects those at risk. Here’s the truth about boys and the HPV vaccine.
What Is HPV?
Care for your bones early in life helps prevent osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a common ailment that many people associate with elderly individuals. However, many cases of osteoporosis could be prevented by lifestyle choices and active preparation when people are younger.
Learn about the risk factors for developing osteoporosis and why taking care of your bones early in life can mean a reduced risk of osteoporosis as you age. Make the commitment now to help yourself and even your children have healthy bones for life.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Nausea and Vomiting In Pregnancy
By Lindsey Latteman, MD, OB/GYN at Stellis Health
One of the most common symptoms of early pregnancy is the dreaded morning sickness – sudden bouts of nausea and even vomiting that can happen all hours of the day and be provoked by the smallest things.
Many women have trouble with these feelings of nausea, but there are plenty of remedies that are safe in pregnancy and proven to work.
First, try eating smaller, more frequent meals and snacks. When your stomach is empty, the queasy feelings from morning sickness can be worse. Eating smaller amounts but more frequently keeps your stomach from getting too empty and making nausea worse.
3 Strategies for Skin Cancer Protection
As summer rolls in and temperatures increase, you probably can’t wait to spend more time outside, basking in the sun. But since exposure to UV radiation from sunlight is a major risk factor for skin cancer, you need to be careful.
Protecting yourself from skin cancer really boils down to three strategies: sunscreen, sunglasses, and skin checks. Here are a few more details to make sure you’re implementing each strategy properly.
- Sunscreen
The Do’s and Don’ts of Seasonal Allergies
Over 50 million Americans are affected by allergies annually, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. If you find yourself sneezing, wheezing, and sniffling in the springtime, take a look at the do’s and don’ts of dealing with seasonal allergies.
Do Learn the Symptoms
What are the red flags of seasonal allergies? Understanding the signs can help to distinguish an airborne allergy from a springtime cold. While the specific symptoms vary by person, they can include: