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Written by Gerald F. Joseph, Jr., MD, President, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
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Monday, 08 March 2010 10:10 |
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What do you do when you think you have the flu, strain your back or come down with an ear infection? If you are one of the fortunate Americans who have health insurance, you might schedule an appointment with your doctor, go in for an exam, pay a small co-pay, and leave with care instructions or prescription medication to help you feel better.
But for more than 46 million Americans without insurance, getting medical attention is not so easy.
Uninsured families face numerous hurdles in receiving adequate care, such as finding doctors who accept uninsured patients, long waits for care, and expensive medical bills. Many families opt to skip medical treatment altogether, try to stay healthy and hope for the best.
But that doesn’t always work. An uninsured American dies every 24 minutes because he or she could not get necessary care. Anyone can lose his or her insurance—rich, poor, married, single, employed and unemployed of every race in every part of the country. Women are especially vulnerable to becoming uninsured. More than 45 percent of all uninsured people in the U.S. are women, including 13 percent of all pregnant women.
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Written by Press Staff Writer
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Monday, 08 March 2010 10:08 |
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In observance of National Sleep Awareness Week, March 8-14, TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), offers a reminder that studies show a link between too few hours of sleep and increased body weight in both adults and children.
“Our society is an insomniac, underslept society, perhaps because of economic stress, chaotic lifestyles, or sedentary time spent with modern media, such as the Internet or cable TV,” says Nicholas “Dr. Nick” Yphantides, M.D., M.P.H., medical spokesperson for TOPS. “Sleep is an afterthought to many of us.”
Dr. Nick points out that insomnia often leads to late-night eating binges, which are proven to be disruptive to the digestive cycle and result in weight gain. “Falling asleep with a full stomach means you are less likely to eat breakfast, which is an essential part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” he says. “Every study of successful long-term weight loss shows that the eating plan includes a healthy breakfast.”
While it’s not easy to break old habits, Dr. Nick notes that the more resistant people are to saying “lights out” the more they have to deal with the consequences the next day. For example, when fatigue sets in from late-night activity, there is less desire to engage in exercise the next day, an essential element of weight control.
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Written by Press Staff Writer
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Monday, 08 March 2010 10:08 |
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Most people know someone who has fallen or who is afraid of falling.
“A Matter of Balance” is a proven program designed to help people manage concerns about falls and increase physical activity. Wood County Committee on Aging is looking for volunteers to help provide this program.
The “A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls” program is conducted in eight two-hour sessions and uses group discussion, problem–solving strategies, videos and gentle physical exercise. Older adults learn positive coping methods to reduce fear of falling and remain active and independent.
An “A Matter of Balance” coach helps participants become more confident about managing falls by believing that they can increase their strength, find ways to reduce falls and protect themselves if they do fall. In addition, participants report that they have increased the amount they exercise on a regular basis.
Coaches need good communication and interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, dependability and a willingness to lead small groups of older adults. Coaches also need to be able to lead low to moderate level exercise.
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