Healthy Skin Month

Perhaps in preparation for the harsh winter months ahead, November is officially designated as National Healthy Skin Month in the US. All month long, people are encouraged to learn about the functions of skin and how to keep it healthy. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) first implemented November as healthy skin month in order to raise awareness about the importance of keeping skin fresh, hydrated and healthy all year round.

AAD features a skin knowledge and information network on their website, and people are encouraged to check it out for tips on sun protection, skin exams, eating healthy and other steps that can keep skin looking clear, smooth and youthful. There are many things people can do during National Skin Health Month, and all year long, to prevent skin damage, reduce signs of aging and protect one of the most vital organs of the body:

Wear sunscreen: sunscreen needs to be applied year-round, not just during the summer months. While the sun’s rays are more powerful in summer, they can still be damaging even in the cloudy, cool conditions of winter. A heavy sunscreen may not be necessary, so apply a moisturizer with SPF.

Eat a healthy diet: What we put in our mouths is just as influential to our skin’s health as what we apply externally. Eating a diet that’s rich in Omega 3s, whole grains and B Vitamins is essential to maintaining skin’s youthful glow. Be sure to incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables and lean proteins in your diet. Since skin is made of protein, the more we consume, the better.

Don’t forget your lips: Your lips need just as much protection as the rest of your skin, especially since they can get a lot of exposure to the sun. Carry lip balm with SPF with you and apply it generously, particularly in the dry winter months when lips can become very chapped and soar.

Keep your cool: Stress is a huge contributor to skin problems like acne and wrinkles. Making time to relax during your hectic days can greatly improve the condition of your skin.

Moisturize: Your skin needs to stay hydrated to stay healthy. Apply moisturizer to your whole body every morning and at night before going to bed. Keep moisturizer near you during the day so you can continue to moisturize your hands.
Along with these and many other helpful tips, you can keep your skin looking great all through the month of November and the rest of the year.

National Healthy Skin Month is not just about daily skincare tips, but it is also dedicated to keeping people well informed on serious skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and skin cancer. It’s a good idea to conduct monthly skin exams, checking skin for suspicious moles and other lesions that could become cancerous. Meeting with a skincare specialist is another important step you should take when keeping your skin healthy, especially if you suffer from painful or irritating skin problems.

If you want to learn more about National Healthy Skin Month or how to care for your skin, contact one of our customer service liaisons, and we’ll get you set up with a personal consultation with a certified skincare specialist.


Original source: http://www.healthyskinportal.com/articles/november-national-healthy-skin-month/264/

•.¸(*•.¸♥¸.•*´)¸.•* COPD Awareness Month

What Is COPD?

 (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary (PULL-mun-ary) disease, is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. "Progressive" means the disease gets worse over time.

COPD can cause coughing that produces large amounts of mucus (a slimy substance), wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms.

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Most people who have COPD smoke or used to smoke. Long-term exposure to other lung irritants—such as air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust—also may contribute to COPD.

Overview

To understand COPD, it helps to understand how the lungs work. The air that you breathe goes down your windpipe into tubes in your lungs called bronchial (BRONG-ke-al) tubes or airways.

Within the lungs, your bronchial tubes branch into thousands of smaller, thinner tubes called bronchioles (BRONG-ke-ols). These tubes end in bunches of tiny round air sacs called alveoli (al-VEE-uhl-eye).

Small blood vessels called capillaries (KAP-ih-lare-ees) run through the walls of the air sacs. When air reaches the air sacs, oxygen passes through the air sac walls into the blood in the capillaries. At the same time, carbon dioxide (a waste gas) moves from the capillaries into the air sacs. This process is called gas exchange.

The airways and air sacs are elastic (stretchy). When you breathe in, each air sac fills up with air like a small balloon. When you breathe out, the air sacs deflate and the air goes out.

In COPD, less air flows in and out of the airways because of one or more of the following:

• The airways and air sacs lose their elastic quality.
• The walls between many of the air sacs are destroyed.
• The walls of the airways become thick and inflamed.
• The airways make more mucus than usual, which can clog them.

Normal Lungs and Lungs With COPD

Figure A shows the location of the lungs and airways in the body. The inset image shows a detailed cross-section of the bronchioles and alveoli. Figure B shows lungs damaged by COPD. The inset image shows a detailed cross-section of the damaged bronchioles and alveolar walls.

In the United States, the term "COPD" includes two main conditions—emphysema (em-fih-SE-ma) and chronic bronchitis (bron-KI-tis). (Note: The Health Topics article about bronchitis discusses both acute and chronic bronchitis.)

In emphysema, the walls between many of the air sacs are damaged. As a result, the air sacs lose their shape and become floppy. This damage also can destroy the walls of the air sacs, leading to fewer and larger air sacs instead of many tiny ones. If this happens, the amount of gas exchange in the lungs is reduced.

In chronic bronchitis, the lining of the airways is constantly irritated and inflamed. This causes the lining to thicken. Lots of thick mucus forms in the airways, making it hard to breathe.

Most people who have COPD have both emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Thus, the general term "COPD" is more accurate.

Outlook

COPD is a major cause of disability, and it's the third leading cause of death in the United States. Currently, millions of people are diagnosed with COPD. Many more people may have the disease and not even know it.

COPD develops slowly. Symptoms often worsen over time and can limit your ability to do routine activities. Severe COPD may prevent you from doing even basic activities like walking, cooking, or taking care of yourself.

Most of the time, COPD is diagnosed in middle-aged or older adults. The disease isn't passed from person to person—you can't catch it from someone else.

COPD has no cure yet, and doctors don't know how to reverse the damage to the airways and lungs. However, treatments and lifestyle changes can help you feel better, stay more active, and slow the progress of the disease.

To learn more about COPD, follow the link to watch the featured video animation: ( What is COPD?)

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/copd/

•.¸(*•.¸♥¸.•*´)¸.•* American Diabetes Month November 2016

                   American Diabetes Month

 ➤Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. It can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems if it’s not controlled.

 ➤One in 11 Americans have diabetes — that’s more than 29 million people. And another 86 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

➤The good news? People who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes can lower their risk by more than half if they make healthy changes. These changes include: eating healthy, increasing physical activity, and losing weight.

Take action to increase awareness about diabetes and healthy lifestyles.

1.Partner with your local gym or YMCA to host a Diabetes Prevention Party focused on healthy eating and physical activity. Give away gym passes, fitness class certificates, or workout gear. Ask gym staff to do demonstrations or teach a free class.

2.Find out which local churches have a health ministry. Offer to give a presentation on how to prevent type 2 diabetes at their next event.

3. Host a cooking demonstration featuring diabetes-friendly recipes. Get local nutritionists involved

4.Include healthy Thanksgiving recipes in your next newsletter or company email along with quick tips on how to prevent type 2 diabetes.

5. Post tips on type 2 diabetes prevention on your employee bulletin board
 
6. Encourage your members or employees to get active. Organize lunchtime walks or invite local gyms to showcase their fitness classes and programs.

                               

How can American Diabetes Month make a difference?

➤We can use this month to raise awareness about diabetes risk factors and encourage people to make healthy changes.
Here are just a few ideas:

• Encourage people to make small changes, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Talk to people in your community about getting regular checkups. They can get their blood pressure and cholesterol checked, and ask the doctor about their diabetes risk.
• Ask doctors and nurses to be leaders in their communities by speaking about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity.

  ➤ It's Your Life. Treat Your Diabetes Well               There isn't a cure yet for diabetes, but a healthy lifestyle can really reduce its impact on your life. What you do every day makes the difference: eating a healthy diet, being physically active, taking medicines if prescribed, and keeping health care appointments to stay on track.

The Basics

➤➤More than 29 million people in the United States have diabetes, but 1 out of 4 of them don't know they have it. There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant, which can put the pregnancy and baby at risk and lead to type 2 diabetes later). With type 1 diabetes, your body can't make insulin (a hormone that regulates blood sugar), so you need to take it every day. Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2 diabetes; about 5% of the people who have diabetes have type 1. Currently, no one knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes.
Most people with diabetes—9 out of 10—have type 2 diabetes. With type 2 diabetes, your body doesn't use insulin well and is unable to keep blood sugar at normal levels. If you have any of the risk factors below, ask your doctor if you should be tested for diabetes. The sooner you find out, the sooner you can start making healthy changes that will benefit you now and in the future.            
Type 2 diabetes risk factors include

• Being overweight.
• Being 45 years or older.
• Having a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes.
• Being physically active less than 3 times a week.
• Ever having gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds.

 ➤Race and ethnicity also matter: African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, and some Asian Americans are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes.

You've Been Diagnosed with Diabetes. Now What?

• Following a healthy eating plan, including eating more fruits and vegetables and less sugar and salt.
• Getting physically active —10 to 20 minutes a day is better than only an hour once a week.
• Taking diabetes medicine as prescribed by your doctor.
• Testing your blood sugar regularly to understand and track how food, activity, and medicine affect your blood sugar levels.

➤➤Learning how to take care of your diabetes starts when you're diagnosed, but it doesn't stop there. As you get older or if your health status changes, your treatment plan may need to change too.                                                        

 Prevent Complications

 ➤People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are at higher risk for serious health complications, including

• Heart disease and stroke: People with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke as people without diabetes, and at an earlier age.
• Blindness and eye problems: Diabetic retinopathy (damage to blood vessels in the retina), cataract (clouding of the lens), and glaucoma (increase in fluid pressure in the eye) can all result in vision loss.
• Kidney disease: High blood sugar levels can damage the kidneys over time, long before you start to feel bad.
• Amputations: This means you could lose a foot or leg. Diabetes causes damage to blood vessels and nerves, particularly in the feet, and can lead to serious, hard-to-treat infections. Amputation may be necessary to keep the infection from spreading.

 ➤But controlling your blood sugar levels can help you avoid or delay these serious health complications, and treating complications as soon as possible can help prevent them from getting worse.                                                        
Living with diabetes has its ups and downs, but healthy lifestyle choices can give you more control over them. And more control means fewer health problems down the road and a better quality of life now.                                                                                                                                                          For more information on healthy diets and taking control of your diabetes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~      https://www.cdc.gov/features/livingwithdiabetes/                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

     

~National Sexual Health Month~

November is National Sexual Health Month. 

What does that mean for you?  It could mean any number of things, because sexual health is a broad topic encompassing a wide number of conditions, diseases, disorders and diagnoses.

 It’s about safe sex and sexually transmitted diseases. That can include the less serious diagnosis of genital warts, to Chlamydia and gonorrhea. It can also mean more serious conditions like HIV and AIDS.

 For men, sexual health can be about bout sexual dysfunction, which includes topics like premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, sexual dysphoria and gender dysphoria.

For women sexual health can be about pregnancy. It can be about the ovaries, the uterus or the vagina. It’s about menstruation and menopause. It’s also about sexual pleasure and sexual disinterest.

The list goes on and on, but by no means is it all negative or despairing! There’s plenty of good news to go around.  You probably already know about Royal Velvet and how it can boost the libido in both men and women. You’ve  also probably read about its benefits for sufferers of erectile dysfunction and dysmenorrhea.  So in our blog for National Sexual Health Month, we want to keep it upbeat and talk about the often unsung benefits of sex.

Sex Burns Calories

It’s not as efficient as using the Stair-Master or running in a marathon, but having sex for 15 to 30 minutes burns an average of anywhere between 50 to 100 calories. It goes without saying that it’s possible to burn even more calories---that all depends on you!   We’re not suggesting sex should be regarded solely as a callisthenic exercise, but giving it the credit it deserves, it still remains one of many ways to be physically active.

Sex is Good for your Health

In the Journal of the American Medical Association researchers noted a strong connection between men who regularly ejaculated and lower risks of prostate cancer. Sex also stimulates the production of endorphins in the body and researchers have noted that increased endorphin levels helped people better manage pain. People who engaged in regular sexual activity also report higher levels of confidence and better coping skills in stress management.

Heart Healthy Sex

The lower number of your blood pressure is called the diastolic reading, and for people who have sex more often, that number tends to be lower compared to people who are less sexually active.

Create Intimacy

Sex doesn’t always solve problems in a relationship, but researchers have noted an interesting correlation between intimacy, affection and sexual intercourse. Couples who regularly engage in sex report stronger feelings of empathy, generosity and trust toward their respective partners.

Sex means you’re Human

 Lastly, and most importantly, having a desire in sex is a normal biological, psychological and social urge. Each culture has different notions of what is acceptable and what is normal, but remember that there is no universally agreed upon measure of what constitutes a normal healthy level of sex.

Original Source: https://royalvelvetnow.com/blog/mens-health/national-sexual-health-month

~~~November Is Lung Cancer Awareness Month~~~

As with other Cancers, lung cancer is heartbreaking, deadly and attacks like a army. Before telling useful information and facts about lung cancer, I would like to share my story...

My mother smoked cigarettes for many, many years and all attempts to stop smoking just wasn't successful. In 1997 I remember it so very clearly, I was at work and my mother was at the doctor getting results from test that I had no idea she had taken. While it wasn't the best idea for my middle sister to contact me at work, she did and the words that escaped her mouth I would never forget the feeling I got in the pit of my stomach.... Through tears she said... "Mommy has cancer." The phone dropped without me even realizing it and my heart sank and all I heard her said wasn't those words but to me it conveyed into, "Mommy is dying." I started crying so hard that my supervisor had to take me to her office and let me get it out there. That day began the journey of my mother's cancer fight and has scared as I was, I was determined to help her get through this fight.

We watched as she endured lung surgery to removed half of her lung, chemotherapy that made her extremely sick and took all of her hair, radiation which made it hard for her to breathe and made her chest area hard and discolored. This was not easy to watch but my mother.... My mother is my hero because through it all, she prayed, she smiled she kept a constant smiled and glow to her. You would never believe this woman was enduring so much.

4 years later, they said the cancer had gone however, due to all of this trauma, she had heart trouble, diabetes, thyroid surgery, asthma but the cancer itself had become what I say dormant but what the doctors said... gone....

A year later I would never forget, two days after our birthday (we share the same birthday), in November it was 70 degrees out, we had celebrated our birthday by going to times square and having a ball. Two days later she ended up in the hospital, blood sugar spiked, the admitted her and two days later she was in ICU with the doctors telling us she would not make it, her lungs had filled with blood and the cancer they said was gone had woken up with a vengeance! But my mother wasn't done. God knew the family wasn't ready to lose her. After two days of not waking up, she awaken, bright eyed, smiles and said it was time to come back.

We had my mother for two months and as I write this it's ironic everything was happening in twos. On January 31, 2002, my mother lost that fight to Lung Cancer, and while God gained a angel the world lost a amazing soul....

I told my story to wake people up especially smokers.

Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer.

Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and the leading cause in people who have never smoked. For more information about radon and testing your home, please visit EPA.gov/radon.

Other risk factors include:
  - lung scarring from tuberculosis
  - occupational or environmental exposure to:
     • secondhand smoke
     • radiation
     • asbestos
     • air pollution
     • arsenic
     • some organic chemicals

Genetic predisposition may also play a role in lung cancer development.

People who have never smoked account for between 20,000 and 30,000 lung cancer diagnoses every year.

As more people quit smoking, the percentage of cancers diagnosed in people who used to smoke will continue to increase.

For certain people at high risk, screening for lung cancer using low-dose CT scans is proven to save lives. New guidelines will help you understand if CT screening is appropriate for you.

Get screened if you are 55 to 80, you are currently smoking or quit within the past 15 years, you have a smoking history of at least 30 packs. 

1 pack/day X 30 years = 30 pack years

1.5 packs a day X 20 years = 30 pack years

Get screened, get tested, STOP SMOKING!

Signing off

Destiny Basset

Big Sister On Point