Health Insurance Archives - Page 42 of 52

Habits To Adapt For A Longer Life

Studies show that bad habits can age you almost 12 years and shorten your lifespan. These things are smoking, drinking, not exercising, and not eating healthier foods, especially fruits and vegetables. Making small changes in those categories can help you live a longer healthier life.

Less TV Time

*Too much tv is bad for your health. Can decrease lifespan.*

A 2010 study found that people who watched TV for 4 hours or more a day were more likely to die from any cause than those who watched less than 2 hours a day. Each additional hour you watch increases your risk of dying by 11% and dying from heart disease by 18%. Too much TV can lead to adding weight due to being a couch potato and inactive.

Quit Smoking

The most important thing you can do for your health and others around is to quit smoking. It reduces your lifespan significantly and others around you who inhale the smoke. A study in the American Journal of Public Health found that women who quit smoking by 35 added about 6-8 years to their lives. It is never too late to quit smoking, even if you have lung cancer or COPD.

More Fruits & Vegetables

Many people do not consume as many vegetables and fruits as they should in a day. But it is important to incorporate them into your diet every day because they can lower your risk of heart disease by 76%! Antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables reduce inflammation and boost circulation.

Limit Sun Exposure & Use SPF

Being out in the sun too much can lead to a high risk of skin cancer. Staying out of the sun will not only help protect your skin from cancer but reduce wrinkles, sagging skin, and fine lines, essentially keeping you looking younger. Make sure to use SPF when out in the sun to prevent skin damage.

*Try to excercise 3-4 days a week. Eat healthy to fulfill your body with what it needs.*

Stay Fit

In order to remain as young as possible, exercise is the key to this! Running and high-intensity exercises can add almost 4 years to your life! You can start out by just walking 30 minutes a day and work yourself up more. This will lower your risk of heart issued and help your mind function more effectively, and get your metabolism working better.

A Good Sex Life

Having sex 2-3 times a week can add as much as 3 years to your life by helping burn calories. A regular healthy sex life can lower your blood pressure, improve sleep, and boost your immune system.

All of these habits are achievable if you put a little time and effort every day, and remain conscious of your health.

Simple Ways to Be Active for People Who Aren’t

As we age, the more critical it is to become healthy and strengthen your heart health. Heart disease is the lead cause of death among women and men, killing over 600,000 Americans every year. If you do not have the time to work out, there are some small activities to begin strengthening your muscles and heart stronger. The more exercise you do, then the better your heart can work efficiently, ultimately extending your lifespan.

Walk

Walking can significantly help lower your chances of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes as much as running does. You can start by walking 30 minutes or less every day. Walking is enjoyable, free, easy, and a great exercise to begin.

Stay Active

Exercise is not something that only has to be done at one part of our day. It is easy to remain healthy and active throughout the day. Constantly get up and move around to keep your heart healthy and body moving. Little things like walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator, and standing instead of sitting are little actions to take. They might seem minimal, but they make a difference and continue the trend of staying active.

Swim

Swimming provides many health benefits! It uses all the muscles in your body and keeps your heart working hard to supply blood everywhere. Your muscles will then strengthen and so will your heart. The water will protect your body, posing little injury.

Yoga

Yoga is beneficial to control your heart rate and is effective for flexibility. Yoga has proven to reduce stress, which in turn keeps the heart less stressed. Also, it has been proven to reduce depression and other mental diseases. It is a good way to reduce stress, but also not enough of a workout. Yoga is best when used as a cool down after a workout. A workout is still important to get your heart pumping.

It is best to start making healthy choices today, even if you haven’t worked out in years. Set a reachable goal and start somewhere! After your goal is achieved, you can work your way up by increasing your time and doing interval training (low to high intensity workouts with rest periods). Just remember to start slow and not to overwork yourself in order to not induce a heart attack or an injury.

The Myths of Childhood Mental Health Illnesses

Children and adolescents experience mental health issues the same way adults do. The faster it is recognized, then the faster the treatment for the children, which will help them in the long run. Children’s mental illness is more common than most people think. One in five adolescents aged 13-18 have a serious mental illness. If it goes untreated, it can disrupt the kid’s home life, and ability to function in school and the community. Parents and teachers are usually the first ones to realize if there is a mental health issue with a child. It can be hard for a parent to accept that their child may have a mental health issue. There are signs to look for in a child so you can get them the appropriate help needed. And because mental illness and disorder is such a stigma, myths were created about them. Find out the signs and facts.

*One of the symptoms to look out for in mental illness is depression. Aggression and anxiety may accompany depression.*

Signs Of Mental Illness

Observing your child’s behavior is key to getting them the appropriate help. It is normal for kids to throw temper tantrums and be moody, because they are learning boundaries and the world around them. But a mental illness goes beyond the typical tantrums. Some signs that may require you to seek out professional help are:

Poor grades in school
Anxious
Hyperactivity
Persistent disobedience
Decline in school performance
Temper tantrums more than normal
Depressed or extra irritable
Aggressive

Myths & Facts

It is important to debunk mental health myths so that parents can get a better understanding of mental health. With the correct information, children can get effective treatment.

Myth: Bad parenting causes mental health disorders.

Fact: A kid’s home environment and relationship with their family is detrimental to their life and development. However, it does not cause a mental health disorder. Depression, autism, learning disorders, and anxiety is biological. It is not a parent’s fault.

Myth: Children need medication to take care of the issue.

Fact: Although medication is helpful, it takes more than that for a treatment plan. Attention, therapy sessions, and providing children with the necessary tools to cope and handle with stress and other factors is also important.

Myth: A mental health illness in a kid means they will struggle and not succeed.

Fact: Mental illness does not indicate a child’s future success and happiness. As long as the illness is caught early and treated so they can learn to manage it, then the child’s future is limitless.

Myth: Therapy is a waste of time.

Fact: This is the furthest thing from the truth. Therapy is very effective for a child to understand what is going on with them, how to cope with it, and how to manage their illness. There are different forms of therapy than just the talking to a therapist method. Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on changing the feelings and thoughts associated with their illness. Doing this kind of therapy can change the kids outlook and symptoms related to their mental illness.

Myth: A child can just outgrow their mental illness.

Fact: If you put off seeking help for a child that needs it for their mental health issues, the harder it is to treat them as they grow older. A kid’s brain is more responsive to treatment rather than waiting until they become an adult.

*One in 5 kids have a mental health ilness. Make sure to pay attention, listen, and get them the help they need.*

Conditions and symptoms may worsen as the child gets older.

It is very important that a parent accepts that their kid may have a mental illness and be open-minded towards it. Children need the assurance that everything will be okay from their parents. Check in with your kid everyday when you can. Observe your child’s behavior and encourage them to talk about their day and their emotions. It is important to acknowledge a child’s emotions and listen to them when they talk. Talk about what is going on and help them understand what is going on with them. Early diagnosis and treatment can help a child greatly. It will help them reach their full potential.

Check Your Eligibility For A Premium Tax Credit

In 2014, the Affordable Care Act established the premium tax credit so that individuals or families with low or moderate income can be able to pay for health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Premium tax credits help you pay for a portion of your monthly cost of insurance premiums. Individuals and families must meet an income requirement to enroll in a health insurance plan through a state-operated insurance marketplace, or a federally-operated marketplace.

Qualifications

You must prove you do not have access to an affordable employer-sponsored program. This plan must meet minimum essential coverage meaning the employee contribution does not exceed 9.5% of the employee’s income.
You must prove you are not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE
You cannot be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer.
In the same month, you or a family member must have health coverage through a Health Insurance Marketplace.
You file a joint federal income tax return if you are married; you cannot file married filing separately tax return (unless a victim of domestic abuse or spousal abandonment).
Have a household income that falls within a certain amount.

Income Requirements

In order to be eligible for the premium tax credit, you and your family size must be at minimum 100 percent below the poverty line, but no more than 400 percent. This means the income must be between $12,060 and $48,240 for an individual and between $24,600 and $98,400 for a family of 4 in 2018.

The amount of tax credit is based on a sliding scale. This means the lower your income, then the larger credits you receive. If your income changes, then the amount of assistance you qualify for will change as well.

It is important to keep an eye on your household income and how much tax credit you receive. If the advance credit payments are more than the allowed credit, then you will have to repay some or all of the extra earnings. If your household income is more than 400% of the federal poverty line for your family size, then you are not allowed a premium tax credit. You will have to repay all of the advance credit payments.

Advance Tax Credits

A taxpayer can either choose to receive advanced payments, which is paid to the insurance company to lower monthly premium costs, or the taxpayer can wait to get all of the credit when they file their tax return. Eligibility for the advanced payments is determined when purchasing coverage through the marketplace. There is a difference between advance payments to your insurance company and your allowable premium tax credit amount. Form 8962 calculates your tax credit amount that is allowed when you file your tax return.

January is National Birth Defects Month, Find Out Ways To Prevent Birth Defects

Every year 1 in 33 babies are born with birth defects, which account for 20% of all infant deaths. Birth defects are any abnormality in development of the fetus. This can result in malformation, functional disorders, and death. The majority of birth defects occur within the first trimester, which is why you may have heard not to consume alcohol during the first and second trimester. By the

*Birth defects occur sometimes without a specific reason. But there are things you can do to prevent it.*

third trimester you may be allowed a small glass of wine. The causes of over 50% of birth defects are unknown. However, there are things that you can do to prevent birth defects while pregnant.

Avoid Smoking

Smoking tobacco causes cancer and heart disease, and this goes no differently for babies in the womb. It harms a developing baby because it reduces the amount of oxygen to the baby. Smoking can cause premature birth, low birth weight, increase the risk of birth defects, and death.

Avoid Alcohol and Drugs

Alcohol and drugs can cause health problems for mother and their babies. Women are told that they should not drink, especially during the first two trimesters. This is because alcohol (and drugs) passes through the placenta and goes directly to the baby. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders can occur such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Drinking and doing drugs also increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirths. It is best to continue to avoid alcohol, even the occasional glass of wine in your third trimester, but if you choose to drink, talk with your doctor and keep it in moderation. If you have a drug problem, then seek help to stop as soon as possible.

*Folic acid reduces a babies chances of a spinal or brain defect. Take it daily for baby’s health.*

Take Folic Acid

It is recommended that a pregnant woman take at least 400 mcg of folic acid every day. Folic acid is a B vitamin that can prevent major birth defects of the baby’s spine and brain, such as spina bifida. The birth defects affecting the spine and brain are known as neural tube defects (NTDs). Doctors recommend to take folic acid at least 3 months before trying to conceive and continue to take it throughout pregnancy.

Maintain A Healthy Weight

Obesity increases the risk of pregnancy complication and birth defects. This goes the same for being underweight. Make sure to eat a nutritious meal and not to go by the rule of “eating for two.” Try to exercise and stay physical during your pregnancy if you can.

See Your Gyno

Make sure to go to your gyno appointments and talk about a plan for your health and baby’s health. Take the necessary medication needed and talk about the whooping cough vaccine. 20 babies die each year from the whooping cough in the United States. Consult with your doctor about risks and vaccinations.

Birth defects and deaths are higher depending on race and ethnicity. Studies show that survival rate of babies are lower among non-Hispanic black and Hispanic mothers. Be sure to talk with your doctor before getting pregnant about your risks and any questions you may have to be on the right track. Some babies are born with birth defects with unknown causes, but taking the steps mentioned will help keep you and baby as healthy as possible.

Avoid Hypothermia & Keep Warm This Winter

Everyone has heard of the term hypothermia, but what does it mean, and what are the symptoms? Hypothermia occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. If it gets too low, then the direct flow of blood to your organs slows down. Organs will eventually begin to fail, leading to death. It is really important to know the symptoms of hypothermia, and stay warm this winter season to avoid it. The most common cause of hypothermia is being exposed to cold weather or cold water. Not dressing properly in cold weather conditions will cause hypothermia. Keep your house at a safe warm temperature, and if you go outside, make sure to wear multiple layers of clothing.

*Hypothermia can lead to your organs shutting down, and possibly death. Recognize symptoms and go to the hospital as soon as possible if symptoms worsen.*

Symptoms

The colder you get due to your body temperature dropping, the harder it gets to think and move. So when hypothermia sets, people will not try to get warm or stay safe because they can’t think right. A person will want to lie down and do to sleep when going through hypothermia because of their organs shutting down. Once they fall asleep, they are at a high risk of dying. Some symptoms to look out for are:

Slurred speech
Clumsiness
Low energy
Shivering
Memory Loss
Weak pulse
Frostbite developing
Decay of tissues can result if out too long

Risk Factors

There are a number of risk factors which can promote hypothermia setting in. For example, the younger you are, especially children, have a higher risk because they lose heat faster than adults do. Other risk factors include:

Alcohol and drug use increase your risk of hypothermia because they cloud your judgment to get inside or stay warm. This is especially true for alcohol because it makes your body feel warm, however it expands vessels which actually creates more heat loss from your skin.
Some medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, diabetes and arthritis affect your body’s ability to regulate its own temperature. Certain medications have the same effect on the body’s ability to regulate its temperature. Make sure to be aware of this and speak to your doctor.
The older you are, the harder it is on your body to regulate temperature and to sense cold temperatures.

Prevention

The number one way to prevent hypothermia is to stay as warm as possible. Put on layers when you go outside, especially in below freezing temperatures, and stay as dry as possible. Remember to follow the acronym COLD:

Cover and keep clean. Clean skin helps your body regulate temperatures normally. Clean clothes, especially socks keep your feet healthy and your entire body warm. Cover your hands with mittens and your face with masks.

Overexertion- Avoid overheating while out, like when playing a sport and begin to sweat a lot. The wetter you are, then the insulation of your clothes lowers, and the sweat cools your body.

Layers- Wear loose layers. This provides more insulation than one thick layer of clothing, this happens because air gets trapped between layers.

Dry- Stay dry. If your clothes get wet when you are out, then try to get back in and remove the wet clothes as soon as possible.

If you or someone you know has symptoms of hypothermia, make sure to get them to a warm dry place as soon as possible and remove wet clothing. Cover their body with warm blankets and provide skin to skin contact is possible to transfer heat. Do not rub or massage the person, because it can cause cardiac arrest. If they are awake and able, get warm drinks in their system, and last but not least call 911.

Avoid hypothermia this winter by being cautious of how cold it is and how long you are out. If you have to be out because of a job, or want to play with your kids or friends, then bundle up. Hypothermia is a serious condition that can lead to death, so make sure to get inside when you can and warm up your body.

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