Health Insurance Archives - Page 43 of 52

Signs There Might Be An Issue With Your Thyroid

A thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland in the throat that sits above the Adam’s apple, and it’s main function is to control the body’s metabolism. More than 30 million Americans have some type of thyroid disease, and more than half of them do not even know that they have one. Women are 5 times more likely to develop a thyroid condition. The two primary thyroid diseases are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid, while hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid. There are numerous conditions that can cause these thyroid diseases, and many different symptoms that accompany them. Learn what they are in order to spot it early on, get

*Millions of people have thyoid issues and do not even know it. Women have a higher chance of having thyroid issues.*

tested, and get your body on the right track to producing the correct amount of metabolism.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid gland is underactive and does not produce enough of its hormones that regulates metabolism. The conditions that can cause this are:

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis– is usually painless, and the most common cause of hypothyroidism. It is a hereditary disease of the immune system. Occurs at any age, buy most common in middle-aged women. The body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland causing it to not produce a lot of its hormone.
Thyroiditis– an inflammation of the thyroid gland.
Postpartum Thyroiditis– occurs in women after giving birth, and is usually temporary.
Non-functioning Thyroid– One on 4,000 babies are born with a non-functioning thyroid gland. If not corrected, it can cause mental and physical development issues.
Iodine Deficiency– used by the thyroid to produce hormones. Can be cured by the use of iodized salt.

Symptoms:

Weight Gain- gaining weight and having a hard time losing weight despite exercise and calorie deficiency.
Cold Sensitivity- feeling intolerant of the cold
Fatigued- Despite sleeping for a long time, you constantly feel exhausted. Take long naps.
Depression- feeling depressed more often
Forgetfulness and memory loss
Hair is dry and breaks easily. Loss of hair.
Dry skin
Brittle, thin nails
Hoarse Voice
Severe constipation
Heavier periods, painful menstruation, and less time in between menstrual periods.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is the opposite of hypothyroidism. This is when your thyroid gland is overactive and produces too much of its hormone that regulates metabolism. The conditions that can cause this is:

Grave’s Disease– the most common cause of hyperthyroidism affecting 1 in 200 people in the US. The body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland causing it to overproduce hormones.
Thyroid Nodules– A nodule is a growth that forms on or in the thyroid gland. The causes are unknown. The nodules can be solid or fluid-filled, and most are benign. It is more common in women. There are no symptoms but if they get large enough, it can cause swelling and difficulty breathing.
Thyroiditis– Occurs mostly in women after childbirth. Can be painful or painless, and can last a couple of weeks or months.
Too Much Iodine– Certain drugs contain a lot of iodine, which in turn causes the thyroid to produce too much of its hormone.

Symptoms:

Weight Loss- losing weight despite eating normal, or losing weight despite increased caloric intake.
Heat Sensitivity- Feel hot despite normal room temperature.
Can’t Sleep- having a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep. Racing heart at bedtime.
Anxious- feeling anxious, or having panic attacks and panic disorder.
Severe Hair Loss
Skin Rashes
Blurry vision or any change in your vision
Diarrhea or Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Shorter periods, lighter flow, or if your period stops all together.
Muscle Weakness

You can not prevent hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism in most cases, especially when caused by Grave’s disease or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. If not taken care of, a thyroid condition can lead to complications. Complications include pregnancy complication, neuropathy, osteoporosis, atrial fibrillation, and even a coma (which is rare). A doctor can prescribe thyroid hormone medication to help regulate your thyroid gland function. In order to prevent any complications from occurring, or the condition getting worse, go to the doctor if you experience any symptoms or suspect a thyroid problem. Your doctor will do a physical exam, and a blood test to check your levels. Thyroid conditions can be treated effectively as long as you know the signs and get checked.

Are There Benefits To Going Vegan?

Going full vegan is not as easy as most people think it is, but becoming a partial vegan is achievable. A lot of people consider going vegan because it has a lot of benefits for your health. Not only can a vegan diet help you lose weight, but it will help your heart, kidney, and help with diabetes and even some cancers. It can be hard to go full pledged vegan, especially for someone like me who loves cheese, or for others who love meat. But there are small changes that you can make to become a partial vegan, or just to have a better diet.

You do not have to go all out and cut meat from your diet for the rest of your life if you do not want to. That is not what this article is about, but rather considering one of your meals of the day to be meatless and non-dairy. And if you want the cheese, there are some vegan cheeses you can consider. I know, vegan cheese? Gross! But I assure you, I’ve had it and it is surprisingly delicious! Let’s talk about the health benefits of a vegan diet, and what changes you can make.

Benefits

Veganism lowers your blood pressure, and the risk of heart disease. — *Veganism lowers your blood pressure, and the risk of heart disease, amongst many other benefits.*

Vegan diets can help people who are dealing with some serious health issues. Vegan diets are full of a lot of vegetables, which means it is rich in nutrients such as fiber, magnesium, potassium, antioxidants, and vitamins A, C, and E. The diet improves kidney function from the nutrients listed, lowers your risk of heart disease, and can even protect you from cancers.

Heart disease is lowered from this diet because of the fruits, vegetables, and fiber your body is receiving. It helps lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which in turn helps your heart from having to pump harder than it should. Blood flow increases throughout your body, and the chance of blood clotting lowers. Your risk of colon or rectal cancer can be reduced by almost 18%, and lower your risk of dying from cancer by 15%. Vegan diets consist of soy products, which can help protect a person from breast cancer.

Studies have shown that a vegan diet produces more energy, and we all would like some of that. It may not necessarily just be a full vegan diet that produces the energy, but a healthier diet will. Avoiding sugary treats and processed foods will help your body regulate your glucose levels more, and prevent blood sugar from spiking or crashing. This helps your body produce more energy, and prevent diabetes.

A vegan diet speeds up your metabolism, which aids in weight loss. It even helps with arthritis pain. Certain vegetables and fruits contain nutrients that help reduce inflammation within the body. This happens mainly by getting rid of the bad bacteria in your stomach, and increasing nutrients.

Small Yet Powerful Changes

You can start a vegan diet by making one of your meals a vegan one. — *You can make small changes towards a healthier lifestlye. Start by making one of your meals a vegan one.*

Making small changes is easier than trying to just cut off meat and dairy from your diet forever. As stated before, becoming a vegan is not as easy as some may think. However, you can take some steps into a healthier diet. Try cutting out meat and dairy from your diet for one of your meals. Over time, you can increase it to two meals if you want. Some people go vegan one week every month.

Taking these small steps will help your body absorb nutrients better. You will see the change in your body, mind, and overall health when you begin eating one vegan meal a day, a week, or every other month. Your face will glow, your energy will increase, and you will even begin to make more health conscious decisions when cooking or ordering food.

Vegan diets are becoming very popular, especially with all the research to back it up on why it is great and preferable. You do not have to say goodbye to meat forever if you do not want to. However, I do recommend you to consider adding a vegan meal in your day, and see how you feel over time. If you feel better (which I think you will) then great, and if not, then you can stop. Better to try something that will benefit your body greatly, than to just dismiss it.

Type 2 Diabetes On The Rise In Children

Diabetes has been a growing concern over the past couple of years. Now with more focus on children, as the number of kids with type 2 diabetes has increased over the years. There are a number of factors that contribute to developing diabetes. It can run in the family, but what will actually bring it on is your lifestyle, mainly your weight. Kids that are

*Obesity attributes to a greater risk of developing diabetes.*

overweight are at the highest risk, and seem to be the ones who are getting this disease.

There are ways to prevent diabetes in children, mainly keeping a healthy diet and staying active. Learning about diabetes, and it’s symptoms can be of great help for your child’s health. Catching it early on, and learning how to treat it will help you make the necessary changes your child needs to control it. But it is possible we can make small changes to prevent it altogether.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which your body cannot properly use or produce enough insulin. Another word for type 2 diabetes is non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. A person’s body cannot move blood sugar into cells, which is why their blood sugar drops or rises unexpectedly, especially a long time before eating, or after eating.

What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?

Anyone can develop diabetes, but it is more likely to develop in those who are overweight or obese. Being obese increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes because it causes insulin resistance. Once your body becomes insulin resistant, your sugar levels become high, and you have a lower tolerance for glucose (sugar). Other risk factors include family history of parents having diabetes. Being Asian, Pacific Islander, African, Native American, or of Latin descent increases your risk factors of developing the disease.

Symptoms

If you can catch the symptoms early on, then you can help prevent the disease from getting worse. Signs to look for are:

Frequent urination
Unusual thirst
Blurred vision
Weakness
Nausea
Wounds taking a long time to heal
Weight loss
Frequent bladder infections
Loss of feeling in hands or feet

Treatment

Lifestyle changes are very important in the treatment of diabetes. Weight management, changing your diet, and exercising are the best ways to treat type 2 diabetes, or any diabetes for that matter. It can help control the disease, and may even get rid of it. A doctor can prescribe insulin or medications that help your body with insulin balance. An important way to treat diabetes is knowing your glucose levels, which can be checked with a blood glucose monitor.

Prevention

A healthy weight is key to preventing a child from developing type 2 diabetes. As stated before, healthy meals are just as important, and exercising.

Over ten years ago, children having type 2 diabetes was almost unheard of. If we do not make changes, the number of kids developing diabetes will only continue to rise. Know the signs, and get your child treated as soona s possible if you suspect they have type 2 diabetes. Checkups are important especially if it runs in the family. Take the simple steps listed in order to prevent your child from getting diabetes. Give your children a healthy well balanced diet, and help them remain active. Go outside and enjoy a walk together, and promote physical activities to help them maintain ideal weight for their height. If your kid does have diabetes, knowing how to treat and control it is important for you and your child. Understanding the disease can help your kid recognize if their glucose levels are off before it worsens, take the necessary steps needed, and make better decisions for their health.

Difference Between Cold & Canker Sores And How To Treat Them

Cold sores and canker sores are often mistaken for one another because of their similarities, but they are not the same. You are more likely to get a canker or cold sore during the colder months due to a weakened immune system. There are ways to differentiate between the two and treat the two types of sores, and it is something you may want to because one is a contagious virus, while the other is just a sore.

What Are Cold Sores?

Cold sore, commonly called fever blisters, are fluid-filled blisters or pimples outside the mouth, nose or anywhere near the mouth. There can be a cluster of them, and once the blister pops and the fluid escapes, a crust develops. Cold sores are triggered by sunlight, harsh wind, hormone changes, stress, and viral infections.

Cold sores are highly contagious, and can be spread by kissing. — *Cold sores are highly contagious & are caused by the Herpes simplex virus, and can be spread by kissing.*

These sores are highly contagious and can be spread by kissing, drinking from others cups, or eating from other. Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) is the virus associated with cold sores and is contagious even when there are no sores or symptoms. Almost 90% of adults that have been tested were tested positive for this strand of herpes virus. Tingling will usually occur 24-48 hours before a cold sore or cluster appears. They usually heal within 2-4 weeks and are sometimes painful.

Symptoms begin after an illness such as a cold and once the illness is over, it activates the HSV and creates the cold sores. Most of the time, infected people do not get a cold sore because the HSV is never reactivated after the first initial infection.

What Are Canker Sores?

Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are sore that takes place inside the mouth. They are shaped like a circle or oval and are yellow or white with a red border. They can appear under your tongue, inside of your cheek or lip, or the gum line. There are minor canker sores, medium sores, and herpetiform canker sores. Herpetiform sores develop in clusters and at times merge together but are often rare compared to the occurrence of minor canker sores.

These sores typically occur when your immune system is down and when you are fatigued. It may also be caused by food allergies, hormonal changes, something sharp like a chip can cut inside your mouth and cause one. Some kinds of toothpastes can acidic foods can also cause a canker sore. If you are deficient in zinc, folate, iron or vitamin B-12, you may experience canker sores. Women are twice as likely to get canker sores.

Canker sores are not contagious and usually vanish within a week or two, but if it does not go away then you should go to a doctor. It can cause pain and discomfort, accompanied by a fever, or eye discomfort.

*Ice can relieve discomfort for both canker sores and cold sores.*

How to Treat a Canker Sore

Rinse with warm salt water
Rinse with baking soda and warm water
Ice to relieve discomfort
Benozocaine can numb the sore and help with the pain
Avoid spicy, acidic, and sharp foods or very hot food until canker sores are gone

How to Prevent a Canker Sore

Take probiotics
Avoid foods that can trigger
Eat healthy
Reduce stress and get more sleep

How to Treat a Cold Sore

There is no definite cure for cold sores because once the virus has entered your body, then you have it forever. They will clear up within 2-4 weeks without any treatment, but pills and creams can speed up the process.

Ice for discomfort and reduce inflammation
Denavir- a prescription cream that decreases pain and speed up the healing process
Acyclovir (Zovirax) or valacyclovir (Valtrex) are pills that decrease symptoms. Be sure to start as soon as you feel symptoms beginning.

How to Prevent a Cold Sore

Avoid Physical Contact with someone with an outbreak
Keep Your Hands Clean
Avoid Makeup
Apply chapstick to protect your lips from sun and harsh winds
Reduce Stress-meditate, exercise and keep stress levels down
Make sure your immune system is strong so eat a vitamin rich diet and a healthy immune system to avoid illnesses that can flare up the HSV.

Trump Promises To Protect Pre-Existing Conditions

Over the years, President Trump has been slowly picking away at Obamacare, also known as the Affordable Care Act. But there has been one section of the ACA that he intends to keep, which is the pre-existing conditions clause. Trump recently stated he was going to “totally protect people with pre-existing conditions.” Despite the Trump Administration putting the provision in jeopardy, Trump is stating he backs it and that Democrats do not.

*Trump promises to protect and cover pre-existing conditions, even after the ACA is gone.*

The controversy all began when Trump was running for presidency. One of his promises was to get rid of Obamacare, and so far he has kept that promise. Over the years, he has gotten rid of the individual mandate. This mandate stated that people must get health insurance or they will face a penalty. Due to getting rid of this mandate, many states have challenged the ACA’s constitutionality in a lawsuit this past February. These states are saying that since the mandate is unconstitutional, then the entire health care is also.

The Promise

Throughout the dismantling of the ACA, Trump is fighting to protect people with pre-existing conditions. He wants to make sure that they are still able to get health insurance, and will not be rejected or pay more because of the conditions. This is all came about as midterm elections were approaching, and he was urging people to vote Republican. In his tweet he stated that Republicans will back those with pre-existing conditions, and that Democrats will not, so “vote Republican.”

Trump administration officials said they will allow states to use federal subsidies to pay for health plans that don’t cover pre-existing conditions. Republicans all over the U.S. back what Trump has said about pre-existing conditions.

*Make sure you plan ahead so that you are covered. Look into a short-term plan, and if it will work for you.*

However, there are many doubts if this will actually hold true. A lot of people are skeptical about the pre-existing provision, especially after the midterm elections. Many see this as an attempt to get people to support Trump. The fact is that premiums may be high for those with pre-existing conditions, and not necessarily protect them.

Short-term plans are being expanded in hopes that people will go for them, which does not offer comprehensive plans. This means they may not necessarily cover pre-existing conditions. But if Trump does truly stand behind protecting pre-existing conditions, he can take some steps to ensure it will be be protected, which we have yet to see.

Once the lawsuit between the states and the government to get rid of the ACA is over, only then will we know what will happen with pre-existing conditions. This can cost a lot of people looking for health insurance a lot of money, and even possibly be denied coverage.

This Quick & Easy Test Will Tell You Your Diabetes Risk!

There are three main types of diabetes, type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when your body attacks its own pancreas with antibodies, therefore the inability to produce insulin. Gestational diabetes happens during a woman’s pregnancy. It creates a great risk to the unborn baby such as abnormal weight when the baby is born, breathing problems, and a higher risk of obesity and diabetes later in life. The mother may develop type 2 diabetes later in life because of gestational diabetes.

*Take a quick test and calculate your numbers to determine your risk of developing diabetes.*

Type 2 diabetes is the most common one. It accounts for 95% of diabetes in adults, with numbers rising in children as well. Type 2 diabetes is when the pancreas does produce insulin, but not enough for the body’s needs. It can cause major health risks including heart disease and a stroke. There are many factors that can contribute to increasing a person’s risk of developing diabetes. Take this quick test to find out if you are at risk.

How Old Are You?

Less than 40 years (0 points)

40-49 years (1 point)

50-59 years (2 points)

60 years (3 points)

Family History: Does Your Mom, Dad or Siblings Have Diabetes?

Yes (1 point)

No (0 points)

Do You Have High Blood Pressure?

Yes (1 point)

No (0 points)

Are You Physically Active? (At Least 2.5 Hours of Exercise A Week)

Yes (0 points)

No (1 point)

Are You A Woman or Man?

Woman (0 points)

Man(1 point)

What Is Your Height and weight? (BMI)

4´ 10˝ 119–142 143–190       191+
4´ 11˝   124–147    148–197   198+
5´ 0˝ 128–152 153–203     204+
5´ 1˝   132–157 158–210   211+
5´ 2˝ 136–163 164–217   218+
5´ 3˝ 141–168   169–224 225+
5´ 4˝ 145–173 174–231   232+
5´ 5˝ 150–179 180–239 240+
5´ 6˝ 155–185   186–246 247+
5´ 7˝ 159–190 191–254   255+
5´ 8˝ 164–196   197–261   262+
5´ 9˝ 169–202 203–269 270+
5´ 10˝ 174–208 209–277 278+
5´ 11˝   179–214 215–285   286+
6´ 0˝ 184–220   221–293   294+
6´ 1˝   189–226   227–301   302+
6´ 2˝ 194–232   233–310   311+
6´ 3˝ 200–239 240–318   319+
6´ 4˝ 205–245 246–327 28+
  1 point   2 points   3 points
*If you weigh less than the amount
in the left column: 0 points

Once you have written down the points, add them all up. If you scored 5 or higher, then you are at a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. It is important to talk to your doctor if your score was high, and depending on your race, you may be at a higher risk. African Americans, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics/Latinos, Native

If you fear you are at risk for diabetes, call your doctor, and check your insulin. — *If you fear you are at risk for diabetes, call your doctor, and check your insulin frequently.*

Hawaiians, and Asian Americans are at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes because it is most common among these races.

If you believe you are at high risk for diabetes, or even moderate risk, bring it up to your doctor. Get your blood sugar levels checked at the doctor’s office, and as often as you need to. There are different screenings and tests your doctor can run to make sure you are not at risk of developing diabetes. If you do have diabetes, or are a high risk, then your doctor can talk about treatment and prevention. Eat a well balanced diet, exercise 3-4 days a week, and watch your weight in order to avoid diabetes.

Tag: Health Insurance

Signs There Might Be An Issue With Your Thyroid

Hypothyroidism

Symptoms:

Hyperthyroidism

Symptoms:

Are There Benefits To Going Vegan?

Benefits

Small Yet Powerful Changes

Type 2 Diabetes On The Rise In Children

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Difference Between Cold & Canker Sores And How To Treat Them

What Are Cold Sores?

What Are Canker Sores?

How to Treat a Canker Sore

How to Prevent a Canker Sore

How to Treat a Cold Sore

How to Prevent a Cold Sore

Trump Promises To Protect Pre-Existing Conditions

The Promise

This Quick & Easy Test Will Tell You Your Diabetes Risk!

How Old Are You?

Family History: Does Your Mom, Dad or Siblings Have Diabetes?

Do You Have High Blood Pressure?

Are You Physically Active? (At Least 2.5 Hours of Exercise A Week)

Are You A Woman or Man?

What Is Your Height and weight? (BMI)

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