health Archives - Page 13 of 22

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.

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.

New Year, Time To Finally Get Healthy!

Now that the new year has started, the majority of people have made new year’s resolutions. Everyone joins the gym, and you begin to notice this month that your gym is packed. But by the next month or so, you notice the new gym members do not show up anymore. This happens to everyone, and it can be rough to stick to a new year’s resolution. Most people give up after the first 3 months.

People make resolutions from the new year to change their lifestyle for the better. Usual resolutions are to eat healthier , exercise more or start exercising, and to stop smoking. Make sure to pick more realistic resolutions so that you can be more successful to sticking to them. There are a number of reasons people fail to keep their resolutions going, mainly giving up too easily. Here are some tips to follow in order to keep up that new year’s resolution.

Create A Plan

Creating a plan will help you achieve your goals. Do not go into a resolution blindly and hope it works. Create a game plan, whether food prepping for a healthier diet, or a weekly gym exercise routine. A game plan will help you to focus on what you need to do and the next step. Create a calendar with something to do and accomplish until you get closer to your desired result. A personal favorite of mine to stay on track is to write lists everyday, and check them off throughout the day.

Small Changes

Make resolutions you know you can keep. Do not overreach and for example say you want to lose 30 pounds in a month. Make realistic goals. If you want to exercise more and get fit then start small by exercising 3-4 days a week instead of all 7 days. If you want to eat healthier, then switch desserts with yogurt or fruit. Try not to see your resolution as a punishment.

One Thing At A Time

Everyone has bad habits they would like to kick. But if you try to get rid of all of them at once, you will surely fail. You will only overwhelm yourself. So instead, try to focus on one thing you would like to change.

Seek Support

Talk to your friends and family about your resolutions and goals. Ask them to join you in them. The more people in your support group, the more likely you can keep each other on track and reach a goal. If that is not an option, then seek professional help, whether from your doctor, a nutritionist, or trainer.

*Planning and managing your time is ikmportant to your resolutions. Make sure you are able to make time for it everyday in your schedule.*

Time Management

Sometimes the resolution you choose is a bigger commitment time wise than you can offer. Try to manage the time you have throughout the day to focus on your goal. Take five minutes a day to organize a plan of attack. Make this a daily habit so you can prepare splitting your time for the day. Incorporate time for your resolution everyday.

Believing in yourself is one of the main attributes to being successful with any resolution you set. Congratulate yourself when you have reached even the smallest of goals. People think that once they have failed then the whole resolution is over and they can not accomplish it anymore. Do not give up, a hiccup does not mean your progress is lost forever. Believe in yourself, that you can do it, and make the effort. Change is not easy, but reward yourself when you make accomplishments and think of the bigger picture and end results. Use the tips, stick to your resolutions, and become a better version of yourself this year.

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.

Tag: health

Check Your Eligibility For A Premium Tax Credit

Qualifications

Income Requirements

Advance Tax Credits

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

Avoid Smoking

Avoid Alcohol and Drugs

Take Folic Acid

Maintain A Healthy Weight

See Your Gyno

Avoid Hypothermia & Keep Warm This Winter

Symptoms

Risk Factors

Prevention

Signs There Might Be An Issue With Your Thyroid

Hypothyroidism

Symptoms:

Hyperthyroidism

Symptoms:

New Year, Time To Finally Get Healthy!

Create A Plan

Small Changes

One Thing At A Time

Seek Support

Time Management

Are There Benefits To Going Vegan?

Benefits

Small Yet Powerful Changes

Business

About Us

Individual

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