Benefits of Ginger, Honey, and Lemon

It's that time of year. We need to get our bodies ready for the winter. One way of doing that is supplying our bodies with antioxidants like ginger, honey, lemon. 

Did y'all know that ginger is really healthy? Here are the facts: Nutritional Benefits of Ginger. Ginger has at least twelve types of antioxidants, making it useful for treatment of a wide range of disorders. Ginger contains essential oils, protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin C, choline, folate, inositol, manganese, panthotenic acid (vitamin B5), silicon, and a small amount of vitamin B3.

The health benefits of lemon are due to its many nourishing elements. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, lemon contains a good amount of vitamin C, and a small amount of a number of vitamins and minerals, including B-vitamins ( niacin, folate, thiamine, riboflavin) as well as potassium, zinc, and magnesium. Vitamin C helps repairs cells.

Honey  can be a powerful immune system booster. Its antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties can help improve overall immune function, keep you healthy, and fight disease. Get this! Honey can help combat sore throats with its antimicrobial properties. Honey can kill certain bacteria that causes throat infections.

So, grab your favorite mug, fill it with hot water and make some ginger, honey, lemon tea.

Facts About Potatoes

You may know that potatoes are a potassium rich food source. In fact, one 9.3 ounce medium potato provides 15% of the daily value for potassium.  Did you know that potatoes are a good source of Vitamin C? A 9.3 ounce medium potato has 30% of the daily value of vitamin C.  It contains 2 grams of fiber and only 110 calories. Don't skip your potato. It's good for you. Word of advice, don't  trick yourself with empty calories because chips and fries are not what we are talking about here. Bake, roast, or boil your potato for lower calories. Watch what you load on your potato.  

 

 

 

 

Loaded Baked Potato*

While butter, bacon, and cheese are a delicious addition to baked potatoes, they add something other than flavor. You've guessed it: unwanted calories. Eat a medium potato topped with broccoli, cauliflower, plain Greek yogurt for added nutrition and flavor.

 

 

 

 

 

*Recipe for loaded baked potato is in this blog.

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

Overview

Heart failure, sometimes known as congestive heart failure, occurs when your heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should. Certain conditions, such as narrowed arteries in your heart (coronary artery disease) or high blood pressure, gradually leave your heart too weak or stiff to fill and pump efficiently.
Not all conditions that lead to heart failure can be reversed, but treatments can improve the signs and symptoms of heart failure and help you live longer. Lifestyle changes — such as exercising, reducing sodium in your diet, managing stress and losing weight — can improve your quality of life.
One way to prevent heart failure is to prevent and control conditions that cause heart failure, such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or obesity.

Symptoms

• 

  Heart failure

Heart failure can be ongoing (chronic), or your condition may start suddenly (acute).
Heart failure signs and symptoms may include:

• Shortness of breath (dyspnea) when you exert yourself or when you lie down
• Fatigue and weakness
• Swelling (edema) in your legs, ankles and feet
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Reduced ability to exercise
• Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged phlegm
• Increased need to urinate at night
• Swelling of your abdomen (ascites)
• Very rapid weight gain from fluid retention
• Lack of appetite and nausea
• Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness
• Sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up pink, foamy mucus
• Chest pain if your heart failure is caused by a heart attack

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you think you might be experiencing signs or symptoms of heart failure. Seek emergency treatment if you experience any of the following:

• Chest pain
• Fainting or severe weakness
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat associated with shortness of breath, chest pain or fainting
• Sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up pink, foamy mucus

Although these signs and symptoms may be due to heart failure, there are many other possible causes, including other life-threatening heart and lung conditions. Don't try to diagnose yourself. Call 911 or your local emergency number for immediate help. Emergency room doctors will try to stabilize your condition and determine if your symptoms are due to heart failure or something else.
If you have a diagnosis of heart failure and if any of the symptoms suddenly become worse or you develop a new sign or symptom, it may mean that existing heart failure is getting worse or not responding to treatment. This may be also the case if you gain 5 pounds (2.3 kg) or more within a few days. Contact your doctor promptly.

6 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOUR MEDICAL DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT

1.  Some doctors offices do not have registered or licensed nurses on staff. They have untrained, uneducated,  and unprepared people who they refer to as nurses. Ask your provider is his assistant an RN or LPN. You might be surprised and disappointed in the answer.  If they are not licensed nurses, you are being deceived. It is actually against the law to practice nursing without a license and it puts you as a patient at great risk.

2. You should take your medications including the over-the-counter non prescription medications in the original bottles to every doctor's visit and ER visit. There is information on the label that is important to the medical staff. List are not effective. For refrigerated medicines, just bring the box.

3. Your medical record is a legal document. When you willingly mislead  your medical team, you are only harming yourself.

4. You should arrive early for your doctor's appointment to complete paperwork. Completing paperwork can put you 30 to 45 minutes behind which in turn puts the doctor behind.

5. When you see a specialist, make sure all records pertaining to your illness/condition arrive before your appointment time. For instance if you are seeing a cardiologist, she will need EKG, H&P (history and physical), recent  labs, any testing e.g. ECHO, peripheral testing/scans, heart cath, CT scans.  Sending your health care records helps your doctor treat you more effectively and efficiently. It will save you time and money by not repeating test.

6. If a doctor is going to perform any testing or treatments, it is his/her legal responsibility to inform you before you sign anything. Ask questions about the testing or treatments. Make sure you fully comprehend before you sign the consent.

5 Things That Could Be Causing Your Leg Cramps

Leg cramps are both annoying and painful. When the pain hits frequently you may be wondering what caused the cramp in the first place.

Some of the causes of leg cramps include:
Lack of Exercise

Regular exercise is important to overall muscle health. If you participate in strenuous exercise it's important to remember to stretch both before and after the exercise. In fact, stretching itself can be a great exercise. The popularity of yoga is a testament to this. Stretch your calves by keeping your feet flat on the floor and leaning forward with your hands on a wall in front of you.

Stretch your hamstrings by standing straight and touching your toes. Stretch your quads by standing on one leg and holding your ankle behind your leg in one hand.

Dehydration
Your muscles are 70 percent water. This is important to remember when looking at the different causes of your leg cramps. Experts agree that you should be drinking eight glasses of water per day, or about 64 ounces, which is two quarts per day. This will ensure proper muscle hydration and fluidity.
High Rate of Sweat
If you sweat a lot then this can be another factor to take into consideration. If you exercise a lot in cooler temperatures and then try to exercise at the same pace in a warmer climate you can experience severe leg cramps. It also can lead to dehydration which exacerbates the cramping.
Drinking Too Much Water
While dehydration is by far the main cause of leg cramps, it is important to realize that there is a danger on the other end of the spectrum as well. Drinking too much water, which is defined as more than a gallon a day, can cause the body to flush too many on its electrolytes through its system, thereby leading to cramping.
Lack of Electrolytes
Another common cause of leg cramps is a lack of electrolytes. The most important electrolytes that your body needs are sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. Sodium is simply salt and can be found in a variety of foods that are widely available. If you have deficiencies of magnesium, almonds are a great natural source. And bananas are a great source of potassium. Finally, calcium is found in abundance in dairy products like cheese and yogurt.

If you keep your diet high in electrolytes, drink enough water, and do proper stretching before exercise you should minimize leg cramping as much as possible in the future.

Tick Borne Illnesses

Symptoms of Tick Borne Illness

Many tick borne diseases can have similar signs and symptoms. If you have been bitten by a tick and develop the symptoms below within a few weeks, a health care provider should evaluate the following before deciding on a course of treatment:

• Your symptoms
• The geographic region in which you were bitten
• Diagnostic tests, if indicated by the symptoms and the region where you were bitten

The most common symptoms of tick-related illnesses are:

• Fever/chills: With all tick borne diseases, patients can experience fever at varying degrees and time of onset.
• Aches and pains: Tick borne disease symptoms include headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. With Lyme disease you may also experience joint pain. The severity and time of onset of these symptoms can depend on the disease and the patient's personal tolerance level.
• Rash: 
  • In Lyme disease, the rash may appear within 3-30 days, typically before the onset of fever. The Lyme disease rash is the first sign of infection and is usually a circular rash. This rash occurs in approximately 70-80% of infected persons and begins at the site of a tick bite. It may be warm, but is not usually painful. Some patients develop additional EM lesions in other areas of the body several days later.
  • The rash of (STARI) is nearly identical to that of Lyme disease, with a red, expanding "bulls eye" lesion that develops around the site of a lone star tick bite. Unlike Lyme disease, STARI has not been linked to any arthritic or neurological symptoms.
  • The rash seen with Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) varies greatly from person to person in appearance, location, and time of onset. About 10% of people with RMSF never develop a rash. Most often, the rash begins 2-5 days after the onset of fever as small, flat, pink, non-itchy spots (macules) on the wrists, forearms, and ankles and spreads to the trunk. It sometimes involves the palms and soles. The red to purple, spotted (petechial) rash of RMSF is usually not seen until the sixth day or later after onset of symptoms and occurs in 35-60% of patients with the infection.
  • In the most common form of tularemia, a skin ulcer appears at the site where the organism entered the body. The ulcer is accompanied by swelling of regional lymph glands, usually in the armpit or groin.
  • In about 30% of patients (and up to 60% of children), ehrlichiosis can cause a rash. The appearance of the rash ranges from macular to maculopapular to petechial, and may appear after the onset of fever.

Tick borne diseases can result in mild symptoms treatable at home to severe infections requiring hospitalization. Although easily treated with antibiotics, these diseases can be difficult for physicians to diagnose. However, early recognition and treatment of the infection decreases the risk of serious complications. So see your doctor immediately if you have been bitten by a tick and experience any of the symptoms described here.

 
"Target" lesion on patient with Lyme disease.

 
Patient with STARI.
1. Site of tick bite
2. Red, radial, expanding edge of rash
3. Central clearing
Photograph used with permission from the Journal of Infectious Diseases.

 
Late (petechial) rash on hand and forearm in patient with Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

 
An ulcer caused by tularemia.

  Tick paralysis is a rare disease thought to be caused by a toxin in tick saliva. The symptoms include acute, ascending, flaccid paralysis that is often confused with other neurological disorders or diseases (e.g., Guillain-Barré syndrome or botulism). Within 24 hours of removing the tick, the paralysis typically subsides.

ARE YOU AT RISK FOR DIABETES?

You might be at risk for diabetes if you live a sedentary lifestyle, are over weight, and have a poor diet. If this sounds like you or someone you know, please keep reading.

Cold or Flu?

 IS IT THE COLD OR FLU

 
What is influenza?

Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral infection that infects the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu virus is spread easily from one person to another through droplets made when people with flu, cough, talk or sneeze. On rare occasions, a person might also get flu by touching surfaces (doorknobs, handles, and telephones) that have droplets of the flu virus on them.
There are three types of flu: A, B, and C. Types A and B are responsible for outbreaks of respiratory infection that occur during the winter months and are often linked to increased rates of hospital stays. Statistics show that more than 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized every year because of the complications of the flu.
Influenza type C does not cause outbreaks and does not have the severe public health impact of the other two types of influenza viruses. 

Symptoms of influenza:

SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER

Seasonal affective disorder affects millions of people, It impacts those who already suffer from chronic depression or other mental illnesses or disorders. The symptoms of seasonal affective disorder can closely mirror those of depression, including fatigue and tiredness, lack of interest, reduced sex drive, suicidal thoughts, and many more. SAD also disproportionately affects women, particularly those with family histories of mood disorders.
But seasonal affective disorder, like most other disorders, can be managed effectively.

Get Outside
Make it a point to get outside during the day in wintertime - cold as it may be. Try to take a walk either early in the morning or on your lunch hour to maximize the amount of sunshine you are exposed to each day. Sunshine helps the body to synthesize vitamin D, a key nutrient in the manufacturing of seratonin - which helps prevent or minimize the symptoms of SAD.

HOW INSULIN WORKS IN YOUR BODY

How Does Insulin Work?

In a healthy person, insulin helps turn food into energy. The stomach breaks down carbohydrates into sugars. The broken down sugars enter the bloodstream, prompting the pancreas to release the  insulin in just the right amount. Insulin assists cells to use the sugar for fuel.

HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR BRAIN HEALTH AS YOU AGE

Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy

There are no secret potions that will keep your brain from declining as you age; however,  there are several lifestyle changes that you can make to help maintain brain health. With risk of having  Here are a few ways to keep your brain healthy.
Stimulate Your Mind
Mental stimulation is exercise for the mind and is an important part of keeping your brain healthy. Feed your brain by trying new things Here are some ideas to exercise your brain:
- Engage in completing puzzles progress to harder versions
- Learn something new-try gardening, woodwork, painting etc
- Volunteer in your community.
- Travel and expand your horizons
- Work toward a promotion at your job.
- Read books or watch documentaries.
- Learn to play a musical instrument.
Whichever activity you decide to choose, make sure it is something that you enjoy. If it stresses you out more than it perks you up, you will be causing more harm than good.

Update Your Diet

Nutrition is very important for many reasons. One of those reasons is your brain. Here are some foods that can boost your brain and a couple that can harm it;
- Fatty Fish - Salmon, Albacore Tuna, Mackerel, Sardines
- Leafy Greens - Cabbage, Kale
- Cruciferous Vegetables - Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cauliflower
- Avocado
- Nuts and Seeds
- Chocolate
- Curry
- Berries
- Whole Grains
- Drink Lots of Water (If not contraindicated)
- Alcohol & Coffee in Moderation

Get Plenty of Restful Sleep
Sleep is an important aspect to maintaining a healthy brain. It's pretty obvious when you consider how "out of it" you feel after you have been up all night. Restful sleep is vital to forming new neuronal connections and taking care of the ones already existing. When you sleep your brain is clearing out all the unnecessary junk you accumulated through the day, like the proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease, and helping to form and store memories. Of course, always discuss with your provider any concerns you may have regarding your mental health. Print this article and take it with you on your next appointment.

HAND, FOOT, MOUTH DISEASE

 

What is hand, foot and mouth disease?

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a disease caused by a virus. Children 6 months to 4 years old are most at risk. The disease happens most often in the summer or fall.

Your child may have hand, foot, and mouth disease, if your child has:

• Small, painful sores in his mouth.
• Small water blisters or red spots on the palms of his hands and soles of the feet. You may also see these on the webs between the fingers and toes.
• Five or fewer blisters on each hand or foot
• Fever between 100°F and 102°F

The fever goes away by the 3rd or 4th day. The mouth sores go away in 7 days. The rash on the hands and feet can last 10 days.

How can I take care of my child?

Helping the pain.

• If your child is very young, put 1/2 teaspoon antacid solution in the front of the mouth 4 times a day after meals.
• Children over age 4 can use 1 teaspoon of an antacid solution as a mouthwash after meals.
• Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen if your child's mouth really hurts, or for fever over 102° F. No aspirin.

Feeding your child.

• Give soft foods, like yogurt, cottage cheese, and Jell-O.
• Use a cup instead of a bottle.
• Cold drinks, milkshakes, Popsicles, and sherbet can feel good.
• Stay away from citrus, salty, or spicy foods.

Spreading hand, foot, and mouth disease.

• Your child's playmates may get the disease in 3 to 6 days.
• Your child may go back to school when the fever goes away.

Call your child's doctor right away if:

• Your child has not urinated for more than 8 hours.
• Your child gets a stiff neck.
• Your child acts very sick.

Call your child's doctor during office hours if:

• The fever lasts more than 3 days.
• You have other concerns or questions.

SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME

Shaken baby syndrome* is a preventable serious brain injury resulting from forcefully shaking an infant or toddler.
Shaken baby syndrome destroys a child's brain cells and prevents their brain from getting enough oxygen. Shaken baby syndrome is a form of child abuse that can result in permanent brain damage or death.


* Also known as abusive head trauma, shaken impact syndrome, inflicted head injury or whiplash shake syndrome

ONIONS ARE HEALTHY

Onions contain flavonoids, which reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Onions are one of the most polyphenol-packed foods you can eat, an essential chemical in helping your body work properly. 

Polyphenols are antioxidants that can also be found in wine and dark chocolate.

NIGHT TERRORS

What are night terrors?

Night terrors are an inherited disorder in which a child tends to have dreams during deep sleep from which it is difficult to awaken. They occur in 2% of children and usually are not caused by psychological stress. Getting overtired can trigger night terrors. Night terrors usually occur in children 1 to 8 years old.

A night terror usually begins 1 to 2 hours after going to sleep and lasts from 10 to 30 minutes. During a night terror, your child may:

• Be agitated and restless but cannot be awakened or comforted
• Sit up or run helplessly about, possibly screaming or talking wildly
• Not appear to realize you are there even though his or her eyes are wide open and staring
• Mistake objects or persons in the room for dangers

In the morning, your child cannot remember what happened. Here's the breakdown!

FLU SEASON TIPS

Flu (Influenza): Brief Version

The flu (influenza) is caused by a virus. The virus infects the nose, throat, and air passages to the lungs. You  will probably have a runny nose, sore throat, and cough. You may have more muscle pain, headache, fever, and chills than if you had a cold. Flu gets spread when people sneeze, cough, or touch something that a sick person touched. You might considering getting a flu shot before you get the flu. Check with your healthcare provider for her recommendations.

How can I take care of myself?

1. Fever or aches.
   Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 6 hours or ibuprofen (Advil) every 8 hours for discomfort or fever over 102°F (39°C).
   Do not take aspirin.
2. Cough or hoarseness.
   Cough drops, any hard candy, or  honey (1/2 to 1 teaspoon as needed). Never give honey to babies. If you do not have honey, use corn syrup.
3. Sore throat.
   Warm chicken broth may also help.
4. Stuffy nose.
   Put warm-water or saline nose drops into your nose. Then have the blow your nose. This will open most blocked noses.
5. Fluids
   Make sure you drink plenty of fluids.

Call your doctor right away if:

1. Symptoms worsen.
2. Fever will not break

VIRAL INFECTION: WHAT IS IT?

What is a viral infection?

When a virus gets into your body, it can make more viruses and cause a viral infection. Your body's immune system must destroy the viruses and stop more from being formed. Children under 2 years can have more trouble fighting viruses because their immune system is still developing and may not be as strong as an  individual 3 years or older.

The most common viral infection is the common cold. Some other viral illnesses in include:

1. Bronchiolitis and viral pneumonia
2. Roseola
3. Warts
4. Chickenpox
5. Measles
6. Mumps
7. Viral diarrhea (rotavirus)
8. Adenovirus
9. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
10. Polio

What is the cause?

Viruses are spread by contact with infected fluids or secretions. They can be on surfaces such as  tables, doorknobs, or telephones. A common way to "catch" a virus is to touch an infected person or item and then rub your eyes or nose. Viruses can also enter the body through food, drinks, insect or animal bites. Viruses may be in the air we breathe in after someone coughs or sneezes.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms caused by a virus depend on what kind of virus it is and where the virus is in the body. Some viruses cause a sore throat, cough, runny nose, headache, muscle aches, or fever. Some cause rashes. Others cause nausea, cramping, or diarrhea.

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine you. You may have blood tests to help find the cause of an illness. It’s important to find out if an infection is caused by a virus or by bacteria.

How is it treated?

People with viral infections usually get better without treatment. Bacterial infections may need to be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses. There are some antiviral medicines, but they are used for specific types of viral infections.

How can I take care of myself?

If you have a viral infection, make sure you:

1. Gets plenty of rest
2. Drinks lots of fluids

How can I help prevent a viral infection?

Hand washing, especially after going to the bathroom, is the most effective way to prevent the spread of viral infections. You may use hand sanitizer.  Avoid sharing eating utensils, towels, and handkerchiefs. Use a tissue when you sneeze or cough and  throw tissues away right after using them.

 A healthy diet and plenty of exercise and rest will help you fight off viral infections.

SUNGLASSES ARE NOT JUST A FASHION STATEMENT!

We all love our sunglasses. They are a great fashion accessory because they give us a little Hollywood glam. Did you know that sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement? Here's the breakdown:

ANEMIC? HERE ARE SOME FOODS RICH IN IRON

WHAT IS ANEMIA?

Anemia is a decrease in the amount of red blood cells or RBCs.

SYMPTOMS OF ANEMIA 

• Weakness
• Feeling tired
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Pale skin
• Low body temperature
• Numbness and coldness in hands/feet

ANEMIA CAN AFFECT YOUR HEART