11 Search Results for "goals"
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stocat5455
- Views: 4
- Since: 2 months ago
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Wellness and Prevention Wellness and Prevention
- From: Julie_Stansfield_MD
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Description:
Wellness and Prevention
Language evolves; the term “Wellness and Prevention” is one of those phrases that have changed to mean something different than it might have meant to people 20 years ago. The science behind “Wellness and Prevention” shows that 80 percent of all healthcare spending is caused by the way we choose to live our lives. That also means that people have the opportunity to stay healthy and save money by changing their habits before they get ill. Most people have heard of the government department called the CDC, but few people realize that the full name is: The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention has been part of disease treatment for decades and is fully supported by science. Historically the greatest advances in medicine have come from deceptively simple changes like good nutrition, clean water, washing hands, and immunizations to prevent devastating diseases like polio. Society has changed, medical knowledge has grown and the challenges of disease prevention are different than they were 20 years ago.
There are many diseases that start off slowly without warning signs long before people become dramatically ill. Getting a physical is one step to help find people that have warning signs long before they realize that they are ill. There are other steps to stay healthy that don’t start or end in the doctor’s office. Starting these steps is what you get with “Wellness and Prevention” programs. To start these programs people first must realize that they need these programs. People can easily notice unhealthy things about someone else, but most people forget about looking in the mirror. People change the oil in the car because they know that in the long run it will save them money. They can’t tell the motor needs an oil change by listening or driving. Instead they schedule an appointment with the mechanic, before there are problems.
“Wellness and Prevention” programs offered by MyHealthVillage.com and LongitudeHealth.com are designed to help people that have the highest risk of getting sick and having high health care costs, change their lives long before they have problems. LongitudeHealth.com is designed for companies that need a custom solution to keep their employees healthy and on the job, as well as reduce their health insurance costs.
Changing a person’s habits is hard. People aren’t always able to change by themselves. Our health guides help people make changes that matter, in a kind and friendly manner. When I go to the mall I can pick out people that will soon be sick. However, I don’t say anything because that isn’t helpful. Real change takes more than one try. Our health guides make successful changes easier than doing it alone.
If you smoke, are heavy and inactive you are going to have the most health problems. Try wearing a pedometer all day long. Normal adult activity is defined as walking five miles a day. If you walk less than this try gradually walking more. Doing anything is better than nothing. An ideal weight is different for people that are different heights. But a rough estimate is if you weigh 200 pounds or more you need to be at least 6 feet 3 inches tall. If you aren’t that tall, you are too heavy. This is also called BMI and your BMI should be less than 25. Visit http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bminojs.htm to calculate your BMI.
This month I did physicals for my sons’ Boy Scout Troop. There is a new form to fill out and there at the bottom in black and white are the weight regulations. The form clearly shows at which weight you have health problems that are severe enough that you don’t qualify for all events. Why? Imagine kids having to carry a 230 pound adult with a broken leg out of the forest. The kids are put in danger and the adult is put in danger. None of the adults I saw at the meeting hit the ideal weight range. All of the adults were surprised that they were too heavy. They have good company; most Americans are surprised that they need to make changes. (Here’s an article that discusses this:
www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(08)01207-2/fulltext)
The first step to true “Wellness and Prevention” is to realize that everybody has to schedule that “oil change”. Don’t wait until there are problems. Check your weight, go visit your doctor; get your blood pressure checked and maybe some lab work done. The next step is the hard one: to change. Decide on a goal, consider a health guide to help you reach your goal (we have great ones at MyHealthVillage.com). Reward yourself if you reach your goal on time. If you don’t reach your goals, it is time to change strategies. You have an opportunity keep yourself healthy by taking charge early, long before your have problems.
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 201
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Do You Keep Track of Your Fitn Do You Keep Track of Your Fitness?
- From: Judy_Bock_RN
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Description:
Do You Keep Track of Your Fitness?
Studies show that people who keep track of what they eat or how much exercise they get are more successful in weight reduction and other health goals such as diabetic control and cholesterol reduction.
I have generally avoided the homework aspect of writing down calories, reading labels and such but have recently discovered an online helper that may make it easier and kind of fun.
I went to www.fitday.com and registered a user name and password to start using their free calorie counter and diet journal. FitDay is an online commercial site with promotional ads and offers for advanced weight loss software. However you can use their free logs and keep track of calories, fat, carbohydrates and protein in your diet.
A word of caution is needed here. Commercial sites such as FitDay may advertise quick weight-loss programs that you are well-advised to avoid. What comes off quickly will probably not stay off and some can be harmful. Check with your health care provider before starting an advertised weight-reduction program.
I clicked on FitDay’s Free Calorie Counter and Diet Journal and entered what I ate for breakfast this morning. I simply entered each food item in their food search and it automatically added the calories, fat, carbs and protein in an easy-to-read table with totals at the bottom. I learned that eating a half banana, one egg, and two pancakes with two tablespoons of syrup netted me 328 calories, 9 grams of fat, 56 grams of carbohydrates and 8.9 grams of protein.
Sadly, I fear I have already eaten close to my daily allotment of fat and carbs if I want to reduce my weight and cholesterol. I’d better rethink my taste for pancakes and increase my fruits for sure. Maybe I’ll do better with fat-free vanilla yoghurt topped with high-fiber cereal and a whole banana tomorrow.
Another feature of the site I like is a weight tracker. I entered my desired weight loss figuring myhealthvillage’s recommended 5% reduction over six months and can now log in my weight each month or so to see how I’m doing. My fitness log will be easy to locate in my favorites list whenever I turn on my computer.
I probably won’t need to continually track what I eat once I learn the various components of the foods I now eat. As I log in my food journal I’ll learn what kinds and amounts of food I can keep on my menu, which ones I should limit and which ones I should increase.
Wish this carbohydrate junkie good luck.
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 142
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Weight Loss with Healthy Habit Weight Loss with Healthy Habits
- From: tracy_korman
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Description:Listen to a MyHealthVillage.com member talk about how he used sensible diet and exercise to take off weight and keep it off. Key points discussed include: 1) Aim for long term changes in your diet habits 2) Big changes in your diet habits are necessary lose weight 3) Lots of vegetables and fruits are important for weight loss and your health 4) Start with small exercise goals that you do everyday 5) Don’t let the weather limit your exercise 6) Together diet and exercise lead to better health. And another key ingredient is connectedness. Working together to lose weight with friends or loved ones is a big help for you and for them.
- 1 year ago
- Views: 117
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Making Trade-Offs: Priorities Making Trade-Offs: Priorities When Managing Chronic Conditions
- From: tracy_korman
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Description:
Making Trade-Offs: Priorities When Managing Chronic Conditions
Reading this terrific essay by Lori Berlin who is living with and writing about her experiences with ulcerative colitis got me thinking about the trade-offs we all make in managing our chronic conditions and life-style related health challenges. Lori writes about how managing her chronic condition required a medicine that led to weight gain. Accomplishing one life-essential goal meant giving up on another life important goal – one that is so tied to self esteem and health.
While Lori’s experience is a stark and extreme trade-off situation, we all make trade-offs around catering to, coping with or overcoming our chronic conditions. Giving up on a near-term pleasure for a long-term goal is a more common trade-off for all of us trying to exercise, eat right and keep ourselves “heart healthy.” Many MyHealthVillage.com members regularly adhere to drug therapies that come at the cost of unpleasant side effects – some are much challenging than just unpleasant.
To actively address our health and manage our chronic conditions, we each must figure out our priorities – which goal comes first. Do I pick a health goal because it is most important according to my doctor? Maybe. But I might pick it a particular objective because I have the confidence that I can actually achieve my goal. With success, I might then have the confidence to try the next goal which might be of even greater significance for my health. I might feel that quitting smoking is beyond my current reach, but improving my diet and exercise is more “doable” at the moment. Which is better: continuing to fail at quitting smoking or making some real progress on my weight? Later, when I have proven to myself that I can control what and when and how I eat and that I can find the time for nearly daily exercise, I can probably muster the courage to take on cigarettes too. And having reduced my weight, I might be less frightened by the weight gain that might accompany my quitting.
Trade-offs are a part of all of our lives all of the time. But a little self-discovery and prioritization can make a big difference in your health management progress. Lori describes putting treatment of her ulcerative colitis first – and rightly so because it was life-threatening. When remission was achieved, she could get back to her next goal – keeping her weight in check.
I hope that the support and resources available at MyHealthVillage can help you prioritize your objectives, set appropriate health goals and manage your own trade-offs. You can start by sharing some of your own trade-offs - in a comment here or in a blog post of your own. With the help of your Village, it is easier to live better longer.
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 264
- Not yet rated
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Blood Pressure Pills? Me? Blood Pressure Pills? Me?
- From: Julie_Stansfield_MD
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Description:
Blood Pressure Pills?
Many people come in for their regular check up, and I find their blood pressure is high. The recommendation is to aim for a resting blood pressure of less than 130/80.
So what is the next step?
If a person’s blood pressure isn’t too high sometimes they can avoid medicine. So your doctor may decide you are a candidate for lifestyle changes.
You’ve probably heard the drill:
1. Cut out the salt
2. Start exercising every day
3. Eat more fruit and vegetables.
4. Eat low fat dairy products
5. Try to get 8 hours of sleep each night
6. Manage the stress in your life.
So now you’ve started all these things. How long do you wait before you have to think about taking medicine? Usually three to four months. However it may be that you begin to make real progress at four or five months. At your next visit to your doctor or other health care provider may feel that you are making enough progress that you might make the goal with just a little more time. It may be you have other health problems that mean you really can’t wait; you’ll need to start medicine. However if you have no other health problems you have more time that other people. Check your blood pressure, write down the numbers then make a plan for the week. Write your plan down. Decide what days you will exercise. Put the salt shaker away. Plan on a bedtime. Plan on the vegetables, fruit and low fat dairy products you will eat for the week. Then make your shopping list. When you meet your goals check off those tasks as “done”.
So after really doing these things for a few weeks, it becomes second nature. Even if your blood pressure isn’t perfect, all these things will help you minimize your medication if you still need it. Blood pressure medicine is an important part of keeping you healthy. A good blood pressure helps you avoid strokes, heart disease and kidney problems. There are many kinds of blood pressure pills; choosing one that is right for you is an important part of your next office visit with your doctor or other healthcare provider.
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 175
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National Nutrition Month! National Nutrition Month!
- From: LeGreta_Hudson_MS_RD_CDE
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Description:
It’s National Nutrition Month…
The theme is “Eat Right”… which is also the name of the American Dietetic Association’s web site. “EAT RIGHT” is a slogan that’s simple and straight forward…but… oh so hard to do. The campaign focuses on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. I would say… that’s my job in a nut shell. March 11th is Registered Dietitian Day. It was created to increase awareness of registered dietitians as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services. The RD’s I know are people that are committed to helping people enjoy healthy lives.
American Dietetic Association’s Top Ten Reasons Why Consulting with a Registered Dietitian Can Benefit You…
1) You have diabetes, cardiovascular problems or high blood pressure. An RD serves as an integral part of your health-care team by helping you safely change your eating plan without compromising taste or nutrition.
2) You are thinking of having or have had gastric bypass surgery. Since your stomach can only manage small servings, it’s a challenge to get the right amount of nutrients in your body. An RD will work with you and your physician to develop an eating plan for your new needs.
3) You have digestive problems. A registered dietitian will work with your physician to help fine-tune your diet so you are not aggravating your condition with fried foods, too much caffeine or carbonation.
4) You’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant. A registered dietitian can help make sure you get nutrients like folate, especially during the first three months of pregnancy, lowering your newborn’s risk for neural tube or spinal cord defects.
5) You need guidance and confidence for breastfeeding your baby. A registered dietitian can help make sure you’re getting enough iron, vitamin D, fluoride and B vitamins for you and your little one.
6) Your teenager has issues with food and eating healthfully. A registered dietitian can assist with eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia and overweight issues.
7) You need to gain or lose weight. A registered dietitian can suggest additional calorie sources for healthy weight gain or a restricted-calorie eating plan plus regular physical activity for weight loss while still eating all your favorite foods.
8) You’re caring for an aging parent. A registered dietitian can help with food or drug interaction, proper hydration, special diets for hypertension and changing taste buds as you age.
9) You want to eat smarter. A registered dietitian can help you sort through misinformation; learn how to read labels at the supermarket; discover that healthy cooking is inexpensive, learn how to eat out without ruining your eating plan and how to resist workplace temptations.
10) You want to improve your performance in sports. A registered dietitian can help you set goals to achieve results — whether you’re running a marathon, skiing or jogging with your dog.
To locate a registered dietitian in your area, visit the American Dietetic Association at www.eatright.org
Take the Nutrition quiz…to see what you know.
http://www.eatright.org/nnm/NNMWEBNEW/flashquiz.swf
Nutrition… IT’S a Matter of FACT!
Happy National Nutrition!!
Le Greta
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 173
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Seafood for health & planet! Seafood for health & planet!
- From: LeGreta_Hudson_MS_RD_CDE
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Description:
After my research on tuna and the subsequent comments I gave regarding the subject, I started wondering about the controversy over farmed raised fish versus wild caught fish.
Then I questioned the advice I’d been giving people… that Pacific salmon was better than Atlantic salmon… but I couldn’t remember why. Then I came across the article. In the May 2008, Nutrition Action Healthletter , the special feature “Sustaining Seafood” appeared. I really wish I could provide the article in a link…because there is so much… I couldn’t begin to discuss it all. Well, the short of it is…Seafood is good for your health, but let’s eat the seafood that is good for the planet! The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization states that more than 75% of the world’s marine fish stocks have been – or are being- over fished. The article provides best choices, good alternatives and fish to avoid…and why!
Now…back to my original thought about Pacific versus Atlantic farmed fish. Salmon is a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids no matter which you choose however; if you care about the planet you should eat Salmon - Alaska wild (Pacific). Atlantic farm salmon is on the AVOID list, because it appears that farmed raise fish can escape from the ocean pens (where they are housed) into the wild and threaten wild salmon and other fish by competing with them for food and spawning grounds…thereby decreasing the number of wild salmon. Also, the waste from the salmon farms is released directly into the ocean…parasites and diseases from farmed salmon can spread to wild fish swimming near the farms. It also appears that the farmers could use antibiotics to control the disease among the fish, which may encourage the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
So the key is to ask yourself a few questions before you purchase fish. The article suggests: #1 was the seafood farmed or wild-caught? #2 Where is it from …U.S. or imported? #3 how was it caught? It appears that fishing techniques matter to the environment also…who knew? I can’t tell you what these mean but when fishing for cod fisherman should trawl or longline for them…and fresh tuna they should use a pole, longline or troll.
I just eat them, I don’t fish!
If you’re like me… asking myself these questions wouldn’t be helpful. Here’s the articles advice for best choices, good alternatives, and fish to avoid…I’ll just list a few of the more common varieties of seafood. If you would like more detail, click (copy & paste) on the link below. The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s National Seafood Guide will help you with all types of seafood. Research your favorite seafood and compile a list that suits your taste, your health goals and that will protect our planet! Have fun & happy fishing! http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_factsheet.aspx?gid=17
Best Choices Good Alternatives AVOID
Catfish -U.S. farmed
Cod – Pacific-trawled
Chilean seabass
Clams – farmed
Crab – king - U.S.
Crab – king – imported
Cod-Pacific-(Alaska longline)
Crab – snow
Grouper (overfished)
Halibut- Pacific
Flounder – Pacific
Halibut – Atlantic
Lobster – U.S. - spiny
Lobster –American – (Maine)
Lobster –Caribbean imported –spiny (overfished)
Tuna-albacore-U.S., British Columbia troll or pole
Mahi Mahi – U.S.
Mahi Mahi – imported
Tilapia- U.S. farmed
Tilapia- Central America Farmed
Tilapia-China or Taiwan farmed
Trout –rainbow-farmed
Scallops – bay-farmed
Shrimp-U.S. farmed or wild
Shrimp-imported farmed or wild
Salmon – Alaska wild
Scallops –sea-Northwest U.S. & Canada
Salmon -farmed, including Atlantic
"Best Choices-abundant, well managed, & caught or farmed in environmentally friendly ways."
"Good Alternative- an option, but there are concerns with how they're caught or farmed or with the health of their habitat."
"AVOID- caught or farmed in ways that harm other marine life or the environment."
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 171
- Not yet rated
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Pound Wise & Penny Foolish Pound Wise & Penny Foolish
- From: Cindy_Sears_RN_CDE
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Description:
Pound Wise & Penny Foolish
MyHealthVillage is a portal provided by Longitude Health, Inc. One of Longitude Health’s goals is to help people take steps toward a healthier life style.
Does giving people information about diet, exercise, and stress management really make a difference in preventing illness? How does lifestyle counseling compare to the effectiveness of procedures like coronary artery bypass surgery or angioplasty?
In these times of limited resources, what would be the best use of our healthcare dollars? Here’s what Jane Brody had to say in a recent New York Times article.
“The treatments — coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty and the placement of drug-coated stents — cost about $60 billion a year in the United States. Though they are not known to prevent heart attacks or coronary mortality in most patients, they are covered by insurance.”
“Counseling patients about diet, exercise and stress management — which is relatively inexpensive and has been proved to be life-extending — is rarely reimbursed. In other words, procedure-oriented modern cardiology is pound wise and penny foolish.”
Dr. Michael Ozner, who received the 2008 American Heart Association Humanitarian Award, was quoted in this article. He said, “If some of the billions spent on intervention were put into prevention, we’d have a much healthier America at a lower cost.”
You might want to read Dr. Ozner’s new book called The Great American Heart Hoax. In the meantime, learn more about diet, exercise, and stress management at MyHealthVillage.
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 295
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Bedside Manner-isms Bedside Manner-isms
- From: Jan_Swaney_MD
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Description:
Bedside Manner-isms
I promised to get back some thoughts on the fact that most people rate bedside manner as the most important aspect of choosing a doctor. Intuitively, people seem know that bedside manner translates to better healthcare. So what is the evidence that a choosing a doctor with a good bedside manner ensures better healthcare? And if so, what exactly are these manner-isms? Is it a smile? Making good eye contact? Yes to both…but it goes beyond a smile and a handshake.
For a start, let’s look at a couple of recent studies that show remarkably similar results with regard to physician communication style and health-related outcomes.
In the first study, researchers at the University of Michigan found that when doctors provide more complete information and actively involve patients in diabetes treatment decisions, patients are more likely to follow-through with their self-care and achieve better control of their diabetes. 1 In the second study, researchers in Houston found that a more collaborative communication style between doctors and patients led to better control of hypertension. 2
A close reading of these studies allows us to get a clearer picture of the bedside manner-isms found to be associated with better outcomes in these two chronic conditions. Both capture two key bedside manner-isms that make a difference:
better communication skills , specifically:
- giving more information,
- letting you know test results when promised,
- explaining treatment alternatives,
- letting you know what to expect from treatment
and a collaborative decision-making style , specifically:
- asking for your ideas in making treatment plan,
- giving choices about treatment,
- asking to talk about your goals for your care,
- thinking about your values/traditions when recommending treatments,
- helping to make a treatment plan that you can do in your daily life
So the next time you see your doctor, make a list of questions ahead of time and don’t nod an agreeable “ok” until you get answers in language you can understand – news you can use. Before your doctor writes a new prescription or orders a new test, make sure you understand your choices and agree that this one suits you best.
Afterall, it's a long-term investment in a relationship that can help you attain better health, and manner-isms really do matter.
__________
1. Heisler M, Cole I, Weir D, et al. Does physician communication influence older patients’ diabetes self-management and glycemic control? Results from the health and retirement study. J Geront 2007; 62:1435-1442.
2. Naik A, Kallen M, Walker A, Street R. Improving hypertension control in diabetes mellitus: the effects of collaborative and proactive health communication. Circulation 2008;117:1361-1368.
- Blog post
- 2 years ago
- Views: 523