A couple of months ago after undergoing routine lab work, my doctor informed me that I had prediabetes, a condition which causes your blood sugar to be abnormally high, but not high enough to be considered full-blown diabetes. (more…)
A couple of months ago after undergoing routine lab work, my doctor informed me that I had prediabetes, a condition which causes your blood sugar to be abnormally high, but not high enough to be considered full-blown diabetes. (more…)
I have always struggled with the concept of sleep. I guess I figure that, soon enough, I’ll get plenty of it up in heaven! As a young girl, I often visited my grandparents and, while I enjoyed their company immensely, I dreaded bedtime.
You see, my grandfather’s snoring made more noise than thunder. Listening to him roar, I could swear that a locomotive was racing right towards my bedroom door. “Grandma, make him stop”, I cried, but instead of nudging him to roll over, I guess she felt her efforts would be far better served if she fixed what was ailing me.
My grandmother believed in the power of herbs. She had an herbal tea for this and an herbal tea for that. Her most infamous recipe was that of an herbal remedy made especially for me and my sleep problems. She served it to me, mixed with a lullaby, and in moments, off I went to float in the clouds with the rest of her angels. Perhaps it was the placebo effect, or perhaps I felt great comfort with her by my side - I’m not really sure. I do know, that to this day, if I have trouble sleeping, I drink a cup of grandma’s secret recipe and in the blink of an eye, I drift off to slumber. (more…)
Summer is here and that usually means its barbecue season! If you are Diabetic and have to be careful with your diet, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself. Diabetic recipes don’t have to miss out on flavor just because they are healthy.
We are fans of this particular Dlife video:
The nutritional information of what you are preparing is provided and this is the perfect summer barbecue recipe to try out. Watch this video of Chef Franklin Becker and learn how to make a Grilled Pork Chop with only 174 calories, 1 gram of carbs and 16 grams of protein. (more…)
As we grow older, we learn to take special precautions when exercising, because we realize that our bodies age right along with us. Here are a few exercise tips that every senior should live by:
-Wear comfortable clothing and footwear that is weather appropriate.
-Choose a safe place to exercise; one that provides a smooth, flat surface in a well-lighted, public area.
-Exercise with a companion. This makes exercising safer, more enjoyable and will keep you committed to your program.
-Take longer to warm up and cool down. Slowly stretch before and after every workout for at least for 10 to 15 minutes.
-Start at a slow pace and work your way up. Exercising for too long and at too high an intensity before your body is conditioned for it, may lead to injury.
-Drink plenty of water both before, during and after your workout. Heat-related illnesses are often related to decreased fluid intake.
Exercise has many benefits at any age. It helps increase your energy, keeps you firm and toned, alleviates depression and allows you to get a more restful sleep. It can also help prevent many types of illnesses, like diabetes and osteoporosis. If you want some help with staying on track, visit the Wellness section of BestSitePicks for some extra assistance.
Remember, check with your doctor to see if you are healthy enough before beginning any type of exercise program. Also use your journal on your RememberItNow! account so you can track your health and see improvements. You will notice and see the difference in how you feel over time.
Constipation - a condition that seems to cause many seniors a great deal of concern. Predisposing factors that may lead to constipation include worry, anxiety, fear, and a sedentary lifestyle. But direct factors - an improper diet, excessive laxative use, weakness in the intestinal muscles, tumors, a bowel obstruction or certain types of drugs - may also play a role. (more…)
Physiologic changes in the body related to the aging process make elderly people especially prone to dehydration. This is due, in part because the aging brain isn’t able to effectively determine how much water the body needs. Additionally, with age, an elderly person’s thirst response diminishes, which means he or she may not recognize the need to drink more. (more…)
Remember when you were in your 20’s and the only things that mattered to you were dating and discos? As we age, our interests change, (thank goodness), as do the set of problems that accompany them. That said, life as we get older is not devoid of specific issues, especially for the senior citizen. (more…)
Pain can be divided into two groups - acute and chronic. Acute pain is generally rapid in onset and usually temporary. In contrast, chronic pain can last for months or even years.
Many people deal with pain issues by using pain medication, which may serve as a temporary fix for a temporary problem. Taking pain medication for chronic pain, however, is another story, as many people fear the risk of addiction and other associated side effects.
Nausea - diarrhea - constipation - headache - insomnia. What do they each have in common? You guessed it, they represent common negative side effect caused by some of the medications you may be taking. (more…)
You are sitting down at your exam watching your doctor scribble down your prescription, and you just want to hurry up and leave. Stop. Before you think about all the errands you have to run, or about getting back to work, think about yourself.
It will only take a few minutes to ask your doctor these eleven essential questions about your prescription. Save some time in the long run, and save your health.
1. What is the name of this prescription?
Know the name of the medicine you are taking, because if you are seeing several physicians, it is essential to provide the specific name in order to receive the best and safest diagnosis. This also includes over the counter drugs, herbal or dietary supplements. On RememberItNow! you can easily track all the medications you are currently taking and print the list to take to your next appointment with your doctor.
2. Is there a generic brand of my medication?
It doesn’t hurt to ask if there is a less expensive version of the brand name counterpart prescribed. Your doctor can still answer questions about its safety, side effects, and more.
3. Are there side effects or risks with my prescription?
It is normal to anticipate low-risk side effects with most medications and your physician will explain them to you. However, if you are experiencing symptoms not described by your physician it is important to contact them. If your symptoms are putting your health at a dangerous risk and you feel you need immediate help, call 911 or find the closest emergency room. By writing down your prescription list on RememberItNow! and tracking notes on your list, you can immediately know and double-check if your symptoms feel unusual.
4. What exactly is the function of my prescription?
You must know why you are taking your medication and the purpose it serves, whether it treats your entire symptoms or one. To keep track of your medications and what they are taken for, you can make notes in RememberItNow! You can also invite your doctor or other care givers to participate and help you.
5. When and how should I take my medicine? And can I stop if I feel better?
It’s important to take the right medication, at the right time, in the right dose. Don’t feel bad about taking notes when the doctor tells you the schedule. Sometimes it’s hard to remember exactly how to take your medications and the instructions on medication packages are often hard to read. RememberItNow! can help you stick to your medication schedule by sending you reminders and instructions.
