COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary PULL-mun-ary disease, is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. “Progressive” means the disease gets worse over time. COPD can cause coughing that produces large amounts of mucus a slimy substance, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Most people who have COPD smoke or used to smoke. Long-term exposure to other lung irritants—such as air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust—also may contribute to COPD.
Tag: health
Recognizing the Signs of Depression
It isn’t always easy to tell when normal reactions to difficult situations (grief, sadness, etc.) have crossed the line towards clinical depression that needs treatment. However, the number of signs or symptoms you are experiencing, along with the duration and frequency you have them are all important. You are probably dealing with clinical depression (which warrants a visit to your doctor for evaluation) if you have experienced 5 or more of the following symptoms (and at least one of them is among the first two listed), nearly every day for two weeks or more:
- Loss of interest in things you normally enjoy
- Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Problems falling asleep, staying asleep, waking too early or sleeping too much
- Unexplained decrease or increase in appetite, resulting in weight gain or loss within the last month.
- Trouble thinking, concentrating, remembering, and making decisions
- Extreme tiredness or lack of energy that interferes with your ability to work or take care of your daily responsibilities
- Feeling restless, unable to sit still, or abnormally slow when moving
Serving Sizes and Portions
A portion is the amount of food that you choose to eat for a meal or snack. It can be big or small—you decide.
A serving is a measured amount of food or drink, such as one slice of bread or one cup (eight ounces) of milk.
Many foods that come as a single portion actually contain multiple servings. The Nutrition Facts label on packaged foods—on the backs of cans, sides of boxes, etc.— tells you the number of servings in the container.
For example, look at the label of a 20-ounce soda (usually consumed as one portion). It has 2.5 servings in it. A 3-ounce bag of chips, which some would consider a single portion, contains 3 servings.
How to Start Running Safely
If all the benefits of cardio have you wanting to start running, here are some tips for you to follow so you can start your new pastime safely.
- Get the OK. Check with your doctor if you are new to running or exercise, or if you have any health problems, to make sure you are fine to start.
- Invest in the right shoes. Dressing the part doesn’t just come down to wearing the cutest attire. Make sure you buy the right shoes; don’t go for looks, but go for support and long-lasting materials that cushion. Quality running shoes may not be cheap, but they’ll help prevent injuries and make running that much more enjoyable. Here’s what to expect when buying the right running shoe.
- Start slow. It’s OK to walk — don’t think you have to power through a whole mile when you first start. Starting slow helps keep you from getting overuse injuries. Instead, use a walk/run strategy: run for five to 10 seconds every minute, and gradually shift the ratio as you become stronger. Also, try to set a few goals (like these small minigoals for beginning runners) to conquer to keep you interested and motivated.
- Fuel up correctly. Make sure you’re eating the right foods to prevent an upset stomach or feeling weak. Eat a mix of proteins and carbs about 30 minutes before a run, and make sure it’s light so you don’t feel sluggish and get cramps. Read more tips on what to eat before a run here.
- Warm up and cool down. Don’t force muscles to work without warming them up first. Briskly walk or jog before you start running to prevent pulls and strains. And make sure you cool down after a run; slow down to a jog and stretch your leg muscles.
Isn’t stress just part of any job?
Stress is a normal part of any life, and any job. Stress can be positive or negative, and how people react to various stressors is highly individual. But excessive negative stress (or distress) can contribute to or even cause serious health problems for employees.
Excessive job stress can be caused by many factors, but research over the past 15 years has shown that some stressors are worse than others:
- Jobs that are highly demanding because they involve constant imposed deadlines over prolonged period, and provide the individual with very little control over the day to day organization of their work (high demand/low control jobs).
- Jobs that require high physical or mental effort but offer little reward in the way of compensation, status, financial gain or career enhancement (high effort/low reward jobs).
- An accumulation of home stress and job stress affect overall wellness.
The health of workers doesn’t have to be compromised by stress, however. Changes to the organization of work can make for a more mentally healthy workplace, especially when employees feel adequately rewarded and under greater control of their work.
via Isn’t stress just part of any job? | Mental Health Works.
Ebola Virus and Marburg Virus
Ebola virus and Marburg virus are related viruses that cause hemorrhagic fevers — illnesses marked by severe bleeding (hemorrhage), organ failure and, in many cases, death. Both viruses are native to Africa, where sporadic outbreaks have occurred for decades.
Ebola virus and Marburg virus live in animal hosts, and humans can contract the viruses from infected animals. After the initial transmission, the viruses can spread from person to person through contact with body fluids or contaminated needles.
No drug has been approved to treat either virus. People diagnosed with Ebola or Marburg virus receive supportive care and treatment for complications. Scientists are coming closer to developing vaccines for these deadly diseases.
via Ebola virus and Marburg virus Definition – Diseases and Conditions – Mayo Clinic.
What is an Employee Assistance Program?
An employee assistance program (EAP) is a work-based intervention program designed to identify and assist employees in resolving personal problems (e.g., marital, financial or emotional problems; family issues; substance/alcohol abuse) that may be adversely affecting the employee’s performance. EAPs that offer medical benefits such as direct counseling and treatment, rather than just referrals for counseling and treatment, are regulated under ERISA and subject to COBRA. EAP plans are usually 100% paid by the employer and can include a wide array of other services, such as nurse lines, basic legal assistance and referrals, adoption assistance, or assistance finding elder care services. EAP services can be made available not only to the employee but also to immediate family members or anyone living in their home.
via Employee Assistance Program (EAP): General: What is an employee assistance program?.
Well-being and Mental Health
Many social indicators fail to measure what people think and feel about their lives—the quality of their relationships, their positive emotions, resilience, satisfaction with life domains, or the realization of their potential. Positive evaluations of life including the presence of positive emotions (e.g., happiness, serenity, interest), social ties, and perceptions of life satisfaction and meaning, are commonly referred to as “well-being”.
Why is it important for people with diabetes to be physically active?
Physical activity can help you control your blood glucose, weight, and blood pressure, as well as raise your “good” cholesterol and lower your “bad” cholesterol. It can also help prevent heart and blood flow problems, reducing your risk of heart disease and nerve damage, which are often problems for people with diabetes.
Chronic Conditions and Aging
Arthritis and hypertension are the two most common health conditions affecting older workers, impacting 47% and 44%, respectively, of workers over the age of 55. An even greater proportion of workers (more than 75%) are estimated to have at least one chronic health condition that requires management. Diabetes is perhaps the most costly of these; one study found that 1/3 of all Medicare spending goes towards management of diabetes. The frequency of these conditions and others in older adults has important implications for workers can physically perform their duties, but also when. Higher morbidity means more absenteeism when an employee feels sick and more presenteeism when an employee is ill but shows up to work regardless. However, individual health risk factors are a stronger influence on future healthcare associated costs than advancing age alone. In comparing young workers with “high risk” of chronic disease (5 or more risk factors) to older workers with few or no risk factors, the younger workers had significantly higher medical costs associated despite the disparity in the age groups: 19-34 year olds, versus older workers aged 65-74.
via CDC – Healthy Aging – NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic.