XLPharmacy February 2009 News Archive

On Valentine’s Day, Take Care of Your Heart with Your Loved One

(ARA) - This February, you’ll likely see hearts and love everywhere, in the form of candy, cards and decorations. Let them be a reminder to take care of your heart health with your loved one. Along with high blood pressure and obesity, unhealthy cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for heart disease. Making simple lifestyle changes with your loved one can help you both achieve healthy cholesterol levels that can cut your risk for heart disease.

To gauge your heart disease risk, learn your cholesterol levels by having them checked by your doctor, including LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, HDL, or “good” cholesterol and triglycerides -- all independent risk factors for heart disease. The risk of developing heart disease doubles when triglyceride levels are above 200. When triglycerides are above 200 and HDL cholesterol is below 40, a person is at four times the risk.

Healthy Numbers:
LDL less than 100
HDL greater than 40 for men and greater than 50 for women
Triglycerides less than 150

“Many couples have no idea that an unhealthy lifestyle can affect their cholesterol levels and subsequently their heart health,” says Dr. Jerome Cohen, chairman of the National Lipid Association Consumer Affairs Committee. “It’s important for people to talk to their physicians about cholesterol and commit to a healthy lifestyle together.”

Here are some “heart healthy” ways to spend time with your loved one this Valentine’s Day:

* Cook a delicious heart healthy meal to show you care. Visit www.LearnYourLipids.com to find tasty recipes that will impress your sweetie.

* Grab your “sole mate” and head out for a walk. A study by the American Heart Association showed that people are 76 percent more likely to stick with a walking program if they have someone to walk with. Daily exercise helps lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol.

* Instead of chocolate, give a healthy and delicious gift like a fruit basket, now that is LOVE.

For more information on cholesterol, heart disease risk factors and heart healthy living, talk to your doctor and visit the National Lipid Association’s www.LearnYourLipids.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Live Longer and Love Every Minute

(ARA) - Today, Americans are living longer than ever before, enjoying more time for travel, family and hobbies. For today's seniors and baby boomers looking to stay healthy and independent for years to come, practicing easy, proven healthy-living strategies can make a difference in their health and wallets. During these difficult economic times, just a little preventive health care can pay off and save money in the long run.

"You can take steps to prevent premature aging and to stay healthy as you get older," says American Medical Association (AMA) President-elect Dr. J. James Rohack. "Healthy living and regular check-ups can help older patients focus on enjoying their lives instead of worrying about their health."

The cost of making unhealthy lifestyle choices is staggering - both in terms of financial and human consequences. About 20 percent of those 65 and older who use Medicare for health coverage and have five or more chronic conditions, like diabetes and heart disease, see about 14 different physicians each year. Many of the associated costs can be reduced through preventive health care, early detection and treatment to avoid future complications and disability. Maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular exercise, and avoiding tobacco use and risky drinking makes a huge difference in overall health and greatly reduces the risk for chronic conditions.

"It is never too late to start working toward a healthy lifestyle," says Dr. Rohack. "Research shows that a healthy lifestyle can substantially reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke, as well as delay or stop the onset of type 2 diabetes. Quitting smoking at any age can improve circulation and lung function and greatly reduce cancer risks."

Eating Right
Choosing the right foods is a major component of a healthy lifestyle. Healthy eating can help prevent and control many diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, and improve your energy level. Many people think that this means going on a diet, but by making small changes over time, you can incorporate healthy habits into your normal routine. Aim to eat at least two cup-size portions each of fruit and vegetables daily, mostly whole grains, fish and other lean protein to get needed vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. Aim to eat smaller portions of foods high in sodium, sugar and saturated fat. Importantly, adults over 65 should incorporate added calcium and vitamin D to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Exercising Body and Brain
Regular exercise can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes, heart disease, some cancers and help relieve arthritis pain, anxiety and depression. It isn't necessary to have a gym membership to get enough physical activity. For exercise, take a walk or ride a bike around the neighborhood. Swimming is also great exercise and easier on older patients' joints. Gardening and playing with kids are also fun ways to be active. Muscle strengthening activities can also greatly benefit older adults to build muscle and strengthen bones. If you are over 50, check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Mental activity is just as important as physical activity. Activities like reading, playing cards, and doing crossword puzzles can keep your brain alert and responsive for the things you do every day like grocery shopping, cooking and handling finances. Staying mentally active may also lower the chances of developing Alzheimer's disease and help offset normal age-related decline in thinking skills.

Health Check-ups
Healthy habits are important, but don't forget regular visits to the doctor for screenings and preventive care to help avoid chronic disorders in vision, hearing, bone density, cancer and obesity. Half of all American adults in 2005 did not receive recommended preventive care, including vaccinations, cancer screenings and blood-pressure checks. By getting a regular physical exam, a physician can catch health problems early on, treating them with efficiency and accuracy to maintain overall health. Healthier people spend less money on health care.

At age 50 it's important to start annual exams for colorectal cancer, and men should have a prostate exam. Screenings for osteoporosis should start at age 60 for women who are underweight. It is also a good idea to keep a list of medications, including over-the-counter, herbal or nutritional supplements to bring to each doctor's appointment to avoid any harmful interactions.

"Seventy-five percent of the total health care spending in the U.S. is linked to chronically ill patients," says Dr. Rohack. "Many chronic health problems are preventable, and if we can help Americans live healthier, we can reduce disease and decrease health care spending. As the nation works to improve its overall health care system and get more value from our health care dollar, each person can help make a difference by taking steps to stay healthy as they age."

More tips on healthy aging can be found in the "American Medical Association Complete Guide to Prevention and Wellness." The book can be found at retail and online bookstores and at AMABookstore.com. Also available to help you to get healthier is AMA's Healthier Life Steps Program with tools and resources to get started on lifestyle improvements. Information and tools can be found at www.ama-assn.org/go/healthierlifesteps.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Current Month Stories II-Stay Healthy when the Temperature Drops

How to Stay Healthy when the Temperature Drops in the Winter

(ARA) - For many, the new year brings a fresh start and a new attitude towards living a healthier lifestyle. But let's not forget, when the weather is still cold, it's easy to fall back into winter habits like eating more and moving less. Staying healthy is important whether you want to lose weight, get in shape or simply avoid getting sick. And it's much easier than you think.

Here are four easy ways to help you avoid cabin fever and make it a healthy winter this year:

Make less room for bad food.
Unhealthy food will always be a temptation, and if an expanding waistline is a genuine concern, consider drinking a few glasses of water before your meal to make less room for bad food that is often high in calories. If plain water isn't your thing, try a tasty flavored water like Fruit2O. It has the flavor of real fruit, but at zero calories. It's a decision you can feel good about while keeping those extra pounds at bay. Plus, staying hydrated during the dry, cold winter months is crucial for fighting off flu bugs.

Find fitness in the snow.
When it's cold and dark outside, it's hard to get out and head to the gym. Instead, head to your front yard. Grab your family and friends and let your inner child out. Go sledding, build a snowman, throw snow balls or shovel the driveway. You can easily burn calories running through the snow and have fun at the same time. Not to mention, laughter is the easiest way to relive stress.

Stay limber after the leaves fall.
As the weather cools, muscles and joints tend to stiffen up. Don't forget to keep stretching. Get a yoga mat and DVD and try out a few positions to keep your body strong and limber. Just a few stretches a day can keep stiff sore muscles away.

Try something new.
It's true what they say: variety really is the spice of life. To get motivated for a new healthy lifestyle, take a cooking class to learn about new ways to prepare healthy food. Or sign up for a salsa dancing class at your local community center. Write down your dreams and goals and team up with friends and family to take a risk and accomplish what it is you want. Having a clear focus will help you tackle life's little challenges.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - When a stroke strikes, every minute counts in saving the person's life and ensuring they will regain their health. Speedy treatment depends on the person afflicted or someone near them recognizing the five signs that a stroke is occurring and getting emergency help fast. You can remember the five signs of stroke with these five words: walk, talk, reach, see, and feel.

Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of disability. About 5.3 million Americans suffer from strokes annually, which means you or someone you care about could be affected.

Dr. Diana Fite, an emergency physician from Houston, experienced a stroke in 2006 while driving her car. She was 53 at the time. Thanks to her quick reaction and prompt medical attention, she made a full recovery.

"Because I am an emergency physician, I knew to call 9-1-1 to get help immediately, which is why I recovered quickly," Fite says. "But I know from my experience as a doctor that too many people ignore stroke symptoms or wait for them to go away, with tragic results."

Fite is the spokesperson for "Give Me 5 for Stroke: Walk, Talk, Reach, See, Feel," a campaign aimed at educating Americans about the five warning signs of a stroke. The campaign is made up of three organizations: the American Academy of Neurology, the American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Stroke Association. The group came up with five words to help people remember the warning symptoms of stroke more easily: walk, talk, reach, see and feel. By paying attention to how a person walks, talks, reaches, sees and feels, individuals and family members can recognize when a stroke is happening and react immediately.

"Walk" is to recognize if a person's balance is off-kilter, "talk" identifies if a person's speech is slurred or their face is droopy, "reach" points out if the person feels numb on one side, "see" pin points if the person has partially or completely lost their vision and "feel" discovers if the person has a severe headache. If any of these stroke symptoms occur suddenly, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Actress Morgan Fairchild, who recently played Sophia Blakely in “Fashion House” and is remembered as Jordan Roberts in the ‘80s TV drama “Falcon Crest,” has teamed up with the organizations in promoting "Give Me 5 for Stroke."

"I witnessed first-hand the devastating effects of stroke on my mother," says Fairchild, the primary caregiver for her mother, who suffered a series of debilitating strokes until her death in 1999. "Stroke is a killer, but for too many people, it doesn't need to be. If you know the warning signs and get medical help right away, you have an excellent chance of making a good recovery.

“Women especially need to know the warning signs, because they account for over 60 percent of the deaths from stroke,” Fairchild adds. “We are also the health information keepers for our families and must spread the word to our siblings, spouses, parents and friends about how to recognize a stroke."

For additional information about "Give Me 5 for Stroke: Walk, Talk, Reach, See, Feel" and resources about strokes, visit www.giveme5forstroke.org or call the toll free number (888) 4STROKE.

No Backyard? No Problem. Reap the Rewards of a Vegetable Garden

(ARA) - During World War II, Americans were encouraged to convert their backyards into Victory Gardens to contribute to the war effort. The gardens also saved families money, something that was not abundant to most at the time. With the current economic downturn affecting many families’ budgets and in light of produce scares in 2008, starting a backyard vegetable garden is a great way to help reduce grocery bills during the summer months while keeping your family supplied with healthy foods.

Even if you don't have a lot of space -- maybe only a balcony -- you can still produce plump red tomatoes, fresh lettuce, spicy peppers and more before the end of summer. Here are some simple tips for gardening in small spaces for big results:

Mix Vegetables with Your Flowers

If you already have an established flower bed, but no more land available for a vegetable patch, work some of your vegetables in between perennials. Carrots and onions don't need a lot of root space, and their foliage above ground can bring variety to the overall look of your landscape. Just make sure your vegetables will have plenty of sunshine and are protected from hungry wildlife.

Start a Container Garden

Balconies and porches are perfect locations for container gardens. Start easy with lettuce seeds or onions set in a deep window box. Or use a larger pot for peppers or tomatoes.

To kick off the growing season for your tomatoes and peppers, use a Season Starter like the one from Dalen Products, Inc. in your container. This innovative insulating system helps protect seedlings from frost conditions and extends the growing season.

Once established, growing plants can benefit from many products that help contribute to larger yields and vegetation protection. Buying a Tomato Tray that is designed to channel water directly to a vining plant’s root system – critical for establishing healthy tomato plants in the early season. Also, items like Better Reds Mulch Film and Harvest Guard work to ensure that throughout the growing and harvesting season your plants are protected from weeds, drought conditions and early frosts.

Some helpful tips for container gardening are:

* Find containers that are large enough for the fully-grown plant to prevent root binding.

* Make sure containers have adequate drainage holes and are not plugged with soil or rocks.

* Avoid container materials that contain products toxic or harmful to plants.

* Don't use regular garden soil. Instead, use potting soil or a mix of garden soil with compost or perlite for enhanced drainage.

* Water plants frequently as plants in containers are more likely to dry out due to sun and wind exposure.

Grow Tall Gardens

Cucumbers, squash and melon plants take up plenty of space when they're sprawling across your ground. But getting them off the ground is an ideal solution for maximizing your harvest in a minimum amount of area. Installing a trellis next to plants allows you to direct vine plants' growth upward, while protecting fruit and vegetables from ground rot and pests. Using nylon netting, like Trellis Netting from Dalen Products, around your container pots, a porch railing or your garden beds is a great and durable way to encourage climbing vines.

With good management, you will have beautiful fruits and vegetables available this summer for cooking, canning and snacking - saving you money at the grocery store and giving your family safe and healthy food options.

Courtesy of ARAcontent