Health & Wellness March 2020 - Zone Twelve

Health & Wellness MARCH 2020 SUPPLEMENT

Why Annual Checkups Are So Important What Is Mindful Snacking Better Off Exercising At A Gym EDITION TWELVE: SERVING SAYVILLE, WEST SAYVILLE, PATCHOGUE, OAKDALE, BLUE POINT & BAYPORT

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H&W MARCH 2020

HEALTH & WELLNESS

CONTENTS

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08 Why Annual Checkups Are

So Important

Nutritious diets and routine exercise are two hallmarks of a healthy lifestyle.

17 What Is Mindful Snacking?

Are the foods people eat

between meals worthy of more careful attention?

20 Better Off Exercising

At A Gym

People who exercise at

home tend to work out alone. In so doing, they may be removing a potentially strong motivator that could keep them exercising.

Publisher: Jeff Lambert • Editor: Felicia Edwards • Creative Director: Josh Marlowe

PUBLISHED BY LONG ISLAND MEDIA GROUP LLC For more information, or to advertise, call 631.226.2636 or visit www.theneighbornewspapers.com Copyright © 2020 by Long Island Media Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The publisher will not be responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error, and such responsibility, if any, shall be limited to the first use of advertising, in the case of repeated use. The publisher reserves the right to edit or reject any advertising at its sole discretion. The advertiser shall represent that all artwork and copy provided by the advertiser is owned by the advertiser, and it has the right to utilize such in this publication.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Why annual checkups are so important

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utritious diets and routine exercise are two hallmarks of a healthy lifestyle. Combining the two can lower people’s risk for various diseases and contribute to a high quality of life. But food and physical activity are not the only things people should do to improve their chances of living long, healthy lives.

Preventive care is important. One of the most effective principles of preventive care is to schedule an annual checkup with a physician.

According to the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, routine health exams and tests can find problems before they start.

During annual check-ups, doctors may notice some red flags, such as high cholesterol, that men and women won’t detect on their own.

These warning signs could be increasing people’s risk for disease and/or discomfort. Many of these red flags are undetectable without proper screenings, which is why annual checkups are integral to maintaining one’s health.

Annual checkups also serve as a great time for adults to be screened for certain cancers. The American Cancer Society notes that cancer screenings are used to find cancer before a person develops symptoms. That’s a vital benefit of annual checkups, as cancers caught in their early stages are more easily treated. In addition, catching cancer before it has metastasized greatly improves patients’ prognosis.

Another reason to schedule annual checkups is that they make perfect opportunities for patients to discuss their family histories with their physicians. This is especially

important for adults over 40, as age and family history are significant risk factors for a host of conditions and diseases. Men and women concerned about conditions and diseases that their family members have had can discuss those concerns with their physicians during their annual checkups.

Physicians can then recommend ways for patients to balance their

risk, calming patients’ concerns and giving them a road map to reduce their risk for conditions and diseases that seem to run in their families.

Annual checkups are as vital a component of a healthy lifestyle as nutritious diets and routine exercise.

By scheduling annual checkups with their physicians, adults can closely monitor their overall health and potentially uncover issues before they escalate into major health risks.

The rise of telehealth services

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etting sick once meant traveling to a physician’s office only to sit in a waiting room with fellow under-the-weather individuals.

Few if any people like leaving home when they’re feeling ill, and thanks to technology, many no longer need to do so.

Telehealth services, which the Massachusetts Medical Society defines as the delivery and facilitation of health and health-related services including medical care, provider and patient education, health information services, and self-care via telecommunications and digital communication technologies, are revolutionizing the healthcare industry. In many instances, patients need not leave the comfort of their beds or sofas to be diagnosed and treated. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology says telehealth, which is a broader scope of remote healthcare services than telemedicine, can utilize everything from videoconferencing, the internet, store-and-forward imaging, streaming media, and terrestrial and wireless phone communications.

Many providers and insurance companies now offer some method of telehealth services. Consider some of these statistics.

• The American Telemedicine Association says more than one-half of all hospitals in the United States have a telehealth program.

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• Forty-eight states require payers to cover telehealth, says the Center for Connected Health Policy.

• BBC Research indicates that telehealth makes up roughly one-quarter of the healthcare-related technology market.

• The American Medical Association says nearly 75 percent of all doctor, urgent care and emergency room visits could be handled safely and effectively over the phone or via video.

• Beckers Hospital Review says 82 percent of millennial patients surveyed would rather have a telemedicine visit than an in-person consultation.

• Around seven million people use telehealth services across the globe, according to eVisit.

Telehealth can connect rural providers and their patients to services at other sites and promote patient-centered health care. With a shortage of some medical specialities in rural areas, telehealth can play an important role in ensuring all patients get access to care they need. But the benefits do not only extend to rural patients. Individuals who are elderly and/or those who have mobility issues and cannot travel easily can benefit from telehealth services. Furthermore, any patient with a rare condition may no longer have to travel long distances to consult with specialists in that field.

Telehealth applications and programs on EDITION TWELVE

Sick? Telehealth services enable patients to connect with providers to get the care they need without leaving home. smartphones, tablets or laptops can make it easy for people to monitor their health. These apps can enable patients to do things like track health measurements, share information with clinicians, manage chronic illnesses, and set medication or appointment reminders. Patients also can communicate with providers to get health information through patient portals or to refill prescriptions effortlessly.

Telehealth is changing the face of medicine and utilizing technology in unique ways.

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The relationship between the Mediterranean diet and mental health

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utritious diets have long been touted as essential components of healthy lifestyles. Many people have a tendency to view diet as something that’s purely physical, associating the foods they eat with how they look and how much energy they have. While accurate, it doesn’t paint the full picture of just how big and positive an impact healthy diets can have on overall health. In regard to healthy diets, it’s hard to dispute the effectiveness of the Mediterranean diet.

The Mediterranean diet focuses on plant-based foods and, as a result, includes lots of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and olive oil. The diet is so healthy that the World Health Organization even recognizes it as a healthy, sustainable dietary pattern.

Long touted for its ability to promote heart health and reduce risk for heart disease, which the WHO notes is the number one cause of death across the globe, the Mediterranean diet has also been found to protect

against cancer and type 2 diabetes.

Each of those benefits makes the Mediterranean diet worthy of consideration at the very least, but the benefits of this approach to eating don’t stop there. In fact, people unfamiliar with the Mediterranean diet, or even those who subscribe to it, may not realize that the diet can have a positive effect on mental wellness.

A recent study published in the scientific journal Aging Research Reviews found that strong adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a 40 percent reduced risk for cognitive impairment. Another study from researchers in Spain found that older adults who supplemented their Mediterranean diets with extra olive oil or nuts had superior cognitive function, including better memory and thinking skills, than those who ate low-fat diets. Reasoning, attention and language were better among the former group as well.

In addition to improving cognitive

function, the Mediterranean diet also may improve mental wellness by reducing adherents’ risk of developing depression. A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging found that people who followed the Mediterranean diet most closely

were nearly 99 percent less likely to develop depression that those who followed the diet the least closely.

While diet is often thought of in physical terms, the Mediterranean diet can benefit mental wellness while also helping people maintain healthy weights.

Preventative care also involves safeguarding mental health

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reventive care is often looked at through the needs people need to do to protect their physical well-being. For example, a healthy diet and routine exercise, while beneficial to mental health, are often viewed as lifestyle choices that can make people feel better physically, but taking steps to protect one’s mental health also is vital to a long, productive life.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes that positive mental health and mental wellness can have a profoundly positive impact on a person’s life. Positive mental health can help people realize their full potential, cope with the stresses of life and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

What can I do to protect my mental health?

Learning to recognize the early warning signs of mental health problems can help prevent such problems from escalating and compel people to seek help. The DHHS advises anyone feeling these signs or recognizing these signs in others to seek help for themselves or their loved ones: • Eating or sleeping too much or too little • Pulling away from people and usual activities www.theneighbornewspapers.com/supplements

• Having low or no energy • Feeling numb or as if nothing matters • Unexplained aches and pains • Feeling helpless or hopeless • Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual • Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared • Yelling or fighting with family and friends • Severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships • Persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head • Hearing voices or believing things that are not true • Thinking of harming yourself or others • An inability to perform daily tasks, such as taking care of your children or getting to work or school Taking steps to protect one’s mental wellness is a vital component of preventive care. More information about mental health is available at www.mentalhealth.gov.

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Advantages to physical therapy to relieve pain

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and physical therapist. Therapists are experts in improving mobility and motion and have studied extensively to that end. Because weakness or stiffness may be contributing to pain, therapists try to address the source of the pain and relieve the pain itself.

hronic pain affects people all around the world, greatly impacting sufferers’ quality of life. According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, recent reports have indicated more than 1.5 billion people worldwide experience chronic pain. Common complaints include lower back pain, headache, neck pain, or neurogenic pain, which is pain resulting from damage to peripheral nerves.

Pain can impact people in many ways, as some people can tolerate discomfort better than others.

Chronic pain may result in missed time at work, depression, anger, and an inability to live a full life. According to a recent Institute of Medicine Report: Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research, pain is a significant public health problem that costs society at least $560 to $635 billion annually.

To cope with pain, many people rely on overthe-counter and prescription medications.

This reliance on drugs has helped to fuel pain medication addictions that can lead to other drug abuse. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says research now suggests that abuse of opioid pain medications may actually open the door to heroin use. Some individuals report switching to heroin because it is cheaper and easier to obtain than prescription opioids. A safer and sometimes more effective method of pain relief than opioids, physical therapy can help a person get back on

track and feel much better in the process.

The American Physical Therapy Association says while surgery and prescription drugs can be the best course of treatment for certain diagnoses, there is increasing evidence that conservative treatments like physical therapy can be equally effective and cheaper treatment plans for many conditions. Physical therapy can be as effective as surgery for meniscal tears and knee osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tears and spinal stenosis, among other conditions.

When a patient is prescribed physical therapy, a therapist will develop a treatment plan that addresses the specific needs of the patient. This is essentially a collaboration between patient

Physical therapy may include exercises that stretch the body and improve flexibility.

Strengthening exercises will help work on core muscles as well as other parts of the body to prevent injury down the road. Therapy may target specific areas of pain. Because of their expertise, therapists may be able to assess posture, gait and other attributes that may be contributing to injury and make suggestions to reduce recurrence.

In addition to the therapies mentioned, a combination of massage and other work may be included in a physical therapy plan. This may include TENS and ultrasound. According to WebMD, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, or TENS, uses a device to send a lowvoltage electric current to the skin over the area where you have pain. Ultrasound sends sound waves to the places you have pain. Both of these options may help to block pain messages to the brain and offer relief.

Chronic pain can be debilitating. However, physical therapy is often an effective way to combat chronic pain and help individuals find relief and return to living full lives.

KEEP YOUR PET SMILING: THE IMPORTANCE OF DENTAL HEALTH Have you given any thought to your pet’s dental health? Studies reveal that about two-thirds of pet owners do not provide the dental care recommended by their veterinarians.

Some of the most common symptoms include yellow and brown build-up of tartar along the gum line; inflamed gums; and persistent bad breath.

Dental exams by a veterinarian are really key to maintaining the dental health of your pet. At the Marvin M. Fried Dental Suite at North Shore Animal League America’s Pet Health Center, our medical team provides advanced dental procedures for your dogs, cats, puppies and kittens, offering affordable services including teeth cleaning and polishing, extractions and oral surgery.

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“Just like with people, dental disease can lead to all sorts of major health issues for animals,” says Dr. Mark Verdino, senior vice president and chief of veterinary services at North Shore Animal League America. “Gum inflammation and tooth loss can be very painful to your animals and costly to treat, but they also can lead to more serious conditions, including damage to the heart, lungs and kidneys.”

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How to approach nutrition when feeding children away from home

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hildren can be picky eaters. Parents know that getting kids to eat anything, much less healthy foods, can sometimes make the dinner table feel more like a battlefield than a place to break bread. That’s especially so when the dinner table is in a restaurant, where savvy youngsters might know less nutritious dishes like macaroni and cheese or fried chicken fingers are on the menu. The benefits of a healthy, balanced diet are so numerous for youngsters that it’s worth doing whatever it takes to get kids to embrace nutrient-rich foods, both at home and when dining out.

The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that a healthy diet can stabilize children’s energy levels, help them maintain healthy weights and potentially prevent mental health conditions, including anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Recognizing the importance of a healthy diet and getting kids to embrace one are two different things, especially when kids are dining out and being tempted by unhealthy alternatives.

In recognition of that, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following strategies to parents who want their kids to eat healthy when they’re away from home.

Make meals all-inclusive. When preparing school lunches or taking youngsters out for a night on the town, make sure to offer a mix of foods from the five food groups. The AAP recommends parents offer vegetables, fruit, grains, low-fat dairy, and/or quality protein sources, which can include meat, fish, nuts, seeds, and eggs. Offering each of these foods at every meal may not be feasible, but kids should eat foods selected from the major food groups at every meal.

Avoid highly processed foods. The National Institutes of Health notes that studies have suggested there’s a link between highly processed foods and health problems. Such foods, which typically contain ingredients such as hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup and flavoring agents, are typically high in calories, salt, sugar, and fat. While highly processed foods tend to be easier to make and readily available at restaurants, serving them to youngsters can start kids down the road to poor dietary habits, potentially increasing their risk for obesity and diseases like heart disease and diabetes. When packing snacks for school lunches or taking kids out to restaurants, be sure to include or bring along healthy whole foods, such as fruits

and vegetables. This can ensure kids get some healthy fare during mealtime.

Enhance foods if necessary. While high amounts of sugar, salt and fat can jeopardize the health of adults and youngsters alike, the AAP notes that small amounts of these substances can be used to enhance kids’ enjoyment of healthy foods and increase the likelihood that they will eat them.

Parents may not have much control over what their children eat while away from home, but a handful of strategies can increase the likelihood that kids enjoy healthy fare when eating at school or at restaurants.

Did you know?

A

ntibiotics are not effective in preventing or treating the flu. Antibiotics are used when bacteria is the cause of illnesses and help kill bacteria or stop them from reproducing, indicates Medline Plus. Influenza is a viral infection, meaning antibiotics will be useless against it. The only times when antibiotics may be prescribed during a flu illness is if flu symptoms have contributed to secondary or tertiary illnesses, such as strep throat or ear infections. Requesting antibiotics without the presence of a bacterial infection will not help a person feel better faster, and taking antibiotics unnecessarily could compound the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

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How handwashing helps fight infection

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here are many ways to avoid infection, but few might be as simultaneously simple and effective as handwashing.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps a person can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. While skeptics might question just how big an impact handwashing can have, the science behind washing hands paints a pretty strong picture of just how beneficial this particular component of personal hygiene can be.

How germs get you sick

The CDC notes that feces from people and animals are considerable sources of germs, including salmonella and E. coli.

These germs can get onto people’s hands after they use the toilet or change a diaper. People who handle raw meats also be exposed to such germs, as these foods can contain invisible amounts of animal feces on them. The amount of germs

contained in small amounts of feces may come as a shock. Research published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that a single gram of human feces weighing about as much as a paper clip can contain one trillion germs.

and can even multiply in some foods and beverages, potentially contributing to illness.

where they can then spread to other people’s hands.

Washing hands also prevents the spread of germs by preventing them from being transferred from hands to handrails, table tops or toys,

Handwashing is a simple yet effective way to stop the spread of germs, and it just might be the simplest way to avoid illnesses.

What does handwashing do?

With so many germs floating around, it may seem as though something as simple as handwashing couldn’t be nearly as effective as it’s said to be. The CDC notes that handwashing removes germs from hands, thereby removing an easy way for germs to enter the body and be passed on to others. For instance, many people habitually touch their eyes, nose and mouth without thinking twice, and doing so provides an easy way for germs to enter the body via the hands. By washing their hands, people can cut off this easy entryway for germs.

Handwashing also presents germs from entering the body while eating.

Germs from unwashed hands can get into people’s food and drinks,

CBD oil and arthritis

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ealth-conscious consumers have no doubt encountered advertisements for CBD oil at some point in recent memory. Supplement stores, pharmacies and even gyms may promote CBD oil, prompting consumers to wonder just what CBD is and how it may or may not play a role in the treatment of certain conditions, including arthritis.

According to the Arthritis Foundation®, two kinds of the cannabis sativa plant, hemp and marijuana, produce cannabinoids, which Harvard Medical School notes is the second most prevalent of the active ingredients of cannabis. People unfamiliar with cannabidiol, or CBD, a type of cannabinoid, may assume it gets users high like marijuana.

However, CBD doesn’t get users high, as another cannabinoid, a psychoactive part of the marijuana plant known as THC, is responsible for that effect.

Advocates for CBD often note its potential to alleviate pain associated with arthritis. While animal studies have supported those claims, the Arthritis Foundation notes that such studies do not always translate to humans. In addition, the Arthritis Foundation notes that, thus far, human studies examining the potential efficacy of CBD in treating arthritis pain have produced mixed results, and the Harvard Medical School notes that more studies are necessary to determine the potential of CBD in treating pain, including that caused by arthritis.

Laws also vary regarding the legality of CBD, though many places allow some form of CBD. Consumers should first consult with their physicians regarding their conditions and whether or not CBD might help them.. www.theneighbornewspapers.com/supplements

Did you know?

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he foods a person eats before attempting to donate blood could affect whether or not he or she is allowed to donate. According to the American Red Cross, its staff members routinely check the level of hemoglobin in donors' blood and platelets before they accept donations. Hemoglobin is a protein in the body that contains iron and gives blood its distinctive red color. Hemoglobin plays a vital role in human health, carrying oxygen from the lungs to nourish all of the tissues in the body. Hemoglobin levels are checked using fingersticks, and if hemoglobin levels are low, then donors will be asked to wait to donate until their levels return to normal. So what does food have to do with hemoglobin? Iron is a part of hemoglobin and found in many of the foods a person eats. Iron helps people maintain their strength and energy, and it's also necessary to help the body make new blood cells to replace the ones that are lost through blood donations. The Red Cross encourages prospective donors to eat healthy foods that are rich in iron and high in vitamin C, as doing so can increase their chances of being accepted as blood donors and can aid in their recoveries after donating.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Make the dentist a fun experience for kids

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isits to the dentist for periodic cleanings and checkups are an important component of oral hygiene. Dentists also may be the first people to identify potential issues that can affect health elsewhere in the body.

Many people are unaware that children should visit the dentist early in their lives. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child should visit the dentist by age one or within six months of the eruption of his or her first tooth.

However, many parents wait until much later — age two or three — to take kids to the dentist, offers Delta Dental Plans. Hesitance to visit the dentist may stem from personal fears or perceived reactions by children. Primary teeth may eventually fall out, but they shouldn’t be ignored. They save space for permanent teeth and serve other functions. Therefore, parents should begin to acclimate children to the dentist at a young age to make the experience fun and even enjoyable.

How to navigate popular spa treatments

Lead by example Children who witness their parents putting off going to the dentist or being apprehensive about visiting the dentist may develop their own fears. Always paint the dentist in a positive light and keep appointments.

Focus on the good aspects Talk up all the benefits of going to the dentist, such as having a squeaky clean and fresh mouth. Many hygienists will hand out small toys after a successful visit, or at the least a great new toothbrush and other fun products to try.

Get a tour of the office Ask the staff if your child can get a special tour of the office with explanations of all the tools and equipment. Understanding what to expect the next time around in a no-pressure situation can make the process much easier. The dentist may be able to also give a test ride on the exam chair, moving it up and down, as well as showing off the water fountain and oral irrigator.

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he desire for healthy, cleanlooking skin drives the multibillion dollar cosmetics and skincare industry. According to data from the Semi-Annual Consumer Insight Snapshot from DermStore, a leading skin care e-commerce website, 67 percent of consumers surveyed are very or extremely interested in trying products for their skin concerns.

The top five skin concerns across the United States include aging, uneven skin tone, sensitive skin, dark circles, and sun damage. To address concerns about their skin, consumers are increasingly turning to in-spa services, such as facials, peels and fillers. Navigating spa jargon can be tricky. Here are some popular services and what they entail.

Traditional facial A traditional facial typically begins with a cleansing of the face using steam to open up pores. This lets impurities clear out. Depending on an individual’s skin type or concerns, a mild scrub may be used to exfoliate dead skin cells, dirt and oils. A hydrating mask or lotion will be applied to soothe skin after treatment. www.theneighbornewspapers.com/supplements

Avoid giving false hope Do not tell a child that “everything will be OK” at the dentist’s office. If a child needs treatment that may be uncomfortable, he or she may not trust you the next time a dental visit is scheduled, according to Joel H. Berg, D.D.S., M.S., Director of the Department of Dentistry at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Avoid words like “shots,” “pain,” “hurt,” or even “cavities.” Dentists, particularly

pediatric dentists, may have their own vocabulary that can assuage fears and seem less alarming to kids.

Chemical or fruit acid peel Chemical and fruit acid peels rely on various acids to exfoliate and peel off the outer layer of skin. The skin beneath is usually more smooth and less wrinkled. Some deep peels target the middle layer of skin to remove damaged skin cells. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery says that peels can be used to treat anything from acne to aging skin to scars. Alpha-hydroxy acid and lactic acid may be used in mild peels. Trichloroacetic acid, or phenol, is used for more potent chemical peels. Peels are best left to an aesthetician or dermatologist.

Microdermabrasion In microdermabrasion, layers of dead skin are buffed. This dead skin may have accumulated due to age and sun exposure. Many spas employ a device that scours the skin using micronized aluminum oxide crystals. Similar at-home products use motorized spinning brushes that employ bristles to slough off skin cells.

Facial masks Masks may contain many different ingredients designed to treat various skin problems. A paraffin mask, for example, involves the process of applying molten warm wax over a thin mask. The wax will open pores and moisturize the skin.

Masks are applied, and then there is a waiting period, during which the mask dries or penetrates. Then the treatment will be removed.

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Over time, dental visits can become an easy routine with children, setting them up for a lifetime of healthy mouths and teeth.

Lymphatic massage Many facial treatments also include some massage. With lymphatic massage, particular pressure points are targeted to release strain from tension headaches and may even reduce skin puffiness. Massaging the skin can promote blood flow and lead to a rosier, more youthful glow.

Cosmetic fillers Injectable dermal fillers can soften facial creases, remove wrinkles and improve the appearance of scars, says the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. These procedures are best left to professionals.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

What is mindful snacking?

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According to the International Food Information Council Foundation, mindful eating focuses on slowing down and tuning into the sensations of eating. One of the goals of mindful eating is to prevent unhealthy behaviors associated with food and eating. One such behavior is binge eating, which can have long-term negative consequences.

The National Eating Disorders Association notes that as many as two-thirds of people diagnosed with binge eating disorder, or BED, are clinically obese.

Mindful eating can benefit anyone, including people who are maintaining healthy weights and not considered to be at risk of developing eating disorders. One of the questions people may have about mindful eating, and mindful snacking in particular, is how they can slow down and tune into the sensations of eating when they snack. Working professionals tend to snack at the office, where it’s not always so easy to slow down and tune in to the foods we eat. In addition, availability may dictate what people eat while away from home, which can lead to people eating unhealthy foods because that’s all that is available.

While there’s no denying mindful snacking can be difficult, the IFICF

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Reduce distractions. Distractions can make it hard for people to recognize how much they have eaten. Avoid snacking while watching television or using your smartphone, so you don’t accidentally overeat.

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Take small bites. Large bites also can make it easier to overeat. Small bites, such as one whole grain chip at a time instead of a handful with each bite, can reduce the likelihood of overeating.

Let your senses savor your snacks. Using all of your senses when snacking can force you to slow down and notice flavors and aromas you might otherwise never recognize. A more mindful approach to snacking can help people better appreciate their food and may help them avoid overeating. Learn more about mindful eating at www. foodinsight.org.

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any people give little thought to the snacks that take up space on their pantry shelves. But are the foods people eat between meals worthy of more careful attention? Those who subscribe to mindful snacking would suggest they are.

Brookhaven National Lab, and were later diagnosed with one of 23 specified types of cancer, I will help you, or direct survivors, get a six figure entitlement award. Awards range from offers these tips to help people slow $150,000 to $400,000, and include worker medical benefits, including home health care. This is down and tune in during snack time. a taxpayer funded entitlement for DOE workers/survivors. It involves no liability to any Assess your hunger. Learning 7 days/7 nights, phone right now! employer and is not a lawsuit. to assess their hunger can help Type in sick FROWISS.ORG Since Internet?

2007 I’ve done this nationally for 3,000 DOE workers or their survivors. I have people distinguish hunger from ALBERT B. FROWISS, SR.awards. Non-cancer helped more than half of the 928 paid BNL families receive their cancer boredom. The IFICF recommends respiratory and renal disease cases are also possible. Let me ask a few simple questions. I’ll Email: FROWISS@FROWISS.ORG using a hunger scale of one to 10, give youP.O. a frankBOX (and free) assessment as to whether I can help.FE, I’m not a lawyer and this is no 909, RANCHO SANTA CA 92067 with one being very hungry and 10 representing feelings of being lawsuit. I am a national expert on EEOICPA entitlement. I unravel the frustrating red tape so stuffed. If you determine your hunger you don’t have to. You get paid directly by the U.S. Treasury. My fee is so modest L.I. lawyers is a four or below, then consider a hire me to do the work for their own family members. No appeal fees. No fine print. snack. Anything higher than a four, you might just be bored. When snacking, periodically pause to reassess your hunger and determine if you’re satisfied. This reassessment can help you avoid overeating.

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Guilt - free way to tame

chocolate cravings C hocoholics often feel that nothing beats a rich piece of chocolate, a sumptuous slice of chocolate cake or a creamy serving of chocolate ice cream. Chocolate contains four times the amount of catechins as tea, and it contains the same heart-healthy flavonoids as red wine. However, the way chocolate is prepared can affect its potential health benefits. For those who want a healthy, low-fat chocolate option that’s easier on the waistline, smoothies may be the way to go.

This recipe for “Guilt-Free Banana Chocolate Smoothie” from Ellen Brown’s “Super Smoothies: 100 Recipes to Supercharge Your Immune System” (Crestline) is one way to get a full dose of delicious chocolate (in two forms). This smoothie is chock-full of other ingredients, including a potassium-rich banana, that are part of a healthy, balanced diet.

When the kids are indulging in ice cream, this smoothie offers parents the same texture and taste without all the guilt.

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DIRECTIONS Combine soy milk, chopped chocolate, cocoa powder, bee pollen, flaxseed oil, and banana in a blender or smoothie maker.

Blend on high speed for 45 seconds or until mixture is puréed and smooth. Add frozen yogurt, and blend on high speed again until mixture is smooth. Serve immediately, garnished with chocolate shavings, if desired.

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Why you might be Understanding and better off exercising living with sciatica at a gym than at home T

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outine exercise benefits minds and bodies in various ways.

Studies have shown that physical activity can improve mood and lower people’s risk for various diseases, including heart disease and diabetes.

As beneficial as exercise can be, many people simply don’t make physical activity part of their regular routines. Recent studies and reports from the United States’ National Center for Health Statistics and Statistics Canada, conducted separately from each other, found that roughly 80 percent of adults in both the U.S. and Canada are not meeting the minimum physical activity requirements recommended by their respective governments. While a host of factors can influence a person’s decisions on physical activity, where to exercise is one factor that could go a long way toward determining just how much adults exercise.

Basements, attics, spare bedrooms, or two-car garages may seem like the perfect places to create home gyms.

However, the benefits of working out at a gym may outweigh the convenience of working out at home.

Workout partners and/or other gym members may improve your chances of losing weight. People who exercise at home tend to work out alone. In so doing, they may be removing a potentially strong motivator that could keep them exercising. A 2016 study published in the research journal Obesity found that increasing contacts and interactions with thinner individuals, and declining contacts and interactions with heavier individuals,

were linked to actual weight loss. In other words, working out with a fit friend or simply interacting with fellow gym members who maintain healthy weights can benefit people who are trying to lose weight through exercise.

Gym memberships have a way of paying for themselves. The cost of a gym membership is one factor many people cite as a reason for not exercising more. However, many health insurance plans now offer sweat equity rebates that reward policy holders for working out. Such rebates can greatly reduce the cost of a gym membership, if not remove it entirely. For example, a sweat equity program that offers a $200 rebate every six months for policy holders who exercise 50 times during that period can make a $30 monthly gym membership free. In that example, gym members would pay $180 for six months but get all of that money back if they work out 50 times in a six-month period.

Gyms can make it easier to diversify your workouts. Exercise boredom is something even the most ardent fitness enthusiast can relate to. Exercise boredom refers to the disinterest that can develop over time as people do the same workouts for weeks, months or years at a time. A home gym may not be spacious enough to include too many machines, whereas gyms typically include enough machines and classes to allow people to diversify their workouts as often as they’d like.

Working out at home may be convenient, but people looking to make exercise part of their daily routines may get better results by exercising at a nearby gym.

he largest nerve in the human body is the sciatic nerve, which originates in the lower back and travels through the back of each leg. Injury or pressure on this nerve can lead to a type of pain known as sciatica.

Sciatica can have an adverse effect on everyday life, causing pain that can radiate from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down the legs. People experiencing pain in these areas should consult a physician immediately, as the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons notes that between 80 and 90 percent of people diagnosed with sciatica get better over time without surgery. Many typically feel better within several weeks of beginning treatment.

The first step toward diagnosing sciatica begins at home. People who learn to recognize potential symptoms of sciatica may be more likely to seek immediate treatment than those who might mistake their pain for something else.

• Degenerative disc disease: Discs in the back can degenerate naturally with age and never contribute to a problem like sciatica. However, degeneration in one or more discs in the lower back can sometimes irritate a nerve root and lead to sciatica.

• Isthmic spondylolisthesis: This occurs when a small stress fracture allowers one vertebral body to slip forward on another. The combination of collapsing disc space, a fracture and the slipping forward of the vertebral body can pinch the nerve and cause sciatica.

• Lumbar spinal stenosis: In this condition, which is relatively common among people older than 60, a narrowing of the spinal canal can contribute to sciatica.

• Piriformis syndrome: A muscle found deep within the buttocks, the piriformis connects the lower spine to the upper thighbone, running directly over the sciatic nerve. Spasms in the piriformis can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, triggering sciatica.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

The AAOS notes that sciatica may feel like a bad leg cramp that lasts for weeks before it goes away. According to Spine-health.com, a property of the health publisher Veritas Health, sciatica pain is often described as burning, tingling or searing as opposed to a dull ache. In addition, pain resulting from sciatica may be worse when sitting, even though sharp pain associated with sciatica can make it difficult to stand up or walk. Numbness characterized by a “pins and needles” feeling, weakness or a burning or tingling sensation down the leg are some additional symptoms of sciatica.

Treating sciatica

Sciatica often can be treated successfully without surgery. Doctors may recommend applying heat and/ or ice packs for acute sciatic pain.

In addition, over-the-counter and prescription pain medications can effectively reduce or relieve sciatic pain. Doctors also may explore other treatments, including chiropractic manipulation, acupuncture, massage therapy, and surgery.

More information about sciatica can be found at www.orthoinfo.aaos.org.

Does sciatica affect both legs?

WebMD notes that sciatica usually affects only one leg, though the buttock or leg on the affected side may feel like it is in constant pain.

What causes sciatica?

Spine-health.com notes that the following five lower back problems are among the most common causes of sciatica: • Lumbar herniated disc: This occurs when the soft inner material of the disc herniates, or leaks out, through the fibrous outer core, irritating or pinching the nerve root. www.theneighbornewspapers.com/supplements

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