Tips On How To Eat Out When You Are Diabetic

Photo credit: Maria Orlova

COVID-19 was especially hard on people who have diabetes. First, there was the fear of catching the virus. Reports state that 1 in 10 people with COVID and diabetes died within 7-days of being hospitalized. Then there were the limitations that the quarantines put on them. They were necessary, but they interfered with their ability to maintain proper medical care, exercise, and sometimes to keep a good supply of healthy foods on hand to eat. As summer 2021 approaches, many cities are talking about re-opening restaurants, concert venues, and other social settings with limitations. People are ready to start socializing a bit. But it will not be “business as usual.” There will be changes for everyone. What adjustments will the diabetic have to make to return to the open social world?

Prepare now

Maybe you are new to dining out with diabetes. If not, it probably has been a while. There are some things you need to do. Don’t be caught off guard and find yourself at a restaurant with almost no selections for you. Don’t go out without a clear picture of your diabetic situation at that moment. That can be the difference between a special dinner and a trip to the Emergency Room. Here are some ways to prepare:

●    Update your blood-monitoring system
If you have not upgraded in a while, it may be time. Your blood glucose monitor is the only way to know what is going on inside your body at any given moment. Ascensia is an industry leader in diabetic tools and education. They have invested more than 70-years into groundbreaking discoveries to make the lives of diabetics more comfortable. This was even before they invented the Contour Meters line.   

●    Include the Bayer Glucofacts Deluxe Software Download in your preparations.
This download gives you and your doctor an accurate overview of how your blood sugar runs on a daily basis. If eating at a certain time or a certain place drives your numbers into the danger zone, you need to make adjustments.

●    Browse the restaurant’s menus online before you go
This lets you know what they have to offer and keeps you from having to hold everyone up while you figure out if there is anything on the menu that is a good choice for you.

●    Be careful for the few days before to maintain a level blood sugar reading.
If you are planning on going to dinner on Saturday night, be sure you are diligent all week and keep everything stable. This gives you a good foundation and will allow you to remain steady for a while.
 

Photo credit: Alexandr Podvalny

Tips for how to eat at a restaurant when you’re a diabetic

 
It can be a bit difficult ordering food in a restaurant that is diabetic-friendly. It is hard to know if sauces, dressings, and flavorings have sugar in them. But there are some ways to help you enjoy a good meal with little effort. Below you will find some tips to help you accomplish that.

• Try to eat at your normal mealtime. If you can’t, do not go in over-hungry. Eat a snack before you go. This will help you avoid chips and salsa, bread, and other appetizers before your meal.
• Watch your carbs. Foods heavy in carbohydrates almost always shoot up the blood sugar. Watch your portion sizes too.
• Don’t be fooled by the baked potato. While they are better for you than fries, adding butter, sour cream, and cheese makes this a dangerous food for the diabetic. Order your dressing on the side. Consider adding a few slices of your meat and some veggies to the potato and skip the creams.  
• Grilled is always a better choice for you: Grilled chicken, Grilled fish, Grilled steak
• Also, watch for steamed, poached, braised, and broiled. These are healthy terms. Stay away from crispy, crunchy, fried, or creamy choices.
• Always order salad dressings, butter, and sauces “on the side” so you can control how much you eat. Your best choice for salad dressing is always vinaigrette.
• Ask for it. Ask if you can trade your fries and bread for a spinach salad. If you are having tacos, ask them to trade the cheese for fresh salsa. Maybe you want them to go light on the meat and throw in some Fajita veggies.
• Water it up. Order water with your meal, maybe with a little lemon. The water will fill you up, making you eat less. It is good for washing out all the salt and chemicals from your meal. There are no calories in water, and you can have all you want.
• Order your sandwich “Open-faced”. This makes it easier to eat half of it and take the other half home. You get half the bread, cheese, dressings, and meat. Substitute chips or fries for sliced fruit, pickles, salad, or yogurt.

With a little planning and some careful choices, you can enjoy dining out again. By using the right diabetic equipment, you will have a clear view of what you can and cannot eat. Like anything else in a diabetic’s life, eating out is a discipline and should not be abused. But as a treat, it is a wonderful thing.  

This is a guest blog entry

3 Types of Accidents that Require Physical Therapy

According to Web MD, many people can benefit from physical therapy; for example, those who suffer from the most common sports injury, an ankle sprain. At healthcare facilities like Kingston physical therapy, many different types of injuries related to accidents are treated every day.

Going to a physical therapist after suffering from an injury can help restore flexibility while reducing pain. It may also help avoid surgery or the need for prescription medications that can come with all sorts of side effects. When injured on the job, physical therapy is typically covered by workers' compensation, and if you're in a car accident, the responsible person's car insurance, or your own car insurance in no-fault states, is likely to cover it.

While there are a wide range of accidents that require physical therapy, these are three of the most common.

Motor Vehicle Accident

Millions of motor vehicle accidents occur in the U.S. every year, with drivers and passengers sustaining injuries that can range from minor to severe, such as cuts, fractures, whiplash, and other neck injuries, as well as brain trauma. For most of those injuries, physical therapy is essential to increase the odds of optimal recovery, reduce pain, and prevent permanent disability. While the pain that often accompanies car accident injuries can last for quite some time, through physical therapy, you may be able to avoid becoming dependent on painkillers that bring a whole new set of other unwanted problems.

While car accidents most often happen during an individual's personal time, when on the job, driving to deliver a product, for example, any injuries may also be covered through worker's comp, provided it didn't happen during a diversion to take care of a personal errand. When it comes to workers' compensation coverage, when it does apply, it doesn't matter who is at fault.

Falls

If you slip and fall on an icy sidewalk or experience any other situation that occurs after dropping from a certain height, often due to inclement weather or an oily surface, physical therapy may be required due to head, back, neck, and other severe injuries. In this case, a physical therapist will often analyze the situation in conjunction with your doctor's recommendations to prescribe a program that will help you recover as quickly as possible. These injuries frequently occur at home when walking to and from your car, for example, but slippery floors in a workplace resulting in falls are common too.

A Sports Injury

A sports injury can occur among professional and casual athletes who occasionally participate in friendly competitions, run, or participate in other activities. While some only require rest and ice, others need medical attention, particularly a hamstring injury, ACL tear, or groin pull, among others. More than half of sports injuries occur in the knees, often during sports like baseball, basketball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball. Shin splints, an injury that causes shooting pain down the front of your leg, are commonly seen in runners. No matter what the injury, the sooner the injured gets care through a physical therapist, the better to ensure the fastest possible recovery.

This is a guest blog entry.

Can CBD really help with anxiety?

CBD has been under the media spotlight over the past year or so. Plenty of high-profile celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Whoopi Goldberg and Morgan Freeman, to name just three, have been jumping on the CBD bandwagon and promoting the cannabinoid’s various health benefits. These range from pain relief to skincare, but one of the most compelling uses for CBD is to counter the effects of stress and anxiety.  
 
How does it work?
 
First and foremost, we need to understand that research into CBD a nd its therapeutic properties is still in its relative infancy. Having said that, there have been a number of studies, and more is being learned every week.  
 
CBD is one of more than 100 cannabinoids, and when they enter the bloodstream, they bind to receptors in the brain. In the case of THC, which is the active cannabinoid in recreational marijuana, this results in the “high” that leads to those famous sensations of euphoria or uncontrollable laughter. In the case of CBD, you don’t get high, but that doesn’t mean there is no pharmacological effect at all.  
 
In fact, research suggests CBD can inhibit receptors associated with seizures and that it can also combat anxiety disorder, a condition that affects around one in five adults in the US. Studies suggest that CBD interacts with particular receptors that regulate the body’s fight-or-flight response and other anxiety-related behaviors.  
 
But what does that mean on a practical level? Clinical trials showed positive effects when CBD was administered for effective treatment for numerous types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks and social anxiety disorder. In the most recent trial, conducted only last year, 397 participants received medical CBD for a range of different conditions including pain, neurological symptoms, and mental health conditions. All reported improvements in quality of life after just three weeks of the treatment.  
 
How to take CBD for anxiety
 
People think of CBD as a little bottle of oil, but it actually comes in a whole variety of forms. One of the most popular ways of taking CBD is to use CBD vape juice in a vaporizer. This has an advantage over other forms like capsules, edibles or drink infusions, as it reaches those receptors faster without having to first traverse the digestive system. The only downside to vaping CBD is that as well as arriving faster it also leaves sooner.  
 
In other words, having a CBD vape to hand is great idea if you are prone to sudden anxiety or panic attacks, as it provides fast relief. However, if you are living with more chronic symptoms and need to maintain a certain level of CBD in your system at all times, taking it in either edible or capsule form might prove to be the better strategy.  
 
It’s important to remember that there are still plenty of unknowns when it comes to CBD and its therapeutic benefits, so be prepared for a little trial and error to see what works best for you.  

This is a guest blog entry.

How do I know if my personal injury case is worthwhile?

If you have been injured in an accident, you are undoubtedly dealing with a lot of pain, missed time from work, and extra added expenses such as cleaning services and childcare that you would not need if you were in good physical health.

If you did what you were supposed to do you have filed an insurance claim on this issue. The insurance company should have either accepted or denied your claim. If they have accepted your claim, they probably offered you an amount that you considered too low. Now you must either take the insurance company's paultry offer or hire an attorney to help you get a fair amount. Before you meet with a lawyer, there are a few things you should take into consideration.

New York is a No-Fault State

There are two different kinds of Insurance rules in the United States; fault and no-fault. In a fault state, the person who is responsible for the accident is also responsible for its related bills. In a no-fault state, a person's own insurance company will pay their bills no matter who caused the accident. New York is a no-fault state.

If your insurance company does not want to pay the cost of your medical bills up to the amount for which you were covered, you may have a provable case in court.

If your injuries exceeded the amount of money for which you were covered, and the accident is not your fault, you may be able to sue the negligent driver.

Circumstances Under Which You Can Sue in a No-fault State

New York has been a no-fault state ever since 1974. In the early 1970s, a proliferation of personal injury and malpractice suits resulting in very large settlements prompted the government to think of a way for personal injury insurance claims to be handled more effectively. The government of New York wanted to cut down on the strain that personal injury cases created for the court system.

According to attorney Jesse Minc, there are certain exceptions to the no-fault rule. If your accident resulted in facial disfigurement, permanent physical limitations, or a disability that lasted for 90 days or longer, you might be able to sue.

Did you collect your evidence?

Whenever you have an accident, you should get the names and numbers of any witnesses and the contact information of the other driver. You should also ask for a copy of the police report.

You should obtain a copy of every doctor’s bill that you have. You will also need a copy of the medical report from each doctor’s appointment or treatment that you had. Receipts for things like prescription drugs and cleaning services that you require are also helpful.

Talk to a Lawyer

 
A personal injury attorney will be the best person to ask if you have a case. Consultations with attorneys are generally free. A personal injury attorney will normally work on a contingency basis, so they will only get money if you do.

Having an accident is very painful, and if you have Insurance, you should get the money that you need to pay your bills. Knowing what to expect and having the assistance of an attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.


Authoritative sources:

https://pixabay.com/photos/young-woman-workspace-working-girl-791849/

https://www.dfs.ny.gov/apps_and_licensing/property_insurers/nofault/reg83_brief_history#:~:text=The%20Comprehensive%20Motor%20Vehicle%20Insurance,result%20of%20an%20auto%20accident.

This is a guest blog entry.

Do I need to be on Social Security to get Medicare coverage?

You have just turned 65, and you realize that you are a senior citizen now. You still have your job, and you have no plans of retiring for the foreseeable future. You wonder if you can still get some of the benefits to which you are entitled to having made it so far in life. Fortunately, you can get Medicare even if you do not get Social Security. 

How to Apply for Medicare

When a person who is on Social Security turns 65, they will automatically be enrolled in Medicare. If you are not on Social Security, you will have to apply for the government health care program yourself. The process is fairly simple. You can either call the Social Security office or visit the agency’s website. 

It is essential to be mindful of your enrollment dates if you wish to be on Medicare. If you are not a recipient of Social Security, your enrollment period begins three months before you turn 65 and in 3 months after your 65th birthday. For instance, if your birthday is on April 4th, you can enroll as early as February 1st or as late as July 31st. If you enroll outside of your initial enrollment period, you will have to pay a permanent surcharge.

The Different Parts of Social Security 

Medicare has four basic parts. Part A covers hospitalization, and it is usually free. Part B is similar to a traditional health care plan. It covers doctor's visits, physical therapy, chemotherapy, and other outpatient services. Part C is a combination of A and B; it is provided by a private insurance company and it is paid for by Medicare. Part D covers prescription drugs.

If you are not a Social Security recipient, you will pay Medicare directly. Although most people qualify for free part A, there are some circumstances where you may have to pay the surcharge if you are a late enrollee.

Part B comes at a cost of $148.00 a month, but the cost goes up if you do not have Social Security and your income exceeds $88,000 a year.

Part C (also known as MedicareAdvantage) is offered by various Medicare-approved private insurance companies. You will have to shop around for this plan, but it may be worth it. It will often include vision and prescription medication coverage.

Although you do not have to have Social Security to get Medicare, you do have to be a U.S. citizen or you must have had a permanent resident status for at least five years. If your 65th birthday comes before you have been a citizen for five years, you may be stuck with a surcharge.

You have been told all of your life that your senior years are your golden years. If you have the proper medical insurance and you take good care of yourself, you can have the wisdom that age gives you and the strong body that good health insurance affords. Click to learn more. 

Authoritative Sources:

https://pixabay.com/photos/business-businessman-chair-computer-1839191/

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/social-security-benefits.asp

Three corrective methods you can use to treat myopia

Three corrective methods you can use to treat myopia

Myopia, also known as short-sightedness, is one of the most common causes of vision problems worldwide. If you have difficulty seeing things at a distance, for instance, struggling to focus on driving and the TV, your optician will be able to properly test your eyes to assess whether you are short-sighted. A diagnosis of myopia no longer condemns you to ridicule and ugly prescription glasses; rather, there are a number of cute and stylish corrective methods you can choose from to suit you regardless of your taste, lifestyle, and face shape. Read on to find out more about the three corrective methods you can use to treat myopia.

1. Prescription glasses

Perhaps the simplest and most obvious way of correcting myopia is to wear prescription glasses. Don’t be put off by outdated prejudices about ugly glasses; modern styles are designed to enhance and compliment your natural beauty rather than hide it. Research eyewear trends for a fashionable look; oversized 70s style frames are popular at the minute. Most opticians allow you to try on frames to properly decide which one suits you and will help you see better and will give you a huge confidence boost at the same time. Prescription lenses are not just available for glasses either. Make sure you check out prescription sunglasses so that you are ready to deal with the bright Summer sunlight without having to compromise on the quality of your vision.

2. Contact lenses

Contact lenses are a great alternative to glasses if you lead an active lifestyle – glasses can quickly get in the way if you are taking part in a high-energy workout, riding your bike, or swimming on a regular basis. In addition to this, you might simply prefer a glasses-free look. Contact lenses are a great option in both these cases as they enable you to go glasses-free while also improving your eyesight.

There are several different types of contact lenses you can choose from to suit your lifestyle. One day contact lenses are single wear disposable lenses that are a good option if you don’t wear your contact lenses every day or find it difficult to keep monthly wear contact lenses clean. For those that lead a very active lifestyle or work long hours, there is even a continuous wear contact lens available, which does not need to be removed before going to sleep.

3. Laser eye and lens surgery 

You might desire to be less dependent on glasses and contact lenses, in which case laser eye surgery might be a good option for you. It involves using lasers to reshape the cornea of your eye to enable you to focus better and therefore improve your vision. You could also opt for lens surgery, which involves your eye's myopic lens being replaced with an artificial lens, a similar process to cataracts surgery. Though both types of surgery have high success rates, bear in mind that there can be complications that require further procedures to correct. 

This is a guest blog entry.

Top Tips for Boosting You and Your Family’s Immunity Levels

Having a balanced immune system is important at any time, but especially so when a global pandemic is causing millions of people to not only get sick but pass away or develop long-term health complications. 

Even with a vaccine in play now for the COVID-19 illness, there will always be other concerns to steer clear of. As such, here are some tips you and your family can follow to boost immunity now and in the future.

Eat Well

One of the simplest ways to increase immunity levels in your household is to eat well. Prepare healthy meals daily that ensure you consume a wide range of vitamins and minerals, and other nutrients. Your plate at each meal should include some protein, complex carbohydrates, good fats, and plenty of vegetables. Fruit is essential, too. 

Avoid skipping too many meals as it can put undue stress on your body, which may in turn negatively impact your immunity. Wash fresh produce carefully and blanch or otherwise cook greens such as spinach and kale. Taking these steps will help you get rid of any foodborne illnesses and chemicals often found on food items that can put your family more at risk of getting sick. 

Create a Restful Sleeping Environment

Another part of staying healthy is making sure you get enough rest. Try to achieve quality sleep nightly, at least seven to eight hours. Note, too, that children need more sleep than adults. Adequate rest assists the immune system in staying strong and operating as effectively as possible. 

To help yourself in the sleep department, create an environment conducive to deep rest. For example, use blinds or curtains to ensure your bedroom is dark enough and use open windows, heating and cooling systems, and the right choice of clothing and bed linen to achieve an optimal temperature when you sleep. Plus, avoid computer, smartphone, and television screens before bed, as the light can stop you from falling asleep. 

Keep Your Home Clean

Bugs abound in the home, so it’s also vital to keep your property as clean as possible. Germs live on surfaces for up to hours or even days at a time, after all. To give them the boot, be regular with your cleaning. In particular, pay attention to touchpoints such as light switches, doorknobs and handles, computer keyboards, phones, countertops, toilet buttons, and the like. 

Use quality cleaning products that you buy from the shops or make your own affordable and more natural solutions that are kinder to the planet. For example, you can create a cleaner with soapy water and your favorite potent essential oil, such as tea tree, eucalyptus, or lemon. Vinegar, baking soda, fresh lemon juice, and coarse salt are other helpful natural cleaning ingredients. 

Show Your Children Helpful Hygiene Habits

To obtain a healthy home environment and protect yourself and your family, teach your children helpful hygiene habits. Lead by example and explain to your kids how to keep germs away. For instance, as you are probably already doing, reiterate the importance of regular handwashing with soap and water for 20 seconds or more. Teach young ones to always wash their hands before touching their face or food, and to sneeze and cough into elbows rather than into the air around them, too. 

Stay Active

You’ve no doubt heard it before, but exercise has a wide range of benefits for our mind and body, one of which is helping to boost immunity. Regular movement in your daily routines can help you to keep colds, flu, and all sorts of other illnesses at bay. 

This doesn’t mean you have to do lots of hard-core strenuous activity all the time, though; gentle to moderate exercise, including walking and yoga, can help your circulation to work more effectively, your oxygen levels to rise, and your immune function to operate better as a result. 

It pays to incorporate more incidental exercise into your week to improve health, too. Examples include taking the stairs rather than a lift, carrying groceries, mowing the lawn, cleaning around the home, and using your car less so you walk further to get jobs done. 

These are some of the top ways to boost immunity in your family. You can also stay healthier by avoiding smoking, reducing stress, drinking alcohol only in moderation, getting enough vitamin D, especially in the winter, staying up to date on vaccines, and keeping hydrated. Every step adds up and makes a big overall difference. 

This is a guest blog entry.