| Don't try to go it alone when adversity hits Nov 7th 2012, 06:00 Free E-newsletter Subscribe to Housecall Our weekly general interest
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Stress blog -
Nov. 7, 2012 Don't try to go it alone when adversity hits By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
It's important to remember that we're all in the same boat and we need to reach out to each other during the good times and the not-so-good times. Let me share some thoughts on this topic relative to recent blog comments: - To intelligently access the health care delivery system, we need to have a primary care doctor or other health care provider who can open the doors for us. To wind up in an emergency room or an urgent care setting is often not optimum. We need someone who knows us, someone who cares about us, and someone who can act as an advocate to help us navigate through the bewildering maze of options.
- For those of us with disabilities of our own and yet struggling with the care of elderly individuals, we cannot go it alone. Social service agencies and other professionals are available to provide guidance. When we are tired, frustrated and discouraged, our view of life becomes distorted and cloudy. We need help to find our way out of the fog.
- It is clear that it is not possible to "pull ourselves up by our bootstraps" when we are struggling and overwhelmed with depression and grief. A thoughtful listener — whether it is a member of the clergy, health care provider or a friend — can often help us get through times of crisis.
Follow me on Twitter at @EdwardCreagan. Join the discussion at #Stress. blog index  |  | Sleep and energy balance — What's the connection? Nov 7th 2012, 06:00  - With Mayo Clinic nutritionists
Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D. read biography
Free E-newsletter Subscribe to Housecall Our weekly general interest
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Nutrition-wise blog -
Nov. 7, 2012 Sleep and energy balance — What's the connection? By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Do you faithfully journal your food and exercise? Have you ever tallied calories consumed and subtracted those burned only to be left wondering why your math doesn't equate to weight loss? What are we missing in the energy equation? The answer might be the number seven. That's the number of hours of sleep recommended by the Healthy People 2020 goals. Both the rate of obesity and the rate of sleep deprivation have increased in the U.S. in the past 30 years. The statistics are eerily similar: More than 35 percent of adults are obese and about 30 percent get less than 6 hours sleep a night (considered "partial sleep deprivation"). It turns out that beyond the drag and irritability that accompany lack of sleep, partial sleep deprivation has potentially negative effects on how the body regulates energy. The "Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics" recently published a review of research about partial sleep deprivation and energy balance. This review found that reduced sleep may: - Disrupt appetite hormones
- Promote greater food intake
- Reduce energy expenditure
- Change body composition to favor more fat storage
What's the take-home message? Continue your healthy diet and exercise habits, but also try to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. It just might be the missing factor in the weight loss equation. Here's to sweet dreams, Katherine blog index References - Healthy People 2020: Improving the Health of Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/default.aspx. Accessed Nov. 2, 2012.
- Shlisky JD, et al. Partial sleep deprivation and energy balance in adults: An emerging issue for consideration by dietetics practitioners. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2012; 112:1785.
| | Flu shot extra important if you have diabetes Nov 6th 2012, 20:19  - With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N. read biography
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Living with diabetes blog -
Nov. 6, 2012 Flu shot extra important if you have diabetes By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Controlling Your Diabetes Subscribe to our Controlling Your Diabetes e-newsletter to stay up to date on diabetes topics. Sign up now  For many, fall is a time for raking leaves, sitting around the campfire, picking apples and going to corn mazes and pumpkin patches. But don't forget that fall is also the time to get your flu shot. And if you have diabetes, a flu shot is especially important. This is because if you have diabetes and get influenza, your blood glucoses rise and your recovery time is generally longer. And people with diabetes are about three times more likely to die from the flu and pneumonia than the general population. If you do develop the flu, despite getting the flu shot, the vaccine will still help you by lowering the risk of more serious respiratory tract involvement and lessening the risk of secondary complications, hospitalization and death. Contact your doctor, healthcare provider or local health department for dates, times and locations for flu vaccinations. Both flu and pneumococcal vaccination are covered by Medicare part B. Many employers are making flu vaccination available at the workplace, as well. Remember, flu shots don't contain a live virus, so they can't infect you. Add flu vaccination to your list of routine fall activities. In addition to the flu shot, to help prevent catching and spreading the flu: - Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Cover your nose and mouth with your elbow, or use a tissue, when you cough or sneeze.
- Stay home and limit contact with others to avoid infecting them if you do get sick.
Enjoy fall, and have a healthy season. Regards, Nancy blog index | |
