LEAP YEAR AND LEAP DAY

In the Gregorian calendar(used by most countries), Leap Day is the extra day in Leap Year that occurs every 4 years. The next leap year is February 29, 2012. Leap years are every year that is divisible by 4, except years that are divisible by 100, unless the year is also divisible by 400. Sound confusing? Then all you need to know is that leap year is every 4 years skipping the years 2100, 2200, 2300, 2500, etc.

Leap years are required so that the calendar stays in alignment with the earth's motion around the sun. This alignment, calculated by the mean time between two successive vernal equinoxes, is 365.2422 days long, resulting in an error of .2422 days in a 365 day calendar year. After 100 years, the calendar would be more than 24 days ahead of the seasons. Leap years keep the calendar in line with the seasons.

source: www.holidaysmart.com

FIBROMYALGIA

Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic widespread pain and tenderness for at least three months. You can take steps to manage fibromyalgia pain and help yourself feel better.

DIAGNOSIS

Currently there are no diagnostic tests, such as x-rays or blood tests, to detect fibromyalgis. The symptoms of fibromyalgia may overlap with the symptoms of some other conditions. That is why fibromyalgia is sometimes difficult for healthcare professionals to diagnose.

Some healthcare providers use certain guidelines to help make a diagnosis. According to guidelines set by the American College of Rheumatology, a person may have fibromyalgia if he or she has both:

Chronic widespread pain that affects the right and left sides of the body above and below the waistline.

Feels pain in at least 11 0f 18 possible tender points when light pressure is applied.

Your healthcare provider may use these guidelines or other methods to make a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

Discuss all of your symptoms with your healthcare provider. Talk openly with him or her about what you are feeling and how your symptoms are affecting you. You can work together to create a plan that meets your individual needs and helps you manage your symptoms.

source: http://www.webmd.com/

HELPING A LOVED ONE COPE WITH INCONTINENCE
According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, approximately 20 million adult women and 6 million adult men experience or have experienced bladder-control issues, such as urinary incontinence(UI).

As people age, they experience a reduction in how much their bladders can hold, increasing the chances of involuntary urine release. However, getting older doesn't necessarily mean that you'll have incontinence. There are some simple strategies you can try on your own that may help improve your bladder-control problem. Doctors often call these strategies "behavior therapies." They're safe, easy, effective and inexpensive. These techniques can be used before resorting to other types of treatment, such as medications or surgery, or in combination with them. Sometimes behavior therapies are the only treatment you need.

For many older adults, a solution to UI may be as simple as limiting their fluid intake before going to bed. Rather than drinking a full glass of water with nighttime medications, only take a few sips. In some cases, UI can be related to medicines such as water pills used to treat heart conditions, liver cirrhosis, hypertension and kidney diseases. Adjusting the time these pills are taken to earlier in the day may help control bladder irritation. Other dietary irritants can include both caffeinated and decaffeinated tea, coffee and carbonated drinks; artificial sweeteners; citrus; and tomatoes.

Older adults who are challenged by arthritis, diabetes or neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease may experience mobility issues that can prevent them from reaching a toilet or removing clothing, which can result in leakage. In these situations, treatment may consist of bladder retraining, adult absorbent products, catheterization or a surgical procedure.
Another possible cause of urinary incontinence in older men is prostate gland enlargement, which is treatable with medication or a surgical procedure. Urinary tract infections that are common in older adults can usually be controlled with antibiotics.

Remember, UI is not a disease, but a symptom of another condition. In most cases, incontinence can be treated or at least managed comfortably.

source: http://www.rightathome.net/

5 TIPS TO REDUCE YOUR RISK OF ARTHRITIS

It hurts when you walk or climb the stairs, slice meat or brush your teeth - that's the reality of arthritis. Family history plays a role in your risk, and so does age: The chance of developing many types of arthritis, including the most common, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, increases the older you get. Those factors you can't control. But you can take steps to protect your joints and reduce your risk of arthritis:

EXERCISE: Regular exercise strengthens the muscles around joints, which helps keep them from rubbing against one another and wering down cartilage; it also helps increase bone density, improve flexibility and ease pain.

DON'T PUSH YOUR BODY PAST ITS LIMITS: Putting too much stress on your joints can accelerate the wear and tear that causes osteoarthritis, and injured joints, perhaps while playing a sport, are more likely to eventually develop arthritis.

WATCH YOUR WEIGHT: Extra pounds put extra stress on your joints, especially your knees, hips and back. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control, people who are obese are 1.9 times more likely to report that they have arthritis symptoms.

STAND UP STRAIGHT: Mom said it would make you look taller and slimmer; experts say it also helps protect the joints in your neck, back, hips and knees.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT D: We know the vitamin is essential for bone health because it helps your body absorb calcium. Studies also suggest vitamin D may play a role in joint health, and that too-low levels may increase the risk of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

source: www.yourlife.usatoday.com

PRESIDENT'S DAY 2012

Presidents' Day, originally known as Washington's Birthday, falls on the third Monday of February. This year Presidents' Day falls on February 20, 2012.

THESE THREE TIPS COULD MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

1. PUT THE FORK DOWN: This is a fairly simple concept to grasp, but it's not always an easy one. For each bite you take, set the fork down, take a drink of water and then continue with your meal. Repeat this process for each bite at each meal. You'll eat less, which will lead to fewer calories ingested. It takes your brain time to realize what you've just put into your mouth. The stomach and head don't always communicate effectively. So when you take the few extra seconds between each chew, it gives your brain time to process your food intake.

2. MOVE TO THE BACK: Have you ever seen those people who sit at the front of the parking lot with their signal on, waiting for someone to pull out of the space they want? Hopefully, you're not one of them, because if you are, you're missing a golden opportunity to burn extra calories every day. Weather permitting, just pull around to the back of the lot and take the log walk to the store. Every extra step is a step in the right direction. If you do this two or three times a day - and let's say you add 100 feet per walk - you'll add 400-600 extra steps every day. A common weight-loss concept is to walk 10,000 steps a day. If you can knock out 5% of that just by parking your car in a different spot, I think it's worth it.

3. 30 MINUTES A DAY: The government recommends that you get 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise to live a healthy life. For weight loss, you need to ramp that up, but if you're just looking to maintain, 30 minutes will do it. If you have 10 minutes of down time before work, use it. If you get a 30-minute lunch, take 10 and go for a walk. Before bed, take another 10 and simply walk up and down your steps at a moderate pace. Eventually, turn your 10 minutes into 15-20 minutes, and you'll exceed the minimum. You'll walk taller, feel better and live healthier.

source: www.chronicle.augusta.com

GETTING MEDICARE COVERED HEALTH SERVICES AT HOME

Medicare covers a variety of health care services that you can receive in the comfort and privacy of your home. These include intermittent skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech-language pathology services, and occupational therapy.

To be eligible for home health services, you must be under a doctor's care and receive your services under a plan of care established and reviewed regularly by a physician. He or she also needs to certify that you need one or more home health services.

In addition, you must be homebound and have a doctor's certification to that effect. Being homebound means leaving your home isn't recommended because of your condition, or your condition keeps you from leaving without using a wheelchair or walker, or getting help from another person. Also, you must get your services from a home health agency that is Medicare-approved like Harbor Health Home Care.

If you meet the criteria, Medicare pays for covered home health services for as long as you are eligible and your doctor certifies that you need them.

Skilled nursing services are covered when they are given on a part-time or intermittent basis. In order for Medicare to cover such care, it must be necessary and ordered by your doctor for your specific condition. You must not need full-time nursing care.

Skilled nursing services are given by either a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse under an RN's supervision. Nurses provide direct care and teach you and your caregivers about your care.

If your doctor decides you need home health care, you can choose from among the Medicare-certified agencies in your area like Harbor Health Home Care. If you need furthur information, please contact our office at 810-765-7144 or toll free at 888-418-2273.

source: www.times-standard.com

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards. The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.

source: www.wikipedia.org

DRY HANDS? TRY THESE WINTER SKIN CARE TIPS

Winter can be rough on the skin - especially the hands, which are often exposed to the colder, more severe weather. During the winter, the decrease in humidity, as well as the harsher winds, causes us to lose a lot of water in our skin, so that makes everything dry up.

Naturally, one of the best ways to combat skin dryness and irritation is to use moisturizers. But first, it is important to distinguish between the two different classes of moisturizers.

The first class, called humectants, brings water into the skin, while the second class, called emollients, seals the water in. For colder, drier months, people should turn to emollients. Emollients are heavier, thicker, greasier lotions that contain ingredients like dimenthicone and lanolin. You should use them especially at night before bed and after taking a shower. In addition to moisturizers, products like Vaseline and Skinfood by Weleda are recommended to treat dry skin. Sleeping in cotton gloves after applying lotion or these other products can also help seal moisture into skin.

To prevent dryness from occurring in the first place, people should try to limit excess hand washing in favor of using alcohol-based sanitizers, because soaps and other detergents can be drying. When it is necessary to wash your hands, use lukewarm water instead of hot.

For hands that have been severely affected by winter weather - think red, ashy and cracked - applying lotions and other skin products can be irritating, even painful. Covering the cracks with liquid bandages can help with the stinging. However, if the problem is not going away, or spreading, it may be a sign of a more serious condition, like psoriasis or eczema.

source: www.foxnews.com/health

10 FOODS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE IN YOUR FRIDGE

1. WHOLE WHEAT TORTILLAS: Most of the carbs in whole wheat tortillas are complex carbs, so you don't have to worry about a spike in blood sugar levels. If you're in a savory mood, sprinkle low-fat shredded cheese over a tortilla and toast for a deliciously melty snack. If you're craving something sweet, indulge in a toasted tortilla drizzled with agave syrup and a sprinkle of connamon.

2. BANANAS: Sweet and satisfying, bananas are a nutrient powerhouse abundant in potassium and fiber. Bananas are best eaten on their own, but you can concoct a million quick and simple snacks with the creamy yellow fruit. Slice a banana over oatmeal or dip slices in almond butter for a flavor-packed, healthy bite.

3. MISO: Miso, a fermented soybean paste popular in Japan, may be an unexpected item to store in your fridge, but you'll get tons of use out of this immunity-boosting spread. Mixed with hot water, the zinc-loaded paste dissolves into a tasty soup. Blended with other ingredients, it transforms into a full-flavored marinade for fish and meat entrees or a yummy salad dressing over leafy greens. Just be sure to choose a low-sodium variety at the grocery store.

4. EGGS: Protein-packed eggs are one of Mother Nature's most versatile low-cal foods. One large egg costs you approximately 75 calories, though various ways of cooking it will change the total. Keep a dozen n you fridge and use these easy egg ideas(www.shape.com/healthy-eating/cooking-ideas/20-quick-ways-to-cook-eggs) when you're stumped at supper or snack time.

5. MILK: It's always helpful to have a carotn of calcium-laced milk on hand, whether it's nonfat, soy, or almond. In minutes, whip up a healthy hot cocoa with chocolate and agave or a good for you smoothie.

6. ALMONDS: A handful of raw almonds offer a wholesome alternative to greasy, crunchy snacks. But the sweet nuts also make a great addition to smoothies, cereals, and nonfat yogurt. Chuck your almonds into the fridge to prevent its natural oils from oxidation, as oxidized oils have harmful free radicals.

7. PEANUT BUTTER: Velvety smooth peanut butter often gets a bad rap as a fatty food, but eaten in moderation, it's much more nourishing than plain butter. Peanut butter is packed with healthy monounsaturated fats and folate, a B vitamin that produces new cells. Spread some on whole-grain pita or a few celery stalks for a filling snack. Other nut butters, like almond, cashew, or walnut, serve as delicious options, too.

8. COTTAGE CHEESE: Cottage cheese is packed with casein, a protein that keeps you feeling full for a longer period of time. Dip raw veggies in fat-free or reduced-fat cottage cheese when you want a tasty nibble, or mix in almonds and your favorite fresh fruit for a refreshing low-calorie dessert.

9. MUSHROOMS: Dense in antioxidants, mushrooms are a nutritious but often overlooked food. Whether you favor white button mushrooms or more exotic varieties like shiitake, keeping a bunch in the fridge will tide you over very well. They can be enjoyed on their own, folded into a simple egg omelet, or used in a scrumptious stir-fry.

10. EDAMAME: Do yourself a favor by snacking on steamed edamame, which are full of calcium, iron, and tons of other vitamins and minerals. The Japanese soybean, with its mildly sweet, nutty flavor, is one of the most versatile all-star ingredients. Blend these green beans into a easy veggie dip or toss in a light salad.


source: www.shape.com/healthy-eating.com

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. The event grew out of "Negro History Week," the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history.

source: http://www.history/. com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012 - NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY

Friday, February 3, 2012 is national wear red day - a day when Americans nationwide will take women's health to heart by wearing red to show their support for women's heart disease awareness. Join the national awareness movement by wearing red on February 3rd, and encourage your family, friends and coworkers to do the same.

source: www.hearttruth.gov

GROUNDHOG DAY-FEBRUARY 2nd

Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated on February 2 in the United States and Canada. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter-like weather will soon end. If it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks.

source: http://www.wikipedia.org/