WORLD AIDS DAY IS CELEBRATED ON DECEMBER 1 EACH YEAR AROUND THE WORLD. IT HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST RECOGNIZED INTERNATIONAL HEALTH DAYS AND A KEY OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE AWARENESS, COMMEMORATE THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED ON, AND CELEBRATE VICTORIES SUCH AS INCREASED ACCESS TO TREATMENT AND PREVENTION SERVICES.

TIPS FOR CARING FOR YOURSELF WHEN A LOVED ONE HAS ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

The Alzheimer's Association recently reported that every 69 seconds one person develops Alzheimer's disease, leaving more than 4.9 million family members and friends to provide care for their loved one. After learning of a loved one's diagnosis, family members can sometimes become so focused on their loved ones' everyday needs that they overlook their own physical and mental health. Those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's can do several things to not only help their loved one but also maintain their own health, including:

• PUT HEALTH FIRST. Caregivers should take time to ensure their own well-being through enjoyable activities, respite from caregiving, and maintaining good health through diet and exercise.




• RESEARCH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE. This will help you plan ahead and know what to expect as the disease progresses.




• SHOW SENSITIVITY AND RESPECT. Help a loved one maintain dignity by speaking to a loved one in the same way you like to be spoken to.




• PLAN VISITS TO SIT AND TALK. Consider visiting with take-out sandwiches rather than making a homemade meal that can quickly become an added stress. Most loved ones would rather spend time together talking than watching you run around the kitchen.




• BE POSITIVE AND SET LIMITS. When someone makes unreasonable demands or is inflexible, critical or negative, change the subject and focus on the positive. Explain what you can and will do and what you cannot. Set time limits for discussions of health complaints and then decide what merits action.




• FIND A LOCAL ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT GROUP. You are not alone. There are a number of support groups that can provide respite, hope and reassurance.

A licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in eldercare can provide emotional support during this trying time.

source: http://www.sacbee.com/

YOUR PATH TO SUCCESSFUL CONTROL OF DIABETES

If you've had diabetes for a year or more, you've probably already learned the skills you need to manage your condition, yet it's natural to feel overwhelmed at times. You can make your management plan easier to live with. Try these tips ot help keep yourself on the path to good health.

EVALUATE YOUR LIFESTYLE - Write down the things in your life that make it hard to stick with your routine. Then think of ways to improve the situation. Here are some suggestions:

• Keep stress under control.






• Get moving.






• Eat well.






• Stay up to date with recommended exams






• Know what to do when you get sick.

ENCOURAGE SUPPORT - If family or friends seem to be undermining your efforts, sit down with them and talk seriously with them about how important their support is to you and your efforts. Let them know what you need to do to control your diabetes and how they can help.

PREPARE FOR SETBACKS - Everyone has setbacks. When you veer off course, try not to beat yourself up; that will only increase your risk for a relapse. Rather, ask yourself what made you start to slip:

• Are your goals too high? Small, easy-to-attain goals are easier to stick with.






• Are you having trouble sticking with your plan? Now may be the time to assess how well your management plan matches your lifestyle. Then talk with your doctor about making some changes.

REWARD YOURSELF - Make it part of your diabetes management plan to set reasonable goals, and then treat yourself when you reach one. Because you have diabetes, you have made many changes that we all should make for good health. Instead of focusing on what you've given up, try to remember what you have to gain from your healthy habits. A positive attitude can help you keep up with those habits for life.

source: http://www.inhealth.cnn.com/

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOURS FROM HARBOR HEALTH HOME CARE

HEALTHY EATING TIPS TO AVOID HOLIDAY WEIGHT GAIN THIS SEASON





While most Americans will gain just 1-2 pounds during the six-weeks from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day, those who struggle most with their weight often gain 5 or more pounds. The problem is, many Americans never lose the weight they gain during the holiday season, so it accounts for most of the wight gain they have in their lifetime. Here are 3 top ways to keep on track during the holiday season to keep weight in check.


1. If you Bite It, Write It. Keeping a food log of what a consumer eats and drinks during the holidays will help consumers awoid mindless eating and will help them stick with their resolve to NOT gain weight.


2. Eat a Protein -Packed Breakfast Every Day. Those who eat a protein-rich meal at breakfast eat fewer calories all day. Protein is the most filling nutrient and helps keep your hunger hormones in check.


3. Add Calorie-Poor, Nutrient-Rich Veggies into your meals. Veggies provide just 25-30 calories per serving and provide filling fiber. Using Hunt's canned tomatoes in your recipes can help keep you fuller on fewer calories.





source: http://www.prweb.com/

INSOMNIA FAQS: COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT SLEEP DISTURBANCE

Insomnia is seriously under-diagnosed, misunderstood and untreated. Why? Who wants to go to the trouble to schedule a visit with their doctor, carve out the time for an appointment, and pay the expense associated with the visit and any prescription they get all for a few nights of missed sleep? Sound familiar? What you don't know may be harmful to your health. Find out right now if insomnia is nore than just missing a few winks.

What is insomnia? Insomnia is usually a symptom, typically secondary to something else. It is best characterized as the inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or waking too early in the morning. These types of sleep disruptions are often indicators of other medical or psychological problems, such as sleep disorders or depression and anxiety.

What causes insomnia and what symptoms should I look for? Insomnia is thought to be symptomatic of other things. For instance, many psychiatrists have long noted a strong connection between depression sufferers and insomnia symptoms to the point that they believe insomnia is a symptom of depression and anxiety. But insomnia can also be caused by poor sleep hygiene or lifestyle habits and practices surrounding bedtime - you might not have a set bedtime, or keep the TV on while you are trying to sleep. You may drink a cup of coffee or a diet caffeinated soda too close to bedtime, or you might just be going through a spell of work-related stress that is keeping you awake. Symptoms to be on the look-out for include: fatigue during awake hours, problems concentrating, irritability, mood swings, and possible lack of good coordination.

How long does insomnia last? Insomnia can be short-term, even one night - called transient insomnia, or it could be long-term or chronic. Some people live with insomnia for years, passing it off as their "normal" sleep pattern. Most adults require between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. This can drop slightly as you age, but 3 hours of sleep is abnormal.

Is insomnia treatable? Insomnia treatments are available. Problem is that since insomnia is a big sign of some other problem your physician's overall goal is to diagnose the primary cause for your insomnia before he or she can provide treatment for the insomnia or secondary sleep disturbance. However, treatments can include: prescription sleep aids, non-prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids, sleep hygiene, alternative therapies, or cognitive behavioral therapy.

Do I have to see a doctor for this? Brief bouts of insomnia happen to most adults for one reason or another - relationship problems, pulling an all-nighter, PMS, stress at work, all of which usually resolve themselves. Long-term insomnia that affects your daily life shold be brought to the attention of your doctor. Remember, insomnia is a secondary symptom of something else going on physically or mentally.

Can insomnia be life-threatening? If insomnia is a secondary symptom to obstructive, central or complex sleep apnea, then yes it can be life-threatening. The insomnia itself is not the problem, but the root cause of the insomnia is dangerous.

source: http://www.insomnia.net/

GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT

The American Cancer Society is marking the 36th Great American Smokeout on November 17 by encouraging smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By doing so, smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life - one that can lead to reducing cancer risk. Quitting smoking is not easy, but it can be done. To have the best chance of quitting successfully, you need to know what you're up against, what your options are, and where to go for help.

source: www.cancer.org