Stop The Swine Flu H1N1 Virus
Dr.Vinay Goyal is an MBBS, DRM, DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial etc. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).

The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it’s almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practised (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. “Hands-off-the-face” approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don’t trust salt)… *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*

Neti pots and sinus rinse kits are available at the drug store and relatively inexpensive….under $15. I take the sinus rinse into the shower with me to use.

5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating

13 Ways to Stay Healthy During The H1N1 Flu Season

Yes it is in the news, but you can help protect yourself by doing a few of these natural things.

1. Eat those fruits and veggies.

2. Get plenty of rest. We are not that far from our cave dwelling ancestors that rested most of the winter. Be sure to get those zzzzz’s – 8 to 10 hours a night. This is not the time to cut your sleep time.

3. Eliminate stress as much as possible. I know the holidays are coming and I will be sending you tips on how to survive them, but remember stress lowers your immune system.

4. If you are ill – stay home. Yes, you have work that MUST get done – but is it really worth it to spread those germs around? Stay home and rest. We all thank you.

5. Take your vitamins – they really can help. I also take a natural flu prevention drop that I got from my homeopathic doctor. Also, Elderberry syrup may help with immune protection.

6. Exercise! Get out in the fresh air. Take a walk. If the weather is crummy, go to the gym, swim, something.

7. Read a self-help book. It’s a good time to work on your inner self.

8. Avoid the news. The news can depress you bringing you down.

9. Laugh. Laughter is a great energy boost and helps the immune system.

10. End your warm bath or shower with a cool rinse. Yes, you are all nice and warm and don’t really want to get cold, but it helps your immune system. Also, avoid bathing too much as it dries out the skin and removes that natural layer of protection. Option for just washing up those private areas a couple of times a week.

11. Even those these darker cooler days seem to call for sweet foods – avoid them. Instead of reaching for a cookie, eat some almonds or walnuts, or an apple or pear. Chew gum if you must, but don’t go toward that cookie. In fact, don’t even buy them.

12. De-clutter your house. Yup! Clutter can have dust and germs. It also is a stressor.

13. Yes, wash your hands – a lot – with plain soap and water – but then use hand lotion. Having dry skin can cause cuts in the skin which allow bacteria and germs in. Keep your skin moisturized.

I wish you a happy, healthy fall and winter 2009/2010.
Blessings,
Judith
Wise Heart Coaching

Judith

Popularity: 2% [?]

By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist, Blogging at The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Guest Blogger

The rising cost of health care is a problem for millions of adults ages 50 to 64.

Health care reform offers the opportunity to help people in this age group reduce financial and health risks.

In 2007, 7.1 million 50- to 64-year-olds didn’t have insurance, according to the AARP report “Health Care Reform: What’s at Stake for 50- to 64-Year-Olds.” And those who do have insurance are likely to spend more of their income on health than younger adults.

In the U.S., which spends twice as much as other industrialized nations on health care, health care reform is badly needed for baby boomers.

Public Citizen, a citizen advocacy organization, would like to see single-payer national health insurance adopted and carried out here. It believes this is the only solution that provides universal access to care while reducing costs.

What is single-payer national health insurance?

It’s a system in which the health care expenditures of people are paid for through one source – the federal government or a subcontracting entity – using tax revenue from individuals and employers. Care is provided privately at hospitals and clinics but paid for publicly.

Individuals are allowed to choose their providers, and physicians are paid on a fee-for-service basis or paid salaries by hospitals that receive an annual budget or by nonprofit health maintenance organizations.

A majority of American physicians and the public support a single-payer system, according to Public Citizen.

The group offers the following information on “myths and facts” about single-payer because people have questions about what it is and how it works.

Myth: Single-payer would cost too much.

Fact: Because of our patchwork system of private insurance, more than 30 percent of every health care dollar is spent on administration rather than on care. This includes underwriting, marketing, billing, denying claims, profit, and paper-pushing for hospitals and physician offices.

By eliminating private insurance, a single-payer system would reduce administrative spending by about half – nearly $400 billion annually. These savings are enough to provide every American with comprehensive health insurance, without increasing total spending.

Myth: Single-payer would cost businesses too much.

Fact: Because a single-payer system is more efficient than the current system, health care costs would be lower, and businesses that already provide health care benefits would save money.

In Canada, the three major auto manufacturers – Ford, GM, and Daimler-Chrysler – have all publicly endorsed Canada’s single-payer health system from a business and financial standpoint. In the U.S., Ford pays more for its workers’ health insurance than for the steel to make its cars.

Myth: Lines for care would be extremely long.

Fact: In countries with single-payer, urgently needed care is always provided immediately. People in these countries may have to wait for some elective procedures such as cataract removal or knee replacement for arthritis.

Because the U.S. spends double what countries with single-payer spend on health care – and would continue to spend this much under a single-payer system – access to care here would be better and waits would be much shorter.

Myth: People would overuse the system.

Fact: Most estimates indicate that there would be some increased use of the system, mostly by the nearly 50 million people who currently don’t have health insurance. However, the dramatic savings from a single-payer system would easily cover the increased use of some services.

Doctors would still control most health care utilization. Patients don’t usually receive prescriptions or tests just because they want them, but because their doctors decide they’re appropriate.

Myth: Government programs are wasteful and inefficient.

Fact: Some are better than others, just as some businesses are better than others. To name a few of the most successful and helpful: the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Social Security.

Consider Medicare, which is national health insurance for the elderly; its overhead is about 3 percent of every health care dollar spent on administration, while overhead and profits for private insurance can add up to more than 15 percent.

Myth: The government would make health care decisions for patients and dictate how physicians practice medicine.

Fact: In countries with a national health insurance system, physicians are rarely questioned about their medical practices, and usually only in cases of suspected fraud. Compare this to our system, where patients and doctors routinely must ask insurance companies for permission for certain procedures, tests, and treatments.

Public Citizen urges consumers to become active in health care reform and help create the new health care system.

For more information, visit www.citizen.org/singlepayersolution.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Here at Boomer411, we are constantly looking for ways to bring you better, more valuable content. Towards this goal, we are constantly adding new columnists to write on our blog. Today, it is my distinct pleasure to introduce to you our newest guest columnist, Dr.Sanjay Kapur. Dr.Kapur is the scientific director at ZRT Laboratories, an innovative company in the field of medical testing kits. ZRT Laboratory is known for its minimally-invasive hormone testing solutions. Some of you probably recognize his name as Dr.Sanjay is an active Boomer411 Trustee, regularly providing article recommendations on our site Boomer411.com. He goes by the user name SanjayKapurZRT. He has extensive experience in biomedical research and has served in several lead positions directing studies involving development of novel technologies and solutions to common problems. He has regularly published articles in medical journals and other forums and he also authors his own blog here. We are delighted to present Dr.Sanjay Kapur to our blog readers. So without much ado, let me present Dr.Sanjay Kapur’s first article for our readers on the dual topics of ‘Heart disease and diabetes’. Dr.Sanjay looks at this problem in a very fundamental way and suggests where to look to make lasting changes. Please do let us know what you think about this article and also how you see this problem…

Heart Disease- Diabetes- Obesity: What Have we Achieved so Far?

  By Dr.Sanjay Kapur of  ZRT Laboratory

We know that the heart disease and diabetes pose significant threats to our health, especially as we grow older and of course they are major challenges to the medical community as well. Although there have been major advancements in the medical field as far as detection and treatment of these conditions is concerned, but unfortunately these problems continue to result in serious health complications, disability and premature death. The sad part is that the overall incidence of these diseases is still going to increase as more and more people continue to age and also with the rise in obesity rates, especially in US.

Did you know that a few scientific studies came out in 2005 which showed that the life expectancy has declined for the first time in this country!!!

How did this happen?

We thought that we were working hard to create a better world with so much of advancement in all fields including medical sciences. Yes, no doubt we HAVE made a lot of progress in terms of finding cure and treatment for so many different conditions….BUT why still almost a MILLION Americans die of cardiovascular disease every year, which means 1 death every 34 seconds, and out of all those about 50% are above the age of 50 and this is just due to heart disease. What about Diabetes? Did you know that as of today almost 20 million Americans have diabetes and this number has increased by more than 60% since last 10 years, and again more than 50% people who have diabetes are above the age of 50. It is unfortunate that now we have started to see more and more cases of children with diabetes, which we could never imagine earlier, because at one point diabetes was considered as a condition in only the adults.

 Can you IMAGINE how much it costs us every year in terms of dollar figure to fight against both heart disease and diabetes? Collectively, these conditions cause more than 1 million deaths every year and result in more than $620 billion in direct and indirect costs.

 So, what happened? Where did we go wrong? Should we stop and rethink; what did we do differently OR what did we NOT do that we had to see such increase in the prevalence of these conditions?

 I think the problem is that we have the luxury of choosing a bad lifestyle and as we age we start to realize that the choices we made earlier in life were probably not the smartest ones.

What do you think?

Popularity: unranked [?]

by Judith Auslander, MA, CLC

Wise Heart Coaching

Back in the January/February AARP Magazine, I read an article titled Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda. The article was about midlife crisis and coming to terms with the roads we have or haven’t taken in life. The article started with the focus on “What If?” No matter which of the numberless multitude of options available to each of us, whichever one we end up taking, there will always be, What If? And along with What If?, there is Regret. Regret can be painful, but it is mostly the raw feeling of missed future possibilities that we find the most agonizing. Regret can also be seen as the motivator for change. Without regret we might never move or change jobs or end a bad marriage. My father would often laminate his regrets over not going into business for himself. But the thing is, he did consider it many, many times and each time realized that the decision could very well have a negative financial impact on his family and their welfare. His decision was to take the “safer” road.

Like my Dad, we make decisions based on looking at as many options as possible, weighing the pros and the cons along with imagined events. No matter which path we choose, there will more than likely be some kind of regret. Did we miss a financial opportunity when it was available? Did we miss a chance at love, family, home? While normal regret teaches us where we might do better next time, high regret can be devastating and crippling and can lead to numerous maladies. Dwelling on the past mistakes and missed opportunities can consume our enjoyment of living in the present.

The other question we need to ask ourselves is am I making choices based on fear. Fear can be a tremendous limiter. Fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of success, fear of change – the list is endless. My father’s fear of financial failure was what stopped him from moving from being an employee to an employer.

Henry David Thoreau counseled “To regret deeply is to live afresh.” To me this means that with each regret I grow, change, and learn new skills of coping. I have a choice to become a victim or take back my power. The first step in taking back my power is to accept that the decision was mine and mine alone. I choose to “live afresh.” Then move on. Once the decision has been made – move on. To agonize over it is to limit growth possibilities because we remain in the past.

We also live in a time of too many choices. Look down the cereal aisle at your local grocery store. Since I was a child back in the 50’s cereal choices have exploded. When I returned from spending 5 years in El Salvador I was lost in the toothpaste aisle. Too many choices can be a blessing and a curse. When you have a choice between A, B or C – it is much easier to narrow down which one will work best for you. But when your choices are A – Z, it creates making a decision – a clear decision you can be happy with – much more difficult.

It is mostly between the ages of 40 and 65 they we go through a period of reflection and reevaluation. When we were younger a missed opportunity was not the end of everything – there was still time to climb a mountain, go to school, fly a plane, be a brain surgeon. But by your 50’s, you come to realize that there are things that you will never be able to do – it is just too late. This loss of opportunity, of time, can be devastating. Or it can be a time of letting go. If we hang onto the regrets of missed times – we miss the times that are sitting there right in front of us to be enjoyed and lived.

What did the article point out as the “hit parade” of regrets? In order they were:

• Education – not attending college or grad school
• Career – lack of success in their chosen field or wish they had picked a completely different career
• Romance – long lost loves, unrequited affections, ill-advised affairs, marriage gone bad, or never finding that special someone
• Family – doubts about parenting, not having children, family friction and estrangement
• The Self – disappointment in abilities, attitudes and behaviors

So, what can I do to help achieve what I want out of life? My immediate response is goal setting. A goal is the first step toward eliminating the possibility of a lost future. Next it is important to know who I am and what I really want from life. It is important to make sure that the goals you chose are yours – not someone else’s. In the end the only one you will have to look in the eye and answer to will be yourself – so make sure the goals you choose are in alignment with your values. Authenticity is of key importance when setting goals.

The next important question to ask when creating your goal or goals is, “Will it bring me joy?” Life is too short to not live it with joy. A goal is best when it brings a feeling of accomplishment as well as inner peace.

There are many tools to creating, writing and fulfilling your goals. Be sure you know the steps so that you experience success.

Judith Auslander is the author of, “The Power of Goal Setting-Transforming Thoughts Into Action!” available as an ebook from www.WiseHeartCoaching.com

A goal can be the key that starts the engine of your future.

Judith Auslander

Popularity: 21% [?]

Sure, the forecast by many was dire. That in 2008 the U S economy and the markets would face a big slowdown and possibly a recession and businesses would have to write-off a rather large sum. To ward off this potential mess especially in an election year the nation’s leaders have joined together and have taken joint measures such as drastic reductions in the interest rates, tax refunds and other similar measures.

The question I want to ask is are we fixing the root cause of the problems by these measures OR are we merely treating the symptoms? We only have to look at the anology of giving heavy pain killers to a patient with cancerous tumors and hoping that the pain will go away for good. All we accomplished is delayed the negative effects from surfacing for sure, but we would also have ensured an even worse or possibly deadly results from such a course of action.

Now I do not know all the facts regarding our economy to strongly suggest this is the case. But sure would like to avoid such a situation from developing in our economy, especially when this economy has to help many a Boomers retire in the next 15-20 years. And the last thing I’d want to see is a repeat of the Japan’s mistakes in the 90’s. However, this article compares and analyzes the two situations to some shocking similarities. I only hope that our national leaders move cautiously in choosing their course of actions. Every american citizen must demand our candidates as well as our current government to only do what is viable in the long-run.

Popularity: 15% [?]