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Why Too Much Sodium Can Impact Productivity

Why Too Much Sodium Can Impact Productivity

Avoiding tobacco products, exercise and eating a healthy diet are all well-known strategies that can improve health and, in turn, disability and health care costs. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report released earlier this year concludes it’s time to encourage people to consume less salt (sodium chloride). Almost 90% of Americans eat too much sodium daily, even if they never pick up a saltshaker. That’s because most excess sodium is hidden in fast and processed foods. However it gets into food, too much of it is putting the health of millions at risk, according to the CDC. About 70 million American adults have high blood pressure and only half have it under control. That raises their risk for heart disease, stroke and other ills that take the lives of more than 800,000 Americans each year. The economic toll, as well as the personal suffering, is enormous. Cardiovascular disease …

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Chronic Health Issues Linked To Psychiatric Problems

Chronic Health Issues Linked To Psychiatric Problems

Research by the National Institute of Public Health and public health experts at San Diego-based National University suggests that making lifestyle changes and seeking medical care that can prevent and/or keep common health problems under control can not only relieve physical suffering but psychological distress, as well. The researchers found that people with common, chronic medical issues, such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure), have an increased risk of suffering from potentially work-impacting psychiatric problems. Consequences of Chronic Disease In the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) online journal “Preventing Chronic Disease: Public Health Research, Practice and Policy,” the research team pointed out that over the past hundred years, chronic diseases have become extremely common in the US and have surpassed infectious diseases as a leading cause of death. In fact, half of the US population has at least one chronic disease. Seven out of ten deaths are …

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Can Blood Tests Accurately & Quickly Diagnose Concussions?

Blood Tests To Accurately & Quickly Diagnose Concussions

The brain’s soft, sensitive tissues float in a cushioning fluid, protected inside the hard and sturdy skull. However, a swift blow to the head or violent shaking of the body can over-ride the skull’s protection and lead to the usually mild type of brain injury known as a concussion. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notes that each year about 1.7 million children and adults in the U.S. suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBI) — and the vast majority of these TBIs are concussions. “Although concussions are considered to be a mild brain injury, they need to be taken seriously. They should not be treated as minor injuries that quickly resolve,” Dr. Beth Ansel, an expert on rehabilitation research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), said in a media statement. While it is true that with proper care, which consists primarily of rest, most people fully recover after suffering a …

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The Risks of Radon: What You Need To Know

The Risks of Radon

What is radon? Radon is a radioactive gas (periodic element Rn) produced naturally by the breakdown of uranium. It is often present in the soil and in water and can seep into any dwelling through cracks and holes in the foundation. It has no smell or color but can have a big impact on the quality of air inside a home. How serious is radon? Behind smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and accounts for roughly 10% of all cases. People with homes that have high radon levels and those who sleep or spend a long time in basements with detectable but moderate levels should consider taking protective measures. A cumulative long-term exposure to radon also increases the danger. Most people move an average of 10 or 11 times over their lifetime, so the risk of developing lung cancer through radon exposure is very low, even …

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What Exactly is a State Health Exchange?

State health exchange, government-run insurance

What is a state health exchange? It is a government-run insurance marketplace and part of the Affordable Care Act program.  The Affordable Care Act requires state Exchanges to provide health insurance information in a manner that is easy to comprehend for consumers. State Exchanges offer information from multiple carriers via information kiosks placed in key locations. Exchanges Have 5 Main Functions: To make comparing plans and prices easy for people. To create competition so people get the best rates. To offer truthful information about plans, premiums, coverage, benefits, and other benefits-related issues. To provide a place to purchase insurance coverage while a person is either unemployed or in transition from one job to another. And, for those who need assistance, to serve as portals where people can check for eligibility and subsidies, and then help them enroll in plans and pay premiums via a call center system. The Exchanges have …

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