Daily Health News Blog

(ARA) - Finding the Medicare coverage that best fits their needs and their pocketbooks is challenging for many seniors. Health care plans make changes to their coverage. People's health conditions change. Not keeping on top of these changes can mean problems.  Suddenly seniors may find they don't have needed coverage, their doctor no longer takes their plan, or they face steep medical or prescription drug costs. That's why it's essential to review Medicare coverage and individual needs each year, and to use the Medicare annual open enrollment period to make changes to coverage. Medicare annual open enrollment runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, with new benefit choices effective the following Jan. 1. “Getting started early is key,” says Mary Dale Walters, senior vice president of the Allsup Medicare Advisor, a Medicare plan selection service. “Choosing Medicare coverage is complicated, even when you have lots of information on the Web. It can be difficult to get c

Achieving your ideal weight can be challenging, but there are many tools that can help you reach your goal. ESSENTIAL OILS CAN SUPPORT WEIGHT LOSS AND WEIGHT MAINTENANCE As a result of his research Dr. Alan Hirsch says that we feel full because of a special mechanism in our brain. Specifically, this satiety response is regulated by what is technically known as the ventro-medial nucleus of the hypothalamus, a portion of the brain that regulates many basic drives including emotions and libido. One reason we stop eating is that this center signals a fullness or a sense of being satisfied. The nose (and inhalation process) is directly connected to the hypothalamus. An odor molecule in the air makes its way to the top of the nasal cavity which is the location of a small area known as the olfactory bulb with millions of scent receptors. The odor molecule then moves through the mucous membrane and binds to receptor sites on the olfactory nerve. These receptors may be very spec

The #1 fear that people have when investing in a home treadmill (or any piece of exercise equipment) is that they won't use it.  You know the story. It gets delivered, you set it up and enjoy it for a few days...and then it sits...and waits.  A few months down the road, you notice how dusty it has become and how much space it's taking up. And you remember how much weight you were determined to lose by using it faithfully every day. But now, unfortunately, it doubles as a clothes rack.  Never fear. This article will help you make sure that DOESN'T happen.  A treadmill provides the best overall cardiovascular workout & it's still the number one exercise machine for those who want to lose weight. So it's an investment in your health that will pay large dividends...if you are prepared to get the maximum benefit from it!  Here are 5 easy ways to get the BEST use from your home treadmill:  #1) Do your research first  Make sure you look at what each trea

RETIREMENT PLANNING YOUR ONLINE GUIDE TO RETIREMENT NEWSLETTER www.retirementplanninginsight.com Are you living day-to-day or from paycheck-to-paycheck? If you are, you are not alone. Many Americans are now finding themselves in a financial  crunch. At that same time, financial advisors are still encouraging Americans to save for retirement. This is where you may feel hopeless. There is, however, good news. That good news is that there are still ways that you can save for retirement, even when experiencing financial problems right now. The first step you should take depends on your age. If you are between the ages of forty and fifty, you will want to closely examine your retirement goals. This includes both your wants and your needs. How much money do you need to retire? To determine an amount, look at your living situation. How much will it cost you to survive with the basic necessities, including food, shelter, health insurance, and transportation? Next, examine you

By Robert Killen  "You get what you pay for" or so common wisdom tells us. Yet numerous examples prove that sometimes paying more actually decreases the richness of our lives. The following examples are 10 of the simplest ways to live a richer life by paying less! 1. Stop the Pop! One of the most destructive health (and money) habits in the US is our addiction to sweets, soda being chief among them. As refreshing as carbonated sweetness poured over ice may seem on a hot summer day, water is the real deal. While soda is linked to diabetes, cancer and all kinds of health nastiness, water is free, healthful and equally refreshing. 2. DIY Snacks The chip/cracker/cookie aisle in your local grocery is a mind boggling assortment of costly treats. While no single package is likely to break the bank, a fully stocked cupboard is an unnecessary expenditure. Make popcorn instead. Spread peanut butter on saltines, or better yet a celery stalk. Munch on a vegetable. Cheaper and

by Josh Green There are many different dieting ideas out there in today's market. The amount of different diets can be very discouraging to many people that are in need of a diet plan that works for them. It can be very disheartening to continually have a diet that may work for someone else and when a person tries the diet for themselves it does not work. The main concept behind dieting is that we should begin to eat a healthy diet consuming the correct foods in order for our bodies to still function but not excessive in order to create a surplus of calories and sugars that are turned into fat and stored in the body. For weight loss to be effective those following weight loss programs need to stick to the diet specified and take regular exercise. There can be no diet that will work for everyone since we are all different and rules can be hard to follow, is there such a thing as fat loss for idiots?. The diet for idiots was created with this in mind. Diet for i

As winter closes in, it is important for seniors and those who care for them to be aware of some simple precautions. Seniors are at risk during the winter months for several reasons. Winter weather and storms may isolate the elderly more than usual. Diseases such as the common cold and the flu are more prevalent and present a particular risk to those who are older or already in weakened health. There are also the dangers that the cold weather itself presents to those who are vulnerable. In response to these circumstances, the American Red Cross has issued its annual winter-preparedness tips for senior citizens. Be sure to arrange to have someone check on older persons regularly. It is also a good idea to have a plan to signal the need for help. For example, a daily phone call to check in might be appropriate. Post emergency numbers near the phone as well. We never know when severe weather might hit. If specialized care, medical supplies, or equipment is needed, plan ahea