What is Medicare?

For people above the age of 65, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure require dialysis or transplant) the federal government provides health insurance.

There are four different aspects to Medicare insurance:

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice and home health care. Most people do not have to pay a premium for Medicare Part A because they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working in the United States

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)  covers doctors’ and other health care providers’ services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment and home health care. It also helps cover some preventive services. Most people pay up to the standard monthly Medicare Part B premium.

Medicare Part C (also known as Medicare Advantage) offers health plan options run by Medicare approved private insurance companies. They also cover some of the benefits offered in Part A and Part B, while most part C plans also cover prescription drugs (part D).

Medicare Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage)  helps cover the costs of prescription drug. Medicare approved private insurance companies offer this plan. This plan may also lower the costs of prescription and also protect against high costs. Costs and benefits may vary by plan.

Source:
http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11306.pdf

Children Vaccination

     When getting ill, the body enables to generate antibodies that serve as disease fighter and aid in curing the body. These antibodies will stay inside the body after the disease have gone and serve as protection not to get any similar illness again. This process is known as immunity. Immunity development does not only occur after being cured from a certain illness rather can also be acquired thru vaccination.

      As germs enter into the body, the immune system directly recognize them as foreign substance known as antigens. Immediately, the immune system produces antibodies in order to fight these antigens. Vaccines contain versions of dead or weak antigens that cause the disease. With that, the antigens can’t anymore produce symptoms or signs of disease but rather stimulate the entire immune system for antibodies production. These antibodies will serve as protection when getting exposed to the disease in the near future. Vaccines aid the children not to be stamp out to any type of serious childhood disease. 

     Usually, the common vaccines given or recommended for children immunization intends for the following illness:

•    Diphtheria
•    Hepatitis A
•    Hepatitis B
•    Meningitis
•    Mumps
•    Blood Infection
•    Ear Infection
•    Measles (Red Measles)
•    Influenza
•    Rubella (German Measles)
•    Varicella (Chicken Pox)
•    Pneumonia
•    Haemophilus Influenzae Type B
•    Polio
•    Tetanus (Lockjaw)
•    Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
•    Pertussis (Whooping cough)
•    Meningococcal Disease
•    Haemophilus Influenzae Type B
•    Rotavirus
•    Pneumococcal Disease

Dry fruits and health benefits.

In almonds,  one can find essential fatty acids, fibers and proteins. They are excellent for treating acne, and improve haemoglobin and promote blood circulation. Cashew nuts also help reduce cholesterol and prevent lung and breast cancer.

Raisins are an excellent source of  potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium and Vitamin A. Raisins help prevent tooth decay, cavities and protect the eyes from vision related problems. It also keeps the skin beautiful as it contains resveratrol, an antioxidant that slows down skin ageing.

Walnuts are one of the healthiest nuts that are full of nutrients and good fat. The  brain comprises of Omega 3, which is found in abundance in Walnuts.  Further, walnuts help promote cardiovascular health.

Cashew nuts are rich in Vitamin E and have anti-ageing properties. It helps reduce tan and prevent skin damage.

Cashew nuts help control cholesterol, blood sugar,  prevent migraines and high blood pressure.

Pistachios are high in Vitamin E that helps protect the skin against premature ageing and UV rays. They are also high in anti-oxidants, which helps in neutralizing free radicals and prevents ageing. Pistachios help stabilize blood sugar, helps in digestion, prevents heart diseases and provides the body with fiber and  proteins.

Source: www.yahoo.co.in

Green Leaf Vegetables

Green leaf vegetables are a concentrated source of nutrition. They are a rich source of minerals (iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium), vitamins K, C, E, B vitamins, fiber and plant based substances that help against diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. They are also rich in beta-carotene, and zeaxanthin that protect cells and eyes from damage and age related issues.

The top 9 greens are:

· Kale is a good source of Vitamins A and K, high in calcium and also provides foliate and potassium.

· Collards are similar in nutrition like Kale but are heartier, chewier in texture and taste like cabbage.

· Turnip greens are low in calories and high in Vitamins A, C, K and also calcium.

· Swiss chard is only 15 calories and is a very good source of Vitamin A and C.

· Spinach like Chard is low in calories and is rich in Vitamin A, C and foliate. Spinach has more nutrients when cooked than when eaten raw because the heat releases its dietary calcium.

· Mustard greens, like turnip greens and collards, are rich in Vitamins A, C, K and calcium.

· Broccoli is rich in Vitamin A, C, potassium and foliate.

· Red Green leaf and Romaine lettuce are high in Vitamin A and have some amount of foliate in them. Red leaf lettuce is healthier than green leaf as it is a darker leaf lettuce.

· Cabbage is a great source of cancer fighting compounds and Vitamin C.

Source:
www.webmd.com/diet/healthy-kitchen-11/leafy-greens-rated
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarbsuperfoods/a/greensnutrition.htm

The Alopecia Areata

    Alopecia areata refers to a condition causing the occurrence of circular hair loss patches and gradually lead to total loss of hair.

Causes:

    Causes of this alopecia areata still not known. But most of the people affected this illness are hereditary. It means that they got some relative who also affected the same sickness. With that, Alopecia areata consider as autoimmune condition. This commonly occurs during the time that the immune system mistakenly been attack and damage by the healthy body tissues.

Types of alopecia

·         Alopecia totalis – refers to a complete loss of hairs in the scalp.

·         Alopecia areata – just patches of hair loss that usually visible on the scalp area but this also appear on the beard and some other parts.

·         Alopecia universalis – a complete loss of body hairs.

Symptoms:

·         Burning sensation or itchiness.

·         Occurrence of two patches of hair loss usually on scalp area. But, also visible on eyebrows, arms, legs, or beard.

·         The round patches of this hair loss can be described as smooth with peach in color. Those hairs that appear as an exclamation point are sometimes visible in bald patch edges.

·         Complete loss of hair in the scalp (alopecia totalis) that occurs within 6 months after the first symptoms begin.

·         Total loss of scalp and body hars (alopecia universalis).

Treatment:

Most therapy that been used in treating alopecia areata includes the following:

• Topical Immunotherapy
• Ultraviolet Light Therapy
• Use of Wigs
• Steroid Injection
• Topical minoxidil
• Topical corticosteroids

Benefits of Turmeric

The benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric is one of the oldest cooking spices in the world and is native to South Asia. One can avail the many benefits of turmeric by cooking with it.

Some of the benefits of turmeric are:

· Antioxidant – the active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, a powerful antioxidant. Turmeric targets dangerous free radicals in the body, reducing the danger to DNA and other cells.

· Anti-inflammatory – Curcumin in turmeric helps reducing enzymes in the body that trigger inflammation. It also helps in fighting heart disease, osteoarthritis pain and other health issues relating to inflammation.

· Heart health – turmeric helps in reducing blood clots and plaque build up in the arteries. Studies show that turmeric helps in reducing bad cholesterol and improves good cholesterol.

· Slows the onset of Alzheimer -  Research shows that turmeric removes amyloid plaque build up in the brain, believed to be a cause of Alzheimer. Further, studies have also shown that people with more intake of turmeric are less prone to Alzheimer.

· Natural painkiller – a 2009 study by University of Arizona shows that rodents injected with material known to cause joint pains suffered less when injections were paired with Curcumin.

·Skin health – turmeric can be applied topically and is a natural antiseptic to burns and cuts.

Source
www.myhealthylivingcoach.com/top-7-amazing-health-benefits-of-turmeric/

Meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord and is a contagious disease.

Viral infection, in most cases, causes Meningitis.  However, in some cases bacterial and fungal infections can also cause meningitis. Common bacteria and viruses that cause meningitis can spread through coughing, sneezing, sharing utensils, toothbrush or cigarette.

A person who contracts meningitis may have sudden high fever, severe headache that is different from regular headaches, stiff neck, vomiting, nausea, seizures, sleepiness or difficult waking, sensitivity to light, lack of appetite, skin rash in some cases, such as in meningococcal meningitis.

Meningitis if left untreated can cause severe complications, such as hearing loss, memory difficulty, learning disabilities, brain damage, gait problems, seizures, kidney failures, shock and in severe cases death.

To prevent the onset of meningitis is important to practice good hygiene, washing hands regularly, staying healthy and by taking certain vaccinations.

Source:
www.mayoclinic.com

The Condition Of Aplastic Anemia

      Aplastic anemia refers to a condition of bone marrow that doesn’t produce enough sets of new blood cells. Bone marrow refers to soft fatty tissues situated at the bone center area. Due to the blood stem cells injury, aplastic anemia develops. With that, these consider as bone marrow immature cells that emerge to other types of blood cells. The injury causes a huge decrease in number of every type of blood cells. Aplastic anemia may also develop along with lupus or during pregnancy. Getting exposed to certain type of medicine or toxin that include chemotherapy may also lead of having aplastic anemia.    

Symptoms:

Lower count of red blood cells may lead to have:
•    Pallor (paleness)
•    Rapid heart rate.
•    Lightheadedness in standing position.
•    Fatigue
•    Weakness
•    Shortness of breathing along with an exercise.

Lower count of white cells (leucopenia) causes a higher risk of having an infection. Lower count of platelet is known as thrombocytopenia that may result to bleeding. These symptoms include:

•    Nose bleeds.
•    Skin rashes of tiny pinpoint red marks that also called as petechiae.
•    Bleeding of the gums.
•    Frequent or severe infections.
•    An easy bruising.

Treatment:

•    Transfusions of blood and platelets when blood count becomes lower.
•    Bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant – This usually works when the donor is related to the patient especially siblings or parents.
•    Medicines in a form of capsule, tablet, syrup, or injection.

Honey: The nature's wonder

The healing properties of honey have been utilized for several years. Before antibiotics, honey was considered as the drug of choice in many areas for treating the patients. Even up to the Second World War, honey was used in treating the open wounds. Various surgeons used honey for dressing purpose to avoid sepsis. However, its use diminished as soon as antibiotics arrived in the market in 1940’s.

Recently, there has been renaissance of the use of honey in the medical profession. “The therapeutic potential of uncontaminated, pure honey is grossly underutilized¹ “. The way honey works is that it is very rich and waxy, it is like jam or preservatives; adding the sugar to the fruit is what makes it impossible for the bacteria to grow, it just sucks the water out of them so they cannot grow and honey does the same thing. So diluted honey do not work in this manner. Moreover, it is found that honey has antibacterial activities.

Reference:

1. Editorial in the journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (Zumla and Lulat 1989).