0 Does Worksite Wellness Work A Critical Look at the Wellness Incentives In the Workplace Article

A waste of money and
a basis for discrimination?

The answer to the "Does Worksite Wellness Work?" question depends on your frame of erence.

If you read this 2010 review by Baicker, Cutler and Song, youll see that there are 32 peer-reviewed published studies from work settings that a) transparently described the intervention and b) used a valid parallel control group - persons who did not receive the intervention - as a comparison. When interventions like these were deployed, impressive reductions in medical costs and absenteeism like these were achieved in the intervention groups, compared to the groups that did not receive the wellness programs.

If you read this just-published 2013 review by Jill Horwitz, Brenna Kelly and John DiNardo, youll see that its possible to use a "conceptual framework" to completely trash the notion that worksite wellness programs offer any benefit.  Oh, and by the way, they also result in discrimination.

How is that you ask?

This framework asks:

1) Do employees with chronic conditions or health risks spend more?  The authors answer is that most studies for most conditions indicate the answer is yes.

2) Do financial incentives change behavior? The authors answer, based on a review of the literature, is that obese persons tend to gain weight and many persons who quit tobacco relapse.  The impact on high blood pressure and lipids is less certain.

3) Do health improvements lead to employer savings? The authors brief three paragraph answer, based on two erences (here and here), is "uncertain," "depends" and "erroneously assuming."

The authors also

a) point to the abundant literature that questions the relationship between "process" and "intermediate" outcomes (blood glucose testing or control in persons with diabetes mellitus) versus long-term outcomes (like mortality - an example is here),

b) note that aggressive treatment can lead to unintended consequences (an example is here), and

c) suggest that wellness programs disproportionately benefit persons from higher socioeconomic classes who suffer from less disease. Its frankly difficult for the Disease Management Care Blog to follow the authors logic, but as it understands it, anything that benefits one segment of a population is a zero-sum loss for the remaining segment.

The DMCBs two-fold take:

1) The 2010 review examines state-of-the-art clinical trial data, while the 2013 "conceptual framework" interprets the underlying published literature and finds it wanting.  According to the framework authors, the value of any counseling is ultimately unproven.

Big deal. The DMCB would like to point out that a similarly conducted review of primary care (where there are no randomized control clinical trials), Medicare (a social experiment if there ever was one) and parachutes (to combat "gravitational challenges") could also conclude that theres no proof.

Bottom line: Lack of proof for a benefit is not the same as proof that there is a lack of any benefit.  Whats more, the business persons that run worksite wellness programs know that evidence based medicine is necessary, but not sufficient.  They dont demand proof, they use reasonable assurance.  The 58% of large employers that are offering worksite wellness are using seasoned logic in a world of conflicting data.  Good for them.

2) The Homer Simpson-inspired DMCB doesnt quite "get" the frameworks socioeconomic argument.  If persons from lower socioeconomic classes have a higher burden of obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol levels and poor fitness, anything that offers increased access to a higher level of care is not only good policy but a proportionately noble thing.

Whats more, if worksite wellness results in no economic benefit and doesnt shift costs in any direction, how does that result in any discrimination?

While economic incentives in a zero sum game can be problematic, the DMCB believes that Horwitz, Kelly and DiNardos logic is overlawyered worksite nihilism run amok. Their ultimate unspoken conclusion is that when it comes to employees, all should be treated to the same level of neglect.

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0 How to treat migraines at home

Headaches top the list of common complaints in general, and migraines are by far the most painful and debilitating type of headache. Some over-the-counter pain killers work well to stop many types of headache pain but, theyre relatively ineffective when it comes to migraines. Prescription drugs also dont work well for many migraine victims, and most have the potential for causing unwanted side effects. Thats why home remedies for migraine pain relief are some of the most sought after natural cures. 

A migraine is a severe, painful headache that is often preceded or accompanied by sensory warning signs such as flashes of light, blind spots, tingling in the arms and legs, nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light and sound. The excruciating pain that migraines bring can last for hours or even days. They can cripple you quicker than you can snap your fingers and really knock you off your feet.

What Causes Migraines?

This is that question everyone wants an answer to. Three out of four of the nearly 30 million Americans who suffer from migraines are women.

When you are busy with life, the last thing you want or need is a severe headache. You might be in the middle of a word day or fixing dinner for your family.You dont have time for a migraine. Migraines can be an extremely debilitating and painful problem. About two-thirds of migraine sufferers cannot function at a normal level when they get a migraine attack. An intense migraine attack can floor victims, plaguing them with nausea and vertigo (dizziness) and confining them to bed. Migraine ranks as one of the top 20 most disabling medical conditions worldwide

Lets look at some of the reasons you could get a migraine. Understanding these can help you learn what to avoid. The reason may have to do with a woman’s menstrual cycle, but triggers can also include alcohol, weather changes, stress, food and lack of sleep. Other factor like Strong perfumes, Bright lights, Changes in lifestyle, Exhaustion, Allergies, The Flu and cold, and Alcohol also can raise hell.

How to get rid of migraines?
You can always observe your triggers that probably give you headache. Start listening to your body to see if you have signals to alert you to a coming migraine. I can feel the tension in my neck, hours before my severe headaches come. The important thing to note is that if you are in a hectic situation, take time to massage your head, drink some calming tea, or take medicine to stop the headaches before they come. This can be the difference between a full-blown migraine and a simple headache that goes as quick as it came.

Take note of your daily lifestyle chores. It can take from a few minutes to  hours for a trigger to cause a reaction. Certain foods and drinks triggers a migraine attack in about 10 percent of migraine sufferers.  If you get a migraine, think back to what you did exactly in that time frame and try eliminating those hell raiser from your life. It is that simple!

Preventive steps 

1) Take deep breaths. 

Every time you feel a migraine coming, begin taking long, slow breaths. The more relaxed you feel, the better your changes for your migraine to go away. As you take deep breaths, allow all the tension to flow out of your body. Try to not think about any one thing.

2) Exercise

Regular, gentle exercise helps to reduce tension and ward off stress, a well-known trigger for many migraine sufferers. Exercise also triggers the release of endorphins, which act as a mild sedative.

3) Get a good nights sleep. 

Changes in sleep patterns, changing work schedules and jet lag can affect the quality of sleep cycles and trigger migraines. Try to maintain a regular sleep schedule. Get up and go to bed at the same time every day if possible.

4) Drink water

Dehydration can be a big cause of headaches, so keep your body hydrated and drink 8-10 glasses of water daily

5) Eat healthy

Eat wisely to get your share of essential nutrients like, magnesium, riboflavin, omega 3s, and QoQ10. You can include almonds, liver, lean beef, eggs, lamb, spinach, broccoli, Pumpkin seeds, whole grains, Swiss chard, wild Alaskan salmon, halibut, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flaxseeds, amaranth, quinoa, soybeans, and black beans in your diet.

Natural home remedies for migraine and headache

When treating a migraine attack, it is important to obtain relief from the symptoms of the attack, but it is also equally important to look at the underlying causes of your pain in order to prevent future attacks. Here are some simple home remedies to get rid of migraines at home. 

1) Feverfew

The feverfew herb has a long history of use in traditional and folk medicine, especially among Greek and early European herbalists. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a traditional medicinal herb which is commonly used to prevent migraine headaches, and is also occasionally grown for ornament. The name Feverfew is based on febrifuge, the herbalist term for the action of reducing fever.

The plant contains compounds called parthenolides, which appear to help control expansion and contraction of blood vessels in the head. When you begin to get a migraine, your brain releases the neurotransmitter serotonin, and your blood vessels constrict. 

Feverfew appears to counteract your brains order by causing blood vessels to dilate. Thus, feverfew enhances the "tone" of blood vessels, as does magnesium, which is also considered to be a helpful nutrient for controlling migraine headaches. In addition, feverfew appears to neutralize chemicals called prostaglandins, some of which are linked to pain and inflammation. Because it stops production of inflammatory chemicals.

2) Peppermint
A cross of spearmint and water mint, peppermint grows throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Peppermint leaves and their essential oils have been used for both medicinal and culinary purposes. In addition to a headache treatment, it has also been employed to relieve spasms, toothaches, gastrointestinal problems, and nausea.

Peppermint oil and its active ingredient, menthol, are available in liquid capsule form. You can also dilute the oils and apply them topically, which is the primary method for migraine treatment. When applied to the forehead and temples in a 10 percent solution, menthol has shown to be effective at stopping migraine pain and easing nausea.

3) willow

Willows all have abundant watery bark sap, which is heavily charged with salicylic acid. Willow extract, salicin, was used in the development of aspirin, the well-known over-the-counter pain reliever, fever reducer, and anti-inflammatory drug.

You can chew its bark or apply willow salicin extract tropically to reduce the pain and duration of migraine.

4) Ginger

Ginger is a source of effective anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial substances. Traditionally, ginger has been used as a spice and as a remedy for headaches, stomach pain, nausea, arthritis, and cold and flu symptoms. A research study of an over-the-counter sub-lingual combination of feverfew and ginger effectively stopped or relieved migraine pain in the majority of participants.

5) Butter bur

Found in wet, marshy areas of Europe, Asia, and North America, it’s been used as treatment for headaches, as well as asthma, allergies, cough, fever, gastrointestinal problems, and general pain. Taking butter bur root extracts in pill form can reduce the frequency of migraines by 60%.

Bottom-line

Whether you choose pharmaceutical treatments, natural remedies, or a combination Consider tracking your triggers, symptoms, pain intensity and duration, and other related factors (such as the weather, menstrual cycle, activities, etc.) having a thorough record of your experiences will help you narrow down the best treatment for you.

0 The Hazardous Materials vigilant There At Home

Who says the home is the safest place for us, especially for the kids. The majority of household products contain chemicals / toxins that are dangerous to human health.

Without us knowing use of household products provide contact and adverse effects to human health.

The following article about the health of hazardous substances in the household.

1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

Widely used in high concentrations in industrial products such as cleaning machinery (engine degreaser), floor cleaners, and car shampoo. SLS is also used in low levels in toothpaste, shampoo and shaving foam.

- SLS can cause irritation when applied to the skin and face in a long time.

2. Propylene glycol

Widely used in products Moisturizer, hair conditioners, wrinkle cream, baby wipes, baby lotion.

- These substances have neurotoxic properties. Dematitis can cause, as well as kidney and liver damage.

3. Fluoride

Widely used in products and toothpaste.

- Dangers of fluoride materials can cause Osteoporosis and Arthritis, Cracked pelvis, bone cancer.

4. Compounds of aluminum (chlorohydrate)

Widely used in deodorants and antiperspirants.

Hazards of this material can cause breast cancer.

5. Talk

widely used in deodorants, baby powder.

-This material risk of causing cancer and respiratory problems if inhaled.

6. Alcohol

Widely used in perfumes, mouthwashes (mouthwash), medicinal syrup.

- Dangers that can be caused can trigger cancer.

7. Phthalate

Used in beauty care products - hair spray,

deodorant, nail polish, perfume.

- Can cause liver and kidney damage, lung.

8. DEA (diethanolamine)

Many products used in shampoo, bath soap, shaving cream.

- May cause liver and kidney disorders.

It turns out there are many harmful ingredients contained in household products. It is therefore necessary precision in selecting the product, please note that the content previously found on the product. Began switching to products made from natural to maintain our health and families.

0 5 Ways To Lose Weight At The Weekend

On weekends or holidays, most diet programs fail because they have ran into many temptations either from friends or neighborhood. To overcome this, there are a few things you need to do in order to keep the weight down on the weekends.The holidays are a special time to pamper yourself. But for people on a diet program, the holiday was a challenge because often a barrier and causes of diet failure.
If you do not want the weight actually rose during the weekend, here are some things you can do:
 
1. Waking up in the morning despite weekend 
Synonymous with a weekend lazing in bed. But sleeping late and lazing will only make you weak and without strength. Try to keep up early even on weekends. You get up late but should be no more than 2 hours.

2. Do not miss breakfast 
Skipping breakfast is often regarded as a weight loss tactic is quite effective. Unfortunately, it can actually harm the body. Do not miss the breakfast, since eating anything after waking up can increase metabolism by 10 percent.

3. Eat at home, not in restaurants 
The food in the restaurant tends to be higher in calories and carbohydrates, so it will be more difficult to control how much you eat. Before the weekend started, provide healthy food in the refrigerator and cabinets so you will not be tempted to buy other food.

4. Doing outdoor sports 
At the weekend someone will have more time to exercise, to try to do it outdoors. This will make him feel more energetic, burn fat and are more likely to continue to do so.

5. Drink plenty of water 
Sweet drinks such as soft drinks, bottled juice, sweet tea can actually contribute to weight gain. Try to multiply drinking water and drinking less sugary drinks, even while on vacation.

0 Pregnant at Age Over 35 Years

Pregnant at Age Over 35 Years - If you are older than 35 years and plan to become pregnant for the first time, you are not alone. Many women are delaying pregnancy until the age of 35 years and still be able to give birth to healthy babies. The condition is that you should treat yourself to be healthy. It may help your baby be born healthy too.

The first thing to realize is the risk of getting pregnant at that age. Biological clock is a fact of life. There is nothing special at the age of 35 years, but the woman has some risk that deserves to be discussed, as follows:

1. It will probably take a little longer to get pregnant. Women are born with a finite number of eggs. When age has penetrated 30-something years, egg quality declines. Ovulation will be rare, though you still menstruate with the routine. Eggs from older women would be more difficult than their fertilized eggs than younger ones. Does that mean women over the age of 35 years can not get pregnant? It could be, just that it would take longer. If sexual intercourse until six months, not pregnant, you should see a gynecologist

2. The risk of gestational diabetes. Type of diabetes that only occurs in pregnancy and usually suffered seat when the old get older. Controlling blood sugar through diet, physical activity, and other healthy lifestyle is important. Sometimes the treatment is also needed. If gestational diabetes is not controlled, the baby will grow up, which would increase the risk of injury while giving birth.

3. High blood pressure. Impaired blood pressure during pregnancy before the age of 20 weeks is called chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension after 20 weeks, after 20 weeks accompanied by the presence of protein in the urine or preeclampsia. According to the Mayo Clinic, some research suggests that high blood pressure during pregnancy will be more apt to occur when pregnant women aged over 35 years. Your doctor will help you monitor your blood pressure. In addition, you may need a blood pressure-lowering drugs if during labor, blood pressure remains too high, to avoid complications.

4. Other risks. Another risk is the possibility of giving birth by C-surgical (cesarean surgical), higher rates of miscarriage, and abnormal chromosomes will also be more frequent.

Creating a Healthy Choice

After knowing all the risks, the next step is to pay attention to all that you remain in prime condition. Thus will your baby was born in good health.

Heres what should be a concern:

1. Creating a pre-conception agreement: Meet obstetrician before you decide to become pregnant, to ensure that your body is in a ready condition.

2. Routine checks: During pregnancy, gynecologic visits to a gynecologist will membuuhkan doctor monitor your health and well baby.

3. Adopting healthy eating pol: Pregnant women need more folic acid, calcium, iron, protein, other essential nutrients den. How wonderful if youve adopted a healthy diet long before the pregnancy. Prenatal vitamin drink ideally starting several months prior to pregnancy.

4. Paying attention to weight gain: Increase the right weight can support your babys health. And will also be easier for you to lose weight after giving birth. Increase of approximately 11-16 kg sometimes be recommendations for women with normal body beret. For obese women, are advised to lose weight before pregnancy. Work with a gynecologist to determine the proper weight.

5. Stay active: unless your obstetrician to prohibit the move, you should stay active as usual. Exercise for pregnant women can reduce the inconvenience and also increase energy. With exercise, you will have the muscle strength and stamina, which is useful when giving birth.

6. Avoid risky substances: alcohol, tobacco, and drugs consumed during pregnancy is prohibited.

0 How to Choose Healthy Foods at Fast Food Restaurants

How to Choose Healthy Foods | The food at the fast food restaurant was delicious. But behind it tastes good, a lot of research that says that the food is hazardous to health if consumed in excess. Choosing healthy food at fast-food restaurants are also very important. For that, here we want to make choosing healthy foods at fast food restaurants.

How to Choose Healthy Foods at Fast Food Restaurants

1. Mc Donalds Mc Muffin Egg or Egg and Cheese Biscuit?
Sandwich that has been chosen for breakfast, sandwiches are buying not only for breakfast but also lunch and dinner. The difference in these foods, muffins made ​​with Canadian bread size smaller and thinner slices of meat as well. While the egg and cheese biscuit, made ​​a full English with a thicker bread with the contents of a large egg and cheese.

Options: Egg Muffin
Although smaller, the higher the calorie content. Likewise, the fat that only half of the egg and cheese biscuit.

2. Burger King Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit or French Toast Sticks?
Burger makes you full longer, but has a lot of calories and fat when compared to French toast sticks. This bread is sweet because of added sugar with measure 2 tablespoons.

Options: French toast sticks
Judging from the size of the fat and calories, you are advised to stick with these biscuits. French toast sticks is not the best choice for breakfast, but a nutritionist suggested this over a burger, because it can keep your heart healthy. But remember, this is only a little portion of the menu, so if you feel hungry again, prepare to eat a high-fiber fruits as food continued.

3. Starbucks Apple Bran Muffin or Banana Nut Loaf?
Banana nut loaf has less protein than apple bran muffin, ie: 7 than 6 grams. Its just a little difference, but the apple bran muffin has a higher fiber content.

Options: Apple bran muffin
Existing fiber in the apple bran muffin reached number 7 grams. "Fiber is not only beneficial for heart health but also can prevent colon cancer," says Angela Ginn, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.

4. Dunkin Donuts Plain Bagel with Cream or Glazed Donut?
Sugar content contained on the breakfast menu was able provide energy to start the activity. But bagels with large size also can eliminate hunger, and can last until noon.

Options: Glazed donut
On a bagel, the higher the calories, as well as saturated fat, cholesterol, trans fats, and sodium. While a donut has no trans fats with only 220 calories, compared with bagels that contain 470 calories.

0 Why Diabetes Puts You At Higher Risk Of Stroke

Diabetes happens when your body cant process the levels of glucose your blood needs. Your body turns sugars and carbohydrates into glucose for energy. People with Type I diabetes cant process the glucose at all because their body doesnt produce enough of the insulin to deal with it. Type II diabetes happens when your body still produces insulin, but it cant process all the glucose.

When your blood sugar counts become too high because your body is incapable of handling it, and continue to stay high then you likely have Type II Diabetes. It can only be diagnosed by a doctor, and there are certain criteria that must be met. That includes more than one fasting blood test with high glucose readings, as well as high A1C numbers. Type I diabetes is generally diagnosed in childhood. Type II diabetes is generally diagnosed later in life, in middle age. However, these days we are noticing that it is being diagnosed earlier and earlier.

Part of any regime for diabetes is to regularly check your blood for its sugar level. Thats because having diabetes puts you at higher risk for other conditions, so monitoring your blood sugar and keeping it in check are crucial to the well being of a diabetic. People who have diabetes are at higher risk of heart disease, high cholesterol and stroke. Stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. It can cause permanent brain damage. Obesity is one of the biggest risk factors for diabetics, and it can also be one of the biggest symptoms of diabetes. That obesity helps to increase the risk factors for diabetics. Controlling blood glucose levels and obesity go a long way to decreasing the risk of complications.

While Type I diabetics will need Insulin, in some form, for their entire lives, Type II diabetics have other choices. Some will need to have some medications, but there are many other who completely control their illness by diet and exercise. A diagnosis of diabetes does not have to be a death sentence. It is a manageable, if not even reversible disease, with the proper care, guidance and medical supervision. If you think you or a loved one may have diabetes, either type I or type II diabetes, it is important to see a doctor for the proper testing as soon as possible, if for no other reason, but just to know exactly what you are dealing with.

Authors Resource Box

Author : Jonathan
www.ihealthtampa.com

Article Source: Why Diabetes Puts You At Higher Risk Of Stroke

0 Relaxed at Work To Reduce Stress Can Be As Simple

Relaxed at Work - To Reduce Stress Can Be As Simple

Who wants to be healthy and productive, must learn to cope with the daily stress at work. Stress feels almost everyone, whether employed or self-employed. The stress triggers are varied and can not be easily eliminated from the world. Therefore, it is more important that you reduce stress by consciously relax. Relaxation phases in which the body and mind to rest, are essential to recharge your energy and stay healthy. A lasting stress affects the body and psyche. Before you get sick, you can prevent this and invest a little time in the stress management.

Short relaxation during lunch

Make a habit to observe breaks. Do not get distracted during the break from work. Take advantage of the break for a short relaxation, turn off completely. With autogenous training you will achieve optimal short relaxation, in order to concentrate and be productive again. In training courses, you will learn how to put yourself in the relaxed state, a kind of short sleep. This costs less time than a nap and is even more energy. Or take a short walk in the break, an additional portion of oxygen also increases the efficiency.

Switching off after work

Healthy sleep is essential to relieve stress. Many can not switch off after work and take the stress out of the bed. There, they roll their problems and can not sleep. To break this spiral of thoughts, it is important to consciously relax after work. A soothing bath with essential oils that promote relaxation, sports, Černý is the chance to get, or a quiet evening of TV - there are numerous ways to help power down. You should find out what is best for you.

Enjoy a relaxing weekend

Take a break at the weekend and do the things you enjoy. Which can
be a hiking trip into the mountains,
A short trip to the German coast
or to one of the many attractions.

A day in a spa or a spa is to relax. A relaxing weekend full of wonderful memories there for long periods of energy. You can also make your home beautiful, insert a wellness and relax on the couch. Many find it hard to switch off completely at home as they always discover something that will not get done.

Relaxing treat

Relax the most, you can leave. For self-employed, it is not easy to take a vacation, because who does not work as self-employed earns nothing. But just as a worker should a self-employed enjoy a longer vacation. The only way to reduce stress on vacation, will be back after that performance.

A spa vacation is perfect for this: massages, treatments and baths with high quality essential oils provide deep relaxation. Many spa hotels are surrounded by natural beauty, which likewise have salutary effect on the psyche. If you want to stay healthy, should also pay attention to that is the health of his psyche.