from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke

(NAPSI)—With nearly 800,000 Americans having a stroke each year, it remains a leading cause of death and long-term disability. Making matters worse for many Black/African American men is that they are at higher risk for high blood pressure and strokes, according to medical experts. For many health conditions, racial and ethnic minority communities are impacted at disproportionate rates. April is National Minority Health Month, a good time to raise awareness about the importance of improving the health of minority communities and reducing health disparities. During this month, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is raising awareness of this important topic and sharing tips to help manage the risk of stroke.Over time, uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and lead to a stroke. High blood pressure can also lead to other damage in the brain that has been associated with dementia. The good news is people can take steps now to get—or keep—their blood pressure numbers in a healthy range to help prevent stroke and dementia later in life.  Continue reading →

Laws guide our actions in various aspects of life, from obeying speed limits on the road to adhering to the principles of physics. Yet, there’s another law often overlooked in the realm of exercise: The Law of Specificity. Are you inadvertently violating this crucial principle? Let’s delve into how active seniors can leverage this law to enhance their quality of life and independence.

The Law of Specificity emphasizes that the effectiveness of practice is directly proportional to its similarity to desired performance outcomes. In simpler terms, if you want to excel at something, practice that specific activity. This principle holds immense significance for seniors aiming to maintain independence and enhance their overall well-being in later stages of life.

Enter the “Magnificent 7” — a set of foundational movement patterns crucial for functional mobility: squatting, lunging, pushing, pulling, rotating, hinging, and locomotion. These patterns underpin everyday activities, from dressing oneself to engaging in recreational pursuits like golf. By aligning exercise routines with these fundamental movements, seniors can effectively apply the Law of Specificity to bolster their quality of life and independence. Continue reading →

Ingredients

1 pound pizza dough, at room temperature

All-purpose flour, for dusting

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed

3/4 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

4 cups baby spinach (about 21/2 ounces)

1 small bulb fennel, trimmed, cored and thinly sliced

1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers

3/4 cup quartered marinated artichoke hearts, drained and halved Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—What better time to get to know your kidneys than National Kidney Month?

Your kidneys play a vital role in keeping your body functioning, which is why healthy kidneys are important to your overall health.

Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located just below your rib cage, one on each side of your spine. Working around the clock, your kidneys filter approximately 150 quarts of blood each day, removing waste and extra fluid from your body.

People can get kidney disease at any age, even children. Kidney disease means your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood the way they should.

Taking steps to protect your kidneys can help keep your body healthy and may prevent or slow the progression of kidney disease. It’s never too early to take steps to keep your kidneys healthy. Even small steps can make a big difference.

Talk with a health care professional about kidney disease risk factors and develop a plan together to address those risks. You may be at a higher risk for kidney disease if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, a history of acute kidney injury or a family history of kidney disease.  Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Huge returns and little to no risk? Who wouldn’t want an investment opportunity like that? If you receive a pitch by phone, mail or email that makes such incredible financial promises as high returns with a low risk, you might ask yourself, “How is this possible?” Generally, it’s not.

The Problem

Postal Inspectors say investment opportunities or “get rich quick” schemes are a favorite of fraudsters. Whether they sell bogus securities or commodities, oil wells, rare coins, or cybercurrency, these fraudulent promoters try to get you to invest your money—and lots of it. Some swindlers even surround themselves with the trappings of legitimacy—rented office space, a receptionist, investment counselors, and professionally designed color brochures describing the investment. Continue reading →

Closeup of a cheerful young couple picking some fruit and veggies from the fridge to make some healthy breakfast on Sunday morning. Shot from inside the working fridge.

(NAPSI)—Practicing basic oral hygiene, such as brushing, flossing, and going to regular checkups with a dental professional are some of the most important ways to maintain oral health. However, if these practices are not paired with proper nutrition, oral health can still suffer.

Mindfully incorporating foods that are good for oral health can also contribute to overall wellbeing. Certain vitamins and minerals are particularly beneficial for teeth and gums. Many people take dietary supplements to improve their health or fill gaps in their diet. Supplements can also be a viable alternative for people with dietary restrictions or allergies.

Best vitamins and minerals for oral health and where to eat them

Calcium strengthens enamel, which is the hard outer layer of teeth. It is widely known that cheese, low-sugar yogurt, and other dairy products contain calcium, but many seeds, beans, lentils, and leafy greens are also rich sources.  Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—If your children are like most, they get anxious from time to time—but you can help them get over it.

The Problem

In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), even with the best parenting, 80 percent of little ones feel that unpleasant emotion.

Some Answers

Fortunately, there are several ways you can help.

For one thing, the NIH suggests parents of younger children can help them “come back to earth” from spiraling thoughts with the 3-3-3 rule: Ask your child to name 3 things they can see, identify 3 sounds they can hear, and move 3 different parts of their bodies.

For another, one of the most anxious times for little ones is at bedtime. Scary things and worries flutter and flap around, making it hard to sleep. A calming nightly routine, including reading to your children, however, lets them settle down for the night.  Continue reading →

(NewsUSA) – Obesity is an increasingly significant health problem in the United States, especially for women. The disease affects 1 in 3 American women, including 57% of Black women and 44% of Hispanic women.

Although obesity is a chronic, treatable condition, obesity care is not covered by health insurance like other chronic conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. As a chronic disease, it’s only fair that people with obesity receive the same coverage as other chronic conditions.

EveryBODY Covered, a new campaign led by the Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention (AWHP) in partnership with 15 other leading health organizations, is working to change this by empowering women to speak with their employers and elected officials about the need for comprehensive obesity care coverage.

Currently, less than half of employers cover or are considering covering the latest generation of anti-obesity medications. “Healthcare professionals need to be able to provide the full range of obesity care options for their patients, and patients need access to that care,” said Dr. Eliza Chin, Executive Director of the American Medical Women’s Association. “Obesity deserves the same level of coverage as any other chronic disease.” Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—There could be good news if you or someone you care about is ever among the one in 6,000 Americans the National Institutes of Health estimates will be diagnosed with keratoconus (KC).

The Problem

This is a sight-threatening and progressive eye disease that occurs when the cornea thins and weakens over time. It causes the development of a cone-like bulge, which can dramatically and permanently distort vision.

An Answer

There is no cure for keratoconus, but the cornea can be strengthened to slow or halt the progression of the disease with an FDA-approved cross-linking procedure called iLink®. Once diagnosed, there is a lot of information for patients to digest and for eye doctors and their staff to explain in a way that is thorough, educational, and not overwhelming. Continue reading →