(NAPSI)—If you or someone you care for is ever diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer after exposure to asbestos at work decades ago, here’s news for you. If you’re undergoing medical treatment, you can use a free “Asbestos Disease Glossary” available from the Asbestos Lifeline Institute of Great Neck, New York.

The handy, pocket-size booklet explains all the common medical terms used in asbestos injury care and identifies all the different medical specialists involved in treating mesothelioma, lung cancer and several other nonmalignant, asbestos-related diseases.

The free booklet also contains helpful information about achieving monetary compensation for asbestos injuries, which hinges upon a timely filing of the claim and the ability to identify the specific asbestos products you used. In most instances, a “latency period” of several decades after exposure occurs before asbestos diseases develop, so most victims are in their 60s or older.

For victims with valid claims, choosing the right law firm for representation can be daunting, due to the many choices presented through TV commercials and Internet searches. The Asbestos Lifeline Institute can also be helpful in guiding you to the right firm.

To learn more, call the Asbestos Lifeline at (800) 990-1650, e-mail AsbestosLifeline@gmail.com or visit www.AsbestosDiseaseGlossary.com.

(NAPSI)—Most people can’t go a day without a cup of coffee or checking their e-mail. But with the demands of everyday life it’s not surprising that about 50 percent of patients sometimes fail to take their daily medications as prescribed.

According to a new survey by WebMD, over the past six months one-third of respondents either sometimes or most of the time missed taking their medication as prescribed even though 76 percent know it can cause their condition to worsen or symptoms to return.

When asked why they’d missed a dose, 66 percent of survey respondents said that they forgot, 38 percent said they experienced side effects, and 26 percent weren’t able to get to the pharmacy to refill their prescription on time.

“Not following a prescription correctly can seriously impact your health,” said Jamal Downer, a Walgreens pharmacist. “Your local pharmacist is an expert who can help you understand your medications and provide tips on how to use tools like smartphone apps that make it easier and more convenient to stay on track.” Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—The next time you’re firing up the outdoor grill (or indoor grill pan, for that matter), throw on a sweetpotato or two. An easy, healthy side dish with a huge wow factor, grilled sweetpotatoes are nutrient rich, high in fiber and absolutely delicious. And they go great with burgers, steaks, chops, chicken or pretty much anything off the grill.

Start with this basic recipe, and if you’re feeling creative, try different shapes—sweetpotato coins or steak fries, for example. Or add your favorite herbs and spices—such as chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, cinnamon or smoked paprika.

Grilled Sweetpotatoes
Serves 3 or 4

1 lb orange- or yellow/white-fleshed sweetpotatoes, cut lengthwise into ¾-inch wedges

1 ½ Tbsp olive oil

1 tsp salt, plus more for sprinkling

Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine sweetpotatoes, oil and salt. Arrange sweetpotatoes on the grill or grill pan and cook until lightly charred and tender, 6 to 8 minutes, turning halfway through. Sprinkle with more salt and serve.

For more recipes, nutritional information and tips for cooking with California sweet potatoes, go to www.casweetpotatoes.com.

(NAPSI)—The average American household now has nine Internet-enabled devices to connect to the Internet, watch movies or television shows, or “smarten” the thermostats, doorbells or nanny cams. These products let people save energy, buy groceries, connect with family members and access a seemingly limitless catalog of entertainment.

It’s important, however, to realize that some devices may not be as secure as others. For example, millions of rogue entertainment boxes are now in homes. While these devices look like an Apple TV or Roku box, they are unsecured and can expose consumers to malware. Typically, they are used to illegally access pirated movies, TV shows or live events.

The Digital Citizens Alliance (DCA)investigated apps on these devices and found malware on them that stole researchers’ user names and passwords, probed user networks and surreptitiously uploaded user data without consent. Most consumers are unaware of the security risks that can occur when plugging one of these devices into a home network, and if they did know, they would be much less likely to allow them in their home. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Getting a flat tire is no fun for anyone at any time, especially on vacation. To keep your next road trip rolling along, the nonprofit Car Care Council recommends a quick tire check before you leave the driveway.

“The excitement of summer vacation quickly deflates when your car has a flat tire,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “A quick four-step tire check will help you to avoid the aggravation of changing a flat tire on the side of the road.”

1. Check that all tires, including the spare, are inflated to recommended pressure levels.
2. Check tire tread depth with a simple penny test-if you see Lincoln’s head above the tread, then it is time for new tires.
3. Check for irregular wear as uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment.
4. Check tires for cuts, bruises, bulges, bald spots or other irregularities that can lead to a flat tire.

“AAA expects to get calls from stranded motorists this summer and a good portion of those vehicle troubles will be tire related,” said White. “A comprehensive pre-trip vehicle inspection, including the tires, is the best way to alert yourself to any potential issues so you can address them before you leave home and keep your road trip on track.” Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Among the tastiest and most versatile fruits on Earth, olives are enjoyed by many cultures around the world. They have been in existence for 8,000 years, and while olives are not indigenous to the Americas, they have been in the New World for a good long time.

Then

It was the Spanish who introduced olives to Peru and Argentina in the 1500s. As time passed, olive trees made their way up the Pacific Coast through Mexico when Spanish missionaries brought them to California in 1769.

However, it wasn’t until the 1900s when commercial olive production began in the United States, thanks to a German immigrant woman named Freda Ehmann. She had a small grove and began experimenting with 280 gallons of olives on her back porch in Oakland, California, thus inventing the ripe olive style that Americans have come to know and love. Continue reading →

Some time back a 15 years old school student was told they could not say the Lords Prayer in school. He was inspired to write the following!

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.

If scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.  Continue reading →

By Dr. Matt Leavitt

A trip to the dermatologist has traditionally involved treatment for a specific skin problem like a rash, acne or a wart. Increasingly however patients are seeking care for a much more serious problem: skin cancer, which will affect one in five Americans in their lifetime.

This alarming increase in skin cancer incidence is leading board-certified dermatologists to take a proactive approach – urging patients to get full body examinations to identify potential skin cancers anywhere on the body, including areas where patients might not think skin cancer could occur.

The exam is simple, quick, and painless – but priceless for the early detection it offers.

More than 3 million people will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year, including nearly 200,000 Americans diagnosed with the deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma.

When melanoma is detected early through exams like the Total-Body Skin Cancer Exam℠ offered at Advanced Dermatology, survival rates approach 99 percent. When detected at advanced stages, survival rates plummet to just 15 percent.

Because of the importance of early detection, health officials join together to mark Skin Cancer Awareness Month each year.

Who is at risk for skin cancer? Continue reading →

Following four simple steps at home — Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill — can help protect you and your loved ones from food poisoning.

Clean:

Wash your hands and surfaces often

Germs that cause food poisoning can survive in many places and spread around your kitchen.

Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and water before, during, and after preparing food and before eating.

Wash your utensils, cutting boards, and countertops with hot, soapy water.

Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water. Continue reading →