Though medical science has progressed manifold in the recent years, certain ailments still remain incurable. One such disease that is known to affect more than 100 million people in the country is diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders that can affect anyone, irrespective of their age or race. This disease is characterized by the body’s inability to create or process insulin, which results in sudden fluctuations in the blood sugar levels. Though diabetes cannot be cured completely, there are several ways devised to coexist with this condition. Insulin pens, diabetes medication, a balanced diet, and a regular exercise regime are some of the factors that function in tandem to ensure that people with diabetes lead a nearly normal life. As easy as coexisting sounds, it takes a toll on the individual’s willpower, as they have to steer clear from consuming food that used to appease their taste buds once upon a time. People with diabetes are asked to limit the consumption of salt, sugar, and fried food. Life can become monotonous for such individuals, as all they can munch on during their snack time are salads or oatmeal, which doesn’t actually qualify for snacks. Contrary to what we are lead to believe, people with diabetes can enjoy tasty snacks without breaking their diet commandments.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program available for people who are above the age of 65, people with disabilities, and people suffering from End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Health insurance is mandatory in the country, and Medicare is one of the popular options to provide the necessary health cover. Original Medicare includes Part A cover for hospital insurance and Part B cover for medical insurance. Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage plan), on the other hand, is private insurance provided by third party companies. The Federal insurance program also features Part D drug coverage that pays for medical costs that are not covered by original Medicare. Original Medicare provides primary medical insurance cover. However, applicants can also benefit from supplement plans that will pay for copayment, coinsurance, and deductibles. Medigap policies feature ten types of plans, each with its own set of benefits and coverage options. One must also be aware of the insurance plans that are not considered Medigap policies. These include Medicare Advantage Plans featuring HMO, PPO or private fee-for-service plans, Medicare prescription drug plans, Medicaid, Federal employee and union health plans, TRICARE, Veterans Benefits, and long-term care insurance among others. Things to know about Medicare supplement plans (Medigap) Applicants must have original Medicare insurance before they can opt for additional insurance coverage.

The key to a ripped body lies not only in gym workouts but also in the diet. Therefore, people who work out often watch what they eat and drink, as diet has a tremendous effect on the body. Diet includes everything from breakfast and dinner to what people munch on between their meals or snacks. Most gym goers often avoid snacking, as they don’t want to break the diet they are following. However, it is possible to snack healthy without compromising on the diet. More than snacking, it’s the healthy snacking that makes all the difference. Healthy snacking does not have to be a complicated process, as most would think. Though they are not easily available in a store like other snacks, they can be made at home with easy recipes, without much hassle of too many ingredients and without spending too much time in preparation. Those who work out can reap multiple benefits from sticking to healthy snacking. Eating snacks before and after a workout gives more energy, prevents muscle catabolism, and increases muscle anabolism. What to eat and when to eat are the two most important things to keep in mind when having meals or snacks. Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are the primary macronutrients one should consume in their meals and snacks.

Most parents will admit that the thought of whipping together interesting snacks for kids can put one into a dilemma. While feeding kids healthy and delicious snacks is essential during the day, we often find that hours in the day aren’t enough to create treats for wee ones. However, snacking is one the best ways to curb hunger among kids in between meals. Kids can often get irritable, and not having enough food in the tummy can make them all the more cranky. The hunger pangs affect their mood, and this has a direct effect on their overall health. Good news! You can now churn out the best snacks that are not only fantastic in taste but can also be whipped up in a jiffy. Creating tasty snacks for your little curb does not have to be as complex as solving a Rubik’s cube. Making the perfect yet easy snacks for kids just calls for the right inspiration and some preparation. A few creative ideas and you can turn the most boring snacks interesting to immediately satiate the taste buds of your young ones. What’s more? These snacks are extremely healthy. To make your easy snacks, here are a few simple, healthy snack options for kids.

Rising medical costs have made it extremely challenging for seniors to find decent but affordable healthcare services. Even insurance programs such as Medicare comprise coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles that can leave a huge dent in one’s bank account. One solution to this financial crisis is Medicare supplement plans. Medicare supplement plans (Medigap) are an additional form of health insurance that can be availed from private providers to cover fees that are not included in the Original Medicare plan such as deductibles, co-payments, and international medical insurance. However, this type of policy doesn’t reimburse for expenses such as long-term care, private-duty nursing, hearing aids, eyeglasses, dental, and vision care. Some plans might cover prescription drugs. This plan is only offered to individuals who are enrolled in Medicare Part A that covers hospital fees, and Medicare Part B that takes care of doctor’s services. Individuals with Medicare Advantage plans aren’t eligible for Medigap. Factors affecting Medigap policies The costs of a Medicare supplement plan varies across providers and locations. Therefore, before you purchase a Medigap policy, it is imperative to understand the multiple factors that affect premiums, deductibles, and co-insurance. Read further to know more. Type of Medicare supplement plan chosen As mentioned earlier, Medicare supplement plans are managed by private insurance companies and not federal agencies.

The ceaseless progress in the field of medical science coupled with the availability of medications has played a pivotal role in erasing several formidable diseases from the face of the earth. Though the mortality rate has seen a steady decline in recent years, about 40 million people in the country suffer from one or the other chronic health condition. Chronic health conditions like diabetes or arthritis can be managed with the help of medications and necessary lifestyle changes. However, the only obstacle that halts a person’s endeavor towards leading a seemingly normal life and coexisting with the health condition is their inability to afford or access the required health care. Dealing with a chronic medical condition requires making amends to the individual’s lifestyle choices and relying heavily on prescription medicines. There are instances when a person’s health insurance falls short of covering their expenses concerning prescription medications, and as these medicines are indispensable to their well-being, patients have to bear the financial brunt. In such cases, using coupons for prescription medications appears to be a viable choice. There are several websites and mobile applications that can help you save money on the prescription medicines you need; you can compare the prices of these medicines, print coupons, and there are several other features that you can explore with top-rated apps that can help you save on prescription medicines.

Yellowing of the teeth and other oral health issues are the reasons to deteriorate the health of your pearly white teeth. Therefore, people opt for teeth whitening, a bleaching procedure that brings back the whiteness of the teeth. As stained teeth can dull someone’s smile, getting them whitened can help one get their attractive smile back and boost their confidence. Whiter teeth have also been linked to better oral health as a professional teeth whitening procedure can strengthen the teeth making them healthier. While teeth whitening is not harmful to oral health, it is not recommended to people who have any sort of fabrication or restorations in their front-facing teeth. This includes dental crowns, dental bonding, and porcelain veneers as these materials don’t react to bleaching compounds. Causes of teeth staining or yellowing Yellowing of teeth is just as normal as greying of hair. The part that becomes yellow in teeth is the dentin and not the enamel. As people age, the new growth of dentin is darker, which is visible only when the enamel is thinner. The enamel is the outer layer of the teeth that gets thinner due to wear and tear, exposure to certain foods and drinks, and grinding.

Memory care is a type of skilled nursing for people diagnosed with memory-related ailments. Today, memory care facilities are available to provide skilled nursing services for people who suffer from conditions like Alzheimer’s, dementia, and cognitive impairment due to TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). Memory care can also be necessary for people who have been diagnosed with memory loss and need assistance with ADLs (Areas of Daily Living). Alzheimer’s disease, according to the National Institute of Aging, is an irreversible progressive brain disease that deteriorates patients’ memory and thinking skills. This disease results in 50% to 60% of dementia cases. Some signs that are not a part of normal memory loss are: Trouble learning new things Forgetting how to do things that have done many times before Repeating stories and phrases in the same conversation Inability to make decisions Inability to keep track of what happens each day For their own safety, people suffering from such conditions will need supervision. They may also need help with personal care, medication management, and ADLs. Initially, the individual might be able to live at their residence with help from their loved ones. Family members can provide support through in-home memory care providers and adult day care.

Along with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis is one of the major types of inflammatory bowel disease. A chronic illness, ulcerative colitis causes long-lasting inflammation and sores in the digestive tract. It is estimated that around 1.3% of adults in the US are diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Here are a few things to know about this health disorder. Common causes of ulcerative colitis (UC) There is no exact known cause of UC. According to multiple studies, there are three factors that play a critical role in the development of the condition. Genes Environment An overactive intestinal immune system Any of the above factors can trigger UC. Genes : In some cases, UC runs in the family. Based on some studies, it has been observed that some people with ulcerative colitis have abnormal genes. However, there have been no significant studies done to indicate a direct link between UC and genes. Environment : For some people, the environment can be one of the major triggers of ulcerative colitis. Environmental triggers include medications, foods, and emotional distress. Although there are few studies to suggest that stress causes UC, it definitely triggers a flare-up. Food and medication to an extent can contribute to the development of UC.

Due to a stressful and fast life, obesity has become a modern phenomenon in most homes of our country. People slog at work for most of the day and don’t care about their food and health, which is making them eat more whenever they are getting time. No physical activity with reckless eating without counting the calories which one needs to intake makes life worse than ever. Obesity is making people sick and killing them every day. Therefore, the concept of a 1200 calorie diet has come into existence to fight the battle against obesity. You might wonder how an adult can survive on a 1200 calorie diet per day, wouldn’t you? But this is what a doctor would recommend you to follow if you want to shed the fat without losing your muscle mass. The minimum amount of calories that a man needs to have is 1600, and in case of a woman, it is around 1400. So why would doctors recommend going on a 1200 calorie diet? A 1200 calorie diet is not about having junk food. It is rather about having the right number of calories from the right food items so that your body can have the required amount of energy, but with less fat.

The shoulder joint of your body is one of the most vulnerable joints present in the human body. However, we should be careful of the probable injuries that can occur to the shoulder and take precautionary measures accordingly. In fact, if your shoulders are healthy in spite of the number of movements it goes through, then you surely must be doing the right things to strengthen them. Many reasons can cause shoulder muscle pain. The number of ligaments and tendons associated with a shoulder result in different categories of injuries to the shoulder. A common cause of shoulder muscle pain is soreness of the tendon in the rotator cuff. This rotator cuff is that part of the shoulder which helps in its circular motion. The other common cause of shoulder pain is the soreness of the subacromial bursa, which is a sac of fluid under the highest part of the human shoulder. Sometimes the injury or pain in the shoulder is so underlying that you may not experience any pain during idle periods. But the pain evokes after writing, lifting items, or playing a sport, i.e., anything that requires you to lift your arms. You may not remember any injury, but the pain during the lifting motion turns out to be sharp and unperturbed.