Tips to determine the best Medicare Supplemental Plans It is not ideal to get a Medicare Supplemental Plan without understanding what you are getting yourself into. Additionally, you must already be enrolled in Medicare Part A and B to be eligible to join Medicare Supplemental plans. Some points to help you determine whether Medigap plans are for you or not include, you visit your doctor frequently for health concerns and get hospitalized more often than you would prefer; you don’t want to pay all the out-of-pocket costs that the original Medicare does not cover; you travel to different parts of the country and want to receive treatment wherever you are, if required; and you want the liberty to get treated from any hospital and doctor in the country. If you already have a Medicare Advantage Plan then it may not be a wise decision to get supplemental Medicare. Also, if your employer provides enough coverage for your medical bills, then you might not require a supplemental Medicare plan. What is the easiest way to choose the best Medicare Supplemental plan? You can only choose between options when you are aware of the different plans available. It would be best if you can check Medicare’s official website and take a look at all the plans there.

Vaginal atrophy treatment – An overview Vaginal atrophy is an age-related condition that affects women around the age of menopause, but it need not necessarily affect women of only that age group. In pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women, the condition is caused by varying levels of the female hormone estrogen, which is the principal hormone in women. Estrogen is present at all ages in the female body, and even well into the post-menopause stage, this hormone does not cease to exist in the system. In the absence of its nourishing effect on the muscles, the skin, etc., the vaginal walls lose their thickness and elasticity, and the lining is also similarly affected. It leads to narrowing of the walls and extreme dryness. Urinary symptoms also develop along with these symptoms, and now the condition of vaginal atrophy post menopause is spoken of as Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). What is vaginal atrophy? It is an age-related change in most cases. The urinary and genital systems are closely related because of their closeness in location and evolution. In medical parlance, it has always been urinogenital. Vaginal atrophy affects the urinary system also. One of its manifestations is an increased risk of urinary infection in postmenopausal women.

What you should know about tooth pain Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to the health of the teeth and gums. Maintaining teeth and gum health is much better than the painful process of going to the dentist for curing tooth pains. Maintaining a good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day, more importantly, post-dinner, flossing regularly, using a mouthwash, and a regular bi-annual checkup of the teeth prove to be of much help in the long run. Below is some information about the causes, the diagnosis, and the treatment options for a tooth pain. What causes tooth pain? The teeth have a hard, outer layer called enamel that is impervious and protects the inner delicate tissues like the pulp, which contain the blood vessels and nerves. The problems begin with sensitivity to air, cold or hot liquids, and sour or sweet foods in most of the cases. Home remedies offer temporary relief, but tooth pain treatment in time is unavoidable. How is a toothache diagnosed? A tooth pain need not necessarily mean dental decay or caries. Often pains elsewhere deeper in the body are projected in the tooth as reflected pains. The nature of the pain gives the dentist an insight into the cause of a toothache.

Treadmills – An overview Treadmills are a popular home exercising equipment that is useful to provide straightforward aerobic workouts. As compared to the other exercising equipment, treadmills are very popular, especially among beginners who turn toward fitness, as walking is easy for everyone, even those who have back problems. It is popularly used for jogging or interval training, which increases endurance and strength. Treadmills aid in improving cardiovascular health and offer mental and physical benefits. When and how did treadmills come into existence? The existence of the treadmill goes back right up to the first century AD. Back then, treadmills were used by the Romans for heavy articles. A mechanical engineer called William Staub developed the first treadmill for home use. Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper had written a book called aerobics, which was read by William Staub in 1968 and provided him with the inspiration to develop the treadmill. What are the things to be considered while buying a treadmill? Like all other home exercising equipment, treadmills are also expensive to purchase; hence, while buying a treadmill, it is necessary to consider all the features of the equipment and decide whether it is suitable for the home environment or not:

Types of chest pain and their treatments The first thing that chest pain, especially upper left chest pain, brings into the minds of many is a heart attack. Well, it can be a symptom of a heart attack, but there are a plethora of other possible causes as well. It can be felt anywhere from the neck down to the upper abdomen and can be a dull, sharp, stabbing, burning, aching, or a crushing sensation, depending on the cause. Chest pain should never be ignored, and knowing the following facts about it can prevent a number of associated health problems. What are the common causes of chest pain? Injured ribs : An injury in the ribs, including breaks, fractures, and bruises, is one of the causal factors of chest pain. Muscle strain : Muscle strain is another possible reason for chest pain. If the pain worsens with activity, it might mean that there is inflammation in the muscles and tendons around the ribs. Peptic ulcers : Peptic ulcers are sores in the stomach lining that usually don’t cause intense pain. However, they do cause discomfort in the chest that feels like chest pain. Asthma : This condition characterized by inflammation of the airways causes chest pain, along with other symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

The stages and progress of Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible brain condition in which the patient starts losing their memory and thinking abilities as the disease progresses. This can happen in the middle age or old age. As the mental problem persists, they will not be able to carry out their routine tasks as well. So, it is always good to make sure that you are taking proper care of the person who is showing symptoms of Alzheimer’s and get appropriate treatment started. Here is some more information about this disease. What are the causes of Alzheimer’s disease? Experts haven’t actually been able to identify a set of common causes for Alzheimer’s disease. However, there are certain things that can be risky and can be linked to this disease. Age is one of the most important factors in that. Most of the people who experience this problem have had it after they had crossed the age of 65 years. If there is an immediate family member who was diagnosed with this problem, there are high chances of you getting it. So, you need to keep a check of Alzheimer’s symptoms. It can be a genetic problem as well. Any genes linked to this health issue can cause it.

Understanding the causes of high PSA levels PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen and is a protein that is produced in the cells of the prostate gland. In certain cases, when the levels of PSA in the blood are elevated, it might be indicative of prostate cancer. Since 1986, PSA tests have been used as a means to monitor the progress of prostate cancer. There are several other causes for the increase in the PSA levels as well. Read on to know more about the PSA test and the causes of high PSA levels as well. What is a PSA test? The PSA test helps measure the amount of PSA levels in the blood. In order to perform this test, a blood sample is collected and sent for analysis to a laboratory. The results are then returned in the units of a nanogram of PSA per milliliter of blood (ng/mL). Since 1994, it has been used in conjunction with a DRE (digital rectal exam) to test if the person has prostate cancer. Anyone who exhibits symptoms of this type of cancer needs to undergo the PSA and DRE tests to help doctors diagnose the condition efficiently. There are several benign conditions that can also result in the increase of PSA levels in a man’s blood.

What you should know about swollen feet Due to the effect of gravity on the body fluids, swelling in the feet or ankles is a very common problem. This health condition is known as the peripheral edema and it does not cause pain. But if the swelling is because of an injury to your ankle or feet then that could be painful; however, it depends on the severity of the injury. Swelling of the feet is a very common problem for seniors. This can affect both the legs or just one leg. There are a number of leg and ankle swelling remedies that can be done at home and you may not need a doctor unless it is very painful. Below is some information about the causes of swollen feet, treatment options, and more. What are the common causes of swelling in the feet? One of the main causes of leg or feet swelling is obesity. When an individual is overweight, the blood circulation in the body reduces, leading to accumulation of fluids in the lower part of the body. This will result in swelling of the feet. When you stand or sit for a very long time, your body muscles remain inactive for that period and that could cause swelling in the feet.

Sinusitis- Types, symptoms, and treatments Sinusitis is caused by a swelling or an inflammation of the lining of the tissues of the sinuses. Sinuses in their healthy state are bloated with air. But when they get infected, they get filled with germs and infected fluids and cause an infection. Sinuses make mucus which keeps the nasal passage unblocked clean of all the various pollutants and allergens that are inhaled through the air. Sinusitis is a common problem, and it might get initiated because of allergies or a cold. For people having a weak immune system, even a fungus can lead to sinusitis. But many sufferers of this condition do not undergo sinus treatments that are quite helpful because of the lack of information. Therefore, before you get to the drugstore or try some remedy, you must be sure of the results. There are various home remedies for sinus drainage that can be tried in order to get relief. Below is some information about the types of sinusitis, symptoms, treatment options, and more. What are the conditions that cause sinusitis? The conditions that cause sinus are: A common cold Inflammation of the nose lining, also known as allergic rhinitis Nasal polyps or tiny growths in the nasal lining What are the types of sinus infections (sinusitis)?

Removing dental plaque at home Did you notice that after a dental cleanup, the teeth start to sparkle and shine? But this sparkle and shine vanish over time, and the teeth start getting a yellowish color. This yellow color is due to plaque build up on the teeth. Plaque is a filmy substance made by the bacteria in the mouth. Below and above the gum line, dental plaque gets accumulated, and removal of plaque is always a good idea. When left uncleaned for a long time, it can turn into tartar, which is very difficult to clean. Dental plaque removal can be done at home, but if it turns to tartar, a doctor is needed; it cannot be removed at home. What are the causes of plaque? A lot of bacteria are naturally present in the oral cavity. These bacteria feed on the food particles left in between the teeth, usually on the sugar and starch-based food. The food and saliva will create an environment for the bacteria to multiply fast. They get stuck between the teeth, and it is not possible to avoid this completely. Can plaque turn into tartar buildup? If ignored, dental plaque has chances of developing into tartar; however, this can be prevented with timely intervention.

The dos and don’ts of diverticulitis diet In the lining of the digestive system, small pouch-like formations are usually seen in the lower part of the large intestine. These are called diverticula, and they are usually observed after the age of 40 years. They do not cause any kind of problem in most cases. However, in rare cases, they can get infected or inflamed. This condition is called diverticulitis. When the condition is in the early stage, a diverticulitis – diet, along with antibiotics, is used for treating it. Here’s more information about the condition. What are the symptoms of diverticulitis? Even with diverticulas, there are just 10 to 25 percent chances of developing diverticulitis You will have pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen Bleeding Fever The color of the stool changes to black There may be an experience of pain when urinating Severe vomiting Cramps Diarrhea How is diverticulitis diagnosed? If already diagnosed with diverticula, a diagnosis of diverticulitis would be confirmed in case any of the symptoms listed above are exhibited. Along with your health history, a few tests would be conducted by the doctor to confirm this diagnosis of diverticulitis. Some of the tests suggested are a colonoscopy exam, a barium enema x-ray, and a flexible sigmoidoscopy.