Many facilities provide assistance to senior citizens who may require daily care as they age. At-home care might not suffice, and people may not be equipped to provide full-time help to their loved ones. This is why people choose assisted living or nursing homes for older adults. However, these facilities can provide different kinds of services, and it is important to understand the key differences to choose the right option for you.  What is long-term care? Long-term care can be described as services that help meet the non-medical and medical needs of those with a disability or chronic illness and those who cannot care for themselves. Through long-term care, people can get assistance to carry out daily activities like dressing, using the bathroom, feeding themselves, and more. This service can be provided in the person’s home, nursing homes, or assisted living communities. Although such services are used by senior citizens, this type of care is meant for people of all ages who fit the criteria. Here are two types of facilities that provide long-term care: Nursing home:  This residential facility offers care to the disabled or the elderly. Nursing homes are also known as “old people’s homes” or rest homes.

The endocrine system is responsible for the production of multiple hormones in the human body. These hormones regulate important functions that help the body to heal itself, control metabolic functions, regulate mood and sleep, and aid in growth and development. However, certain endocrine conditions result in disruption in the production of hormones and interfere with bodily functions, leading to more severe disease. Some of these endocrine conditions are discussed below: Endocrine system The endocrine system consists of various glands in the human body that produce hormones. The glands monitor the number of hormones produced and release these hormones into the bloodstream, from where they travel to various parts of the body. A few important glands and organs, as well as the hormones that are produced, include: Pituitary gland This is the most important gland that tells other glands what to do. It is located in the brain. It makes essential hormones, such as the growth hormone and the thyroid-stimulating hormone. Thyroid gland This gland, located in the neck, makes the thyroid hormone that controls metabolism and growth. Pancreas This is an organ that makes insulin and glucagon hormones that regulate blood sugar levels. The pancreas is located behind the stomach.

Anxiety & stress are similar in numerous ways, with one or two crucial differences. Both are emotional responses to pressures of everyday life or childhood traumas. Additionally, the symptoms in most cases are the same, be it physical or emotional. Both can influence, to a great extent, the quality of life experienced by an individual. Read on to know the differences between anxiety & stress, its causes, symptoms, risk factors, and the different types:  Anxiety & Stress – Difference between the two Causes  A person experiences stress when caused by an external factor or trigger. For example, you are likely to be stressed when there’s a deadline to meet at work or when you have a fight with your loved ones.    Anxiety is a person’s reaction to internal stress. So, when stress is induced externally, anxiety lurks in. A person prone to anxiety is inclined to worry excessively, without any stress or triggers. The feeling of apprehension persists even if things are not as bad.   Duration  In most cases, the trigger for stress is short-term. That is why stress itself, in most people, does not persist for too long.    Anxiety is usually a persistent problem and can become a long-term menace if not addressed well in time.

Dairy and eggs are essential parts of a complete meal as they provide nourishment to the body and help maintain one’s overall wellbeing. Both foods are similar in being animal products that are high in protein. These foods can also help ward off and fight illnesses. Further, these are basic ingredients for recipes and are extremely versatile as dairy products come in several forms, and eggs can be cooked in various styles.  Is egg a dairy product? Many believe that because of their similarities and the products often being grouped together, eggs are dairy products. This is not true because dairy consists of food produced from the milk of mammals, like goats and cows. On the contrary, eggs are laid by birds (hens or ducks) who are not mammals and do not produce milk. So even if you find eggs stocked in a dairy aisle, do not confuse it with being a dairy product. The only reason eggs might be stored in this aisle is because they need refrigeration like dairy products. Dairy products categorization Dairy is anything that contains or is made from milk. Milk-based products are categorized into four classes to set up appropriate pricing. Class I covers milk used for beverage, fluid, or milk products.

Vitamins are carbon or organic compounds gained from certain food eaten by individuals. The human body requires these compounds for proper functioning. Thus, vitamin deficiencies can increase the body’s vulnerability to certain health conditions and diseases. A nutrient-rich meal plan can mostly take care of the body’s requirements; however, in some cases, one needs an additional nutrient boost via supplements. This article discusses four things you should know about vitamins and vitamin supplements. Things to know about vitamins and supplements There are 13 recognized vitamins, and all of them have numerous supplements. The names, benefits, and deficiencies are as mentioned below:   Vitamin A/Retinol Good for the eyes, this fat-soluble vitamin comes from veggies like carrots, pumpkins, cheese, milk, etc. Its deficiency can cause night blindness. The Adequate Intake (AI) daily value is 700 mcg.   Vitamin B1 or Thiamine The water-soluble vitamin boosts energy. Cereal grains, oranges, cauliflower, and asparagus are rich sources of it. A deficiency of vitamin B1 can cause diseases like beriberi. The daily AI is 1.1 mg.   Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin This water-soluble vitamin plays a significant role in metabolism. Foods like bananas, milk, yogurt, and green beans are rich sources. A deficiency of vitamin B2 inflames the lips and causes fissures.

The A1C test helps diagnose diabetes. It also aids in the management of the condition after diagnosis. The test can reveal a person’s blood glucose levels for the past three months. The test relies on glucose that attaches to hemoglobin. These cells live for three months; thus, it can reveal information about glucose levels in the blood for the same time period. Lower A1C levels indicate good diabetes management. If the A1C numbers are higher than 6.5%, it indicates diabetes. If the A1C levels are not within the normal range, your doctor may recommend some diet modifications along with other recommendations. Diet plays a critical role in diabetes management. You can achieve lower A1C levels by making adjustments to your diet along with other treatment options. Food to help you lower your A1C levels Vegetables Include plenty of vegetables in your daily diet for fiber, minerals, and vitamins. Best vegetables for diabetes management are leafy greens, cauliflower, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, celery, and asparagus. Avoid starchy vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes until you can achieve lower A1C levels. Later, you can eat these in moderation if you doctor recommends it. Fruits You don’t have to avoid fruits if you are diabetic.

Toenail fungus is often characterized by yellowish-white spots under the tip of the toenails. As the condition progresses, it causes nail discoloration, crumbling, and peeling of nail skin at the edge. There are several fungal toenail treatment options that help to reverse the condition. Here are the most effective options that you can opt for to ensure a quick toenail fungus cure. Effective fungal toenail treatment options Toenail fungus treatment options depend on the condition’s severity as well as the type of fungus causing it. Some cases may even take months to alleviate. Some of the most effective toenail fungus cure options include Oral antifungal medications Oral antifungals are one of the best quick ways to treat toenail fungus. There are several medications available in the market that can be taken orally or applied to the affected nails to find relief. These medications help to promote the growth of new nails that are free from fungus. One must note that toenail fungal infections take a long time to cure. In most cases, the doctors may prescribe taking these medications for 6 to 12 weeks or until the nail grows back fully. Sometimes, taking these medicines for a long time may cause unpleasant side effects such as skin rash or even liver damage.

Medical alert systems and devices are very useful for notifying medical authorities in case of an emergency. At the push of a button, emergency services and medical centers can be given an alert to respond for assistance. Technological advancements have certainly helped the way medical assistance is provided. However, there are a number of factors that must be considered while selecting AARP medical alert systems and devices. Popular AARP medical alert systems and devices such as personal and medical emergency response system and medical emergency response systems provide increased independence and peace of mind for your loved ones. Here is what you should consider while choosing AARP medical alert systems. Type of device or system The type of medical alert device or system will determine its functionality. Checking whether the device is wearable or requires a stable installation and determining the system’s range, mobility, connectivity, battery life, and remote connectivity are all the factors to consider while shopping for AARP medical alert systems. System functionalities Your new medical alert system should be able to call for help, alert authorities in case of a fall, and monitor your health remotely. GPS location tracking, activity monitoring, daily electronic check-in services, fitness tracking, and general home security monitoring are additional functionalities you should look for while buying AARP medical alert systems.

Anemia is a medical condition in which you do not have enough healthy red blood cells in your body. To treat your anemia, you first need to understand its underlying cause and what type of anemia you are suffering from. Some of the common types of anemia that you must know are the one caused by iron deficiency, vitamin deficiency, continuous bleeding, pregnancy, and a bone marrow related disorder. Read along to know about three popular treatment options that you can consider if you are anemic. Iron deficiency anemia treatment Anemia caused because of deficiency of iron in the body is probably one of the most common types of anemia. Your bone marrow needs iron to produce hemoglobin for your red blood cells. The treatment for this type of anemia typically involves your doctor prescribing you oral supplements of ferrous sulfate, which you will be advised to take every day. If you are looking for natural ways to cure this type of anemia, then you can do so by including iron rich food like dark leafy vegetables, beans, and nuts in your diet. Vitamin deficiency anemia treatment It is believed that another major reason why people are anemic is that their body lacks the necessary vitamins, specifically vitamin B12.

How tough can it be for new parents to find a doctor for their child? Not much, right? After all, there are plenty of qualified pediatricians out there. But at times, the sheer availability of choices can make it difficult to select a good doctor. On other occasions, you may not know how to make the right choice for your child. So what’s a new parent to do? Here are five tips to help you choose the right pediatrician. Ask your friends, neighbors and other family members for referrals. Recommendations from a trusted source are one of the best ways to find a doctor for your child. You can also ask your primary care provider or ob-gyn to recommend a few names of good pediatricians in town. Research additional information about the referrals. Don’t just take anyone else’s word about a doctor. Check educational background, experience, and certifications for each name on your list. Also, find out which of these pediatricians work with your health insurance provider. Make a list of your top three choices. Schedule an appointment with each of these pediatricians to assess your comfort level with them. You don’t want to wait until you need to see your pediatrician after your baby is born and have a bad experience.

Taking good care of yourself is one of the best ways to maintain perfect health. The healthy habits that you follow will have a significant effect on the state of your health and immunity in the long run. So it would be a worthwhile effort to make some lifestyle tweaks in your everyday routine to accommodate some healthy habits to keep cold and flu at bay: Wash your hands Before you eat your food, you should mandatorily wash your hands. Failing to do so increases your chances of falling ill quickly. Your hands may come in contact with objects that might be contaminated or full of dust. If you eat your meals without cleaning your hands, you will ingest all the germs that are on your hands. Avoid picking your nose A simple way for you is to blow your nose inside the sink in case you want to clean it, but picking your nose is a filthy habit. This can spread different types of infections and increases your chances of falling ill since the cold and flu viruses usually spread through the mucus. Do not skip breakfast Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Therefore, it needs to be a very healthy one.