Life After 50 Expo

Breast Cancer Awareness !

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is caused by cancer cells that form in breast tissue, and is the second leading cause of death among women in the United States. Although rare, men can also get breast cancer as they are born with some breast tissue. It is important to detect breast cancer early, and this can be done through self examinations and screenings at your doctor’s office. The American Cancer Society cites some risk factors for developing breast cancer, such as smoking, drinking, and diet. However, they also note that it is difficult to tell how much these risk factors contribute to women developing breast cancer. The most common symptom of breast cancer is a lump or mass in the breast. It is important to have any new lumps checked by a health care professional. Other symptoms include skin irritation or dimpling, breast or nipple pain, or swelling of part or all of the breast. 

For women over 40, Medicare covers a screening mammogram every 12 months or a diagnostic mammogram when deemed medically necessary. It also covers a baseline screening for women 35 to 39 years of age. Beneficiaries pay nothing for a preventive screening, and they pay a 20 percent coinsurance for any diagnostic mammograms they receive. 

Dear Marci,

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Dear Marci,

My mother is going to be eligible for Medicare soon. I want to help her choose a prescription drug plan, but I’m not sure where to start. What are some questions she should consider before signing up for a Part D plan?

– Erin (Clark, NJ)

Dear Erin,

Choosing a Part D plan can seem daunting because there are many points to think about. Depending on your mother’s needs, her financial situation, and her preferences, some of the following questions and guidelines may be more important than others.

One question to ask is: does this plan cover your mother’s drugs? If your mother takes a lot of prescription drugs, then choosing a plan that has her drugs on its formulary is an important first step. A formulary is a list of drugs that a plan covers. If a plan’s formulary does not include her drug or drugs, then she may end up paying out of pocket for the entire cost of the drug. You can help your mother create a list of the names of the prescriptions she takes, their dosages, and whether they are brand-name or generic. This can help you sort through plans and choose the ones that cover her drugs.

You should also ask about the costs associated with the plan. If your mother chooses a plan with a deductible, know that she will have to pay that amount out of pocket before her plan begins to cover her prescription drugs. She should also think about the most she can and wants to spend on the drug plan’s monthly premium.

The Medicare Plan Finder tool and the plan your mother is considering should provide information about the expected copays or coinsurances for the medications she anticipates taking over the next year. It is, however, difficult to estimate the exact cost of pharmacy copays and coinsurance amounts because these may change over the course of the year.

Another question to consider is, are my mother’s pharmacies preferred and in-network? Many drug plans include both preferred and non-preferred pharmacies in their networks. Your mother may pay less for her drugs at preferred pharmacies than at non-preferred pharmacies. If she goes to a pharmacy that’s close to home or easy to get to, it may be beneficial to look for a plan that categorizes that pharmacy as a preferred and in-network.

Also note that some plans have a mail-order option that may have cheaper prices than the pharmacy. If your mother is interested in mail-order, she can also look for a plan that includes that option.

Lastly, your mother will want to ask, what is the plan’s star rating?Medicare uses a star rating system to measure how well Part D plans perform in different categories, including quality of care and customer service. Ratings range from one to five stars, with one being the lowest and five being the highest rating. Medicare reviews plan performances each year and releases new star ratings each fall. You can find a plan’s star rating by using the Plan Finder tool onwww.medicare.gov.

Star ratings are not the only factor your mother should consider when looking for a plan. Even if a plan has a high star rating, it may not be right for her if it does not cover the drugs she needs. However, star ratings can be a factor to consider once your mother finds the plans that will provide the best coverage for her.

Knowing the right questions to ask can help you and your mother choose a Part D plan that works with her needs.

– Marci

Stress erases benefits of eating ‘good’ fats, study says !

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By now, many of us have heard about “good” versus “bad” fats. But a new study, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, suggests that stress eradicates the positive effects of choosing good fats.
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Though opting for “good” fats is a smart health choice, researchers suggest stress cancels out the associated health benefits.

“It’s more evidence that stress matters,” says lead author Jan Kiecolt-Glaser, professor of psychiatry and psychology at Ohio State University in Columbus.

She says their study is the first to show how stress can cancel out the benefits of eating healthier fats.

The American Heart Association (AHA) provide guidelines for consuming fats and note that dietary fats are crucial for the body’s energy and cell growth. In addition, dietary fats protect the organs and keep the body warm.

However, certain fats are better than others. Saturated and trans fats are the ones that can raise bad cholesterol levels in the body, while monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats can lower bad cholesterol levels. These have been deemed the “good” fats.

to continue reading click link below:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/313003.php

Heartburn relief !

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There are some things that people can do to prevent and treat the symptoms of heartburn. Not all remedies work or are safe for everyone, however. It is important for people to speak with their doctor about the best remedy for them.

Simple remedies for heartburn relief include:

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Heartburn may progress into a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.
  1. Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke
  2. Wearing loose fitting clothing to avoid unnecessary pressure on the stomach
  3. Considering prescription medications:People with heartburn should also speak with their doctor to see if the use of prescription medications is right for them.
  4. Losing weight: People who are in need of losing weight or are obese may want to consider a diet and exercise weight loss program. Each person reacts to these changes differently, however. It is important to speak with a healthcare provider about losing weight.
  5. Raising the head of the bed: There are many ways to raise the head of the bed to allow gravity to reduce the symptoms of heartburn. Placing blocks under the top bedposts, raising the bed by around 6-8 inches may work. Foam wedges can also be placed between the mattress and box spring to raise the angle of the head of the bed. Pillows are not effective in reducing heartburn symptoms.
  6. Trying over-the-counter medications: People with heartburn should speak with their doctor about over-the-counter medications to relieve their symptoms. They may be recommended to try antacids, acid reducers like famotidine or ranitidine, or acid blockers such as lansoprazole and omeprazole.
  7. Using herbal preparations: The use of certain herbal preparations may also be useful. The Mayo Clinic report that licorice, slippery elm, chamomile, or marshmallow could help in treating the symptoms of GERD. It is important for people to speak with their doctor about potential side effects and drug interactions before starting any herbal supplements.
  8. Trying acupuncture: Although there is limited evidence to support its use, acupuncture may be beneficial in relieving the symptoms of heartburn in some people.
  9. Relaxing: Stress and tension can wreak havoc on the body. Relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation could provide the body with calming relief to some symptoms.
  10. Making some simple diet changes: There are certain dietary triggers that can affect the presence and severity of heartburn. People should try avoiding spicy or greasy foods, chocolate, caffeinated drinks likecoffee, tomato products, garlic, peppermint, alcohol, and fizzy drinks.

People should sit upright for 3 or more hours after a meal to reduce heartburn symptoms. People should also eat smaller meals and avoid meals in the 2-3 hours before sleep.

for complete article click below:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312854.php

Heart attack or heartburn ?

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Anyone worried about chest pain should not wait to get urgent medical care. They should call for an ambulance straight away, especially if the pain is unexplained, sudden, or severe.

Heart attack pain is caused when one of the arteries supplying the heart becomes blocked. Angina is a similar chest pain caused when these arteries are narrowed by heart disease.

Heartburn is a burning pain often felt in the upper belly or lower chest. It is caused by stomach acid going back up the food pipe.

Heartburn and heart attack pain can be similar. If someone is in doubt whether pain is a heart attack, they should always call for an ambulance. If it is a heart attack, prompt medical care can be lifesaving.

Click below to read full article:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312964.php