Life After 50 Expo

Know Your Allergy Symptoms !

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Do you know what the main symptoms of allergies are?  Do you know what to look for when it comes to allergies?  Some are just very frustrating and annoying to most. However there are some people that have symptoms of allergies that can be very life threatening and dangerous.

The most common symptoms are going to be the following:

* Breathing problems.  This is one that can be very harmful for a person that has an allergy.  It is really going to get someone’ s attention.  Having a lack of oxygen can really get a person’s attention for the allergy.
* Burning and itchy eyes known as Conjunctivitis. This is a big problem for most people that are dealing with allergies.
* Coughing.  This is something that many people with allergies have to deal with. It is a constant cough that will start to become painful for some.
* Diarrhea. Having diarrhea can be a very big problem for many people in their normal lifetime.  It may even become life threatening for some that have it too long.
* Headache.  Having a headache can be a very distractible problem.  Many times it is hard to live a normal life and do the things that a person normally would do.
* Hives.  Having hives is something that will be annoying and very uncomfortable.  It will be painful for some and it can bring the attention of others to you when you are out in public.
* Itchy noses,mouth, throat and skin.  An itch that cannot be smoothed is one of the most annoying problems that an allergy can bring on.
* Runny nose.  Having a runny nose is something that is going to mean that a person is constantly blowing their nose or sniffing.
* Skin rashes are some that are painful and itchy most of the time. However they are also very annoying and even ugly for some people depending on where they are located on the body.

Breathing Exercises and Meditation for Health !

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Meditation is a great option for a healthy body, mind and spirit.

In order for meditation to work, you need to breath. You have to make sure that you are doing all the right breathing methods so that you can make it work for your needs.

Meditation will help you to relax as you are doing exercises.  You need to make sure that you have the breathing methods down right before you begin.

Breathing is part of meditation.  Doing the right breathing methods will give you all the tools that you need to perform your meditation the correct way.

Practicing the breathing methods when you are doing meditation will help you to relax while doing the exercises.  Inhaling through your nose and letting your diaphragm expand while you are exhaling through your mouth.

This will slow down your heart rate and put you in a more relaxed mood.

Breathing will also play an important role when you are trying to improve your concentration.  This will work through focusing on your mind and taking in the air and passing it through your nostrils until your air is then exhaled through your mouth.

You may think that this is easy, but it can be a challenge if this is your first time.

There is a method for increasing your awareness as well.  It is done just like the concentration method and it will mean that you put your attention to his or her breathing.

Instead of focusing on inhaling and exhaling, this is a sensation where you will control your thoughts.  The feeling of air passing through the nose will fill up the lungs and expand the diaphragm.  It is the sensation a person doing meditation should watch out for.

This method will help a person to feel better and be more alive.

This article will give you the importance of breathing when you are practicing meditation.  Once you have the art down, you will notice how much better your body feels.Prope

Healthy Options for Blood Pressure Control !

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There are many things that you can do to naturally lower your blood pressure, and there are also many medications that you can take to make sure that your blood pressure stays as low as possible for your body.

First of all, you need to be sure that you are always eating a diet that is low in fat and cholesterol. This is your best defense against high blood pressure. If you can incorporate healthy food into your life as something that you are always doing, you are going to find that you are able to lower your blood pressure at least a little bit simply by eating the right foods. This is important to do, and it is important to start right now. Eating healthy food is something that can help your body, but it is something that you have to keep up, and something that you have to do for a long time. If you have been in the habit of eating foods that are bad for you, you are going to find that it takes a long time for a healthy diet to make a real difference. However, you should not give up, because it is something that will do wonders for you.

You should also be sure that you are getting plenty of exercise. This is something that is important, but you have to make sure that it is the right kind. Remember that the best kind of exercise for lowering your blood pressure is something that gets your heart moving. You want to make sure that your heart is very healthy, and that you are getting enough exercise.

However, it might be that even though you are eating right and getting enough exercise, you still have to deal with high blood pressure. This might be because you have abused your body for awhile and you need to have some time for your body to heal. It might be that you have been eating a high fat diet for many years, and you need to take the time to get your body back to where it should be. Or it might be that you have a condition that makes you have high blood pressure, even if you don’t do anything wrong. In these cases, it might become important to use blood pressure medication. This will help you to regulate your blood pressure. Talk to your doctor about the different medications, and what they can do for you when it comes to lowering your blood pressure. There are also a variety of natural techniques, like acupuncture and massage that can be used to lower your blood pressure. Look into all of these options before finding one that is right for you.

Kaiser Family Foundation Report Compares Quality of Medicare Advantage with Traditional Medicare

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readingtoelderly-300x300Last week the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) released a comprehensive review of research literature comparing health care access and quality in Medicare Advantage with the traditional Medicare program. Today, 30 percent of all people with Medicare are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, private plans that contract with the federal government to provide Medicare benefits. The literature review analyzes 45 studies that compare MA and traditional Medicare, published between 2000 and 2014.

The report reviews studies that examine a variety of topics, including beneficiary reports on quality and access, potentially avoidable hospital admissions, readmission rates, health outcomes, resource utilization and more. While highlighting some methodological criticisms of the studies, the report finds that the cumulative evidence shows that MA plans tend to perform better than traditional Medicare in providing preventive services and conserving their resources, at least through 2009. At the same time, according to the report, people with Medicare consistently rate traditional Medicare as being better than MA in terms of quality and access, though one study suggests that this gap may be closing for some groups of beneficiaries. Across studies, sicker beneficiaries overwhelmingly favor traditional Medicare.

Ultimately, the report expresses disappointment in the lack of information comparing MA with traditional Medicare. KFF calls for more study of the differences between MA and the traditional Medicare program, particularly in light of increasing MA enrollment.

Read the KFF report.

Health Tip

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We are currently in the 2014-2015 flu season, and it is important for all individuals, especially older adults, to educate themselves about flu prevention. The best way to prevent yourself from getting the flu is by getting a flu shot during each flu season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 20 percent of Americans get the flu each year. Even very healthy individuals can get sick from the flu. The best way to prevent yourself from getting the flu is by getting a flu shot during each flu season. It is best to get a flu shot early in the flu season, which starts during the fall. You can ask your doctor or pharmacy for more information about flu shots and where to get one.Click here for more information about the flu vaccine.

Medicare Part B will cover 100 percent of the costs for a flu shot during each flu season, as long as you see a provider who accepts Medicare assignment. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, the plan may require that you use providers in the plan’s network. For more information on Medicare coverage of flu shots, click here.
Need to Know
Fall Open Enrollment is here!

During Fall Open Enrollment (October 15-December 7), you may make changes to your Medicare health and drug coverage. If you need help deciding your Medicare coverage for 2015, call the Medicare Rights Center’s free, national consumer helpline at 800-333-4114.