HEALTH BLOGS
HEALTH BLOGS
category: health
15 May 2008
by: ashley

Your jaw pops like a bowl of Rice Krispies—in meetings, at mealtime, during candlelight moments. Is it a joint that needs fixing, or just an annoying sound you can live with? Most body noises, although embarrassing, are harmless, but occasionally they’re a signal that something’s not quite right. Here, we decode what your body is telling you—from top to bottom—and what to do about it. Read more…

According to Alicia Potter

category: health
15 May 2008

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) May 15, 2008 — ELDR magazine and ELDR.com today released the results of a national survey of adults on the “right to die” issue or what some call “physician-assisted suicide.” The survey showed that over 80 percent believe the choice to end one’s life is a personal decision, with two-thirds of adults saying they want physician-assisted “death with dignity” legal, as in Oregon.

The ELDR Magazine “Right To Die” National Survey, conducted by Knowledge Networks and statistically projectable to the U.S. adult population, also revealed that only half of adults over 60 have a living will or advance health care directive. These legal documents specify what a person’s wishes are if, for example, they are in a persistent vegetative state. Such a document could have prevented the prolonged and agonizing situation the family of Florida woman Terri Schiavo endured.

A painful or prolonged death is something everyone worries about

The survey is in conjunction with ELDR’s Summer issue cover article, “Perfect Ending,” which tells the story and reflections of a physician who had clandestinely given patients, who were terminally ill and in great physical pain, the means to end their lives. The physician profiled is not identified.

“A painful or prolonged death is something everyone worries about,” said Dave Bunnell, editor-in-chief of ELDR. “Yet too few of us plan ahead to be prepared for this possibility. Our survey is telling people if they act now, they can be in charge. You don’t have to leave this entirely to fate.”

The ELDR survey comes as Washington state proponents gather signatures for a voter initiative which, if successful, would make that state the second after Oregon to legalize physician-assisted “death with dignity.” 225,000 valid voter signatures need to be presented to Washington state officials by July 3 for the I-1000 initiative to appear on the November 2008 ballot.

Other results from the ELDR Magazine “Right To Die” National Survey include:

  • Half of American adults (49.1 percent) have parents, close relatives or friends in their senior years for whom they might eventually be considered a guardian caretaker or legal trustee.
  • 82 percent want the option, if they were suffering at end-of-life, of being sedated into unconsciousness, even though this might hasten their death.
  • 93.6 percent want artificial life support stopped if they were in a persistent vegetative state, where mental functioning had ceased and it was highly unlikely they would regain consciousness.
  • Fewer than 25 percent have a living will or advance health care directive which states their wishes if they were incapacitated or in persistent vegetative state. Only half of those over 60 do.

Complete survey results can be found at http://www.eldr.com.

category: health
15 May 2008
by: ashley

Toronto, ON – Dietitians of Canada is one of 12 organizations joining forces on World Hypertension Day (WHD), May 17, 2008 to shine the spotlight on the importance of a healthy blood pressure.  High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke and heart disease, but because there are no obvious symptoms, it is often called the “silent killer.” This year’s WHD Theme – Measure Your Blood Pressure at Home – is one of several positive actions Canadians can take to protect their health.

“There are many positive lifestyle steps that Canadians can take to help keep their blood pressure within a healthy range, including making healthy food choices, being active, limiting alcohol and maintaining a healthy weight,” says Debra Reid, PhD and registered dietitian. Some healthy eating actions include:

1.      Plan a healthy eating pattern using Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide with emphasis on fruits, vegetables, lower fat milk products and fibre-rich foods.
2.      Use the following strategies to reduce sodium intake to 2300 mg (100 mmol) or less per day [a teaspoon of salt contains approximately 2300 mg of sodium]:
•       Buy fresh, unprocessed foods
•       Read the Nutrition Facts panel on food labels for sodium content; choose those with the lowest % Daily Value (% DV)
•       Eat fewer restaurant and fast food meals
•       Limit use of condiments and salted, pickled, cured and “instant” foods
•       Enjoy more home-cooked meals using menu plans and quick recipes.
3. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight
•       A healthy body mass index (BMI) is 18-25.  A BMI greater than or equal to 25 and/or waist circumference greater than or equal to 102 cm for men and 88 cm for women is considered high risk
4. Limit alcohol intake
•       Maximum of 2 servings per day with a weekly limit of 9 servings for women and 14 servings for men.

Take advantage of the many tools and resources developed by registered dietitians to help you achieve and maintain a healthy blood pressure.

www.healthyeatingisinstore.ca is a one-stop website to learn how to read food labels, including fact sheets, FAQs and a virtual grocery store.

EATracker www.eatracker.ca provides personalized feedback to balance your intake of energy and essential nutrients with physical activity.