Feature Archive
Read Medicare’s “Important Message” to learn about your rights
Posted on 8/20/2010
Any time you or a loved one has to stay in the hospital, one thing is certain: You will have to read and sign a lot of forms. Some explain the details of the medical care you are getting. Some tell you your options for paying your bills.
If you’re a Medicare beneficiary, one of the most important forms you will get is called “An Important Message from Medicare.” This form is important because it tells you what your rights are as a Medicare beneficiary while you are a patient at the hospital. You have the right to receive all the health care that is medically necessary for you. You have the right to be fully informed about all decisions made about your hospital stay. You also have the right to appeal if you think you are being discharged from the hospital too soon. The “Important Message from Medicare” tells you how to do that.You or a family member should keep this form with you the entire time you are in the hospital.
Read on…Take your best shot
Posted on 8/2/2010
Odds are the last place anyone wants to spend part of an August day is at the doctor’s office getting shots -- either because summer vacation is about to come to an end or because it’s just too hot to go anywhere unless you absolutely have to.
August, however, is National Immunization Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to make sure you and your loved ones have all your recommended vaccinations. Vaccines have changed the face of health care in the last few decades: Families no longer live in fear of an outbreak of polio, measles and other infections that once infected thousands of children every year. Even chicken pox can now be prevented by a vaccine. Vaccinations are the single best way to protect yourself, your family and your community from serious illnesses.
Read on…Stay Safe this Summer
Simple precautions can prevent serious injuries
Posted on 7/1/2010
There’s no season like summer for having a good time with the kids. No school, long days, warm weather… what more could you ask for?
When you make your summertime plans this year, though, make sure you plan for safety, not just for fun. Children can be seriously hurt while swimming, riding their bikes or doing other common outdoor activities. In fact, more than 250 Arkansas children died after being hurt in an accident in 2004, and many more were hospitalized. Many of these injuries could have been prevented with the right safety precautions. Read on for some tips on how to keep your children safe while enjoying some of summer’s most common activities.
Read on…Warfarin and You: Take charge and stay healthy
Simple precautions can lower the risk of serious complications
Posted on 6/8/2010
About 31 million people in the
Warfarin is very effective, but it can also cause serious complications like bleeding. Studies show that warfarin is associated with about 29,000 emergency room visits each year for bleeding complications. So it’s important to know about some very important precautions people who use warfarin should take to stay safe and help make sure the drug works like it’s supposed to.
Read on…There's no such thing as a 'healthy tan'
Slather on the SPF 30 to stay safe in the sun
Posted on 5/27/2010
Think you’re protecting yourself from the sun with that bottle of SPF 50? Think again.
By now, it’s common knowledge that the sun’s rays can cause serious skin damage and even cancer. This time of year store shelves are bursting with dozens of bottles of sunscreen, all of them promising to protect you.
And sunscreen is a good defense — but only if you buy the right kind and use it correctly.
Studies show that most people use only ¼ to ½ the amount of sunscreen they need, and unless you take time to read the fine print, you may be using a sunscreen that protects against only one form of ultraviolet radiation. Make sure you’re covered by using at least an ounce of water-resistant SPF 30 or above sunscreen (enough to fill a shot glass) for an average-sized person, and check to make sure the sunscreen is “broad spectrum” — protecting against both UVA and UVB rays.
Read on…Take care of your mental health, too
May is Mental Health Month
Posted on 5/13/2010
We all know how important it is to take care of our physical health — to eat right and exercise, have regular check-ups, and see a doctor if something’s wrong.
Mental health is easier to neglect. It can be easy to dismiss mental health as a concern only for people with mental illnesses. But it is no less important than physical health. Your mental health — your emotions, thoughts and attitudes — affects every facet of your life. Each year, Mental Health Month is celebrated in May to focus attention on steps every person can take to improve and maintain their mental health. Read on for more information about some common mental health issues and how you can take better care of yourself.
Read on…New to Medicare?
A to-do list for new beneficiaries
Posted on 4/27/2010
If you’re about to or have recently become eligible for Medicare benefits, making the transition from a traditional employer-sponsored private insurance plan may prove a bit overwhelming or confusing. There’s a lot to learn, and because your health is involved, you need to learn it quickly. Now’s the time to sit down and make sure you’ve taken care of a few important steps that will help you get the most from your benefits and make sure your claims are paid quickly and correctly.
Read on…Want to stay healthy? See your doctor
Medicare covers preventive tests to keep beneficiaries feeling their best
Posted on 4/15/2010
Smart car owners don’t wait until there’s a problem to take their car to the mechanic. They get the oil changed, rotate the tires, and have the mechanic regularly inspect belts, filters and other parts to catch problems before they find themselves stranded on the side of the highway.
In the same way, people who are smart about their health don’t wait until they’re sick to see their doctor. Preventive tests and screenings can catch major illnesses early, when they’re most treatable — or even before they fully develop.
Read on…Living with Diabetes
Posted on 3/29/2010
As America's baby-boomers get older, Type II diabetes is of increasing concern, since the prevalence of this disease increases with age. Learn more about diabetes and how to manage it. Read on…
Over 50? It’s time.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Posted on 3/8/2010
Colorectal cancer isn’t something most people want to talk about. But if you’re over 50, it’s time to start talking…to your doctor. Screening could save your life — and in some cases even prevent cancer and the need for further treatment.
Time to Commit to Better Heart Health
Posted on 1/18/2010
What better way to welcome in 2010 than to commit to taking better care of your health? And at the heart of your health is that muscle responsible for pumping blood and oxygen to every organ in your body — your heart. That’s why it is essential to keep your heart healthy.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women in Arkansas and across the U.S.
But, there are ways to keep your heart healthy.
Read on…January 15, 2010 is Seniors' Vaccination Day
It’s not too late to get that flu shot.
Posted on 1/12/2010
Flu season typically does not peak until February – or even later – so if you haven’t gotten your annual flu shot, don’t wait! You can still protect yourself and your family.
The flu is a contagious disease caused by the influenza virus and can lead to pneumonia. Approximately 36,000 Americans die each year from influenza or related complications.
Baby, it’s cold outside!
Stay active to beat winter blues
Posted on 1/1/2010
The holidays are over, and it’s cold and barren outside. It might be tempting to hole up indoors with a blanket and the flickering glow of the hearth — or the TV. But staying active will help you stay healthy and feel better inside and out. And if weather allows, a little fresh air and sunshine have been shown to improve your mood — and can even help fight depression. Read on…
A Holiday Reminder: Remember those in nursing homes
Posted on 12/22/2009
Few people would intentionally neglect loved ones during the holidays, but even the best of intentions can be lost or forgotten in the rush of the season. This year, make a special effort to brighten the holidays for nursing home residents. It’s easy to do, and it will mean a lot—to them, and maybe to you as well. Read on…
Have a healthy holiday!
Posted on 12/15/2009
We all indulge a little during the holidays, and that’s ok. But the rich food, parties, shopping and extra stress can take a toll if you’re not careful. You don’t have to give up good food and fun to keep your healthy lifestyle on track — and set a good example for your family. For some healthy holiday ideas... Read on…
Health literacy: Your family’s health depends on it
Posted on 11/30/2009
With all the talk recently about health care reform, it might seem our health is in the hands of politicians and special interest groups. But one thing is true now and forever — the person most in control of your health is you. There’s a name for the kind of knowledge and skills you need to stay as healthy as you can and get the best health care possible. The name is “health literacy,” and it could be your key to a healthier life. Read on…
Electronic health records could make health care safer, better
Federal stimulus money to help expand use of EHRs
Posted on 11/2/2009
Imagine: You’re out of town visiting family and are in a car accident. You wake up in an emergency room, barely able to speak. A doctor goes to a computer and types in a secret password, then another password. A few mouse-clicks later, he is able to access your medical records from your doctor’s office at home. He checks your medical history, finds out what medicines you’re taking and checks for drug allergies and other health conditions. Armed with this knowledge, he is better able to give you what you need — safe, effective health care when it matters most.
This scenario isn’t possible yet, but a new push by the federal government — as well as efforts by thousands of individual doctors, hospitals and other health care providers — is bringing it closer and closer to reality. The week of Nov. 1-7 has been designated Health Information and Technology Week to focus attention on the progress being made.
Read on…Talk about it: Mammograms can save lives
Posted on 10/17/2009
Except for some types of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. In 2006, about 2,030 Arkansas women were diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, and as many as 390 Arkansas women died from the disease.
Don’t let yourself or any other important woman in your family become a part of these statistics. Take the time to have a yearly mammogram, and let your female loved ones know you hope they do too. Mammography is the best way to find breast cancer in the earliest, most treatable phase. When breast cancer is found early, there are more treatment options, and a better chance of survival. By the time a breast cancer tumor can be felt, the cancer is more likely to have already spread to other parts of the body.
Read on…Get ALL your shots this flu season
Seasonal flu and H1N1 flu require separate vaccinations
Posted on 9/30/2009
Although the H1N1 flu virus has dominated the health news headlines this year, it’s critical that people not lose sight of the importance of preparing for the regular seasonal flu as well. Seasonal influenza kills an estimated 36,000 people every year in the United States — far more than have died from the H1N1 virus.
“I expect the illness burden from this year’s flu season to be the worst in a long time,” said Dr. J. Gary Wheeler, associate medical director of quality for the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
“Never before has flu vaccination been so important. Plan to get all your flu shots now.”
Stay safe in the sun
Protect yourself against heat illness and skin cancer
Posted on 7/28/2009
For many of us, summer means spending time outside — in the garden, at the lake or the pool, or at a ball game. While you’re enjoying your favorite outside activities, though, keep in mind that summer can be hazardous to your health if you don’t take some basic precautions. Read on…
Education is key to preventing childhood injuries
Posted on 6/7/2009
More Arkansas children die each year from unintentional injuries than from all other causes combined. Nationwide, 62 percent of all child deaths are the result of injuries, and Arkansas’ children are more at risk than most. Our state’s injury death rate is the fourth highest in the nation. Read on…
Physical restraints in nursing homes: A rare exception, not the rule
Posted on 6/5/2009
If you’ve ever visited a loved one in a nursing home, you may have noticed a resident who is held into his or her wheelchair with a belt or lap tray. Or you may have even asked the staff to use such a device with your loved one, thinking it will lend a sense of security and prevent falls and injuries.
The truth is, most nursing home residents can be safely cared for without using restraints. And nursing homes are required by law to use physical restraints only if they’re ordered by a doctor to treat a patient’s medical symptoms — not for the sake of convenience or discipline.
Read on…Tobacco tax to pay for more free flu shots this fall
Posted on 4/29/2009
Arkansans will truly have no excuse not to get a flu shot this fall. The Arkansas Department of Health will be giving out more than twice as many free flu shots in the 2009-2010 season as were distributed during the 2008-09 season — approximately 685,000 doses. Read on…
Managing type 1 diabetes, taking on the world
Posted on 3/31/2009
She didn’t ask for type 1 diabetes – but Angelina Mazzanti, age 19, is not letting it define her, and she’s fighting back with words as her weapon. She’s made it her mission to educate people about her experience, what diabetes is — and what it’s not. Read on…
You can fight sickle cell disease
Posted on 11/4/2008
Sickle cell disease may not grab as many headlines as illnesses like cancer or heart disease . After all, you can't "catch" it and can't prevent it. But if it affects you or someone you love, it's important to know that you can treat it. Everyone can benefit from a little knowledge about this serious blood disorder. Read on…
Protect Your Child from the Flu
Posted on 10/6/2008
Children are more likely than their parents to get the flu, and they tend to get sicker than their parents too. New national guidelines recommend vaccinating all children over 6 months old against this serious virus. Read on…
Gynecological cancer: Education could be a lifesaver
Posted on 9/23/2008
September is Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month, a good chance for you and the women in your life to learn more about prevention and screening. It could save your life or someone you love.
Gynecological cancers affect a woman’s reproductive organs: the cervix, ovaries, uterus, vagina, vulva and fallopian tubes. Two of the most common gynecological cancers are cervical and ovarian cancer.
Read on…So…what’s the deal with C. diff?
Antibiotics increase risk of stomach bug
Posted on 9/11/2008
A nasty stomach bug is becoming more common, particularly in people who’ve just taken a round of antibiotics. So far, it’s spread mainly in hospitals and nursing homes. But you can help protect yourself and your family. Here’s what you should know about Clostridium difficile, or C. diff. Read on…
MRSA: What it is and what you can do about it
Posted on 9/11/2008
If you read or watch the news, you’ve probably heard of MRSA (usually pronounced “mersa”), and it might be making you a bit nervous. Just how nervous should we be? And more important: what can we do about it? Read on…