Back home safe and sound! Thanks Johnye for helping today....

Everyone,
I am back from a wonderful trip to squeeze the stuffing out of those adorable grandbabies! All three were in Nashville so I am very tired.....
Thanks Johnye for finding this great article....now if I will need the advice....

Subject: Article from Fox News Health 2013 11 30

It happens to the best of us: Thanksgiving rolls around and we enjoy the holiday dinner a little too much. A binge that includes buttery potatoes, greasy gravy, rich casseroles, and-of course-lots of turkey (not to mention pumpkin pie!) can leave you feeling bloated, uncomfortable, and irritable. If you find yourself in this situation this year, you don't have to suffer through the aftereffects. Here are some things you can do the day after Thanksgiving that will help you feel better-plus some tips for getting your diet back on track for the rest of the holiday season. Health.com: 50 Holiday Foods You Shouldn't Eat Commit to getting back on track immediately For some people, Thanksgiving is just the beginning of a six-week-long holiday eating and drinking spree. Don't wait until Monday morning to make healthy changes; you'll want to prevent bad habits from forming before they snowball out of control. Eat like it's a normal day While it may be tempting to eat less the day after Thanksgiving to balance out the binge from the day before, this can do more harm than good. Restricting your food intake will only make you hungry. Let your stomach growl for too long, and you may find yourself forking down a plateful of turkey-day leftovers. Start your day with a protein-packed breakfast and round out the day with lots of vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Health.com: 10 High-Protein Breakfast Recipes Avoid hard-to-digest foods If you're dealing with post-Thanksgiving digestive distress, you'll want to avoid certain foods for a few days. Steer clear of dairy products like milk and cheese, coffee, refined sugar, carbonated beverages, and highly acidic foods until you're feeling better. Health.com: 9 Foods to Avoid When You Have Tummy Trouble Drink lots of water Getting plenty of H2O is another proven way to deal with digestive issues. And it's a habit you'll want to hold onto throughout the holiday season: drinking water fills you up and can prevent overeating. Get moving It's understandable if squeezing into your gym clothes is the last thing you want to do while suffering from post-Thanksgiving bloat, but working out is one of the best things you can do for yourself after a big binge. First, a quick sweat session can help ease any tummy trouble you may be experiencing (this 15-minute yoga workout is designed to beat bloating). Second, committing to exercise now will help prevent you from totally falling off the wagon during the busy holiday season. Health.com: 9 Easy Ways to Sneak in Exercise Note: Black Friday mall walking only counts if you move briskly and resist the call of the food court. Experts estimate that a 150-pound woman will burn, at most, 150 calories an hour while shopping. Change your attitude A food binge can definitely derail your healthy habits and goals, but don't let it bring you down. Worrying and disappointment in yourself won't do you any good! Instead, change your thinking and know that you have the power to get back on track and move on. Positive thinking will help you get motivated to work toward your goals again! This article originally appeared on Health.com. 

Happy Black Friday!

Good morning everyone,
I hope you all enjoyed family And turkey until you had your fill of both! I am hugging babies and loving it! The weather is beautiful but the traffic was horrid!

Are you shopping today? I did a little on line shopping yesterday and received the same great deals.
Stay safe and enjoy the remainder of the holiday!
Dr. Janet

Happy Thanksgiving!

From my house to yours---Happy Thanksgiving! Please take a few moments today and count your blessings as you enjoy your warm food and home, health, family and friends. There are always those who are less fortunate or who are struggling at this time of year. I am very grateful for my blessings and have many more than I can count or deserve.

On a sad note, Dina called today to tell me that one of our newest members is in a battle for her life. Donna Webb joined our group a few months ago and is very ill at Baptist. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. As always, remember those in our circle who are ill or alone.

I will be traveling tomorrow so this post is a little early.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Dr. Janet

Food for thought before the turkey

Subject: Article from Fox News Health 2013 11 26

Every lotion, shampoo and cosmetic product you put on your skin can soak right into your body - but do you know what's really in those products? Now, a new app can help you determine which products are safe and which ones aren't. The app, called "Skin Deep," was developed by the Environmental Working Group - an environmental health research and advocacy organization - in order to educate consumers about the products they use. Upon downloading the free product, users will find a database of 72,000 personal care products, 2,500 brands and 9,000 ingredients. Users can scan product barcodes or search goods by name to determine their safety. Each item listed in the app is given a rating based on the hazard-level of each of its ingredients, compared to other products in the database. Users can even find out which ingredients in each product are most harmful. Though not every product sold in stores can be found in the database, the app gives consumers information about which chemical ingredients are the most hazardous, so they can make an informed decision next time they're making a purchase. For more information on "Skin Deep," visithttp://www.ewg.org/skindeep/app/ . 

Tuesday, November 26

Good morning friends,
It appears to be another cold morning in Central Arkansas! I hope everyone is staying warm. If your house feels drafty, please check doors and windows for heat loss. Windows may have actual breaks or cracks, weatherstripping may have loosened, doors may have shifted, etc.  Here in Arkansas where we have lots of humidity, our houses and apartments contract and expand. This wrecks havoc on our doors and windows. Your local electric company has a program to assist in checking for heat loss. Take advantage of the service. The last time I checked, inspections were free! There are many weatherstripping programs offered by the utility company if you meet income eligibility requirements.

Have a great day and stay warm!
Dr. Janet

Great recipe for a cold, wet day!

Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken
ingredients:
 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
 1 can of Campbell's Cheddar Cheese Soup
 1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups Ritz Crackers (one sleeve)
4 tablespoons of melted butter (you can use more)
 8 ounces frozen broccoli 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Make can of Cheddar cheese soup mix according to package directions (one can of soup mix to one can of milk). Place chicken breasts in a baking dish. Season with seasoned salt. Pour 3/4 of the prepared soup over the chicken breasts. Add broccoli to chicken that has been covered with the cheddar soup. Melt butter and combine with Ritz crackers, sprinkle buttered crackers over the broccoli. Add remaining soup mix, and bake for approximately 45 minutes or until the chicken is done. (Check chicken by cutting the thickest part and look to see that the chicken is uniform in color). When chicken has been removed from oven sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.

If we could afford to fly.....

Southwest Airlines offers Wi-Fi service from gate to gate Thanks to the airline's use of Row 44 satellite-based Internet system, passengers have the option of connecting as soon as they board the plane. by Steven Musil November 20, 2013 9:55 PM PST Follow @stevenmusil (Credit: Southwest Airlines.) Less than a month after the Federal Aviation Administration approved the use of portable electronic devices on airplanes from takeoff to landing, Southwest Airlines is taking its offering a bit further. The airline announced Wednesday that its passengers will have the option of connecting to the aircraft's wireless Internet service from the time they board the aircraft to the time they leave, including layovers. Southwest said its extended offering is possible because it uses a satellite-based system from Global Eagle Entertainment subsidiary Row 44. Passengers on most other airlines that use Gogo, which relies on air-to-ground towers, must wait until the aircraft reaches 10,000 feet for the service to be activated. The new policy applies only to small devices such as tablets , e-readers, and MP3 players; larger devices such as laptops must still be stored during takeoff and landing out of safety concerns. The Dallas-based airline said the $8 service is available on 435 of its airplanes. Bans on using electronic devices on airlines have been in effect largely because of concerns that they could interfere with an aircraft's radio communications. But such concerns have largely been dispelled. The FAA lifted its ban last month on the use of portable electronic devices during takeoffs and landings. But use of cell phones for voice communications is still banned throughout flights due to Federal Communications Commission regulations that prohibit airborne calls with cell phones. 

Interesting article of home remedies from Fox news

Subject: Article from Fox News Health 2013 11 22

Of course there are some health staples you should never be without-bandages or OTC pain relievers come to mind. But you can treat or cure a surprising number of minor ailments with these unexpected household objects and foods. Next time you burn your tongue on piping hot pizza or come down with an unshakeable case of hic'cup's, keep these tips from The Big Doctors Book of Home Remedies in mind. Home cure: Vodka Use it for: Foot odor If your feet smell less than swell, wipe them down with a vodka-soaked washcloth to get rid of the stench. It's the same principle as rubbing alcohol (which works equally well if you'd rather drink your Grey Goose). Vodka contains alcohol, which is antiseptic and drying, so it destroys odor-causing fungus and bacteria and dries out the moisture that lets these organisms grow. How to Prevent Smelly Feet Home cure: Pencil Use it for: Headaches When you're stressed or anxious, you subconsciously clench your jaw and teeth; this strains the muscle that connects your jaw to your temples and can trigger a tension headache. A solution: "Put a pencil between your teeth but don't bite," says Dr. Fred Sheftell, director of the New England Center for Headache in Stamford, Conn. You automatically relax your jaw muscle to do this, which can prevent the pain. Click here to learn How To Prevent Headaches in the first place. Home cure: Yogurt Use it for: Bad breath Preliminary research shows that the live bacteria in yogurt can suppress levels of bad breath-causing bacteria. "Good" bugs in yogurt may crowd out the "bad" stink-causing bacteria or create an unhealthy environment for it, says John C. Moon, a cosmetic and general dentist in Half Moon Bay, Calif. Home cure: Listerine Use it for: Blisters The classic breath freshener-and powerful antiseptic-can also do a number on blisters. Moisten a cotton ball with Listerine and dab it on your blister three times a day until the area dries out and no longer hurts, says Janet Maccaro, a holistic nutritionist and certified nutrition consultant in Scottsdale, Ariz. Home cure: Lemon balm tea Use it for: Cold sores Lemon balm is a first-choice herbal treatment for cold sores, which are caused by a type of herpes virus (not the same kind that's sexually transmitted). It has antiviral properties that work to tame herpes outbreaks, says James Duke, author of The Green Pharmacy . Prepare lemon balm tea by brewing 2 to 4 tablespoons of the herb per 'cup' of boiling water. Let it cool, then dot with a cotton ball on the cold sore several times a day. Home cure: Licorice Use it for: Calluses and corns "Licorice contains estrogen-like substances that soften the hard skin of calluses and corns," says Georgianna Donadio, director of the National Institute of Whole Health. Make this homemade licorice paste: Grind up a few licorice sticks, mix them with 1/2 teaspoon of petroleum jelly, and rub the mixture into the rough areas of your feet. Home cure: Tennis ball Use it for: Achy feet For an easy, free mini massage that stretches and soothes your arches, slip off your shoes and roll each foot over a tennis ball, golf ball, or soup can for a minute or two. To cool throbbing feet, roll them over a bottle of frozen water. Odd Pain Relief Tricks That Work Home cure: Olive oil Use it for: Eczema Soothe flareups by applying olive oil directly to the irritated area, says Dr. Christopher Dannaker, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of California San Francisco. Packed with antioxidants that can reduce the inflammation associated with eczema, olive oil is the basis for many moisturizers; when used alone, it lacks chemical irritants you may find in store-bought creams. As a bonus, olive oil's antioxidants help prevent and repair damage that can lead to wrinkles and brown spots. Rub 1 teaspoon per square inch of skin, which creates a seal that prevents skin from drying out. For serious cases, cover oil-slathered skin with plastic wrap overnight to lock moisture in. 8 Diet and Exercise Mistakes That Age You Home cure: Sugar Use it for: Hic'cup's A teaspoon of sugar swallowed dry can stop hic'cup's in minutes, says Dr. Andre Dubois, a professor of medicine in the emerging infectious diseases graduate program at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD. The sugar is believed to modify the nerve muscles that would otherwise tell the muscles in the diaphragm to contract spasmodically and contribute to hic'cup's. Home cure: iPod Use it for: High blood pressure Thirty minutes of the right tunes every day can help lower BP, according to research from the University of Florence in Italy. Researchers found that people on a medication for hypertension further lowered their blood pressure after they listened to music while breathing slowly. Systolic readings (the first number) decreased an average of 3.2 points in a week; a month later, readings were down 4.4 points. Home cure: Olives or lemons Use it for: Motion sickness Motion sickness causes you to produce excess saliva, which can make you nauseated, some doctors say. Compounds in olives called tannins dry out your mouth and can help soothe the queasies. Pop a couple at the first hint of nausea; sucking on a lemon can also do the trick. Home cure: Vegetable oil Use it for: Brittle nails In order to really fix dry nails, you have to address the problem of too-little moisture. In addition to using hand lotion regularly, try this nighttime treatment from dermatologist Dr. Dee Anna Glaser: Before you go to bed, apply vegetable oil to your hands, then put on vinyl gloves or wrap your hands in plastic wrap to keep the oil off your bedding. The hand coverings force the oil to penetrate your skin, preventing your hands and nails from getting too dry. Home cure: Ice cream Use it for: Pizza burn The tissue on the roof of your mouth is only a few millimeters thick, so it's very sensitive to hot foods. If you didn't wait to let that pepperoni slice cool down, soothe your scorched mouth with a spoonful of ice cream or frozen yogurt. "The cool can bring temporary relief," says Dr. Richard Antaya. Swigging a cold drink or putting an ice cube in your mouth should also do the trick, but be sure to remove the cube quickly before it becomes painful. Home cure: Peppermint or cinnamon gum Use it for: The stress of a traffic-packed commute In a NASA-funded study, scientists from Wheeling Jesuit University monitored the responses of 25 college students during simulated driving scenarios. The volunteers reported that peppermint lowered their feelings of fatigue or anxiety by 20 percent. Peppermint and cinnamon each decreased frustration by 25 percent, increased alertness by 30 percent, and made the ride seem 30 percent shorter. Not a gum or candy person? Buy peppermint or cinnamon aromatherapy diffusers for the car. Home cure: Apple Use it for: Whiter teeth Crunchy fruits and vegetables act as little toothbrushes when you chew them; they have a natural cleansing action that works on tooth enamel to remove stains. In particular, "apples have a gentle malic acid that also helps dissolve stains," says Jennifer Jabow, of Park 56 Dental in New York City. Home cure: Baking soda Use it for: Urinary tract infections At the first sign of symptoms, drink a solution made with 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda mixed in 8 ounces of water. Continue this once a day until you can get a culture done at a doctor's office and start antibiotics. Baking soda makes the bladder environment more alkaline, which reduces bacteria's ability to multiply, says Dr. Larrian Gillespie, a retired assistant clinical professor of urology and urogynecology in Los Angeles. Home cure: Cloves Use it for: Cuts Sprinkle powdered cloves on a cut to keep it from becoming infected, says Duke. Clove oil is rich in eugenol, a chemical that's both antiseptic and pain-killing. Home cure: Papaya Use it for: Smoother skin This tropical fruit contains papain, a protein-eating enzyme that dissolves the dead cells on your skin's surface that can make it look dull and rough and leave it prone to breakouts. When used twice a month, this peel leaves skin softer, smoother, and more radiant: Grind 2 tablespoons of washed and peeled papaya in a food processor and add 1 tablespoon of dry oatmeal. Pat this mixture onto clean skin and let it set for 10 minutes before wiping off with a wet washcloth. The enzymes in papaya are gentle, which is why this is an ideal treatment for those with sensitive skin. However, to be safe, do a test spot behind your ear the first time you try it. Home cure: Duct tape Use it for: Warts Yes, this really does work! Covering warts with duct tape eliminates them better than freezing them off, according to a study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. In the study, the duct tape eliminated 85 percent of the warts after two months, compared with 60 percent with the freezing method. To use duct tape safely, clean the area. Then cut a piece of duct tape to a size slightly bigger than the wart. Apply the duct tape to the site and rub into place. Every three days, remove the tape and file down dead skin with a pumice stone or nail file. Repeat until the wart disappears. Chemicals in the tape suffocate and kill the wart.

Obese can cut risk of heart attack or stroke

Overweight and obese people could slash their increased risk of heart disease by half and their increased risk of stroke by three quarters by controlling their blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, a big new international study suggests.

The study, to be published Friday in the medical journal Lancet, is the largest so far to make the case that people who weigh too much can do themselves a lot of good by getting those risk factors under control through lifestyle changes and medication, even if they fail to lose weight. Blood pressure control appears especially important.

But they still will face higher risks than people with normal weights, says lead researcher Goodarz Danaei, an assistant professor of global health at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston.

"The glass is kind of half empty and half full," he says. "You still need to control weight to get the full benefit."

The findings have meaning for a majority of adults in the USA: About two-thirds areoverweight or obese, according the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC also says one-third of all adults have high blood pressure and half do not have it under control.

For the study, researchers from Harvard, the Imperial College London and the University of Sydney pooled data on 1.8 million people who participated in 97 studies around the world. The researchers compared normal-weight people with otherwise similar people of the same age and sex who were overweight or obese, as defined by BMI (body mass index) a measure of weight relative to height.

The studies all followed people over a number of years. As expected, overweight and obese people had more strokes and heart disease and were more likely to have high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol and blood glucose numbers. The aim of the study was to look at how much of the increased heart and stroke risk was explained by those risk factors — rather than something else about being overweight or obese. Among the findings:

• 76% of the extra risk for stroke and 46% of the extra risk for heart disease was explained by the three risk factors.

• 65% of the extra stroke risk and 31% of the extra heart disease risk was explained by high blood pressure alone.

• Cholesterol and blood glucose levels had a smaller, but still significant, impact.

• The absence of risk factors seemed to matter less for the heaviest participants — meaning that other still poorly understood health changes associated with obesity may put them at higher risk for heart disease and stroke.

The study has some limitations, including the fact that the smaller studies it included often lacked information on exercise and diet, Danaei says. But, "the sheer size of the study reduces the uncertainty." It's also striking, he says, that researchers found the same risk patterns in rich and poor countries, in the West and in Asia.

It's an "excellent study," and in line with most previous reports, says Carlos Lorenzo, a researcher at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio who was not involved in the study. But, he says, more research is needed on other factors, such as inflammation and nervous system changes, that might accompany obesity and contribute to health risks. "There's continuing controversy over whether obesity itself is a risk factor," he says.

The dual message that people should control weight and cardiovascular risk factors is a good one, says Adam Tsai, an internist at the University of Colorado-Denver who specializes in obesity treatment and is a spokesman for the Obesity Society. He says it may be easier for many people "to take medication every day to lower blood pressure than to lose weight and keep it off."

But, he says, patients also should know they stand to gain many other health benefits from losing weight. Obesity increases risks for diabetes and certain cancers, as well as conditions ranging from sleep apnea to osteoarthritis, according to the CDC.

New guidelines for physicians, just released by the Obesity Society, American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology, urge them to treat obesity just as aggressively as any other ailment.

Nuts

Subject: Article from Fox News Health 2013 11 21

DALLAS - Help yourself to some nuts this holiday season: Regular nut eaters were less likely to die of cancer or heart disease - in fact, were less likely to die of any cause - during a 30-year Harvard study. Nuts have long been called heart-healthy, and the study is the largest ever done on whether eating them affects mortality. Researchers tracked 119,000 men and women and found that those who ate nuts roughly every day were 20 percent less likely to die during the study period than those who never ate nuts. Eating nuts less often also appeared to lower the death risk, in direct proportion to consumption. The risk of dying of heart disease dropped 29 percent and the risk of dying of cancer fell 11 percent among those who had nuts seven or more times a week compared with people who never ate them. The benefits were seen from peanuts as well as from pistachios, almonds, walnuts and other tree nuts. The researchers did not look at how the nuts were prepared - oiled or salted, raw or roasted. A bonus: Nut eaters stayed slimmer. "There's a general perception that if you eat more nuts you're going to get fat. Our results show the opposite," said Dr. Ying Bao of Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. She led the study, published in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine. The National Institutes of Health and the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation sponsored the study, but the nut group had no role in designing it or reporting the results. Researchers don't know why nuts may boost health. It could be that their unsaturated fatty acids, minerals and other nutrients lower cholesterol and inflammation and reduce other problems, as earlier studies seemed to show. Observational studies like this one can't prove cause and effect, only suggest a connection. Research on diets is especially tough, because it can be difficult to single out the effects of any one food. People who eat more nuts may eat them on salads, for example, and some of the benefit may come from the leafy greens, said Dr. Robert Eckel, a University of Colorado cardiologist and former president of the American Heart Association. Dr. Ralph Sacco, a University of Miami neurologist who also is a former heart association president, agreed. "Sometimes when you eat nuts you eat less of something else like potato chips," so the benefit may come from avoiding an unhealthy food, Sacco said. The Harvard group has long been known for solid science on diets. Its findings build on a major study earlier this year - a rigorous experiment that found a Mediterranean-style diet supplemented with nuts cuts the chance of heart-related problems, especially strokes, in older people at high risk of them. Many previous studies tie nut consumption to lower risks of heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer and other maladies. In 2003, the Food and Drug Administration said a fistful of nuts a day as part of a low-fat diet may reduce the risk of heart disease. The heart association recommends four servings of unsalted, unoiled nuts a week and warns against eating too many, since they are dense in calories. The new research combines two studies that started in the 1980s on 76,464 female nurses and 42,498 male health professionals. They filled out surveys on food and lifestyle habits every two to four years, including how often they ate a serving (1 ounce) of nuts. Study participants who often ate nuts were healthier - they weighed less, exercised more and were less likely to smoke, among other things. After taking these and other things into account, researchers still saw a strong benefit from nuts. Compared with people who never ate nuts, those who had them less than once a week reduced their risk of death 7 percent; once a week, 11 percent; two to four times a week, 13 percent; and seven or more times a week, 20 percent. "I'm very confident" the observations reflect a true benefit, Bao said. "We did so many analyses, very sophisticated ones," to eliminate other possible explanations. For example, they did separate analyses on smokers and non-smokers, heavy and light exercisers, and people with and without diabetes, and saw a consistent benefit from nuts. At a heart association conference in Dallas this week, Penny Kris-Etherton, a Pennsylvania State University nutrition scientist, reviewed previous studies on this topic. "We're seeing benefits of nut consumption on cardiovascular disease as well as body weight and diabetes," said Kris-Etherton, who has consulted for nut makers and also served on many scientific panels on dietary guidelines. "We don't know exactly what it is" about nuts that boosts health or which ones are best, she said. "I tell people to eat mixed nuts. 

Arkansas insurance exchange

Good morning friends,
If you are not Medicare or Medicaid eligible, you may benefit from participating in the Arkansas insurance exchange. I suggest you call them for assistance. The number is:1-800-318-2596. This number is open 24/7.

The phone number for the SHIP program is 501-371-2782 or toll free 800-224-6330. The nice folks at SHIP can help with specific questions.

Let me know how you are coming on finding solutions. I am still leaning toward Humana and Blue Cross for the Medicare supplement. Honestly, I haven't been able to find much information about the exchange. If someone has success, please share with us.

Have a great day!
Dr. Janet

Told you so moment! Have a cup of coffee and enjoy! From USAToday

Coffee may do more than wake you up. It may help your small blood vessels work better, a small new study suggests.

But that doesn't mean you should guzzle gallons of java.

Previous research has shown that moderate coffee consumption may have some beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. However, the precise mechanism for this benefit is unknown, says Masato Tsutsui, one of the authors of the new research and a cardiologist and professor in the pharmacology department at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan.

Tsutsui and colleagues in Japan worked with 27 healthy adults, ages 22 to 30, who did not regularly drink coffee. On one day, each participant drank one five-ounce cup of either regular caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee. Then researchers measured reactive hyperemia in the participants' left index fingers. This is a measure of vascular function that takes into consideration how well small blood vessels function. Two days later the researchers repeated the procedure with the other type of coffee.

Findings presented Wednesday at an American Heart Association meeting in Dallas:

• Those who drank a cup of caffeinated coffee had a 30% increase in vascular function in the index finger over a 75-minute period, compared to those who drank decaffeinated coffee.

• Caffeinated coffee slightly raised participants' blood pressure and decreased finger blood flow, compared with decaf.

• Heart rate levels were the same when participants drank decaf or regular coffee.

Tsutsui says that caffeine may improve blood vessels' function. "Our findings give us a clue about how coffee may improve cardiovascular health." The new study was funded in part by the All Japan Coffee Association.

However, cardiologist Vincent Bufalino, a spokesman for the heart association and senior vice president for the Advocate Cardiovascular Institute in Chicago, says "it's hard to come to broad-based scientific conclusions based on this one small study. The research is limited to one cup of coffee."

This subject needs further investigation, including looking at what happens when people drink more caffeine, he says.

"Small amounts of coffee may have a benefit, but a higher consumption of coffee definitely raises blood pressure. It definitely raises heart rate, and it makes you more prone to heart palpitations," Bufalino says. "We see that every day in terms of the use of caffeine in patients. A lot of people sense that a cup of coffee gives them a lift but too much can have negative effects."

A study released last year showed that regular, moderate coffee consumption may significantly reduce a person's risk of heart failure. It found that drinking the equivalent of two cups of coffee a day appears to have the most significant benefit on heart health, when compared with no coffee consumption, but that drinking excessive amounts of coffee — five to six commercial coffee house cups a day — may increase the chance of serious heart problems.

Cardiac arrest article from USA Today

Many sudden cardiac arrests leave a calling card in advance.

More than half of middle-aged men who experienced sudden cardiac arrests had symptoms up to a month beforehand, a new study shows.

Most of the symptoms — including chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, faintness or heart palpitations — occurred four weeks to one hour before their hearts suddenly stopped, according to the research presented Tuesday at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions in Dallas.

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops due to a failure in its electrical system, the heart association says. Patients can sometimes survive if they receive CPR immediately and a defibrillator is used quickly to shock the heart into a normal rhythm.

The term heart attack is often mistakenly used to describe cardiac arrest. While a heart attack may cause cardiac arrest and sudden death, the terms don't mean the same thing, the heart association says. Heart attacks are caused by a blockage that stops blood flow to the heart.

About 360,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are reported each year in the USA, the heart group says.

Cardiac arrest "is the ultimate heart problem," says the study's senior author, Sumeet Chugh, a cardiologist and associate director for genomic cardiology at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles. "It's electrical chaos. You'll die within 10 minutes of a cardiac arrest unless you are lucky enough to get emergency assistance quickly."

"The national average is that 90% of people who have sudden cardiac arrest are going to die," he says.

James Gandolfini, star of The Sopranos, and TV journalist Tim Russert died in their 50s of sudden cardiac arrests, Chugh says. "These are the deaths we are trying to prevent."

Cute article from Matilda-thanks, Johnye!

Subject: Article from Matilda Ziegler Op Ed 2013 11 11

with Bob Branco - Are We Hooked on the Computer? I wonder what would happen if, God forbid, a company's entire computer system crashed, making it unusable for hours. Would any of the clerks, secretaries or customer service workers ever think to go back to using paper on a temporary basis just so that they can continue to earn their pay during this crisis? The reason I am bringing this up is because I recently went to a facility that required me to pay a co-payment for services. I paid it in cash, and the clerk offered to give me a receipt. Because her computer was temporarily out of service, she told me that it would take a while before the receipt was printed. Wouldn't she have been better off if she simply wrote the receipt with a pen, gave it to me, and moved on with her day? Why do we all have to wait for a computer to work even though we were all taught how to write? I'm sure that in one of her drawers she has a stack of paper and a bunch of pens. Problem solved! I love computers, and I am glad that I own one. Computers make life a whole lot easier. However, if one breaks down on the job, the staff should be willing to revert to the old ways temporarily, just so that customers can be properly served. Why should I have waited 30 minutes for a printed receipt when I could have been given a handwritten one in 30 seconds? What's wrong with that? 

Monday morning 11.19.13

Good morning world,
Today's tip is yet another reminder to call your primary care doctor and specialists to determine if they will be accepting your insurance for next year. We only have a few days to make changes!

For those researching drug plans, don't forget to look at the mail order option. Humana owns their own mail order company which has worked well for some clients.

Sarah has been researching as well. Thanks Sarah for sharing your findings also. It certainly helps to have additional eyes.

Everyone have a great day!
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Insurance update

After a day of studying, calling and reading my notes....I AM MORE CONFUSED! It seems most of our clients, who are happy with their plan have: Humana PPO, Care Improvement Plus or Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO. Having said that, the doctors I called last week were pushing Humana. Keep in mind they push what provides them the most income but the flip side is they work to make money. Therefore, they want patients who have the insurance they have a relationship with. That is why the service is called "any willing provider". I suggest everyone call their doctors office tomorrow, ask what insurance they will take next year and go from there.

If you need prescription coverage, let's consider one of the AARP plans. We use that in my house and have been happy. Remember you must disclose all your prescriptions and then the computer tells you which plans you are eligible to participate in.

I will be calling those of you with changes this week to see if I can help.
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Social update part 2

Good morning all,
A good night's rest cleared my brain, so here is the real scoop on the party!  We had two new clients join us, Stella and Sharon. We are happy to welcome them to our program. It was great to see Sarah and get an update on Les. Even Dick ventured out for our soirée! John and Suzanne filled in for Roy who wasn't feeling well. Ms. Rowena wasn't up to par, she was definitely missed.
John and Dina helped out with transportation and I appreciate it! With such a large group, everyone pitched in to help Mr. Earl. Otherwise, he would still be in the van!

I plan to spend the day working on the insurance issue so check back later today for my thoughts. If you need additional help, just give me a call, I know the process is confusing but we really need to be careful and very efficient when selecting a news plan. After all, it is your money!

Have a great day!
Dr. Janet

Thanksgiving social update

Good evening all from a very tired cook!
Over 40 of our OIB folks enjoyed a terrific feast! We also honored Mr. Courtney for his generous donation to our program. His contribution is earmarked for purchasing the Mattingly mouse product. Thanks Courtney for your generosity!
Having no shame, I challenged our group to come up with 100 crockpots in December for 2014. I left with money for 5 and 1 crockpot! Six down and 94 to go! Please help if you can!
More news tomorrow! Tonight I am too tired to type!
Dr. Janet

Is Braille outdated? Great article

Who was Helen Keller? We know the answer, and yet the answer has changed with time. Thursday marked the 133rd anniversary of her birth. While most of us are familiar with the story of the miracle that occurred when a little girl who was both deaf and blind suddenly grasped the power of language, Helen Keller's image has transformed dramatically over the decades. Her only access to classroom lectures and textbooks was the relentless interpreting of her teacher, spelling into Helen's hand. She graduated with honors and became internationally known as an author, speaker, and humanitarian, but her image was once a bit removed from regular people. She was a phenomenon, yes, but society also viewed her as a kind of freak of nature, a paragon untouched by the more common human needs. Her image has changed-and for the better. Today we know that she was a complex, multi-dimensional woman-not asexual or unaware of earthly matters, but rather a feminist, a socialist, an advocate for disability rights-and a flesh-and-blood woman whose one true romance was thwarted by her "handlers" just short of her elopement. You might say that, with time and more knowledge of her humanness, Helen Keller has gone beyond legendary and remarkable; she has become cool. This same transformation has occurred with our perceptions of other disability trappings. American Sign Language (ASL), once perceived as that odd business of a couple of people frantically, silently waving their hands around in public, is now recognized by all immediately as just another way of talking. Mothers teach it to their babies. Colleges and universities offer it for credit. Most people think that to know at least a few words and phrases in ASL is decidedly, yes, cool. At the first-ever Braille Summit last week, a conference organized by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (a division of the Library of Congress) and that same Perkins School, where Helen Keller was a student, one hundred of the most passionate advocates for Braille literacy from throughout the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France gathered to talk about the future of literacy for people who can't read conventional print. The problem is of crisis proportions. Although we recently celebrated the two hundredth birthday of the blind Frenchman who invented the tactile system of reading and writing for blind people, only 10 percent of blind people currently use it. Schools often assign a low, if any, priority in lieu of teaching blind kids to use their ears to listen to recorded texts and computerized voices. Adults losing sight consider it a badge of failure, so they learn it only if they have the good fortune to find a teacher who knows its value. Without Braille a person who cannot effectively read or write print is illiterate. Although employment rates for blind adults are deplorably low (about 30 percent), 85 percent of those who are employed use Braille on the job. So how do we fix it? was the question posed to those gathered at the Watertown, Massachusetts, event. A solid list of solutions was developed, a list for the Library of Congress staff and others to contemplate and try to implement. But one of the leading suggestions was this: Braille needs a better marketing campaign. It needs to be perceived as cool. For those of us fortunate enough to use it, of course it's cool. Reading and writing and language are recognized universally as keys to information, knowledge, and success. Braille is just another literacy medium, a system of dots rather than lines and squiggles. You see it on elevator panels and restroom doors. Why not look it up in the encyclopedia and puzzle out those numbers and letters? Teach it to your children and grandchildren. It can be a fun tool for writing secret messages. That's how it began, after all. Nineteenth-century French military developed "night writing" as a way for soldiers to relay messages after dark. One of them shared it with a school for the blind; young Louis Braille got his hands on it and turned it into a system that could convey to the fingertips any text ever written. Every word I've ever written was read by me in Braille. It's not quirky or complicated or obsolete. It's just literacy-and that is 100 percent cool. Like Helen Keller and American Sign Language before it, Braille needs to be seen in a more positive light; it needs an image makeover.

Hump day 11-13-13

Hello everyone,
I am posting early as I must trudge back to Springdale to take Mom to her primary care doctor. After only 4 hours on the phone with the expiring insurance, we have no solutions! Trying to navigate the insurance network is not fun. I can't imagine sick folks having to cope with this. No one has the authority to make decisions!
Enough ranting- I will be back tomorrow night with a new update!

Krystal is calling those who have not replied.....check your voice mail.
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Date: 11-12-13

Good morning all,
If you haven't thought about the date take a look at the numbers: 11-12-13. This phenomenon doesn't occur every year. The month of December this year is also unique. If you haven't noticed, we have less shopping days between now and Christmas. That means double up and spend faster!

Last call on notifying Krystal. Ms. Helen needs to know how much to cook! The menu is shaping up to be a great one!

Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Hugs to Veterans!

Good morning everyone,
Here's a big hug and our eternal gratitude to those who served our country. You are appreciated! Hug a Vet today!

Did you know men are 6 times more likely to develop cancer than women? Today's statistics indicate men stand an 80% chance of developing some type of cancer during their lifetime. November is being touted as men's cancer awareness month. Please schedule a physical if you haven't done so. You men. Who have skipped the dreaded appointment know who you are! Toughen up and see your doctor!
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Sunday recipes

Good morning world!
The weather outside is perfect! We need to enjoy it as I heard there will be a drastic cool down midweek. Here are a couple of recipes for your enjoyment.

LEMON LUSH
 1 stick butter - melted
 1 cup flour 
1 1/2 cup pecans - chopped (reserve 3/4 cup for topping)
 1 16 oz. container Cool Whip 8 oz. cream cheese - softened 
1 cup sugar
 2 boxes Lemon Instant Pudding - regular size (made to directions and refrigerated) 

Directions: Making 4 layers in a 9 x 13 glass dish 1st layer - butter, flour and 3/4 cup pecans mixed together and pressed into the bottom of glass dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 - 15 min until light brown. COOL completely. 

2nd layer - cream cheese, sugar and 1 cup Cool Whip. Blend until creamy and spread over 1st layer. 3rd layer - Lemon pudding (made to box directions) spread evenly over 2nd layer. 4th layer - extra Cool Whip spread evenly over 3rd layer and topped with remaining pecans. Cover and refrigerate for several hours before serving.

And my favorite:

Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken 
Ingredients 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts 
1 can of Campbell's Cheddar Cheese Soup 
1 cup milk 
1 1/2 cups Ritz Crackers (one sleeve) 
4 tablespoons of melted butter (you can use more) 
8 ounces frozen broccoli 
4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese 
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
 Instructions: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Make can of Cheddar cheese soup mix according to package directions (one can of soup mix to one can of milk). Place chicken breasts in a baking dish. Season with seasoned salt. Pour 3/4 of the prepared soup over the chicken breasts. Add broccoli to chicken that has been covered with the cheddar soup. Melt butter and combine with Ritz crackers, sprinkle buttered crackers over the broccoli. Add remaining soup mix, and bake for approximately 45 minutes or until the chicken is done. (Check chicken by cutting the thickest part and look to see that the chicken is uniform in color). When chicken has been removed from oven sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. 

Saturday notes

good morning everyone,
I hope everyone had a productive week. Just a couple of quick reminders for today:

1. Call Krystal to reserve your spot for our Thanksgiving bash next Saturday, November 16, 11-2
2. If you received a cancellation notice on your insurance, please let us know. We are tracking the numbers and trying to get you some help.

Hang in!
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Apple progress-interesting article

Apple aims to control devices based on your location A newly-awarded patent describes a way to monitor your remote location as a way to control devices at home or elsewhere. by Lance Whitney November 5, 2013 6:26 AM PST Follow @lancewhit (Credit: Apple/USPTO) Imagine a technology that can automatically turn on the heat or the stove at home based simply on your location. That's exactly what Apple has in mind in a freshly-awarded patent. Awarded on Tuesday by the US Patent and Trademark Office, a patent with the lengthy title of " System and method of determining location of wireless communication devices/persons for controlling/adjusting operation of devices based on the location " envisions a system that would not require your manual input to control remote devices, as most of today's home automation system do. Instead, you'd customize the system to automatically perform certain tasks based on your whereabouts. Your location would be tracked via your iPhone or other mobile device. The home automation system would then respond accordingly. As one example, the heating or air conditioning in your house could be turned on as you make your way home from work. As another example, the lights in your house or the garage door opener could be activated as you drive onto your street. The technology could even function directly in your home, automatically turning lights on and off as you enter or exit a room. As the patent describes it: One or more relay servers can access first data received from one or more first devices (e.g., a phone, tablet computer, vehicle tracking device, or badge reader). The one or more relay servers can aggregate the data and infer a location of a person. The one or more relay servers can transmit second signals including second data to one or more second devices (e.g., lighting systems, security systems, garage-door openers, music controllers, climate controllers, or kitchen appliances), the second data being based at least in part on the estimated location. As always, an awarded patent doesn't mean we'll see this technology pop up anytime soon. In this case, your home would have to outfitted with the necessary equipment for all of this to work. But it does conjure up a possible next step in the world of home automation. ( Via AppleInsider ) .

Catch up articles compliments of Johnye

John Christie - Guide Dog Users Fight For Law to Protect Guide Dogs A frightening occurrence is happening to our guide dogs. According to Guide Dog Users, Inc., an increasing amount of guide dogs are being attacked by uncontrolled dogs that are encountered on our city streets and neighborhoods. According to Guide Dog Users, Inc. President, Laurie Mehta of Cincinnati, Ohio, "guide dogs' work has all too frequently been intentionally obstructed. She also explains inadequate and inconsistent laws have prevented local authorities from treating these acts as criminal acts. For this reason, Guide Dogs Users, Inc. wants to seek a National service protection law in 2013 as part of the legislative agenda. Guide Dog Users, Inc. conducted a survey recently of its membership. The survey found that 89 percent of the 119 members that responded reported having experiencing interference with their dogs and 42 percent experienced a full blown attack on their dogs. Of those experiencing interference, 51 percent were interfered with by the same dog more than once. 47 percent of the guide dog users planned alternate routes to avoid known problem dogs. 4 percent of the guide dogs had to retire because of the severity of the attacks. Each guide dog that is trained to work with the blind costs around $50,000. Guide Dog Users, Inc.'s Legislative Committee Chair, Don Brown, wants to have legislation with criminal penalties enacted so that dog owners will exercise additional care when controlling their dogs in public. Guide Dog Users, Inc. is correct to try to pass a law requiring dog owners to control their dogs in public. They should attempt to control the dog so they won't go after service dogs. After all, these dogs cost a lot to be trained and it takes a while to develop chemistry between the dog and the guide dog user. Hopefully, the law will be passed to allow for criminal penalties.

Thursday morning

Good morning everyone,
I am proud to report I am home! My mother will be staying with me for awhile. Tonight I must complete a report for DSB but I hope to start checking on everyone tomorrow. Sorry for the scheduling problems. Sometimes life just gets in the way of our plans. Thanks to Johnye for finding articles. They will be posted today!
Thanks for all the prayers, calls and emails! I appreciate each if you!
Janet

Personal update

Good morning friends,
I am out of town and unsure when I will be home. My mother had a medical emergency so I am in Springdale. Unfortunately, I left in such a hurry, I forgot my iPad charger! I get emails on my phone, so if you need me, please use email or my phone.
Janet

Upcoming week

We have a busy week ahead. North Little rock folks check your calendar. I propose we meet at Lahman Library on Thursday to download Overdrive. I went in today and learned:
1. You need a library card from the North Little rock Library
2. To get a card you need a photo ID and something with your address, piece of mail, bill, etc
3. Charge your iPad!
4. If you need a ride, shoot me an email or give me a call. I will be driving the famous bus....so look out world or at least travelers!

I am booked Monday and Tuesday so just leave me a message or send the email. I will post the time when I find out more from the librarian

Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Time change

Good morning friends,
Happy Saturday! The time will change tonight. Thankfully, our smart devices will reset on their own. Don't forget to manually roll your clocks back. This is also a great time to switch the batteries in the smoke detectors. If you haven't physically changed the batteries in a couple of years, please do so. Otherwise, push the button to be sure the units are functioning. Smoke detectors are among those devices we take for granted but rely on for our basic protection. If you need help testing your smoke detector, you may call the non emergency fire number and real, live fireman will graciously assist.
Get out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather!
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

ACB meeting tomorrow!

Everyone,
Sandy just called to remind everyone that ACB will meet tomorrow at Fletcher Library. The meeting will begin at 10. A scrumptious meal will follow but I forgot to ask where.....
These advocacy groups rely on active members. Please consider joining and making your voice count!

Happy Friday!

Good morning all,
I am definitely ready for the weekend! It is a lovely crisp fall day in my neighborhood. There is nothing better than fall in Arkansas. As I continue to recuperate, I still have fever spikes so I will not schedule visits until Monday. There is no need in sharing this horrid bug with you!

The iPad Air is available today! I can't wait to visit the Apple store

Upcoming events:
Next week (November 4-8)
Equipment deliveries/home visits
OverDrive Training in North Little Rock and Little Rock
November 16: Fall Celebration at the Center 11-2
December 30: iPad training in Paragould

Have a great day and we will meet here tomorrow,
Dr. Janet