Mocktails Ala mode! 

/in , ,
Penelope DelValle, who will be studying business and law courses at DePaul University shared with Healthy Lombard that…
As a freshman entering my collegiate journey, I have stepped into the world of young adulthood. With this new sense of freedom certainly comes a sense of responsibility. To combat the real problem of alcohol poisoning among students, DePaul University assigns and eagerly advertises a module course to all of its students newly coming into the University. After learning about the real issues that can be associated with too much alcohol consumption, I began considering alternatives for youths and people in general that would like to be in the social setting of cocktails and socializing but wish to avoid the consumption of alcohol.
Hence, this new excerpt idea for the Lombard Health paper: ”Mocktails Galore!”
Below I will share some simple recipes you can entertain guests within your home or at a social gathering. Being conscious of our health, people of all ages should be aware of the negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption. Too much alcohol in the body can hinder rational decisions, become toxic to imperative organs such as the liver or kidneys, and is correlated with increased signs of aging of the skin and body. Without further ado, here are the recipes!

Read more 

5 Health Benefits of Addiction Treatment 

/in ,

Freelance Writer Maggie Bloom shared with Healthy Lombard that addiction treatment is a behavioral health treatment that helps individuals overcome their dependence on drugs and alcohol. It can be provided in an outpatient or intensive outpatient setting, in partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), or as part of a residential program. The goal of addiction treatment is to help people stop using drugs and alcohol, maintain sobriety for the long term, and reduce the risk that they will return to drug use.

Addiction treatment is often used interchangeably with substance abuse treatment, but these terms have fundamental differences. Addiction refers specifically to the psychological dependence on a drug or alcohol. Substance abuse refers to the problematic use of any drug or alcohol. Treatment can help people recover from both addictions and substance abuse problems. Continue reading to learn more:

1.   Drug and Alcohol Detox

After years of abuse, your body has become used to drugs. When you stop taking them abruptly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms that can be very uncomfortable and even dangerous. This is why detox is essential before entering a drug or alcohol treatment program.

The detox process is done in a controlled environment, often in an inpatient setting, where doctors can monitor your progress. Therefore, detoxing can be uncomfortable and even dangerous. It’s essential to ensure you have a safe and comfortable place to recover from drug or alcohol abuse.

During the first few days of detox, you will be given medication to help ease withdrawal symptoms. After the initial phase of detox, patients move on to rehabilitation treatment.

In addition, withdrawal from drug and alcohol symptoms include nausea, sweating, vomiting, anxiety, hallucinations, and convulsions. If you are experiencing these symptoms when you stop using drugs or alcohol, you must seek medical attention immediately. The most common form of detox is medically supervised withdrawal followed by a period of abstinence (detox).

Read more 

MARIJUANA AND ADOLESCENTS 

/in

Rise and Shine shared that marijuana, or cannabis*, has gained a lot of attention in the past decade due to media coverage of the legislations passed around the country to decriminalize and legalize it, both for use as a medical product and for recreational purposes. This has unfortunately led to a misperception of the risks associated with marijuana use, especially by adolescents.

The marijuana plant, which has been grown for many millennia, has more than 400 known chemical compounds in it. The two main compounds of concern are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and its effects

Delta-9-THC is a psychoactive compound, and the concentration of delta-9-THC determines the potency of marijuana. Over the last few decades, the THC concentration in marijuana has increased by at least 15%. The rise in the use of electronic vaping devices or “vapes” for consuming cannabis products — 6-fold in high schoolers from 2014 to 2020 — has also changed attitudes around cannabis use. Vapes provide an easy way to consume cannabis and are concealable, often not even emitting the distinctive smell of marijuana.

These changes in marijuana potency and the use of vapes are more harmful to children and adolescents than adults. Adolescents are more likely to experiment with marijuana whose THC potency is higher. Some of these products can have a delta-9-THC concentration that is more than 90%. In comparison, more traditional marijuana products contain around 15-20% THC. Read more 

The Nutritional Value & Health Benefits of Desi ghee 

/in , ,

Desi ghee is a type of clarified butter, also known as drawn butter, used in Indian cooking. Many households in India use homemade ghee drawn from cow milk. The clarification process separates the milk solids and water from the fat. When making desi cow ghee, the butter is cooked until the milk solids turn brown. The cooking process helps ghee get a nuttier and richer flavor than butter. In Indian cooking, desi ghee enhances the taste and nutrition of home-cooked food.

Nutritional Values of Desi Ghee
Just like cooking oils and butter, desi ghee is rich in fats. One tablespoon of ghee comes to 130 calories; there are 15 grams of fat. Out of these 15 grams, 9 grams are saturated fat, 5 grams are monounsaturated fat, and less than 1 gram is polyunsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats are good for the body. Saturated fats may only be consumed in small amounts. Homemade ghee tends to have trace amounts of protein, as the whey is not 100% separated from the butter. Ghee also contains small amounts of vitamins A, E, and K.

Health Benefits of Ghee
Cow ghee is a source of nutrition and good health in the Indian culture. It is known to enhance memory, strength, immunity, and improve digestion. Here are a few essential health benefits of including organic desi ghee in your diet: Read more 

5 deadly diseases rats and mice carry 

/in , , , ,

Jane Wilson,, а freelance writer who is passionate to help people with easy tips shared with Healthy Lombard that we all loved watching Tom & Jerry as kids, and to be honest, most of us were always on Jerry’s side. Rooting for the underdog was always in human nature, and when it comes to a kids’ cartoon, it’s only logical to take the side of the poor, small and defenceless mouse. However, growing up, you understand that a mouse in the house is never the hero. Actually, that’s a great way to know if you’re already an adult. If you cheer for the mouse, you obviously never have found one lurking in your food supply, eating your belongings and running your property’s value to the ground. 

While the harmless mischief Jerry did, were, without a doubt, hilarious, and we all spent hours laughing at Tom’s misery, in reality, mice, rats and other rodents are extremely dangerous. Even though they pale in size compared to other mammals, they are by far one of the deadliest, not because of their ferocity but because of the diseases they carry. Here are the 5 most dangerous among them.

Hantavirus

This life-threatening virus can be transmitted to humans via inhalation of rodent excrements, urine or saliva. There are plenty of those whenever there is a rat or mouse infestation. The pests don’t shy away from doing their business everywhere.

“Rats and mice can climb almost all surfaces. They constantly pee and poo, which may contaminate food, fluids or anything that gets in touch with them”, points out Neel Patel, one of Fantastic Services’ top pest controllers in Australia. 

Thankfully there is no human-to-human transmission, but in Europe, the risk of infection is not minimal. It typically happens in small towns, where the bank voles and the yellow-necked mouse mostly live. The peak of the virus is during the autumn months when rodents are most likely to attack urban areas. 

The symptoms are anything but pleasant. They include high fever, general fatigue, and severe muscle aches, which predominantly target the lower back, hips, and thighs. Diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain are also among the frequently suffered symptoms. 

Thankfully, there is a cure for the disease, but unfortunately, the virus is severely underdiagnosed, and sadly the fatality rate is around 38%.

Read more 

How Much Does Meat Affect Longevity? 

/in ,

Innovations That Have Changed Healthcare in The Last Decade 

/in ,

Freelance writer Regina Thomas shared with Healthy Lombard that given the fragmented nature of the healthcare industry, many independent companies create innovative solutions for specific problems. In the last decade, we’ve seen advancements in telemedicine, AI, Big Data, and IoT technologies that have led to better solutions for patients and healthcare professionals. These innovations will continue to transform the healthcare industry in the upcoming years. From telemedicine apps to digital wellness services, here is a look at some of the most recent innovations in healthcare and how they will continue to change its landscape over the next decade.

Telemedicine Apps

One of the major healthcare industry trends has been the increased adoption of telemedicine applications. As more and more people are working remotely, it’s important to access health services that can be accessed remotely, too. This is especially true for mental health services, given that stigma surrounding mental health services is still a major issue in the U.S. .More than 6,000 telemedicine apps are available for mental health care, general health care, and specialty care services like virtual appointments for eye care, fertility, and OBGYN services.

Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Artificial intelligence has been a buzzword in the tech world since the early days of computing. While AI technologies have been used to create “thinking machines” for many years, we’re now seeing AI in the healthcare industry to help with administrative tasks and more complex functions like data analysis. AI interprets vast amounts of data, sifting through unstructured information such as video, images, and text to find patterns and insights. AI can also be used in predictive analytics to help forecast needs and future modeling outcomes. Some of the healthcare AI applications that have been developed include voice-activated assistants for managing healthcare records and AI-assisted imaging analysis.

Robotics in Healthcare

Robotics are used in various industries, from manufacturing to transportation and service industries. While they are often associated with manufacturing, they have also been used in healthcare for several years. Robots are used in healthcare settings to perform tasks that are either too dangerous or too difficult for humans to do. This includes procedures involving radiation or sterilization, areas that require complete cleanliness, and surgeries that are too complex or time-consuming for human surgeons. Some of the healthcare robotics applications include surgical robots and pharmacy robotics.

Wearable Technology in Healthcare

Wearable technology has been evolving over the last decade, but it has only recently become popular in healthcare settings. Wearable technology includes everything from fitness trackers to heart rate monitors and sleep trackers. These devices are used to collect information about a person’s health and wellness. Data such as heart rate, blood pressure, calories burned, and amount of sleep can all be helpful to healthcare professionals. Wearable technology has been especially helpful in managing patients with chronic diseases who need to track their vitals. A good example is an EEG headset that records the brain’s electrical activities.

Big Data and Analytics in Healthcare

Healthcare has always been an industry that collects data, but it wasn’t until the last decade that it started to understand the value of that data. Healthcare providers have traditionally kept data for billing and administrative purposes. Still, as technology has evolved, there has been a shift towards collecting patient data and using analytics to gain insights. Big data includes unstructured data such as medical records and images and structured data such as data collected from surveys, polls, and social media.

Internet of Things in Healthcare

The internet of things (IoT) is the network of physical objects connected to the internet and able to collect and exchange data with other devices. These networks of devices can be used to collect data, monitor, and control connected devices. IoT technology has been a growing trend in the healthcare industry over the past decade. IoT technology has been used in home healthcare devices like blood pressure monitors, glucose monitors, and scales to help patients track their wellness with less human interaction. Healthcare providers have begun using IoT technology to improve patient care and streamline operations. Healthcare IoT applications include wearable devices, sensors, data analytics, and remote patient monitoring.

Conclusion

In any industry, technological change is inevitable. In healthcare, it’s more important than ever to be prepared for change. By staying updated with new developments and technologies, healthcare providers can ensure they’re providing the best care possible for their patients. The healthcare landscape will look very different in the next decade with the way technology is changing and advancing.

 

Article photo:

https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-gynecologist-sitting-near-medical-equipment-7088498/

 

COVID-19 VACCINE FOR CHILDREN AGES 6 MONTHS AND OLDER: FAQS 

/in

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention granted emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children over 6 months of age and under 5. Understandably, you may have questions about the vaccines, their administration, and their side effects. To help you, we’ve asked our experts to answer some questions.

What COVID-19 vaccines are available in the United States?

There are currently three COVID-19 vaccines available — one created by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech, one created by Moderna and one created by Johnson & Johnson.

 

  • Pfizer:
    • 6 months through 4 years old: Children in this age group will receive 3 doses in the primary vaccine series. The first and second doses are separated by 3-8 weeks and the second and third doses are separated by at least 8 weeks.
      • Booster: Currently a booster dose is not authorized for children in this age group.
    • 5-17 years old: In this age group, individuals will receive 2 doses of the vaccine, 3-8 weeks apart.
      • Booster: Individuals aged 5-17 are eligible for 1 booster at least 5 months after receiving their second dose of the vaccine.
  • Moderna:
    • 6 months through 17 years old: Children in this age group will receive 2 doses of the vaccine, given 4-8 weeks apart.
      • Booster: Currently a booster dose is not authorized for children and teens in this age group who received a Moderna primary series.
    • 18 years and older: In this age group, 2 doses will be given 4-8 weeks apart.
      • Booster: Individuals in this age group are eligible for 1 booster at least 3 months after their second dose.

Read more 

5 Things to do Before Starting a Workout Routine 

/in

Maggie Bloom shared that beginning a new workout regimen may be the finest thing you can do in your life. You will not regret making big improvements to your physical and emotional health.

In addition to improving your general health and lowering your risk of chronic diseases, exercise may also help you lose weight.

When it comes to your fitness regimen, gym time tends to receive all the attention, but it shouldn’t. If you know what to do before and after a workout, you will know precisely how to modify your routine to influence your development and outcomes.

Smart pre-and post-exercise routines may guarantee that you recover appropriately, fuel your efforts, and dominate every session. Several things must be accomplished, though, before beginning an exercise regimen. You must prepare yourself to engage in this new activity in a healthy manner. Here are five things you must do before your workout program to enhance your outcomes.

1. Consume Copious Amounts of Water

Hydration needs vary depending on characteristics such as age, gender, weight, height, and exercise intensity. The American College of Sports Medicine suggests that active individuals consume twenty ounces of water before activity.

You should avoid drinking water shortly before exercising. Numerous bathroom stops will be a nuisance, and you may urinate more than you retain.

The significance of hydration cannot be overstated. Studies have shown that sufficiently hydrated athletes perform better than dehydrated ones.

Read more 

5 Keys to Living a Longer and Healthier Life 

/in , ,

Magrie Bloom shared with Healthy Lombard that recent world events have reminded all of us that life is both fragile and precious. We’ve heard a lot about avoiding illness, but striving for health seems to have fallen by the wayside. The tips below can be great reminders of what you need to stay healthier.

1.   Drink More Water

Change your habits each day to increase your water intake. This may include quitting alcohol, cutting back on soda, or reducing your caffeine intake. Dehydration is tough on every aspect of your body.

A dehydrated body is more prone to

  • constipation
  • kidney stones
  • sore joints
  • confusion and brain fog

If you’re struggling to get your gut to behave a bit better or are constantly plagued by dry skin, treat yourself to a sizable water bottle and strive to empty it at least once a day. Drink water with your meals instead of soda, coffee, or alcohol. When you’re ready for a snack, skip the chips and eat grapes or berries to increase your fluid intake.

2.   Eat More Vegetables

Take a hard look at your meal planning before you grocery shop and at your plate before you sit down to eat. Is it half vegetables, and are the majority of those veggies raw?

A diet loaded with raw veggies provides more than fiber, though fiber is critically important. Broccoli gives you protection against the formation of many cancers thanks to isothiocyanates and indoles that inhibit the growth patterns of invasive cells.

If you’re worried about wrinkles, boost your intake of leafy greens and avocado. Cabbage is a great addition to your plate if the lettuce isn’t your favorite. A plate full of raw veggies on your plate is an excellent way to protect your body from the inside out.

Read more