National Mammography Day

Today is National Mammography day, which is held on the third Friday of October every year since 1993. National Mammography Day is a cousin to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They’re both committed to women’s self care but this day is set aside specifically to encourage women to take the time to make an appointment. Early detection means early treatment and the difference between life and death. Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms.

A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast. Doctors use a mammogram to look for early signs of breast cancer. Regular mammograms are the best tests doctors have to find breast cancer early, sometimes up to three years before it can be felt. The most common misconception about mammograms is that they are painful. Though every person has a different pain threshold, the compression performed during a mammogram is most often described as only temporary discomfort. Doctors state that “Regular mammograms are the gold standard and best test we have to find breast cancer early. This can greatly improve prognosis if the cancer is detected earlier.”

Women with a strong family history of breast cancer are considered high-risk and should begin getting mammograms earlier than the recommended age. This often includes those with a first-degree relative that has been diagnosed. In addition, doctors can perform a risk assessment tool for the development of invasive breast cancer to determine if a patient is high risk or not.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is very important because it increases our awareness and early detection through regular screening. Regular screening with mammography has been found to detect cancer early, when it is most treatable. Fortunately, breast cancer deaths continue to decline thanks to our heightened awareness and early detection. Mammography has great potential to save lives. The American College of Radiology-ACR recommends that all women age 40 and over have annual mammograms. October National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is a great month to remind women of the importance of mammography, especially if it has been over a year since the patient’s last mammogram.

A patient should take into consideration preparing for a mammogram. They should try to go to the same facility every time so mammograms can easily be compared from year to year. If a patient has had records at a different facility, try to get those records to bring with you to the new facility or have them sent there, so the old pictures can be compared to the new ones. A mammogram should be scheduled when the breasts are not tender or swollen to help reduce discomfort, which aids in getting better pictures (try to avoid the week just before your period). Also, on the day of the exam, the patient should not wear deodorant as the deodorant can show up as white spots on the x-ray.

Private Home Care encourages using National Mammography Day as a reminder to schedule a mammogram appointment. Mammograms can truly save lives!

Mental Health Day

All over the globe, people celebrate World Mental Health Day on October 10th. The day was established in 1992 by the World Health Organization as a response to a growing need for awareness for mental health issues. By having a day dedicated to this cause, we can become more aware of mental health to help break the stigma surrounding mental illness. As a result, it will encourage those who are living with mental illness seek the appropriate treatment and support they need. It will also help inform and educate the loved ones of those experiencing mental illness. Private Home Care supports this cause because mental health is just as important as physical health to our wellbeing.

World Mental Health day is not just about treating illness, but also strengthening mental health! Dr. Drew Ramsey is a world renowned psychiatrist who has helped pioneer the new field of nutritional psychiatry. It is scientifically proven that our diet impacts not only our physical health, but our mental health too. The Mediterranean Diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, lean meats, dairy, whole grains and less processed foods, or the ‘brain go brain grow diet’, will help improve mental health.

Building more mental health – Dr. Drew shares that eating one salad is not going to be a cure-all for mental illness. However, he says that taking small steps and incorporating a brain health diet in conjunction with whatever kind of treatment, including psychotherapy, medication, or meditation, will help bolster mental health. He cites studies where women who ate seafood rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids over a 3 month period were 25% less likely to be depressed. Some forms of mental illness may be more based on genetics (like bipolar disorder), and some more environmental (like social isolation from the pandemic), but there are ways of alleviating symptoms. Although struggling with mental illness may be difficult, it is important to remember that a healthy lifestyle will always help improve how you are feeling (even if just a little at first!), such as getting fresh air and exercise, and eating a healthy diet, and maintaining a healthy work/life balance.

Globally, one in three people will experience a mental illness at some point during their lifetime. On World Mental Health Day, we honor this occasion by encouraging those who struggle to tell their stories or reach out to loved ones who may not seem like themselves. Another way to help is to build up your mental health by practicing self care. Remind people that they are not alone and let’s break the stigma surrounding mental health, in order to help people live their best quality lives.

World Mental Health Day

Tomorrow, October 10th, is World Mental Health Day. Private Home Care supports the mission to recognize the importance of mental health and remove stigma attached to it. Many, many people have struggled with mental health over the past few months, especially due to the lack of social interaction. World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to educate as well as bring light and hope to those struggling.

National Pumpkin Seed Day!

Tomorrow, October 7th, is National Pumpkin Seed Day. This day celebrates these tasty seeds that come from everyone’s favorite gourd, pumpkins! Though they may be small, pumpkin seeds are packed full of valuable nutrients! Eating only a small amount of them can provide you with a substantial quantity of healthy fats, magnesium and zinc. Not only are they delicious, but did you know that pumpkin seeds boast a host of nutritional benefits? These include improved heart health, prostate health and protection against certain cancers.

A one ounce serving of shell-free pumpkin seeds has roughly 151 calories, which are mainly from fat and protein. Here are some nutritional facts: Fiber: 1.7 grams; Carbs: 5 grams; Protein: 7 grams; Fat: 13 grams (6 of which are omega-6s!); Vitamin K: 18% of the RDI; Phosphorus: 33% of the RDI; Manganese: 42% of the RDI; Magnesium: 37% of the RDI; Iron: 23% of the RDI; Zinc: 14% of the RDI; Copper: 19% of the RDI

-Pumpkin seeds are rich in antioxidants! These include antioxidants like carotenoids and vitamin E. Antioxidants such as Vitamin E can reduce inflammation and protect your cells from harmful free radicals, as well as slow the process of aging. Consuming foods rich in antioxidants like pumpkin seeds can help with healthy aging, brain health, and protect against many diseases.

-Improves Prostate and Bladder Health: Pumpkin seeds may help relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the prostate gland enlarges, causing problems with urination including an overactive bladder. This condition may occur with aging for men, and in a one-year study in over 1,400 men with BPH, pumpkin seed consumption reduced symptoms and improved quality of life. Another study in 45 men and women with overactive bladders found that 10 grams of pumpkin seed extract daily improved urinary function.

-Linked to cancer prevention: Diets rich in pumpkin seeds have been associated with a reduced risk of stomach, breast, lung, prostate and colon cancers. Studies suggest that the lignans in pumpkin seeds may play a key role in preventing and treating breast cancer. Further test-tube studies found that a supplement containing pumpkin seeds had the potential to slow down the growth of prostate cancer cells.

-Rich in Magnesium: Pumpkin seeds are rich in magnesium. Healthy magnesium levels are important for your blood pressure, blood sugar levels, as well as heart and bone health. Pumpkin seeds are one of the best natural sources of magnesium — a mineral that is often lacking in the diets of many Western populations. In the US, around 79% of adults have a magnesium intake below the recommended daily amount, and fortunately pumpkin seeds are readily available to help with that.

-Good For Your Heart! Pumpkin seeds are a good source of antioxidants, magnesium, zinc and fatty acids — all of which may help keep your heart healthy. Studies suggest that pumpkins’ ability to increase nitric oxide generation in your body may be responsible for its positive effects on heart health. Nitric oxide helps expand blood vessels, improving blood flow and reducing the risk of plaque growth in your arteries. Research has also shown that pumpkin seed oil may reduce high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels — two important risk factors for heart disease.

-Improves sleep: If you have trouble sleeping, you may want to eat some pumpkin seeds before bed. They’re a natural source of tryptophan, an amino acid that can help promote sleep, and consuming around 1 gram of tryptophan daily is thought to improve sleep. Also the zinc in pumpkin seeds can help with hormonal processes related to sleep. Zinc assists with converting tryptophan to serotonin, which is then changed into melatonin, the hormone that regulates your sleep cycle. In addition, pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of magnesium. Adequate magnesium levels have also been associated with better sleep. As we know, the better sleep that we have, the better it is for our mental health. In that way, pumpkin seeds improve mental well being as well!

Pumpkin season is in full swing, and while carving jack-o-lanterns or making pumpkin pie or soup, people may not know what to do with all of the seeds. Please do not throw these wonderful pumpkin seeds out! What is great about pumpkin seeds is that they can be easily incorporated into the diet, and use them in recipes. Private Home Care invites you tomorrow to eat extra pumpkin seeds for your health and to celebrate fall!

World Cerebral Palsy Day

World Cerebral Palsy Day occurs every year on October 6th, and it recognizes individuals with Cerebral Palsy (CP). This day also aims to raise awareness about the condition and look beyond the disability. World Cerebral Palsy Day is a movement that acknowledges those affected, and works to ensure that children and adults with CP have the same rights, access and opportunities as anyone else in our society. 

What is Cerebral Palsy? 

The CDC defines Cerebral Palsy as: “A group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. CP is the most common motor disability in childhood…CP is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain that affects a person’s ability to control his or her muscles.

The symptoms of CP vary from person to person. A person with severe CP might need to use special equipment to be able to walk, or might not be able to walk at all and might need lifelong care. A person with mild CP, on the other hand, might walk a little awkwardly, but might not need any special help. CP does not get worse over time, though the exact symptoms can change over a person’s lifetime. All people with CP have problems with movement and posture. Many also have related conditions such as intellectual disability; seizures; problems with vision, hearing, or speech; changes in the spine; or joint problems.”

World CP Day is an opportunity for the whole world to come together to recognize and celebrate the 17 million people around the world living with cerebral palsy. In the US there are 500,000 children with CP. Every year during World Cerebral Palsy on October 6th, individuals, families and organizations all around the globe celebrate by sharing stories, hosting events, and wearing the color green. World CP Day also is also an opportunity to challenge myths about those with CP. There have been many talented individuals who have made contributions to our society. 

Though it is a lifelong condition, it can be managed with proper treatment and continued care, especially during childhood. One way to help manage CP is through a healthy diet and exercise, and it is of particular importance when the individuals with CP are children. Here at PHC we are always passionate about a healthy lifestyle for everyone, especially for those with chronic lifelong conditions who could substantially benefit. Eating a Mediterranean diet is beneficial for those with CP because it is one of the healthiest diets in the world and is known to reduce inflammation. The Mediterranean Diet is rich in fruits and vegetables, healthy fats including olive oil and nuts, whole grains, lean protein such as eggs and fish, and a minimal amount of red meat or processed foods. Along with physical therapy for those with CP, regular and light exercise appropriate to their abilities is very important to alleviate symptoms and bolster well being. As World CP Day continues to grow in popularity, we will continue to show the world all the incredible things that people with cerebral palsy achieve when barriers are removed. Private Home Care is passionate about supporting the rights and quality of life for those who are differently abled, as well as ensuring equity, accessibility and dignity.  

National Get Funky Day

National Get Funky Day: Today is the day – to get funky! Every year on October 5th, we celebrate National Get Funky Day! This day encourages everyone to break out of their funk and get funky. We can always use more uplifting spirit in the world! Nowadays it is most important to remember to brighten up, turn up the energy, improve the mood, smile, laugh, and dance everywhere you go! Beat the blues and jam out to funk music!

Step out of your funk with…funk! Funkiness is infectious, and National Get Funky Day is a day to celebrate life, spread love, laughter, and light! ‘Getting funky’ is associated with many health benefits. Making a conscious effort to live a positive, happy life puts you at much less risk of mental illness like depression and anxiety because the feel good chemicals are flowing through your brain. Having a joyful lifestyle helps you feel socially connected, which fights against loneliness and isolation. Improved mood is associated with a healthier diet, better sleep, lowered blood sugar, and overall lower risk and incidence of chronic disease. All of this means that getting funky can increase your life expectancy!

But how does one funk? Funk is the kind of music that can make even the biggest wallflowers get out on the dance floor. So when someone tells you to get funky, they’re not telling you to stop taking showers, they want you to have fun! On National Get Funky Day do something to make yourself happy: wear bright, happy colors, smile, laugh, tell jokes, and definitely crank up some funky tunes and get dancing! Check out this video where seniors are teaching us how to get funky – with Uptown Funk!