World Meningitis Day

World Meningitis Day is April 24, every year. The goal is to spread the word about meningitis, how to spot it and what causes it. It’s also a day to promote the importance of vaccines.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the fluid and membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis continues to be a major global public health issue causing up to 5 million cases each year, including epidemics of new strains that spread between countries and across the world.

There are three main types of meningitis infection: bacterial, viral and environmental. Infection is by far the most common cause of meningitis and is caused by many different germs: viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

Meningitis can strike everyone and at all ages – it can be fatal within a few hours and cause lifelong disability. Aftereffects can be life-changing and may include: memory loss, deafness, loss of sight, epilepsy, paralysis, limb loss, organ damage, and brain damage.

Private Home Health Care reminds people to observe World Meningitis Day by learning more about meningitis and the importance of vaccines. Early detection and being immunized can save lives!!

4/20

Today is National Cannabis day, or “420”. As the name implies, is celebrated annually on April 20. It is an international celebration during which people come together to consume cannabis and advocate for its legalization. In Massachusetts, Cannabis has been legalized and is widely enjoyed as well as utilized for medicinal purposes.

The plant contains chemicals known as cannabinoids. Research indicates that cannabinoids have many health benefits. These include reducing anxiety and tension, reducing inflammation and pain relief, controlling nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, stimulating appetite for people with serious medical conditions, usage as a muscle relaxant, aiding with seizures and even killing cancer cells. Cannabis in all forms, such as CBD, is beginning to be widely accepted as a mainstream therapeutic treatment. It is a myth that using cannabis means that you will get high. In fact, many people use over-the-counter topical CBD creams to help with arthritis or eczema.

Private Home Health Care supports the medically supervised usage of cannabis as a natural, alternative medical treatment for many ailments.

Eggs – A Superfood

National Eggs Benedict Day is on April 16 and it’s a day all about the special American dish. It consists of a poached egg, an English muffin, and Canadian bacon covered in Hollandaise sauce and it’s surrounded by a misconception. Some have assumed that the name originated from Benedict Arnold, the American Revolutionary War traitor, but its origins are up for debate.

Eggs are among the most nutritious foods on the planet. They are easy to eat, readily available and can be prepared dozens of ways. They are a good source of quality protein, Vitamin B2, Selenium, folate, and healthy fats. If you can get your hands on pastured or omega-3 enriched eggs, these are even better. They contain higher amounts of omega-3 fat and are much higher in vitamin A and E. Though eggs are high in cholesterol, they do not raise ‘bad’ cholesterol. In fact, they help increase ‘good’ cholesterol and have been linked to reduce risk of heart disease.

Private Home Health Care encourages you to celebrate National Eggs Benedict Day and enjoy this great dish!

International Moment of Laughter Day

April 14 every year is International Moment of Laughter Day, a day to remind people to laugh out loud every day. Originator Izzy Gesell says laughing out loud is as essential as breathing. He says, “Laughter comes right after breathing as just about the healthiest thing you can do. It relieves stress, instills optimism, raises self-confidence, defuses resistance to change, and enhances all your relationships.”

Mary and the Private Home Health Care community love to laugh, and we sincerely believe that laughter is the best medicine!

National Licorice Day

Today is National Licorice Day! The licorice flavor in the candy comes from the licorice root. It is considered one of the world’s oldest herbal remedies. Native to Western Asia and Southern Europe, licorice has long been used to treat various ailments and flavor candies, drinks, and medicines.

Medicinal use of licorice dates back to ancient Egypt, where the root was made into a sweet drink for pharaohs. It has also been used in traditional Chinese, Middle Eastern, and Greek medicines to soothe an upset stomach, reduce inflammation, and treat upper respiratory problems.

Nowadays, many people utilize licorice root to treat ailments like heartburn, acid reflux, hot flashes, coughs, and bacterial and viral infections. It’s regularly available as a capsule or liquid supplement.

Additionally, licorice tea is said to soothe sore throats, while topical gels are claimed to treat skin conditions like acne or eczema. It is such a popular remedy that you can easily find herbal licorice teas in a local supermarket that help with a cold or inflammation. Today at Private Home Health Care, we celebrate licorice in any form!

More Benefits of Walking

-Walking is easy to integrate into a busy lifestyle. Apart from comfortable shoes, you do not need any special equipment. Walking to the store or while doing other activities still counts!

-Walking boosts your energy. Studies have shown that going for a walk when you are tired can be more effective at energizing you then a cup of coffee!

-Walking could extend your life! When paired with a nutritious diet, it is a key part of a healthy lifestyle. In addition, walking at a faster pace could extend your life. Researchers found that walking at an average pace compared to a slow pace resulted in a 20 percent reduced risk of overall death.

-Aids digestion – going for a light walk after a heavy meal helps promote healthy digestion and stretch your body.-Promotes mental health. Ever been in a bad mood and go for a walk? You always feel better after getting out because walking releases endorphins and redirects negative thoughts. In fact, people who go for regular walks are less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.

-Creative thinking – A study that included four experiments compared people trying to think of new ideas while they were walking or sitting. Researchers found participants did better while walking, particularly while walking outdoors. The researchers concluded that walking opens up a free flow of ideas and is a simple way to increase creativity and get physical activity at the same time. Try to initiate a walking meeting with your colleagues the next time you’re stuck on a problem at work.

Check out this great walking workout!