| Search Weight Loss Topics: |
Posted: January 7, 2020 at 9:44 pm
I can never remember a time in my life where my weight wasnt an issue, says Dalton Blanchard, a 29-year-old IT manager from Houma, Louisiana. As a sedentary kid, he didnt try out for sports he feared he was too out of shape to play; growing up, diets made his weight yo-yo, but he never kept it off. Things got worse in college, as the stress of school led him to binge eat, sometimes hitting 6,000 calories a day. I didnt have exercise or other healthy outlets to relieve stress, so stress eating was a big part of my life and I oftentimes would eat just to feel okay, he says.
By his second year of grad school, he was 330 pounds. I felt like absolute garbage, he says. He dressed in baggy clothes to hide his body. I didnt look at mirrors, I didnt worry about clothes, and there was absolutely no respect for myself.
Online dating turned him aroundspecifically, his now-wife, Francesca. She brought out a lot of things inside of me that I didnt know were parts of my personality, he says, and I found out that I did like being social and that I did like meeting new people. Blanchard admits feeling ashamed as she introduced him to new people. I felt like she deserved more than who I was, he says, and thats really what sparked my change.
He started small. One day after a stressful day at work, he went to the gym and tried jogging. Hed tried for years to get into a workout routine, but it always felt like a chore. This time, though, he loved it. He soon developed a cardio routine, 45 minutes of jogging every weekday. I remember one gym session where I jogged three miles without stopping and I felt like I was on the top of the world, he says.
Cardio quickly helped him slim down, but he also worked to get his diet under control. He used the MyFitnessPal app to count his calories, eating no more than 1500 a day. Lean Cuisine prepackaged meals and salads helped him establish a routine. He aimed to burn 1000 active calories a day, while allowing himself the flexibility of weekend cheat meals to keep from going crazy.
With two years of primarily cardio work, Blanchard went from 330 pounds down to 168, hitting that mark on his wedding day. Since then hes worked to build muscle, and hes now at 180 pounds. Physically, I feel incredible, he says. I dont have as many back pains, leg pains, and moving around is just so much easier. Hes more confident and likes buying clothes again. Hes able to look in the mirror with pride.
Consistency, he says, was the key. He established his weekday routine and stuck to it, using weekends to blow off any stress he felt about it. MyFitnessPal and Apple Watch let him quantify his progress and focus on simply running a calorie deficitburning more than he took in. And he found he really loved running. Find an activity that drives you, he says, and then the rest will become easy.
Read the rest here:
A Simple Cardio Routine Helped This Guy Drop 150 Pounds in 2 Years - menshealth.com
Posted: January 7, 2020 at 9:44 pm
Rebel Wilson has been flaunting her incredible weight loss as she vowed to have a healthy 2020.
The actress, 39, took to Instagram to post a picture of herself on the beach as she showed off her slimmed down figure.
In the snap she looked visibly slimmer as she posed in a sports jacket, gym leggings and a pair of sunglasses.
In the caption she declared that this year would be her "year of health" as she swore to cut down on junk food and sugar in favour of a healthy lifestyle.
Rebel wrote: "Okay so for me 2020 is going to be called 'The Year of Health' so I put on the athleisure and went out for a walk.
"Deliberately hydrating on the couch right now and trying to avoid the sugar and junk food which is going to be hard after the holidays I've just had but I'm going to do it!
"Who's with me in making some positive changes this year?"
Her fans quickly flooded the snap with compliments.
Video Unavailable
Click to playTap to play
Play now
One commented: "I'm so proud of you!! You look fantastic already with your weight loss."
"You look amazing!! 2020 bring on health, I'm with you!!" another posted.
A third wrote: "You look great, you looked absolutely beautiful beforehand and still now."
"You look great Rebel!" another agreed.
Rebel went on a health kick last year when she enlisted the help of celebrity personal trainer Gunnar Peterson.
She now works out four times a week.
Gunnar told US Weekly : "When she's in town, shes a solid four days a week . She is such a cool person to work with."
See more here:
Rebel Wilson shows off incredible weight loss as she vows to make 2020 her 'year of health' - Irish Mirror
Posted: January 7, 2020 at 9:44 pm
The average British adult will try 126 fad diets over the course of their lifetime - and typically abandon them after just six days.
A study of 2,000 adults found each person will embark on at least two trendy diets a year in a bid to quickly shed weight.
The most common 'quick fix' methods are the Atkins Diet, the 5:2 and the Cabbage Soup Diet, while the Keto, South Beach and Juice diets are also popular.
Unsurprisingly, the typical fad diet is abandoned after an average of just six days.
But, when wanting to lose weight, 52 per cent of those polled admitted they were really confused about which diets were sustainable and which were not.
One fifth don't know where to go to get reliable and truthful information, and more than half are baffled about which foods can and can't be cut out.
Almost one third of adults even believe consumption of fruits such as berries, apples and bananas should be limited.
Nick Marston, chairman of Love Fresh Berries, which commissioned the study, said: "January tends to be the month when people embark on fad diets as a quick fix.
"However, we know that it isn't a sustainable or even healthy approach.
"Instead, nutritionists advise that we follow evidence-based nutritional advice and look for a well-balanced diet that does not cut out any food groups.
"Incorporating lots of fruit and vegetables is important, including berries as they have many important nutritional benefits."
The study also revealed that when deciding to 'emergency diet', almost half of those polled would turn to Google as their first port of call for information, while 10 per cent would find out what their favourite celebrity does to look good.
Social media and self-help books are referred to by 15 per cent of people, but only 27 per cent say they'd consider consulting a GP.
Key motivations for Brits to take up a crash diet include having a big event on the horizon (18 per cent), preparing for a holiday (21 per cent) and wanting to feel happier with appearance (24 per cent).
But some of the methods of dieting proved even more extreme than others, with 16 admitting they would consider drinking up to 12 glasses of lemon juice a day to lose weight quickly.
And one in twenty would even be happy to intentionally ingest a tapeworm to burn 'extra' calories.
Other drastic - and unhealthy - methods respondents would consider trying include eating ice every day, drinking olive oil between meals and tucking into jars of baby food.
The apparent confusion about what works and what doesn't means many Brits are opting to cut out essential food groups, believing this will encourage faster weight loss.
And with the majority of adults admitting they experience more than five food cravings a day when trying to crash diet, the research indicates the elimination of certain foods is not sustainable for any period of time.
Loving food topped the poll of reasons why dieters found these plans impossible to stick to while a quarter said food and drink were integral to their social life.
Among the chief diet breakers are chocolate, bread and pasta, but for one in 10 fruit juice and bananas prove hard to resist.
Some Brits have even had to abandon a diet after it clearly affected their health, with fatigue (21 per cent), weakness (29 per cent) and headaches (26 per cent) putting an end to quick weight loss plans.
The study, carried out via OnePoll, also revealed just under half are confused about whether fruit should be limited when dieting, due to fears the food is too high in sugar (45 per cent) and carbohydrates (13 per cent).
More than one in 10 are convinced fruits are too calorific, while another tenth believe they contain worrying levels of fat.
Dr Emma Derbyshire, a nutritionist speaking on behalf of Love Fresh Berries said: "It seems there are still ongoing confusions about how much and what form fruits should be eaten.
"Concerns about sugars and carbohydrates are largely unfounded.
"The benefits that fruits bring in terms of micro and phytonutrients far outweigh any potential sugar concerns.
"Sugars naturally occurring in fruits are intrinsic and not 'added' sugars, also known as free sugars.
"Fruits such as berries are naturally sweet so there is no need to add extra refined sugar to these.
"In terms of calories and fats in fruit, this is rather concerning.
"When put into a larger context fruits contain far fewer calories, sugars and fat than refined snacks such as crisps, biscuits and cakes.
"Such confusions are worrying and clearly further myth busting is needed to help correct these misconceptions."
1. Atkins diet 2. The 5:2 3. Cabbage soup diet 4. Keto diet 5. Juice cleanse 6. Salad diet 7. Juice diet 8. Grapefruit juice diet 9. Paleo diet 10. 3-Day diet 11. Raw food diet 12. Alkaline diet 13. South Beach diet 14. Negative calorie diet 15. 3 hour diet 16. Macrobiotic diet 17. Zone diet 18. Brazilian diet 19. Tapeworm diet 20. Pioppi diet
More here:
Brits will try 126 fad diets in their lives in a bid to quickly shed weight - Daily Star
Posted: January 7, 2020 at 9:44 pm
It's the same every year - Christmas comes and delicious food is everywhere.
If you've had enough of Fat Santa's, Christmas cake and Quality Street and are thinking about starting a healthy eating regime, or you just want to shed a few of the festive-pounds you put on, then look no further.
This list is filled with 28 individuals that are sure to give you some inspiration.
From wanting to lose weight for a sky-dive, to just wanting to be able to walk without getting out of breath, these fabulous slimmers have made weight loss look easy.
Scroll through the list of amazing transformations below.
If you have a weight loss story to share, get in touch via email at katie.timms@reachplc.com.
Tamsin Cole joined slimming world with her family in March 2018.
Tamsin has autism and when she first joined Slimming World she would sit on the floor in the back of the room with her family and wouldnt speak to anyone.
Her consultant, Mandy Cole, said: "Tamsin had such low self esteem that she wouldnt make eye contact and this went on for several months. As the months passed and Tamsin began losing weight it was a joy to watch her slowly, week-on-week raising her head and eventually finding the confidence to speak in group.
"Tamsin was nominated for Miss Slinky and I can remember worrying about her feeling worried about taking part but I neednt have been worried.
"Tamsin was happy to participate and proudly marched to the front of the room to accept her award."
She then went on to be nominated for Woman Of The Year 2019 and was successful in becoming a regional finalist.
Mandy added: "The transformation in Tamsins both physically and mentally is unrecognisable. Tamsin now sits proud in group every week and she has so much to say and share.
"Tamsin has lost a sensational 5st 7lbs and she truly is a different person. She is now passionate about sending the message to anyone suffering with learning difficulties or any form of autism that the Slimming World plan can help them to lose weight with plenty of support and resources to support additional needs."
A Plymouth woman says that Slimming World has changed her life and helped her deal with the death of her young child.
In 2013, Rebecca Hele had lost her confidence, was unhappy with her weight and was trying for a baby without success.
But 11 months after that, things couldnt have been any more different for the then 30-year-old.
Bex joined Slimming World to support her mother, but soon found that weight was dropping off her. She was still eating plenty of her favourite foods but a more balanced diet and some understanding about food saw a body transformation she wasnt expecting.
In just 11 months Bex lost three-and-a-half stone and in the same week that she discovered that she had reached her target weight, Bex found out that she was pregnant with her first child.
Sadly her second child, Jack, was born with a rare heart condition and passed away at just nine days old.
Bex continued to attend meetings where she found great comfort and support and is now helping and supporting others as she has trained as a consultant.
Read her full story here.
A young woman from Plymouth looks almost unrecognisable after losing a whopping SEVEN stone.
Lauren Fidler joined Slimming World in April 2017 after joining Peverell group and has now been nominated for the Young Slimmer of the year 2019 award.
The 21-year-old has revealed that the reason she thinks she has dropped from 17st 11.5lbs to 11st 1lbs is due to 'free food' allowing her to feel full.
Lauren joined the weight-loss group as she hated how she looked and felt "isolated" because of her weight, which also meant that she suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [CFS].
Her CFS "is currently in remission" thanks to her new healthy weight and life-style.
Lauren joined Slimming World and lost almost a stone in her first month and she was still able to eat some of her favourite foods and never felt hungry.
She thanks the staff and members at her group for changing her life and earlier this year she was able to graduate feeling confident and content.
Lauren went from a size 20 to a size eight and has since been horse riding and ran the Plymouth 10k, something she could only have dreamt of beforehand.
Lauren is now hoping to help others in the same way she was helped and opened her own Slimming World group in Mount Gould on November 11.
The group is held at Mount Gould Methodist Church every Monday at 5.30pm.
Read the full story here.
A Plymouth woman has defied the odds and gone from being bed-bound and unable to speak to losing three dress sizes and running her own weightloss class.
Sophie Rice has overcome incredible obstacles to transform her body and mind with the help of Slimming World and has shared the secrets to her success with Plymouth Live.
But it certainly wasn't easy as after having suffered a massive seizure on September 9, 2017, Sophie was left unable to move or to speak.
She was taken to Derriford hospital, where the seizures continued, but no cause could be found. Sophie could no longer speak normally and needed 24-hour care.
Fortunately Sophies mother and brother stepped in to care for Sophie and her daughter, so she was allowed home from hospital.
The future seemed bleak with Sophie having seizures every day, housebound and confined to a wheelchair, not knowing whether she would ever recover.
Things took a turn for the better however, when in February 2018, an operation to relieve pressure in Sophies spine was a success. Sophie was delighted that her rehabilitation could start and she would be able to walk again.
Sophies happiness was marred however because during the time that Sophie had been housebound, she had gained weight and now hated the way she looked and had lost all of her confidence.
Over the next few months, with the help of the neuro-rehabilitation team, Sophie introduced body magic through walking as a way to build strength but also to have an overall healthier way of life.
With the help of speech therapy, Sophies speech improved, so she became able to join in conversations in the group.
After only 22 weeks of joining Slimming World, Sophie had reached her weight loss target of three stone and to top it off, was crowned the groups Woman of the Year 2018.
She said: "I went from a size 18 to a size 12 and felt amazing in a bikini again. Slimming World has changed my life - I'm now able to cook again, family meals such as chicken and leek risotto and pitta pizza are still on the menu.
For Sophie's full story, click here.
As she stepped on the scales for the first-time in a long-time, 24-stone and four pounds flashed up at her.
Seeing the number on the scales was an "awful feeling" for Louise Ings, but she was determined to shed the weight for her health and a better family life.
The 48-year-old credits her weight loss to WW (formally known as Weight Watchers), which has helped her lose a whopping 12 stone in just 18-months.
Louise has gone from a size 30 to a slinky size 14 and has never felt better.
A mum who hated having her photograph taken is now feeling more confident than ever after losing an incredible four stone.
Pareasa Kingwell started her weight loss journey just under a year ago and has already seen a drastic improvement.
The mother-of-three first walked into Lorraine Wotton's WW [formerly Weight Watchers] class at the Unitarian Church in Notte Street, weighing 17 stone 12 pounds, after disliking how she looked in her holiday snaps.
Now, just 11 months later, Pareasa weighs 13 stone 11 pounds, and is more determined than ever to hit her targets.
The 38-year-old said: "I still have a long way to go, but doing WW has been the best thing, not just for me but my family too.
"It's so easy to follow and my children eat all the same food, so no need to cook separate meals for everyone."
Pareasa said that at the time of starting her weight loss journey, she was having health difficulties and wanted to improve her fitness so we would be able to look after her children better.
Read her full story here.
A grandmother has wowed Slimming World consultants with her amazing willpower and determination.
Jeanette Murphy originally joined the weight loss group in 2017 to support her daughter, Caroline, who has been through a traumatic time, losing her partner when she was pregnant.
Unfortunately Caroline could not continue with the group due to illness and Jeanette became her carer and was forced with the decision to leave or continue with the group.
But despite caring for her 16-year-old granddaughter, Charlotte and her daughter Caroline, as well as coping with her own health issues, including epilepsy and osteo arthritis, she was determined to carry on achieving her weight loss goals.
Jeanette realised she was quite unfit and to keep up with Charlotte she needed to continue on her weight loss journey.
The 68-year-old has now been named Ernesettle Slimming World's diamond member of the year 2019 for losing 4st 7lbs in just over a year.
Jeanette has managed to maintain her weight and has become an inspiration to other members in the group.
Read Jeanette's full story here.
Ten years ago Charlotte Kelly met the love of her life and jetted off on the trip of a lifetime travelling the world.
After spending a year together, experiencing new things and ticking off places from their bucket list, they decided they wanted to start a family.
The then 33-year-old suffered with polycystic ovarian syndrome, which "proved challenging" for the couple.
Throughout Charlotte's travels, she gained more weight and at her heaviest, weighed 17st 3lb.
Charlotte decided to sign up to a WW [Weight Watchers] group, in an attempt to lose weight to improve her fertility and lost just under three stone.
She gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and hoped that the next time they tried to conceive, it would be the same, but instead Charlotte found herself "in an ever deepening black hole".
The pair "scrimped and saved, begged and borrowed" to self-fund three rounds of IVF.
She said: "It was nothing to do with the weight. It was my age. Unfortunately we were getting to the bottom of the barrel in eggs. The doctor told me I was too old and am running out of eggs."
Charlotte made a promise to herself before the last round of IVF started, "in case of disappointment" - which prompted her to take on a new venture to keep herself busy.
She said: "I wanted to do something that I loved and was passionate about.
Charlotte was worried she would fail, but with some gentle reassurance from her sister and her coach, she filled in the form to become a consultant and has never looked back.
Charlotte's WW groups run at Redeemer Church on Monday evening's at 5.30pm, St Edward's Church Hall in Peverell on Tuesday evenings at 6.30pm.
She also runs workshops in Liskeard at the Liskerrett Centre every Monday at 11am and 12.30pm and Polperro on Tuesday's at 11am.
Linda Kittle decided she needed to overhaul her diet for her health as when she ballooned to a size 24 she suffered from type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
But after dropping NINE dress sizes, Linda says she doesn't suffer from the conditions and she has never felt better.
Weighing 21st 10lbs nine years ago, Linda started first started losing weight on her own by dieting and she managed to keep it off for around nine years, but she said she "got comfortable" and the weight slowly started to pile back on.
The 60-year-old was back at 15st 5lbs in January of 2018 and she was determined to improve her health and Linda joined the HonicknowleSlimming World group.
The slimming superstar was even awarded the "greatest loser" title and in just over a year and eight months, Linda has lost a whopping 7st 10lbs.
The mother of four said: "First I lost the weight on my own by just dieting and kept it off for nine years, but then I got comfortable and started slipping and went back to being big then I joined Slimming World and lost it again.
"I started at a size 24 and now I am a size four to six.
"When I was big I was a type 2 diabetic and had high blood pressure and now I have nothing I feel amazing."
Read Linda's full story here.
Two years ago, Tanya Rawlings found herself struggling to walk and despising how she looked.
She gorged on crisps, sandwiches and would finish her children's leftovers - but would never eat a proper meal.
The 41-year-old became addicted to fizzy drinks and would drink a large amount of calories in a few minutes.
"I felt like a big, fat, gross person" the mother-of-five said.
She suffers from COPD and the extra weight was hindering her condition.
The tipping point came when she was unable to walk her youngest son to school as she struggled to breathe if she walked too far, which sometimes resulted in her having to be treated in hospital.
But in June 2018, Tanya said enough was enough and was determined to shift the weight and joined the Honicknowle Slimming World group.
She has now gone from 17st to a slinky 11st 7lbs and said her whole life has improved.
But she doesn't just credit the weight loss group for improving her life, she believes she would not be here if she did not join the group.
Tanya said: "Six weeks ago I had an operation but it went wrong and I ended up with sepsis.
"If I didnt go to Slimming World I dont think Id be here.
"I think if I was a lot more heavier like I used to be and I wasnt as fit as I am now, I really dont think I would be here now.
Originally posted here:
The biggest Slimming World and Weight Watchers weight loss transformations of 2019 - Plymouth Live
Posted: January 7, 2020 at 9:44 pm
It doesnt matter how much or how little knowledge you have of the medical field. Everyone knows what cancer is, and its something we all fear to some degree. Thats why it can be comforting to know the symptoms: it gives you more of a feeling of control.
Of course, there are many different forms of cancer and they all come with their own symptoms. Still, there are certain symptoms that appear more often than others.
What are the warning signs of cancer? Start with this list.
If you are like the many Americans who are overweight and would prefer not to be, this may not seem like a bad symptom at first. It isnt unusual to drop small amounts of weight quickly, for example as the result of releasing water you had been retaining.
The time to be concerned is if your weight loss continues for several weeks and you havent changed your lifestyle habits. This can be a sign of cancer or of a wide range of other conditions and changes.
One of the most well-known warning signs for breast cancer is a lump in the breast. However, this is not the only lump to watch for.
You have lymph nodes in areas like your armpits, your groin, and your jaw. When you have an illness or infection, those lymph nodes help your body get rid of the waste from fighting the infection. They become swollen because they gather bacteria and other materials.
It is normal for your lymph nodes to be swollen and tender on occasion. If this lasts for more than three weeks, though, it could be a sign of cancer.
The same goes for any other lump throughout your body. If a lump develops and you dont know what it is, regardless of whether it is tender, its best to have a doctor examine it.
Many people think lung cancer only occurs in people who smoke. If they arent a smoker, then, they dont pay attention to an ongoing cough because they dont believe it could be cancer.
In reality, anyone can get lung cancer. If you have a cough that lasts for more than a few weeks, you should see a doctor no matter what your health habits are. That cough could signal cancer in your lungs or anywhere along your respiratory tract.
While this is true for any persistent cough, its especially important to see a doctor if you also have blood in your saliva or phlegm.
While most people think of a breast lump as the tell-tale sign of breast cancer, that isnt the full picture. Not only are most breast lumps benign, but there are other potential warning signs you dont want to ignore.
One symptom to watch for is unexpected breast discharge. For example, if you have discharge and you are not pregnant or breastfeeding, it may be a cause for concerned.
Pay special attention to whether the discharge comes from one breast or both breasts. If both breasts have discharge, it may be more likely to be a hormonal issue or another condition. It is still better to be on the safe side and see a doctor, though.
You should also make note of the discharge itself. If there appears to be blood in it, make it a priority to visit a doctor.
While many of us pay little attention to the details of our habits going to the bathroom, its important to notice if there are sudden changes.
For example, blood in your urine or your stool is always something you should have a doctor examine. While most cases of this are caused by a simple infection, hemorrhoids, or other minor issues, they may also signal cancer.
You should also note whether your stool has changed its shape. If you repeatedly have extremelynarrow stool, for example, or if you have persistent diarrhea, it can be a warning sign.
Changes in your urination could give you clues as well. Pay attention to any changes in your urines flow and the amount of urine, as well as the urines flow.
Any of these changes could signal one of many potential cancers in the urinary or digestive systems, as well as prostate cancer in men.
One of the tricky aspects of cancer is that it is so varied and can look so different in different people. However, the signs and symptoms above can give you your first clues.
If you spot any of these warning signs, what do you do?
If you have any signs of cancer or other illnesses for that matter, your first step is to see a doctor. The only way to truly know about your health is to complete medical testing.
Your general practitioner is a good place to start. They may be able to rule out cancer on their own, putting your mind at ease. Otherwise, theyll be able to refer you to the right specialist to do more detailed testing.
As important as it is to get your symptoms examined, there is no need to panic. All the symptoms above are more likely to be caused by other conditions than by cancer. Chances are that any illness you have is minor, but if cancer does appear, early detection is your best action.
When you visit your doctor for an exam, you can also discuss ways to ease your symptoms if they are uncomfortable. Make sure you ask your doctor before trying any remedies or medications to ensure they wont interfere with your testing.
Your doctor can guide you through your options, regardless of your health. On option that is becoming popular is CBD for cancer symptoms, as this article explores.
When it comes to your health, knowledge is both a gift and a curse.
On the one hand, knowing the answers to questions like what are the warning signs of cancer lets you know what to look for. At the same time, dont always convince yourself of the worst-case scenario. Just think positive and go to your doctor to find out the facts.
If you want to learn more about how to protect your health, check out more health articles right here on our blog.
Continued here:
Cancer 101: What Are the Warning Signs of Cancer? - - RushPRnews.com
Posted: January 7, 2020 at 9:44 pm
Lisa George, 47, whos appeared in ITVs Coronation Street since 2011, is now appearing on Dancing On Ice, and over the last few weeks has been training hard to feel comfortable on the ice. Fitness has played an important role for much of the actresss life because of her familys experience with diabetes.
Her mother Muriel, known as Min, and father Kenneth both have diabetes.
Min has type 1 diabetes and Kenneth has type 2 diabetes. Both conditions affect a persons blood sugar control.
With type 1 diabetes, the body attacks the cells in the pancreas that makes insulin so the bodys unable to produce any insulin at all.
With type 2 diabetes, the body is unable to make enough insulin or the insulin the body does make doesnt work properly.
READ MORE:Jayne Torvill health: Stars gruelling condition triggered by ice-skating - the symptoms
Both types of diabetes cause blood glucose levels to become too high.
While Lisa hasnt been diagnosed with diabetes, shes aware the condition can be hereditary.
Fortunately, up to 80 percent of cases can be delayed or prevented by making some simple lifestyle changes, and Lisa has been determined to do that.
So to prevent the condition developing, Lisa has made some simple lifestyle changes.
DON'T MISS
She told Express.co.uk in 2014: I thought Id better get right on it, so Ive been using the MyFitnessPal app and logging what I eat.
Ive started power walking and Ive got an exercise bike thats no longer just a clothes hanger. And Ive lost weight just under a stone.
The main symptoms of diabetes are listed by the NHS as:
Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days.
But many people with type 2 diabetes can have it for years without realising, because early symptoms tend to be general.
There are no lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk of type 1 diabetes.
But you can help manage type 2 diabetes through simple lifestyle changes.
The NHS advises a healthy diet and keeping active can help a person manage their blood sugar levels.
When it comes to diet, theres nothing you cannot eat, but certain foods should be limited.
The health body says: You should eat a wide range of foods including fruit, vegetables and some starchy foods like pasta, keep sugar, fat and salt to a minimum and eat breakfast, lunch and dinner every day do not skip meals.
When it comes to being active, the health body says you should aim for 2.5 hours of activity a week.
It advises: You can be active anywhere as long as what you're doing gets you out of breath. This could be fast walking, climbing stairs and doing more strenuous housework or gardening.
Losing weight if youre overweight can also make it easier for the body to lower blood sugar.
Read more here:
Lisa George health: Coronation Street stars ongoing health battle - how she fights it - Express
Posted: January 7, 2020 at 9:44 pm
It's a terrifying situation no parent wants to imagine, but the wildfire crisis in Australia can't be ignored. For mamas in the midst of a disaster like this one it can be hard to know what to do or say to help your children feel better.
A mama from Australia messaged us in the hopes of finding some tools to help her children cope with the anxiety. We know that kids are scared and parents are scared, too.
But we also know that in the face of that fear, we parents can empower ourselves to protect their children's sense of security and their mental health.
Dr. Laurie Zelinger is a child psychologist and author of Please Explain 'Anxiety' to Me: A Story for Children, PEARLS of Wisdom for Their Parents. She says that while it's natural for parents to feel anxious during events like disasters or after acts of terrorism, we should try to control our own anxiety before having a talk with our kids about theirs.
Even if [you're] not comfortable, you have to do a couple of things to make yourself look more comfortable," she suggested in a previous interview with Motherly.Talk much more slowly than you think you need to, and sit at your child's eye level."
That is exactly what mom of two Meaghan Wegg did when her family had to evacuate during their vacation and spend six days sheltering in a movie theatre, watching kids movies as the ash fell outside.
"It was super hard for me to keep calm but knowing my kids were there and needed my support definitely helped me focus on them. I had to keep them being kids to avoid the stress getting to them," she tells Motherly, explaining that her family usually lives in Montreal, Canada, but her husband, Tim, was born in Australia. They were visiting his home country this holiday season with their children, 3-year-old Georgia and 5-year-old Jackson and were staying at a popular campground when they were advised to leave and eventually ended up sheltering in a cinema with more than 100 others.
Intuitively, Meaghan ended up using some of the strategies Dr. Zelinger previously suggested to Motherly for parents dealing with anxious children during chaotic events outside their control: "Prepare, explain, answer, reassure, listen, safeguard."
"We played rock, paper, scissors over 100 times," Meaghan tells Motherly.
She has some advice for parents in Australia who may have to leave their homes: "Know your safety plan and exit plan if ever anything needed to urgently happen, and keep your focus on your kids' health. I became glued to them!"
Eventually, Meghan's family was rescued from the area and is now safe at her in-law's home outside of Melbourne, away from the fires.
Dr. Zelinger suggests parents don't start heavy discussions right at bedtime. Instead, set aside an earlier time in the day to hang out with your kids and answer their questions.
Before discussing evacuation plans with your children, decided what you think they need to know and plan out how you're going to explain it at an age-appropriate level. They don't need every detail, but give them the broad strokes.
If your child wants to know why the family must be prepared to evacuate, or why everyone keeps talking about fire, tell them, but keep it simple and on their level. I would probably give them an explanation that was only two or three sentences and see if that satisfies them," says Laurie.
If it seems like your kid isn't getting what you're saying, as them to break it down for you. You cannot assume that what you say is understood unless you check, Dr. Zelinger explained.
If your child asks the same question more than once, try to use the same explanation each time you respond. You're usually better off using the same answer you used before so the child realizes there is certainty in it," Dr. Zelinger says.
According to Dr, Zelinger, one of the best things parents can do for a child who is anxious about an event outside their control is simply reassure them that the grownups are doing their best to keep them safe.
Don't make guarantees, but remind them that there is more good in the world than bad.
Just let your kids talk," says Dr. Zelinger. Take some mental notes while they go on. The things they keep repeating are the issues they're confused about and that you can clarify later. Be mindful of the areas that they're avoiding too because maybe you need to fill in an important detail that they've totally missed.
If your child is worried that they will lose their home or be hurt, take a moment to talk about all the things their community is doing to prevent that from happening. Make sure we're reminding the children of all the safeguards in place to protect them," says Laurie.
Unfortunately, parents can't guarantee that homes and schools will not be lost. But you can guarantee your children that you will always be there to listen to them, and that you will do your very best to keep them safe.
[A version of this post was published February 6, 2018. It has been updated.]
More here:
Toy libraries are genius and we need more of them - Motherly Inc.
Posted: January 7, 2020 at 9:44 pm
But 12 months ago the 37-year-old decided to face her fears head-on and since then she hasnt looked back.
She now trains five times a week with instructor Luke Morris at Portway Lifestyle Centre, run by Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT), in Oldbury.
My weight and lack of fitness were really getting me down, so I started running on my own first, at night so nobody could see me, as I didnt have the nerve or confidence to go to a gym, says Sally, who works as a healthcare inspector.
It was really tough and lonely at the beginning, but I persevered and started losing weight, so that gave me the strength and will to go on.
A year ago, however, I moved to Oldbury, from Halesowen,to be closer to work and because I didnt know anybody at all, I finally took the plunge and decided to join Portway for the gym and their classes.
I wanted to take myself out of my comfort zone of road running and do something different with other people and without a doubt its been the best thing Ive done in a long while, she adds.
Sally began attending a body pump class run by instructor Luke and she liked it so much that she quickly progressed to body attack straight after and also spin classes.
I started at the back in the corner, but before long I was down the front and loving it and really mixing with the other members and developing a much-needed social network as well.
I work from home a lot now and can go for days without seeing anyone, so my Portway time has forged some great new friendships and really lifted my spirits too.
Portway has a genuine family feel. I love the variety of so many classes and there is always someone to help you in the gym.
I love the teamwork, the motivation, encouragement and the inspiration other members give you. The instructors are incredible and the receptionists make me smile before I even get into the gym.
I have made some super amazing friends through Portway Lifestyle Centre and coming here regularly makes all the difference its my happy place.
Its also taught me that fitness is fun, really good for your mental health and I am a much more cheerful, optimistic and healthier person now. Putting the work in consistently helps you to achieve goals and thats such a rewarding feeling.
Recently Sally also completed a challenge close to the heart the Nottingham Christmas Marathon in memory of her cousin Ian who lost his battle with leukaemia in late 2018, at the age of 31.
I jokingly said to him one day before his chemotherapy that I would run a marathon to raise awareness and money for cancer charity Bloodwise and so I had to honour it.
Luke came up with a specialist gym training programme for me centred more around strength, core and conditioning than running and it absolutely paid off because I finished in four hours, 12 minutes and 38 seconds, which is exactly 40 minutes quicker than my previous best time.
I also raised 700 for Bloodwise with the kind support and donations of family, work colleagues and of course my Portway friends, so I hope that Ians parents and the family are proud of my efforts,she tells Weekend.
Over the past year shes struck up a positive and productive working relationship with Luke and the 24-year-old says hes proud of the progress she has made.
Its been an absolute pleasure working with Sally and shes really come on leaps and bounds and her confidence has grown so much.
It started with just general fitness goals, but she quickly got the bug and now does her own research on the programmes weve implemented and asks technical questions, which has been really great for my development as well.
Apart from the weight loss, shes ultra trim and toned now and the cardio work we did in the gym recently for her upper body and back to assist in the marathon was quite tough, but shes always so willing and her progress has been amazing and its been a gratifying experience for me too.
Sally has brought a lot more people to my classes as well and its really nice to be recommended in that way and much appreciated.
Working out with Sally doesnt really seem like work, so shes definitely played a big part in me becoming a full-time instructor and Ill always be grateful, explains Luke, who lives in Halesowen.
Sallys journey and transformation has not gone un-noticed with other Portway members either and she has become a bit of a mentor to others struggling with the likes of eating and drink disorders.
She is keen to share her experience with others and encourage those who may be worried about joining a gym.
I run a few private WhatsApp groups and a motivational page off my Instagram and just draw on my own personal experiences really.
I remember how hesitant and unsure I used to be and that feeling can stop a lot of people getting started and even binge more.
Honestly, I am living proof that anyone can lose weight, get fit and generally turn their lives around for the better with a bit of determination and the right kind of support.
If my story can inspire just one person to take the first steps towards a fitter and healthier them, then Ill be delighted.
View original post here:
Get fit and feel better: Sandwell woman turns life around on fitness journey - shropshirestar.com
Posted: January 7, 2020 at 9:44 pm
It's a terrifying situation no parent wants to imagine, but the wildfire crisis in Australia can't be ignored. For mamas in the midst of a disaster like this one it can be hard to know what to do or say to help your children feel better.
A mama from Australia messaged us in the hopes of finding some tools to help her children cope with the anxiety. We know that kids are scared and parents are scared, too.
But we also know that in the face of that fear, we parents can empower ourselves to protect their children's sense of security and their mental health.
Dr. Laurie Zelinger is a child psychologist and author of Please Explain 'Anxiety' to Me: A Story for Children, PEARLS of Wisdom for Their Parents. She says that while it's natural for parents to feel anxious during events like disasters or after acts of terrorism, we should try to control our own anxiety before having a talk with our kids about theirs.
Even if [you're] not comfortable, you have to do a couple of things to make yourself look more comfortable," she suggested in a previous interview with Motherly.Talk much more slowly than you think you need to, and sit at your child's eye level."
That is exactly what mom of two Meaghan Wegg did when her family had to evacuate during their vacation and spend six days sheltering in a movie theatre, watching kids movies as the ash fell outside.
"It was super hard for me to keep calm but knowing my kids were there and needed my support definitely helped me focus on them. I had to keep them being kids to avoid the stress getting to them," she tells Motherly, explaining that her family usually lives in Montreal, Canada, but her husband, Tim, was born in Australia. They were visiting his home country this holiday season with their children, 3-year-old Georgia and 5-year-old Jackson and were staying at a popular campground when they were advised to leave and eventually ended up sheltering in a cinema with more than 100 others.
Intuitively, Meaghan ended up using some of the strategies Dr. Zelinger previously suggested to Motherly for parents dealing with anxious children during chaotic events outside their control: "Prepare, explain, answer, reassure, listen, safeguard."
"We played rock, paper, scissors over 100 times," Meaghan tells Motherly.
She has some advice for parents in Australia who may have to leave their homes: "Know your safety plan and exit plan if ever anything needed to urgently happen, and keep your focus on your kids' health. I became glued to them!"
Eventually, Meghan's family was rescued from the area and is now safe at her in-law's home outside of Melbourne, away from the fires.
Dr. Zelinger suggests parents don't start heavy discussions right at bedtime. Instead, set aside an earlier time in the day to hang out with your kids and answer their questions.
Before discussing evacuation plans with your children, decided what you think they need to know and plan out how you're going to explain it at an age-appropriate level. They don't need every detail, but give them the broad strokes.
If your child wants to know why the family must be prepared to evacuate, or why everyone keeps talking about fire, tell them, but keep it simple and on their level. I would probably give them an explanation that was only two or three sentences and see if that satisfies them," says Laurie.
If it seems like your kid isn't getting what you're saying, as them to break it down for you. You cannot assume that what you say is understood unless you check, Dr. Zelinger explained.
If your child asks the same question more than once, try to use the same explanation each time you respond. You're usually better off using the same answer you used before so the child realizes there is certainty in it," Dr. Zelinger says.
According to Dr, Zelinger, one of the best things parents can do for a child who is anxious about an event outside their control is simply reassure them that the grownups are doing their best to keep them safe.
Don't make guarantees, but remind them that there is more good in the world than bad.
Just let your kids talk," says Dr. Zelinger. Take some mental notes while they go on. The things they keep repeating are the issues they're confused about and that you can clarify later. Be mindful of the areas that they're avoiding too because maybe you need to fill in an important detail that they've totally missed.
If your child is worried that they will lose their home or be hurt, take a moment to talk about all the things their community is doing to prevent that from happening. Make sure we're reminding the children of all the safeguards in place to protect them," says Laurie.
Unfortunately, parents can't guarantee that homes and schools will not be lost. But you can guarantee your children that you will always be there to listen to them, and that you will do your very best to keep them safe.
[A version of this post was published February 6, 2018. It has been updated.]
See the article here:
This year's flu is setting hospital records: What parents need to know - Motherly Inc.
Posted: January 7, 2020 at 9:44 pm
Vision 2020
Few industries change as rapidly and as dramatically as the broad, multifaceted realm of healthcare. From oncologists use of cancer fingerprinting and gene therapy to facial transplants for accident victims; from cutting-edge protocols to save the lives of stroke and heart-surgery patients to a dizzying array of new treatments to improve vision the list is seemingly endless, making it impossible to paint a full picture of where healthcare has come in the past decade.
But we at BusinessWest wanted to try anyway and, at the same time, look ahead at what the next decade might bring. So, appropriately, here at the dawn of 2020, we invited a wide range of healthcare professionals to tell us what has been the most notable evolution in their field of practice in the past 10 years, and what they expect or hope will be the most significant development to come in the next decade.
The answers were candid, thoughtful, sometimes surprising, but mostly hopeful. Despite the many challenges healthcare faces in these times of advancing technology, growing cost concerns, and demographic shifts, the main thread is still innovation smart people working on solutions that help more people access better care. After all, healthcare is, at its core, about improving peoples lives, even when they seek it out during their direst moments.
Innovation and promise. Thats what we believe a new decade will bring to all corners of the healthcare world that is, if these leaders, and countless others like them, have anything to say about it.
Joanne Marqusee
President and CEO, Cooley Dickinson Health Care
Joanne Marqusee
The most significant recent development in healthcare administration has been a recognition of the role patients play in their own healthcare. Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century, published in 2001 by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, called for a massive redesign of the American healthcare system. Specifically, it provided Six Aims for Improvement, five of which focused on safety, effectiveness, timeliness, efficiency, and equity. Not talked about as much, the sixth aim was to make healthcare patient-centered.
While we still have a ways to go to truly be patient-centered, we have witnessed a sea change in the past decade in this regard. Patients are increasingly active participants in their care, questioning their doctors and other providers to ensure that they understand their options, using electronic medical records to engage in their care, and speaking out about what they want from treatment or forgoing treatment at the end of life. The best healthcare providers both organizations and individuals embrace these changes, welcoming patients as more than recipients of care, but rather active partners in their own care and decision making.
My hope for the most significant development over the next decade has to do with providing universal healthcare coverage while controlling healthcare costs. While we almost have universal coverage in Massachusetts, too much of the nation does not. A hotly debated topic, universal healthcare has many benefits, including increasing access to preventive and routine medical care, improving health outcomes, and decreasing health inequalities.
Dr. Nicholas Jabbour
Chairman, Department of Surgery, Baystate Medical Center
Dr. Nicholas Jabbour
The most significant development in surgery over the past decade has been the move toward less invasive surgical approaches made possible through advanced technology. These approaches include robotic and minimally invasive surgery, including intraluminal surgery in areas such as gastroenterology, cardiology, and neurosurgery for exemple, the passage of an inflatable catheter along the channel inside of a blood vessel to enable the insertion of a heart valve instead of making a large opening in the chest. As a result, we have seen a big shift from inpatient to outpatient surgery with shorter hospital stays and improved post-op recovery.
In the next decade, we foresee these innovations in less invasive surgery will be enhanced by better computing and software integration. This interaction will include the merging of radiological and potentially pathological information which is currently available in a digital format with real-time visualization of anatomical structure during surgery. This will offer surgeons the opportunity to improve the accuracy and speed of a surgical procedure while minimizing the risks.
The next decade will also see major innovation in the area of transplantation with the development of tissues or whole organs through bio-engineering manipulation of animal or a patients own cells. The integration of this bio-engineering manipulation with currently available technology, such as 3D printing and 3D imaging, will provide patients with the needed tissue or organ including valves, bone grafts, hernia mesh, skin, livers, and kidneys in a timely manner. This development will revolutionize the field of transplantation and surgery in general.
Karin Jeffers
President & CEO, Clinical & Support Options Inc.
Karin Jeffers
Over the past 10 years, weve seen a growing adoption within the behavioral-health and medical fields of holistic treatment models. While the two disciplines were once treated as different animals, the entire health field is now moving to treat both the body and the mind together. The next 10 years are likely to bring these two fields even closer.
Today, youre seeing behavioral-health clinicians being hired into physical health practices. Likewise, physical health providers are cross-training to better understand behavioral issues. Whereas, a decade ago, a behavioral-health client might be assigned a therapist or a psychiatrist, they are now gaining access to more robust set of supports, including nursing, case management, recovery coaching, and peer support from those with lived experience. Government mandates and payment model changes are forcing outcomes-based integration, too. Pediatricians, for example, must now do behavioral-health screenings of all youth under 21. In the mental-health space, youre seeing clinicians ask about weight, exercise, and other physical factors.
Were seeing significant movement on both the state and federal levels to value outcomes over volume. Its reflected in the criteria set by the Excellence in Mental Health Act for certified community behavioral-health clinics, a designation CSO has earned, and in the work we have done with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Our ability to tailor programs, like our grant-funded work at the Friends of the Homeless shelter in Springfield, has literally saved lives among those experiencing homelessness and co-occurring conditions, like substance-use disorders.
In the coming years, we hope to see integrated care models become even more mainstream. Things appear headed in the right direction, but government action establishing payment reform within the behavioral-health field needs to be taken and the integrated models need to be appropriately funded. Such changes would affirm overall health and wellness to include both physical and behavioral health.
Dr. Yannis Raftopoulos
Director, Holyoke Medical Center Weight Management Program
Dr. Yannis Raftopoulos
Weight management is a rapidly evolving field, and I am fortunate to be part of it. One of the most significant innovations this field has experienced in the last 10 years was the development of a new gastric balloon. Packaged in a small capsule and swallowed with water, the Elipse balloon provides satiety while requiring no procedure or anesthesia for its placement and removal. Together with its excellent safety profile, the Elipse balloon is the least invasive and yet effective weight-loss modality available today. Elipse is manufactured in Massachusetts by Allurion Technologies.
I had the opportunity to be an investigator in the European trial which led to the Elipse market approval in the European Union in 2016. Recently, Holyoke Medical Center was among 10 U.S. sites in which an FDA-regulated trial was conducted. The trial was completed successfully, and Allurion has submitted data requesting FDA approval to market Elipse in the U.S. The balloons use in Europe shows that patients can lose more than one-fifth of their initial weight.
A New England Journal of Medicine study reported that 107.7 million children and 603.7 million adults, among 195 countries, were obese in 2015. High body-mass index accounted for 4 million deaths and contributed to 120 million disability-adjusted life-years. Obesity is a chronic disease, and its management requires long-term guidance and close patient-physician communication. Successful collaborations between existing best practices with technology innovations that will allow delivery of effective weight-management care on a massive and global scale could be the most significant evolution in the field in the next 10 years.
Dr. Hong-Yiou Lin
Radiation Oncologist, Mercy Medical Center
Dr. Hong-Yiou Lin
The advent of new medical oncology drugs has improved control of microscopic and, to a lesser extent, macroscopic disease, allowing local treatments, such as surgery or radiotherapy, to increase survival. To cure cancer, we need to eliminate cancer cells where they started, as well as any microscopic cells traveling through the body. The idea of using immunotherapy to fight cancer has been around for decades, but bringing this idea to the clinic has been hampered by the cleverness of cancer cells knowing how to evade detection by our immune system. Recently FDA-approved immunotherapy either takes away that invisibility cloak or wakes up our dormant immune cells to start fighting cancer.
The biggest development in oncology in the next 10 years will be personalized precision medicine, which allows the oncology team to tailor treatment to each patients unique cancer biology and life circumstances. Meanwhile, improvements in cancer diagnosis will come from novel PET radiotracers and new MRI sequences that allow for more accurate staging and identification of the best site to biopsy. Pathologists will use novel tools such as genome sequencing to supplement traditional microscopy to subclassify the specific type of cancer within a certain diagnosis instead of grouping into broad categories.
Surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists can then use the above information to decide on the best sequencing between surgery, systemic therapy, and radiotherapy to minimize side effects and maximize cure. Medical oncologists will be able to offer more drugs that target new mutations, overcome drug resistance, increase specificity to a mutation, or better fine-tune immunotherapy, targeting only cancer cells by enlisting gene modification as well as natural killer cells. Radiation oncologists will have new radiomic and genomic tools to personalize the radiation dose and volume, and when to offer radiotherapy.
In short, over the next 10 years, cancer care will continue to move away from the traditional one-size-fits-all model toward a more personalized approach.
Dr. Jonathan Bayuk
Medical Director, Allergy & Immunology Associates of New England
Dr. Jonathan Bayuk
There have been incredible and exciting advances in allergy and immunology in the last two years. However, the unmet needs of allergic and autoimmune-disease-afflicted patients has grown dramatically in the last 20 years. In response to the increasing prevalence and acuity of allergic diseases and autoimmune diseases, the world has launched products to help address these very severe patients. These medications are indicated for many conditions and work very well. They are generally safe, but are very expensive. These medicines are different than traditional pharmaceutical drugs as they are not chemicals, but biologically derived medicines designed to augment or modify the immune response. As such, they are call biologic medications.
In the field of allergy and immunology, we can now dramatically treat and potentially cure many diseases that in the past were very challenging to manage. The biologic medicines that we have now treat asthma, eczema, allergic disease, and hives. The patient selection is based on severity of their condition, and these medicines are only for moderately to severely affected people. If, as a medical profession, we were to place as many people as possible on these therapies, the cost would be astronomical and not sustainable.
However, is it fair to deny any of these patients access to these treatments who truly need them? I would argue that choice is a very difficult one to make, and as physicians, our primary goal is healing at whatever cost. As a nation, we have a dilemma. Can we afford the medicines we have or not? It is unclear that any serious legislative body is willing to tackle that question. For now, the use of these medicines is changing lives dramatically, and it is an exciting time to be able to use these newer tools to help our patients live better lives.
Dr. David Momnie
Owner, Chicopee Eye Care
Dr. David Momnie
What are the most significant advancements in eye care in the last decade? It depends on whom you ask. Retinal ophthalmologists would probably say its the treatment of wet macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness, with anti-VEGF injections. Cataract surgeons would most likely cite small-incision surgery and new lens implants that often leave patients with 20/20 vision. Glaucoma specialists might tell you its the development of MIGS, or minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. These operations to lower the pressure in the eye use miniature devices and significantly reduce the complication rate.
Primary-care optometrists and ophthalmologists would no doubt talk about the advances in optical coherence tomography, a remarkable instrument using light waves that gives cross-sectional pictures of the retina. The technique is painless and non-invasive and is becoming the gold standard in eye care because it has revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and macular degeneration. For optometrists specializing in contact lenses, using newly designed scleral lenses to restore vision in people with a corneal disease called keratoconus has been a major development. There are many other specialists in eye care, including LASIK surgeons, that have seen remarkable changes in technology.
What will the next decade bring? Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more accurate for screening, diagnosing, and treating eye conditions. AI systems can increasingly distinguish normal from abnormal pictures of the retina. Where there is a shortage of ophthalmologists and optometrists, AI screenings combined with telemedicine, providing remote care using communications technology, may be able to find and treat more people who are falling between the cracks of our healthcare system. The term 20/20 is the most common designation in eye care, and the year 2020 will probably usher in another decade of remarkable developments in our field.
Teresa Grogan
Chief Information Officer, VertitechIT
Teresa Grogan
From the perspective of technology that enables healthcare, the biggest game changer of the last decade has been the iPhone and now, essentially any smartphone.
Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone in 2007 (a little over a decade ago), and physicians embraced it quickly. It started as a simple tool for doctors (applications like the PDR, or Physicians Desk Reference) for looking up drug interactions. Today, its a portable EMR, a virtual visit facilitator, and a remote-monitoring device for many healthcare providers, as many patients have embraced and insisted on this technology to improve access to care. As the cost decreases and cellular bandwidth improves, the rapid growth of the IoMT (Internet of Medical Things) will place smartphones at the center of the next wave of healthcare technology breakthroughs.
Looking forward, Id like to see complete elimination of passwords to access electronic information. While there has been some movement toward this with tap and go badges and fingerprint readers, a single standard is needed that would work regardless of the software program used. I hope there are greater strides in the creation, deployment, and adoption of other biometric technologies, like iris, face, or voice recognition, so that a healthcare professional could walk into a patient room or into a hospital and the computer systems would know his or her identity in immediate and secure fashion. If access to the data needed by a healthcare provider were as easy as turning on a light switch, the improvements in quality of life and efficiency in work for that provider would translate to improved patient outcomes.
Dr. Aaron Kugelmass
Vice President and Medical Director, Heart and Vascular Program, Baystate Health
Dr. Aaron Kugelmass
We have seen many improvements in cardiovascular care over the last 10 years, but the development, approval for clinical use, and dissemination of transcutaneous aortic valve replacement (TAVR) stands out as the most dramatic. This new technique allows cardiologists and cardiac surgeons, working together, to replace the aortic valve without opening a patients chest or utilizing heart-lung bypass, which has been the standard for decades. This less invasive approach is typically performed under X-ray guidance and involves accessing a blood vessel in the leg and guiding a catheter to the heart.
The TAVR procedure was first approved for clinical use in November 2011. It was initially limited to very sick patients, who were not candidates for traditional surgery because of the risk it posed to them. TAVR allowed patients who otherwise could not receive life-saving valve surgery to have their valves replaced with improvement in longevity. With time and experience, the procedure was approved for lower-risk patients as well, and more recently has been approved for the majority of patients, including those with low operative risk. TAVR has been shown to be equivalent or safer than traditional aortic valve-replacement surgery, and is quickly becoming the procedure of choice for most patients who require an aortic valve replacement. Since the procedure typically does not require open-heart surgery, recovery time is much shorter, with some patients going home within a day or two.
In the next 10 years, we expect that similar less-invasive procedures with shorter recovery time will be developed for other heart-valve conditions in patients who otherwise could not receive therapy.
Beth Cardillo
Certified Dementia Practitioner and Executive Director, Armbrook Village
Beth Cardillo
During the last 10 years, neuroscientists have been researching the causes of Alzheimers disease. There has been much discussion about which comes first the amyloid plaque or the fibrillary tangles that develop in the brain, which are roadblocks to cognition, thus causing the difficulties with Alzheimers and other related dementia. That question has not been answered yet. Researchers were able to isolate the APOE gene, which is a mutant gene that is found in familial Alzheimers disease, helping us to better diagnose it. We have also better understood how diet, exercising both body and brain, and lifestyle contribute to the disease. Currently there are 101 types of dementia, with Alzheimers accounting for 75% of cases.
The next 10 years will result in more preventive actions. One major action will be to help people avoid developing type 2 diabetes, which may be labeled the next cause of Alzheimers (this type of Alzheimers is already being called type 3 diabetes). There has been a major link between sugar in the hippocampus and Alzheimers disease. Though there is no cure yet for Alzheimers, we are finding more information based on genetics, diet, and PET scans, which can show shrinkage in the brain.
Every year, researchers are more hopeful that a new drug will be developed to eradicate the disease. The last new drug from Biogen was looking hopeful in clinical trials, but that turned out to be not the case. Prevention continues to be at the forefront, as well as participating in clinical trials. More people who do not have dementia or mild cognitive impairment are desperately needed for clinical trials so comparisons of the brain can be made.
Ellen Furman
Director of Nursing, American International College
Ellen Furman
As in all healthcare, the one thing that can be ascertained is constant change. The same can be said in nursing education today. No longer is the instructor-led lecture method of teaching considered best practice in education, but rather the shift to using class time to apply learned concepts. One way this is done is through the flipped classroom. Using this educational modality, students study the concepts being taught preceding the class, followed by class time where students apply these concepts in an interactive activity, thereby developing students abilities to think critically, reason, and make healthcare judgements based upon the application of knowledge.
Another change in nursing education is an expanded focus away from pure inpatient (hospital-based) clinical education to outpatient (community-based) clinical education. While hospital-based education remains essential, the realization that most healthcare provided is in outpatient settings has broadened the clinical experiences required to prepare the graduate registered nurse for care provision.
Additionally, with healthcare as complex as it is, nursing students are being taught to be prepared for entry into practice. Education regarding the use of evidence-based practice, how to apply for the licensure examination, preparation to be successful on the National Certification Licensure Exam, nurse residency opportunities, interviewing techniques, transitioning from student nurse to registered nurse, etc. are all taught using a variety of educational modalities based upon the current best available evidence in nursing education.
As we forge ahead in healthcare, nurse educators will continue to evolve to meet healthcare needs through the education of nursing students so as to prepare them to provide care to meet the needs of those we serve well into the future.
James Haas
Co-owner, Orthotics & Prosthetics Labs Inc.
James Haas
Advances in prosthetic technology have clearly been the most significant development in my field over the past decade. From knees and feet that adapt to different walking speeds and terrains to hands that send sensations of touch to the brain, every aspect of patient care has changed and continues to change at a rapid pace.
Prosthetic feet, knees, and sockets have been greatly impacted. Once made from multi-durometer foams and wood, the prosthetic feet of today are made from carbon, fiberglass, and kevlar laminated with modified epoxy resins. They store energy and adjust to uneven terrain and hills. Microprocessor knees have on-board sensors that detect movement and timing and then adjust a fluid/air control cylinder accordingly. These knees not only make it safer for a person to walk, they also lower the amount of effort amputees must use, resulting in a more natural gait. Sockets once made from stiff materials are now incorporated with soothing gels and flexible adjustable systems that allow a patient to make their own adjustments to improve their comfort.
As for the next decade, I hope to see national insurance fairness. Devices typically last about three to five years. Some people make them last longer, but others, especially growing children, need replacements more often. Many private insurance plans have annual caps and lifetime limits on coverage for orthotics and prosthetics. The Amputee Coalition of America authored insurance-fairness legislation and has lobbied for its implementation for over a decade. This legislation has been ratified in 20 states, including Massachusetts. The Fairness Act requires all insurance policies within the state to provide coverage for prosthetics and orthotics equal to or better than the federal Medicare program and have no coverage caps and lifetime restrictions.
Dr. Lisa Emirzian
Co-owner, EMA Dental
Dr. Lisa Emirzian
The most significant development in the field of dentistry over the past decade has been the integration of digital technology into our daily practices. There are three components of digital dentistry: data acquisition, digital planning, and, finally, the manufacturing of the restoration to be created. Data acquisition today is accomplished with digital radiographs, paperless charting, intra-oral scanners, cone-beam 3D scanners, and video imaging. For the planning process, we now have the ability to merge the data with software that enables computer-aided design and digital smile design, allowing dentists to perform complex procedures, including guided surgical treatments and smile designs, with optimum results. Fabrication and execution of the final restorations can be done in the office or, more often, in laboratories with highly sophisticated digital milling machines, stereolithography, and 3D printing.
In the next decade, we will see data fusion to ultimately create the virtual patient. The next-generation digital workflow will merge intra-oral 3D data with 3D dynamic facial scans, allowing dentists to create 3D smile designs and engineer the dentofacial rehabilitation. The integration of scanners and software will expedite the delivery of teeth in a day. In addition, multi-functional intra-oral scanners will allow for early detection of carious lesions and determine risk levels for different patients.
Above and beyond this foreseeable future, artificial intelligence (AI) will be the next paradigm shift. Companies are already looking for big-data collection and deep machine learning to help the practitioner in their everyday chores of diagnosis and treatment. AI cloud-based design platforms will input data, and AI engines in the background will aid in all parts of dental treatment, including diagnosis, design, and fabrication of final restoration.
Let us not forget one thing: the future is all about us people utilizing technology to enhance the human connection between doctor and patient.
John Hunt
CEO, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts
John Hunt
A significant rehabilitation development from the past includes one that may surprise you. Time. A luxury we once knew, time meant patients could recover in a hospital longer after a surgery, an accident, or an illness. Nurses had more time to assess patients to know exactly what they needed. Insurance companies approved longer patient stays through lengthy consideration. Ten years ago, a stroke survivor could recover for two weeks in a hospital and then join us for a rehabilitation stay that would last several weeks.
Today, a three- to five-day stay in the referring hospital, followed by a two-week stay in rehabilitation, is the norm. We are seeing significant decreases in the age of stroke survivors as well as an increase in the number patients who survive with cognitive and physical disabilities. Yet, we also see medical breakthroughs, including the discovery of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) nothing short of a miracle. TPA actually reverses the effects of an evolving stroke in patients when used early on, making recoveries easier.
With new advanced technologies being introduced every year, rehabilitation continues to progress at a rapid speed. Looking into the future, evidence-based research will continue to grow to help us make knowledgeable decisions that ultimately impact patient outcomes. Increased clinical expertise will lead to higher functional gains in shorter amounts of time. As a result, acute inpatient rehabilitation will impact the lives of patients like weve never seen before.
Dr. Susan Bankoski Chunyk
Doctor of Audiology, Hampden Hearing Center
Dr. Susan Bankoski Chunyk
The most common treatment for hearing loss is hearing aids. Although digital processing has been available in hearing aids since 1996, the past 10 years have offered great leaps in technology for people with hearing loss. Each generation of computer chip provides faster and smarter processing of sound. Artificial intelligence allows the hearing-aid chip to adjust automatically as the listening environment changes, control acoustic feedback, and provide the best speech signal possible. People enjoy the convenience of current hearing aids Bluetooth streaming, smartphone apps, and rechargeable batteries.
These features are the icing on the cake, but the real cake is preservation of the speech signal, even in challenging listening situations. Since the primary complaint of people with hearing loss is understanding in noise, new hearing-aid technology works toward improving speech understanding while reducing listening effort in all environments. This significantly improves the individuals quality of life.
The negative effects of untreated hearing loss on quality of life are well-documented. Recent research has also confirmed a connection between many chronic health conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, balance disorders, depression, and early-onset dementia and hearing loss. This research shows that hearing loss is not just an inevitable consequence of aging, but a health concern that should be treated as early as possible. My hope for the future is that all healthcare providers will recognize the value of optimal hearing in their patients overall health and well-being and, just as they monitor and treat other chronic health conditions, they will recommend early diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss.
See original here:
The Region's Health Leaders on What's New and What the Next Decade Will Bring - Business West
