CCM Programs: Chronic care management programs are quite a new concept. Patients across the US suffering from chronic conditions could benefit from services that help and prevent their conditions from worsening while also gaining easier access to healthcare and support.

There are several factors in becoming eligible for a CCM program, and one chronic condition that makes you eligible is diabetes. In 2018, the American Diabetes Association found that over 34.2 million US adults had diabetes – meaning a massive 10.5% of the population may be unaware of their eligibility.

If you’re a diabetic patient and have been approached about enrolling in a CCM program – or want to know what support is available for you – we’re here to share how it can benefit you.

Controlling blood sugar levels

Of course, the most important part of managing diabetes is controlling blood sugar levels. Clinicians on the chronic care team work with you to create goals to help you achieve the optimum A1C level. Goals will include having a healthy diet, maintaining or losing weight, correctly using prescriptions, and regularly monitoring blood sugars.

Patients on a CCM program will be able to access support and regular A1C checks with their service provider. They’ll have access to monthly check-ins and 24/7 hotline support.

Retinopathy management

Diabetes is commonly linked to the degeneration of blood vessels within the eyes. By being enrolled on a chronic care management program, patients can benefit from regular ophthalmologist visits and support preventing the issue from getting worse. Enrolling early on after diagnosis could even help clinicians to prevent the condition altogether.

Care plans for diabetic patients will include regular appointments to check on any changes in vision, support to quit smoking, and medications to control blood sugar (if needed).

Support with diabetes-related skin problems

Another issue that can be more common for diabetic patients is additional skin conditions. Diabetes can lead to a reduced ability for the skin to heal itself – meaning wounds and other conditions can last much longer than usual. By taking advantage of CCM Medicare, you will be able to receive support and advice for maintaining healthy skin and have any ailments dealt with correctly and quickly.

In terms of self-management, those with diabetes should install a humidifier for the drier months and apply moisturizers and sun cream. If you notice abnormalities, it’s worth calling your GP for a check-up. Alternatively, you can use the 24/7 nurse hotline included in the program to get advice any time of day.

Prediabetic patients can also benefit from the program, and clinicians will work closely with them to ensure the condition doesn’t get worse.

If you’ve been approached about enrolling in a chronic care management program for your diabetes, there are plenty of benefits to doing so. One of the biggest benefits is the peace of mind that comes with 24/7 support and monthly check-ins. However, there is a lot to consider, so be sure to check on costs and eligibility before speaking to your GP about joining.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the global health focus away from the common flu, but people across the world are still susceptible to its groggy pitfalls. Flu symptoms typically last around a week and range in degree of severity, with people generally experiencing aches, chills, a cough and fatigue throughout the period of illness.

Nobody wants to get the flu, it really sucks! So, here are six ways in which you can treat and reduce the flu’s impact on your health (including getting the Afluria Quad flu vaccine).

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  Stay home & rest

The last thing you should do when struck down by the flu is attempt to continue your normal, active lifestyle. Doing things like grocery shopping, exercising and going to work will only prolong the virus and make you sicker over time.

What’s more, you really don’t want to be that person, you know the one we mean: the one who goes around, sick as anything and potentially spreading their illness to colleagues, strangers etc.

That person is frowned upon even more in the pandemic era: stay home, rest up and allow your body to heal without putting too much stress on it.

• Get plenty of nutrition

Nutrition is the natural way to beat the flu, as your body needs plenty of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to flush out those nasty flu particles and get you back on your feet.

Sure, we often lose our appetites when we’re struck down with the flu – this is normal, but it is important to try and get in your regular meals each day (healthy ones at that!) so that you maintain your strength and can fight the infection properly.

• Sleep

Not that you really want to be awake throughout the depressing, nauseous feelings of a flu-ridden day, but it’s important to try and get as much sleep as physically possible throughout your influenza period.

• Make breathing easier

Your breathing passages may be clogged up during the influenza period – it’s best to try and calm your nasal passage. Be sure to do the following:

• Prop your head up with a pillow when sleeping to ease or alleviate sinus pressure.
• Use a vaporiser or humidifier in your room when sleeping.
• Take a hot shower or bath before bed to clear your sinuses.

• Get super hydrated

When you fall victim to influenza, your body loses a lot of liquids. Through sweating, diarrhea and vomiting, your body will lose a lot of liquid and thus needs to be hydrated as much as possible.

Water, naturally, is the best remedy, but herbal teas can also help with hydration and other aspects of flu; be sure not to drink alcohol or coffee!

• Add moisture to the air

Your room should be vaporised to help clear congestion especially when you’re in bed. There are plenty of vaporisers and humidifiers you can purchase online and in stores around town.

• Take your time to heal!

There’s an air of optimism for when you notice you are feeling better, but this shouldn’t mean rushing back into your routine (especially if the flu was a bad one!). You still need to wait a day or two before you start getting back into your everyday routine, as you still need to regain some of the strength lost in the influenza period.

Giving yourself that little bit of extra time to fully recuperate will ensure that you won’t find yourself weighed down by the flu’s lingering effects when you are trying to get back to your routine!

There are several age-related illnesses or ailments that many people are aware of, but not many people know that the majority of these illnesses or ailments can be prevented. Our bodies do become weaker as we age, but we can take certain preventative measures to ensure that our bodies will function properly in any stage of life.

Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is a disease where the body doesn’t respond to or produce insulin like it’s supposed to. There are two different types of diabetes: Type I and Type II. Type I Diabetes is when the pancreas isn’t producing insulin properly. Type II Diabetes is when the body becomes resistant to insulin, and it is the most common type— especially among older adults.

Type II Diabetes is the type that can be prevented. A poor diet is usually the main cause of this type of diabetes, as well as an inactive lifestyle. Overeating and consuming unhealthy foods can contribute to Type II Diabetes, and being sedentary can worsen the condition. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and regular physical activity are two ways to reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes.

Hearing Loss

If you’re concerned about your hearing or notice any changes, it’s important to consult with a qualified audiologist. Early

 and intervention can make a significant difference in managing hearing loss and maintaining your quality of life. If you’re in the Los Angeles area, consider seeking the expertise of a Los Angeles best audiologist for personalized assessment and treatment recommendations.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases are any conditions that affect the heart. This can include heart disease, heart failure, heart attack, and even stroke, which affects the brain. Stroke is also currently the number one cause of death for many Americans, and this risk increases with age. Fortunately, cardiovascular diseases can be prevented.

Eating healthy and staying active are good ways to prevent just about any disease, but there are more things you can do to prevent cardiovascular disease. For one, you can try and keep your stress under control. Stress can lead to a lot of other ailments, including high blood pressure, which also contributes to cardiovascular disease.

Eye Disorders

Similar to loss of hearing, loss of vision is also common among senior citizens, with macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma being some of the most prevalent types. Preventing eye disorders can be tough, since they are a result of aging. However, consuming foods rich in carotenoids (kiwi, spinach, honeydew melon, green beans, apples, grapes, corn, pumpkins, mangoes, cucumbers, broccoli, and celery) can help lower the risk of developing macular degeneration.

Cataracts, on the other hand, can be both prevented and corrected. The risk of developing cataracts at an older age is extremely higher than at a younger age, and exposure to ultraviolet light may be a cause. This is why it’s important to always protect your eyes from the sun. Cataracts can also be surgically removed and prevent sufferers from going blind.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone condition in which the bones become weaker and brittle and are more likely to fracture and break. We reach our maximum bone density in early to mid-adulthood, and it begins to slowly decrease afterwards. Weaker bones are associated with more senior falls, which are especially dangerous when suffering from osteoporosis. Falls are more common for seniors living alone but have also become an occurrence in nursing facilities as well.

A diet high in calcium and Vitamin D can help prevent and even slow down the progression of osteoporosis. Again, a healthy diet in general coupled with physical activity is also beneficial to combat this disease. Light activities such as yoga, pilates, walking, and stretching all are adequate forms of exercise. Regular exposure to sunlight is also effective at combating osteoporosis, as it is a natural source of Vitamin D.

Age-related illnesses or ailments are very common, but they don’t have to be. Aging doesn’t mean that you have to suffer due to an illness. Overall, a proper diet and adequate physical activity can prevent, reduce, and even correct some age-related illnesses.

Gynaecomastia treatment, or male breast reduction, is a surgery designed to reduce enlarged, benign male breast tissue. Like all surgical procedures, it involves some downtime, but there are some tips to ensure your recovery process is smooth and efficient.

Follow these seven tips for a healthy healing process after male breast reduction in Sydney, Melbourne or beyond.

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  Don’t overexert yourself

Breast reduction surgery is exactly that – surgery. Therefore, it requires some downtime to allow your body to heal and get used to its new aesthetic. When you feel up to getting up and about, you can start to walk around the house for a few minutes a day to help prevent blood clotting and keep the circulation moving. After a couple of weeks you can start light exercise but do not do any heavy lifting for at least six weeks after your surgery.

• Take it easy on the ice pack

Although cold compression is a good way to reduce post-surgery swelling, you have to ensure that you don’t apply ice directly onto the skin – wrap your ice pack up in a towel and only use it for a few minutes every time. Your chest will be numb for the first few days after surgery meaning you won’t be able to feel the cold as much – this risks burning the skin so be careful with the ice pack!

• Hydration is key

Be sure to keep drinking water after your surgery – it is key to a smooth process.

• Get plenty of sleep

Our bodies heal when we sleep, but you have to ensure you are doing it properly after your surgery. Sleep inclined at a 45-degree angle for the first few days after surgery. Sleep on your back and avoid sleeping on your side or stomach as this can impede on your incisions. If you struggle to sleep like this then consult your surgeon – they may be able to prescribe something to help you sleep.

• Wear your dressings & garment as directed

Garments and dressings help reduce swelling and improve the recovery process. Your doctor might call you for a follow-up appointment to remove your bandages to see that there has been no infection. You may also have to wear pads to absorb any oozing, and your doctor may ask you to wear a binder for a few days after the surgery. Don’t wear it too tight, however, as this may impede on the blood flow. Wear your compression garments for four weeks after your surgery to reduce swelling and keep circulation moving.

• Managing nausea

Your surgeon will work to ensure that you don’t experience much nausea after your surgery. This being said, some men are more susceptible to anaesthesia than others, so you might require medical help to diminish its effects. For a natural remedy, drink plenty of ginger tea post-surgery to help reduce nauseous feelings.

• Bathing & showering

You should avoid showering for the first 24 hours after your surgery. The best way to get clean in the first two days post-surgery is via sponge bath. Soon after, you can start showering as usual. Try your best, however, not to get the incisions wet. Don’t bathe for some time after the surgery as this could infect the incisions. Gently dry your skin with a soft towel and keep your incisions clean and dry throughout the healing process.

Healthy Change: Wouldn’t we all like to have more energy, be in less pain and feel happier? Developing a healthy lifestyle can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’ve decided that it’s finally time to improve your health and wellbeing, here are six simple ways to do so. And also you can control diarrhea problems.

Sit Up Straight

Let us start with the basics – improving your posture. A lot of us have been working from home for a while now and it looks like we will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. How many hours do you spend in front of your computer, hunched over your desk in an uncomfortable chair? Adopt a better sitting position, buy yourself an ergonomically suitable chair, and make sure to take regular breaks to get some movement in. Your back, and the rest of your body, will thank you for it.

Replace Soda with Water

Sugar might give you temporary energy but, in the long run, and in large amounts, it will not be doing your health, your mood, or your teeth any good. Instead, hydrate yourself with water. Drink a large glass first thing in the morning, and continue doing so during the day, making sure to get at least the recommended amount for your height, weight, and age. Try adding a slice of lemon or lime to your water bottle if you’re someone who struggles with the bland taste.

Re-Think Your Diet

Food fuels us, and what we put in our bodies really matters. Take a long look at yourself and consider how much processed food you eat daily compared with how much fresh fruit and vegetables you consume. There’s no need to exclude certain food groups in your new diet plan – just make an effort to focus on the healthier options such as signing up to a keto meal prep service and there won’t be any space left for what makes you feel bad, tired, and bloated.

Get an Electric Bike

High-impact, high-intensity sports and gym workouts might not be your thing; they are definitely not for everyone. Maybe even going for a regular jog or bike ride feels too much. If that’s the case, there’s an easy solution to kill two birds with one stone – a way to get more active and spend more time outside daily. The answer? Buy an electric bike. E-bikes are ideal for light activity, which can be just as beneficial as a gym session, and for getting plenty of vitamin D and spending time in nature. You can even look in stores and online for accessories like helmets, lights for night-time rides, and baskets for carrying your personal items. You can also choose additional items to improve your experience and customize your ride.

Healthy Change: Download a Meditation App

Stress is more dangerous than most of us realize, so it is important that you take some time out of your day to de-stress and relax. There are a lot of apps available with guided meditation sessions for the inexperienced and easily distracted, so there’s no excuse not to learn.

Healthy Lifestyle: Get Enough Sleep

Healthy Change: Eight hours of sleep a night is crucial to feel well-rested and clear-headed, and getting enough sleep will impact every aspect of your life, health, and mood. If you know what time you need to get up, set yourself a bedtime at least eight hours earlier. Turn off all devices and refrain from sugary foods to allow your body to fall asleep easier. The difference you’ll feel after sleeping soundly for a couple of nights in a row will literally be life-changing.