Personal Health Guide

There was a time when being employed by a company that offered medical insurance benefits was a big plus. It still is in some ways. But, with the rising costs of medical care and prescription drugs, companies are now asking their employees to pay more for their insurance coverage.

Co-payments, which are generally a part of this coverage, are rising also.

Over the past few weeks I have been reading about the rising costs of health insurance and prescription medicines. According to a recent article in the New York Times, over 48 million Americans do not have health insurance. The costs of health insurance co-payments and prescription drugs is eating into the disposable income of families. Families are having to make a choice between providing the basic needs of their families and trying to treat themselves.

When a major illness strikes, many people are going into overwhelming debt, doctor’s visits and hospital stays, to receive the medical care they need. So, instead of practicing preventative medicine, people are opting to see the doctor only if they cannot treat their symptoms.

Especially hard-hit with rising costs are the self-employed and small businesses who cannot assume the rising costs of medical plans for themselves or their employees.

My musing here…but if something is not done, won’t that take us back to a time when diseases and conditions we have found cures for become rampant again…if treatment is not readily available and affordable.

There has to be an answer.

Bacteria in the mouth are not the only cause of bad breath. There are certain medical conditions that can cause it.

To get rid of bad breath, you must find the cause. A visit to your dentist may be enough. But, if your dentist ca not determine the cause of the problem, they may refer you to a periodontist or to your personal doctor. The cause may be a medical condition.

Systemic diseases such as diabetes, gastric disorders, and liver diseases can cause bad breath. When the cause is determined and the problem treated, the bad breath may go away. At least, the cause is known and can be treated.

Bad breath caused by infections may be treated with antibiotics, anti-fungal or anti-viral medications. Steroids may be used to treat autoimmune or chronic inflammatory conditions. There is saliva producing tablets that can be used.

Having your teeth by the dentist at least once a year removes built-up plaque on your teeth and around the gum line. Cavities emit an odor. The dentist will check and may suggest extraction if the cavity is deep. An implant can replace the extracted tooth.

Another condition which causes bad breath is tonsillitis. An offensive odor emanates from the tonsils which causes bad breath. Once the tonsils have been removed, the smell is gone.

The intensity of bad breath can be lessened to some extent with the use of natural and artificial breath fresheners such as cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger. Citrus fruits can also reduce mouth odor.

Whatever the cause, a proper breath health regimen and consultation with your dentist or doctor will bring relief to your problem of bad breath.

Read additional articles on breath health. Online guides on other health-related topics can be found here.

Protein, unlike other nutrients, cannot be stored in the body. If you eat more protein than your body needs, it will pass through your system. If you do not eat enough, your body will not be able to build and repair muscle tissue.

Protein is essential for every form of life: for growth, formation of blood, and vital tissues. It heals wounds, wards off infection, and helps to maintain body weight. It is necessary for the vital organs and glands in the body.

On a personal note, my protein intake ranges from 55 to 70 grams per day. I also have a minimal requirement for fats and carbohydrates.

Protein can be found in a number of different foods such as chicken, beef, pork, eggs, fish, nuts, beans, and soy products. You should have some of these foods every day to ensure that your body gets the protein it needs.

Protein builds muscles. If you lift weights, you get tiny tears in your muscles. The protein repairs these tears and the muscle becomes slightly larger with every workout. Your body still needs protein if you do not lift weights. The muscles also provide energy to the body as do fat.

Hormones in the body are maintained by protein. The hormones are needed to regulate organ function. The hormones also stimulate the body and affect your mood. If you do not eat protein every day, your body will suffer.

Protein keeps the body strong and should be ingested every day for a healthier you.

Everyone wants to live a life of usefulness and abundance, free of disease and unhappiness. But life presents us with challenges in our homes, at our workplace, and in our relationships with others. Sometimes the pressures are so great that we don’t know what to do to resolve them.

Problems with chronic illnesses and trying to lose weight can cause us to lose confidence in ourselves. If we are not able to handle stress on our jobs or in our personal lives, we find ourselves becoming overwhelmed. It is not easy to just make the changes. We need information to assist us in formulating questions for our healthcare professionals and steps to take to improve our lives.

The purpose of this blog is to provide information that will not only provide information about personal health problems but will also provide motivation to assist you in making changes in your life.

We welcome your comments about our posts.