Health Tips

How Are Skinny Jeans Bad For Your Health?

2016-10-15T16:05:00.001-07:00

Skinny jeans may look hip and stylish, but did you know that they can be detrimental to health too?

It was only recently that medical doctors documented the case of a woman whose legs swelled up so bad as a result of wearing skinny jeans. The incident was so bad that the patient was unable to walk and move that they had to cut through the jeans just to free her distended legs.

After thorough diagnosis, experts diagnosed the patient to be suffering from compartment syndrome. This conduct is due to consistently increased pressure within a tight space. In the case of the woman, her legs were confined in extra tight skinny jeans that the circulation to the lower extremities was badly affected.

Wearing skinny jeans can be deadly. As the legs are confined within a tight space, the blood flow to the legs is severely impaired in addition to this, the nerves and the muscles are in serious danger especially if the wearer does heavy activities while wearing skinny jeans. You can even have muscle and nerve damage if you wear ultra tight skinny jeans for extended periods of time.

Here are other conditions that may be potentially caused by wearing a pair of extremely right denims.

In our modern times, this condition is also referred to as “the skinny pants syndrome.” The condition develops when a nerve or a system or nervers are constrained by the skinny jeans. Nerves that are responsible for both supply and movement of blood in the lower extremities experience compressed sensation on the high region.

The distinguishing symptom of the skinny pants syndrome is tingling sensation of the legs. There may also be burning or shooting pain that starts on the legs and may extend up the upper knees and the buttocks. The pain may intensify if a person is exposed to heat and sunlight.

Tight jeans constrict the blood flow to the groin region. As the tight jeans adhere to the skin, it can cause irritation. The tight-fitting nature of skinny jeans may put immense pressure on the bladder resulting in exacerbation of existing bladder infections.

People who are already suffering from urinary tract infection are warned against wearing jeans with extra tight bottoms.

Reproductive issues among men

Men who wear super tight skinny jeans may suffer from a condition called testicular torsion, a condition where thee testicles may twist in an abnormal position. Men who regularly wear skinny pants may experience reduced blood circulation in the groin area leading to further testicular damage. Although there have only been a few cases reported, the condition is extremely painful that men seek immediate help when the pain and discomfort set in.

If you are wearing ill-fitting tight pants that are not based on your measurements, you are at risk of putting excessive pressure on the abdomen. The stomach is then displaced upwards resulting in heartburn.

Lipoatrophia Semicircularis

Also known as ribbed thighs, this condition is characterized by lesions or skin indentations on certain areas of the thighs,

The development of ribbed thighs may be due to a variety of factors, including wearing of tight-fitting jeans. If you remain in a seated or squat position for a long period of time, lesions or depressions will appear on the thighs.

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Breaking The Silence On Pregnancy And Infant Loss, Shore Group Offers Aid, Support – Patch.com

2016-10-15T15:50:00.001-07:00

Mother of conjoined twins shares touching Facebook post, thanking 'real heroes' of separation surgery – New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV

2016-10-15T14:23:00.005-07:00

THE BRONX — The mother of the conjoined twins who were successfully separated on Friday shared an emotional and touching Facebook post to thank the “real heroes” of the remarkable journey.

Anias and Jadon McDonald were born joined at the head (CNN)

Nicole and Christian McDonald were at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx from Thursday morning to Friday, anxiously waiting for the separation procedure to be over — one that carried major risks, including the possibility of death or long-term brain damage for her sons Anias and Jadon.

Anias and Jadon were born joined at the heads. The couple decided to move forward with the separation surgery. Both options — to operate or not — carried major risks. Eighty percent of twins joined at the head die of medical complications by age 2 if not separated, studies show.

After 27 hours, the couple received good news: their 13-month-old boys will live their lives from that point on separated.

The separation procedure itself lasted 16 hours, followed by more hours of surgery to rebuild their skulls and make them whole.

Jadon was the first of the boys to be finished. He was wheeled out of the operating room around 7:40 a.m. on a stretcher, his perfectly shaped head wrapped in white gauze.

He was taken on an elevator to the pediatric intensive care unit on the 10th floor, where he was reunited with his parents.

People following the remarkable and rare journey of Anias and Jadon’s separation got a detailed look from CNN and Nicole McDonald. CNN got exclusive access to the operating room.

The mother provided constant updates on her Facebook page, from when the surgery started to any news, whether it was good or bad. She also said she was overwhelmed by the interest and support from people.

“The hospital is a-buzz with the excitement of the surgery and I am desperately attempting to keep up with all of the posts! I am not sure how to make my page public in a way for anyone to post on it, but I am trying to figure it out. I get about 100 friend requests every 10 minutes and have received HUNDREDS of messages. I only say this in because it is literally the most humbling thing I’ve ever experienced and I pray that you all understand my inability to respond to each message at this time,” McDonald wrote on Thursday at 12:07 p.m.

By 4 a.m. Friday, McDonald was able to report good news.

“TWO SEPARATE BABIES!!!…and yet I ache with the uncertainty of the future. I didn’t cry until the surgeon’s left the room. I was barely able to even utter the words “thank you” because of the pit that still sits heavy in my stomach,” she wrote on Facebook.

Saturday morning, McDonald wrote a lengthy post thanked each member of the medical team, who she called “the real heroes of this story.” She revealed that she wanted the journey to be private, but eventually agreed to allow CNN to document it. She explained her reasoning why and who she thinks is “the biggest hero” as her boys start new lives apart.

McDonald said, “If you share anything that I post, please share this.” The post has received more than 7,000 reactions, 2,000 shares and hundreds of comments from people around the world.

Read her full post:

If you share anything that I post, please share this.

As my husband and I emerged from the depths of the hospital yesterday, we were faced with the reality that our private world had changed almost just as rapidly as the boys did overnight. For those of you who don’t know us, it might be interesting to note that we do not have TV or Internet access at home. We don’t get to watch the news on a regular basis and we have literally spent the last 36 hours at the boys’ bedside or waiting for updates from the doctors in the Caregiver Support Center at Montefiore. Using their computers, I was able to read the CNN articles. I watched the beautiful videos they put together and the live feeds on Facebook, but until just now, I had no idea that our story had been rippling out in every direction. As absolutely humbled as I am for all of the encouraging messages I’ve received, it’s hard for me to take any credit for the miracle that these boys are. All I did was birth beautiful, unique children and love them with all I have. There are mothers everywhere who do that on a daily basis. I’d like to direct the attention back to the true heroes of our story.

Anyone who knows us from the beginning knows that we did NOT want to go public. In fact, on my personal Facebook page, all of my pictures of the boys were individualized so that people wouldn’t focus on the bridge between their precious faces. When we agreed to CNN, it was solely because of Dr. Gupta and his ability to tell this story from the medical perspective. Our biggest desire was to show how brilliant the team at Montefiore has been and to give the hospital the credit it deserves. The real heroes of this story are the people who have put countless hours, days and months into the success of today.

Dr Goodrich was a God-send from the beginning. I’ll never forget the first time I talked to him. He called me back within a day after I left a desperate message with his secretary about our circumstance. It just so happened to be a holiday but he called me from his personal cell phone and he spent over an hour going through all of the details from the previous surgeries he had done. I knew he was the one from the beginning and I’ve never regretted it since. He has been such a gift in our life. I think of him like more of a mysterious family member than our neurosurgeon. He’s always cool, calm and collected. He always has the right answer. He has fought for my children and our medical decisions on more than one occasion. I’d like to think it’s just because it’s us, but I know he’s like this with everyone. I was talking to the cafeteria ladies downstairs one day and they were asking who was doing the surgery. When I said Goodrich they all lit up and said, “He knows us all by name. We love him!” That’s him…so down to earth…but so BRILLIANT. I truly believe that not only is he the most interesting man I’ve ever met, but he’s also the most giving and humble too. I could go on and on about all of the times he saved us from despair along this journey…but I’ll let him stay a bit mysterious. And of course, it’s because of this great man my babies are in their own beds today.

Dr Goodrich’s nurse practitioner, Kamilah, has also been an nothing short of extraordinary. This is my go-to woman. When we were trying to move here, she was sending me listings of home rentals in good areas by the hospital. In her spare time (ha) she literally coordinates most of the details of our life. From how we get the boys into the hospital for an appointment to getting Aza an antibiotic today when we found a big, festering spider bite on his arm. If Anias sneezes, I call Kamilah. She answers all of my calls, even at midnight when I freak out about having to flush a PICC line for the first time. I probably say, “I’ll just call Kamilah” 5 times a day. She’s beautiful and caring and kind. My favorite thing she does is make Dr Goodrich take selfies everywhere he goes. They are the perfect odd couple. I truly love them both.

The Goodrich/Kamilah team of the plastic surgery world are Dr Tepper and Martine. These two have talked me down from many fits of anxiety over the last month as the surgery date approached. Dr Tepper has had the tireless job of filling the tissue expanders and meticulously planning the reconstruction of the boys’ heads. With each tissue expander appointment, the boys would scream in pain but both he and Martine would console them and gave me so much reassurance that it would all be ok. Dr Tepper went to Isreal this summer. He brought back two official soccer outfits for the boys from the holy land. Martine has a voice that takes me from level 10 to level 2. The patience and kindness they show our family and anyone who steps into the office is profound.

And what about Dr Kahana and Dr Mann…the anesthesiologists that are in charge of keeping the boys stable during all procedures. It was Dr Kahana who sat through all 30 hours of surgery on Thursday/Friday making sure my sweet Anias came out safe and sound and stable. These two are true unsung heroes. It’s because of their commitment to my boys that Anias does not have a tracheotomy. I’ll never forget when Anias went into heart failure in the middle of the night after his last surgery. Dr Mann and Dr Kahana came racing in at midnight to re-intubate the boys. It was Dr Kahana who recognized the heart failure after intubation. She used a small ultrasound probe normally used to find veins to look at his heart and then alerted cardiology of the issue. Have I mentioned that I love these people…because I do.

And then there’s Jack, the neuroradiologist, who intricately went through every single image of the boys and worked side by side with Dr Goodrich to plan every cut. He knows my boys even more intimately than I do! He encouraged me on MRI/CT day when they were attempting to place an IV in Anias’ neck for contrast. I was sobbing as the boys screamed and there he and Kamilah were in the midst of all those people patting me on the shoulder and making sure I was ok.

And what about the PICU staff…from the attending doctors to the janitors…these people are the ones who dealt with us on a daily basis, and always with a smile. Montefiore really is something special. The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore offers breakfast, lunch and dinner to the parents of children who are admitted. They have a laundry facility you can use for free if you can bear to break away from your sick child. The child life staff is so incredibly kind, bringing toys and reading books to the babies. The president and vice president of the hospital even frequented our room and legitimately fell in love with the boys. This is not a hospital; it’s a community. Everyone knows each other by first name. It is the best second home we’ve ever had. The care giver support center in the heart of the hospital was my sanctuary. Randi Kaplan is the woman who took me under her wing from day one. In recent months, it was not uncommon for her to come up around bedtime and help me get the babies to sleep. I’ve never met someone more warm and caring. Her heart is pure. She exemplifies what this hospital is all about…love.

Now to get really personal…
All of you who have selflessly donated to our family. There is NO WAY we could have done this without you. You allowed us to direct all of our attention to these beautiful boys in the way that they deserve. Each and every one of you is a hero in your own way.

Our family…the people who have flown here at the drop of a hat to help in our deepest trials, who have taken Aza day after day while Christian worked and I was going to the NICU daily in Chicago. The people who literally lift us up and carry us when we feel like we just can’t take another step. We are so blessed to have so much support in our corner.

My husband. Let me fight back tears on this one. All this CNN stuff seems to be showcasing me for some reason. Maybe because I cry a lot so it’s good entertainment. But let me tell you, my husband has been here every step of the way, loving these babies with a passion that I admire. He gave up so many dreams, so many goals to move here with me and become a stay at home dad. He takes care of our three year old and all of the processes that need to occur for these boys to be in the hospital. He makes me laugh when I’m crying. He picks me up off the floor when I just can’t seem to go on. And his eyes…the way he looks at all of our boys…it’s so touching. His heart is enormous. Marriage through a trial like this is not easy. But everyday he still wakes up and chooses to love me…and that’s saying something. He has a faith in God that I strive to achieve. He’s so incredibly giving and thoughtful. I love him with all I have and then some. There is no one else I would want to go on this journey with.

Aza. My precious little boy. He just rolls with the punches. At the age of 3, he has moved 4 times. He went from having mommy every day to really only seeing me at night time. His heart is just like his daddy’s…full of love. He LOVES his babies and has never once noticed their connection. He just lays his head on them like I do to hug them, hands them their toys, and gives them their pacifiers. This child introduced me to motherhood in such a profound way. There are so many times I would come home from the hospital, totally exhausted, and he says “mommy hold you” because he wants me to snuggle him. What he doesn’t realize is that he’s holding me. I’m honored to be his mother and cannot wait for the day that he can play with his brothers.

I saved the biggest hero for last…last but most assuredly not least…and that’s God. I say this with caution because I know that there are many people out there who don’t believe in God. I used to be one of you. This is where I would stop reading and move on with my day. But if I don’t acknowledge Him who has carried us on every step of this journey I would be doing a huge disservice to myself, and to you. This is by no means a ploy to take away from the brilliance of all the doctors listed above. Their skills and knowledge saved my children from a dire fate. But imagine being lost in a cave in complete darkness. Even with the most incredible map and outdoorsman, you wouldn’t find your way out without the light. Now the torch doesn’t get a medal of honor. The flashlight doesn’t get recognition, but without the light those people would still be lost in the cave. God has guided every single step of this process, bringing together the perfect group of people to make a miracle happen. On the day I went into labor, I was whisked up to RUSH in a whirlwind. When I got there, the expert team that was stitched together from various parts of the hospital with the sole purpose of delivering the boys had just finished a simulation of the delivery. The NICU room had just been reconfigured on that day to house 2 babies. They couldn’t believe it when I came in. I was 32 weeks pregnant and typically they would have given me steroids to prolong delivery, but having all the people available in this way would not happen again. So, they delivered the boys right then. On 9/9 at 11:11. Coincidence or God? You decide but I know. I know because that’s not the only time where the impossible happened. In fact, there’s dozens of times. Without God we would have unraveled many many months ago. People say we have handled this situation with grace…but it’s with God’s grace that we continue on. By allowing Him to take control, by giving our anxieties to Him, we have been able to carry the “burden” and count it a blessing. I know life before God…I fell apart for infinitely smaller issues. There’s no way we would have made it without Him. Our ministers were always on call to give us advice or to lift our spirits and recenter us on what’s really important. The brethren of the Living Church of God and believers all over the world have lifted our family up in prayer and been pillars of strength from day one.

These are the real heroes.

CNN contributed to this report.

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Thousands participated in a Walk to End Alzheimer's at Heinz Field on Saturday morning. – CBS Local

2016-10-15T14:23:00.003-07:00

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Thousands participated in a Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Heinz Field on Saturday morning.

The walk, organized by the Alzheimer’s Association, was held to help raise awareness of advocacy opportunities, clinical studies and support programs and services.

The organization expected nearly 5,000 people to participate.

“We’re going to launch this walk and really demonstrate to the community that there are a lot of families who are impacted by Alzheimer’s and related dementia, and we want them to know that the Alzheimer’s Association is the number one source for information and resources about Alzheimer’s,” said Gail Roddie-Hamlin, president and CEO for the Greater PA chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

The organization hoped to raise $650,000 to help support programs, services and research.

“We want to do this because we want to help families. We want to help care-givers. We want to help those who are impacted by this disease every day,” Roddie-Hamlin said. “And that’s why people call us. They’re looking for that great, state-of-the-art information about care and programs and services that we offer, free of charge, because of walks like this.”

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Women Seeking Abortions Are Sure About Their Choice Before They Even Walk Into a Doctor's Office – New York Magazine

2016-10-15T14:23:00.001-07:00

Alzheimer Association's walk draws thousands – Orlando Sentinel

2016-10-15T14:06:00.005-07:00

Women Are More Certain They Want Abortions Than Cancer Treatment, Study Finds – Elite Daily

2016-10-15T14:06:00.003-07:00

'Walk to End Alzheimer's' held Saturday outside Heinz Field – WPXI Pittsburgh

2016-10-15T14:06:00.001-07:00

UW-Madison offers free meningitis vaccinations after 2 cases – SFGate

2016-10-15T13:50:00.007-07:00

Updated 10:32 am, Saturday, October 15, 2016

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The University of Wisconsin-Madison is urging all undergraduates to get vaccinated against a rare form of meningitis that put two students in the hospital last week.

University Health Services is offering the vaccine free to students starting Thursday. It’s effective against the B strain of the disease. Few students are vaccinated against the strain because the two-dose vaccine is relatively new. Most students have been vaccinated only against four common strains — A, C, Y and W.

The university says the two students who became ill with the B strain are expected to make full recoveries, but the disease can be devastating.

Type B meningococcal disease has been linked to outbreaks on at least six college campuses across the country since 2013, including a death at UW-Madison in 2013.

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Making Strides Walk raises nearly $500000 for breast cancer causes – Buffalo News

2016-10-15T13:50:00.005-07:00

Roughly 350 teams and 15,000 walkers raised more than $492,000 Saturday morning during the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Canalside.

The Scanlon Walking Matters team was among the teams. Several family members and loved ones donated to the cause organized by the American Cancer Society.

“The event was a moving example of passion in action,” said JoAnna Jacob, senior marketing manager with the Cancer Society’s Buffalo affiliate. “Our walk ensures no one faces breast cancer alone, by bringing the community together, funding innovative research, and providing comprehensive patient support to those who need it most.

It was the first breast cancer walk I’ve attended. It won’t be the last – though I know I will need to work harder to wear pink next time. The audience seemed less than impressed when I rolled up my left Ireland jacket sleeve to show my pink bracelet. I hope that the words I shared with those gathered hit a meaningful mark.

Below is the prepared text, though I shortened it somewhat for brevity’s sake:

The Scanlon Walking Matters team included, from left, Karen Gelia, Kristin Gelia, Bonnie Dagonese, Ellen Beiler and Mary Vrenna. Vrenna, as well as Karen Gelia, are breast cancer survivors.

As the editor and local writer for WNY Refresh, the Saturday morning section in The Buffalo News that focuses on health, fitness, nutrition and family, I’ve had the blessing to meet people of great determination who have confronted breast cancer head-on:

Mercedes Holloway Wilson, diagnosed at age 28 after two doctors had told her to ignore a small lump in her breast because she was too young to have breast cancer, and who started an outreach program, called For Our Daughters, to improve body and health awareness for teen girls and young women.

RELATED STORY: American Idol Candice Glover will speak at upcoming For Our Daughters Gala

Sara Szeglowski, who began her battle with Stage 2B breast cancer four years ago at age 38, when her son was only a year old, and shared her story in last week’s Refresh section about how she has addressed lingering symptoms from her disease and treatment.

Kelli Cravey, who as a teenager witnessed her mother fight a four-year battle with triple-negative breast cancer, and opted to undergo a double mastectomy last year, after she learned she carries the BRCA 1 gene mutation and was at high risk of developing breast cancer herself.

It is my privilege to share these stories. They always hit home with me.

My mother, Shirley Scanlon, was diagnosed in 1979 with late-stage breast cancer.

Doctors told her she had six months to live. She had a mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy. She lived for six years. She was 45 years old when she died on Thanksgiving Day, 1985; I had turned 25 four days earlier.

My fiancée Karen Gelia – who is here today – was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer nine years ago. She had a lumpectomy and radiation, and has gracefully handled some of the survivorship symptoms I wrote about last weekend in the Refresh cover story.

Early diagnosis is key when it comes to all sorts of cancer. I’ve seen this in my life experience and work experience.

I also expect genetic testing will become more important when it comes to cancer prevention in years to come. I will have a story about that in next Saturday’s Refresh section.

Meanwhile, as someone who has marveled, and worried, as loved ones battled through this challenging disease, let me share my view as a family member – because I believe many others here this morning share it.

To the breast cancer survivors walking this morning, we admire your courage. We admire your grace. We are so glad you are in our lives.

You rock – and we love you.

Making Strides Walk participants stroll past The Buffalo News building near Canalside.

email: refresh@buffnews.com

Twitter: @BNrefresh, @ScottBScanlon

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UW-Madison offers free meningitis vaccinations after 2 cases – Washington Times

2016-10-15T13:50:00.003-07:00

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

UW-Madison offers free meningitis vaccinations after 2 cases
Washington Times
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The University of Wisconsin-Madison is urging all undergraduates to get vaccinated against a rare form of meningitis that put two students in the hospital last week. University Health Services is offering the vaccine free to …
UW-Madison urges new meningitis vaccine for all undergradsMilwaukee Journal Sentinel
Meninigitis B vaccines to be offered at UW-MadisonOutbreak News Today
2 meningitis cases on campus prompt UW-Madison to offer free vaccinationsChannel3000.com – WISC-TV3
fox6now.com -WKOW -WISN Milwaukee
all 17 news articles »

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Scientists Are Urging Women To Stop Wearing Bras. This Is Why.

2016-10-15T13:50:00.001-07:00

Medicare unveils far-reaching overhaul of doctors' pay – PBS

2016-10-15T12:50:00.003-07:00

Medicare is overhauling its compensation of doctors and other clinicians. File photo by Getty Images

WASHINGTON — Medicare on Friday unveiled a far-reaching overhaul of how it compensates doctors and other clinicians. The goal is to reward quality, cost-effective care instead of just paying piecemeal for services.

The complex regulation is nearly 2,400 pages long and will take years to fully implement. It’s meant to carry out bipartisan legislation that was passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama last year.

Whether it succeeds or fails, it’s one of the biggest changes in Medicare’s 50-year history.

While the concept of paying for quality has broad support, the details have been a source of trepidation for some clinicians, who worry that the new system will force small practices and old-fashioned solo doctors to join big groups. Patients may soon start hearing about the changes from their physicians, but it’s still too early to discern the impacts.

The Obama administration sought to calm concerns Friday. “Transforming something of this size is something we have focused on with great care,” said Andy Slavitt, head of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

139301139307139307House approves permanent fix for Medicare doctor paymentFor more than a decade, doctors who treat Medicare patients have been threatened with pay cuts due to a faulty formula of how doctors are reimbursed. But in a rare bipartisan agreement, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a deal to permanently end the problem and reward quality of care, not quantity. Gwen Ifill learns more from Mary Agnes Carey of Kaiser Health News.2015-03-26 18:00:00disabled2365451910ylVF44lpbeU

Officials said they considered more than 4,000 formal comments and held meetings around the country attended by more than 100,000 people before issuing the final rule. The administration will continue to accept comments, and Slavitt signaled openness to fine tuning.

MACRA, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, creates two new payment systems, or tracks, for clinicians. The majority of medical professionals who bill Medicare — some 600,000 doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and therapists — are affected. Medical practices must decide next year what track they will take.

Starting in 2019, clinicians can earn higher reimbursements if they learn new ways of doing business, joining a leading-edge track that’s called Alternative Payment Models. That involves being willing to accept financial risk and reward for performance, reporting quality measures to the government, and using electronic medical records.

About 100,000 clinicians are expected to initially take that track, which is more challenging. Officials are hoping that number will quickly grow.

Another 400,000 to 500,000 are expected to join a second track called the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System. It features more modest financial incentives, and accountability for quality, efficiency, use of electronic medical records, and self-improvement.

Finally, about 380,000 clinicians are expected to be exempt from the new systems because they don’t see enough Medicare patients, or their billings do not reach a given threshold.

“This law and this regulation are going to need to evolve as medicine evolves,” Slavitt said.

Advocates say the new system will improve quality and help check costs. But critics say the complicated requirements could prove overwhelming. The administration says some doctors will be pleasantly surprised to find out that reporting requirements have actually been streamlined to make them easier to meet.

With 57 million beneficiaries, Medicare is the government’s premier health insurance program. The Obama administration has pushed to overhaul payment not only for doctors, but also for hospitals and private insurance plans that serve many beneficiaries. The unifying theme is a new emphasis on rewarding quality over volume.

While some quality improvements have already been noted, it’s likely to take years to see whether the new approach can lead to major savings that help keep Medicare sustainable over the long run.

Medicare’s previous congressionally mandated system for paying doctors proved unworkable. It called for automatic cuts when spending surpassed certain levels, and lawmakers routinely waived those reductions. MACRA was intended by lawmakers as a new beginning.

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Walk draws attention to White Cane Safety Day – Thegardenisland.com

2016-10-15T12:50:00.001-07:00

LIHUE — While there are lights on the crosswalk fronting the Lihue Post Office, that’s no help to blind people who cannot see them, said Douglas Peneyra, the blind operator of a snack shop in the Pi‘ikoi Building.

“That is a dangerous crosswalk,” Peneyra said. “There are two crosswalks by Central Pacific Bank that have the audio signals, but people prefer to use this crosswalk. The addition of audio signals would make this safer for the blind.”

Peneyra was joined Thursday by his daughter Grayling and Honi, the family’s pet dog, in leading a handful of people, including several blind people and members of the East Kauai and Kauai Lions clubs, for the White Cane Safety Day walk. The group walked from the state building, along Eiwa and Rice streets, to end at Peneyra’s shop.

“There are about 2,700 people in the Hawaii blind registry,” Peneyra said. “I don’t know how many are on Kauai, but there are a lot. And it does not count the people who are legally blind, but are not on the registry.”

Mel Rapozo, participating as a member of the Kauai Lions Club, said he was glad he took time to join the walk.

“As the council chair, I’m glad I got to see the conditions on Eiwa Street,” Rapozo said. “It is important to improve these roads for the blind community. They do little complaining, but I got to see the bumps and obstacles they need to deal with.”

Peneyra said he became blind as a result of an auto accident in 2006.

“I was in a coma,” he said. “The lack of blood flow burned my optic nerve. Before the accident, I was a carpenter for 33 years. During my recovery, I was inspired by the Ho‘opono program with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. They had a wood shop equipped with regular equipment that we had to learn how to use. They also taught us sewing — I learned three different ways to thread a needle — and they taught us cooking from scratch. We had to make all kinds of dishes and desserts — all from scratch.”

As he neared the end of his Ho‘opono training on Oahu, the DVR asked if he was interested in being a blind vendor, operating a convenience store on Kauai.

“I was definitely interested,” Peneyra said. “But that meant more time on Oahu for further training. I wanted to come home, but agreed to the training. During that time, they made me an instructor at Ho‘opono where I met this Hawaiian lady who learned how to create things with wood — bracelets, canoe paddles, and a lot of other wood items. All of this was truly inspirational.”

Debbi Thompson, employment specialist with DVR, said one of the biggest obstacles blind people face is stereotyping.

“The Ho‘opono program, modelled after a Mainland program and fine-tuned for Hawaii, is one of the finest programs in the nation,” Thompson said. “It demonstrates that the blind can be very independent and can do about anything a normal person can do. There are blind people in many professions, and being visually impaired does not mean you lose your independence.”

Peneyra said the white cane symbolizes independence for the blind and visually impaired.

“The White Cane Day was started by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964 with the signing of the Blind Americans Equality Day proclamation on Oct. 15,” Peneyra said. “In Hawaii, we are celebrating our 24th year. We want to educate people about blindness and how the blind and visually impaired can live and work independently while giving back to the community. White Cane Day also celebrates the abilities and successes achieved by blind people in a sighted world, and to honor the many contributions being made by the blind and visually impaired. We want more people walking next year.”

Peneyra, who leads the National Federation for the Blind, Kauai Chapter, said he always walks to the state building where the monthly meetings are held.

“If I don’t hear the car, I just go,” Peneyra said. “A lot of people are helpful, but I like the challenge. I just do it.”

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Trump: Clinton should be in jail, the election is rigged – USA TODAY

2016-10-15T12:35:00.009-07:00

Meninigitis B vaccines to be offered at UW-Madison – Outbreak News Today

2016-10-15T12:35:00.007-07:00

Because of the two cases meningococcal disease B in University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW–Madison) students recently, University Health Services (UHS) announced they will be offering the vaccine series free of charge to students starting next Thursday.

UHS will be offering the two meningitis B vaccine series, Bexsero and Trumenba, at the SERF on the following dates and times:

Thursday, Oct. 20 | 11 am – 7 pm
Friday, Oct. 21 | 10 am – 4 pm
Tuesday, Oct. 25 | 9 am – 4 pm
Wednesday, Oct. 26 | 11 am – 7 pm
Thursday, Oct. 27 | 10 am – 5 pm

While most students are vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis before attending college, the vaccine protects against serogroups ACYW but not against serogroup B. Serogroup B vaccine has only recently become available and is not routinely recommended.

UW-Madison recommends that all undergraduate students be vaccinated against meningococcal disease serogroup B.

Related: What is meningitis, how do you get infected and how can you prevent it?

Student health also reminds the campus community that the two vaccines cannot be interchanged, so if you already received a meningitis B vaccine and want to complete the series, it is important that UHS receive your prior records so that we can verify the proper vaccine and dosage timing.

Meningococcal meningitis B has been seen on a number of university campuses since 2013 to include Yale University, Santa Clara University, Providence College, University of Oregon, Georgetown University, Rutgers University, University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), Drexel University and Princeton University, which recorded an outbreak of eight cases in 2013.

UW-Madison urges new meningitis vaccine for all undergrads – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

2016-10-15T12:35:00.005-07:00

Is the presidential election causing you stress? You're not alone, study says – SILive.com

2016-10-15T12:35:00.003-07:00

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Whether you’re “with her,” or are a fan of “The Donald,” you’ve likely engaged in political conversations surrounding the upcoming presidential election.

And, if you’ve experienced opposition to your political views, you may have found yourself in a somewhat heated argument.

If this is the case, you’re not alone. And, to say the least, it’s stressful.

For this reason, the American Psychological Association (APA) conducted an online study among adults 18+ living in the U.S. The study revealed that 52 percent of American adults report that the 2016 election is “a very or somewhat significant” source of stress.

“We’re seeing that it doesn’t matter whether you’re registered as a Democrat or Republican — U.S. adults say they are experiencing significant stress from the current election,” said Lynn Bufka, PhD, APA’s associate executive director for practice research and policy.

Across party lines, those registered as Democrats (55 percent) and Republicans (59 percent) are statistically equally likely to say the election is a very or somewhat significant source of stress.

“Election stress becomes exacerbated by arguments, stories, images and video on social media that can heighten concern and frustration, particularly with thousands of comments that can range from factual to hostile or even inflammatory,” said Bufka.

SOCIAL MEDIA STRESS

The survey revealed that social media appears to affect Americans’ stress levels when it comes to the election and related topics. Nearly four in 10 adults (38 percent) say that political and cultural discussions on social media cause them stress.

In addition, adults who use social media are more likely than adults who do not to say the election is a very or somewhat significant source of stress (54 percent vs. 45 percent, respectively).

MILLENNIALS -VS- GEN XERS

While men and women are equally likely — 51 percent vs. 52 percent, respectively — to say the 2016 U.S. presidential election is a very or somewhat significant source of stress, election stress differs among generations of Americans.

Millennials are the most likely to say the election is a very or somewhat significant source of stress (56 percent vs. 59 percent, respectively) — significantly more than Generation Xers (45 percent), but not boomers (50 percent).

TIPS FOR STRESS REDUCTION

APA offers the following tips to help people manage their stress related to the election:

If the 24-hour news cycle of claims and counterclaims from the candidates is causing you stress, limit your media consumption. Read just enough to stay informed. Turn off the newsfeed or take a digital break.
Avoid getting into discussions about the election if you think they have the potential to escalate to conflict. Be cognizant of the frequency with which you’re discussing the election with friends, family members or coworkers.
Stress and anxiety about what might happen is not productive. Channel your concerns to make a positive difference on issues you care about. Consider volunteering in your community, advocating for an issue you support or joining a local group.
Whatever happens on Nov. 8, life will go on. Our political system and the three branches of government mean that we can expect a significant degree of stability immediately after a major transition of government.
Vote. In a democracy, a citizen’s voice does matter. By voting, you will hopefully feel you are taking a proactive step and participating in what for many has been a stressful election cycle.

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Mother of conjoined twins shares touching Facebook post, thanking medical team for separation surgery – kfor.com

2016-10-15T12:35:00.001-07:00

After 27 hours of surgery, twin boys Anias and Jadon McDonald — born joined at the head 13 months ago — began a new life apart on Friday.

The round-the-clock operation at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx began Thursday morning and ended Friday. The separation procedure itself lasted 16 hours, followed by more hours of surgery to rebuild their skulls and make them whole.

Jadon was the first of the boys to be finished. He was wheeled out of the operating room around 7:40 a.m. on a stretcher, his perfectly shaped head wrapped in white gauze.

He was taken on an elevator to the pediatric intensive care unit on the 10th floor, where he was reunited with his parents, Nicole and Christian McDonald.

“My boy,” Christian said with tears in his eyes.

Nicole bent over in tears.

More than five hours later, around 1 p.m., surgeons finished operating on Anias, and he was taken to the 10th floor unit — where the family was finally reunited.

The surgery was led by Dr. James Goodrich, considered the leading expert on what’s known as craniopagus surgery.

It marked the seventh and longest separation surgery performed by Goodrich — and just the 59th craniopagus separation surgery in the world since 1952.

Nicole and Christian had to make an agonizing decision, opting for the procedure even though it carried major risks, including the possibility of death or long-term brain damage for one or both boys. But not to operate also carried risks: 80% of twins joined at the head die of medical complications by age 2 if not separated, studies show.

Goodrich informed the family of the separation around 3 a.m.

“Well, we did it,” Goodrich said.

On her Facebook page, Nicole wrote: “TWO SEPARATE BABIES!!!…and yet I ache with the uncertainty of the future. I didn’t cry until the surgeons left the room. I was barely able to even utter the words ‘thank you’ because of the pit that still sits heavy in my stomach. We are standing on the brink of a vast unknown. The next few months will be critical in terms of recovery and we will not know for sure how Anias and Jadon are recovering for many weeks.”

The moment capped an end to an agonizing wait for the boys’ parents.

The McDonalds and Montefiore hospital invited CNN to document this remarkable and rare journey of Jadon and Anias, allowing CNN exclusive access into the operating room throughout the procedure.

In a Facebook post, Nicole thanked each member of the medical team, who she calls the “real heroes,” for their extraordinary work.

She also explained why the family invited CNN to document the twins’ journey.

If you share anything that I post, please share this.

As my husband and I emerged from the depths of the hospital yesterday, we were faced with the reality that our private world had changed almost just as rapidly as the boys did overnight. For those of you who don’t know us, it might be interesting to note that we do not have TV or Internet access at home. We don’t get to watch the news on a regular basis and we have literally spent the last 36 hours at the boys’ bedside or waiting for updates from the doctors in the Caregiver Support Center at Montefiore. Using their computers, I was able to read the CNN articles. I watched the beautiful videos they put together and the live feeds on Facebook, but until just now, I had no idea that our story had been rippling out in every direction. As absolutely humbled as I am for all of the encouraging messages I’ve received, it’s hard for me to take any credit for the miracle that these boys are. All I did was birth beautiful, unique children and love them with all I have. There are mothers everywhere who do that on a daily basis. I’d like to direct the attention back to the true heroes of our story.

Anyone who knows us from the beginning knows that we did NOT want to go public. In fact, on my personal Facebook page, all of my pictures of the boys were individualized so that people wouldn’t focus on the bridge between their precious faces. When we agreed to CNN, it was solely because of Dr. Gupta and his ability to tell this story from the medical perspective. Our biggest desire was to show how brilliant the team at Montefiore has been and to give the hospital the credit it deserves. The real heroes of this story are the people who have put countless hours, days and months into the success of today.

Dr Goodrich was a God-send from the beginning. I’ll never forget the first time I talked to him. He called me back within a day after I left a desperate message with his secretary about our circumstance. It just so happened to be a holiday but he called me from his personal cell phone and he spent over an hour going through all of the details from the previous surgeries he had done. I knew he was the one from the beginning and I’ve never regretted it since. He has been such a gift in our life. I think of him like more of a mysterious family member than our neurosurgeon. He’s always cool, calm and collected. He always has the right answer. He has fought for my children and our medical decisions on more than one occasion. I’d like to think it’s just because it’s us, but I know he’s like this with everyone. I was talking to the cafeteria ladies downstairs one day and they were asking who was doing the surgery. When I said Goodrich they all lit up and said, “He knows us all by name. We love him!” That’s him…so down to earth…but so BRILLIANT. I truly believe that not only is he the most interesting man I’ve ever met, but he’s also the most giving and humble too. I could go on and on about all of the times he saved us from despair along this journey…but I’ll let him stay a bit mysterious. And of course, it’s because of this great man my babies are in their own beds today.

Dr Goodrich’s nurse practitioner, Kamilah, has also been an nothing short of extraordinary. This is my go-to woman. When we were trying to move here, she was sending me listings of home rentals in good areas by the hospital. In her spare time (ha) she literally coordinates most of the details of our life. From how we get the boys into the hospital for an appointment to getting Aza an antibiotic today when we found a big, festering spider bite on his arm. If Anias sneezes, I call Kamilah. She answers all of my calls, even at midnight when I freak out about having to flush a PICC line for the first time. I probably say, “I’ll just call Kamilah” 5 times a day. She’s beautiful and caring and kind. My favorite thing she does is make Dr Goodrich take selfies everywhere he goes. They are the perfect odd couple. I truly love them both.

The Goodrich/Kamilah team of the plastic surgery world are Dr Tepper and Martine. These two have talked me down from many fits of anxiety over the last month as the surgery date approached. Dr Tepper has had the tireless job of filling the tissue expanders and meticulously planning the reconstruction of the boys’ heads. With each tissue expander appointment, the boys would scream in pain but both he and Martine would console them and gave me so much reassurance that it would all be ok. Dr Tepper went to Isreal this summer. He brought back two official soccer outfits for the boys from the holy land. Martine has a voice that takes me from level 10 to level 2. The patience and kindness they show our family and anyone who steps into the office is profound.

And what about Dr Kahana and Dr Mann…the anesthesiologists that are in charge of keeping the boys stable during all procedures. It was Dr Kahana who sat through all 30 hours of surgery on Thursday/Friday making sure my sweet Anias came out safe and sound and stable. These two are true unsung heroes. It’s because of their commitment to my boys that Anias does not have a tracheotomy. I’ll never forget when Anias went into heart failure in the middle of the night after his last surgery. Dr Mann and Dr Kahana came racing in at midnight to re-intubate the boys. It was Dr Kahana who recognized the heart failure after intubation. She used a small ultrasound probe normally used to find veins to look at his heart and then alerted cardiology of the issue. Have I mentioned that I love these people…because I do.

And then there’s Jack, the neuroradiologist, who intricately went through every single image of the boys and worked side by side with Dr Goodrich to plan every cut. He knows my boys even more intimately than I do! He encouraged me on MRI/CT day when they were attempting to place an IV in Anias’ neck for contrast. I was sobbing as the boys screamed and there he and Kamilah were in the midst of all those people patting me on the shoulder and making sure I was ok.

And what about the PICU staff…from the attending doctors to the janitors…these people are the ones who dealt with us on a daily basis, and always with a smile. Montefiore really is something special. The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore offers breakfast, lunch and dinner to the parents of children who are admitted. They have a laundry facility you can use for free if you can bear to break away from your sick child. The child life staff is so incredibly kind, bringing toys and reading books to the babies. The president and vice president of the hospital even frequented our room and legitimately fell in love with the boys. This is not a hospital; it’s a community. Everyone knows each other by first name. It is the best second home we’ve ever had. The care giver support center in the heart of the hospital was my sanctuary. Randi Kaplan is the woman who took me under her wing from day one. In recent months, it was not uncommon for her to come up around bedtime and help me get the babies to sleep. I’ve never met someone more warm and caring. Her heart is pure. She exemplifies what this hospital is all about…love.

Now to get really personal…
All of you who have selflessly donated to our family. There is NO WAY we could have done this without you. You allowed us to direct all of our attention to these beautiful boys in the way that they deserve. Each and every one of you is a hero in your own way.

Our family…the people who have flown here at the drop of a hat to help in our deepest trials, who have taken Aza day after day while Christian worked and I was going to the NICU daily in Chicago. The people who literally lift us up and carry us when we feel like we just can’t take another step. We are so blessed to have so much support in our corner.

My husband. Let me fight back tears on this one. All this CNN stuff seems to be showcasing me for some reason. Maybe because I cry a lot so it’s good entertainment. But let me tell you, my husband has been here every step of the way, loving these babies with a passion that I admire. He gave up so many dreams, so many goals to move here with me and become a stay at home dad. He takes care of our three year old and all of the processes that need to occur for these boys to be in the hospital. He makes me laugh when I’m crying. He picks me up off the floor when I just can’t seem to go on. And his eyes…the way he looks at all of our boys…it’s so touching. His heart is enormous. Marriage through a trial like this is not easy. But everyday he still wakes up and chooses to love me…and that’s saying something. He has a faith in God that I strive to achieve. He’s so incredibly giving and thoughtful. I love him with all I have and then some. There is no one else I would want to go on this journey with.

Aza. My precious little boy. He just rolls with the punches. At the age of 3, he has moved 4 times. He went from having mommy every day to really only seeing me at night time. His heart is just like his daddy’s…full of love. He LOVES his babies and has never once noticed their connection. He just lays his head on them like I do to hug them, hands them their toys, and gives them their pacifiers. This child introduced me to motherhood in such a profound way. There are so many times I would come home from the hospital, totally exhausted, and he says “mommy hold you” because he wants me to snuggle him. What he doesn’t realize is that he’s holding me. I’m honored to be his mother and cannot wait for the day that he can play with his brothers.

I saved the biggest hero for last…last but most assuredly not least…and that’s God. I say this with caution because I know that there are many people out there who don’t believe in God. I used to be one of you. This is where I would stop reading and move on with my day. But if I don’t acknowledge Him who has carried us on every step of this journey I would be doing a huge disservice to myself, and to you. This is by no means a ploy to take away from the brilliance of all the doctors listed above. Their skills and knowledge saved my children from a dire fate. But imagine being lost in a cave in complete darkness. Even with the most incredible map and outdoorsman, you wouldn’t find your way out without the light. Now the torch doesn’t get a medal of honor. The flashlight doesn’t get recognition, but without the light those people would still be lost in the cave. God has guided every single step of this process, bringing together the perfect group of people to make a miracle happen. On the day I went into labor, I was whisked up to RUSH in a whirlwind. When I got there, the expert team that was stitched together from various parts of the hospital with the sole purpose of delivering the boys had just finished a simulation of the delivery. The NICU room had just been reconfigured on that day to house 2 babies. They couldn’t believe it when I came in. I was 32 weeks pregnant and typically they would have given me steroids to prolong delivery, but having all the people available in this way would not happen again. So, they delivered the boys right then. On 9/9 at 11:11. Coincidence or God? You decide but I know. I know because that’s not the only time where the impossible happened. In fact, there’s dozens of times. Without God we would have unraveled many many months ago. People say we have handled this situation with grace…but it’s with God’s grace that we continue on. By allowing Him to take control, by giving our anxieties to Him, we have been able to carry the “burden” and count it a blessing. I know life before God…I fell apart for infinitely smaller issues. There’s no way we would have made it without Him. Our ministers were always on call to give us advice or to lift our spirits and recenter us on what’s really important. The brethren of the Living Church of God and believers all over the world have lifted our family up in prayer and been pillars of strength from day one.

These are the real heroes.

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6 Strategies To Cope With The Strange Stress Of The Election – Forbes

2016-10-15T12:20:00.005-07:00

Forbes

6 Strategies To Cope With The Strange Stress Of The Election
Forbes
Americans are apparently incredibly stressed out by the election this year. The American Psychological Association (APA) has just released some early results from its Stress in America survey, which is due out early next year. The central finding is …
Feeling stressed? Blame the electionazcentral.com
This election is driving Americans nutsHouston Chronicle
Is The Election Stressing You Out? Here's How To Survive Until Nov. 8KERO 23ABC News
WUSA9.com -Washington Post -Morning Ticker -Washington Times
all 65 news articles »

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Cut 1 Lemon In 4 Parts Put Some Salt On It And Put It In The Middle Of The Kitchen! This Trick Will Amaze You!

2016-10-15T12:20:00.003-07:00

Experts consider lemons to be the healthiest fruits on the planet, as they are abundant in minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients, and have potent medicinal properties.

They fight germs, viruses, and bacteria, and protect the skin, heart and hair. Moreover, these fruits enrich the taste of various drinks and recipes.

However, not all of you know that lemons can effectively get rid of the bad odors in the kitchen, as well as common germs and bacteria which develop on kitchen surfaces.

The following simple trick will help you use these properties of lemons:

You should cut the lemon in 4 parts, but not entirely, as they should still be held together. Next, just sprinkle some salt over the lemon and leave it in the kitchen.

It will reduce bad odors, and release a pleasant aroma. Also, it will leave the kitchen free of harmful bacteria.

On the other hand, you can use lemons to prepare a DIY disinfectant which can replace the commercial ones which are loaded with dangerous bacteria.

You should take 3 lemons, squeeze the juice out of them, and mix it with some salt and soap. Then, pour the mixture into a bottle of water and use it to disinfect the house. It will effectively destroy bacteria, germs, and viruses.

Sources:
healthexpertgroup.com
healthadviceteam.com

hfh

The post Cut 1 Lemon In 4 Parts Put Some Salt On It And Put It In The Middle Of The Kitchen! This Trick Will Amaze You! appeared first on Selig Health.

DIY: How To Clear Your Sinuses in Seconds Using Nothing but Your Fingers

2016-10-15T12:20:00.001-07:00

Nothing brings more discomfort and annoyance than a stuffy nose and inflamed sinuses.

Even the simplest of colds or allergy can cause a reaction in the sinuses, and the first we normally do, it turn to medications.

However, sometimes it is wise to put the med son hold and turn to a more natural approach to treat this problem. It will be amazing to learn that only your fingers can help you deal with stuffed sinuses, and very quickly too.

The secret is in the finger stimulation onto a certain spot.

Trick #1: Use Your Tongue & Press Between Eyebrows

One Reddit user, known as gymfork suggests that acupressure can be truly effective for unclogging the nose and dealing with other sinus-related problems.

The point that requires stimulation is located in the oral cavity. Push tongue flat against the roof of the mouth, and push a finger against the skin between your eyebrows at the same time.

Put pressure for 20 seconds, and release. After you finish you will feel the mucus moving through the throat which means the technique worked.

As a second option, you can press tongue against the roof of your mouth while pressing between your eyebrows simultaneously.

The in-between eyebrow spot is called Yintang acupoint, and Dr. Joseph M. Helms, president of Helms Medical Institute and author of Acupuncture Energetics: A Clinical Approach for Physicians explains this best.

Trick #2: Apply Pressure Across Your Eyebrows

This technique works best for upper sinuses and for stuffy nose.

Amber Lynn Vitale, a massage therapist claims that by only moving fingers across eyebrows you can get the desired relief.

Rest head on elbows and place fingers on each eyebrow beginning, where they do not meet. Lean forward and when the pressure shifts, slide fingers to the middle of each eyebrow.

Release fingers when you feel relief, and slide fingers to the ends of each eyebrow. As Vitale explains, here you should hold firm pressure or move fingertips in circles. This encourages the fluid to move away from the nose and sinuses.

Trick #3: Take a Second for a Mini-Massage

Another massage therapist, Heather Wibbels offers another option on how you can get rid of mucus inside the nose and sinuses. All you need are a few quick rubs.

In case you find this unpleasant, you can try something else. Cross hands to form a V shape and by using same rubbing motion Ion both sides of your neck. This will release the lymph fluid. Both techniques vacuum the fluid stuck in your sinuses and move it away from the head.

Keep Your Sinuses Active!

Forget the meds when treating your sinuses and use pressure instead. By hitting the right spots with both your fingers and thumbs, you will get rid of troubling fluid and clear the nose and sinuses effectively.

Source: supertastyrecipes.com

hfh

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Medicare Makes Far-Reaching Change to Payments – WDJT

2016-10-15T12:05:00.001-07:00

(CBS NEWS) Medicare on Friday unveiled a far-reaching overhaul of how it compensates doctors and other clinicians. The goal is to reward quality, cost-effective care instead of just paying piecemeal for services.

The legislation is bringing about one of the biggest changes in Medicare’s 50-year-history.

Whether it succeeds or fails, it’s one of the biggest changes in Medicare’s 50-year history.

MACRA, the Medicare Access and CHIP Re-authorization Act, creates two new payment systems, or tracks, for clinicians. The majority of medical professionals who bill Medicare – some 600,000 doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and therapists – are affected. Medical practices must decide next year what track they will take.

About 100,000 clinicians are expected to initially take that track, which is more challenging. Officials are hoping that number will quickly grow.

Finally, about 380,000 clinicians are expected to be exempt from the new systems because they don’t see enough Medicare patients, or their billings do not reach a given threshold.

“This law and this regulation are going to need to evolve as medicine evolves,” Slavitt said.

While some quality improvements have already been noted, it’s likely to take years to see whether the new approach can lead to major savings that help keep Medicare sustainable over the long run.

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Shellfishing ban on Narragansett Bay lifted – The Providence Journal

2016-10-15T11:35:00.005-07:00

Paul Edward Parker Journal Staff Writer projopaul

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The state has lifted a week-long ban on shellfishing in Narragansett Bay prompted by dangerously high levels of a toxic phytoplankton, the Department of Environmental Management said in a statement.

Other areas of the Bay that were closed to shellfishing because of rainfall remain closed, though that ban is expected to be lifted Monday.

The ban on the rest of the Bay was lifted as of noon Saturday. The emergency closure was due to a confirmed harmful algae bloom caused by the presence of toxic phytoplankton, Pseudo-nitzschia.

During the emergency closure, the DEM and the state Health Department analyzed water and shellfish samples for the presence of the toxin, domoic acid. Two water samples tested positive for this toxin. Shellfish samples from the area tested negative, along with all other shellfish samples collected throughout the Bay during the closure. Based on these negative results and the bloom’s decline, the closure is being lifted earlier than expected.

The state will continue to monitor Bay waters, collecting and analyzing samples twice a week.

The post Shellfishing ban on Narragansett Bay lifted – The Providence Journal appeared first on Selig Health.

From only 4 components is composed this beverage, and works flawlessly. Melts fat belly and butt extremely (22lb)

2016-10-15T11:35:00.003-07:00

Weight loss and weight maintenance could be a real challenge, especially for those who love to eat. Moreover, we are extremely busy, which means that spend very little time for regular physical activity, if indeed we have one.

You probably have heard about weight loss methods that have a rapid effect, but most of them are either very expensive or fail to give desired results.

The recipe, that we recommend here, is extremely favorable to burn stubborn fat deposits in the abdomen, but also to improve your overall health.

In addition, it combines healthy nutrients that stimulate your metabolism to burn fat faster and cleanses your body of toxins.

Best of all, this recipe is super fast effect and average, you could lose about 10 kg ( 22 lbs) of weight, when consumed regularly.

Recipe for burning fat

The recipe combines only 4 simple ingredients – aloe vera, lemon, ginger and honey, all of which are extremely good for health.

Aloe Vera is one of the best super foods in the world. Mainly due to the fact that it contains more than 75 active vitamins and minerals, and has a high nutritional value. Moreover, it has abundant amino acids and fatty acids. Aloe Vera stimulates the process of burning fat in the body, due to its antioxidants, which increase the rate of metabolism. Also promotes proper elimination of toxins from the body and improves digestion.

Lemon is not only rich in vitamin C, but it is overcrowded with it, and this is the reason why this citrus fruit is so effective in burning fat and converting them into energy for the body.

Ginger is one of the healthiest spices on the planet. It is rich in vitamin C, magnesium and other minerals, all of which contribute to the proper functioning of the body. For many years, it was used to improve digestion and immunity, for pain relief and the prevention of cardiovascular disease, asthma, etc.

Honey is not only a quick source of energy, it also supports the process of fat burning in the body. Furthermore, it improves the taste of this recipe.

Ingredients for a beverage:

. 1 cup of filtered water
. 2-3 tablespoons of aloe vera juice
. 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
. 1 teaspoon of ginger powder
. 1 tablespoon of honey

Method of preparation:

– Start with mixing 2-3 tablespoons aloe vera juice with a glass of filtered water.
– Add lemon juice, ginger powder and honey and mix well.
– For optimal results, drink this fat burning beverage on an empty stomach in the morning.

FHL

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