Health Briefs TV Wonders Why Women Can Handle the Flu Better than Men

Women, by nature, are stronger than men when it comes to handling illness better. They’re tougher and are the gender that takes care of their families. But this is just one reason why Health Briefs TV learns why women can handle the flu better than men.

The female body produces estrogen which in turn produces an enzyme which fights off infection.  Males do not produce this hormone which means their bodies are not equipped as well as women to fight off the flu virus. And then there are the other factors: women go to the doctor and get and take a prescription drug to kill the virus sooner. Their very make up is made to be the nurturer and therefore stronger than the males. Men tend to take to the bed longer and expect to be well taken care of when sick. Women spend less time in bed and do more when sick to keep the home running smoothly.  Men are not so good at accepting help, especially from medical professionals.

Health Briefs TV suggests men double up on vitamin C , drink plenty of fluids and get a decent amount of rest.  The flu season is expected to be bad this year even for those who get the flu shot. So ante up on the vitamins, sleep, hydrating liquids, eat healthy and get some moderate exercise. If flu symptoms crop up, go to the doctor and get a prescription to knock it out sooner.

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Health Briefs TV Knows Where the Fat Goes After Weight Loss

Breathe a sigh of relief. Drink some water. Cry tears of joy. Health Briefs TV learns where the fat goes after we lose weight.

Where does the fat go when we lose weight?  A group of Australian researchers followed the route of fat when it is broken down into its different parts. First, the chemical bonds are broken which released heat and fuel to muscles. The atoms, which is the fat actually, remains and much of it leaves the body via the lungs as carbon dioxide. Fat from food is stored in the body’s cells called adipocytes and further stored as a compound called triglyceride. This is made of three kinds of atoms: carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and when it breaks down, about a fifth of it forms water and the rest becomes carbon dioxide.

Health Briefs TV relays the water is excreted in sweat, urine, feces, breath and tears. The C02 is discharged through the lungs when we breathe, and can only be replaced by eating food and drinking beverages like juice. So where does the fat go when we lose weight? We breathe it out and we excrete it out. But we still have to exercise to boost weight loss. It also helps to reduce portion size and consume healthy foods.  Make a lifestyle change today that will lengthen life for years.

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Health Briefs TV on How to Prevent Getting Colds and the Flu

Offices are not the best places to work during cold and flu season. Open work environments and even those with cubicles are the perfect places for cold and flu germs to spread. Health Briefs TV offers some suggestions about how to prevent getting colds and the flu this season.

Wash your hands. The lesson we learned in early childhood still holds true today: wash your hands after using the bathroom and before touching any part of the face. Use warm water, if available, and soap and vigorously rub hands together for 15 seconds. Use a paper towels to dry them.

Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing. Cubicle walls do not stop the germs flying through the air. Ask co-workers to do the same. Keep tissues on your desk also. 

Get a flu shot. It takes two weeks after the injection for immunity to build so now is the best time to visit the pharmacy.  The strain of the flu which is circulating now is particularly dangerous to seniors.

Reduce chronic stress, reduce the amount of sugar consumed, reduce salt intake and quit smoking. All of these will further boost the body’s immune system which fights of the viruses that attack it.

Health Briefs TV also recommends eating a diet that is rich in vitamins, minerals, whole grains, lean meat and fish. Get off the sofa at home and walk around the neighborhood. Clean outdoor air is good for us. Finally, lead a meaningful life. It doesn’t have to be grand. Find something that is important to you and embrace it. All of these also help build stronger bodies which can fight off colds and the flu every year.

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Health Briefs TV and the Ten Most Healthy States in the U.S.

The Healthiest State in the U.S.

Where we live plays a large part in how healthy we are. Health Briefs TV takes a look at the ten healthiest U.S. states, as rated by United Healthcare Foundation, and how they made it to the top of the chart.

Nebraska has a low rate of drug deaths, a high rate of high school grads, a good rate of child immunizations. Although it is 10^th on the list, the western state has a high rate of binge drinking and large gap in health status by education level.

North Dakota is ninth on the list due to its low rate of drug-related deaths, high immunization rate for teens and lower rate of low birth weight.

Colorado is one of those states with an abundance of outdoor activities which is why it is in eighth place. The state has lower numbers of obesity and diabetes and the lowest in the country.

New Hampshire has a high rate of active residents, a low rate of infectious diseases, and low infant mortality rates, which is why it is seventh on the list.

Minnesota may be a terribly close place in the winter but it came in sixth place for the lowest obesity and diabetes rates in the nation, as well as having a low rate of drug deaths.

Utah is fifth. This state has a low number of people who smoke, 2^nd lowest diabetes rates in the country, and a low percentage of children in poverty.

Connecticut is fourth because the state has a low prevalence of smoking,  a high immunization rate among children, and a low occupational fatalities rate.

Massachusetts is third as it most noted by researchers of having more residents with health insurance than other states. 

Vermont is one of the healthiest states in the U.S. High school graduations are up, children living in poverty is down, violent crimes and binge drinking rates are also down.

Hawaii is the healthiest state in the U.S. Obesity, cancer and preventable hospitalization rates are all down. The percentage of smokers hs gone down by 21% in the last year. Health Briefs TV applauds each of these states for their great work in helping residents achieve overall health and wellness.

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Health Briefs TV Reviews Who Can Get Blood Clots

Most people know that blood clots can occur when we sit in one position for too long and when we lie still for too long. Health Briefs TV reviews the other ways we can be affected by a life threatening blood clot.

 Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) develops when a blood clot occurs deep in your body, usually in a leg, and travels to the lungs. This can happen after surgery or sitting for a very long flight. Results of blood clots are called venous thromboembolism and can cause fatal blockages of blood flow in the lungs. It is imperative that we know what the other risk factors are so a blood clot can be prevented.

Premature birth is a risk factor for infants, children and young adults to developing VTE which can affect DVT and other types of blood clots.

The genetic background of a person is also a risk factor when there is a history of factor V Leiden and deficiencies of proteins C and S.

Cancer, traumatic brain injury, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy and childbirth, and vitamin D deficiency are other risk factors which can cause a fatal blood clot. Health Briefs TV suggests talking to a family physician if any of these risk factors affect you.

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Health Briefs TV and the Benefits and Risks of Aspirin Therapy

Doctors have been touting the taking of a daily aspirin every day to reduce the occurrence of heart problems. For most people, this works just fine. For others though, it can cause gastrointestinal bleeding and other medical problems. Health Briefs TV reviews the benefits and risks of taking an aspirin every day.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has found in prevention studies that aspirin reduces the risk for heart attack by 32% for men and 17% for women. Other studies have found that some women who took an aspirin every day suffered from gastrointestinal bleeding, which is a side effect of using it for an extended period of time.

If there is a family history of heart disease or cancer, patients are encouraged to discuss the risks of aspirin therapy with their doctors. The American Heart Association and American Cancer Society do not recommend aspirin therapy for people with an increased risk for either of the diseases.  The Health Briefs TV encourages readers, and especially women, to discuss the benefits and risks before going on it. Women are at a greater risk for gastrointestinal problems than men and may not want to begin it.

Aspirin blocks inflammation, which is studies show as the root cause for heart disease and cancer. Inflammation is the body’s responsive element. It can cause damage but taking a low-dose aspirin everyday can reduce that. Always check with a doctor before taking any over-the-counter medication to be sure it will not interfere with prescriptions.

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Health Briefs TV with an Update for Flu Season

Last year’s flu epidemic left many people seriously ill for longer than necessary. This year, a new strand of the flu virus is active. Health Briefs TV reminds readers how to lower the chance of catching the flu virus and what to do if one thinks they have it.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control report that only 48% of the flu virus samples taken through last month were related to this year’s North American vaccine. While this may be a little alarming, it is imperative to note that this year’s flu shot still provides some level of protection. It covers several strains of the virus, including H1N1 and several strains of influenza B, which is strong match with current viruses. The Health Briefs TV show encourages readers to get the flu shot.

The medical community provides treatments for people who develop flu symptoms that can reduce the severity of the illness and shorten the length of time one is sick at home. Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) lower the flu virus’ ability to reproduce and they are effective on almost all strains of the flu. If symptoms are apparent, visit the doctor for advice and prescribed medications. Have a healthier year.

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Health Briefs TV Shares Infant News

Nothing in this crib will suffocate this beautiful infant

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS is a fatal and devastating problem for many new parents. Yet it can be prevented. Health Briefs TV shares valuable information about how to prevent this heart-breaking concern.

The number one way parents and caretakers can prevent SIDS is to remove blankets, pillows, sheets, soft, crib bumpers, and other loose bedding from cribs as they can cause an infant to suffocate. Other factors which could cause accidental suffocation are keeping soft toys in the crib and sharing a bed with parents. All of these instances are preventable. To avoid a death from SIDS, remove all of the above from anyplace an infant sleeps.

The National Institutes of Health reports that the number of cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome has been reduced by roughly fifty percent since 1993 when it was first publicized. The Health Briefs TV show urges readers to double check the cribs and bassinettes where infants sleep to be sure there is nothing in them which could accidently suffocate the baby. There is nothing more tragic than the loss of a newborn when it could have been prevented.

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Health Briefs TV on How to Avoid Being Bloated

Nothing is as uncomfortable as being bloated. The extended belly, the tighter than usual jeans, and the stiffness can make one feel like they’ve just swallowed the Goodyear Blimp. Health Briefs TV offers some suggestions about how to avoid being bloated.

We can attest to the fact that eating too fast causes bloating.  Excessive air enters the mouth and works its way down to the stomach when we rush a meal. When we hurry to finish eating, we also don’t chew food well and larger pieces of it sit in the stomach waiting to be digested. This can leave us feeling stuffed. Slow down. It takes 20 minutes for the brain to register fullness. And that’s really not a long time.

Soda, also called pop in some parts of the country, is a carbonated drink. The tiny bubbles which we love in the drink cause bloating in the stomach. Sometimes, drinking soda through a straw can make this worse. To lessen the bubbles, pour carbonated beverages in a cup with ice cubes and let it sit on the counter or desk for a little while before drinking.

Sandwiches are usually loaded with sodium which can cause bloating. From the bread to the meat, cheese and veggies in them, the sodium in a Sammie can cause uncomfortable bloating.

Health Briefs TV also suggests avoiding low-fat or low-calorie foods which contain artificial sweeteners since they can sit in the stomach a long time and wreak havoc.

Banish the bloat by eating healthier foods more slowly.

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How to Not Over Eat During the Holidays from Health Briefs TV

Oh how good the home cooked meals are. We know how hard it is to be careful what we eat during the holidays. Health Briefs TV offers a few thoughts about to not overeat during the holidays.

It is okay to indulge on the holiday itself but not on the days before and after it. Over indulging throughout Thanksgiving week and the weeks leading up to and including Christmas, Hanukah and New Year’s Day can derail anyone’s weight loss plan or wellness routine. But do enjoy the special dishes people like to make.

Take plenty of walks before and after meals with family members and friends. This is the nicest way to spend quality time with someone you haven’t seen in a while.

If there is a lot of fatty, carb and calorie-laden food on the table, take small portions of it.  A small portion should be no bigger than the palm of the hand.

The Health Briefs TV show suggests snacking on veggies and low-fat or healthful dips and spreads. Make your own to take with you or borrow a car and head to the store for the ingredients.

Over eating throughout the holiday season can wreak havoc on a healthy lifestyle or weight loss plan, Think ahead and prepare to not over eat.

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Health Briefs TV Debunks Some Metabolism Myths

The great debate on metabolism includes thoughts such as the age in which it slows down, men have a faster one and it can’t be changed. Health Briefs TV is pleased to debunk some of these common myths.

A slow metabolism is thought to be the main culprit for weight gain and lack of weight loss. In fact, what we eat and how much activity we get daily has more to do with weight gain and loss. A slow or fast metabolism doesn’t really factor into it, according to many health care professionals. Take time to prepare more healthful meals at home and at the very least, take a good walk after dinner.

Another common misconception about metabolism is that it slows down at age 30. Actually, it slows down at around 40 years of age.  We tend to lose muscle in our forties and muscles burn more calories than fat. The good news is that we can change this with exercise and specifically exercise using resistance bands which help tone muscle.

People who claim to have a fast metabolism probably have the same metabolism rate as the rest of us. Men too. The truth is that some people are healthier eaters and compensate when they overeat or eat less healthy. The HealthBriefs TV show believes we can kick our metabolism if we just become a little more active.

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Health Briefs TV Explains Fevers and Its Origins

Digital thermometers work great for taking a temp

A fever can signify many health conditions from the flu to heat stroke. Health Briefs TV explains fevers and its origins.

A normal temperature starts at 98.6 and can go up to 100.2 degrees. Healthcare professionals consider an elevated temperature to be 100.4. There are a variety of reasons as to why a healthy person’s temperature could rise above 100.4:

• Women experiencing menstruation will have a fluctuating temperature depending on where they are in their monthly cycle.
• Heat stoke can cause a body temperature to rise above 104.
• People who are coming down with flu will have an elevated temperature.
• Viral and bacterial infections can cause a fever.
• Some medications can cause a fever.

Health Briefs TV encourages readers who travel internationally to be aware that airports screening passengers for fevers with handheld devices may believe the traveler could have been exposed to Ebola.  Know what can cause a body’s temperature to rise and counter misinformation with facts. Fevers can originate from a variety of sources. Shouldn’t the people scanning travelers for fevers know the facts before making erroneous decisions that affect people’s lives in adverse ways? And shouldn’t U.S. state governments know them too? Ignorance and lack of information cause hysteria and hysteria harbors irrational fears. This helps no one.

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