Community News & Information Network

Are Men Really As Healthy As They Say They Are?

2007-06-13T10:22:00.000-05:00

Many of us are concerned about our health and taking steps to ensure a long and happy life. The first step is being honest with yourself and address any health related issues.

For me, it was admitting that I needed to lose some weight.

As the article below indicates, many men aren't honest about their health.

Survey Reveals Current Trends in Men's Health
(NewsUSA) - Men in the United States may not be as healthy as they say they are. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate cases of testicular and colorectal cancer have been on the rise for more than a decade. According to a recent survey commissioned by the American Academy of Family Physicians and conducted by Harris Interactive, almost one in five men age 55+ have not received the recommended screening for colon cancer. And, while 79 percent of the men surveyed said they are in excellent, very good or good health, 42 percent have been diagnosed with at least one of the following chronic conditions: high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, cancer or diabetes.

One of the biggest obstacles to improving men's healthcare is men themselves, the survey indicates. Among the findings:

* Twenty-nine percent of men said they wait as long as possible before seeing a doctor when they feel sick, are in pain or are concerned about their health.

* Men spend an average of 19 hours a week watching television, and more than 4 hours a week watching sports, but only 38 percent of men exercise on a regular basis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates more than 71 percent of men are overweight.

But not all is bad news. Among those men surveyed who indicated they had a spouse/significant other, 78 percent said their spouse or significant other has influence over their decision to go to the doctor. But, what kind of doctor should a man see?

The Academy of Family Physicians recommends that all men have a personal family physician who knows their medical history and is their first point of contact for medical care.

In addition to diagnosing and treating illnesses, family physicians provide routine checkups, health-risk assessments, immunization and screening tests, and personalized counseling on healthy lifestyle choices. They also manage chronic illnesses and coordinate care, when necessary, with other specialists.

For more information on men's health, visit www.familydoctor.org. For survey methodology, please contact the Academy of Family Physicians Public Relations Department.

Article reprinted with permission from NewsUSA.

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Personal Finance 101: Saving Money Before and During College

2007-05-29T14:02:00.000-05:00

College is supposed to plan us for our future but most of us don't plan for our finacial futre. Since college is expensive it's important to plan on how you will save money before and after college.

Personal Finance 101: Saving Money Before and During College
(NewsUSA) - College applications are in, and students around the country are excited about starting a new chapter of their lives.

But even with a university destination determined, one question remains unanswered for many young scholars: How am I going to pay for all this?

According to the College Board, the average yearly cost for a public college is $5,836, and the cost for a private college is more than $22,000. So when you're planning your educational future, it's a good idea to create a clear financial plan before you ever set foot on campus.

Here are some smart tips to get your financial house in order before you head off to college:

* Make a plan and stick to it. Draft a budget well in advance of enrolling in school. Also, consider contacting your bank to automatically set aside funds into a separate savings account designated for college expenses. With the fluctuating costs of books and living expenses, it's smart to have a little money tucked away for a rainy day.

* Research financial aid. During your senior year of high school, research financial aid options and mail your applications early. Sites like www.finaid.org can help students determine the programs they may be eligible for.

* Look into corporate scholarships. Scholarships are offered by many large companies, so do your homework.

Mercedes-Benz USA, for instance, has offered a scholarship program called Drive Your Future, which has awarded more than $3.5 million in scholarships since the program launched four years ago.

The scholarships are given to students who are the first in their families to attend college. In 2007 alone, 62 high school seniors will be awarded $10,000 scholarships.

Once your financial plans are prepared, the battle isn't over yet. Keep these tips in mind for staying on track during college:

* Get a prepaid credit card. Prepaid cards help ensure that you won't overspend your budget, simply because you won't have the option of carrying a balance.

* Stay organized. Financial software programs help track your expenses and prevent miscalculations. Many computers come with these types of programs preinstalled, so you may not have to purchase any additional software.

* Stretch your dollar. Learn to make your money last with economical solutions for food, books and other expenses.

For instance, save money on textbooks by checking for deals online, and on food by buying nonperishable items in bulk. When you need furniture, check the classifieds and similar Web sites regularly. College towns are hotbeds for moving sales.

Overall, treat college not as a time for going into debt, but as a time of careful financial planning that will pay off in the future.

Article reprinted with permission from NewsUSA.

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Community News & Information Network is an ItsTheRightWay.com business. Its Terms and Conditions as well as its Privacy Satement apply to this blog.

Tips on Preparing for Emergencies

2007-05-12T18:28:00.000-05:00

Many of us will face an emergency at some point in our lives. Hopefully they won't be a disaster like the one faced by the residents of New Orleans.
Below is an article provided by NewsUsa that provides tips for preparing for an emergency.

(NewsUSA) - Disasters are often unpredictable. Whether it's a hurricane, tornado or something else entirely, planning ahead can keep you and your family safe.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors offers a few simple steps Americans can take to prepare for severe weather and other disasters:

* Create a family emergency plan. This is the only way to ensure that you and your family members know what to do when a disaster strikes. Consider different scenarios. For example, your family may not be together at the time. How will you get in touch with one another? Where will you meet? Knowing the emergency plans for your city or town, your workplace and your child's school or daycare can help you prepare.

* Sign up for direct deposit. If you receive Social Security or other federal benefits by check, consider switching to direct deposit. In addition to providing important protection against identity theft and fraud, direct deposit is the most reliable option for those living in communities where severe weather and other disasters can displace people from their homes.

Following Hurricane Katrina, for example, seniors and others who were already using direct deposit for their Social Security payments had immediate access to their funds from virtually anywhere, thanks to automated teller machines and financial institution networks.

For information about signing up for direct deposit of your Social Security or other federal benefit payment, call 800-333-1795 or log on to www.GoDirect.org.

* Prepare an emergency kit. Whether you need to evacuate your home quickly or remain indoors until a threat passes, an emergency kit can mean more time to focus your attention on the other important decisions you will need to make. Make sure the kit includes several days' worth of basic supplies: food, water and proper clothing.

* Identify your first call for help. After a major disaster, calling people outside of your immediate vicinity can sometimes be easier than trying to reach those with local numbers. Designate one trusted family member or friend living in a different part of the country that you and your family members can call.

This person can help coordinate communication among your family in the event that you are separated, and can provide you with vital information you may not be able to access during an emergency.

Article reprinted with permission from NewsUSA.

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The Piano Man Rocks in St. Paul

2007-05-10T18:14:00.000-05:00

St. Paul, MN
05/10/2007

Billy Joel rocked to 19,000 fans at St. Paul's Excel Energy Center on Wednesday night. It was the legends 58th birthday and the last leg of his concert tour. Joel is taking a few months off before touring again.

WOW! What a great concert. The Piano Man can still rock the house and he's in his 4th decade of performing.

This was my third Billy Joel concert and I enjoyed it just as much as the two shows that I attended over 20 years ago.

I attended the concert with my wife and it was her first Billy Joel concert. She thought that the concert was "amazing". It was really great to see the joy, excitement and enthusiasm on her face.

Her joy showed me that Joel was putting on a show that only he is accustomed to performing. He's a great entertainer.

My wife has been a fan of Joel's for over 15 years and was eager to see him in concert. This show fulfilled all her expectations.

Our seats were on the floor which meant that we stood for the entire 2 1/2 hour show. I usually hate standing but I was having so much fun dancing, rocking and singing that it felt like I was only standing for 30 minutes.

Almost every fan was enjoying the concert as much as us and they were also dancing, rocking and singing to Joel's incredible show.

The fans just couldn't get enough of the show. It was one of those concerts that had us leaving with a great feeling and wanting more of this legend.

My first concert in the mid 1980's was great but having been a fan of Joel's for over 20 years, it was awesome to see that Joel can still put on a great show for his fans.

Joel performed most of his classics and ended the concert and the second encore with The Piano Man to everyone's delight. You could tell that the crowd was anxiously waiting for him to perform the song that defines this entertainer.

Joel is a master piano player. Incredible is the word that describes his talent as a piano player. To hear him play live is a joy that all music fans should have the opportunity of witnessing.

If I have to pick anything negative, it's that Joel didn't play Uptown Girl. I did expect that he wouldn't, after all Christie Brinkley, his first wife and former Supermodel was the inspiration behind the song. The couple divorced in 1994.

If you are new to Billy Joel's music, pick up Billy Joel Greatest Hits and witness the legend of Billy Joel.

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Poor Sleep Affects Accuracy, Attitude on the Job

2007-05-07T19:56:00.000-05:00

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Poor Sleep Affects Accuracy, Attitude on the Job

(NewsUSA) - If you've been burning the midnight oil, you may soon be burning out at work.

According to a recent national survey by the Better Sleep Council, eight out of 10 Americans report at least one negative work-related side effect as a direct result of sleep deprivation.

Respondents reported most often that the quality of their work was affected by lack of sleep, as was their ability to think clearly, exercise good judgment and generally be in a pleasant mood.

"A perception today is that you can accomplish more if you spend less time sleeping, but limited sleep can affect every aspect of your life," said Dr. Bert Jacobson, Better Sleep Council spokesman and author of a new Oklahoma State University study on mattresses and sleep quality, which was recently published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. "In fact, sleep deprivation impacts your level of alertness, your productivity and your ability to interact with colleagues and customers on the job."

Only 27 percent of Americans get the recommended eight hours of sleep each night, impacting not only their health but the economy as well. Due to employees' lack of quality sleep, U.S. businesses reportedly lose nearly $150 billion annually in absenteeism and lost productivity.

More alarming, when it comes to fighting fatigue during the day, only 13 percent of Americans say they are willing to make the commitment to get more sleep in order to feel more awake and productive at work. But many consumers fail to realize that improving the quality and quantity of sleep can be as easy as buying a new mattress.

According to Jacobson's study, sleep quality is directly affected by the quality of a person's mattress.

For a good night's sleep, the Better Sleep Council reminds consumers to evaluate their mattress every five to seven years for optimum comfort and support, and replace if necessary.

Follow these tips from the Better Sleep Council to help improve your quality of sleep, and thereby live a happier, healthier and more productive life, both in and out of the workplace:

* Stick to a sleep schedule. Make sleep a priority by scheduling eight hours of sleep each night and maintain a consistent schedule, even on the weekend.

* Kick the caffeine habit. Avoid tea, coffee and soft drinks close to bedtime; research shows that caffeine interferes with getting a good night's sleep.

* Invest in rest. You spend one-third of your life in bed, so when you do need to buy a new mattress, be sure to choose one that is of the highest quality and comfort you can afford.

For more tips and information on better sleep, visit www.bettersleep.org.

Article reprinted with permission from NewsUSA.

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2007-05-06T17:59:00.000-05:00

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