Air Ambulance Network: Want your Kids to Eat Healthy? Talk to Mom.

advanced air ambulance, aeromedical transport, air ambulance, air ambulance companies, air ambulance company, air ambulance cost, air ambulance flights, air ambulance insurance, air ambulance jobs, air ambulance network, air ambulance nurse, air ambulance safety, air ambulance service, air ambulance services, air ambulance specialists, air ambulance stretcher, air ambulance transportation, air ambulances, air medical services, air medical transport, emergency air ambulance, flight air ambulance, global air ambulance, international air ambulance, med flight air ambulance, medical air transport, medical air transportation, us air ambulance, worldwide air ambulanceWhen you watch the local news or various daytime programs on the big networks, you sometimes hear stories about children that are already morbidly obese and/or partaking in horrific diets. Sadly, this seems to be getting more common; not less. As our high-speed lives encourage us to purchase meals from unhealthy drive-throughs and eat junk food all the time, it seems like a never-ending spiral.

How can you break this trend? Air Ambulance Network believes you can. There are several ways to go about it, but the most effective route comes from Mom. That’s right: apparently mothers’ diets have the most pronounced influence on their childrens’ eating habits. the following article from the Global Healing Center will tell you more about this fascinating study.

Mothers’ Diets Have Biggest Influence on Children Eating Healthy, Study Suggests

Every once in a great while, a perfect child is born. One who never cries, sleeps all night, and gladly eats whatever food you choose to put in front of them.

But unfortunately for most of us with children, developing lifestyle habits, such as a healthy appreciation for nutritious fruits and vegetables, usually requires years of continual work.

New information recently releasedby researchers at Michigan State University’s College of Nursing helps to shed some light on the problem of establishing healthy dietary preferences in young children, and more importantly, may help both parents and medical professionals find more effective ways to approach it successfully.

Does Your Diet Really Affect Your Child’s?

In order to better understand the connection between mother’s dietary habits, and those of their children, researchers questioned almost 400 low-income women from all over the state with pre-school-aged children then currently enrolled in educational head start programs.

They found that the children whose mothers ate fewer than four servings of fruits and vegetables per week were less likely to consume the recommended number of servings themselves. Perhaps more interesting, was their discovery that children who were viewed as “picky eaters” by their mothers were also likely to consume an inadequate number of servings per week, regardless of the mother’s own dietary habits.

This has led the researchers behind the study to speculate on improved methods for encouraging better eating habits in children. Many nutritional specialists have become increasingly focused on making healthy foods appear fun and therefore more appealing to kids. And while a certain amount of progress has been made following this approach, it is far from a stand-alone solution.

Tips for Being a Better Influence for Your Child’s Diet

In today’s busy world, it’s easy to fall into a routine of serving your family convenience foods — especially when dealing with young children and toddlers, whose taste buds can be very difficult to please.

Still, the importance of developing smart dietary habits early in life cannot be overstated. Without a balanced and varied diet, growing bodies don’t get the vitamins and minerals they need to thrive.

By focusing directly on the food choices of mothers, experts may be able better influence the diets of their children. This is likely due to a combination of positive modeling and increased access to more nutritious foods.

There’s more to it than just working a few extra vegetables into dinner. (Although cooking meals at home instead of eating out every night is a smart first step for some.) Make sure that fresh snack options are also readily available for those in-between bouts of hunger. Not only is this better for your family’s health, replacing prepacked commercial snack products with seasonal organic fruits and vegetables or raw nuts and seeds is a great way to save money in the checkout line.

Parent’s of so-called “picky eaters” should also keep in mind that some children may need to be exposed to a given food as many as 15 times before they are able to decide whether or not they like it. So don’t give up just yet on convincing your little one that broccoli is good. In the long run, it’ll be worth the effort.

 

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Sports Injury Prevention

advanced air ambulance, aeromedical transport, air ambulance, air ambulance companies, air ambulance company, air ambulance cost, air ambulance flights, air ambulance insurance, air ambulance jobs, air ambulance network, air ambulance nurse, air ambulance safety, air ambulance service, air ambulance services, air ambulance specialists, air ambulance stretcher, air ambulance transportation, air ambulances, air medical services, air medical transport, emergency air ambulance, flight air ambulance, global air ambulance, international air ambulance, med flight air ambulance, medical air transport, medical air transportation, us air ambulance, worldwide air ambulancePhysical exercise is a wonderful prevention tool against many conditions and diseases. While not all sports were created equal, but most involve lots of activity, burning calories and getting your body moving. Unfortunately, they can also be the source of considerable injury.

Almost no one likes a big book of rules, so we’ll keep it simple. The following article from About.com gives six tips to help you out. Follow these and have a good time out there!

How to Prevent Sports Injuries

Following are some general rules for injury prevention no matter what sport you play. While it is impossible to prevent every injury, research suggests that injury rates could be reduced by 25% if athletes took appropriate preventative action, including:

  1. Be in proper physical condition to play a sport.
    Keep in mind the weekend warrior has a high rate of injury. If you play any sports, you should adequately train for that sport. It is a mistake to expect the sport itself to get you into shape. Many injuries can be prevented by following a regular conditioning program of exercises designed specifically for your sport.
  2. Know and abide by the rules of the sport.
    The rules are designed, in part, to keep things safe. This is extremely important for anyone who participates in a contact sport. Rules of conduct, including illegal blocks and tackles are enforced to keep athletes healthy. Know them. Follow them.
  3. Wear appropriate protective gear and equipment.
    Protective pads, mouth guards, helmets, gloves and other equipment is not for sissies. Protective equipment that fits you well can safe your knees, hands, teeth, eyes, and head. Never play without your safety gear.
  4. Rest.
    Athletes with high consecutive days of training, have more injuries. While many athletes think the more they train, the better they’ll play, this is a misconception. Rest is a critical component of proper training. Rest can make you stronger and prevent injuries of overuse, fatigue and poor judgement.
  5. Always warm up before playing.
    Warm muscles are less susceptible to injuries. The proper warm up is essential for injury prevention. Make sure your warm up suits your sport. You may simply start your sport slowly, or practice specific stretching or mental rehearsal depending upon your activity. (See: The warm up)
  6. Avoid playing when very tired or in pain.
    This is a set-up far a careless injury. Pain indicates a problem. You need to pay attention to warning signs your body provides.

Research provides us with helpful clues about the cause of sports injury. There are two factors that outweigh the rest when it comes to predicting a sports injury. They are:

  • Having a history of injury. Previous injuries to a muscle, or joint tend to develop into chronic problem areas for many athletes. It is extremely important to warm up, and stretch previously injured parts.
  • A high number of consecutive days of training. Recovery days reduce injury rates by giving muscles and connective tissues an opportunity to repair between training sessions

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The Top 5 Alternatives to Traditional Health Insurance with Air Ambulance Network

advanced air ambulance, aeromedical transport, air ambulance, air ambulance companies, air ambulance company, air ambulance cost, air ambulance flights, air ambulance insurance, air ambulance jobs, air ambulance network, air ambulance nurse, air ambulance safety, air ambulance service, air ambulance services, air ambulance specialists, air ambulance stretcher, air ambulance transportation, air ambulances, air medical services, air medical transport, emergency air ambulance, flight air ambulance, global air ambulance, international air ambulance, med flight air ambulance, medical air transport, medical air transportation, us air ambulance, worldwide air ambulanceMillions of American citizens are uninsured, and this can have a direct impact on their lives. But you don’t have to use a classic super expensive plan to cover yourself. We’re presented with more choices than ever when it comes to products and services out in the marketplace as a whole, and fortunately the health insurance field has options too!

Whether it’s health savings accounts, medical tourism, catastrophic policies or something of the like, there are alternatives out there, and you don’t have to take the hit up front. Bankruptcy is never a pretty thing, but a huge medical bill can throw a real wrench in your life without insurance and bring about financial ruin. Look into this entry from healthnews.com to learn more!

Top 5 Alternatives to Traditional Health Insurance

In today’s economy, it’s the fortunate minority that has both a job and medical benefits. In fact, the number of uninsured Americans has continued to rise, and at last count numbered 50 million. And those with the least resources, the unemployed, are experiencing a high rate of medical debt.

There are no easy answers. In time, the economy will turn around, the Affordable Care Act will help some get benefits, but others may be left out in the cold. Without the resources to pay for COBRA insurance when they lose a job, or to purchase a private insurance policy, many Americans need alternatives for both everyday health issues and more complicated surgical-related problems. Options are limited, but here are a few possibilities that may provide a middle ground.

(1) High Deductible, Catastrophic Policies

With the high cost of traditional full-service policies, many prefer to opt out of insurance altogether, but there are certain policies that will help defray costs should you have a larger, or catastrophic, medical condition. And it is these policies that just may allow you to keep your home and never have to visit a bankruptcy attorney when you cannot pay your medical bills.

High deductible, catastrophic policies cover unexpected situations, such as breaking a leg while skiing, a heart attack followed by quadruple bypass surgery, a stroke, or a cancer diagnosis and treatment. They generally do not cover routine office visits, prescriptions, or your monthly diabetes equipment.

You pay a monthly fee for the insurance, and should an injury or illness befall you, once you have paid an agreed-upon deductible, the policy kicks in to pay the medical bills.  For healthy individuals who rarely see a doctor, these policies allow peace of mind.  Policies are available from most major insurance companies, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Healthcare.

(2) Medical Tourism

Medical tourism is a new trend in health care, not to mention one of the fastest growing healthcare industries, where patients choose to travel outside the United States for medical procedures.

The primary factor in medical tourism is cost, plain and simple. For the underinsured and uninsured, medical tourism provides choices in quality medical care at more affordable prices than they can get in the United States. Even with travel expenses included, patients still come out well ahead in out-of-pocket expenses, as procedures are 30 to 90 percent cheaper abroad (varies by country and procedure).

The type of procedures offered abroad is lengthy, and the list of countries where medical tourism is an option is mind-boggling. You can get the same standard of care, often under U.S. trained physicians, and in hospitals that have been accredited by the Joint Commission, the same agency that accredits hospitals in the United States.

Obtaining health care in foreign countries is, according to the book Patients Beyond Borders by Josef Woodman, less costly for a number of reasons: standards of living are more modest, doctors and staff command lower wages, government-subsidized health care keeps private health care costs down, and malpractice attorneys are, if not docile, at least considerably more restrained. A fortuitous confluence of actions that allow medical tourism to flourish across the world.

While you can arrange all aspects of a trip abroad for medical services, many opt to use a medical tourism facilitator. Medical tourism facilitators are a new breed; assisting patients, employers, and insurers in finding trusted overseas facilities. The advantage of using a facilitator is their expertise and knowledge, and referrals to accredited and certified foreign providers. While there are a large number of facilitators, finding a reputable one can be difficult. Try Healthbase: Healthcare Beyond Boundaries, an award-winning facilitator which operates in the U.S.; Med Retreat, also based in the U.S. which serves all of North America in making arrangements for medical services in 10 countries abroad; Planet Hospital, which has almost 10 years experience is a pioneer in medical tourism; or,WorldMed Assist.

(3) Medical Discount Savings Cards

With a medical discount savings card, membership entitles you and your family to access negotiated network rates, similar to those that many major insurers currently pay for services. This can mean a savings of up to 85 percent on doctor, lab, pharmacy and hospital services. These programs can be used as a stand-alone plan, or in conjunction with a high deductible health insurance plan.

There are several of these cards available and most are the same. The difference comes down to service. One of our favorites (and, in the interest of full disclosure, one of our sponsors) is the Fitz Card, developed byPrecis Health Care. Precis charges a one-time application fee of $10, then a set monthly fee. There are two levels of service: $19.99 and $39.99, both of which include coverage for doctor, hospital, dental, vision, prescription services, hearing aids, vitamins and diabetic supplies, and a nurse hotline.

There are no restrictions for pre-existing conditions with medical discount savings cards, unlike most traditional health insurers, and you are free to use the program services as often as you like.

Similar to major insurance providers, programs like the Fitz Card restrict use to the thousands of providers within their network. You must pay for the services yourself—there is no co-pay—but, in return, there are no insurance forms to fill out.

(4) Medical Sharing Program

This is a pooled resource program where members pay a monthly fee and share in each others’ healthcare costs. Some are small and locally based, others, such as [fill in] are larger covering 30,000-40,000 members.

Monthly fees are low, typically less than $250 for a family of 4, and there are no large deductibles. Many sharing plans require an “incident fee” as each health issue arises, which is similar to a co-pay. Anything above and beyond can be submitted for reimbursement from the program.

Some medical sharing programs encourage and reward healthy lifestyles, which can mean additional discounts, and will offer health coaches to those who are suffering from ongoing or chronic healthcare issues.

Often these programs have pre-negotiated discounts with physicians and hospitals, reducing rates to those similar to what a typical insurance company would pay. There are exclusions, primarily for elective surgery and faith-based medical sharing programs may also exclude birth control and abortion.

NOTE: Some medical share programs are claiming an exemption from the federal government’s mandate that all Americans be insured by 2014. Members of those programs will not be required to carry insurance when the health reform’s individual mandate kicks in.

(5)Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

Technically, HSAs are not a stand-alone product; they are used in conjunction with a High-Deductible Policy (see above). Created in 2003, their purpose is to help individuals with high-deduction policies save for medical expenses and eliminate the tax burden on those funds. Money invested in an HSA can be pre-tax and money withdrawn from an HSA to pay for qualified medical expenses is also tax-free. Additionally, employers can contribute to an employee’s HSA as part of their benefits package.

HSAs can be used for almost any legitimate medical expense or procedure, including doctor’s visits, surgery, long-term care, prescription and OTC drugs, vision, walking and hearing aids, and even alternative medicine (acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic) in some cases.

Consumers decide how much to invest per year in an account, which can rollover to future years without loss of benefits. They can also control how the money in the account is invested, much like an IRA (stocks, bonds, mutual funds).

HSAs can be set up with a number of qualified administrators, often a bank or insurance-related company, such as Chase, State Farm, Farmers, and HealthEquity, or with a specific HSA administrator such as Health Savings Administrators, HSA Trustee Services or HSA Resources.

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Why do Doctors Order so Many Tests, Anyhow?

Healthcare in America is a contentious subject for many. It involves multiple areas of our lives and it’s such a personal concern that many avoid discussing it whenever possible. Meanwhile, insurance premiums continue to rise year after year.

There are numerous causes for this, but could one of them be over-testing and over-prescription? The Well Blog asks the question with boldness and seeks the source of excessive testing in the medical field. Find out more here:

Why Doctors Order So Many Tests

One afternoon when I was running later than usual, I recognized a familiar face among the patients waiting to see me. A voluble newspaper fanatic, the gentleman, in his 70s, was usually eager to discuss the latest headlines with me. That day, however, he was remarkably quiet. He was suffering from the flu. “I’m reallyfeeling no good,” he rasped.

After hearing about his symptoms and examining him, I suggested fluids, rest and maybe a cough suppressant and nasal decongestant. I saw the corners of his eyes and mouth fall. I understood.

He was waiting for me to offer him a prescription, or to order more tests.

I knew that he didn’t really need blood drawn or a chest X-ray, and he certainly didn’t need antibiotics for the virus that was causing his symptoms. But I also knew what would happen if I took the time to explain why and to answer all the questions that would no doubt follow: irritated looks from other patients, the staff or even my colleagues because of the time I spent with one patient.

Offering unnecessary care would, in fact, be faster.

Later, when I bumped into a senior colleague and explained my quandary, he simply shrugged. “In training, the most important lesson they teach you is when not to do something,” he said. “But in real life, it’s all about staying out of trouble and surviving.

“Even if that means ordering things you might not think necessary,” he added with a wink.

I recalled my colleague’s words this week when I read a study about the excessive and unnecessary care patients receive and how their doctors feel about it.

For several decades now, researchers have pointed to excessive care as an important factor behind spiraling health care costs. Some studies have estimated that up to 30 percent of the care delivered to patients in the United States is unnecessary, and sometimes even harmful. More and more policy makers and insurers have been addressing the overuse problem like a calorie-reduction plan to lose weight, arguing that eliminating excess from our medical diet is critical to streamlining our corpulent health care system.

But as anyone who has ever tried to shed pounds knows, deciding to cut extra calories is one thing. What happens at the table is an entirely different matter.

This week’s Archives of Internal Medicine offers a glimpse of what happens at one “table” of health care: the primary care doctor’s office. Researchers analyzed more than 600 responses to a nationwide mail survey that went out to primary care doctors and found that nearly half of them believed that patients in their practice were receiving too much care. Almost a third acknowledged that it wasn’t just other providers at fault; it was also their own way of providing care.

“Doctors aren’t oblivious to what is going on,” said Dr. Brenda Sirovich, the lead author and an associate professor of medicine in the Outcomes Group at the White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Vermont and at the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice. “They recognize that something is wrong.”

The doctors surveyed attributed the pressure to overtreat patients primarily to three factors. Almost half believed that inadequate time allotted to patients led them to order more tests or refer to specialists. More than three-quarters also believed that the fear of being sued or perceived as not doing enough put undue pressure on them to order more. A doctor might, for example, order an unnecessary CT scan for a patient who had only a minor forehead bruise from a fall but a perfect neurologic exam.

Most notably, more than half the doctors believed that the current quality measures and clinical guidelines endorsed by health care experts and insurers as a way to rein in excesses were in fact having the opposite effect. The guidelines might, for example, require that patients with high blood pressure and diabetes have a specific blood test every three months and take high blood pressure medications as soon as their blood pressure exceeds 140. Because insurers are increasingly linking payment to these guidelines, physicians must strictly follow the quality measures to be paid, regardless of the patient’s specific situation. Ironically, most of these quality measures are based on, well, more testing and treatments.

“Guidelines in general set a bar for not enough care,” Dr. Sirovich said. “There aren’t any guidelines that set a bar for too much care.”

Others have proposed that doctors might prescribe unnecessary care for financial gain, but only 3 percent of doctors in this study believed their decisions were based on a desire to generate extra revenue. Dr. Calvin Chou, author of an editorial accompanying the study and a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, believes that overtreating patients stems not from an active desire to do or gain something, but rather from a sense of overwhelming helplessness.

“Many doctors feel like they are on a treadmill and are running scared because of malpractice and having to check off all the checkboxes of quality measures,” Dr. Chou said. “They feel like they are in an oppressive situation that they can’t do anything about.”

Nonetheless, there was evidence that doctors were not resigned to their professional plight. Seventy percent of the physicians took the time to answer and return the mailed survey, in part, Dr. Sirovich believes, because “doctors are interested and want to talk about these issues.” Moreover, a majority of doctors surveyed acknowledged being curious about how their colleagues practiced; and well over half asked to see a report the researchers offered on how practices in their own communities differed from others. All of this “suggests that doctors are open not only to changes in their own practices, but also to working together to realign the incentives of the system,” Dr. Sirovich said.

She added: “It all comes down to doctors and patients sitting in the office and deciding what to do. We are not going to be successful in reducing unnecessary care until physicians are also engaged.”

 

 

 

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The Fringe Benefits of Running with Air Ambulance Network

Running is a universal activity that has lasted throughout the ages. There are many commonly-known and recognized health benefits associated with it, especially regarding your cardiovascular system. But there are others as well.

Have you ever struggled with a sleep disorder? Running might be able to help you with that too! Plus, experiencing the “runner’s high” after the fact can be a big stress reliever.  A Dr Pullen blog post expands on this fascinating topic even more below:

The Unexpected Health Benefits of Running

by Charles Boren

The ancient Greeks used running as a form of training and competition. It was a way to test personal fortitude and improve physical health. Many of the health benefits of running were known even in those ancient times. In modern times, many start running for the same reasons. They run to improve their physical endurance, lose weight and build muscle. While these common health benefits of running influence many to start running, runners are surprised to learn just how extensive the health benefits are. Running improves the quality of sleep, fights off depression and anxiety, and improves joint health and stability.

Sleep disorders affect a surprising percent of the population today. There is good news to those who suffer from them. Running can actually improve the decrease the symptoms of sleep disorders and improve the quality of sleep. It also appears to help people sleep more efficiently. That is, the amount of time spent actually sleeping while in bed increases. Running helps people fall asleep more quickly, toss-and-turn less through the night, and wake up more rested than those who do not run.

The runner’s high is a well-documented phenomenon, and major benefit, of running. This is a unique feeling often reported during long, strenuous amounts of exercise. The feeling can range from relaxed and peaceful to intensely euphoric. It is produced when endorphins flood the brain as part of a stress response to running. These endorphins are the natural drugs of the body. They reduce pain and are responsible for the happy and content feelings similar to many those produced by narcotics. While many runners experience this phenomenon, many do not realize the long-term positive effect that is has. Over time, the regular doses of endorphins to the brain can combat both anxiety and depression. In fact, many studies have shown that following a regular running program markedly reduces the symptoms of these disorders.

A common misconception is that the high-impact nature of running negatively affects the joints in the body. The truth is that running may actually improve joint health and stability. This is done in a number of ways. First, running helps keep excess weight off. Just a ten-pound increase in body weight can cause a 45-pound increase in stress on the knees . Second, running causes cartilage to expand and contract with the natural movements created while running. This forces nutrients and oxygen into the cartilage cells. Without this, the cells will slowly die from oxygen depletion and starvation. Third, running strengthens the tendons and ligaments that support and stabilize joints. This prevents injury in the long-term. Overall, running greatly improves joints and prevents the onset of arthritis.

Building muscle, losing weight, and strengthening the heart are the health benefits that motivate people to start running. However, it is the unspoken benefits that keep them running. As a whole, runners have better sleep, improved mental states, and healthier joints. Many runners feel that they are taking responsibility for their health by running. They physically feel better, less stressed and they have peace of mind. This is a reward all in itself.

 

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Reducing Stroke Risk with Air Ambulance Network

Preventative medicine is some of the best. Stopping potentially deadly conditions in their tracks with small daily choices and exercise can save your life and prevent unnecessary stress and struggles. While we at Air Ambulance Network are glad to help you out of a bind, it’s always far better to catch things before they start.

What you eat can be just as important as regular physical activity. WebMD recently wrote a very interesting article about a fruit and vegetable study revealing the benefits of making good choices. You may be able to reduce your risk of stroke by following these simple suggestions!

Apples, Pears May Reduce Stroke Risk

Sept. 15, 2011 — Eating lots of white-fleshed fruit such as apples and pears may significantly reduce the risk of stroke.

In a new study, Dutch researchers set out to determine a possible link between stroke risk and eating fruits and vegetables of various colors. They took a look at self-reported information from 20,069 people between ages 20 and 65 of what they ate over a one-year period.

All of the people had no previous diagnosed heart disease or stroke at the start of the study.

During the 10 years of follow-up, 233 people had strokes. The researchers say the risk of stroke was 52% lower for people who ate a lot of white-fleshed fruits and vegetables, compared to those who didn’t.

Every Little Bit Helps

The researchers found that each 25-gram daily increase of white fruits and vegetables was associated with a 9% lower risk of stroke. To put that in context, a single apple is about 120 grams.

“To prevent stroke, it may be useful to consume considerable amounts of white fruits and vegetables,” Linda M. Oude Griep, MSc, of Wageningen University in the Netherlands, says in a news release.

She says an apple a day “is an easy way to increase white fruits and vegetable intake,” but  because other fruits and vegetable color groups also protect against chronic diseases, it’s important to eat a lot of different fruits and vegetables.

Foods in the white category also include bananas, cauliflower, chicory, and cucumbers. Potatoes were classified as a starch.

Color Reflects Presence of Beneficial ‘Phytochemicals’

The color of the edible portions of fruits and vegetables reflects the presence of beneficial phytochemicals (plant compounds), such as carotenoids and flavonoids.

In the study, researchers divided fruits and vegetables into four color groups: Green (dark leafy vegetables, cabbages, and lettuces), orange-yellow (mostly citrus fruits), red-purple (mostly red vegetables), and white, of which 55% were pears and apples.

Previous studies on protective effects of fruits and vegetables have focused on the food’s nutritional value and characteristics, such as the edible part of the plant, the color, the botanical family, and its ability to provide antioxidants.

The researchers write that they believe their study is the first to examine fruit and vegetable color groups in relation to stroke.

Still, they say that more study is needed to confirm their findings. “It may be too early for physicians to advise patients to change their dietary habits based on these initial findings,” Oude Griep says.

Current Guidelines for Fruits and Vegetables

Currently, the U.S. Preventive Health Services recommends that daily diets include vegetables from five subgroups: dark green, red-orange, legume, starchy, and other vegetables.

Heike Wersching, MD, MSc, of the University of Munster in Germany, writes in an accompanying editorial that even though the Dutch researchers’ study group was “remarkably large,” their results should be interpreted with caution.

First, Wersching says participants filled out questionnaires about what they ate, meaning it relied on their memory, which is not always a totally reliable method for gathering and interpreting data.

Also, Wersching writes that it’s possible that the Dutch scientists’ findings could be due to “a generally healthy lifestyle” of people who have diets rich in fruits and vegetables.

Wersching concludes, however, that if the findings of the Oude Griep group are replicated, “the time for an ‘apple a day’ clinical trial has come.”

The study and editorial are published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

 

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A Dangerously Unexpected Situation with Air Ambulance Network

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. Most people wouldn’t normally think of a cow as a threat, but when combined with certain situations, the least expected events can sneak up on you. That’s part of why medical services like the Air Ambulance Network are so important — we get you the help you need when and where you need it.

Most people aren’t struck by lightning,  trapped in a blizzard, or victims of a plane crash, but many injuries happen in quite normal environments. The Ledbury Reporter posted an article about a very dangerous bovine situation where an airlift was necessary. Here’s the article:

Man hospitalized after cow attack

A MAN was airlifted to hospital after he was injured in a freak cow accident near Cradley this morning (Thursday).

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to a field on the A4103, just past the B4220 turning at Westfield just before 9.45am.

An ambulance, a rapid response vehicle and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham attended the scene.

An ambulance service spokeswoman said: “It is believed a cow had kicked a gate in the field which unfortunately struck the man in the face.

“The man, believed to be in his 50s, suffered significant facial injuries including a fractured jaw. The man was unable to speak due to his injuries but was in a lot of pain.

“Crews immediately administered pain relief to the man, dressed and stabilised his facial wounds before being airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

“Medics were pre-alerted to the arrival of the man who was said to be in a stable condition.”

 

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Sjögren’s Syndrome with Air Ambulance Network

As the world’s collective medical knowledge grows, so too does the number of discovered diseases and conditions. In the past there were many untreated and undiagnosed issues, but now as our understanding grows, it opens up new avenues to increase our quality of life. But no one is immune from everything, no matter how physically active or well-known the person is.

The Wall Street Journal’s Health Blog posted an article discussing Sjögren’s syndrome, which is a recurring yet treatable condition. This subject has come to the public eye because Venus Williams recently chose not to go the U.S. open due to Sjögren’s. You can read more below.

Venus Williams Has Sjögren’s Syndrome: What is It?

By Katherine Hobson

Venus Williams has pulled out of the U.S. Open, citing Sjögren’s syndrome, a chronic — and treatable — autoimmune disease.

Like other autoimmune diseases, Sjögren’s strikes women more frequently than it does men.

People with the condition can develop a raft of symptoms – here’s a list from the Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation. The most common, however, are dry eyes and a dry mouth, caused by the body’s attacks on its own salivary glands and tear ducts

For many people, Sjögren’s symptoms will be relatively mild – – dry eyes, and mouth, joint pain and general fatigue, according to Victoria Shanmugam, a rheumatologist at Georgetown University Medical Center who isn’t involved in Williams’ care. Some people will have a more serious progression of the disease, where the body attacks other organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys and liver. In that case, it can resemble lupus, another autoimmune disease.

Treatment varies by the person and can range from artificial tears and saliva in mild cases all the way to powerful steroids that suppress the immune system in serious flare-ups of the disease.

For most, though, the disease can be managed, says Shanmugam. “Many of my patients are able to return to their usual level of function,” including full-time jobs and exercise, she says.

Shanmugam advises her patients with autoimmune diseases, first of all, to “rest when you’re tired.” (So she applauds Williams’ decision to withdraw from the tournament and focus on getting better.)

She says it’s very important to respect the disease and give yourself time to recover. Exercise is recommended when a patient isn’t experiencing a flare-up. Shanmugam also tells patients with autoimmune diseases to avoid excess sunlight, which can activate the immune system.

 

Don’t forget to visit www.airambulancenetwork.com and sign up for Air Ambulance‘s free checklist!

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Air Medical Transport and Medevac Definitions with Air Ambulance Network

Here at Air Ambulance Network we realize that not everyone is well-versed in our field of expertise. That’s no problem at all! We enjoy teaching you little facts here and there, and today we’ll clarify exactly what the terms “Air Medical Transport” and “Medevac” mean.

Air Medical Transport

Air Medical Transport describes the type of transport a company provides. Air medical transport companies specialize in providing air ambulance service. They must be specifically licensed to provide air medical transports.

Air medical transport companies use an array of business size aircraft in providing air medical transports, such as twin engine, turbo prop and jet aircraft. For most long distance medical transports, a jet is used. Typically, the Lear Jet is the workhorse of air medical transport companies.

Air Ambulance Network has been providing air medical transport services since 1971. Air Ambulance Network is one of the first air medical transport providers and has led the industry ever since it inception. Today, Air Ambulance Network is a leader in the air medical transport industry.

Medevac

Air Ambulance Network  has been providing reliable and efficient medevac services since 1971. Medevac is the safest, fastest, and most reliable way to transport an individual from either a hospital to a hospital, or residence to residence, when they are sick or injured.

Medevac that requires a long distance uses a fixed-wing aircraft, configured as an air ambulance to provided rapid transport of seriously injured persons, particularly trauma patients, to the hospital. Most patients transported by medevac are taken to a hospital. Medavac Service describes the type of service an air ambulance company conducts. Quite frequently the Medavac Service is also referred to as Medflights, Medical Flights, Aeromed flights, Aeromedical, Lifeguards, Care flight, Critical Care Medflights, Advanced Air Ambulances, medavacs or jet rescue /Air ICU (intensive care unit). Air Ambulance Network has provided Medevac since 1971.

Air Ambulance Network uses Fixed Wing aircraft to help medevac patients from point A to point B. This is one of the most reliable and fastest means of transportation. Air Ambulance Network has been assisting with Medevac since 1971.

 

Don’t forget to visit www.airambulancenetwork.com and sign up for Air Ambulance‘s free checklist!


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