family health

(WOMENSENEWS)-- Cheers Congressional Democrats on Feb. 5. introduced a package of bills designed to increase access to contraception and reduce unplanned pregnancies in the United States.

This article explains the basics about the Medicare drug benefit, also called Medicare Part D. What is the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan? Medicare is adding coverage for prescription medicines. This means that people who have Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) or Medicare Part B (medical insurance) will be able to get insurance to pay for part of their prescription drugs. Medicare is working with insurance companies to offer this benefit. It is available no matter what your income, illnesses, or drug costs.

What are "covered services"? Your health insurance policy is an agreement between you and your insurance company. The policy lists a package of medical benefits such as tests, drugs and treatment services. The insurance company agrees to cover the cost of certain benefits listed in your policy. These are called "covered services." Your policy also lists the kinds of services that are not covered by your insurance company. You have to pay for any uncovered medical care that you receive.

What is hospice care, and what are its purposes? "Hospice" is the term for a special program of care for terminally ill (dying) patients and their families. Rather than trying to cure an illness, hospice efforts aim to make the patient comfortable, ease pain and other troublesome symptoms, and support the family through a sad time.

Medical errors are one of the nation's leading causes of death and injury. A report by the Institute of Medicine estimates that as many as 98,000 people die in U.S. hospitals each year as the result of medical errors. Government agencies, purchasers of group health care, physicians and other health care providers are working together to make the U.S. health care system safer

Taking an active role in your health care can help you get the best care possible from your doctor. One way to do this is to improve your relationship with your doctor. The following are some tips to help you and your doctor improve your health care together.

What is a Health Journal? A health journal is a complete record of your health. You keep the health journal yourself. The journal helps you keep track of every aspect of your health

A family physician is a doctor who takes care of your whole family. Family physicians create caring relationships with patients and their families. They really get know their patients. They listen to them and help them make the right health care decisions

What is an advance directive? An advance directive tells your doctor what kind of care you would like to have if you become unable to make medical decisions (if you are in a coma, for example). If you are admitted to the hospital, the hospital staff will probably talk to you about advance directives

The Dalai Lama “The Power of Compassion” “Compassion The Key To Happiness” "I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we all are seeking something better in life. So, I think the very motion of our life is towards happiness. " ~ HIS HOLINESS THE XIVth DALAI LAMA

I believe the children are our future Teach them well and let them lead the way Show them all the beauty they possess inside Give them a sense of pride… Excerpt from the song, "Greatest Love of All" Written by Michael Masser and Linda Creed Performed by Whitney Houston

Eating healthy foods doesn't mean losing flavor. You can choose and prepare low-fat foods that your family will enjoy by following the tips below. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Guide Pyramid offers specific information about how much of your daily diet should come from each of the following food groups.

Introduction Patient's Name _________________ Date ______________ 1: Food Groups   Grains(bread, cereal, rice & pasta) Vegetables Fruits Dairy Meator Meat Alternatives Recommended Daily Amounts: 6-8oz. 2-3 cups 1 1/2-2 cups 3 cups 5-6 1/2oz. Daily Amounts You Eat: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ Additional Amounts Needed: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 2: Fats, Oils & Sweets Recommended: Use sparingly Amount you eat: ______________________________ 3: Beverages Recommended: Beverages should provide fluids and nutrients without excess...

How does what I eat affect my heart? The food you eat can affect the way blood flows through your heart and arteries. A diet high in fat and cholesterol can gradually cause a buildup (called "plaque") in your arteries. That buildup slows down the blood flow and blocks small arteries. If the blockage happens in an artery that carries blood to the heart muscle, a heart attack can occur. If the blockage happens in an artery that carries blood to the brain, a stroke can occur. The right diet helps keep your arteries clear and reduces the risk of heart problems and stroke

Good nutrition is one of the keys to good health. This means making sure you regularly eat foods that have a lot of vitamins and minerals in them, as well as foods that are not high in fat.

To lose weight, you have to cut down on the number of calories you consume and start burning more calories each day. Calories are the amount of energy in the food you eat. Some foods have more calories than others. For example, foods high in fat and sugar are also high in calories. Your body uses calories for energy. If you eat more calories than you use, the extra calories will be stored as body fat

Many diets can help you lose weight. However, "going on a diet" is not the best answer to losing weight. Usually you gain the weight back after you "go off" the diet. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you have to change much more than just what you eat. You have to change how and when you eat, and you have to start exercising or exercise more often. Most people who lose weight and keep it off do 3 things. First, they find out why they are overweight. Second, they follow a healthy eating plan. Third, they exercise regularly.

This section of familydoctor.org offers a range of practical ideas for dealing with overweight and obesity. You'll find advice about healthy eating and physical activity for adults and children, as well as suggestions on how to set realistic, achievable personal goals. The information in this section is based on a recent publication of the American Association of Family Physicians (AAFP): "Practical Advice for Family Physicians to Help Overweight Patients." This publication was prepared by the AAFP Panel on Obesity, a group made up of experts in the fields of family medicine, nutrition, ep...

The information you record in your food diary will help you and your family doctor design an eating program to meet your special needs. These instructions will help you get the most out of your food diary. Generally, food diaries are meant to be used for a whole week, but studies have shown that even keeping track of what you eat for 1 day can help you make changes in your diet.

Your doctor will use a chart to find out if your child might be overweight. If your child is heavier than 85% of other children who are the same age and height, he or she is probably considered to be overweight.