Wellness News
Companies Seek Outside Help On Health Costs
Healthcare costs can be expensive for a company both in money as well as time off for an employee with an extended illness. That’s why some employers have brought in wellness programs to help employees discover and treat unknown health issues, and learn how to live healthier.
Amanda Greene, a certified health education specialist with Valley Preferred in Allentown, said the cost of health insurance is driving interest in wellness programs.
“Increase in the level of commitment in activity has quadrupled in the last three to four years,” Greene said.
One employee with a heart attack and hospital stay for surgery could incur a hospital bill for as much as $250,000, Greene said.
This expense could affect a company’s insurance premiums, while possibly requiring a replacement during the employee’s medical leave. Even before a traumatic illness strikes, health issues can affect an employee’s productivity, she said.
Through health and wellness programs, “we will never know how many heart attacks we would have prevented,” Greene said, “but we can improve employee health.”
At an American Heart Association event last month, Martin Till, president of the Express-Times in Easton, said that when his company implemented a wellness program, healthcare costs dropped in four years.
The program wasn’t popular at first, but three months after its implementation employees came to him and thanked him for it. They told him it “saved their lives.” Their program included information about quitting use of tobacco products and losing weight.
“Now we have much healthier employees and a happier employer,” he said.
Till said that 80 percent of healthcare costs are related to health problems like diabetes, asthma, coronary artery disease, cardiac pulmonary edema, also known as congestive heart failure, and high blood pressure – some of which are preventable.
Destination Thailand to showcase best of Thailand’s festivals, produce, healthcare and wellness at Dubai Mall
The Royal Thai Consulate-General, together with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Thai Airways International, the Thai Trade Center and Thai Business Council in Dubai, is set to hold a promotional event titled “Destination Thailand 2011″ from May 5-7, 2011 at the Star Atrium, Dubai Mall, as part of a series of events to celebrate the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 84th birthday anniversary, and to directly promote Thailand’s festivals, tourism attractions, medical and wellness services, produce and hospitality service sectors to residents of Dubai.
The three day event is based on the theme of “Wonderful Thailand in 2011″ and will feature various information booths, cultural performances, quizzes, competitions, prizes and demonstrations that will highlight the major annual festivals held in Thailand including the festive “Songkran” or Thai New Year celebrations which are held in April, as well as the romantic “Loi Krathong” or Floating Lanterns festival which is held annually in November. Additionally, various informational booths and stands will provide visitors with information regarding Thailand’s tourism attractions, hopsitality services, medical and wellness services, spas and a Fly Thai Airways travel corner.
Says Mr. Pramoth Supyen, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Dubai and Middle East Office, “We are extremely happy to be associated with this special initiative headed by the Royal Thai Consulate General Dubai. In the iconic Dubai Mall we have a wonderful opportunity to directly introduce the very best that Thailand as a travel destination has to offer and encourage all to come join us for 3 days of everything fun, friendly and Thai!”
Throughout the event various cultural performances such as traditional Thai dancing performances and demonstrations on Thai fruit carving Traditional Thai massage techiques will be conducted. Additionally, informational sessions by some of Thailand’s leading hospitals will be conducted with each sessions followed by quizzes and exciting giveaways.
The “Destination Thailand 2011″ promotional event will be officially opened by His Excellency Mr. Somchai Charanasomboon, Thai Ambassador, Royal Thai Embassy of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates at 6pm on Thursday 5th May, 2011 and will remain open until the end of Saturday 7th.
Natural remedies for spring allergies
For many people who suffer from allergies in the spring, the tried and true methods they have been using for years are certainly tried, but not necessarily true. Most allergy sufferers get little relief from antihistamines and decongestants and, in fact, these medications can sometimes do more harm than good.
An allergic reaction such as a runny nose or watery eyes represents an attempt by the body to rid itself of the hostile allergen, such as pollen, oak, birch or grass. An antihistamine will dry the body so that there are fewer symptoms. The problem is that without the runny nose or watery eyes, the allergens are delayed in leaving the body and the body takes longer to fully cleanse. And many antihistamines make people drowsy, which is seldom a good thing.
A homeopathic remedy can help the body respond more appropriately and stabilize itself without irritations like the drowsiness or dry eyes that can become painful when wearing contact lenses. But before delving too deeply into possible solutions, much good can result from determining and then minimizing the exposure to the allergen. This can be done by considering the home environment.
Before eliminating anything else, it is important to remember that open windows will compound the effects of allergy. Sufferers should not sleep with open windows. The same pollen residue that finds its way onto window sills and dressers is also on pillows and sheets and inhaled all night long as a person sleeps.
An air purifier with HEPA filter, by contrast, can add clean, fresh air to a room and that can be beneficial. An air conditioner works in the same way. It is just very important in either case to make sure that filters are cleaned or replaced regularly.
Mold is an allergen that poses a great risk to overall health. Make sure your house is free of mold. Damp basements are a common source of mold.
The real key with allergies is to help the body to respond in the right way. Like any other illness, for the body to respond effectively, it must be properly nourished and rest is vitally important. Heavily processed foods with lots of white flour or white sugar should be minimized. Stress and strain on the body must be reduced wherever possible and a good night’s sleep is essential to good health and to winning the battle with the allergens.
Avoid contact with allergens as much as you can. If you are allergic to grass you might want to hire a high school student in the area to cut it for you. Yard work should be put off when the pollen count is at its worst.
Quercetin is a substance found in foods such as the skin of red apples, in red onions and in black tea. It has many healthful effects. It can suppress the release of histamines from mast cells and as such is a natural solution to the problem of allergies.
We have a homeopathic remedy in our store called Allergy New England Mix. This is an oral spray that is specifically formulated to treat the allergens found in New England. Other off-the shelf treatments may be less effective because they are not specific to what is found in our environment. We have customers who begin using the product before the allergy symptoms begin and they generally find the symptoms to be much more manageable when they do occur.
Other homeopathic medications that have been used successfully by allergy sufferers include Natural Creations nasal spray, which can be used to safely reduce congestion. Histaminum are homeopathic pellets that can be placed under the tongue that also reduce symptoms. Another product that relieves symptoms and provides comfort is a special preparation just for people with mold allergies, called Allergy Atlantic Mold Mix. Lastly, consuming local or raw honey can help combat allergies.
The key in fighting allergies is to help the body work its magic, not hinder it by suppressing natural responses. A runny nose may be an inconvenience, but it is also proof your body is working, as if it were saying “attack, attack!” The trick is to minimize the impact these symptoms have on your daily living and to be as comfortable as possible.
Hotze Health & Wellness Center Addresses a Common, Often Misdiagnosed, Problem
As National Stress Awareness Month draws to a close, Hotze Health & Wellness Center (HHWC) emphasizes the importance of properly diagnosing and treating a common, but often misdiagnosed problem: adrenal fatigue.
“When mainstream physicians label patients with chronic fatigue syndrome they are simply reiterating the symptoms back to the patient”
Adrenal fatigue occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce adequate amounts of the body’s stress hormone, cortisol. Symptoms include: chronic fatigue, dizziness, recurrent infections, depression, dry skin and difficulty recovering from stress.
Adrenal fatigue is usually diagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), which is only diagnosing the symptom rather than the underlying cause.
“When mainstream physicians label patients with chronic fatigue syndrome they are simply reiterating the symptoms back to the patient,” said Steven F. Hotze, M.D., founder and CEO of HHWC. “If your doctor diagnoses you with chronic fatigue syndrome you should ask what is causing it.”
Most individuals are exposed to an onslaught of stressors – noise, pollution, traffic, injuries, illness, and emotional conflicts – that wear on an individual’s adrenal glands. The adrenals are simply unable to meet the demands resulting in a feeling of stress and chronic fatigue. Additionally, individuals suffering from adrenal fatigue oftentimes experience chronic and recurrent infections.
HHWC physicians recommend that those with CFS, which is just another name for adrenal fatigue, should supplement with bioidentical cortisol to replenish and support their adrenal glands in order to properly address the issue.