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Have Fun Before the Baby Comes

You’re pregnant and you’re wondering if it’s alright to travel.  Now is definitely the time, actually, before that baby comes and creates chaos in all areas of your life. You should certainly consult with your obstetrician before booking the trip. 

As a general rule, it’s alright to travel until your 36^th week, assuming that you are having an uncomplicated, healthy pregnancy.

Assuming that your doctor has given you the go-ahead, keep these tips in mind.  As Cinergy Health advises, make sure to stay hydrated, especially if you are flying.  Move around every few hours, whether you’re driving in a car or flying somewhere.  Otherwise, blood can pool in your legs and that’s certainly not to your benefit.  Some doctors recommend compression travel socks as they force blood to your leg’s deep veins and reduce pooling of blood. 

Bon voyage and have fun!

Cinergy Health Offers Advice for Diabetics

If you have a sweet tooth and you are diabetic, you’re certainly up against a challenge.  However, with careful planning, you can still have some of the sweets you love and maintain a healthy lifestyle with your diabetes.  

While the American Diabetes Association used to show every concern with table sugar, they have now come to explain that it’s the total amount of carbohydrates in the foods that you eat that raises the blood glucose levels.

This means, as Cinergy Health explains, that you need to look at portion sizes and carbohydrate counting.  With the right planning and calculations, you can still have some of those sweets that you enjoy.  Certainly, however, you don’t want to go crazy and you may want to meet with a nutritionist to figure out exactly how to plan out the meals for each day.

Enjoy your favorite foods so that you don’t end up feeling deprived – but do so in moderation.  Consider, as well, using artificial sweeteners more often than sugars for those moments when you want a sugar fix.

Migraine Help is on the Way

30 million Americans deal with migraine headaches on a regular basis. 

1. Learn what triggers your migraines and try to avoid those items.  Triggers could include, but are not limited to, caffeine, red wine, chocolate, alcohol and more.

2. Get moving!  Exercise can help you to deal with your migraine headaches.  Use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, take breaks from stressful situations and learn to relax more.

3. Respond fast.  When a migraine strikes, you may find the best cure to be a nap in a quiet, dark room.  Biofeedback and massage can also help.

Pancreatic Cancer & Obesity

Obesity, as everyone knows, if not healthy.  What many people don’t know about obesity, however, is that it can actually increase your chance of getting certain types of cancer – namely pancreatic cancer.   

Research has shown that those who are overweight as teens or as young adults are at least twice as likely to develop pancreatic cancer as are people who have never been obese.

Flying Sick

Flying sick is no laughing matter.  Unfortunately, many people today have to make the decision about whether or not to fly sick since they don’t want to miss their trip, and they can’t afford to throw away the non-refundable ticket. 


Certainly, if you don’t think you’ll be able to get anything out of the trip, or you’re unable to walk a block or more, you should probably stay home.  If you have a terrible anxiety condition caused by flying, you might want to consider cancelling.  She says that 1 in 5 people suffer from this anxiety, and that it should be taken into consideration when planning a flight.

 “You’re best protected if you consider possible problems ahead of time,” she says, adding that flight or trip cancellation insurance should be considered. Note that many policies have exceptions for pre-existing conditions, so only a “cancel for any reason” policy is likely to cover an anxiety disorder.

Know What Your Medical Plan Covers

There is a big danger today with your health insurance when you don’t know what the fine print is saying.  Often, people get saddled with large bills because they didn’t realize that their lab tests weren’t covered – or they didn’t realize that their doctor wasn’t on their plan.

Be careful to know what is on your plan and what isn’t so you don’t get stuck with unexpected bills.

Health Myths Discussed with Cinergy Health

While most people agree that you should drink 8 glasses of water every single day – this is not necessarily based in research.  It’s most important to know your own body and your own needs.  There is no scientific evidence to support the 8 glasses of water a day rule.

Rather, as one study found, the amount of water that you need depends on your specific health issues - you should drink the water over the course of the day and not all at once.

Another discussion about health issues involves exercise.  Certainly, exercise is important for your physical fitness.  However, you shouldn’t over-exercise and you need to have an appropriate resting period, according to the CDC.  If you don’t give your body a break between work outs, you might have bone and muscle injuries and more aches and pains.  Cinergy Health recommends, Give yourself a day to recoup. Exercise should give you more strength and power—not drain you.

Children & Obesity

Cinergy Health explains the psychological dangers of childhood obesity.  We all know that there are health risks attached to obesity, but we don’t often focus on the psychological consequences and lasting effects.

Mmany formal studies have suggested a relationship between self esteem and health.  Obese teenagers are less likely to use birth control and have higher rates of teen pregnancy; they are more likely to use tobacco and alcohol and to attempt suicide.  Obese girls are almost four times more likely than others to suffer major depression and anxiety disorders as adults.

Fortunately, obese children do have a bright future. The government is placing great emphasis on this issue today since childhood obesity is a great economic problem for the health care system, in addition to the psychological consequences and other ramifications.  Michelle Obama, the Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Federal Trade Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and Department of Agriculture are all placing childhood obesity as a high priority.

Cinergy Health Discusses Your Healthcare Options

Listen as Cinergy Health President Steve Trattner discusses the many healthcare options in America today, and which choices are best for our future.

Yes, You Can Travel Pregnant!

While some people have the misconception that they shouldn’t travel at all while pregnant, the facts really counter this idea.  Certainly, if you have terrible morning sickness and won’t enjoy the trip, or if you are over 36 weeks pregnant, you should probably stay home.  In general, however, travel can actually be a great way for a pregnant woman to relax and escape life’s daily stresses.

Before leaving, however, you should definitely check in with your obstetrician.  According to Cinergy Health  you should “check with your obstetrician to see if there are any special precautions you should take when traveling – especially if you’re going outside of North America or Western Europe.”

In general, a woman has very little risk of having a pregnancy complication up until the 36^th week of pregnancy.  So, book your trip and enjoy your time away!

Gardasil Vaccine – To Give Or Not?

Many parents wonder whether or not they should have their daughter vaccinated with the Gardasil vaccine. Cinergy Health, definitely agrees that the vaccine should be given.  The evidence clearly shows that the quadrivalent HPV vaccine prevents cervical intraepithelial neoplasia caused by 70% of known HPV subtypes as well as preventing genital warts - both of which are highly contagious (even without sexual penetration), cause significant distress, substantial cost, and cannot reliably be permanently eliminated.

The five year clinical trial was plenty of time to confirm the safety of the vaccine.  The side effects of the vaccine, as she goes on to explain, are grossly overstated by the lay media.

Central Sleep Apnea

Many people know nothing about central sleep apnea.  It’s not the typical type of sleep apnea that is commonly found in adults who are overweight or have other physical issues and who stop breathing during the night. This sleep apnea is a neurological issue where the brain tells the body to stop breathing.

Cinergy Health, explains it is a very rare disease and one that is difficult to access since it is unusual to diagnosis it and it isn’t well-known.  One family Ethan and Lisa Swoyer of Topton have dealt with it since their daughter was 18 months old.  Now four, Hannah has an oxygen machine that has made her situation much more manageable.

As a result of their experience, the Swoyers have started a nonprofit foundation and they hope that it will raise awareness about central sleep apnea.

Evaluating Healthcare Survival Guides

If you think you might lose your job soon, or you just have, some people will recommend that you pick up a healthcare survival guide. Such guides attempt to explain your coverage options and how to apply for government healthcare assistance and programs.  But, are these guides really useful?

Cinergy Health, recommends that you consider for yourself the type of coverage that you’ll need.  While a healthy 25 year old might be alright with a catastrophic insurance plan with a high deductible, a 55 year old with a pre-existing condition probably would not.

These guides do offer some helpful tips and advice.   Cinergy Health says that you should certainly look at pharmaceutical web sites for discount offers and get inexpensive dental coverage with college dental programs.  You may also be able to get discounts from your doctors, if these are doctors you’ve seen for a long time.  

Cultural Differences with HPV Vaccines

Two new studies should help health care providers, such as Cinergy Health, to target their services to minority groups in a better way.  A recent study from UCLA and one from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, show that there are lower rates of HPV vaccination in low-income populations.  In addition, they show specific vaccine barriers in these communities that might help to increase vaccine uptake.

"We need interventions that help primary care teams to identify eligible patients and encourage the teen to receive all three doses. We need to take advantage of every opportunity where a teen comes into a clinic and offer all recommended adolescent vaccines," said Jasmin A. Tiro, Ph.D., assistant professor of clinical sciences at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

The UCLA study found that minority groups do receive the HPV vaccine as often as the national averages, but that they lack much of the knowledge that they could easily acquire about the vaccine.  The Dallas study found that, in low-income populations where the vaccine is certainly available, there is still a poor uptake of the three-dose vaccine and a lack of encouragement to get vaccinated by health care providers.

Prevent Obesity in 2010

With the New Year upon us, Cinergy Health weighs in on tips to keep us health.  Obesity is on the rise in America, and with it come increased health care costs.  Cinergy Health explains, Obesity causes multiple illnesses and skyrockets healthcare costs for both individuals and employers.

Here are five important suggestions for staying healthy in 2010.

1. Sleep!  Get 6-7 hours of sleep each night.

2. Eat Well – You should consume about 2000 calories a day from healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, meats, diary and the like.

3. Drink water – Drink 8-10 cups of water a day to cleanse and detoxify your body.

4. Limit alcohol – This includes beer, wine and hard liquor.

5. Be Active – Try to walk for at least 20 minutes each day.  Take the stairs when you can, or park your car far from the mall entrance.

Know Your Rights at Work

Certainly, you'll do everything you can to avoid getting the flu this winter.  Should you become sick, however, it's important to know your employer's sick leave policy.  Cinergy Health offers these suggestions for staying healthy and protecting yourself this winter.

If you feel the flu coming on, don't go to work!  You may need to explain to your employer why you are taking off, and how important it is for you to make sure not to infect others. Cinergy Health points out that you are most contagious while feverish, and that you should remain at home for a full 24 hours after your fever has passed.

Make sure to review your office sick policies before you get sick.  Talk to your boss to ensure that you won't be penalized for staying home and make sure that your boss understands the best ways to ensure a healthy office.

New Senate Health Bill

Good news for the uninsured.  A new Senate health care bill would require nonprofit hospitals to charge patients who are uninsured no more than the lowest charge that they have for their insured patients.  Hospitals have come under a lot of scrutiny as of late for overcharging the uninsured.  These charges have ended up in lawsuits.

This bill tries to eliminate those issues.  A 2007 study in the journal Health Affairs suggested that hospitals were actually charging the uninsured 2.5 times what insured patients were paying.  Cinergy Health however, points out that "these fees are often negotiated, and can be negotiated way down."  Time will tell if the bill passes and if it makes a difference.

Tips for a Great Trip from Cinergy Health

If you’re hoping to hit the slopes this winter, Cinergy Health, offers great advice.  You’ll want to stay as healthy as you can before your trip, so that you can enjoy yourself.  Certainly, you’ll also want to stay healthy during the trip.  Here, Cinergy Health offers important tips for doing just that.

Remember to check your health insurance before your vacation begins.  You’ll want to confirm that you are covered in case of a medical emergency.  If your policy isn’t sufficient, look into getting additional travel health and accident coverage.

Continue eating healthy, even while you are on vacation.  Just because you are having fun doesn’t mean that you can’t treat your body well.  When you eat, do so slowly.  Skip the bread or share a piece with someone else.  Try not to waste too many calories on alcoholic or sweet drinks.  You can enjoy one drink, but don't go overboard.  Order a salad or a light soup as an appetizer and share dessert, if you feel that you must have something sweet.

Have a great trip!

Preparing for a Winter Trip

If you’re hoping to travel this winter, do so with these health tips.  Dr. Margaret Lewin, the medical director at Cinergy Health, wants to make sure that you stay healthy whether you’re on the slopes, in the sun, or somewhere in between.

Don’t go outside without a good sunscreen.  Sun exposure puts you at risk for skin cancers, and can also be a major cause of premature wrinkles.  If you’re out skiing, the combination of high altitudes and reflected light from the snow offers very damaging UVA and UVB rays.

If you’re planning to have an active trip, says the Cinergy Health medical director, make sure to get in shape beforehand.  Concentrate on exercises that protect your knees, hips and your balance and make sure that you’re ready for the adventures ahead!

Insurance Coverage After Job Loss

Certainly, losing a job makes things very difficult for many reasons.  One of the reasons that it is most stressful is the lack of health insurance. When you lose your job - you also lose your health coverage.  Cinergy Health President and Chief Marketing Officer, Steve Trattner, offers these specific suggestions for dealing with job and insurance loss.

Cinergy Health CMO Trattner recommends that you weigh deductibles against premiums. You might be able to find a new insurance plan with a high deductible and a very affordable premium. The problem with this is that it will provide coverage for large scale medical needs, but not for your routine healthcare issues.

You should look into your COBRA options as well.  It's possible that you can continue to have coverage from your old employer, at least for a bit of time. This can help you to reduce one item of stress while looking for a new job.

Insurance Issues with Job Loss

One of the biggest worries when you lose a job is that you are also losing your health insurance. What should you do if you suddenly find yourself without health coverage? Cinergy Health President and Chief Marketing Officer, Steve Trattner, offers these specific suggestions.

First, consider your short term needs. Short Term Medical plans are available which last for 6-12 months and cost less than major medical plans do. If you think you’ll need a short term solution between jobs, this might be a good option for you. You might also want to research into low-cost limited medical plans. These are plans which provide coverage for your immediate needs like routine doctor visits and short-term hospital says. They do so with no deductible

B.E.A.C.H.T.I.M.E – Winter Vacation Advice from Cinergy Health

If you’re planning to travel this winter to get away from the cold weather, take these important tips along on your trip. Cinergy Health, offers a cute acrostic, B.E.A.C.H.T.I.M.E, to keep you healthy and safe this winter.

Be sure to use sunscreen on your travels and Eat healthy to keep your immune system running well. Always wash your hands before you eat and before touching your face. You get the flu or a cold directly from an ill person’s cough or by touching a doorknob or banister that they have touched after they’ve coughed into their hand. Check the weather reports before you go so that you’ll have appropriate clothing. Have your medications with you in a carry-on so that you don’t risk vacationing without your important supplies.

Cinergy Health notes that you take a list of medications you use with you so that you’ll have it, should you need something refilled or lose something. Inspect your health plan before you leave so that you know you’re covered should you need anything. Make sure to get your flu shot at least two weeks before your travels so that your body has time to recover and to keep you healthy. Finally, Expect delays and don’t get stressed out by them!