Rosacea: the red mask

Rosacea is a chronic skin eruption that produces flushing and dilation of the small blood vessels in the face. Rosacea is most noticeable around the nose and cheeks. It is most common in Caucasian women age 30 to 50. Rosacea spreads slowly and rarely subsides on its own. The exact cause of rosacea is unknown, stress, infection, vitamin deficiency, menopause and endocrine disease can aggravate the condition. Spicy foods. physical activity which causes sweating, hot drinks such as tea, coffee, and alcohol may aggravate rosacea producing flushing.

Steps you can follow to decrease the amount and length of eruptions: You must identify and eliminate aggravating factors that bring upon stress. Use meticulous hand washing and personal hygiene to avoid irritating the condition. Do not pick or squeeze the lesions. Wear sunscreen and protect the face in winter conditions as cold air will aggravate rosacea. If you wear make up foundation, consider using green or yellow tinted pre-foundation and powders because they are designed to counter skin redness. Apply topical medication as directed by your physician. Be sure the medication is applied first and dried before applying any make up or sunscreen to your face.

Good health,
Trisha M. Pacenti RN,BSN
www.nurseinsagent.com

Why should I buy Final Expense Insurance?

No one knows when a loved will die. You can take steps now to pre-plan your funeral and have enough money to cover final expenses. The best insurance policy to have in place is the one that will cover the high costs associated with end of life expenses. The average person lives pay check to pay check with very little in savings. The average person has 3 months worth of savings. If a loved one dies, your savings will vanish to cover funeral home and hospital costs. Chances are, that won't be enough. Additionally, there will be no money left over should another financial emergency arise. The financial hardship you are now facing may be catastrophic. It only takes 1 life event to start a sequence of events towards bankruptcy. 

The cost of a final expense policy pales in comparison to the cost of your monthly TV bill. The value of a final expense policy goes unmatched. Smart financial planning has all the benefits without disadvantages. Setting aside monthly payments and investing in your final expenses will give you peace of mind knowing your last and final bill will paid by you. Having a life policy in place will take away the financial burden left on your loved ones. You will be saving your family from having to ask friends, other family members, or even the bank for a loan to cover your final expenses.

The following individual circumstances are examples for owning a final expense policy.
~anyone who recently retired
~planning to retire
~currently collecting social security
~recently had a child or grandchild
~recently lost a loved one
~recently purchased a home
Final expense face values may be written up to $25,000. These are specialized policies with a specific need: to cover funeral costs and associated expenses. They will build cash value for the life of the policy. The are mobile and go where you go. The policy may be used at any funeral home in any state. Premiums do not go up and are based at current age of application. You are entitled to the full face value should you perish even after 1 monthly payment.

Think about all the things you buy in life to full fill immediate gratification. Then consider, "was that something I could live without?, what benefit does it serve?" Life insurance is there to pay your final expense and protect the financial health of your loved ones. The policy will prove to be more valuable than anything else.

Good health,
Trisha M. Pacenti RN,BSN
www.nurseinsagent.com

Final Expense Insurance

Burial insurance, also known as final expense insurance is life insurance with a specific need: to cover funeral expenses. Policy face amounts typically start at $6,000.00 and can be written up to $25,000.00. Face amounts are customized to your needs. At the time of application, you can decide what is best for you and the face amount may be adjusted accordingly. Your policy will cover the extra incidental expenses associated with funerals. Typically, those incidental expenses are not considered until it is too late.

Final expense insurance is not just-in-case insurance as with health insurance, auto insurance, flood insurance, etc. Death is the final chapter in life. We don't know when death will call upon us. The likelihood of death happening is 100%. Preplanning alleviates loved ones of having to make difficult decisions or to face financial concerns during a very emotional time.

If you just don't want to think about death and have not come to terms about your own mortality, here is something to consider. Throughout your life you earn a modest wage to provide food, clothing, shelter and medicine for yourself and family. The cost of living has increased, you want to cut corners and consider not buying any more insurance. You might think it is burdensome. You might think it is worthless to you. When the day your life ceases to exist, your policy will come alive and get to work. Through your policy, your final expenses will be paid. Your policy will take away financial concerns. Your pre-planned policy will give you peace of mind and avoid any financial burden for those left behind.

Respectfully,
Trisha M. Pacenti RN,BSN
http://www.nurseinsagent.com/

Adding fiber to your diet is more important than you think

Almost everyone hears about the need for enough fiber in the diet. But few people understand the importance of dietary fiber - or where to get it. Fiber has the greatest influence on the digestion process.

Fiber is a virtually indigestible substance that is found mainly in the outer layers of plants. Fiber is a special type of carbohydrate that passes through the digestive system with minimal break down. 

Fiber helps contribute to a feeling of being full, which in turn can help prevent obesity from overeating. Obesity is the most common form of malnutrition and is a factor in the two major causes of death - heart disease and cancers. So any food that helps people limit calories is beneficial.

Fiber can decrease the limit of food intake because the contents in the stomach are bulkier and stay there longer. Additionally, fiber slows digestion and absorption so that glucose in food enters the bloodstream more slowly. This is turn keeps blood sugar on a more even level. When fiber is broken down within the large intestine by bacteria, simple organic acids are produced which helps to nourish the lining of the colon.

Increased gas is a common side effect of high-fiber diets. The production of gas is a by-product of fiber digestion. Fiber binds to water and keeps the water within the intestine. The fiber/water combination adds bulk and softens the stool.

Insoluble fiber cannot be dissolved in water. This is a preferred laxative to relieve constipation. Soluble fiber is made up of simple carbohydrates and it dissolves in water. Soluble fiber helps to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Sources of fiber are found in bran, barley cereals, whole grain breads, beans, fruits and vegetables.

The bottom line, adding foods high in fiber will maintain a healthy colon, aid in digestion, lower risk of heart disease and colon cancer and help maintain a healthy weight. If you are unsure about how much daily intake of fiber should be or what foods are best for you, discuss this with your doctor.

Good health,
Trisha M. Pacenti RN, BSN
http://www.nurseinsagent.com/

Mental Health: depression

Depression and anxiety are examples of mood changes. A mood is a "persuasive and sustained emotion that, in the extreme, markedly colors the perception of the world". (APA 1994)
Rational thought is usually absent from the mind during a state of depression. A condition of helpless stupor replaces cognitive abilities. Most people experience a normal lowering of mood in response to stressful life events. They are able to work through the crisis and begin feeling "better" prior to the depressed state.

Those who cannot pull themselves out of the depressed state are effected in ways that rational behavior is replaced by explosive outbursts, impairment of social situations, anxiety, increased sleep or lack there of, etc. It is then that medical treatment must intervene either with or both, medication and counseling. Depression left untreated will cause other mental illness problems such as bi-polar disorder, personality disorders, chronic depression, etc., in addition to physical health care issues.

Emotional disturbance is a product of irrational or illogical thinking.  According to cognitive therapist, Dr. Aaron T. Beck of the Beck Institue of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, he found that "depressed persons process information in negative ways even in the midst of positive factors affecting the person's life". Dr. Beck believes 3 automatic negative thoughts are responsible for people becoming depressed. These 3 thoughts are called Beck's cognitive triad:
     1. a negative, self-depreciating view
     2. a pessimistic view of the world
     3. belief that negative reinforcement or no validation for the self will continue in the future

These automatic negative thoughts refer to thoughts that are repetitive and not readliy controllable. These thoughts continually validate the overall view of negativity towards self and others. A depressed person sees the world as gray. Facial expressions relfect sadness and dejection and often look older than acutal age. Therapy will help you reset your pattern of negative thinking into a more positive healthy one. 

To make matters worse, emotional abuse may be a factor to depression. Characteristics of an abuser are but not limited to:
     1. a sense of being valued and cared for never develops
     2. tremendous needs for love and security are left unfulfilled.
     3. others are sought to fill the void for love and acceptance
 When these unrealistic demands go unmet, feelings of rejection and anger are mobilized. Rage and poor impulse control are then projected in public or private view within the home. Conflict Intervention in Socail and Domestic Violence. Bowie, MD: Robert J. Brady Company, 1981.

Mental health issues are very real and very serious. The importance of getting the proper intervention to your specific illness is essential for overall general health. Mental health illness takes time to treat and may last over a lifetime. You may find yourself trying several types of different anti-depressants until you and your physician see a significant improvement in your disorder. The medication treatment regime can be taxing until you find the right prescription drug that benefits you. Discuss mood changes, eating alterations, behavior changes, bowel or bladder changes with your physician at each follow up visit.

Good health,
Trisha M. Pacenti RN,BSN
http://www.nurseinsagent.com/

Specialty life insurance with a specific need

Burial insurance, also known as final expense insurance is life insurance with a specific need: to cover funeral expenses. Policy face amounts typically start at $6,000.00 and can be written up to $25,000.00. Face amounts are customized to your needs. At the time of application, you can decide what is best for you and the face amount may be adjusted accordingly. Your policy will cover the extra incidental expenses associated with funerals. Typically, those incidental expenses are not considered until it is too late.


Final expense insurance is not just-in-case insurance as with health insurance, auto insurance, flood insurance, etc. Death is the final chapter in life. We don't know when it will call upon us. The likelihood of death happening is 100%. Preplanning alleviates loved ones of having to make difficult decisions or to face financial concerns during a very emotional time.

If you just don't want to think about death and have not come to terms about your own mortality, here is something to consider. Throughout your life you earn a modest wage to provide food, clothing, shelter and medicine for yourself and family. The cost of living has increased, you want to cut corners and consider not buying any more insurance. You might think it is burdensome. You might think it is worthless to you. Some day when your life ceases to exist, your policy will come alive and get to work. Through your policy, your final expenses will be paid. Your policy will take away financial concerns. Your preplanned policy will give your family financial peace of mind.

Respectfully,
Trisha M. Pacenti RN,BSN
http://www.nurseinsagent.com/

How a herniated disk develops

Also known as a slipped disk occurs when all or part of the inter vertebral disk's gel-like center extrudes through the disk's weakened or torn outer ring. The pressure on spinal nerve roots or on the spinal cord itself causes back pain and other symptoms of nerve root irritation. Most herniations  affect the lumbosacral spine. The most common site is the L4-L5 disk space.

Lumbar herniation usually develops mostly in men vs. women. They are the result from severe trauma or strain or may be related to joint degeneration. Signs and symptoms to watch out for are:

1. Severe low back pain which may radiate to buttocks, legs, feet and typically is one-sided
2. Sudden pain after trauma, subsiding in a few days and then recurring at shorter intervals w/ intensity
3. Sensory and motor loss in the area where compression has taken place, leg weakness

The gel like center of the disk acts as a shock absorber distributing the mechanical stress applied to the spine when the body moves. Physical stress is usually a twisting motion which will cause the gel like center to tear or rupture allowing the tissue to push through into the spinal canal. This process allows the vertebrae to move closer together as the disk compresses. This, in turn, causes pressure on the nerve roots. This pressure is what the individual experiences as pain.

There are several treatment options:

1. Bed rest w/ possibly pelvic traction, heat and ice application, passive exercise
2. NSAIDS and muscle relaxants to reduce inflammation and edema at the injured site
3. Surgical options

Which ever treatment plan your doctor prescribes for you, it is best to follow his/her advice and rest your low back as much as possible heeding caution to avoid additional external stress on your lumbar region. Give yourself adequate time to recover. Chances of re-injuring the site are great once your in the healing stages.

Good health,
Trisha M. Pacenti RN,BSN
http://www.nurseinsagent.com/