Ice or heat? When to use which

Most people know that it is wise to apply one or the other. But which is best for the situation at hand? Ice or heat? And, for how long?

A common soft tissue injury is an ankle sprain. The best choice for this type of injury would be ice. A slush bucket would be ideal. A mixture of water and slush with a temperature reading between 33 and 45 degrees.  The affected ankle would be submerged in the slush bucket for approximately 15 minutes no longer than 20 minutes.

Keeping soft tissue at low temperature longer than 20 minutes will cause tissue death.  For an acute injury, such as an ankle sprain, it is best to treat the area for the first 72 hours with slush or ice 15-20 minutes every hour. The standard treatment for ankle sprain is rest, ice, compression and elevation to keep pain and swelling at a minimal.

Cold therapy in essence leads to decreased blood flow, decreased swelling and decreased pain.  The swelling of tissue causes increase pressure on the nerves which in turns causes pain.

When to use heat therapy.  Heat is the best  choice when treating stiff, tight muscles.  Heat is the preferred choice for back pain. Same time application applies to the use of heat. It is best not to use heat therapy while you sleep as the risk of burn is great.  If possible, place a protective layer between the skin and heat. Where applies, do the same for ice.  If you are a diabetic, care should be taken with areas of decreased sensation because it will be difficult to tell if a negative reaction occurs.

As always, please seek medical attention.

Good health,

 

Trisha M. Pacenti RN,BSN

www.nurseinsagent.com

Life Insurance is a valuable asset to own

Final expense insurance is life insurance with a specific need. Final expenses largely make up funeral expenses. Your funeral is the very last expense you will incur. Having the money readily available to your family is part of estate planning. Final expense programs are estate planning.

Today you are in the best of health you will be. Purchasing now will qualify you for the best rate available at your current age. Life insurance is the least expensive insurance and offers the most value added benefit. If you are on a fixed income, chances are your beneficiary is too. Life insurance is protecting the beneficiary from financial catastrophe.

 

Life insurance is different than pre-need plans offered by funeral homes. Case scenario:  you purchase a life insurance policy with a face value of $10,000.  After only 1 premium payment, you become a victim of a fatal car accident or suffer a fatal cardiac arrest. The full value of $10,000 is available immediately to your beneficiary. The policy you took out in your estate planning is ready to be put to work. You have protected your beneficiary from facing a financial crisis.

 

Now, lets look at a pre-need plan. During your meeting with your funeral director he sells you a $10,000 pre-need plan with a monthly premium of for example, $54.00. After only 1 premium payment you become a victim in a fatal car accident or suffer a sudden cardiac arrest. Your beneficiary is now responsible for paying $9,946.00 plus any and all accrued interest. Funeral homes are in the business to make money. They provide a service for a fee paid by you, the consumer. They will demand payment or provide a less desirable and cheapest funeral with whatever funds you can spare. If your family is cash strapped, where will that money come from? If you have outstanding bills that need to be paid, where will your beneficiary get that money? You have created a full financial crisis for your loved ones that they may never financially recover from. 

Procrastinating just adds to higher premium payments and not being prepared. Death does not wait. It is going to happen.  Funeral expenses are at an all time high and are expected to increase. Say you have enough money in the bank to cover a $10,000 funeral bill. In the interim, you suffer from a debilitating car accident or a mild heart attack. Your major medical insurance will pay the doctor and hospital, but you will have co-pays, prescription, fuel and household bills to pay. If you are on a limited income, you will burn through that $10,000 bank account. Leaving you with not enough money to pay funeral expenses when the time comes. By proscratinating, you have gained nothing. 

Estate planning is simple and easy to do. Just take the time and do it.

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

Heart Healthy Diet

The American Heart Association recommends to help lower cholesterol by implementing 3 very easy steps!

1. Change high-risk habits. High risk habits are just that. Habits that put you at an increased risk of suffering a cardiovascular event.
* Stop smoking. There are many, many resources available to aid in the cessation of smoking. It is highly likely for those people who have smoked for decades to quit. The first step to successfully help in quitting is you must want to quit. Discuss a stop smoking plan with your doctor.
* Limit alcohol consumption to just 1 per day. Avoid binge drinking. Not only does this stress your heart but also causes liver toxicity.

2. Daily exercise. Brisk walk on flat ground or trail walking will help strengthen the cardiovascular system.

3. Eat a heart healthy diet. This includes: choosing healthy fats such as, fish, lean meats and poultry without the skin. Grill, broil or poach meats. Cook with olive oil instead of butter. Avoid trans fats found in junk food. Junk food is called junk food because its junk. There are no health benefits in junk food.

4. Adding fiber to your diet will help regulate sugar levels, keep you fuller longer, and regulate colon health. Brown rice, whole wheat pasta, fruits and vegetables.

5. Foods rich in vitamins B, C, and E. Vitamins B and C are water soluble. Which means your body uses what it needs for the day and the remainder is voided in urine. Vitamin  is fat soluble. This means it is stored in fat cells. Your body will use as needed. Dark leafy green vegetables, almonds, all fruits, carrots, sweet potatoes, mangoes.

Limit salt intake. Choose naturally occurring low-sodium foods and refrain adding salt to your meals. There are salt alternatives available at your locol grocery store. Salt causes increased blood pressure and water retention. Blood pressure is a measure of how much pressure your blood vessels are under. The ideal time to measure for an accurate pressure is when your sitting and relaxed. Maintain a normo-tensive blood pressure around 120/80. Your doctor will consult with you what is the best systolic and diastolic pressure range for you.

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/

Abdominal injuries can be life-threatening

Abdominal trauma is one of the most common causes of preventable trauma-related deaths.

The majority of abdominal injury is caused by blunt trauma. Blunt abdominal injury typically occurs when the abdomen is directly compressed by, or against, a fixed object. In many blunt trauma instances, the trauma may cause tears in the viscera of the solid organs, namely the spleen and liver. Other injuries may occur as the result of deceleration forces, which can cause tears in the fixed areas of the organs and the blood vessels, namely the liver and renal arteries. Blunt trauma may also cause ruptures in the hollow organs.

A person who sustained blunt trauma within the abdominal region, he or she may not show pronounced signs of the injury. In some instances, the individual may have little to no pain and will not show signs of the injury externally.

Seatbelts, car accidents, sports, hernias, direct abdominal muscle impact are all cause of abdominal trauma.
In many patients, organ damage, especially hemorrhage, may not become apparent for days or weeks. After this time, the patient may experience systematic dysfunction or organ failure. It is crucial those individuals who sustain extreme, direct impact to the abdominal region be examined thoroughly.

Abdominal trauma is complex in nature. The abdominal region is comprised of a number of organs,  solid and hollow, major arteries, vessels, and tissue. An injury can have an impact on a number of areas within the abdominal region, which poses a significant risk to the individual. It is imperative to seek medical treatment right away.

Be safe,

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




 

Understanding Asthma made simple

In healthy lungs, airways are wide open allowing the passage of air to move freely. The bronchioles are free of inflammation and the cells are free of pathology. Secretions that are naturally present are kept at minimal. Capillaries are functioning properly delivering nutrient rich blood and allowing the even exchange of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2).

In the asthmatic lung, there is an absence of a symbiotic environment. The pathophysiology present are inflammatory cells. These inflammatory cells create edema (swelling) and damage the airway and blood vessels. Edema causes increased mucus secretion within the airway and a decreased ability to transport the secretions from the airway. The blood vessels respond to the edema by becoming sluggish. In other words, the secretions are getting in but not coming out. Airways are small, even the largest of them, but they are designed to be free of obstructions so air may freely move in and out.

Soon after inflammation sets in, the sensory nerves located within the airway are triggered. This hyperactivity is manifested by a cough or a wheeze. There are many treatment choices available to you. Your doctor will design a treatment plan for your own individual situation.

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

Final Expense life insurance is proven invaluable

How will your family pay for your final expenses?

Accidents can happen any time. Catastrophic illnesses such as Cancer and cardiovascular disease are prevalent. Illness and accidents can change your life in a split second. Are you financially prepared to meet the demanding costs of health care and funeral expenses? The importance of preparing will provide peace of mind knowing there is a plan in place. Life insurance will cover the unpredictable and high expenses associated with end of life issues.

The time to buy life insurance is now. The younger you are the lower your premium. Today you are healthiest you will be. You are buying a financial plan that will provide asset protection for your family. If you have no spouse or children, you are still need life insurance. You are providing the finances needed to pay for final expenses generated by death. The world is nothing without free will. Everything must be carefully considered when financial responsibility is brought into question. It is whether you are willing to take those risks and use your individual situation to your own advantage.

We all have heard the tragic stories happening to people who experienced a sudden loss of a loved one and no life insurance was in force. The survivors are left with a major financial burden and many unanswered questions. Having a suitable plan in place will help your loved ones meet current financial obligations. Life insurance provides financial protection for them. You cannot be faulted for preparation.

It is important to do your research and decide which type of life insurance is suitable for you.  Each of us has our own situation that is different from our neighbors and friends. Only you know what goes on in your household. Keep in mind, what may be best for someone else does not necessarily mean that is the best thing for you. Which is why YOUR needs must considered when purchasing a policy.

So, why have life insurance?
Reason 1

Do you have any bills, a mortgage? This alone is a pertinent reason to have life insurance. This major bill will be paid off and not left to your survivors to deal with.

Reason 2

Young, fit and healthy? Then this is the best time to get life insurance. Your premium will be affordable and if you take out a policy that allows you to keep the same premium until the age of 65, you will have considerable savings... the earlier you start, the better. And then if you develop any health issues throughout your life, it doesn't matter, because you already have the policy in force.

Reason 3

Are you married? Do you have a domestic partner? Should you parish and leave no money behind to help cover bills, you now just placed a heavy financial burden on your loved ones. Adding financial stress to an emotional time could lead to further catastrophe.

 Reason 4.

Peace of mind. If you develop a terminal illness, your life insurance will pay out a lump sum upon confirmation from your treating physician. You will have the money to help get your affairs in order.

Life insurance premiums are easily calculated into your monthly expenses. 

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