Perfect Posture

Want to decrease your pain, feel more alert and even sleep better? It’s time to fix your posture. Keep reading to learn how you can straighten things out!

Should you encounter a life threatening emergency, are you perfectly positioned to handle it? If you answered no, it may be time to look into better personal protection. With the help of Life Alert you can navigate a home invasion, a home fire or even a serious fall with ease and safety. Simply slip on their lightweight and waterproof emergency pendant and immediately harness 24/7 personal protection power. No matter what emergency you may face, Life Alert’s dispatch team can summon you emergency medical help fast with just one touch of a button. Stand up for your independence by getting Life Alert today!

Can’t stop slouching? Experts from Real Simple[1] are weighing in on why it is important to work on your posture. They are also offering small, but impactful steps to help you get there. Check them out below!

1.       Get Moving

The human body wasn’t made to sit for hours on end, says William Smith, a certified strength and conditioning specialist. To combat the pain, set reminders to stretch or walk every half hour for several minutes. Moving around helps blood circulate, bringing oxygen and nutrients to muscles and helping wash away some of the substances that cause soreness. This can improve mobility and strength in parts of the body that help with posture. Check with your employer about a company ergonomist, who might be able to troubleshoot your desk setup or switch you to an adjustable desk. You can also head to osha.gov and search “ergonomics” for tips.

2.       Practice Breathing

Posture isn’t really about forcing your shoulders back, says Jill Miller, creator of the fitness method Yoga Tune Up. It’s about helping your spine find its most efficient shape. Force shouldn’t be part of the equation. Your skull should rest over your rib cage, directly above your heart, creating a gentle wave in your spine. An easy way to fix your posture is to pay attention to your breathing: For you to take truly deep breaths, your spine must be in proper alignment, with your ribs moving together with your breathing muscles. As you breathe in, visualize sending the breath toward your stomach, then expanding it into your chest.

3.       Stretch It Out

When the chest and neck muscles are too tight, they contribute to hunching, says Miller. Try this stretch: Interlace your fingers behind your head, resting them on the base of your skull. Broaden your chest as you arch your upper back, gently pulling your elbows backward and gazing at the ceiling. Or relieve neck tension with a small tennis or massage ball: Lean forward slightly and rest the ball between a solid surface (a doorjamb works well) and the spot above your collarbone and below your shoulder. Knead the ball into the muscle, then switch sides. As always, don’t forget to take deep breaths.

4.       Choose the Right Pillow

An unsupportive pillow can cause neck pain and possibly play a role in poor posture, says Rebecca Robbins, PhD, coauthor of Sleep for Success. Stomach sleepers might find they don’t need a pillow, since this position can help keep the body aligned. Back and side sleepers may want to use a pillow to fill the space between the shoulder and neck. (When you sleep on your side, your shoulder can be compressed by your body weight, straining your neck.) Since side sleepers have the largest gap to fill, they’ll typically need the thickest pillow. No matter your sleep position, some of the most posture-friendly pillows are high-loft down-feather ones that conform to the body.

So, as your mother used to say, sit up straight! With better posture, your body will thank you. You can continue to straighten things out and protect your body more by getting the at-home safety you deserve. If you are an aging senior who is living independently, having a secure personal protection plan in place is essential to better living because facing a life threatening emergency can be terrifying and dangerous when you live alone. Luckily, Life Alert is here and they will have your back, 24/7. Just place their lightweight, waterproof emergency pendant around your neck or wrist and in the event of a life threatening emergency, push the button on your pendant and summon an emergency medical response fast.   Don’t bend over backwards trying to find a medical alert device that will offer you 24/7 protection; instead, square your shoulders with confidence and get Life Alert today! Call 1-800-513-2934 for a free Life Alert brochure.

Works Cited:

1.       Kraus, Tamara. “How to Improve Your Posture.” Real Simple. 24 October 2018. <https://www.realsimple.com/health/how-to-improve-posture >.

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Happy Halloween!

The night of spectacular spooks, silly costumes and bags full of candy is almost upon us! Halloween is right around the corner and it is an exciting time of year for kids and adults. While the evening does bring lots of fun with it, it also harbors some dangers as well. Make sure to keep reading below to learn how you can help to keep everyone safe this Halloween!

If you are an aging senior, one of the scariest things you can face is losing your independence. Luckily, with the right medical alert device, you can hang on to your independence and scare off any threats. While wearing Life Alert’s emergency pendant, you can summon an emergency medical response fast with just one touch of a button. Plus, because it is lightweight and waterproof, you can wear it under your Halloween costume discreetly. No matter what ghost, ghoul or scary monster you might run into, Life Alert’s dispatch team can send you the proper authorities fast 24/7. Treat yourself by getting Life Alert Protection today!

Now that Life Alert has your personal protection covered against any monstrous mischief, here is how you can help others have a safe and fun Halloween this year.  Check out AAP.org’s[1] top tips to staying safe and enjoying this fun holiday with friends and family.

ALL DRESSED UP:

-Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.

-Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.

-Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly so they don't slide over eyes. Makeup should be tested ahead of time on a small patch of skin to make sure there are no unpleasant surprises on the big day.

-When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.

-If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.

-Do not use decorative contact lenses. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as "one size fits all," or "no need to see an eye specialist," using decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.

-Review with children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they ever have an emergency or become lost.

CARVING A NICHE:

-Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.

-Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest.

-Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and not on a porch or any path where visitors may pass close by. They should never be left unattended.

HOME SAFE HOME:

-To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.

-Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.

-Wet leaves or snow should be swept from sidewalks and steps.

-Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater or run away.

ON THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL:

-A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.

-Have flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.

-If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.

-Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.

Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or-Treaters:

-Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.

-Remember reflective tape for costumes and trick-or-treat bags.

-Carry a cellphone for quick communication.

-Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.

-If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.

-Never cut across yards or use alleys.

-Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out of driveways.

-Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!

-Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

HEALTHY HALLOWEEN:

-A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.

-Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.

-Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.

-Try to ration treats for the days and weeks following Halloween.

HALLOWEEN AND FOOD ALLERGIES:

-Halloween can be tricky for children with food allergies. It's important that parents closely examine Halloween candy to avoid a potentially life-threatening reaction:

-Always read the ingredient label on treats. Many popular Halloween candies contain some of the most common allergens, such as peanuts or tree nuts, milk, egg, soy or wheat.

-If the ingredients aren't listed, arrange for a treat "exchange" with classmates or friends. Or, bag up the goodies your child can't eat because of an allergy and leave them with a note asking the "Treat Fairy" to swap them for a prize.

-Be aware that even if they are not listed on the ingredient label, candy is at high risk of containing trace amounts of common allergy triggers, because factories often produce many different products. Also, "fun size" or miniature candies may have different ingredients or be made on different equipment than the regular size candies, meaning that brands your child previously ate without problems could cause a reaction.

-Teach your child to politely turn down home-baked items such as cupcakes and brownies, and never to taste or share another child's food.

Have so much fun and keep yourself and loved ones safe by using the tips above. After the festivities are over and you’re home alone, continue to stay safe from any lurking scares by getting Life Alert Protection. While wearing their emergency pendant around your neck or wrist, you can summon an emergency medical response fast with just one touch of a button. No matter if you encounter a home invasion, a home fire or even a serious fall, LifeAlert’s dispatch team is available 24/7 to send you the proper authorities fast. Leave the scares to Halloween and stay safe all year long with the help of Life Alert. Call 1-800-513-2934 for a free Life Alert brochure.

Works Cited:

1.       “Halloween Safety Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics.” American Academy of Pediatrics. <https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/Pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx>.

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What Is Triggering Your Migraine?

If you have ever had a migraine, you know it’s one of the most painful things to experience ever. You also know, and would most likely agree, that you would be willing to do whatever it takes to avoid having another one, right? Well, by reading below you can learn about some everyday habits that you might be doing right now that could be contributing to the frequency of your migraines. If you are able to recognize what you’re doing, you have a better shot at stopping them ahead of time. Get on it by reading below!

If you are an aging senior who is living independently, you might know that when it comes to your safety, finding the right at-home solution can be a real headache. But, what you might not know is that there is a simple solution and it starts with three little words: Life Alert Protection. While wearing Life Alert’s medical alert pendant, you can summon an emergency medical help fast with just one touch of a button. Should you encounter a life threatening emergency, simply push the button on your pendant and connect with Life Alert’s 24/7 dispatch team who will notify the proper authorities and get them to you fast. Use your head and get Life Alert today!

Now that Life Alert has given you peace of mind regarding your personal protection, here’s what you can do about your migraines. Check out Everyday Health[1] tips below.

1.       Feeling stressed

“Stress is a huge factor and is often identified as a common migraine trigger,” says Priyanka Chaudhry, MD, a neurologist. Working long hours or doing something that causes you stress may either trigger or exacerbate a headache. Hsinlin Cheng, MD, PhD, a neurologist and the director of the Headache and Neuropathic Pain Unit agrees. “Stress is the number one trigger I see when treating people who have migraines.” Antidepressants and talk therapy can sometimes help reduce stress and, therefore, the number of headaches you get, but learning how to manage stress — and your body’s response to it — is more practical than trying to get rid of it altogether, says Dr. Chaudhry. Try stress-relieving activities like mindfulness meditation, yoga, guided imagery, and progressive relaxation techniques.

2.       Ignoring your diet

Certain foods, such as MSG (monosodium glutamate, a flavor enhancer commonly found in soups and other processed foods), caffeine, chocolate, soy, aged cheeses, processed meats, and nonnutritive sweeteners like aspartame, can trigger migraines. Chaudhry recommends cutting suspected trigger foods out of your diet to see if it helps. She warns against cutting too many foods out at once, though; the idea is to identify a specific trigger. “For most people,” Chaudhry says, “alcohol is also a migraine trigger, specifically red wine,” but it depends on your own sensitivity. Some people who get migraines might feel fine after drinking moderate amounts of alcohol.

3.       Skipping meals and fluids

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can occur when you’re very hungry and cause blood vessels to dilate or spasm, which can trigger a migraine, says Chaudhry. What’s more, being hungry also adds to your body’s stress level. Dehydration can cause low blood pressure, which can trigger migraines, so it’s important to remember to drink water. Staying hydrated can also help combat fatigue, which is common during or after a migraine.

4.       Being around bright lights, loud noises, and strong scents

People who are prone to migraines may be particularly sensitive when it comes to smell, sound, and light, such as smoke, chemical fragrances in perfumes and lotions, and bright office lighting. “Some people,” says Chaudhry, “as soon as they walk into a department store, between the lights and the perfume counters, need to turn back immediately.” So if these types of situations trigger your migraine symptoms, it’s best to try to avoid them.

5.       Getting too much screen time

Light from electronic screens can also bother people who get migraines. Try lowering the brightness on cell phones and tablets or buying special blue light–filtering glasses to wear while you use them. It’s not just the light that’s causing the problem. Oftentimes, says Chaudhry, the poor posture people have when using these devices causes issues. You want to ensure you are holding devices or placing them at eye level and not looking down. “People come to me all the time with neck and shoulder issues that are actually triggering their headache,” says Dr. Cheng.

6.       Getting irregular sleep

Getting too little or too much sleep can trigger a migraine, says Chaudhry. “We like people to have a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends.” Quality of sleep matters too. Unfortunately, if migraines are affecting your sleep quality that could in turn put you at risk for more migraines. One easy fix is to avoid screens before bedtime, Chaudhry advises, as the light can keep you up.

7.       Grinding your teeth

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and grinding your teeth can cause jaw pain and trigger tension or migraine headaches, says Chaudhry. People sometimes also experience TMJ as a result of stress. If you suspect you grind your teeth, either while you sleep or during the day, consult your physician.

8.       Overusing certain medications

Using over-the-counter medications, particularly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), too frequently can cause rebound headaches. That’s because people tend to continuously self-medicate and end up using higher doses over time, says Cheng. So if you experience migraines, be sure to seek medical advice to find the right treatment.

Say good-bye to head pain by eliminating the everyday habits that could be leading your migraine discomfort on. Migraines can be debilitating and can even cause dizziness and equilibrium issues. If you are aging senior who is living solo, a migraine could be the catalyst to a devastating moment. But, if you have the best emergency medical device, you can eliminate that worry. Life Alert has been in the safety industry for over 25 years and can offer anyone who wants to maintain their independence, the key to do so. While wearing their lightweight, waterproof emergency pendant around your neck or wrist, you can summon an help fast with just one touch of a button. No matter if you encounter a home invasion, a home fire or even a serious fall, Life Alert’s dispatch team can send you the proper authorities fast 24/7. Protect your head and your heart by getting Life Alert today! Call 1-800-513-2934 for a free Life Alert brochure.

Works Cited:

1.       Swartz, Tami. “8 Bad Habits That Can Trigger Migraines.” Everyday Health. 5 October 2018. <https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/managing-migraines/bad-habits/ >.

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Onions: Are They Good for You?

Whether you like them in your salad, your burger or even your burrito, onions are everywhere! When it comes to their fan club, you either love them or you hate them, but, regardless of what side of the fence you’re on, aren’t you curious about their health benefits? Me too! Let’s learn more about them below.

Like onions, we all have many layers to us. Sometimes our layers require peeling back in order to expose the truths that we have a hard time facing. Take personal protection, for example. Many of you wouldn’t like to admit it, but you know that your solo lifestyle does put you in more danger than someone who is utilizing senior care. But, for those of you who are unwilling to compromise your independence, there is hope. You can maintain your independence and stay safe with help from Life Alert! While wearing their lightweight, waterproof emergency pendant you can summon an emergency medical response fast with just one touch of a button. No matter if you experience a home invasion, a home fire or even a serious fall, Life Alert’s dispatch team will be there to send you the proper authorities fast, 24/7. You don’t have to be afraid to peel back your layers and expose the truth about your at-home safety because with Life Alert medical alert system, you can maintain and improve your independence!

So, we all know Life Alert is good for you, but are onions? LiveScience.com[1] asked expert nutritionist, Victoria Jarzabkowski, her thoughts on onions. Are they good for you? If yes, how so? Check out what she had to say below.

Heart health

According to Jarzabkowski, onions encourage a healthy heart in many ways, including "lowering blood pressure and lowering heart attack risk." A 2002 study in the journal Thrombosis Research suggested that sulfur acts as a natural blood thinner and prevents blood platelets from aggregating. When platelets cluster, the risk for heart attack or stroke increases. This research further supports a similar 1992 study in Thrombosis Research that focused on sulfurs in garlic. Furthermore, a 1987 animal study in the Journal of Hypertension demonstrated delayed or reduced onset of hypertension with sulfur intake. However, the authors said more research was needed to determine if this benefit might be found in humans.  Recently, health researchers have noticed a relationship between messaging molecules called oxylipins and high cholesterol management. A 2016 study in the journal Redox Biology found that consuming onions increases oxylipins that help regulate blood fat levels and levels of cholesterol. The quercetin in onions may also help prevent plaque buildup in the arteries, which reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. But since most of the studies in this regard have focused on animals, more research is needed to understand the effects in humans.

Anti-inflammatory

Onions’ sulfurs may be effective anti-inflammatory agents, according to a 1990 study in the journal International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology. Quercetin has been found to relax the airway muscles and may provide relief of asthma symptoms, according to a 2013 study in the American Journal of Physiology.

Immune system

"The polyphenols in onions act as antioxidants, protecting the body against free radicals," said Anne Mauney, a dietitian based in Washington, D.C.  Eliminating free radicals can help encourage a strong immune system. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the quercetin in onions also reduces allergic reactions by stopping your body from producing histamines, which are what make you sneeze, cry and itch if you're having an allergic reaction.

Cancer

A 2015 meta-analysis found that intake of allium vegetables, including onions, were associated with reduced gastric cancer risk. According to World’s Healthiest Foods from the George Mateljan Foundation, eating between one and seven servings of onions per week may help reduce the risk of colorectal, laryngeal and ovarian cancer. Eating several servings of onions a day may help decrease the risk of oral and esophageal cancer. Quercetin may be a powerful anti-cancer agent, according to Jarzabkowski. The University of Maryland Medical Center said that quercetin may especially inhibit cancer cells in "breast, colon, prostate, ovarian, endometrial, and lung tumors."  The National Onion Association discussed a recent study from the Netherlands that showed that people who ate onions absorbed twice as much quercetin as those who drank tea, and more than three times as much quercetin as those who ate apples, which are other high-quercetin sources. Red onions are especially high in quercetin, according to the association. Shallots and yellow onions are also good options. White onions contain the least amount of quercetin and other antioxidants. Onions may help with some side effects from cancer treatments, as well. A 2016 study published in Integrative Cancer Therapies found that consuming fresh yellow onion helped lessen insulin resistance and hyperglycemia in breast cancer patients undergoing a form of chemotherapy known to cause insulin resistance.

Digestion

The fiber in onions promotes good digestion and helps keep you regular. Additionally, onions contain a special type of soluble fiber called oligofructose, which promotes good bacteria growth in your intestines. One 2005 study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that oligofructose may help prevent and treat types of diarrhea. The phytochemicals in onions that scavenge free radicals may also reduce your risk of developing gastric ulcers, according to the National Onion Association.

Regulating blood sugar

The chromium in onions assists in regulating blood sugar. The sulfur in onions helps lower blood sugar by triggering increased insulin production. One 2010 study in the journal Environmental Health Insights revealed that this might be especially helpful to people with people with diabetes. People with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes who ate red onions showed lower glucose levels for up to four hours. A 2014 meta-analysis in the journal Nutrition found that patients with Type 2 diabetes saw more normalized liver enzymes and lower glycemic levels when consuming sliced onions.

Bone density in older women

A 2009 study in the journal Menopause found that daily consumption of onions improves bone density in women who are going through or have finished menopause. Women who ate onions frequently had a 20 percent lower risk of hip fracture than those who never ate onions.

So, whether you like them raw, sautéed or even fried, you can eat those onions and feel darn good while you do it!  Onions provide many layers of good health benefits.  But do you know what else provides layers of health benefits?  LifeAlert!  Life Alert has a variety of protection packages for all your personal protection needs.  If you’re enjoying raw onions in a salad at home, Life Alert will keep you protected with their signature medical alert system.  If you decide to go out to dinner to enjoy sautéed onions on a burger, you can take your Life Alert protection with you through their revolutionary mobile with GPS HELP phone.  You can even enjoy being safe in the shower with Life Alert’s one-of-a-kind shower button.  Just one push of the button will allow you two-way communication with an emergency dispatcher to get you help fast, 24/7.  Onions might be good for your health, but Life Alert is good for the home, body, and soul. Get yours today! Call 1-800-513-2934 for a free Life Alert brochure.

Works Cited:

1.       Szalay, Jessie. “Onions: Health Benefits, Health Risks & Nutrition Facts.” Live Science. 9 May 2017. < https://www.livescience.com/45293-onion-nutrition.html>.

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Technology and Your Health

Changes in technology have become a blessing and curse these days. While advancements have helped us to discover new cures, new paths and even new social standards, we also have opened the door to new scams, new threats and even new societal dangers. But, when it comes to innovations in areas such as genetics, telemedicine and pharmacology, there are more positive than negatives! Keep reading below to find out how they may change your life.

If you’re an aging senior, technology may go over your head a bit. It may make you feel out of the loop and unable to benefit from some of the positives of our new gadget world. However, there are some technological advances that are simple to use and that can have huge benefits on your life. Take Life Alert Protection, for instance. Simply by slipping their lightweight, waterproof emergency pendant around your neck or wrist, you can harness the power of 24/7 personal protection. Should you encounter a home invasion, a home fire or even a serious fall, you can easily push the button on your pendant and summon an emergency medical help fast. Not only does the simple to use emergency medical device make living independently safer, Life Alert’s 24/7 service make it a no brainer. Enjoy one of the many positive benefits of technology by getting Life Alert Protection today!

Life Alert offers many cutting edge lifesaving services that may make you the high-tech guru in your neighborhood.  For more tech-health info, take a peek below at a few great advances in the science and tech worlds that could have major impacts on your health and well-being.

Real Simple[1] is here to share some good news!

1.       You can talk to a doctor online or IRL 24/7: If you’ve ever had a child come down with strep on Thanksgiving Day, you’ll be singing hallelujah for the rise of 24-hour medicine. In the last decade, visits to urgent care centers have increased by more than 1,000 percent. For times when you’re too sick to leave the house but not quite sick enough for the ER, telemedicine apps, such as Doctor On Demand and MDLive (free; iOS and Android), give you face time with a physician any hour of the day or night; you pay about $50 to $75 for a 15-minute appointment. And the digital clinic Maven specializes in women’s health at affordable prices. You can talk to a lactation consultant, doula, midwife, therapist, or physician, with prices for some practitioners starting at $18 for a 10-minute appointment. “Those options are great as long as there’s good coordination with your regular physician, who can keep track of patterns over the long run,” says Michael Munger, MD, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. This trend has also pushed traditional practices to increase their hours: “We understand that you don’t get sick just from 9 to 5 on weekdays, so about 80 percent of family physicians now have same-day appointments, and half have extended office hours,” says Munger.

2.       An “artificial pancreas” will one day make life easier for people with diabetes: Millions of people with type 1 diabetes have to deal with syringes and insulin pumps every day, in a constant effort to keep their blood glucose levels steady. What if they didn’t have to think about the process at all? Scientists are racing to achieve the ultimate goal of an “artificial pancreas,” a system in which a glucose monitor sends information directly to a pump, which then releases the exact amount of insulin needed—no human effort required. While we’re not quite there yet, the FDA recently approved a hybrid closed-loop system, in which a glucose monitor and an insulin pump, both inserted under the skin, communicate with each other: a step in the right direction. “With this system, the patient is still responsible for taking insulin with food,” explains Irl B. Hirsch, MD, an endocrinologist at UW Medicine in Seattle and a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association. “But between meals, the electronic sensor talks to the pump and gives enough insulin to keep blood sugars at a steady level.” The biggest benefit is that the system keeps blood sugar levels steady between meals, says Hirsch. “The system really does minimize hypoglycemia, especially while people are asleep, and for many people that is revolutionary,” he says. So far, the system has only been tested on patients with type 1 diabetes, but in the future, the 4.5 million Americans with type 2 diabetes who take insulin may benefit from this breakthrough as well.

3.       Health stigmas are melting away: Thanks to the confessional nature of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, we have become a society that seems to share everything all the time. While this can sometimes cross over into TMI, it also means the walls of shame are crumbling around many previously taboo topics, such as mental health, sexual violence, and infertility. The result? Those who can relate feel less alone and may learn about resources they otherwise wouldn’t have been aware of. Consider this: When Prince Harry spoke out about his battles with depression after his mother’s death, phone calls to mental health clinics jumped. When celebrities such as Chrissy Teigen and Adele talk about their postpartum depression, new moms who are up crying in the middle of the night can feel less hopeless. “We see people who are larger than life and seem to have it all together, and you go,”Dang!“ says Katrina Gay, a spokesperson for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “When they share their stories and experiences, it helps eliminate the stigma and the shame.” Gay adds that whenever a celebrity posts about mental health struggles, she sees an increase in calls to the NAMI HelpLine. “It’s so relatable. It gives people permission to say, “I don’t have to pretend. I don’t have to put on a facade. It encourages them to seek help.” If you’re in crisis, take NAMI’s lead and call 800-273-8255.

4.       Your mammogram just got a little less squishy: In one of the greatest developments for boob comfort since the invention of the sports bra, you can now have your mammogram performed by a machine that cradles your breast on a curved surface instead of squishing it between two flat panels. Hologic’s new SmartCurve system is used with its regular 3-D mammogram machines (3-D mammos are especially recommended for the 50 percent of women with dense breasts). It makes the process a whole lot more comfortable. “The pressure is felt evenly across the breast, so you don’t get those pinch points,” says Tracy Accardi, global vice president of research and development for Hologic, who points out that many women avoid their recommended screenings because they associate mammograms with pain. More good news: The curved system doesn’t cost patients any more than the flat kind and should be covered by most insurance plans. To find a facility, go to genius3dnearme.com.

5.       There’s finally a treatment just for migraines: It’s hard to believe, but until this year, there was no medication specifically for preventing migraines, the debilitating headaches that affect 39 million Americans, most of them women. The development of triptans in the 1990s was a huge achievement, but triptans are taken after a headache hits. To try to prevent migraines, doctors had to choose from an imperfect selection of blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and antiseizure meds. “These all have side effects, and we were treating otherwise healthy young women with medications they possibly couldn’t tolerate,” says Merle Diamond, MD, president of Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago. The last big breakthrough was in 2010, when Botox injections were approved for chronic migraine. Though it has been very successful, Diamond says the treatment—typically 31 small injections in the forehead and neck every three months—is only approved for patients with headaches on 15 or more days per month. Then, this past spring, a game-changing new drug entered the market: Aimovig, which migraineurs inject once a month. The drug blocks a neuropeptide called CGRP and has been shown to reduce the number of migraines by one or two a month. The only known side effect is injection-site soreness. Three similar drugs may be released by the end of this year. “We are super excited about this,” says Diamond. “Not every patient will respond, but it is a beacon of light for many.”

6.       Less-invasive tests are on the horizon: Rather than undergoing a biopsy, you may soon be able to get screened for cancer via a simple blood test. Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center in Baltimore are developing a new test, called CancerSEEK, that screens for eight common types of cancer, including breast, lung, and colorectal. What’s most amazing is that, for five of the cancers it screens for, there is no other screening test available yet. A surgery-free test for endometriosis is even closer. A noninvasive test involving saliva called DotEndo, which its developers say will be available by the end of this year, could help the estimated 1 in 10 women suffering from endometriosis get diagnosed—and start treatment—less painfully.

7.       Genome sequencing is helping keep our food supply safe: Over the past few years, the CDC and the FDA have been using cutting-edge technology, called whole genome sequencing, to identify the specific strains of bacteria causing outbreaks of food-borne illnesses. This allows them to track down the source of the outbreak, whether it’s lettuce, frozen corn, or a batch of soy nut butter. “Before we had this technology, it took much longer to piece together the information about outbreaks, and they could make thousands of people sick,” says Peter Cassell, a spokesperson for the FDA. “Now we can figure it out faster and contain the outbreaks to a much smaller group of people.” Go to fda.gov/safety/recalls to sign up for news alerts about recalls and outbreaks as they happen.

Advancements in technology mean advancements in your health and even your at-home safety too, thanks to Life Alert. While wearing their simple to use, lightweight and waterproof emergency medical alert you can summon an help fast. This technological advancement makes living at home independently and safely, possible! Should you encounter a life threatening emergency, simply push the button on your pendant and summon the proper authorities fast, 24/7. Technology is supposed to make our lives easier, but with Life Alert you can make it safer too. Get yours today! For a free Life Alert brochure call 1-800-513-2934.

Works Cited:

1.       Cohen, Marisa. “8 Incredible Medical Breakthroughs That Could Transform Your Health.” Real Simple. 27 September 2018. <https://www.realsimple.com/health/first-aid-health-basics/health-technology-advances>.

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