Why aren't dental and vision covered by medical insurance? Do you really need dental and vision insurance?People are used to major medical insurance covering most of the cost of services. Vision and dental insurance don't work that way.Dentistry is not considered as a branch of medicine by the federal government. Dentists don't go to medical school, only to dental school. Dental insurance is a bit more expensive because it isn't considered medically necessary. In fact, barbers used to do dental work in the late 18th century. Dentistry was considered "aesthetic only" at one time.You may not need dental insurance if your dental health is good. Out-of-pocket cleanings may not bother you. If you have kids, you may want dental insurance. Dental care for children is included under Obamacare.Ophthalmologists go to medical school and can do medical procedures. Eye health procedures conducted by an ophthalmologist and emergency surgeries are covered by medical insurance.Optometrists do not go to medical school and are covered by vision insurance. Vision insurance covers your eye exams, contact lenses and glasses. If you know you need contacts or glasses, get the insurance for the savings and discounts. Some employers offer vision insurance for as little as $4 per month.Health insurance expert and President of Government Relations for GTL, Marianne Eterno, joins host Melanie Cole to discuss the basics of dental and vision insurance.

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Dental & Vision Insurance: What You Should Know

Learn how to manage pain by using the Alexander Technique.What are you doing to get in the way of how your body should be moving? Are you sitting in a way that's painful? Do you slouch? Crane your neck to look at your cell phone?The Alexander Technique helps undo the acquired tension that prevents the innate system of movement.The neck, head and back are coordinated via Alexander Technique. It's best to see a practitioner to observe your habits and prompt you to make changes. Your practitioner will use a mirror and demonstrations to show how you are holding your body. Verbal cues and hands-on adjustments to lengthen and relax the muscles are also incorporated.Moving with fluidity and grace will bring great relief to your body. Paying attention to your body takes your mind off the stress of daily life.Listen in as pain relief expert Rochelle Reea shares how the Alexander Technique works.

Alexander Technique for Pain Relief

Ayurvedic medicine may be the answer to heal what ails you.Ayurvedic medicine dates back 5,000 years in India and can easily be integrated into your health care.Ayurveda views everyone as one of three body types or doshas. These predominant types determine what you should eat and natural medicines that work for you. Finding out your type is a good place to start with Ayurveda.As a step into Ayurveda, you might want to explore how food can heal. Speak with a knowledgeable practitioner before trying herbal remedies. Some herbal combinations are not right for young children, expectant mothers and those with immune system disorders.Meditation is also part of Ayurveda. This can be practiced by anyone. Meditation can be a huge leap when you're used to being busy. Start small and try to still your mind for 30 seconds and increase from there.Listen in as Dr. Taz Bhatia joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share the benefits of Ayurvedic medicine.

Healing through Ayurvedic Medicine

Recovery expectations can help you plan your plastic surgery procedure.What sort of recovery should you expect after a cosmetic surgery procedure?First, ask your doctor how long you should expect to be in pain. Most procedures take a few days to a week for pain to subside. This is a general guideline. Every person experiences pain and recovers a bit differently.Second, you will want to know how soon you can get back to life responsibilities. These activities would include returning to work, getting groceries and taking the kids to school. Most people can return to these activities after one week. See how you feel after finishing your prescribed pain medication.Third, you may wonder how long to wait before getting back to an active lifestyle. You should be able to resume light exercise after four weeks. Wait six weeks or more before resuming weight training and greater activity.Enlist family or friends to help manage younger children after surgery. You have to be especially careful when surgery involves muscles, like tummy tucks and breast surgery. Be cautious.When you're ready to get frisky, remember your post-op instructions and be aware of your mobility. Don't engage in sexual positions that irritate the surgery site.You may choose to take time off work and social activities for treatments that redden the skin. Makeup will cover up some redness when the skin has healed.Arnica can help with bruising and swelling. Ice and elevation ease recovery. Avoid heat to eliminate excessive discomfort.Most importantly, follow your physician's instructions very closely. Those post-op instructions are designed for healing without complications. Listen in as Dr. Robert Cohen discusses what to expect when recovering from cosmetic surgery procedures.

Recovery Post-Plastic Surgery: Plan Ahead

Working hard takes a toll on your body. Learn how to take control of your health and boost productivity.The work world takes a toll on your body. We all sit far too much when we work at desks and suffer through long commutes, leading to blood clots and terrible posture. Our schedules are overloaded as we try to balance work life with home life. The incomplete to-do list and unresolved problems keep us up at night, leading to poor sleep.You can't perform your best at work when you're worn down. How can you get back on track?First, make smarter food choices at the office. You may tend to reach for high-fat and high-sugar foods from office vending machines and cafeterias. This affects how you respond to your colleagues and your families after work. Make smarter takeout choices. Carry fruit and nuts to the office for snack time.Second, try to get plenty of sleep. Go to bed earlier. Try some relaxation techniques if you can't easily fall asleep.Many companies are taking on the responsibility of health for employees. Having a wellness program in place seems to recruit better employees. Less absenteeism, better performance at work, and happier families all result. Take advantage if your company has a wellness program.Listen in as Dawn Peters shares how you can improve your productivity and counteract the negative health effects of working.

Health Secrets that Affect Your Bottom Line

Are you exhausted all the time? You might need to get your adrenals checked.Stressful situations activate the "fight or flight" impulses. Your adrenals get kicked into high gear so your body is ready for action.But, if you're constantly under stress, your adrenal glands become taxed. The adrenals are very tiny glands and can get overworked.Living a busy lifestyle can be stressful. You may not be sleeping enough. You may have a poor diet. You could be consuming too much caffeine. Your blood sugar may be struggling. All of these factors can exhaust your adrenal glands.How can you give your adrenal glands a break? Get more sleep. Cut back on caffeine consumption. Eat consistently so you aren't skipping meals and gorging. Set alarms on your devices if necessary. Eat foods that fuel your adrenals. Stick with lean protein, nuts, avocado, sunflower seeds and sweet potatoes for snacks. Relax. Try some yoga or meditation. Get a massage. If you're exhausted after making some of these changes, speak to your doctor about testing your cortisol levels.Listen in as Isabel Smith shares how to care for your adrenal glands.

Tired All the Time? Could Be Adrenal Fatigue

Train your brain to better handle stress.Some stress is good for your brain. It teaches you how to problem solve under pressure and develops your stress management skills.The problem is that stress can kill memory if you don't work on brain response. Anxiety and stress top the reasons for poor academic performance. You know that stress can mess you up at work.If you feel overloaded and start thinking about stress management, it's a little too late to try training your brain to deal with the immediate situation. Many people get a headache when the stress becomes overwhelming. You have to deal with the immediate pressure and get your brain in shape later.When the stress gets to you, try to stimulate brain circulation with tapping. With your fingertips tap these places with gentle pressure: temples, above the ears, top of the head, back of head where the neck meets the skull, forehead, under the eyes, or anywhere that feels tense. Open the mouth and tap the jaw. Take deep breaths while tapping and exhale through your mouth. Then, squeeze your face, relax and release that tension. Cease tapping and concentrate on breathing with your mouth open. Inhale good energy and exhale the stress. You may feel significantly better after this exercise.The key thing to remember when feeling stressed is to change the energy immediately.Listen in as brain fitness expert Dave Beal shares how to prepare your brain to deal with stress.

Stress Management through Brain Training

What's the deal with hormone replacement therapy?Eighty percent of women will have menopause symptoms that affect health and quality of life.If you fall in that group, you may want to talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. When symptoms become cyclical, it's probably time to start. Typical symptoms include weight gain that doesn't make sense, night sweats, forgetfulness, and difficulty sleeping.If you still have your uterus, it's advised you take something that has estrogen and progesterone. There should be equal amounts of both hormones in whatever you use.Systemic hormones go into your bloodstream. Prescribed by physicians, systemic hormones are not advised for those with heart disease, cancer or history of stroke. Systemic hormones are available in IUDs, pills and patches.Vaginal or topical hormones do not go into the bloodstream. These are typically available as creams and sprays.Starting hormone replacement 5-10 years from the last period has proven to be good for heart health and bone density. It slows the thickening of the carotid artery, decreasing risk of heart attack and stroke.In past research studies, women experienced fewer symptoms when they were following good menopause habits. Avoiding sugar, keeping the weight off and working out can help.Listen in as Dr. Diana Bitner shares what you need to know about hormone replacement therapy.

Clearing the Confusion of Hormone Therapy

Learn how to navigate summer heat with minimal breathing issues.We're seeing some of the hottest temperatures on record across the United States. All this heat stirs up ozone and pollutants, irritating your lungs.You can track current air quality with the State of the Air app or by visiting www.airnow.gov. Find out the air quality in your neighborhood and use that information to plan your day. Those with allergies, asthma and COPD should pay particular attention because poor air quality can exacerbate those conditions.The best way to beat the summer heat is to do errands and heavy activity early in the day before the air heats up. Know your triggers. Use preventative inhalers before venturing out of your home. Air filters on air conditioners and window fans reduce the particles that enter your home. Wearing masks can reduce your particle inhalation.Moderate air conditioning is helpful for those with lung issues. It controls climate and reduces particulate matter. But, don't make your house too cold.You can't reverse lung damage but you can exercise your lungs for better breathing health. Stay active. Engage in light exercise like walking if you have trouble breathing. Get plenty of sleep.Listen in as Dr. Albert Rizzo joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss best practices for healthy lungs in the heat.

How Weather Fluctuations Impact Your Lungs

Keep your child healthy and safe this summer.Summer is underway and the kids are out of school. Without the rigors of school scheduling, it’s easy for kids to get lazy and raid the pantry. How can you keep your kids' health on track over the summer?Physical ActivityYour kid may need motivation to go outside. Encourage him to learn a new sport or practice a new activity outside. Childhood habits become healthy behavior in adults. Put your child in summer camp if you can afford it since summer camp provides structure and lots of activities.NutritionTo curb the summer gorging, help your child learn when she is full on her own. Don't demand she finishes a plate of food that's filled by an adult before getting evening dessert. Make it okay to have dessert after eating enough healthy dinner. Provide healthy desserts. Fresh fruits and vegetables make great snacks.Bugs & TicksMosquito concerns are high this year. Dress your child in long pants and sleeves for mosquito protection. Check your kid after outdoor play for ticks. Ticks like to cling inside the sock line, between the fingers and toes, behind the ears and in tender spots. Spray insect repellent on clothing. Don't use a full dose in little kids or on the hands; you don't want bug spray fingers going in tiny mouths.Sun SafetyEncourage sunscreen usage. SPF sticks are easy for kids to use and encourage good sun habits. Use your own sun damage experiences to urge your older kids to wear sunblock. Gone are the days of slathering in baby oil and spending hours in the sun.Pools & BeachesSummertime also encompasses water fun. Keep it fun by practicing water safety. Monitor your kids. Learn CPR in hopes you never have to use it. Put a fence around your swimming pool. Kids who can't swim must wear life jackets in the pool. Everyone must wear a life jacket when boating.Listen in as Dr. Jennifer Haythe shares tips to keep your kid healthy this summer.

Keeping Your Kids' Health on Track this Summer

You can still stay fit while enjoying your vacation.Your vacation plans probably don't include gaining back the weight you lost. How do you navigate the overwhelming dinner buffets and cozy beaches to keep that weight off?First, work out first thing in the day. Earn that bloody mary. A simple walk or some time in the hotel gym can jump start your day. If you work out all the time, don't drop all activity during your vacation.Second, you can plan physical activities into your vacation. If you're visiting the beach, spend some time swimming, wading in the water or playing volleyball before you take that nap in the shade. Engage in sports classes if you're at a resort. Go on excursions that keep your body moving.Vacation foods are tempting. Eat fresh fruit and fresh fish. Try the local flavors instead of fast foods you recognize from home. Try eating as cleanly as possible. Snack healthy. Don't eat like there's no tomorrow at every meal. If you overdo it at the dinner table, there's no room for self-loathing. Don't keep thinking about that one bad day, just get back on board with your plan.Lastly, don't slow your metabolism down by spending the entire vacation as a lounge lizard. Play with your kids. Have physical fun. Be active right before those big meals you choose to consume.Listen in as health and fitness expert Joey Thurman shares how you can keep those fitness gains and enjoy your vacation at the same time.

Keep the Weight off While Vacationing

 Parkinson's disease has no cure. But, new developments can help those with Parkinson's lead a quality life.Parkinson's disease is a motor system disorder. Some symptoms are trembling, stiffness, slowness and impaired coordination. There is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease.However, new developments are making symptom management easier. For example, there are now patches and nasal sprays for those who have difficulty swallowing pills because of the condition.Thanks to social media, people with Parkinson's don't have to feel so alone. It is easier to contact others who have the same condition. There are support groups and communities for sufferers and caretakers.World Parkinson Congress is a triennial meeting that covers the latest on the disease. Talks vary from the latest research to techniques for care.Listen in as Eli Pollard of World Parkinson Coalition joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share the latest developments in easing Parkinson's symptoms.

Latest Science on Parkinson’s Disease

Talk to your kids about the dangers of binge drinking before they engage.As a parent, you may worry about your kids and their exposure to alcohol.But, you can't watch everything they do.Have an honest conversation with your child before he may go out drinking. Be open and discuss the effects of alcohol on the body. Talk about alcohol poisoning and death. Bringing up the topic doesn't mean your child will go out and get drunk.Give your child advice for navigating parties. No one can see what's in that red cup, so it doesn't have to be refilled with booze all night. Encourage your child to nurse a beverage to prevent alcohol poisoning. Share your own past hangover experiences so they know the risks.Also, consider this: what example are you setting with your alcohol habits? Don't think you can get wasted over dinner and still tell your child drinking is bad.Have multiple conversations about it. Make it safe for your child to call you when partying if needed. Be sure your child knows you will pick him up so he doesn't drive drunk or ride with a drunken friend. Allow your child to talk to you about drinking, and don't reprimand when your kid needs you. Discuss what happened the following morning; these are teachable moments.Listen in as Dr. Lisa Lowery shares how to talk to your kids about binge drinking.

Shots, Shots, Shots: Beware of Binge Drinking

Fathers play an important role in the lives of children. But, sometimes dads aren't available.A father or father figure is important in developing a child's confidence. Daddies encourage risk-taking and help kids sort out how adult relationships should work.But, fathers aren't always available. Divorce, imprisonment, abandonment and death could mean pop isn't there.Fatherless daughters feel isolated. How a man treats her mother informs a daughter's relationship choices. These girls tend to put their feelings last. They don't know how to handle some aspects of relationships. Their emotions will change as they sort things out.Mothers of fatherless daughters are tasked with stability and strength. Mom serves as both parents. Allowing space for daughters to find their path helps. It's important not to trash talk the absent father, because the daughter is still composed of his genes.If you grew up fatherless, your emotions may be masked. Consider how it's affected you, and learn from the experience. Know it doesn't define who you can be.Listen in as Denna Babul shares what it's like growing up fatherless.

Fatherless Success: How to Overcome & Strive

Dental health is linked to overall health. Biologic dentistry considers treating the whole patient.Your oral health affects your entire body. A biologic or holistic dentist considers how dental health contributes to overall health. Cardiac conditions, diabetes and certain cancers are exacerbated by gum disease. It's important to get regular dental cleanings to prevent development of gum disease.Biologic dentists try to avoid using metal and fluoride. They also advise against root canals. Root canals are not 100% sterile. These dentists recommend removing the infected tooth and replacing it with a non-metallic implant. Dentists recommend to only get sugars from fruit and to avoid sweets and processed foods. Listen in as biologic dentist, Dr. Vladimir Gashinsky, discusses how biologic dentistry works.

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