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A lot of people don’t know or dismiss heart attack signs in women because heart attacks are commonly associated with men. However, in actuality, more women die from heart attacks than men. While many people are aware of the heart attack signs in men, they don’t realize that those signs are a bit different in women. To help spread awareness about the signs of heart attacks in women and how to reduce the risk of heart attacks, February has been designated as American Heart Awareness Month. What Are the Heart Attack Signs in Women? Women do share some symptoms with men when it comes to heart attacks; however, there are a few symptoms that they are more likely to experience than men. With that in mind, the following are the primary signs that a woman is having a heart attack: Chest pains: The most common symptom of a heart attack for both men and women is the feeling of pain in the chest. The pain may be accompanied by a feeling of tightness or pressure in the chest, but these are symptoms men tend to have more than women. Pain in the arms: Both men and women may experience pain or discomfort in one or both of their arms. Shortness of breath: Shortness of breath is a symptom men don’t have nearly as often as women have during a heart attack. Nausea: Men don’t typically experience nausea prior to having a heart attack, but women do. In fact, women may even vomit during the onset of a heart attack. Other symptoms: Other symptoms women may feel during a heart attack include pain in the jaw, neck, or back as well as feelings of lightheadedness or weakness. Know the Signs of a Heart Attack It’s crucial that you know what the heart attack signs in women are so that you can warn someone if you think you’re having a heart attack or call 9-1-1 if you think someone you’re with is having one. For more health awareness tips, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #Heartdisease #healthawareness #heartattack #heartattacksigns #heartattacksinwomen

Tooth decay (cavities) is one of the most common chronic conditions of childhood in the United States. Untreated tooth decay can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. The good news is that tooth decay is preventable. Fluoride varnish, a high concentration fluoride coating that is painted on teeth, can prevent about one-third (33%) of decay in the primary (baby) teeth. Children living in communities with fluoridated tap water have fewer decayed teeth than children who live in areas where their tap water is not fluoridated. Similarly, children who brush daily with fluoride toothpaste will have less tooth decay. Keep Healthy Teeth with the 2-2-2 Rule Help keep your child’s teeth healthy by using the 2-2-2 rule: visit your dentist two times a year, and brush and floss TWO times a day for TWO whole minutes! How Do You Get Kids to Brush Their Teeth? Our pediatric dentists recommend parents follow the “tell, show, do” model: Tell: In age-appropriate language, explain how to brush and floss and how those actions keep teeth clean and healthy Show: Let children watch when mom or dad brush and floss their own teeth. Do: Help children brush and floss their teeth in the morning and before bed, and keep a regular routine so they know it’s expected. Continue helping to brush a child’s teeth until age 4 or 5. After that, let them do it themselves, but supervise them until age 7 or 8. both children and adults should brush for two minutes, twice a day. Oral Hygiene: the Importance of Brushing and Flossing Your oral health can offer clues about your overall health or that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body? Like many areas of the body, your mouth is teeming with bacteria. Typically, the body’s natural defenses and good oral hygiene can keep these bacteria under control. However, if you don’t remove the bacteria daily with brushing and flossing, it can cause cavities or gum disease. Learn more:Download Your health and safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store today for a Free Dental Quote! #healthawareness #Californiahealthtips #PediatricDentalAwareness #PediatricDental #Californiahealthinsurance

It’s incredibly important to schedule regular pediatric dentist visits if you have young children. This is because of how common cavities are. Not only do more than 50 percent of children experience tooth decay before they turn five (according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry), but cavities are five times more common in children than asthma. Scheduling Pediatric Dentist Visits According to the CDC, an estimated 42 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 11 have cavities that are untreated. It’s important that your child have their teeth checked for cavities on a regular basis. Untreated cavities can lead to pain and infections as well as issues speaking, eating, and even learning. A pediatric dentist can identify the beginnings of tooth decay and help address it before it gets any worse. How to Prevent Cavities It’s important that you don’t just rely on the dentist. After all, cavities can cause serious discomfort, which means you’ll want to help prevent them altogether. The following are a few tips to help you prevent your child from getting cavities: Use fluoride toothpaste: Fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay, so be sure to buy toothpaste for your kids that contains fluoride. Brush twice a day: Get your children in the habit of brushing their teeth twice a day. They should brush for at least two minutes in the mornings and in the evenings before going to bed. They should also floss to make sure plaque doesn’t build up between their teeth. Consider applying dental sealants: A dentist can apply dental sealants to the back teeth of your child. These sealants are effective for four years and can help to reduce decay in the permanent molars by as much as 81 percent. Dental Health is Important to Your Children The last thing you want is for your children to suffer from dental cavities. Cavities can be incredibly uncomfortable and even painful. Not to mention that they’ll spend even more time at the dentist getting their cavities filled, potentially missing school as a result. Be sure to promote dental health to your kids and schedule pediatric dentist visits twice a year. For more health awareness advice, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #children039sdentalhealth #kidsdentist #pediatricdentistvisits

In recognition of 2022 National Burn Awareness Week, Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey encourages families to practice safe-cooking habits. National Burn Awareness Week runs Feb. 6-12. This year’s theme from the American Burn Association is “Burning Issues in the Kitchen.” How to prevent injuries causes by burns in the kitchen: Keep your stovetop clear. Dress appropriately. Wear short or close-fitting sleeves when cooking to avoid a burn. Never leave the stove unattended. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling or broiling food. Keep children safe in the kitchen. Have a “kid-free-zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried. Monitor your appliances. After cooking, check the kitchen to make sure all burners and other appliances are turned off. Have a Plan of Action For All Burns 1. Stop Burning Immediately Put out fire or stop the person’s contact with hot liquid, steam, or other material. Help the person “stop, drop, and roll” to smother flames. Remove smoldering material from the person. Remove hot or burned clothing. If clothing sticks to skin, cut or tear around it. 2. Remove Constrictive Clothing Immediately Take off jewelry, belts, and tight clothing. Burns can swell quickly. 3. See a Doctor The doctor can test burn severity, prescribe antibiotics and pain medications, and administer a tetanus shot, if needed. Resources for American Burn Week: For more information, contact the American Burn Association: #NBAW www.ameriburn.org 312-642-9260 Learn More:Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store for you and your families health insurance needs. #Californiahealthinsurance #Californiahealthtips #healthawareness #NationalBurnWeek

An estimated 9% of people in the U.S. will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. Additionally, there are over 10,000 deaths resulting from an eating-related disorder every year, making eating disorders the second deadliest mental illness behind opioid overdoses. Unfortunately, few people realize how severe eating-related disorders are in the U.S., which is why February was designated as Eating Disorders Awareness and Screening Month. Signs of an Eating Disorder It’s important that you be able to identify if a loved one is struggling with an eating-related disorder to get them the help they need. With that in mind, the following are a few signs that indicate someone may have an eating disorder: Significant weight loss: If a person has lost too much weight, it could be the result of anorexia, which is a disorder in which a person stops eating. Someone who weighs less than 85% of their ideal body weight could be suffering from anorexia. Binging without weight gain: If you notice that someone will purge when they eat, meaning that they will eat a substantial amount of food at any given time, but they never gain weight, they may be struggling with bulimia. Bulimia is a disorder in which a person will binge on food, then immediately purge it from their system. Preoccupied with self-image: Individuals who spend a lot of time looking at themselves in the mirror, making negative comments about their weight, or who are preoccupied with their perception of the ideal body may have some sort of eating-related disorder. Eating patterns have changed: If the eating patterns of a person have changed, there could be an issue. For example, if they no longer eat family meals, are obsessed with counting calories, eat smaller portions or no longer eat at all, go to the bathroom after every meal, or binge certain foods, they may have an eating-related disorder. To help someone who is struggling with an eating-related disorder, you need to be able to identify the signs so that you can get them help. For more health tips, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #anorexia #bingeeating #eatingdisorder #mentalhealth

Having “low vision” is not the same as being “blind.” For example, your doctor may tell you that you have a blind or blank spot in the center of your vision that limits your ability to read or see people’s faces; nevertheless, you can still get around using your side (or peripheral) vision. What Low Vision Means As we age, our eyes change too. In most cases, regular eyeglasses or contact lenses can correct many of these vision changes. However, if your eye doctor tells you that your vision cannot be fully corrected with ordinary prescription glasses, medication, or surgery and you still have some usable vision, you have what is called “low vision.” Having low vision means that even with regular glasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery, you may find it difficult to perform everyday tasks, such as reading your mail, shopping, preparing meals, and signing your name. Why is it important to raise awareness about age-related eye diseases? Many people think that vision loss is a normal part of aging and are unaware of what they can do to protect their sight. Lifestyle factors—such as not smoking; maintaining a healthy weight; engaging in physical activity; controlling diabetes; eating a healthy diet that includes fish high in omega-3s and dark, leafy greens; and protecting eyes from the sun—can all help prevent the onset or delay the progression of eye disease. Comprehensive dilated eye exams should also be a part of a person’s routine health care, especially if he or she is over age 50. What are the most common age-related eye diseases and conditions? The most common eye diseases and conditions that affect older adults include age-related macular degeneration(AMD), cataract, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, glaucoma, and low vision. Many of these diseases and conditions do not have noticeable symptoms in their early stages. They can be detected through a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Treatment is most effective when an eye disease is diagnosed early. Learn More:Download Your Vision is important to your health! Contact The Benefits Store today for you and your families Vision Insurance needs! #healthawareness #Californiahealthtips #lowvisionawareness #LowVision #Californiahealthinsurance

Monitoring your home’s indoor radon levels is extremely important to the health and safety of you and your family. Although radon is naturally occurring and will be found in every home at some level, you need to make sure it doesn’t build up to a dangerous level. That is because radon is an invisible, scentless gas that can lead to the development of lung cancer as a result of over-exposure. To help spread awareness about the dangers of radon, January has been designated as National Radon Action Month. The California Indoor Radon Program The California Indoor Radon Program was established by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to collect and maintain information about the presence of radon throughout the state. The following are a few things you should know about the program: The goal of the program is to reduce human exposure to radon in both residential and school structures. The program helps spread awareness to residents of the state about the risks of radon and encourages radon testing. The CDPH collects information from the California Geological Survey to identify areas with excessive indoor radon levels. Various maps and reports are prepared to identify low, moderate, and high radon potential areas. The program has been in place for more than two decades. Testing for Radon It’s estimated that the average concentration of radon is around 1.3 picocuries per liter. Outside, it’s around 0.4 picocuries per liter. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns people to avoid long-term exposure to radon levels of over 4 picocuries per liter. Radon testing can be done using a radon level detector. A short-term detector uses activated charcoal to absorb radon from indoor air. It takes upwards of a week to complete such a test. Long-term tests take up to three months or longer and are done using alpha-track detectors. Test Your Home’s Radon Levels According to the EPA, around 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the Unites States are caused by radon exposure every year. As such, be sure to check your indoor radon levels. For more health awareness information, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #indoorradon #indoorradonawareness #indoorradonprogram

More than 12 percent of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime. An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. Up to 60 percent of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition. Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems. One woman in eight will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime. Most thyroid cancers respond to treatment, although a small percentage can be very aggressive. The causes of thyroid problems are largely unknown. Undiagnosed thyroid disease may put patients at risk for certain serious conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and infertility. Pregnant women with undiagnosed or inadequately treated hypothyroidism have an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm delivery, and severe developmental problems in their children. Most thyroid diseases are life-long conditions that can be managed with medical attention. January is Thyroid Disease Awareness Month Most people have heard about the thyroid gland but may not have been taught about the huge importance this gland plays in our bodies. The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that is located at the base of the neck. This gland influences the function of our most essential organs in the body: brain, liver, heart, kidneys and skin. The thyroid’s primary job is to make hormones that are secreted into the blood stream and carried to every tissue in our bodies. The body uses this hormone for metabolism, digestion, regulating body temperature, and much more. It is vital to ensure your thyroid gland is healthy and functioning to its proper capabilities. The only sure way to be diagnosed with this disease is to have a blood test performed that measures your thyroid hormone levels. It is highly recommended that if you or the individual you serve is a senior over 60 that a thyroid-stimulating hormone test be administered. This test measures if the gland is working properly or not. Anyone can develop a thyroid problem; however, it is more prominent in older women.   There are various forms of treatment for Thyroid Disease: medication, iodine, hormones, therapy and surgery. This all depends on the type of disease that is occurring. These treatments can help greatly improve a person’s quality of life. Caregivers and loved ones should know the signs/ symptoms of thyroid disease and contact a medical professional for assistance as needed. Learn more:Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store for you and your families health insurance needs! #Californiahealthinsurance #healthawareness #HealthNews #ThyroidDisease

Preventing birth defects is more important than most people realize. People rarely want to think about the possibility of their baby being born with birth defects, but it happens more commonly than you might think. It’s estimated that around 120,000 babies are born every year with birth defects — and that’s in the United States alone. That amounts to roughly one in 33 babies being born with birth defects. Because of this, January has been designated as National Birth Defects Prevention Month. The Importance of Prevention Birth defects can affect every part of the body, from the foot to the brain. Some birth defects can easily be addressed and won’t affect the baby’s life or their quality of life, such as a cleft lip. Others can be much more serious, such as heart defects or hearing loss. To prevent such birth defects, you have to know what causes them. The following are some of the common causes of birth defects: Drinking alcohol, doing drugs, or smoking during pregnancy Having uncontrolled diabetes before and during pregnancy Being obese during pregnancy Being infected with certain viruses during pregnancy, such as the Zika virus Certain medications Experiencing an elevated body temperature during pregnancy Being of an older age during pregnancy (which can increase the risk of chromosomal abnormalities) How to Prevent Birth Defects First of all, live as healthily as possible during your pregnancy — stop smoking and drinking and don’t take any drugs. Make sure that you see your primary healthcare provider in California routinely. They can advise you on what medications you can and can’t take. Finally, make sure to introduce plenty of folic acid into your diet. Folic acid contains folate, which helps ensure that your cells function properly and is necessary for forming your red blood cells and DNA. Folate can also help prevent various birth defects as well as prevent heart disease and anemia. Spread Awareness on Preventing Birth Defects This Month If you’re planning on having a baby, take precautions to prevent birth defects. For more health advice, be sure to contact us at The Benefits Store today. #birthdefects #healthybabies #healthypregnancy #preventingbirthdefects

There are several types of eye disorders that are referred to as glaucoma. However, they all cause vision loss in the same way. The disorder occurs due to the buildup of fluid around the front of the eye. This buildup causes pressure that damages the eye’s optic nerve and can result in eventual blindness. Fortunately, there are ways to treat glaucoma, which is why generating awareness is so important. January was designated National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Why Is Glaucoma Awareness So Important? Glaucoma can lead to permanent blindness. In fact, it’s the leading cause of blindness in people over 60 years old. There is no cure. It’s vital that you catch glaucoma in the beginning stages if you have it. One of the reasons why it can be successfully treated before permanent blindness sets in is because glaucoma only affects one eye at first. Although you can’t restore lost vision, there are medications, surgeries, and laser treatments available that can help by slowing down the progression of glaucoma. Diagnosing the condition in its beginning stages can help prevent you from going blind. What Are the Signs of Glaucoma? There are two kinds of glaucoma: open-angle and acute angle-closure. Open-angle glaucoma symptoms include blind spots and tunnel vision. Acute angle-closure glaucoma has many symptoms, including: Blurred vision Eye pain Eye redness Headaches Light halos Nausea If you begin experiencing any of these symptoms regularly, you must go to an eye doctor right away for an eye exam. The sooner your glaucoma can be diagnosed, the sooner it can be treated. Not all cases of glaucoma result in symptoms right away, which is why you should schedule a regular checkup with your eye doctor in Southern California as you grow older. January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month Increasing glaucoma awareness is critical to making sure people maintain their eyesight, especially as they grow older. Be aware of glaucoma symptoms and schedule regular visits to the eye doctor. For more about health awareness, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #eyehealth #glaucoma #glaucomaawareness #HealthNews

It’s a silent disease Open-angle glaucoma, the most common type, has no symptoms. Without treatment, those affected will slowly lose their peripheral vision. As glaucoma remains untreated, people may miss objects to the side and out of the corner of their eye. It gives others a voice National Glaucoma Awareness Month helps patients cope. It’s a time to let them share their stories. It’s important to spread the word The main objective of this month is to keep people in the know about this disease. Not everyone is aware of how easily they can be affected. Eye care organizations use this month to address the risks and provide treatment tips. Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the United States. Glaucoma has no early symptoms — that’s why half of people with glaucoma don’t know they have it. The only way to find out if you have glaucoma is to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam. There’s no cure for glaucoma, but early treatment can often stop the damage and protect your vision. Anyone can get glaucoma, but those at higher risk include: Everyone over age 60, especially Hispanics/Latinos African Americans over age 40 People with a family history of glaucoma Join the National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) in encouraging people at higher risk for glaucoma to make eye health a New Year’s resolution by getting a dilated eye exam. Your Health and Safety Matters! Glaucoma Awareness:Download Contact The Benefits Store today for your Free Vision Insurance Quote! #Californiahealthinsurance #Californiahealthtips #healthawareness

Birth defects are health conditions that are present at birth. Birth defects change the shape or function of one or more parts of the body. They can cause problems in overall health, how the body develops, or in how the body works. There are thousands of different birth defects. About 120,000 babies in the United States are born each year with a birth defect. The most common birth defects are heart defects, cleft lip and cleft palate, Down syndrome and spina bifida. While there’s been lots of research, we still don’t know the causes of some birth defects. Some birth defects are caused by genetic conditions. Genetic conditions are passed from parents to children through genes. The baby could get something from his mother, his father, or both parents that can cause a birth defect. Saving babies through birth defects prevention and research Every 4 ½ minutes, a baby is born with a major birth defect in the United States. That’s 1 in 33 babies. Birth defects are structural changes in one or more parts of the body that are present at birth. Examples include heart defects, neural tube defects, microcephaly, and gastroschisis. 1 in 10 pregnant women report using alcohol during the past 30 days, and 9 in 10 women report using one or more medications in pregnancy, despite the fact that we lack sufficient evidence on safety for 9 out of 10 medications. The majority of the world’s population today is not covered through folic acid fortification and efforts to implement fortification in lower-resourced countries face complex obstacles. Popular diet could increase risk of birth defects New research demonstrates that consuming a low-carbohydrate diet during pregnancy may increase the risk of certain birth defects by 30 percent. A new study finds a link between low-carb diets and birth defects. Neural tube defects (NTDs) are malformations of the brain, spine, and spinal cord. They develop before birth and include spina bifida, wherein the spinal column does not close completely, and anencephaly, wherein large portions of brain and skull are missing. Research carried out over decades conclusively demonstrated that folic acid can reduce the risk of babies being born with NTDs. As soon as the fortification began, cases of birth defects plummeted. Adding folic acid to food prevents more than 1,300 NTDTrusted Source cases each year in the United States. Learn more:Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store for you and your families Health Insurance needs #Californiahealthinsurance #Californiahealthtips #healthawareness