Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is observed every September in North America by health experts, health advocates, and individuals concerned with men’s health. How common is it? About 1 man in 8 will be diagnosed during his lifetime. Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common in American men. The American Cancer Society’s estimates in the United States for 2021 are: About 248,530 new cases About 34,130 deaths What Is It? It is a malignant tumor of the prostate. The disease is less common before age 50, and experts believe that most elderly men have traces of it. Risk of prostate cancer Prostate cancer is more likely to develop in older men and in non-Hispanic Black men. About 6 cases in 10 are diagnosed in men who are 65 or older, and it is rare in men under 40. The average age of men at diagnosis is about 66. Death Statistics It is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer. About 1 man in 41 will die of from it. This can be a serious disease, but most men diagnosed with it do not die from it. In fact, more than 3.1 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed at some point, are still alive today. Prostate cancer in its early stages (when it’s found only in the prostate gland) can be treated, with very good chances for survival. Fortunately, about 85% of American men with prostate cancer are diagnosed in an early stage of the disease. Learn More:Download Your Health Matters! Contact The Benefits Store today for your and your families health insurance needs! www.BenefitsStore.com (800)446-2663 – Info@BenefitsStore.com CA Insurance License #0680704 #ProstateCancer #ProstateCancerAwareness

Brake failure is not something most people worry about when it comes to driver safety. Unfortunately, it does happen. In fact, the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) states that brake failure is the third most common vehicle-related factor in vehicle crashes. Because of this, August has been designated as National Brake Awareness Month. Preventing Brake Failure The last thing you want to do is find yourself driving on one of the busy Los Angeles freeways only to have your brakes fail on you. The most effective way to prevent such an issue is to take your vehicle in for a regular inspection at least once a year. Have your brakes looked at and if they’re starting to wear down or get old, have them replaced. What To Do in the Event of an Emergency Although getting your vehicle inspected regularly can help prevent brake failure, there may still come a time when your brakes fail while you’re driving. If this does happen, the following are a few tips to help reduce the risk of getting into an accident as a result: Don’t panic – Panicking because your brakes aren’t working won’t help. People who panic may even step on the gas pedal by accident, which will only make things worse. Take a deep breath and try to calm yourself down so you can navigate your situation safely. Turn on your hazard lights – Put your hazard lights on so that everyone around you knows there’s a problem. Downshift if you drive manual – If you drive a manual car, downshift. Doing so can help slow your car down a little at a time. Even if you can’t stop all the way, slowing down can help prevent a bad accident. Shift into neutral once you reach first gear. Use your emergency brake – Once you’re in neutral, pull your emergency brake. Once you come to a complete stop, don’t forget to put the car in park. The last thing you want to do is get in a car accident, so be sure to have your car regularly inspected so that your brakes don’t fail. For more safety awareness tips, visit us at The Benefits Store. #brakefailure #brakeproblems #carsafety #vehiclesafety

September: Cholesterol Education Month Why National Cholesterol Education Month is Important It shines a light on a silent condition High cholesterol has no symptoms itself, but it can lead to blockages of your arteries. This can result in heart disease. National Cholesterol Education Month raises awareness about this potentially dangerous condition. It urges people to get checked A simple blood test can tell you if your cholesterol is high and if you’re in danger of heart disease. Be there are no symptoms for high cholesterol, adults over the age of 20 are encouraged to get this test once every five years. It galvanizes people to make healthier choices High cholesterol can often be caused by one’s lifestyle habits. Poor diet, a lack of exercise, and other factors like smoking can cause or exacerbate the condition. Luckily, improving one’s lifestyle choices can also help lower cholesterol and National Cholesterol Education Month teaches people just how to do that. What Is Cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy, fat like substance. It is produced by the liver and is present in dietary sources. It is a major component of cell membranes and is used to make hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids used in digestion. Cholesterol is carried through the blood on lipoproteins. There are two major types of lipoproteins: High-density lipoprotein (HDL), often called “good” cholesterol Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called “bad” cholesterol Excess LDL cholesterol is deposited in the walls of arteries throughout the body. This can lead to ASCVD, which includes heart attack, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), stable or unstable angina, and peripheral artery disease (PAD), including aortic aneurysm, al Learn More:Download Your Health Matters! Contact The Benefits Store today for you and your families Health Insurance needs! www.BenefitsStore.com (800)446-2663 Info@BenefitsStore.com CA Insurance License #0680704 #healthawareness #Californiahealthtips #CholesterolAwareness #Californiahealthinsurance #CholesterolEducationMonth

If you’re the proud owner of a pet, then it’s important that you maintain a pet vaccination schedule. A lot of people don’t realize that just like humans, pets, such as dogs and cats, require yearly vaccinations. To help spread awareness of this fact, August is National Pet Immunization Awareness Month. What Vaccinations Should Your Pets Get? There are two types of vaccines that your pets may require. The first type of vaccinations is called “core vaccinations.” These are absolutely necessary. For dogs, they include canine parvovirus, canine hepatitis, canine distemper, and rabies shots. For cats, they include rabies, feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus type I, and feline distemper shots. The second type of vaccination is called a non-core vaccination. These vaccinations depend on the lifestyle and specific risks of your pet. Some of these non-core vaccinations for dogs include Lyme disease, leptospirosis, and canine cough shots. For cats, they include feline leukemia virus and bacterial upper respiratory infection vaccinations. The following are a few examples of lifestyle risks that may warrant a non-core vaccination: You board your pets regularly when going on vacation You take your pets to the groomer on a regular basis You take your dog to the dog park or other areas where other dogs are Your backyard is shared with wildlife (such as an area where deer, raccoons, and other wildlife venture) Setting Up a Pet Vaccination Schedule Initial vaccines against certain diseases common amongst dogs and cats can be given to your pets in California once they reach six weeks of age. Once these vaccines are administered, booster shots are often required to ensure that these vaccines remain effective. Boosters are usually required the first year following the initial vaccination and then every three years afterward. Get Your Pets Vaccinated It’s vital to the health of your pets that you get them vaccinated. To determine whether your pet needs non-core vaccinations, speak with your vet in Northern California. They can also help set up a vaccination schedule so that your pet will get the booster shots it needs. For more pet health advice, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #petvaccines #PetVaccination #pethealth #Petsafety #petimmunization

Having a MedicAlert medical ID on a bracelet or necklace can end up saving your life. Unfortunately, not enough people know what it is. Anyone who has a medical condition of any sort can benefit from having such an ID. To help spread awareness of the ID and how it can save your life, August is MedicAlert Awareness Month. The Benefits of a MedicAlert Medical ID Despite the fact that the medical ID has been available for almost half a century, not enough people are familiar with them — or use them. As such, the following are some of the reasons why you or your family members should wear such a medical ID if you have a medical condition: Members can update and access their emergency health records online at any time and from anywhere. An emergency response team has access to the online health records and is trained to provide vital medical information to first responders. If you experience a medical emergency that leaves you incapacitated or unable to provide first responders or healthcare providers with information, your medical ID will be able to provide your health records and information for you. As a result, medical errors (such as a misdiagnosis or an error in medication) are reduced by as much as 50 percent. First responders with access to the information on your medical ID will be able to take quicker action, especially if the condition you suffer from is difficult to recognize on the spot. Such a faster response time can end up saving your life. Besides providing first responders and healthcare providers with important medical information, a medical ID also helps identify the person wearing it, which is useful if they don’t have any other identifying documents on them (such as a driver’s license). Medical IDs are internationally recognized, which means that they can help save your life even if you’re not in California or the United States. As you can see, having a MedicAlert medical ID can be life-saving if you have a medical condition. For more health tips, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #healthawareness #Medicalert #Medicalertbracelet #MedicalIDs

As part of Children’s Eye Safety Month, in addition to immunizations, it is highly recommended your child receive an eye examination before going back to school. The inability to see clearly affects not only academic performance but also athletics and self-esteem. Start the new school year out right by making sure that your student is seeing clearly! Common signs of vision troubles in children include: frequently rubbing eyes, squinting, tilting or turning head to look at objects, wandering eyes, or squeezing eyes. If you’re child displays any of these symptoms, please schedule an appointment to have their eyes checked. Protect Your Children’s Eyes from Too Much Blue Light Research is suggesting that hours in front of digital screens each day may be putting children’s eye safety at risk. (ex: damage to their retinas later in life.) Computer displays/screens of smart phones and other digital devices emit significant amounts of high-energy visible blue light. This can have long-term damaging effects on retinal tissue. Though it’s still unclear how much blue light is too much, it’s wise to take preventive measures. Limit your child’s exposure to blue light from these devices. It’s wise to have kids wear eyeglasses with photochromic lenses and/or anti-reflective coating designed to filter blue light. Also, attempting to place limits on the amount of time your child spends in front of a digital screen daily. If your child doesn’t need corrective lenses, your eye doctor can prescribe light-filtering computer glasses that can protect his or her eyes from blue light and visual fatigue. Consult your eye care professional for more details. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), parents should consider these factors affecting children and computer use: Children may not be aware of how much time they are spending at a computer. They may perform a task on the computer for hours with few breaks. This prolonged activity can cause eye focusing and eye strain problems. Children are very adaptable. They assume that what they see and how they see is normal — even if their vision is problematic. It’s important for parents to monitor the time a child spends working at a computer. Making sure they have regular eye exams as directed by their optometrist or ophthalmologist. Children are smaller than adults. Since computer workstations often are arranged for adult use, this can change the viewing angle for young children. Computer users should view the screen slightly downward, at a 15-degree angle. Learn More about Children’s Eye SafetyDownload Your Children’s Eye Safety and Health is Important! Contact The Benefits Store today for your Vision Insurance needs! Call (800)446-2663 or visit www.BenefitsStore.com. Provided by BENEFITS STORE INSURANCE SERVICES, Inc.

It has always been important to keep travel safety in mind, but this is doubly so as a result of the pandemic. After such a long time spent in lockdown, many Americans are planning to travel. If you plan to travel soon, whether you’re traveling within California or leaving the state, then planning ahead will be essential. Travel Safety Tips During the Pandemic First and foremost, identify what the vaccination requirements are for the place you’re traveling to. Even if your destination doesn’t have any vaccination requirements, it’s a good idea to get vaccinated for COVID-19 either way. It’s also important to realize that COVID-19 isn’t the only vaccine requirement certain destinations have. You may also need the MMR vaccine before you travel. Do not wait until the last minute to get any required vaccinations. Some vaccinations require multiple shots (such as the COVID-19 vaccine), while others need time for your body to build up immunity, such as the yellow fever vaccine (which you’ll need to get 10 days prior to your travel date). In addition to getting all of the required vaccinations for your destination, the following are a few other travel safety tips: If you have any medical conditions and prescription medications that you take for those conditions, carry a physician’s letter that describes both with you. Write down essential personal medical information on a card (such as your conditions, blood type, and more) and carry this card everywhere you go. If you’re taking any prescribed medications with you, leave them in their original containers instead of transferring them to a pill case. Check with the embassy in the country you’re traveling to (if you’re leaving the states) to find out if your prescription medications are legal there. Bring masks with you. You will not be able to fly in the states without a mask, and many foreign countries still have mask requirements as well. These are a few travel safety tips to keep in mind as you travel during the pandemic. For more information about traveling safety or about getting vaccinated, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #travelduringpandemic #travelsafety #travelsafetyduringCOVID19

UV light radiation can cause both short-term and long-term damage to your eyes. Unfortunately, not enough people pay attention to the importance of protecting their eyes, especially during the summer. People expose themselves during California summers because they spend more time outside. To spread more awareness about the need to protect your eyes, July has been designated as UV Safety Awareness Month. Damage Caused by UV Light Radiation Exposure can result in a number of short-term symptoms affecting your vision. These symptoms include eye irritation, red eyes, and photokeratitis (which is known as corneal sunburn and can cause temporary vision loss). These symptoms can occur within 15 minutes after exposure. However, it’s the long-term vision problems caused by UV light radiation that is of real concern. These problems include: Cancer – While you can’t get eye cancer, you can get skin cancer of the eyelids. Cataracts – Cataracts occur when the eye’s natural lens is clouded over. Roughly 10% of all cataracts are said to be caused by exposure. Macular degeneration – Macular degeneration is the leading cause of age-related blindness. UV light exposure increases the risk of macular degeneration, which results from retinal damage over time. Pterygium – Pterygium is a pink growth that forms over the white of the eye. It’s been referred to as “surfer’s eye.” Safety Tips to Protect Against UV Light Radiation The following can help protect against the damages of UV light radiation: Keep in mind that clouds do not block it. Never look directly at the sun. Wear a hat to help shade against exposure, especially if you’re in direct sunlight, on the beach or outside. Wear sunglasses if you plan on going outside for an extended period of time. Understand the potential risks and take the necessary precautions when spending time outside this summer. For more California summer safety awareness tips, visit us at The Benefits Store. #Californiasummers #UVlight #UVlightradiation

When you go swimming in California, odds are you’re not worried about drowning, especially if you learned to swim at a young age. But there is a significant risk when you’re in or on the water, even if you know how to swim. In fact, it is such a problem that it is vital awareness about the risk is encouraged. Drowning Remains a Large Risk The following are a few drowning statistics that showcase just how big of a problem it remains throughout not just California, but the United States: 23% of drownings among children happen in a pool. According to the CDC, 250 children aged five and under drown in pools every year. It is the number one cause of unintentional injury-related deaths amongst children aged four and under. Risk among adults increases due to drug and alcohol use. More than 4,000 people drown in the U.S. alone every year. How To Reduce the Risk Follow these tips to ensure that you and your family remain safe when swimming or boating: Avoid alcohol and drugs when swimming or boating. Do not go swimming right after you eat to avoid cramps. If you own a pool, place a barrier around it. A lack of barriers contributes to many deaths. Never let children go swimming without adult supervision. Most incidents involving children occur in familiar surroundings. Review swimming rules with children before taking them near water (not entering the water without an adult nearby, not running around the pool, etc.). Teach your children how to swim at an early age. If you plan to be near the water, whether alone or with your children, be sure you understand the risks and take proper precautions. For more California safety tips, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #Drowning #drowningrisk #safeswimming #Watersafety

Beach pollution has been a major problem along the coast of California for decades. It’s one of the reasons why a great effort has been made to get people to clean up after themselves and to volunteer to clean their local beaches. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand just how damaging littering on the beach can be. To help spread awareness of how important it is to keep our beaches clean, July has been designated as Clean Beaches Month. Why Clean Beaches Month Is Important It’s vital that California residents and tourists understand the impact they have on the environment when they visit the beach. Leaving behind trash instead of properly throwing it away can contribute to disastrous, global consequences. Here are ways in which litter on the beach can cause damage to the ecosystem: Garbage can cause ingestion problems Birds or ocean wildlife can swallow garbage, causing blockages in their digestive tracts. This leads to starvation. The ingestion of sharp objects can also puncture their stomachs, causing internal bleeding. Plastic ingestion has been a growing problem. In one study, more than 25% of fish around the world were found to have plastic inside of them. Trash causes entanglement Plastic bags, 6-pack holders, cans, string, and more can entangle wildlife. Entanglement can cause circulation loss, amputations, and wounds that lead to bacterial infections. It can also drag and weigh wildlife down, making them more vulnerable to predators or making it difficult for them to feed themselves. Participate In a Beach Cleanup This Month The first beach clean-up was organized in 1984. Since then, over 228 million pounds of trash have been collected during organized beach cleanups. You can make a difference by participating in a local beach cleanup. At the very least, be sure to properly throw away your garbage when visiting the beach. And be sure to pick up and throw away any trash you come across. For more about Clean Beaches Month, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #Cleanbeaches #cleanbeachesmonth #keepingourbeachesclean

sunburn UV radiation is yet another thing that you need to worry about if you plan on spending any time outdoors this summer. After all of the time that everyone’s spent in lockdown, the odds are you’re looking to spend some time outside, whether it’s having a picnic at the park, going for a hike, or hitting up the beaches in California. However you decide to enjoy the summer, it’s crucial that you protect your skin against UV radiation. To help spread awareness about the importance of UV radiation protection, July has been designated as UV Safety Awareness Month. The Dangers of UV Radiation UV light can come from any number of sources, including tanning beds. However, the primary source is sunlight. Exposure to UV light can cause your skin to wrinkle and leather over time. Short-term exposure can result in painful sunburns. However, long-term overexposure can lead to more serious issues, such as skin cancer. Skin cancer is a serious problem in the U.S. Roughly 5.4 million skin cancers are diagnosed every year, according to the American Cancer Society. How To Protect Your Skin Against UV Radiation It’s important to understand that you are still exposing yourself to UV radiation even if there’s cloud cover. Just because the sunlight isn’t hitting you directly doesn’t mean the UV rays aren’t getting through. As such, follow these tips if you plan on being outside, whether there’s cloud cover or not: Wear protective clothing – Loose-fitting clothing can help protect your skin, but be sure to wear a hat and sunglasses as well to shield you against UV rays. Stay in the shade when possible – If you’re going to spend an extended amount of time outside, be sure to stay in the shade, whether it’s under the cover of a tree or under an umbrella. Use sunscreen – Whenever you plan to spend extended time outdoors, apply sunscreen to skin that will be exposed to the sun. Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Use these safety tips to protect against UV radiation when spending time outside in California. For more summer safety tips, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

As the World Health Organization (WHO) points out, migraine and headache disorders are some of “the most common disorders of the nervous system.” Although a migraine or headache can be defined as having pain “in any region of the head,” the cause, duration, and intensity of this pain can vary according to the type of headache. The most common primary headaches Primary headaches can occur when the pain in your head is the condition. In other words, your headache isn’t being triggered by something that your body is dealing with, like illness or allergies. These headaches can be episodic or chronic: Episodic headaches may occur every so often or even just once in a while. They can last anywhere from half an hour to several hours. Chronic headaches are more consistent. They occur most days out of the month and can last for days at a time. In these cases, a pain management plan is necessary. Tension headaches occur if you feel a dull, aching sensation all over your head. It isn’t throbbing. Tenderness or sensitivity around your neck, forehead, scalp, or shoulder muscles also might occur. Anyone can get a tension headache, and they’re often triggered by stress. If you are getting headaches more than 15 days out of the month over a period of three months, you might have a chronic headache condition. You should see your doctor to find out what’s wrong, even if you’re able to manage the pain with aspirin or ibuprofen. Headaches can be a symptom of more serious health conditions, and some do require treatment beyond OTC medications and home remedies. Learn More:Download Your Health Matters! Contact The Benefits Store today for your Health insurance needs! Call (800)446-2663 or visit www.BenefitsStore.com. Provided by BENEFITS STORE INSURANCE SERVICES, Inc. #Migraineawareness #headaches #migraines #headacheawareness #Migraineandheadacheawareness #CaliforniaRealtorInsurance #CaliforniaInsurance