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If you own a pet, you likely take great care of it. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things from which you need to protect your pets. Pet poisonings are too common. It’s estimated there are around 100,000 pet poison cases in the U.S. every year. It’s critical for you to take precautions to prevent your pet from being poisoned. Pet Poisoning Causes There are many items pets may eat you didn’t realize were poisonous. All medications, including Tylenol and Advil, are poisonous to pets. Many types of everyday foods: Avocados Chocolate Grapes Macadamia nuts Raisins, Xylitol sweeteners …are dangerous for pets to ingest. Several types of plants and most household products are as well. Pet Poison Prevention Tips To prevent your pet from poisoning, be sure follow these pet poison prevention tips: Be careful about using rodent/insecticides – Pest killers can poison your pets, so if you use them, place them carefully. Make sure you remove dead rodents immediately because they are poisonous as well. Be careful about what you feed your pets – Know what you can and can’t feed your pet. If you drop food while eating it yourself, clean it up quickly. Buy plants that aren’t poisonous – Research to ensure you buy plants that aren’t poisonous if your pet eats them. Follow product guidelines – Certain pet products, such as flea and tick products, can be poisonous if ingested. Follow the product guidelines carefully when applying them. Keep medications locked up – All medications should be inaccessible to your pets. Store them in your bathroom medicine cabinet. Return medicines immediately after using them. These are a few pet poison prevention tips you should follow to protect your 4-legged loved ones. Be sure to continue visiting us at The Benefits Store for additional safety awareness tips. #Petpoisonprevention #Petpoisonings #Petsafety

The second week of March (This year, 8th-14th) is Sleep Awareness Week. Sleep is often taken for granted, yet it’s absolutely critical to your overall health. The National Sleep Foundation wants to spread awareness of the importance of sleep. The Importance of Sleeping Enough Not only is it important that you sleep enough every night, but the quality of your sleep is important too. Good sleep has been linked to learning, emotion regulation, metabolic regulation, memory consolidation, performance, and brain recuperation processes. As you can imagine, this means that sleep is particularly important to children that are still developing. The Risk of Not Sleeping Enough Not getting enough sleep one night will result in what’s known as “sleep debt.” This will have a bigger and bigger impact on your health over time. An ongoing lack of proper sleep can eventually cause memory problems, increase in pain perception, weakened immune system, and depression. Additionally, sleep deprivation can lead to other risks, such as: Drowsiness can lead to falling asleep while in the middle of a potentially dangerous situation. In fact, it’s estimated driver fatigue causes roughly 83,000 car accidents and approximately 850 deaths every year. Magnification of alcohol effects. If you’re sleep-deprived, alcohol consumption can cause you to become more impaired than usual. Poor hand-eye coordination, which affects your ability to drive safely How Much Should You Sleep? You should sleep on the same schedule every night. This will help improve the quality of your sleep. Adults should sleep for at least seven hours each night. Younger children need more sleep to enhance development. Make sure that you’re getting plenty of sleep during Sleep Awareness week and beyond. For more information about the importance of sleep to your health, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #sleep #SleepAwareness #sleephealth

Cavities can cause pain and infections. If left untreated, they can also lead to issues with speaking, eating, learning, and playing. Children’s dental health awareness is very important, which is why February is named National Children’s Dental Health Month. Children’s Dental Health Challenges The following are just a few of the surprising statistics about children’s dental health: Twenty-five percent of children and adolescents from low-income families between the ages of five and 19 have an untreated cavity compared to 11% of children and adolescents from higher-income families. Almost 20% of children from the ages of 5-11 have at least one decayed tooth that hasn’t been treated. Almost 13% of adolescents between the ages of 12-19 have an untreated decayed tooth. How to Promote Children’s Dental Health Tooth decay can be prevented. Here are a few tips for preventing tooth decay in children and adolescents: Applying dental sealants to the back teeth can help reduce cavities in permanent molars by 81 percent for at least two years after they’ve been placed. Children should brush at least twice a day for two minutes each session. Children should visit the dentist twice a year. A dentist can spot cavities that are beginning to form as well as take care of any cavities that are fully formed. Fluoride can help prevent 33% of decay in baby teeth, which means children who brush every day using fluoride toothpaste are less likely to experience cavities. Spending money on preventative care will save money in the long run. Every dollar you spend on preventative dental care can help save between $8 and $50 in dental treatment. Children are vulnerable to dental decay, so make sure you promote children’s dental health. For more health tips, visit us at The Benefits Store. #children039sdentalhealth #dentalhealth #kidsdentalhealth

This means while we may understand how serious burns are, not everyone understands the importance of burn prevention, especially around children. Burn Prevention Tips The following are burn prevention precautions everyone should keep in mind: Alcohol consumption should be limited around hot objects such as outdoor firepits or grills. Children need to be supervised at all times around hot objects, such as active stovetops or fireplaces. Electric appliances should be unplugged when they are not in use. Have hotpads and oven mitts handy when cooking. Long oven mitts can reduce the risk of burning your hands or arms as you reach into the oven or across hot surfaces. Always assume pots and pans on the stove or in the oven are hot. If children are around when you’re cooking, use the back burners of your stove. Keep pan handles on front burners turned into the stove and away from children. If you’re using heating pads or heating blankets for warmth in bed, it’s important to turn them off before you fall asleep. Microwave food containers should be treated the same as hot oven containers. Remember, the glass doors of a fireplace will remain hot for an hour or more after the fireplace has been turned off. Remotes for gas fireplaces should be kept out of reach of children. The space around objects that are heated (such as fire pits, fireplaces, heating systems, etc.) should be clear of furniture or clutter. Burn prevention can prevent serious injuries. For more health news and health safety tips, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

Radon is a radioactive gas that can lead to lung cancer. Radon does appear naturally, which means that there is a level of radon gas in your home that is expected and acceptable. However, once radon goes above a certain level, your household will be at risk. Because many people don’t know about the dangers of radon gas, January has been named National Radon Action Month in order to help generate awareness. Here are five facts you should know about radon: Radon can’t be detected by humans – Because radon can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted, it’s important you test the level of radon in your home. Radon is measured by pCi/L (picocuries per liter of air). The average indoor radon concentration is 1.3 pCi/L. Radon is natural – The release of radon gas is caused by the normal decay of elements such as uranium, radium, and thorium, all of which are found in rocks and soil. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer – Radon is the leading cause of cancer in non-smokers. Many studies have also linked radon to childhood leukemia. Testing for radon is easy – It’s as easy as placing a test kit in the right place, letting it sit between 2-7 days, and then sending it off to the address on the package. You’ll receive the results in about two weeks. The EPA suggests that radon levels should be no more than 2 pCI/L, while the U.S. Surgeon General recommends attention to radon levels above 4 pCi/L. You can fix high radon levels – There are radon mitigators that can help address high levels of radon in your home and lower them to a safe level. Be sure to test your home for radon and keep visiting us at The Benefits Store to stay up-to-date with all the latest health news. #nationalradonactionawarenessmonth #radongas #radongastesting

If diagnosed early enough, it can be successfully treated. Lack of screening awareness and access is why 90% of all cervical cancer-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. To promote awareness about cervical cancer and the importance of screenings, January was named Cervical Health Awareness Month. Here are five facts you should know about cervical cancer screenings: Cervical cancer continues to be a problem – It’s estimated approximately 13,240 women will have developed invasive cervical cancer in 2019 alone. There will have been about 4,170 deaths from cervical cancer this year. Most cervical cancers are caused by HPV – Human Papillomavirus is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical cells to become cancer cells. There are over 150 strains of HPV, but only 13 of them can lead to cervical cancer. HPV vaccinations are available – An HPV vaccination can protect you from HPV infection and help greatly reduce the risk of cervical cancer. Routine pap tests help detect cervical cancer – A pap test can identify precancerous conditions of the cervix. This means if conditions are present, they can be monitored and treated to prevent cervical cancer from developing. Women should begin having pap smears done at the age of 21 and continue to get them as recommended by their doctors. Safe sex can reduce risk – Because HPV is a sexually transmitted disease, practicing safe sex can help prevent HPV. This greatly reduces the risk of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer continues to be an issue among women even though it is preventable and treatable. Make sure you and the women you love schedule a cervical cancer screening regularly. For more health news, visit The Benefits Store today. #cervicalcancer #cervicalcancerawareness #cervicalcancerscreening

Babies in the Womb Can Detect Light It seems babies begin developing their vision much earlier than we thought. Researchers at the University of California in Berkeley have recently discovered evidence babies can detect light in the womb by the second trimester, long before they can see images. Before, the light-sensitive cells in the developing retina of a baby (which are basically thin sheets of brain-like tissue situated near the back of the eye) functioned as little more than on/off switches. The cells were thought to help establish the day/night rhythms parents wanted their babies to follow after birth. The new research revealed that, by the second trimester, the light-sensitive cells in a baby’s retina communicate with each other as part of an interconnected network. This means the retina has more light sensitivity than previously thought. Scientists now believe babies may be more sensitive to light and their behavior and brain development could be influenced by exposure to light while in the womb. Headline Here? A baby’s developing eyes contain 3% ganglion cells. These ganglion cells send messages to the brain via the optic nerve and are sensitive to light. So far, researchers have discovered six different subtypes that communicate with various places in the brain. For example, some ganglion cells send signals to the part of the brain that makes the pupils constrict when exposed to bright light. Others communicate to the suprachiasmatic nucleus in order to tune the baby’s internal clock to the day/night cycle. Essentially, the babies in the womb not only detect light, but their eyes are developing by coding for the different intensities of light to which they are exposed. For more health news and updates on new scientific breakthroughs, continue visiting us at The Benefits Store. #babiesinthewomb #fetus

Most people are taught to brush their teeth regularly at an early age to prevent cavities from developing. While brushing your teeth will certainly help achieve this (as well as prevent other issues, such as gum disease), it turns out teeth-brushing can also help lower the risk of atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) and heart failure. How Brushing Your Teeth Can Improve Heart Health The European Journal of Preventive Cardiology recently published a study linking oral health to atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Previously, it was believed poor oral hygiene would lead to bacteria in the blood. This would result in inflammation, which would increase the risk of atrial fibrillation and heart failure. The study was performed to define the link between oral health and these two heart issues more clearly. The study involved: 161,286 participants of the Korean National Health Insurance System Participants between ages 40-79 Participants had no history of atrial fibrillation or heart failure Between 2003 and 2004, participants underwent routine medical exams collecting information that included illnesses, oral hygiene behaviors, oral health, and more. During a median follow-up exam of 10.5 years, 7.971 participants experienced heart failure, while 4,911 participants developed atrial fibrillation. Based on the information collected, participants that brushed their teeth three or more times a day had a 12% lower risk of heart failure and a 10% lower risk of atrial fibrillation. The study did not investigate mechanisms. One reason brushing your teeth could improve heart health is because it reduces the bacteria between the teeth and the gums. This prevents the bacteria from entering the bloodstream. The findings were independent of other heart-risk factors, such as alcohol consumption, sex, age, body mass index, and more. Additionally, the study was limited to one country. However, a very large group of people were studied over a long period of time, which strengthens the findings. Learn more about heart health and all the latest health news by keeping up-to-date with The Benefits Store. #atrialfibrillation #brushingyourteeth #hearthealth #oralhygiene

Because of how addictive it is, it can be incredibly difficult to stop smoking. That’s why the American Cancer Society encourages smokers to stop – even if only for a day – with the Great American Smokeout. November 21, 2019: The Great American Smokeout The Great American Smokeout is on the third Thursday of November every year. On that day, all smokers throughout the country are encouraged to stop smoking for that day. Even quitting for one day can be helpful. The idea behind it is that by not smoking for a day, some smokers will decide to stop smoking altogether. One day without cigarettes can jumpstart an effort to quit altogether. Getting Ready to Quit If you’re a smoker and you’re trying to quit, these 4 tips can help: Save the date – Have a date in mind to quit smoking. This can help to mentally prepare you to quit and can help motivate you. It’s why the Great American Smokeout is such a success: It gives smokers a date to quit. This year it’s Thursday, November 21, 2019. Tell everyone your plan – Tell everyone in your life you’re preparing to quit smoking. The loved ones in your life will provide you with emotional and moral support which can help motivate you even more. If you tell them the date you’re going to quit, you’ll be more likely to follow through. Be prepared for the challenge – Quitting is tough! Figure out a few ways to cope with the urges you will feel. Plan to: Contact a friend Drink water Exercise Find a support group online Make yourself a goody bag with gum, gummies, hard candies, etc. Play games Remove all cigarettes – Get rid of cigarettes and smoking-related items from your home, your car, and your workplace. Out of sight; out of mind. If you’re a smoker, quit during the Great American Smokeout. Stay up-to-date on the 2019 Great American Smokeout and other health news by visiting us at The Benefits Store today. #GreatAmericanSmokeout

Celebrating National Family Caregiver Month If you are a caregiver, here are a few things you should know: Don’t forget about your own health – Being a family caregiver is an amazingly selfless act. But it’s important not to jeopardize your own health. In order to provide the best possible care to your family member, you should make sure you keep yourself physically and mentally healthy as well. It’s okay to take a break – Caregiving is like a fulltime job. If you need a break, take one. Respite care can be provided from a few hours to a few weeks at local senior communities or even at home. What you do is valuable – Even if you may not always feel like your work is appreciated, the work that you do is incredibly valuable. In fact, the National Alliance for Caregiving and Evercare estimates that the unpaid care that millions of caregivers throughout the U.S. provide is worth around $375 billion. You are not alone – It can get quite stressful taking care of someone who needs it, especially if they are unable to show their appreciation. Remember there are millions of Americans struggling with the same challenges. It’s why there are many caregiver support groups throughout the country that you can join. You should be able to find a support group locally or online. It’s important to support family caregivers in your family. They are sacrificing a lot in order to ensure that family members who are chronically ill, aged, or disabled receive the care they need. Stay up-to-date with all the latest health news by continuing to visit us at The Benefits Store.

Researchers recently discovered a scorpion toxin that may finally unlock the mystery of chronic pain. This could lead to more effective treatment options in the near future. How Scorpion Toxins Could Solve the Mystery of Chronic Pain The scorpion toxin, nicknamed the “wasabi receptor” is a protein found in nerve cells. It’s that protein which causes the “sting” to the sinuses you feel when you taste wasabi. It’s also what causes you to cry tears when chopping an onion. The scorpion poison triggers a pain response through a previously unknown mechanism, which is why it’s believed it could be key to the mystery of chronic pain and inflammation. This toxin was discovered in the Australian Black Rock scorpion during the research of animal venoms. Scientists were searching for compounds that could activate the wasabi receptor. When the wasabi receptor is activated, a passageway opens, allowing sodium and calcium ions to enter the cell. This is what causes pain and inflammation associated with wasabi, onions, and even cigarette smoke. The point of the wasabi receptor is to let you know you’re being exposed to something dangerous. The wasabi receptor toxin is a defensive response meant to deter mammal predators. It is unique in the way it forces itself into the cell through its membrane, which few proteins are capable of. The discovery of this toxin could allow scientists to research the processes that lead to pain hypersensitivity, which could be useful in better understanding the mystery of chronic pain. Stay up-to-date with the latest health news and trends by continuing to visit us at The Benefits Store. #chronicpain #chronicpainstudies #treatmentofchronicpain

That’s why the Great California Shakeout event is held every October 17 to increase earthquake safety awareness. More than 9 million people have registered for the 2019 twelfth annual Great California Shakeout. Here are 3 earthquake safety tips you should know: 1. Drop, Cover, and Hold On Remember these three steps you should follow when an earthquake hits: Drop – Because a serious earthquake could knock you over (causing injury), you should drop to the floor on your hands and knees immediately. Cover – Using one arm, cover your head and neck from potential debris falling from the ceiling. If possible, crawl under a nearby desk or table for shelter. If there’s no cover, crawl to an interior wall away from any windows. Bend your body over your knees to protect vital organs. Hold On – Remain dropped and undercover until the shaking stops. 2. Create a Family Emergency Plan Make sure you create a family emergency plan so you know what to do following an earthquake. First of all, establish an out-of-town contact. This contact should be willing to act as a communication coordinator for your family and everyone in your family should have the contact’s phone number in their cellphones. This contact can help you know everyone’s okay and can get help if you need it. 3. Subscribe to Alert Services ShakeAlert and other warning apps can text you alerts about bad weather, local emergencies, road closings, and more. Learn how to prepare yourself for an earthquake by signing up for October’s Great California Shakeout. Keep up-to-date with the latest health news and emergency preparation tips by visiting us at The Benefits Store. #earthquakesafety #earthquakesafetytips