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Since this month is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, here are ten things you should know about breast cancer: Although breast cancer lifetime risk has increased over the past five decades, this is in part because of longer life expectancy. Although men can develop breast cancer, it’s 100 times more common in women. Women are also 200 times more at risk of developing breast cancer than men. Around 0.10 percent of all U.S. men are diagnosed with breast cancer as well. Around 80 percent of breast lumps are discovered during monthly breast self-exams. Around 85 of all breast cancer cases occur in women with no family history of breast cancer. Breast cancer is the second most common cause of death for women in the U.S. Despite the progress in breast cancer treatment, breast cancer remains the second-leading cause of cancer-related death. There are currently 2.8 million women who have breast cancer or who had breast cancer at one time in the U.S. Women who are overweight are 1.5 times more likely to develop breast cancer after they have experienced menopause. Women who are obese are twice as likely to develop breast cancer after menopause. Women who were diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 40 are 4.5 times more likely to develop another breast cancer. Be sure to schedule a mammogram and spread awareness about breast cancer for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For all the latest health news about the advancements being made to treat breast cancer, continue visiting us at The Benefits Store. #breastcancer #breastcancerawareness #breastcancerawarenessmonth

Severe Weather Damage and Poor Mental Health APMS (Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey) is a primary source of data on the mental health of people living in England. One of its studies uses diagnostic criteria to assess mental disorders. It’s long been known people who live in disadvantaged areas are more at risk of experiencing mental health issues. It turns out people whose homes have been damaged due to severe weather are at a similar disadvantage. The damage caused to a home doesn’t even have to be catastrophic to affect the mental well-being of the people living there. The information collected by the APMS was gathered throughout 2014. One of the questions participants were asked was whether their home had been damaged as a result of weather within the past six months. This included damage caused by flooding, snow, wind, and/or rain. In addition to storm damage to properties, researchers also took into consideration other factors associated with poor mental health, such as physical health, debt, and social disadvantages. Using this information, researchers came to the conclusion that people who had experienced storm damage to their homes were 50 percent more likely to experience poor mental health. The findings are considered extremely important because of the increase in frequency and intensity of storms and climate change flooding in the UK and around the world. Based on the research, mental health support for people affected by storms should be included in future emergency planning for extreme weather. For continuing updates about mental health, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store. #mentalhealth #poormentalhealth #severeweather #severeweatherdamage

Aspirin is commonly used to relieve pain caused by headaches, muscle aches, toothaches and other ailments or conditions. It can even help reduce fevers as well as pain and swelling. For a while, medical experts recommended those at-risk for cardiovascular disease take low-dose (80mg) aspirin daily prevent heart attacks and strokes. However, there may be a major health risk in doing so. Taking Too Much Aspirin is Risky The idea that aspirin can help prevent strokes and heart attacks has been accepted as fact. But last year, three clinical trials revealed taking aspirin every day could result in some serious health problems, including bleeding risks. As a result of these findings, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology changed their clinical practice guidelines by recommending that individuals over the age of 70 or those that have an increased bleeding risk avoid taking aspirin on a daily basis. In one of the studies, researchers discovered many Americans over the age of 40 were taking aspirin every day to prevent cardiovascular disease, and the majority of them did it without the knowledge or advice of their doctors. Researchers found almost 25% of these Americans (roughly 29 million people) were taking daily aspirin despite the fact they didn’t have cardiovascular disease. Additionally, roughly 50 percent of adults over the age of 70 without a history of heart disease or stroke were also taking aspirin every day. Ask Your Doctor When Aspirin Should be Taken There’s usually no harm in taking aspirin sporadically as a mild pain reliever, which is its intended use. If you’re considering taking aspirin daily to prevent heart attacks or strokes, you should speak with your doctor first. If you’re not at risk for cardiovascular disease or if you have an increased bleeding risk, don’t take aspirin daily without your physician’s recommendation. To remain up-to-date with the latest health research and studies, keep visiting us at The Benefits Store. #AspirinBenefits #AspirinRisks #Aspirinuse

A new study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry focused on how the aging process works by observing cell aging. Researchers are optimistic; their findings could help pave the way for new drugs and treatments that could improve the health of people as they age. What Causes Cell Aging? One of the main reasons why people age is senescence. Senescence is a process in which cells stop creating new cells. It’s a natural process that often leads to age-related diseases, such as arthritis and osteoporosis. Senescence cells are essentially the opposite of stem cells, which have the unlimited potential to divide or self-renew. Senescent cells can no longer divide. The study revealed the reason behind this: Senescent cells do not produce nucleotides; also known as “the building blocks” of DNA. During experiments, researchers discovered nucleotides are vital to the ability to divide when they forced young cells to stop producing nucleotides. As a direct result, young cells become senescent cells. It appears nucleotides are what keeps cells young. The research team also discovered senescent cells often have two nuclei and they don’t synthesize DNA. Previously, senescence had mostly been studied in fibroblasts, which are the most common cells that compose the connective tissue in animals. The research team focused on senescence in epithelial cells instead, which are the cells that line the surfaces of organs and structures where cancer is more likely to develop. Is Preventing Cell Aging Possible? One might think a better understanding of cell aging could help prevent many age-related conditions as a result. But senescent cells actually have a benefit as well. Senescence cells act as a protective barrier against cancer. Completely preventing senescence cells would promote the growth of cancer cells. The development of certain drugs could help to remove enough senescent cells to promote healthy aging without increasing the risk of cancer. Stay up-to-date with all the latest health news by continuing to visit us at The Benefits Store. #aging #agingprocess #cellaging #scienceofaging

There are certain medical conditions that can cause unexpected medical emergencies. This can be very dangerous, especially if you lose consciousness. If this happens, you won’t be able to tell first responders about your condition. That’s why you’ll want to wear a Medic Alert bracelet. What is a Medic Alert Bracelet? A Medic Alert bracelet will inform first responders and medical professionals about any medical conditions you may have. The bracelet contains an individual ID number and MedicAlert’s toll-free phone number. This number allows medical professionals to reach MedicAlert 24 hours a day, seven days a week to obtain your vital health information which is stored on their secure database. This information includes: Allergies Emergency contact Medical conditions Personal identification Prescribed medications and dosages Surgical history Who Requires a Medic Alert Bracelet? A medic alert bracelet is needed if you have any kind of medical condition that can be difficult to diagnose, like diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions, and even severe allergies. It’s estimated roughly 20% of people have special medical problems that can be difficult to identify. By wearing a medic alert bracelet, you help prevent mistakes. For example, if you’re allergic to penicillin and unconscious, a medic alert bracelet should ensure you’re not given a penicillin shot. August is Medic Alert Awareness Month. Medic alert bracelets speak on your behalf by providing your information and medical history when you can’t speak yourself. If you suffer from a specific medical condition, you should consider wearing one. For more health advice, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

Your brake system is one of your car’s most important features, playing an important role in keeping you and your passengers safe. Your brakes also help protect motorists that share the road you. That’s why you should have your brakes checked for potential brake failure by a professional, according to your manufacturer’s recommended service schedule. August is Brake Safety Awareness Month. You should not only have your brake system inspected, but you should learn what to do if you experience brake failure while driving. 5 Steps for Dealing with Brake Failure The following are 5 steps you should follow if you experience brake failure while you are driving: Remain calm – Panicking will only make things worse. Take a deep breath so that you can remember what you need to do next. Remove your foot from the gas – This might seem obvious, but a panicked driver sometimes continues putting pressure on the gas pedal. Take your foot off the gas so your car will begin slowing naturally. Turn on your hazard lights – People know that something is wrong when they see your flashers. This can ensure they’re more cautious about the situation and give you space. Downshift into neutral – Whether you’re driving a manual or automatic transmission, slowly downshift to a lower gear, gradually shifting to the lowest possible setting (“neutral” or “low.”). Downshifting too fast can damage your transmission. Park – Your emergency brake should allow you to park your car. Keep these five steps in mind in case of brake failure. For more general safety tips, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

What is Childhood Pneumonia? Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that is caused when certain bacteria or viruses cause the lungs’ air sacs to fill with fluid, which leads to inflammation. The inflammation reduces the amount of oxygen the lungs can absorb. Pneumonia It can be mild to severe and can affect one or both of the lungs. It can be life-threatening, especially in younger children and older adults. Some of the symptoms of pneumonia include chest pain when breathing or coughing, fatigue, fever, nausea, and shortness of breath. The Main Cause of Pneumonia in Children The number of potential pathogens plus locating the infected fluid makes diagnosing pneumonia difficult, especially in children. Recently, researchers have determined a way to identify the cause of severe childhood pneumonia. Researchers analyzed nose swabs, throat swabs, blood, sputum, and other fluid samples from over 4,000 children with severe pneumonia throughout the world, including Thailand, South Africa, Kenya, and Bangladesh. They analyzed these samples for the most likely cause of pneumonia using a list of 30 pathogens. They found viruses accounted for over 60% of all childhood cases, while bacteria only accounted for 30 percent. The other 10% were the result of fungi, tuberculosis, and other unknown causes. Researchers have discovered that viruses are the biggest cause of childhood pneumonia. Be sure to stay up-to-date on the latest worldwide health news by continuing to visit us at The Benefits Store.

Is soy healthy? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are weighing this particular claim. Researchers from the University of Toronto recently performed a study to determine if the FDA had grounds to do so. Is Soy Healthy? The data concerning whether soy protein helps to lower cholesterol hasn’t changed since 1999. Researcher David Jenkins stated the original claim that soy helped reduce serum cholesterol was never disputed by newer data. When the FDA proposed to revoke the health claim that soy reduces cholesterol in 2017, it used 46 trials as its basis. The University of Toronto research team analyzed those 46 trials. In many cases, the analyses of small studies that produce big effects will differ when sample sizes increase and the results become more precise. The results of University of Toronto trials showing soy helped lower both cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (which is the type of cholesterol that can damage the heart), remained the same over time. The research team also performed a meta-analysis in order to analyze the effect of soy in all of the trials combined at various points of time. According to Jenkins, the data supports the original claim that while soy only lowers cholesterol levels by less than five percent, it still lowered those cholesterol levels. By adding soy to a healthy diet that includes other plant-based food, it would have an even better effect. Despite the FDA’s proposal, studies show that soy remains incredibly healthy and can help lower cholesterol. For more health news, stay up-to-date with The Benefits Store. #issoyhealthy #soy

Drowning is a much bigger risk for children. It’s estimated approximately 20 percent of the people that drown are 14 years old or younger. May has been named Drowning Prevention Awareness Month to spread understanding about drowning risks. Here are six water safety tips everyone should keep in mind, especially during the summer: Children should be taught how to swim – Children should be taught to swim at an early age to help reduce the risk of drowning. They may accidentally jump into the deep end of a pool when they meant to play in the shallow end. Children need to know how to float and survive. Have safety equipment nearby – Flotation devices that can be thrown into the pool for someone to grab should be stored near the pool. There should also be a phone nearby with a list of emergency phone numbers. If children are swimming, an adult should supervise – An adult should always supervise any children who are going swimming, whether it’s in a pool, lake or ocean. Even adults shouldn’t go swimming alone. Learn CPR – Adults who plan to supervise swimming children should learn CPR. Residential pools should be enclosed – Anyone that owns a pool should build a fence around it. Pool owners will be held liable for anyone that uses the pool, even without permission. This means if a neighboring child jumps in the unenclosed pool without the owner’s knowledge and drowns, the owner will be held responsible. Teach children safety tips – Children should be taught not to run around the pool because they could trip and fall in. These are a few water safety tips everyone should follow to help reduce the risk of drowning. For more summer safety tips, visit us at The Benefits Store. #Drowning #Watersafety

Clean Beaches: How Littering Affects Our Environment The trash left on the beach is a danger to the environment in many ways. Wildlife can become entangled in trash or will mistake it for food. Many birds and sea creatures will choke on the trash they try to consume; if they don’t choke to death, the trash won’t properly digest, causing all kinds of health issues that can lead to death. There’s also the impact trash can have on the water itself. A lot of trash will not decompose for thousands of years and contribute to the destruction of the world’s eco-friendly coral reefs. Ways to Keep Beaches Clean Many states have begun organizing regular beach clean-ups. These clean-ups bring communities together to gather trash that’s been left on their beaches. The first recognized beach clean-up was in 1984; it was organized by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. It’s estimated around 2,100 volunteers removed over 26 tons of trash during this event. Since then, almost 230 million pounds of trash has been collected on beaches worldwide in an attempt to protect the ocean and its wildlife. You can help keep the beaches clean: Find out if your community has a beach clean-up day planned. Organize your own beach clean-up day event. Pick up your trash at the beach and encourage friends and family to do the same. When visiting the beach, pick up others’ trash. Keep your beaches clean and encourage others to do the same. For all your summer health news updates, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #Cleanbeaches

The Benefits of IMST Recent research indicates the IMST breathing technique (Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training) can have numerous benefits to the body, including: Improving blood pressure Increasing cognitive abilities Lowering heart attack risk …and even enhancing your athletic performance. Essentially, IMST is a form of strength training for the muscles you use to breathe. IMST is performed using a resistive hand-held device; the inspiratory muscle trainer. It was first developed as a way for people suffering from respiratory issues; such as bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. During clinical trials, participants performed 30 inhalations a day using IMST. It was found that the systolic blood pressure of participants was lowered by 12 millimeters of mercury – twice as much as what exercising for the same amount of time achieves. The results led to more studies focusing on the benefits of IMST on vascular, cognitive, and physical health. Further studies compared a group of subjects using IMST and a group using a sham device. Those who used IMST had significantly lower blood pressure and that their large arteries functioned significantly better as a result. These participants also performed better on treadmill tests and cognitive tests. These preliminary studies have shown the promise of IMST. Stay Up-to-Date On All Health News IMST is just one of many recent advances in the health industry. Be sure to stay up-to-date with all the latest health-related news and discoveries by continuing to visit us at The Benefits Store. #breathingtechnique #breathingworkout #IMSTbreathingtechnique

Breast Cancer Treatment: What is Traditional Mastectomy? There are several types of mastectomies, and all involve removing breast tissue. A total mastectomy requires surgeons to remove the entire breast in order to remove the cancer. When this process is performed, the muscle below the breast remains. Usually, this type of mastectomy is required for women with several or large areas of DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ). In some cases, the lymph nodes in the underarm areas must be removed as well. In the most serious of cases, the muscle below the breast must also be removed. How is the New Mastectomy Less Invasive? A new form of mastectomy has been developed in which the surface of the breast is left intact. The process is commonly referred to as a “nipple-sparing” mastectomy. During the process, breast tissue is removed while leaving the skin, nipple, and areola in place. The surgeon then immediately rebuilds the breast after removing the cancerous tissue. So far, the process, including the reconstruction, has had a 97 percent success rate. Not only is the new mastectomy less invasive, but allowing the patient to maintain the original shape of the breast instead of losing it in its entirety can help maintain self-esteem. Recovering from cancer is hard enough as it is – the lack of confidence caused by a change in appearance can also be quite difficult to overcome. Learn More at the Benefits Store Learn more about breast cancer treatment and stay up-to-date with all the latest cancer-related news and advancements by continuing to visit us at The Benefits Store. #breastcancer #breastcancertreatment #mastectomy