A flu shot could save a life

Transcription

1 September 2017 Health and wellness or prevention information A flu shot could save a life The flu shot is the best protection from the flu, for you and the people around you. 1. It can help you not get the flu. The shot is not perfect. You still might get sick. But if you do, you are likely to be less sick for a shorter time than if you do not get the shot at all. The flu shot is safe, and it will not cause you to get the flu. In fact, it can also help you not get other illnesses often associated with the flu, like pneumonia. Some people do get side effects. Some common side effects from the flu shot are: Soreness, redness, and/or swelling from the shot. Headache. Fever. Nausea. Muscle aches. 2. You will help keep others well. Some people say, I never get the flu. They might be getting the flu but not be sick enough to know they have it. And, they can still give the flu to others. 3. It can save lives. About 36 thousand people die every year from the flu and the illnesses it can cause. 4. Who needs a flu shot? Everyone six months and older should get a shot as soon as they can. People often get the shot in the fall, but flu season lasts several months. A winter shot is okay too. There are some people who should not get the flu shot. Do not get a flu shot if you: Have had an allergic reaction to the flu shot in the past. Have a bad allergy to eggs. Have a fever. Sources: American Lung Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Take Care of Your Teeth and Gums to Avoid Gum Disease Research suggests a likely link between gum disease and these health concerns: Heart disease Stroke Diabetes Obesity There is also a greater risk of gum disease during pregnancy. But, the good news is that gum disease may be avoidable with proper oral care. It is vital to watch for warning signs such as these: Red and swollen gums Bleeding gums while brushing or flossing teeth Loose or separating teeth Bad breath that does not go away Talk to your dentist about the risks of gum disease. Only you and your dentist can decide what is right for you. Make your dental appointment today! Source: American Academy of Periodontology H0927_BEN_IL_Q3NEWSLTR

2 The A to Z s of a Good Night s Sleep Sleep is more vital than you may think. Not getting enough sleep does not only make you more tired and cranky during the day; it can also mess with your health. Research shows that not getting enough sleep can raise your chances of having heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or depression. Sleep loss can also lead to weight gain. Adults who sleep less than seven hours a night are more likely to be overweight. And children who do not get enough sleep are at a higher risk for childhood obesity. They are also more likely to be overweight in adulthood. How can you get a better night s rest? If you have a hard time getting enough sleep, these tips may help. 1. Set a regular bedtime. Try to go to bed and get up at the same time each day. A routine sleep plan may help you get better sleep. And, you may feel more refreshed and ready to start the day. 2. When you are getting ready for bed turn off your TV, tablet, laptop and phone and listen to music or read a book instead. 3. Do not worry. It can lead to sleeplessness. To handle sleeprelated stress, keep a notebook next to your bed to write down any thoughts that might keep you from falling asleep. 4. Work out and eat right. Exercise is closely linked to healthy sleep. The more you exercise, the better you will sleep. It may also be a good idea to stay away from caffeine, alcohol and heavy or spicy foods within 4 to 6 hours of when you plan on going to bed. Talk to your doctor. If you continue to have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night, talk to your doctor or health care provider. You may have a treatable sleep disorder or a health issue that is leading to sleep problems. Source: National Sleep Foundation 2 What You Need to Know Before Being Released from the Hospital Whether you are having a baby or being treated for an illness, being in the hospital can be stressful. Your goal is to get well and to go home. But, getting well does not end when you leave the hospital. This is why it is very important for you and/or your family to know and follow the information given to you when you are released to go home. Not knowing how to care for yourself or a loved one is the main reason people go back to the hospital. When you are cleared to go home from the hospital you will likely get a discharge summary. A discharge summary is a letter from your hospital care team that has information about the care you received. It tells you each thing you should know and do when you return home. It also has a list of medications your hospital care team wants you to take. For these reasons, it is important to take these medications exactly the way you are told to take them: 20 percent of patients must go back to the hospital because of a harmful drug event. 60 percent of all medication mistakes happen when a patient goes home and no longer has help from the hospital care team. 72 percent of harmful events that happen after a patient leaves the hospital are because of medications. Here are some tips to help you avoid a harmful event from happening to you. 1. Keep and follow your discharge summary when you leave the hospital. If you do not get a discharge summary, write down all the medications you are taking and take them the way you are told to take them. 2. Plan a visit with a doctor or a specialist within 14 days of being released from the hospital. If the doctor or specialist is not part of the Blue Cross Community MMAI SM network, your care coordinator will help you plan a visit. 3. When it is time for your appointment. Take your discharge summary or your medication list with you. If you can, take your medications in a bag. Make sure you talk with your doctor about the medications you are taking, and make sure they are the same medications your doctor has on file for you. Sources: New England Journal of Medicine, The American Society for Automation in Pharmacy

3 Why high blood pressure is called The Silent Killer There is an unsafe myth about high blood pressure. People often think it comes with warning signs like sweating, nervousness, trouble sleeping and other issues. But the fact is, high blood pressure most often has no warning signs at all. In other words, yours could be high and you would not even know it. If high blood pressure also known as hypertension goes unchecked, it can lead to a lot of bad health problems, such as heart attack, stroke, chronic heart disease and kidney failure. So, where and how can you start to protect yourself? Know what it is. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. It is measured through two numbers: Systolic (first number): blood pressure when the heart beats Diastolic (second number): blood pressure when the heart is between beats, or at rest Normal blood pressure is believed to be 120/80. As it rises above those numbers, there are three stages: Prehypertension: /80-89 Stage 1: /90-99 Stage 2: 160 or higher/100 or higher Ideal blood pressure may differ somewhat based on age and hidden health problems. Check with your doctor to find out what is right for you. What should you do? Blood pressure often rises with age. The first thing to do is get your blood pressure checked by your doctor or at your local pharmacy. If you have not had it measured in a while, it might be a good idea to have it checked a few times over a short period. That way, you have a true measurement. If your blood pressure is high, your doctor will talk to you about ways to lower it. The health care plan may include medication, changes in diet and more exercise. If your blood pressure is in the normal range, here are a few things you can do to keep it that way: Stay at a healthy weight Be physically active Stop smoking Do not drink too much alcohol High blood pressure is often called the silent killer. Don t let it sneak up on you. Sources: The American Heart Association and the Mayo Clinic The Holidays Can Be a SAD Time for Some The holiday season comes with many happy times, but it can also be a hard time of year. The air gets chilly. The sky gets dark earlier. And, for many people, winter brings feelings of sadness, tiredness and gloom. American Family Physicians magazine says one in five Americans gets winter blues, and about five percent of people get a more serious health issue known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). People who suffer from SAD often also cope with these symptoms: A craving for carbohydrates Weight gain Trouble focusing Sleep disruptions Loss of interest in activities they often enjoy If you have symptoms of SAD or are thinking of harming yourself, you should talk to your doctor. Your doctor can tell you if you have SAD, and suggest a plan of care that is right for you. These are some forms of care: Change eating habits Work on thinking positively Get more exercise Light therapy Cognitive behavioral therapy Medication Source: American Academy of Family Physicians. 3

4 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois: Provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as: Qualified sign language interpreters Written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, other formats) Provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as: Qualified interpreters Information written in other languages If you need these services, contact Civil Rights Coordinator. If you believe that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, you can file a grievance with: Civil Rights Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Coordinator, 300 E. Randolph St., 35 th floor, Chicago, Illinois 60601, , TTY/TDD: , Fax: , Civilrightscoordinator@hcsc.net. You can file a grievance in person or by mail, fax, or . If you need help filing a grievance, Civil Rights Coordinator is available to help you. You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, available at or by mail or phone at: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, SW Room 509F, HHH Building Washington, D.C , (TDD) Complaint forms are available at 4

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6 LifeTimes Your guide to health, wellness, and fitness LifeTimes is published four times a year for Blue Cross Community MMAI SM plan members. It brings you news about your health plan and staying healthy. Each issue has important phone numbers for you to cut out and keep. If you have questions or need help, call Member Services. Articles in LifeTimes are meant to educate. They are not meant as medical advice. Please check with your doctor for any advice about your health. Important Blue Cross Community MMAI phone numbers (Please have your member ID number ready) Member Services If you have any questions, please call Member Services. <We are available 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week>. The call is free. Toll-free Number TTY/ TDD < > <711> 24/7 Nurseline < > <711> You can get this information for free in Spanish or speak with someone about this information in other languages for free. Call < > (TTY/TDD: <711>). <We are available 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week>. The call is free. Usted puede obtener esta información gratis en español, o hablar con alguien, acerca de esta información en otros idiomas de forma gratuita. Llame al < > (TTY/TDD: <711>). <Estamos a su disposición las 24 horas del día, los siete (7) días de la semana>. La llamada es gratuita. Blue Cross Community MMAI (Medicare-Medicaid Plan) is provided by Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company (HCSC), an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. HCSC is a health plan that contracts with both Medicare and Illinois Medicaid to provide benefits of both programs to enrollees. Enrollment in HCSC s plan depends on contract renewal. 6