Category: Brandpoint Health

2018-03-22T12:01:00

(BPT) – Want to start making more earth-friendly food choices in the kitchen? This Earth Month, start with mushrooms, a healthy food that requires minimal natural resources to produce.

According to a 2017 study titled “The Mushroom Sustainability Story,” mushroom production requires relatively low water, energy and land space. Growing one pound of mushrooms involves using only 1.8 gallons of water and 1.0 kilowatt hours of energy and generates only 0.7 pounds of CO2-equivalent emissions. And since mushrooms are grown on vertically stacked beds, it’s possible to grow up to 1 million pounds of mushrooms per acre annually.

Mushrooms’ environmental footprint is just one reason to add them to your shopping list. They are full of health benefits, including B vitamins, copper, potassium and riboflavin. They are also low in calories, fat-free, cholesterol-free, gluten-free and low in sodium.

“There’s no doubt that mushrooms are having a moment — they are popping up on food trends lists across the nation, and for good reason,” says celebrity chef Jehangir Mehta, owner of Graffiti Earth Restaurant and ‘New York City’s Most Sustainable Chef,’ according to Michelin. “The deliciousness of mushrooms coupled with its nutritious and gentle footprint on the environment attributes itself as a sustainable winner.”

So, if you want a simple, easy and healthy way to be more earth-friendly in your kitchen, make mushrooms a part of your favorite dishes for Earth Month and every month.

Marinated Mushroom Bowls with Lentils and Wild Rice

This meal-in-a-bowl is full of bright flavors and delicious textures. A mix of crimini mushrooms are marinated in an Asian-inspired dressing and paired with hearty grains and lentils alongside crunchy vegetables.

Ingredients

Mushrooms

* 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

* 2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar

* 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce

* 2 teaspoon dark sesame oil

* 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

* 8 ounces crimini mushrooms, thinly sliced

Bowls

* 2 cups thinly sliced purple cabbage

* 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

* Pinch of salt

* 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce

* 2 cups cooked French lentils

* 1 cup cooked wild rice

* Garnishes: chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, black sesame seed, lime wedges

Instructions

1. To marinate the mushrooms, whisk together the olive oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil and chili oil in a shallow bowl. Stir in the green onion, cilantro and sesame seeds. Add the mushrooms and gently toss in the marinade. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.

2. Place the cabbage in a bowl and toss with the lime juice and pinch of salt. Set aside.

3. Stir in 1 teaspoon of soy sauce each to the lentils and the wild rice.

4. To service, arrange an equal amount of mushrooms, cabbage, lentils, wild rice and cucumbers in each bowl. Drizzle with any remaining marinade and garnish with cilantro, green onions and black sesame seeds. Serve with lime wedges. Enjoy room temperature or cold. Makes 4 servings.

2018-03-22T10:01:01

(BPT) – Nutrition is important for everyone. The proper vitamins and nutrients help the body stay healthy and function well. For people with chronic conditions, the right nutrition is essential in helping to ward off potential health hazards.

Depending on your state of health, some nutrients may be critical and too much of others can be toxic. For example, too much sodium can cause high blood pressure, which increases the risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke. For people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), too much potassium can be fatal.

The kidneys play a major role in maintaining potassium levels. For people with CKD, it’s more difficult for the body to maintain the right levels of potassium and they are at risk of developing hyperkalemia, a condition in which someone has elevated potassium levels in their blood. Hyperkalemia is a serious condition and can pose major health risks, including irregular heartbeat.

Many people don’t even know that they have hyperkalemia and symptoms can be difficult to detect. According to the National Kidney Foundation, many people with high potassium have few, if any, symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they are usually mild and may include muscle weakness, numbness, tingling, nausea or other feelings.

High potassium usually develops slowly over many weeks or months; however, it can also occur suddenly. You may feel heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea or vomiting. Sudden or severe hyperkalemia is a life-threatening condition and requires immediate medical care.

If you have CKD or other chronic conditions or diseases, it’s important to take your nutrition seriously. Here are three tips to help you take control of your diet:

Talk with your doctor

Talk to your doctor or a member of your health care team about proper nutrition and dietary changes that might help protect your kidneys. A simple call or checkup can provide a wealth of important information.

Your physician may even have you work with a nutritionist or dietitian who can guide you toward food that will help you stay healthy.

Consider medications

To manage a serious condition like CKD, it’s likely you are already taking a variety of medications. Some medications may affect how your body processes certain nutrients, so it’s important to be aware of which medications you are taking and at what dosage. For example, some medicines like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and beta-blockers are frequently prescribed to people with CKD and heart failure, and these can cause hyperkalemia as a side effect.

If you are being treated with these medications, talk to your doctor to understand any risk you might have for hyperkalemia.

Watch what you eat

If you have a disease or chronic condition, being aware of what you eat is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure you get the right level of nutrients. Some people keep a food diary to track and record how certain foods make them feel. This can be a valuable resource for your health care team when reviewing your nutritional concerns.

For people with hyperkalemia, it’s important to eat a low-potassium diet. You can still enjoy many foods, but you may need to make adjustments or eat certain foods in moderation. For example, fruits like bananas, melons and oranges are high in potassium. Instead, eat low-potassium options such as apples, grapes or berries. Your doctor can provide you with a reference list to keep on hand as you learn more about what to eat and what to avoid.

Make your kidney health a priority. Talk to your doctor to learn more about the link between nutrition and kidney health, and to design a diet and treatment plan that works for you. Understanding your particular dietary needs can help keep you and your kidneys healthy and thriving.

2018-03-19T12:01:00

(BPT) – It’s no surprise that we all feel the need to get more sleep. However, for some people who feel tired all the time, it may be a sign of a bigger problem. If the urge to sleep during the day is overwhelming and irresistible, it may be excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS).

Roughly 20 percent of Americans have EDS. It is one of the most common complaints people make to a sleep specialist and a symptom that can be seen in a variety of sleep disorders. Being able to recognize the difference between normal sleepiness and EDS is important to your health, but more than 60 percent of Americans find it difficult to do, according to a new survey of 3,000 people conducted by Jazz Pharmaceuticals.

“Occasionally feeling tired is normal,” says Dr. Raj Dasgupta, pulmonary and sleep specialist at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine. “People with EDS have a hard time staying awake or alert during the day and may doze off during inappropriate times such as during meals, in the middle of a conversation or even when in a car stopped for a few minutes in traffic.”

EDS is a hallmark symptom of narcolepsy. Not everyone who has EDS has narcolepsy, but everyone who has narcolepsy has EDS. Narcolepsy affects approximately 1 in 2,000 Americans. It is a chronic neurological disorder in which the brain can’t control sleep-wake cycles normally. A narcolepsy diagnosis can be tricky because many disorders, such as depression, insomnia and sleep apnea, have some of the same symptoms. This may be why it is estimated that half of those with narcolepsy are undiagnosed.

Narcolepsy has five major symptoms, but you don’t need to experience them all to have it.

1. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: This is when you have an uncontrollable urge to sleep during the day.

2. Cataplexy: The weakening of muscles when you feel strong emotions like embarrassment, laughter, surprise or anger. Cataplexy can cause your head to drop, your face to droop, your jaw to weaken or make your knees give way.

3. Sleep disruption: This is when you often fall asleep quickly but wake up frequently throughout the night.

4. Sleep paralysis: Feeling unable to move or speak for a short time when falling asleep or waking up. You may also feel like you can’t breathe deeply.

5. Vivid dreaming: Often frightening dreamlike experiences that seem real and happen when falling asleep or waking up. You may experience hearing sounds or words when drifting to sleep or have unwanted visions. Sleep paralysis often accompanies these vivid dreams.

The survey also revealed that a majority of Americans don’t feel they know enough about sleep disorders. Less than 50 percent report being familiar with narcolepsy and only 70 percent report being familiar with sleep apnea. Approximately 60 percent of Americans said that they find it difficult to know when they need to talk to a doctor about daytime sleepiness.

Dasgupta adds, “If you’re having trouble staying awake during the day or experiencing other sleep-related problems, it may be time to talk to your doctor.”

To learn more about narcolepsy, take the Narcolepsy Symptom Screener or to find a sleep specialist near you, visit MoreThanTired.com.

This content is provided by Jazz Pharmaceuticals.

2018-03-19T15:01:01

(BPT) – –

2018-03-23T17:01:00

(BPT) – “For many women, getting pregnant can be a frustrating and anxiety-filled experience. It certainly was for me, which is why I was inspired to write ‘The Impatient Woman’s Guide to Getting Pregnant,'” said Jean M. Twenge, Ph.D, whose book offers tips for women trying to conceive (TTC) so they are empowered to effectively navigate the fertility journey.

Try the following tips:

1. A good rule of thumb is to get off the pill three months before trying to conceive if you have been on it for less than a year, and six months prior if you have been on it for over a year.

2. Make friends with your ovulation cycle. Between a third and two-thirds of women under age 35 who are aware of their five-day fertile window are able to conceive in their first month of trying. Find this window by using a fertility monitor, ovulation predictor kits, charting or by leveraging all three. Consider a test like the First Response Ovulation Test so you’ll know exactly when to get busy.

3. If you’ve been having ovulation-focused sex for over three months and still haven’t conceived, keep calm and consider convincing your partner to get a quick and easy sperm analysis. This “male factor” or sperm issue comprises nearly half of all fertility issues.

4. Adjust your diet for optimal fertility. Incorporate fertility-boosting foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, soy foods and olive oil. Avoid trans-fats and partially hydrogenated oil, found in frosting and some baked goods. These are so bad that the FDA just outlawed them. Food companies have three years to comply, so, for now, you have to police yourself.

5. Many studies show that taking prenatal vitamins, with important nutrients like folic acid, vitamin B6 and DHA, increases your chances of getting pregnant quickly. Omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil) have been linked to better embryos in IVF, positive brain development and higher IQs. There is also strong evidence that prenatal vitamins lower the chance of birth defects of the brain and spinal cord, so begin taking them immediately, even if you’re just thinking about becoming pregnant. Ask your medical provider about a prescription vitamin like OB Complete Petite since the variety of over-the-counter vitamins can be confusing. It’s sugar-, gluten- and lactose-free and has 1,000 mcg or 1 mg of folic acid.

6. Contrary to popular belief, having sex every day doesn’t lower sperm count, so, feel free to have as much sex as you please, and enjoy it. But, if you are dry, use Pre-Seed, a sperm-safe lubricant developed specifically for couples who are trying to conceive. Pre-Seed is pH balanced and isotonic to mimic a woman’s fertile fluids and the pH of sperm, allowing them to swim freely on their journey to fertilization.

7. Cut the caffeine. Non-smoking women who consume about 2-5 cups of coffee per day cut their fertility by 12 percent. Consuming caffeine has an even worse effect on male fertility, where having 5 cups of coffee a day will cut his fertility in half. An alternative to getting more energy? Try getting a full eight hours of sleep — it will enhance your mood and your health.

8. Soak up the sun. Sunlight causes your skin to generate vitamin D, which has been linked to fertility. Sit outside for 15-30 minutes without sunscreen a few times a week in the afternoon. This will also help you sleep.

9. When you think you may be pregnant — the earlier you know, the better. Several scientific studies show that the First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test detects the smallest amount of the pregnancy hormone HcG — so it can tell you sooner than any other test. The sooner you know you’re pregnant, the faster you can begin making healthy pregnancy choices for yourself and your baby that include diet and limiting exposure to hazards. To be extra sure of the result when it matters most, First Response Triple Check offers three unique pregnancy tests all over 99 percent accurate in one convenient combination kit.

If you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed about getting pregnant, more information lies within “The Impatient Woman’s Guide to Getting Pregnant.” Besides planning on incorporating these tips into your daily life, here are two things that you can do right now: Take a supplement of 1,000 mg of fish oil a day and learn the relaxation technique of deep breathing to ease anxiety. You’re about to start your trying to conceive (TTC) journey. Enjoy the ride.

2018-03-20T07:01:17

(BPT) – Did you know planting a tree is one of the easiest and most powerful things you can do to have a positive impact on the environment? It’s true. Trees clean the air, prevent rainwater runoff, help you save energy and even combat global warming. And they’re a snap to plant! No horticultural degree required. With Arbor Day just around the corner in April, there’s no better time to give Mother Nature a little TLC by planting a tree.

From the single homeowner in Nebraska planting a maple in her backyard to the 250 Comcast employees volunteering in communities devastated by hurricanes, fires and Emerald Ash Borer infestation by planting hundreds of trees on Comcast Cares Day (the nation’s largest single-day corporate volunteer event), people nationwide are getting their tree on this spring. Here are 10 reasons why you should join them.

Trees fight climate change

Wish you could do more than recycling and reducing your carbon footprint to combat climate change? Trees have you covered. Through photosynthesis, trees absorb harmful carbon dioxide, removing and storing the carbon and releasing oxygen back into the air.

Trees clean the air and help you breathe

Trees don’t just absorb CO2. They also absorb odors and pollutants like nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone. It’s estimated that one tree can absorb nearly 10 pounds of polluted air each year and release 260 pounds of oxygen.

Trees prevent soil erosion and rainwater runoff

During heavy rains, water runoff finds its way to streams, lakes and wetlands, creating the potential for flooding. It also picks up and carries pollutants along the way. The EPA and the Center for Watershed Protection are recognizing the importance of trees in managing runoff. Leaf canopies help buffer the falling rain and their roots hold the soil in place, encouraging the water to seep into the ground rather than run off.

Planting trees is easy

Gardening can be intimidating for newbies because there are so many variables. Which plants and flowers should you put next to each other and which should you separate? Which bloom in the summer and which bloom in the fall? When you’re dealing with trees, there’s none of that. Just choose a spot in your yard and you’re good to go. Here’s a video showing you all you need to know about planting your young trees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5FiqoypXfo.

You’ll save money

Trees conserve energy in summer and winter, providing shade from the hot summer sun and shelter from cold winter winds. With trees standing between you and the elements, you’ll spend less on your energy bill to heat and cool your home.

Trees increase your home’s value

Studies of comparable homes with and without trees show that, if you have trees in your yard, your home’s value increases by up to 15 percent. It’s all about curb appeal, and trees make your home and yard more beautiful.

You’ll attract birds (and critters)

Trees provide nesting sites, food and shelter for your bird friends. Hang a feeder in one of the branches and enjoy the birdsong all year long. Squirrels love to make their homes in trees, too, and watching their antics is a great way to spend a lazy summer afternoon.

Trees are good for your mental and physical health

A view of trees in urban areas has been proven to reduce stress, anxiety and even the crime rate. Tree-filled gardens on hospital grounds speed healing in hospital patients.

You’ll be giving your descendants a gift

Trees can live hundreds of years, so when you plant one, you’re giving a gift to your children and grandchildren. It’s a symbol of your commitment to the environment and the beauty of the world around you that will live on far beyond your own lifetime.

Free trees!

Join the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation for $10 and they’ll send you 10 trees selected for the region of the country where you live, at the right time to plant them. You’ll also get planting instructions and other information. The trees are guaranteed to grow or the Foundation will replace them. Visit www.arborday.org to join.

An ancient Chinese proverb states: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” To find out more about planting trees, visit the Arbor Day Foundation at www.arborday.org.

2018-03-28T12:01:00

(BPT) – Did you know that according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF), nearly 3 million people in the U.S. have glaucoma, and about half of them don’t even realize they have it? Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because it is asymptomatic and painless, and can go undetected until it is at an advanced stage. However, those who are aware of their glaucoma may feel the pressure of managing their condition.

The National Eye Institute (NEI) characterizes glaucoma as damage to the eye’s optic nerve that can result in vision loss. This can occur when fluid build-up increases the intraocular eye pressure (IOP) to a point that can no longer be tolerated by the optic nerve, causing irreversible damage. As the disease progresses, Kellogg Eye Center reports patients may lose their peripheral vision, and experience tunnel vision, blind spots or even complete blindness.

The burden of managing the condition may be frustrating, seemingly unnecessary and cumbersome. Because glaucoma is a chronic condition, it has to be managed for life. However, the nerve damage caused by increased IOP could have no symptoms, which makes adhering to a treatment schedule a struggle for many. The GRF reports that research has shown approximately 40 percent of patients do not take their glaucoma medications as prescribed, or do not continue to refill them.

“The daily adherence to strict treatment regimens is overwhelming for many patients suffering from increased intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma,” said Dr. Brian Flowers* of Ophthalmology Associates in Fort Worth, Texas. “Patients should work closely with their eye care provider to determine a schedule that works for them, or to discuss surgical options that may help reduce dependence on daily drops.”

Alcon, the global leader in eye care, offers the following tips that may help relieve the pressure of daily treatment regimens for their IOP.

1. Visit your doctor for a regular eye screening. Since the condition can silently progress, only experts can appropriately diagnose and treat this “silent thief of sight,” while providing guidance on treatment that may work best for you.
2. Follow a schedule that works best for you. Be sure to take your medication exactly as directed, by setting reminders or timers, according to the GRF. Consult your doctor on the best way to manage your medication schedule, on your terms.
3. Consider one of the microinvasive glaucoma surgical (MIGS) options that may reduce your need for glaucoma medications. For those with increased IOP associated with mild-to-moderate primary open angle glaucoma and undergoing cataract surgery, the CyPass^® Micro-Stent from Alcon is an innovative option that not only can ease the pressure in your eyes, but may also help reduce daily dependence on topical glaucoma medications. Talk to your doctor to see if this option is right for you.

“The first step to easing the pressure caused by glaucoma is becoming informed, and knowing to visit your doctor regularly so that you can be diagnosed as early as possible,” said Dr. Randy Craven* of Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. “After being diagnosed, work with your doctor to consider your options so you can continue to live your life fully despite the condition.”

Considering your personal lifestyle when deciding your course of treatment is key to easing the pressure due to glaucoma, and will help you and your doctor decide the best path forward, and whether a MIGS option, such as CyPass^® Micro-Stent, could be right for you.

Visit MyCyPass.com for more information about how you can lower your eye pressure at the same time as cataract surgery and to find a CyPass^® Micro-Stent surgeon in your local area.

CyPass^® Micro-Stent Important Product Information

INDICATION: The CyPass^® Micro-Stent is used to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult patients with mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) who are undergoing cataract surgery.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: The CyPass^® Micro-Stent should not be used if:

• You have a type of glaucoma other than primary open-angle glaucoma
• Your eye anatomy or condition is unusual; for instance, if the area in your eye is too narrow to implant the CyPass^® Micro-Stent, or if there is a condition that may prevent your eye surgeon from seeing where the CyPass^® Micro-Stent will be implanted

PRECAUTIONS: Your eye surgeon will monitor you after surgery to make sure your eye pressure is controlled. If it is not, your eye surgeon may recommend appropriate medication or other treatment to control your eye pressure. The safety and effectiveness of use of more than a single CyPass^® Micro-Stent has not been established. The CyPass^® Micro-Stent has not been shown to be an alternative to treatment of glaucoma with medicine.

ADVERSE EVENTS: The CyPass^® Micro-Stent was studied in a clinical trial to compare the performance of cataract surgery with the CyPass^® Micro-Stent to cataract surgery alone (without the CyPass^® Micro-Stent). In this study, the most common adverse events in both groups included: significant loss of corrected vision (8.8% for the CyPass^® Micro-Stent vs 15.3% for cataract surgery only); visual field disturbances requiring steroid eye drops 30 or more days after surgery (8.6% vs 3.8%); significant worsening of visual field (6.7% vs 9.9%); significant increases in intraocular pressure 30 or more days after surgery (4.3% vs 2.3%); and eye swelling either 30 or more days after surgery, or severe in nature (3.5% vs 1.5%).

The CyPass^® Micro-Stent is a prescription medical device.

Talk to your eye doctor to see if the CyPass^® Micro-Stent is right for you.

*This release was provided by Alcon and Drs. Craven and Flowers are paid consultants.

2018-04-05T08:01:00

(BPT) – Whether it’s scrubbing through grime to reveal a sparkling surface, cleaning dust bunnies from under appliances or organizing your pantry, there’s something oddly satisfying about a deep clean.

According to a recent survey conducted on behalf of Clorox, lots of people get the good vibes flowing when it’s cleaning day. Seventy-one percent say it makes them feel relaxed, while 57 percent say they feel accomplished.

Of the most oddly satisfying places to clean in the house, 34 percent say they find their bliss after cleaning the countertops, while a clean microwave lends that special feeling to another 30 percent.

To reach that spring cleaning joy, try some of these not-so-obvious cleaning jobs that will transform the look and feel of your space into a springtime sanctuary.

Grout: Over time, mold and mildew buildup can make your bathroom grout look dingy, but with the right approach, the grout stains will disappear. Start by wetting the tile with a cloth. Then, dip a sponge into a gallon bucket of water with 3/4 cup of bleach and wipe down the tile. Wait five minutes for disinfecting, rinse and viola! Your tiles will shine, offset by the clean lines of white grout.

Microwave: We don’t like to think about it, but a lot of hard-to-remove food residue accumulates in our microwaves and we rarely spend the time to give it a thorough clean. Microwave a cup of water and in five minutes the steam will help loosen the stains. A Clorox Disinfecting Wipe will take care of those extra stubborn messes.

Dust: In addition to moving aside the beds, appliances and other heavy pieces of furniture to get those dust bunnies, make sure you’re tackling the not-so-obvious places. Use the vacuum’s brush attachment to clear your HVAC register vents and don’t forget to dust the tops of fan blades!

Windows: Those panes have taken quite a beating over the months. It’s time to get a soft sponge and a bucket of warm, soapy water to defeat the smudges and layers of dirt, and then wipe them clean with a squeegee. You’ll love how sparkling clean glass transforms the room.

Outdoor surfaces: Right outside your back door is a golden opportunity for a deep clean. Rent or borrow a pressure washer, and once it’s set up, you can enjoy watching the blast of water and degreaser effortlessly turn your concrete walkways and driveway into bright clean surfaces — like a magic wand. To easily remove the mold and mildew off your deck and patio furniture, add 3/4 cup of bleach to a gallon of water and swipe away the stains from seasons past.

Try these tips and enjoy basking in the satisfaction of a deep-cleaned house. To find the tools you need for the job, visit Clorox.com/satisfyingspringclean/.

2018-04-02T12:45:00

(BPT) – It’s time for America’s workforce to wake up. If you are one of the tens of millions of adults sleeping fewer than seven hours each night — the amount recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) — you are likely jeopardizing performance, increasing accident risks and putting everyone in danger during commutes. Getting enough sleep every night is key to improving productivity, safety and quality of life.

Here are some tips to make sleep work for you.

Don’t burn the midnight oil

Working late nights might impress your boss, but restricting your sleep can lead to trouble making decisions, solving problems, controlling emotions and more, severely affecting your productivity at work. The National Safety Council reports that workers who sleep fewer than six hours per night cost employers six days a year in productivity.

Sleep for safety

Workers who sleep less than six hours per night are also at higher risk for injury, according to the Sleep Research Society. Cognitive and motor performance impairments caused by sleep deprivation can be comparable to drinking alcohol. If you make it a daily priority to recognize the signs of fatigue before, during and after work, and refuse to drive drowsy, you can reduce the risk of serious injury for yourself and others. This may be especially true if you work a job that involves manual labor or heavy machinery.

Strategies for non-traditional work hours

Some of the more high-risk professions involve working irregular hours. Shift workers — who can be nurses, law enforcement officers, emergency responders, transportation operators and more — work overnight or early morning hours with irregular or rotating shifts, causing upheaval in the body’s circadian rhythm and natural sleep/wake cycle. According to the AASM, shift workers may sleep up to four fewer hours per night than those working traditional hours, increasing the risk for injuries, accidents and drowsy driving. The CDC reports that serious long-term health problems are a concern, too.

However, there are ways for shift workers to combat this problematic sleep schedule.

Tips for ‘wake time’

* Avoid exposure to sunlight if you need to sleep during the day, and wear sunglasses if you must go outside.

* Use moderate amounts of caffeine in the early part of your shift.

* Use public transportation, rideshare or take a cab, or arrange rides from friends or family after a work shift.

* Take a 20- to 30-minute nap during a work break or before a night shift.

* Get help from a sleep specialist to reinforce your body clock with strategically timed bright light therapy.

Tips for ‘sleep time’

* Avoid caffeine and alcohol in the hours before you go to bed.

* Plan for any major changes in your shift schedule by altering your sleep time a few days in advance.

* Try to keep the same schedule on workdays and days off and create an effective “wind down” routine before going to bed.

* Keep your bedroom at a cool temperature, turn off all electronics and only do relaxing activities like reading or journaling.

Use the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project’s bedtime calculator, which helps you find your ideal bedtime based on when you need to wake up for work — even if that’s in the middle of the night.

Getting at least seven hours of sleep isn’t just a matter of feeling alert for productivity and safety on the job; it’s a necessary component of good health and well-being. If you’re having trouble sleeping, you should talk to your doctor, who may refer you to a board-certified sleep medicine physician at an accredited sleep center for help. For more information go to www.sleepeducation.org.

2018-04-10T15:09:00

(BPT) – The bright lights. The energy and laughter that fills the room. Casinos are fun and exciting to the vast majority of people but for some, they can be problematic.

Casinos are a form of entertainment, so how do you ensure what’s meant to be a fun and leisurely activity continues to be a positive experience? Time spent at a casino should be a planned and budgeted entertainment option — like you would approach an evening out for dinner or a sporting event. There are preventative measures that can be taken to help ensure that an experience at a casino remains a fun one.

Leading experts in the field of gambling research maintain that it starts with being an informed consumer who understands the realities of gaming. “Being informed means understanding your thoughts about the next big win, beating the odds, and finding the hot machine or deck of cards,” said Dr. James Whelan of the University of Memphis. “Misunderstanding these thoughts about chance can lead to harmful mistakes and excessive losses of money. Informed consumers know that setting limits on how much you spend and how long you play is the best way to not let these thoughts result in you losing more than you can afford.”

Here’s what everyone should keep in mind before their next casino visit.

Betting on a winning streak

It’s always exciting to hit a jackpot, but winning streaks are highly uncommon and beyond anyone’s control. Each spin of the wheel or roll of the dice is an independent event, which means that the chances of a specific outcome aren’t influenced by previous outcomes. So rolling snake eyes once makes you no more (or less) likely to roll snake eyes again.

The chances of beating the odds

Casino games are designed with a house advantage. Mathematically, the house advantage is a measure of how much the house expects to win, expressed as a percentage of the player’s wager. For example, in a wager with a house advantage of 5 percent, the player will lose, on average over time, $5 for every $100 wagered. Because the odds always favor the house, the longer or faster a person plays a casino game, the more the person should expect to lose even in skill­-based or hybrid games. In the same way, the more a person wagers, the more the person should expect to lose.

Believing in superstitions

It might be fun to imagine that rubbing a rabbit’s foot improves a player’s chances of hitting a jackpot, but the reality is that this “magical thinking” has no impact whatsoever. Cheating aside, there’s nothing a player can do — no ritual or lucky charm — to influence the outcome of any casino game. Superstitions can’t determine whether a player wins or loses because every casino game — whether it’s blackjack, craps or a slot machine — is based on randomness, or on chance.

Lisa Arroyo has worked at Harrah’s Joliet Casino in Illinois for the past 25 years. Like everyone who works at a Caesars Entertainment property, Arroyo thinks about gambling as a fun activity you pay for, like going to the movies or to a theater performance.

Arroyo has heard customers laughing and having fun playing blackjack — and she has also heard customers make troubling statements that have caused her concern. “We definitely don’t want people to come in and spend more than what they have budgeted. We want our guests to simply have fun and gamble responsibly. If someone makes a statement or series of statements that concern us, we will have a discussion with the patron and inform them of responsible gaming options and alternatives if needed.”

Gambling responsibly?

Is responsible gaming an oxymoron? Not at all. Arroyo wants gambling to be a choice made for the right reasons. She is one of the advocates of Caesars Entertainment’s Responsible Gaming program, the first hospitality gambling program of its kind to formally train employees on the importance of Responsible Gaming.

The premise of the program involves Arroyo and her colleagues across Caesars’ global network of properties, called Responsible Gaming (RG) Ambassadors, who are celebrating their 15th year of assisting casino guests who may not be gambling responsibly. If comments or statements are made that are concerning to any employee, that concern is brought to the attention of the RG Ambassador who will sit down with the guest to address the reported concern, offer problem gambling program assistance and help resources, and answer questions. “We just let them know that if they feel like they might have a problem, we’re here to answer questions and help,” said Arroyo.

She informs people who express they might have a gambling problem to ask themselves some of the following questions.

* Do I lose time from work due to gambling?

* Is gambling making my home life unhappy?

* Have I ever felt remorse after gambling?

* Do I ever gamble to get money to help pay debts or to otherwise solve financial difficulties?

* Does gambling cause a decrease in my ambition or efficiency?

* Do I ever gamble longer than I had planned?

Caesars Entertainment wants everyone who plays at its casinos to be there for the right reason — to simply have fun. For the past 25 years, Caesars has been committed to promoting responsible gaming and has provided assistance to guests who may not be gambling responsibly. This year, Caesars’ Responsible Gaming Ambassador Program is celebrating its 15th anniversary with 815 Responsible Gaming Ambassadors that may assist guests with problem gambling help resources.