Childhood vaccine rates increase but more parents also are refusing

2018-03-06T08:01:01

(BPT) – Childhood and adolescent vaccination is considered by many to be one of the greatest public health accomplishments of the 20th century, but based on the results of a new study by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), there is still more work to do to ensure children and teens are protected against the diseases vaccines were developed to eradicate.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield: Health of America Report shows childhood vaccination rates climbed 12 percent among young commercially insured members. Data shows 69 percent of young BCBS members born in 2010 were up-to-date on their CDC-recommended vaccinations by the age of 2 years and 3 months compared to 77 percent of children born in 2013.

The study also found that the rate of documented vaccine refusal — in other words, doctors charting parental refusal of vaccines for their children — went up by nearly 70 percent for children born in 2013 compared to those born in 2010 (4.2 percent versus 2.5 percent, respectively).

The result of vaccine refusal can be dangerous, not only for the child who is vulnerable to diseases like measles and diphtheria, but for the community at large.

It played itself out in Minnesota last year, when a measles outbreak in the Twin Cities exceeded the total number of cases reported in the entire U.S. the year before. Health officials didn’t have to look far for the cause. Spread of the highly infectious disease started in the state’s Somali-American community.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, the vaccination rate among Somali-American children dropped from the high 80s to a low of 42 percent last year in response to the anti-vaccine movement’s targeting efforts, fueling the outbreak. But the disease wasn’t confined to the Somali community. It spread throughout the Minnesota public school system as well, infecting non-vaccinated children.

The disease is nothing to take lightly. At the low end, it causes fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat and a rash, but it can be deadly, spawning pneumonia, blindness and even encephalitis. One especially alarming complication lurks in the brain for years after a person has recovered and mysteriously reawakens, causing seizures, coma and death. No one who has contracted that complication has survived.

Low uptake of HPV vaccine

It’s not just childhood vaccines that parents are refusing. According to the BCBSA report, only 29 percent of adolescents received a first dose of the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine before their 13th birthday.

The HPV vaccine rates lag far behind other adolescent vaccines, meningococcal and Tdap, which have rates of 72 percent and 82 percent, respectively.

And that’s a problem. According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 31,500 people die every year from cancers caused by HPV.

It’s a heartbreaking statistic, especially because the American Cancer Institute estimates that, if all teens were vaccinated against HPV, cervical cancer would be eliminated within one generation.

What parents can do

The key to protecting children and teens from diseases like measles, rubella and HPV is vaccination, according to the CDC.

Talk to your child’s doctor about the safety and benefits of vaccination, if you have any doubt.

Vaccinate your children according to the CDC-recommended Seven-Vaccine series: Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTaP), Heamophilus Influenza (Hib), Hepatitis B (Hep B) Polio (IPV), and Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR).

Vaccinate your adolescent against HPV, Meningitis and DTaP.

For more information, or to download the Health of America report, visit www.bcbs.com/healthofamerica.


With matters of the heart, don’t wait to take action

2018-03-07T11:31:00

(BPT) – The majority of Americans wouldn’t think that walking to their car after work is a difficult task, but that wasn’t the case for Michele Norris. Before her heart failure diagnosis and treatment, Michele found herself leaning on a co-worker while walking to her vehicle, taking frequent breaks along the short route.

She knew something wasn’t right. Michele, a 62-year-old budget director, noticed shortness of breath and swelling in her legs, limiting her daily routines. She decided to take action and talk to her doctor. After a few conversations, Michele was eventually diagnosed with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, or HFrEF, a chronic and progressive condition affecting millions of Americans, though few know much about it. After discussions with her cardiologist, Michele was prescribed ENTRESTO® (sacubitril/valsartan), a heart failure medicine that helps improve the heart’s ability to pump blood to the body.

“Being diagnosed with heart failure was terrifying, but I learned how to trust my gut, and raise a flag when something feels off,” said Michele. “Taking steps to change my diet and stay active, and adding ENTRESTO to my regimen has helped me stay out of the hospital, although everyone’s experiences are different.”

Michele is passionate about helping others with HF and encourages them to keep all of their doctor appointments, and to be an active partner with their doctors when choosing a treatment plan – which includes medication and lifestyle changes.

Learn more at www.entresto.com

What is ENTRESTO?

ENTRESTO (sacubitril/valsartan) tablets 24/26 mg, 49/51 mg, 97/103 mg is a prescription medicine used to reduce the risk of death and hospitalization in people with certain types of long-lasting (chronic) heart failure. ENTRESTO is usually used with other heart failure therapies, in place of an ACE inhibitor or other ARB therapy.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about ENTRESTO?

ENTRESTO can harm or cause death to your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about other ways to treat heart failure if you plan to become pregnant. If you get pregnant while taking ENTRESTO, tell your doctor right away.

Who should not take ENTRESTO?

Do not take ENTRESTO if you

  • are allergic to sacubitril or valsartan or any of the ingredients in ENTRESTO
  • have had an allergic reaction including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, throat (angioedema) or trouble breathing while taking a type of medicine called an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
  • take an ACE inhibitor medicine. Do not take ENTRESTO for at least 36 hours before or after you take an ACE inhibitor medicine. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking ENTRESTO if you are not sure if you take an ACE inhibitor medicine
  • have diabetes and take a medicine that contains aliskiren

What should I tell my doctor before taking ENTRESTO?

Before you take ENTRESTO, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you have kidney or liver problems or a history of hereditary angioedema; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant; are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should either take ENTRESTO or breastfeed. You should not do both.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take potassium supplements or a salt substitute; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); lithium; or other medicines for high blood pressure or heart problems such as an ACE inhibitor, ARB, or aliskiren.

What are the possible side effects of ENTRESTO?

ENTRESTO may cause serious side effects including:

  • angioedema that may cause trouble breathing and death. Get emergency medical help right away if you have symptoms of angioedema or trouble breathing. Do not take ENTRESTO again if you have had angioedema while taking ENTRESTO. People who are Black or who have had angioedema and take ENTRESTO may have a higher risk of having angioedema
  • low blood pressure (hypotension). Call your doctor if you become dizzy or lightheaded, or you develop extreme fatigue
  • kidney problems
  • increased amount of potassium in your blood

The most common side effects were low blood pressure, high potassium, cough, dizziness, and kidney problems.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING, available at: https://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/sites/www.pharma.us.novartis.com/files/entresto.pdf.

Patients are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


Your Rx for answers and savings: Ask a pharmacist

2018-03-07T16:01:00

(BPT) – There’s no denying that prescription drug coverage and medications can be complex territory.

Enter UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement’s Chief Pharmacy Officer Mike Anderson, PharmD, who has spent his career navigating the ins and outs of the Rx world.

Below, Anderson answers some common questions people ask about drug coverage and prescriptions.

Q. What’s the difference between PDP and MA-PD plans?

A. Original Medicare doesn’t provide coverage for most prescription drugs, so for help paying for medications, you have two options: a standalone Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) in addition to Original Medicare or Original Medicare and a Medicare supplement plan; or a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage (MAPD). Medicare Advantage plans can include additional benefits like dental, vision and hearing coverage, and combine your coverage into a single plan. Both plans are offered by private insurance companies contracted by Medicare.

Q. How do I know if my prescriptions are covered by my Medicare plan?

A. Whether you get coverage through Medicare Advantage or a standalone Part D plan, each has a formulary, a list of prescription drugs covered. You’ll want to look closely to make sure your medications are covered. Health insurers post plan formularies online, or you can call your plan to request a printed version. Keep in mind that plans can change from year to year, so don’t assume that prescription drugs covered this year will always carry over.

Q. How can I save money while remaining on my medications?

A. There are many ways to do that:

Home-delivery pharmacy benefits can save money and a trip to the pharmacy. Some mail-order pharmacies offer the convenience of ordering a three-month supply of drugs delivered to your home for less than purchasing at a retail location.

If you prefer to visit a pharmacy, check if your plan offers programs or preferred pharmacy networks to help you save on prescriptions.

Switching to generic drugs or drugs on a lower tier of the formulary is another step that could save money. If you are taking brand-name medications now, discuss generic alternatives with your doctor.

Q. Can I split my pills in half?

A. Talk to your doctor about whether pill-splitting for your medication is medically advised. Also, consult your pharmacist on whether the actual pill form presents risks. Some pills are dangerous when split, because splitting affects how quickly the drug is released into your body. Other pills become ineffective when split, because the pill contains a coating to protect it from stomach acid, and splitting the pill breaks that coating.

Q. I take a lot of pills daily. One I take three times a day. Some I just take once. I get busy and forget to take my pills. Can I just take them all in the morning?

A. It’s important to take your medicine as your doctor prescribed it. Some medications need to be taken at specific times to be effective. Plus, taking all your medications at one time can be dangerous as you run the risk of potential adverse interactions, side effects and even overdosing.

Q. I drink smoothies with supplements and take vitamins. Can these have a bad interaction with my prescriptions?

A. That’s a great question. If an iron supplement was added to the smoothie, for example, that could reduce the effectiveness of thyroid medication and medication for reflux disease. Talk to your pharmacist and doctor about vitamins and supplements to learn if they could cause a reaction or make your medications less effective.

Q. I just got my medication refilled. It used to be a different color and shape. Why does it look different?

A. More than likely, the pharmacy you use bought their supply from a different manufacturer. Drug companies that make the same medication must keep the chemical formula the same but may change the shape or color. As long as you verify it’s the same medication and dose, it should work just like before. If you have concerns, talk with your pharmacist.

For more information to help you navigate prescription drug coverage, visit MedicareMadeClear.com.


Have 5 minutes? Easy tips for finding moments of Zen

2018-03-08T08:01:00

(BPT) – From work to working out, kids’ activities to household tasks and so much more, modern life has never been busier. The problem is hectic schedules can lead to unnecessary stress.

If you’re one of the many people who feel frazzled on a regular basis, you’re probably longing for a vacation or a day at the spa. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy ways to cut stress that you can sneak into everyday life. From mealtime to bedtime, if you start embracing small moments to be more mindful, you’ll be surprised how fast you can cut down on overall stress.

Here are five simple examples of how you can find your own moments of Zen today:

1. Take a 5-minute walk.

Whether it’s getting fresh air or just getting yourself moving, a change of place and pace can reduce stress and give you a few moments to relax, especially during hectic times. For example, take a 5-minute break while dinner’s cooking to walk around the block. Weather not right for a walk? Give your body a quick stretch with an at-home yoga session.

2. Find quick-and-easy solutions.

If making dinner for your family seems like a daunting task, choose quick-and-easy options designed to take the hassle out of meal prep, like SeaPak’s Shrimp Scampi or Popcorn Shrimp. The frozen food aisle is a great place to begin your journey toward finding your happy place in the kitchen. Here, you can find a variety of products that taste great and require minimal prep work, so you can dedicate more time to doing the things you love, like spending quality time with your family.

3. Choose quality over quantity.

Make the most of your time each day by being intentional with your activities. Whether it’s playing a new board game with the kids after dinner or watching a TV show with your spouse, small quality moments can help you relax and enjoy yourself and your family when at home.

4. Take time to reflect.

When using great-tasting, low-hassle products like SeaPak to make dinner, you’ll be spending way less time in the kitchen. Take those extra moments to reflect on everything you accomplished during your day or week. This will help give you a sense of pride and is a real confidence-booster.

5. Break from technology.

Take a break from technology, even if it’s only for 5 minutes. Set down your phone, turn off the television and step away from all electronics. Just giving your mind a break from the active world of technology can reduce stress and help you mentally reset, especially during mealtimes, where being present is particularly important.

These are just five simple examples, but moments of Zen can be found anywhere if you take the time to look for them. Remember, the little moments are what make the biggest impact in life, and by embracing mindfulness, you’re setting the stage to be able to focus on what really matters.


10 easy ways to eat healthier

2018-03-08T15:01:00

(BPT) – If you’re indulging in too many break room snacks or swinging by the drive-thru after work, you’re not alone. With such a busy life, it’s easy to grab something quick and unhealthy on the go. But, the good news is, it’s also easy to make changes in your diet that will reap powerful health benefits in no time.

Here are 10 easy ways to eat healthier:

Start small. You don’t have to completely overhaul your diet in a day. Start with small things, like taking your lunch to work instead of eating out, cutting down on soda or getting a new cookbook of healthy recipes to inspire you.

Plan your meals. On the weekend, plan your breakfasts, lunches and dinners for the upcoming week, and then head out to the grocery store, and do your shopping so you’ll have everything you need on hand.

Cook at home. When you eat out, even when opting for the “healthy” items on the menu, you could be getting hidden doses of salt, sugar and fat. When you cook at home, you can control exactly what you’re eating, down to the nutrient. It’s healthier for your pocketbook, too.

Explore your health insurance discounts. Many health plans offer resources, discounts and incentives for leading a healthier life. Participating Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies, for example, have the Blue365 program, which features a variety of health and wellness products and services. Members can save everyday on online deals, including discounts on Retrofit private weight-loss programs, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, healthy cookbooks by Holly Clegg, and more.

Eat the rainbow. Colorful foods are packed with nutrients. Red foods help heart health and improve memory. Orange foods are good for your eyes, yellow foods help with digestion and brain function, purple foods are powerful antioxidants and green foods are good for your eyes, musculature, bones and teeth. All fight cancers. And they’re pretty on the plate. Win-win!

Slash the sodium. Lowering your sodium intake can help lower your blood pressure and get rid of water weight. But it’s not as easy as putting down the salt shaker. Sodium lurks in places you’d least expect it. Some surprisingly high-sodium foods: raw chicken (if it’s been pumped up with a solution), pre-cooked frozen shrimp (usually processed with salt), condiments like ketchup and mustard, smoked anything and cottage cheese.

Watch your sugar. Too much sugar leads to weight gain, abdominal obesity, low HDL and high LDL, elevated blood sugar and a whole host of other problems. But like salt, sugar can hide in foods you might think are healthy, including instant oatmeal, jarred pasta sauce, smoothies, flavored yogurt and salad dressing. A good rule of thumb: Read the label, and if it has a double-digit sugar count, ditch it.

Meatless Mondays! Going vegetarian one day a week is a great way to get more veggies into your diet. Swap the burger for a plate of grilled or roasted veggies drizzled with balsamic vinegar or a big, colorful salad. Just don’t pack on the refined carbs like white bread, pasta or potatoes in place of the meat.

Eat anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich foods. Antioxidants protect your cells from free radicals, and eating foods rich in them slows aging, gives you healthier skin, a longer lifespan and reduces cancer risk. Berries, nuts and seeds, fish, olive oil, broccoli and green leafy veggies are antioxidant powerhouses.

Practice mindful eating. Go all Zen with your food. Focus on what you’re eating, how you’re nourishing your body, and how much you enjoy the taste of the food. Eating at your desk, in the car or in front of the TV makes it more likely you’ll overeat.

For more information about how Blue365 can help you get healthier, visit www.blue365deals.com.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans. BCBSA provides health care insights through The Health of America Report series and the national BCBS Health Indexsm. For more information on BCBSA and its member companies, please visit BCBS.com. We also encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and check out our blog.

Blue365 offers access to savings on health and wellness products and services and other items that may be purchased from Blue365 Vendors, which are different from covered benefits under your policy(ies) with your local Blue Company, its contracts with Medicare, or any other federally-funded healthcare program. To find out what is covered under your policy(ies), contact your Blue Company. The products and services described on Blue365’s website are neither offered nor guaranteed under your Blue Company’s contract with the Medicare program. In addition, these products and services are not subject to the Medicare appeals process. Any disputes regarding your insurance products and services may be subject to your Blue Company’s grievance process. BCBSA may receive payments from Blue365 Vendors. Neither BCBSA nor any Blue Company recommends, endorses, warrants, or guarantees any specific Blue365 Vendor’s product or service available through the Site.

*Note to Editors: Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies participating in Blue365 are in the following states: AZ, AR, DC, DE, FL, IL,IA, KS, LA, MA,MD, MI, MO, MT, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NY,OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WV, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program® also participates in Blue365.


Spring into Action: Dispose of Your Old, Unused Prescription Drugs [Infographic]

2018-03-09T06:01:00

(BPT) – As you spring your clocks forward and jump into spring cleaning, take the time to clean out your medicine cabinet. Old and unused prescription medications commonly sit in medicine cabinets, sometimes for years, and can easily fall into the wrong hands.

Over 11.5 million Americans misused prescription painkillers in the last year and two in three people who use heroin started out misusing prescription painkillers.1 Every day 2,000 teenagers misuse prescription drugs for the first time.2

It only takes a moment to safely dispose of old and unused medications, but it can have a lifelong impact.

Order a free disposal kit today at www.addictionpolicy.org/order.



Save time in your morning with these kitchen hacks

2018-03-12T07:01:00

(BPT) – It happens: You hit the snooze button once, twice, then three times, so when you’re finally showered, dressed and ready to tackle the day, you’re already behind schedule. Oftentimes that causes you to skip breakfast completely.

Turns out, your breakfast habit is one time-saving step that should not be skipped. First off, eating a nutritious, high-protein, balanced breakfast every morning is a proven way to kick-start your brain, improving concentration and performance. Plus breakfast is linked to better weight control, as it provides your body energy and may reduce hunger later in the day.

Change up how you approach your morning meal and test some of these chef-inspired time-saving tricks and shortcuts in the kitchen.

Put away the knife and grater: Grocery stores are waking up to the fact that customers love preparing delicious foods at home, but they don’t love the time it takes to chop and peel. Let the grocery store take on the “sous chef” role, and explore your produce section for inspiration. Pick up a container of sliced fruit and peeled eggs, and you’ll have a grab-and-go breakfast. When you have extra time, pre-chopped veggies and grated cheeses will complete your omelet station in no time.

Pull out your slow cooker: The slow cooker is a must-have tool for anyone wanting to save time in the morning. Just pop in some oats, measure the water and add a cinnamon stick, and you’ll wake up to the sweetly scented aroma of a hot, comforting breakfast. Otherwise, hop online and discover other surprisingly easy overnight breakfast ideas, including egg casseroles and quick breads.

Find ways to consolidate: One of the frustrations of cooking is how recipes sometimes layer in multiple steps that leave you with a sink full of dirty pans and utensils to scrub. Minimize the mess and look for one-pot recipe options. Do all the sauteing and simmering in one Dutch oven or stockpot, setting aside the cooked ingredients as needed.

Keep it real: A photo-worthy homemade breakfast is always a treat, but all you need are a handful of simple ingredients to create an inspired breakfast, with minimal prep and cooking time. For example, apples, quinoa and a few warm spices are all you need to make an unexpected but protein- and fiber-packed breakfast entree. Even better, opting for a boil-in-bag option like Success Tri-Color Quinoa gives you amazing cooked quinoa that’s ready for the apple topping in just 10 minutes. Not to mention, Success Quinoa is gluten-free and 100 percent whole grain.

Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa

Serves 2

Ingredients:

1 bag Success Tri-Color Quinoa

1 cup apple juice

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 large apple, cored and sliced

1 tablespoon maple syrup

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 cup walnuts, optional

1 cup vanilla yogurt, optional

Directions:

Prepare quinoa according to package directions, adding apple juice to water.

Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add brown sugar, apple, maple syrup, dried cranberries and cinnamon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are just tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in nuts, if desired. Serve quinoa topped with apple mixture and yogurt, if desired.


6 tips to reduce confusion in older patients after surgery

2018-03-12T08:01:01

(BPT) – The longer you live the more likely you will develop a medical condition that requires surgery or a procedure. In fact, half of all people 65 and older will have at least one surgical procedure in their lifetime. And along with common potential side effects from anesthesia during surgery such as nausea, chills or muscle aches and itching, older patients are at risk for confusion or short-term memory loss. But, rest assured, there are steps seniors can take to minimize these side effects.

“The aging brain is more vulnerable to anesthesia and surgery, but there is research that provides guidance to decrease these risks,” said James D. Grant, M.D., M.B.A., FASA, president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). “Older patients should talk with their physician anesthesiologist prior to surgery about their entire medical history and any memory problems they’ve had in the past, so an anesthesia plan can be developed that ensures their safety and reduces the chance of side effects or complications.”

Two anesthesia-related surgery risks more common in older people include:

Postoperative delirium — This is a temporary condition that causes the patient to be confused, disoriented, unaware of their surroundings and have problems with memory and paying attention. It may not start until a few days after surgery, comes and goes, and usually disappears after about a week.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) — This is a less well understood but more serious condition that can lead to long-term memory loss and make it difficult to learn, concentrate and think. Because some of these problems are already common in elderly people and may be the sign of an underlying long-term cognitive decline, the only way to determine if a patient actually has POCD is to conduct a mental test before surgery.

Researchers in anesthesia care continue to study and learn more about these conditions and how to prevent or reduce the effects.

During Patient Safety Awareness Week (March 11 to 17) ASA offers six tips for seniors to help limit confusion after surgery:

1. Ask your physician to conduct a pre-surgery cognitive test — an assessment of your mental function. The physician can use the results as a baseline for comparison after surgery.

2. Be sure your caregiver, a family member or friend stays or can visit with you as you recover, carefully observes your physical and mental activity after surgery and reports anything troubling to your physician.

3. Check with your physician before taking medications after surgery that can affect your nervous system, such as those for anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms or sleep aids.

4. If you wear hearing aids or glasses, ask that they be made available as soon as possible after the procedure.

5. Request a hospital room for recovery with a window if possible, so you can tell whether it’s day or night.

6. If you will be staying overnight in the hospital, pack a family photo, a clock and a calendar, or other familiar objects from home, to help you readjust.

In 2016, ASA launched the Perioperative Brain Health Initiative, which has engaged a multidisciplinary group to work with health care providers, payers and the public to create better access to care that minimizes the impact of pre-existing conditions that may impair mental thinking or intellectual abilities, and optimizes patients’ cognitive recovery and their experience before, during and after surgery for adults 65 and older.

To learn more about preparing for surgery, visit asahq.org/wscpreparingforsurgery. You also can download and print Preparing for Surgery: An Anesthesia Checklist to take with you to visit your physician anesthesiologist prior to surgery, as well as when you go to the hospital or outpatient clinic for the surgery. A brochure on seniors and anesthesia is also available for download. To learn more about the critical role physician anesthesiologists play before, during and after surgery, visit www.asahq.org/WhenSecondsCount.

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS

Founded in 1905, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is an educational, research and scientific society with more than 52,000 members organized to raise and maintain the standards of the medical practice of anesthesiology.

ASA is committed to ensuring physician anesthesiologists evaluate and supervise the medical care of patients before, during and after surgery to provide the highest quality and safest care every patient deserves. For more information on the field of anesthesiology, visit the American Society of Anesthesiologists online at asahq.org. To learn more about the role physician anesthesiologists play in ensuring patient safety, visit asahq.org/WhenSecondsCount. Like ASA on Facebook; follow ASALifeline on Twitter.


7 reasons not to wait to treat your hearing loss

2018-03-12T09:01:01

(BPT) – Hearing loss is often referred to as a silent disease. It doesn’t hurt and it often occurs so gradually over time that you barely notice the insidious damage it does. As a result, hard-of-hearing people often delay seeking treatment for their hearing loss.

Here are seven reasons you shouldn’t make that mistake.

1. Hearing loss can be a sign of a more serious illness

While in most cases hearing loss is a result of aging and excessive noise exposure, it can also be a symptom of a serious underlying medical condition. Some of these include tumors, cardiovascular disorders and diabetes. As such, hearing loss should never be dismissed.

2. Untreated hearing loss hurts your career and earning potential

Thinking about hiding your hearing loss at work because it makes you look incompetent and old? Think again! Misunderstanding instructions and asking people to repeat themselves all the time makes others question your ability to do your job. Minimizing communication breakdowns at work by wearing hearing aids will ensure that hearing loss doesn’t become a roadblock for your career.

3. Untreated hearing loss hurts your relationships with loved ones

Did your hearing loss cause you to miss out on a private joke with your pals? Or did you inadvertently hurt your grandchild’s feelings because you didn’t hear them calling you? Since good communication is vital to any close relationship, hearing loss can be hardest on the ones we love the most. Left unresolved, mounting resentment and frustration eventually strains your most cherished relationships.

4. Untreated hearing loss leads to rise in fall risk

Did you know that (along with vision) good hearing also helps you maintain spatial orientation and balance? This is why research has shown that those with even a mild untreated hearing loss are nearly three times more likely to have a history of falling than people with good hearing.

5. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to increased risk for cognitive decline and dementia

There is a growing body of evidence linking untreated hearing loss to physical changes in the brain, accelerated rate of cognitive decline, and cognitive disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. On the other hand, at least one long-term study shows wearing hearing aids reduces cognitive decline. Why would you take chances?

6. Untreated hearing loss can cause social isolation and depression

When you have a hard time hearing, social activities with friends and family start to become more embarrassing than fun. Your natural recourse may be slowly withdrawing from these activities that you once enjoyed. No wonder, then, that untreated hearing loss frequently leads to social isolation and even depression.

7. Treating hearing loss is easy and painless

Given all these reasons why untreated hearing loss is bad, here’s one piece of good news: Getting treated for hearing loss is easy! Unlike other serious medical conditions that may require surgeries or painful treatments, having your hearing loss evaluated and treated with hearing aids is easy and painless. In fact, most people who finally start to wear hearing aids regret that they didn’t seek treatment earlier.