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According to the CDC, smoking causes nearly 500,000 deaths every year. Additionally, Cancer.org claims smoking is responsible for more than 80% of lung cancer cases. Why should you be one of them? Not only is smoking damaging to your health, but it’s also expensive, unattractive, and increasingly banned in public venues worldwide.

If you’ve decided to quit smoking, chances are that you might need some help. Here are five of our favorite apps to help you in your journey to a tobacco-free lifestyle:

Quit Smoking: Cessation Nation

With a 5-star Android rating, Cessation Nation not only comes highly recommended, but it also comes with fun games and ways to connect with fellow ex-smokers who are “feeling the pain” of quitting. Another fun tool that’s unique to this app is its “Savings Calculator,” which allows you to see how much money you’ve saved since ditching the “cancer sticks.” Users earn rewards for their progress, adding a little extra incentive for fighting those pesky cravings.

LiveStrong’s MyQuitCoach

Feel like you could use a “coach” in your battle to give up nicotine? LiveStrong’s MyQuit app is just that: you can choose whether you’d like to taper off or simply quit “cold turkey.” Like other apps on the list, you can set personal goals and daily reminders, but it also gives you positive feedback and the motivation you’ll need to put that nasty habit behind you (and keep it there).

Smoke-Free

No one is going to pretend that quitting cigarettes is easy, but Smoke-Free makes it a little easier, with a bevy of tools designed to put that pack-a-day habit behind you for good. It shows fun information, like how much your health has improved since you’ve quit, along with powerful motivational tools. What’s more, they boast an impressive success rate with helping people beat the butt. The app has over three million downloads and claims to be the most popular smoking cessation app in the UK. They also maintain a 5-star approval rating on the iPhone with over 20,000 five-star reviews.

QuitNow!

QuitNow! is more than just a smoking cessation aid: it is a community of like-minded ex-smokers determined to say goodbye to nicotine forever. It’s also a multilingual app, offering more than 40 languages. Features of the app include a money-saving calculator and a fun, helpful chat section. Using this app means it’s never been easier to say “Adios” to cigarettes than it is with QuitNow!

Craving to Quit

Feel like these other apps might work, but desire an app that has some hardcore credentials behind it? Craving to Quit was developed by a team of researchers from Yale University. The app offers a 4-day free trial and after that, it’s a $25 per month subscription. On average smokers consume one pack of cigarettes a day, at $5.50/pack, so it could pay for itself within one week. With this program, those trying to quit benefit from an app-based program, a coach & community, and a live video chat support group with addiction experts.

There’s never been a better time to quit cigarettes than now. Consider one of these helpful apps which will make it easier to track your progress, reach out for support, and add years to your life.

As we age, the wisdom of experience is often invaluable. But as important as it is for an older person to receive medical advice and treatment from a doctor or other qualified professional, that advice and treatment may not always be accepted perhaps out of concern about the side-effects of taking certain medications, or because they don’t want to risk being viewed as an invalid by being forced to use a walking aid.

Older people who don’t want to be seen as a burden should always bear in mind that medical professionals are there to help them and not to patronize them. Here are the ins and outs of getting medical help when older.

Work With A Medicare Consultant

Older people want the same things as everyone else, the attention of the best doctors, the most modern treatments, and the lowest prices. Health insurance is usually expensive for the elderly, but the government has come to the rescue. Medicare is part of the social security system the government sets up for the elderly, the disabled, and people with end-stage renal disease. A good way to avoid the Medicare maze is to work with a professional who can help you plan. It pays to work with a consultant who knows the ins and outs of the medicare system.

He or she can keep track of the constant changes in the Medicare rules and the financial impact the changes have on the client (client is the term used to refer to the one who needs the help). The professional should also know which forms need to be filled out and at what times of the year. This will help you to be able to get all the medications you need with ease

Don’t Neglect Yourself- Schedule Checkups and Stick to Them

Getting sick as a senior can be difficult for both the patient and their family. It is important to schedule regular check-ups so if something does come up, it can be addressed early. Don’t let your health conditions worsen or slip away without taking action. Sometimes issues that arise from lack of care are easily treated by a doctor, but many times they are not.

If you neglect yourself, your doctor will be unable to help and whatever is ailing you may become worse. Getting regular check-ups doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with you. It simply acts as a safety net for unforeseen health problems that may arise.

Take All Medication as Directed by Your Doctor

Many patients forget the instructions and dosage of their prescriptions, which can lead to having symptoms that are more severe than the symptoms they were originally trying to treat. It’s easy to get the dosage and instructions wrong so the best way to avoid the problem is to follow the instructions exactly as given. To avoid trouble, the best thing to do is to take the medication as your doctor instructs you and make sure the dosage information is on the bottle.

Also, keep the bottle of medication with you at all times so it’s easy to reference the correct dosage. If you don’t have the bottle then take a picture of the instructions and notes that came with the medication.

Don’t Miss Out on Get Well Visits

Another important thing to remember is the instructions that the doctor gave you the first time the prescription was picked up. If the pharmacy gives you the wrong instructions, it can lead to incorrect dosages. It’s essential to always double-check the dosage and make sure the pharmacist has given you the right directions when picking your medicine up.

If the pharmacy has the wrong prescription information then the best thing to do is call the pharmacist immediately and give the full name of the medication, the dosage, and the directions for taking the drug. If you don’t go through these steps then when you get home and take the medicine it won’t be the right dosage that your doctor instructed you to receive. 

Sometimes the doctor may refer you to a specialist who has more experience in the field of medicine your condition falls under so they will be able to give you better advice on the treatment you need. The best thing to do if the doctor doesn’t know the answer is to get the information yourself and then schedule another appointment with the doctor so they can help you find the solution.

In conclusion, the best way to avoid the worrisome medicare maze is with the use of the internet. A simple Google search can help you understand the dosages and the treatment you need for your condition so nothing gets missed out on when it comes to treatment. The internet helps to get the information you need by helping you determine the correct dosage and the cost of the medication so you know how much money you will be shelling out for your prescriptions. If there are any questions or concerns make sure to call the doctor’s office or the pharmacy. Follow the instructions exactly as the doctors instruct you.

Breast Cancer Awareness

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. About 1 in 8 women, and 1 in 1,000 men, will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. For women, this means that you have a 12% chance of having the disease. With early screening, diagnosis, and treatment, your chances of survival are very high, up to 99% survival rate after five years when caught in the breast before it spreads. Many factors contribute to your risk of developing this disease, just being a woman greatly increases your risk. While about 85% of breast cancers occur in women with no family history of breast cancer, genetics is thought to cause 5-10% of breast cancers. If you have a mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer, your risk of developing it nearly doubles. Age also contributes to a higher risk of having breast cancer. The older you are, the higher your risk of developing it becomes. Women who menstruated before 12 years of age or those who stopped after 55 years of age are also at a higher risk.

What Are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?

Knowing what to look for is important in early detection. Some symptoms for breast cancer include: swelling of all or part of the breast; skin irritation; breast pain; nipple pain; redness or thickening of the nipple or breast skin; nipple discharge that isn’t breast milk; lump in the underarm areas; or a dimple in the breast tissue. Early screening and detection is key for breast health. When you suspect you might have a problem, you can see your primary doctor for initial tests. Depending on your test results and diagnosis, you may see a specialist. Some of the specialists you may encounter further into your treatment may include a breast surgeon, a radiation oncologist, a medical oncologist, and a reconstructive surgeon, among others.

How is Breast Cancer Diagnosed?

Screening tests can help to detect breast cancer before symptoms start. Typically, the earlier you diagnose breast cancer, then easier it is to treat. Some screening tests include things like yearly mammograms, clinical breast exams, and breast self-exams. Those with a high risk of breast cancer may have an option of a breast MRI; however, this is not recommended for those with lower risk. For those whose screening tests show they might have breast cancer, diagnostic tests are performed as a follow-up. These may include a fine needle aspiration biopsy, surgical biopsy, and lymph node biopsy to diagnose the type of breast cancer and develop a treatment plan. Monitoring tests, such as CBCs, bone scans, and ultrasounds, are used during and after treatment to check for signs of recurrence. There are many types of breast cancers that may occur. These are determined by the types of cells in the breast that are affected. Some general categories are non-invasive, invasive, recurrent, and metastatic breast cancers. In situ breast cancers, such as ductal carcinoma in situ, are non-invasive or pre-invasive cancers that have not spread to surrounding tissue. These are the easiest types to treat. Metastatic, or invasive, breast cancers such as invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma, are ones that have spread into the surrounding tissue. Metastatic cancers are classified with stages, 0-IV, and treatment depends upon the stage of the cancer.

How Can You Prevent Breast Cancer?

While you can’t control your genes or age, there are things you can control to lower your risk of developing breast cancer. Some controllable lifestyle choices, such as smoking, excessive drinking (more than one drink per day), diets high in fat, and lack of exercise, all contribute to a higher risk of developing the disease. Regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, not smoking, and limiting drinking will help to reduce these risks. Avoiding exposure to certain chemicals also helps to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. Those with a personal history of breast cancer also have higher risk of developing the disease again. There are screening tests, diagnostic tests, and monitoring tests you may take for the diagnosis of breast cancer.

What is the Treatment for Breast Cancer?

Two methods of treatments to get rid of the cancer or get it under control are systemic treatments and local treatments. Systemic treatments, such as medicine given by mouth or through the bloodstream, can reach cancer cells anywhere in the body. Examples of these are chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy (such as Herceptin, Tykerb). Local treatments are treatments just on the tumor, without affecting other tissues or organs, such as surgery and radiation. Stage 0 breast cancer treatments may include mastectomy, lumpectomy with or without radiation, or hormone therapy. Stage I breast cancer treatments may involve the above treatments along with chemotherapy or targeted therapy. More advanced stages may require further lymph node removal and a more aggressive form of radiation, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy treatment. In addition to traditional treatments, there are clinical trials that you can chose to be involved in to try new treatments for breast cancer therapy, along with the new immunotherapy drugs. You may also choose to treat your cancer with complementary or alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, massage, special diet, vitamins, and herbs. Some of these treatments may have side effects. These side effects vary greatly depending on the treatment itself and the health of the individual. They include some of the following: physical illness, weakness and fatigue, depression, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, mouth sore, hair loss, weight gain, early menopause, a higher risk of infections, bleeding, and even possible death. If untreated, breast cancer is typically a fatal disease that doesn’t go away on its own. The timeline depends upon the severity of the cancer and the health of the individual; there aren’t any conclusive studies to show how long you will live with the disease if left untreated.

Final Thoughts

Early diagnosis and treatment will greatly increase your chances of remission and recovery. Many forms of breast cancer, when diagnosed early, may be treated with minimally invasive methods, enabling you to heal quicker and get back to your life. Nearly 13% of women will develop this disease. A chance at surviving depends heavily on early detection so empower yourself by knowing the symptoms, your family history, living a healthy life and having the recommended screenings.

With flu season rapidly approaching, many will choose to skip getting a shot because of advice they’ve heard from friends or read online. The truth is that the flu can be deadly for some people, so it’s vital that you get vaccinated. To help you distinguish between facts and fiction, below are five common myths you may have heard and the actual facts supported by science.

Myth 1: You Can Catch the Flu from A Flu Shot

This is a common misconception many people have about vaccines, and it is understandable to a degree. When you are vaccinated, you are injected with a small amount of the particular disease and your immune system works to build a stronger immunity to it. People are led to believe that they will catch the flu from the vaccine itself which is not the case. With the flu vaccine, you are injected with an inactive strain of the virus, so it is biologically unable to cause illness. If you receive the nasal spray variant, the viral strains are weakened but do not cause severe flu-like symptoms.

Myth 2: You Don’t Need a Flu Shot Every Year

Once you receive the vaccine you’re set for life, right? Wrong. The influenza virus is continually mutating from year to year, so it’s essential that you’re vaccinated each year. Much like you would update your smartphone to the latest software, you need to do the same with your immune system. In addition to the virus mutating, your body’s immune system will have less of a response to the flu vaccine over time. Receiving the latest and greatest flu vaccination is your best defense against the flu.

Myth 3: You’re Better Off Taking Your Chances

Many people skip the flu vaccination because they think that their immune system is robust and on the off-chance they’ll get sick they can just power through this. While this may seem like the selfless, heroic choice, you’re really doing more damage than good. When you get the flu, it affects more than just yourself. Once the virus is in your system, you become a carrier for it, spreading it in the air when you cough, and on every doorknob or handrail, you touch. The flu is highly contagious, and the symptoms don’t usually show for up to four days after its entered the body. Be mindful of others and don’t unknowingly spread the virus to those that aren’t healthy enough to tough it out.

Myth 4: The Flu Isn’t That Serious

While the flu might not seem severe to those with healthy immune systems, the flu can be very deadly to many people, especially the very young and old. In fact, the CDC estimates there have been 12,000 to 56,000 flu-related deaths since 2012. That’s serious. Even if your immune system is resilient, the flu can still put you on the sidelines for up to two weeks. Do you really want to miss work, school, or social activities because of the flu? If not, make sure you get vaccinated.

Myth 5: You Can Only Be Vaccinated in the Fall

Many people associate flu season with winter which is fairly accurate since the virus tends to spread most during the cold months but the official flu season usually runs from October all the way until May. There isn’t a correct time you should be vaccinated, just as long as you are immunized before you contract the virus so if you decide to get vaccinated in March, you’re still protected from the flu for the remainder of the season. Now that we’ve separated facts from fiction and you have the right information make sure that you go out and get your vaccination! Even if you think you’re healthy and your immune system will fight it off, it’s better to be safe than sorry and prepare yourself for flu season!

When it comes to your health and wellbeing, it is better to be proactive than struggling to combat problems that could have been prevented. A positive lifestyle can go a long way toward better health, but it is not the end-all-be-all. Sometimes, health issues can be present despite healthy habits and without noticeable symptoms. In situations such as these, preventative tests are one of the only ways in which the problem can be uncovered and subsequently addressed.

It is impractical to run every test on a regular basis, creating a dilemma—what tests should be done, and when?

To circumnavigate this dilemma, doctors have compiled information regarding common health issues and developed a comprehensive schedule that relates certain health problems and their correlating tests to age and risk factors.

In other words, selected screenings are performed when adults hit a specific age or if risk factors are present. While the basic rubric may seem one-size-fits-all, it is easily adjusted to an individual’s unique health concerns, including genetic risk factors, family history, lifestyle, and more.

We’ve outlined the primary tests below in relation to the age groups that should receive them, as well as the relative frequency with which the screenings should be performed. Keep in mind that your doctor may take a different approach depending on their preferred methods and the state of your health.

Screenings for Young Adults

For healthy adults under the age of 40, there are a handful of basic tests that should be done on an annual or regular basis. These screenings are typically done in conjunction with annual physical exams and include body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, skin condition, family medical issues, diabetes, vaccines, mental health, and blood work.

Men and women in this age bracket should also be screened for gender-specific issues such as cervical cancer, sexually transmitted infections, and breast/testicular cancer.

For people between the ages of 18 and 40, the list of required annual and regular tests is short unless there are outstanding factors or increased risk is noted. For a more specific look at the screenings young adults should receive, check out the detailed list below.

• Annual Tests
  • Weight, height, and blood pressure
  • Depression screening
  • Blood work
  • Breast exam
  • Immunizations
• Risk dependent
  • Medical issues related to family history
  • Skin screening
  • Diabetes screening
  • Cholesterol
  • Sexually-transmitted infections
• Regular
  • Cervical cancer screening

Tests for Middle-Aged Adults

The regular tests established as a young adult do not stop when the threshold to midlife is crossed. For those aged 40 to 64, additional tests are added to the base tests done in young adults. While there is no set age at which these particular tests are introduced, they typically coincide with the increased risk of certain conditions that accompany the aging process.

An annual flu shot, the administration of the shingles vaccine, blood work, mammograms, pelvic exams, and prostate exams are all examples of additional tests and procedures that should be performed regularly as you age. Other conditions, such as osteoporosis and lung cancer, may be screened for if your doctor determines that there is a need.

When entering the middle phase of life, more regular testing is required to ensure you remain in good health. These additional screenings do not replace the tests necessary for younger adults; rather, they are performed in addition to them. The additional tests include those listed below.

• Annual
  • Flu shot
  • Mental health assessment
  • Mammogram
• 50 and Up
  • Shingles vaccine
  • Colorectal screening
  • Prostate exam
• Risk Dependent
  • Colonoscopy
  • Osteoporosis screening
  • Lung cancer screening

Screenings for Older Adults

Once you hit the age of 65, some tests that were optional in years past will be upgraded to recommended. This is simply because there are certain health concerns that increase with the body’s natural aging process.

The good news is that your insurance is more likely to cover these tests once an age threshold has been met. If you are concerned about the coverage of your insurance for these newly recommended tests, feel free to speak to your doctor and/or contact your insurance company with specific questions.

At age 65 and older, the screenings performed in your younger years will continue, and tests such as fall prevention and colorectal cancer screening will be added to the list of recommendations. Your doctor may also consider more frequent testing due to age or age-related risk factors that have developed.

Keep in mind that additional screenings are just that—preventative tests that are added to the screenings already establish at younger ages.

• Annual
  • Fall prevention
  • High-dose flu vaccine
  • Osteoporosis screening (annual for women, every five years for men)

No matter what your age may be or what risk factors you may possess, finding a physician you trust to perform comprehensive wellness checks and screenings is key to living a long, healthy life. By opting to undergo the tests above—and any others that your doctor may recommend—you can set yourself up for success and catch any potential issues before they become serious problems.

Preventative testing is highly effective in stopping illnesses and other issues before they can get started. When combined with a healthy, active lifestyle, these screenings help ensure you and your doctor are not caught off-guard.

It’s important to remember that the tests and their related age ranges are merely suggestions. Everybody is different and may have unique risk factors. This makes it even more essential to establish an open line of communication with your physician, especially one that stretches over a long period of time, as they can work with you directly and customize your preventative screening regimen.

The general consensus is that visiting the doctor is not people’s favorite thing. Even if you don’t dislike or outright dread going to the doctor, there is probably a list of alternative things you’d prefer to do.

Unless something is noticeably wrong (and sometimes, not even then), many people will not schedule an appointment and go to the doctor. While you certainly should go to the doctor if you are sick or have noticed a new concern or issue, a more comprehensive approach to health is better.

In other words, you should opt to go to the doctor even when a specific issue or treatment is not the motivating factor. Regular visits, generally conducted on a yearly basis, are key to maintaining a healthy body and mind.

Different doctors have different philosophies regarding what these checkups should include and how frequently they should be done, but the consensus is clear—regular doctor visits are very important.

To help detail the significance of consistent wellness exams, we have put together a quick guide to what these checkups usually cover, the benefits they grant you and your doctor, and why they matter to your immediate and long-term health.

Identifying Risk Factors

For some, family health history and genetic factors lead to consistent testing for certain conditions and diseases to ensure those risk factors have not led to the development of a serious issue. For those without predetermined risk factors, testing for specific conditions is not often done without cause.

As such, screening for risk factors is one of the primary advantages of regular checkups. By looking for changes in your risks and identifying new risk factors, your doctor can see how your health is evolving, keep an eye on potential problems, and order any further testing you may need.

Risk factors for common diseases are not static. You may see them come and go due to lifestyle changes, the process of aging, or factors outside of your control. Going to the doctor regularly can alert you to these changes and keep you and your doctor ahead of any new developments.

Detecting Disease

Illnesses often announce themselves with the arrival of symptoms. When this is the case, most people seek medical assistance in determining what is wrong and how it can be fixed. Sometimes, though, a disease can be present without any apparent symptoms. When this occurs, a regular visit to the doctor may be the only defense against the invisible disease. Your doctor is trained to notice subtle signs that may be telltale of illness that others, including you, might overlook. Some of the screening tests like colonoscopy, mammogram are recommended based on age and risk factors.

If you only visit the doctor when something is amiss or on rare occasions, such sicknesses could exist and develop over time and turn into far worse problems than they would have been if detected early.

Preventing Avoidable Problems

It may seem like a given but staying up to date on your immunizations is key to avoiding many common conditions. Even if you think you have received the vaccines necessary to stay disease-free, regularly visiting the doctor is a good idea.

Some vaccines are administered at different ages or are available to people of different levels of risk. Annual exams help determine if you are up to date and, if not, which vaccines you qualify to receive.

Promoting Healthier Lifestyles

When the New Year rolls around, people around the world pledge to take better care of their bodies. They’ll go to the gym, eat better, and stop smoking. By the end of the year, only a fraction of those people has adhered to their promised lifestyle changes.

Going to the doctor regularly is not a cure-all, but it does give your physician an opportunity to promote and encourage a healthy lifestyle. They can confirm that changes you have made are working, give you examples of success, and highlight areas where improvements can be made. From an active lifestyle that benefits your body to practices that can improve your mental health, your doctor is an excellent resource for those on a journey to self-betterment.

Updating Data

Dealing with immediate concerns is obviously of the utmost importance. However, the necessity of long-term healthcare is severely overlooked. Having a comprehensive history of your health and wellness provides invaluable insight for your doctor. It allows them to view the full picture of your health and how it has evolved throughout the years. This long-term perspective is key to helping your doctor see trends and identify changes of concern.

Updating your clinical data is also important to keeping others informed. If, for example, you need to work with another doctor, the information they have access to will be properly maintained and up to date.

Forming a Bond

A healthy relationship between you and your doctor is invaluable in establishing open lines of communication, trust, and a long-lasting bond that will serve you well through each phase in life.

Only visiting your doctor when something is wrong is not the ideal approach to developing a mutually beneficial relationship, nor does it aid your doctor in giving you the best possible care. To truly reap the benefits of a well-formed doctor-patient relationship, you need to be consistent in the frequency of your interactions.

Whether you dislike the doctor, consider yourself too busy, or are simply unsure of how frequently you should be visiting your physician, the fact remains that consistent exams are key to a healthy, happy life. While the benefits listed above are compelling, the truth is that maintaining a regular schedule of doctor’s visits is advantageous even beyond the points discussed here.

From screening for age and gender-specific problems to customized lifestyle changes that can improve the quality of life you’re experiencing, annual doctor’s visits are your chance to receive a professional evaluation of your current health, advice on how to better yourself going forward, and treatment for any issues that you are experiencing or are at risk for.

If you are ready to start your healthy routine of annual exams, reach out to your doctor. They can guide you in regards to the frequency with which they need to see you, what you can expect during the appointment, and more.