Medigap Plan Will Ensure Your Total Coverage Of Medicare 2010

Applying to Medicare original policy is a common decision of most of the people. It is always good and wise decision to make for securing your future with a health insurance plan. It will help you after the age of 65 when you will retire from your work and might face some difficult physical problems due to old age. Almost all types of health crisis are included in this health insurance policy. It will make you relaxed and tension free. But like many other insurance Medicare original insurance plan also laps some expenses that you have to pay during your treatment. It is not covered in your insurance and always an amount of money is barred from giving the claimer. Not all types of treatment are included in the policy index. It is one of the common problems that a policy holder of Medicare original plan faces after doing a Medicare or at the time of claiming the expenditure. But now there is a solution from this crises and this is booking for a Medicare supplemental insurance plan which secure your health purposes totally and most efficiently.

You can trust on this plan 100% and will get the full coverage of the original one only after booking this. This special policy or plan is also known as medigap insurance plan simply because it bridges the laps or better to call the gaps between the actual and desired. Actually it is also seen that after a treatment gets finished the plan does not cover all the expenses as it is sated and the policy holder does not get the whole some of money that is spent by him. And he has to pay some money from his own pocket always in spite of having medical insurance. But it is not unnatural and unexpected as there are some boundaries for these types of insurance policies.

You can solve this problem with the help of an extraordinary and splendid plan you can supplement your original Medicare insurance plan. And this plan is called medigap health insurance plan. It is very useful to have all the benefits of your Medicare plan. It will help you to get all the benefits of the previous plan. But you have to do the original first to claim all expenditures. It is called Medigap plan only because these plans cover up the gap between the Original Medicare policy coverage and the total bill payable therefore the name is like this. Now it should be told that all these types of medigap plans are administered by several private companies and sold by them only. No governmental body can handle this plan.

There are total 12 plans which are available in market to cover your needs. You may consult with a medigap plan advisor and then request for a medigap plan. There is one option on which you can relay 100% and that is medigap California. This is such a medigap plan which is secured and worth of your money.

Substitute Yogurt in Your Recipes for Healthier Meals

Yogurt can improve baked goods' texture, not to mention make them lower in fat and calories.

(NewsUSA) - Eating healthier isn't about deprivation, but replacing low-nutrient foods with healthy substitutes. Incorporating yogurt into basic recipes is the pefect way to start.

By using yogurt instead of sour cream, cream cheese, whipped cream or mayonnaise, meals become not only lower in calories and fat, but also higher in calcium and protein. In baked goods, yogurt can improve texture and keep foods moist. When it's not heated, yogurt provides live active cultures, which can aid digestion and provide immune system support.

Greek yogurt -- a thick strained yogurt -- is especially versatile in cooking. It can be used in dips, spreads and low-fat desserts, or in any recipe that calls for cream, cream cheese, ricotta cheese, sour cream or other fats. You can even use Greek yogurt as an egg extender by replacing one egg with one-fourth cup yogurt.

For a decadent, reduced-fat dessert, try this recipe for Vanilla Cheesecake Made with Vanilla Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt:

Vanilla Cheesecake

Made with Vanilla Oikos

Organic Greek Yogurt

Makes 10 Servings

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups shortbread cookies, finely ground

1/2 stick unsalted butter melted

1 1/2 cups vanilla Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt

4 large eggs

2 8-ounce packages low-fat cream cheese

1 cup super-fine sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

Juice and zest of 1 lemon

Directions:

In a medium-sized bowl, mix cookie crumbs and butter. Press into a 9-inch spring form pan and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Add all ingredients for filling in bowl, and combine using food processor or hand mixer. Pour into cooled crust. Bake for 2 hours. Let cool overnight in refrigerator.

To find other recipes, or to use an online ingredient-substitution calculator that will compute how much yogurt to use in place of your original ingredients, visitwww.stonyfield.com/recipes/substitutioncalc.cfm.

Raising Awareness About Blood Disorders in Women

Women are at a higher risk for certain blood disorders, including anemia and blood clots.

(NewsUSA) - Blood disorders can be dangerous and are of special concern to women because of the unique risks posed by pregnancy, oral contraceptives, menstrual bleeding and hormone-replacement therapy for menopause.

"The hormones estrogen and progesterone can put women at greater risk for blood clots," says Dr. Nancy Berliner, president of the American Society of Hematology (ASH). "These hormones are used in birth control formulations and menopause therapies and are also at higher levels during pregnancy. Women are also at higher risk for anemia than men because of blood loss due to menstrual periods and pregnancy."

ASH therefore urges women to be aware of the following blood disorders, in particular:

- Anemia occurs when the body does not have enough red blood cells to transport oxygen to organs and tissue. Pregnant women are especially at risk as they need more red blood cells to support their own bodies and their babies. Red blood cell production requires iron, and pregnant women often don't have enough iron to be able to make the required increased numbers of red blood cells. Heavy menstruation can also result in iron-deficiency anemia. Symptoms of anemia include fatigue, dizziness and shortness of breath.

- Thrombophilia is a dangerous condition in which blood clots form in veins and arteries, blocking the flow of blood. This may cause swelling, pain or redness. Since pregnancy and hormonal medications increase the chance of clotting, women are especially at risk for the disorder.

- Von Willebrand disease is the most common bleeding disorder in women. It is an inherited condition in which blood cannot clot properly. Symptoms include bleeding gums, bruising easily or heavy and long menstrual periods (the most common symptom).

An awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of these disorders is critical, so treatment can be sought before any problems worsen. If you suspect that you have a blood condition, talk to your doctor immediately.

It is especially important for women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant to talk with their obstetricians about these conditions. "Two of the most common blood disorders during pregnancy are blood clots and anemia," said Berliner. "Both blood conditions are treatable, and there are easy ways to help prevent them."

For more information, visit www.bloodthevitalconnection.org.

Restaurant Chains Responding to Healthier Lifestyles

Restaurant chains are catering to public demand by creating delicious, healthy meals, like the roasted eggplant, spinach & flatbread pizza.

(NewsUSA) - Recent studies indicate that as many as one-third of all American adults are obese. And while healthier diets provide an obvious antidote to their fattier counterparts, there is an obvious reason Americans tend to choose foods in the latter category -- they taste awesome.

So, if the challenge is to marry great taste with healthier intake, and the nation's well-being hinges on the result, health mavens couldn't do much better than to look toward today's more innovative restaurant chains.

For example, recently chosen for the top spot on "Health" magazine's America's Healthiest Chain Restaurants list, UNO has found a way to offer a menu filled with healthy choices, and to have its customers embrace these choices enthusiastically.

"We start by rejecting the notion that healthy food must sacrifice taste," said Frank Guidara, CEO of UNO Chicago Grill. "That simply isn't true. Granted, to achieve both, you will require the highest level of culinary talent. But we have plenty of that at UNO, and that's why we knew we could create menu offerings that would be both healthy and delicious."

A chef of great talent knows that for every unhealthy item added to enhance taste, a healthy alternative can be found or concocted. At UNO, that means diners can enjoy a roasted eggplant, spinach & feta flatbread pizza on multigrain crust without guilt or worry, since it has only 280 calories and six grams of fiber per serving. Diners can choose the multigrain crust option for any flatbread pizza. Another great option for a delicious entree is the lemon basil salmon, which has just 240 calories per serving.

And when it comes to carbohydrates, UNO teamed with Barilla to offer whole grain penne as an option to any pasta -- helping to add more fiber and whole grains to your diet without sacrificing taste.

Just as important as healthy choices is good, easy-to-access information. That's why UNO offers nutrition information through its Web site and on display in restaurant lobby kiosks, with categories that show diners which items are under 500 calories, which are vegetarian and which are created to serve those with food allergies. What's more, UNO's site offers tips for eating healthy in restaurants, including ways to lessen fat content and caloric intake without sacrificing flavor.

Healthy eating will become mainstream when everyone figures out how to combine good health with great taste, and in that pursuit, UNO is leading the way.

U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Cooks up Healthy Weeknights

For a quick weeknight meal that is nutritious, try Catfish Almondine.

(NewsUSA) - Chances are, you've heard words and phrases like "omega-3s," "lean protein" and "heart health" associated with fish. And yet, when you come home from work, cooking fish just sounds like too much effort. But U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish can change that thought.

Catfish is actually one of the quickest meals you can prepare. The following recipe, for example, only involves nine minutes of active cooking time. For the same amount of time it takes to mix up a box of mac 'n'cheese, you can eat a nutritious dinner that looks and tastes like it took great skill to prepare.

U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish, which are sustainably raised, are low in saturated fat, high in protein and a moderate source of omega-3 fatty acids. Combining the fish with almonds makes for an especially beneficial meal, as almonds contain healthy fats, antioxidants, and vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, magnesium and potassium. And the almonds in Catfish Almondine offer loads of additional protein.

Catfish Almondine

Serves 2

Ingredients:

2 U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Fillets

2 tablespoons butter, divided

1/4 cup slivered almonds

1 lemon, zested and juiced

Directions:

1) Melt one tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, place the catfish fillets serving side down, and cook them for four minutes, or until they appear nicely browned.

2) Flip the fillets. Cook them for an additional four minutes or until they're browned and flaky. Remove the fillets from the skillet and set them aside.

3) Add the remaining butter to the skillet. Add the almonds, zest and lemon juice. Cook the almonds for one minute or until they begin to brown.

4) Place the catfish on a plate and serve them with the almondine sauce.

For more recipes, visit www.UScatfish.com.

Stay in Step with your Diabetes

More than 60 percent of non-traumatic, lower-limb amputations occur among people with diabetes. Don't become one of them.

(NewsUSA) - Nearly 21 million people in the United States are afflicted with diabetes, which accounts for 7 percent of the population. The prevalence of the disease is even higher among African Americans. In fact, approximately 13 percent of African Americans aged 20 years or older have the disease. And while diabetes is a chronic disease that can be managed, people need to be more aware of the complications associated with it.

Diabetic complications can cause nerve and vascular damage, which can eventually lead to foot ulcers. If not treated in time, these ulcers can result in amputation. In fact, more than 60 percent of non-traumatic, lower-limb amputations in the United States occur among people with diabetes.

What can you do? The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) recommends regular visits to an APMA podiatric physician as part of a comprehensive foot care plan to help reduce your risk of amputation. Additionally, the APMA suggests following these simple tips at home.

* Check your feet every day

Especially if you have a loss of sensation, visually inspecting your feet daily will help you notice any cuts, sores, blisters or changes in the skin or toenails. You can use a hand mirror to help you check the bottoms of your feet. If you notice a change in your feet, see your podiatrist immediately.

* Clean your feet daily

Washing your feet will help avoid the build-up of bacteria. Be sure to wash in warm water, rather than hot. Completely dry your feet after washing, and pay special attention to drying between the toes.

* Keep skin healthy

By lightly applying lotion or moisturizer to your feet, you can help prevent dry, flaky or cracked skin. Use lotion on the tops and bottoms of your feet but never between the toes because excess moisture between the toes creates conditions favorable to forming an infection.

* Always wear shoes and socks

Soft, lightly padded socks will help you avoid blisters and sores. Socks with no seams are best. Also, examine the insides of your shoes to be sure there is nothing harmful that will injure your feet.

* Choose shoes that fit well and protect your feet

One of the best ways to avoid injuries to your feet is to wear sturdy and supportive shoes at all times.

For more information on diabetes and
your feet or to find an APMA podiatrist in your area, visit www.apma.org.

Survey Shows Unique Needs of HIV-Positive Women Often Not Addressed

Dawn Averitt Bridge, founder and chair of the Board of The Well Project.
(NewsUSA) - There are now an estimated 300,000 women in the United States living with HIV/AIDS. New findings from the "Women Living Positive" survey show that a communication gap exists between women living with HIV and their health care providers when it comes to having important discussions about HIV and its treatment that meet their individual needs.

More than half of women surveyed (55 percent) say they have never discussed with their health care provider how HIV medications might affect women differently than men.

"With the rise of HIV infections in women, it is important that women living with HIV and their health care providers maintain open lines of communication and discuss important topics including their emotional well-being, family planning considerations and care that best meets their health and lifestyle," said Kathleen Squires, M.D., director of Infectious Diseases and Environmental Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and professor of medicine at Jefferson Medical College.

In addition, each year more than 6,000 HIV-positive women in the United States give birth. The survey shows that many HIV-positive women and their health care providers aren't discussing how HIV treatment options might affect a pregnancy until after they conceive.

More than half of respondents (52 percent) identify themselves as caregivers. Forty-three percent of women feel that living with HIV has made taking care of their families "much more," or "somewhat more," difficult.

"We hope the "Women Living Positive" survey findings will encourage more discussion between women and their health care providers about HIV medications that best meet their individual needs," said Dawn Averitt Bridge, founder and chair of the Board of The Well Project, a non-profit organization for women affected by HIV, and an HIV-positive mother.

The survey was supported by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in collaboration with The Well Project.

GfK Roper Public Affairs conducted the survey with 700 U.S. women, aged 21 and over, diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and on HIV treatment for three or more years. The women interviewed were part of three different ethnic or racial groups -; African-American, Caucasian and Hispanic.

For more information about the "Women Living Positive" survey, visit www.thewellproject.org