February is a time when the nation spotlights heart disease

What it Means to be an Organ DonorOrgan donors save lives and provide a second chance for men, women, and children waiting for transplants. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, more than 100,000 people are on the national transplant waiting list at any given time. Every day, 17 people will die from that list waiting for an organ donation. The unfortunate truth is there is a greater demand for organs than there are people to donate them, and understanding how donations afterlife can help those in need may make a difference in your decision to be an organ donor.  What is an organ donor?An organ donation is when doctors take a healthy organ from one person and put it into someone else. An organ donor allows their organs to be used in an organ transplant. An organ donor can save up to eight lives and improve the lives of 75 more individuals. Some most commonly donated organs include kidneys, hearts, pancreas, intestines, skin, corneas, and bone marrow.  While some organ donations occur after the donor passes away, there are several organs and tissues that you can donate while alive. While alive, you can donate a kidney, liver lobe, or part of a lung, pancreas, or intestine. These organs can continue to function, even if you only have a portion of them.  Misconceptions about organ donationsSome people are concerned about becoming organ donors because of misconceptions theyve heard. Here are the facts behind common misconceptions to help you feel more at ease with your decision.  Myth: I cant donate organs because of a medical illnessTruth: Few medical conditions automatically disqualify someone from being a donor. Even if someones had cancer or disease of an organ, they could still have healthy tissues or other organs that would be viable for a donation.  Myth: Im too old to be an organ donorTruth: There is no age limit on organ donations. Doctors assess organs on a case-by-case basis; even older adults have working organs and tissue that may be suitable for a transplant to save someones life.  Myth: My family will have to change end-of-life arrangements if I donate an organTruth: The body is treated with care throughout the donation process and will not interfere with your end-of-life plans. Those who wish to have an open-casket funeral can still do so without anyone noticing anything different about the body.  How do I become an organ donor?If you think organ donation might be something for you, you can sign up to be a donor online through your state registry or by going to https://www.organdonor.gov/sign-up. You can also sign up in person at your local motor vehicle department. You can change your mind or update your information at any time.  Working with Visiting AngelsIf youre waiting on a transplant or have recently undergone transplant surgery and need help caring for yourself at home, the team at Visiting Angels can help. Our caregivers can assist with light housekeeping, meal preparations, medication reminders, personal grooming, and transportation.   Our Mobile office works with seniors in Mobile and the surrounding area. If youd like to learn more about our services or wish to schedule a complimentary consultation, visit our listing, our website or call 251.345.4100.

Early detection of lung cancer increases your odds of successful treatment and celebrating more birthdays. But a lung cancer screening comes with a few risks, too. So, should you get checked?The American Cancer Society, American Lung Association and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) say yes if you meet certain criteria tied to long-time cigarette use.Lets take a closer look at your options with pulmonologist Peter Mazzone, MD, MPH.Who should get a lung cancer screening?A lung cancer screening isnt for everyone, states Dr. Mazzone. Its recommended only for adults who are at high risk for the disease which explains why screening guidelines are pretty specific.The USPSTF suggests an annual lung cancer screening if all of the following apply:  Youre between age 50 and 80.Youve smoked at least 20 pack-years of cigarettes. (To calculate pack-years, multiply the average number of packs smoked per day by the number of years you smoked. So, 20 pack-years is one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years).You currently smoke or have quit smoking within the past 15 years.Its also important that youre healthy enough to benefit from finding and treating early-stage lung cancer. People who get tested dont typically have symptoms of lung cancer.If someone comes to us in a wheelchair already wearing oxygen and couldnt tolerate treatment, they typically arent eligible for screening, clarifies Dr. Mazzone. However, there are nearly 15 million Americans who are at high risk and should receive screening.It should be noted, too, that a lung cancer screening is a quick and painless imaging exam. It uses low-dose computed tomography, or low-dose CT, to capture very detailed pictures of your lungs.Why is lung cancer screening important?As noted, lung cancer often doesnt announce itself with early symptoms. So, without an annual screening, lung cancer is often detected once the disease has progressed and spread which makes successful treatment less likely.People with lung cancer have about an 80% chance of being alive five years later if the cancer is diagnosed and treatment begins during Stage 1. The five-year survival rate is about 4% if tumors have spread.That leads us to this alarming reality: Only about 1 in 4 people with lung cancer are diagnosed before the cancer spreads. Early detection is key to changing that, says Dr. Mazzone.Are lung cancer screenings perfect? Of course not. Scans sometimes detect small spots called nodules that look concerning but are basically harmless little scars. Radiation exposure is a concern, too. Ditto for overdiagnosis of conditions and additional testing and stress.But the benefits of lung cancer screening still outweigh any potential harm for many people, notes Dr. Mazzone.How often is lung cancer found during a screening?Lung cancer is found in about 1 in every 140 people who get screened. This may sound like a small number, but its about the same or better than the results for breast cancer and colon cancer screening.How to decide whether to get a lung screening?A counseling session is often required before a lung cancer screening so you can discuss lung cancer risks, the screening process, benefits and potential harm. It can be a complex and difficult decision for people to make.Many people value the potential benefit of screening so much theyre happy to accept them, explains Dr. Mazzone. Others may have a different perspective. Talk to your doctor to help decide whats best for you.And because the test is annual, the decision on whether to do it can be revisited every year.This article was written by Lungs, Breathing and Allergy Team from Cleveland Clinic and was legally licensed through the DiveMarketplace by Industry Dive.Contact Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama for your medicare and health insurance needs. Contact them at 251-344-2115

How Much Can Our Caregiving Services Benefit You?Keeping fit is an important part of maintaining ones heart health. Exercise can be both safe and helpful for many people with heart disease, with and without surgery, state the authors of Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions (Bull Publishing, 2012). Exercise can lower your risk for future problems, reduce the need for hospitalization, and improve your quality of life.The American Heart Association, which suggests 150 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week to prevent heart disease. Walking is one of the exercises recommended by the AHA. There are tips for what to wear when walking, how many miles to walk, how many minutes to walk, how to stretch for walking, and the best time of day to walk all on the American Heart Association website.Walk with a Doc is an international non-profit program that pairs local doctors and healthcare professionals with walkers in local communities. These informal gatherings occur on a weekly or monthly basis in parks and other outdoor public spaces and can be a pleasant social activity too.Examples of Beneficial ExerciseSwimming, light calisthenics, and riding a stationary bicycle are generally considered safe conditioning activities for those with heart disease.People tend to be more successful with their exercise regimen when they have an accountability partnersomeone who provides encouragement and assistance to make it possible to reach goals.Communicate with a health care provider to get the most out of an exercise program and to ensure the safety of any new exercise regimen.Some heart conditions limit the kinds of and amount of exercise you do, explain the authors of Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions. Poor circulation, irregular heartbeats, or severe heart disease require that a health care provider might need to give clearance before a person should exercise. Always remember that if you develop new or different symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or rapid or irregular heartbeat while at rest or while exercising, you should stop what you are doing and contact your physician.Contact Homewatch CareGivers. Were happy to answer any questions you have regarding our caregiving services.  Call us today at 952-260-6223