Medicare enrollment is open to those 65 and older and some younger people with disabilities. It is a government-sponsored healthcare program, and there is no enrollment fee. Part A covers hospital care, while Part B covers outpatient services. Part D is prescription drug coverage, while Part C is an optional managed care plan. There are some services that Medicare does not cover, including: 1. Routine dental exams While Medicare does cover some dental services, such as those related to an injury or illness, it does not cover routine dental exams. This can be a problem for seniors who have trouble paying for dental care. Fortunately, some options are available for seniors who need help paying for dental care. Many dentists offer discounts for seniors, and some government programs can help with the cost of dental care. 2. Long term care Medicare does not cover long-term care. Long-term care is a range of services and support for people with chronic illnesses or disabilities. Long-term care can include help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and eating. It can also include assistance with homemaking tasks such as cooking and cleaning. Medicare does not cover these services because they are considered custodial care, which is not medically necessary.

Most people associate epilepsy with jerking movements, but one might be surprised to find that there are other symptoms—often silent symptoms—that are also associated with the condition. While a seizure is the most common symptom of epileptic conditions, there are many other symptoms, too. Seizing movements may be a symptom of other illnesses as well. This symptom is evidence that the normal connections between nerve cells in the brain have been disrupted, and the causes of this are numerous, including low blood sugar, concussion, or withdrawals from substances like alcohol or illicit drugs. Here are six early warning signs of an oncoming or ongoing seizure: 1. Breathing problems or stopping breathing In some episodes of seizing, the individual may stop breathing momentarily. The individual should see a physician if the stopping of breathing or other breathing problems do not return to normal after the episode is over. Also, if the seizing lasts for more than five minutes and is accompanied by a loss of breath, then a trip to the hospital is in order. 2. Loss of bowel or bladder control Whether the seizing is considered “grand mal” (which is a major jerking episode and may involve a fall or a loss of breathing) or a “petit mal” one, the individual experiencing that episode may see a loss of control of both the bladder and the bowels.

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder. It occurs when the body’s immune system mistakes healthy tissues for foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, or other germs, which causes the immune system to attack and damage those healthy cells and tissues leading to inflammation and damage. Lupus is a serious health condition that affects an estimated 5 million people worldwide. In the United States, approximately 1.5 million individuals have been diagnosed with lupus and the disease disproportionately affects women between the ages of 15-44. These are the common signs of lupus: 1. Butterfly-shaped rash on the face The rash presents as a red swelling on the cheeks, nose, and chin and can cause skin discoloration. While this is not always indicative of lupus, combined with other symptoms, it can be an indication of underlying organ involvement which should be further investigated by a medical professional. If suspected, laboratory tests such as a blood count or protein electrophoresis should be carried out to determine if there are signs of inflammation. Early diagnosis and treatment may help to prevent long-term damage caused by this condition 2. Fingers and toes that turn white or blue This finger and toe discoloration happens due to poor blood circulation in the extremities.

If you’ve had allergies, you’ve definitely experienced itchy, dry eyes at one point or another—-this can be an incredibly uncomfortable feeling. Luckily, humidifiers and eye drops may help to bring moisture back into your eyes and ease the discomfort. But allergies aren’t the only reason you can get dry eyes, so if you’re experiencing the issue and aren’t sure why it’s happening, read on to learn potential causes: 1. Allergies Environmental factors like pollen, dust mites, smoke, and pet dander can cause allergies to flare up, which then results in inflammation of the eyes, itchy eyes, and decreased tear production which turns into dryness of the eyes. If you know you suffer from environmental allergies, it would be a good idea to take allergy medications or carry eye drops on days when external factors live pollen levels are high. 2. Hormonal changes Hormonal changes, typically estrogen and progesterone, occur most commonly in women after menopause or pregnancy. With changing levels of these hormones, it can impact your meibomian gland and can lead to dryness of the eye. Hormonal changes can also come with your menstrual cycle and the use of birth control, so if you are experiencing significant issues with dry eyes, you should talk to your healthcare provider.

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by its symptoms of inflammation of the eye muscles and fatty tissue, resulting in eyes pushed forwards that appear ‘bulging.’ TED often occurs as a result of an overactive thyroid gland due to Graves’ disease and often occurs after the diagnosis of thyroid disorder. Symptoms can be managed with treatments and medications such as Tepezza. Here are some early signs of thyroid eye disease to be on the lookout for: 1. Eye bags Due to the inflammation of the eye muscles and fatty tissue, it is normal to get eye bags with TED. Eye bags should reduce with treatment of TED, but if they are still significant, some patients consider aesthetic treatments such as skin care, wrinkle relaxers, and fillers that are injected. 2. Dry or gritty eyes With TED, the muscles around the eyes become affected. The upper lid may pull up whilst the lower lid pulls down—this paired with the build up of tissue behind the eye and ‘bulging’ makes it challenging to close your eyes tight. If you don’t blink enough or cannot close your eyes tightly, moisture will quickly evaporate and result in dry eyes. TED may also result in a reduced production of tears, another cause of dry eyes.

Deciphering cat behavior can often feel like reading ancient hieroglyphics. Changes in a feline’s relationship with food and treats, abnormalities in their litter box habits, or even seemingly innocuous signs like itching can serve as red flags of an underlying health issue. Modern advancements have made it possible for us to consult an online vet in the blink of an eye, but cat owners first need to identify potential signs of distress—like sudden discomfort with their collar might be a sign of a rash or an infestation of fleas and ticks. Here are seven signs that your cat might not be feeling well: 1. Changes in appetite or weight A sudden decrease in your cat’s appetite or sudden weight changes could signal a problem. Weight loss can be a symptom of several feline illnesses such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or kidney disease. 2. Alterations in litter box behavior If your cat is visiting the litter box more frequently than usual, it could be a sign of urinary tract disease, bladder stones, or kidney disease. On the other hand, decreased litter box usage could mean constipation or obstruction. Also, changes in the consistency, color, or smell of their waste can be indicators of underlying health problems.

Parkinson’s disease, a brain disorder that impacts the nervous system, results in tremors or unintended movements known as dyskinesia and other symptoms that progress over time. There is no known cure for this disease, however, there are some medications and treatments such as Austedo XR that can help you manage your symptoms. The following are early signs of Parkinson’s disease: 1. Dyskinesia Dyskinesia is often one of the first signs of Parkinson’s. It is characterized by uncontrollable muscle movements, typically beginning in the fingers or hand, like jerks, twitches, or tremors. As the disease progresses, these movements can impact other areas of the body, such as the face and neck, arms, legs, jaw, and more. 2. Issues with sleep Individuals with Parkinson’s may experience challenges with sleep, whether that be insomnia (challenges with falling asleep) or fragmented sleep (waking up multiple times throughout the night). With Parkinson’s, not getting enough sleep can be hard on your body as it is the time when your body and brain repairs itself, so it’s important to see your doctor for advice or medications that can help. 3. Urination problems With Parkinson’s impacting the nervous system, this can affect the messages your brain sends to your bladder.

Water, whether you consume it as sparkling water, bottled water, fresh purified water, or seltzer water, is essential for hydrating your body. Every living thing needs it, from tiny bacteria, to plants, to giant blue whales—water is a key component of life. Tap water can sometimes get contaminated, so to consume the healthiest water possible you should look for the best water filters to ensure you get clean hydration. You might wonder if there’s ever a certain time that you should be drinking water, and there is! Here’s the 6 best times to drink water for maximum health benefits: 1. When you wake up Start your day off right by enjoying a refreshing glass of water when you wake up in the morning. This sets healthy habits and makes maintaining good hydration habits throughout the day much easier. 2. Before meals If you’re trying to lose weight, drinking water before a meal can enhance fullness and prevent you from overeating. Not only this, but creating a schedule where you drink water before meals can up your hydration and water intake, making good, healthy habits. 3. Before and after exercise When you exercise, you lose water and electrolytes through sweat. To maintain your hydration, it is recommended that you drink water before and after a workout.

Lung cancer is cancer of the lungs, and it can take on a few forms, ranging from small cell carcinoma to advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and many variations in between. Like any type of cancer, it’s essential to catch it early on and start medications and treatments right away for the most optimal outcome, but unfortunately many individuals ignore their symptoms. L Lung Cancer Treatment Options While there is currently no cure for lung cancer, there are many options for medications to help treat it and assist with symptom management. Medications your doctor may prescribe include Zepzelca, Alecensa, Rybevrant, and ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) or ROS1 inhibitor. In addition to medications to help manage symptoms, you likely will also require targeted treatments to directly fight against the cancerous tumors. One may endure therapies such as opdivo and yervoy immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies. These can be mentally and physically exhausting, so it’s helpful to have a support system there to encourage and help you through it, like close friends and family. There are also cancer support groups you can join to talk to people that understand exactly what you’re going through. Although it is an extremely challenging and scary process, you can feel assured that your doctor will work with you to get the best treatment plan that will meet your needs.

Osteoporosis is what occurs when more bone gets broken down than replaced, resulting in brittle bones, or easily breaking bones, weaker grip strength, back or neck pain, receding gums, weak or brittle finger nails, stooped posture, and more. There are some medications and treatments that can help reduce these symptoms such as Evenity, Forteo, Fosamax, Prolia, and Boniva, but one of the best ways to improve bone strength is through your diet. Just as there are some foods you should eat more of, there are some foods you should try to avoid entirely. Here are 5 foods to avoid to keep osteoporosis at bay: 1. High sodium foods High sodium foods can result in a loss in calcium in your body, the mineral associated with healthy bones and teeth. With a lack of calcium, you will suffer from bone loss, causing your bones to become weak and you to develop osteoporosis. Processed foods and canned foods are typically very high in sodium, so make sure to read your labels and try seasoning your food with spices as opposed to added salt. 2. Wheat bran Wheat bran contains what’s known as phytates, something considered an anti-nutrient that makes it harder for your body to absorb calcium and other essential nutrients.