BLOG 557 DONATING BLOOG

BLOG 557 DONATING BLOOD

One of the easiest ways you can volunteer to help others is by donating your blood. In fact, according to the American Red Cross, your donation can save up to three lives. In the U.S., someone is need of blood every two seconds. With a need that high, no wonder we hear of blood drives and donating events. Giving to others always feels good, and donating blood has its own way of being beneficial to the doner as well. It is completely safe when performed properly and with the correct equipment. You can safely donate up to 3 times per year.

Donating blood can help you feel better mentally and physically. Giving to others can reduce stress. It has also been found that donating blood can contribute to lowering the risk of heart attack and heart disease. This is because regularly donating can lower iron stores. This sounds counter intuitive, but lower iron stores reduce the risk of heart attack. Some research suggests donating can also lower blood pressure.

Not everyone is qualified to donate because there can be several risk factors. People with HIV, hepatitis B or C, if you have syphilis, or having West Nile virus, are all reasons you would not be able to donate.  Some people get intimidated or a little scared when considering donating. This is because you might get dizzy, lightheaded, feel arm pain, and/or feel nauseous. Some people do have hemophobia so the site and setting of being around or near blood can be a major deterrent. About 500 ml of blood is taken during a standard donation. After being taken, the blood gets separated into plasma, red cells, and platelets.

We never know when life can present an emergency or disaster. People can lose blood and need more due to major blood loss during surgeries, having severe anemia, having sickle cell disease, form gastrointestinal bleeds, and even from loss of blood during childbirth. Donating blood is an easy, safe, fast way to help save lives. Just a little bit goes a long way and the more people who do it, the more there is to utilize upon demand.

BLOG 556 VERTIGO

BLOG 556 VERTIGO

Vertigo is an off balanced sensation that makes a person feel like they are spinning and dizzy. There are a number of reasons one might experience this. It is most commonly associated with inner ear problems because the inner ear sends signals to the brain about movement. Other causes include Meniere’s disease, which is the buildup of fluid that causes pressure in the ear. Meniere’s can also cause ringing in the ears as well as hearing loss. Another cause of vertigo is associated with BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) which is when tiny calcium particles clump up in the canals. An infection called vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis can cause inflammation in the inner ear. Other causes include migraines, stroke, tumors, medications, or head or neck injuries.

Vertigo can be triggered by changing the position of the head that causes a spinning, swaying, or unbalanced sensation. This can lead to headaches, vomiting, ringing in the ears, or hearing loss.

For many people, vertigo will go away on its own. The brain has the ability to adapt to the triggers. However, some more direct treatment is needed. Vestibular rehabilitation includes physical therapy that strengthens the vestibular system. The vestibular system is responsible for sending signals to the brain for movement in accordance with gravity. Part of this treatment is training the brain to adapt to vertigo symptoms. Medications that can treat nausea and motion sickness can be used as well for vertigo purposes. If the inner ear is swollen, antibiotics can be used or steroids that can help reduce inflammation. Water pills can also help get rid of fluids in the ear, especially if the cause is Meniere’s disease. Surgery can be performed if there is a tumor, neck, or brain injury. Canal repositioning maneuvers can be done to help move the calcium out of the ear canals to be absorbed by the body (this is used to treat BPPV).

Feeling woozy and disoriented can disrupt daily living activities. Vertigo can last for hours or even days. Children try to create the sensation by spinning in circles for this temporary dizziness. Even little movements can heighten the feeling of vertigo. Turning over in bed can increase the uneasy feeling. It is important that a doctor clarify if symptoms are vertigo or if they are more from feelings of faintness or lightheadedness. A patient might be asked to perform coordination tests. They might be asked to walk to look for balance problems or be asked to slide one heel up the other heel again looking for balance. Health care professionals can work with the patient to reduce symptoms. One shouldn’t feel like they just got off a roller coaster in their day-to-day life. Vertigo can really cause distress, but help is available and should be sought after.

BLOG 555 COMMUNICATION TYPES

BLOG 555 COMMUNICATION TYPES

Communication is how we interact with others, including how we speak and respond in different scenarios. We can each be unique in how we talk. Being able to identify what type of communication style we have as well as the types for those people surrounding us, can improve our relationships and interactions with others. Not understanding someone’s communication style increases the risk for conflict as well and misunderstanding what is being said or has been said.

The workplace is set up with individuals coming from different backgrounds, with different experiences, with different expectations, different interests/hobbies, and different beliefs. Having all these bodies in one place at one time creates constant opportunities for communication among one another and as well with customers/clientele.

There are 4 common styles of communication.

1.      Passive – These people don’t assert themselves or seek attention. They rarely express their needs or feelings, so it’s hard to know what they’re thinking or understanding if they are happy/content/uncomfortable. Most times when they talk, they fidget, seem easy going, don’t make eye contact, have poor posture, don’t make eye contact, and speak softly. When we talk to someone who is a passive communicator, we should ask for their opinions directly if we want them and allow them the time to respond, talk in one-on-one situations versus group settings, and not ask basic yes/no questions because there will be no elaboration on their part.

2.      Aggressive – These people dominate conversations and will express their thoughts/feelings even if it’s at the expense of others. They often speak before thinking and this can be hurtful/negative. Relationships often get damaged. They can be intimidating, interrupt others, invade personal space, look people right in the eyes, and be overbearing in the way they stand. When talking to an aggressive communicator you should walk away if the conversation is not moving in a positive direction, keep to the topic without emotional involvement, and stay calm no matter the reactions.

3.      Passive-aggressive – On the surface, they can seem passive but inside, they have aggressive motivation behind what they are saying. Their words and actions don’t always align, so they can be manipulative. They might be sarcastic, look happy but they aren’t, portray denial, mutter, and sometimes give silent treatment. If you are talking to someone who is passive-aggressive, confront them if they are being negative, don’t leave a conversation if you feel confused, and ask for honesty.

4.      Assertive – They are respectful and share their thoughts in a confident fashion that is mindful of those they’re speaking to. They know their boundaries and don’t get defensive or aggressive when speaking. They have good posture, use hand gestures, have a nice clear voice, make good eye contact, this is friendly, and express their ideas/feelings in a healthy manner.

Among these styles, there are visual, written, verbal and non-verbal ways to use communication. We all have our styles, and we can all improve. Sometimes we can use different styles in different situations depending on our audience or the context. When face-to-face with someone, we are all vulnerable to difficult topics, confrontation, intense emotions, and even funny or inappropriate topics. Our communication maturity comes with experience and practice. Don’t limit yourself to being a passive communicator. We are all meant to be heard and are worthy of being heard. Your voice is your self-expression of YOU, so speak up.

BLOG 554 CALORIES vs MACROS

BLOG 554 CALORIES vs MACROS

When it comes to shedding pounds, the internet is flooded with advice. Two strategies consistently rise to the top when it comes to diet, nutrition, and weight loss: counting calories and counting macros. Both have their loyal advocates, and both can be effective. Which one should you choose?

Calorie counting is the practice of tracking the total number of calories you consume each day. It’s based on the principle of energy balance. Simple math: if you burn more calories than you eat, you lose weight.

This method is easy to understand and implement. It works well for beginners. Plus, it is supported by decades of research. However, calorie counting doesn’t account for nutritional quality. It can lead to under-eating or nutrient deficiencies. For some, it may encourage obsession over numbers

Macro counting, short for macronutrient counting, involves tracking the grams of protein, carbohydrates, and fats you consume. Instead of just focusing on total calories, it emphasizes the TYPE of calories.

This method encourages balanced nutrition. With this balance, it supports muscle retention and energy levels. Macro counting is Ideal for athletes or body composition goals. However, it is more complex and time-consuming. It requires a certain degree of knowledge of food composition. Therefore, it can be overwhelming for beginners.

Here’s the truth: both methods can work, but their effectiveness depends on your goals, lifestyle, and mindset.

Let’s break this down…..

Goal	Best Approach	Why It Works
General weight loss	Calorie counting	Simpler and easier to maintain
Fat loss + muscle gain	Macro counting	Prioritizes protein and nutrient timing
Long-term health	Macro + calorie combo	Balances quantity with quality

If you're just starting out, calorie counting might be the easiest way to build awareness around your eating habits. But if you're aiming for a leaner physique or want to optimize performance, macro tracking gives you more control over body composition.

One often-overlooked aspect is how these methods affect your relationship with food. Calorie counting can sometimes lead to restrictive behaviors, while macro counting may feel like a puzzle that turns eating into a game. It’s important to choose the method that supports your mental well-being. Weight loss isn’t just a numbers game. It’s a lifestyle shift. Whether you choose to count calories, track macros, or simply focus on whole foods and portion control, the key is consistency and sustainability.