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Karla Flores

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I Make Insurance Easy & Simple

Do You See What I See?

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Cataract surgery is a common procedure – but do you really know what cataracts are? They occur when the lens in your eye becomes cloudyand impairs your vision. Chances are, if you live long enough to become a senior citizen, you’ll have the need for cataract surgery.

Here’s the good news…

Traditionally lenses with cataracts are removed and replaced by a clear lens to correct/improve vision. Significant changes in technology now make the procedure more effective and safer. While some surgeons still use a scalpel to make the incision, more often, a laser integrated with 3D imaging is used for better precision. The pulsating beam softens the defective lens and makes it easier to remove. Easier removal makes the whole procedure safer.

Intraoperative wavefront aberrometry is another advance that allows surgeons to choose the best lens power for individual patients. Doctors may also be able to correct astigmatisms which are imperfections in the shape of the cornea. Don’t worry if you can’t pronounce this – just know you have a better chance of getting the best vision possible with it.

Finally, there’s the possibility of developing eye drops to prevent or even reverse cataracts – but they are still in the experimental stage. What’s important is how cataract surgery continues to get easier and safer for everyone who needs it. 

A Look At The Latest Advances In Cancer Research

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One thing scientists have learned after years of study is that cancer isn’t just one disease. While a lot more research needs to be done, scientists have made great strides. One area of focus is our immune systems. Another is genetics.

Our immune systems work to protect us from foreign bodies that can hurt us. We just need to be able to identify these to fight them. We now know that cancer can sometimes hide which prevents our immune system from finding the cancerous cells. New immunotherapy techniques help our immune systems attack the cancer by 1) Preventing the cancer from hiding and 2) Boosting our immune response against cancer.

Genomics is the study of changes to the genes in your DNA. It’s giving doctors important clues about how your cancer will act and with this knowledge, they can make the best determination for treatment. It works by looking for changes called mutations in certain cancer genes. Once found, doctors can better diagnose the cancer, predict the outcome and decide on the best drug or treatment. They can also monitor how well the treatment is working.

These new developments mean faster identification and diagnoses to help treat cancers more quickly and easily which often leads to a cure.

What We NEED To Know About HPV And Prevention

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Previously overshadowed by more commonly known diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) has finally hit the spotlight. HPV is actually a group of over 200 related viruses. More than 40 of these are spread through direct sexual contact and cause genital warts. Even more concerning is how they can cause certain types of cancer – like cervical, vaginal, penile and anal. And that’s just the short list.

Vaccines have been developed to prevent infection with certain types of HPV. The FDA has approved three vaccines – Gardasil, Gardasil 9 and Cervarix. Currently only – Gardasil 9 is available for use in the US. Unfortunately, there’s no information about additional vaccines being added at this time.  

The CDC recommends all children aged 11 or 12 years should get two HPV shots 6 to 12 months apart. It also recommends vaccinating young women through age 26 and young men through age 21. Although it’s not a cure-all, it does go a long way to protect young people from infection while they’re young – and preventing even more painful consequences later in their lives.

 

Always in Season…White Chicken Chili

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White Chicken Chili…. Good and Healthy

White Chicken Chili will please everyone anytime of year! Easy to prepare on those busy days and great for those evenings when the kids are in different activities and eating in shifts.

I love this recipe because you can modify it with shredded chicken vs. chopped. This takes a bit more preparation time as you poach the chicken and shred with two forks. Also, I am not fan of cheese on my soups, so I use a dollop of low-fat sour cream in lieu of the cheese. And, you can add sliced carrots, mushrooms or other creative ingredients. While my family loves corn bread muffins with white chicken chili, other choices such as Garlic bread, crackers and toasted pita triangles make a great side. And…to end a perfect meal is the perfect desert of low fat and healthy brownies made with apple sauce or yogurt in place of oil…Yum!!

Let me know how you like it or have any suggestions for modifications!

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 15 min. Cook: 25 min.

MAKES: 10 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cans (14 ounces each) chicken broth
  • 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) great northern beans, drained, divided
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • Chopped jalapeno pepper, optional

Nutritional Facts

1 cup: 219 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 644mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 7g fiber), 19g protein.

Directions

  1. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook chicken and onion in oil until lightly browned. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the broth, chilies, cumin, oregano and cayenne; bring to a boil.
  2. Reduce heat to low. With a potato masher, mash one can of beans until smooth. Add to saucepan. Add remaining beans to saucepan. Simmer for 20-30 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and onion is tender.
  3. Top each serving with cheese and, if desired, jalapeno pepper. Yield: 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts)

Originally published as White Chicken Chili in Taste of Home Cooking School Collection

10 Drug Free Approaches to Pain Management

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Addiction-free pain relief is possible. Opioid or similar drugs are not necessary especially as they make us dependent on them.

  1. Canabidiol (CBD) is the secondary component of cannabis. It is not psychoactive like THC which is the primary cannabinol found in hemp plants. CBD oils typically meet or exceed Federal regulations including THC content making it legal to purchase CBD oils without a medical marijuana card. Phytocannabinoids are known for drugless pain relief. The most effective CBD oil is available only through doctors, yet is not a drug. The clinical strength CBD oil is 85% absorbable making it the most effective CBD oil for acute and chronic pain control and so much more.
  2. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy is over 100 years old. Russia and other European countries have embraced PEMF to improve quality of life and control pain. Some wellness centers provide sessions for a fee making PEMF affordable. Those who use it consistently report reduced pain, improved stamina and general wellness.
  3. NeuroKinetic Therapy is the study of dysfunctional movement. The practitioner discovers which muscles are being under or over stimulated by the brain. The problem is corrected and pain is alleviated. It is a soft tissue therapy. Patients who have failed to make progress in physical therapy have been able to avoid orthopedic surgery with NKT.
  4. Chiropractic is a hard tissue therapy involving joint manipulation and is known to reduce pain. This discipline works best with joint misalignment.
  5. Cleansing the liver completely eliminates pain. A thoroughly clean liver results in a pain free body. This generally demands a 100% change in life style, elimination of inflammation and malnutrition and possibly a career change.  For example, after weeks to months of this intensive therapy, you may still have arthritis but not feel any pain.
  6. Acupuncture techniques can clear pain. Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture points pertain to both superficial and organ targets, therefore acute pain relief may also improve various organ system  Simple head, back and leg aches are commonly addressed.
  7. Correcting thyroid problems can stop pain. People with low thyroid often have a lot of pain.
  8. Correcting nutritional deficiencies relieve pain. Nutritional deficiencies cause inflammation; inflammation causes pain.
  9. Cold Laser Therapy, also called low level light therapy, can be effective pain control when 1-3 sessions per week are received. Chronic pain typically requires at least 20 visits.
  10. Massage Therapy is a soft tissue manipulation technique that can release muscle tension and reduce pain. Some massage therapists perform medical massage therapy which helps patients heal faster.

By Dr. Carol Spooner, Awakening Wellness Center in Gilbert. 480-793-1366.  Dr Spooner has been a licensed naturopathic physician since 2008.

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